Who will be the role players now that everyone's been reborn?

On the court, both players played as utility players. Calderon also passed the ball to Chen Dong to challenge Bobbitt one-on-one, and the moment he received the ball, he raised it to shoot a three-pointer.

Using the same tactic again, Bobbitt felt he had figured out Chen Dong's tricks. Instead of being faked out, he used his speed advantage to stick close to Chen Dong, interfering with his drives and shots.

Just as he was gloating over his clever choice, Chen Dong suddenly leaped up, his tall body blossoming in the air, and with a flick of his wrist, he threw a three-pointer that slammed into the basket.

Swish!!!

"Making a three-pointer isn't that difficult!"

"You want to learn? Watch closely next time, I can teach you in a real match," Chen Dong said after scoring.

"Should I say thank you?" Tony Bobbitt rolled his eyes, knowing that the NBA stage was getting further and further away from him.

With his 1.93-meter height, he lacked scoring ability as a point guard and defensive physical talent as a shooting guard. When he finally managed to get playing time, opposing players treated him like a naked beauty, constantly targeting him on offense.

My few minutes on the field were filled with memories of getting beaten the whole time; that was a really unpleasant experience!

"Screw your NBA basketball dream!"

Bobby decided that if you ruined my NBA dream, I'll go ruin the basketball dreams of European league players.

Before that, he decided to enjoy the game, dribble the ball upfield, be a good tool player, pass the ball to Vujacic, and pick Calderon as the ball carrier.

In the triangle offense, this kind of one-on-one attack is the kind of role that Kobe or Jordan would play. They would be completely open one-on-one, and he couldn't do it. He would lob the ball to Turiaf at the horns, and then he and Bobby on the wing would cut into the paint at the same time.

He faked a pass to Vujacic on the right, then instantly turned to the left for a layup, but Hayes saw through his plan. Defense is Hayes' specialty, and at 1.98 meters tall, he could easily use his clever positioning to counterattack. When Turiaf was closely guarding him, Hayes instantly used his physical advantage to deliver a powerful shot. No matter what, at 2.08 meters against 1.98 meters, the physical advantage was on Hayes' side.

As he took off, Turiaf felt Hayes' body remain completely still, taking the brunt of his impact, while Turiaf in the air felt that his wingspan was insufficient, so he had to dunk from just three or four centimeters away from the basket.

Clang!

The basketball spun around the rim two and a half times before rolling out.

It's difficult to play the pivotal role effectively in a triangle offense.

How difficult is it?

The Shaq dynasty era was Kobe's.

Gasol's era was Gasol's.

What they have in common is that both Kobe and Gasol have a triple threat in the back of the net, meaning they can pass, score, and drive effectively even with their backs to the basket.

Even when Turiaf is facing the basket, he doesn't have any triple threat ability. Putting him in Pippen's role is just playing a game of musical chairs!

Rodman is the role model he should strive for!

Born in 1973, Pat Burke is 22 years old. Two years ago, he played 62 NBA games for the Magic. Knowing that his immediate impact was limited, he returned to Europe to train for two and a half years before returning to the NBA. Using his excellent fundamentals and strength advantage, he pushed Bynum out, easily grabbed the rebound, and immediately launched a long pass to find Chen Dong who was rushing to launch a counterattack.

Controlling the ball, Chen Dong was entangled by Vujacic. He dribbled between his legs to create distance, then gracefully passed the ball to the side, ensuring the smooth, fluid offense wasn't interrupted. Azubuk, riding high, stormed into the paint, leaped into the air, and delivered a godlike tomahawk dunk.

Clang!

Off the court, upon seeing this, D'Antoni couldn't help but praise, "Chen Dong's understanding of the 7-second run-and-gun offense or even less is not just a matter of one or two stories!"

If this ball had been played by any other attacker, they would have likely chased down Vujacic for a one-on-one attack. However, Chen Dong broke the deadlock with a pass that demonstrated excellent strategic vision.

This makes the Suns' offense sharp and simple.

"That's football IQ!" Gentry laughed from the side. "Many all-around players are described as 'a jack of all trades, master of none' because they have too many skills and don't know how to combine them to fully showcase their offensive talent."

It's clear that after a year of honing his skills on the NCAA bench, Chen Dong's basketball IQ has improved considerably.

But unfortunately, during the draft, teams rarely pay attention to this situation. They only need to select players with physical talent, believing that skills can be developed, and basketball IQ? They think it will naturally emerge with more playing time!

3 to 7!!

The Lakers were down by 4 points. Frank Hamburg was very dissatisfied with the players' performance on the court. Bynum was also unwilling to run back and forth like this. The Lakers drafted him as "Little Shaq" to dominate the paint, not to waste his time walking around on the court.

So, in the 4th minute, Vujacic used a passing and cutting tactic, continuing to hold the ball and point at Calderon, then dribbled to the right and lobbed the ball to Bynum under the basket. Bynum received the ball with his back to the basket and suddenly smashed it, his physical talent was clearly visible.

