The Golden Age of Basketball.

Chapter 993 Perfect Match
Faced with the two players' relaxed and natural form and their double-unstoppable offense, George Karl called a timeout.

But what's the point of pausing?
These two old guys have dominated the league for twenty years, have they found a way to deal with them?

No, we can only wait until they are in poor condition or get old.

Last season, Jordan showed signs of aging, and his offensive efficiency became somewhat low.

But looking at his physique and his lighter steps this season, you can tell he's in great form.

You might wait until the end of the season, until he's exhausted from 82 regular season games, but obviously not now, this is just the first game.

When Gan Guoyang and Jordan left the court, they discussed some details of the game, especially the pick-and-roll.

Both players rarely used pick-and-roll during their prime, but they started practicing pick-and-roll together this season and need to develop chemistry.

"I was referring to the right side, the right side!"

"Your right is my left."

"Then you should walk on your left!"

"I'm not used to walking on the left."

"You call yourself the greatest shooting guard of all time, and you can't even handle your left hand?"

"Bullshit, you know I'm equally good with my left and right hands. But I said, with a pick and roll, if I go left, it's not as smooth to initiate the offense. And don't you think your positioning is wrong? Your angle."

“My positioning is fucking perfect, my screens have always been the best in the league. You need to make quick decisions, Michael, and listen to my instructions. Of course, you can have the final say, provided you can control the situation.”

"You doubt my ability to control the situation?"

I doubt you can understand English!

Their supposed exchange turned into another argument, leaving Tomjanovich speechless.

It was really just a matter of choosing a pick and roll. Gan Guoyang instructed Jordan to go to the left, but Jordan still chose the right.

The ball went in, but Gan Guoyang wasn't satisfied with the choice, and the two had some arguments.

From training to competition, the two argued incessantly, all about very minor details.

Jordan was also dissatisfied with Gan Guoyang's positioning, which was too far forward and his side angle was not right.

They still need to work out some of their playing habits gradually.

However, both players agree on the tactical implications, acknowledging that in the current environment, the pick-and-roll is more powerful than in the past.

As zone defense is allowed, it becomes more difficult for players to create space and score one-on-one shots, and the logic of defense and offense is changing.

After the new rules were introduced, Jordan hesitated about whether or not to make a comeback.

In an interview, he publicly stated, "If the league allows zone defense, it would be a disaster for me; I wouldn't be able to score like I used to."

Jordan's memories of scoring against zone defenses in college and the Olympics worried him.

But Gan Guoyang immediately told Jordan that his worries were unfounded and that with the three-second rule in place, the effectiveness of zone defense wouldn't be that great.

Moreover, the NBA three-point line is farther than the FIBA ​​three-point line, and the court space is larger, making it less easy for the zone defense to huddle together and defend.

Gan Guoyang is right. Last season, Jordan still put up a very high offensive performance and was not contained by the zone defense.

Now, the two players use pick-and-roll as their offensive starting point, which not only revitalizes the entire team but also conserves their offensive energy.

Despite their arguments, once they get back to the game, they stop arguing and instead cooperate to defeat their opponents.

The Glory made substitutions, with Ewing and Jordan going off the court for rest, and Yao Ming and Raja Bell coming on as substitutes.

This is a new rotation system for the new season. Gan Guoyang will no longer be substituted midway through the first quarter, but instead, Jordan will get some rest.

Towards the end of the first quarter, Jordan would return to the court while Gan Guoyang would rest, ensuring that one of them was always on the court leading the other players.

With a standard rotation configuration for a team featuring both inside and outside stars, Jordan sat on the bench watching the game, feeling more at ease than ever before.

In the past, whether with the Bulls or the SuperSonics, Jordan would easily feel anxious once he returned to the bench because he was no longer on the court.

For a long time, Jordan didn't trust his teammates, and things improved a lot after Phil Jackson took over as coach.

