Those role players would most likely be unable to withstand that kind of psychological pressure, ultimately becoming afraid to shoot—or struggling to make their shots even if they did.
Phil Jackson, however, approached the players from a different angle: help the team's boss.
The boss was in trouble. The boss was facing difficulties. The boss was being double-teamed. Wasn't this the time for them to step up and help him?
Hearing that, the players were naturally fearless, ready to go through fire and water without hesitation.
After all, aside from Wang Yi being all of their idol, he had also helped every one of them many times in their personal lives.
Wang Yi had put Bryce James through plenty of training.
Wang Yi had helped Dauding resolve his family problems.
He had helped Akur settle his gambling issue.
And when Danny's only relative, his father, passed away, Wang Yi had sat with Danny on the floor of his home all night. Wang Yi had helped Danny emerge from that darkness.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Danny were asked to take a bullet for Wang Yi, he would not even furrow his brow.
That was why the head coach used those words to instantly rouse the spirits of the four men.
The four answered in unison:
"Yes, Coach!"
Over in the Pistons' resting area, head coach Billups said to his players:
"This is their final possession."
"Wang Yi has been in excellent form today. His shots inside have been nearly automatic, so there is a strong chance they'll give him the ball."
"But we can't rule out the possibility that Wang Yi gets double-teamed after receiving it and passes the ball. After all, there have been occasions in his career when he passed the ball on the final