章 12: USC Takes Control
It was halftime, and the USC lineup had Marcus Simmons, DeMar DeRozan, Lian Dao, Taj Gibson, and Keith Wilkinson on the court, ready to face the Missouri Tigers: JT Tiller, Kim English, DeMarre Carroll, Matt Lawrence, and Leo Lyons.
As the second half commenced, USC gained possession in their backcourt. Marcus dribbled past half-court and, upon Lian Dao's request, passed him the ball near the logo at midcourt. Aware that Lian Dao was a threat from beyond the arc, Carroll cautiously defended him, but perhaps underestimated his shooting range.
Lian Dao, noticing the defensive gap, confidently launched a deep three-pointer from the logo. Smith, one of the commentators, initially criticized the shot as risky, shaking his head in disbelief. "Oh, this is not a good choice," he remarked, before watching in astonishment as the ball swished through the net.
Quick to backtrack on his criticism, Smith praised Lian Dao's unexpected accuracy, attributing it to luck. "What a wonderful shot! Looks like luck is on his side today," he admitted, humbled by the impressive display.
Meanwhile, the USC fans erupted in cheers and applause, energized by Lian Dao's spectacular shot. They waved towels and shouted encouragement, thrilled by the momentum shift in favor of their team.
"He's doing great! Keep shooting like that, crush them!" cheered one enthusiastic fan.
"And isn't his shooting form just so stylish?" added another, admiring Lian Dao's technique.
Since joining USC, Lian Dao had become a favorite among fans, especially among female spectators who cheered loudly for every goal and assist he made. This newfound popularity sometimes left his teammates looking on with mixed feelings, but the positive impact on team morale was undeniable.
That long-range three-pointer in the second half ignited USC's performance, fueling them with renewed energy and determination on both ends of the court.
As the Missouri Tigers' point guard crossed half-court, he spotted DeMarre Carroll signaling for the ball. Without hesitation, JT Tiller passed it to Carroll, who began dribbling on the perimeter while trash-talking Lian Dao.
"Kid, you're lucky, but that luck won't last long. I'll show you what real defense looks like," Carroll taunted.
Lian Dao just smiled in response, stepping forward to challenge Carroll, blocking his passing lanes.
Undeterred, Carroll continued his verbal assault, convinced of his physical superiority over Lian Dao.
"You're going down, skinny!"
Despite the noticeable height and weight difference—Lian Dao at 203 cm and 90 kg, and Carroll at 201 cm and 105 kg—Lian Dao held his ground, earning the admiration of a spectator in the stands. For him, courage in defense mattered more than physical stature.
When Carroll attempted to shoulder past him, Lian Dao stood firm. The impact jarred Carroll, surprising him with Lian Dao's resilience.
Stumbling back from the collision, Carroll lost control of the ball. Seizing the opportunity, Lian Dao swiped at it, quickly gaining possession. With a swift move, he launched a long pass to the sprinting DeMar DeRozan.
Aware of Lian Dao's defensive prowess from their summer training, DeRozan anticipated the pass. Catching the ball in stride, he raced towards the basket, took off, and threw down a thunderous one-handed dunk.
As he hung from the rim, DeRozan pointed at Lian Dao with a triumphant roar. The crowd erupted, energized by the sudden momentum shift.
Carroll, visibly shocked by Lian Dao's resilience and skill, could only watch as USC regained control of the game.
"Facts prove you're the soft one here, not even as tough as a marshmallow. Can't even protect the ball," Lian Dao needled, enjoying his moment after the steal. Trash talk after a play was safer, less likely to provoke retaliation, and more satisfying.
Carroll looked incensed but said nothing, stung by being stripped of the ball.
In competitive sports, losers often have no words.
"Smith, did you see that? This kid's physicality isn't what the scouting reports suggest. He's tough, and he's got surprising strength despite looking skinny," Haskell enthused, watching Lian Dao's swift steal.
"Yeah, but let's not jump to conclusions after one play. Maybe Carroll wasn't prepared. However, I will admit, this kid's wingspan is something else," Smith conceded reluctantly, still cautious in his assessment of Lian Dao's abilities.
"Fair enough, let's see how he performs next," Haskell agreed, steering the conversation back to the game.
Back on the court, Lian Dao positioned himself confidently on the three-point line, unsettling Carroll. As JT hesitated to pass, Carroll grew impatient.
"JT, give me the damn ball!" Carroll demanded, visibly agitated.
JT, sensing his boss's urgency, passed the ball without delay.
This time, Carroll abandoned the trash talk, focusing on his dribble. Feinting right, then left, he tried to shake Lian Dao, whose stance remained resolute. Seeing through Carroll's feints, Lian Dao blocked his every move.
Frustrated by the failed attempts to drive past him, Carroll attempted a backdown, but Lian Dao's defense held firm, disrupting Carroll's rhythm.
Finding himself unable to penetrate, and feeling pressured by the shot clock, Carroll pulled up for a contested shot. Just as he released the ball, Lian Dao's large hands swatted it away.
Marcus Simmons grabbed the loose ball, but the Missouri Tigers had already retreated defensively.
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