in2ebook Chapter 20 Four Fingers! Even Flying Pig did it!
Chapter 20 Four Fingers! Even Flying Pig did it!
The panel discussion was moderated by Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and... Shaquille O'Neal.
The "Black and White Duo" of the 80s, the "Yellow-Green War" between Magician and Big Bird, was a fierce battle that lasted year after year.
Magic Johnson's playing style is more flashy.
The big bird's beak is harder, and more importantly... it can successfully pull off any "X" pose it wants to.
For a time, the two were evenly matched.
Flying Pig and Big Shark often battled fiercely in the paint, and the two even got into a physical fight.
The only player who could, no, dared to, take down Shaq and pin him to the ground is probably the fearless "Flying Pig" Barkley.
Seeing this group of people.
Fans watching on TV couldn't help but think to themselves: "Are these people having a meeting? Are they sure they won't break into a fight?!"
"Cough cough..."
Barkley cleared his throat and spoke first: "Before we get to the point, we need to give an explanation."
The so-called prototype of the small-ball era means that... the offense is becoming more and more perimeter-oriented, especially with more and more players shooting three-pointers, and they are becoming more and more accurate.
The players doing these things are mostly small guards, which feels like the era is shifting from the inside to the outside, entering the small-ball era.
All right.
Now let's get down to business.
As a member of the "84 Diamond Generation," I was one of the best students from the same cohort as that black-haired egg.
I am honored and proud.
In our time, it was mostly physical battles inside the paint; there weren't many opportunities for outside attacks.
Even that black hard-boiled egg, even if it's a "god's weapon," is still a mid-range shot.
As for three-pointers, they are really rare.
But... these days, there are more and more players who shoot three-pointers, and there are quite a few players who are accurate with three-pointers.
Ray Allen, Peja, Rashad Lewis, and others.
These players are already well-known as "top shooters in the league".
To talk about players who are closer to home.
Stephen Curry, a Davidson student last year and the Warriors' seventh overall pick this year.
The legend he created during "NCAA March Madness" was built on a series of incredible three-pointers!
That's an exaggeration.
I don't know how he manages to make shots from such a distance all the time.
In our time, this was almost impossible.
Furthermore... the key player in this symposium's theme is Su Yan, who went undrafted this year.
This archer is from the Dragon Kingdom.
We don't need to dwell on why he was an undrafted player.
However... in the first two games of the NBA, he averaged 7 three-pointers per game, with many long and extremely long three-pointers that were simply unreasonable.
For us, it might be difficult to even get in one.
Su Yan treated it as simply as drinking tea or water.
He could even hit a step-back three-pointer to defeat the "Thunder Trio" and help the team stage a 20-point comeback.
This is insane.
This is not the kind of offensive play a player should be making.
However... times are changing. As mentioned at the beginning, from Ray Allen and Peja Stojakovic to Stephen Curry, and then to Su Yan.
These incredibly accurate three-pointers seem to be the precursor to the small-ball era.
I agree with this view.
Barkley finished speaking.
Shaquille O'Neal raised his hand and first complained, "Flying Pig, if you're going to talk about the small-ball era, then just say it's the small-ball era."
There's no need to praise yourself first.
There's no need to feel that being in the same draft class as Michael Jordan is some kind of honor.
Let's start by criticizing them.
This...
What business is it of yours if I praise myself?
Barkley rolled his eyes at him; if it weren't for a symposium, he would have fought with O'Neal.
O'Neal raised an eyebrow, a smug look on his face. It felt really good to have the upper hand over the Flying Pig.
He then got to the point: "I was the number one pick in 92 and a 'triple crown winner' in 00, 01 and 02."
The most dominant center in NBA history, bar none.
When I dominated the league, shooters were always role players; they were like assassins.
They didn't have a strong presence on the field.
They are good at hiding in the shadows, when we encounter tight defense in the paint and can't launch an attack.
Distribute it.
Find these perimeter assassins and get them to hit long-range shots to help the team score and relieve some of the offensive pressure.
They don't need possession of the ball.
As long as you find a good spot, just wait patiently; that's my understanding of a traditional shooter.
But now.
Shooters are playing an increasingly important role in teams, and players like Ray Allen and Peja have even become the core of their teams.
Previously, people waited to vote, but now they are forced to vote.
Now... everyone is devising tactics around them, trying every possible way to give them opportunities to shoot three-pointers.
That's the difference.
Even so, they mostly took the initiative to get opportunities to catch and shoot three-pointers or open three-pointers.
On top of this.
That's Stephen Curry, whose performance in last year's "NCAA March Madness" was not only brilliant but also extremely unique.
Being accurate with three-pointers is one point.
More importantly... he can shoot three-pointers while holding the ball.
Shooters of Ray Allen's and Peja's caliber, who have dominated the NBA for many years, don't shoot many three-pointers while holding the ball.
The most frequent three-pointer during transitions between offense and defense.
Stephen, however, can not only shoot while holding the ball, but also shoot a lot of shots with an astonishing accuracy.
This is another form of improvement.
The kind that leaves you speechless, of course... Stephen has yet to prove in the NBA that he also has the ability to shoot three-pointers with the ball.
So far this season.
His performance was somewhat poor, and his three-point shooting accuracy was also mediocre.
He still needs to grow, but this also shows that players' use of three-pointers is further improving.
This was also the prototype of the small ball era.
Next comes the most important part: you might think that shooting three-pointers while holding the ball is the end of the evolution of the three-pointer.
Su Yan's appearance once again broke the mold.
He not only shoots with the ball, but also forcibly extends his three-point shooting range from near the three-point line to more than a meter away, or even further.
Will there be areas 2 meters, 3 meters, or even a logo area in the future?
This leaves much to the imagination.
Of course... the current three-point shooting technology in the league is still at the stage of accurate ball-handling by players like Ray Allen and Peja.
Stephen and Su Yan have yet to prove themselves.
This also confirms the viewpoint that we are already seeing the beginnings of a small-ball era!
"Well said, that makes a lot of sense."
Magic Johnson applauded in praise.
Barkley pursed his lips, agreeing with what O'Neal said, but still smugly retorted: "You only know how to brag about yourself."
What triple crown champion? Without that "Black Mamba," you couldn't have become a champion!
"hehe!"
O'Neal chuckled coldly, said nothing, and slowly held up four fingers at Barkley!
WDNMD!
Hit people without slapping their faces, and curse people without revealing shortcomings.
Leave room for maneuver in all things, so that you may meet again in the future.
Barkley knew perfectly well that when O'Neal held up four fingers, he was implying that O'Neal had four championships, subtly mocking Barkley for not having any.
His biggest regret throughout his NBA career was never winning a championship.
O'Neal's actions were tantamount to rubbing salt into his wounds.
He was furious.
He broke down instantly.
He retorted with a laugh amidst his exasperation: "It's nothing, it's nothing, it's normal to praise yourself!"
Even Flying Pig did it!!!