Coach Zhang: It's Just Inside-Out

Chapter 46: Coach Zhang: That's Inside-Out

Messina hesitated for a moment, then stood up and walked to the sideline, signaling a 2-3 zone defense to the team.

The so-called 2-3 zone is a type of zone defense where three players position themselves near the basket, primarily guarding the interior.

Gabajosa had been in hot form tonight, forcing Virtus Bologna to change their defense.

Danilovic caught and hit a mid-range shot on the frontcourt, finally breaking the scoring drought for Virtus Bologna.

Real Madrid advanced to the frontcourt again, and Virtus Bologna set up their 2-3 zone.

The center stood inside the free-throw line, the two forwards positioned left and right to cover the baseline corners, while Ginobili and Danilovic guarded the two 45-degree angles on the three-point line.

There was no defensive three-second rule in Europe, which greatly benefited interior defenders.

This was why, in FIBA games, a good defensive center could dominate the defensive end outright.

Historically, Gobert's impact on the France team was especially pronounced.

Even without a strong center, using a 2-3 zone could make interior defense rock-solid.

Gabajosa found himself entangled as soon as he moved inside; forget scoring like before, even catching the ball was a challenge.

Prigioni tried to feed the ball inside but failed, so he turned and exchanged a few passes with Sun Hao.

The best way to attack a 2-3 zone was with outside three-pointers.

Because the 2-3 zone only had two players guarding the perimeter, and they mainly covered the left and right 45-degree areas.

This back-and-forth passing was meant to shift their defense.

Soon, an opportunity opened up.

Sun Hao released a three-pointer from outside before Ginobili could recover.

Fans from both sides fixed their eyes on the spinning ball in the air.

Whether the three-pointer went in would determine how resolute the zone defense would be.

If it went in, Virtus Bologna naturally wouldn't dare to keep using it, or at least wouldn't collapse so aggressively.

If it missed, they'd stick to the zone and even shrink inward indefinitely.

Especially the first three-pointer—making or missing it affected not only Virtus Bologna's defense but also Real Madrid's mentality.

Because momentum influenced feel, and feel was contagious.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound, and the three-pointer swished through the net.

Sun Hao, as always, didn't disappoint!

The next second, cheers erupted from one side of the court from Real Madrid fans, while sighs of regret came from the other side from Virtus Bologna fans.

This contrast and opposition created an indescribable feeling when immersed in it.

Laso pumped his fist excitedly; with that three-pointer, Real Madrid had seized the initiative.

But Virtus Bologna wasn't pushovers either—otherwise, they wouldn't have made it to the semifinals.

Danilovic hit a three-pointer off a screen, answering Sun Hao with an answer ball.

Ginobili had started slow, but the team's star had stepped up.

This time, it was Virtus Bologna's fans cheering and Real Madrid's fans sighing.

This back-and-forth scene was a thrilling spectacle.

On Real Madrid's next possession, Messina didn't make a tactical adjustment, and Virtus Bologna still stuck to the 2-3 zone.

It seemed Messina's resolve to use the zone hadn't been shaken by Sun Hao's three-pointer.

That was normal—one three-pointer didn't prove a good feel, as luck played a big part.

Prigioni and Sun Hao continued passing on the perimeter, and after a few exchanges, Sun Hao got another decent look.

Here, Prigioni's passing skill was worth noting—it had a bit of a lead.

Sun Hao caught and released another three-pointer.

The moment it left his hand, he knew it was good.

A shooter's instinct.

"Swish!"

Sure enough, his second three-pointer also swished through the net!

Sun Hao had hit two straight threes!

He displayed the skill of a top-tier shooter and a super big heart.

This time, Messina's expression clearly changed.

He looked up at the scoreboard.

12 to 5.

Sun Hao's shooting touch was as hot as a Miami beach in July.

That was definitely not good news for Virtus Bologna.

On Virtus Bologna's offensive possession, Danilovic continued to look for opportunities on the perimeter.

But just then, Laso shouted from the sidelines, and Real Madrid's defense visibly extended outward.

They were really bullying Virtus Bologna's weak interior.

Danilovic had no chance, so Ginobili took the ball and drove inside again, pulling up for a floater.

"Clang!"

Still no!

Whether it was because Buford was in the stands or because Sun Hao had switched onto him, his performance tonight was unusually poor.

Gabajosa grabbed another defensive rebound.

Real Madrid pushed the ball up the court, and Virtus Bologna actually stuck with their zone defense.

The camera cut to Messina on the sideline. His face was clouded with worry, but he still didn't react—clearly, he was holding back.

The head coach hadn't said anything, but the players' defensive focus instinctively shifted.

Ginobili and Danilovic, responsible for perimeter defense, noticeably leaned toward Sun Hao's side.

He'd already hit two straight threes. No one could guarantee he wouldn't sink a third.

Prigioni got a good look at this point and didn't hesitate, launching a three-pointer.

Forget about the percentage—just that decisive choice alone made the fans feel good watching.

"Swish!"

And he made it!

Touch, as it turned out, was contagious!

Real Madrid had now hit three straight threes!

The home fans were ecstatic, many rising from their seats and waving their KT boards and banners.

With this three-point rain pouring down, Real Madrid had extended their lead to double digits!

The situation was looking great for them.

At the critical moment, Ginobili showed his high basketball IQ—faking a three-point run before suddenly cutting inside, exploiting Real Madrid's overextended defense.

