Popovich continued:
"Another thing is to interfere with his shot as much as possible when he goes up to shoot. If you can't block it, you can try fouling him. In short, let him score two points, but don't let him score three."
Wemby seemed to have a moment of understanding as he listened.
Wemby hadn't done a very good job defending Wang Yi in the first half, but he had done a decent job of controlling his fouls. He'd committed only one foul the entire half.
That meant he still had five fouls to spare in the second half.
Besides, he obviously wouldn't need to foul Wang Yi on every possession.
As the coach had said, play Wang Yi physically and try to block his shots. If he couldn't block one, then foul him.
Those five fouls would be enough to last through the end of the game.
Popovich then went on to lay out the rest of the plan:
"You saw Wang Yi's performance in the first half. Are some of you scared?"
The players all lowered their heads.
That was certainly true.
Who wouldn't be scared after watching a guy who'd won nine championships in eleven years rack up 51 points in a half against them?
Who wouldn't be scared after seeing Wang Yi score 51 points in a half against Wemby, this year's Defensive Player of the Year, then sink that absurd, impossible shot just before halftime?
Even Wemby, this year's Defensive Player of the Year, was feeling a little scared.
Popovich continued:
"I know some of you are scared, but I'm telling you, there's no shame in that. On the contrary, it means you're still thinking rationally."
"To be honest, I'm a little scared of that Wang Yi guy myself."
At that, everyone looked up