Chandler certainly can’t handle Gan Guoyang, so there’s really no way out when Cartwright says that.
He’s thinking of just letting the rookie go up against Ah Gan head-on, maybe it could ignite a fighting spirit?
Like Duncan, O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, these guys all came out one by one and became superstars, right?
Cartwright fully utilizes his imagination, believing that Ah Gan’s torment might be the stormy path all players must endure to become successful.
He doesn’t even think about himself, when he was stricken by fear of Gan back in his playing days, sitting in the locker room sighing during two Finals, and never really transformed.
How could he hope Chandler, a high school student, could evolve by facing off against Ah Gan, someone considered the best in history?
This is what happens when you read too many passionate manga, or when you’re really out of options, leading to wild thinking.
The coach says this, so Chandler has no choice but to grit his teeth and match up with Gan Guoyang for the last two minutes of the first quarter.
Gan Guoyang had been holding back in the first quarter, so there’s no chance he’d miss the opportunity to show off in the last two minutes.
Just after subbing in, he pressed against Chandler in the low post, leaned forward with a turnaround jumper, scored two points, and drew a foul on Chandler.
This kind of slightly cheeky forward-leaning shot, not to mention the NBA, even in the NCAA and high school, is rarely used.
It requires great strength and body control, and the shooting form is quite different from typical jump shots, almost forgotten now.
Chandler had never seen such a move, still thinking about the block, but got called by the referee for a foul.
This pivot jump shot, Gan Guoyang practiced from high school till today, it’s very polished.
The secret is actually in the left hand, a motion of push, block, and protect, along with a quick release, completing the shot and pivot jump in one motion.
How could a rookie like Chandler possibly defend against Gan Guoyang’s vintage move, only seen on TV, never encountered in reality.
And these unseen tricks, there’s a lot more coming.
He makes the extra free throw, Marshall misses another three-point attempt.
Gan Guoyang is under the basket, the Bulls are actually quite hesitant to attack inside.
He grabs the rebound and passes it to Jon Barry, then Glory makes a low post play.
Gan Guoyang receives the ball, and the Bulls’ perimeter double-team comes.
But Gan Guoyang starts quickly, dribbling, turning, pivoting, and sides up for a big hook shot.
The double-team is completely ineffective against such a big hook shot, Chandler tries not to confront and relies on his height, wingspan, and attempt to block the hook shot.
Come on, you’re not Chamberlain, and Chamberlain’s blocking of Jabbar’s hook shots were clearly interference.
The ball arcs beautifully, a high trajectory, swooshing into the net, scoring!
Chandler glances back at the basket, only to lower his head and run back.
Yet again, his teammate calls him back to take the throw-in at baseline, so he has to run back and take the inbound pass.
Fortunately, the next three-pointer Gan Guoyang attempts doesn’t go in, otherwise Chandler might really feel crushed.
No way to defend, not a bit of a solution, completely reactive, doesn’t know how to play.
In high school, Chandler averages 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks with his overwhelming physical abilities.
Honestly, these stats aren’t that impressive among top high school players, especially for an inside player, quite ordinary.
During high school, Gan Guoyang rebounded over 20 with ease, and 25 or even 30 frequently appeared.
The 41-point, 41-rebound performance against Lincoln High School still remains a San Francisco League record to this day.
And monsters like Moses Malone, averaging 36 points, 26 rebounds, and 12 blocks in high school, were essentially playing against kids.
This is what true genius players are like, the ones who can’t put up staggering stats against ordinary ones in high school indicate inadequate talent.
Tyson Chandler is just that, a promising basketball prospect, but far from the height of being a core team player, even further from the ceiling of a second overall pick.
During interval rest, Tyson Chandler appears very dejected, and Cartwright realizes that reverse motivation might not be effective.
But he doesn’t have many other options, young people’s future path still needs to be walked by themselves.
Gan Guoyang doesn’t take Chandler to heart either, nor does he target him, he is set to play out his basketball career.
Gan Guoyang is more concerned whether Jordan can score 50 tonight, this guy is quite sly, taking advantage of stamina in the first quarter and loose defense to rack up points.
In the second quarter, both Jordan and Gan Guoyang enter the court, and Jordan starts by creating a foul inside, going to the free-throw line, making both shots.
However, then Jordan’s stamina seems to dip, missing two jump shots, and he doesn’t force it, instead passing more to teammates and integrating into the team’s Princeton offensive system, using tactics to score.
But what a coincidence, Gan Guoyang wouldn’t come over to set a pick for Jordan.
You just told me to chill where it’s cool, and now I’m chilling in the cool place, not giving you any screens.
Jordan hurriedly gestures, but it’s Ewing who can’t stand it and comes out to screen for Jordan.
Jordan doesn’t hog the ball, after the screen, drawing defense then dishes to Gan Guoyang on the baseline, mid-range jumper scores.
"You’re petty, Sonny, I need your screens."
"So you need my screens now~ I thought you could solo all game."
"I really can’t handle it buddy, I need some support."
Jordan doesn’t hold his tongue, anyhow it’s not the first or second time he’s asking Gan Guoyang for help, so he doesn’t feel mentally burdened.