Capítulo 62: From Tactics to Draft Talk
Barkley continued.
"What impresses me about Lian Dao is his ability to maximize his strengths without letting opponents dictate the game".
When faced with double-teams, Lian Dao consistently finds ways to create opportunities for his teammates—whether through passing, defense, or making three-point shots.
In college basketball, such situations are common. Players often face double-teams when going for layups.
Fans enjoy these challenging shots, and opposing coaches are intrigued by them because they test a player's skill and energy reserves.
Maintaining high shooting accuracy throughout a 40-minute game is difficult, and a drop in shooting efficiency can lead a team to struggle.
It's about winning statistically but losing the game in reality.
At halftime, the camera focused on the Louisville Cardinals' bench.
A 15-point deficit is significant in NCAA basketball, where games are divided into two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 35-second shot clock for each possession.
If the Louisville Cardinals can't narrow the gap to within 10 points in the first ten minutes of the second half, their chances of winning this game will diminish.
Rick Pitino rubbed his temples, visibly frustrated.
The last game against the Kansas Jayhawks was tough, but he expected an easier matchup against USC. Instead, they trailed by 15 points at halftime.
Lian Dao, a small forward standing 206 centimeters tall (with shoes), possesses agility, speed, and crucial skills in defense, three-point shooting, and passing that seem more suited to the NBA than the NCAA.
Rick Pitino was tempted to shout at the USC bench: "This isn't fair!"
Returning from halftime, USC maintained their starting lineup, opting not to employ the fast-paced "run and gun" strategy they used in previous games.
With a comfortable 15-point lead established, USC anticipated a stronger defensive effort from the Louisville Cardinals in the second half.
Louisville began the second half aggressively.
Opting to attack from the perimeter rather than inside against USC's 2-3 zone defense, they found penetrating the paint challenging.
Lian Dao's earlier defensive prowess underscored the difficulty of breaking through USC's zone.
Jerry Smith attempted a three-pointer from beyond the 45-degree angle, but DeMar's defense disrupted his shot.
Vucevic secured the rebound, only for Earl Clark to contest his outlet pass immediately.
The rest of the Louisville team swiftly transitioned to defense.
USC, with Lian Dao's guidance, recalibrated their offense, but Louisville's defensive setup denied them any fast break opportunities.
Barkley was deeply moved as he watched the Louisville Cardinals execute their smooth retreat without giving USC any chance for a counterattack.
"Kenny, with Rick Pitino leading the Louisville Cardinals, I'm confident they'll capture an NCAA championship sooner or later," Barkley remarked, his typically outspoken nature tempered by a sense of conviction.
In the 2011-2012 season, Rick Pitino guided the Louisville Cardinals to the national semifinals, where they fell to the Kentucky Wildcats. The following season, despite maintaining their core lineup, they clinched the NCAA championship by defeating the Michigan Wolverines in the finals.
Anticipating Louisville's defensive strategy, USC engaged in a strategic battle against their opponent.
Rick Pitino instructed Jerry Smith and Terrence Williams to double-team Ryan Rice on the perimeter, limiting USC's outside shooting options.
Pitino's strategy emphasized denying Lian Dao open three-pointers, forcing USC into a positional game.
In the second half, DeMar, refreshed after halftime, regained his composure. He received a pass from Lian Dao, dodged Jerry Smith's defense, and made a crucial mid-range jumper.
While DeMar's three-point shooting wasn't his strength, his proficiency in mid-range shots posed a significant threat, drawing fouls and securing valuable points.
Throughout his career, Bryant averaged a free throw attempt every 4.9 minutes, whereas at his peak, DeMar averaged one every 3.9 minutes—an area where he aimed to excel, inspired by his idol.
Although DeMar had yet to reach Bryant's heights, his focus on drawing fouls and scoring under pressure showcased his growing potential.
DeMar's successive mid-range shots, including a crucial 2+1 play, prompted Rick Pitino to call a timeout.
Facing USC's momentum, Pitino struggled to contain their key players and hoped the timeout would disrupt USC's rhythm.
Despite Pitino's efforts, USC, buoyed by DeMar's performance and supported by Gibson's contributions after the timeout, maintained their dominance in the second half.
The latter half of the game became a showcase of DeMar's clutch plays and Gibson's scoring ability, leaving Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals scrambling for answers.
"Kenny, who do you think is the draft comparison for sickle?" Barkley asked, signaling that the game's outcome was all but decided.
With the Louisville Cardinals facing a hopeless comeback, Barkley switched to a topic of interest to everyone.
"Magic Johnson?" Kenny ventured.
Barkley shook his head dismissively at Kenny Smith. "Don't liken him to Magic just because of his passing ability."
"Lian Dao's athleticism surpasses Magic's. Don't let some L.A. pundits mislead you," Barkley added firmly.
Kenny nodded, recalling some articles that had compared Lian Dao to Johnson, influencing his initial response.
"I think Tracy McGrady might be a better fit!" Kenny suggested after a moment of thought.
This time, Barkley paused to consider Kenny's suggestion, opting not to argue against it.
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