The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 440 Beheading
After the second quarter, the two sides were evenly matched.

Although the physical contact between the two teams increased and the actions became more aggressive, the overall situation remained within a controllable range.

The Pistons' interior defense couldn't stop Gan Guoyang, but no matter how many points Gan Guoyang scored, their defensive line didn't collapse.

They were disciplined and fortified, and apart from Forrest Gump, the other Trail Blazers players had low shooting percentages.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, the Pistons, who focus on outside offense, try to avoid Gan Guoyang's strong defense as much as possible.

Another point is the control of the game's pace; Adrian Dantley's ability to draw fouls is truly top-notch.

On two occasions when the Trail Blazers were about to speed things up, Dantley drove to the basket, drew a foul, and went to the free-throw line to shoot.

Dantley was so slow and hesitant when he took his free throws, which disrupted the Trail Blazers' fast break rhythm.

The Trail Blazers had to grind out half-court sets against the Pistons, and their offense struggled to find its rhythm against the Pistons' humiliating defense.

Moreover, the Pistons protected their defensive rebounds very well, with Turpin and Laimbeer constantly crowding around Gan Guoyang, preventing him from fighting for offensive rebounds.

Gan Guoyang didn't show much desire to grab offensive rebounds in the first half because he needed to be wary of the Pistons' fast breaks and retreat on defense in time.

半场结束双方打成55:54，活塞领先1分，甘国阳半场19分8个篮板球2次盖帽，投篮命中率只有58%。

When Gan Guoyang played against the Lakers, his shooting percentage was over 65% in the first two games, which shows that the Pistons' interior defense is still very strong.

Extensive physical contact, relentless attacks, high suppression, rapid pincer movement, three to four people surrounding and hunting, creating technical fouls, and psychological interference.

The Detroit team made very careful preparations before the game, and it can be said that they used every kind of defensive method that other teams in the league have used.

Furthermore, the Pistons weren't as headstrong as the Lakers in their offense, trying to force their way past Gan Guoyang. The Pistons relied heavily on fast breaks and mid-range shots from the perimeter, avoiding direct confrontations with Gan Guoyang.

Because the Pistons have excellent defensive resources, unlike the Lakers, they don't rely on offense as a defense and want to wear down Gan Guoyang through offense.

In the end, Gan Guoyang failed to whittle down the enemy's health and instead kept feeding kills into the three-second zone.

Overall, Chuck Daly's pre-game preparations were quite successful. The coaching staff thoroughly studied the Trail Blazers and Gan Guoyang, and made appropriate defensive arrangements.

"In the second half, we need to intensify the game. If possible, I hope... we can draw blood!" Daley said fiercely.

Chuck Daly's successful defense in the first half gave him more confidence, and the third quarter will be the decisive moment.

If we can draw blood and knock Gan Guoyang out of the game, that would be the best outcome. Even if we can't take down Gan Guoyang, we should at least demoralize the Trail Blazers!

On the other side, Jack Ramsey, Bobby Bellman, and Adelman discussed their strategy for the second half in the locker room, as the team's performance in the first half was only so-so.

The Pistons' turtle-shell defense was impenetrable, and even when the ball-handler spread out, they couldn't break through the Pistons' defensive formation. They were blatantly using a pseudo zone defense.

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, whenever Bird had the ball on the wing, no matter how spread out the Celtics' lineup was, the Pistons would try to stay close to the paint.

This is often what zone defense is all about, but Chuck Daly and the Pistons coaching staff disguised it very well, and with the referees turning a blind eye, they became even more unscrupulous.

This tactic worked very well against the Trail Blazers tonight. The Pistons used zone defense to stop your drives and isolation plays, while using physical contact and flagrant fouls to weaken your shooting touch.

On offense, you can't penetrate to the basket, you have space to shoot from the outside but you don't have a shooting touch, and you have a hard time grabbing offensive rebounds. How can you possibly play well on offense?

"We need to find our shooting touch. There were a lot of space and opportunities on the perimeter, but we didn't capitalize on them. We can use some tactics and strategies, provided that we find our shooting touch again."

Jack Ramsey tapped on the whiteboard, drawing out several high screen and pick-and-roll plays.

However, he repeatedly emphasized that finding your shooting touch is fundamental; if you can't make shots, running any tactics is a waste of time.

"Don't be afraid to shoot from a distance; when you need to shoot, shoot. Be decisive," Ramsey emphasized.

In just two seasons, Ramsey's attitude towards three-pointers has undergone a complete 180-degree turn.

He realized that there were only two ways to deal with the Pistons' defensive strategy:

One approach is to force it in, to see if your tortoise shell is harder, or my fist.

The Celtics went head-to-head in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they almost wore down their frontcourt trio. Bird averaged 42 minutes per game, but still fell to the Pistons.

Another approach is to shoot around a defensive formation. Traditionally, it's believed that relying on outside shooting is not a viable strategy for winning in the playoffs.

Especially long-range shots, which are often just icing on the cake.

Bird's shooting was good enough; he averaged a series-high 27 points per game in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but they still lost the series.

But Ramsey believes the Trail Blazers have players who can shoot better.

After halftime, both teams returned to the field.

Gan Guoyang said to Bellman, "Bobby, I can smash the piston's shell."

"I know, I know you have that ability," Bellman said. "But we have a more subtle way, to avoid falling into the Detroitians' trap. They like to wallow in the mud, and maybe that will win them, but it will make them very proud and bring you down to the same level. There are always cracks in a tortoise shell; we can kill them with a sharp blade."

Gan Guoyang nodded. He knew this was Ramsey's strategy; Dr. Jack was quite astute in watching the game.

The Pistons' turtle-shell formation is indeed a headache, but it's not without its weaknesses.

