Why had Chen Xi become the active League First Person?
Why could Curry, averaging twenty-something points a game, stretch defenses more than anyone else in the league?
Because of their impact—the terrifying, unique influence each of them exerted on defensive formations.
Their presence on the court meant more than simply capitalizing on scoring opportunities themselves. They could also create better, more comfortable offensive conditions for their teammates, spreading their influence across the entire team and the entire court.
That was the most important quality they possessed as the centerpiece of a team.
That was the biggest difference between a system player and the system itself.
The game moved into the next possession.
The Mavericks were on offense again.
Luka Doncic dribbled across half court, reached the top of the key, and called for another pick-and-roll with Gobert.
Then he dribbled toward the wing at a forty-five-degree angle and called for a screen from Kleber, still intent on targeting Horford.
That was perfectly understandable.
After all, Horford's perimeter defense looked like the easiest weakness to exploit in the Knicks' starting lineup.
For one thing, Doncic had always liked targeting centers.
For another, the aging Horford really did have slow feet. Getting isolated against a guard or an elite one-on-one scorer like Doncic would put him in a very uncomfortable position.
Fortunately, the Knicks also had plenty of defensive resources.
Once a screen pulled George into the action, choosing to initiate a second pick-and-roll could easily lead to a terrifying predicament.
The ball handler would have to contend with George's lightning-fast ability to squeeze through screens, along with Chen Xi's proactive, suffocating switch!
That left Doncic trapped at a forty-degree angle by the Knicks' strongest duo.
Chen Xi and George were both big, too, and they completely smothered him.
Doncic desperately protected