Chapter 172

After the start of the second quarter, it was CJ Watson who took charge of the ball control for the Bulls. With Derrick Rose out, Zhou Yi became more aggressive in the game. He was confident in his ability to contain CJ Watson. CJ Watson quickly brought the ball across half-court, following Derrick Rose’s passing style by passing the ball right after crossing half-court. If there was a chance to score, he would do so; if not, he would quickly pass the ball back. With his active movement, he had many options—this was the Bulls’ style: the ball was constantly in motion, making it difficult for opponents to cut off their passing routes, and creating shooting opportunities in fast-paced plays. After receiving the ball, Ronnie Brewer quickly tapped it on the ground and made a quick change of direction, charging toward the paint. Ben Gordon appeared almost simultaneously in front of him. Seeing no chance to shoot, Ronnie Brewer didn’t hesitate—he stepped back and passed the ball long, sending it diagonally across the court over two Pistons players’ heads to CJ Watson at the right-wing baseline. The moment he passed the ball, Greg Monroe realized its intended target and immediately moved outside to provide help defense. With Samuel Dalembert in the paint, he only needed to cover defensively to give Zhou Yi and the others some time before he could return to the paint. As Greg Monroe stepped out to help defend, CJ Watson glanced at the flying ball, lightly supported it with his right hand, and gave it a slight push, sending it quickly back in the original direction. Greg Monroe helplessly watched the ball fly over his head. The Bulls’ playing style involved flexible passing, with all the players on the court having solid passing skills. If there was no chance to shoot, they wouldn’t force it—they always aimed to get the ball to an unguarded player as quickly as possible. Although the Bulls relied on fast breaks, with each attack usually taking only 13 or 14 seconds, they were patient in this regard. This was Tom Thibodeau’s primary criterion for selecting players—except for point guards, other players must not hold onto the ball too long.

Carlos Boozer lightly jumped, swiftly grabbing the ball. His body was slightly bent, with his back pressed tightly against Samuel Dalembert. With a slight force, he created some distance between them. His right wrist, holding the ball, was raised high—his posture clearly indicating he was preparing to shoot a hook shot.

Samuel Dalembert wasn’t about to slack off. After being pushed back, he immediately pressed his body against Boozer again. A force passed through their touching bodies, actually putting pressure on Carlos Boozer. After all, at the moment a player takes a shot, their defense is at its weakest. Without positioning, the chances of making a shot are much lower than when jumping to defend.

Carlos Boozer quickly pulled his right wrist behind his back, causing the ball to lightly hit the ground and bounce perfectly into the hands of Kurt Thomas, who had just replaced Joakim Noah. Now with no one defending him, he let out a loud shout, leaped high, and threw his right wrist back dramatically.

“Boom”—a thunderous dunk that completely ignited the atmosphere in the Bulls’ bench.

However, this was the Pistons’ home court. The home fans naturally didn’t want to see the visiting team showing off so much. Plus, it was a highly competitive playoff game, so they gave Kurt Thomas loud boos.

Greg Monroe and Zhou Yi exchanged helpless looks. This was the Bulls’ usual tactic—exhausting the defenders so that they unknowingly fell into their rhythm.

Having faced the Bulls many times in regular season games, they knew their tactics very well.

With the Pistons’ inbound pass, Zhou Yi quickly drove the ball across half-court. CJ Watson, defending him, felt extremely uneasy. Having watched Derek Rose and Zhou Yi compete for so long from the sidelines, he was eager to see more of it.

He knew he didn’t have Derek Rose’s speed or his extensive experience. If he could stay calm, he might be able to contain Zhou Yi’s drives. But before they even clashed, he already felt unsure. In his panic, his defensive stance became distorted.

Zhou Yi didn’t rush to drive. Standing outside the three-point line, he controlled the ball rhythmically. The smiling expression on his face seemed mysterious to CJ Watson, especially those lively eyes that stared intently at his own. Not knowing his intentions, panicked, CJ Watson instinctively lowered his gaze, forgetting he was on the court and trying to avoid his stare.

Seizing the moment when CJ Watson’s attention was diverted, Zhou Yi easily broke through him with a quick change of direction. By the time he took his first step, he was completely focused; at his speed, once he got moving, no one in the league could catch up to him in such a short distance.

