Chapter 54: Dream Shake

Amidst the anticipation of Chinese basketball fans, Game 5 between the Spurs and the Suns began.

Li Pei even made a promise to the Yan Shang basketball team that if the Suns won this game, he would treat the whole team to beer and barbecue that night.

Of course, similar bets were happening in many small fan groups.

Everyone was placing bets with their friends on the outcome of the Spurs vs. Suns game, with the loser having to treat the winner to a meal.

Not everyone was betting on the Suns to win. Some were betting on the Suns to lose, similar to the mentality of buying a lottery ticket for the Chinese national football team to lose.

For example, those betting on the Suns to lose...

If the Suns won, they would be happy to treat everyone to a meal. If the Suns lost, they would be unhappy, but at least they would get a free meal.

Of course, the probability of the Suns beating the Spurs was much higher than that of the Chinese national football team winning.

...

Flying to San Antonio.

Coach Gentry was full of confidence. He even felt like blaming Wade Dong for not telling him earlier that he could play power forward, which would have saved him a lot of worry in every game.

But Coach Gentry knew that without Wade Dong's elevator door tactic, the Suns would have had a tough time against the Spurs and might already be down 1-3.

Wade Dong's decision to change his role in the fifth game was the right move, and it would surely catch the Spurs off guard.

Hill also marveled at how he had never encountered a player as versatile as Wade Dong, who excelled in every position. A two-way guard, a swingman, and now a power forward. If Wade Dong were a few inches taller, he could be one of the league's top centers.

Initially agreeing to come off the bench, Iverson was now back in the starting lineup, and he was grateful to Wade Dong.

Winning a championship as a reserve would have left him with some regrets.

...

Ten minutes before tip-off, the starting lineups were displayed on the big screen.

Suns: Nash, Iverson, Hill, Wade Dong, Gortat

Spurs: Parker, Green, Leonard, Jeffersen, Duncan

In the Chinese broadcast booth.

Yu Jia, "The Suns have made a change to their starting lineup. Oh my, Wade Dong is playing the power forward position?"

Zhang Coach, "This is a bit unexpected. Actually, Wade Dong has proven he can play the power forward position, but moving him to the four spot seems like a waste of his scoring ability. Plus, this makes the Suns' average height less than two meters, which is too short."

Yu Jia, "Coach Gentry has some tricks up his sleeve, but I don't understand this move."

Zhang Coach, "There might be Wade Dong's influence in this. Let's watch the game first. As always, Wade Dong brings us surprises."

Yu Jia, "Coach Zhang, you've become a 'Dong fan' too?"

Zhang Coach, "You have to admit, Wade Dong is just too strong!"

...

Popovich was also surprised when he saw the Suns' starting lineup.

His pre-game tactical plan had failed again. Known as the old fox, he always struggled to predict the Suns' strategy, mainly because of Wade Dong's unpredictability.

As the game started, Popovich shouted from the sideline, "Stick to the original plan!"

Gortat tipped the ball to Nash.

Now, the Suns had Nash and Iverson as their backcourt duo, two legendary guards from the same draft class, appearing together on the court for the first time in this manner.

According to the Spurs' original plan, Leonard was still defending Wade Dong.

But now, Wade Dong was in the low post. If Leonard continued to defend Wade Dong, Jeffersen would have to guard Iverson, which would be a mismatch. If Jeffersen tried to guard Iverson one-on-one, Iverson could easily break his ankles.

Even following the pre-game plan, adjustments were needed on defense!

Jeffersen guarded Wade Dong, while Leonard defended Iverson.

Nash dribbled the ball and immediately passed it to Wade Dong. Wade Dong backed down Jeffersen and used the Dream Shake, instantly losing Jeffersen.

"Slam!"

Wade Dong jumped up and dunked the ball!

...

"Great move!"

Yu Jia shouted in the broadcast booth, "Wade Dong started the game with Olajuwon's Dream Shake. This move is rarely seen executed so smoothly in the league."

...

"Wade Dong has this move too?"

Popovich was stunned.

It was the Spurs' turn to attack. Parker passed the ball to Duncan in the low post.

Duncan faced Gortat, faked a few moves, and went for a jump shot!

But just as the ball was about to reach its highest point, Wade Dong swooped in from the side and swatted the ball away!

...

"Volleyball block!"

Yu Jia excitedly said, "The great Tim Duncan becomes the background again. Wade Dong's block reminds me of one of the top centers of the last century, Olajuwon!"

Zhang Coach, "Wade Dong's speed and explosive jumping ability, along with his wingspan, compensate for his height disadvantage, making him very effective in defending the paint."

Yu Jia, "It seems Coach Gentry had planned for Wade Dong to play the power forward position."

Zhang Coach, "The Spurs need to adjust their tactics, or they will be at a significant disadvantage."

...

Indeed, Wade Dong playing the power forward position caught the Spurs off guard.

Additionally, the Suns had Nash and Iverson, two legendary guards, on the perimeter.

Many people overlook Iverson's defense due to his height, but Iverson has won multiple steals titles. His defense is not weak, and he won't let the Spurs' backcourt of Green and Parker score easily. As for Leonard, he often faces Hill's defense.

The veteran Hill's defense against the relatively inexperienced Leonard is quite effective.

Similar to the previous game, after three minutes of play, Popovich called the first timeout. He needed to adjust his tactics. Unlike the previous game, where the timeout was called due to Wade Dong and Nash's hot three-point shooting, this timeout was due to the Suns' sudden lineup change, which disrupted the Spurs' rhythm.

Popovich held the tactical board, explaining the new strategy, "We can't let the Suns dictate the pace. With Wade Dong at the power forward position, our perimeter defense has less pressure, so we need to focus on opening up the perimeter first..."

"Blah blah blah blah blah..."

Popovich finished explaining the tactics and encouraged the players not to lose heart, as the first quarter had just started.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The home crowd cheered for the Spurs.