bayedsolid Chapter 89 Alexander: When did I ever need to compare myself to an undrafted player?
Chapter 89 Alexander: When did I ever need to compare myself to an undrafted player?
Alexander realized he had been tricked by Wang Xiucheng.
He was meant to score himself, and in the current Thunder team, he's the only one with the ability to score efficiently.
The simplest and least strenuous way is to screen and drive into the paint for a shot.
But without realizing it, he found himself having to switch positions just like Wang Xiucheng.
Switching is physically demanding because you may need to try many times to get to your target.
For example, it took him a full 15 seconds to switch with Shen Jing.
With that kind of stamina, he could take two shots.
The Rockets switched to Tate on defense, not Wang Xiucheng. It was only Tate who was expending energy, so they can just switch players later.
But for the Thunder, Alexander himself is switching on defense. Does he think he can just take himself out when he gets tired?
He shook his head helplessly, feeling immense pressure as he watched Wang Xiucheng dribble towards him.
This is not a conspiracy at all, not even an open scheme.
Alexander believed that he had simply been driven by a competitive spirit.
When did I need to compare myself to someone who didn't make the draft?
Bang bang bang!
Just as Alexander was lost in thought, Wang Xiucheng suddenly started dribbling at different speeds, and his upper body feints made Alexander lean to the left.
Wang Xiucheng pulled the ball between his legs and instantly dashed to the right.
Shen Jing and several others were running towards the outside, leaving the inside open.
Wang Xiucheng stepped into the three-point line, then took two big steps with the ball in one hand and slammed it into the basket.
Alexander took a breath to calm himself down.
Alexander received the ball, dribbled to the center line, and then, leaning against Wang Xiucheng, slowly entered the penalty area.
Brushing past Earl's body, Alexander created an opening and pulled up for a three-pointer.
Bang!
It didn't go in.
Shen Jing, who came out with Earl, didn't have time to grab the rebound, and Tate jumped a little too early, missing the opportunity.
Bang!
Wang Xiucheng took two quick steps and caught the ball tightly in his arms.
With a slight movement, Wang Xiucheng used Shen Jing's screen to bring the ball to the frontcourt, then suddenly passed it to the baseline, where Tate had just arrived.
Swish!
Go in again.
Tate stared at his hands in disbelief. Why were they so hot today?
No wonder Green said that playing basketball with Wang Xiucheng would make things much easier.
Unlike the third quarter, both sides had a high offensive success rate in the fourth quarter.
There are only two minutes left.
The Rockets and Thunder are tied at 105-105.
The match has been paused, and the players from both sides are resting on the bench.
The big screen at the Thunder's home arena showed a close-up of Wang Xiucheng at that moment.
Moreover, the Thunder's live broadcast director unusually displayed Wang Xiucheng's stats on the screen.
"14 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals."
He also specifically reminded Wang Xiucheng that he was still one rebound away from his first triple-double in his career.
The Chinese fans at the scene immediately applauded Wang Xiucheng, and some of the women even put their hands together as if they were praying for something.
"That's the plan. Focus on defending Alexander. If you have the chance, double-team him. We have one more timeout and one more challenge. If necessary, you can call a timeout directly."
Silas said "you all," but his eyes were only on Wang Xiucheng.
The game resumed, and the Thunder launched an attack.
Alexander made a clean and decisive three-pointer.
The ball goes in.
This was Alexander's 37th point tonight.
Thunder 108-105.
During the Rockets' offense, Wang Xiucheng found an opportunity to enter the paint, but Alexander jumped up to block the shot. Wang Xiucheng then passed the ball to the outside.
Tate, who was on fire, caught the ball and shot.
Swish!
Also, enter.
This was Tate's 32nd point tonight.
He's in no way inferior to the Thunder's ace, Alexander.
108 square meters.
The Thunder attacked again, and the ball was once again passed to Alexander.
Tate suddenly abandoned his defender and joined Wang Xiucheng in double-teaming Alexander.
This was the first time the Rockets double-teamed Alexander throughout the game.
Alexander remained calm, dribbled the ball to create an opening, and passed it to Earl.
Then Alexander ran towards the baseline, Earl passed the ball to Alexander, and Alexander slammed it home.
Thunder 110-108.
There are only 55 seconds left.
Silas stood on the sidelines, gritting his teeth, and didn't call the final timeout.
Because he saw Wang Xiucheng encouraging Tate and the others.
The pincer attack tactic had clearly failed, but Wang Xiucheng didn't seem flustered, which made Silas inexplicably want to see what Wang Xiucheng was capable of.
Wang Xiucheng controlled the ball, Alexander closely marked him, and Wang Xiucheng slowly dribbled forward, while also running down the clock.
With 55 seconds left, they can complete a full 24-second shot clock, leaving 33 seconds. This is enough time for the Thunder to finish their shot and for the Rockets to have another offensive possession.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Wang Xiucheng accelerated and drove into the paint, then gathered the ball to shoot.
Earl, who was defending Shen Jing, immediately abandoned Shen Jing and jumped up to try to block Wang Xiucheng.
Even if Earl knew that Wang Xiucheng had a conspiracy, he would not dare to let Wang Xiucheng go.
Wang Xiucheng let go of the ball he was about to catch, took another step forward, and then tossed the ball away.
Snapped!
Taking advantage of this moment, Alexander from behind got to Wang Xiucheng's side and blocked Wang Xiucheng's shot.
The basketball flew directly out of bounds.
Wang Xiucheng immediately wagged his finger at Silas, demanding a challenge, and said he had been beaten up.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiucheng was under immense pressure and immediately began communicating with the referee, complaining about Wang Xiucheng's earlier "prayer-like" save.
Silas slapped the challenge button.
The game is suspended.
Wang Xiucheng and the others returned to the bench to rest.
The referee reviewed the video.
Silas was somewhat surprised when he saw the red challenge light flashing.
Wang Xiucheng asked for a challenge, and he used the challenge without even thinking about it.
Previously, when Green asked for a challenge, he had to ask the coach in charge of reviewing the video first.
Only now did he remember this, and when he looked back at the assistant coach and saw him nod, Silas finally felt relieved.
Silas picked up the tactical board and said, "I know you guys are tired, but there's less than a minute left. Hang in there, and we can bring the victory home. Next, we'll play four home games."
These words rekindled everyone's enthusiasm.
"If we win today, it'll be a four-game winning streak. Who will dare call us a bad team now?" Old Lucas interjected, a rare occurrence for him.
"Shoot three-pointers, everyone get moving..."
Just as the pause was over, Wang Xiucheng and the others stood up, their eyes revealing a resolute determination.
At this point, nobody wants to fail at the last minute!
The Rockets successfully challenged the call, and Wang Xiucheng was fouled by Alexander, earning two free throws.
Alexander shook his head, still exchanging words with the referee during Wang Xiucheng's free throw.
Wang Xiucheng stood at the free-throw line, took the ball from the referee, spun it around, and then, imitating Shen Jing, put the ball to his mouth and mumbled a few words that no one could understand.
Swish!
Goal!
Wang Xiucheng's eyes lit up; Shen Jing's tactic was working.
So he eagerly took the ball from the referee again, put it in his mouth, and started babbling.
"It's all foam..."
Bang!
The basketball hit the front edge of the rim!