Y13 [EN]: Chapter 126

[Oh, Dallas Mavericks! They’ve given up a 16-4 run in just six minutes, bringing the score to 36-38! The Lakers have finally taken the lead!]

Marv Albert exclaimed with surprise and astonishment, and Steve Kerr nodded in agreement, saying it was certainly possible.

[In basketball, or any sport, it’s really hard to predict when the momentum will shift. And once it shifts, it’s unstoppable. Dallas, who were on fire in the first quarter, have only managed two mid-range shots from Jason Terry and Peja in the second quarter. With a shooting percentage of just 2/9 in the second quarter, I wonder if Coach Carlisle’s rotation was a bit too much. Taking Kidd, Yoon, Nowitzki, and Chandler out at the same time, when they were all playing so well, was a gamble, and it seems to have backfired! It looks like Terry and Peja Stojakovic have hit a wall today!]

[In contrast, Lakers coach Phil Jackson made a bold move by putting the starters back in just two minutes into the second quarter. This turned it into a battle between the bench players and the starting players, and Dallas lost their 10-point lead in the blink of an eye without being able to do anything about it! Coach Carlisle did call a timeout in the middle, but he just finished by explaining tactics and talking to the players without subbing in any starters, so it looks like things will be tough.]

Eventually, Coach Carlisle called a timeout and stared at the players coming to the bench with a stern expression. He knew it well: there’s nothing as fickle as a jump shooter’s touch in basketball. But Carlisle wasn’t angry because of momentum or shooting slumps.

‘Corey Brewer’s excessive toughness is becoming a liability. Of course, he showed good defense against Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest, but he already has three fouls, two of them shooting fouls. And Brandon Haywood…’

Brandon Haywood couldn’t stop Pau Gasol, or even Lamar Odom, let alone Andrew Bynum, and he seemed to be collapsing mentally. It was hard to believe that a player could decline so quickly. The Brandon Haywood of this time last year and the Brandon Haywood of today were two very different people.

The 7-foot (213cm) tall center was being pushed around by Odom, and his free throw percentage hadn’t exceeded 40% in recent games. After his argument with Coach Carlisle, he seemed to be improving to some extent, but that didn’t last long either. In the end, he gave Mahinmi a lot of playing time in the second half of the regular season, but he had no choice but to trust Haywood in the playoffs.

“Okay, let’s reset. The first quarter has started, and we’ve only conceded the first point.”

At Coach Carlisle’s words, the players’ dejected expressions seemed to improve a little, but it didn’t change the fact that they had failed to protect a 10-point lead because of their poor play.

“Kidd, Terry, Yoon, Nowitzki, Chandler, get ready. And Peja, your goal is to conserve your energy while trying not to lose your shooting touch. Brewer, your defense was good, but no reckless fouls. Your mission is to calm down until the next substitution and clearly recognize what you did wrong. And Brewer, you’re a player who shines in fast transitions and early offense. Don’t try to force things on offense.”

Brewer nodded heavily, reflecting on his earlier mistakes where he had been running around without thinking. In a regular season game, he could have just brushed it off, but this game was a best-of-seven series. It was also the first game, which was the most important. Making mistakes in an important game where mistakes meant elimination was no different from devaluing himself.

“Good, the goal for this quarter is to regain the lead. Kidd, I already know your ability to control the offense, so I won’t say any more. However, the basic attack is a calm and high-percentage set play, but if the opponent’s defense is loose or there’s a mismatch, I’ll trust your brilliant instincts.”

Kidd looked at Coach Carlisle, who was showing his trust, and nodded instead of answering.

“However, don’t overthink the triangle offense [a strategic offensive play]. Of course, it’s difficult if three people pass the ball organically and quickly, but eventually you have to shoot to score. Thoroughly mark your own man and just interfere with the shot. The screens of those big men are by no means high level. However, absolutely no reckless steals. In that sense, Yoon, the most important point is for you to stop Kobe.”

Youngjae was once again in a position to guard Kobe. So far, Kobe has scored a total of 11 points. Four of those points were free throws, and he scored one 3-pointer and two 2-pointers, but when Youngjae guarded Kobe, he only gave up 4 points. That meant that Youngjae’s defense was effective against Kobe. That’s why Carlisle couldn’t think of anyone more suitable than Youngjae to guard Kobe. For Kobe, a technician who focuses on various skills rather than athletic ability, Youngjae, a defender with good reaction speed and a clever style, was perhaps the best match.

“Yoon, I’ve been managing your stamina carefully by having you play only 25 to 30 minutes. But now it’s the playoffs, and it’s the semi-conference finals. And you’re the only one on our team, except for Brewer, who can persistently guard Kobe. With this opportunity, you’ll walk one of two paths. Either you’ll be blocked by the limits of your stamina and the high mountain that is Kobe Bryant and just stay at that level, or you’ll find the potential to become a player who surpasses Kobe. Only you will know the answer. The playoffs can create monsters, and they can also turn monsters into ordinary players.”

Beeeep!

Coach Carlisle didn’t say anything more to Youngjae. Instead, he patted Youngjae on the shoulder, giving him strength without words.

[Okay! Now the game is back to square one. Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks is crossing the half-court line.]

[Now it’s a clash between the starting members of both teams, with no room to back down! Considering that both teams are veteran teams, Dallas is likely to have the upper hand in terms of stamina. Besides, the shooting touch of Dallas’s starters is pretty good!]

Kidd dribbled slowly towards the top of the key, and Nowitzki, as if understanding Kidd’s intentions, stood tall next to Derek Fisher, who was guarding Kidd, and set a screen. At the same time, Kidd turned to the right, and Derek Fisher, who was guarding Kidd, seemed to avoid Nowitzki’s screen slightly.

“Ugh!”

However, Derek Fisher, who didn’t know that there was another screen behind him with a slight distance, made a sound and bounced back.

The player who set the double screen behind Nowitzki was none other than Tyson Chandler.

[Ah! Dallas Mavericks! They completely shake off Derek Fisher with a double screen! Jason Kidd, breaking through to the right, is there no one who can stop him?! Pau Gasol hesitates in an ambiguous position!]

[The Lakers’ 2-3 zone defense, the so-called HOUSE, has Fisher, who was in charge of the front 2 position, falling out, so Lamar Odom, who was standing on the opposite side, has no choice but to stay put! If Odom had come to help Kidd, Nowitzki, who had set a screen on the outside, would have been completely open! Giving Dirk Nowitzki an open 3-pointer… nothing could be more fatal!]

Kidd hoped that Odom would follow him as he drove from the high post to the low post, but unfortunately, Odom didn’t follow and kept his position. Eventually, Pau Gasol came out to hedge [a defensive tactic where a player briefly steps out to impede the ball handler], so Kidd clicked his tongue and came up with a second plan.

Whoosh!

[Jason Kidd! To Jason Terry on the left side! But the pass was a bit strong! As soon as Terry catches the ball, to Nowitzki at the top!]

[Look. If Odom had vacated his position, Nowitzki would have shot a 3-pointer right away with that pass, but thanks to Odom keeping his position, Dallas is now in a situation where they have to create space again.]

Nowitzki and Terry passed the ball to each other briefly, and as soon as Terry caught the ball, Nowitzki set a screen momentarily, and as soon as he confirmed that Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom were caught in the screen, Terry charged towards the low post.

“Ugh!”

However, the two players came out of Nowitzki’s screen and double-teamed Terry with strong pressure. Terry, who was driven to the baseline, eventually jumped up with all his might and threw the ball back to Nowitzki.

‘This is it!!’

Just before receiving Terry’s ball, Nowitzki was able to scan the entire court in an instant. Because the ball was only circulating on the left side where Nowitzki and Terry were, the Lakers’ 2-3 zone defense was disrupted, and the situation naturally became concentrated on the right.

Whoosh!!!

[Ah ah!! Nowitzki, an amazing two-handed pass! A laser pass thrown with both hands!]

[Who’s on the opposite side! A situation where no one is blocking!]

[It’s Youngjae Yoon, Youngjae Yoon~!!! As soon as he receives the pass, a 3-pointer from the right side, just like that!!!]

It was Youngjae who was standing wide open on the right side. Even Ron Artest, who was guarding Youngjae, moved towards the low post, so there was no one to stop Youngjae.

Originally, Youngjae was supposed to play the role of diligently making off-the-ball movements and collapsing the defense, but since Nowitzki and Terry were already passing the ball in the zone defense, and Terry’s breakthrough broke the defensive formation, it was a better decision for Youngjae to just stick to one spot and maintain the open look.

“!”

The ball was released so exquisitely and thrillingly. As soon as the ball left his fingertips, Youngjae could feel it instinctively: that the ball was released more perfectly than ever before.

[BANG!!!! BULLS EYE!!!]

[It’s really accurate! I wonder if even Kobe, his opponent, should give him a hand when it comes to shooting. A player who can shoot anywhere on the court, regardless of spot-up or pull-up! And he’s even got a strong heart!]

[That’s why Y13 [Youngjae’s nickname] is joining the Rookie of the Year race this season, isn’t it? If he’s the 25th pick in the first round and is considered the best rookie of 2010-2011, what more explanation is needed! It feels like Y13 is a rookie who is exceeding all expectations before the season!]

