Chapter 160 The Most Important Thing on the Basketball Court is Not Weight

On the court, the Suns were on the attack.

As the NBA's famous "fast men," in this life, Hill's trajectory had also undergone significant changes.

In a recent game against the Timberwolves, Hill officially reached his career milestone of 15,000 points.

In Su Feng's previous life, even after Hill, the Suns' miracle doctor, returned from his factory rebuild, his athleticism on the court could still force a bunch of rookies to their deaths.

Therefore, Alston nearly cried while defending tonight.

In this play, Hill directly blew past Alston in one step and, before Milicic and Odom could complete their help defense, elegantly sent the ball into the basket.

This season, the Suns had four players averaging over 18 points per game.

Plus, in the past two years, under D'Antoni's demands, Hill had also developed a knack for open three-pointers. Therefore, the Heat found it difficult to use zone defense to besiege the Suns' group of explosive scorers.

On the Heat's bench, Riley suddenly felt that he wasn't the only lucky one in the league.

Because even though he had a max-level account in Su Feng...

Looking at the group of fierce men under D'Antoni's command...

Wasn't this even more extreme than Liu Bei?

In the first quarter, with Su Feng in full-attack mode, the Heat still trailed the Suns by 5 points at the end of the quarter.

Su Feng, who was closely guarded by Marion, his little fanboy, for the entire first quarter, shot 5 of 9, including 3 of 4 from three-point range and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, scoring 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in the quarter.

And at this moment...

Those "Su Feng haters" who had previously touted that Su Feng could lead the Heat to first place in the East only because the Heat's roster was strong, suddenly disappeared without a trace.

In fact, compared to these true superteams, this Heat team had very obvious weaknesses.

Their starting lineup included Milicic and Odom, neither of whom were excellent rim protectors.

And the main reason they were able to achieve a 10-game winning streak was because of their three-point shooting and zone defense.

However...

Tonight, against a team like the Suns with outstanding individual offensive ability and overall strength, the Heat couldn't bully Wade, letting him know that "the pot is made of iron."

In the second quarter, Su Feng continued to play without rest.

And after Mourning and Haslem were substituted into the game, the Heat's rim protection ability clearly rose by two levels.

It had to be said that, in terms of roster construction, the Heat's second unit was actually more rational than their starting lineup.

Rim protectors, space creators, accurate three-point shooters, players capable of sudden bursts...

In the new season, Su Feng and Riley were both well aware that as the season progressed, the Heat's weaknesses in their starting lineup would only become more apparent.

However, because Mourning's playing time was limited at this point, and because Ginobili, Korver, and others had prominent strengths and weaknesses...

Therefore, if the Heat couldn't rely on their second unit to regain momentum in the game...

Then against those top-tier powerhouses...

No matter how much of a "divine calculator" Riley was, he could only gamble like "Zen Master" Jackson, hoping that Su Feng could trigger his "god descends to earth" switch in the game.

As a result, what Riley feared actually happened tonight.

On the court, in the second quarter, the Suns were led by Jamison and Marion.

And their partners, Micky Moore, Jim Jackson, and Barbosa, were all famous NBA scrappers.

Moore, nicknamed "Snake Man," had an accurate mid-range shot. In the second quarter, seeing Mourning enter the game, D'Antoni sent him onto the court.

And this infuriated Mourning, who always liked to go head-to-head with opponents.

Don't underestimate Mourning, who was often used as a background board by younger players later in his career...

But as a center known for his iron blood and tenacity, even if he was dunked on, Mourning was unwilling to be killed by this kind of hit-and-run tactic.

And Jim Jackson, one of the Dallas Three J's, had become a terrifying bench bandit under D'Antoni's command this season.

In Su Feng's previous life, Jackson, whose three-point percentage was above 40% for multiple seasons later in his career, could be said to have met D'Antoni too late.

Because in D'Antoni's view, if you're that accurate, shouldn't you shoot at least 10 times per game?

And although he was destined to only get minimum wage contracts even if he played well in his career...

For Jackson, getting a minimum wage contract under D'Antoni's command was much better than wandering around like he had before.

Thus, this season, Jackson, who was taking nearly 8 three-pointers every night, was affectionately nicknamed by Phoenix fans as:

"Little Su Feng of Phoenix."

And as for Barbosa...

Su Feng found that D'Antoni was simply toxic.

Because the Suns' guards, even the backups, were ridiculously fast.

No exaggeration here...

Based on the Suns' offensive rhythm this season, if they really faced the Lakers, then O'Neal would definitely be calling for help after playing only half the game.

In the second quarter, because the Heat's second unit couldn't crush the opponents' bench like they usually did, their deficit had reached double digits by halftime.

At the end of the first half, the score between the two teams was 57 to 69.

During halftime, Su Feng knew that if the Heat wanted to capture the Suns tonight, they had to suppress them on the offensive end.

And coincidentally, Riley thought the same way.

"Has being down by 12 points already made you lose all your fighting spirit?

Raise your heads and take a good look at Su!

Looking at the way you guys look like stray dogs tonight, how can you even say you have balls?"

In the visitor's locker room, Riley berated the Heat players, who were huddled together, smelling each other's sweaty odors.

