Chapter 708: Keep a Calm Mind
James hammered the air with force, expressing his displeasure.
James believed the referee's call had been problematic. Barea had clearly exaggerated the contact.
But James remained rational and controlled his emotions. He did not complain to the referee at that moment, because a technical foul would only worsen Miami's situation.
James channeled his anger into strength, scoring consecutively on the next 2 offensive possessions.
First, he used a pick and roll at the top of the arc to create driving space, then drove hard against Kenyon Martin for a layup, completing a 2 plus 1.
After that, he received a pass from Wade and sank a 3 pointer from the wing.
He scored 6 points in 2 possessions.
Although the Knicks also scored on those 2 trips, the gap inevitably narrowed.
90 to 85.
A 5 point difference.
The Heat players were all fired up, as if they had been injected with adrenaline.
Nelson saw that the situation was not right and quickly called a timeout.
A 5 point lead was not safe.
Miami could catch up or even overtake them in an instant.
During the timeout, Kenny Smith commented, "LeBron played like a superstar on those 2 possessions. If he maintains this form for the rest of the game, it will be very troublesome for New York."
Barkley chuckled.
"LeBron was angered by that referee's call. Sometimes, outside stimulation on a basketball court can turn into motivation. But I still believe that if Miami wants to win, they have to rely on Dwyane Wade. That man is Miami's most lethal weapon."
Barkley had always looked down on James in certain areas, believing that James lacked assertiveness on offense and often chose to trust his teammates in crucial moments.
Compared to James, Barkley preferred players like Jordan, Kobe, and Chen Yan, players who destroyed opponents with scoring.
Kenny Smith had a different view.
"LeBron James has powerful scoring ability. Many people criticize his tendency to pass first, but in fact, his career game winners and clutch plays are no less than other superstars. It is just that because of his offensive tendencies, fans have a stereotype of him."
"No, I do not think James is a good finisher, at least compared to those superstars," Barkley said. "James is a leader, no doubt about that, but he is only a 45 minute leader. In the crucial moments of a game, the ball is always in Wade's hands. Many people say James is the leader of this team, the absolute core, but what absolute core gives up possession to a teammate in the final moments? Jordan would not do that. Kobe would not do that. Chen would not do that either."
"No, no, I do not think so," Kenny objected.
Barkley continued, "LeBron is a top star. He has top tier passing ability and leadership qualities. Nobody can deny that. But when it comes to clutch shot ability in the final moments, he is not in the league's top tier, and he is not even 1st on his own team."
"You should check the data, Charles," Kenny retorted.
Barkley shook his head with a smile.
"I only believe my own eyes. Let me put it this way. If you had a team and needed to choose someone for a game winning shot, would you pick Kobe, Chen, Wade, or James?"
Kenny spread his hands.
"That hypothetical is meaningless. LeBron can take clutch shots. He is a top scorer. He has that ability, and the rest of this game may prove it."
"Alright," Barkley said. "Then let us wait and see."
While the 2 commentators were arguing, both coaches were also busy arranging tactics.
"Chen! In the next possessions, you must be the primary attacker!" Nelson said. "Be decisive on offense. Use screens and pick and rolls often. Al! Kenyon! You 2 set a double screen to create a shooting opportunity for Chen. After screening, 1 of you pops out to the perimeter, and the other rolls inside. Do not give Miami an easy chance to double team Chen!"
The entire team was ready to set screens for Chen Yan in the final minutes, maximizing his scoring opportunities.
Chen Yan himself was mentally prepared.
He would have to carry the team alone for the rest of the game.
"Coach, leave it to me. I will take over the game," Chen Yan said to Nelson before going back onto the court.
"I trust you 100 percent. You have never disappointed me," Nelson said, patting his head.
Curry also quietly cheered for the team in the locker room.
His diagnosis results were not out yet, but 1 thing was certain.
He would not return to the court in this game.
The game resumed.
New York had the ball in the frontcourt, and Barea received the pass.
Chen Yan first pretended to hold off Wade for the ball, then suddenly accelerated and burst out.
Barea passed the ball, and Chen Yan caught it steadily.
No problem at all.
The 2 had that much chemistry.
As soon as Chen Yan got the ball, Barea immediately went to set a screen for him.
All Knicks players were now creating opportunities for Chen Yan.
Any player close to Chen Yan, regardless of position, could step up and screen for him.
Barea, as a small guard, usually played the role of the ball handler in a pick and roll, not the screener. Because of that, the screen was not high quality and was easily bypassed by Wade.
Otherwise, Chen Yan would have gained a mismatch opportunity against Chalmers.
Al Harrington immediately came up to set another screen, and James chose to switch.
Chen Yan paused, then took 1 step back.
He was observing whether Miami would double team.
Wade chose not to double team, because doing so would completely leave Al Harrington open.
Chen Yan dribbled with his left hand, not rushing to attack.
He was waiting for the 2nd screen.
Chen Yan changed direction and used the screen to cut directly from the wing.
Mike Miller switched onto him.
Chen Yan ignored him and accelerated straight inside.
In martial arts, speed conquered all.
Not to mention Mike Miller's current veteran speed, even in his youth, he would not have been able to stop Chen Yan's charge like that.
Pau Gasol was Miami's final line of defense.
Chen Yan chose to go head to head.
Both jumped at the same time, and after hanging in the air and gliding, Chen Yan completed a reverse layup.
92 to 85.
Chen Yan had faced 4 different defenders on that possession.
To be honest, it was not easy.
Different defenders required different offensive approaches, which was mentally taxing for the ball handler.
Miami offense.
James strong drive from the top of the arc was stopped by Battier.
Immediately, James made a quick cross court pass to shift the ball.
His offensive desire had lessened after the timeout.
Wade received the ball, and Chen Yan defended him tightly.
Before putting the ball down, Wade called for a screen.
As Pau Gasol got into position, Wade put the ball down and drove to the right side.
Wade's 1st step was very quick.
Even if Chen Yan tried to get around the screen, Wade would likely still gain driving space.
"Kenyon!" Chen Yan shouted.
Kenyon Martin immediately switched.
Wade did not try to force his way through Kenyon Martin's defense. Instead, he chose to make a wide pass to Mike Miller.
Al Harrington did not lose his position.
Miller could not find the best shooting opportunity, so he passed the ball back to James.
James held the ball for 5 seconds before starting a hard drive.
Battier had already anticipated James driving lane and did not allow him to easily penetrate the paint.
James pulled back and made a no look pass to Wade.
At this point, only 5 seconds remained on the shot clock.
Wade made a right hand accelerated drive, followed by a behind the back dribble pullback, then shot a 3 pointer from beyond the arc.
Chen Yan's defense was in position.
Due to the time constraint, Wade took a hurried shot.
He almost threw the ball while losing his balance.
Both the arc and the power were far from a normal shot.
The basketball arced high, then slammed against the backboard.
Then it bounced into the net.
92 to 88.
"Oh my God! A miracle shot!" Kenny Smith shouted.
"An incredible shot!" Barkley said. "Wade was off balance, guarded by Chen, and still made a 3 pointer off the glass."
"No one expected that shot," Kenny said.
"That is right," Barkley continued. "Chen Yan's defense was in place, and Miami was running out of time. Wade seized an opportunity that was not really there."
The commentators all cheered.
That shot indeed carried a lot of luck, but that was basketball.
Sometimes luck was part of the game.
The Knicks had no time to marvel or complain.
What they needed to do now was calm down and focus on the next offensive possession.
.....
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