Unfazed by Carlos Boozer’s defensive attempt, Zhou Yi remained calm. Though he had been ready to shoot earlier, scoring didn’t necessarily require him to take a shot himself—he preferred the satisfaction of passing the ball. With his right foot on the ground, he quickly spun 180 degrees, pressing his body against Boozer’s chest, then pushed the ball forward with both hands. It flew straight into the paint and landed in the hands of Ben Gordon, who was unguarded on the right wing. Gordon caught the ball, jumped, and swished it through the net.

Boozer’s jump shot from the left wing missed, and Kurt Thomas quickly pushed the ball into the basket.

Zhou Yi hit a three-pointer from above the arc. This shot was made possible thanks to Greg Monroe’s clever pass—he drew the Bulls’ defenders away, allowing the ball to reach Zhou Yi, who was unguarded.

Kurt Thomas’s drive to the basket failed, and Greg Monroe gently pushed Boozer’s waist with his right elbow, causing the ball to fall into his hands. With a long pass, Zhou Yi, who was already lurking in the middle of the court, scored easily.

Greg Monroe scored with a dunk after receiving a great pass from a teammate, also forcing a foul on Kurt Thomas, resulting in a 2+1. The Pistons were lucky in this game—it was the fourth time they had managed a 2+1.

Derrick Rose rested for just a few minutes on the bench. The Pistons’ 8-4 run pushed the score to 49-39, widening their lead to double digits.

This made Tom Thibodeau restless; he jumped to the sidelines several times to give instructions, but the game couldn’t be controlled just by shouting. CJ Watson’s poor performance was hindering the team’s offense.

After CJ Watson made a passing mistake, Greg Monroe easily intercepted the ball and passed it across the court to help Ben Gordon score a dunk.

Taking advantage of a dead ball, Derrick Rose was sent back onto the court, and John Kuester took the chance to replace Zhou Yi. The fast pace of the game drained Zhou Yi’s energy quickly, so he was taken off the court for a few minutes to rest for the rest of the game.

John Kuester’s substitution was widely criticized by the media after the game, deemed his biggest mistake of the match. With both teams being adept at fast breaks, the second quarter was a race against time. When Tom Thibodeau brought back the starting lineup, Kuester, however, removed their main offensive engine. With Derrick Rose entering and Zhou Yi leaving the court, the pace of the game shifted back in the Bulls’ favor. By the time Kuester realized his error, the Bulls were already close to tying the score. Kuester had been focused on the Bulls’ fatigue; he thought that by bringing in Zhou Yi to restore their energy in the second half, they would easily win the game. But he overlooked the fact that the Bulls’ bench was far superior to the Pistons’. In just seven minutes, the Pistons experienced their worst stretch of the season. Under Derrick Rose’s leadership, the Bulls unleashed their powerful offensive force, leaving the Pistons’ players in distress. Unable to defend against their relentless attacks, they also faced numerous problems—unable to maintain an offensive rhythm and making continuous mistakes. It seemed Kuester was determined to keep Zhou Yi out of the game in the second half. 24 to 7 was the score difference over those seven minutes. During those long seven minutes, the Pistons managed only two shots, and at critical moments, all their players failed, even missing free throws. The situation reversed completely; the two teams, which had been evenly matched earlier, ended up with such a stark difference after the Pistons made a substitution. The Pistons’ players looked upset, while Kuester was furious. He hadn’t realized how essential Zhou Yi was to the Pistons. Especially in playoff games like these, with Zhou Yi in charge of the offense, the team’s performance differed greatly depending on whether he was on or off the court. What he couldn’t fathom even more was that he had made such a costly mistake, stubbornly sticking to his decision when the team’s offense was in trouble. Perhaps he truly had to pay for his errors. A 11-point halftime deficit isn’t necessarily a decisive gap. But with the Pistons’ morale already low, Kuester seemed to be shooting himself in the foot.

He said seriously to his beloved players, “I don’t want to say much about the first half of the game. I couldn’t see in you the qualities of professional players. Facing the opponent’s fierce attacks, you acted like amateurs—of course, I also bear significant responsibility for this. But it’s pointless to assign blame now. There’s still half a game left, and I hope to see the unstoppable Pistons once again. Don’t forget that in the regular season, we defeated the Bulls three times. I expect to see your true strength in the games ahead.”

