[{"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-1750":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},1445489,1896,"Chapter 1750 - 44: A Subtle Smile (Part 2)","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1750",1750,"\u003Cp>On the Trail Blazers side, their offense was somewhat sluggish, but with 3 offensive rebounds, the Trail Blazers kept the score tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides exchanged baskets, going from 2:2 up to 12:12. The game proceeded smoothly with no stoppages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the referee blew the whistle for an official timeout, as the TV station needed to insert commercials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The NBA nowadays is like this. A game’s quarter can’t be played entirely smoothly; if it flows too well, officials will intervene to disrupt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how would TV stations recover ad costs? How would they agree to sign such large broadcasting contracts with the NBA?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Mavericks’ bench, Mark Cuban pointed and shouted from the back, \"Smash them, use our offense to smash them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nielsen wanted Cuban to shut up, thinking if you’re so capable, why don’t you play? However, the Mavericks did indeed need to enhance their offensive firepower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dirk, ramp up your ball-handling offense. Don’t be afraid to challenge Ah Gan; he’s no big deal. Remember, get it done. You did well earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki thought, get it done my ass, Ah Gan hasn’t even exerted himself yet; he was just running back and forth in the first few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During several rebounding clashes, Nowitzki felt like a paper figure; anytime he made body contact with Ah Gan, he seemed ready to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Gan Guoyang hadn’t exerted himself or used any dirty tactics. Nowitzki was sensible enough to know the game wouldn’t be easy going forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the game resumed, it was still the Mavericks’ offensive turn, and they had made personnel adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tall, lanky Bradley was rested and replaced by small forward Sibaros.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Mavericks were starting to mix things up, playing outside conventional norms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, Nowitzki should be playing at the center position at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not move into the three-second zone; instead, he ran to the top of the arc to receive the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Strickland went to squat in the right corner, preparing as the point shooter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This strategy would bewilder any opponent for a while—were they making Nowitzki play point guard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trail Blazers and Gan Guoyang were familiar with this approach since Gan Guoyang occasionally played like this in certain matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Gan Guoyang had the ability, but Nowitzki didn’t seem like someone who could organize an outside offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki didn’t intend to initiate an offense; after receiving the ball, he feinted, immediately lowering his body for a direct drive through the middle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mavericks had opened up space, giving Nowitzki the chance to break through, and Gan Guoyang stepped aside to let Nowitzki through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki, standing at 7 feet tall, dribbled smoothly with the left hand and merged well with the ball; after driving into the basket, he performed a fluid left-handed layup!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang swatted it away with a big block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of driving might work against massive players like Ostertag or Brian Rivers, but against Gan Guoyang, it was courting disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang’s block sent the ball to Kobe, who immediately launched a fast-break counterattack; though the Mavericks quickly retreated on defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kobe slowed down, as Gan Guoyang positioned himself low, and Kobe passed the ball to Henderson, who then passed to Gan Guoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang comfortably positioned himself at a 45-degree angle; Nowitzki pushed against him, attempting to swipe the ball, but to no avail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gan Guoyang held the ball in one hand, pushing backward before dribbling and giving a gentle shoulder bump, which easily opened up Nowitzki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant when Nowitzki was displaced, Gan Guoyang gave him a charming smile, then smoothly took a mid-range jump shot, scoring two points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of physical confrontation, Nowitzki was far behind Gan Guoyang. Nielsen’s decision to let him guard Gan Guoyang was practically giving away points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commentators at the scene said, \"Is Nielsen trying to destroy Dirk, making him guard Ah Gan one-on-one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what Nowitzki felt was not just the disparity in physical contest but also Gan Guoyang’s incredible calmness and confidence in his offensive play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even smiled at me just now, what did he mean? Was it mocking my frail physique, my poor defense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki didn’t have time to think much, as the Mavericks quickly inbounded the ball, swiftly crossing half-court to organize their offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strickland still wasn’t handling the ball and continued to pass it to Nowitzki; Nowitzki didn’t force a play but distributed the ball to Fenli on the wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mavericks cleared the left side for Fenli to go head-to-head with Kobe; Kobe kept his position at the low post firmly, and Fenli found no rhythm to exploit, as Kobe defended fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the weak side, Nowitzki sensed an opportunity. He suddenly moved from beyond the three-point line, running at a 45-degree angle to the elbow position; Fenli promptly made a wide pass to Nowitzki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki caught the ball and took a mid-range jump shot, unexpectedly faced with Gan Guoyang’s rapid pursuit, his long arms knocked the ball away just as Nowitzki began his shot action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowitzki stumbled in the air as the ball was snatched away; Gan Guoyang successfully intercepted it and slowed down, passing to Brellock to handle the ball and leisurely cross half-court for a set play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a different defender was there, or Nielsen hadn’t given pre-game instructions, Nowitzki would have made the shot, at least not getting intercepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, in games, Gan Guoyang hasn’t been fully locking down matchups on defense; he defends normally, letting go some shots when appropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regarding Nowitzki, Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, \"You should focus on observing rather than rushing to shoot hastily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Trail Blazers’ offensive turn, Gan Guoyang requested the ball with his back at a 45-degree angle, the Mavericks came to double team, and Gan Guoyang passed the ball, forwarding it further in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Gan Guoyang swiftly turned after receiving the ball, moving towards the baseline to evade the double team. Nowitzki clearly couldn’t keep up as Gan Guoyang had a clear path under the basket.\u003C\u002Fp>",1009,"2026-06-06T01:42:06.584Z",1,"novelbin.me","07cc398db7f9e695bd5c527fc1f1fde054a647db6c3af99af83716a6bfde1b20","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-2023","the-golden-age-of-basketball-chapter-1749",2033,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-golden-age-of-basketball-cover.jpg"]