Chapter 9 The Defensive Tactics

In September, as the players gradually regained their form, Davis began to shift the training focus to tactics.

First, defensive tactics, after all, defense was the core topic surrounding the entire 90s.

At this time, the NBA still didn't allow zone defense, but in reality, "pseudo-zone defense" was already being widely used by various teams.

In Su Feng's previous life, the Bulls and Jazz, in their back-to-back championship clashes, used the rules reasonably and relied on the referees turning a blind eye to restrict each other.

The reason why Jordan used a lot of fadeaway jumpers and mid-range shots to end possessions during his second three-peat, apart from his declining physical attributes...

The main reason was that these strong NBA teams had taken "pseudo-zone defense" to the extreme.

Combined with the hand-checking rule, the NBA's restricted area at this time was a "pool of blood and a forest of meat."

Because when defending, the strong teams at this time would shrink the restricted area following the opponent's movement.

If the opponent's team had players with long-range shooting ability, the player responsible for guarding him would interfere with his shooting percentage by getting physical.

Coupled with the hand-checking rule, which was extremely lethal to perimeter players...

It could even be said that, as a perimeter player, if you could finish possessions with a shooting percentage of over 45% in the 90s...

Then however much stamina you had, the coach would dare to let you shoot that much.

Davis' defensive tactics were very close to what Su Feng had imagined, roughly the same set that was commonly used by teams in the 90s.

It looked like man-to-man defense, but in reality, it was pseudo-zone defense.

However, as a defensive expert, Su Feng had a hunch that if the 76ers really played like this...

Then the 76ers were absolutely doomed.

Because pseudo-zone defense was something you simply couldn't play if your team lacked chemistry.

Reality wasn't a novel; even the best tactics needed to be honed.

When players should help each other, when to switch, and even how far to slide, all needed to have a chemical reaction first.

That's why the powerhouses of the 90s wouldn't easily change their roster.

Davis' defensive tactics clearly lacked protection for Iverson.

Knowing Iverson's defensive ability inside and out, Su Feng knew very well that if Iverson was targeted by the opponent, he could only turn it into a situation of mutual explosion at best.

Of course, Su Feng was just an ordinary rookie at this time, and as a professional usurper, Su Feng was very clear about his current position.

"Being well-behaved and sensible" was the persona that Su Feng should establish within the team right now.

After explaining the defensive tactics, Davis had even less creativity on the offensive end.

The only good thing was that, just like in Su Feng's memory, this guy didn't restrict players from shooting three-pointers.

This was related to the NBA's short three-point line in the 96/97 season...

It was also related to Davis believing that with a player like Iverson, the team "should" be able to create a lot of opportunities for penetration and kick-outs.

It was worth mentioning that, after Frazier's training in the summer...

During training, although Su Feng's off-ball movement and positioning were still inferior to those experienced NBA players, his overall performance had already satisfied the 76ers coaching staff.

Especially in Davis' view, Su Feng's "quiet and obedient" personality was simply the greatest support for him, a tool man.

"Su, I plan to arrange for you to come off the bench in the preseason games, playing 25 minutes each game."

That day, after training, Davis took the initiative to find Su Feng for a private chat.

Su Feng "obediently" nodded.

"Don't worry, I will appropriately arrange some post-up isolation tactics for you, as well as some off-ball movement tactics, so that you can maximize your talents."

Su Feng's "sensibleness" made Davis' favorability towards him continue to rise, so...

Davis continued, "Your mid-range shooting training is good. I don't object to you shooting three-pointers, but I hope you can increase your mid-range attempts."

Su Feng continued to nod "obediently."

Su Feng knew that Davis was deliberately trying to develop him into the 76ers' second offensive option.

Although there was still a long way to go before getting the "unlimited iron-making rights," the "reasonable iron-making rights" were also excellent in Su Feng's view.

…

Time flew by, and it was soon the 26th.

On this day, Su Feng accepted an exclusive interview with NBC.

The person in charge of interviewing Su Feng was John Williams, the host of NBC's basketball program.

When greeting Su Feng, Williams said a common American saying with a smile, which translated to "good wine needs time to mature."

It had to be said that being able to become the host of NBC's basketball program, Williams' EQ and way of speaking were different from those tabloid reporters who only knew how to nitpick.

Williams' words meant he was praising Su Feng, and also hinting at Su Feng:

The interview being postponed again and again wasn't what we wanted, but because you played so well.

After the interview began, Williams asked with a smile, "Su, as the first Chinese player to make it to the NBA, do you think this identity will bring you pressure?"

