Pang Bo and Shaquille O'Neal were similar in many ways.
The difference was that O'Neal didn't have a mid-range shot.
Pang Bo, on the other hand, had a solid mid-range shot.
He owed that to the center coaches at Huali Basketball School.
Although they focused heavily on training Pang Bo's footwork in the paint and various center techniques, they hadn't neglected his mid-range practice, either.
They knew full well that once a center could shoot from mid-range, he had much more room to operate on offense.
It also gave the entire team many more tactical options.
Imagine a center who could hit mid-range shots. If he stood around the mid-range area, the opposing center would have to defend him there, leaving the paint wide open.
Then the team's guards and forwards could drive inside for layups.
Even in a simple one-on-one, once the opposing center was drawn out to mid-range, Pang Bo could choose to drive from the perimeter.
After he got past the opposing center, the paint would be wide open to him, and he could dunk at will.
Even if the other team's power forward, small forward, and others came over to help, they were nowhere near Pang Bo in size or strength. They might have no choice but to foul him if they wanted to stop him.
So when a center had a mid-range shot, it wasn't just about giving him another way to score. It greatly expanded the entire team's offensive system.
Pang Bo stood at mid-range with the ball. Before the opposing center, Mashat, could react, he calmly took the shot.
Swish—two points.
Just like in the first half, the Pistons immediately launched an attack, even though the Raptors had just scored.
Their three fast-break specialists sprinted up the court, with Bryce advancing quickly with