Chapter 131: Something to Prove.
(TL/n: I've edited the last Chapter to remove some unnecessary parts.)
Marc Gasol's pick-and-roll was solid, and as LeBron James tried to slip past, he couldn't quite make it.
By the time he fought his way through, Han Sen had already released a mid-range shot right in front of him.
Swish!
The basketball went through the net cleanly.
After reaching the peak of his [Classical Master] talent, shots like these felt effortless to Han Sen. He knew it was going in the moment it left his hands.
"Got that?" Han Sen turned to James after landing.
He was genuinely teaching LeBron, because for a pick-and-roll to be effective, the ball handler must have a strong ability to finish the play.
Tony Parker and Dwyane Wade were great at floaters, using the pick-and-roll to drive and finish; Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant had excellent jump shots, capitalizing on the space created by the pick.
Even Parker, Wade, and classic pick-and-roll duos like John Stockton and Deron Williams had solid mid-range jumpers.
In fact, you could argue that mastering the mid-range is the key to unlocking the full potential of the pick-and-roll.