After delivering some reprimands, John Kuster still encouraged them a bit. Focusing solely on blame wouldn’t boost the team’s morale much; on the contrary, it might backfire.

When the second half began, the Pistons brought back their starting lineup. It was already a lineup adept at fast breaks. With an 11-point deficit, the Pistons were in a desperate situation. The Bulls’ offense was so strong that even other teams in the league might struggle to contain it, not to mention the Pistons’ mediocre defense at the moment.

As he slowly drove the ball toward the half-court, Zhou Yi’s heart was in turmoil. The situation had reached this point—not due to one or two individuals. The coach’s last-minute substitutions were indeed a major mistake. Worse still, as the team’s morale plummeted and they were unable to stop the Bulls’ fast breaks, several players began to think about giving up. Watching the opponents effortlessly weave through them and keep attacking their basket, the psychological pressure was unimaginable.

To recover lost points, the most urgent task was to reignite the players’ fighting spirit. On the court, nothing boosts morale more than scoring points. A brilliant score is far more effective than a successful defense.

With his teammates clearly not in form, Zhou Yi naturally had to take on the burden of scoring. Remembering the encouraging look from Coach John Kuster before the game, though unspoken, Zhou Yi understood the message in his eyes.

This next shot was crucial to the game. If he could successfully score, there was still hope for the match. If he failed again, the team’s morale would suffer another setback, and reversing the score would be nothing but wishful thinking.

Chapter 399: Semi-Finals, Against the Bulls (5)

So far, only the Lakers have advanced as the first team to reach the conference finals, defeating the Spurs 109-105 at home on May 12 to take a 4-2 series lead. Although the match remains closely contested, both teams have achieved a lot. On May 12, the NBA announced the results of its 2010-2011 All-NBA Team selections, the final major award of the season. Both the Bulls and Pistons had two players selected: Zhou Yi led the first team, along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James (forward) of the Miami Heat, Kevin Durant (forward) of the Oklahoma Thunder, and Dwight Howard (center) of the Orlando Magic. Derrick Rose led the second team, along with Amare Stoudemire (center) of the New York Knicks, Paul Gasol (forward) of the Lakers, Dirk Nowitzki (forward) of the Dallas Mavericks, and Dwyane Wade (guard) of the Heat. Chris Paul of the Hornets led the third team, along with Tracy McGrady (guard) of the Detroit Pistons, Zach Randolph (forward) of the Memphis Grizzlies, LaMarcus Aldridge (forward) of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Yao Ming of the Rockets. The All-NBA Team selections are determined by votes from 126 sports journalists and broadcasters from the United States and Canada, with first-team selections worth 5 points, second-team selections worth 3 points, and third-team selections worth 1 point. Naturally, there were many different opinions regarding the results, with the most intense reaction in China being Yao Ming and McGrady both being selected for the third team. After long periods of injury, both Yao Ming and McGrady returned with incredible strength, once again rising to the level of superstars. However, the fact that two Chinese players were selected for the All-NBA Teams caused a huge sensation in China, especially in light of the upcoming Asian Men’s Basketball Championship, with strong calls for Zhou Yi to be included. Fans believe that given Zhou Yi’s current achievements, he is undoubtedly the best guard in Chinese basketball, and his selection is well-deserved. Moreover, over the past few years, China has been looking for a player to lead its backcourt at the 2012 London Olympics, and Zhou Yi is undoubtedly the best candidate. …