But fundamentally, he still doesn't trust others, especially after his relationship with Phil Jackson deteriorated.

Jordan has been betrayed in many relationships throughout his life: Jackson, Jerry Krause, his sister, the SuperSonics management, and now his wife, who wants to take half of his fortune and their children. It's normal for him not to trust others.

However, only Forrest Gump was someone Jordan trusted completely, both on and off the court, and that feeling was truly wonderful.

At this moment, Gan Guoyang's attention was focused on Yao Ming. He reminded Yao Ming that the regular season is different from the preseason, and he had to give his all on every ball.

"Opportunities can come anytime, and you have to seize them. I won't say I'll pass the ball to you; I'll only pass it to anyone who has an opportunity and is ready."

Yao Ming nodded and focused on defense.

The Bucks made no personnel changes; instead, they opted to increase their pace to create offensive opportunities.

In the 2000-2001 season, the Milwaukee Bucks were one of the few teams in the league to average over 100 points per game.

George Karl's teams have always been like this: well-rounded inside and out, with a strong offensive firepower. Karl also likes to use mobile forwards paired with defensive centers, and then cultivate a group of tall players who can shoot, drive, and defend, but the core player is a small guard.

This configuration is basically the team-building template of George Karl's career; he follows this approach to find talent wherever he goes.

The key words for this configuration are speed, chaotic battles, free-flowing attacks, and a passionate and intense playing style.

However, after the turmoil and trades of the 2001-2002 season, Karl's roster was incomplete.

Anthony Mason simply couldn't replace the all-around Glenn Robinson, and even the "trash dog" Williams left the team off the bench.

Without these young and powerful forwards, the Bucks' strength has been greatly weakened. They have increased their speed, but they lack impact and can only shoot from the outside.

Guanghui isn't afraid of your shots. In this era, it's hard to kill someone just by shooting. Combining inside and outside shots is essential.

Sam Cassell finally managed to post up Andre Miller and hit a difficult fadeaway jumper.

After leaving the Nets, Cassell found his place again with the Bucks. This 33-year-old rookie, who entered the league in 1993, is still as ugly as ever, but his mid-range shooting is quite good.

He then hit a jump shot during a counterattack, and Gan Guoyang immediately responded with a mid-range shot in a positional play.

After several rounds of back and forth, the two sides entered a stalemate, while Yao Ming kept running back and forth without even touching the ball.

The regular season is indeed faster than the preseason. This speed is not because everyone runs faster, but because they handle the ball faster.

There's no time to think too much; a person can't hold the ball for too long and must make a decision immediately.

Offenders need to pass and shoot quickly, while defenders need to act quickly.

If you get distracted and don't know what to do, you'll handle the ball slowly and easily lose your rhythm.

Yao Ming was still a little unaccustomed to it. Gan Guoyang noticed his discomfort but didn't take special care of him. Instead, he let Yao Ming adapt on his own.

When Yao Ming integrates into the rhythm of the game's offense and defense, the ball will naturally come to him; you can't play well if you force the ball on him.

Soon after, Yao Ming was called for a foul on defense, sending Ray Allen to the free-throw line. Gan Guoyang reminded him not to press down on defense, as it was a bad habit.

"When the ball flies towards the basket, you need to anticipate its trajectory to intercept it, instead of staring at the ball and rushing down to block it, that's easy to commit a foul." Ray Allen made both free throws, and then Andre Miller drove to the basket for a layup but missed. Yao Ming squeezed into the three-second zone and got the offensive rebound.

However, instead of attacking the basket directly, he lobbed the ball first and then tried to lift it up, but the ball was knocked away by the opponent. Fortunately, it went out of bounds, and Glorious still had possession.

Gan Guoyang realized that this was another bad habit Yao Ming had developed in the CBA: when he grabbed a rebound, he subconsciously pulled the ball back and needed to exert force when jumping.