Danilovic's pass was timely and precise, and Ginobili's flying layup off the catch broke the scoring drought, finally putting points on the board.

7 to 15, Virtus Bologna was hanging on.

Real Madrid advanced to the frontcourt again, and this time Messina had already stood up to signal the team to abandon the zone defense.

Getting hit with three straight threes—if he still stuck with the zone, he'd be an Italian pig.

But seeing Virtus Bologna drop the zone, Sun Hao and Prigioni worked the ball around the perimeter before lobbing it inside to Gabajosa again.

Gabajosa hadn't touched the ball in a while and his hands were cold; his bank shot off the catch missed.

But missing didn't matter—he jumped up, grabbed the offensive rebound over the opposing center, and put it back up for the score!

This one-on-one inside matchup was simply impossible to defend!

Fortunately, Ginobili drove and dished to a teammate for a score on the next possession, preventing the gap from widening further.

Real Madrid pushed forward again, and Prigioni continued feeding the ball inside.

Just then, Messina waved from the sideline, and Virtus Bologna's defense shifted slightly again.

They weren't in a zone, but once the ball went inside, the entire defense visibly collapsed inward.

Gabajosa reacted quickly—seeing this, he didn't force the attack but instead kicked the ball back out to Sun Hao on the perimeter.

If Zhang Weiping were commentating, he'd definitely blurt out:

"Hey, look at that—it's the classic inside-out!"

Sun Hao caught and shot.

The arena fell into an eerie silence.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound echoed through the gym as Sun Hao nailed his third three-pointer of the game—and of the quarter!

His touch wasn't just like a Miami beach in July; it was like those sexy women on the beach—scorching hot!

20 to 9!

In the stands, Buford shifted his gaze from Ginobili to Sun Hao.

Real Madrid's starting point guard—short, sure—but his shooting was just too accurate!

On the sidelines, two young men were having a conversation.

"I told you to come watch Sun play. This is how a guard should play!"

The Tall Guy sighed to the Short Guy beside him.

"Yeah... that feeling... so comfortable, and so easy. You were right."

The Short Guy's eyes were full of longing.

Before tonight, his idol had always been Jordan, and he'd always tried to play like Jordan.

But their talent and playing styles were too different, to the point that he, about to turn pro, had fallen into confusion.

Coming today with his friend to watch Sun Hao's game was totally worth it.

It had clarified a goal and a playing style for his future career!

Sun Hao's three three-pointers had sealed the fate of Virtus Bologna, but even harder to solve than those three threes was the situation on the court.

If they collapsed, he'd shoot you to death; if they didn't, Gabajosa turned into The Big Shark inside.

Real Madrid Team had both inside and outside game blooming, and no matter how Virtus Bologna defended, it was wrong!

Messina, the future assistant coach of the Spurs, looked up at the score on the scoreboard, reached up and scratched his head hard, feeling a bit frantic.

This was the UEFA Champions League Semifinals, a single-elimination game where one match decided life or death.

With Real Madrid Team's red-hot inside-outside form and the big deficit from the start, Virtus Bologna already had one foot through the Gate of Hell!

At the critical moment, the one who stepped up was Ginobili. He drove to the inside, faced Gabajosa's defense, and finished with a Euro Step layup!

This play swept away the shame of being blocked repeatedly earlier and kept hope alive for the team!

More importantly, it was that mindset—after being blocked twice in a row, he still dared to challenge you!

This basket sent Virtus Bologna's bench into a frenzy, and Messina clenched his fist.

Ginobili had been drafted by the Spurs this year, albeit with the 57th pick in the second round, a pick that was almost worthless.

But if he kept playing like this, his disciple would definitely make it to the NBA in the future!

Only, on the next possession, Real Madrid Team ran another inside-outside play on the frontcourt. Gabajosa's turnaround shot drew a foul, earning two free throws.

Ginobili might be full of talent, but with Real Madrid Team in this kind of form, it was hard for them not to win!

The game on the court continued. Real Madrid Team's combination of inside and outside play left Virtus Bologna helpless the whole time.

Especially Gabajosa and Sun Hao—one inside, one outside—unstoppable.

By the third quarter, Sun Hao and Gabajosa's form dipped, and Virtus Bologna, led by Ginobili, once managed to close the gap.

But they couldn't withstand Sun Hao finding his touch again in the latter half of that quarter, hitting consecutive shots from outside to help Real Madrid Team pull away again.

Sun Hao that night was firing on all cylinders from outside, his scorching-hot touch like Fire Fist Ace from One Piece, directly burning down Virtus Bologna.

The final score on the court was set at 77 to 63.

Both sides played a high-quality game, but Real Madrid Team suppressed their opponent almost the entire match.

Gabajosa and Sun Hao were undoubtedly the biggest contributors to the victory.

The former put up a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, while the latter went 7-for-11 from beyond the three-point line, exploding for 25 points.

Sun Hao's 25 points once again broke the scoring record for La Liga players under 18 in the UEFA Champions League, and his 7 three-pointers also set the single-game three-point record in Champions League play.

Records that Europe's future prodigies would find hard to surpass, Sun Hao had just expanded by two more.

ps: Thanks to Eggplant's fan for the ten-thousand reward! (づ￣3￣)づ╭~

Thanks to Ling Tian Feichen, Qiaoshao Weiyi, Dianjiang Overlord, and Too Lazy to Change Name for the tips! Thanks for the support, big shots! Heart~

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