Compared to everyone else, Carlisle's expression was the most complicated.
Embiid had previously interacted with fans on Twitter, saying the Mavericks had defensive tactics specifically designed for Tang Tian.
They really did.
And they were easy enough to guess.
The Warriors' and Cavaliers' Targeted Defense against Tang Tian last season had been very successful.
Those methods were right there, so there was no reason not to use them.
So before the game—or rather, over the past three days—the Mavericks had been practicing this defensive approach against Tang Tian.
Carlisle was exceptionally capable when it came to tactics. This kind of targeting was simple and routine for him.
But the most miserable thing in the world was working painstakingly to prepare for something, only to find that you never even had a chance to use it!
What the hell was there to target with Tang Tian's newly enhanced ball-handling?
If they defended him the way the Warriors and Cavaliers had last season, they would just be giving away points.
That was why his mood was genuinely complicated right now.
And Tang Tian's isolation tactics this season were different from those of the past few seasons.
The Mavericks would at most dare to Double Team him. They absolutely would not dare to send three or more defenders at him.
Walker, Davis, and Butler—leaving any one of them open would be giving away points.
They might not even dare to Double Team him.
As a conscientious and hardworking Head Coach, Carlisle had watched footage of every Pelicans game before this one.
That included both games the Pelicans had played against the Bucks.
Kidd had tried localized Double Teams against the Pelicans back then, and Dedmon had been fed Easy Baskets until he could barely take it, scoring 16 points in the first half.