No.1 in basketball scoring-Chapter 849 - 366. Demon-Slaying Blade!

On the Bobcats’ side, Carlisle patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder: "Jack, get out there and crush Ginobili!"

Zhang Yang was also very excited, handed his training jersey to Alan Anderson and said, "I’ve been waiting two and a half quarters, finally this moment is here."

Seeing Zhang Yang eagerly head to the scoring table to powder up his hands, Vincent said to Carlisle: "Rick, you and Jack are becoming more in sync! He just adjusts his playstyle and you can grasp his intent on-the-fly."

Carlisle: "It’s not to that extent; we simply communicate often and exchange views. Maybe after some more time, we can reach that level.

After morning prep training ended, Jack and I chatted a bit and mentioned the Spurs’ adept half-court defense."

Vincent analyzed after the fact: "The Spurs’ rotations around Duncan are quick, their three-point coverage and wing penetration blocking are excellent. Combined with Duncan’s rim protection, they have always been one of the best defensive teams.

Now they’ve swapped Parker for Conley, and added a fast, tall, and long-armed swingman, Guy. Their backcourt defense has greatly improved. If it wasn’t for the Bulls’ combination of Yao, Wallace, and Hinrich, the Spurs’ half-court defense would be the best in the league.

The main thing is they have so much experience playing against us and thoroughly understand the traits of our main scorers. They defend by targeting us specifically, and although our tactics can be executed, it’s hard to create open shooting opportunities."

Carlisle nodded in agreement: "Yes, the Spurs’ offense centers around their stars. Right now, our defense curbs them, but their half-court defense also curbs our own half-court offense.

Those three offensive teams, when facing the Spurs, can rely on speed to avoid the Spurs’ half-court defense and force them into a scoring contest, but we can’t.

So tonight’s situation, Jack and I anticipated during our analysis."

Vincent, puzzled: "Then why not prepare contingency plans in advance? Why wait for in-game adjustments?"

Carlisle: "Jack asked the same thing, but I think, since it’s our first match against the Spurs after adjusting our offensive system, we should give it a shot."

Vincent: "Fair enough... So you and Jack agreed that if our team offense struggles to create good opportunities, we’ll just grind it out with the Spurs?"

Carlisle: "That’s one of the planned contingencies. Another option is akin to the Lakers’ approach against the Spurs with Bryant and Garnett: letting Jack, Grant, and Brad take more mid- to long-range shots.

Jack likely chose to grind it out based on his in-game feeling. As you said, replacing Parker and Finley’s starting backcourt with Conley and Guy significantly boosted the Spurs’ wing defense. That’s probably why he opted for this adjustment.

Since Christmas, the Spurs have been increasingly steady, climbing from sixth in the West to now reaching 53 wins and 24 losses, surpassing the Hornets to second in the West. I can understand Jack choosing to tap into our team strength and grind it out with the Spurs.

If he went solo and his shooting wasn’t consistent enough, our team offensive rhythm would be disrupted, making it difficult to catch up if we fall behind."

Vincent understood fully and replied: "Yes, it’s hard for the Spurs to effectively respond when opponents explode, but there are very few players who can achieve that. Even Bryant, who’s always played well against the Spurs, has only won 35 out of 65 matchups with Duncan, including winning 3 out of 4 playoff rounds against the Spurs..."

Vincent asking Carlisle about the contingency execution was actually helping him organize his thoughts.

On Zhang Yang’s side, after powdering up, he got on the court along with Felton, Pietrus, Hill, and Perkins.

Facing them was the lineup of Conley, Ginobili, Guy, Udoka, and Duncan.

Zhang Yang stood next to Ginobili and said: "You’re playing so well but still a substitute, with such a low salary. I really feel bad for you."

Ginobili chuckled and replied: "Trying to sow discord like you did with Tony, huh?"

Zhang Yang: "Wow, you found me out."

Ginobili: "It’s useless. I’m quite content with my current role, and as for the salary, it’s enough."

Zhang Yang: "No wonder you’re from Argentina. You guys have such a carefree financial mindset; I just can’t see it that way."

Ginobili: "Haha, I can tell. Otherwise, given your family situation, you wouldn’t have gone to work at 17."

"I feel like you guys have too many misunderstandings about me..."

Zhang Yang was about to defend himself against the strange rumors when the referee blew the whistle to resume the game. He had to let it go and focus on the match.

Pietrus stepped to the free-throw line to take the and-one shot, made it, 43 to 41, Bobcats lead by two.

Spurs on offense, Conley advanced past half-court and passed to Ginobili.

Guarding between Ginobili and the basket, Zhang Yang seemed to see the Lakers’ old backcourt — Fisher’s enhanced version plus a time-limited version of Kobe.

With the Demon Blade facing off against the Bad Kid, the crowd roared in excitement. Bobcats fans don’t like the Spurs, but they hold a good impression of Ginobili.

Even after last season’s finals where the Spurs lost the championship, Ginobili had nothing but praise for Zhang Yang.

Of course, this preference stems from the fact that the Bobcats won the finals last season, or it might have been a different story.

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