NBA: The Dynasty Crusher (Basketball)

2:4, Spurs on the Attack

The Spurs stuck to their signature twin-tower set, running the high-low post formation with Duncan squaring up against Zhao Dong.

"Last time, we lost the defensive matchup," Zhang Heli said, eyes locked on the court. "Let's see how Zhao Dong handles Duncan this time."

This time, Zhao Dong played him with a top-body defense.

There are three common ways to guard in the post: fronting, side-shading, and top-body defense. Top-body defense is typically used by power forwards or centers with a strong base—it's all about holding position and absorbing contact.

Though Zhao Dong's upper-body strength was only decent, his core and lower-body strength were elite. That's what made top-body defense his go-to in this matchup.

Duncan caught the entry pass cleanly and began backing Zhao Dong down.

The Knicks didn't send help—they left Duncan to go one-on-one.

Bang! Bang!

Duncan gave him two hard dribbles and tried to muscle in. But to his surprise… he didn't move Zhao Dong an inch.

Each time he pushed back, he could feel Zhao Dong's upper body give slightly—but his lower body was locked in, anchored like a tree trunk. It was like trying to push a boulder with wheels on top.

Zhao Dong was using his core to absorb and redirect the force, allowing his upper body to lean back just enough to neutralize Duncan's momentum. Then, just as quickly, he reset his position. It was textbook core control.

On top of that, every time Duncan leaned in, Zhao Dong snuck in a subtle elbow bump—nothing dirty, but enough to throw off Duncan's rhythm.

Still, Duncan didn't rush. He faked a drop step, spun back the other way, and rose for his trademark 45-degree bank shot—protecting the ball with his left and releasing with his right.

But Zhao Dong had seen this move a hundred times. This was Duncan's go-to, and Zhao Dong knew it was coming.

The moment Duncan rose, Zhao Dong timed his jump, stayed in sync—and went for the swat.

"Snap!"

Zhao Dong stuffed it clean.

"What a block! Zhao Dong stones Duncan one-on-one!" Bob shouted, fired up.

The ball popped straight up into the air, right above them. As they landed, Zhao Dong immediately boxed Duncan out, then jumped up and snatched the ball right off his head.

Duncan recovered quickly, cutting off Zhao Dong's fast break and disrupting any quick outlet. The Knicks had to settle into a half-court set.

Chauncey Billups brought the ball up, signaling for the offense to reset.

"The Knicks' first half-court possession—let's see what Zhao Dong does here," Zhang Heli said eagerly.

As the Knicks set up their offense, something caught everyone by surprise.

"Wait… is this… the Spurs' twin-tower set?" Zhang Heli said, stunned.

"Looks like the Knicks are returning the favor with the same playbook," Sun Zhenping added, equally shocked.

On the NBC broadcast, Doug was surprised too.

"Wow, the Knicks are actually mimicking the Spurs' twin-tower tactic," he said. "Zhao Dong's on the left block, Dazhi's at the top of the arc, Fordson's at the right block, with Sprewell and Billups on the wings. This is wild."

The fans courtside were buzzing. But no one looked more confused than Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

He never expected the Knicks to run this set. On paper, they didn't have the height. Dazhi was their only true center, and Zhao Dong was only 6'9" (205 cm). But Pop overlooked a crucial factor—Zhao Dong didn't need the height.

Zhao Dong's low-post footwork, mobility, and basketball IQ gave him all the tools to play like a traditional big. Plus, he had range. Unlike Robinson, Zhao Dong could stretch the floor with a reliable three-point shot and had elite cutting instincts. He was more versatile in the high post than Robinson, though not as physically dominant down low.

It was Coach Don Nelson's idea—a bold adjustment, designed to throw the Spurs off balance.

Zhao Dong set up in the low post against Duncan, who took the challenge personally and played him tight with top-body pressure.

Dazhi, instead of cutting to the rim, stayed at the top. Fordson, on the right block, made the move instead—cutting sharply toward the basket.

