Aside from Juan, the Timberwolves' other four starters were all three-point shooters, and each had a three-point percentage above 38%.
So the Timberwolves played the same way the Magic had during Howard's time there: One Star Four Shooters.
The difference was that Howard's skills were raw. He had no footwork and could only dunk.
Juan, on the other hand, was not only an incredible physical specimen, but also had a good post-up game, could drive facing the basket, and had a variety of moves around the rim.
His footwork fundamentals weren't as solid as Pang Bo's, but compared to other centers in the league today, his skills were already quite impressive.
Against a lineup like the Timberwolves', Wang Yi planned to counter with one big and four smalls.
He explained his reasoning to the three assistant coaches. "Their four perimeter shooters average close to 39% from three, and they shoot an astounding 49% on open threes. That looks pretty scary, but an open-shot percentage of 48% means they shoot only 28% when someone is defending them. For three-point shooters, it's just as outrageous to shoot below 30% when there's a defender in front of them."
"So all we have to do is make sure there's someone contesting their three-point shooters when they shoot. It doesn't matter if we can block the shot; we just need someone in front of them."
Coach Kevin considered Wang Yi's defensive strategy and nodded in agreement. "Mm, this approach should work."
At the same time, Coach Kevin was a little surprised.
He knew there was a sizable gap between the four Timberwolves shooters' percentages when defended and when left open, but he hadn't realized Wang Yi knew the numbers in such detail.
Wang Yi really was cut out to be a coach.
He could keep