At this point, the triangle offense of Turiaf, Bobbitt, and Vujacic on the left and Bynum's back-to-the-basket post-up on the right side formed the so-called "two poisons" offensive strategy. Tactically speaking, this would make it impossible for the Suns' defense to make any choice but to play a dead end.

However, while Pat Burke held off Bynum, Hayes came over to help defend on the left, and Azubuke on the right perimeter also collapsed into the paint to double-team. At this moment, whenever Bynum passed the ball to Vaughn Weaver on the right three-point line, the Suns would feel the pain of the triangle offense's exquisite attack.

Unfortunately, Bynum's passing skills weren't great, and he hadn't even developed them during his peak. He was just a physically gifted but burly guy. He chose to turn around and forcefully dunk at the basket.

Snapped--!

Pat Burke and Hayes made a double block in an instant, the basketball hit Bynum's face and bounced into Azubuk's hands.

"Counterattack!"

With a roar, Azubuk took a step forward and, regardless of whether there were any players in the attacking third, still chose to make a long pass to the front.

Chen Dong ran desperately and saved the basketball just as it flew out of bounds.

Beyond the three-point line, Calderon controlled the out-of-control basketball, raised the ball to shoot, and saw Vujacic and Bobby both rushing over. He gracefully pushed the ball with both hands, found Chen Dong who had just returned to the paint from outside the baseline, received the ball, jumped up, and made an ordinary layup.

Swish!!!

"Well done!"

After scoring, Chen Dong pointed to Calderon.

"Your save was even more valuable!"

Calderon smiled and gave Chen Dong a thumbs-up in response.

In contrast to the Suns' fluid offense, the Lakers' triangle offense stalled.

On the court, Bynum received the ball in the low post. He is a key player that the management has designated for development, and the focus is definitely on Bynum's training and growth. However, the Suns did not follow the plan. Pat Burke alone defended Bynum, making it very difficult for him. As a result, Hayes' help defense and Azubuke's collapsing double-team were not reduced.

Good grief, Bynum's nickname is "Little Shark," but he's just a young shark. The Suns immediately assigned him a defensive package to deal with O'Neal. Don't they have any sense of decency?

It's like asking you to quit smoking, and you agree, but then immediately kicking you out before you even nod in agreement. That's not quitting smoking, that's making things difficult for you!

On the court, Bynum, unable to pass the ball, frantically tried to turn and attack, only to touch the ball to the baseline and commit a turnover.

The Lakers, who mainly employ the triangle offense, have served up two poisons, but the result is not a finished product; the toxicity is a bit weak!

You call a poison that doesn't kill a poison poison?

It's nothing.

In the 7th minute, Bobbitt quickly circled around the defense, making it impossible for Chen Dong to target him. As a result, he was facing Vujacic with the ball. Chen Dong did not shoot, but passed the ball to Calderon. Calderon passed the ball to Hayes, who moved to the high post. Hayes faked a shot and assisted Azubuike, who cut to the basket and made a layup for two points.

They can't break through on offense, and they can't defend against defense!

The young Bynum had no idea what to do on the court. Turiaf was guarding Hayes, but he couldn't handle the simultaneous offense of "one tall and two fast" attacking the basket.

In the 8th minute, Vaughn Weaver couldn't resist and automatically received the basketball. Without thinking, he dribbled past the defense guarded by Azubuk.

In his view, if Bynum is "Little Shaq," then in terms of his playing style, he is the man who made Shaq leave the Lakers, using his ultimate first step to penetrate the paint, and then sharply driving to the basket for a layup.

Although his body was thrown off the baseline due to inertia, he lay on the floor with his hands clenched into fists.

"It's done, this is the correct way to play."

"I shouldn't hold back my attacks."

"That high school version of the little shark is here to help me."

Weaver, who had been helped up by Bynum, was now smiling broadly.

In the 10th minute, Weaver ignored the coach's instruction to pass the ball to Bynum for a low-post one-on-one, faked a shot, and suddenly accelerated towards the paint. Facing Hayes' help defense and block, he drove to the basket and made a layup, drawing a foul and converting it into a morale-boosting 2+1 play.

A thoroughly humiliated Frank Hamburton could only resort to swearing and applause, saying, "Well done, that's how you do it!"

"Next time, we'll coordinate the pass more effectively; that will be much more efficient."

Vaughn Webber only heard "play like this," automatically ignoring the suggestion that "passing is more reasonable." His gaze was fixed on Bynum in the penalty area. "I'm going to keep attacking the penalty area until Bynum clears it."

Yes, Kobe did the same thing!

At the end of the first quarter, thanks to Vaughn Weaver's offensive outburst, the Lakers trailed the Suns by only 9 points, 24-33. There was nothing he could do; he had too many CBA teammates around him, making things too difficult for Vaughn Weaver.

