Chapter 68

The Phoenix Suns, after regaining Steve Nash in the 2004-2005 season, suddenly took off and rose to prominence.

This team, known for its strong offense and weak defense, played fast-paced basketball with V-shaped attacks and 7-second fast breaks, sweeping through the entire league. Why were they able to return to the top?

Many basketball analysts have their own views on this question.

Some believe that the arrival of Mike D'Antoni was the most important reason for the Suns' transformation.

This coach, who had spent many years in the Italian league, had deeply ingrained many European basketball tactics in his mind.

Emphasizing team cooperation and frequent use of pick-and-rolls, especially high pick-and-rolls, with the interior players pulling out to create space, and endless V-shaped positioning and rapid offensive rotations, D'Antoni brought the most entertaining basketball to the league at the time.

At the same time, the rise of Amar'e Stoudemire and the arrival of MVP-level player Steve Nash further enhanced D'Antoni's tactics. Stoudemire's ability to attack from the perimeter and his solid mid-range shooting became the key factor in the Suns' interior dominance.

And with the best ball-handling ability in the league and historically top-notch mid-to-long range shooting, Nash became the Suns' commander, leading the team to a qualitative leap.

Besides the coach, many analysts credited the two players for the team's success, a view that gained many supporters.

Who lifted the Suns? Both answers are correct, but like the chicken and egg problem, whether D'Antoni made Nash and Stoudemire or vice versa, is a matter of perspective.

However, behind these star players, another name is often mentioned, and he is even grouped with Nash and Stoudemire under the acronym "MSN." Yet, the praise he received never matched his actual contributions on the court.

Shawn Marion, the basketball monster with a long face and monkey-like hands, nicknamed "The Matrix."

His explosive athleticism, exceptional jumping ability, and especially his incredible quickness, allowed the 201 cm tall Marion to establish himself in the paint.

His ability to jump multiple times in quick succession was his signature move. When grabbing rebounds, he rarely engaged in physical battles with opponents. In the early years of the Suns, Marion relied more on his mobility and jumping to secure rebounds.

Although his shooting form was extremely awkward, even earning him the nickname "The Freak" alongside Prince from the East, Marion was quite accurate when left unguarded.

In the early stages of his career, he had almost no ball-handling ability but could score continuously using his superior athleticism and endless stamina through fast breaks and positioning.

However, everyone knew that if the defense became more targeted, cutting off his connection with the point guard and forcing him to handle the ball, Marion's efficiency would drop significantly.

Moreover, many fans and analysts believed that Marion relied solely on his physical abilities and would quickly lose competitiveness once his jumping and running abilities declined. In terms of potential and ultimate achievement, he could not compare to Stoudemire.

"Stoudemire will be an MVP-level player as long as he develops accurate mid-range shooting and defense. But without Nash, Marion is nothing!"

This argument was partially confirmed when Stoudemire moved to the Big Apple.

However, the final outcome was that Nash retired in disappointment, Stoudemire was plagued by injuries, and he never developed reliable defensive skills.

On the contrary, the least noticed and most underrated Marion continued to shine and thrive, even after moving to multiple teams, and eventually won his championship ring with the Mavericks.

Life is sometimes a very peculiar thing.

Inside the US Airways Center, the game was underway.

The Suns started the game with a fast-paced offensive strategy.

Repeated attacks and counterattacks, scoring through high pick-and-rolls, with Diaw becoming the command center in the paint, the team's offense was running smoothly.

The 76ers, on the other hand, saw Coach Larry Brown unusually loosen up, allowing his players to engage in a fast-paced offensive battle.

Facing Nash's often criticized perimeter defense, Allen Iverson was unstoppable, scoring at will, forcing Bell to frequently step up and provide help defense.

Bell's help defense directly led to Korver being left open. The handsome shooter naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity, receiving the pass from Iverson and immediately launching a three-point shot.

However, just as his shot was released, a figure appeared out of nowhere, leaping like a skyrocket, and with a long arm, swatted the ball away.

"Bang!"

Shawn Marion, sprinting from the weak side to provide help defense, sent Korver's three-pointer into the stands.

"Wow! The Matrix!!!"

The crowd instantly erupted in excitement, shouting in unison.

Marion, expressionless, walked to the sideline to prepare for the inbounds play, as if that defense was just another routine action.

"That long arm, it's like Liu Bei's...!"

