Y13 [EN]: Chapter 142

Y13-142 Conference Final

“Alright. Coach Scott Brooks will probably keep Westbrook in. Yoon, I want you to focus on marking Westbrook. And Kidd! You go in for Terry and defend James Harden. If Harden goes out, naturally cover Sefolosha. In today’s game, Coach Brooks is using a variant lineup with Harden as the point guard. As you both know, remember that Harden is leading the game today, not Westbrook.”

After instructing the defensive tactics, Coach Carlisle crossed his arms again and gazed at the players entering the court. In such big games, a difference of just one or two points could drastically change the outcome, but conversely, a 10-20 point lead could also be overturned in an instant. Therefore, in these short series, tactical diversity and improvisation were quite important.

The entire roster registered in the team could play on the court, and player substitutions could be made countless times throughout the game. Also, the coach’s role was emphasized in basketball playoffs to the extent that the point guard could lead the offense according to the coach’s play calls in each possession, and the defensive leader could adjust the defensive positions.

‘Scott Brooks…’

In that respect, Scott Brooks still lacked experience. Having a reliable ace was definitely important for the team, and in short series, as playing time increased and preparations became more thorough, the power of a superstar who could disrupt these preparations was maximized. However, even a superstar would inevitably face human limitations when subjected to such intensive pressure. This would become noticeable in terms of stamina. In addition to simple experience, he was clearly showing a lack of tactical diversity.

Beeeep-!

[The game resumes! The Dallas Mavericks have changed their lineup, but Oklahoma City remains the same!]

Kidd, who caught the ball at the top of the key, glanced at Harden, who was guarding him, with his signature poker face and leisurely dribbling. The beard was easily recognizable even from a distance. He still lacked motivation and polish in defense, but he was a player who could show explosive scoring ability on offense, regardless of whether he was inside or outside. He also had smart game management skills that could make up for Westbrook’s lack of playmaking ability. Today, he was spending a considerable amount of time as a point guard instead of Westbrook, which made Oklahoma’s offense much more flexible and natural than before.

Hook-

Kidd didn’t bother trying to break through Harden in front of him. He lightly passed to Youngjae, who had moved out to the right side. Youngjae, who received the pass, looked at Westbrook, who was following him without any signs of fatigue, and felt a sense of envy rising within him.

‘That guy is really something. I heard he hasn’t missed a single game since high school, right?’

Russell Westbrook was truly something else. He was running as if he couldn’t last even 30 minutes, yet he was barely out of breath. Westbrook, lowering his upper body and stretching out his arms in front of Youngjae, was truly the picture of an iron man.

Youngjae glanced around the court and thought simply. His opponent was an iron man with overflowing athleticism and stamina, the opponent was Oklahoma City, and forgetting all that, what was the best offensive route to attack the opponent right now? The answer was already clear.

[Youngjae Yoon! Collides with Westbrook!!]

[Westbrook is startled and tries to block Youngjae Yoon’s drive, who roughly pushes in with his left shoulder! But he can’t completely stop him because his first step is so quick!]

Having succeeded in entering the high post, Youngjae passed a bounce pass to Nowitzki, who was slowly drifting along the baseline, as Westbrook blocked his path to the basket to stop his drive.

[Smart pass! The opponent that Oklahoma City is most wary of in the current situation is Dirk Nowitzki! His defensive matchup is Nick Collison! It’s the only place among Oklahoma City’s five positions where they are being overwhelmed!]

Tutung!

A smart and smooth baseline move that was unimaginable for a big man’s body. Collison was still not used to Nowitzki, who he had guarded at least five times today alone. The fact that a big man was making such plays was rare unless it was a unique style player like Nowitzki, and Collison was starting to find it overwhelming. How easy would it be to guard a simple stretch power forward? But the opponent was not a simple stretch power forward.

“Hmph!!”

If it were a normal layup or finish under the basket, he should have jumped long ago, but Nowitzki made a slight adjustment due to Collison’s more persistent defense than usual. Nowitzki soared up just as he neared the rim, and shot the ball as he saw Collison on the side and Perkins in front of him raising their hands.

Beeeep!!

Swish-

[Wow, wow!! Did you see that! Dirk Nowitzki’s reverse layup!!]

