Capítulo 159: He Can't Pass.
Marc Gasol won the jump ball over Duncan, and the Grizzlies took the first offense.
Although Hollins had left, Joerger hadn't had enough time to build a new system, so the Grizzlies' playstyle was pretty much the same as last season.
They started with Randolph in the low post, Blair defending, and Duncan helping on defense. At first glance, it looked just like last season.
But once Randolph began attacking, things changed.
Duncan's help defense was noticeably faster than last season, while Randolph, having gained weight, had slowed down.
The result was that Randolph couldn't make a move quickly enough to attack, and when he wanted to pass, Duncan blocked his view.
He ended up forcing a turnaround hook toward the baseline, but the shot missed.
The Spurs launched a fast break, and Parker sped down the court like a bullet.
But as Parker was going for a quick layup, Han Sen appeared out of nowhere, swooping in from behind to pin his shot against the glass.
Once Han Sen grabbed the rebound, the stadium erupted with boos.
He just grinned.
What did you think he was bouncing around for before the game? Just too hyped up, so he had to let off some steam!
Han Sen pushed the ball up the court and handed it to Conley.
Conley called a play, and Han Sen ran a pick-and-roll with Marc Gasol, executing an off-ball play.
But as soon as he got the ball, Duncan was already there to help on defense; he didn't look like he was glued to the floor anymore.
It seemed that this lockout had been a blessing in disguise for Duncan, giving him the time to finally heal his plantar fasciitis.
Han Sen didn't attack Duncan directly. Instead, he waited for the right moment and hit the floor with a pass to Randolph.
Creating a mutual threat with Randolph was the key to breaking down the Spurs. If Randolph couldn't get going, it'd affect Han's offense too.
Randolph got a one-on-one chance after catching the ball and spun toward the free throw line.
But his speed really had dropped. By the time he turned to force his way to the basket, Jefferson had already collapsed down to the paint.
Randolph's final shot, under pressure, missed the rim. Two failed attempts to open the scoring.
Popovich couldn't help but smirk when he saw this.
Before the game, reporters had asked him about the Grizzlies being ranked third in the power rankings while the Spurs were only seventh.
"They don't know basketball at all."
That was his answer.
And it was all based on his experience.
These media folks see the NBA like a manager game, treating players like stat sheets.
But players are people, and people's form fluctuates.
This season's Duncan was a completely different player from last season.
So, naturally, this season's Spurs are a completely different team too.
As for the Grizzlies… Randolph's condition was an unexpected surprise.
With one leg hobbled, the Grizzlies would need more than just Han Sen to take down the Spurs.
Duncan received a pass from Parker at the 45-degree angle and banked it in, putting the Spurs on the board.
Spurs fans erupted in cheers.
They might not break down the game like Popovich, but they could still read the situation on the court.
Conley called another play, and the ball found its way to Han Sen.
Since Randolph couldn't get it going in the post, Han Sen would have to tear through the Spurs' defense himself.
Popovich stood up and signaled a defensive play.
Han Sen received the ball, and this time he drove left, dodging Duncan's first step.
Blair, who'd already been burned once, was hesitant to help, while Jefferson on the weak side collapsed early to help out.
With Pop's call, the Spurs had adjusted their defense and started putting intense pressure on Han Sen.
Han Sen's finishing ability was strong, but his passing? Not so much, and he knew it.
As the double-team closed in, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Tonight's game would be a little payback for Ginobili.
From now on, every Grizzlies-Spurs match would be about crushing the opponent, like he said last season: beating the crap out of them!
But just as Pop's smirk grew wider, his face froze.
Han Sen had made a pass!
And it wasn't just any pass—it landed precisely in Randolph's hands, right under the basket.
With no one in front of him, Randolph banked it in with ease.
Having missed his previous shots, Randolph lit up after scoring, finding Han Sen to give him a big high-five on the way back.
Had Han Sen developed his passing game over the summer?
Popovich couldn't see how Han had made that pass, but he quickly shook his head.
He could believe Han developing a new offensive skill during a months-long lockout.
But expecting a player who'd only had a couple of assists in his first two years to suddenly know how to pass?
No way. He'd sooner believe LeBron had developed a three-point shot.
So, that must have been a fluke.
Settling back into his seat, he told himself he was just too fixated on Han.
With Randolph's current condition, the Grizzlies had no chance of winning tonight.
Parker drove inside for a floater over Randolph, and the Spurs were off to a good offensive start.
"Defense! Defense!"
The Spurs fans chanted along with the DJ, rallying behind the home team.
It was the season opener, and they wanted to bury the Grizzlies from the start.
Conley called the same play again, and this time Han drove left, leaving Duncan behind.
Blair, still wary, didn't close in, while Jefferson moved to help.
Following Pop's call, they kept the pressure up.
Han Sen's drive stayed strong, but as soon as the double-team came, the ball was gone!
Pop's eyes narrowed as he stood up, focused on Han to see how he'd gotten rid of it.
Han, with his eyes on the rim, faked out Duncan and Jefferson, but his hand slipped the ball toward the corner.
A no-look pass!
Popovich was stunned.
Especially when he saw Gay catch the ball right at chest height, letting him immediately fire off a shot.
The thing Pop thought impossible was happening right in front of him.
Swish!
Gay pumped his fists after sinking the shot.
Having been sidelined since last January, the feeling of coming back and immediately scoring was electrifying.
As they got back on defense, Gay found Han Sen for another big high-five.
Han Sen had two assists already tonight.
Popovich finally snapped out of it.
He looked at Han Sen and felt a chill down his spine.