It was a smart tweak from Nelson. Dazhi could stretch the defense by holding Robinson at the arc with his shooting threat. If Dazhi cut to the basket, he'd be at a strength disadvantage against Robinson. But by keeping Dazhi outside and sending Fordson—a 255-pound forward—crashing in against the 205-pound Sean Elliott, the Knicks created a clear mismatch.

Bang! Zhao Dong whipped a behind-the-back pass right to the cutting Fordson.

"Boom!"

Fordson bullied Elliott out of the way and hammered down a powerful two-hand dunk.

"Beautiful setup! The Knicks completely split the Spurs' twin towers with that formation," Zhang Heli exclaimed.

"On defense, the Spurs keep Duncan and Robinson close to the basket—one on each side—to cut off drives and protect the rim. That's the power of the twin-tower defense. Even Shaquille O'Neal struggled against it this year," he continued. "But Nelson's using Dazhi to pull Robinson out, leaving Duncan on an island. That cracks the whole scheme."

On the sidelines, Popovich was pacing, fingers tapping his chin. Adjustments were needed—and fast.

Back on offense, the Spurs ditched their high-low approach and switched to twin-post isolation—one on each block. Duncan was hungry for payback after getting stuffed.

Robinson drifted to the weak side, pulling Dazhi with him. It was a setup for Duncan to go one-on-one with Zhao Dong.

But as Dazhi leaned toward Robinson, trying to anticipate a move, Robinson suddenly broke the script.

He slipped backdoor, sprinting toward the rim.

Just then, Duncan—holding the ball with one hand—snapped a no-look lob pass over the top.

Zhao Dong extended his arm to contest the pass—but it was a second too late.

"Bang!"

David Robinson cut hard toward the basket, caught the lob, and slammed it home with a thunderous dunk.

"Man, that's tough to defend. The Spurs' twin towers are lethal when they sync up!" Zhang Heli exclaimed.

"Two elite bigs who can pass, score, protect the rim, and dominate the glass. When they get going together? Almost unstoppable," added Sun Zhenping.

Score: 4–6. Knicks possession.

"Still going with the high-low double tower tactic," Bob chuckled. "Looks like Coach Don Nelson is planning to beat the Spurs with a taste of their own medicine."

Zhao Dong caught the entry pass with one hand. No pump fakes. No hesitation. He pivoted smoothly, dropped his shoulder, and accelerated along the baseline—using his right hand to shield Duncan and keep him from trailing.

Duncan reacted instantly, but his footwork just couldn't keep up with Zhao Dong's first step, especially while being held off by that powerful off-arm.

Zhao Dong slipped into the paint, took one more long stride, then exploded upward.

"Bang!"

The rim shook violently, and the net barely had time to catch the splash.

"Now that is Zhao Dong's low-post game," Zhang Heli said, practically vibrating with excitement. "He's got the footwork and ball control of an elite guard down there. One-on-one? Duncan can't do anything about it."

Sun Zhenping grinned. "He's got the bulk and length to punish defenders up high, and the agility and quickness to torch them down low. Add in his elite footwork and polished scoring package—no wonder Chicago's double-team didn't work too well. If San Antonio doesn't send help, he's gonna feast all night."

Zhang Heli nodded. "Speaking of his ability to get open, I remember Duncan saying during the regular season that the key to slowing Zhao Dong isn't physicality—it's cutting off his space to shake loose.

And honestly, the Bulls did manage to clamp down on him in the East Finals. Remember that defensive setup? They'd trap him above the free throw line—what they called Article 136 of the 'Golden Tyrant Rule.' That cut off his mismatch advantage, and with Jordan and McGrady doubling, they actually did slow him down."

He paused. "Now we'll see how Popovich handles it. Will he try the same strategy and make Zhao Dong work to get free?"

Score: 6–8. Spurs possession.

The Spurs ran their signature low-post action again. Duncan posted up on the left block, while Robinson suddenly cut hard from the opposite low post.

