Chapter 0005 is about shooting.

Liu Mang felt there were two possibilities. The first was that his recent shot was indeed completely unrelated to the tactics, as he had no idea what tactics were being employed. The overall tactical direction of a game had already been arranged before the match, and the system had been planned out during the training camp a month prior. They had even begun practicing during the preseason. This was akin to practicing skills; once practiced, the tactics became a part of the playing style. Naturally, Liu Mang felt the moment and took the shot.

I have received attention from the boss

The shot was beautifully made, as evidenced by the cap king Ratliff and the backup power forward Ira Newbell, who also patted Liu Mang on the backside

Emanuol found it simply unbelievable; in his view, Terry's title of jet was utterly meaningless! This rookie was nothing short of a bomber!

Emanuor Davis is a shooting guard with rather average playmaking abilities. Liu Mang's inability to receive the ball means that Davis has already done the most he can as a point guard. Now, with Rahim being double-teamed, he is momentarily unsure whether to take the shot himself or find a way to pass it inside. If he takes the shot, the coach will probably scold him again. He is aware that his shooting percentage was just over thirty percent last season, and he was merely brought back by the Hawks from the SuperSonics to serve as a defensive specialist off the bench.

The Rockets have a strong perimeter strength, with Francis and the veteran Mobley both being top scorers averaging over 20 points. Kenny Thomas also possesses considerable ability, yet they are not favored to make the playoffs, primarily due to their abysmal performance in the paint

Strength is always the easiest way to earn respect on the basketball court. Liu Mang made two consecutive three-pointers, and that touch, that confidence, prompted Emanuele, who has always valued strength and revered the strong, to come over and give Liu Mang a high five, signifying acknowledgment

However, Emanuele had not yet run into the free-throw line; just as he turned around to signal for the ball, he saw Liu Mang, who had just received the pass, shoot a three-pointer directly.

Liu Mang truly did not expect that Rahim, a superstar averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, would actually explain these things to him. In the chaotic memories of his current physical state, his only understanding of top players comes from his longest preseason partnership with Jason Terry, whose temper is notoriously foul. Even when he is in a good mood and willing to pass, he does not offer any reminders; he passes when he wants to, without caring whether his teammates can catch the ball. This is also the reason why Terry averages 6 assists but has a high average of 3 turnovers.

Wat? Emmanuel Davis looked completely bewildered, and Francis, who had come over next to Liu Mang, also wore a confused expression. Did he just come over to receive the ball and then shoot? Was that just a lucky shot he made earlier, and now he can't recognize himself? Is he playing like a superstar? Or is it that self-important guy from the Magic's version of superstar play?

The roster of the Rockets consists of the three-point shooting trio of Francis, veteran Cat Cato, and Kenny Thomas, along with this year's seventh overall pick, Eddie Griffin, and defensive center Kevin Cato

Moreover, just as Terry envisioned, our side has gained momentum due to two consecutive "amazing" three-pointers. This presents a great opportunity for the Hawks to take the lead in the score. Substituting in the main players is not a difficult choice to make

For the time being, Liu Mang does not want to think about anything; he just wants to play basketball! He enjoys possessing the strength of a top-tier superstar!

Francis looked at Liu Mang with a strange expression, wondering if he had too much nerve to take that shot. And what about the defense just now? Was he still that timid yellow coward hiding behind Rahim at the end of the first half?

Ordinary people do not possess such peculiar thinking as Terry, but Terry is indeed that kind of character; he is so competitive that he even wants to surpass his own teammates

The silky smooth texture I just experienced was simply too comfortable

Although Emmanuel Davis does not trust Liu Mang, which is why he took over the serve to advance, he fears that Liu Mang's slender, bamboo-like physique will be pressured and intercepted by the opponent. However, Liu Mang is, after all, a point guard, and his organizational skills and passing ability are certainly better than his own, this is what Emmanuel Davis thinks

Seeing Terry walking over with the demeanor of someone about to take the stage, holding his training gear, Liu Mang felt a pang of bitterness. A rookie is just a rookie, and a second-round rookie at that, with no rights at all

This is simply unbelievable

Francis became even angrier, as he was unexpectedly intercepted and countered with a three-pointer by a rookie in the second round

Then, the ball went straight into the hoop

The fans at the scene seemed to have their voices caught in their throats before the jeers had even subsided, and then they erupted into a fervent cheer!

This is an extremely rare tactic in this era

Emmanuel Davis dribbled the ball forward, at which point Raheem moved to the low post to request the ball

The home team continuously closed the gap in points, immediately forcing the Rockets to call a timeout, yet Terry did not display a happy expression, appearing out of place compared to his surrounding teammates

Is this the level of skill displayed by Thompson in the Splash Brothers? To what extent should Curry's accuracy be? What kind of confidence should he possess?

Terry is feeling frustrated. When he was on the court, he was unable to exert much pressure on Francis in any aspect, and instead found himself in a difficult situation. His shooting touch was poor, which led to the Hawks, despite having a stronger overall strength than the Rockets, trailing by ten points. As a result, this rookie came in and scored six consecutive points, forcing a timeout for the Rockets, leaving Terry feeling thoroughly embarrassed.

