Y13 [EN]: Chapter 199

Y13-199. 2011-2012 Regular Season

January 4th, at the Dallas Mavericks’ home stadium, American Airlines Center.

Young-jae looked around the lively home stadium and smiled contentedly. The team’s performance had been a concern, and the atmosphere in the stadium was noticeably less electric than the previous year.

However, after a resounding home victory against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, the home fans started returning to watch the games. The game against the Phoenix Suns was a complete sell-out, creating an incredible spectacle.

Emily, who had been attending all the home games since the regular season began, had to return to her filming commitments and bid Young-jae farewell. Young-jae told her not to carry heavy luggage and to leave her belongings at his place, only taking what she needed.

‘Okay. If Yoon wants me to, I will.’

After watching the Oklahoma City game, Emily briefly stopped by her parents’ house before rejoining the film crew.

*Swish!*

Thinking about this and that, Young-jae found himself putting in a little extra effort. Emily, who took time out of her filming schedule to call Young-jae, gave him plenty of encouragement and support, significantly boosting his morale.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

Nowitzki, who had been quietly observing Young-jae’s clean shooting from the sideline, knew that Young-jae often got lost in thought during practice and would occasionally inquire about his thoughts.

“Just thinking that I have to win the game.”

“That’s not it! You’re just moping because Yoon’s goddess isn’t here today, aren’t you?”

Chandler, joining the conversation, teased Young-jae, saying, “What a pity!” Young-jae glanced at Chandler and refocused on the rim to shoot again.

*Swish!*

“Nowitzki, I’ll pass for Chandler’s share today. How about it?”

Nowitzki’s face lit up at Young-jae’s words after he cleanly made another three-pointer, saying, “Oh, I’m always up for that!” Chandler frowned.

“Wow, stingy! So stingy!”

“Leave Chandler, who doesn’t understand my humor, and me, the stingy one, will go to the bathroom for a bit.”

Chandler and Nowitzki chuckled as they watched Young-jae, who never lost an argument, head to the bathroom.

“Surely, he won’t give me *none* at all, right?”

“If he doesn’t give you any, he’ll give me a lot, so I’m happy.”

[Hello? This is TNT broadcasting live the NBA 2011-2012 Regular Season! Today, we’re bringing you the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns! Chris Webber will be providing commentary. Chris? Nice to see you!]

Brian Dunton started the broadcast with his usual cheerful tone, and Webber, who was sitting next to him, greeted him with a smile.

[I have a feeling that today’s game will be very important for both teams. What do you think?]

Webber paused for a moment and began to explain his thoughts analytically.

[With the Phoenix Suns at 2 wins and 3 losses and the Dallas Mavericks at 2 wins and 4 losses, it’s no exaggeration to say that the outcome of this game will significantly impact the early season atmosphere for both teams. A common issue is that both teams are struggling with the declining performance of their key veterans, which is why they are underperforming early in the season.]

Thinking that the explanation might be a bit lengthy, Webber took a sip of water and continued.

[Phoenix’s Steve Nash and Grant Hill, and Dallas’s Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion. The condition of these players, who are the cornerstones of their respective teams, needs to improve quickly for the team’s performance to improve as well. Phoenix has a slightly better record than Dallas, but the difference is minimal.]

Brian Dunton considered analyzing the game from a different angle, but seeing the lights on the court dimming and the Dallas Mavericks’ bench players lining up in two rows, he decided to postpone his analysis.

[Now! The Dallas Mavericks’ starting lineup is finally being introduced!]

As an exciting beat filled the arena, Dallas home fans erupted in excitement, clapping and cheering. Seeing the waving signs and the large printed faces on placards, the players’ hearts began to race.

– NO.2 !! JASON~ KIDD!!! –

Jason Kidd walked onto the court with a nonchalant expression, extending his hands to both sides to high-five his teammates. Kidd clapped and greeted the home fans, who cheered and applauded him in return.

[Jason Kidd is truly a legendary point guard! He’s showing less playing time and lower stats this season compared to previous years, but his leadership and game management, which aren’t reflected in the stats, are still invaluable to Dallas!]

[His physical condition doesn’t seem too bad, perhaps because he trained with the players before the start of the season? I’m looking forward to today’s game.]

