The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 619: King of - 21 Section 3

Petrović snapped back to his senses and realized the ball had already flown out of bounds.

The Trail Blazers still had possession, but there were only a few seconds left on the shot clock.

Inbounding the ball from the sideline, Divac executed a beautiful give-and-go with Petrović.

At the high post, Petrović cut to the basket as Divac made a no-look bounce pass inside.

Petrović went up for the layup.

But he didn’t expect that David Robinson would dash over from guarding Divac on the perimeter and block his shot from behind!

Two consecutive blocks disrupted the Trail Blazers’ offense.

Larry-Brown, watching Robinson’s defense, was very pleased.

Having such a pillar inside was truly a blessing.

Normally, with any other player, that move would have just been watched helplessly.

Only Robinson, with his 7-foot-1 frame and incredibly fast speed, could stop such a play with his individual ability.

Petrović was stunned, unaccustomed to such intense defense in Europe.

There was one person on the Trail Blazers who could match that level, but Gan Guoyang usually didn’t play confrontationally during practice.

It was a rule set in his rookie season, which Petrović had always thought unnecessary, but after experiencing David Robinson today, he started to understand why.

After a failed offensive attempt, the Spurs took control and launched a counterattack.

Maxwell dribbled the ball and found Robinson calling for it in the low post.

With Ah Gan absent, Robinson could play mismatched in the post.

He received the ball and backed down Divac, using his explosive power to spin and drive through the lane, drawing a foul from Divac.

Robinson headed to the free-throw line.

The two Yugoslavian prodigies, one on offense and the other on defense, were overwhelmed by David Robinson.

Tonight’s game against the Spurs gave them their first real taste of NBA intensity.

The preseason and the first three games didn’t count, as the opposing teams weren’t strong enough; this game was where they truly clashed head-on.

Robinson made both of his free throws, narrowing the points gap for the Spurs.

Bobby Beelman shook his head slightly at the sideline; Adelman said, "They need to improve their physical condition."

Beelman responded, "Yes, but it will take some time."

Seeing the Yugoslavian duo perform poorly, Beelman didn’t substitute them.

Young players facing setbacks and challenges was inevitable. After all, not everyone was Ah Gan.

Soon after, Petrović passed the ball to Kossie in the corner during an offensive play.

Kossie drove in, drawing the defense and then passed the ball. Petrović, at a 45-degree angle, stepped in and made a mid-range jump shot.

He scored his first points of the game.

Beelman shouted at him, "Maybe you could try a three-pointer!"

Petrović had had the chance for a three-pointer, but he had opted for a safer two-point shot.

On the Spurs’ side, the strategy was clear, "If Ah Gan isn’t here, let Robinson work the low post."

Divac really had no answer to Robinson, so Kossie came over to double-team.

Nevertheless, Robinson used his physicality to force his way to the basket, successfully drawing another foul on Divac.

Beelman knew it was time for Divac to take a break and signaled for Gan Guoyang to re-enter the game.

Gan Guoyang took off his jacket. As Robinson was shooting free throws, he returned to the court and patted Robinson, "I’m back, kid. You won’t get any more easy scores down low."

Robinson missed his second free throw, perhaps distracted by Gan Guoyang’s words, and Gan Guoyang grabbed the defensive rebound.

Petrović remained on the court, pairing up with Dale Curry in the backcourt, with him handling the ball.

Gan Guoyang passed to Petrović, but the Spurs immediately initiated a full-court press.

Protecting the ball, Petrović passed it to Gan Guoyang at mid-court, who daringly threaded a pass right to the basket.

Kossie received the pass and made the layup for 2 points.

The pass was brilliant, bold yet meticulous.

Gan Guoyang and Kossie demonstrated excellent synergy, exploiting the gap left by the Spurs’ aggressive full-court press.

After that pass, the Spurs no longer dared to deploy a full-court press, reverting to normal intense defense.

Robinson, guarded by Gan Guoyang, attempted a three-pointer but missed entirely, and the Trail Blazers regained possession for a counterattack.

Petrović controlled the ball, facing Wingate’s one-on-one full-court pressure.

Wingate was cunning in defense, intentionally using body contact to steer Petrović towards the sideline.

As Petrović just crossed the mid-court, Wingate increased his defensive intensity, trapping Petrović in the corner of the half-court.

In such a situation, losing control of the ball could lead either to stepping out or crossing the line.

Gan Guoyang came to provide support, but Cummings tightly marked him.

Petrović had no choice but to cradle the ball, turn, and jump to pass to Kossie.

Under these circumstances, the team’s tactics were completely disrupted.

The players had to take matters into their own hands, and Kossie drove inside, with Robinson in the three-second zone.

Cummings kept fronting Gan Guoyang while Kossie passed the ball to Curry on the wing.

Curry took the shot but missed, and Robinson secured the rebound.

The Spurs’ defense was quite successful this time, disrupting the rhythm of the Trail Blazers’ play.

On a counterattack, Elliott drew a defensive foul from Petrović on the wing, earning him free throws.

Petrović was visibly frustrated. He had been trying to avoid Elliott, but the referee still called the foul.

He wanted to complain to the referee but didn’t know how to begin. This wasn’t Spain; NBA referees wouldn’t entertain his complaints.

He could only helplessly shake his head and smack his hand, then Beelman substituted him, and Hornacek came back on.