บท 51: The New Lineup Strategy
The next day, news of the NCAA's penalties from the last game reached Southern California. Both USC's Vucevic and Siena Saints' Alex Franklin were handed flagrant second-degree fouls by the NCAA committee, resulting in Vucevic's suspension for one game.
Upon hearing the announcement, the players and coaches at USC, who had been deep in tactical discussions, fell into a moment of stunned silence. The sudden suspension of Vucevic meant their previous game plans needed urgent revision, including finding a replacement from the bench to fill his crucial role.
Coach Tim scanned the roster, but none of the available players seemed ideally suited. It was at this moment that he turned to Lian Dao with a decisive look.
"Sickle, you're moving to the 4th position. Dwight, you'll start at the 3rd. Ty, you'll take the 5th," Tim announced, breaking the silence. "Let's give this lineup a shot."
As the players exchanged surprised glances, Tim paused, opting to train and test the new lineup over the next four days before their upcoming game on March 27. Despite his decisive stance, Tim remained unsure of Lian Dao's thoughts on the matter, especially considering Lian Dao's previous role in the second half.
While Dwight had experience playing at the three, his inclusion in the starting lineup would potentially diminish USC's bench depth—a concern heightened by Michigan State's formidable bench player, Draymond Green, known for his fierce and tough style.
"Gibson, are you okay with taking the fifth spot?" Tim asked, seeking assurance.
"I'm good," Gibson affirmed confidently.
Lian Dao, initially concerned about his inside scoring ability and lack of developed footwork, reconsidered his approach. He realized playing the fourth position didn't necessarily confine him to scoring inside—it could also align with USC's fast-paced, perimeter-oriented "run and gun" strategy.
This tactic resembled the future "Death Lineup" of the Warriors, albeit with distinct differences. Draymond Green anchored the Warriors' Death Lineup, whereas at USC, Lian Dao was the linchpin.
For this strategy to work, USC's interior players needed outside shooting ability, while the entire team had to contribute effectively from beyond the arc. Aside from DeMar, USC had several players capable of shooting from outside, though they couldn't match the precision of the Warriors, partly due to the closer three-point line in NCAA play.
Once again, the pressure of leading USC's outside offensive output fell heavily on Lian Dao—a responsibility starkly different from the Warriors' setup.
After returning to his room, Lian Dao pulled up Rema Morgan's game footage. Morgan, the starting power forward for Michigan State University, stood at 203cm tall and weighed 104kg—similar dimensions to Lian Dao.
Reviewing the video, it became apparent that Morgan's athleticism was limited, marked by a lack of speed and agility. His average of 3 fouls per game underscored his propensity for foul trouble, suggesting a vulnerability that Lian Dao could exploit.
Morgan primarily relied on catching and dunking for scoring, with modest averages of 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. However, his strengths lay in low-post defense, shot-blocking, and rebounding.
In contrast, Lian Dao possessed superior strength and a longer wingspan compared to Morgan, attributes that could effectively limit Morgan's effectiveness inside.
On the offensive end, Lian Dao is confident in his ability to outmaneuver Morgan. His perimeter shooting threat is expected to draw Morgan out near the three-point line, where he can exploit his defensive weaknesses.
In the following days, USC focused intensely on refining their lineup. Lian Dao was slated to start as the No. 4 position, with his attention now turning to Casey Cunningham of Michigan State.
From a training perspective, Lian Dao sees potential effectiveness against Cunningham. Casey Cunningham's lack of strength puts him at a disadvantage in physical confrontations and in terms of speed and flexibility compared to Lian Dao. This allows Lian Dao to strategically pull Cunningham towards the perimeter whenever he attacks.
Once Cunningham is drawn away from the basket, reversing this defensive adjustment becomes challenging.
However, whether Cunningham can replicate Morgan's defensive prowess remains uncertain and will only be revealed during actual gameplay.
All of this will unfold in the upcoming game, bringing clarity to USC's strategic adjustments and Lian Dao's pivotal role in the matchup.
...
On March 23, the Rockets narrowly won 87-85 against the San Antonio Spurs, boosting their season record to 47 wins and 26 losses, securing second place in the tough Western Conference. This success highlighted Yao Ming's strong leadership, exceeding media expectations despite challenges like Tracy McGrady's season-ending knee injury.
After the game, Yao Ming noticed Ron Artest engrossed in his phone and asked curiously, "Artest, what are you so focused on?"
Artest looked up with a smile. "I'm checking out the NCAA team I bet on."
"You're into college basketball?" Yao Ming asked, surprised.
"Yeah, March Madness is about to begin, I bet on USC". Artest explained eagerly.
Yao Ming immediately thought of Lian Dao upon hearing about USC's participation college basketball's major event. "They made it to March Madness?"
"Of course, Yao." Artest replied confidently.
This news sparked Yao Ming's interest. He grabbed his phone, searched for news about Lian Dao, and watched game highlights showcasing Lian Dao's skills.
As Yao Ming watched Lian Dao's clips, he felt pleased. "Artest, can I still bet on their next game?"
"Sure, Yao! But we need to get going," Artest reminded him, seeing Yao Ming still focused on his phone.
Realizing it was time to leave, Yao Ming quickly placed a $100 bet on USC's next game to support Lian Dao and Chinese talent in American college basketball.
With his phone back in his pocket and thoughts filled with anticipation, Yao Ming joined his teammates as they headed towards the bus, his connection to the broader basketball world invigorated by the promise and talent of Lian Dao.
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