Halfway through the first quarter.

The Supersonic were the first to make a substitution adjustment, Yao Ming went off, and Maurice Evans came on.

Evans is a heavy guard standing 196 cm tall and weighing over 100 kg.

Carlisle replaced Yao Ming with Evans, moving Posey to play the power forward position. Evans' height and weight are a perfect match-up against Artest.

On the defensive end, Garnett would continue to handle the troublesome Demon King.

This is a rotation lineup known as "making Garnett suffer a little more, while Carlisle bears the criticism."

Since the Supersonic's bench, apart from Evans and Hayes, is mostly made up of marginal players...

So Carlisle must stagger the court time of the "Northwest Three Giants" in the first three quarters to ensure the Supersonic's lineup quality remains intact.

Seeing this, Qin Yue immediately executed a high-low post play with Murphy, allowing Murphy to experience the gift of nature.

Although most of Murphy's offense is initiated from the outside, this does not mean that, standing at 211 cm, he does not know how to overpower Posey in a deep low post position, where there is a size advantage.

Qin Yue is credited with an assist.

However, in the next possession, when Qin Yue tried to replicate the same play, Posey fully demonstrated his strengths as a championship piece.

With precise judgment, Posey suddenly cut in front and intercepted the ball before Murphy could get to it.

As one of the best defensive role players in the current league, Posey's greatest trait is never locking down the opponent's perimeter core one-on-one, nor restricting opponents by any means like Bowen.

But rather his outstanding defensive awareness, and when necessary, his ability to switch to power forward despite a height disadvantage, using his experience to maneuver against opposing interior players.

A few possessions later, the Warriors subbed in Brown for Murphy.

Brown has more mobility, and his talent allows Qin Yue to choose a direct over-head pass route when passing to him.

But when Brown gleefully received Qin Yue's lob and prepared to finish under the basket, Evans, retreating swiftly from the flank to the interior, grabbed Brown, causing his face to turn sullen.

This was an obviously intentional foul.

It was also the first time the Warriors encountered the "Hack-a-Brown" tactic in the playoffs.

Why did the Warriors face the "Hack-a-Brown" only in this year's Western Conference Finals?

Because most of the time, Brown only played to sneak scores without the ball and finish quickly.

The Warriors' opponents wouldn't waste their precious fouls on Brown, who doesn't shoot more than 7 times a game.

Moreover, against the Warriors, if your fouls increase too quickly, it becomes a dangerous signal.

So only on such specific occasions tonight does the "Hack-a-Brown" strategy make sense.

Since Yao Ming was resting, the Supersonic had to have Posey hold the interior for a period.

Thus, with Garnett mainly defending Qin Yue, whenever the Warriors field Brown, a big man who can score inside, the Supersonic inevitably need to disrupt the Warriors' offense with fouls.

Indeed, this was a very reluctant "Hack-a-Brown."

But against the Supersonic's "Hack-a-Brown," Brown, suddenly the center of attention, disappointingly missed both free throws.

What's more, his second free throw even resulted in an airball, violating the rules.

At the Supersonic bench, Yao Ming couldn't bear to watch because a person who is good at free throws can't stand seeing others waste free throws.

"Why were you rushing your free throws? Couldn't you take a few deep breaths?" Qin Yue, looking puzzled, said to the sweat-drenched Brown.

"I... I was nervous," Brown whispered.

At this moment, Qin Yue was extremely speechless.

Because he couldn't understand what happened to Brown during his four years with the Wizards.

It's worth noting that in the first three years of his career, Brown's free throws weren't too bad.

After all, when drafted, Brown was projected as a stronger version of Chris Webber.

If Brown were a completely unskilled player...

How could he have impressed so many NBA team managers and scouts solely with his talent?

"From tomorrow, go practice 'granny-style' shooting!" Qin Yue said to Brown.

Upon hearing this, Brown was shocked and said, "Then... then you might as well kill me."

On the court, since Cassell had already carried the ball past half-court, Qin Yue temporarily paused his conversation with Brown.

First quarter.

In this relatively slow-paced half-court battle, the evenly matched teams ended the quarter tied at 27-27.

Back at the bench, with his leg propped in front of Brown, having him untie his shoelaces, Qin Yue said, "'Granny-style' isn't bad. That's a specialty of our team's legend, Rick Barry."

Brown muttered, "But that style is too... too damn ugly."

Qin Yue curiously asked, "Can you guarantee that in a 'Hack-a-Brown' situation, you'll make those damn free throws for me?"

"..."

No, he couldn't!

But even if you kill me, I won't practice 'granny-style' shooting!

"Next season, do you want to go to Minnesota or Toronto?" Seeing Brown's face full of determination to refuse, Qin Yue suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Brown, nearly kneeling in front of Qin Yue, said, "Boss, I... I really used to be a shooter, trust me. Give me one summer, and I can definitely improve my free throw shooting."

Was Brown really a shooter before?

The answer is certainly no.

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