The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 352: Utilization Rules
The first quarter was a close contest between the two sides.

After the timeout, the Supersonics adjusted their offensive and defensive strategies, and on the defensive end, they began to flank and double-team Gan Guoyang.

When they don't receive the ball, they move in front of the defense; once they receive the ball, they immediately double-team.

When Gan Guoyang chooses to pass the ball, the Supersonics will make high-speed defensive rotations.

The key player in executing double teams and rotations is McDaniel, who possesses abundant energy and extremely aggressive help defense.

Once the defense succeeds, the SuperSonics will immediately launch a counterattack—unlike the counterattacks led by Gus Williams in the past, this SuperSonics counterattack is a team effort, any player can dribble up the court and any one of them can be the front-line spearhead attacking the basket.

This allowed the SuperSonics to launch fast breaks, especially after Dale Ellis entered the game. At the same time, the SuperSonics aggressively grabbed offensive rebounds, creating opportunities for the team's offense.

They quickly tied the score and engaged in a back-and-forth battle with the Trail Blazers.

The first quarter ended 28-31, with the Trail Blazers leading the SuperSonics by 3 points.

Gan Guoyang sensed the changes in the SuperSonics compared to the past; the team had completely broken free from Lenny Wilkens' shadow.

Without Jack Hickma, the SuperSonics played faster and more aggressively, with their forwards displaying a highly aggressive defense.

Bickerstaff has been very active in rotation, with Ellis, Lucas, and Danny Young taking turns to keep the forwards and guards active.

Of course, the most crucial player was Xavier McDaniel, whose aggressive play on both offense and defense made it quite difficult for Gan Guoyang.

At the start of the second quarter, Gan Guoyang was resting on the bench, and the Trail Blazers continued to dominate the SuperSonics—relying on Vandeweghe's outside shooting.

Vandeweghe seized the opportunity in the second quarter, hitting a three-pointer from the outside and then making consecutive successful layups—his speed on the drive slowed down, but because of his strength, his offensive power under the basket increased.

He spearheaded the Trail Blazers' offense, repeatedly stepping to the free-throw line and helping the Blazers regain an 8-point lead.

But the SuperSonics fought back tenaciously against the defending champions. After Bickerstaff called a timeout, Dale Ellis and Chambers scored in quick succession, narrowing the gap to just 2 points.

During the timeout, Ramsey criticized the players for lacking tension and playing too loosely. "This is a new season. We have already been rewarded with the championship. In the new season, the championship team will not have any advantage. On the contrary, they will be targeted by the opponents. We need to find our rhythm!"

Despite saying that, Jack Ramsey knew he hadn't regained his rhythm in the game.

When he knelt on one knee on the sidelines to direct the game as usual, he could clearly feel the pain in his knee. Although he had placed a towel on the floor, it was much more difficult for him to stand up than before.

Gan Guoyang returned to the court and used his offensive skills in the low post to draw fouls and get to the free throw line to help the team score.

McDaniel was called for two defensive fouls due to aggressive double-teaming. He was clearly unhappy and complained to the referee, resulting in a technical foul.

Gan Guoyang stepped up to the free-throw line and made the extra shot, while McDaniel sneered from the sidelines: "So you've got referees protecting you now, huh? Winning MVP makes all the difference."

Gan Guoyang was slowly getting on McDaniel's nerves. On one hand, the guy was very arrogant, constantly harassing him, making moves, and using foul language.

On the other hand, he was dissatisfied with his teammates' performance. They did play somewhat loosely, unlike last season when they started exceptionally well and crushed every opponent.

“I advise you to shut up. If you can’t do it, I can help you,” Gan Guoyang said calmly, looking at McDaniel.

McDaniel was resentful, but at this moment, he didn't dare to talk back to Gan Guoyang.

As the game continued, he regretted it, wondering why he had chickened out.
Are they really scared?

McDaniel wasn't always this fierce and ruthless.

Like many people who appear brave and fierce, McDaniel also had a timid teenage period.

Born in South Carolina, McDaniel often played street basketball at the age of 14, frequently encountering older kids of 17 or 18.

Because of the age gap, he was always blocked, so he practiced a turnaround fadeaway jump shot to avoid being blocked by defenders.

Back then, he was afraid of confrontation and had a small heart. It wasn't until he grew to 6 feet 6 inches tall and stronger at the age of 16 that he defeated those who had blocked his shots one by one and vented his past fears with aggressive confrontations.

When he faced Forrest Gump, for a moment he felt like he was 14 again, facing tall and strong kids who he couldn't handle and could only dodge with a fadeaway jump shot.

