Chapter 82

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Putting Barkley as the starting shooting guard of the team was a very absurd decision. Whether it was the many journalists who encouraged this decision or many NBA experts, even the Suns' head coach Paul Westphal thought so.

It's not that Barkley couldn't play this position, but he couldn't fully utilize his strongest abilities here. Although his opponent at the power forward position was Malone, how much pressure could Malone put on Barkley defensively? For offensive superstars of Barkley and Malone's level, the difference between facing Lin Han or Malone was not significant.

Therefore, if there was a choice, Westphal would naturally not put Barkley at the shooting guard position. Not only would his offensive methods and offensive power be limited, but it was also uncertain whether Barkley could defend against the recently highly offensive Lin Han. After all, Lin Han was the scoring champion, averaging nearly 40 points per game, a statistic that was quite intimidating.

Thus, as the head coach of the Suns, the reason Westphal was unwilling but ultimately made this decision was not because of Barkley's few big mouths in the media, but because the Suns, looking up and down, really had no one besides Barkley who could match up with Lin Han. The Suns really had no one.

It must be said that the Suns' head coach Paul Westphal really held Lin Han in high regard. Although he didn't elevate him to Barkley's level or Stockton's level, he at least considered him a super rookie on par with Chris Webber or Penny Hardaway. Such a player who could potentially break out at any time required caution.

Of course, as the biggest championship favorite of the season, the Suns could not find a standard small forward or shooting guard. However, these Suns players were really unlucky. Last season's starting player, Richard Dumas, was found to be using drugs and alcohol before the season began and was directly expelled from the NBA by Stern. Because the NBA had made a lot of money in recent years, Stern was most annoyed by the drug users. Catching one basically meant ruining one. This young forward, who averaged 16 points per game and played as a starter in the Finals last season, was ruined.

As for the important rotation player, Sebarros, he was still in the hospital and was unlikely to return early in the season. This was the reality of the Suns. When facing an uncertain factor like Lin Han, they needed Barkley to play a bit of a supporting role. As for Malone, they could leave him to AC Green. Although AC Green's offense was far inferior to Barkley's, he was still very useful defensively. As long as he could tie up Malone, it would be fine.

What Westphal did not expect was that his reluctant decision to put Barkley as the team's shooting guard actually had a surprising effect in this game. The Lin Han who had been almost invincible in the previous nine games was now completely suppressed by Barkley.

...

"Lin, don't panic, don't be scared by his style of play. He just likes to use his big butt. If you can hold him, do it; if you can't, it's okay. Stay close to him from the side, don't let him have an easy shot. He will eventually come to the basket, and we will be there to defend. If necessary, we can double-team him."

"Yeah, this guy likes to use these strange moves against young players like you. Once you get used to it, it's fine."

In this game against Barkley, Lin Han had thought of many scenarios, such as a scoring duel with Barkley, or being defeated by Barkley or defeating Barkley. Lin Han had thought of many outcomes and possibilities, but there was one outcome he never expected.

He really didn't expect that this new regular season MVP would be so shameless against a rookie like him, using his big butt. This was simply disgraceful, completely disregarding the dignity and face of a senior and MVP.

At least Lin Han knew that a player's dignity was very important. For Lin Han himself, since he became famous, he basically no longer used the toilet bowl free-throw technique, although it had a high success rate, it was too embarrassing. If he continued to use it, it would surely become a black history.

And Barkley? This guy, every time he got the ball, deliberately looked for Lin Han, and every time he pushed Lin Han from the three-point line to the basket. In the league, who didn't know that when Barkley used his big butt, it was the start of being shameless. This guy actually used this move against Lin Han. If he used it against Malone or Jordan, not many people would say anything, but Lin Han was still a rookie.

So when Barkley used this move against Lin Han, the Suns players on the side couldn't bear to watch. It was too embarrassing. Their leader was being silly, making them feel ashamed.

