The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 897 Offending Agan

Gan Guoyang's goal for today is to make 15 mid-range jump shots.

Such a goal is quite difficult, because if a player relies on only one method to score in a game, it is easy for the defender to target him.

Moreover, mid-range shots are inefficient, have little offensive impact, and lack follow-up scoring opportunities, making them a poor way to rack up points.

Many famous high-scoring players in NBA history, such as Rick Barry and Bob Pettit, have mentioned in their autobiographies how they scored high in each game.

The most important thing is not technique, not feel, not tactics, but planning.

Rick Barry once mentioned that you need to plan ahead at the beginning of the game and score quickly with some simple shots.

Fast break, layup after a cut, attacking the basket during transition, catch-and-shoot jump shot off the ball, and then a few free throws.

In this way, my score will quickly reach double digits, and with these points as a foundation, my score tonight will definitely not be too low.

As the game progresses, you'll need real skill, the ability to hit difficult shots at crucial moments, and the chance to capitalize on transitions between offense and defense.

Also, you must make the most of your free throw opportunities. All things considered, you should have at least 20 points by now.

If you're in good form and the opponent's defense is lax, you can take more shots and score more points. Even if you're not in good form, you can still get 20 points.

Also, when the game is not in suspense, picking up one or two loose balls can make the score look better.

Planning your scoring strategies for each stage, managing your energy levels, and maintaining a good balance between easy and difficult shots are essential to consistently perform well throughout the long regular season.

In short, by following this process, it's easy to become a top scorer in the regular season.

A crucial aspect of this process planning is that the offensive tactics must be diverse and varied.

In particular, you need to make good use of your offense under the basket. Fast break layups, cut layups, and close-range shots are the easiest ways to score.

Among mid-range shots, C&S is relatively easy, while for offensive plays, direct one-on-one mid-range shots are the least efficient.

As he gets older and his performance declines, and his playing time decreases, Gan Guoyang is now also planning his scoring strategy.

However, his strategy differs from others; he primarily focuses on powerful attacks, with tactical plays as a secondary approach.

Gan Guoyang's assist rate has always been very low, and most of his points are scored by his own ability.

Therefore, his offensive destructive power is very high, and his passing is also very threatening.

During this period, Gan Guoyang relaxed his defense and increased his outside offense. After his mid-range shooting improved, his assists also increased.

His combination of mid-range shooting and face-up drives makes his offense more unpredictable and presents new challenges for the opponent's defense.

This problem presented Nowitzki with was incredibly difficult.

Even if Gan Guoyang clearly stated that he would take a mid-range shot, Nowitzki would have no way to defend against it.

Because when you stick close, Gan Guoyang will drive in, and after he drives in, he won't go for a layup. Instead, he'll do a pull-up jump shot, which is still considered a mid-range shot!

While this reduces offensive threats under the basket and causes some shots to miss, giving the Mavericks an opportunity.

However, the psychological damage caused by Gan Guoyang hitting Nowitzki's head one after another at mid-range was significant.

However, Nowitzki did not give up or break down. During halftime, Nelson asked, "Should we adjust the defensive matchups?"

Nowitzki shook his head and said, "It's okay, I can't handle him, but I can learn and improve."

Nowitzki has a strong learning ability, and he received unique basketball instruction in Germany.

The coach had him learn the saxophone and get in touch with music. The coach believed that music contains the beauty of rhythm, and that all music follows a beat.

The same applies to basketball. If you don't have superhuman speed, strength, and explosiveness, that's okay. You just need to have a good rhythm.

Nowitzki knew he couldn't stop Gan Guoyang, but in Gan Guoyang's repeated attacks, he felt the beauty of rhythm and cadence.

After the start of the third quarter, Gan Guoyang continued to "smile" at Nowitzki in one-on-one battles. Gan Guoyang did not rely on his strength and explosiveness to bully Nowitzki, but relied entirely on rhythm and skill to outmaneuver Nowitzki.

Moreover, every time the Mavericks' counterattack was at its most intense, Gan Guoyang used his one-on-one skills to widen the gap again.

Mike Finley and Eddie Jones played well tonight, the Trail Blazers' perimeter defense was only average, and Kobe's defense against Finley was unsuccessful.