Obviously, Williams had done his homework before coming.

As the hope of the entire village, would you say there was pressure or not?

Su Feng first answered frankly with an English version of "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," and then added, "Actually, I once thought about giving up."

"Oh?" Williams felt the explosive point was coming and looked at Su Feng with a curious expression.

"Fortunately, when I wanted to give up, I met Kobe.

In Lower Merion, the days I spent with Kobe waking up early, those nights of hard work, when we felt so tired that we couldn't stand up anymore...

I think what kept me going was the power of dreams."

"If creating history was easy, why would people bother trying so hard?" Su Feng looked at Williams and said with a "sincere" expression.

For some reason, as a host who had interviewed countless basketball stars, Williams felt that the fire in his chest...

Was ignited.

There was no other way, in the 90s, inspirational stories were just that amazing.

And what's more, this was the "Mamba brand chicken soup" that would inspire countless people in the future?

"Are you afraid of boos during the game?" Williams asked after a long silence.

"My best friend Kobe told me, will boos block your shots?" Su Feng replied.

"We all know that you and Allen have a very good relationship.

He even said in an interview that the team chose him to assist you, and he also called you 'the.king'.

Do you think your current strength matches such a nickname?" Williams asked again.

"Allen was just joking. In fact, the nickname he gave me at the beginning was 'Flash'," Su Feng said, dodging the question with a smile.

"What's the reason you skipped college to play in the NBA?"

Williams felt that Su Feng's answer was too "slick." Was this really just an 18-year-old kid?

"I want to compete against Michael Jordan," Su Feng replied with a calm expression.

Hearing Su Feng's answer, Williams' eyes lit up.

Heh, no matter how cunning you are, you still have to drink my bathwater. Young man, you still can't hold back...

"It's rare to see such a confident young man like you," Williams said with a smile.

"That's for sure, because the best player is currently recognized as Michael Jordan.

As a basketball player, if you don't want to compete against him, what's the difference between you and a salted fish?" Su Feng replied.

Williams: "......"

What you said makes so much sense that I can't refute it.

Dreams are priceless!

Williams knew that this question not only didn't stump Su Feng, but instead made him...

Inexplicably...

Develop a sense of admiration for him.

Because the level of Su Feng's persona at this time was just too high.

"Do you think you can help the 76ers turn their record around?" After asking a few more questions, Williams asked his last question before the end of the interview.

"Whether I can or cannot will only be revealed after the season starts. I never make meaningless promises.

But I can tell you that I get up at four in the morning every day to practice basketball, not to make a shot on the court, nor to complete a block.

I love basketball, that's all," Su Feng replied.

Williams was silent.

As a basketball host for NBC, he felt that he wasn't interviewing an 18-year-old kid at all.

He was mature, experienced, and every answer made you feel that it was said after careful consideration.

"Is this 'the.king'?"

Looking at Su Feng's handsome face, Williams joked after the interview, "If I want to find someone to do business with in the future, you will definitely be my first choice for a partner."

Although Williams' compliment sounded strange to Su Feng, since it was a compliment, Su Feng didn't take it to heart.

An 18-year-old genius high school student, a mature and experienced personality, even if he didn't play basketball, he would definitely become a shrewd businessman...

After interviewing Su Feng, this was Williams' biggest feeling about Su Feng.

…

Su Feng's exclusive interview would take some time to air. September, after the happy routine of eating, sleeping, and beating Jerry, the arrival of October also meant that the 96/97 NBA season was about to kick off.

The 76ers' first preseason game would be on the 7th, against the Bucks.

At this time in 96, there was no broadcast of the preseason games. After nearly a month of training and cutting a few temporary workers, the 76ers coaching staff initially finalized the team's roster for the new season.

The 76ers' preseason roster for the 96/97 season was as follows:

Center: Scott Williams, Hendrikson, Mark Bradtke.

Power Forward: Clarence Weatherspoon, Michael Cage, Ben Wallace.

Small Forward: Don MacLean, Mark Davis, Su Feng.

Shooting Guard: Jerry Stackhouse, Rex Walters, Lucious Harris.

Point Guard: Allen Iverson, Frank King, Doug Overton.

Overall, this was a roster that even an NBA fan who had watched basketball for more than 20 years would never be able to recognize completely.

When Ben Wallace signed up, the team registered him as a power forward, the reason being that his afro wasn't enough to convince everyone that he was 6'9".

Su Feng's registration position was small forward, because his height was the most "real."

When taking the team photo, Su Feng's height was about the same as the 76ers' three power forwards...