It was a nightmare for Dazhi to cover Robinson solo. Zhao Dong got momentarily distracted by the movement. Seizing the moment, Duncan spun inside and launched a quick bank shot.

Too late to contest.

"Bang!"

Straight off the glass and in.

Score: 8–8. Knicks possession.

New York ran the same setup. Zhao Dong established deep position on the left block, while Fordson made a sharp baseline cut.

Robinson, reading the play, quickly dropped back to protect the rim. He knew Sean Elliott couldn't stay in front of Fordson, and figured Zhao Dong would opt for the high-efficiency look at the basket over a risky pass to Dazhi beyond the arc.

Under normal circumstances, he'd be right. This was still a league where midrange and post play ruled—the three-ball hadn't taken over yet, especially not from a center.

But Zhao Dong read Robinson perfectly—and zipped a crisp pass out to Dazhi at the top of the arc.

Dazhi squared up, calmly released the ball.

"Swish!"

Nothing but net.

Score: 8–11. Spurs ball.

"Damn it!" Robinson barked, glaring back at Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong smirked. "Idiot. Even if Dazhi missed, I was already crashing the paint. You think you and Elliott are beating me and Fordson to a rebound?"

In the next few minutes, both teams traded buckets, with neither defense locking in. It was a high-scoring pace.

By the 9-minute mark, both squads rotated. Knicks led 25–20.

Zhao Dong took a rare rest. Dazhi and Fordson also subbed out. In came Ben and Kevin Willis at the 4 and 5, with Charles Barkley sliding over to small forward. On the perimeter, Hu Weidong and Charlie Ward checked in.

The Spurs kept Duncan on the floor to anchor their bench unit.

"Looking at the rotations, even with Duncan still on, the Knicks' bench is stacked," said Bob.

"Larry Johnson is still on the pine too," Doug added. "Knicks are deep in the frontcourt this year."

Zhao Dong thought their bench group would build on the lead, but the Spurs' second unit had other ideas—especially swingman Jaren Jackson.

Jackson caught fire, draining two threes in three minutes to keep San Antonio in it.

Score at end of Q1: Knicks 31 – Spurs 28

Zhao Dong: 9 minutes, 5–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 12 points

Duncan: 12 minutes, 5–7 FG, 0–1 FT, 10 points

Robinson: 9 minutes, 3–5 FG, 6 points

---

Second Quarter

Both teams opened with their benches again. Duncan sat. Spurs brought in another forward. Zhao Dong subbed back in early, replacing Willis.

This time, New York's second unit—led by Zhao Dong—started to stretch the lead. Even though Jaren Jackson stayed hot and knocked down a few more jumpers, the Spurs couldn't slow Zhao Dong's offensive onslaught.

Duncan returned around the 5-minute mark, followed by Robinson at the 6-minute mark. The game tightened into another back-and-forth duel.

But by halftime, the Knicks still held a solid edge.

Halftime Score: Knicks 59 – Spurs 50

Halftime buzz filled the air as the cameras cut to the commentary team.

Bob leaned forward, analyzing the numbers. "There isn't much of an advantage in the starting lineup battle. The Spurs' twin towers—Duncan and Robinson—combined for 30 points in the first half. Zhao Dong had 24."

He glanced at the stats. "Zhao Dong played 21 minutes, took 12 shots, and made 9—all low-post attacks. And he clearly wasn't going all out."

"Same with Duncan and Robinson," added Doug. "Neither side has unleashed their full strength yet. Zhao Dong didn't even play the whole first half."

Isaiah nodded. "Looks like both teams are pacing themselves for the second half."

"The Knicks' defense couldn't really hold off the Spurs' twin towers," Doug pointed out. "But the Spurs couldn't stop the Knicks either. The Knicks are up by 9 thanks to their second unit."

---

Second Half – Tip-Off

Fifteen minutes later, the third quarter tipped off.

