Chapter 257: The 2014 NBA Free Agency.
Time was of the essence, so after a brief catch-up, Han Sen and Mike Malone quickly dove into work, focusing on the most pressing issue for the Cleveland Cavaliers: the team's tactical system for the upcoming season.
In basketball, there are generally two overarching approaches to strategy:
1. Building a system around the players' strengths.
2. Building a roster to fit a pre-established system.
The Memphis Grizzlies were a prime example of the first approach. With their "Twin Towers," Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, the team had no choice but to adopt a half-court offense. Fast-paced strategies like run-and-gun were simply out of the question, nor could they rely heavily on three-pointers. Excessive attempts from beyond the arc would open them up to fast-break opportunities for opponents, a situation their slow-footed bigs couldn't handle defensively.
On the other hand, coaches like Mike D'Antoni, Phil Jackson, and Rick Adelman epitomized the second approach. These tacticians refined systems like the triangle offense or pace-and-space, molding their teams to excel within these frameworks. Jackson's triangle offense thrived with the Bulls and Lakers, while D'Antoni's systems elevated his point guards to new heights.
For the Cavaliers, the first approach was the logical choice. Malone, with limited head coaching experience, hadn't yet developed his own signature system. The team's success would revolve around Han Sen and Kyrie Irving, designing a system to maximize their strengths while taking into account the potential free-agent acquisitions.
Malone wasted no time pulling out a notebook he'd filled during long hours of preparation, including while flying to Cleveland. Inside was a rough sketch of a tactical system: the "Four-Out, One-In" system.
As Malone began explaining his vision, Han Sen's eyes widened.
The concept was surprisingly apt for the Cavaliers. Whether or not Luol Deng returned, Spencer Hawes seemed likely to re-sign. Hawes, a 7'1" center, had transformed into a capable three-point shooter, averaging 3.9 attempts per game last season at a 41.6% clip. After joining the Cavs midseason, his accuracy soared to an astonishing 44.8%. Beyond his shooting, Hawes was skilled at passing, a trait stemming from his early days as a guard, averaging 3 assists per game last season.
While traditionalists might label him "soft" for his perimeter-oriented game, Hawes' ability to stretch the floor was invaluable for a "Four-Out, One-In" strategy. Moreover, his rim protection was underrated, consistently averaging over 1 block per game.