Chapter 763: Chapter 763

However, this is clearly too difficult for Davis.

He can quickly defend from the free-throw line to the three-point line, but you expect him to go from the low post to the three-point line?

Unless Jokic hesitates, he’s definitely not going to make it.

In fact, Jokic didn’t hesitate at all. Upon noticing no one was coming to help defend him, he already raised his hand and took the three-point shot.

With a crisp sound, Jokic’s three-pointer hit the mark.

The Cavaliers’ other players have been underperforming this season, but that hasn’t affected Jokic’s improvement.

Besides increased low-post dominance, his outside shooting has been outstanding this season.

Last season, he averaged 1.6 three-point attempts with a 32.4% success rate.

But this season, his attempts have increased significantly to 3.7, and his success rate is 39.6%.

These numbers, for a center, are more than just excellent.

Again, it’s because Jokic is the only guy who can gain weight and improve his shooting at the same time, and that’s talent.

With about nine minutes gone in the first quarter, the score is 27 to 21, with the Cavaliers leading.

The Pelicans are strong, but they can’t handle the presence of the two "bugs," Hansen and Jokic, and tonight, after Malone’s lineup adjustments, the Cavaliers’ offensive spacing is noticeably better.

Both teams are gradually entering their rotation phase; Wade also takes the court at this time.

To Hansen’s surprise, James didn’t stagger his play time tonight.

Is it young James turning directly into old James?

It shouldn’t be; more likely, the new medication has a greater physical toll than before.

This can also be explained pharmacologically since explosiveness and endurance are two relatively contradictory aspects for the human body.

Even with a historically great physique, James can hardly handle both aspects maxed out; that would truly be life-threatening.

However, even without James, the Pelicans’ offensive firepower during this substitute phase is not weak at all, with Rajon Rondo and Nick Young on the outside, and Mirotic and Tyler Zeller on the inside.

With Nike’s backing, the Pelicans have built a very competitive team this summer as well.

However, on the Cavaliers’ side, Wade is performing valiantly.

Ross no longer means the Cavaliers lost their sixth man, but before signing Ross, they already had their sixth man originally.

Even if their form has declined, after realizing last season, facing James’ team, Wade too, alongside Kuzma and Irving, automatically becomes bloodthirsty.

The contest between both sides is intense, and after three quarters, the score is tied at 92.

As the game enters the deciding phase, the Pelicans’ weakness is exposed.

When James’ team lacks a strong finisher, once it reaches the critical moment, they’ll face an awkward scoring drought scenario.

This was validated more than once during the Cavaliers 1.0 era, Thunders, and New York Knicks eras.

As for James himself, until he elevates skills like posting up, mid-range, three-point, step-back, and turnaround fadeaway to elite levels, he doesn’t have that ability.

He might occasionally perform well in the final quarter when his shooting touch explodes, but more often, he disappears.

The new medication can’t save James, and Hansen is not wrong in saying that.

However, on the Cavaliers’ side, during these moments, it’s Hansen’s stage for personal performance.

Hansen showcases his array of weapons, scoring 21 points in the single quarter.

Under his lead, the Cavaliers outscore the Pelicans 36 to 23 in the final quarter, winning 126 to 113.

Hansen scores 46 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the game, while James records 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.

This ultimate battle between someone who claims to be the world’s strongest and the league’s strongest also yields a final result post-game.

James still holds the all-around title, but that’s all he has left.

"LeBron should wear his crown again, or else it’ll belong to Kyle (Kuzma)."

At the post-game press conference, when asked if Kuzma’s celebration was disrespectful, Hansen jokingly replied with a smile.

Kuzma’s actions during the game mirrored Hansen’s, or let’s say, James’s historic actions: by devaluing something, it loses its prestige.

Hansen originally devalued the nickname "Truth," James with "GOAT," and Kuzma with "Crown."

With Kuzma doing this and Hansen saying that, James might never want to crown himself again.

After finishing up with the Pelicans, the Cavaliers returned to Cleveland.

And just before the next day’s training session began, Malone called Hansen into the office.

After the game against the Pelicans, he had new ideas regarding the team’s tactical system.

He believed that neither the pick-and-roll tactic nor the One Star and Four Shooters tactic were the most suitable for the Cavaliers.

"ISO mismatches are the simplest and most efficient."

Malone’s inspiration came from Hansen’s low-post dominance against the Pelicans.

Although Huoledi is a combo guard, his 1.93m height against Hansen’s 2.01m naturally creates a mismatch.

Hansen wasn’t too surprised when he heard this.

Instead, he thought Malone had woken up.

It sounds a bit odd since Malone is very tactically capable, but his previous tactical system was still stuck in the past era.

The simplest and most effective practice in the small-ball era is ISO mismatches.

When a team has an absolute key player, basketball isn’t that complicated.

Create mismatches; if there’s no double-team, attack, if there is, pass.

This is the simplest and most efficient way for Hansen and the most energy-saving.

Moreover, with Jokic’s improvement this season, the Cavaliers also have this capability with Jokic.

So, the simplest tactic is Hansen attacks, once Hansen finishes, then Jokic attacks, Jokic attacks, once Jokic finishes, then Hansen attacks.

What Malone needs to do is use tactics to create the most energy-efficient ISO mismatch opportunities for them.

The remaining task is to equip the court with the most suitable space players, allowing them to finish most of the offense, rather than other role players.

After seeing Hansen agreeing with his tactical understanding, Malone couldn’t hide his excitement.

Because he knows this simple yet unsolvable tactic will be the Cavaliers’ last step to complete their dynasty.

After calming his excitement, Malone remembered another matter.

"I want you to talk to Derek."

After returning to Cleveland yesterday, Malone’s first action was to persuade Ross.

But it didn’t work well. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁

Ross now feels like he’s been kicked into a deep abyss, completely devoid of motivation.

"What can I say to persuade him?"

Hansen, although he has the system, isn’t a god and can’t change the reality of Ross’s injuries.

Moreover, Ross joined the Cavaliers this season, so Hansen doesn’t have a close relationship with him.

"Derek is very important to us. If we truly can’t convince him, we must plan early."

Malone is realistic. Although Wade performed well against the Pelicans, his decline is inevitable, as is the case with JR, TT, and others, they basically have no trade value in their current state.

In this scenario, a performing Ross is indeed very important to the Cavaliers.

Malone knows it’s a bit difficult for Hansen, but he doesn’t have a better option.

Hansen finally agrees to give it a try.

When meeting Ross, Hansen sees Ross with a full beard, unkempt hair, exuding a complete aura of defeat.

This is entirely different from Ross at the beginning of the season.

But it’s understandable; back then, Ross was full of anticipation for joining a championship-contending team.

But now, injuries have once again ruthlessly pinned him to the ground.

This is why Hansen told Malone that he didn’t know how to persuade because he hasn’t gone through what Ross has experienced, so it’s hard to reach a resonance with Ross.

So what Hansen can think of, and what might rekindle Ross’s fighting spirit, actually only leaves one possibility: what does Ross still lack?

After a simple chat with Ross, Hansen asked that question:

"Derek, I’m not going to urge you to continue your career because I know you might encounter such situations again. Retirement might really be a relief for you, but what I want to say or ask is, have you seriously thought about whether this is the only opportunity in your life to compete for a championship?"