Chapter 11: Shadows of Kevin Garnett
"It's troublesome. How can the center on the other side shoot a mid-range shot?"
Though it was only the first attack of the game, Marquette University had already unveiled a tactic that Xavier University hadn't anticipated. Wang Chong's mid-range shot, while seemingly ordinary, had disrupted Xavier's defensive strategy.
Now, figuring out how to defend against Wade became a pressing concern.
The players on the court had no time to dwell on their predicament. Xavier University had been practicing how to counter Wade's dribbling and drives, but they hadn't prepared for Wang Chong's unexpected mid-range shooting threat.
"Maybe it's just luck," they hoped. They could only wish that Wang Chong's shot had been a fluke and that he wouldn't be consistently accurate.
But this was highly unlikely. With a mid-range shooting ability rating of 85, Wang Chong could almost always make shots when left open.
On Xavier University's offensive end, the point guard dribbled past half court and saw West cutting inside, raising his hand to receive the ball.
Wang Chong, who was positioned behind West, realized he was struggling against his opponent's strength. David West stood at 2.08 meters, weighed 109 kilograms, and was incredibly robust.
Previously, Wang Chong had been tentatively pressing against West's back, hoping to prevent him from driving inside. However, he was easily overwhelmed by West's physicality.
At this moment, Wang Chong was reminded that his choice of the Durant growth template, rather than Antetokounmpo's, was significant. Even Antetokounmpo, known for his physical prowess, had a lean build in the early stages of his career, which is why he was selected 15th overall in the 2013 draft.
Realizing that strength alone would not suffice, Wang Chong adjusted his strategy. Defense in the post isn't just about brute force. West's vertical jump was limited, and his offensive game largely relied on mid-range shots and floor spacing. With proper interference, Wang Chong could effectively neutralize West's attack.
As anticipated, when West received the ball, he leaned back, only to find that Wang Chong had retreated. West created some space between them and prepared to shoot.
West, a senior with four years of NCAA experience, had developed his skills well, especially his effective mid-range shooting. Given the space, his shot was quite dangerous.
However, Wang Chong, coming from the future, was well-acquainted with West's playing style. Due to West's lack of leaping ability, he rarely attempted dunks and relied heavily on mid-range shots and hook shots. Knowing this, Wang Chong rushed forward as West stepped back, stretching his long arms to cover almost half of West's shooting area.
"What?" West was caught off guard. He hadn't expected Wang Chong's defense to be so proactive. With Wang Chong's long reach, forcing a shot would likely result in a block.
West was a top college player. Facing an unknown opponent, the prospect of being blocked was unsettling. Without hesitation, West adjusted his shooting angle and took a difficult, forced shot.
The basketball avoided Wang Chong's block but, with the high shooting angle, missed the basket. Wang Chong secured the rebound, swiftly passing it forward.
At this point, Wade was already sprinting down the court.
Wade, in his prime, boasted fast break speed comparable to LeBron James. During the 12-13 season, the James-Wade duo was known for their electrifying fast breaks.
In the NCAA, no one could match Wade's speed on the break!
Wade leapt from mid-court to catch the pass, accelerating directly towards the basket. With his explosive power and speed, he easily bypassed the defender and performed a powerful one-handed dunk!
The scouts on the sidelines watched with approval, noting:
"Top speed, agility, and explosiveness. Excellent dribbling skills and a sharp sense of fast breaks!"
"Once Dwyane joins the league, he will definitely excel as a fast break specialist!"
While the scouts scribbled their observations about Wade, Wang Chong's crucial role in these two plays went unnoticed.
But Wang Chong wasn't concerned. There would be more opportunities to shine.
The game resumed, and Xavier University had the ball. The guard passed it to West in the post again. This time, West, having learned from his previous miss, opted for a hook shot instead of a mid-range attempt. He half-turned near the basket, using his elbow to shield Wang Chong, and executed a hook shot.
Wang Chong struggled to defend against the hook shot. Even with his wingspan advantage, West's elbow effectively blocked Wang Chong's attempt to contest the shot. The basketball hit the backboard and went into the basket, earning Xavier University their first point of the game.
West, having scored, looked at Wang Chong with a smirk, shaking his head slightly. Though he said nothing, his disdain and provocation were clear.
If Wang Chong had been his former self—19 years old and less experienced—he might have been provoked into an emotional response. He would have felt the urge to prove himself immediately.
But now, with the maturity of an adult from 2023, Wang Chong approached the situation with composure. He had experienced the highs and lows of online interactions and developed resilience under pressure.
West's attempt at provocation seemed juvenile and even laughable to Wang Chong.
Of course, Wang Chong would respond, but he chose not to do so immediately.
During the transition from offense to defense, West noticed Wang Chong's indifference to the provocation. Wang Chong didn't seem eager to seek retribution or demand the ball back.
West had hoped to agitate the young player into making impulsive mistakes, but Wang Chong's calm demeanor thwarted that plan.
In the following plays, West and Wang Chong were mainly supporting their teammates on the perimeter, as neither received the ball. The strength difference allowed West to dominate inside, including one instance where he pushed Wang Chong aside to grab an offensive rebound and score a tip-in.
Despite this, Wang Chong remained unruffled, continuing to set screens for Wade, protecting rebounds, and defending the paint.
The scouts observed and discussed Wang Chong's performance:
"Who is this player? His mentality is impressive. Performing well against David West shows maturity. How old is he?"
"Notice his wingspan—it seems slightly longer than West's. If he could add some strength, he'd resemble Kevin Garnett."
As the scouts debated, Wang Chong continued to play with focus and determination, proving that his ability to handle pressure and execute strategies was as formidable as ever.
End of this chapter
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