[It was impossible even if Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison rushed in at the same time! Moreover, Collison ended up giving up a free throw because he tried to block it until the end!!! With this, the score is 66 to 55! The difference widens to 11 points!]

Nowitzki lightly made the additional free throw and leisurely backtracked. Youngjae did not avoid Westbrook’s eyes, which were glaring at him as if he were a coward, but rather met his gaze with a cold expression. He showed that he didn’t need to do everything alone because he had good teammates and well-organized tactics.

A difference of 11 points is not a small margin. Youngjae may not remember, but in Youngjae’s previous life, Oklahoma City finished the game with a 4-point lead until the end of the 3rd quarter, and then Dallas advanced to the finals with a great comeback in the 4th quarter.

But now is not that time. Therefore…

[Only 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter! Oklahoma City seems to be waging an all-out war as if it’s their last game, and they can’t keep taking out the starters! Coach Brooks and the Oklahoma City players have no choice but to feel regret!]

A dilemma of having no choice but to continue using the starters. The moment they took out even one of them, there was no other way to put it than to say that Oklahoma City was throwing this game away. Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Collison, Perkins. The five players had been playing continuously without a single substitution since the end of the 3rd quarter. The difference in condition between the players was that great, and they couldn’t even dare to make any changes or attempts to make up for it. Ibaka had committed 4 fouls in the first half alone, and Collison had been playing for over 30 minutes since the second half of the 3rd quarter due to a shooting slump.

[Isn’t Dallas really strong in these playoffs? Centered around Dirk Nowitzki, who is having a legendary playoffs, with accurate jumpers, a well-established defensive system, tempo control that doesn’t distinguish between fast breaks and set plays, variant attacks tailored to various situations, and defensive tactics… I think there’s nothing to criticize.]

[Rather, Dallas is organically rotating players to improve their overall game sense and ensure there are no problems with stamina! Ah, Oklahoma City, if they lose today’s game, it’s over, but the score is still 88 to 81, a 7-point difference! It doesn’t narrow at all.]

[In these playoffs, Nowitzki’s average score in the 4th quarter is over 11 points. Dallas’s point differential in the 4th quarter is also over +7. They have never lost a game in which they were leading going into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma must overcome these unfavorable numbers and probabilities.]

Coach Carlisle crossed his arms and pondered, thinking it was time to make substitutions. He wanted to accurately assess who was tired, the players’ condition, and how to adjust according to the opponent’s tactics.

턱! [Sound effect]

[Russell Westbrook! A lazy inside pass is intercepted by Corey Brewer! Brewer immediately passes to J.J. Barea!]

[Dallas, is it still possible to launch a fast break at that speed?! It’s really amazing!]

Led by the fast-footed Barea, Youngjae was rushing forward on the far right, and Brewer, who had stolen the ball, was also rushing forward in the center. Cardinal and Haywood, who were slower, had no choice but to fall behind, but it was enough numbers to charge in before Oklahoma City’s defense was organized. All three players had excellent speed and were reliable fast break finishers.

[A fantastic pass to Youngjae Yoon, who is penetrating the right wing from the top!!]

[Youngjae Yoon’s record today is impeccable! He only has 15 points, but he has an amazing field goal percentage of 6/7, including 3/3 from 3-point range, plus 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 turnover! Isn’t that a truly amazing stat line?! Combined with Jason Kidd’s 9 assists, they have combined for a whopping 15 assists!]

Youngjae took advantage of the collapsed defense and passed to Corey Brewer, who was positioned on the opposite wing. Brewer wondered if he should face Harden, who was guarding him using the height difference, but soon changed his mind and safely passed the ball to the top of the key.

Brian Cardinal was standing there.

“Shoot!!! Put it in!!!”

“Don’t hesitate!!”

At Youngjae and Brewer’s shouts, Cardinal launched the ball with all his might, as if he was going to do that from the beginning. The time he could be on the court was limited. For Cardinal, it was 5 minutes at most. Being able to be on the court for the 4th quarter out of those 5 minutes, and receiving such a great pass to shoot from the top. He knew well that it was difficult to get a lot of playing time in these playoffs because of his defensive limitations.

Swish-

That alone was enough to make Cardinal’s heart swell.

“Yippee!!!!”

Cardinal shouted loudly without realizing it and stretched both arms straight up to the sky.

