Chapter 10 A Player for the System

"Cory, calm down, pay attention to James and my positioning. Tim's defensive deterrence is too great inside. The outside is our chance. The old man likes players who use their brains." Tang Tian reminded Joseph.

After being blocked by Duncan on his first shot, Joseph had been trying desperately to break through and score.

Tang Tian knew he wanted to prove himself to Popovich, but performance isn't just about scoring. His reminder was timely.

"I know," Joseph nodded. He had indeed been a bit hot-headed just now.

Duncan held the ball at the high post, not even looking at the basket. Clearly, he didn't want to crush the bench players too badly. It was still early in the season, and player confidence was important.

Duncan facilitated from the free throw line, passing to Green who was cutting in.

Green went for a layup.

But just as he released the ball, Tang Tian leaped up from behind him and swatted it out of bounds.

"Woah!" Ginobili exclaimed from the sidelines.

"A beautiful defense," Budenholzer praised.

The bench group's performance had been disappointing, but the only bright spot was Tang Tian's defense.

Green smiled wryly at Tang Tian.

Tang Tian smiled back. Green was a nice guy off the court, but on the court, that didn't matter.

The starting group inbounded the ball. Tang Tian stayed close to Green, giving him no space. Duncan and Parker didn't want to attack, so the ball went to Jefferson. Jefferson drove past Anderson and scored a tough layup. His muscles made it seem like they were in completely different weight classes.

"We'll switch defenses. Green spends most of his time on the three-point line. Just stay with him and don't let him shake you off," Tang Tian said to Anderson.

Anderson nodded. He had been hit pretty hard by Jefferson just now, and Tang Tian was taller than him.

The bench group's offense was the same tactic: Joseph driving hard to the basket.

The starting group all collapsed inside. Joseph had been forcing it the last few possessions, and they were used to it.

But then, something changed. Joseph drove to the basket and passed the ball out!

The ball went to Tang Tian. Green reacted and dove towards the ball.

"A good defense," Budenholzer commented again.

Green had had limited playing time with the Spurs last season, playing only eight games. This season, with George Hill gone, the bench lacked firepower. Popovich intended to put Ginobili back on the bench, and Green had shown the potential of a 3-and-D player in his limited time last season, so he got the starting opportunity.

Based on this defense, Popovich's decision seemed wise.

But the next second, something unexpected happened.

Tang Tian's shot was a fake. After Green jumped, he dribbled to the side. Once Green flew by, he aimed and shot.

"Swish!"

The three-pointer went in.

Tang Tian finally broke the bench group's scoring drought!

"Not bad," Popovich said.

Unflustered in the face of the defense, Tang Tian's performance was to his liking.

Joseph was excited to see the basket, and he gave Tang Tian a high-five.

"He can motivate his teammates," Budenholzer continued. He had seen Tang Tian talking to Joseph earlier.

The starting group advanced to the frontcourt. Parker was open outside the three-point line, but he hesitated and passed the ball to Duncan, who passed it to Jefferson.

"Pa!"

But then, Tang Tian suddenly cut out from beside Jefferson and stole the ball!

Tang Tian had guessed Duncan's intention. He had already passed to Jefferson and Green once each. He anticipated the next pass.

Tang Tian passed the ball to Joseph, who led the fast break.

Tang Tian's footwork was fast after losing weight. He followed Joseph on the fast break.

Parker caught up to Joseph, leaving him with no opportunity. Joseph calmed down and didn't force it. He saw Tang Tian following up and passed the ball out.

Tang Tian caught the ball and shot quickly before Jefferson could catch up.

His summer of hard work had made his release much faster. Jefferson couldn't catch up at all.

"Swish!"

The ball went in again.

Tang Tian had made two three-pointers in a row!

Ginobili was whistling on the sidelines.

Two successful defensive plays and two three-pointers: the bench group was weak overall, but Tang Tian's strength was perfectly highlighted.

Jefferson posted up against Tang Tian in the frontcourt, wanting the ball. He was going to isolate.

Parker passed the ball inside.

Tang Tian lowered his center of gravity and guarded Jefferson.

Jefferson posted up several times but couldn't move him.

He looked muscular, but his weight was about the same as Tang Tian's before he lost weight. And Tang Tian hadn't lost much strength after losing weight and gaining muscle. They were evenly matched in terms of strength.

Jefferson was surprised by Tang Tian's strength. He tried to turn and drive, but Tang Tian beat him to the spot. In the end, he had to turn around and fade away.

Tang Tian reacted quickly, jumping out to contest.

"Bang!"

Jefferson's shot was contested and missed. Diop boxed out Blair and grabbed the defensive rebound.

The bench group had gotten another stop.

"I'll guard him," Jefferson said to Green on the defensive end, initiating a switch.

Jefferson stayed glued to Tang Tian, giving him no space. Joseph passed to Anderson, whose shot was contested by Green and missed. Duncan grabbed the rebound under the basket.

Back on offense, Parker and Duncan ran a pick-and-roll. Diop and Joseph's defensive attention was drawn to Duncan rolling to the basket, and Anderson was forced to collapse as well.

Parker made a no-look pass to Green on the weak side.

"Pa!"

But then, Tang Tian again! He suddenly cut out from the side, stealing the ball again!

His hard work on dynamic vision was finally paying off. Parker's pass was surprising enough, but he still caught it.

The bench group ran the fast break again. This time, Joseph received the pass from Tang Tian and scored a layup.

After being hit with a 10-0 run, the bench group responded with an 8-0 run of their own!

"Woah, woah, woah!" Ginobili was starting to like Tang Tian.

"He has the ability to be in the rotation," Budenholzer said, giving a very high evaluation.

Popovich nodded, but he was thinking even bigger than Budenholzer.

Tang Tian could defend the two and three positions, and his three-point shot was consistent. Did he seem more suitable to start than Green?

That's Popovich. He never wastes good talent, even if he's just a rookie.