The New York Knicks broke convention, attacking illogically, putting them in an offensive showdown with the Boston Celtics.
They exchanged blows.
However... the Boston Celtics weren't flustered at all.
They played steadily.
With the big three and Rondo directing traffic, their offense flowed smoothly.
So.
They seemed to be in an invincible position.
On the defensive end, they also followed the coach's arrangements, constantly putting a lot of defensive pressure on Su Yan.
Starting with a double-team.
Triple-teams were also normal, and at most... when Su Yan drove to the basket, he was directly quadruple-teamed.
It was crazy.
This was no longer just star treatment; it was completely superstar defensive treatment.
Su Yan attacked very aggressively, but constantly going one-on-three, not only was it truly difficult, but it was also a bit selfish.
This wasn't Su Yan's playstyle.
He wasn't that kind of player either.
"Does a championship team really defend me like this?!"
Su Yan felt a bit amused, "However... too crazy a defense isn't a good thing!"
"Whoosh~"
Su Yan, two meters beyond the Three-point Shot line, attracted the attention of two defenders, then decisively passed the ball to Stephen Curry.
Another pass.
Tracy McGrady caught the ball on the left high post, completely open.
Letting Tracy McGrady shoot.
Isn't that just giving away points?
Not really.
Times had changed; the current Tracy McGrady was not as good as before, and his starting position was purely for ratings.
Tonight, before the game started.
Coach D'Antoni had hesitated whether to let Tracy McGrady start, as the opponent was too strong.
Starting Tracy McGrady would definitely be a disadvantage.
Ultimately, he still let him start; the purpose was simple: to cater to fans and for ratings.
"Whoosh~"
Tracy McGrady took an open jump shot.
The basketball hit the rim and bounced up, looking like it would miss, but fortunately, it dropped into the basket after falling.
It went in.
It went in, but it wasn't enough to boost morale.
The Boston Celtics also knew this, which is why they dared to double-team Su Yan so recklessly.
Of course... their target wasn't just Tracy McGrady; besides Su Yan, they could let any other player shoot if necessary.
They focused solely on Su Yan.
Only Su Yan.
Initially, the advantage wasn't obvious; when Su Yan passed the ball, his teammates could still finish.
But as time went on, and as all the Boston Celtics players got more into rhythm and adapted more to double-teaming Su Yan, their defense against the New York Knicks.
Gradually showed its effect.
Tracy McGrady missed even open opportunities.
Stephen Curry's Three-point Shot wasn't steady enough.
David Lee and Tyson's finishing at the basket was also lacking, and in terms of defensive struggle... Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins not only weren't afraid but even had the upper hand.
It wasn't that Stephen Curry and the others played poorly, but rather... the Boston Celtics were truly powerful, excelling in both offense and defense.
At halftime.
The New York Knicks were trailing by as many as 13 points.
The situation was dire.
Although Su Yan, when facing double or even triple-teams, passed the ball to find teammates and created opportunities for them, his playing style was not wrong.
But unfortunately, his teammates weren't strong enough.
When facing truly strong teams, their finishing efficiency was insufficient.
Instead, it backfired.
"My fault!"
During halftime.
Tracy McGrady was the first to take responsibility, "I should have made some open shots, but I didn't. I don't want to say I'm old.
But the truth is, I didn't play well."
"My problem is also huge!"
Tyson also scratched his head in self-reproach, "Yan attracted 2-3 defenders on the perimeter, leaving a lot of space in the paint, and many opportunities.
But I couldn't finish either.
Too much pressure? The strong teams' oppressive force is too strong? I don't know why, but I really didn't play well."
"My Three-point Shot was also off!"
Stephen Curry's face also looked bad.
Everyone was taking responsibility.
There was no mutual blaming, which was... a sign of a good locker room atmosphere.
Coach D'Antoni looked at everyone, initially saying nothing, but he was very satisfied with their performance.
At least... they were united even in adversity, with no internal strife.
A moment later.
After everyone had spoken, D'Antoni said in a deep voice, "The opponent is a championship team that can defeat the Cavaliers when they're serious.
It's normal for it to be tough.
This is a challenge."
Saying that.
He looked at Su Yan and continued, "Yan, team first, this is a very good basketball philosophy, it can help us win most games.
However.
That's when the two teams are evenly matched.
It's different now; the Boston Celtics are superior to us overall, both offensively and defensively.
Then we can't stick to convention.
We need to break convention.
When necessary, you need to step up and go solo, play aggressively, show dominance, and give the Green Shirts enough deterrence.
That's how we'll have a chance to snatch victory from danger.
Attack boldly and confidently; the players will unconditionally support you."
"That's right."
Tyson was the first to shout, "Letting me finish is not as good as letting Yan finish; his efficiency is higher than mine!"
"I think so too."
Stephen Curry also nodded heavily, "Yan's offense has always been illogical, always unreasonable, but he always scores, and that's enough.
Now.
None of us can score, so Yan needs to step up and use more illogical shots to strike at the Green Shirts' morale and boost our own aura."
"Right."
Tracy McGrady also chimed in, adding, "At this level of game, I'm not suited to stay on the court all the time.
Wilson, you're up."
"Okay, Tracy."
Wilson Chandler didn't drag it out; now wasn't the time to argue over who should start, winning was key.
Coach D'Antoni was very pleased to see Tracy McGrady's awareness.
Su Yan also nodded slightly, saying in a condensed voice, "Coach, I understand. Next... I will attack even more decisively."
Even more?
Yes.
Su Yan had told Stephen Curry that he would play a bit more illogically tonight, and he had been attacking that way.
However.
Seeing his teammates wide open, he still couldn't help but pass the ball, thinking of team-first basketball.
Now it seemed, team basketball also had its time.
At this moment... it was a superstar moment, requiring him to step up and save the team from dire straits.
So, in the second half.
Su Yan was going to activate his "solo" mode.
Soon.
The second half arrived.
The game continued.
Paul Pierce drove and dished to the other side; Kevin Garnett caught the ball and took another "Iron-Blooded Jumper."
"Swish!"
It went in.
It was very steady and despair-inducing, because... it was really hard to block; one could only watch helplessly.
A 15-point difference.
It was getting bigger, but Su Yan wasn't flustered at all.
He calmly dribbled the ball up; Paul Pierce rushed forward first, with Kevin Garnett behind him, ready to help.
So.
There was a double-team gap.
Seizing the opportunity... he directly accelerated and broke through, not just a simple breakthrough, but putting all his strength into colliding with Paul Pierce.
The strength from Steel Tendons and Iron Bones Lv1 was fully unleashed.
All of it.
"Bang!"
With a powerful collision, even Paul Pierce, who had strong physical qualities, couldn't handle it at all.
He was bumped away once, then pushed back twice.
Su Yan had space for a Three-point Shot, but... Kevin Garnett immediately came to help, covering him with his long arms, ready to block.
However.
Su Yan wasn't flustered at all, leaning back slightly, quickly releasing the shot, shooting illogically over Kevin Garnett's long arm.
The basketball flew past Kevin Garnett's fingertips, extremely narrowly.
This shot... was very difficult.
Could it go in?!
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