The result was that the speed was too slow. CBA players don't have such quick slashing motions, but it's different in the NBA. If you're even a little slow, the steal will come immediately.

Yao Ming inbounds the ball from the baseline. He passes it to Gan Guoyang, but the pass is poorly executed; the intention is too obvious, and the ball is almost intercepted.

Fortunately, Gan Guoyang controlled the ball. Hickma turned around and was about to shoot when he suddenly changed his pass to Yao Ming under the basket.

Yao Ming was not prepared to receive the ball. He reached out to catch it but missed and the ball hit his head. By the time he tried to grab it again, the Bucks had already stolen it.

Yao Ming quickly retreated on defense, running back silently. He knew that if he caught Gan Guoyang's pass, it would be an opportunity; if he missed, it would be a warning.

Repeated mistakes will result in reminders, and this applies to everyone, but it's even stricter for Yao Ming.

The Bucks, on their counterattack, could only shoot from the outside, and Cassell's layup was blocked by Gerald Wallace who caught up.

With the ball under control, Ray Allen took a three-pointer from the outside, and Yao Ming, who was following up, tried his best to close the gap, but the ball missed.

Gan Guoyang grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Miller to slow things down a bit before starting a positional attack.

Gan Guoyang held the ball at the high post and quickly passed it to Wallace, who was cutting to the basket from the wing.

Wallace receives the ball, drives to the basket, draws the defense, and passes it to Yao Ming. This time, Yao Ming doesn't slip up.

He grabbed it and instantly sprang up, dunking with one hand!
Yao Ming scored his first goal in his NBA career – a dunk!
Gerald Wallace and Yao Ming gave each other a high five, and Gan Guoyang also came over and patted Yao Ming on the back, saying, "That's more like it."

Yao Ming is gradually getting back into form. The training he received during the preseason training camp has been very helpful, and he has developed good chemistry with the team.

Moreover, he understood how Princeton operated and what his place was within the system.

Yao Ming is not a playmaker in the Princeton system, but a finishing tower. He must learn to keenly seize opportunities and turn them into real points.

His ball handling was very decisive and quick, without the previous hesitation. Gan Guoyang's shot was somewhat effective.

The first quarter was drawing to a close, with the Bucks maintaining a double-digit lead. When Jordan replaced Gan Guoyang, the score was 25-14. The Bucks' offense was struggling due to a lack of inside firepower; they relied too much on their outside shooting.

George Karl made a substitution, bringing on Toni Kukoc, Jordan's former teammate.

When Kukoc met Jordan, the two bumped fists. After the breakup in 1998, they went their separate ways.

As a result of Jerry Krause's draft pick, Kukoc remained with the Bulls. Unfortunately, without Jordan and Pippen, Kukoc was not the star who could carry the team.

Whether it's scoring, assists, rebounds, or most importantly, physical health, Kukoc is better suited to be a third option or sixth man.

He was quickly released by Krause, played for several teams, and is now 34 years old and in the late stages of his professional career. The timeline of a professional player's career changes too quickly.

After Kukoc entered the game, the Bucks' offense improved slightly. Kukoc's tall stature, long-range shooting ability, and playmaking skills allowed him to effectively organize and lead the Bucks' bench.

But when Jordan came on, Glorious also changed their offensive strategy. Yao Ming tried to get the ball deep under the basket, but it was unsuccessful.

Jordan dribbled the ball and drove to the basket, then passed it to the wing, where Jon Barry received the ball and made a mid-range jump shot.

Jordan controlled the game according to his own style of play, and he worked very hard on the defensive end, actively spreading out, double-teaming, and disrupting the Bucks' passing.

Successful steal! Counterattack! Jordan drives to the basket and makes a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Yao Ming, who catches the ball and dunks it with both hands!

Yao Ming's second basket after entering the league was also a dunk.

As a center, he did not slack off in the fast break counterattack; instead, he actively rushed down the court and seized the opportunity.