Their biggest weakness is their young forward line; Salihamidzic and Rodman are both rookies. Dantley has always been a defensive liability; his one-on-one ability isn't outstanding.

At the start of the third quarter, the Trail Blazers unusually shifted their offensive focus to Vandeweghe.

Gan Guoyang went to the weak side, while Vandeweghe was on the strong side at 45 degrees, one step inside the three-point line, dribbling the ball and attacking Dantley one-on-one.

Vandeweghe used his height advantage to hit two consecutive mid-range shots from beyond the arc.

On the third attempt, Vandeweghe faked out Dantley, dribbled with the ball in his left hand, and drove to the basket, dunking over Laimbeer with one hand!
Not only did the ball go in, it also drew a foul from Laimbeer, who will be going to the free-throw line for an extra free throw!
The Memorial Arena erupted in cheers. Bill Shawnley exclaimed in disbelief, "Vandeweghe's dunk! How long has it been since we've seen Kiki drive to the basket with such brilliance!"

This season, Vandeweghe has gradually evolved into an outside shooter. Many fans have forgotten that when he first arrived in Portland, he was also a superb ball-handler who could shoot and dunk.

But Vandeweghe didn't forget that with his stronger physique, he wasn't afraid of the Pistons' solid defense and drove hard to the basket for a three-pointer.

The Trail Blazers made the free throw, taking the lead 57-61, a four-point advantage.

Vandeweghe ignited the Trail Blazers' offensive and defensive enthusiasm, and they began to intensify their defense, putting pressure on the Pistons players.

Gan Guoyang expanded his defensive range, frequently double-teaming Dumars, Thomas, and Dantley with the perimeter players, forcing them to pass the ball hastily.

With Mitchell Thompson firmly positioned in the paint, and given the Pistons' lack of big men attacking in the low post, Thompson is more than capable of anchoring the rim.

The Pistons tried to post up Donaldson against Thompson, as Donaldson has height and wingspan, and is also left-handed.

He can play in the low post during the regular season, but in the intensity of the finals, the low post is not his forte.

Thompson's turnaround floater missed, and he grabbed the rebound, leading to a fast break for the Trail Blazers.

Gan Guoyang received the ball in the middle and passed it to Vandeweghe, who was making a quick run down the wing.

Vandeweghe received the ball and was about to dunk when he was violently knocked out of bounds by Laimbeer who was following behind!

Just as Laimbeer was about to raise his hand to the referee to indicate that he had committed a foul, Thompson, who was following from behind, made a collision that sent Laimbeer flying!

Thompson raised his hand to the referee, indicating that he had committed a foul, and players from both sides rushed over.

Gan Guoyang stood in front of Thompson, and no Pistons player dared to approach him. Porter and Drexler pulled Vandeweghe up.

After Laimbeer got up, he complained to the referee, who gave Thompson a technical foul, which Thompson accepted.

He said to Gan Guoyang, "Don't be impulsive, Gan. I'll help you deal with him. You can't break the rules anymore."

Gan Guoyang patted Thompson on the shoulder, thanking the reliable veteran. When facing the Pistons, Thompson, who usually plays calmly and indifferently, became quite rough.

The second half saw increasingly intense action from both sides, with the competition becoming more brutal. Laimbeer was forced to leave the game due to too many fouls, and Melvin Tppin came on as a substitute.

Just one minute into the game, Timmer received the ball on offense, turned around, and elbowed Thompson in the ribs. Thompson was in so much pain that he couldn't straighten up.

Despite such a dangerous elbowing move, the referee only gave Tpin an offensive foul, and possession returned to the Trail Blazers.

Anger gradually ignited in Gan Guoyang's eyes, but he restrained himself. The finals were not like the regular season; he had to stay on the court.

He can't possibly beat all 12 players on the Pistons one by one. Besides, the Pistons are a team team. Even if he trades one for one, the Trail Blazers will still suffer.

He wondered if there was a way to teach the entire Pistons team a lesson once and for all.

He suppressed his emotions, held the ball at the top of the arc, faced Donaldson, took a jab step, and then pulled up for a mid-range jump shot that went in!
Then, on the defensive end, Gan Guoyang knocked Teping flying while blocking the shot, resulting in a common foul and two free throws.

The atmosphere at the scene became increasingly heated, and both teams were starting to lose their composure.

The noise in the memorial stadium grew louder and louder, and when Gan Guoyang knocked Te Ping away, the cheers almost lifted the roof off.

Tepin struggled to his feet, shook his head, and thought to himself that Forrest Gump's impact was something most people couldn't withstand.

Tping missed his first free throw, feeling a bit dizzy, but made his second. The score was 60-65, with the Trail Blazers still leading by 5 points.

On the sidelines, Jack Ramsey yelled at Gan Guoyang, "Sonny! Sonny! Control yourself!"

Gan Guoyang said, "Don't worry, Jack, I know what I'm doing!"

During the subsequent attack, Gan Guoyang once again came to the outside to receive the ball and facilitate the offense.

He reduced his low-post attacks, further stretching the Pistons' defensive formation.

Chuck Daly stood close to the sideline on the sidelines, yelling instructions to direct the team's defense.

Gan Guoyang suddenly passed a weak ball, and Te Ping immediately rushed up and tipped it away.

The ball went out of control and flew towards the sidelines. Gan Guoyang, Thompson, and Tepin rushed towards the ball together.

Gan Guoyang tapped the ball, and it changed direction again, flying towards the Pistons' bench—or more accurately, towards Chuck Daly.

Seeing this, Teping stopped the car, but Gan Guoyang showed no intention of braking; he only had eyes for the basketball.

(End of this chapter)