[Brian Cardinal!!!! BANG!!!]

[Is that the same player who has been jokingly nicknamed the cheerleader?! Is Brian Cardinal really hitting this big shot?!]

[Haha, Cardinal’s nickname of cheerleader is because he often falls over during the game and shows a comical sight, and he cheered most enthusiastically from the bench. In terms of actual stats, his 3-point percentage is the highest on the Dallas team. It’s over 50%! However, it is difficult to use him for a long time because his defensive rating is over 113 in terms of defense.]

“Cardinal!!”

“You can do it! Nice!!!”

Originally, Brian Cardinal would have continued to sit on the bench after the playoffs with Portland. However, as Beaubois and Butler became unable to play, he was able to remain on the 13-man playoff roster. He was to be used as a 3-point specialist depending on the situation, and he was able to steadily step onto the court for a small amount of time because he had good chemistry with Youngjae in practice. Thanks to that, he was able to shoot one or two shots in each game, and he properly executed what Coach Carlisle wanted.

It was truly a victory for hard work and dedication. A valuable reward was given for understanding his role well and executing it as it was, without giving in even in an extremely short time.

Beee- Beeep!!!

[Ah, in the end, the game is 110 to 96! The Dallas Mavericks take the series with 4 wins and 1 loss! With this, the Dallas Mavericks will once again step onto the finals stage for the first time in 5 years since the 2005-2006 season!!!]

[Depending on the results of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat that will be held tomorrow, the team that will face the Dallas Mavericks in the final showdown may be decided, or we may have to wait longer. Dallas Mavericks! They are a team that is more than capable of being in the finals!]

The Oklahoma City players still couldn’t leave the court, perhaps because they still had deep regrets. Coach Scott Brooks personally patted and encouraged each of the players, and only then did the players get up from their seats, reluctantly taking their feet and leaving the court.

“…”

Youngjae looked around with a special emotion. Dirk Nowitzki is preparing for the MVP interview. Brian Cardinal and Corey Brewer are sharing joy with the audience. Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler are patting the players and preparing for the final battle. And the Mavericks fans, who are surrounding the court, are still cheering with all their might.

“Emily.”

Youngjae couldn’t help but smile slightly as he looked at Emily, who was waving a white balloon with a happy smile from a seat a little further forward than the middle behind the bench, and Lauren Cohan and Steve Yeun, who were caught up in the cheers and shouting together next to her.

============================ Work Review ============================

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＠The conference finals have now been completed. Now it’s the long-awaited finals. The first season seems to be wrapping up within 150 episodes. After that, it’s time for the offseason.

＠Harden actually played the role of point guard in games 4 and 5 instead of Westbrook, who didn’t pass. The effect was quite good. The ball moved much better than with Westbrook or backup point guard Maynor. Harden is still a top playmaker among shooting guards. He was in charge of the team’s playmaking alone last year. Beverley’s playmaking is non-existent, and Prigioni’s playing time is short…

※Defensive Rating: Refers to the points allowed per 100 possessions. If it’s 113 like Cardinal, it’s among the worst in the league. At this time, Dallas’s Cardinal and Novak (who was waived during the season) were over 110. Peja was also almost at the bottom of the league.

은신설야님/// It’s your first postseason. Thank you!!

오르카샤님///Haha thank you. I wanted to show the thrill and development as much as possible while watching the game, so I’m glad.

ㅎ0ㅎ님///Hahat. Not yet. (Too bad….??)

goimosp님/// Youngjae is an old school style. A style that thoroughly commits to the game and plays with everything he has.

비켜봐님///There are several things. Shooting, as well as post-ups and being able to use both hands more freely. It is also possible to bulk up to some extent. There are no more fusion factors or lucky encounters.

소심찌질열등남님/// Thank you for seeing it that way!!

파이넨시아님, 사라질영혼님, CountOfDark님, -DarkANGEL-님/// Thank you for always commenting^^

찬란한유산님/// You’re busy ㅠ.ㅠ I hope things get easier soon.

rtg98님///Yes. There is. It wasn’t there when we conceived it…

라피르and진트님/// I like it because it’s tenacious and he plays with everything he has.

울트라10님///That’s right. There were hardly any Korean players who achieved this much in overseas sports. If a rookie puts up that many stats, they would win Rookie of the Year in most seasons.