Chapter 1 The Start

The game had only been going for a little over a minute, but the fans in the arena already knew what Tang Tian’s secret weapon was that he had mentioned before the game.

Jokic's low-post offense was giving Green a lot of trouble these past two possessions!

The Warriors' offense still didn't have many good opportunities. Seeing that the shot clock was halfway down, Curry circled to the outside to receive the ball, changing from an off-ball to an on-ball role.

He looked for Green to set a pick-and-roll after possessing the ball.

His three-point threat was too great, and the Pelicans had to switch. After the switch, Curry had a mismatch opportunity against Jokic.

With consecutive changes of direction, Jokic’s physicality was there, but his footwork still couldn't keep up.

But it wasn’t his fault. There weren't many big men in the league who could switch onto Curry these days.

Curry seized the opportunity to change direction and accelerate past Jokic. Davis rotated to help, and Curry directly passed the ball to Barnes in transition.

The latter hit a three-pointer from the corner.

Curry's form and ability this season were at his personal peak. It wasn't just his three-pointers; his breakthroughs and passing were also S-grade.

If two of the three, penetration, shooting, and passing, reached the top level, a player could become an Anthony-level player. If all three were top-notch, they would be absolutely historic.

Van Gundy was right before the game, Curry and Tang Tian were now players of the same caliber.

Holiday continued to pass the ball to Jokic in the frontcourt.

Jokic continued to post up, and this time Green didn't refuse his teammate's request for a double team. Iguodala quickly rotated inside to help.

Moreover, the Warriors' rotation was also activated immediately. The advantage of their small-ball lineup on the defensive end was not only that they could switch everything, but also the speed of their defensive rotation.

Iguodala's double team was in place, and Ariza, who was open a second ago, was covered by Curry.

"Most people only see the Warriors' offense, but their defense this season is also in the top five in the league," Miller analyzed at this time.

"That's thanks to Ron." Van Gundy said.

He was referring to Ron Adams, the lead assistant coach sitting next to Kerr.

This assistant coach, who had been coaching in the NBA for 25 years, was very good at adjusting the team's defense, and had a great reputation in NBA coaching circles.

Although other shortcomings prevented him from becoming a head coach, he still earned Van Gundy's respect.

The Warriors' defense in front of them was the best proof.

However, before Van Gundy could finish speaking, a figure suddenly cut into the inside.

It was Tang Tian!

In the first two years after Tang Tian arrived in New Orleans, he spent most of his time playing on the ball.

But after Stevens came, he added a lot of off-ball tactics for Tang Tian.

The purpose of this was very simple, to weaken the opposing players’ targeted defense against Tang Tian.

Tang Tian had no difficulty changing this. He was a coach in his previous life, not to mention he played off-ball for those two years in San Antonio.

This cut was textbook level.

Jokic's reaction was also quick enough. He flicked his right hand, and the ball flew directly into Tang Tian's hands.

Tang Tian caught the ball, leaped up, and slammed the ball into the basket with one arm.

"Boom!"

With a muffled sound, the ball was heavily slammed into the hoop.

Cheers erupted in the arena.

The Pelicans not only scored on their first three possessions, but this time it was a direct dunk!

Kerr frowned slightly, turned his head, and communicated with Adams and Gentry beside him.

Jokic's improvement in low-post offense was unexpectedly great. Coupled with the passing he already had, his threat to the Warriors on the offensive end suddenly became greater than Davis.

The Warriors' offense was stopped, and Holiday passed the ball to Jokic in the frontcourt again.

The two teams had a postseason grudge from last season, and the Pelicans were really targeting the Warriors' small-ball lineup and going all out.

This time Barnes rotated inside to help, and Davis also cut inside.

Jokic turned around and made another direct pass to Davis.

Davis saw Barnes turn around and didn't hold back, jumping up and slamming the ball into the basket over him.

8 to 3!

After scoring twice in a row, Jokic had now delivered two consecutive assists!

The Serbian Golden Right Hand, well-deserved!

The cheers in the arena continued. The Pelicans swept away the haze of last season's playoffs and suppressed the Warriors from the start!

These first few possessions also became a microcosm of the first quarter.

Kerr was very insistent, and a little stubborn. He saw that Green was at a disadvantage against Jokic, but he didn't change to a small-ball lineup.

The two sides started to rotate around the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, and Bogut was then substituted into the game.

At this time, the score on the court was 27 to 17, and the Pelicans' lead had reached double digits.

At the current stage of the two teams' benches, Speights and Barbosa were in good form for the Warriors, while Bojan and Morrow also had good touch for the Pelicans.

The two sides returned to the second quarter and played evenly.

When both sides' starters returned, everyone saw Kerr's stubbornness. He still put up a small-ball lineup to play against the Pelicans.

But Green was also ashamed and then courageous. In the first possession after coming up, he defended Jokic's strong attack.

Moreover, in the next possession of the Warriors' offense, Green caught Curry's sudden pass and hit a three-pointer from the arc, helping the Warriors reduce the point difference to single digits.

The Warriors' strength this season, in addition to the Splash Brothers, Curry and Thompson, Green's performance on the outside was also key.

His 38% three-point shooting percentage so far ranks among the best among big men, and is an absolutely top-notch performance.

Green roared with his chest pounding after the goal, looking very excited.

Jokic made him very upset in the first quarter, and now it was his time.

Holiday dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and didn't pass the ball to Jokic again, but gave it to Tang Tian.

After Tang Tian possessed the ball, he continued to signal Jokic to post up.

Kerr insisted on using a small-ball lineup. It was his stubbornness in coaching habits, and also his trust in Green.

Tang Tian's actions now were a trust in Jokic.

Jokic posted up Green, and Barnes wanted to help defend but was called back by Green.

The previous offense and defense made his confidence come back again, and he wanted to live up to Kerr's trust in him.

"Come on! Come on!"

He continued to shout at Jokic, also using this method to increase his momentum.

"Bang! Bang!"

The direct collision of the two people's muscles could be heard up close by the audience in the front row.

In the end, Jokic was better. After all, he had the advantage in height and weight, and Green was pushed out of position.

Jokic suddenly turned around, and Green didn't have time to pounce on him immediately.

After Jokic turned around, he exerted force, jumped up, and dunked heavily with both hands.

It was too late for Green to pounce on him again.

"Boom!"

Jokic slammed the ball heavily into the basket over Green.

The arena instantly exploded.

It was a poster dunk!

Jokic could not only play with technique, but also with violence!

Green was pushed out of the court by Jokic's big size. He spread his hands and looked at the referee, seemingly wanting a foul.

But he really couldn't find any foul in this ball just now, and the referee ignored him.

Last season, Tang Tian gave Jokic the nickname "joker."

But Green now, combined with what he said during the defense and his previous performance, looked more like a real clown.