Chapter 131 The Most Glorious Moment

After the timeout, the SuperSonics made a substitution.

Forward Sam Perkins, standing at 206cm (Note 1), replaced center Olden Polynice.

In the 96/97 season, the SuperSonics averaged 100.9 points per game, ranking fourth in the league.

Their average points allowed were 93.2, also ranking fourth in the league.

George Karl wasn't just a coach who focused on run-and-gun and offense. In Su Feng's previous life, after Chauncey Billups joined the Nuggets, Old Karl had built a team with three-dimensional defense.

It was just a pity that after Old Karl was hospitalized due to illness, no one could control Carmelo Anthony anymore.

And after the SuperSonics actively reduced their lineup's height, the complete form of this team was presented before the Philadelphia fans at the Zhongzhou Arena.

Perkins scored two points for the SuperSonics as soon as he came on the court. This 35-year-old veteran had range from the outside, and Ben Wallace couldn't let him go.

This season, Perkins was averaging 1.5 three-pointers per game with a nearly 40% shooting percentage. In this play, he lightly feinted on the outside, Ben was fooled, and after breaking into the paint, he easily made a layup.

6 to 9.

Karl knew very well that the 76ers' starting lineup mainly relied on the "Golden Double Guns," so tonight he went small early to counter speed with speed.

The "Death Lineup" and "Switch Everything" weren't exclusive patents of the future Warriors. As early as the 90s, this kind of play had already appeared.

Because, in this era, not every team had a superstar center.

In this era where averaging 20+ points was a star and averaging 25+ points was a superstar, how to limit the opponent's scoring was key.

Basically, every different era will give rise to some different tactical geniuses.

Gary Payton could defend most of the guards in this league, and even the opponent's small forwards. Therefore, the SuperSonics' frontline only needed to switch on screens and tactics, and their defense could bite any opponent.

This kind of defense was simply a nightmare for teams with an outside-oriented core.

Of course, there were pros and cons. Just like the Rockets feared the SuperSonics, the team the SuperSonics feared the most wasn't the Bulls, but the Lakers.

In the 96/97 season, the Lakers and SuperSonics played four games in the regular season, with the Lakers winning three of them. The one they lost was because Shaquille O'Neal was absent.

That's right, the reason why this no-center approach was gradually eliminated by the times was precisely because as O'Neal entered his prime, if you used this approach, you could get by for a while, but you couldn't get past the Lakers.

In the early 2000s, any team that could go toe-to-toe with the Lakers definitely had an inside star you could name.

And twenty years later, with the decline of centers, this no-center approach would become the norm.

The reason why future coach Steve Kerr could adopt the Death Lineup suggested by his assistant wasn't because he could really foresee the future, but simply because he had played in an insane era.

On the court, not only was Iverson facing Payton's harassment now, but on the wing, Su Feng's every movement was almost met with pulling and grabbing.

Moreover, even if Su Feng used a screen, the SuperSonics would switch directly and continue to grapple with him.

In Su Feng's previous life, some people thought that playing Princeton offense or run-and-gun in the 90s would definitely be able to defeat the teams of that era.

But in fact, people who said this had definitely not watched games from the 90s.

Because in this era, you really couldn't play Princeton offense.

If the future Warriors were placed in the 90s, Su Feng believed that Kerr definitely wouldn't play Princeton offense, but would design a large number of isolation plays for Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson.

This wasn't just because of the limitations of the hand-checking rule, but also because in this era, some football moves wouldn't be called fouls by the referee.

As the saying goes, each era has its own dominant style. If the current Bulls were pulled into the future, Michael Jordan would definitely be confused.

The SuperSonics weren't a fake powerhouse. If they were an opponent that could be taken down with a few simple tricks, then Su Feng should loudly announce that the league should give the Larry O'Brien Trophy to the 76ers in advance.

Su Feng had been sanctioned during the game against the Rockets. He scored 14 points in the first quarter, but only got 5 points in the last three quarters combined.

In the 90s, let alone Su Feng, even Jordan had experienced this.

In the 97/98 season, after the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, Jordan gave his disciple Kobe Bryant a live lesson.

