thefictionvixens Chapter 16: Trailing at halftime, Li He activates scoring mode.
Chapter 16: Trailing at halftime, Li He activates scoring mode.
The pause ended quickly.
Arizona Wildcats on offense.
Jason Garnard dribbled the ball past half-court, and Li He, with the help of his teammates' screens, successfully received the ball at the top of the arc.
Anthony's defensive transition was quick enough, but he still watched helplessly as Li He launched a three-pointer.
Swish!
Another three-pointer from the top of the arc went in!
"Beautiful tactical teamwork!"
"The Wildcats are still relying on Hansen Lee's performance to close the gap!"
"That's his fourth three-pointer!"
Coach Lute Olsen clapped enthusiastically: "Well done, Hansen!"
With everyone else having a cold shooting night, the team would probably have been completely outmatched if it weren't for Li He's valiant efforts.
Steve Kerr, Marion, Arenas, and others also applauded.
This junior's shooting ability is really strong!
Even Steve Kerr, who holds the record for the highest three-point shooting percentage in NBA history, exclaimed in admiration:
"To be honest, Hansen's three-point shooting ability is somewhat unexpected."
"General" Arenas agreed with this view:
"And this kid has the makings of a super shooter."
A mature shooter is judged by his mindset and accuracy when shooting from behind; both are indispensable.
Looking back.
Syracuse University continued playing at the same pace as before.
Anthony used a pick-and-roll to target Jason Garnard and drove into the paint to finish the game, but was suddenly double-teamed!
This led to Anthony's pass going wrong, which was then stolen by Li He!
This is a problem with Anthony's technical characteristics.
If you have the ball on the perimeter and have a good view of the field, you can quickly pass the ball to your teammates.
However, if he drives into the paint and his vision is obstructed, Melo's passing ability is greatly reduced.
"Andrei!" Li He shouted, throwing out a quarterback long pass.
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Iguodala launched a fast break and scored with a dunk!
After a timeout, they responded with a 5-0 run!
"The Wildcats adjusted quickly; they tightened their defense and started going toe-to-toe with the Oranges!"
"That was an absolutely fantastic match!"
Anthony was clearly annoyed after the steal, putting his hands on his hips and adjusting his breathing.
At this very moment, Li He and Anthony huddled together and began a friendly exchange again:
"Carmelo, thanks for that two-pointer."
"By the way, everyone says you have a strong offensive ability, so why did you specifically target someone else?"
"This is clearly contradictory."
Li He wanted to ignite Anthony's competitive spirit.
If Melo gets into a rhythm, the game will be relatively easier.
As the game progressed, both teams got into their rhythm. Luke Walton grabbed a putback and scored, while Andre Iguodala drove to the basket for a layup, nearly tying the game for the Wildcats.
However, the Orange team responded with an 8-0 run, widening the score gap again.
Anthony hit a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper.
The first half has ended.
Syracuse University is currently leading the University of Arizona 53-42.
Anthony contributed a well-rounded stat line of 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists;
Li He, on the other hand, accounted for half of the Wildcats' points, hitting 5 three-pointers in the first half and scoring a whopping 21 points.
Jim Nantz is summarizing the first half:
"Without a doubt, the Orange team played more as a team and were more tenacious in this game."
"They stuck to their previous defensive strategy and did a fantastic job defending the paint."
"Carmelo Anthony was an all-around performer, leading the team to an 11-point lead at halftime!"
"On the other hand, let's look at the Wildcats."
"Hanson Lee's performance was still excellent, but he seemed unable to carry the team alone."
Ultimately, the Wildcats wasted too many opportunities.
"Apart from Hansen Lee, everyone else's outside shooting was terrible, which was a key factor in the team's deficit. I wonder if they can quickly find their rhythm in the second half?"
……
After the first half of the game, the scouts and general managers had taken note of Li He and Anthony's performances.
Both players performed exceptionally well, but from a professional scout's perspective, Anthony was clearly better.
Anthony displayed a versatile game, showcasing his offensive arsenal with proficiency in mid-range shots, three-pointers, and drives, while also grabbing rebounds and dishing out assists.
These kinds of players, if nurtured, can become the team's leader and stand on their own.
And what about Hansen Lee?
Although he scored 21 points, including 5 three-pointers, accounting for half of the team's points.
But aside from shooting ability and defense, there are almost no other advantages.
He can pass the ball, but his performance is decent;
It will break through, but it's at an average level;
He can dribble, but he's definitely not at the level of controlling the tempo.
The ceiling for this type of player has been capped.
Even if someone is very accurate with their shooting in the NCAA, it's questionable whether they can maintain their shooting percentage and output under the high-intensity defense of the NBA.
Taking this game as an example, both teams fought fiercely in the first half, but their stamina dropped in the final stages, which inevitably led to a decrease in Hansen Lee's shooting percentage.
It's very difficult to expect a player like this to lead a team to a comeback.
……
Inside the changing room.
Coach Lute Olsen calmed everyone down:
"Don't worry, we're only down by 11 points!"
"In the second half, we still need to prioritize defense! If there are opportunities on the perimeter, keep shooting, don't hesitate!"
Coach Lute Olsen was not satisfied with the team's three-point shooting in the first half.
Pre-match planning is one thing, but the players' performance on the field is another.
Apart from Hansen Lee's 5-for-7 shooting from three-point range, the rest of the Wildcats players only made two three-pointers in total!
This is absolutely unacceptable!
There's a vicious cycle in basketball.
The more shots a player misses, the less pressure the opposing defense faces, and the more pressure their own team faces in shooting.
This ebb and flow can easily lead to a cold hand and an inability to find one's rhythm.
Of course, Coach Lute Olsen also understood that the players were under considerable pressure on the NCAA final stage, which was being broadcast nationwide and watched by tens of thousands of spectators.
But why is it that Hansen Lee can make those damn shots?!
"call……"
At this moment, Li He covered his head with a towel and adjusted his breathing.
Trailing by 11 points in the final is not a large margin.
If they work together in the second half, they can definitely close the gap.
Li He also knew that there wasn't much he could do on the field.
Aside from defense and shooting, his other skills are not particularly outstanding.
Even so, maximizing the advantages is enough!
……
The second half resumed quickly.
Syracuse University, which was temporarily in the lead, deliberately slowed down the pace at the start, fearing that Arizona University would find its rhythm and seize the lead in the second half.
Meanwhile, Coach Jim Bohheim repeatedly emphasized in the locker room that if Hansen Lee tried to get away from receiving the ball, the other players must come to help defend and double-team him, so as not to let him shoot as smoothly as he did in the first half.
With Anthony missing a mid-range jumper, Channing Frye grabbed the rebound.
As Jason Garnard dribbled past his opponent, Li He had already shaken off Anthony and circled out to receive the ball.
Anthony and McNamara both went to help defend, but Li He's shot was faster!
The basketball flew between the two men, making a clean shot, while Li He was knocked to the ground by Anthony.
Beep!
The referee whistle blows!
Makes the three-pointer, free throw!