The Spurs brought in the red-hot Jaren Jackson, who stayed on the floor in place of Mario Elie. The Knicks returned to the floor with their starting five.

"The Knicks have more depth and flexibility off the bench," said Bob. "Their role players are high quality, and the starters got plenty of rest. The Spurs rotated more cautiously, but both sides managed to keep their core guys fresh."

"This half is going to be a war in the paint," Doug added. "That's where both teams are most efficient."

---

Opening Possession – Knicks Ball

The Knicks got to work immediately.

Dazhi, playing at the top of the arc, stretched the floor into a high turret formation.

"Robinson has to come up to contest him," Zhang Heli explained. "Nobody else on the Spurs has the length to guard that shot, so Robinson gets pulled away from the rim. Coach Nelson's usage of Dazhi is textbook."

Suddenly, Zhang Heli sat up. "Wait—Zhao Dong's pulling two steps outside the paint?"

On the court, Zhao Dong drifted just outside the painted area. Duncan had no choice but to follow him.

Dazhi zipped a pass down to Zhao Dong, who caught it facing the basket. With a quick jab step, he sold Duncan a fake, then exploded baseline.

Robinson, still tied up at the top, couldn't rotate in time.

Small forward Sean Elliott was too undersized. He tried to fight through Fordson's screen but got stonewalled at the elbow.

And even if he made it? He wasn't risking his body in front of Zhao Dong at full speed.

"BOOM!"

Zhao Dong took flight from the side of the paint and soared nearly three meters, slamming home a violent one-handed dunk. The backboard shook as the Madison Square Garden crowd erupted.

"Zhao Dong just baptized the rim!" roared Bob. "He blew by Duncan and nobody on the Spurs could stop him!"

Isaiah followed up. "This is Zhao Dong's most dangerous weapon—facing up and attacking downhill with power and speed. That's unguardable."

"Exactly," Doug added. "When Robinson gets dragged out by Dazhi, Duncan has to stay with Zhao Dong. That leaves the paint wide open. And Elliott can't help—not with Fordson bodying him up like that."

"Fordson is a physical monster," Bob said. "Strong, explosive, and agile. That's why he's such a dominant rebounder. People criticized the Knicks for trading McGrady instead of Fordson. Some even blamed Ernie Grunfeld. But Fordson's interior presence and rebounding are irreplaceable."

---

Spurs Counter

The Spurs responded with their signature twin-tower action.

Duncan backed down Zhao Dong in the post. Suddenly, Jaren Jackson cut baseline from the left wing. Duncan faked a pass, baiting Zhao Dong into a glance, then spun and slipped underneath.

Zhao Dong couldn't recover in time. Duncan elevated and hammered home a one-handed dunk.

The Knicks' rotation from the weak side came too late.

"Perfect execution," Zhang Heli sighed. "That's tough to guard."

---

Knicks Retaliate – Tactical Execution

Back on offense, Zhao Dong stepped outside again, pulling Duncan with him.

Dazhi swung the ball from up top. This time, Zhao Dong didn't attack right away—he scanned the floor.

On the weak side, Fordson had already sealed Elliott under the rim. Dazhi shifted toward the right wing, drawing Robinson's attention.

Robinson hesitated, unsure whether to rotate or stay put. In that split second, Zhao Dong fired a laser bounce pass into the paint.

"BOOM!"

Fordson caught the ball clean with one hand and detonated a one-handed slam over Sean Elliott.

"Haha! That was nasty!" Zhang Heli shouted.

"That's just abuse," he continued. "Zhao Dong pulls both towers out of the paint, and Fordson muscles Elliott down low. With that strength and footwork, it's not even fair."

Sun Zhenping chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs sub in a stronger forward soon. Elliott can't handle Fordson in the post."

"Yeah, this won't work forever," Zhang agreed. "Fordson isn't a dominant scorer, so eventually the Spurs will adjust. But for now? The Knicks are milking it perfectly."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters

Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03

Change (â) to (a)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Discord Link Here:

https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9