Volume 5: Unmatched — Chapter 801: Zhang Yu's Sincerity
Wiggins and the others all had the ability to create offense with the ball. Though their efficiency in isolation against set defenses was poor, it was much easier for them to catch the ball in space and initiate a second action. This strategy produced immediate results. In order to defend switches, Zhang Yu had no choice but to play Looney, but Looney could neither finish at the rim nor shoot threes, severely dragging down the offense and giving the Celtics chances to rotate and help. After Antetokounmpo was injured, Zhang Yu made a compromise. He chose to prioritize offense over defense, started Markkanen, and achieved extraordinary results in the Western Conference Finals, winning G6 and advancing to the Finals. Kerr chose to smother Curry. But the Warriors' offense also suddenly opened up. The extreme spacing forced Kerr to make a choice: either smother Curry and leave everyone else open, or switch everything and deny the Warriors open looks. It was impossible to have it both ways through rotations and help defense. In the past, whenever opponents trapped Curry, the others could always punish the open looks. Even if Curry did not score much, the Warriors could still come away with the win. The Warriors' offensive efficiency improved significantly from the previous game, and the deficit remained within ten points. After the Warriors lost, reporters once again focused their questions on Antetokounmpo's injury. Zhang Yu gave the same answer as before: Of course, even the Celtics could not shut down Curry this way. If a superstar could be defended to death by double-teams, he would not be a superstar—let alone a Mount Rushmore-level, all-time player like Curry. Zhang Yu remained calm, but anyone could see from his stern gaze that he was