He Xi Meng did not underestimate the seemingly center-less Kings, and also reminded Yao Ming to stay alert!
The Kings' strength was not just in their starting lineup! Their rotational depth was quite outstanding.
Peja Stojaković, Scot Pollard, Bobby Jackson... including Pollard, who was promoted to the starting lineup due to Webber's absence, none of them were easy opponents!
If one had to divide them into strong and weak, He Xi Meng believed that the Kings' rotational lineup was stronger than the Spurs' previous two opponents, the Clippers and the Trail Blazers, and considerably stronger under Adelman's tactical system!
As the core of the Spurs' rotational lineup, Yao Ming would bear no small amount of pressure...
As the referee blew his whistle, the game officially began.
David Robinson won the tip-off, giving the Spurs the opportunity for the opening possession.
He Xi Meng brought the ball up, and Christie retreated, using his long arms to disrupt He Xi Meng's dribbling, forcing He Xi Meng to avoid a head-on advance and instead drive from the side.
"It seems Christie has a deep understanding of He Xi Meng's dribbling habits..."
He Xi Meng had, after all, reached the stage where he was analyzed by the entire league!
This was a testament to He Xi Meng's ultimate strength.
Only the most threatening players received the treatment of being "dissected" by the entire league.
He Xi Meng's current treatment was no different from top scorers like Kobe, Iverson, Carter, and McGrady.
After crossing half-court, He Xi Meng first passed the ball to Ginobili. Facing Bibby, Ginobili actually had a height advantage and could drive to the basket. However, with the game just starting, head coach Popovich's offensive strategy was to focus on Duncan first!
The power forward position was currently the Kings' weak point, as evident to everyone.
The one filling in for Webber at this position was the Kings' reserve center, Scot Pollard!
Pollard was a strong inside player, standing 2.11 meters tall and weighing 126 kilograms. His overall abilities were limited, but he was particularly adept at doing the dirty and hard work.
In Pollard's own words: "I'm not an elegant player. I'm on the court to do the dirty work, set screens, fight for loose balls, and do many things other players are unwilling to do. That's how I make my living..."
Pollard knew he couldn't stop Duncan. What he needed to do was to continuously engage Duncan physically, wear him down! At the same time, he had to try and push Duncan away from the basket, forcing him to shoot from further out...
But Duncan wouldn't be so obedient after receiving the ball! He turned around, exploiting Pollard's slower footwork, used a hesitation dribble, and then drove to the basket with his body angled.
Pollard misjudged the first move and was beaten by Duncan. Before he could even react, his hand was shaken off by Duncan. Just as Duncan was about to easily drive to the basket for a layup, Divac's help defense arrived in time!
Divac had anticipated Duncan's next move when Duncan abandoned the post-up and turned to face the basket. He abandoned David Robinson on the other side and rotated over, directly blocking Duncan's path to the basket!
If Duncan continued to drive without regard, this play could easily result in an offensive foul!
However, Pollard had teammates, and Duncan had teammates too!
Duncan never fought alone!
Just as Divac anticipated Duncan's next offensive action, David Robinson also anticipated Divac's next defensive move!
The chemistry between the Spurs' twin towers no longer required verbal communication. So, at the critical moment when Duncan was about to face trouble, David Robinson appeared in the open space behind Divac and Pollard, allowing Duncan to pass the ball with ease!
After receiving the pass, David Robinson rose up and hit an uncontested shot, helping the Spurs score the first points!
This kind of twin tower coordination was the Spurs' primary scoring method before He Xi Meng arrived, without exception!
However, in the past two seasons, as David Robinson's condition declined, Duncan more often relied on his own isolation plays or drawing double teams to pass to He Xi Meng on the perimeter.
But this did not mean the chemistry or destructive power between the twin towers had disappeared. On the contrary, this once familiar scoring method, when executed live, would be met with loud cheers from Spurs fans for every basket made.
If this play had happened at the Spurs' home court, it would have surely been met with thunderous applause.
Turning around, Bibby held the ball and drove against He Xi Meng.
The Spurs did not switch, and He Xi Meng was not at a disadvantage against Bibby.
Bibby used his skillful dribbling, seemingly trying to break He Xi Meng's ankles, but He Xi Meng didn't fall for it. He was willing to be beaten off the dribble rather than fall for Bibby's feints.
Seeing no opportunity, Bibby quickly passed the ball!
In the Kings, holding onto the ball was the biggest sin. Bibby didn't want to anger head coach Adelman.
The player who received the pass was Peja, who ran over from the wing. Peja faked a shot upon receiving the ball, tapping Bowen. Bowen, caught off guard by Peja's fake, lunged forward, and Peja seized the opportunity to pull the ball back and drive past Bowen's side!
He Xi Meng rotated back immediately, positioning himself in Peja's driving lane. Peja, not greedy for the score, immediately passed the ball back to Bibby, who was beyond the three-point line!
Bibby received the pass and shot, a good opportunity! But unfortunately, Bibby's three-pointer bounced off the rim.
David Robinson secured the defensive rebound and handed it to He Xi Meng.
The Kings retreated very quickly, and He Xi Meng couldn't find an opportunity to push for a fast break. He simply dribbled slowly past half-court and directed his teammates to run a set play.
The ball circulated around the Spurs' perimeter and eventually found its way back into Duncan's hands!
It was Pollard again, and Duncan again faced him. Duncan used a hesitation dribble, feigning a repeat of the previous play, intending to drive to the basket!
Pollard shifted his weight, trying to retreat defensively, but Duncan retracted the ball and pulled up for an immediate jump shot!
Pollard leaped in a hurry, unable to contest it, and could only watch as the ball sailed over his head and landed perfectly in the net!
Duncan also scored two points for the Spurs.
In the opening stages, the twin towers, with their telepathic connection, both attacked simultaneously.
On the sidelines, Adelman stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm. It was as if the twin towers' performance was exactly as he had predicted.
Turning around, the Kings executed a fluid short play. Bibby drove and passed to Divac, who was cutting down the middle. Divac received the ball and drove to the basket. David Robinson attempted to block, and the referee's whistle blew!
David Robinson was called for a reach-in foul, and Divac was awarded two free throws.
This was a duel between two veterans!
But Divac was three years younger than David Robinson, and naturally had more fuel in his tank...