Chapter 778: Chapter 16 I’m Joking_3
"You got cold feet, Charles," Gan Guoyang said to the following Barkley after dunking the ball.
"I didn’t, I know what I’m doing, Sonny," Barkley responded.
Indeed, the pass he chose was not wrong, as Kevin Johnson had a better opportunity.
It was just that Sabonis showcased his excellent defensive capability, stifling the Suns’ clever teamwork.
Next, as Barkley faced Gan Guoyang’s defense again, Ah Gan was still fully focused on guarding Barkley’s solo play.
Barkley chose to pass again, this time to Dan Majerle, but Marley’s drive after catching the ball was lightly tapped away by Reggie Lewis!
Two consecutive plays demonstrated the Trail Blazers players’ exceptionally strong individual defensive abilities.
Reggie Lewis gained control of the ball and passed it to Petrović, who accelerated past half-court, pushing off the entangling Danny Ainge.
At the high post, Sabonis came out to receive the pass, while Gan Guoyang cut deep into the post. Barkley desperately tried to front him under the basket, but Sabonis had no good passing opportunity.
Gan Guoyang quickly pulled out to the free-throw line to set a screen, and Sabonis immediately dished the ball to the side wing where Petrović was coming off the screen. Petrović caught the ball and, using Ah Gan’s block as cover, accelerated past Ainge and drove straight to the basket for a layup!
After scoring, Petrović roared at Danny Ainge, shouting: "Don’t bring up my country again, or I’ll hit you on the spot. I don’t mind being suspended."
Ainge finally showed some timidity; he knew that with Ah Gan also on the scene, another punch from Ah Gan could be too much for him to handle.
The Trail Blazers executed a variant of the Princeton high-post series offense. If failing to score in the low post, the inside players would immediately come out and set screens for their teammates, coordinating cuts.
Clearly, the Trail Blazers players were getting more and more adept at employing the Princeton Offense.
They were gradually not sticking strictly to the scripts but finding effective parts from them to organically integrate with the star players’ one-on-one plays.
Sabonis’s role as the on-court conductor was indispensable, and Beelman’s decision to enhance his tactical role was the right one.
While Sabonis was not a true master organizer in the post, his talent and basketball IQ made him more than capable of playing the pivot in the Princeton System.
The Trail Blazers’ playmaking focus was slowly shifting to Ah Gan and Sabonis. Petrović, Porter would gradually become more offensive-focused guards.
A few rounds of offense and defense showcased where the real difference lay between the Suns and the Trail Blazers—the gap in talent primarily.
The shortness of Kevin Johnson and Charles Barkley, the slowness of Dan Majerle, Danny Ainge, the poor offensive capabilities of Mark West, all required desperate tactical compensation.
Executing a good strategy, but due to being shorter and slower, they ultimately failed to be effective, and the point margin accumulated bit by bit.
For the third time on offense facing Ah Gan’s defense, Barkley did not choose to pass again; he knew he had to confront Ah Gan directly.
This was a confrontation between two superstars; he had to score.
Barkley made a jab step and then accelerated for a drive from the middle, Gan Guoyang tightly on his heels.
Without the space to break through, Barkley pulled back after catching the ball and followed up with a difficult fadeaway jumper!
A fadeaway jumper from the free-throw line, Gan Guoyang’s hand was almost on the ball, but Barkley managed to get the shot off.
The ball traced an ungraceful arc through the air, somewhat flat, but it still accurately dropped through the net!
A beautiful fadeaway jumper, a beautiful score, Charles Barkley made a shot against Ah Gan.
"Nice shot, Charles, you learned to shoot like Michael,"
"I can’t learn your style, nor do I want to! Prepare to lose, Sonny!"
Barkley turned arrogant after making his shot.
Then Gan Guoyang in the post consecutively backed down three times, scored three baskets, and drew a foul once.
That led to a 7:0 run for the Trail Blazers.
After the foul, Barkley stood with his hands on his hips, glancing at the scoreboard, thinking, damn it, I was joking, Ah Gan.
