Chapter 96

Once with an alley-oop slam, once with an offensive rebound and two free throws, and once with a brilliant assist.

The moment Chen Mu stepped onto the court, he delivered a spectacular performance in just three plays, igniting the passion of the entire crowd.

"Amazing! Spectacular! Simply unstoppable!"

The commentator, visibly excited, clenched his fist and shouted into the earpiece, "This Chinese kid, this future superstar, is sure to carve out his own territory in Philadelphia!"

On the central screen of the arena, the slow-motion replay of Chen Mu's assist was shown, eliciting another round of cheers.

As the ball reached Chen Mu's hands, his eyes had already seen the passing route.

Upon receiving the ball, Simmons slightly retreated, and Mo Williams also came to double-team Chen Mu.

However, in the split second before the double-team was fully formed, Chen Mu's right hand suddenly flicked, and the ball whizzed through the air, almost grazing Simmons' fingertips as he tried to steal it, then bounced off the ground near the three-second area.

Iguodala, who had just cut to the basket, received the ball smoothly, without any need for adjustment, and immediately performed a spinning slam.

"Come on, take a look! Come and watch the Chinese kid's game!"

The commentator grew even more excited. Philadelphia hadn't seen such an exciting rookie in a long time, not even Iguodala in his rookie year had stirred the fans so much.

"We are witnessing a court magician from China!"

In just three plays, Chen Mu showcased three different skills he possessed.

The alley-oop slam required explosive physical strength and excellent mobility.

The offensive rebound required the ability to judge the ball's landing point and the reaction speed to secure it.

The assist required excellent court vision and a precise pass.

These three skills came from his physical talent, a rebounding advantage, and relentless, secret practice.

This performance quickly boosted the adrenaline of the fans, who were highly excited and continued to chant Chen Mu and Allen Iverson's names during the timeout.

However, many knew that Chen Mu's three tricks had not been fully utilized.

"Very thorough!"

Cheeks was very pleased with the team's performance and praised, "Maintain this offensive and defensive rhythm, focus on set plays, and run fast breaks when the opportunity arises to catch them off guard!"

"But I know Stotts, a disciple of Karl, won't give up easily. According to his temperament, he will certainly try to create trouble for us on defense and launch a lightning counterattack."

Cheeks continued, "If they maintain man-to-man defense after the timeout, our offensive strategy remains unchanged, focusing on the weak side two-man game to break down their big men inside."

"What if they switch to a zone defense?"

Iguodala asked.

"Good question."

Cheeks nodded, "Given our personnel, they shouldn't dare to use a 2-3 zone, as Kyle and Allen's three-point shooting would make them pay."

"But if Stotts uses a 3-2 zone..."

Cheeks briefly searched his basketball knowledge and matched it with the players on the court, then provided a solution.

"We will decide the game at the free-throw line!"

Previously, the 76ers had used a slightly adjusted 3-2 zone defense against the Spurs.

This defense required two tall players inside with good rim protection and three quick players outside to control the space near the three-point line.

To break the 3-2 zone, the offense needed a big man who could stand at the free-throw line, capable of both shooting and passing, to activate the team's offense and target the defense's blind spots—under the basket and the corner three-point line.

The Bucks' lineup, with two tall and capable big men inside and relatively tall outside players, was well-suited for the 3-2 zone.

This defensive formation, similar to an inverted trapezoid, had strong control over the center, especially the 45-degree angles, and could easily create local numerical advantages. If a steal was made, a three-line fast break could be launched immediately.

In the previous game, especially in the third quarter when Chen Mu entered the game, the Bucks struggled at the 45-degree angles, and a change in tactics was inevitable.

"Chen."

After a moment's thought, Cheeks patted Chen Mu and said, "You stand at the free-throw line, remember..."

"Use your court vision to kick their butts!"

"Got it!"

Chen Mu nodded, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the new challenge.

After the timeout, the game resumed. The Bucks first used a weak-side screen to score in the paint with Magloire, then set up a 3-2 zone defense on the defensive end.

Iverson brought the ball up the court and, recognizing the Bucks' defensive strategy, gave a tactical signal.

He lightly tapped his head, then his chest, and waved his right hand horizontally, a tactical gesture used by the 76ers.

This gesture meant the team would run a 2-1-2 offense!

In the game against Chen Mu's former team, the Suns, the 76ers had used this formation. At the time, Chen Mu was the only big man on the court, leading four smaller players, and his playmaking from the free-throw line almost single-handedly crushed the Suns' counterattack.

This time, with Webber on the court, the team's offense would be more organized with two interior passing points.

Iverson and Korver positioned themselves on the wings, Chen Mu moved up to the free-throw line to receive the ball, and the 76ers players began their off-ball movement.

