Bab 19: From Doubt to Triumph: Lian Dao's Impact
The previous two coaches dismissed Lian Dao's skills and physical talent. In their view, people of yellow race were inherently unsuited for basketball, a sport they believed was for blacks and whites.
Even in his previous life as a screenwriter, Lian Dao faced similar prejudice. Hollywood producers and directors dismissed his scripts without even reading them, believing that someone from China couldn't write compelling scripts. This sense of superiority deeply hurt Lian Dao. Eventually, he proved to the world that Chinese people could write scripts that resonated globally.
Given his family's wealth, Lian Dao didn't need basketball for financial security. With his high school grades, he could have chosen an Ivy League school and studied business management, as his parents wanted, eventually returning to China to inherit the family business.
But Lian Dao chose a different path. He didn't opt for Stanford University, which had a stronger academic reputation. Instead, he chose the University of Southern California (USC) because of its stronger basketball program. He wanted to break American stereotypes and show that basketball wasn't exclusive to blacks and whites. He aimed to prove that people of Asian descent could also become top basketball players in the world.
...
Although Tim replaced Wilkinson on the court, his four prior fouls made him hesitant in defense. The players at the University of Oklahoma noticed this and took advantage, driving into the paint and seeking physical confrontations with Wilkinson.
Wilkinson, aware of his foul situation, played cautiously, which turned him into a significant defensive liability. The University of Oklahoma players relentlessly attacked the inside, scoring with layups, dunks, and jump shots.
Finally, about ten minutes into the second half, Blake Griffin drove through for a dunk and drew a blocking foul on Wilkinson. The play resulted in a 2+1 opportunity, tying the game at 66:66. Griffin made the free throw, giving the University of Oklahoma a 67:66 lead.
Wilkinson received his fifth foul and had to leave the court in frustration. As he walked off, Lian Dao patted him on the shoulder comfortingly.
"What you've done is good enough. Don't worry about it. Leave the rest to us," Lian Dao said reassuringly.
Wilkinson managed a smile, nodded slowly, and clasped Lian Dao's hand. The two bumped shoulders in a gesture of camaraderie.
"Come on, I believe in you. Kill them. We're going to make the best start in USC history," Wilkinson encouraged, his mood lifting.
Tim, seeing that Lian Dao had recovered some strength, substituted him in at the power forward position, mismatching him to defend the opposing center, Blake Griffin. Lewis took the small forward spot at position three, and Gibson moved to center.
This lineup, while lacking in height, had enhanced flexibility and maintained strong defense. With Lian Dao and Gibson inside, the defense reached an unprecedented level of strength. The opponent's main players had been on the court for 30 minutes and were already exhausted.
Lian Dao and his teammates aimed to play a wave of defensive counterattacks.
As for USC, Lewis, Lian Dao's substitute, hadn't played in the first half and had only been on the court for about 10 minutes so far. His physical condition was still very good. With his height of 196cm, he had been USC's starting small forward before Lian Dao's arrival.
Additionally, Tony Crocker, the opposing small forward, was not particularly strong. Lewis had an advantage against him.
With Lian Dao having rested for over 20 minutes, his physical strength had recovered significantly. He was ready to be a new force on the court.
Indeed, once Lian Dao came back on the court, the impact of his rested physical state was quickly evident. Previously, Tony and Willie Warren had successfully double-teamed to defend against Lian Dao's breakthrough, but now, with his regained strength, Lian Dao powered his way directly to the basket. Although Blake Griffin, fatigued, tried to fill the gap and challenge Lian Dao, the agile 180-degree spin Lian Dao executed around Blake caught everyone off guard.
Blake Griffin, despite his impressive athleticism, including a quick second jump, couldn't reach Lian Dao in time. His attempt to block resulted in a slap on Lian Dao's wrist. This caused a temporary instability in the ball, but Lian Dao quickly adjusted, switching from a one-handed to a two-handed dunk. The force of Lian Dao's slam dunk sent the entire basketball hoop shaking.
For a moment, the audience was stunned into silence. The unexpected strength from Lian Dao, a player who didn't fit the typical physical profile, was astonishing. It defied common expectations, especially for fans who believed even their beastly Blake Griffin couldn't be overpowered.
Then came the boos. Though shocked initially, the crowd quickly reverted to supporting their team by jeering at the opposition. Lian Dao, unfazed by the hostile environment, confidently completed his free throw. His triumphant smile following the successful free throw added to his satisfaction. This breakthrough had allowed him to effectively blend flexibility, speed, strength, and skill – a combination he had been striving to master.
This moment marked an important realization for Lian Dao: individual talents need to be integrated seamlessly, much like how a clenched fist is more powerful than an open hand. This was particularly significant because his talents had developed rapidly, in contrast to the gradual progression most players experience.
Lian Dao understood he didn't have the luxury of slow development like the highly touted superstars. He had been relatively unknown in high school, known only to a small group of fans in California. To grab the attention of NBA scouts and the media, he needed to maximize his potential quickly. Performing well in college and climbing ESPN's NCAA rankings was crucial for his NBA draft prospects.
What Lian Dao didn't realize was that his confident smile had been captured by the camera and displayed on the giant screen above the court. This provoked the male fans further, interpreting it as mockery. Meanwhile, the female fans were charmed, their admiring gazes practically tangible.
The increased volume of boos from the male fans made Lian Dao glance up at the screen and shake his head with a resigned smile. Handsome and talented, he inevitably attracted both admiration and envy wherever he went.
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