They narrowed the gap to 5 points at one point, but Gan Guoyang missed both of his mid-range shots.

But Gan Guoyang still dared to shoot. He received the ball at the free-throw line, made a series of fakes, dribbled and turned, and quickly shot a two-pointer, which finally went in!

Then, the Trail Blazers suddenly intensified their defense against the Mavericks' ball handler, double-teaming and rotating, forcing the Mavericks to commit turnovers.

During the counterattack, Gan Guoyang received a pass from Kobe and took a mid-range jump shot from the 45-degree angle on the wing, and it went in again!
Many players prefer to bank shot when taking mid-range shots from a 45-degree angle, as this increases their chances of success and improves their accuracy.

However, since receiving guidance from Bernard King in high school, Gan Guoyang has insisted on no longer using the backboard and instead swishes every shot.

This makes Gan Guoyang's shots exceptionally decisive and quick, without any hesitation, the ball goes in cleanly and decisively, never dragging things out.

"You must be decisive when you make a move. When you decide to attack, you must be fully focused and free of distractions."

"Looking for teammates during an attack can certainly contribute some brilliant assists, but it will also reduce the quality of your offensive play."

"I've won the assist title, but I have to admit I'm not a good assist provider. My assists come from focus, not observation."

Gan Guoyang pointed at Nowitzki, and he could sense that the young German man was studying, studying hard.

When it was the Mavericks' offensive possession, Nowitzki bravely received the ball on the perimeter and launched an attack against Gan Guo's defense.

Dribble, break through, turn, slow down, pause for a moment, then suddenly accelerate to the baseline and get past Gan Guoyang!
He crossed the baseline from the right and rushed to the left, then turned around and prepared to dunk with both hands!
Very beautiful footwork, from dribbling, passing, turning, lifting the ball, and then accelerating, it was all done in one smooth motion.

The rhythm was perfect, and the pause in the variation was a work of art, but Gan Guoyang still caught up and stretched out his long arm to knock the hat off.

The mid-air collision caused Nowitzki to fall to the ground, and the Trail Blazers regained possession and launched a counterattack.

Nowitzki immediately got up and rushed back to join the defensive effort.

The ball was passed to Gan Guoyang, and the Trail Blazers slowed down, not rushing a fast counterattack.

Gan Guoyang receives the ball, holds it at the three-point line with a three-threat stance, dribbles, stops abruptly, and shoots a jump shot!
A very simple and clean pull-up jump shot, requiring little dribbling to shift the defender's balance and adjust one's own rhythm.

He could release the ball in just two seconds, and it sailed over Nowitzki's fingertips and swished through the net! A difficult mid-range shot, and it was a winner!

"Keep it simple, sometimes it's better to think simply."

"Your turn and pause were executed exceptionally well; you almost got past me."

"But you did something unnecessary, you insisted on going over the basket to the other side to launch an attack, which gave me time to react."

"You should attack the basket directly. If you're not confident about dunking, a pull-up jumper is a good option. Trust your shooting."

When Gan Guoyang returned to defense, he continued to give Nowitzki pointers, and Nowitzki nodded to indicate that he understood.

However, in an effort to close the gap, the Mavericks failed to get the ball to Nowitzki in the following possessions.

You can't even touch Forrest Gump, so wouldn't it be a waste to give you the ball again? Nowitzki has to create his own scoring opportunities.

With the third quarter nearing its end, the Trail Blazers led the Mavericks 90-80, a 10-point advantage, with both teams trading baskets fiercely.

However, the Trail Blazers' firepower was superior; Gan Guoyang had already scored 33 points by the end of the third quarter.

Tonight, Nelson insisted on having Nowitzki guard Gan Guoyang one-on-one, making it clear that winning or losing didn't matter; he was using Gan as a whetstone tonight.

Whether this knife will be sharpened or worn out depends on whether Nowitzki breaks down or learns under pressure and friction.

Clearly, Nowitzki didn't break down. If it were his rookie season, he probably would have really broken down, and Nelson wouldn't have let Nowitzki face Forrest Gump alone then.

After enduring the hardships of his rookie season, being called "Ilk" by fans and teammates, carrying bags for veteran players, buying them water, and delivering hamburgers, and experiencing homesickness and various discomforts in America, Nowitzki persevered.

