CHAPTER 1259: CHAPTER 510: TONIGHT IS CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT!

As the players’ attention shifted over, the Zen Master had already put away his ’Oh no, we’re done for’ expression.

He’s quite skilled at managing superstars, but even better at controlling his own emotions.

Earlier, when Kobe forcefully attempted a three-pointer, if it had gone in, the point gap could have been reduced from 7 to 4. This would have significantly offset the disadvantage caused by Garnett missing an open mid-range shot, leading to a score converted by the opponent during the offensive and defensive switch, and it wouldn’t have resulted in Zhang Yang’s counter attack and trailing three-pointer... Expecting Kobe to make such a shot is a coach’s duty; it just wasn’t successful this time.

Taking advantage of Kwame Brown’s absence, Okafor repeatedly used his footwork for one-on-one plays against Gasol in the low post. This had to be countered with strong scoring; no double-teaming, no allowing the opponent to create inside-out plays. Garnett’s defensive choice was flawless, even if the ’mystic stick’ were to call a timeout to arrange defense, he’d set it up the same way. Okafor’s continuous scoring couldn’t be helped; he’s at his peak, maintaining an All-Star borderline level with a regular season average of 15+ points, so he can handle the pressure.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang’s opportunity to sink two trailing three-pointers during the early rounds of regular offense... that’s bad boy Jack’s forte.

As for forgetting that Kidd wasn’t on the court and it was the advancing guard Fisher in the game, that indeed was quite absurd. But as the saying goes, ’You can’t walk by the river without getting your feet wet.’ Having coached for 20 years, he’s done more ridiculous things.

In the first round, Game 1 of ’07, they were facing the Suns. Initially hoping to replicate last year’s performance, they were leading the Suns 77-74 after three quarters, thanks to Kobe’s 15 points in the third quarter. During the break, he wanted to crush the Suns at the start of the fourth quarter, arranging a brilliant play that concluded with Odom passing to Vujacic, the team’s most accurate open 3-point shooter. The setup worked smoothly, Odom delivered the ball to Vujacic... but Vujacic was seated on the bench.

During the interval for personnel adjustment, the Zen Master hadn’t called Vujacic’s name, so Vujacic didn’t even gather around to listen but just sat on the bench. Yet, those listening to the play arrangement notably overlooked this fact. When the team setup unfolded, no one else noticed where Vujacic was, except Odom, whose line of thought...

After that missed play, the Lakers’ offense collapsed in the fourth quarter, scoring just 10 on 4-for-21 shooting. Despite Kobe’s defense limiting Nash to 0-for-2 shooting and 2-for-2 free throws, getting 2 points, 2 rebounds, and making 3 turnovers, it didn’t stop the Suns’ comeback. Barbosa took advantage of Parker’s lapse, scoring 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting over 8 minutes, nearly matching the Lakers’ entire team... This blunder in the first game led to an overall collapse, with them only salvaging a win in Game 3 thanks to Kobe’s 45-point game, preserving face by avoiding a sweep.

But even during that series, the Zen Master maintained a calm demeanor throughout the fourth quarter. So, in this situation where no one will notice unless he says something, it’s even less of an issue.

Now that things have reached this point, the Zen Master doesn’t bother with regret, his mind running at full throttle to adjust the lineup and set tactics. With stability out of the picture, it’s time to seize opportunities and play clutch basketball with everything at stake! Send in the lineup of Kidd, Fisher, Kobe, Garnett, and Kwame Brown!

Carlisle, on the other hand, substitutes in the strongest offensive lineup with the three young guns, Hill, and Brad Miller! This combination in the playoffs this year scores 104.2 points per 100 possessions, second in the league only to the Nuggets starting lineup which averages 106 points per 100.

Car-tan, knowing the opposing team will undoubtedly fight ferociously, identifies this as the key phase of the game. While other coaches with a 10-point lead and a top-notch team defense might play it steady and defensive, not him!

Waiting passively for the opponents to miss while they attack furiously is too passive, especially against a team with Kobe and Kidd. Just as Zhang Yang, seeing Kobe’s eagerness to speed up during the third quarter’s start, exposed a flaw and actively assaulted, Carlisle opts for an active assault too!

Upon the timeout ending, the Lakers inbound from the frontcourt. Kobe isolates, penetrates, then kicks out to Garnett at the high post to facilitate. Fisher uses Kidd’s screen at the left 45-degree angle, cuts to the left corner to receive and shoots the turning three-pointer... it’s good!

Switching sides, Zhang Yang brings the ball up, uses Okafor to screen Kobe, penetrates and draws Kidd to guard him. Garnett switches over, the ball kicks out to Felton on the right 45-degree angle, with Kobe closing in. Felton moves towards the top of the arc direction, Kobe follows... just to be screened again by Okafor!

Garnett makes a desperate lunge to the perimeter... but still falls a tad short, as Felton hits the three off the screen!

Garnett realizes why Okafor is pulled to the high post while Brad Miller stays close to distract Kwame Brown. In the elbow area, Brad Miller’s shooting isn’t as precise as Okafor’s, revealing the tactic to leverage Okafor’s mobility for consecutive screens!

Such aggressive adjustments by the Bobcats are challenging even for Garnett to handle.

Zhang Yang either positions for long-range shots or drives, while Felton initiates offense with pick-and-rolls, supplies at the corner or arc top, penetrates for close-range shots, which is Double Guns’ common, most stable scoring method. Yet, these two abandon those typical methods, letting Felton shoot from less-than-ideal positions, with Zhang Yang foregoing high-position one-on-ones... favoring even more precise spots for clearer shots under greater space.

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