– NO.0 !! SHAWN MARION!!! –

Marion, with his incredible physique reminiscent of the Hulk, rushed out, high-fiving the players as he passed them, and stepped onto the court, clenching both fists and raising them.

[Shawn Marion! He struggled with his physical condition alongside Dirk Nowitzki at the beginning of this season, but you can’t keep the Matrix down! He quickly got back in shape and scored a whopping 17 points in the last game! He’s regaining his form from previous years!]

– NO.6 ! TYSON CHANDLER!!! –

Tyson Chandler walked onto the court like a warrior. Sporting a wild beard and a confident expression, he hit his chest a couple of times and lightly high-fived Kidd and Marion, who were already on the court.

[If it weren’t for Tyson Chandler, the Dallas Mavericks would be in serious trouble! Despite being a defensive center, his consistent double-doubles are like a guardian deity that firmly protects the Dallas Mavericks’ paint [the area around the basket]!]

– NO.13 ! YOUNG-JAE YOON!!! –

The crowd went wild when Young-jae appeared. Dallas’s Korean fans, in particular, screamed and chanted Y13, and Young-jae quickly walked out and displayed his jersey number to the audience while high-fiving the three players.

[That’s amazing! Young-jae Yoon, who can only be described as a nightmare for the opponent! He’s putting up stats that are hard to believe for a young player in his second season after his rookie season?! This season, he’s practically the ace, carrying the team while the veterans struggle. He’s already leading the team in points, assists, and steals.]

With only the last player remaining, the fans all stood up, unable to contain their excitement, already chanting NO.41.

– NO.41 !! DIRK NOWITZKI!!!! –

*Wowwwww!!!*

Starting with the last game, Dirk Nowitzki, who had been waiting for his resurgence, finally made a splendid comeback, and the cheer was filled with the fans’ earnest hope that he would replicate that performance in today’s game.

[No need to say more! Dirk Nowitzki! The heart and soul of the Dallas Mavericks! Although he experienced a slump at the beginning of this season, we still expect Dirk Nowitzki to deliver!]

Chris Webber thought it was the perfect time to discuss the Dallas Mavericks’ starting lineup and began to speak with excitement.

[The Dallas Mavericks’ starting lineup is Jason Kidd, Young-jae Yoon, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tyson Chandler! However, Dallas isn’t showing the dominance of the defending champions. Dallas hasn’t had major problems with defense because they’ve maintained the same roster as last season, but the biggest issue is their offensive struggles due to shooting slumps, right? They managed to reverse the negative atmosphere with a big win against Oklahoma City two days ago, but it’s crucial that they carry that momentum into today’s game!]

Brian Dunton added a supplementary explanation as a quick comment.

[It’ll be interesting to see if they can break out of their shooting slump today, especially since their opponent, Phoenix, isn’t known for strong defense. Dallas is 1 win and 2 losses even at home, so they need to fight hard to prevent the home fans from leaving early!]

Webber nodded, looking at the packed stands.

[Dallas’s home fans, who are usually enthusiastic and fill the seats, were leaving the stadium before the game was over, which shows how poorly Dallas was performing before the Oklahoma City game. Perhaps because they’ve been a strong team in the Southwest Division and a winning team in the NBA for over 10 years, and even won the championship last year, the fans’ expectations are very high! Isn’t that the burden of a championship team?!]

After Nowitzki was introduced, the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup also came onto the court. Young-jae let out a faint sigh and tried to calm his excited heart, but he found it difficult because of a player walking directly in front of him.

“Yoon.”

“Nash.”

It was truly a meeting of number 13 and number 13. As the two number 13s, who were like curses to their opponents, shook hands, the stadium erupted in a frenzy.

[It’s a match between Phoenix’s number 13 and Dallas’s number 13! This is going to be a really exciting game! It’s a showdown between two of the most impactful players wearing number 13!]

[Haha! I also think it’s going to be a really exciting game. The Phoenix Suns have a starting lineup of Steve Nash, Jared Dudley, Grant Hill, Channing Frye, and Marcin Gortat. They primarily use pick-and-pop [an offensive play where a player sets a screen and then pops out to receive a pass for a shot] with Nash and Frye, and pick-and-roll [an offensive play where a player sets a screen and then rolls towards the basket] with Gortat as their main tactics. Since virtually all of the Suns’ offense runs through Nash, it’s crucial how Dallas will contain him!]