Although his teammates came to comfort Lin Han after seeing him lose his composure, Lin Han's mood was still a bit off. But anyone in this situation would find it hard to bear. A big man being rubbed by another big man's buttocks and body was both awkward and shameful.

"Does this guy only know this move?"

Lin Han looked at Barkley, who was smiling and retreating to his half-court, and thought helplessly.

At the beginning of the game, Lin Han was very unhappy with Barkley's style of play. This guy's offensive style not only made Lin Han uncomfortable but also made it difficult for him to handle. In the past, Lin Han could use his eyes to defend, preferring to let the opponent pass rather than waste energy on defense. Physical contact in defense was very energy-consuming, and Lin Han always tried to avoid it. Now, Lin Han couldn't avoid it.

Barkley immediately started playing the butt-pushing game with Lin Han. Lin Han had no choice but to defend. In this situation, Lin Han was not very optimistic about the game. At least for this game, Lin Han didn't think he could play for a long time.

Of course, Barkley's shameless move at the beginning of the game quickly made Lin Han realize that Barkley's offense was not just about the butt. When Barkley's butt attacks made Lin Han frustrated, this fat guy suddenly started playing fancy moves, constantly breaking through and making various fancy shots in front of Lin Han, even shooting from the three-point line, playing like a real shooting guard. If it weren't for his slower movements compared to a typical guard, no one would doubt he was a shooting guard.

Faced with Barkley's sudden burst of energy, Lin Han, who was already frustrated, had no way to defend. His offense became increasingly anxious, always wanting to regain his composure in front of Barkley, but he only got deeper and deeper into the trap.

"Hehe, this kid is about to break down."

Although the Jazz's head coach Jerry Sloan had already called two timeouts in the first quarter, Barkley didn't care at all. He was very clear about Lin Han's emotions and state at this moment.

He knew that if Lin Han, who had been performing so well recently, really had his emotions affected, it would be hard to recover. A player who had become arrogant due to his achievements would not easily come back unless he was hit hard. Lin Han was like that. If he wasn't truly broken, this rookie wouldn't wake up. Even if he was broken, he might not wake up.

"I may be fat, but I am a smart and clever fat guy." Barkley thought to himself at this moment.

...

"It seems Coach Sloan is preparing to make a substitution."

Since Lin Han became a starter for the Jazz, he usually played the entire first quarter, just like Stockton and Malone, who were the true core starters. Players like Spencer and Russell usually came off the bench after playing half the quarter.

But in today's game, with only a few minutes left in the first quarter, Doug Collins, the former Bulls head coach and the commentator for this game, felt that Sloan would substitute Lin Han early.

Lin Han was completely being bullied by Barkley on the court. This fat guy not only had rich experience but also had a deep understanding of young players' mentality. Lin Han fell into his trap from the beginning of the game. Staying on the court was not only ineffective offensively but also full of defensive holes.

Just as Collins finished speaking, Barkley received the ball at the three-point line and pushed Lin Han two steps inside. At this moment, Malone, who couldn't bear it anymore, finally put aside his pride and came to double-team. But at the moment Malone came to double-team, this agile fat guy, like an eel, turned his back and cleanly passed both Lin Han and Malone.

By the time Barkley had already brought the ball to the basket, he was not someone that the substitute center Aaron Williams could stop. This big fat guy came to the basket and dunked with great force, knocking Aaron Williams to the ground. The immense power and shock of the dunk made the Jazz fans, who were crazy, all lose their composure, and the scene instantly fell silent.

At this moment, Lin Han and Malone, who had been left behind by Barkley, looked at each other and calmed down again. Especially Malone, who was now bitterly smiling. If he had faced Barkley one-on-one, he wouldn't have let Barkley play so wildly. But with Lin Han added, it actually helped Barkley. Just now, Lin Han not only let Barkley pass but also provided a screen for Barkley.

"This game is going to be tragic for the Jazz, and this young rookie is going to be finished."

At this moment, almost all the media reporters on the scene had the same thought, and their emotions became excited and agitated again.

The madness of this Chinese player is finally going to be shattered by Barkley.

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