Chapter 80

Before Chen Mu's穿越 (time travel), during the 2005-2006 season, the Philadelphia 76ers, despite their poor performance, failed to make the playoffs in the weak Atlantic Division. Their offensive and defensive statistics ranked in the lower middle of the league, especially their defensive efficiency, which placed 25th out of 30 teams.

However, there were two defensive-related statistics where the 76ers ranked in the top five: steals and forcing opponents into turnovers. In these two categories, the 76ers ranked fourth in the league. The reason was simple: the team had three excellent stealers at different positions—Allen Iverson, Andre Iguodala, and Chris Webber. The combined average steals of these three players were almost 5 per game.

Additionally, Salmons and Korver each had an average of nearly one steal per game. Even the starting center, Thaddeus Young, who was now dressed in a suit and unable to play, had an average of 0.5 steals per game.

This comprehensive steal network, from the point guard to the center, became a nightmare for the 76ers' opponents. Whether it was a personal attack or a pass, any opponent had to be extra cautious when facing the 76ers. Otherwise, a moment of carelessness could result in the ball being stolen and a counter-attack initiated.

As a basketball and game enthusiast, Chen Mu was well aware of these statistics, but how much did the team's steal ability relate to him? Chen Mu had never figured out this connection.

Now, facing an undefendable opponent, a scoring machine of unparalleled strength, Chen Mu's mindset began to change. Exchanging a glance with Iguodala, Chen Mu silently focused all his attention on Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki's fake move failed to deceive Chen Mu, so he started dribbling to prepare for a breakthrough.

Without hesitation, Chen Mu stepped forward to pressure, spreading his arms to the fullest, isolating Nowitzki from the other Mavericks players, confining him to the top corner of the free-throw line.

For Nowitzki, this level of defense was not a concern. He dribbled the ball and leaned forward, preparing to break through from the left side, where there was more space.

Right now!

Seeing Nowitzki's move, Chen Mu knew his trap had worked. He deliberately did not look at Iguodala, who was sprinting from behind Nowitzki, and instead lowered his body, focusing his defensive stance on the center, leaving a small gap on the left side.

"Slap!"

Just as Nowitzki was about to break through, Iguodala arrived, extending his long arm to cleanly knock the ball away from behind.

"Fast break!"

Receiving the ball, Chen Mu shouted, and Iguodala, who had just made the steal, was already sprinting. Chen Mu threw a long pass, and the ball arrived precisely. Iguodala charged to the front court and slammed it in for a score.

"Good play!"

The 76ers' previously lifeless bench finally burst into energy. Teammates waved their towels, cheering for the cooperation between Chen Mu and Iguodala.

"That half-step was beautifully given."

Iguodala returned to defend and high-fived Chen Mu, appreciating his defensive choice. He nodded and said, "Leaving one side open, drawing his attention to the open area, and then letting me steal from the other side. Nice strategy!"

"Without your quick hands, my trap wouldn't have worked."

Chen Mu smiled slightly and then refocused, continuing to defend seriously.

One offensive mistake wouldn't immediately cause the Mavericks to take the ball away from Nowitzki. To maintain the confidence and continuity of their star, the ball was once again passed to Nowitzki.

This time, Nowitzki was more cautious, holding the ball firmly and only starting to play one-on-one with Chen Mu after confirming that no 76ers players were nearby.

"Come on, if you can, beat me too!"

Chen Mu, rarely, taunted a bit, then spread his arms and lowered his center of gravity, beginning to hard-press Nowitzki.

Although he said that, Chen Mu knew that if Nowitzki really wanted to beat him one-on-one, he might only need to use half his strength. But that wasn't his goal.

Again, Chen Mu blocked the center and left the sides open, his defense was very targeted, leading Nowitzki to the corner. Just as Nowitzki was about to turn and shoot, a black shadow flashed in his peripheral vision.

Allen Iverson, with the speed of a phantom, rushed from the weak side, leaving Jason Terry in the corner, and cleanly stole the ball from Nowitzki.

After securing the ball, Iverson didn't pass but immediately started dribbling at full speed, reaching the front court in an instant. He then skillfully dribbled past the chasing Daniels and scored a layup.

57-67, the 76ers had a 6-0 run, narrowing the score.

"Chinese kid, could it be that..."

After two consecutive offensive mistakes, Nowitzki was a bit unsettled. He looked at Chen Mu, who was still seriously defending, and felt a growing sense of unease.

"Could it be that this kid has already figured out my weakness...?!"