He didn't return to Germany, but stayed in the United States, stayed in the NBA, and this season he has evolved.

He played beautifully in many games, quite beautifully. His face-up offense, his shooting, his footwork, and his body coordination were all amazing. Of course, in today's NBA environment, he seems a bit "soft".

This is an era of muscle-clashes and the pursuit of power.

The role model for perimeter players is Michael Jordan, who is stronger than many interior players and is like a black panther with explosive power.

The role models for inside players are Gan Guoyang and Shaquille O'Neal, one a powerhouse and the other a giant, both formidable weapons in the paint.

As for a big white shooter like Nowitzki? Who's the best role model? Larry Bird?
That guy is anything but soft; he's a real tough nut to crack. Nowitzki is clearly not as tough as Bird.

But Nelson and the Mavericks' management firmly believe that Nowitzki is not soft and that he will usher in his own era.

It's just unknown how many years, five years, ten years, or even longer, will it take for this day to arrive.

Noveski didn't think too much about it; he found an attacking opportunity and received the ball at the top of the penalty arc.

He used his teammates' screens to circle out like a shooting guard, and the moment he received the ball, he pulled up and shot a three-pointer!

Gan Guoyang failed to keep up with the interference on this shot. Nowitzki's shot was quick but not chaotic, and it was a direct shot.

The ball sank perfectly! A three-pointer! A beautiful three-pointer!
After scoring, Nowitzki was extremely excited. He stuck out his tongue and raised his arms to indicate the three points with his fingers!

The third quarter was almost over, and this was actually the first basket he made in the game!

I'm so happy! Nowitzki felt like he was surfacing from the water and could finally catch his breath.

Gan Guoyang really had no choice on this play. Defending the perimeter is not as easy as sticking to the perimeter like you would to the inside.

By switching positions and setting screens, an opening will eventually be found; whether it goes in or not depends on the player's shooting instincts.

Nowitzki's release felt noticeably better, with a soft touch, and his body's power was very consistent and seamless, resulting in a very high arc for the ball.

His shooting style is clearly different from Gan Guoyang's; in Gan Guoyang's view, his shooting style is more likely to be interfered with.

However, when it comes to shooting, the most important thing is being able to make the shot, and also finding a style that suits you.

In the NBA, the highest level of league, there has never been a standard shooting form.

Those highly skilled shooters each have their own unique shooting style, and even some quirks, which are based on their own physical conditions.

Gan Guoyang's straight-arm wrist shot is something most people simply can't do. It's stable, but it requires a lot of strength, making it unique to him.

Other so-called straight-arm shots mainly rely on the forearm for power. Shooting like Gan Guoyang, which mainly relies on the wrist for power, might be something only Shaquille O'Neal could do, but O'Neal was not accurate at all.

For example, many people call the Bucks guard Ray Allen, whose shooting form is very standard and beautiful, a "textbook" shot because of his accurate shooting and beautiful form. This is a huge misconception.

If Ray Allen's shooting form is a textbook, then that textbook is undoubtedly a failure, because Ray Allen's shooting form is also too difficult.

Ray Allen's jump shot involves jumping into the air and then throwing the ball out purely using his upper body strength, without relying on any lower body lifting power.

This shooting style requires a high level of strength in the legs, waist, abdomen, and upper body, as well as excellent balance; it's simply impossible for the average person to learn it well.

Furthermore, Ray Allen makes a very obvious flicking motion with his left hand when he shoots, which is completely unnecessary from a teaching perspective.

But this aligns with Ray Allen's own shooting habits; as long as he shoots accurately, that's enough. You can't learn it from him.

Nowitzki clearly understood this; he wouldn't imitate Gan Guoyang's shooting form, but the rhythm and speed that Gan Guoyang mentioned were things he needed to learn.

Furthermore, in a focused state, Nowitzki was striving to bring himself to his best, using his keen sense of smell and observation to proactively counter Gan Guoyang's defense.

Gan Guoyang praised Nowitzki's three-pointer, but cursed inwardly, "Damn it, he still scored. I'm going to get my revenge."

If you offend Forrest Gump, he'll definitely retaliate.

