The Bucks’ Big Dog Robinson trade in the summer was absolutely terrible. They didn’t get a quality inside player, only got a draft pick with an uncertain position in 2003.
Their starting center is a rookie, and the power forward is a heavyweight struggling to stay in the league.
Such a weak inside line has no ability to compete against the Glory Team’s starting veteran group of Gan Guoyang and Ewing.
Ewing is indeed old and in poor shape, but he can still hold the starting position for fifteen minutes.
Don’t underestimate Gan Guoyang at 38 years old, after a season of recovery and a summer of adjustments, his condition is excellent.
Moreover, the Glory Team’s bench also has the top pick Yao Ming sitting.
The Glory’s starting lineup on the outside is Jordan, Wallace, and Andre Miller.
This is a lineup with insufficient outside shooting ability.
However, in this era, having a high-level three-point shooter like Gan Guoyang in the starting lineup is already enough.
The game started quickly with the tip-off between Ewing and Gajuric. Ewing really can’t jump anymore.
Every jump during the game makes Ewing feel like his career lifespan shortens a little bit more.
The Bucks clearly show some fear in their opening offense. Who wouldn’t be somewhat afraid when facing teams with Ah Gan and Jordan?
Ray Allen quickly broke the stalemate with his catch-and-drive layup, scoring the first point of the game.
The Glory then had Jordan dribbling across the court. The opening tactical setup was clear, Gan Guoyang on the right side of the three-point line setting a pick-and-roll with Jordan.
A century dilemma for the defenders: faced with these two executing a pick-and-roll, how should you defend?
Double team? Who do you plan to leave open?
Switching defense? Is it meaningful?
Don’t switch? Is it meaningful?
Seems like it doesn’t really matter, just defend as you defend!
Jordan accelerated and found an opportunity at the top of the arc, stopped, jumped, and shot—scored!
The crowd unexpectedly cheered—a cheer for a visiting team.
"Very easy, very brisk," Jordan said to Gan Guoyang with a smile after scoring.
"I told you losing weight would be useful, trust me it can’t be wrong!"
The two chatted while playing, without hindering their defense and offense on the court.
Sam Cassell was double-teamed, passed out to the outside, rotated, and passed inside.
Kafei received the ball for a layup but was blocked by Gan Guoyang with a big chase-down block.
Miller grabbed the ball and swiftly counterattacked, all the way to the basket for a layup scoring!
Andre Miller is a player with average shooting ability, average speed and explosiveness, and a simple style.
But on the court, his scoring, assisting, and defending are very stable.
The Glory acquiring him was to have an unstable performer like Van Exel on the bench, there should be a reliable Point Guard to supplement.
Although the Glory’s core offensive decisions revolve around Gan Guoyang and Jordan, both allow other players enough autonomy to play their favored offense.
Jordan and Gan Guoyang are the kind of versatile basketball players who can carry the ball, excel in team play, both on and off the ball.
After quick counterattacks took the lead, the Bucks’ offense became harder to play. The inside could not penetrate, the outside relied solely on Cassell and Ray Allen taking turns to drive or force shots, clearly lacking in layers.
Once the offense lacks layers and variations, the Glory can hold a formation waiting for the rush.
If you get through, that’s your luck, if not, just wait for a counterattack.
The Bucks’ luck was clearly not good tonight; Ray Allen’s three-point and baseline float shot both missed.
Rebounds were firmly controlled by Gan Guoyang, Jordan got the ball for a counterattack, leisurely dribbling across the court, squeezed towards Ray Allen, faded back jump, scored!
"Fack, who told you to use a fadeaway in a fast break?" Gan Guoyang was dissatisfied with Jordan’s choice of offense.
But soon, Gan Guoyang hit a super long three in a counterattack—scored too!
"Aren’t you also shooting a three in a fast break, and a super long one!"
"You don’t get it, this is the latest tactic, and it’s my tactic!"
Five minutes into the game, a 14:4 wave, leaving the Bucks powerless in counterattack, the crowd applauding and cheering happily.
They’ve abandoned considerations of ally from foe, purely appreciating the great symphony of basketball, the tempo control between the two is indeed excellent.
Although it’s their first time as teammates, they’ve been friends for almost 20 years, knowing each other better than anyone else could.