Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 33
Ye Feng still thought of things a bit simpler.Where is the team facing a tough fight?Judging from the situation on the court, they are very likely to suffer their first loss of the season in Ames City!
Even though Westbrook went into battle in the last 2 minutes, UCLA still had no improvement and could only rely on him to support himself.Fortunately, Collison still continued his fiery touch, so Westbrook would not fight alone on the court.However, it is impossible for him alone to catch up to the score. Even if he can defend Peterson or Garrett, the remaining three will be big or small when they encounter him, and it is easy for them to score.

In the end, Westbrook and Collison scored consecutively to prevent the score from further widening. After the first half, UCLA trailed by 45 points 60 to [-].During the intermission, everyone in UCLA looked very ugly. Although Iowa State University does not belong to the same divisional league as itself, the record against them generally does not affect the competition for the division championship. No one wants their undefeated golden stature to be broken like this, especially facing such a team without a star.

But now they can't afford to think too much. This is a fact that the team must face.Holland's expression was very serious, but he still took the tactical board and arranged the tactics for the players in the second half.The black 3 minutes in the first half made him realize that he can no longer easily put Westbrook and Love off the court. They may not win if they play, but they will definitely suffer a defeat if they don't play.

While writing and drawing on the tactical board, Holland said loudly: "In the second half, we will continue to play around Russell and Kevin. You two, Richard and Josh, should run more inside. Opportunity for the opponent to pinch Kevin. Michael, although your three-pointer is not accurate when someone is marking you, you should run more outside without the ball and find a gap for the shot. Russell will distribute the ball in time. In your hands, the only thing you have to do is throw the damn ball in the hoop for me."

Everyone shouted yes.When Holland explained his tactics, everyone seized the opportunity to rest, especially Westbrook, who gulped down his sports drink and almost soaked the towel he was wearing.The pressure on him in this game is indeed very high, the opponent's movement is very rigorous, and the tactical cooperation is also quite good. He must try his best to find the opponent's flaws while taking into account his personal offense.And as the captain of the team, when Ye Feng couldn't play, all the pressure was on him alone. If the team lost, the public opinion would be on him.

Holland briefly talked about a few points that need attention, and then signaled everyone to replenish their energy, and ordered team doctor Marshall to come and massage the hard-working players.Looking at the desolate looks of the players, Holland secretly sighed: The 10 minutes of the second half will be more difficult than the first half. Although the hope of victory is very slim, they must also shed the last drop of blood on the field!

The 15-minute break time will soon be over. Holland looked at his watch, strode to the middle of the locker room, and said loudly: "I know everyone is very aggrieved now. To be honest, being oppressed by Iowa State has become In this way, I am more frustrated than you. But this is not a reason for us to throw up our hands! Gentlemen, it is time for you to give it a go. I don’t think anyone wants our invincible road to end here? Iho Washington State University is a respectable opponent, and I don't know the final result, but we have to show our best performance to defend our glory!"

Holland's words made the dull atmosphere in the locker room suddenly liven up. Westbrook, a militant, seemed to have flames beating in his eyes.Seeing everyone cheered up again, Holland nodded approvingly: Instead of surrendering directly, it is better to fight vigorously!
When the players were about to enter the field, Ye Feng deliberately pulled Westbrook to the back.Westbrook was a little confused, he looked at Ye Feng with a questioning look.Ye Feng said in a low voice: "Russell, have you ever thought about why the opponent's coach never dared to remove all the starters, but left at least three to four players on the field?"

Westbrook shook his head. He did find it strange, but he didn't think deeply about it, and the situation of the team didn't allow him time to think about it.But Ye Feng has been sitting on the sidelines, it can be said that the bystanders are clear, Westbrook's eyes lit up, and urged: "Ye, you must know why, tell me quickly, time waits for no one!"

The corners of Ye Feng's mouth slightly raised, and he said word by word: "We are not the only ones who are under a lot of pressure in this game." Westbrook pondered for a while, then smiled and said: "I know what you want to say, thank you, I I will make good use of this later." Ye Feng also laughed and patted Westbrook on the shoulder vigorously.

After the start of the second half, the ball was on UCLA's side. Westbrook dribbled the ball across the court while carefully thinking about Ye Feng's words.Obviously, Ye Feng could see that Iowa State was also very nervous. Even if they led by [-] points, many times the star's sudden explosion could change the outcome of a game. They were afraid that Westbrook or Love would suddenly Consecutive scoring directly led the team to equalize or even overtake. At this time, their nervousness can be used.

Now the team is still behind by a big score, but Westbrook is not in a hurry. He found an angle and passed the ball to Love, and he started to run empty-handed.Love sat back, but Hubalek was very stable, and did not retreat even after Love's hard top, while Brykins on the other side was ready to help defend.Love hesitated for a while, he didn't find a good point to get the ball out, but if he continued to hold the ball, he would definitely be double-teamed.

But at this time Westbrook suddenly went to the free throw line.After he passed the ball to Love, he ran along the baseline to the weak side, and then used Shipp's off-ball screen to slant into the middle.Love was overjoyed and gave the ball directly to Westbrook.The defensive players reacted very quickly. Brykins gave up Love, turned around and rushed towards Westbrook, and Wesley, who was defending Mbah a Moute on the other side, had also arrived. One was in front and the other was on the side. Forming an airtight encirclement, UCLA's offensive opportunities are gone.

Westbrook didn't have the slightest fear, which was in his expectation, and it can even be said that he caused this situation by himself.Facing the double-teaming of the two, Westbrook took a step and pulled directly. The shooting posture was already set. Almost at the same time, Wesley and Brackins also jumped up, trying their best to interfere with the shooting.

"Beep!" The whistle sounded, but the basketball still persistently crossed a somewhat deformed arc during the whistle. After bouncing twice on the basket, it slowly rolled into the basket. The referee signaled that the goal was valid , and there will be additional penalties.That's right, that's Westbrook's answer: draw a foul.

Since Iowa State's players are also nervous, it means they are very sensitive to the every move of the two stars of Westbrook and Love, and will take some overreactions in order to prevent them from scoring goals. .Westbrook took advantage of their mentality to resolutely have the intention to cause damage when facing double teams.As for scoring 2+1, this is just incidental. His original purpose was just to get his opponent into foul trouble, and this goal was a surprise.

Westbrook walked to the free throw line calmly. "Shua!" The basketball pierced through the hoop again.Although his shooting was a bit nerve-wracking, as a point guard with a very strong impact, free throws are the basic skills. This time he didn't waste the opportunity, and the point difference returned to [-] points.

In the next round, the five UCLA players spared no effort to defend desperately. Their tactical coordination was as strong as that of Iowa State, but they did not find a good opportunity. It seemed that every loophole was blocked by the opponent.In the end, Wesley's reluctant three-point shot from the outside directly hit the back edge of the basket. Love blocked the opponent's inside line with his body, and Westbrook took the rebound away with his extraordinary bounce.

This time UCLA's offensive point was replaced by Love.Love, who has very solid inside skills, received the ball in the elbow area. After he turned to face the frame, he actually played the tricks of a guard. After two dribbles, he broke through Hubalek.And when Brykins defended, Love turned around and faked the opponent completely, and Hubalek, who came back to his senses, was fooled when Love made a fake shot. Slap on Loew's arm.However, Love did not react as fast as Westbrook before, and only scored two free throws.

After two free throws and two hits, the point difference was finally only ten points.O'Neal quickly called a timeout. He didn't expect that UCLA could seize the opportunity to cause consecutive defensive fouls by its own players. In this way, it was difficult for the team's five starters to stay on the court for too long due to the excessive number of fouls.He said to himself: "Then I will treat him in the same way." So he quickly took out the tactical board to draw tactics for the players.

The UCLA bench swept away the haze, and everyone had smiles on their faces.Holland praised: "Russell, Kevin, you two are very good, and you can think of using this method to chase. It seems that you have been able to judge the situation yourself on the field, which is very good."

Westbrook smiled awkwardly and said, "Coach, Kevin and I don't dare to take credit for this. It's true that I ordered Kevin to play with his feet, but it was the one who analyzed the opponent's psychology and let the two of us draw fouls." leaf……"

Immediately, everyone looked at Ye Feng who was sitting beside him wrapped in a coat.Ye Feng smiled and said: "I'm just a bystander, now it seems that this method is very effective, doesn't it?"

Holland nodded: "This method is indeed feasible. If the opponent does not make an obvious response later, the two of you will continue to foul each other, understand?"

"Yes Sir!" Westbrook and Love replied loudly.

(End of this chapter)