47: I have an immature suggestion.

47: I have an immature suggestion.

Zhang Yang retrospectively recalled that after the start of the latter half of the season, the first few games had gone well.

However, by late February, as the schedule grew denser, he noticed Duncan and Ginobili, the veteran cores, becoming increasingly fatigued after each game, but at that time, he did not pay attention to this detail.

Firstly, in his memory, both were still the tactical cores of the team until the 13-14 season, playing against the Miami Heat’s Big Three and almost sweeping the opposition.

Secondly, both of them were of the type to speak little when with others and would not likely mention their tiredness in front of teammates.

Both were capable of shouldering responsibility without affecting the team.

Thus, Zhang Yang didn’t consider this at the time.

But this time, the three consecutive losses, specifically speaking, after the double overtime battle with the Mavericks and the back-to-back games, except for Parker, the other two’s performance was very poor.

Because both of them standing on the court could inspire confidence, every member of the Spurs was focused on what they should be doing.

As a ‘cog in the machine’, Zhang Yang also did not notice their fatigue on both offense and defense.

Just looking at the scores, under the Spurs system, everyone’s scores were not high; Zhang Yang’s average of 14 points was already the third highest on the team, even higher than Duncan, which did not reveal their poor performance.

But a look at the detailed stats would show, both their shooting and defensive contributions were very poor.

Back at the hotel, Zhang Yang opened his email.

While he was undergoing physiotherapy, he had asked Ingles to send him this season’s team player data statistics.

He merely glanced over it once and spotted the problem.

No, this issue might not be considered a problem by anyone at this time.

But for Zhang Yang, who had a deeper understanding of the future of the ‘Spurs system’, it was a huge problem.

The Big Three had played in every game this season!

Not a single game missed, even back-to-backs.

Popovich, on his part, seemed to have no intention of resting them…

Popovich’s coaching style had involved pushing the Big Three hard, and it was the same in the last season’s playoffs.

Although Popovich’s coaching style had changed now, it hadn’t completely changed.

Zhang Yang analyzed the current situation.

He had been with the Spurs for almost a month; the more games they played, the more he felt ending with 4 wins and 8 losses was inconceivable.

Even if the Spurs, except for Ginobili, lacked other strong offensive points, and their ability to fight hard in the playoffs was weak, it still shouldn’t have collapsed like that.

Therefore, fatigue might have a greater impact on them at the end of the season and in the playoffs than the system not being fully perfected and the roster not being optimal!

Perhaps it was because of the physical crisis and the collapse of the records at the end of the season, which led to being ‘blacked out’, that Popovich began to change his rotation strategy?

…

The next day, like usual, Zhang Yang came early to the ATT Stadium for practice.

After playing back-to-back games, the Spurs had two days of rest.

There was no practice scheduled for today, but Popovich arrived at the stadium just after 9 o’clock.

Passing by the training court and seeing Zhang Yang already practicing, Popovich greeted him.

Usually, Zhang Yang would have responded and continued with his training.

This time, he stopped his training and followed Popovich into the president’s office.

Popovich dropped his somber look and asked, “Jack, what’s up?

Do you need me for something?”

Zhang Yang didn’t answer but instead asked, “Greg, are you worried about Tim and Manu’s physical condition?”

Last night, he had thought a lot about how to phrase it and finally decided to be direct, as he had no need to be overly concerned about tact.

Popovich: “You noticed that too?

Right, with your keenness on the court, you would have definitely sensed it.”

Zhang Yang: “Is there a solution?”

Popovich smiled and replied, “I’m planning to reduce their playing time, but the pressure might fall on Tony, Antonio, George…

and you.”

Zhang Yang: “Then they still won’t get any rest.

Fatigue will still accumulate game by game.

Moreover, reducing their playing time will surely affect the team’s tactical operation, and ultimately, not only will they not rest well, our strength will also decline, worsening the more we drag on, and eventually dragging down our team.”

