One Year Left to Play-Chapter 266 - 95: Larry Brown’s Coaching Philosophy

Seeing this, Zhang Hao recalled that, even in preseason, he hadn't made a single three-point shot, though he attempted some, none went in.

In the first 6 games of the regular season, he attempted two catch-and-shoot threes, but neither went in.

Michael Adams, Zhang Hao remembered, having played two games with the Hornets before, this player played in both games, but his age had taken a toll on his skills, leaving Zhang Hao with a vague impression, especially not recalling his three-point shooting form.

Zhang Hao thought back to his own three-point shot earlier... "Damn!"

...

Triangle offense!

The Brooklyn Nets were actually playing a triangle offense!

Larry Brown reviewed the first quarter, and indeed, the Brooklyn Nets were playing that triangle offense, similar to the Bulls' three-peat strategy.

Almon Gilliam aggressively attacked the interior, Edwards made transition passes or played solo on the outside; one interior feasted off easy buckets, and the other had some shooting ability, while the point guard took mid to long-range shots.

When the Brooklyn Nets showed a strong offensive performance, it made the Pacers' offensive plays seem insufficient.

Stable but lacking in vigor.

However, there wasn't much he could do to further intensify the offense; their offensive stability didn't come from his recent tactical changes, but rather the recruitment of Mark Jackson...

Thus, in the first quarter, the Pacers made no substitutions, as Larry Brown wasn't sure if the offensive quality could be maintained after substitutions; with the center's defense being targeted, there wasn't much room for defensive adjustments, so Larry Brown just fully utilized the starters...

How should they adjust in the second quarter?

Mark Jackson needed rest, and Larry Brown knew Mark Jackson was the offensive brain of the team, their half-court offense efficiency relied on Mark Jackson.

In that case, it's simple, focus on defense!

...

Both teams made personnel adjustments.

The Brooklyn Nets deployed a tactical core combination of Chales and Jason Williams, Vaughn Fleming was also put in, while Zhang Hao and Edwards remained on the court.

The Pacers sent in Haywood Walker, Travis Best, Reggie Miller, Dale Davis, and Antonio Davis.

Zhang Hao quickly evaluated the abilities of the players sent by the opponent—"Except for Miller, even the weakest defender Best has a defense rating of 83!"

This lineup feels a bit like the 2004 Pistons—does Larry Brown only know this one strategy?

Whatever, Zhang Hao just wants to win now!

15 Celestial Mandate points, and a shooting package...

Competing with Reggie Miller in mid-range shooting accuracy, Zhang Hao noticed that Reggie Miller had made two mid-range shots in the first quarter, same as him.

The second quarter began, with the Brooklyn Nets having the first attack.

Obviously, the opposing defense was strengthened!

With Double Davis inside, the Pacers' weak inner defense was no longer an issue.

Zhang Hao, Vaughn Fleming, and Edwards spread the space; initially, Jason Williams' pick-and-roll led to a missed floater.

However, without Mark Jackson and Schmitz, the offensive pressure all fell on Reggie Miller.

In ball possession, Reggie Miller wasn't outstanding but adequate; Larry Brown placed him as a small forward to offset his lack of speed. Though not proficient in offense, Larry Brown at least had this eye.

But... Reggie Miller looked at Zhang Hao in front of him; was this really a center? The same one who defended Schmitz in the first quarter?

The height was correct, but this guy seemed faster and more agile than a shooting guard... and why was he outside, while that rascal Vaughn went inside to guard Antonio Davis?

Ignoring the height difference now?

This was Vaughn Fleming's initiative; no one knew the Double Davis' foul mouths and their playstyle better than him, with all the 11 seasons he spent with the Pacers. He saw these two players grow and understood their traits well.

Reggie Miller and Antonio Davis prepared for a pick-and-roll, planning a pass-and-cut play, but Vaughn Fleming directed Zhang Hao to double-team Reggie Miller directly before Antonio Davis could set the pick, with Vaughn Fleming facing him and Zhang Hao blocking the passing lanes with his body.

Reggie Miller couldn't continue the pick, and squeezed neither of them; he had to pull it horizontally closer to the sidelines and attempt a turnaround three-point shot... almost got blocked by the pouncing Zhang Hao!

Just before releasing, Reggie Miller adjusted his arc, launched a high-arching three... missed!

Jason Williams secured the rebound!

After a few rounds, both teams had extremely low offensive success rates, and Zhang Hao noticed Reggie Miller's shooting percentage drop from 5-4 to 9-5; finally understanding why the Pacers' offense had such a high success rate, yet Reggie Miller's shooting percentage was low. During the substitution phase, when focusing on defense, Reggie Miller had to go it alone; over 6 rounds, the Pacers were 6 for 2, scoring only 4 points.

But the Brooklyn Nets weren't doing much better; Chales tried hard to leverage pick and rolls to create space and shooting opportunities, but the Pacers' defense was too strong; without defensive three seconds, although unable to play zone defense, this Pacers lineup could form a strong defensive wall below the free-throw line, covering the elbow area.

Haywood Walker and Travis Best dared to confront, possessing good physicality; though on the offense... but under Double Davis' leadership, their defense was great.

The Double Davis was also a well-known mid-to-short range defensive pin duo in the league.

The Pacers were 6 for 2, and so were the Brooklyn Nets, with one being Zhang Hao's baseline mid-range shot and the other a putback by Jason Williams. One attack was intercepted by Reggie Miller, but fortunately, the Pacers didn't convert it into a counterattack.

After 6 rounds, the Brooklyn Nets and Pacers played a brutal 5 to 4 in 5 minutes...

Finally, at 5:08 into the second quarter, Reggie Miller finally successfully took a pick, using Antonio Davis but not going entirely around before shooting; in blocked sight, he jumped, feeling for the shot... three points...

It went in!

34 to 32, the Pacers took a two-point lead!

Jason Williams retrieved the ball and passed it to Zhang Hao, who handed it to Chales, then ran to the frontcourt.

This can't continue!

The offensive success rate was too low, completely falling into Larry Brown's desired situation. Compared to the Heat, the Pacers had much better defensive setups; moreover, it was Larry Brown's third year coaching the Pacers, having solidified the defensive groundwork in the first year, with Mark Jackson bolstering the offensive assurance last season. They became a title-contending, 50+ win team; a team offensive strategy was too difficult to counter a team like the Pacers.

Looking at the teammates on the floor, Zhang Hao reached beyond the three-point line, clapped his hands to draw Chales' attention, and pointed to the left baseline mid-range before running over to stabilize against Antonio Davis' defense.

Understanding, Chales lobbed the ball to Zhang Hao, who was posted against Antonio Davis.

Chales moved to the left 45-degree angle to receive, Edwards positioned a step inside the top of the key, Vaughn Fleming stood on the weak-side baseline mid-range, and Jason Williams stood on the right side of the three-second area, setting up.

The players on the Pacers also stood ready; Zhang Hao began posting up Antonio Davis!

Having felt Zhang Hao's strength in previous plays, Antonio Davis understood why Schmitz couldn't handle Zhang Hao, so he dropped his center of gravity and steadily held his ground.

Zhang Hao adjusted his rhythm, shouldered into Antonio Davis again. Upon feeling his opponent lower his center of gravity, Zhang Hao stepped forward with his right foot, and as his right foot landed, the left foot began to pivot, aligning the right foot perpendicularly to the baseline—his body turned sideways to Antonio Davis.

Jump!

While airborne, he spun, facing the hoop, fading back as he released the mid-range shot...

Antonio Davis lunged up to contest, but Zhang Hao had already released the ball.

The ball dove straight into the basket!