At that time, "Old Rogue" shot 12 for 39 from the field, missing 27 shots, creating an extremely embarrassing record.

27 missed shots... Hmm, should he also try to steal the "Jordan's successor" nickname?

Ahem, let's get back to the point.

After the rookie month, Su Feng and Iverson almost simultaneously encountered a bottleneck.

The reason why Iverson's missed shots had increased sharply recently was because he was being interrupted by fouls and dirty tricks as soon as he showed any momentum to score.

In Su Feng's previous life, Brandon Jennings had scored 50+ in his rookie season, but to be fair, in the 90s, Jennings probably wouldn't even get 30+, and would probably have to call an ambulance first.

As a professional keyboard warrior, Su Feng didn't just know how to criticize others, because when he went crazy, he even criticized himself.

After all, continuous reflection was needed to improve. Recently, Su Feng had been studying hard, because the NBA and high school leagues were completely different.

In the novice village, he and Kobe could be kings, but well, Kobe was still just a small Lakers substitute now...

Of course, if you don't fight when you can't win, then why play in the NBA?

The work behind the scenes was just the basics, the real key to victory was still people.

The success rate of turnaround jump shots in the high post couldn't be guaranteed, because Su Feng couldn't have a great touch every game.

He was a real person, not the protagonist in some Lou novels who played science fiction basketball, or those six overpowered characters in the comics.

On the court, after a brief exchange of glances between Su Feng and Iverson...

He was going to the low post.

To be honest, the closer you are to the basket, the higher the scoring success rate really is a truth.

Because even in the future, James Harden could choose to not shoot mid-range shots, but ask him if he dared not drive into the restricted area.

Detlef Schrempf, though having a real 206cm height, Su Feng, with his "210cm," wasn't afraid of him.

Su Feng could swear on his conscience that he definitely wasn't going to the low post to bully Schrempf because his elbows were thicker than Schrempf's.

With a barefoot height of 198cm, Su Feng currently weighed 92kg, which was a medium build for outside players at this time.

And Schrempf only weighed 98kg. Looking at muscle density, his body type was similar to Durant's.

After adapting to nearly two months of NBA games, Su Feng's strength had now increased to 60 points, definitely above Schrempf's.

In the summer, Su Feng had learned low post back-to-the-basket skills under Frazier's guidance, but at the time, Frazier didn't really want to teach Su Feng this.

Because, in Frazier's view, no team would give a rookie outside player the opportunity to go to the low post for isolation plays.

In Su Feng's previous life, Kobe didn't start going crazy with low post isolation plays until after 2000.

But, the 76ers were a magical team.

After trading away Coleman and Witherspoon one after another, was there anyone else on this team who was competing with Su Feng for position in the low post?

Therefore, although Su Feng's current low post back-to-the-basket skills weren't excellent, Su Feng decided to give it a try.

Because after gradually winning the favor of coach Davis, Davis was now turning a blind eye to whatever Su Feng did.

In terms of the living environment of the 96 Golden Generation, who could compare to Iverson and Su Feng at the moment?

On the wing, Ratliff passed the ball to Su Feng. At this moment, Su Feng was no longer Philadelphia's Little Dr. J.

Please call him, Philadelphia's Little Malone!

Bang, bang, bang!

The handsome Schrempf couldn't hold on any longer.

Because he was being elbowed by Su Feng's iron elbows to the point of wanting to cry.

However, as a pioneer of German basketball, Schrempf wasn't the kind of person who gave up easily.

But, just as he was wrestling with Su Feng, Su Feng suddenly grabbed the ball with his right hand and "threw" it backward.

Schrempf was fooled. Su Feng's "Carefree Step" skill was successfully triggered. After fooling Schrempf, Su Feng turned inward to his left hand, dribbled, and made a layup!

On the sidelines, Old Karl suddenly felt a darkness in front of him and almost fainted.

Why was fate so cruel to him?

This should have been his "Melo"!

Clearly, he was the first to discover Su Feng's talent and mental fortitude!

Ah! Damn 76ers!

I, George Karl, from today on, will never rest until you are destroyed!

Karl was furious. He roared at Shawn Kemp on the court, "If you're not sober yet, then get your ass to the toilet, throw up a few times, and come back!"

