Improvisation

In this game, the Phoenix Suns' head coach used a crossing tactic to break through the Clippers' 2-3 Zone Defense.

Joe Johnson drove hard to the basket from the top of the arc at the 45-degree angle.

Li Chen and Corey Maggette double-teamed Johnson.

Joe Johnson faked a drive and then passed the ball to Marbury.

Marbury drove hard past Andre Miller and Elton Brand, scoring the basket.

Marbury was shooting very accurately today.

The Clippers' offense.

In this game, the Suns learned their lesson and adopted a double-teaming tactic against Li Chen.

After Li Chen received the pass from Andre Miller, he was immediately double-teamed by Joe Smith and Outlaw.

Andre Miller and Li Chen executed a pick-and-roll.

While blocking Joe Johnson, Li Chen scored with a Euro step layup before Stoudemire could rotate to defend.

The score was tied 2-2.

Marbury drove to the basket with the ball, but seeing no opportunity, passed it back to Joe Smith outside the three-point line.

Joe Johnson, known for his clutch play, received the ball and shot without hesitation.

At the same time, Li Chen aggressively defended him.

Joe Johnson, who had a mental block against Li Chen, missed the three-pointer, which bounced off the rim.

Stoudemire grabbed the rebound. Before he could shoot, Wang Zhizhi and Elton Brand blocked his shooting angle, preventing him from turning.

At this moment, Marion signaled for the ball.

Stoudemire bumped Wang Zhizhi, creating a small passing lane, and passed the ball to Marion.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared and intercepted Stoudemire's pass.

This person was none other than the Clippers' number 16, Li Chen.

Andre Miller sprinted towards the ball. After picking it up, he hugged it to his chest, preventing

Outlaw from continuing his steal, forcing him to retreat on defense.

Then, Andre Miller passed the ball to Li Chen.

As soon as Li Chen entered the frontcourt, he was double-teamed. Corey Maggette came to receive the pass.

Li Chen executed a hand-off with him and then quickly cut inside.

Marion chased Li Chen, but Li Chen was too fast, and Marion couldn't catch up.

Corey Maggette decisively lobbed the ball to the cutting Li Chen.

Li Chen encountered two Suns players double-teaming him when he received the ball. He didn't force a shot.

[Eagle Eye] granted him powerful vision, allowing him to clearly see the positions of his teammates.

Li Chen decisively passed the ball to the open Wang Zhizhi.

Wang Zhizhi attempted a jump shot but was contested by Joe Johnson's aggressive defense and missed.

At this moment, Li Chen's B-grade skill [Rebounding Monster] was triggered. In a three-on-one situation, he successfully grabbed the rebound.

Then, before the Suns' Stoudemire and two other players could form a double-team, he scored with a small floater.

The Clippers temporarily led 4-2.

The teams switched offense and defense.

After a series of passes, the Suns successfully broke through the Clippers' zone defense. Joe Johnson lobbed the ball to Stoudemire, who was open under the basket.

But at that moment, Li Chen suddenly leaped from the side, swatting the ball out of bounds before Stoudemire could get to it.

Coach Frank Johnson in the Suns' huddle frowned deeply.

It was that Eastern Kid again. In just a few short possessions, this kid had already disrupted their Suns' offense twice, giving him a sense of unease.

At the same time, he was puzzled. He couldn't understand why this Eastern Kid could accurately perceive the Suns' intentions every time.

It gave Frank Johnson an absurd illusion that this kid possessed a god-like perspective, looking down on the entire court.

Thinking this, he shook his head with a wry smile. Impossible, how could a person have such a vast perspective? Absolutely impossible.

Meanwhile, assistant coach D'Antoni's eyes shone with fiery intensity.

If he could have this Eastern Kid, he could guarantee, with his chest puffed out, that he could lead the Suns to a championship.

Thinking this, his eyes, which had been so fiery just moments ago, filled with loneliness, because he was just an assistant coach of this team now.

At the same time, the Suns missed their shot.

Li Chen secured the rebound.

After dribbling past half-court, he hit a three-pointer with a screen from Elton Brand.

The score became 7-2, with the Clippers extending their lead.

Afterward, when the first quarter ended, the Clippers led the Suns by a significant 11 points, with a score of 21 to 10.

Silence filled the Suns' bench area at this moment.

Before the game, they had been full of confidence, wanting revenge.

But reality had slapped them hard across the face.

"Coach Frank Johnson, why don't we focus on attacking the perimeter in the second quarter!"

At this point, D'Antoni, the assistant coach, suddenly suggested.

Frank Johnson turned to look at D'Antoni and said after some thought, "If we don't get the rebounds, it'll be difficult for our team to turn things around."

"Coach, that Eastern Kid's basketball vision and defensive awareness are too strong. If we don't move the ball around extensively, we won't have any chance at all!"

"This..." Frank Johnson had to admit that D'Antoni was right. Li Chen's performance today had been too outstanding, making him somewhat envious of Alvin Gentry's good fortune.

Lost in thought, Frank Johnson nodded, agreeing to D'Antoni's suggestion. It was a last-ditch effort, as he truly had no way to stop that Eastern Kid.

On the other side, Alvin Gentry of the Clippers' bench was extremely happy.

He was becoming more and more satisfied with Li Chen.

Alvin Gentry, a disciple of Larry Brown, deeply resented Gregg Popovich.

He always thought that if he had a player like Duncan, he could also reach the finals and even win an NBA championship.

And now, his chance had arrived. Li Chen gave him hope.

He saw Li Chen's potential; his passing vision, offense, defense, rebounding, and help defense—he excelled in every aspect.

Li Chen was a truly all-around core player! He could foresee that in five years, no, three years, he could mold Li Chen into an all-around shooting guard.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile.

Seeing this, the Clippers players were a bit bewildered.

"Coach, what are you doing just smiling there instead of setting up the second-quarter tactics?"

Time flew by.

The whistle for the second quarter sounded.

The Clippers began their 7-man rotation.

Alvin Gentry subbed out Wang Zhizhi and Corey Maggette, replacing them with Michael Olowokandi and Odom.

Andre Miller passed the ball to Elton Brand, who cut inside.

The Suns reacted quickly, swiftly blocking Elton Brand's path to the basket.

Elton Brand faked a shot and then passed to Li Chen, who was waiting at the 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line.

Li Chen, who was open, leaped high and made the shot.

10-24, the Clippers continued to extend their lead.

The Suns' offense.

They continuously moved the ball around the perimeter.

Li Chen was a little stunned seeing this.

At the same time, Alvin Gentry was also somewhat surprised, not expecting Frank Johnson to use this method to counter Li Chen.

However, he smiled coldly, "I don't believe your outside shots can be accurate."

Thinking this, he was about to signal his players to tighten their defense and control the rebounds, denying the Suns second-chance opportunities.

But what left Alvin Gentry speechless was that Li Chen, as if reading his mind, had already signaled Michael Olowokandi and the other two to shrink towards the basket.

Alvin Gentry was slightly stunned, his mouth twitched, and he cursed inwardly, "Brat, you've done everything, what am I supposed to do?"

Despite his inner grumbling, the satisfied and gratified smile on his face was hard to conceal.