Offense is Not My Thing, But Defense is Serious Business!

My offense may be lacking, but I'm serious about defense! Blatant mockery and suppression.

Horford tried to further crush Chandler's confidence this way, making his own offense easier.

NBA trash talk was not only an art, but also a skill.

Used properly, it paid off enormously.

Chandler said nothing, merely focusing completely on defense.

Horford kept backing Chandler down, chaining together footwork and constant fakes, repeatedly shifting Chandler's center of gravity.

The latter stayed intensely focused, watching Horford's every move.

He could not completely shut Horford down. The two were indeed players on different levels.

But if it was about contesting him—perhaps even heavily contesting him—

Chandler could still do that, and that was how he intended to defend Horford.

Long arms, huge hands, steps keeping pace.

This time... Chandler did not bite on the fake and jumped a beat late, finally managing to contest Horford.

Clang!

Horford's spinning bank shot hit the rim and bounced out under the contest.

Rebound?!

"Ha!"

Chandler roared as he soared high into the air.

He was a "rebounding monster." He had absolute confidence in protecting the rim, so much so that even Horford was no match for him.

He successfully protected the rim.

Chandler completed a beautiful defensive play.

"Oh?"

Horford blinked, not paying much attention to it.

On the next possession, he went after Howard again, continuing to use him as the breakthrough point to help his team cut the deficit.

This time...?

Clang!

The basketball struck iron again.

Chandler successfully defended him once more.

"Ah?!"

Horford was surprised.

He felt Chandler's defense had improved, but he did not believe he had actually been defended.

He kept attacking, becoming even more forceful.

Clang!

The basketball struck iron again.

"What?!"

Horford could not believe it.

Chandler's confidence rose. He had finally found the