In the last ga, the only reliable player Su Wan could count on was Vince Carter.
He had beco a stable presence for most of the ti.
However, having him alone as support wasn’t enough for Su Wan to lead the team and take down the Bulls, who were all fired up in the previous ga.
Yet, the New York Knicks made no adjustnts to their formation in this ga.
Mike D’Antoni believed that since Curry and Gallinari were so underwhelming in the last ga, and the team didn’t lose easily, it indicated that the overall strategy wasn’t a problem. What needed attention now was to create better open opportunities for these two players.
This was also agreed upon by Tyronn Lue and Mike Malone.
The main issue was the lack of variation in formations, the next change might not achieve the current effect, it would be better to stay as is, and wait and see.
Instructed by these head coaches, Su Wan took a mont to chat specifically with Stephen Curry and Gallinari, "Don’t feel too much pressure, after all, win or lose, the dia spotlight is all on !"
A blunt truth made both rookies laugh.
But you could tell, they weren’t nearly as tense as before.
The way they moved on the court beca more fluid than it had been previously.
Su Wan watched as the Bulls’ formation gradually stretched thin and Noah, standing near the "three-second zone," was ready to help at any mont. Su Wan then went full power, his body suddenly surging forward. Bogans had been watching Su Wan’s feet, but just as he saw Su Wan lift his foot, and his body subconsciously reacted to move laterally, Su Wan had already left him behind.
Quick as lightning!
Su Wan approached the Reasonable Collision Zone.
Noah, instinctively, wanted to step forward for the help defense, but as soon as he took one step, everything went dark before his eyes.
Then.
"Bang!"
A thunderous explosion sounded above his head.
His body staggered imdiately after.
The towering figure that blocked out the sun landed in front of him:
Apple Red.
And that noticeable number:
No. 95!
The cheers of the entire Madison Square Garden were deafening.
But he clearly heard what the man in front of him said to him:
"This is just the beginning, Joakim!"
"You chose this for yourself!"
Then he saw the chaotic New York Knicks bench, Thibodeau helplessly spreading his hands, and the New Yorkers in the stands starting to dance with excitent.
"Don’t provoke!"
"Don’t provoke!"
"Say it three tis, no one should provoke Su Wan; that’s just asking for trouble!"
Bill Walton looked solemn as he mourned silently for Joakim Noah.
He might not have heard Su Wan’s trash talk.
But he knew very well that this was only the beginning, not the end.
Soon enough, Noah truly felt what it ant to anger Su Wan.
In every offensive move, Su Wan actively sought out contact with him.
At first, Noah fought back hard, but the result...
"Whistle!"
He picked up his first foul.
Then nearly got dunked on again.
Noah grew timid.
When Su Wan charged at him once more, he halted his steps, dodging to the side instead.
That movent alone provoked a chorus of jeers from the stands.
The live comntator shouted, "Su Wan has taken care of Joakim in less than a quarter’s ti!"
His voice was loud; Noah could hear it too.
So the mocking laughter that followed from the stands was even sharper to his ears.
But...
He really couldn’t stop Su Wan!
Honestly, the biggest confidence Noah had in challenging Su Wan stemd from his "All-Defensive First Team" accolade. The night Noah received this honor, he was so excited he couldn’t sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he looked down on everyone he saw, including Su Wan...
What he feared was the man’s status in the world.
If it really ca down to it, he thought he could at least impose so limitations on Su Wan, and if he was lucky, even block one of his shots.
But as it turned out, Su Wan proved with his actions that no matter how "All-Defensive First Team" you are, in front of , you’re nothing!
"Whistle!"
In his desperation, Noah quickly picked up his second foul, with only about 7 minutes gone in the first quarter.
Thibodeau had no choice but to take him off the court.
Without Noah, the Bulls’ interior lost height, and at 2.06 ters, Boozer simply couldn’t provide quality rim protection.
Whether it was Curry or Gallinari, the marks that had bound them were loosened, and they both began to pose a threat to the basket.
The Bulls’ troubles under the basket forced them to contract their defense, which then...
...led to a "three-point downpour" from New York!
By the ti Noah was finally able to get back on the court, the New York Knicks had already stretched the lead to 11 points.
And after Noah ca back, Su Wan continued aggressive attacks on the basket in less than 2 minutes of play, taking him down again.
The Bulls couldn’t hold on any longer, and with 4 minutes left in the first half, the New York Knicks launched a "11-4" Scoring Wave, ending the half with more than a 15-point lead.
Noah walked to the visitor’s tunnel with his head down.
His stats for the first half were glaring: 8 minutes 13 seconds, 1 for 3 field goals, 2 points, 1 rebound, and 3 personal fouls.
Kenny Smith looked at his figure and said, "Now, he should know just how serious the consequences of trash-talking Su Wan can be!"
Barkley, still not over it, exclaid, "I wonder when the next rookie will try to trash-talk Su Wan; maybe there will never be another!"
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