On May 18th, Beijing time, the Pistons hosted the Bulls at home. CCTV would naturally broadcast the entire game, and today they even invited a special guest. Although the news had been leaked earlier, it wasn’t until the game started that fans saw the guest on the TV screen—it was Yi Jianlian, who had just returned to China. Yu Jia said enthusiastically, “Hello, dear viewers! Today we’re bringing you an exciting match—the second round of the playoffs, with the Pistons playing at home against the Bulls. It’s an honor to have Yi Jianlian join me to commentate on this game. Hello, Yi Jianlian.” With a relaxed smile, Yi Jianlian raised his right hand slightly and said, “Hello, Teacher Yu Jia. Hello, fans watching on TV. I’m Yi Jianlian. It’s great to be here with you all.” Yu Jia didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point. “We’ve covered the first six encounters between these two teams for our viewers. Both the Bulls and the Pistons are strong offensive teams, as can be seen from their scores in those six games. The Pistons averaged 106 points per game, while the Bulls also scored an impressive 108 points per game. Such high scores are rare in the playoffs, where defense is emphasized. Yi Jianlian, what’s your opinion on this game?” Yi Jianlian flipped through the materials in his hand and said, “I’ve played against both teams during the regular season. From my personal experience, the two teams are very similar. Besides both being young teams, their roster structures are also similar—strong, all-around power forwards who serve as the backbone of their teams. Greg Monroe and Carlos Boozer are among the most versatile interior players in the league. Although Greg Monroe is still young, the value he’s shown this season is greater than that of many established top-tier power forwards. Both teams also have excellent point guards. It’s hard to say whether Derrick Rose made the Bulls great or if the Bulls made Derrick Rose great. But it was Derrick Rose who helped the Bulls achieve their current success. The Pistons, on the other hand, were kept out of the playoffs last season until Zhou Yi joined the team, which led to their strong performance this season.”

While they chatted casually, the Auburn Hills Palace was already packed with fans. The Pistons’ supporters arrived early before the game, and even the large Auburn Hills Palace couldn’t hold all the fans coming from all directions. Many gathered around the large screens outside the arena, as four large screens outside the Auburn Hills Palace would broadcast the game live throughout.

During the breaks when the players from both teams were on the sidelines, Zhou Yi sat alone on a chair in the bench, his entire head covered by a white towel.

Facing this crucial match, Zhou Yi felt a hint of unease. He had never experienced such emotions before, no matter what strong opponents he faced. In his view, every team had its weaknesses, and as long as one could exploit those weaknesses, control of the game would be in their hands.

John Kuester gently tapped Zhou Yi’s shoulder. Although he had always appeared confident in front of the media, the team’s current situation was indeed grim.

In the first two games, the Pistons managed to tie the score, but at a heavy cost—Samuel Dalembert and Will Bynum were both unable to play. For a team already short of players, forming a lineup for this game was even more challenging.

But with the game having progressed this far, the Pistons had no way back. The team’s management was aware of the situation and privately reassured him that he wouldn’t face any trouble regardless of the outcome. However, these were just private assurances.

Zhou Yi gently removed the towel and stretched his limbs. It would be hard for anyone to believe that, during those twenty-plus minutes earlier, he had dozed off in public. That sense of unease was now gone.

John Kuester had carefully considered the starting lineup several times before finally deciding on the five starters: center Ben Wallace, power forward Greg Monroe, small forward Andre Iguodala, shooting guard Tracy McGrady, and point guard Zhou Yi.

This lineup is already the Pistons’ best possible setup at the moment; the players on the bench can hardly be counted on, with some having only appeared as substitutes in regular-season games. In such a high-level playoff environment, they naturally won’t be of much use. John Kuester’s biggest concern now is that if these five players suffer injuries or get into foul trouble too early, he won’t have any substitutes available, especially at the center position.

No one knows the Pistons’ true strength better than Tom Thibodeau. Over the past six games, he has studied their playing style thoroughly and now has a pretty clear understanding of every possible change within the team. Losing two key substitute players at once is fatal for the Pistons. With the starting lineup they currently have, there are no more players left on the bench, so the Bulls’ task in this game is simple—they just need to deal with the five players on the court, and victory will be within reach. In his view, even if the five Pistons players manage to hold their own throughout the game, it would still be difficult for them to pose a real threat to the Bulls.

However, Tom Thibodeau isn’t taking anything for granted. Zhou Yi alone has already caused headaches for other teams, and the Pistons are no longer a one-man team. Besides Zhou Yi, the presence of McGrady, Andre Iguodala, and Greg Monroe poses a huge threat to any team.

Before the game, McGrady and Zhou Yi exchanged smiles. Given the team’s current situation, the two have become the team’s greatest hope, which means they will have to take on greater responsibilities in this game. But both are strong-willed players who become stronger under pressure, and their fighting spirit only grows stronger in the face of challenges.

Seeing their smiles, John Kuester finally felt relieved: Yes, as long as these two are here, the Pistons remain the invincible team they once were.