On the court, Kemp, who was still a little drunk, immediately sobered up.

Holy Mary, what was it that made the old man so angry?

Kemp shook his head, looked at Ratliff, who was responsible for guarding him, and actively asked Payton for the ball on offense.

"Hey, cute little guy, have you thought about what pose you'll use to look up at 'Reign Man'?" Kemp said to Ratliff with a smile, holding the ball in one hand.

On the court, seeing Ratliff unmoved, Kemp directly dribbled and accelerated, and although Ratliff moved laterally to keep up, but...

Quick, Kemp was still quicker!

Watch "Reign Man" Shawn Kemp drive straight in, cleaving down with great force...

Ah, no, watch 76ers inside, Ben Wallace blotting out the sky, 76ers inside pillar, who else but Ben?

In terms of strength, Ben wasn't afraid of Kemp!

In this play, Ben firmly pressed down on Kemp in the air.

Bang—!

The referee didn't blow his whistle, which meant it was a good block!

Kemp, who fell on the floor, immediately jumped up, seemingly wanting to argue with the referee.

But the next second, he felt like his eardrums were about to burst...

Ben was hammering his chest while roaring loudly!

A true iron-blooded man, try looking at him and see what happens?

Kemp, who liked to squat down and point at opponents with both hands after blocking them, was destined to be deflated tonight.

Because if he really fought with Ben, Su Feng felt that without waiting for him to become a fat slob in the future, Kemp would just announce his retirement tomorrow.

On the court, 76ers small transparent Harris protected the second rebound, and the 76ers launched a fast break.

Fortunately, Payton pulled Kemp back with him this time, otherwise, with this guy's brain, Payton suspected that he would just stand there dumbly pondering life.

The game continued, and the atmosphere in the Zhongzhou Arena had been ignited by Ben's block.

Ben, with a height of "210" centimeters, was another key to the 76ers' victory tonight.

In the past few games, after being continuously educated, and with excellent teammates like "Ai Feng," Ben's defensive potential was constantly being stimulated.

Whether it was the timing of jumping to block Kemp's dunk or the distance of the help defense, Ben grasped it very well.

On the SuperSonics' bench, George Karl was really tired this time. He sat back on the bench, exhausted both physically and mentally...

And on the court, 76ers offense, Ratliff's mid-range shot was also good!

Sexy "Melo," online assist!

Who says "Brother Gua" plays selfishly?

As Anthony's great predecessor, Su Feng immediately passed the ball to Ratliff, who was standing at the top of the free throw arc, through a turtle-style pass after attracting a double-team with the ball in the low post.

This was Ratliff's attack range, swish!

In the Zhongzhou Arena, the 76ers fans were overjoyed, because tonight, did it seem like they were really going to rob the SuperSonics?

On the 76ers' bench, Davis once again performed a godly operation, calling up the 95's third overall pick in advance—

Jerry Stackhouse, who had been performing well recently.

On the court, Payton drew a foul on a drive, the 76ers substituted, Stackhouse came on, and Harris came off.

As for the development progress of a famous coach, in terms of on-the-spot adaptability, Su Feng could already give Davis three stars.

Under the SuperSonics' defense, the 76ers really had to increase their offensive points.

After all, no matter how much Stackhouse missed shots, with his recent state, the SuperSonics would have to send someone to guard him.

And on the SuperSonics' side, Karl had already smelled a crisis...

He decided to write down John Davis's name in his notebook.

Because this guy, who looked harmless, was, in Karl's opinion, also a scheming Boy.

Payton had consumed a lot of energy on defense. This time, he made one of two free throws. Ben gave Kemp another elbow while boxing out, angering the "Reign Man" to the point of stomping his feet repeatedly.

Like Karl, at this moment, Payton on the court also became vigilant, because he discovered that the 76ers, in a sense, were very similar to the SuperSonics.

The 76ers' wing rotation speed was also exaggerated. The Rockets could suppress the 76ers with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, but the SuperSonics, with Kemp in his state tonight...

Payton felt it wasn't going to work.

So, the question was...

What exactly was the problem?

In Payton's view, even if the SuperSonics gave the 76ers a Shawn Kemp, it shouldn't be like this...

