Gripping the ball firmly and avoiding Duncan's counter-steal, Zhang Yang started a counterattack, but Duncan failed to grab anyone!
Popovich was utterly desperate about tonight's game… but within that despair, he still harbored a hint of hope for the entire finals series.
Seeing Horry hustling back on defense, Popovich's eyes brightened...
Then, he saw Horry move towards the right side of the free-throw line to block Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang passed the ball to Rondo, who was following up on the left. Horry turned to cover Rondo but couldn't handle the two-on-one. Rondo scored on a layup, and Horry slapped his thigh in frustration and looked up…
Popovich said, "No, is this it? What are you doing! Start a conflict! Pull Rondo down who is going for the layup!"
Yes, all he wanted was a violent foul to provoke a conflict, and he didn't even instruct them to maliciously foul Zhang Yang specifically—it was, after all, the finals, and he wasn't that bold.