The second quarter continued. In the first minute, Hayes, who was holding the ball on the right high post, faked a shot at Calderon cutting into the paint, but turned and passed the ball to Chen Dong, who was cutting into the paint on the right. Chen Dong received the ball, changed direction, and took off from a height, facing Bynum's block, and released a mid-range jump shot that went straight through the net.

24 is better than 35!

Turning back, Vaughn Weaver's drive collided with Bynum in the paint, and the basketball flew out of bounds.

Weaver and Bynum spread their hands and started arguing.

The restricted area is like a swimming pool. Once the shark leaves the restricted area, he is no longer a threat. He is unlikely to give up the space, unless it's for his teammates, like Wade who can score 9 points.

In the 4th minute, Chen Dong received the ball in the low post on the left. The moment he received the ball, he turned and broke through to the right. As Vujacic was faked out, he turned and broke through to the left. Facing Bynum's block, he drove to the basket for a layup, but was interrupted by a foul.

Standing at the free-throw line, Chen Dong made both free throws.

In the 7th minute, Turiaf made a high-post play, faked a turn, and chose to drive to the basket for a layup.

Snapped--!

Hayes completely outmaneuvered the "butcher" who only knew how to dunk and lacked a mid-range shot, swatting the ball away.

Chen Dong picked up the out-of-control basketball, dribbled behind his back to avoid Vujacic's immediate steal, and then made a long pass to Azubuk, who was on a fast break in the frontcourt. Azubuk received the ball, jumped up, and slammed it home with one hand.

Clang!

"Very nice!"

"Chen Dong is an all-around player, he can do everything." Off the court, Gentry praised, "With his all-around skills, he can completely make up for the impact of Joe Jensen's departure and serve as the second ball-handling offensive option after Steve Nash."

"Yes, what he lacks is the intensity to prove himself on the NBA stage."

Moreover, this player Chen Dong has a clear vision for his future. Haven't you noticed that Chen Dong's playing style has changed? Although D'Antoni was able to get into the NBA thanks to his brother's help, he has coached in high school for decades, so his understanding of basketball and his eye for discovering new things are not bad.

In the 10th minute, Chen Dong made a cut into the penalty area, ran out and received a pass from Calderon, raised his hand and launched a three-pointer, which was accurately sank.

Swish-!

"Look, he's switched from attacking with the ball to shooting off the ball again," D'Antoni said from the sidelines, pointing to the court.

"Hmm, that's typical of a role player!" Gentry mused. "Chen Dong should have already moved beyond the low-level interest in winning or losing this game."

He's using matches as practice, refining his offensive skills. Whether as a shooter off the ball, a one-on-one attacker, or even the core of a team's tactics, Chen Dong seems to handle it all with ease—this is the "all-around warrior" style of play.

"I don't know if the intensity of offense and defense on the NBA stage will allow me to continue to showcase this all-around offensive talent."

"However, no matter how you look at it, this is a good thing!"

Nash's position as the ball-handling mastermind is forever unshakeable. Ideally, Chen Dong could switch to being an off-ball shooter, so he could play alongside Nash.

"Yeah." D'Antoni nodded. "After all, he played with Chris Paul for two years in the NCAA."

If you don't succeed in the first year, you succeed in the second year by changing your role, and by the third year you'll definitely know the position that suits you best.

Chen Dong is doing this for the best; Joe Jensen is just getting cocky!!!

Om-!

With a score of 116 to 90, the Suns won another victory by more than 20 points, extending their winning streak to five games.

The Lakers are in a complete mess. The players' roles are unclear. Bynum, who was selected 10th overall, is too young to be the core. It is also unclear whether Vujacic or Worth Weaver should play Kobe's role. In addition, no one has taken on Fisher's point guard role.

The Lakers' triangle offense needs to be restructured from scratch, and it's destined to sort out all the clues amidst the chaos.

Chen Dong played only three quarters, shooting 11-for-20 from the field, 4-for-6 from three-point range, and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line, scoring 29 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds, delivering an efficient and outstanding performance.

Vujacic shot 8-for-16 from the field, 1-for-4 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, scoring 19 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds. He's both handsome and capable, but he needs to share the ball with Bynum, who only shot 2-for-8 from the field and 2-for-6 from the free-throw line. Judging from his free-throw performance alone, he certainly has the qualities of a "Shaq." Despite being surrounded by three defenders, he managed to score 6 points and grab 4 rebounds. However, his limited abilities prevent him from dominating the paint.

With Weaver also vying for the ball, he did put up an offensive performance of 20 points and 3 rebounds, but as a shooting guard, his 0 assists were truly an eyesore. His playing style was too selfish.

The Lakers were in disarray, and no one could put the team together properly, so their loss was not unjustified.

If the Lakers want to win, they should first consider how to clean up the mess on the team!