As the players from both teams took to the court, the Bulls were determined to win, especially Derrick Rose. In these short six games, both he and Zhou Yi have performed exceptionally well in their matchups. Yet he also knows that in the eyes of fans, Zhou Yi seems to be the more prominent player—after all, he hasn’t achieved Zhou Yi’s astonishing 24-point performance in the fourth quarter, and over the six games, Zhou Yi has already recorded one triple-double. Double-doubles might be common for some players, but triple-doubles are something many strive to achieve.

The two’s hands gently touched together. Derek Rose nodded slightly. From the handshake, he could tell that Zhou Yi was in a very calm state of mind—this was the mindset a professional player should have. Passion is needed on the court, but calmness is even more essential; only a calm player can seize those fleeting opportunities during a game.

“Zhou, I’ve already prepared two tickets for you. Be sure to bring your girlfriend to cheer for us,” Derek Rose whispered in Zhou Yi’s ear.

Zhou Yi thought the “girlfriend” Derek Rose mentioned referred to Mo Keer. What he didn’t know was that Derek Rose had always considered Xiang Yun to be his girlfriend.

Zhou Yi was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered, smiling lightly before turning to leave.

“Damn, is this kid still a rookie? His mindset in a game is so mature?” Derek Rose shook his head helplessly. Zhou Yi’s reaction disappointed him greatly. In his opinion, any player would at least retort after being provoked like that, but Zhou Yi’s expression made him feel like an idiot.

The Pistons took control of the ball first. In the first six battles for possession, Greg Monroe and Carlos Boozer were tied—each with their own strengths. Greg Monroe excelled in his amazing jumping ability, while Carlos Boozer had an extraordinary reach; both were skilled at rebounding.

After all, Greg Monroe’s jumping ability was slightly better than Carlos Boozer’s. In this rebound battle, Greg Monroe showed a clear advantage. The two jumped almost simultaneously, but by the time Greg Monroe touched the ball, Carlos Boozer’s hand had only just reached his chin, demonstrating his incredible jumping power and explosive strength.

Zhou Yi tapped the basketball a few times, took a deep breath, then quickly drove forward with the ball.

Just past the halfway mark, Keith Bogans appeared in front of him. The Pistons’ current form greatly increased the Bulls’ chances of winning, but they didn’t take it lightly. They focused more on defending Zhou Yi and the interior player Greg Monroe.

During the pre-game tactical discussions, Tom Thibodeau emphasized just one thing: no matter what happened, as long as the ball was in Zhou Yi or Greg Monroe’s hands, the players on the court had to rush in to double-team them without hesitation. They were willing to create space for other players rather than giving those two even a moment’s respite.

Zhou Yi didn’t hesitate at all; he quickly passed the ball away. Keith Bogans clearly wasn’t expecting Zhou Yi to pass the ball so easily. In his mind, given the Pistons’ current situation, Zhou Yi would try to keep the ball under control to avoid unnecessary mistakes. While he was stunned, Zhou Yi effortlessly slipped past him, and the ball quickly returned to his hands.

The moment he got the ball, Zhou Yi’s speed surged instantly—going from stillness to motion in a way that seemed eerily abrupt. Derek Rose didn’t expect Zhou Yi to start moving so fast. He quickly took up a defensive stance inside the three-point line, his eyes fixed tightly on Zhou Yi, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

With a screech, Zhou Yi’s rapidly moving body suddenly stopped just outside the three-point line. His toes made intense friction against the floor. Without any pause, he leaped up, raised the ball high, and gently pushed it, sending it flying through his fingers.

Swish—the ball went straight into the net. After landing, Zhou Yi clenched his right fist and slammed it against his chest, letting out a low roar of “Ah.”

Derek Rose shook his head. His own physical abilities were already excellent, but this Zhou Yi was truly a monster. His physical condition was astonishingly good. In just a few steps, he could go from stillness to motion and then instantly return to stillness. All of this seemed simple, but without explosive power and excellent coordination, it would be impossible to maintain balance. Naturally, Derek Rose couldn’t do all of this in such a short distance.

“Great shot!” In the studio of the TV station, Yu Jia and Yi Jianlian couldn’t help but cheer.

You had to admire the Bulls’ offensive speed. After Zhou Yi scored, the ball was quickly passed on. Aside from Derek Rose, who was holding the ball and falling behind, the other players surged forward like a tide into the Pistons’ half-court. Their speed left the Pistons’ defenders in disarray. Before Derek Rose could even reach the other side of the court, the ball was already passed to him.