Webber moved to one side of the paint, Iguodala started from the strong side, using Webber's screen to cut to the weak side, and quickly switched positions with Iverson.

At the low post, Iverson quickly cut outside. The Bucks' two big men inside did not dare to follow, and the ball magically came out from the free-throw line.

Iverson received the ball at the corner three-point line and smoothly shot a three-pointer, which went in, completing another 76ers' offensive play!

In four consecutive plays, the 76ers scored, and one of those plays came after the Bucks adjusted their defense during a timeout. This offensive efficiency was terrifying!

"In the next play, they will come with a local double team."

On the way back to defense, Iverson high-fived Chen Mu and reminded him, "Don't hold the ball too long, or it will be trouble if it gets stolen."

"Leave it to me~!"

Chen Mu nodded confidently.

The Bucks attacked, and Redd drew a foul on a jump shot, making both free throws.

On the 76ers' next possession, Iverson passed the ball to Chen Mu, and the 76ers' offense continued.

The initial setup remained the same, and Iguodala's quick movement disrupted the defensive rhythm.

This time, Iverson and Korver switched positions at the top, and Chen Mu quickly passed the ball to Iverson.

Receiving the ball in the mid-post, Iverson was surrounded by Simmons and Mo Williams, who were responsible for the right side of the defense, blocking his path to the baseline.

"Chen!"

Iverson quickly passed back, and before Chen Mu received the ball at the free-throw line, he had already set a second screen for Korver, who quickly moved to the strong-side corner, taking advantage of the space created by Iverson's draw of the double team.

As Korver reached the corner three-point line, Chen Mu had already anticipated the play and passed the ball, avoiding the double team from the two big men near the three-second area.

Korver received the ball at the corner three-point line and immediately shot a three-pointer, which spun through the air and swished into the basket.

Another three-pointer! Another assist from Chen Mu at the free-throw line!

"Incredible!!"

The commentator shouted, unable to contain his excitement, and began to gesture in the air, illustrating the 76ers' offensive play.

"Free-throw line screen and pass, drawing the double team and receiving the return pass. If you were the Chinese kid, what would you do? Pass to Andre on the weak side? Ha, you'd be wrong!"

The smooth and precise passing was so impressive that the veteran commentator seemed to have discovered a new world, excitedly analyzing, "Andre was just a decoy; the weak-side corner three by Allen was just a setup! The key to this play was Kyle's subsequent movement on the strong side!"

"Everything on the court is etched in the Chinese kid's mind, and with his unparalleled basketball IQ, he orchestrated a brilliant play!"

Indeed, in every offensive play, Chen Mu's choices were different, and each pass was a setup for the next play. Each brilliant assist created an illusion for the next play!

Standing at the free-throw line, Chen Mu moved no more than five steps throughout the play, yet he became a major threat to the Bucks, like a thorn deeply embedded in their defensive line, causing a chain reaction.

After the timeout, the Bucks' carefully planned defense seemed ineffective due to Chen Mu's outstanding performance.

Using the players' habitual thinking to pass the ball, Chen Mu's passing technique might still be far from that of top players, but his offensive philosophy far exceeded that of ordinary players.

On the next possession, the Bucks were a bit anxious. Simmons, facing Iguodala's defense, chose a quick mid-range jump shot.

The ball missed the rim, and Chen Mu secured the rebound, giving the 76ers another possession.

The same positioning and movement strategy were used. As soon as Chen Mu received the ball at the free-throw line, the Bucks' two big men immediately set up a high-low position, with Magloire stepping up to delay.

Behind Chen Mu, Mo Williams slightly retreated, waving his hands to interfere and trying to steal the ball.

In the paint, Webber and Iguodala continued their off-ball screens. After the screen, Webber did not move outside but suddenly turned and cut inside, taking advantage of Bogut's distraction by Iguodala.

"Whoosh"

The moment Webber found an open spot, the ball already came out from the free-throw line, passing through Magloire's legs and reaching Webber's hands.

"Bang!"

The veteran Webber, rarely seen jumping, rose and slammed the ball, adding two more points for the 76ers.

"This... This pass is... Just too bizarre! How... How did he see Webber's movement?! It's unbelievable!!"

With the commentator and fans' exclamations, the Bucks' players showed a hint of fatigue for the first time.

Chen Mu, on the court, walked back on defense with a smug look, pointing to the scoring Webber with his right hand, like a point guard.

In the last game of his rookie season, Chen Mu's performance was getting better. The 76ers led 77-68 at home, and the game had already entered the decisive moments.

In the stands, several unfamiliar faces, who had never appeared in previous games, were intently watching Chen Mu's performance, occasionally taking notes in their notebooks.

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