If there was any weakness in Nowitzki during the 2005-2006 season, when he was just one step away from the MVP, it could be summarized in three points:

1. Below-average help defense.

2. Back-to-the-basket skills not yet at a bug level.

3. Ball distribution after receiving the ball on the strong side.

In fact, just one season later, Nowitzki had completely improved the third point. Starting from the 2008 season, with his back-to-the-basket skills fully developed, Nowitzki had only one weakness left—his help defense. He had evolved into an unstoppable monster in all other aspects.

At this moment, Chen Mu was using this weakness to set his trap.

On the offensive end again, Nowitzki carefully observed the 76ers' defensive positioning before receiving the ball, instantly understanding everything.

On the strong side, Allen Iverson, Kyle Korver, and Chris Webber formed a triangle, each guarding their respective opponents. On the weak side, Chen Mu was matched up with Nowitzki, while Iguodala guarded the less accurate shooter, Daniels, ready to help Chen Mu at any time.

Additionally, the 76ers' defensive positioning on the strong side was strategic. Iverson was in the corner, Webber near the high post, and Korver on the left side of the center.

The key to this defensive setup was Webber's positioning.

Chen Mu was matched up with Nowitzki, and Webber was matched up with Dan皮尔 (Dampier). Due to his limited one-on-one ability and natural butterfingers, Dampier had the lowest status in the Mavericks' offense, almost the fifth option. Unless he was wide open, other players wouldn't pass to him.

Webber's positioning was very tricky, slightly below the free-throw line, outside the restricted area, standing between Nowitzki and Dampier, and also blocking the pass to Terry in the corner.

As mentioned earlier, at this point, Nowitzki still lacked exceptional ball distribution skills and was more often a scoring endpoint. Asking him to navigate through the 76ers' multiple defensive layers and pass to an open player was a tall order.

During the offense, Nowitzki and Terry would set a high screen, then pass the ball to Nowitzki, switching from the strong side to the weak side. Terry would drop to the weak side corner, switching with Howard, forming the Mavericks' signature offensive setup for the season.

After Nowitzki received the ball, he would attempt a personal attack. If it didn't work, he would pass to Daniels on the strong side, quickly transferring the ball to the weak side, where Howard would take over, with Terry ready to shoot.

Even if the offense failed, Dampier's average of 3.3 offensive rebounds would give the Mavericks a second chance.

The 76ers' defensive setup was designed to exploit this.

"Come on, Dirk!"

Chen Mu taunted, hooking his fingers and shouting, "Come and take me on, come on!"

"This kid... is completely fearless!"

Nowitzki felt uneasy. If he chose to take on Chen Mu again, Chen Mu would surely lead him to the baseline once more.

At that point, either Iguodala or Iverson could confidently leave their defenders and, using their ultra-fast reaction times, steal the ball just before Nowitzki shot, setting up a counter-attack.

On the weak side, Webber could move up half a step, and if Nowitzki dared to pass to the weak side, he could easily steal the ball.

In essence, the 76ers' defensive setup was like a pocket with one side open, forcing Nowitzki into a corner, creating a huge trap.

And the key to this trap was in Chen Mu's hands.

If all else fails, I can still force a shot!

Nowitzki steeled himself, standing still, and took a strong shot from outside the three-second area.

At this point, Chen Mu didn't need to worry about Nowitzki's breakthrough. For him, as long as Nowitzki didn't move to the center, it was a successful defense.

Chen Mu focused entirely on Nowitzki's shot, starting to pressure as soon as Nowitzki began his shot, stretching his arms high to interfere.

"Clank!"

The shot missed, and before Nowitzki could react, Iguodala, who had "taken a shortcut" into the paint, had already grabbed the rebound.

Oh no, another fast break!

Nowitzki realized the situation was bad and looked around, but Chen Mu was nowhere to be seen.

"Chinese kid...!!"

Nowitzki turned around, and at the same time, Iguodala had already thrown a long pass. The ball flew over Nowitzki's head, speeding to the front court.

Near the free-throw line, a yellow-skinned figure was sprinting full speed. Upon receiving the ball, he didn't hesitate, leaping into the air, his body flying sideways like a battle axe, and slamming the ball into the hoop.

"In your face! Dallas!!"

After landing, Chen Mu released all the frustration that had built up over an entire quarter, shouting at the camera.

This roar was quickly transmitted to all corners of the arena through the big screen and the microphones of the cameras under the basket. The once noisy atmosphere of the Westside Ballpark instantly fell silent, as if the fans had been muted, unable to utter a word.

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