Gentry was well-versed in military strategy and understood the principle of tactically despising the enemy while strategically respecting them.

In this alliance...

Underestimating anyone can have consequences.

Since returning from China, Gentry has served as head coach of three teams, each of which boasted the best record in the league, thanks to his thorough understanding of military strategy and his dedication to defending the country.

......

Arenas scored another goal, and Wei Guo didn't plan to play.

There was still a gap in strength between the Wizards and the Suns, and the Wizards were unable to catch up until the end of the first quarter.

33:21!!

The Wizards are down by 12 points.

Arenas scored 6 points on 3-of-11 shooting in the first quarter, 44 points short of his 50-point goal.

As the players returned to the sidelines, the Wizards' head coach, his face dark, demanded, "Gilbert, why aren't you following the play?"

I think...

Arenas said, "I can make those shots, I'm just bad at dribbling."

"Remember, you're a point guard. You should pass the ball to the best shot taker, not take up too many shot attempts!"

"Iverson was also a point guard, and he averaged 30 points per game!"

"Don't use Iverson as an example. You need to admit your mistakes... If you're going to keep shooting like that, get back to the bench!"

Arenas has improved every year, from averaging 10 points per game in his rookie season to averaging 25 points per game this season, which shows Arenas's hard work. However, this is not an excuse for him not to follow the tactics, and he is certainly not above the head coach. But when he acts impulsively and recklessly, the head coach should still criticize and educate him.

Arenas was downcast after being criticized.

The head coach softened. "Gilbert, you can't win games by acting impulsively. You just said you had to win this game, so let's all work together, okay?"

"I understand, Coach."

Arenas nodded. "I'll play well."

......

The break time is over, and the second quarter begins.

Both sides fielded many substitute players.

Richardson received a pass from Barbosa, but his three-point shot missed. Kwame Brown grabbed the defensive rebound and dribbled the ball across the frontcourt by himself.

This is a good opportunity...

Barbosa circled around from the side, trying to intercept the ball.

Kwame dribbled behind his back to avoid Barbosa's small hand, immediately raised the ball above his head, and Hughes came over to receive the pass, pushing forward with both hands and shooting a three-pointer.

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball pierced the rim.

Then...

The Suns' pass was intercepted by Hughes, who then launched a fast break and scored a layup.

33:26!!

The Wizards scored five straight points.

D'Antoni wanted to bring in the starters, but Gentry stopped him, saying, "Let them play a little longer; this is a good time to train them!"

The playoffs are about to begin.

Coaches like Gentry, who frequently lead teams to the Finals, are the most experienced. A season is divided into three stages: the regular season, the playoffs, and the Finals.

The regular season and the playoffs are not the same level of intensity, and the playoffs and the finals are not the same level of intensity. It's too difficult to win the championship with just five main players... Every player has to perform to their full potential to win the championship!

Moreover...

The Suns have another formidable opponent this year: the Heat!

Once, while drinking with Wei Guo, Gentry and Wei Guo talked about the two years they won the championship. Whether with the Rockets or the Nets, their strongest playoff opponent was not in the Finals. The Rockets swept the Nets in the Finals that year, but they lost a few games in the playoffs. The Nets also swept the Lakers in the Finals that year. Their strongest playoff opponent that year was the Pistons.

This year is different!

If they meet the Heat in this year's Finals, it will be the biggest challenge Gentry and Weiguo have ever faced!

Hughes scored five points in a row!

The Wizards pressed their advantage, bringing on Arenas and Jamison as well.

Joe Johnson was one-on-one against Arenas, and he turned and took a fadeaway jumper. Arenas defended him very well, and Johnson had already lost his balance when he released the shot.

"bang~~~"

The basketball bounced off the rim and went out of bounds!

Jamison grabbed the rebound, Arenas received the ball and cut to the basket before passing it to Kwame, who was standing in the free-throw line. Kwame then took a mid-range shot!

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball went into the net.

33:28!!

The gap is getting closer and closer.

"calm!"

D'Antoni cautioned, "Don't rush, don't rush, don't rush."

......

With 5 minutes and 27 seconds left in the second quarter, the Suns finally called a timeout.

The Wizards players were all smiles, and even the water they drank on the sidelines tasted sweet. In just five minutes, the Wizards went on a 17-3 run, constantly closing the gap and now leading the Suns by 2 points.

They also understood that after this timeout, the Suns would bring back all their starters.

The competition will become tough...

However, this scoring surge boosted the Wizards' confidence.

The Wizards' head coach cautioned, "Although we are currently in the lead, remember not to provoke Wei Guo, or we'll suffer the consequences."

"clear!"

Everyone nodded. "We'll just play seriously and won't provoke anyone."

"Gilbert, did you hear that?"

"Yes, Coach!"

Arenas nodded.

Among the Wizards players, he was the most headstrong. No one else would even think of provoking Wei Guo, so the head coach's words were something he had heard.

......

The timeout is over, the game continues!

36:38!!

The Suns were down by 2 points, and all their starters returned to the court.

Suns on offense!

Nash dribbled the ball across the frontcourt, and Wei Guo, with his back to Kwame, turned and dribbled towards the basket. Just as Wei Guo turned, Nash threw the ball towards the basket. This was the tacit understanding between Nash and Wei Guo.

"Bang!!!"

Wei Guo jumped under the basket and completed an alley-oop with his left hand.

38:38!!

Kaming smiled and said, "Looking at the entire alliance, only the alley-oop combination between Old Na and Wei Guo can be so smooth."

“Every movement seemed to be pre-designed.”

Lanpei echoed.

Lampe was a pure benchwarmer; his playing time was similar to Cummings', so Lampe's job on the team was to hand out drinks and towels, and carry bags for the big shots when playing away games.

Wizards on offense!

Hughes ran into open space and received a pass from Arenas. Wei Guo suddenly abandoned Jamison and moved towards Hughes!

You should know...

The NBA basketball court is only a little over 15 meters wide, and the furthest point of the three-point line is only 7 meters. Standing in the three-point shooting area, unless the players are on opposite sides, the distance between them is only five or six meters.