Chapter 277: The Battle Over Bathwater (Part 3)
Then, when he entered Conseco Arena that evening, he was met with a cacophony of boos.
But it was just boos.
Especially when these boos were paired with some swaying Su Wan posters, it added a touch of comedic effect.
The game then officially began.
The Pacers made no lineup changes, while the New York Knicks changed theirs, placing Ray Allen as the starting two, taking out Paul George, and moving Su Wan to the small forward position.
Facing the Pacers' wing players like Afflalo and the yet-to-develop Leonard's ball-handling ability, the New York Knicks' wing defense didn't have much of a liability.
Compared to defense, they clearly needed more stable three-point shooting in this second game.
Thus, Mike Malone boldly proposed to put Ray Allen in the starting lineup.
This lineup change was effective right from the start, as the first offensive move came from Ray Allen's three-point shot, which he hit steadily.
Rick Carlisle shook his head slightly.
He had carefully studied the New York Knicks' offensive routine, discovering that they often used Su Wan to draw the defense, helping Stephen Curry to find his rhythm, thus having a more profound impact on offense.
Therefore, his defensive setup for the New York Knicks' first play was very meticulous.
Stephen Curry couldn't receive the ball on the first play tonight, and just as he exhaled and felt happy for reaching his tactical goal, Ray Allen's three-point shot caught him off guard.
Shit!
This tactic is actually about "layered deception."
Using Su Wan's defensive attraction to create space for Stephen Curry.
Using Stephen Curry's movement to create catching space for Ray Allen.
Damn it...
It's frustrating!
The good thing about a champion team is that the veterans they attract often become the X factor.
This was evident in Ray Allen originally.
That three-point shot really...
It's no exaggeration to say it changed the fate of the "Heat's Big Three."
In this game, Ray Allen used his three-point shots to similarly make the opposing coach frown.
However, back at their home court, the Pacers were performing quite well tonight.
Lin Shuhao, guarding Stephen Curry, managed to respond to Ray Allen's three-pointer.
The arena was suddenly filled with waves of cheers.
It was clear that Lin Shuhao was very popular in Indiana.
The Bolis media had investigated this and found an interesting situation:
Lin Shuhao's popularity in the Pacers was largely due to his skin color; Su Wan's contributions to the city made Indiana feel very close to Lin Shuhao. As a result, they supported him enthusiastically.
Notably, Lin Shuhao became a starter for the Pacers this season, and his jersey sales are the second highest on the team in Bolis, only behind Zach Randolph, and the gap is not very large.
When Billups' performance declined and he couldn't fulfill the Pacers' starting point guard role, Nate Robinson was once dissatisfied with Lin Shuhao taking the starting position, causing some conflict in the team.
The fans immediately stood up for Lin Shuhao, and the management decisively traded Nate Robinson for a second-round pick, affirming their commitment to Lin Shuhao as the starter.
When Su Wan learned about this, he had a thought:
Perhaps this time, Lin Shuhao can achieve a more successful career.
Originally, he didn't meet expectations because the team always let him go when he was doubted.
For example, after achieving "Lin Madness," when Carmelo Anthony returned from injury, he wasn't happy with Lin Shuhao holding the ball too much, directly "schemed" him out. Then he went to the Rockets, and there were ball-handling issues with James Harden, and then with the Lakers...
Eh?
Alright!
Brother Lin didn't lose unjustly.
All those opponents were extremely tough!
None of them were entities he could overpower.
Now with the Pacers, his situation is much better.
Billups is a player willing to "mentor the younger," plus the whole city loves him for his skin color, and at least he should be stable until the end of his next contract, with no major issues.
A stable playing environment is also crucial for a player's growth.
Su Wan is, of course, happy to see Lin Shuhao established in the NBA.
After all, the more yellow skin, the better.
After Lin Shuhao's response in this round, other Pacers players also stepped up, continually answering the New York Knicks' offense as time went on.
Each one had blazing hot shooting hands.
At the end of the first quarter, they led by 4 points, and by the end of the first half, they expanded the lead to 8 points, and even by the end of the third quarter, they had a double-digit lead.
However, the audience showed no signs of premature celebration.
The Pacers were also on high alert.
No wonder, in the last game, they entered the fourth quarter with a lead, but the result...
Su Wan turned the game around by himself.
This game, although they're leading more than last time...
But a 10-point lead...
Feels really unsafe!
When Su Wan was still the "City Son" of this city, they had witnessed him achieve even more incredible comebacks.
Now, seeing Su Wan walking onto the court with a serious look, ready to start the fourth quarter of the game tonight, the same thought flashed across everyone's mind: