章節 27: Explosiveness +10!
Stanford University's final qualifying opponent was the University of Washington.
University of Washington had already secured the 2nd seed in the Pacific Division. They had made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the championships last year. Even though key players Nate Robinson and Will Conroy had entered the NBA draft one after the other last year, their strength hadn't diminished at all this season.
This was because their ace player, Brandon Roy, had gotten even better.
In the words of Washington's coach Lorenzo Romar, "The game is actually quite simple, just give the ball to Brandon, he can handle everything. When a team has such an outstanding player, what does a coach need to worry about?"
To be frank, Roy performed even better than Romar had imagined. This season, his average points per game had jumped from 12.8 last season to 22.6 now, with 4.8 assists also credited to him. He never hogged the ball, nor did he reach out for it every time they attacked. He never clashed with the coach or flaunted his seniority in front of younger players. And as the University of Washington's star player, he never slacked off on defense. On the court, he hardly saw himself as a star, and that was also why he stood out. (T/N: the now figures are higher than in Sports Reference. This might be because it did not count this upcoming game and the NCAA Tournament.)
Romar had once said, "He's already outstanding enough, really, in my opinion, he's the best player this year. When a defender sticks to him, he just needs one move to get past them, and when the defense starts paying attention to his drives, he just needs one jump shot to solve the problem, and, his defense is also satisfactory."
After Li Zhen finished watching Washington's video footage, his expression was one of astonishment. Before this, he had heard many people claiming to be the best guard in the Pacific Division, like Nick Young, Aaron Brooks... and so on.
But, this was on a completely different level, wasn't it?
Did Roy even have any weaknesses? Why did he stay in NCAA?
Li Zhen's mind was filled with shock.
"So, he's our most important defensive target in the next game," Coach Jamie Lin pointed at the screen and said to the players.
Everyone was holding their heads, exclaiming in amazement, this was too tough.
If... Oregon and USC gave them a glimmer of hope of victory, then Washington gave them a sense of despair.
Even Li Zhen thought this was a hellish challenge.
This made the team's mood become somewhat heavy. If it was before the two games, they wouldn't have been troubled by this at all. But now, with just one chance left to make it to the Tournament through a comeback, public opinion had pushed them into this position, and deep down, they couldn't help but be eager to try this 'legendary story'.
Making it to the NCAA Tournament under such circumstances would definitely be something worth boasting about for a lifetime.
Everyone thought so.
Including the hastily rushing in Jonas Scott.
After winning against Oregon University at home, the basketball team's players instantly became darlings of the school. If Li Zhen was the brightest star, then Scott, who had multiple dunks in the game, was undoubtedly the second brightest star.
So, he received unprecedented adoration and some 'suggestive' little notes. Of course, he couldn't possibly go looking for their authors in the way the notes suggested, after all... the shot put girls from the sports family were not to be trifled with.
"Scott, your opponent is this guy, Bobby Jones. He's just like you, an extremely eye-catching power forward with outstanding physical talents. Your playstyle and physique are quite similar. He's currently ranked 42nd in the NBA draft predictions. If you can beat him, you can take his position."
Coach Jamie Lin said to Scott, who had just rushed in.
Bobby Jones was Washington's second figure, a genuine talent with a strong physique, outstanding bounce, and amazing explosiveness. In a sense, he was a slightly enhanced version of Scott in terms of physical attributes.
Scott watched the various game clips of Bobby Jones soaring for dunks. Although he felt a bit inferior, he spoke confidently, "I can definitely flip him easily, after all, I have Bruce Li standing by my side, right? Bruce?!"
With that, he looked at Li Zhen.
However, Li Zhen couldn't muster much optimism. Washington was a formidable team composed of a group of senior players, and with the presence of superstar Brandon Roy, it would be quite difficult to defeat them.
More importantly, who knew if the University of Washington had players who squandered their talents.
...
With an uneasy heart, the Stanford Cardinals team set off for Seattle early the next morning, and in the afternoon, they entered the arena of Washington University for warm-up.
Compared to the previous two games against relatively unknown opponents, this game attracted a large amount of media coverage.
You see, Bruce Li's comeback story had already spread all over the internet, and everyone was now very interested in whether Stanford could create a miracle and become the team that secured the final tournament spot in the Pacific Division.
Richmond had managed to get into the arena through connections and hastily pulled Li Zhen, who was training, over to the player's tunnel. He excitedly told him, "Our magazine is selling like crazy. All the readers love your story and are looking forward to its further development."
"You already have a certain level of fame in the basketball circle. If you continue to win this game, you will gain even greater recognition. I believe you might even have a chance to enter the NBA."
"So, you must give it your all. I came specifically to track and report on this. My editor-in-chief and I both really hope to continue this legendary story."
Richmond said with great excitement.
Just as he finished speaking, a rough and indifferent voice came from the tunnel, "What legendary story? Do you really think you're Bruce Li? I watched your game, and there's really nothing to boast about in your performance. Your physical attributes only qualify you to be compared to paper-thin players like Brooks."
The owner of this arrogant voice quickly appeared, a tall and sturdy African-American man striding over. He didn't even glance down at Li Zhen and Richmond, and swaggered towards them. It seemed like he was about to crash into both of them.
And just as he was about to collide with Li Zhen and Richmond...
A voice rang out in his head: "Release the power, overwhelm him...!!"
Before the words even finished, thud!
This guy's hefty body collided directly with Li Zhen, as if he wanted to plow right through him.
However, when he collided with Li Zhen, he inexplicably hesitated for a moment. Then, as he took a step forward, he actually stepped on the back of Richmond's foot. And then... for some inexplicable reason, his strength slackened, and he couldn't help but lunge forward... thud!!
The guy with 'Jones' written on his jersey tumbled face-first into the ground.
It was quite a sight.
Richmond, being a gentleman, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
But Li Zhen stood there in a daze. The voice in his head told him: "Explosiveness +10!"
Um...
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