Trading baskets was the worst possible strategy. It was only used when there was truly no way to stop the other team.
But now, he had no choice but to resort to it.
He said to the players:
"As your coach, I can assure you that I do have some ways to defend against the Lakers."
"But the catch is that you have to be able to score. As long as you can score, I can make sure we can stop them."
"So from here on out, our focus is on offense!"
At his words, the players, whose faces had been filled with despair, all looked up.
Their despairing eyes turned toward Coach Jackson.
When they looked at him, there was a little less despair in their faces and eyes.
This impressed Edward, Jackson's assistant coach and partner.
He had to admit, his coach really did dare to say anything!
In reality, Edward knew Jackson had no defensive tricks left.
He'd used everything he could, and they still couldn't stop the Lakers. That was the truth.
Yet now he was saying this.
Still, it actually worked. The despairing players lost a little of their hopelessness, and a glimmer of hope appeared in their eyes.
Looks like I still have a lot to learn.
Jackson continued:
"I promise you: as long as you can score, I'm confident I can make sure we get stops."
"I'm confident we can win this game."
"Are you confident you can score?!"
At his words, most of the despair in the players' eyes faded, replaced by hope.
A few of them immediately grew excited:
"We're confident!"
"Yes!"
"We can score!"
"Doncic and Little Rivers are soft as clay. I can blow by them in one step!"
"Little Rivers and Doncic couldn't stop me even if there