On the sideline, Chen Mu shook his head and sighed. Marion was often seen as a system player with a limited career.

But how many people noticed that in his first NBA game in 1999, he scored 14 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks?

Who remembers that in his second year, he averaged a double-double and contributed over 1 block and steal per game?

And who recalls that in this season, his four main statistical categories all ranked in the top 20 in the league, with his shooting percentage second only to Shaquille O'Neal?

Was all of this due to Nash and D'Antoni?

"Swish"

On the court, after a pick-and-roll with Nash, Marion quickly moved to the corner. Nash, near the free-throw line, made a long pass with his left hand, and the ball accurately reached Marion's hands, who promptly sank a three-pointer.

Brown called a timeout.

"Good offense, but be more decisive!"

The score was 21-19, with the 76ers trailing by 2 points.

"Defensively, focus on quick transitions. Don't always try to grab offensive rebounds; fall back and set up your defense. Don't let them run."

Everyone understood Brown's words, but how many teams in the league could stop this Suns team from running?

"Personnel change, Hunter comes out to rest, Chen, you're in!"

Brown drew the familiar tactical routes on the board and continued, "Try to slow down the pace on both ends. Use more mid-range shots from Chen and Webber to create space. Allen, reduce ball-handling and conserve energy."

"Their interior will likely adjust. According to D'Antoni's normal rotation, it's time for Kurt. Chen, use your footwork to dominate him!"

"No problem!"

Chen Mu saluted and began to warm up, his heart already racing with excitement.

The whistle signaling the end of the timeout sounded, and as the players returned to the court, Brown furrowed his brow, sensing something was off.

"No Kurt...? The player coming in is... James Jones?!"

On the Suns' side, D'Antoni, who rarely made significant lineup changes, suddenly decided to bring in the pure shooter James Jones.

The Suns' lineup now consisted of Nash, Bell, James Jones, Marion, and Diaw.

"Do they... not want rebounds anymore??"

Brown's confusion mirrored that of the fans, many of whom were surprised by this unusual lineup and were whispering to each other.

Indeed, the 76ers had brought in the rebounding specialist Chen Mu, while the Suns reduced their interior presence and added a shooter. What was their strategy?

The only person in the arena who wasn't too surprised by this adjustment was Chen Mu.

"Haha, as expected...!"

Chen Mu looked up and saw Marion staring intently at his every move.

"Completely small and fast, no offensive rebounds, ready to play fast and furious with us!"

The game resumed, and the 76ers began their offense as Brown had instructed. Iverson passed the ball to Webber upon reaching the front court and quickly ran to the weak side to draw the defense.

Iverson moved to the corner, and Iguodala began to run along the baseline. James Jones, defending Iguodala, hurried to chase him but collided with Chen Mu just outside the three-second area.

"Off-ball screen!"

Chen Mu quickly moved up after the screen. Iguodala had already reached the strong-side corner, drawing Bell's attention.

Korver, taking advantage of Bell's hesitation, moved to the top of the key. Webber's pass whizzed through the air, and Korver immediately launched a three-pointer, which accurately found the bottom of the net.

"Great teamwork!"

The Suns' sideline commentator couldn't help but praise the 76ers' offensive tactics, which were simple but effective, revolving around Webber as the pivot, using Chen Mu's screens to create outside opportunities.

This strategy would likely be disrupted by strong defensive teams like the Pistons or Heat, but against the Suns, who had a less solid defense, it was enough to create openings.

However, not being able to stop the 76ers wasn't a major issue for the Suns.

Diaw quickly inbounded the ball, and Nash, with the ball, quickly bypassed Iverson and sprinted toward the midcourt.

"Chen! Delay!!"

Brown shouted, and Chen Mu didn't hesitate, positioning himself at the free-throw line to delay Nash's attack. Iguodala and Korver were also sprinting back to help, and the 76ers' defense was solid!

However, Nash is Nash. Just inside the three-point line, he suddenly jumped as if to shoot. As Chen Mu moved to block, Nash changed his move, passing the ball to the left, where a figure caught it and leaped toward the basket.

"Bang!"

Marion slammed the dunk and roared to the crowd, causing the arena to erupt.

"Defending this guy, you can't afford to be the slightest bit careless...!"

Chen Mu sighed, his competitive spirit ignited, his heart pounding, ready to give the long-missed Phoenix fans a big surprise.

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