On the court, Iverson quickly gave Payton the "answer."

Just when Payton thought Iverson was going to pass the ball again, Iverson suddenly accelerated after a "pause," overtaking Payton.

Payton lost his balance and almost fell.

Su Feng's eyes widened.

Because this wasn't the crossover, nor the Sam Cassell.

This move was called—

The Buddha Hand.

Clang—!

Iverson broke into the restricted area and dunked with one hand. The SuperSonics' inside players were too confident in Payton's isolation defense ability, so they didn't even think about helping him on this play.

Iverson tonight, in two words: reasonable!

Attack when he should attack, pass when he should pass.

This principle was very simple, but not many people could do it.

While retreating on defense, Su Feng patted Iverson on the shoulder and said, "Allen, you remind me of a sentence tonight."

Iverson looked up at Su Feng and asked, "What sentence?"

"Even if your teammates haven't made a shot in the first twenty passes, you will still pass the ball to them on the twenty-first pass," Su Feng said with a smile.

Iverson laughed, "But I just attacked myself, I wasn't thinking about passing."

"I know, because as a point guard, decisive offense is necessary.

After all, only in this way can you better pass the ball to your teammates. Allen, this is freedom, let us enjoy this game together!" Su Feng said to Iverson with a "Melo-like" smile.

Iverson's expression at this moment was very similar to Tony Tony Chopper in One Piece, looking like "I'm not as good as you say."

…

In the first quarter, the 76ers, playing at home, played rare team basketball, 22 to 29, they led the SuperSonics by 7 points.

It was worth mentioning that Davis, whose competitive spirit had been aroused tonight, after seeing that Su Feng was still jumping around after playing the first quarter, stepped forward and patted Su Feng on the shoulder and said:

"Su, can you hold on tonight? In the second quarter, I hope Allen, Jerry, and you will lead the team together."

After a pause, Davis added, "Of course, in the third and fourth quarters, I will find a way to let you rest more."

Rest?

On the 76ers' bench, Su Feng looked up and stared at Davis. At this moment, his expression was serious, without a trace of joking.

"Coach, when was your peak?" Su Feng asked solemnly.

Davis was stunned for a moment, then looked up at the dome of the Zhongzhou Arena and laughed self-deprecatingly: "Me?

Maybe, it's now."

Su Feng: "..."

No...

No, aren't these my lines?

Hey, coach, you're not playing by the rules!

"Being able to coach this 76ers team is my most glorious moment!

You and Allen are both talented, Jerry is also willing to listen to my arrangements, and Ben and Theo will definitely become the best defensive players in this league in the future.

To be honest, I want to take you to the playoffs, because you deserve to go to the playoffs for a trip," Davis said, patting Su Feng on the shoulder with emotion.

Su Feng: "..."

Hey, coach, have you watched *Slam Dunk*...?

All the words I wanted to say have been said by you!

Su Feng felt that reality was indeed not a novel, so he had to say, "Coach, just substitute me after I die!

As long as you don't let me off the court, I will maintain 100% focus and keep playing for you on the court!"

Davis was moved by Su Feng, and after a long time, he nodded, "Okay!"

Beside them, Jason and Rick sighed, "Everyone says that it's difficult for NBA coaches and players to have genuine emotions, but look at Su and John, what a touching scene this is!"

In the second quarter, the Philadelphia Big Three... Ah no, the Philadelphia Big Three didn't rest.

And on the SuperSonics' side, Karl also used the skills of the coaches of the 90s: if you use your starters, I'll use mine too!

Payton and Kemp continued to play.

It was worth mentioning that when he saw Kemp's gloomy expression, at this moment, 76ers' substitute center Williams suddenly wanted to break his own leg.

Was he saying that the starters started the feud, and the substitutes will have to pay for it?

On the 76ers' bench, Ben and Ratliff, who had been substituted, looked at the backs of the Philadelphia Big Three with great envy.

They wanted to...

Play the full 48 minutes too...

…

PS: First update, at least 5000 words! Next update, I will try to make it earlier!

(Note 1: The Chinese text included the pinyin "zhù" here, which I assume refers to the word "note" or "comment.")