บท 14: Teamwork and Triumph: Lian Dao's Double-Double
Conversely, Missouri's shooting guard Kim English finally hit a mid-range shot, but the process was quite bumpy.
As the game progressed, the Missouri Tigers continued to double-team Lian Dao whenever he was near the three-point line. This time, Lian Dao quickly passed the ball to point guard Marcus Simmons and made a sharp inward V-cut. Simmons, recognizing the play, passed the ball back to Lian Dao on the perimeter. Lian Dao, with his quick release, jumped and fired a three-pointer before Kim English could effectively close out.
Despite Kim English's best efforts to contest the shot, Lian Dao's lightning-fast release sent the ball high over his outstretched hands.
As the ball arced beautifully through the air, it fell cleanly into the basket with a satisfying "swish."
45:44.
USC had taken the lead.
"Troy! Troy!" the fans chanted in unison. For the first time in the game, USC was ahead, and the momentum was palpable. The fans' energy surged, fueling the players' intensity. The score advantage continued to grow as the Trojans found their rhythm. Despite the Missouri Tigers' best defensive efforts, they couldn't contain the rejuvenated USC team, especially with Lian Dao leading the charge.
The final score was 79:61.
Although the game had its ups and downs, Lian Dao's outstanding performance and the resurgence of his teammates led to a comeback victory. The USC Trojans celebrated their hard-fought win, knowing they had overcome significant challenges to secure the victory.
Lian Dao had a stellar performance, scoring 26 points, dishing out 10 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds, making 3 steals, and blocking 2 shots in the first half. He achieved the first double-double of his career, tying for the most assists on the team. Remarkably, he made 8 of 10 three-pointers and both his free throw attempts.
DeRozan and Gibson also contributed significantly, with DeRozan scoring 19 points, securing 4 rebounds, and providing 2 assists. Gibson added 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Lian Dao's playmaking facilitated the team's success, with other players also posting strong stats.
After the game, Coach Tim praised Lian Dao and even considered making him a starter. As they walked back to the locker room, Lian Dao, DeRozan, and the others received numerous notes from admirers, with Lian Dao receiving the most. However, he discarded the notes without hesitation, uninterested in the attention.
USC athletes, particularly football players, traditionally received the most admiration. However, since Lian Dao joined the basketball team, the number of female fans increased significantly. Many girls on American campuses sought one-night stands with campus superstars, seeing it as a point of pride and a topic for bragging among friends. However, influenced by his traditional family values and past experiences, Lian Dao avoided such encounters, focusing instead on maintaining his physical and mental discipline.
"Hey, Sickle, you threw away a note from cheer goddess Shirina. Don't you think she's beautiful?" Simmons asked, surprised.
"Oh, sorry, she's not my type. My journey is the sea of stars," Lian Dao replied with a wink. He didn't intend to indulge in this life, but he enjoyed the light-hearted teasing with his teammates.
"You don't think she has the sexiest body among the cheerleaders? Those curves, man! If she gave me a note, I'd have an unforgettable night," Simmons said, imagining himself with Selina.
"I think our tastes are a bit... different. I'm not into overly plump girls," Lian Dao responded, packing up his things. Before leaving, he patted Simmons on the shoulder, adding, "But I'll keep an eye out for you, bro."
The locker room erupted in laughter.
Lian Dao then called DeRozan to leave the locker room, planning to continue tutoring him. With semester exams approaching, Lian Dao helped DeRozan keep up with his studies—a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Basketball players at USC had it relatively easy academically, only needing to complete 5 credits each semester with flexible course options. This allowed them to focus primarily on basketball. Lian Dao, considered a genius by his teachers, found it easy to balance his studies and training. However, many black players struggled to meet even these minimal academic requirements.
DeRozan, in particular, found studying challenging. As exams loomed, he was still far behind. Many student-athletes faced similar difficulties, particularly on the football team, where coaches fretted over their academic eligibility. The stress visibly aged them, turning their hair gray over time.
NCAA regulations required players to maintain academic eligibility to participate in games, so Lian Dao took on the task of tutoring his teammates. He struck a deal with DeRozan: he would help him with his studies, and in return, DeRozan would be his ball-handling partner in practice. This reciprocal arrangement prevented DeRozan from feeling indebted and helped strengthen their friendship.
As they spent more time together, both on and off the court, DeRozan became more engaged and cheerful, appreciating the support and camaraderie.
As Lian Dao walked to the entrance of the arena, he was approached by a young white man with a press card and a camera.
"Excuse me, I'm a reporter for the NCAA basketball section of 'Sports Illustrated.' Can I conduct an interview with you?" the young reporter asked, looking hopeful.
From the eager expression on the reporter's face, Lian Dao deduced that he must be new to the job or possibly an intern. Only someone new would have such enthusiasm for interviewing two NCAA newcomers.
"Here?" Lian Dao asked, glancing at DeRozan and then back at the young reporter.
"No, no. I want to invite you to have coffee. Let's find a quiet place outside and chat while drinking," the reporter said, introducing himself as Harland, a new journalist for "Sports Illustrated." He was clearly excited to meet the rising star.
The three of them went to a nearby café.
The interview was straightforward. Harland asked about Lian Dao's feelings on achieving the highest score and assists in the game, his future goals, the secret behind his accurate three-pointers, and how he maintained such strength despite his lean build.
Lian Dao credited his coach and teammates for their support, emphasizing that his performance was within the framework of the coach's tactics. He expressed confidence in surpassing his current achievements, stating that this was just the beginning. When asked about his three-pointers and strength, he attributed it to continuous training.
DeRozan chimed in, elaborating on Lian Dao's rigorous training regimen, describing the grueling "suicide training" and praising Lian Dao's hard work and dedication. He mentioned that many couldn't keep up with Lian Dao's intensity.
Lian Dao felt slightly embarrassed by the praise, modestly waving his hands and insisting that everyone on the team trained hard to achieve better results.
Harland was thrilled to learn about Lian Dao's journey from obscurity in high school to becoming a versatile player. He saw a compelling story in Lian Dao's hard work and determination, contrasting it with the narrative of naturally gifted athletes. Harland believed that readers would be captivated by Lian Dao's story of perseverance and success, similar to the appeal of players like Jimmy Butler, who are celebrated not only for their skills but also for their inspiring backgrounds and struggles.
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