One Year Left to Play-Chapter 251 - 88: Such a Backhanded Defense

Zhang Hao took this as the trust of his teammates, perhaps under the current defense, only he had the ability to take strong shots.

In half a quarter, 5 shots with 2 baskets, plus 2 free throws making 1, Zhang Hao scored 5 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 5 minutes and 38 seconds, while the Brooklyn Nets team scored a total of 9 points!

This scoring is shockingly low compared to previous years!

On the Heat's side, they had control over the pace, their strongest star scored 4 out of 3 one-on-one plays, plus 2 free throws making 1, earning 7 points, which was the current highest in the game.

However, the Heat hadn't really established a clear lead, when Zhang Hao's pass to the inside failed and was batted out of bounds by Kevin Willis into a timeout, the Heat only had 11 points!

As they entered the timeout, players from both teams returned to the bench, Randy Whitman felt like his head was about to explode, the Heat's defensive changes exceeded expectations! Far beyond expectations!

The Blazers in the last encounter only enhanced their middle-range defense movements, utilizing the three-point line to strengthen middle-range and inside defense, but didn't suppress the pace like this.

However, there was still a chance, with this pace, the opponent's offense was also struggling.

They had to endure, drag it out, and pressure the opponent's attack success rate lower.

But how to suppress?

The Brooklyn Nets truly didn't have the conditions for a defensive strategy to suppress the pace!

At this moment, a tall and thin player approached Randy Whitman.

Randy Whitman looked up at the one approaching, making a gesture of inquiry.

Zhang Hao learned from Butch Baird that Randy Whitman didn't like players meddling in coaching matters, he hesitated a little and said, "Coach, there's something I want to say but I'm not sure if I should." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Whether he liked players meddling in coaching matters depended on who the player was, right?

If it were someone like Robert Wodan doing this, Randy Whitman definitely wouldn't be pleased.

But during the game against the Pistons, PJ Brown, a highly appreciated inside player by the coaching staff, made a suggestion that was immediately adopted.

Randy Whitman nodded, indicating he wanted to hear Zhang Hao's thoughts.

Zhang Hao promptly said, "We do this and that..."

What kind of bizarre defense is this? Doubt filled Randy Whitman's eyes.

"With our lineup, even if you come up with a solution, it's not doable, trying it out won't hurt."

...

The key was the sentence "Coach, even if you think of a way, our lineup can't execute it," which made Randy Whitman very happy, meaning it wasn't about his lack of coaching talent or ability, rather it was making bricks without straw.

Give it a try, losing doesn't matter, what if it works?

PJ Brown and Graham were subbed out, Edwards and Jason Williams were on.

Zhang Hao returned to the court, recalled the first half, all five shots were from desperate occasion balls, once on a fast break the opposition paid extra attention to him, the opportunity shifted to Graham, luckily Graham seized the moment, scoring two points with a vigorous dunk on the fast break.

Yet he also understood, in such a situation, only relying on his mid-range shots, among all Brooklyn Nets players, apart from having players with close-range offensive ratings exceeding 90, in other areas of offensive capabilities, only his mid-range shots reached top-notch at 90.

Next, Edwards stepped up, Kenny Anderson wasn't subbed out either, the one-on-one capacity would enhance greatly… anyway, just prepare to be the chosen scapegoat again.

The Heat sent out Koels, Keith Askins, Owens, rookie Kurt Thomas, and Moning's lineup.

The timeout ended, the Brooklyn Nets continued their offense.

Zhang Hao entered the court and immediately faced defense from Kurt Thomas.

Even before the ball had been thrown in, already so proactive... Oh, right, this guy is this year's 10th pick, precisely selected by the Heat in the next rank after Mr. Zhang.

Zhang Hao suddenly remembered, this is the future of one of the twin Thomases, the Dirty Kurt.

Now it seems he learned trash talk and dirty defensive actions from those future New York Nursing Home folks, yet his defensive enthusiasm was innate right from NBA entry.

But dealing with Kurt Thomas, for Zhang Hao, was much easier than dealing with the seasoned Kevin Willis.

Zhang Hao didn't continue running positions, casually resisted Kurt Thomas' confrontation, it was enough to spread out, performing well as the scapegoat, no longer pursuing catching shoot space, simply spreading the space was adequate.

Fresh force Edwards received a pass from Kenny Anderson, began one-on-one against Keith Askins.

Having Edwards, an all-rounder guard who mastered a little of everything was particularly essential for the current Brooklyn Nets, coming from the bench, he immediately nailed a quick-stop jump shot from long two-point range.

11 all!

Offensive and defensive transition, Heat attack.

Taking a brief timeout, definitely Moning aimed for a solo first, Moning had already shredded Zhang Hao's frontal defense in the first half, seeing Jason Williams standing straight under the hoop, Moning anticipated the opponent wouldn't double team again, thus leaned on Zhang Hao for the ball, as long as he grabs it, the two couldn't block him together either.

Just as Moning got hold of the ball, not being whistled for premature double teaming violation in that instant, Almon Gilliam, Jason Williams, Edwards all crowded towards Moning!

Zhang Hao, Jason Williams, Almon Gilliam provided physical contention, but no hands, raised arms for interference, Edwards trying to steal below, forced Moning to lift the ball, failed to maneuver!

Moning's brain was frozen — what kind of game play is this?!