Zhu Zang transforms into Vietnamese Curry?

In the first game of the Timberwolves preseason, Zhuzan came off the bench for 19 minutes and 50 seconds, making 6 of 13 shots, including 3 of 7 three-pointers, and scored 16 points. Three three-pointers in the final quarter and 15 points in a single quarter were very explosive.

In the second game of the preseason, Zhuzan came off the bench for 13 minutes and 36 seconds, making 6 of 9 shots, including 6 of 8 three-pointers, and scored 20 points and 6 rebounds.

In both games, Zhuzan stood up on the bench and helped the team with precise three-pointers. In the limited playing time, it works like a microwave oven.

In the third game, the Timberwolves played against the Knicks. Zhuzan came off the bench for 13 minutes and made 3 of 7 shots, including 2 of 4 three-pointers, and scored 8 points and 2 rebounds.

At the end of the 24-25 season, Alexander Walker joined the Hawks for 62 million in four years. The Timberwolves signed him first and then received a second-round pick in 2027 and some cash. Walker has been an important rotation in the Timberwolves' backcourt in the past few seasons, providing defense and three-pointers as a 3D player.

Walker's departure left the Timberwolves' backcourt empty. Although Shannon is a potential player, the Timberwolves still signed former Jazz guard Zhuzan on a one-year contract, hoping to use Zhuzan to replace Walker.

During the past three seasons with the Jazz, Zhu Zan played in a total of 102 games (including 23 starts), averaging 18.4 minutes per game, contributing 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1 assist. In the 24-25 season, Zhuzan averaged 8.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, both career highs.

Judging from the second preseason game, Zhuzan has gained a good tactical position in the Timberwolves. He is the tactical execution point in the second team, and many offenses are launched around him. Let's take a look at it frame by frame.

1. Spanish pick-and-roll

Belanger moved up to provide a side screen for Shannon. Instead of going to the screen side, Shannon held the ball to the weak side, attracting the defense and then splitting the ball to Zhuzan in the bottom corner, and hit a three-pointer.

2. Trailer attack

When the Timberwolves failed to complete the first wave of fast breaks, center Zikarski responded at the top of the arc, turned around and gave Zhuzan the follow-up, and hit a three-pointer!

3. Elevator door tactic

Dillingham holds the ball and walks to the right. Belanger follows up at the free throw line. Zhuzan uses Belanger and Dillingham's defenders to form an "elevator door" and cuts to the wing. Belanger follows up with another one. Screen, Zhuzan made a three-point shot

4, Spanish hand-off (crossed by Spain)

The guard used the screen to lift up on the strong side, received the hand-off pass from the center, advanced with the ball to the weak side, attracted the defense and then split the ball into the bottom corner, and shot a three-pointer.

In the strong side corner, Newton and Dillingham crossed paths. Dillingham took advantage of the screen and received the pass from Bellanger.

After receiving the ball, Dillingham immediately moved in the weak position. Breaking through from the side, Belanger also turned around and followed. The defensive players under the basket did not dare to leave the defensive position. Zhuzan in the corner of the weak side had a big gap

5. Counterattack three-pointer

During the defensive counterattack, he took advantage of the opponent's counterattack The hand defensive position was not formed, and the ball was quickly transferred. Zhuzan from the bottom corner shot a three-pointer,

6. Pick-and-roll tactics

Dillingham and Zhuzan made a simple side screen at the top of the arc, and Zhuzan outside Bounce, follow up with a shot fake, three-point shot

7, Spanish pass and cut (or Zoom)

initial pick-and-roll, add a side screen to the outside bounce, cut around the top of the arc to the basket, pass and finish.

Dillingham pushed forward with the ball, Zhuzan gave him a front screen, and then bounced to the top of the arc

At this time, Zhuzan, with the help of Belanger's screen, actually had a chance to shoot a three-pointer, but he chose to cut around to the basket Next,

received a ground pass from Dillingham and caused a foul on the opponent during the layup.

Zhuzan hit 11 three-pointers in three games, which is enough to prove that his three-point ability is reliable and even more accurate than his predecessor Alexander Walker. Zhuzan's defense is also pretty good, his footwork and defensive positioning are above the passing line, and his protection of rebounds is good among defenders.

Zhuzan's weaknesses are also obvious. He cannot control the ball, and it is easy to make mistakes once he plays with the ball. Therefore, he is more of a three-point receiving point, running tactics, looking for opportunities, and finishing. It is undeniable that Zhuzan has already regarded himself as Vietnam Curry in the preseason, and he should get a rotation position in the Timberwolves.