With the pre-game episode involving Ray Allen, Qin Yue and the team officially welcomed their first home game after five consecutive away games.
Looking at the main framework, the Supersonic still seem like the Supersonic.
But in the first offensive possession after the tip-off, all the Warriors players except Qin Yue clearly felt the change in this Supersonic team.
Last season, under the command of head coach Nate McMillan, the Supersonic's average points allowed per game was around 97.
Their comprehensive offense and defense were impressive at the time.
But this new season, the person wielding the coaching baton is Bob Weiss, who has been away from the NBA for as long as twelve years...
The Supersonic's average points allowed in their first eight games reached a staggering 106.5 points.
How should one describe the defense report card that the Supersonic handed in?
Simply put, compared to them, the always-no-defense Suns even seem defensively stronger.
Coach Viss hails from an era in the 1980s where everyone focused on offense, and whoever focused on defense was looked down upon.
Therefore, the word defense simply doesn't exist in Viss's basketball philosophy.
Historically, there have been many rumors about the Supersonic recruiting Viss in the 05/06 season.
However, one of them has been widely recognized.
That is, the Supersonic hoped to attract more fans by adopting the run-and-gun style like the Suns.
Phoenix's rise envied many.
Seattle needed offensive basketball to win more fan support.
But more importantly, soon a group of investors from Oklahoma would complete their acquisition of the Supersonic.
In Qin Yue's memory, some say the switch to offensive basketball was in hopes of fetching a better price in the future.
Others say this failed reform was the final nail in the coffin for the Supersonic's owner's disheartenment.
In any case, regardless of who was right or wrong, the team was about to undergo a change in flag, the original Supersonic players were unaccustomed to the new coach's system, and team morale was gradually declining...
Accompanied by a series of chain reactions...
The Supersonic are no longer the Supersonic of last season.
Qin Yue could not personally feel the specific changes in this Supersonic team.
But his teammates who had faced off against the Supersonic last season could.
Especially the Warriors veterans on the team.
Because at this moment...
The feeling that the Supersonic gave was precisely that of their former selves.
On the court, using a pistol strategy, Richardson easily got an open shot from the perimeter under Qin Yue's screen.
Pre-game, Ray Allen, who was treated to a cutthroat gesture from Qin Yue, failed to bypass the high wall Qin Yue presented.
And, the surprising thing is...
At that moment, not even a single Supersonic player had the thought of stepping up to interrupt Richardson.
Swish—!
Though physically explosive... it must be emphasized that Mr. Jason Richardson has always been an excellent three-point shooter.
Especially after concluding his rookie contract with the Warriors, Richardson consistently maintained about a forty percent three-point shooting percentage during his career peak, with substantial output.
This shot, Richardson made with flair, but right after scoring, he immediately patted Qin Yue on the back.
Not knowing how to praise, Richardson, after catching Qin Yue's attention, said: "You made that shot as easy as going to the bathroom in the morning."
At that moment, Ray Allen happened to pass by and after hearing Richardson's comment, his expression could only be described as extremely wonderful.
Because if Richardson just managed to relieve himself of his first morning pee...
Then what does that make Ray Allen?
Going back, Supersonic on offense.
This season, under Viss's command, perhaps the only comfort for the Supersonic is that Ray Allen and Lewis have both improved their individual stats.
But compared to the Suns' ferocious offense relying on Nash's threading passes and the athletic gifts provided by Stoudemire and Marion...
The biggest problem with Supersonic's switch to run-and-gun is...
Throughout his professional career, their point guard Luke Ridnour never excels in speed.
As a future Thunder legend, Nick Collison also cannot offer sufficient intimidation in a run-and-gun strategy like Stoudemire.
As for the Supersonic's new "reluctant shooter," their newly drafted starting center Johan Petro?
Unfortunately, as a center who struggles to even catch and make easy baskets in the NBA, with a career finishing rate at the rim of only 58.1% and a true shooting percentage of merely 48.4%...
Petro's biggest role on the court is to assist the opposing defenders in double-teaming Ray Allen.
At this moment, Qin Yue couldn't understand...
Where did this Supersonic team find the confidence to play run-and-gun?
In fact, during Ridnour's strenuous push through half-court just now, the Warriors had long completed their defensive retreat.
Then, transitioning to a half-court set, because only Collison had some finishing capability after screens, Qin Yue assigned him to Brown and led his teammates to proactively expand their defensive area.
At this moment, as Warriors fans at Oracle Arena chanted "Defense, Defense"...
Ridnour had no choice but to quickly pass the responsibility to Ray Allen.
Although Ray Allen's three-pointer is well-known, it must be stated that Mr. Ray Allen is not just a three-point shooter.
The combination of penetrating and shooting was also Ray Allen's signature during this period.
During dribble drives, Ray Allen could punish his opponents anytime with a shot.
And with his soft touch, once Ray Allen broke into the basket, he had a commendable finishing rate relative to outside players.
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