Popovich shrugged: “Is there a better way then?

Am I supposed to perform magic and make them five years younger?”

Zhang Yang: “I do have a suggestion, though it’s not fully formed…”

Popovich: “You’ve been here less than a month and already want to command the team?

You truly have the guts to compete for the ball with Monta Ellis, rookie.”

Zhang Yang: “A player who doesn’t want to be the leader is not a good player.”

Popovich: “I like that saying.

Alright, let’s hear your suggestion.”

Zhang Yang: “This and that, like so and so…”

Popovich, with widened eyes: “You really do want to seize power, eh?

Zhang Yang, you’re still young, no need to rush.

You’re not capable of handling everything on your own, you need them to shield you.”

Zhang Yang: “I do have a personal agenda, wanting to try more of Manu’s tactical roles, to practice his style more, but only when executing this strategy, I’m well aware that they are the strong core of our team, our system can be without anyone, but it can’t be without Tim Duncan.”

Popovich looked at Zhang Yang for a while and responded, “Alright, I’ve taken note of your suggestion.

You go and practice first.”

Zhang Yang nodded, having said what needed to be said, and continued to train.

Popovich thought for a while in his office, then got up and walked out the door to the corridor.

Watching Zhang Yang practicing dribbling around a chair after taking a cover, he noticed that Zhang Yang didn’t show much emotional fluctuation — his training movements were steady and patient, not in a ‘done something major and waiting for the outcome’ kind of state.

Which means, this audacious kid just thought of this method and came to discuss it.

If he didn’t accept, it wouldn’t affect the kid.

He admitted, when Zhang Yang mentioned this technique, his first instinct was that it was the best solution, but it challenged his basketball philosophy once again.

What superstar would do such a thing?

Look at Jordan, at 40 he still plays 37 minutes a game, full attendance.

Doing so without reason, how much infamy would Duncan have to bear?

Popovich returned to his office, still conflicted, when suddenly, he noticed another spot had opened up in his liquor cabinet.

There went a big bottle of wine!

Ah!

An idea struck!

Why must Duncan bear the infamy?

It might be time for villain Popovich to carry some of the blame!

…

On March 13th, the Spurs came to the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Tonight, they would face the Los Angeles Lakers on their court.

Currently, the Spurs were at 54 wins and 13 losses, first in the Western Conference and the league, while the Lakers had 45 wins and 22 losses, second in the Western Conference, fourth in the league.

Both teams had 15 games left to play, and with a 9-game lead, people saw the Spurs as not just securing the first spot in the West—but clinching the regular season championship as well, with the Chicago Bulls at 49 wins and 20 losses, trailing by 5 games.

Normally, this point in time would be when the battle for division and league championships is fiercest, like the current fight for first in the East between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.

But with the Spurs, they were not even leaving a chance for others.

Yet without this highlight, there were other attractions.

Lakers vs.

Spurs, the league’s main feature — a Western Conference Finals preview.

The Spurs were putting up a ’96 Bulls-like regular season performance, and with the Lakers as back-to-back champions, this definitely caught the public’s eye.

Also, the legendary trio battles between GDP and KGO also drew countless viewers’ attention.

As for Bynum…

averaging 11 points and 9 rebounds this season, he wasn’t considered an elite player yet, not even by American netizens.

In this year’s All-Star voting, where the All-Star game was in Los Angeles, the out-for-the-season Yao Ming got more votes from the U.S.

than Bynum did.

The major media had been buzzing about this ‘Western Conference Finals preview’ for two days.

Tonight’s game was highly anticipated.

By evening, the Spurs’ head coach announced in a somber tone during a pre-game live interview, “I’m sorry to report some unfortunate news: this afternoon, Manu and Tim sneaked into my room to drink my red wine and got caught.

They ran into each other while fleeing and injured themselves, making them unavailable for tonight’s game…”

Stern, awaiting a glamorous matchup in front of his TV, cursed furiously.

He wanted to chop Popovich the old thief!