Chalmers's performance helped the Heat take an eight-point lead over the Knicks early on.
A considerable advantage.
Once he realized he was losing steam, he stopped attacking with the ball and returned to his usual role.
The ball continued to go to LeBron, letting him create damage on offense while also connecting the team.
Right side of the top of the key.
LeBron took the ball and faced... Tony Allen's defense, his heart calm.
As long as it wasn't Su Yan, he was confident against any Knicks player.
But his method of attack remained the same.
There would not be the slightest change. In many cases, there truly was no need to change.
A telegraphed burst of speed, a brutally forceful drive.
As long as he got moving, as long as he initiated contact, his opponent had no chance at all.
LeBron wanted to overpower Tony Allen and charge the rim for the score?!
That was the idea.
But the story did not seem to unfold as he wanted.
Tony Allen truly could not match him physically, but he never lost position while retreating.
He stayed in front of LeBron the entire time, always reaching out to disrupt him.
LeBron drove to the basket, and even when he gathered for the layup, Tony Allen's long arms were still there in front of him.
It was not a block, nor was it a steal. It was simply disruption.
When the disruption was strong enough, the opponent's offense stalled and became difficult.
That was the significance of defensive pressure.
It was also why some players shot especially accurately in practice but became inaccurate once they got into a game.
It was not that they could not handle pressure, but that... there was defensive pressure from an opponent.
There was defense in ordinary