With his excellent overall vision, he immediately spotted players without defense around Rolando Blackman. The ball was quickly sent to him. He took two quick steps and threw the ball high above Greg Monroe’s defense. The ball passed just above Monroe’s raised right hand and easily went into the net.

What made the Bulls most enviable was their abundance of scorers. Even for a team as outstanding as the Pistons, when it came to scorers, they might be slightly inferior to the Bulls.

Moreover, these scorers are all very good at moving around. No matter how strong your defense is, you can keep an eye on one or two or three of them, but it’s impossible to defend all five. As long as you give them a chance, Derrick Rose’s passes will cut through all obstacles and reach the perfect spot for him.

So far, there hasn’t been a team in the league that can completely shut down the Bulls’ offense, and in theory, it’s unlikely to happen. Players like Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, who are so good at moving around, are hard to come by, let alone having two of them at once.

Fortunately, for such an offensive team, there’s one thing they can’t escape: shooting accuracy. Although it’s impossible to completely block their offense, it’s possible to affect their shooting percentage. With the Pistons’ current defensive strength, this weakness is fatal. That’s why the Bulls are most afraid of facing teams like the Spurs, Celtics, and Pistons—teams with a strong defensive style that severely impacts the Bulls’ offense, and which are also excellent at scoring.

Almost in the same position, in the same way, Zhou Yi almost perfectly replicated that previous goal. Derrick Rose’s expression really turned ugly.

In basketball, completely blocking an opponent’s scoring is only possible in theory; in practice, the chances of doing so are minimal. But in just one minute, Zhou Yi managed to score twice in front of him in the same way. What made it even more embarrassing for Rose was that he didn’t react at all during both attempts—this was what hurt him the most.

John Kuster watched Zhou Yi’s performance with satisfaction. After going through these playoffs, Zhou Yi’s ability to gauge the right moment to pass or score had become increasingly mature. He now understood the essence of when to pass and when to score. Those two three-point shots would have been impossible from Zhou Yi before.

Chapter 400: Semi-Finals, Against the Bulls (6)

John Kuster watched Zhou Yi’s performance with satisfaction. After going through these playoffs, Zhou Yi’s ability to gauge the right moment to pass or score had become increasingly mature. He now understood the essence of when to pass and when to score. Those two three-point shots would have been impossible from Zhou Yi before.

However, given Zhou Yi’s current experience in competition, he managed to exploit psychological weaknesses, scoring twice in ways Derek Rose hadn’t anticipated. No, it wasn’t that Derek Rose couldn’t imagine them—it was that achieving Zhou Yi’s level of scoring required an extremely high standard from a player, and few in the league could do it. Moreover, under such circumstances, Zhou Yi’s high shooting accuracy was truly remarkable. Although everything Zhou Yi did was just right, John Kuester’s sharp eyesight allowed him to see that at the moment of shooting, Zhou Yi had already exerted all his strength and could make no further adjustments.

After several days of rest, the Bulls regained their stamina and continued to stick to an offense-oriented strategy, with classic screen-and-roll plays appearing frequently in their attacks. Carlos Boozer even moved to the free-throw line, constantly setting screens for his teammates, and became the team’s playmaker, holding the ball for long periods while delivering it to the weak side of the Pistons’ defense. Coupled with Derek Rose’s precise passing, the Bulls’ offensive power was maximized. The Bulls kept bombarding the Pistons’ basket, rapidly depleting the Pistons’ players’ stamina due to constant running. After all, in both offense and defense, the offensive players had the upper hand.

Especially with the Bulls’ playing style, the Pistons’ players were on high alert at all times, having to anticipate the next pass from the Bulls. The offensive players had a clear goal—they just needed to find the best route—while the Pistons’ players had to constantly guess the opponents’ next move, resulting in much wasted effort. Under Derek Rose’s guidance, the Bulls scored a small run of 7-2.

In the first quarter, both teams seemed focused on offense, but obviously the Bulls, with their many scoring options, had more choices in their offensive approaches. The Pistons’ offense, on the other hand, was quite monotonous—aside from Greg Monroe scoring inside, only Zhou Yi had long-range shots from outside. But under the Bulls’ double-team pressure, he had very few opportunities to shoot. After hitting two three-pointers in a row at the start, Zhou Yi only managed two points from free throws in the next five minutes, both attempts missing.