"Damn it, I'm not 14 anymore."

With that thought in mind, McDaniel threw himself into the attack.

He received a pass from Ellis, broke through and drove hard to the basket for a layup, but was blocked by Gan Guoyang.

With a beautiful block, McDaniel rushed into a layup without finding any space to shoot, and naturally couldn't get past Gan Guoyang's fingers.

The Trail Blazers, having gained possession, launched a counterattack. Gan Guoyang made a long pass to the frontcourt, and Drexler took off with his head down, but the fast break was disrupted by the SuperSonics. "Clyde, you need to find your speed and explosiveness again. Did you go crazy from all that running in the summer?"

Gan Guoyang rarely criticizes his teammates, but Drexler's performance tonight was quite poor.

He wasted many good counter-attack opportunities and his offense was weak, repeatedly hitting a wall against the Supersonics' tight and tough defense.

Drexler lowered his head and remained silent. He was indeed not in good shape tonight. He had been traveling between several cities during the summer, but had spent the most time in Houston.

He was a true superstar in Houston, and even after leaving the University of Houston for so long, he still enjoys great popularity there.

With the added boost of this year's championship, he's basically recognized wherever he goes, with people asking for autographs, photos, and when he's going back to Houston.

Drexler always just laughed it off, which made him feel good. "The Rockets didn't want me when they drafted me, but now they want me back?"

Drexler has considered returning to Houston, but with his current success with the Trail Blazers, there's no reason for him to leave.

He also followed Gan Guoyang's instructions to visit his daughter. He was very happy and satisfied, but he didn't want to spend too much time with the child's mother, fearing that he would be entangled with her.

Houston has one thing in common with Portland: there are a lot of strip clubs. Drexler spent most of his time in these erotic bars, in addition to training and taking care of his daughter.

Dating actresses in Los Angeles and New York, hanging out at strip clubs in Portland and Houston, Drexler's summer life after winning the championship was so monotonous and simple.

He trained hard, but excessive play depleted not his body, but more his mind, leading to relaxation and fatigue. The glider didn't take off even once tonight.

At halftime, the Trail Blazers led the SuperSonics 55-61, still a 6-point advantage, proving the defending champions still have the foundation.

Gan Guoyang and Vandeweghe held off the Trail Blazers' offense.

During halftime, Gan Guoyang did not lose his temper in the locker room; he held back for the time being.

If you throw a tantrum in the first game of the season, it won't be as effective if you lose your temper later on.

Even so, the locker room remained somber; the joy and happiness of the awards ceremony had vanished.

The players knew they hadn't played well tonight, and they would have had a hard time taking the lead if the referees hadn't been a little lenient with them.

The SuperSonics found confidence after the first half, realizing that the Trail Blazers' offensive and defensive intensity was not high enough tonight.

After the start of the third quarter, the SuperSonics further intensified their attack, desperately collapsing their defense and double-teaming their opponents.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that although the SuperSonics are playing man-to-man defense, they have a very strong sense of zone defense, which is something that almost every strong defensive team does nowadays.

It may seem like man-to-man defense, but once the ball moves and the player with the ball attacks the basket, the double-teaming and encirclement come very quickly, no less effective than zone defense.

The SuperSonics clearly made ample preparations during this offseason, effectively playing a 2-3 zone defense when the team's defense settled into a half-court position.

The players seemed to be marking their assigned opponents, but once the key ball handler appeared—for example, Gan Guoyang receiving the ball in the low post—they would immediately swarm him.

Gan Guoyang passed the ball outwards, the SuperSonics players split up again, Drexler received the ball on the outside, and when he broke through, the double team came up again.

McDaniel's lateral movement is very fast, which makes his double teams have a zone defense effect, and can block the breakthrough route in time.

Drexler had no choice but to pass the ball again, and Terry Porter's final three-point attempt missed.

This happened several times in the third quarter, with the inside players frequently fronting and double-teaming Gan Guoyang, denying him any opportunities to attack the basket.

Once the defense is successful, the SuperSonics immediately launch a fast break across the court, repeatedly attacking the basket using drives and offensive rebounds.

They unleashed a 9-2 run in the third quarter, taking the lead in the game.

Jack Ramsey called a timeout, momentarily at a loss for what to do against the SuperSonics' system, which was riddled with illegal defense.

He asked Bobby Bellman, "Bobby, what's up with the SuperSonics' defense?"

"They're exploiting the rules," Bellman said.

"Then what should we do?"

"We must also make good use of the rules."

(End of this chapter)