Take Cage as an example, his registered height was 6'9", but in reality, he was only 6'8" at most with shoes on.

The thing that Su Feng was most grateful for now was that he had met Ben Wallace by chance in the summer, otherwise, looking at the 76ers' frontline, he might really have been pulled to play power forward as a substitute.

Of course, not everyone's height had discrepancies.

For example, Don MacLean, this injury-plagued forward, his height was a solid 6'10".

In his second season, the high-spirited MacLean averaged 18 points with a 50% shooting percentage.

Unfortunately, MacLean's attributes didn't include durability. In the past two seasons, he had missed a total of 69 games.

In Su Feng's memory, this guy wouldn't play for long in the 96/97 season either; he was a glass cannon.

In Su Feng's previous life, people always said that Iverson wasn't durable enough.

But in reality, Iverson was quite durable compared to most people.

It was worth mentioning that, before the start of the new season, Davis also expressed his hope during a meeting that the team's record could surpass that of last season.

Davis didn't shout the slogan of making the playoffs.

Because in the new season's power rankings, the 76ers were currently ranked 25th.

If Davis shouted the slogan of making the playoffs, the players would probably send him to a mental hospital immediately.

What a joke, with a lousy team like ours, how do you want me to compete with the Eastern Conference powerhouses?

At this time, the league was still in a pattern of the East being strong and the West being weak.

In the 96/97 season, the Washington Bullets, who were ranked eighth in the East, had a record of 44 wins, while in the West, the threshold for making the playoffs was much lower...

A lousy team like the Clippers made it into the playoffs with 36 wins.

The Eastern Conference had internal wars with many powerhouses. After looking at the schedule, Su Feng felt that every game was a hard fight for the current 76ers.

…

On the 7th, the 76ers played their first preseason game against the Bucks.

Su Feng saw Ray Allen again...

And his big brothers.

The Bucks, with Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker, were the kind of team that looked good on paper, but in reality, everyone just wanted to pad their stats.

Ray Allen's reasonable style of play was simply the odd one out on this team.

Fortunately, Robinson wasn't interested in padding stats in the preseason, and Baker wasn't putting in much effort either.

With the big shots coasting, Ray Allen got a lot of opportunities to perform.

Ray Allen at this time wasn't the Ray Allen of the future.

This was a Ray Allen with speed boost equipped, who would punish you if you dared to leave him open.

In this game, the 76ers sent out a starting lineup of Williams, Weatherspoon, MacLean, Stackhouse, and Iverson.

After the game started, Iverson used his speed to constantly attack the Bucks' interior.

The Bucks' starting guard, Sherman Douglas, quickly found a solution after being repeatedly broken through by Iverson.

He turned around and formed a situation of mutual explosion with Iverson.

MacLean and Stackhouse had no desire to help Iverson defend.

The former was too slow, and the latter believed that since Su Feng wasn't there, he should be the main offensive point.

Sitting on the bench, Su Feng found that his teammates on the court were already quite critical of Iverson's style of play.

Although Weatherspoon was thinking of coasting, he had only touched the ball four times after the game had been going on for almost half a quarter...

If this continued, Weatherspoon felt that his stats for the new season would be very bad.

Davis was still a young tool man. He called two timeouts and found that the players on the court weren't playing the tactics he had arranged before the game at all.

As one of the builders of the Bulls' first dynasty, Williams was good at protecting the defensive rebounds, but the team's perimeter was constantly missing shots...

Looking at the rebounding stats, Williams could only regret that he didn't have Rodman's rebounding talent.

"It's strange, Allen didn't play so selfishly in the Summer League..."

On the bench, assistant coaches Jason and Rick were a little puzzled.

In fact, it wasn't that Iverson was playing selfishly, but that he just didn't click with these teammates at all.

Stackhouse only wanted the ball to prove himself through isolation;

MacLean was very afraid of physical contact after many major injuries;

Weatherspoon had other things on his mind;

There wasn't even a player on the court who could run a pick-and-roll with Iverson. In the eyes of the highly motivated Iverson, what else could he do besides driving to the basket?

And today, Ray Allen was playing quite well on the Bucks' side with his two big brothers coasting. In this battle of lottery picks from the Class of '96, who wouldn't want to get the upper hand?

Just like that, with 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the 76ers, playing on the road, were already behind 14-25.

"Su, after the next dead ball, you go and replace Don (MacLean)."

Davis was helpless and thought that if it didn't work, they would just have to break in the new guys while playing...

Hearing the head coach call his name, Su Feng "obediently" walked towards the scorer's table.

…