Parker raised his hand, signaling the Spurs to run their core offensive set for the new season: the Hammer play.

This wasn't just any hammer; it was Popovich's serious new strategy.

Its core idea was to attract defensive attention through ball-handling penetration, creating open three-point opportunities on the weak side through off-ball screens.

This was something the old man had developed after Duncan's dominance declined.

The play had three variations: Ai Hammer, td.step Hammer, and zip Hammer.

Parker's hand signal at this moment indicated Ai Hammer.

Bonner moved to the right high post to screen for Tang Tian. Tang Tian used the screen to cut left towards the basket, and after cutting to the left side of the free throw line, he set a screen for Leonard. Leonard used the screen to run to the right three-point line, and Parker passed the ball with a flick of the wrist.

This play heavily relied on the teammates' understanding and the effectiveness of the pick-and-roll. If it were Finley or Bowen from earlier times, this would already be a great three-point opportunity.

However, with the current players on the court, Bonner's screen wasn't great, and Leonard's movement was a bit slow, leading to Maxiel from the Pistons coming over to help defend.

NBA games are different from NCAA games; opportunities are fleeting.

But the Ai Hammer play wasn't completely over yet. Seeing no opportunity, Leonard directly chose to drive inside against Maxiel.

Leonard didn't have a wide array of offensive moves, but his long arms and big hands made this drive quite effective.

Maxiel couldn't keep up, and Leonard drove towards the basket, with Monroe collapsing inside. The entire Pistons' defense was focused on him.

At that moment, on the weak side, Splitter quietly set a screen for Tang Tian at the high post, and Tang Tian moved to the left corner.

Leonard, seeing no opportunity at the basket, quickly passed the ball to Tang Tian in the corner.

Monroe had gone inside, and Prince was blocked by Monroe, giving Tang Tian a wide-open look in the corner.

Only then was the Ai Hammer play truly completed, with Tang Tian getting his opportunity as the secondary scoring option.

He aimed at the basket and shot quickly before Monroe could pounce.

"Swish!"

The three-pointer went in cleanly.

The crowd erupted in whistles, and the fans holding up Godfather signs were especially excited.

Tang Tian had played well in the last game, but he hadn't gotten much playing time. Now, starting, he made a three-pointer right away, how could they not be excited!

On the Pistons' offense, Stuckey continued to attack aggressively, but Splitter collapsed into the paint early this time, successfully contesting his shot.

Stuckey's shot bounced off the rim, and Splitter grabbed the defensive rebound.

After securing the ball, he passed it to Parker, and unconsciously glanced at Tang Tian. The rookie's suggestion had worked immediately, and he felt a little impressed.

Parker didn't have a fast break opportunity, and signaled for another play at the front court.

But this time, his hand signal was different from before.

Running the same play twice would definitely be targeted by the opponent. Varying the plays was the only way to truly keep the opponent guessing.

Parker's signal at this moment was for the second Hammer play: td.step Hammer.

Leonard and Tang Tian positioned themselves on the left and right three-point lines, with Parker handling the ball.

Splitter then accelerated towards the basket, and Bonner helped screen Monroe as he ran outside, making it look like a center diving to the basket.

At the same time, Parker passed the ball to Leonard on the left three-point line.

Maxiel was unlucky enough to switch onto Leonard again.

And this time, Leonard drove after receiving the ball, forcing Maxiel to chase from behind.

The Pistons' defense was once again forced to collapse inward.

At that moment, Splitter quietly moved to the right side and set an off-ball screen for Tang Tian just inside the three-point line, blocking Prince once again.

A similar scene unfolded again, but this time Tang Tian was in the right corner instead of the left corner.

Leonard passed the ball again after driving.

Tang Tian caught the ball.

This time Monroe was alert and pounced out.

Seeing this, Tang Tian didn't rush, waited for Monroe to pounce, then pulled the ball back, dribbled to the side, and shot.

Monroe was big, and couldn't stop in time, he could only turn his head and watch Tang Tian shoot.

The eyes of the fans in the stadium widened.

Would it go in again?

"Swish!"

They were answered with another crisp sound!

Tang Tian had made both of his three-point attempts to start the game!

The Spurs were leading 6-2!

The crowd went wild, and the fans holding up Godfather signs all stood up and started waving.

They were so right to come to the game today!

Just those two beautiful three-pointers to start the game were worth the price of admission!

Popovich nodded in satisfaction.

In the Hammer play, the small forward was the first scoring option, and the shooting guard was the second. Leonard was still a bit lacking, but Tang Tian's ability to seize opportunities was really good. He didn't seem that much worse than Green, the starter, in this game.

On the Pistons' offense, Stuckey continued to attack aggressively, but Leonard helped defend this time, blocking his shot directly.

Monroe and Singler couldn't help but frown slightly. What happened to our revenge? Why are you doing your own thing?

Parker wasn't in a hurry to start a fast break after getting the ball. The success of the consecutive plays made him realize that the Pistons' defense wasn't very good. Playing a half-court game was more advantageous for the Spurs.

Parker advanced to the front court and raised his hand, signaling for the third Hammer play: zip Hammer.

This was the most complex play in the Hammer series.

Leonard and Tang Tian were still positioned outside the left and right three-point lines, but unlike the previous two Hammer plays, this time Tang Tian first used Splitter's screen to cut from the right corner to the top of the arc, receiving Parker's pass.

At the same time, Leonard had cut from the left side into the basket to pressure the Pistons' defense.

Parker then used Bonner's screen to get to the left three-point line, and Tang Tian flicked the ball back to him.

After catching the ball, Parker quickly drove towards the basket from the left side.

As he drove, Splitter set an off-ball screen for Leonard on the baseline, giving Leonard an open look in the right corner.

By this point, the Pistons' players on the court were completely confused.

Fortunately, Prince, the veteran, was there, and he quickly helped defend the corner.

Parker, seeing no opportunity at the basket and Leonard's opportunity being contested by Prince, tossed the ball out to the top of the key.

Leonard's drive and his position in the corner had attracted all of the Pistons' defensive attention, and Tang Tian was left completely unguarded at the top of the key.

Tang Tian caught the ball with another wide-open opportunity.

Singler, seeing this, lunged out to help defend, but it was too late.

"Swish!"

Tang Tian's third open three-point attempt went in!

He was 3 for 3, accounting for all of the Spurs' first 9 points!

"Who? Who else?!"

"That's the way! Shoot them down!"

"I really love you! I want to have your babies!"

The fans in the stadium were going crazy. This was simply a sharpshooter!

"Gregg, he's the perfect rookie for us," Budenholzer couldn't help but turn to Popovich and say.