No sooner had Webber finished speaking than the jump ball began, and Marcin Gortat unfortunately won the jump ball against Tyson Chandler, and the game began.

[The game has started! The jump ball was won by Phoenix’s Marcin Gortat. Marcin Gortat passes to Steve Nash.]

[Both teams’ frontcourts feature a combination of a defensive rim protector center and a stretch power forward [a power forward who can shoot well from outside]. The two teams are similar not only in their wide use of the court but also in their offensive tendencies. Today’s key matchup is, of course, the Nash vs. Yoon matchup. It’s important how well these two players, who are their team’s assist leaders this season, can orchestrate their team’s offense. With Kidd and Terry being a bit older compared to last year, Yoon needs to step up even more!]

Young-jae, guarding Nash, lowered his stance and extended his hands. He was prepared for anything, whether Nash went over the screen, didn’t go over it, or drove to the basket.

‘!!’

Steve Nash dribbled the ball with an unusual rhythm, then leaned his body to the right as he took a step with his right foot. Simultaneously, Young-jae glanced back, confirmed that Marcin Gortat was coming out to set a screen, and jumped out as if ‘advancing’ in Nash’s direction.

“?!”

[Wow! What a great defensive play! Marcin Gortat’s screen was a bit late, but it was a textbook screen play, yet Young-jae Yoon is showing his determination not to get caught in the screen from the start! He also takes a step forward with his left foot, as if flowing past Marcin Gortat! He blocks Nash’s path like an iron wall with amazing movement…]

*Thump!*

It was then. Marcin Gortat, flustered while setting the screen, hurriedly moved inside the paint, and Nash bounced the ball softly with a calm look.

‘Slip [a quick move to the basket after setting a screen]?!’

Young-jae was startled and reached out to intercept the pass, but it only slightly grazed his fingertips, and the pass was perfectly delivered into Gortat’s grasp.

*Beeeep!!*

[Oh, OH!! WOW!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!]

[Steve Nash’s pass can only be described as a magical pass!! This number 13 matchup is a feast for the eyes! The skillful number 13 of Dallas who avoids the screen! And the number 13 of Phoenix who turns mistakes into opportunities with a pick-and-slip, an unstoppable bounce pass!! It’s a truly rare and exciting play!]

[Marcin Gortat tried to drive in and lay up, but he was blocked by Tyson Chandler and will be awarded a free throw!]

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

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

★Thank you to Makerele, Ghost Kenshin, and Witchj75 for the support coupons!! Please enjoy this season as well~~.

＠Number 13 is a number that hasn’t had many All-Star players since the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. Recently, several All-Star-level or higher players have been positioned, though. Steve Nash – James Harden – Paul George – Joakim Noah are number 13.

＠Going to the White House isn’t mandatory; it’s just a custom. You don’t have to go, but it’s an honorable thing for the players and coaches, as well as the team owner. Not just the NBA, but the top 4 American sports championship teams all go. Kim Byung-hyun also went when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks. I don’t know exactly when championship teams started visiting the White House, but it’s been quite a while. Obama is a Bulls fanatic, so he made a lot of jokes about this when the Miami or San Antonio players visited.

Eunseolya, Lee Dongseokdong, Pinenancia, Disappearing Soul, Omarion/// Thank you for your comments!!

Ultra10, Hwanin, Riocel/// As I wrote in the afterword, you can think of it as Cuban choosing to go to the White House, bearing a slight loss rather than causing a mess. The financial loss is about the cost of flying the team to Washington. For billionaires, it’s an amount they wouldn’t care about for the sake of their reputation and honor. The problem is that they were a bit annoyed because it was only them. And the players are likely to experience a drop in performance because their schedule is getting tighter. Historically, a significant number of championship teams have struggled for a few games after visiting the White House.

goimosp/// Still, the NBA is much better than the Korean association. Since the amount of money they handle is so large, it can’t be helped that it revolves around big markets. There’s no open support, so there’s not much to say. Looking at the schedule, it’s organized differently every year, but Dallas has a pretty tough schedule. I guess the secretariat hates Cuban lol. Other teams tend to have easy and then difficult schedules.