Chapter 726: Chapter 726

Cole couldn’t help but straighten up and turn to look at the Cavaliers’ bench.

Malone has so much trust in this second-year player Jokic, but can Jokic really withstand this pressure?

You know, during last season’s finals, Jokic was just an ordinary starter following behind Hansen and Irving.

The live audience, including the broadcast cameras, all focused on Jokic in the paint.

The finals stage, under the spotlight, the pressure goes without saying.

This explains Jokic’s hand-rubbing move before the game.

As a worker, when your boss suddenly assigns you the most important project of the department, it’s unrealistic to have no pressure at all.

But pressure aside, Jokic’s technical movements remained perfectly unaltered.

Upon realizing Pachulia was not only pressing him but also making small pushing actions, he capitalized on it, using his elbow to push Pachulia behind him as he turned, then quickly laying the ball into the hoop.

That play was incredibly agile.

Of course, it also was a bit unexpected for Cole.

Still, Cole decided to watch further; compared to Jokic, Hansen is truly the one to be feared.

After all, Jokic is just a sophomore, can he really break through the Warriors’ defense line in the paint?

The Warriors executed a [Cyclone Tactic] in the frontcourt, Curry screened for Green and then popped out to the three-point line, catching a pass from James and sinking a three-pointer.

The core output of the Warriors is still the two guns on the perimeter, when one jams, they naturally try the other.

This three-pointer also made the Warriors’ fans cheer, since three points is one more than two.

Even with the Warriors opening from the outside, Malone didn’t adjust tactics and still let Jokic play in the low post.

This time, the Warriors’ defense was forced to change.

That is, when Jokic caught the ball, the Warriors’ defense instinctively collapsed into the paint.

Players aren’t machines; when they see a mismatch, they naturally tend to provide help defense.

This also exposed Cole’s weakness in coaching abilities; although he has tactical ideas and skills, his on-the-spot adaptability is rather poor.

Whether to insist on solo defense or double-team, he should provide the Warriors’ players with clear instructions in advance.

Hansen quickly sensed this change, one moment resting his hands on his hips, the next he had already stepped past Thompson.

Thompson’s lateral movement isn’t the fastest, by the time he noticed and tried to chase, it was clearly too late.

Moreover, during this process, Jokic’s solo play didn’t stop.

When Hansen cut to the free-throw line and Green was drawn to the corner, it was too late for him to recover towards the basket.

Jokic, catching sight of Hansen cutting in, was still exerting force against Pachulia one moment, the next instant, he had thrown the ball toward the top of the hoop.

Hansen leapt into the air, delivering a one-handed tomahawk alley-oop dunk.

The visual impact of this play was explosive, stirring up the crowd.

Jokic was already having an offensive draw effect like Irving used to have and in this situation, it becomes very challenging to restrict both players’ offense simultaneously.

Cole finally reacted, standing up to call McGee from the bench.

Apparently, he didn’t want the Cavaliers to drag the Warriors into the grind of a small lineup right at the start, preferring instead to pull away after a stalemate.

After all, the Cavaliers’ depth this season had also made him wary.

At that moment, James, utilizing the space torn open by Curry and Thompson’s movement, broke into the lane, drawing a defense foul on Jokic.

Every lineup has its strengths and weaknesses, with TT not in the starting lineup, the Cavaliers’ rim protection naturally declined.

The substitutions on the sideline, McGee came on to replace Pachulia, while Malone called Covington over.

The key to defending James is still reliant on the first line of defense by Covington, if James accelerates inside, even with TT defending, the paint can be problematic.

In this respect, Malone’s adaptability was clearly much better than Cole’s.

James made one out of two free throws, the score was 6 to 4.

McGee’s athletic prowess was notable, but in terms of holding position, he didn’t do better than Pachulia, allowing Jokic to secure a clearly deeper position.

However, when Hansen fed the ball inside, Jokic’s attempt was stuffed directly by McGee, an in-air snatch, no less.

Not that Jokic didn’t use any fake moves, but McGee’s raw talent was outstanding.

For comparison, Howard is 6’10" with a 7’4" wingspan, while McGee is 7’0" with a 7’6" wingspan, a legit Spider-Man, and has the bounce to compete at dunk contests with real championship potential.

If only the gods had blessed this guy with an equally brilliant mind, Olazhuki wouldn’t just be a jest.

Cole noticed this and stood up excitedly. If McGee could hold against Jokic, then his strategy could succeed.

Also, he wasn’t too worried about Hansen bursting out with points at the start, as the Warriors’ roster strength is incomparable to the Bulls and stronger than the Celtics.

If Hansen expends significant energy early, by the second half, the Warriors could unleash their "Madness of Warriors" to secure victory.

Even if not then, the Warriors could likely seal the game in the final quarter.

The Warriors pushed a fast-break offense, Thompson catching Curry’s split pass for a trailing three, this time executing with precision.

Having rested for long, the Warriors needed time to get back into rhythm, but they found their pace quickly.

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This three-pointer put the Warriors ahead suddenly.

The Warriors fans’ emotions rose, chanting defense in unison, rallying for the home team.

Cole was gesturing from the sideline, indicating tighter marking on Hansen.

If Jokic can’t get going, the Cavaliers only have Hansen’s One Star and Four Shooters carrying the ball and their pick-and-roll attack with Jokic.

But Cole’s final in-game strategy proved incorrect, as Hansen managed to feed the ball to Jokic again.

What’s a block, anyway?

No problem, just grab the ball and keep at it!

This time, Jokic made adjustments; he positioned himself further out from the paint than before.

This unconventional choice soon proved its worth.

As by taking the ball further from the basket, it created space for additional counter-moves and technical maneuvers.

Or rather, Jokic had been approaching McGee as if playing against Howard before, but it turns out McGee’s "air defense" capability surpasses Howard’s.

In successive back downs, Jokic exerted his full weight on McGee, forcing him to lower his center of gravity, then used a step-through for a layup while using his offhand to arm McGee away from his shooting hand.

McGee found himself unable to jump and neither could he block, helplessly watching as Jokic scored with a straightforward bank.

At this point, standing on the sidelines, Cole, with his chin rested on his hand, looked pensive.

Jokic sure had an incredibly steady mentality!

Was McGee’s earlier snatch a fake?

James continued probing inside, but this time Covington held the first line of defense, forcing him to halt, and Curry’s last-second shot from James’ pass bounced off the rim, with Tucker securing the rebound.

The Cavaliers turned up the pace.

This time Jokic didn’t grab the rebound but quickly caught up in the fast break, catching Hansen’s pass at the free-throw line.

This time, he showcased his footwork, a step-through making McGee think he had another chance to block.

Little did McGee know, once airborne, Jokic spun away completely, converting an easy layup.

This forced Cole to immediately call a timeout.

Less than five minutes into the game and Jokic had already scored 8 points!

What does this suggest?

It suggests he had cracked open the Warriors’ interior defense!

Malone appeared thrilled.

Long before Irving wanted out, he had been gradually elevating Jokic’s tactical position, facing Howard and Towns in the playoffs, Jokic’s game experience surged exponentially.

Jokic’s performance tonight validated every investment the Cavaliers made!

Of course, this also showcased Jokic’s natural talent.

Without sufficient innate ability, intensive nurturing would only stunt growth, overwhelming the player.

But now Jokic had clearly evolved from last season’s regular season upstart, to emerging presence in the playoffs, to this season’s moderate achievements, and now to a stage where he could exhibit remarkable skills.