Gasol wasn’t unwilling to leave the low post, he often moved away from it when playing alongside Bynum.
But Bynum’s low post scoring ability was second to none among centers in the entire league.
If Howard had Bynum’s low-post footwork, the hook shot with both hands, the soft touch, and the passing ability, Gasol would have no complaints at all.
However, Howard could hardly pass the ball; in his time with the Magic, he could forcefully score as a dunker, but that ability faded after his back injury. This season his turnover rate for one-on-one plays set a new career high at 30%, and a less than 40% success rate for back-downs as a center was a disaster.
The most critical point was that once Howard received the ball for a one-on-one in the low post, it signified the end of the play, and they might as well get back on defense.
Howard’s one-on-one play’s biggest feature was that it couldn’t be complemented with supporting tactics, not just on the Lakers but also during his Magic days. When he played one-on-one, wing shooters were just for show; even when double-teamed, he couldn’t pass the ball out. In his peak season of 10-11, he would turn the ball over twice for every assist he made, leading Van Gundy to tell him just not to pass. When double-teamed, jumping up and smashing the ball towards the basket was better than turning it over.
Every time Gasol saw Howard calling for the ball in the low post to back down, he felt a headache coming on and was disappointed—such great athletic ability wasted on cutting to the basket, put-backs, and side screens. Instead, he insisted on doing what he wasn’t good at.
Some people have the talent to develop their scoring ability, but they don’t cultivate it, only thinking about how to simplify their scoring methods.
Howard lacked the conditions to develop his scoring ability but was intent on taking on the responsibility...
By 9 o’clock in the evening, the second game of the series between the Lakers and the Thunder Team had begun!
Lakers’ starting lineup: Chris Duhon, Zhang Yang, Metta World Peace, Jordan Hill, Gasol.
Thunder Team’s starting lineup: Harden, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins.
Gasol defeated Perkins in the jump ball, Lakers players aggressively pushed forward, Thunder players diligently got back on defense, and both teams were full of energy.
Duhon advanced the ball to the frontcourt, with Zhang Yang calling for it on the right side of the free-throw line, posting up against Sefolosha. Sefolosha tried to get around but was firmly sealed by Zhang Yang behind. Duhon’s bounce pass smoothly reached Zhang Yang’s hands.
Duhon moved to the left corner to open up space, and Zhang Yang felt Sefolosha clinging tight behind him, not attempting to defend the shot or drive as he had in the last game’s opening.
He side-eyed the defense and saw that, indeed, they had made systemic adjustments specifically against him...
Zhang Yang turned to face the basket, and as he dribbled the ball, his left foot probed backward slightly.
A top defensive ace is different, even this small feint was seen by Sefolosha, who immediately pressed forward tightly to prevent a step back.
But for Zhang Yang, that was a fake. As Sefolosha pressed up, Zhang Yang leaned forward with his upper body, turned left around the pressing Sefolosha, and drove into the paint!
Nash on the sidelines clapped in approval. That turn was perfectly timed, about 80% similar to his own. And the remaining 20%... curse that Steve Kerr! The turn had a touch of flair!
The Thunder Team’s help defense was quick. As soon as Zhang Yang reached the elbow area, he was blocked by Ibaka, with Perkins in the charge circle and Durant trimming the space on the right, blocking Metta World Peace along the baseline using his height and wingspan.
Zhang Yang was the type of player Sefolosha struggled most to defend, and his teammates were well-prepared for the possibility that he wouldn’t be able to contain him.
As Zhang Yang was about to get trapped by three players at the frontcourt, he tossed the ball toward the free-throw line direction, where Gasol, not letting him down, promptly moved up high from the left side.
As soon as Gasol caught the ball, he was stuck by Sefolosha.
The Thunder Team’s closing defense instantly spread out, with Perkins blocking the left sideline of the three-second area to stop Jordan Hill’s cut, and Durant stepping out a couple of paces, cutting off Metta World Peace’s passing lane.
But Gasol wasn’t in a hurry to pass. The moment he got the ball, he read the defense’s movements and immediately turned his back to prevent a steal by Sefolosha. Then he dribbled to the left at a 45-degree angle... to pass to the top of the arc!
Zhang Yang pulled out beyond the three-point line, guarded by Ibaka, who was inside the arc!
Gasol’s assist even earned silent praise from the opponent’s head coach Brooks.
Awareness, composure, execution, all too good!
Gasol completely saw through the Thunder Team’s defense! He created a perfect mismatch opportunity for Zhang Yang!
Zhang Yang didn’t waste the chance, with a crossover he shook off Ibaka and pulled up at the right side of the free-throw line for an easy jump shot that hit its mark!
Harden returned to the inside to receive the inbound, feeling the pressure again.
In the past two days, they had adjusted their defense to be more aggressive against the wildly attacking Zhang San, thinking they would do better today. Also, with the Lakers starting Chris Duhon and Jordan Hill, both their spacing and overall passing abilities were diminished, so he thought they would contain Zhang San better... but this opening play, why did it seem easier for Zhang San to score than in the last game?
Harden pushed to the frontcourt; for the opening attack, it was still the boss’ turn.
Durant attempted a long two-point one-on-one, facing Metta World Peace’s oppressive defense. Unable to create space, he didn’t opt for a direct shot but instead used crossover dribbles, sliding a step to the side. Before World Peace could close back in, he drove into the paint.
Durant planned to pull up for a jump shot near the left elbow of the key, but seeing Duhon already near that position and Jordan Hill also closing off the left sideline of the key, he...