Chapter 1200: Chapter 380: Roger Speaks Many Languages
After saying this, Mike Breen shook his head.
The Magic and General Zhang may be numerous, but they are mostly limited to the United States.
Roger? His girlfriends are enough to host a small United Nations meeting.
On the court, Roger unexpectedly passed the ball to Diaw after crossing half-court.
Everyone was stunned. Roger actually gave the ball to that seemingly drunk Frenchman to control?
Diaw took the ball and waved for Stoudemire to come out for a pick-and-roll.
He wanted to attack with the ball!
Kevin Garnett was baffled by this unorthodox strategy; he couldn’t focus on defending the pick-and-roll because he kept an eye on Roger’s off-ball movement. As for Diaw, Garnett wasn’t very concerned.
A 203 cm forward playing pick-and-roll with the ball?
Very few forwards prefer this approach; after all, compared to guards, forwards have an inherent disadvantage in ball-handling.
Even the technically skilled Carmelo Anthony wouldn’t attack with the ball for long. Among all forwards who enjoy pick-and-rolls, Garnett could only think of LeBron, who’s dribbling is awkward but who loves doing it. Of course, LeBron had no choice but to attack with the ball because the Cavaliers had no other ball-handler and because his off-ball play was even uglier.
Diaw broke through using the screen, Garnett switched defensively, blocked, but his attention was all on Stoudemire and Roger.
He bet that the Frenchman would pass the ball, as mentioned in the pre-game scouting report, this guy had some talent in passing. Just block him a little, and he would definitely pass the ball.
However, as Diaw approached Garnett, he turned smoothly and quickly, like a guard, gliding past KG, whose attention was on Stoudemire and Roger.
After entering the inside, facing Yao Ming’s block, Boris Diaw still didn’t pass but completed a graceful and smooth layup.
Everyone’s jaw was dropped by Boris Diaw, his breakthrough was entirely like that of a guard, his ball-handling skills shouldn’t belong to a forward!
After scoring, Boris Diaw didn’t celebrate but immediately ran back, remembering the Warriors’ fast transition strategy.
Maybe this guy is free-spirited off the court, but once on the court, he surely earns his salary.
A round later, Wade broke through Tayshaun Prince with a mid-range pull-up jump shot that missed, Stoudemire grabbed the rebound.
After securing the rebound, he didn’t give the ball to Roger but passed it again to the Frenchman.
Lenny Wilkens swallowed hard; everyone thought he was here to play the second position, to strengthen defense.
But the Warriors were using him as a point guard, having him come on for the offense!
"Erik is crazy!" Wilkens frowned, a point guard over 200 cm? Did he think the Frenchman was a magician?
Nonetheless, Diaw made a magician-like pass in this round.
After receiving the ball from Stoudemire, Diaw quickly pushed forward, but Wade hovered near the midfield line ready to force the Frenchman to slow down and use pressure defense to force him into a mistake.
Forwards are most prone to dribbling mistakes when facing pressure defense.
Diaw was unfazed by the fierce Wade, and during the dribble smoothly wrapped the ball behind his back, bouncing it low to the ground.
Behind-the-back dribble?
No, Diaw unexpectedly made a behind-the-back pass. The spinning basketball precisely changed angle after hitting the floor, flying accurately into Roger’s hands, who ran to the three-point line. This pass was so sudden that the New York Knicks didn’t react, giving Roger his first open three-point opportunity of the game beyond evading Garnett on one play!
Finally, the Warriors found a second ball-handler, allowing Roger to switch between off-ball and ball-handling, securing more opportunities!
"Swish!"
With the three-pointer made, the score was tied again, and this promised to be a close game.
Diaw still didn’t celebrate, even as everyone cheered for his remarkable pass, he calmly retreated for defense.
After all, these plays were just routine for him.
After scoring, Roger pointed at Diaw, "Bien fait!"
This is French for "Well done."
Diaw was a bit surprised, he turned to ask Stoudemire next to him, "I never knew Roger could speak French."
Stoudemire laughed, "Roger speaks many languages, I believe many women have told him ’well done’ in their native languages."
Lenny Wilkens felt nothing but irritation.
The New York Knicks would not be easily defeated, and neither would Roger’s team.
Tonight’s game was destined to be decided in the most brutal way.
(Offering 6300 words, taking time off in the afternoon, will resume ten thousand words tomorrow)