After a day of rest, January 18 came around, marking another hotly anticipated game day for the Bobcats.
Actually, not only were the games against the Nuggets Team on the 16th and the Knight on the 18th scheduled as big games, but so was the upcoming game on the 20th against the Miami Heat.
However, no one expected O’Neal to collapse that thoroughly, nor did they anticipate that the mastermind had already foreseen this scenario and had gotten rid of all the overpaid quality role players he had signed in the two summers before the championship wins, plunging the Miami Heat directly to the bottom of the league with 8 wins and 30 losses, the only team with fewer than 10 wins.
Originally, the Bobcats had three consecutive games broadcast nationwide, but it turned into just two.
Actually, the Knight’s performance was also far below expectations; everyone thought that with nearly 50 wins last season, they would definitely win over 50 this season, and maybe even challenge for 55 wins. But so far, after 38 games, the Knight had only secured 21 wins and 17 losses... But at least they hadn’t collapsed, and LeBron James’s performance this season was extremely good, excelling both in offense and defense, even making a name in defensive circles.
When Zhang Yang first saw the mid-season schedule, he felt the Jewish man was indeed merciless, first scheduling them for a four-game road trip in the Southwest Division, and after barely two easy games, they had to face the ’03 trio at home, treating their Bobcats team like beasts of burden.
This morning, during the Bobcats’ pre-game preparation phase, no practice was scheduled.
Playing against the Knight, they were too experienced, having faced them a whopping 18 times in the last two and a half years.
The Knight’s core playing philosophy hadn’t changed, even if LeBron James’s style had evolved somewhat, especially noticeable this season. But when playing against the Bobcats, it still was "KING had tried his best."
But today’s team meeting for the Bobcats was unusually long, starting at 9:30 and running close to 11:00.
Because their team leader would miss his first game against LeBron James today.
No one could play the role of ’blocker’ to stop LeBron James’s drives!
Though Perkins was good, asking him to defend LeBron James attacking the basket without any outer line defense...
Jarett Jack had a poor defensive sense.
Rondo had enough defensive sense, but lacked experience.
Hill and Alan Anderson did not have the speed.
Rookie Afflalo combined the shortcomings of Jarett Jack and Rondo in one - thin, weak in defensive basics, and without experience...
Yesterday, when the entire team rested, Carlisle did not. He went to the stadium to prepare for the battle, and was shocked to find that apart from Felton, they did not have a third person on the outside who could stand up to LeBron James; the other five perimeter players were no match for him!
But he found this situation normal, after all, that was LeBron James, a new generation superstar, one of the top three performers under 25 this season.
Carlisle was also reluctant to let Zhang Yang face LeBron James. What if the 19-year-old superstar, who scored 60 points, got injured by LeBron?
However, as a young coach, Carlisle wasn’t rigid in his coaching methods, or he wouldn’t have been so easily influenced by Zhang San’s and other bold strategies.
Since no one could block LeBron, this time they simply wouldn’t try...
By 9:00 PM at Tuhang Stadium, Okafor won the jump ball against Gooden, and the game between the Bobcats and the Knight began.
The Bobcats’ starting lineup: Rondo, Zhang Yang, Mike Miller, Millsap, Okafor.
The Knight’s starting lineup: Larry Hughes, Pavlovic, LeBron, Gooden, Big Z.
Rondo received the ball and advanced to the frontcourt, with LeBron guarding the top of the arc.
Zhang Yang positioned himself on the right side of the free-throw line, leaning against Larry Hughes.
As the Knight’s players focused on Zhang Yang, Rondo suddenly took off, bursting down the left lane!
LeBron quickly turned to chase, Gooden also moved to block, but Big Z’s footwork wasn’t as nimble as Yao Ming’s, and Rondo was one of the fastest point guards in the league.
Seizing the moment, Zhang Yang turned and ran towards the left high post.
Larry Hughes, unfazed by Rondo’s ’sneaky move,’ stayed focused on his defensive assignment, turning immediately to follow Zhang Yang’s steps... only to be blocked by Millsap!
Zhang Yang reached the left side of the free-throw line, received a pass from Rondo, and made the jump shot from the free-throw line distance!