And then, as usual, Su Feng had already handed a bucket of ice water to Riley in advance.

Brothers, come on...

Let's all type 666 to support Old Iron Riley!

Boss, it's time to show us your ice bucket head explosion technique!

Riley: "..."

In the locker room, after declining Su Feng's "good intentions," Riley pointed to the tactical board and said, "Here, and here...

Do you know how many times the Suns shot from beyond the arc against us tonight?"

Smash!

After slamming the tactical board, Riley said furiously, "23 times! In just one half, we allowed the Suns to shoot 23 times from beyond the arc!"

In the visitor's locker room, amidst Riley's roar, the Heat's players, except for Su Feng, all lowered their heads.

But...

Just as the Heat's players thought Riley wanted them to improve their focus and strengthen their defense, Riley suddenly changed his tone and said:

"F**k! F**k! F**k!

As the team that shoots the most three-pointers in this league, can you believe that Mike D'Antoni's team is shooting more than us?

F**k! F**k! F**k!

Tell me, did you all forget your scopes on your beds at the hotel?"

Amidst Riley's hysterical roar, Su Feng couldn't help but chuckle.

It had to be said that Riley was indeed a wonderful person.

Because for a young team, it wasn't enough to have a leader like Su Feng who played the "good cop."

After all, young people could easily become arrogant once they achieved some success.

Therefore, in Su Feng's view, Riley's outburst was perfectly timed.

Because up to this point in the new season, the Heat hadn't actually played a comeback game in the true sense of the word.

But...

Looking at Korver, Milicic, and the others, who had already been dumbfounded by Riley, Su Feng knew that it was time for him to stand up and make Riley control his emotions.

Otherwise, before the second half even started...

This group of young Heat players would die from Riley's trash talk.

So, in the locker room, looking at Riley, Su Feng deliberately smiled and said, "But Pat... I remember you saying before that you hated three-pointers the most, right?"

Hearing this, Riley immediately felt a pain in his chest.

Slander...

Slander!

This was definitely slander!

I...

On the basketball court, it wasn't just weight that determined the outcome of a game.

Su Feng had learned this principle back in Toronto when he was studying boxing out with Big Ben.

And as for why Su Feng wanted to learn the inside boxing out skills?

Of course, it was to get more rebounds in the game...

Bah!

Of course, it was to better help his inside partners in the future.

On the court, because the Heat were playing small, the Suns couldn't tear through the Heat's defense with simple pick-and-rolls like they did in the first half.

Because whenever they encountered a pick-and-roll, the Heat would activate their infinite rotation mode.

In fact, in Su Feng's view, the best option for the Suns at this point was to have McGrady and Hill go one-on-one against Korver and Ginobili.

Because even the fastest rotation took time to complete.

As speed demons with teleportation buttons installed on their breakthroughs, Hill and McGrady could completely tear through the Heat's defense before the Heat's rotation was completed.

But...

In the ever-changing basketball game, how could a basketball player make a decision so quickly?

On the court, because of the long-ingrained idea that mismatches on the court must be exploited, McGrady seemingly correctly passed the ball to Ostertag again at the high post at the wrong time.

However, although this "Big White Bear" had some advantages in height and weight, with his low-post skills based on being a meat shield...

How could he be a match for Su Feng, who had been honing his skills in the low post under Larry Brown's training since his second season?

In the low post, just as Ostertag was about to turn around and hook the ball, Su Feng had already cut to his side through a slip, stealing the ball the moment he raised it!

And at the same time...

The Heat's shooters had all run into their shooting range.

On the court, watching Ginobili and Korver, who could shoot the moment they received the ball, the Suns' retreating players were now gradually feeling the power of the Heat's reckless style of play.

That was...

You knew that it was unreasonable for your opponents to play like this, but you had to defend it.

In this play, because Korver was being guarded tightly, Su Feng changed and passed the ball to Ginobili.

Unfortunately...

Ginobili's sniper shot bounced out after hitting the front of the rim.

However, because the Suns' defense was all attracted to the Heat's outside players...

Inside, just as Jamison was planning to wait for the ball to land before grabbing the rebound, Su Feng suddenly descended from the sky!

Rebound, score!

Perhaps for Jamison, this was just an ordinary backcourt rebound.

But for Su Feng, this was a valuable rebound plus two points!

Bang!

With the determination to get this offensive rebound...

At the America West Arena...

Su Feng, riding on Antawn Jamison's neck, completed this putback dunk!

And in an instant, the fans in front of the TV went wild!

Especially the American fans...

Without Barkley and Smith even having to open their mouths, they had already guessed what the two of them were going to say next.

"Su Feng...

Dunks on Antawn Jamison!!"

In the past, when playing the "shoot and grab" tactic in Toronto, Su Feng was always the one shooting.

But tonight, Su Feng became the one responsible for grabbing the rebound.

But you had to say...

This feeling of getting two stats at once...

Was really a little bit awesome.

"Actually, occasionally playing center seems pretty good."

On the court, while retreating on defense, Su Feng muttered to himself.

...

ps: Because my computer can only be fixed tomorrow, this chapter was also written on my phone (remember to remind me of any typos). A small chapter of 5300 words is here! Continue to beg for subscriptions, monthly tickets, and recommendation tickets!