Chapter 96: The Fearlessness of Youth
In Alaric's past life, there was this book called "Moneyball Theory" that dropped in 2003. After that, every NBA team started chucking up more threes.
So, if you hit 35% of your threes, you can outscore a team hitting 50% of their mid-range shots. Makes sense, right?
Well, kinda. Hitting 35% from deep ain't a walk in the park. Plus, you gotta factor in stuff like offensive rebounds and drawing fouls. It's not just about bombing threes; you still gotta get those buckets inside.
The core of Moneyball Theory is the three-pointer. It doesn't say no to scoring at the rim but gives the cold shoulder to long twos. For sure, players who can nail threes can pad their stats way easier than those sticking to twos!
When Alaric runs a pick-and-roll, he ain't looking to drive first. He sidesteps, sees the defender back off, and steps back for a 70-degree three-pointer. Greg ain't gonna rush out to guard him, so it's a clean look.
Alaric, who hadn't taken a shot in the last quarter, was itching to let it fly. Swish. 19 to 27.
On the way back to D, Alaric and Shaquille shared a grin and a high-five. Shaq didn't get the stats, but he set the screen.
Tom yelled, "Nice! Alaric nailed that three. Used Shaq's screen perfectly."
Mark Woodson sighed, "Looks like last game's performance wasn't a fluke. This kid's got guts and skills. Even Shaq's willing to set screens for him."
The Jazz came back, Quincy cut to the weak side, got a pass from Jacque, forced a layup, and drew a foul from Isaiah. He sank both free throws. 19 to 29.
When inbounding, Devean messed up, not putting enough force, and Donyell snatched it. Devean rushed back and fouled Donyell, who was about to lay it up. The ref, favoring the home team, didn't give Donyell free throws, but the ball went back to the Jazz.
Alaric was a bit helpless. Devean was great in practice but choked in real games, lacking mental toughness.
Shaq stared at Devean for a few moments, holding back from chewing him out since it was game time.
The ball was inbounded, and Donyell's one-on-one against Horace ended in a missed jumper. Devean grabbed the rebound.
In the Lakers' half-court offense, Alaric and Shaq ran a pick-and-roll in the middle, shaking off Jacque and driving into the three-point line, with Donyell switching to defend.
Donyell, standing 6'9" and weighing only 220 pounds, was a quick swingman between the 3 and 4 spots, good at switching. Alaric saw Shaq cutting to the basket and dished it to him.
Once Shaq started charging, he was a freight train. Donyell couldn't turn back in time, and Greg left Horace to help but ended up hugging Shaq. The ref blew the whistle for two free throws.
The Lakers subbed in Kobe after less than two minutes of rest, replacing Horace. Phil's adjustment targeted the Jazz's lineup. Devean moved to the 4 spot, not at a disadvantage against Donyell on D. On offense, if Donyell defended the pick-and-roll, the ball could go to Devean to challenge Greg.
The Jazz adjusted too, bringing in John and David Benoit, taking out Bryon and Jacque. Jacque's D was too slow for Jerry's liking, and his playmaking was just meh.
Shaq bricked both free throws, giving the ball back to the Jazz.
His brute strength made him a beast in the paint, but it also messed with his shooting touch, making his free throws trash.
In the Jazz's half-court offense, John passed to the moving David, who just came on and took a jumper, only to get blocked by the trailing Kobe. Shaq grabbed the ball and saw Alaric already sprinting down the court, yelling for the rock.
In the race, Alaric smoked John. Shaq saw it and ditched the playbook, launching a long one-handed pass downcourt. Alaric, still running, turned his head, snagged the fast pass with both hands, took a big step to balance, and went up for a one-handed layup.
21 to 29, Alaric's fifth point.
Tom chimed in, "Man, Alaric's got skills. Catching a pass like that ain't easy; one slip and it's a turnover."
Mark Woodson laughed, "He's playing it smart. A 38-year-old John can't keep up. The Jazz don't have a speedy point guard, and that's a big hole."
The Jazz came back, but John, tangled up with Alaric, couldn't break free. His game had been slipping, relying mostly on shooting and assists.
Quincy used Greg's screen, ran off the ball, and took a three. This time, Isaiah caught up and contested it, making the shot miss, and Shaq grabbed the board.
In the Lakers' half-court set, Alaric dribbled up, with Shaq near the free-throw line, guarded by Greg. Jerry wasn't about to let his big man guard Devean; that was a mismatch waiting to happen.
Alaric, just a step in front of the three-point line, glanced at Kobe on the right, calling for the ball, and suddenly pulled up for a three. Despite John's experience, he didn't react in time. He just extended his hand, not even jumping.
In the NBA, rookies usually play it safe, afraid of ticking off the coach by going rogue. With the "OK combo" on the floor, John figured Alaric would pass, but Alaric caught him off guard.
The ball had a perfect arc and swished through the net! 24 to 29, Alaric's eighth point.
On the way back to defense, Alaric raised his fist high, and the crowd went wild, closing the gap even more.
Kobe looked at Alaric with mixed feelings.
He remembered being young and fearless, taking shots whenever he could, even missing game-winners. He saw a bit of himself in Alaric. Despite being a low draft pick, Alaric was confident, and guys like that usually made it big.
Alaric could help the team but also take some of Kobe's shots. Since joining the league, Kobe had always been frustrated by not getting enough shots. Last season, he finally averaged over 20 points per game. This season, if he didn't get enough shots, how could he hit superstar numbers?
Kobe's worries weren't baseless. In Alaric's previous life, during the 00-01 season, Kobe averaged 40.9 minutes per game, took 22.2 shots, more than Shaq, and scored 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. His breakout was partly due to the team's point guard being injured and the lack of a third scoring option. Now, with Alaric in the mix, a big breakout seemed unlikely.
Shaq didn't mind, having already snagged all the individual honors last season and was cool with sharing some shots.
The Jazz attacked, and John dribbled up, signaling his teammates to spread out, planning to go one-on-one against Alaric.
Jerry had John rest a bit before putting him back in, hoping his experience would stifle the rookie. Alaric, though, had just made two big plays, and if John didn't respond, he'd look like a stepping stone.
John dribbled into the three-point line, crossing over left, then behind the back to the right, and stepped back for a jumper. His moves weren't fast, but the technique was smooth. Alaric didn't bite and jumped to contest.
John, a league vet, could find the basket with his rhythm alone. The ball went in. 24 to 31.
The Lakers attacked, and as soon as Alaric crossed half-court, Kobe was on the right, calling for the ball.
Judging by his look, if Alaric didn't pass, Kobe would get heated, right? Alaric had no choice but to dish it to Kobe, leaving Isaiah, who hadn't touched the ball since coming on, feeling bummed.
Kobe took one dribble to the right and pulled up for a three over David.
27 to 31, Alaric's second assist, and Kobe was starting to heat up.