The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 54 Lethality +1
"brush!"

Mark Price pulled up for a jump shot after a drive, making a mid-range jumper.

Three minutes later, the Cavaliers narrowed the gap to 24-21, trailing by only 3 points, and both sides began to substitute their reserves.

Tang Bei was also substituted, and he didn't get any attacking opportunities in those few minutes.

He returned to the court in the fourth minute of the second quarter, partnered with Larry Johnson in the paint.

On the left wing in the low post, he needs to get to the deep post again.

The ball handler was backup point guard Tony Bennett. Mark Price suddenly tightened his defense and cut off Bennett's passing angles in the low post, preventing the ball from getting in.

In addition, Doherty suddenly moved forward, cutting off the passing angle.

Larry Nance, who was defending Larry Johnson, suddenly stepped back towards the basket to help defend the left wing low post.

The three defenders worked together to not only cut off Tang Bei's path to receive the ball, but also forced the Hornets' ball handler to pass the ball to someone else.

With three seconds remaining, Tang Bei had no choice but to leave the paint, and Bennett passed the ball to Larry Johnson.

Rourke Johnson said, "This is Tang's weakness. His ability to attack the basket directly is off the charts, but once he leaves the basket, his threat level drops by at least 70%, and once he leaves the paint, his threat level is negligible."

Filmotl nodded and said, "His receiving area is only in the narrow penalty area, which is very easy to cut off. And he doesn't have the ability to support or screen. As long as you don't let him receive the ball in the penalty area, he's useless."

Rupert Johnson said, "The time is too short. I'm afraid the Hornets' coaching staff hasn't arranged offensive tactics for Tang yet. Apart from low-post offense, Tang's other tactical execution ability is also very poor."

Next, Tang Bei was limited by the Cavaliers' defense and found it difficult to participate in the offense. He seemed somewhat lost and confused on the court.

This made him realize that the NBA's defensive system is far superior to that of the CBA.

Larry Johnson did get a lot of offensive opportunities, but his efficiency was not high under the Cavaliers' double-teaming tactics.

Kendall Gill's shooting percentage was even worse, making only 2 of 7 shots.

With the Cavaliers leading by 5 points in the 8th minute of the second quarter, the Hornets called a timeout.

Rourke Johnson said critically, "The Hornets' two big men are playing independently, with no coordination or restraint. Instead, they are wasting each other's time. If they continue like this, there will be big problems."

Phil Mott said, "Talented players are all about who's the best and who's the most powerful."

After the timeout, Larry Johnson, who played 8 minutes in the second quarter, was substituted out, and Tang Bei and Kenny Gatsis partnered in the frontcourt.

"Kenny, Tang will be in charge of the inside offense, and you'll be responsible for drawing Larry Nance out of the paint with your mid-range shot," Bristol said before the game.

"Yes, coach."

"Once the passing angles on the outside are cut off, you need to pass the ball in time to break through their defense. Wing players should pay attention to their positioning and receiving the ball."

Kenny Gattisson's best position is the small forward, where he has a mid-range shot and can move to the right wing to position himself and receive the ball in the two-point area.

As a result, Larrynance had no choice but to follow, leaving Doherty alone in the low post.

On the left wing, Tang Bei, backing down Doherty, noticed Larinance leaving the penalty area and suddenly performed a Tai Chi turn, instantly shaking off his defender and entering the penalty area.

After entering the restricted area, his first instinct was not to cut to the basket, but to box out, spreading his arms to block the defender Doherty outside.

Doherty panicked and tried to push and pull, but Tang Bei adopted a low stance, his lower body extremely stable, making him impossible to push or pull.

Doherty tried to get around him, but Tang Bei spread his arms wide, creating a very large blocking area. In addition, his lateral movement speed was even faster, making it impossible for him to get around him.

Seeing this, Bogues suddenly took a step back and lobbed the ball into the air to the left of the basket.

"boom!"

The next moment, amidst a loud thud, Tang Bei was caught in an alleyway and hung on the rim.

"Shit!" Larrynance cursed under his breath as he rushed back to defend the penalty area, but was still a step too slow.

In reality, such aggressive drives to the basket can injure defenders at any time, and veterans who have learned this lesson are no longer willing to face them directly.

Ruhr Johnson praised, "That was a great offensive play. Kenny Gattuso tied Larrynance on the right wing, creating a low-post opportunity for Don."

Phil Mott said, "Tang once again displayed a tornado-like spin, successfully blocking the defender and creating an opportunity for himself to attack the basket."

Rourke Johnson said, "When there's an open shot under the basket, Muggsy Bogues' lob is very timely, and it's difficult for the Cavaliers' perimeter players to intercept such passes in time."

Philmotel said, "It seems that Don is a better fit with Kenny Gatsis, who has a mid-range shot, than with Larry Johnson.

Ninety seconds later, Tang Bei began to establish position in the low position on the left wing.

When Tang Bei was in position, Muggsy Bogues at the top of the arc was tightly guarded by Mark Price, cutting off his downward passing angle. He immediately passed the ball to John Newman on the left wing.

At this moment, Tang Bei moved to a deep position, and Newman also found an opportunity to lob the ball in.

When the ball was passed, Larry Nance, who was outside the right midfield position, immediately abandoned Kenny Gattuso and turned to rush towards the basket.

Tang Bei received the ball with his right hand and, without any hesitation, suddenly turned around, pivoting on his left foot, performing a Tai Chi turn while dribbling the ball.

Doherty's defensive focus was on the lower side, because Tang Bei had previously turned downwards to slide to the bottom, but this time he turned upwards. Moreover, Tang Bei did not pause after receiving the ball this time, and he was completely outmaneuvered.

As Tang Bei turned, he stepped into the penalty area with his right foot, followed by a step with his left foot, while simultaneously lifting the ball off the floor with his right hand, sending it soaring towards the basket.

"Go away!"

Larry Nance was defending the basket when he saw Tang Bei and jumped up from his right front to block the shot, swinging his right elbow fiercely at him.

"Boom!"

"boom!"

"Oh!"

"Di!"

The sounds of elbows striking, bodies colliding, the referee's whistle, and the rim exploding all occurred almost simultaneously within 0.2 seconds.

The next moment, Larrynance was knocked down by Tang Bei under the basket again. After falling to the floor, he slipped and crashed into the basket support.

"Oh!"

A huge gasp of surprise erupted in the stadium.

"what!"

Larrynance felt as if his waist was about to break, as if a sharp knife was stuck inside, and the pain brought tears to his eyes.

"What the hell!"

Tang Bei also suffered a bit; Larry Nance elbowed him in the face, causing severe pain in his left cheekbone and a burning sensation on his face, though he touched it but found no blood.

"This is bad."

Cavaliers head coach Lenny Wilkens looked at Larry Nance Jr., who was unable to get up from the floor, and regretted sending him back onto the court.

The referee then ruled that Larrynance had committed a defensive foul, and Tang Bei was awarded a free throw.

"Shh!"

The home fans were dissatisfied and began booing the referee.

(End of this chapter)