Chapter 875: So-Called Open Schemes, Only the Willing Take the Bait!

Looking at those thick brows and big eyes, so innocent and sincere, who would have thought he’d play such tricks! Compared to the opening match, Zhang Hao has changed quite a lot, not just in terms of style, but the overall feel of his game seems different.

Throughout the year, they faced the Lakers twice. The Knicks players’ understanding of the Lakers and their players is limited to scouting reports, news, and occasionally watching live broadcasts. They can prepare tactically, but the feeling when actually facing them… Every team and each player might feel differently when confronting the same team or player.

At the start of the season, during the opening match, the Knicks players felt that the Lakers didn’t feel much different from other teams, as their lineup had almost completely changed. At that time, both teams approached things with a somewhat experimental attitude.

Now that it’s late February, the Knicks have reached a level of cohesion and harmony that they’ve almost perfected their teamwork, boasting a nearly seventy percent win rate, which is impressive since the starting lineup changed three players.

But the Lakers gave the Knicks players a strange feeling.

The Lakers have a tactical framework, but they still give off an “improvisational” vibe.

It’s the Knicks’ turn to attack; John Starks pushes the ball to the left arc, Larry Johnson screens O’Neal under the basket, and Ewing swiftly moves to the high post on the right side of the free-throw line, with Barkley switching to guard.

Against Barkley, Ewing undoubtedly holds a significant physical advantage. His mid-range plays make it almost impossible for Barkley to defend against Ewing receiving and shooting the ball.

But John Starks does not pass the ball; he opts to drive!

John Starks is a typical one-man army guard, excellent in defense; while his organizational skills aren’t top-notch, his scoring ability is outstanding. Three years ago, at the peak of his career at 28, he averaged 19 points per game and was a major contributor to the Knicks reaching the Game 7 of the Finals against the Rockets in ’94. Even now, at 31, his drives remain sharp!

Doug Christie knows he can’t stop him, so he doesn’t press hard but instead uses his height and wingspan to shadow John Starks’ shooting space, staying close in motion like Zhang Hao.

John Starks breaks right; Doug Christie follows but is blocked when reaching the outer arc of the free-throw line!

John Starks bypasses Ewing, charging directly towards the basket with Barkley switching defensively.

Larry Johnson moves from the basket to the left side of the three-second zone; O’Neal doesn’t expand outward but stays by the basket, while Fisher aggressively comes back to front Larry Johnson in defense.

As John Starks drives deeply and draws O’Neal’s attention, he passes back, Ewing repositions to the right side of the free-throw line, gets the ball while side-stepping Doug Christie, turns for a mid-range shot… it’s good!

The Knicks’ attack, patient, meticulous, even feels a bit excessive.

Ewing could clearly score via isolation, but the Knicks insist on using movement and positioning to provide Ewing with an easier receiving and shooting opportunity.

Yet Zhang Hao doesn’t see this as a bad thing for the Knicks, and the Lakers players find the Knicks’ strategy clever because it allows Ewing to play more comfortably!

This season, the Knicks have been focusing on creating easier shooting environments, gaining praise from media, experts, and veteran fans alike, making Jeff Van Gundy a strong candidate for Coach of the Year.

Actually, Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines hadn’t thought this would be effective initially. His mindset was just to follow what the teacher taught since the teacher was undoubtedly skilled.

Before Pat Riley left the Knicks, he advised Jeff Van Gundy to use Ewing this way for better future performances.

Last season, Jeff Van Gundy began shifting towards this style of play, though the lineup back then was quite different. Central tactics relied on Ewing driving others, but last summer, after heeding advice from former Knicks head coach and current Knicks president advisor Red Holzman, following aggressive trades with the Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets to form a new lineup, this strategy took place.

Anyway, Jeff Van Gundy increasingly revered Pat Riley since it genuinely had an impact.

Not only was Ewing performing better, but the offensive stability of the Knicks improved, and this playstyle, with its slow pace, suited their quick defensive retreat post-shot, controlling the tempo.

Upon returning from the Lakers’ time-out, their players still felt frustrated; the five players opposing them were no less capable in defense than during the starting phase!

Once Ewing shot, Zhang Hao swiftly moved downcourt, but the passing lanes were still blocked.

Fisher steadily advanced to the frontcourt. Once his teammates settled into position, he passed the ball to Zhang Hao, who again positioned himself at the top-left arc, leaning against Larry Johnson.

Zhang Hao leaned against Larry Johnson, received the ball, extended his right hand holding the ball towards the far end, pressed up against Larry Johnson’s arm stretching upwards, signaling with his left hand, thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Larry Johnson completely ignored it, and the Knicks players didn’t pay any attention either.

Who’s he trying to fool? Anyone who trusts this poker-faced player with his little tricks is a fool!

After signaling, Zhang Hao turned to face Larry Johnson, dribbling, and pulled to the left.

Larry Johnson didn’t insist on stopping Zhang Hao’s breakthrough, which Zhang Hao noticed unexpectedly; lacking strength didn’t trigger “Strongest First Step,” without the cross-step to mislead opponents couldn’t prompt “King of Cross Step,” but he still drove directly forward, Larry Johnson struggled to keep up.