Chapter 71: Duncan's Headache
After a few shots in the paint, both teams' outside players began to take over the offense.

He Zhongqiu had two more chances to get the ball and attack. One time, he received the ball under the basket and was blocked by Duncan. The ball was not blocked, but he was affected and missed the dunk.

In the low-post confrontation, his level was as high as 95, which was a level that Duncan probably didn't have. He did have the advantage in the first few rounds.

But Duncan was more experienced, and after suffering some losses, he began to use his skills and experience, which also caused He Zhongqiu to suffer some losses. Later, when He Zhongqiu received the ball in the low post on the left wing, Duncan prevented him from taking a traveling mistake.

But then he returned to the defensive end and stole the ball from Duncan again.

With five minutes left in the first quarter, the score was 14:14 and the Knicks had the ball.

The Spurs called a timeout and replaced David Robinson with backup power forward Malik Rose.

The Knicks also replaced He Zhongqiu with Harrington.

孙真平说道：“中秋前七分钟3投2中，得到4分2篮板2抢断1失误1犯规。”

Zhang Heli said: "Including that turnover, he had four chances to catch the ball and attack within seven minutes. As a rookie, he took too many shots.

In the first five games, he averaged 7 shots per game, and actually took the ball more times to attack, averaging 5.4 free throws per game.

If you don't count the Pacers game, he takes more shots and free throws, 8.5 and 6.75 times, respectively."

"That's indeed a lot." Sun Zhenping said.

Zhang Heli continued: "8.5 shots, fourth on the Knicks team, higher than the 7.2 shots of the main point guard Ellis, and only lower than the mid-range shooting king, the madman, and Kurt Thomas.

He averages about 12 possessions per game, which is not low for a rookie. The Knicks' training of him is good, even better than the Mavericks' training of Yao Ming."

At this time, He Zhongqiu's alley-oop slam dunk had already spread across the Internet around the world, sparking enthusiastic responses from countless fans.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 23:20 and the Knicks were trailing by 3 points.

ESPN直播间，迈克尔布林说道：“首节蒂姆邓肯居然打满了，4投3中，得到6分3篮板1抢断1盖帽4失误。

There were a lot of mistakes. He had some problems today and wasn't focused enough."

Tom Howard said: "As a rookie, Wolverine controlled his turnovers and fouls well in the first quarter. In addition, he performed very well on the defensive end and stole the ball from Duncan twice."

The second quarter will begin soon.

The Spurs sent out Duncan, Kevin Willis, Bruce Bowen, Stephen Jackson, Steve Kerr and five others.

The Knicks sent out five players including He Zhongqiu, Witherspoon, Shandon Anderson, Sprewell, and Alan Houston.

Zhang Heli took a look at the lineup and immediately said, "The Knicks have one big and four small players. Forward Weatherspoon is a 33-year-old veteran who is only 198 cm tall. He is too short to play the power forward position."

"He has to defend Kevin Willis. How tall is Willis?" Sun Zhenping asked.

"Same as Mid-Autumn Festival, the shoe height is 213 cm." Zhang Heli had done sufficient preparation and said immediately.

"How do we defend against it?" Sun Zhenping asked.

Zhang Heli said: "Maybe we need to speed up. Zhongqiu's speed is enough for fast breaks. His skills are not good enough now. He can only play under the basket in positional warfare. He is not a threat away from the basket. In this case, he is actually more suitable for playing in mobile warfare, which can give full play to his athletic advantages."

"Yes, just like the second aerial relay during the Mid-Autumn Festival today, let's play it like that." Sun Zhenping said excitedly.

Zhang Heli reminded: "The Knicks need to pay attention to one thing. If they don't do this well, they won't win the game. Everyone has to fight for rebounds.

The Knicks' rebounding ability is the worst in the league, ranking last. Now they have one big and four small players, so their rebounding ability is even worse, and Zhongqiu's rebounding ability is also average."

"Bang!" At this time, Steve Kerr missed the three-pointer.

The basketball hit the rim and bounced off the board, landing right under the basket, which was extremely beneficial to He Zhongqiu.

With his level 90 positioning ability bursting out, he guarded the basket with his elbows supporting himself, and withstood the pressure from Duncan and Kevin Willis, then jumped high and grabbed the rebound.

Veteran Shandon Anderson is a forward-guard swingman like the madman. He broke through the penalty area with the ball and caused Kevin Willis to foul when he was making a layup. After making two free throws, the score was 23:22, and the Spurs were on offense.

Duncan attacked, and after receiving the ball in the low post on the left wing, he immediately turned upward, stepped into the paint and shot directly, hitting the backboard at a forty-five-degree angle.

"Fuck, isn't this pace too fast?"

He Zhongqiu held himself down, but he didn't know that Duncan didn't shake this time and just attacked directly.

He felt a little itchy. If this fast-paced and super-simple back-to-the-basket offensive technique was matched with his own rebounding, he would be invincible.

Unfortunately, his low-post back-to-the-basket level is too low, only level 40. It is impossible to improve to Duncan's top level in a short period of time. It requires countless training and games to improve, which is impossible within one or two seasons.

25:22, Knicks attack.

Alan Houston made a mistake when crossing the center line and was intercepted by Steve Kerr. The offense and defense switched, but fortunately the Spurs did not make a fast break.

He Zhongqiu returned to the backcourt, and Duncan once again asked for the ball in the low post on the left wing.

"It's not enough to just hold myself down. I can't stop Ah Dai. I still have to strengthen the confrontation and prevent him from doing his moves comfortably."

"Coach Thibodeau said that defense must be proactive and aggressive, and put the opponent under pressure. Yes, we have to confront him forcefully."

After a thought, he immediately began to defend with all his strength.

When the muscles and bones exert their strength, it condenses into a whole force, and when the whole force explodes, an explosive force suddenly forms on the spot, which is the explosive force.

Duncan was very troubled. After more than one quarter of the game, he found that Wolverine could actually display explosive power when defending.

This is an extremely terrifying thing, because when you are defending in place, you are using absolute strength, and explosive power can only be released when you are moving.

What does this prove? It proves that Wolverine's force-generating technique is completely different from others. He racked his brains but couldn't figure out what this force-generating technique was.

Explosive power cannot last long; it is the power that bursts out instantly, like dynamite.

It was this explosive force that impacted his center of gravity at the moment of the confrontation, loosening his feet. Then, under the absolute strength of Wolverine, he couldn't hold on again and was pushed off the spot.

This situation can only be described as collapsing at the slightest touch. He cannot accept it. His ability to resist is not so weak that he cannot withstand even a single blow.

"Duncan couldn't stand still and was forced to step back to receive the ball. He immediately turned around and shot. Zhongqiu rushed forward to block the shot..." Sun Zhenping explained quickly and continuously.

"It missed. Zhongqiu defended Duncan's attack and grabbed the backcourt rebound." Zhang Heli said happily.

Sun Zhenping said: "Zhongqiu's confrontation ability is really strong. Superstars like Duncan are no match for him. Thanks to his confrontation, Duncan can only shoot from a farther distance from the basket."

Zhang Heli smiled and said, "In fact, Duncan, Garnett and Zhongqiu all have similar body shapes. They don't look very muscular, but they are actually very powerful."

Sun Zhenping said: "To explain it from the perspective of traditional martial arts, it means strengthening the muscles and bones."

"Yes, isn't Zhongqiu the time for practicing traditional martial arts?" Zhang Heli nodded quickly.

(End of this chapter)