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At the Knicks' bench, assistant coach Herber Sendek frowned slightly at head coach Don Chaney's substitution strategy.
Having studied Carmelo Anthony thoroughly, Herber was well aware that the Nuggets' rookie was not someone an average starting player could easily contain. During the Eastern Division Finals, their team had only managed to shut him down by using Wang Song as the primary defender.
Now, with Anthony further polished under NBA trainers and the Nuggets' tailored development, his offensive repertoire had grown significantly.
Herber couldn't help but roll his eyes at Don Chaney's seemingly amateurish in-game adjustments.
---
The game resumed.
Knicks' possession.
Wang Song stood at the high post, sizing up Marcus Camby. He feigned a pass, hoping to test Camby's reaction, but the latter remained immovable, his eyes locked on Wang.
Not just Camby—Nené was also lurking, ready to help at a moment's notice.
It became clear to Wang Song that the Nuggets had adjusted their defensive strategy during the timeout.
Without hesitation, Wang shifted the ball to the weak side, positioning himself with his back against Camby.
The opening quarter's poster dunk had clearly put Camby on edge. He clamped down tightly, one hand pressuring Wang while the other discreetly signaled for help.
Nené, who was shadowing the play, moved laterally in anticipation.
Wang decisively swung the ball to Allan Houston on the wing.
Houston caught the pass, sold a fake, and managed to fool his defender. With Nené momentarily out of position, the Nuggets' defense was stretched thin.
Houston took the shot.
The ball soared in an elegant arc but clanged off the rim with a loud *clang!*
---
"Missed opportunity for Houston!" The commentator's lament was cut short.
Suddenly, like a storm breaking through, Wang Song tore through the Nuggets' twin towers, out-jumping both Camby and Nené for the offensive rebound.
With a quick second leap, Wang tipped the ball back into the hoop before the defenders could react.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"Did he just out-rebound Camby and Nené?!"
The fans in the stands stared in shock, struggling to comprehend how the skinny Asian rookie had such rebounding dominance.
Marcus Camby, even returning from injury, was still considered an elite rim protector. And Nené, the sophomore center, had proven himself as a reliable rebounder in his rookie year, averaging 6 boards per game in limited minutes, including 2.6 on the offensive end.
Yet, the two of them together couldn't stop Wang Song.
---
On the sidelines, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"That guy just grabbed an offensive board over the Nuggets' twin towers?" Barkley asked incredulously.
Smith grinned mischievously. "So, Chuck, do you think you could have out-rebounded Wang Song back in your prime?"
"Give me a break, Kenny! I led the league in rebounding in '86-87. You really think some rookie could outwork me on the boards?" Barkley's voice was confident, but a flicker of unease crossed his face.
Deep down, even the "Round Mound of Rebound" was shaken by what he had just witnessed.
---
The Nuggets responded with Carmelo Anthony stepping up once more.
Despite being subbed out briefly, Antonio McDyess fared no better than his predecessor.
Anthony used his signature triple-threat stance to create space and sank another mid-range jumper.
---
The game continued at a blistering pace, with both teams trading blows. The first quarter ended with the Nuggets holding a narrow 25-24 lead.
---
During the break, online forums lit up with passionate discussions.
**[Live Chat Highlights]**
— "Wang Song's 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a single quarter? What a dominant all-around center! Even Camby and Nené can't stop him!"
— "Man, his rim protection is on another level. Did you see that block on Anthony and Camby? Insane!"
— "Yeah, but Houston's shooting is off tonight—6 attempts, only 1 make. Must be the Denver altitude affecting him."
— "Something tells me Wang is going to explode in this game. Just hope the Knicks win—don't want this to be another 'milestone tragedy.'"
— "Anthony's offense is scary, though. He's all-in, just like the Nuggets wanted. If Nash or Houston doesn't step up, the Knicks might not keep up."
---
Back on the bench, the Knicks players looked to Don Chaney for guidance.
Unfortunately, their coach's usual strategy boiled down to relying on Nash for offense and Wang Song for defense. Without a structured system, Chaney could only sketch a few rudimentary plays on his clipboard, hoping for the best.
Meanwhile, on the Nuggets' bench, head coach Jeff Bzdelik was brimming with satisfaction.
As a newly minted NBA head coach, Bzdelik had meticulously prepared for his debut season. Every possible scenario had a counter-strategy.
While Wang Song's exceptional performance was unexpected, the Nuggets were managing to contain the rest of the Knicks, especially their sputtering perimeter offense.
Anthony's shooting remained their trump card, exploiting the Knicks' weak forward rotation and consistently delivering from mid-to-long range.
For now, the Nuggets had the upper hand.
*(Chapter End)*