The other players did have quite a few opportunities, but they seemed very hesitant when shooting. Once they got the ball, they would think twice, wanting to shoot but lacking confidence, or preferring to pass it. It was frustrating to waste such good chances, but with the Bulls’ fast pace, there was very little time left for them to shoot. The moment they hesitated, the defenders would immediately appear in front of them, and the few opportunities Zhou Yi managed to create were all wasted.

John Kuester had pulled out several strands of hair from his head. From the start of the game, he hardly sat down at all, staying by the sidelines and shouting loudly. But the more anxious he became, the worse things got on the court. The players, who were already unstable, became even more hesitant and slow after being scolded by him, making more and more mistakes.

With 4 minutes and 54 seconds left in the first quarter, they were trailing 14-20.

Then Keith Bogans hit a three-pointer, and the Bulls quickly widened the gap to 26-16.

John Kuester reluctantly called a timeout. His extreme disappointment actually calmed his mind, and he realized that his shouting hadn’t helped at all and had only left the players confused.

“This game is the toughest we’ve faced in the playoffs. I bear primary responsibility for how it’s going, but now isn’t the time to assign blame. It’s only the first quarter; we have plenty of time to make up for our mistakes. As for the Bulls, there’s no need for me to explain—after six games, everyone has a clear idea of what they’re like. Although our focus in this game was defense, we all know that with our current lineup, we can’t stop their offense. So what do we do? We have to attack. There’s no other choice. The Bulls’ defense is weak, and they rely more on offense. ‘Attacking to defend’ is the best description of them. We need to pressure them defensively and overtake them offensively.”

John Kuester’s tactical plan was simple: move quickly, make wide runs, use speed to drive the offense, and go for aggressive shots without hesitation whenever an opportunity arose. If a shot missed, he wouldn’t blame them, but if they missed an opportunity right in front of them, then they could expect to be criticized!

It’s the only option left. If there’s no confidence even in basic shooting, there’s no point playing this game. While this might lead to many unnecessary shots, it’s still better than constantly missing opportunities. On the other hand, it puts even more pressure on Greg Monroe in the paint. He needs to exert enough pressure on the Bulls offensively and maintain control of the rebounds. Fortunately, Greg Monroe was in exceptional form today; in the first seven minutes alone, he exerted huge pressure on the Bulls’ front line, performing well in offense, defense, and rebounding.

During this timeout, the Bulls made some lineup changes—CJ Watson replaced Keith Bogans, and Ronnie Brewer replaced Rolando Dun. Both players who came off the court had performed well. Tom Thibodeau substituted them to give them enough rest so they could stay strong throughout the game. The Bulls’ lineup changes didn’t affect their offense, as these players rotated as starters during the regular season. With Derrick Rose on the court, Thibodeau had nothing to worry about.

John Kuster watched enviously at the Bulls’ players on the court. After playing for so long, he should have made some lineup adjustments as well. Besides maintaining the players’ stamina, having the same lineup on the court for too long allows the opponent to gradually find ways to counter them. But after glancing at the players on the bench, he suppressed his urge. With such a big lead already, any further hesitation would make it pointless to continue playing.

Zhou Yi gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. Samuel Dalembert’s absence left the Pistons’ front line weak, preventing Greg Monroe from daring to step up for blocks. The other players also lacked the awareness to block effectively—twice they blocked the defensive players instead of Zhou Yi’s path to the basket.

Zhou Yi knew clearly that he needed to change his previous strategy of constantly looking for three-point shots from outside. It seemed unlikely now. The two Bulls players guarding him closely were like parasites—once the ball reached him, they appeared right beside him, leaving no room for him.

Although confident in his own abilities to break through their defense in time, Zhou Yi didn’t like the idea of playing alone while the other four watched. Moreover, forcing a breakthrough might not necessarily create any opportunities. He firmly believed that the most intimidating moment in basketball came from constant movement—any pass could lead to a perfect scoring chance. Having the ball stuck in one player’s hands was likely not good for either the player or the team, nor did it reflect the team spirit of basketball.

