Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 81
Everyone knows that UCLA is very strong, but they also know that UCLA once lost to the University of Memphis, so when UCLA defeated the University of Memphis in a simple way with the inside to drive the outside, they were still a little unbelievable.But whether they believe their eyes or not, UCLA has reached the NCAA finals this season and will compete with the University of Kansas for the final championship.Compared with the record of stopping in the semi-finals last season, UCLA has indeed gone a step further, but they are a giant team in NCAA history. Although they have not been able to get a championship in the past few seasons, they still have their own arrogance.

The University of Kansas Jays have a record of 37 wins and 3 losses in the regular season this season, ranking second among the 328 teams in all NCAA leagues. The most frightening thing is that their average net difference after the schedule revision is as high as 26.89. Ranking first in the NCAA, that is to say, excluding the interference of the difficulty of the schedule, they can indeed be called the strongest team in the NCAA this season.But Holland didn't panic at all. The outcome of the game cannot be judged by the previous team data. Otherwise, why do we need the game?Wouldn't it be over if everyone compares the data and directly awards the championship trophy?

Holland's biggest reliance is still the team's inside combination.If it was changed to North Carolina, he might be more anxious, because North Carolina's internal strength is higher than that of Kansas. Just a Hansbrough who averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game is enough to become a big problem for UCLA.As for Kansas, he really didn't see any threat to the team from the opponent's two centers, Sasha Cowan and Cole Aldridge. Instead, their backcourt deserves attention, Chalmers + Rush. The characteristics of the combination are very close to Westbrook + Ye Feng. These four are combo guards with the ability to hold the ball, but Holland can say without shame that Rush is not as good as Ye Feng. The performance in the paper also fully proves this point.

On the contrary, the two forwards of Kansas posed a problem for Holland. Judging from the collected data, Kansas's starting lineup does not care about big and small forwards. Their third and fourth positions are all wings with a height of 2.06 meters. Dale Earl Arthur and Darnell Jackson, and their scoring ability is quite good, and they are also the other two players in the team who scored in double figures except for the backcourt combination.It can be said that Shipp should be the one with the most pressure. He is actually a short insider. No matter whether Arthur or Jackson is three or four, it is quite a cheating thing for him.Holland's idea is to hide him on the defensive end, but from the perspective of Kansas' lineup, anyone who faces him is misplaced. Such a loophole is almost impossible to hide on the defensive end.

Since the final will be held on April 4, Holland has no time to test whether his tactical system can narrow Shipp's disadvantage.After many unsuccessful tactical maneuvers, he had to call Shipp to his room himself.When Shipp pushed the door and came in, Holland saw the towel around his neck and the sweat-wet training clothes at a glance. It was no need to guess that he must have been training in the gym with his teammates just now. Rand notified the whole team to have a holiday today after the game yesterday, but there are always some players who will automatically and consciously go to the gym for various training. As a veteran player, Shipp definitely leads by example.Holland stared blankly at Shipp, but couldn't say a word he wanted to say before.

Ship felt that the coach was very strange, just staring at himself without saying a word.After being silent for a while, Shipp took the initiative to say: "Coach, what's the matter? If there is nothing else, I want to go back to the gym to train with everyone now." Holland sighed secretly, and he motioned for Shipp to He sat down on the chair, and then asked seemingly casually: "Josh, as the oldest player on the team, what do you think of the team's performance this season?"

Hipp was stunned for a moment, and an astonishing brilliance bloomed in his eyes: "Coach, to be honest, I didn't expect the team to reach such a height. I thought it was over when we reached the final four like last season. , but I have to say that the current strength of the team should be sure to win the championship. The joining of Ye and Kevin has indeed brought our strength to a higher level. I admire the coach for your vision in recruiting players."

Holland waved his hand in disinterest, and said, "I don't need to say these compliments. In your opinion, how likely are we to win Kansas?"

I'm going, why do you ask me to answer this kind of question?Hipp groaned inwardly, but he dared not answer. He considered it in his heart and whispered, "I don't think it's 40%." I haven't played against them yet, but Shipp feels that he should bravely admit that the opponent is better than himself. If this has to deceive himself, then the game will be meaningless.

Holland's expression became serious, and he said word by word: "If I say, I can increase this possibility to 60%, are you willing to do something for the team?" What? 60%?Shipp could hardly believe his ears, but he dared not doubt his coach even more.Sometimes although Shipp will let them provide some suggestions for the team's tactics, but in more time the coach is the authority.Moreover, Holland himself is a coach with a very good reputation, and there is at least a seventy-eight percent possibility of him saying this sentence, so what do I need to do?

Shipp cast doubtful eyes on his coach.Sweeping Shipp's soaked training clothes again, Holland said softly: "I hope you will give up your starting position in this game and lead the bench with Collison." Holland's voice It was very light, but it was like a thunderbolt directly hitting Hipp's head. For a while, he couldn't even organize his own language completely.Yes, he didn't expect Holland to say such a sentence at all!

Seeing that Shipp's face turned pale in an instant, Holland sighed in his heart, but he understood that this villain had to do it himself. For the team's victory, he had to make some sacrifices in many cases, and even more so. What's more, this is a more pure basketball league than the NBA.Shipp took a lot of effort to wake up from the shock of this sentence. He asked in a low voice: "Coach, I have always respected you. Can you tell me why this time?"

Holland was cruel, and said in a deep voice: "I have tried many tactics, but I can't completely hide you on the defensive end. According to the technical characteristics of the two forwards in Kansas, I think that if you appear in the starting lineup , will be the biggest defensive loophole of our team. So... Josh, in order to win the game, I have to put you on the bench, I hope you can understand, after all, I am the head coach of the team, I have to Be responsible for the entire team! At this time, if I see an opportunity but don’t take the initiative to seize it, I think you, especially those brats who are likely to participate in the draft this year, will really blame me for the rest of my life.”

Hearing Holland's explanation, Shipp neither agreed nor objected. He sat blankly for a while and said slowly: "I am an old man who entered the team in the 2004-05 season. It's okay to be the oldest player on the team. I was a junior on the team at the time, and Aaron was like me. The team's record was 18 wins and 11 losses that season, and we ended up in the first round. .In 2006 we finally made it to the finals, but we lost to the University of Florida Gators led by Noah and Horford; .”

"Then, Aaron left. Although he was the first round pick in 2007, I know he is not reconciled. It's just that two consecutive years of failure made him disheartened. Perhaps his most regretful thing is that he failed to help the team. Win a championship? But this time, I see the hope of winning the championship from the young people of the team. Even on paper, the difference in strength is far smaller than when we played against the University of Florida. Although we played To be a starter for the entire regular season, but to be a substitute in the last, most important game, I'm honestly not reconciled."

Speaking of this, Shipp's voice suddenly became passionate: "But on the eve of the dawn, there is always someone who will sacrifice everything to drive out the darkness. If you, coach, think that it is the best choice for me to give up the starting lineup, then I accept it! I really want a championship very much. If the team falls on the podium again because of me this time, I will be the most unforgivable person in the whole team. Can use the starter of a game I think it's worth changing to another champion!"

After speaking, Ship stood up slowly, bowed slightly to Holland, and left the room without hesitation.Although he walked very fast, Holland still saw the sparkle in his eyes. This is the greatest wish of a veteran of the team, and he can pay any price for this.It is a cruel thing for Shipp to be unable to fight as the starter in the final battle, but competitive competition itself is like this, there can be warmth and mercy, but as long as it involves the final Winning or losing is a situation of fighting to the death.To be honest, Holland himself does not want to remove Shipp from the starting lineup, but he is responsible for other players!
"I hope my decision is right..." Holland muttered to himself in the empty room.

(End of this chapter)