[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-golden-age-of-basketball":3,"chapter-the-golden-age-of-basketball-the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1580":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Golden Age of Basketball",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1445415,1896,"Chapter 1580 - 34: Substitute (2)","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1580",1580,"\u003Cp>The Mavericks’ performance this season wasn’t impressive; they were at the bottom of the league.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson recruited players like Mike Finley, Eddie Jones, Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, all of whom were talented guards and forwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unsuccessful coaching career with the Bucks, Lakers, and Warriors, he came to the Mavericks seeking change by pursuing an aggressive offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As both coach and manager, he focused on collecting tall, high-scoring swingmen, hoping to build a powerful offensive machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, in the late ’90s NBA environment, a lineup without defense couldn’t win. Despite their explosive offense and impressive stats, the Mavericks couldn’t achieve good results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This season, Nelson faced a lot of criticism, but he stuck to his team-building philosophy, believing this was just the beginning and there was no need to rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Portland Trail Blazers are the best example, they’re a powerful offensive team; that’s the ultimate form of basketball.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repeated failures, Nelson was interviewed by reporters about his offensive basketball style and used the Trail Blazers as an example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... the Trail Blazers have Ah Gan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know the Trail Blazers have Ah Gan! Isn’t it just that we’re missing an Ah Gan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this, Nelson seemed somewhat exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The regret of the 1984 draft still pangs faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Nelson once coached the All-Star Team for an Olympic tryout, serving as sparring partners for the U.S. Olympic Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang was on the All-Star Team then, giving Nelson the pleasure of coaching an ideal player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, at the draft, Nelson tried everything to trade for the 2nd pick from Stu-Inman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Inman wasn’t foolish; no matter what Nelson offered, he wouldn’t trade, so Nelson could only watch as Ah Gan established a dynasty in Portland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don Nelson told himself more than once that if he had gotten Ah Gan back then, the ’80s would have belonged to the Bucks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even 14 years later, Don Nelson still couldn’t forget, so much that he still looked regretful during interviews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no hope of making the playoffs this season, Nelson and management were already discussing that they must draft a big man in the 1998 draft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not to defend, but to attack, attack is a must.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson continually emphasized to the scouts that he wanted to continue the team’s offensive strategy, not pursue defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Nelson already had an ideal candidate in mind, the young German Dirk Nowitzki, who performed impressively at the \"Apollo Basketball Summit\" held by Avia a week ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This young German guy scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading the World All-Star Team to an upset victory over the U.S. All-Star Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Americans weren’t familiar with this German lad, and the DJ always called him \"Nowitzki\" when announcing his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, a year ago at the Avia Apollo Youth Camp, this young German had already made a name for himself, leaving a deep impression on NBA stars like Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the camp, Charles Barkley said if Nowitzki wanted to enter the NBA, he could just come to find him, and Barkley would surely help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, with Nowitzki’s talent, he didn’t need Barkley’s help; wise teams had already started planning to acquire this German talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don Nelson was among them, seeing the enormous offensive potential in Nowitzki, and although he would never be as outstanding as Ah Gan defensively, having 70% of Ah Gan’s offensive potential still made him exceptionally gifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson hoped this young player could somewhat make up for the regret from 14 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the court, Nelson came up with a strategy to counter the Trail Blazers’ fierce offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea was simple: counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson removed all restrictions from the players, demanding that if the Trail Blazers were fast, they had to be faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers executed all sorts of passing, moving, and backdoor plays in a set offense, but the Mavericks kept it simple; Nelson demanded immediate assaults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must make a decision within 8 seconds, don’t overthink, don’t hesitate, throw the ball towards the basket, that’s your job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson required players to make an offensive decision within 8 seconds; many teams take 6 or 7 seconds to pass half-court, and making a decision by 8 seconds?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mavericks’ players didn’t care; they couldn’t win anyway, so they went all in. Who knows, maybe there’s a chance to win?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, the Mavericks really played with an ultra-high offensive efficiency in this game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finley, Mashburn, and Jackson attacked right after crossing half-court, disrupting the Trail Blazers’ rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unorthodox punches beat experts,\" as the saying goes; the Mavericks led 71-63 at halftime, 8 points ahead of the Trail Blazers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 71 points also set the Mavericks’ halftime scoring record for the season, as well as the Trail Blazers’ halftime point concession record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers, unsettled in the third quarter, regained their composure, but Bird didn’t change strategies and shifted to set or slow-paced play to match the Mavericks’ tempo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they want to attack with us, we’ll attack all the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers weren’t so obsessed with winning as they had won enough; the key was to play satisfyingly and beautifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in the second half, both sides engaged in an even crazier offensive battle than the first half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bird expanded the rotation, using a 12-man rotation, constantly adjusting players to retaliate against the Mavericks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During halftime, Nelson thought the Blazers would change strategy to grind out a slow-paced game with the Mavericks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t expect Bird to demonstrate his unique thinking and extraordinary courage, going all out to attack the Mavericks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, they delivered a rarely seen super offensive showdown this season, with scores skyrocketing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers and Mavericks played similarly; you attack in 8 seconds, and I’ll launch an attack in 7 seconds, like a hot potato, hurling it as soon as they crossed half-court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this freewheeling offensive conflict, the Mavericks gradually fell behind because their hard power wasn’t as strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, after the Trail Blazers expanded their rotation, their players ran wildly, causing the Mavericks’ main players to fall behind and outpace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the fourth quarter, the Mavericks’ players were exhausted and started missing shots frequently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers, with a sufficient rotation and abundant stamina, delivered a 12-0 scoring run in the final stages, widening the gap completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, the Trail Blazers won 148-135, a 13-point advantage, using their exceptionally high scoring to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They scored an astounding 85 points in the second half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the game ended, Nelson shook hands and hugged Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang scored 37 points in this game, and his teammates also scored high, everyone truly enjoyed the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson held Gan Guoyang’s hand and said, \"Sonny, it would be great if you played in Dallas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang chuckled, \"It’s okay, soon you’ll have my substitute!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson was stunned, wondering who this guy was referring to? That German lad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way, the Mavericks targeting Dirk Nowitzki was a pretty secret thing, an internal secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did this guy know? Just as he wanted to ask clearly, Gan Guoyang mumbled something and headed back to the locker room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nelson grew anxious, remembering the 1996 draft when the Trail Blazers traded away their draft rights for Kobe, wondering if the Portland folks were eyeing Dirk again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Gan was well-known for his insider knowledge and extensive connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up until the 1998 draft, Nelson’s heart remained heavy, never truly at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>",1241,"2026-06-06T01:42:05.224Z",1,"novelbin.me","6170e1386e0fe46c3b6ecd52bf724cc0e4605ac5ed37d964485f0ed73799b1ba","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1581","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1718",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]