Larry Brown’s Surprise from the Small Ball Era

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Wang Chong's potential was clear, but without the ball in his hands, he couldn't change the game. With the ball, however, the dynamic was entirely different.

First, Wang Chong's scoring stabilized the offensive drought for Team USA. His ability to hit mid-range and long-range shots in succession completely disrupted Puerto Rico's defense. His offensive threat also opened up opportunities for his teammates to score more easily.

Despite the Dream Team 6's relative weakness compared to past iterations, their offensive firepower should never be underestimated. With two elite guards, Iverson and Marbury, starting in the backcourt, they possessed enough talent to outmatch a team like Puerto Rico, even if only one of them was playing well.

By the third quarter, the Dream Team had tied the score, and in the fourth quarter, they managed to take the lead and hold on to a narrow 91-89 victory, securing their first win of the group stage.

Though they won, it felt like a hollow victory. Fans back in the U.S. were far from pleased, wondering why the Dream Team had to fight so hard against an opponent like Puerto Rico. Without Wang Chong's incredible 25 points on nearly 80% shooting, the game could have easily been a loss.

For the American Dream Team, anything less than a dominant blowout felt like failure.

In the post-game interview, Larry Brown didn't hide his frustration. He was blunt about the team's performance:

"We played carelessly. We underestimated our opponents, and our tactical execution was chaotic. We relied too much on individual talent. We need to adapt and gel as a team if we're going to succeed."

As Larry Brown spoke to the media, Wang Chong found himself deep in thought. Honestly, he felt that the defensive intensity in this game was pretty low. Puerto Rico's individual defenders couldn't match up to NBA players in one-on-one situations and relied heavily on zone defense to limit scoring.

With enough touches, Wang Chong was confident he could easily score 30 or even 40 points. However, breaking a zone defense didn't solely rely on his mid-range shots. There was another method—one that could be even more effective. Future small ball tactics, like those employed by the Dream Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the Miami Heat in the 2012-13 NBA season, were on his mind.

Full-court pressure, high-intensity defense to force turnovers, and then utilizing speed and athleticism for fast-break points—that was the key. In international competition, where teamwork is often the strength of European teams, this strategy could wreak havoc. Traditional big men would struggle to keep up, having no place in a game dominated by quick rotations and constant movement.

Despite Dream Team 6's perceived weaknesses, they had the personnel to implement this strategy.

Wang Chong quickly devised a potential lineup: Iverson at point guard, Wade at shooting guard, LeBron at small forward, himself at power forward, and Stoudemire at center. This lineup had enough height, with Wang Chong at 2.10 meters and Stoudemire at 2.08 meters, though they weren't strong rim protectors. But with small ball, rim protection wasn't the priority.

Stoudemire's mobility, explosiveness, and speed could rival Wang Chong's. If this lineup hit the court, Wang Chong could already envision how devastating it could be.

However, the challenge was convincing Larry Brown—a traditionalist and a stubborn coach—to adopt the strategy. Wang Chong wasn't sure he'd succeed, but he knocked on Brown's door that night after the game.

When Brown opened the door, he was surprised to see Wang Chong standing there.

"Wang, what are you doing up so late? What's on your mind?"

"I want to talk to you about something, Coach," Wang Chong replied.

A few moments later, sitting on the sofa, Brown adjusted his glasses and frowned. What Wang Chong described wasn't entirely new. Similar tactics had appeared in the NBA over the years, but they hadn't really caught on.

There were several reasons why. In the NBA, full-court pressing wasn't sustainable. It drained too much energy over a 48-minute game, and the mobility of NBA players made it hard to consistently force mistakes. Furthermore, most NBA teams didn't have multiple players with the athleticism and speed needed to make such a strategy effective. The only exception was perhaps the Miami Heat's Big Three, featuring LeBron, Wade, and Bosh.

However, what was difficult to implement in the NBA could be perfectly viable for the Dream Team, especially in the context of international play. The level of opponents, combined with the Dream Team's superior athleticism, could make full-court press and fast-break tactics a game-changer.

Still, Brown was hesitant. He shook his head. "Wang, I appreciate your input, but I don't think it's wise to change our tactics so drastically without any prior preparation or training."

Wang Chong expected this reaction. He quickly added, "Coach, I have one request. During garbage time in the next game, can we try this lineup? Just to see how it works."

Brown paused. Normally, he would have refused outright. But the pressure was mounting. He had already failed to win the NBA championship with the Pistons, and a poor showing in Athens could severely damage his legacy.

Brown sighed. "Fine, I'll think about it."

The Second Group Stage Game: Team USA vs. Greece

Once again, it was a close game. Like Puerto Rico, Greece employed a double-team defense that threw off Iverson and Marbury's rhythm. But this time, the solution was clear—get the ball to Wang Chong. With his mid-range and long-range shots, Wang Chong easily dismantled the Greek defense. Team USA narrowly won 80-71, with Wang Chong scoring 18 points, solidifying his role as the top scorer with an average of 21.5 points per game.

The Third Group Stage Game: Team USA vs. Australia

Finally, the Dream Team had a relatively easy game. By halftime, they were up nearly 20 points. Feeling confident, Brown decided to try Wang Chong's lineup suggestion during the second half.

Iverson, Wade, James, Wang Chong, and Stoudemire stepped onto the court together.

Australia hadn't expected this. Thinking Team USA had swapped out Duncan and Marbury to rest, they looked to close the gap. Instead, they were blindsided by the fast-paced, high-pressure game Team USA unleashed.

Brown had informed the players that this lineup was Wang Chong's idea, surprising many. But once on the court, the players immediately understood its potential.

LeBron James, in particular, was thrilled. This system played to his strengths—fast breaks and counterattacks were his bread and butter.

From the moment the game resumed, Australia was overwhelmed. Iverson and Wade immediately applied full-court pressure, forcing turnovers. Iverson, a master of steals, quickly swiped the ball and drew a foul, sinking two free throws.

On the next possession, Iverson and Wade again pressured Australia, leading to another turnover. James grabbed the defensive rebound and sprinted down the court, dunking over two defenders with his signature tomahawk slam.

The game turned into a rout. Australia couldn't keep up with the relentless pressure and fast-break offense. Team USA won convincingly, 102-71, their largest margin of victory so far.

Even the traditionally conservative Larry Brown was impressed by the effectiveness of the small ball strategy. For the first time, he saw the true potential of this new era of basketball.

Fourth Group Stage Game: Team USA vs. Lithuania

When Lithuania managed to take a lead, Brown didn't hesitate. He switched to the small ball lineup, and just like against Australia, the Lithuanian defense crumbled under the pressure.

Team USA won 97-92, remaining undefeated in the group stage.

End of Chapter

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