The Bulls have their own advantages.
The combination of Bozer and Joakim Noah in the paint is more imposing.
The decline of Tyson Chandler put the New York Knicks at a disadvantage in the paint.
This was evident in the first two gas.
However, the Bulls’ main tactics, along with what Thibodeau is skilled in, do not primarily start their offense from the paint. Therefore, even after noticing this point, Thibodeau didn’t imdiately change the lineup or adjust the tactics.
Not until after losing the second ga of the series did he finally waiver when it beca necessary to change the lineup.
The third ga of the series comnced at the Bulls’ ho stadium in Chicago.
All Bulls fans were present, cheering for their team.
In this ga, the Bulls, back on their ho court, clearly entered the state faster and also played with the effect they desired:
Bozer kept attacking both inside and outside, scoring 9 points in the first quarter alone.
Noah’s presence on offense was also more significant than in the first two gas.
He is not an inside player known for scoring individually.
But his coordination and organizational passing skills are quite good.
Originally, he would beco a "Double First Team" player next year, although the dia called it the "most watered-down Double First Team" after he received it.
Still, those two awards’ gold content is evident, enough to prove his ability.
The Bulls held the initiative in the paint.
Yet, by the end of the first quarter, the New York Knicks were only 1 point behind.
The passive situation in the paint did not affect the New York Knicks’ strong performance on the periter!
This is quite an exaggerated thing.
And also a very unbelievable thing.
In past NBA scenarios, a team’s problem in the paint would invariably affect the periter’s performance.
But the New York Knicks continued to keep the score close despite the passive situation inside.
The reason is simple:
The New York Knicks’ periter is strong enough!
No need to say much about Su Wan.
Stephen Curry has reached a new level of capability following the "Vertical Jump" rule changes.
In addition to Paul George...
Compared to originally, George’s progression speed isn’t fast.
But this mainly refers to his slower progress in ball-handling offense.
Yet, in other areas, his progress isn’t slow.
Whether it’s cutting without the ball, catch-and-shoot, or defensive entanglent ability, he’s stronger than his original self at the sa period.
Apart from the championship buff bonus, there’s also the unavoidable one-on-one situations with Su Wan during practice gas, causing him to improve defensively faster than originally.
Under Su Wan’s guidance and the champion buff’s influence, as well as Su Wan’s decoy ability, his ball-handling skill without the ball has matured more than originally.
He’s almost at "half All-Star" level.
He can completely be the main force of the team, and his performance when he explodes can reach All-Star level.
Tonight is his "day of explosion."
The New York Knicks rely on the periter "trident" to stick close to the score despite the oppression inside.
Moreover, as the ga entered the second quarter, Dior and Tyson beca more familiar with the Bulls’ inside offensive model, providing better responses against Noah and Bozer.
The New York Knicks transitioned from a "close-tied" state to a "proactive" state.
It’s Thibodeau’s "headache" ti again!
Tyronn Lue and Mike Ma exchanged knowing smiles.
They were not too surprised by this result.
They both understand Bozer’s capacity to carry the team, and he and Deron Williams were dubbed the "New Utah Double Kill," yet Deron Williams couldn’t reach Stockton’s heights, nor could Bozer reach Malone’s!
The best results they’ve led a team to is only the Western Conference semifinals.
His many years with the Jazz team have proven that Bozer lacks the ability to carry a team in the playoffs, especially currently in the semifinals. The fundantal reason is Bozer’s inability to handle the ball enough.
This gave opponents a ans to limit him at crucial monts.
The New York Knicks began changing tactics from the latter half of the second quarter, and whenever Bozer stepped up for a pick-and-roll, the inside players would attempt to double-team early. As soon as he got the ball, they ford a surround to force him to pass faster.
During this process, Bozer’s biggest problem as a core inside player was exposed:
Lack of good passing ability.
For two seasons in his career, his average assists per ga exceeded 3.
But these occurred during his ti with the Jazz Team.
After leaving the Jazz Team and while with the Cavaliers early on, his average assists per ga never exceeded 3.
His average assists per ga stayed around 2 for years.
Judging from his play style and choices after getting the ball, he is more inclined to be a finisher himself, rather than a strong facilitator or passer.
After all, in several seasons, his average turnovers per ga exceeded his average assists!
The fact that he could dish out more than 3 assists per ga at the Jazz Team is inseparable from the system Jerry Sloan specifically built for him and Deron Williams.
Deron also perford his best passing plays during his ti with the Jazz Team.
Jerry Sloan worried a lot for both of them to more closely resemble "Utah’s Double Killers".
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