At this moment, Liu Mang did not care about what Francis had to say. Although Francis's skill level was not on par with that of top stars, he was at least among the strongest of first-rate players. Moreover, Liu Mang believed that Francis's skill rating was not that of a top star, and this was entirely related to his defensive capabilities. Aside from his shot-blocking, which relied on his physical attributes and appeared impressive, his overall defensive ability was only slightly better than that of an ATM, making him a typical example of a player with strong offensive skills but weak defensive skills. Furthermore, Liu Mang felt that Francis's skill rating was not that of a top star, and this was entirely related to his defensive capabilities. Aside from his shot-blocking, which relied on his physical attributes and appeared impressive, his overall defensive ability was only slightly better than that of an ATM, making him a typical example of a player with strong offensive skills but weak defensive skills.

Now Liu Mang's mind is filled with thoughts of shooting! Three-pointers!

My God! Emmanuel was originally going to scold this rookie, but unexpectedly, he scored again!

Francis was at his most formidable during his offensive plays, able to compete head-to-head with both Kobe and T-Mac. During the OK period, Kobe and T-Mac were both known for their defensive prowess, with Kobe even being a first-team All-NBA selection. If these two could not contain him, it was hardly surprising that Liu Mang did not pay much attention to being aggressively attacked; managing to secure a steal was already considered a good outcome.

The ten-point deficit instantly shrank to six points, prompting the renowned coach Tomjanovich of the Rockets to call a timeout. A five-point gap is a critical threshold; within five points, it is essentially not considered a significant difference, but rather a tense phase. Entering this tense phase certainly gives the Hawks, who possess the only superstar in the game, Rahim, a greater advantage. In terms of strength, Rahim is undoubtedly superior.

Rahim moved to the low post, just as he was about to receive the ball, several players from the Rockets collapsed back, leaving the perimeter wide open

This time, Francis played more aggressively, protected the ball better, and directly bulldozed past Liu Mang to drive into the paint, avoiding Ratliff's block to score with a layup.

Just as Liu Mang was thinking this, Coach Kruger of the Brain Gate said: "Ace, Emmanuel, after you go on the court, double-team Francis. Sherif, you can leave Thomas alone; he is not shooting. Nazr and Theo, you go up and defend the paint; do not allow any player from the Rockets to enter the paint"

This feeling, this silky smooth texture, this surging confidence...

It is probably an accident

"Relying on luck, huh! This is true strength!" Francis said in a deep voice as he passed by Liu Mang during the defense. It was evident that Francis regarded Liu Mang's direct three-point shot as mere luck, as this style of play was rarely seen in this era. Dribbling and then immediately shooting the ball was something only that magician often did; others generally did not dare to employ such a tactic.

There is no way around it; Rahim, standing at 2.06 meters tall, possesses such refined skills as a small forward that when he positions himself in the low post, he becomes merely a backdrop in the Rockets' interior, leaving them with no choice but to double-team him

Liu Mang was taken aback himself

Emmanuel Davis passed the ball to Liu Mang, then cut towards the paint while calling for the ball. He aimed to use his own explosiveness to help Rahim draw the defense away.

Although Rahim did not display such enthusiasm, it was entirely due to his character. He approached Liu Mang and said, "If you can still play later, pass the ball to me, and I will assist you."

Just now, Liu Mang reached beyond the three-point line, as if driven by a magical force, with an overwhelming urge to shoot. Accompanied by the cheers of the fans during his steal, the adrenaline rush compelled him to take the shot immediately

Therefore, Liu Mang felt somewhat anxious. This star card, being top-tier, must have a distinction in levels. Who knows when he would have the chance to obtain another one in the future? He must seize this opportunity to perform well! At the very least, he needs to create a "false impression" for the team, that this rookie possesses the ability to force three-point shots with a high success rate, in order to dissuade them from the idea of cutting him.

In this era where three-point shots are exceedingly rare, this is nothing short of humiliation

Fans are truly the most lovable; when they criticize their own players, it is usually out of a sense of disappointment and high expectations. However, as long as you put in the effort and perform well, they will offer the warmest cheers!

Liu Mang and Terry looked at their coach in astonishment, this arrangement ... ! ... Some are happy while others are angry

After saying this, Rahim felt that it might give Liu Mang a sense of taking away his ball possession, so he explained, "You just made two consecutive three-pointers, they will definitely focus their defense on you next. I will draw the defense away, you run to an open position and I will pass the ball to you"

Although he made it in, in this era where the coach still holds significant authority, players who do not adhere to tactics, like Iverson and Kobe, would be criticized by the media. Liu Mang understood that his two recent offensive plays unequivocally fell into the category of "disobedience".

Chase and catch up by three points

However, at that moment, Emmanuel Davis saw Liu Mang running over and asking for the ball, and he passed it to him immediately

As for how the next match will go... now is not the time to consider that, as the saying goes, one should enjoy life to the fullest when in good fortune...! It is not easy to possess the strength of a superstar, and not reveling in it would be doing oneself a disservice!

Liu Mang thought of Terry, and just at that moment, Terry also looked towards Liu Mang

Terry saw Liu Mang walking back to the bench, and he stood up to approach Coach Kruger. He believed that Kruger would substitute him in, as it was another good opportunity to catch up on the score. If he performed well, he might quickly close the gap in points

Although Liu Mang is unsure of what Terry is thinking, he is also worried about whether he will have the opportunity to play in the upcoming time. From Rahim's words, he sensed that even if he makes two consecutive three-pointers, he could still be substituted out immediately.