The ball was quickly passed to Greg Monroe. He dribbled with his right hand, focusing his strength on his left shoulder, pushing against Carlos Boozer behind him as he moved step by step toward the basket. Carlos Boozer was also in surprisingly good form today. His strength had always been his weakness, but against the highly motivated Greg Monroe, he fought tenaciously, firmly holding his ground under the basket.

As time passed, Greg Monroe knew he might not come out on top if he continued like this. Seizing an opportunity to drive, he quickly passed the ball to the outside. To everyone’s eyes, his next move would surely be to push past Carlos Boozer and dunk with one hand.

After all, his earlier performance had been intense—veins bulging on his face, muscles straining. No one expected him to pass the ball just before the most fierce collision.

Zhou Yi naturally wouldn’t miss such a rare opportunity. The moment he got the ball, he quickly jumped up. The ball stayed in his hands for only a brief moment before flying out from between his fingers.

After landing, Zhou Yi let out a long sigh. During those few minutes of play, the opponent had managed to tie and even take the lead, with the score gap growing wider. Unable to score from outside, he felt extremely frustrated. This shot finally relieved some of that pressure.

Tom Thibodeau shook his head helplessly. Though he had always admired Carlos Boozer—considering him his most versatile player after Derrick Rose—he was indeed far inferior in facing Greg Monroe today.

The Bulls’ offense was flawless; every player on the court contributed, making it difficult for the opponent to defend. The Pistons could only rely on Zhou Yi and Greg Monroe’s scoring to keep up with the score. The first quarter ended with a score of 23-34.

The atmosphere in the live broadcast studio of Court TV was extremely dull. Ever since Zhou Yi emerged, Yu Jia had always had high hopes for him. Multiple live broadcasts during the regular season allowed her to see Zhou Yi’s outstanding talent, and gradually she became his die-hard fan. As a broadcaster, one should ideally take a more neutral stance in their work, but his words were filled with praise for the Pistons. Although she already had a bad feeling after seeing the Pistons’ starting lineup before the game, she never expected the team, which she thought was highly skilled, to appear so vulnerable in this match. Under the combined offensive pressure from the Bulls, the individual efforts of Zhou Yi and Greg Monroe seemed rather insufficient. “Yi Jianlian, with the first quarter of the game going like this, what’s your opinion? In your view, how can the Pistons turn things around?” Yu Jia turned to ask. In the past, what annoyed fans the most when watching Court TV’s broadcasts was the host frequently switching the camera back to the studio, as well as the two commentators’ incessant chatter. Commentators are meant to help viewers better enjoy the game, but sometimes the commentators on Court TV were extremely naive, ruining fans’ experience. However, today was different. With Yi Jianlian as a guest, many fans were willing to patiently listen to their analysis just for his sake. Moreover, Yi Jianlian had faced both teams during the regular season and had firsthand experience. “Actually, it’s not surprising that the game turned out this way. Both teams are among the best offensive teams in the league. When their offense is going well, they’re almost invincible, but once their offense falters, the game becomes messy. The Bulls played with great momentum today, showcasing their strengths, while the Pistons were missing two key bench players, especially Samuel Dalembert. This greatly affected both their defense and offense. Given their current situation, they can only rely on Zhou Yi and Greg Monroe.” Yi Jianlian clearly didn’t have any good solutions either. You can’t cook without ingredients—this was exactly the situation the Pistons were in. But with Zhou Yi and Greg Monroe around, the team still had hope. Basketball is a team sport, but star players often determine the course of a game at critical moments. And when a team has two outstanding stars, they definitely have the ability to decide the outcome in such moments.

John Kuester also harbors this same mindset. During the game’s breaks, he gave the other players strict orders to be more aggressive, to never miss an opportunity when it arose, and not to force things if none were available. Instead, they should focus more on defense. Even if they could not stop certain goals, they should use fouling tactics to prevent the Bulls from scoring easily. If fouling was necessary, it had to be done thoroughly to ensure the opponent couldn’t score a 2+1, making the Bulls’ scorers nervous whenever they took a shot.
By resorting to fouling tactics against a team like the Bulls, it’s clear John Kuester is in a desperate situation. Yet this might also work, forcing the Bulls’ scorers to be cautious as well.
With Greg Monroe’s heavy steps and Zhou Yi looking thoughtful, as the two stepped onto the court, the Bulls’ players realized the real game had begun.