They had agreed to keep shooting mid-range shots, but on the last possession of the third quarter, Gan Guoyang called for the ball in the low post.

After pressing down on the inside, he pushed past Nowitzki, moved his feet to the side, and slammed the ball in with both hands for a powerful dunk!

The slam dunk was like a thunderbolt, sending Nowitzki crashing to the ground like a kite with a broken string, suffering a severe fall.

Nowitzki rubbed his chest and stood up. Now he knew, Forrest Gump was a petty guy!

The third quarter ended quickly, with the Trail Blazers entering the final quarter with a 9-point lead.

Gan Guoyang asked Spoelstra how many mid-range shots he had made tonight, and Spoelstra replied, "11, for 37 points."

"Four left. Rick, let me rest less in the fourth quarter. I'll go up and crush them, and get to garbage time early."

Gan Guoyang is confident he can beat a team like the Mavericks, which doesn't play defense and just attacks each other, in half a quarter.

So, after a two-minute rest, Gan Guoyang came on early in the fourth quarter, and Nelson, seeing this, also substituted Nowitzki in to "suffer."

In the fourth quarter, Gan Guoyang really showed no mercy, playing at 100%. He received the ball and attacked Nowitzki with strong attacks, no longer showing off his skills, but using his body and shooting to score repeatedly over Nowitzki.

After bumping into him, he smiled slightly, jumped and shot, scoring two points.

Gan Guoyang made four of those shots in five possessions, leading the Trail Blazers on a 10-2 run that widened the gap to 17 points.

The Mavericks started double-teaming him at this point, but it was no use. Gan Guoyang's shot was extremely fast, and Nowitzki's passive defense couldn't slow him down at all.

The Mavericks called a timeout, and Nelson noticed that Nowitzki was struggling and his energy was severely depleted.

Apart from that three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, Nowitzki's two shots at the start of the fourth quarter were wildly off target.

It was obvious that the match against Forrest Gump had taken a toll on him, and then he was sent back on in the fourth quarter after only a few minutes of rest, which was a sign that his body was giving him trouble.

But there was no other way, so he had to grit his teeth and play. Nowitzki was going all out, since he had already taken 15 mid-range shots and had nothing to lose.

It's perfectly normal to get beaten by Forrest Gump; you should definitely try to score some more points.

Just after returning to the court after the timeout, Nowitzki grabbed an offensive rebound and attempted a putback.

As a result, Gan Guoyang came from the side to help defend the layup and blocked it with a big block. How many blocks have I gotten today?

Nowitzki finally started to feel tormented because Gan Guoyang said to him, "Do you know why you can get offensive rebounds? Because I want to block you."

Did Forrest Gump deliberately give up the offensive rebound to block my putback?

Nowitzki might not have believed it if it were anyone else, but Forrest Gump could really do it.

This shot completely shattered Nowitzki's will to fight back. He could only console himself that at least he had learned something.

But he really couldn't continue the game; he had lost his fighting spirit, and the gap between the two sides in all aspects was indeed huge.

Even more frightening is that Nowitzki realized that this season's Forrest Gump was not his peak, but rather the 36-year-old who was on the decline.

What kind of life did those inside players who went up against Forrest Gump in the late 80s and early 90s lead?
Tonight, Gan Guoyang's few blocks on the defensive end were all for Nowitzki; he didn't defend anyone else.

Then he went on a scoring spree on offense, hitting 15 mid-range shots, plus drives and free throws, scoring 48 points in one fell swoop.

Ultimately, the Trail Blazers defeated the Mavericks 121-105, a 16-point advantage, securing a well-deserved victory at home.

When the game ended, Nowitzki left the court and went back to the locker room without saying goodbye, his head down and his face covered with his jersey.

Seeing this, Gan Guoyang said to Nelson, "Nelli, your players are being a bit rude. I gave them a free lesson for the whole game."

Nelson chuckled dryly, "Thanks, Sonny. But... you went a bit too far. 48 points, almost all of them were scored on Dirk."

Gan Guoyang said, "I've been very restrained. I've been smiling at him the whole time, you know? I rarely smile during competitions."

As he spoke, Gan Guoyang gave Nelson a bright smile, but Nelson felt a chill run down his spine.

You'd better not laugh.

(End of this chapter)