At the end of the first quarter, the Glory led the Bucks 34-20, a 14-point advantage. The 34 points in the quarter demonstrated the team's formidable firepower.

Returning to the bench during the break, Yao Ming was covered in sweat. During his six-minute appearance, he kept running and running.

The intense and competitive environment of the game was both exciting and tiring; Yao Ming was constantly panting.

Jordan told Yao Ming, "Control your speed and find your rhythm, otherwise you will run out of energy very quickly."

Jordan realized that Yao Ming was playing too hard in his first appearance, and that his unrestrained running would quickly deplete his energy.

On the contrary, veterans Jordan and Gan Guoyang were like nothing had happened. They had only sweated a little, drank some water, and sat for a while before feeling fine.

At the start of the second quarter, the two continued to play together, which was extremely painful for the Bucks, and George Karl was also in pain.

Both players' shooting touch dipped at the start of the second quarter, missing two shots on offensive possessions, giving the Bucks some breathing room.

But their good fortune didn't last long. Once the pace of the game picked up, the two joined forces and unleashed their skills in quick counterattacks.

They stopped using pick-and-rolls and started playing a wall play, with Jordan breaking through on a fast break and passing the ball to Gan Guoyang who was driving down the middle.

Gan Guoyang didn't even receive the ball; he made a volleyball-style pass, returning the ball to Jordan, who caught it and made a close-range stop-and-shoot jump shot.

Then, Gan Guoyang dribbled the ball past half-court and suddenly made a behind-the-back pass, or rather a long pass, to Jordan who was cutting into the basket. Jordan easily made a reverse layup.

That pass was so unbelievable! The Bucks players didn't expect the ball to be passed like that; it went through three Bucks players and into Jordan's hands in the paint.

Jordan was amazed after scoring, while Gan Guoyang complained, "Why didn't you dunk, you old guy? You wasted my great pass."

"I don't want to steal the spotlight, buddy. Your passing is the key, not the way you scored." Turns out Jordan can flatter too, it just depends on who he's talking to.

With a large lead, the Glorious team relaxed their defense, giving the Bucks scoring opportunities, but most of them were outside shots. They struggled to penetrate the paint and had virtually no low-post offense, which was extremely difficult for an NBA team at the time.

When Jordan fed the ball to Gan Guoyang in the low post, no one dared to double-team Gan Guoyang.

Are you crazy? Double-teaming Jordan just leaves him open.

But without double-teaming, Gan Guoyang received the ball, turned and squeezed inside, leaned forward and shot, easily making the shot.

Whether it's Tim Thomas or Caffey, their low-post defense is practically nonexistent in Gan Guoyang's eyes; whether he makes the shot or not depends entirely on his own shooting touch.

George Karl's once-proud double-team defense was completely ineffective. These two players were using the ball on the strong side to execute a combination play. How could you double-team them? Who were you supposed to double-team?

In the next possession, Gan Guoyang returned the favor, holding the ball in the high post and feeding it to Jordan in the low post. Jordan received the ball, turned around, and used a fake step to shake off the defender and cut to the basket for a layup.

Gan Guoyang made a traveling gesture at him, and Jordan smiled and cursed, "You'll get the blame for my traveling in your next life."

The two played so easily and smoothly that it felt like an All-Star game, or that the Bucks were throwing the game.

They didn't hold back at all and tried their best to defend, but the two of them were too precise in their timing and attention to detail.

For example, the passes are always perfectly timed; if they're too early, the positioning isn't right, and if they're too late, the opponent's formation is already set.

At just the right moment, the ball arrived, and an attack was launched immediately.

Both players are quick to react after receiving the ball, shooting within three seconds and giving their opponents no time to react.

So the defender will look like they're doing nothing, like how they let the ball go in? Actually, they just can't react in time.

The two played together for more than three minutes in the second quarter, widening the gap to 20 points, before going off to drink water and rest.

(End of this chapter)