During the first six preseason games, the Mavericks achieved a record of 3 wins and 3 losses, winning both games against the Hawks and one against the Miami Heat while losing the other three. They didn’t focus on the outcomes, substituting players when necessary and adapting their playstyle as the situation demanded.
When facing off against the Miami Heat, Wade and O’Neal were both in suits. Having won the championship, O’Neal was thoroughly dismissive of the so-called masterminds, tired of their antics. He refused the call to the devilish training camp, indulging in food and drinks as he pleased, which ballooned his weight to over 160 kilograms, while still flaunting his bulk in front of the masterminds upon his return to the team.
However, due to his excessive weight, O’Neal twisted his knee at the very start of the training camp.
Wade, on the other hand, returned from playing in the World Championship with an uncomfortable knee and was receiving conservative treatment, trying to get ready for the season opener.
A trend towards disintegration appeared for the champions even before the new season officially started.
Tonight, playing against the Pacers, Bickerstaff was coaching as usual, arranging specific strategies based on the opponent’s lineup, knowing their gameplay from past encounters, meticulously preparing roster matchups and tactical choices.
Yet as the game began, the Mavericks didn’t gain any particular advantage!
Unlike the Pacers’ chaotic early last season, they knew they would lose Peja during the offseason. After trading back for Al Harrington and securing Marquis Daniels from the Mavericks with a 3-year, 19 million US dollar deal, Rick Carlisle started adjusting the system. By the last game of the preseason, the system was almost fully set.
Jermaine O’Neal, whose offensive performance took a nosedive last season, began transitioning to a defensive center. No longer playing as a scoring power forward, he reduced his range of movement to spare his knees.
Carlisle focused the offense on the frontcourt, with Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, and the sophomore Danny Granger rotating in the frontcourt, taking on the main scoring roles.
Jamal Tinsley, alongside Daniels—whom they dug out of the Mavericks with a 3-year, 19 million US dollar contract—made up a formidable defensive backcourt.
To be precise, the Pacers didn’t just adjust their system this season; it was as if they became a new team with an entirely different system.
The thorough preparation by the Mavericks turned into a limitation for them.
Fortunately, while the Mavericks’ defense was lacking, their offense was strong, contending with the Pacers until the end.
With a little over 50 seconds left in the game, Harrington, who couldn’t rally his teammates to target Zhang Yang tonight, chose to speak with his play. He hit a step-back three-pointer, assisting the Pacers in tying the score at 94.
During the Mavericks’ offensive play, Zhang Yang backed down Daniels at the high post, turned, and faked a drive before pulling back for a long two-pointer that went in, putting the Mavericks ahead by 2 points again.
When the Pacers had the ball, Harrington isolated for a long two-pointer, using the threat of a step-back three to blow by Millsap and drive inside. However, he was met by a timely Okafor who held his ground. Harrington’s forced floater was slapped away by Gerald Wallace, who rushed from the baseline toward the high post.
Zhang Yang caught the ball and streaked to the opponent’s basket, his airborne layup swishing through the net and sealing the game.
With a final score of 98 to 94, the Mavericks narrowly defeated the Pacers, avoiding an overtime drag-out.
After the game, the team members, having listened to Gerald Wallace’s explanation, attempted to accept Zhang Yang’s character setting.
As for Zhang Yang, he was beside the head coach and the owner, whispering in their ears.
He said to Bickerstaff and Jordan standing together, "Bernie, that coach on the other side is not bad, eh? His team is a mess, and yet he almost beat us."
Bickerstaff nodded in response, replying, "Yeah, it’s a pity. With such talent, to be fired by the Pistons for being too young and inexperienced, and just when he was improving the Pacers’ record, they encounter the most severe brawl in history, and it happens to be against his former team..."
Having lost Peja in the offseason, Carlisle managed to coach the Pacers to a playoff-worthy performance before the regular season even started. His coaching skills, talent in nurturing young players, and ability to discover role players... Bickerstaff also felt this young coach’s abilities were absolutely exceptional.
Zhang Yang: "Bernie, what do you think about him taking over for you?"
Bickerstaff, wanting to step down from his head coach position—a fact that hadn’t been made public and was unknown to most within the team—was discreet when needed. He told Zhang Yang about it since choosing a new head coach wasn’t a matter of concern for the other players, but he felt the need to give a heads-up to the mature-for-his-age, yet still very young, Zhang Yang.
No matter how mature a mere 18-year-old player could be, their capriciousness could be frightening, ready to drop everything if they were upset.
Bickerstaff gave Zhang Yang a pointed look: "I’d like to. I think he’s even better than me. But he’s under contract. If I remember correctly, he signed a 6-year, 24 million contract with the Pacers in ’03, which doesn’t expire until ’09. It’s improbable that the Pacers would let him go."
Jordan, overhearing this, chimed in, "Not necessarily. I think there’s a chance. Carlisle openly criticized the big guy for his handling of Artest during the offseason. Knowing what I do about the big guy, he may very well fire Carlisle for challenging his treatment of the team’s top star... If you both think Carlisle is good, I’ll keep an eye on the situation. If he gets fired, I’ll contact him right away to see if he’s a fit for us."
Bickerstaff replied, "If it turns out like you said, it’s worth trying to have a chat with him. It’s good that you two are acquainted; I remember you faced him in the playoffs a couple of times."