Not because of Han's intimidation this time, but because of the change.
If Han had only drawn defenders in the air before kicking it out, he wouldn't have been surprised. But a no-look pass meant he was confident in his ability to pass.
It was just one summer—granted, a long summer due to the lockout—but still unbelievable.
The Grizzlies' morale rose after a few consecutive buckets.
Duncan's low-post spin shot was thwarted by Marc Gasol's help defense.
On the other end, Han Sen took the ball, and Randolph came up from the post to set a pick.
Han Sen broke past Blair and went straight to the rim.
Duncan was already there, arms wide.
Han turned his head toward Marc Gasol, tricking Duncan into looking as well.
The no-look pass from earlier had already rattled Duncan.
The next moment, Han Sen leapt at the basket.
Using a mix of moves, fakes, and his versatile approach, he caught Duncan off guard.
Duncan was ready and extended his arm.
This was Duncan at 34 years old, free from injuries. Scoring in front of him wasn't easy.
But Han Sen adjusted mid-air, extending his arm beneath Duncan's, and deftly banked the ball in with a scoop layup.
The shot difficulty was high, but it hit the board perfectly, and then straight through the net.
With the boost from his talent, [No-Look Pass], Han Sen's coordination and agility were enhanced, adding precision to his finishing on shots like that.
Han turned and spread his hands toward the Spurs' bench as he jogged back.
Pop's face turned green with frustration. Han was taking every chance to stick it to him.
Han smirked, loving the way Pop looked so bothered but couldn't do a thing about it.
"Oh, so you're the king of adjustments, right? Where's that legendary strategy now?"
He couldn't help but laugh, especially since he'd never bought into the hype around Popovich being a coaching genius.
Popovich only became famous thanks to Duncan. What qualifications does he have to be mentioned with the greats?
Meanwhile, Duncan executed a low-post move, spun, and banked in another hook shot.
7-6
Spurs down by just one.
After a few plays, Han Sen moved to the weak side to catch a breather.
Rudy Gay received a pass and made a drive, but couldn't get past Duncan's help defense, so he dished it back to Han.
Han launched into a second drive, and when Duncan came over to help, Han exchanged a glance with Gay.
Rudy might not be a genius on the court, but after two months in Han's training camp, the chemistry was there.
That look was all he needed, and Gay darted to the basket.
Han faked a drive before tossing a high lob. Gay rose to the occasion, reaching out with his long arms…
Boom!
A thunderous alley-oop finish that sent the whole arena into a frenzy.
This kind of play wasn't an option in last season's playoffs when the Grizzlies faced the Spurs without Gay.
But the real difference? Han Sen.
Last season, Han was already a threat with his scoring and shooting, and that alone gave the Spurs headaches.
Now he's a playmaker too!
Popovich's expression darkened, but he held his tongue.
His game plan wasn't wrong, but the problem was, the Grizzlies had more than just Randolph going for them.
Sure, Randolph's not as dominant, but with Gay back and Han leveling up, the Grizzlies are a whole new beast.
Especially Han Sen—he's a different animal now.
Landing after the dunk, Gay was pumped, yelling out in excitement.
Popovich signaled a timeout.
Gay ran straight to Han, and they celebrated with a chest bump.
At the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies led 24-20.
Randolph wasn't quite himself, and coach Joerger subbed him out early, but with Han's leadership, the Grizzlies had the game flowing.
As the second quarter started, Han rested on the bench. With Gay back in the lineup, he didn't need to stagger shifts like in last year's playoffs.
Lineups on the floor:
Spurs: TJ Ford, Ginobili, James Anderson, Matt Bonner, Tiago Splitter
Grizzlies: Jordan Crawford, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Shane Battier, Joel Przybilla
Ginobili missed a drive with his Euro step.
Allen's defense was on point, and Ginobili's explosive power seemed diminished—a worn-out back has its toll, and the Euro step demands explosiveness.
Back on offense, Gay saw Anderson guarding him and his eyes lit up.
With a quick signal, he called for an isolation to take Anderson in the post.
While Gay's post game isn't exactly polished, it's enough to handle Anderson. He drove him low, then spun towards the free throw line to break away.
One meter from the hoop, he pulled the ball high with both hands and took off.
Splitter, briefly held by Przybilla, rushed back only to become the background of Gay's highlight.
Gay glided in, dodging Splitter mid-air, and threw down a powerful two-handed slam.
Bam!
The arena roared with excitement.
Tonight, Gay was someone else entirely.
Usually, he'd settle for a step-back jumper, but tonight he delivered a jaw-dropping alley-oop and a soaring dunk over an opponent.
To those who knew Gay, it was impressive. To those who didn't, he might as well be Vince Carter.
The Grizzlies bench went wild, and even Han was waving his towel in the air.
It seemed like fans had forgotten how lethal Gay could be when not constantly in staggered lineups.
And if Duncan's a bit too much for him to handle, at least he's got Splitter to vent on.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gay had an old grudge against the Spurs, and tonight he was bringing everything he had.
Right as Han was thinking about it, Gay helped on defense with a massive block on Ford.
Moments later, Gay muscled his way past Anderson, LeBron-style, drawing the foul and hitting the layup for an and-one.
As the ball dropped through the net, Gay unleashed a string of expletives in Anderson's direction, but the ref gave him a warning whistle, cutting it short.
Han burst out laughing on the sidelines.
He knew he wasn't wrong calling Popovich overrated earlier.
Putting Anderson on the court just because Gay was getting a little too fired up? Popovich practically handed him a rage buff.
-End of chapter-
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