Y13 [EN]: Chapter 138

Y13-138 Conference Final

“If we win today, we’re finally at the final stage, right?”

Emily, who was cutely munching on her salad, asked Youngjae with a bright smile. Youngjae nodded and took a sip of his Americano.

“The Dallas Mavericks’ super rookie! Second in Rookie of the Year and on the All-Rookie First Team! Hehe, I never knew my man would be such an amazing guy~”

Youngjae seemed a little embarrassed by Emily’s praise and simply shrugged, not showing any other reaction. Emily fidgeted with her socked feet, still feeling awkward about not wearing shoes, but she realized that taking her shoes off at home wasn’t so bad. She had started to feel a little stuffy wearing shoes inside.

“Did you have a good visit with your parents?”

“Of course~ It seems like my parents watch Yoon’s games without missing any. They said he’s a really good player, you know?”

Youngjae smiled at Emily’s words and cleared the empty plate. Emily offered to do it, but Youngjae playfully swayed from side to side, preventing her from approaching the sink.

“You could have stayed at home longer. Are you okay?”

“I spent plenty of time with them. And I visited my parents starting from the second game, and we lost once at home, right? We only win when I’m here~”

Emily cheered for Youngjae with a smile, and Youngjae smiled faintly, making a silent resolution.

Scott Brooks stood before the Oklahoma City players with a serious expression. The young players seemed dispirited, and it was difficult for them to bounce back once their momentum was broken. As a coach, he needed to encourage the players and boost their morale.

“…”

“Gentlemen. We are not playing tonight to win this series.”

Brooks paused for a moment and looked at each of the players. Durant, Westbrook, Perkins, Sefolosha…

“We are here tonight, for the fifth game, to win a single game.”

The players looked puzzled at Brooks’ words. They didn’t understand the difference between winning the series and winning today’s game.

“Just focus on that. You don’t need to think about what will happen if we lose this game or what will happen if we win this game. Just concentrate all your energy on winning the single game that will be played today.”

The players finally understood Brooks’ intention and began to show a glimmer of light in their previously dim eyes.

“Let’s start over with a fresh mindset. Let’s think of today as the first game. Just think that if we win today’s game, we’ll have one more chance. That’s all you need to focus on.”

Brooks applauded and encouraged the players, who had lost their confidence.

“We don’t need to worry about being in enemy territory! Just do what we’ve been doing. Think of your teammates, run a little harder for your teammates, and just think about winning. Let’s win this one!”

The players clapped, looked at each other, and found a little more strength. It was like trying to ignite one last flame.

As Scott Brooks’ speech and the video of the Oklahoma City Thunder players ended, a view of the American Airlines Center was shown from above. It was a sea of blue. The stadium, filled with tens of thousands of fans, was packed with fans wearing the same blue T-shirts.

This was a generous gift from Dallas team owner Mark Cuban, who had given away free T-shirts to the fans. The chest featured the Dallas Mavericks’ stylish logo and symbol, the ‘Untamed Mustang,’ and on either side were the words ‘LET’S GO MAVS’ in bold lettering.

[Hello! We’re broadcasting live from the American Airlines Center for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals! Mike Breen will be on the play-by-play, with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson providing commentary!]

Even with Mike Breen speaking into the microphone, his voice was barely audible over the intense beats and cheers filling the stadium.

Thump- thump-

Music played as if a large drum was resonating grandly, and the fans were already stomping their feet to the beat, unable to contain their excitement.

The Dallas fans stomped their feet and clapped in time with the three beats, hitting long white balloons sold at the entrance of the stadium while chanting Let’s / Go / Mavs. Amidst the huge crowd, Emily, wearing sunglasses, was also stomping her feet, fully immersed in the excitement. Originally, she would have come to watch the game alone, but she might have been even more excited because she wasn’t alone today.

“Emily!! This is so exciting!”

“You’ve been watching this alone every time?! We should have called you sooner!”

It was Steve Yeun and Lauren Cohan. These two had also finished filming and came to the stadium with Emily.

[Tonight’s game could completely end the Western Conference Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder have led close games based on their young energy and activity, but they have consistently failed to stop Dallas’ clutch offense in the fourth quarter, losing three games to Dallas. If the same thing happens today, the situation will be dire!]

Amidst the cheers of the fans filling the stadium, the players from both teams finished all their preparations and gathered in the center of the court.

[The home team, Dallas Mavericks, has brought out the lineup of Jason Kidd – Youngjae Yoon – Shawn Marion – Dirk Nowitzki – Tyson Chandler, as always! Coach Carlisle is completely satisfied with this lineup, isn’t he?]

[That’s right. At the beginning of the season, it was expected that Brandon Haywood, who was somewhat proven, would play as the starter, but Tyson Chandler seized the starting position, taking advantage of Brandon Haywood’s severe slump. It was expected that DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Terry would compete for the shooting guard position, but Youngjae Yoon surprisingly burst his potential from his debut season and secured the starting position.]

[The characteristic of this lineup is that all players except Nowitzki are in the top tier of defense in their respective positions. In addition, with Yoon, who can penetrate, in the starting lineup, the proportion of 2-2 plays utilizing Nowitzki and Chandler has greatly increased. It’s a lineup that can suffocate the opponent with defense and bombard them with scoring! Yoon and Chandler have supplemented Dallas’ previous lack of paint zone scoring, and Marion, who mainly uses cut-ins and post-ups, has also come alive! Terry and Barea are literally massacring the opponent’s bench. There are seven players who can consistently score in double digits per game.]

After the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup introduction ended, Oklahoma City’s lineup was also revealed.

[Oklahoma City Thunder countering with Russell Westbrook – Thabo Sefolosha – Kevin Durant – Serge Ibaka – Kendrick Perkins!]

[This is the best lineup Oklahoma City can field! They are 1 win and 3 losses with this lineup, but there’s no other choice! They have no choice but to clash with this lineup! For the sake of offensive and defensive balance, Harden and Collison have to come off the bench! The team lacks three-point and inside scoring options, and the lack of offensive tactics in clutch time has been a weakness throughout the season. Durant and Westbrook have been solving that with their individual abilities, but both of them have been slumping alternately. Westbrook had dismal stats except for Game 2, and Durant also slumped in Games 3 and 4. In particular, these two players committed a whopping 15 turnovers in the last Game 4, becoming the main culprits of the defeat. Dallas’ team turnovers were only 13.]

As all the lineup introductions ended, the referee stood between the centers of both teams and tossed the ball high into the air.

Thwack!

[The game has started with the jump ball. Tyson Chandler wins the jump ball! Kidd receives the ball tapped by Chandler!]

The ball that Tyson Chandler bounced was sucked right into Kidd’s hands. Kidd quickly crossed the half-court line to the top, thinking that they had to push from the start, and Tyson Chandler accurately grasped Kidd’s movement and set a screen.

[Jason Kidd! Goes over Tyson Chandler’s screen!]

[There’s not much Kidd can do alone against a player like Westbrook. Dallas’ start is always like this every game.]

However, even with Kidd’s smooth dribbling, Westbrook caught up with Kidd with his unique toughness, and eventually, Kidd was surrounded by a double team from Kendrick Perkins and Westbrook in the low post.

“Hmm…”

Even in the midst of that, Kidd didn’t panic and forcefully threw a kick-out pass to the outside, which he had anticipated [a pre-emptive move], and the pass accurately landed in Youngjae’s hands.

[A calm kick-out pass even in a double-team situation! This is why Jason Kidd is a point guard who can rise to the ranks of legends!]

[Now, Youngjae Yoon. Is it a breakthrough? Is it a shot!]

Youngjae, who received the ball at the three-point line, glanced at Sefolosha, who had failed to cut off the passing and was running towards him, and quickly raised both hands. To avoid giving him any time to hesitate, Youngjae took a stance right before the shot, and as soon as he saw Sefolosha jumping, he lowered his hands and attempted a dribble breakthrough.

[Pumping fake! Amazing, Youngjae Yoon!]

Sefolosha brushed past Youngjae with a clearly flustered expression, and Youngjae relentlessly drove from the high post to the low post. As a result, he ended up facing Serge Ibaka, who was guarding the rim with Kendrick Perkins.

‘Shoot? Pass?’

Youngjae hesitated slightly. Knowing Ibaka’s blocking ability well, it was a bad idea for Youngjae to rush in recklessly. Youngjae thought that he had to peel off Ibaka’s defense in order to shoot or pass, so he kicked off the court and jumped.

[Youngjae Yoon! Is he aiming for a layup as is! Collides with Serge Ibaka in the air!]

[It’s too much, it’s too much! What will Youngjae Yoon do in this situation!!]

As Jeff Van Gundy said, a head-on match with Serge Ibaka was too much. That’s why Youngjae pushed Ibaka even harder. Even if he pushed Ibaka with his power, it only shook him slightly in the air, but that was enough.

“Hah!!”

Youngjae went up as if he was doing a layup, supporting the ball with his hand, and Ibaka was worried about Youngjae’s possible fake, but it was clear that the layup would succeed even if he left it as it was.

[Serge Ibaka! Attempts a textbook block!]

[Wow! Wow!! Youngjae Yoon!!!]

It was then. As soon as Ibaka’s hand was raised, Youngjae pulled the ball back to his chest, stretched his hand forward again, and faked the timing. It was already past the rim to do a normal layup. Youngjae sensed the rim behind him and threw the ball as if he was doing a reverse layup.

[Is it a reverse layup!! Ibaka! Reaches out his hand belatedly, but doesn’t reach!]

[Ah, but was Ibaka’s physical contest too tough?! The reverse layup is too strong…]

Mark Jackson was about to start talking with a regretful expression, looking at the reverse layup that was far off the rim. But, at that very moment.

“Woaaaaaa!!!”

KWAANG!!!

[OH, OH MY GODNESS!! POWERFUL SLAM!!]

[Tyson Chandler! A wonderful alley-oop dunk! It’s really a perfect combination of the two players! Yoon recognized that Chandler was closest to the goal and raised it high towards Chandler rather than taking an unreasonable shot.]

[The moment I was about to say that the reverse layup was too strong, Tyson Chandler soared, and oh! I got goosebumps all over my body! Youngjae Yoon’s amazing reverse alley-oop pass that aimed for Tyson Chandler from the beginning, not the rim!!]

With that one play, Mark Cuban, the team owner sitting in the front row of the audience, repeatedly hit his chest and shouted YES! The players sitting on the bench also stood up and cheered from the beginning at the fantastic play.

Y13!!

“Hey~ I was the one who dunked, so why are you getting more cheers?”

Chandler jokingly tapped Youngjae’s shoulder as he backtracked, and Youngjae shrugged as if he didn’t know either.

“And what were you going to do if I wasn’t in that position?”

“Hey, I knew Chandler would be able to handle that much. You can do that much, right?”

“What? Ugh… Anyway, you never think of losing an argument.”

[Yoon is a player who can do jumpers and alley-oop passes, so he made good use of the fact that Sefolosha had no choice but to jump. And the combination with Chandler shone once again. Chandler wouldn’t have been visible in Yoon’s vision, but he thought about Chandler’s position before he jumped and trusted him!]

[Dallas is starting by breaking the opponent’s momentum from the start. From Kidd’s exquisite pass to the fantastic alley-oop play between Yoon and Chandler!!]

Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen, who were watching the game as commentators, couldn’t hide their excitement and started commentating passionately with a tremendous high tone within one minute of the start of the game, with the spirit that it would be okay even if their voices were completely gone after this game.

============================ Author’s Note ============================

★Thank you to those who gave advance reservations, recommendations, comments, and coupons!!

@Even at this time, Brooks had no tactics in clutch situations;;; It seems that a virtuous leader cannot become a commander. McHale of Houston, Casey of Toronto, etc… Virtuous leaders harmonize and nurture players well, but the clutch offensive tactic is only ‘Ace Go.’

magara/// 엌ㅋㅋ Dong… Dongjagong이라니욬ㅋㅋ

Eunseolya/// These people ㅋㅋ

Disappearing Soul/// Hehe…

Omarion, Financia, Kevabam/// Thank you for your comments today!! I hope everyone sleeps coolly in this tropical night ㅠ.ㅠ

goimosp, anwkdk/// Well, it’s impossible with elasticity. Frankly, I think it’s difficult for an Asian to establish a position in the NBA with defense. I think the most promising style is a three-point shooter with slightly weak defense like Korver. If not, Noah, who becomes a control tower? This is literally hope ㅋㅋㅋ. Still, I think the more players who experience advanced basketball early, the higher the hope of advancing to the NBA. Not only flashy techniques but even the basics are at a different level.

If you want to have hope, I think you have to do that. There is the example of Choi Jin-soo. I think the only way is to go to the United States from high school and aim for a Division 1 scholarship. Frankly, if you are not at the level to get a Division 1 scholarship, you are not at the level to aim for the NBA. Choi Jin-soo even received recruiting to the prestigious Maryland as the 50th small forward in the United States at the time of high school graduation, but unfortunately, he dropped out and returned to Korea. He said that grades and language problems were big. In particular, he said that the frequent national team dispatch was a problem with grades, so if the stupid association (I don’t expect it) leaves the future of promising players alone, I think there is a possibility. Of course, even if Choi Jin-soo’s grade problem was solved well, I don’t think it would have been difficult to advance to the NBA… Anyway, Korean sports club players are pouring in a lot of money;;; It’s hard to do sports clubs if you don’t have money in your family. These days, so many Korean students go to study abroad early, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sending them to do sports.

Reporter Gwanggi/// Since our novel has taken the direction of a growth story, there is no structure in which a Munchkin who eats the league from the first year can come out ㅋㅋㅋ Of course, it will peak later.

H0H/// 엌ㅋㅋ That’s right. It’s a disease to endure too much ㅋㅋ

Nakhoon/// That’s right. I corrected the wrong part. Thank you for pointing it out^^

Yabes/// ㅋㅋ The Kardashian sisters are famous for that ㅋㅋ Harden seems to be caught up in it this time;;; I wonder if he’ll be safe…