Chapter 414: How Powerful is That Man?
Wade Dong's offensive performance didn't end.
Popovich stood on the sidelines and shouted, "Danny, you go double-team Wade Dong!"
"He's a damn good player, and my defensive strategy doesn't work on him."
This was Popovich's evaluation of Kobe, and he had also said that besides the Spurs players, the player he most wanted to coach was Kobe.
But tonight, Popovich saw not Kobe's shadow in Wade Dong, but a peak Kobe, especially Wade Dong's eyes, which made Popovich realize that relying on a young and inexperienced Leonard was not enough to stop Wade Dong, and the Spurs had to use a double-team tactic.
Wade Dong got the ball again from mid-range.
Facing the double-team of Leonard and Danny, Wade Dong squeezed into the paint, turned around, took a step, and shot in the air with a maximum lean back!
Danny and Leonard had already rushed over.
But they still couldn't stop Wade Dong from scoring.
"Swoosh!!!" ✱
The ball went through the net.
"Beep!!!"
The referee blew the whistle, indicating a defensive foul by Leonard.
During the free throw, Wade Dong put his index finger to his lips, signalling the fans to quiet down, and then made a steady free throw.
Gentry laughed, "Is this Wade Dong or peak Kobe?"
"No matter who it is... the Spurs can't stop him."
However, Varick said, "Peak Kobe isn't as strong as Brother Dong. I think Brother Dong's imitation of Kobe's play is actually an opportunity for the Spurs."
Green glared at Varick, "Shut your stinking mouth!"
...
In the third quarter, after seven minutes, it was time for the substitute players to take the court.
The score was 67:65!!!
Wade Dong's offensive performance couldn't widen the lead because Duncan was also dominating the Suns' interior, and the two teams were tied.
Curry, Thompson, Green, Durant, and McGrady took the court!
"Fuck!"
Popovich cursed, was this the Suns' substitute lineup???
Although he was unhappy, Popovich's character meant he wouldn't keep the main players on the court at this point, and Bonner, Ginobili, Diao, and Belinelli also took the court. Popovich often used a five-on-five tactic, but Gentry was now using it to great effect.
Kerr stood on the sidelines, his arms crossed over his chest.
The current lineup on the court, the tactics could be said to be arranged by Kerr, and Gentry only had a preliminary idea of this tactic at the time. With Wade Dong's suggestion, the team brought Kerr in as an assistant coach.
The core of the tactic was quick passing, with players constantly running off the ball, and high-post screens were completed by Durant and Green. As soon as Curry and Thompson had an open position, their three-pointers would make the opponents desperate.
After the timeout, Durant held the ball in mid-range, and Diao defended Durant.
Curry and Thompson quickly moved, and Durant passed the ball to Curry, who didn't stop the ball, and passed it to Thompson after receiving it.
"Swoosh!!!" ✱
Thompson made a three-pointer, and the ball went through the net.
The score was 70:65!!!
The Spurs attacked, Ginobili's snake-like breakthrough layup was disrupted by Green, and Durant grabbed the defensive rebound.
Curry received the ball and dribbled straight to the frontcourt, and when he reached the free throw line, he flicked the ball, and it went to Durant.
"Swoosh!!!" ✱
Durant made a mid-range shot!
The score was 72:65!!!
This Suns lineup was almost unstoppable, and the lead was stretched to 15 points before the end of the third quarter.
"Hmm..."
Gentry opened the thermos, "Even without Brother Dong, we can win the championship with this lineup."
...
Wade Dong, "So I'm leaving?"
"Ahahaha or or or hahaha..."
Gentry laughed awkwardly, his big mouth almost offended Brother Dong.
...
In the fourth quarter, after three minutes, Popovich replaced the main lineup.
The Spurs were already 18 points behind.
Durant and Curry still had plenty of energy, and Gentry let them stay on the court for three minutes, with only six minutes left in the game.
Wade Dong, Yi Nan, Whiteside, Tucker, and McCollum took the court.
Duncan pulled out of the paint to defend Wade Dong, and Wade Dong accelerated past Duncan with a change of direction, and stopped and jumped for a mid-range shot.
"Swoosh!!!" ✱
The ball went through the net.
The score was 105:84!!!
The Spurs were 21 points behind.
Popovich didn't hesitate, and as soon as this play ended, he immediately replaced Duncan, Parker, and Leonard, temporarily giving up.
"What the fuck..."
Wade Dong was confused, what did this mean?
It would be awkward for Wade Dong to stay on the court after the Spurs replaced their main players, so he just looked at Gentry, and Gentry patted Tucker, letting Tucker replace Wade Dong.
...
"Beep!!!"
As the referee blew the whistle, the game ended.
The Suns won by 25 points at home, once again proving their strength to the world.
The game stats were:
Wade Dong: 37 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Durant: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Curry: 27 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks
Duncan: 29 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks
Parker: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks
...
Wade Dong played in the style of peak Kobe, which was a tribute to Kobe, and he even planned how to celebrate at the end of the game.
For example:
Tugging on his jersey and roaring...
Chewing on his jersey...
Pounding his chest and roaring...
Putting his right hand to his ear to hear the fans cheer...
But Popovich didn't give Wade Dong this opportunity, and giving up the game early also meant that Wade Dong sat on the bench for the second half of the fourth quarter.
...
In a mansion somewhere in Los Angeles.
Kobe watched this game and said to Vanessa, "The Suns' greatest strength isn't Wade Dong, but the team's compatibility, with Wade Dong, Durant, Curry, Carter, and McGrady, so many excellent players together, and the chemistry is still so good."
"Do you have a good relationship with Wade Dong? His performance today made me feel like you were playing."
"Hahaha..."
Kobe also laughed, "He's doing it on purpose, I suspect he'll play like this in the next few games."
"So let's go watch the game?"
"Okay."
Kobe hugged his second daughter and blew on her nose, "Tomorrow, let's go to Phoenix to watch your Uncle Wade Dong play, how about that?"
"Okay, okay!"
The second daughter immediately clapped her hands, "Dad, let's take a helicopter, how about that?"
"No way!"
Kobe shook his head, "Your Uncle Wade Dong once told me that my fate clashes with helicopters, and he doesn't allow me to take a helicopter, but I can charter a big plane, and we can fly there as a family."