As soon as the ball went in, Youngjae raised both arms and showed the audience that a 3-pointer had been scored by stretching out his thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Then, the Dallas home fans shouted Y13, making the stadium roar.

Thump thump-

Y13! Y13!

Thump thump-

Y13! Y13!

[Youngjae Yoon scores his 10th point already! The fans filling the American Airlines Center are stomping their feet and chanting Y13, making the home stadium shake!]

[The rookie Youngjae Yoon! Brings the momentum back to Dallas! Which could have completely shifted after suffering a 16-4 run! The score is 39 to 38! The Dallas Mavericks have regained the lead!]

As soon as he came in, Youngjae continued to perform amazingly, like a fish in water. Like players who get stronger in big games, Youngjae’s shooting was more deadly than ever, and his brilliant passing sense, despite his short wingspan, cut off passes by slightly extending his arms in the right place, and he also did well in selecting rebound positions. As a result of his efforts, Youngjae has recorded 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover so far, showing the most points and the best field goal percentage in Dallas.

[Okay! The second quarter is almost over. The score is 51 to 47! Dallas couldn’t keep the 10-point difference until the middle of the second quarter, but fortunately, Coach Carlisle’s rotation worked. I can take a breather.]

[Yes, I think it’s safe to say that the real game starts now. The Lakers’ last attack, 2 seconds left. Lamar Odom catches the ball and shoots, and Terry jumps up with him! There doesn’t seem to be any need to do that!]

However, Terry’s hasty defense had already touched Odom’s arm, and Odom forcibly threw the ball and took a shooting posture. Javie, the referee who watched the scene right next to him, without a moment’s hesitation…

Beeeep!!

[Ah ah!! Jason Terry shooting foul!!! Such an absurd foul comes out right before the end of the first half!]

Declared a shooting foul.

============================ Author’s Afterword ============================

★Thank you to those who marked this as favorite, recommended, commented, and gave coupons!!

＠There’s no one particularly noticeable in this Summer League. There’s definitely no player to give Tier 1 to, so there’s talk that they gave 칼타주 [likely refers to a high draft pick] because there was no one else… Upper picks 칼타주 and Russell are below expectations, and Stanley Johnson and Miles Turner look better instead. Of course, I didn’t watch the full game ㅋㅋ

＠Adam Silver, the president [of the NBA], said that he has no intention of changing the current moratorium system [a period where teams can’t make trades or sign free agents]. It seems that he will be planning and researching various plans until the next CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement] negotiation. Anyway, it’s a problem that can’t be changed right away.

※Hedge: Meaning fence, when a defender caught in a screen comes out in front of the screen to pressure the ball handler to defend. To explain it in more detail, when the defensive rotation is broken due to a screen, individual ability, or other factors, a space is created, and the on-baller on the first line usually goes through the space to break through, pass, or secure space through threats to shoot, which is how basketball usually flows. At this time, the 2nd line defender comes out as much as possible from the line holding his matchup and briefly blocks the critical breakthrough path or pass path itself, not a specific player, to delay until the defensive rotation is recovered. That’s usually a hedge defense.

컵속의컵님/// I agree. The season is still far away, but I’m already looking forward to it ㅋㅋ

야우로님/// Ah, I remember now; Really… I don’t know what he thinks he is.

나일브님/// I set up common values ​​such as wingspan, vertical jump, and running speed and started. They are scattered in several files, but I will find them and upload them to the settings column during the weekend. Various specs other than physicals, etc.

슈팅스타트님/// Haha. After all, there are Nowitzki and Terry in the team. It seems impossible for Novi to win the scoring title until he retires. Novi also said in an interview after the championship season that he wanted to play with a player who could be the first option instead of himself, so the scoring ratio between Novi and Youngjae will gradually reverse.

ㅎ0ㅎ님, huhcafe님/// The wind is blowing a lot, so the heat has improved a lot ㅎㅎ If you think about the drought, it needs to rain a lot.

-DarkANGEL-님/// ㅋㅋ I also like sports so much that I watch various kinds, and you’re similar.

커스타드님/// Please leave a comment or message anytime if you have any difficulties!! welcome~~

쿤다라님, 찬란한유산님, 사라질영혼님, misscherry님, 1234567890123님, 파이넨시아님/// Thank you for your comments as always!! Have a happy 불금~~ [Happy Friday]

장문탁님/// Thank you for pointing that out. The thoughts in my head and the actual game got mixed up ㅋㅋ ㅠ.ㅠ

킹덤브라더스님/// Ah, after hearing what you said, I think I’ve seen it somewhere. I’ll find it and make an episode^^