Chapter 839: Chapter 839
Davis called for the ball in the high post, then backed down Stan, turning to attack the basket and drawing a defensive foul from Sabonis.
This season, the Pelicans have performed better both in terms of record and performance than last season, closely linked to Davis’s continual improvement.
Although the nominal leader of the Pelicans is James, everyone knows the one who can truly handle tough situations is the second in command, Davis.
Davis made both free throws.
On the rebound, Hansen’s drive was met with quick defensive help from the Pelicans.
The Pelicans already had the best defense in the League last season, and with Bradley joining this season, they’ve taken it to the next level.
Hansen seized the opportunity and passed the ball to the outside.
The receiver was Mitchell, but the Pelicans’ defensive rotation was very well-organized, so he swiftly turned and passed to Tatum.
James was matched up with Tatum, but after seeing Tatum receive the ball, James didn’t recover quickly.
Nobody understands himself better than his little fan, a player who prioritizes team play just like him, always observing the defense before reacting.
However, just as he thought, Tatum’s choice completely surprised him.
In the instant after receiving the ball, Tatum had already gathered and jumped.
The ball traced a long arc through the air.
With a crisp sound, Tatum’s three-point shot was executed perfectly.
The venue instantly filled with cheers from the fans.
After watching the ball go in, Tatum glanced at his hand.
At the moment he received the ball, his mind was blank.
He acted so decisively because of Hansen’s previous words to him and watching Hansen’s performance up close.
But after making the shot, he understood fully what Hansen meant; determination doesn’t increase player ability, but those with determination are as if aided by a divine power.
Davis continued to receive passes in the high post, but this time, after turning he could not directly attack the basket, as Hansen had helped defensively.
Stopping after being forced to, Davis looked for a teammate.
The Kings’ defensive rotation wasn’t as good as the Pelicans’; James was open on the outside now.
Davis seized the moment and threw the ball over.
But the ball didn’t reach James’s hands; Tatum predicted Davis’s pass, initially running to defend Bradley, but quickly turned back to successfully complete the steal.
With James’s eyes wide open, Tatum tossed the stolen ball over his head.
Mitchell had already sprinted past the three-point line.
Amidst anticipatory cheers from the fans, Mitchell, like a sword unsheathed, sprinted from the backcourt to the frontcourt, performing a powerful gliding dunk.
Though not tall, his impressive wingspan, outstanding jumping ability, and hang time make his dunks visually spectacular.
Even as a rookie last year, he was invited to participate in the League’s dunk contest.
On defense, Mitchell spread his arms wide in celebration, which really frustrated James.
If you count Hansen, but who do you think you are, Mitchell?
Then he turned toward Tatum, blaming his little fan for stealing the ball.
But turning he found Tatum was looking at Hansen. For more chapters visıt 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Hansen was looking at Mitchell as he retreated, giving him a thumbs up.
This was reminiscent of the previous "three spreads," now there were "three gazes."
James was very angry, continuing to back down Tatum for position.
Once he got the ball, he elbowed his way forward.
Since Tatum was so disrespectful, he needed to raise the intensity for his little fan.
But he found once again that things had surpassed his expectations.
Tatum’s defensive intensity was higher than before, with a strong aggressiveness!
Though Tatum is an African-American player, he differs greatly from most; while not exactly "black on the outside, white on the inside" like Battier or Hill, he plays like a "model student" on the court.
Yet this model student now delivered numerous aggressive counter-moves to his childhood idol.
Perhaps Tatum wasn’t aware, but after failing to get Hansen’s attention following the steal, he fell into a "self-justification" mode.
He aimed to show his determination in every play on the court.
James couldn’t evade Tatum while backing down, so he faced the basket directly and shouldered Tatum down during the drive.
The referee’s whistle sounded immediately.
James was called for an offensive foul.
James was very emotional, spreading his arms in protest to the referee.
But the referee simply shook his head.
As times change, now the League is the UA League, and though Tatum is a young player, he is UA affiliated, so biased calls won’t go against him.
As Tatum sat up on the floor and saw the referee’s gesture, he excitedly swung his fist in front of him.
But what excited him more was Hansen coming over to pull him up from the ground.
That was a more direct affirmation than just attention.
Hansen’s ball-handling drive was met with defensive help from the Pelicans again, this time with James moving to defend the basket, leaving Hansen to pass outside to Tatum.
Tatum caught the ball and, unfazed by the rotating Huoledi, made a convincing fake pass to Mitchell, fooling him, then smoothly drove forward, shooting from mid-range at the free-throw line.
The ball once again entered the net cleanly.
Like the impression Tatum gives, he doesn’t have any particular signature move, but he truly can do everything.