Y13 [EN]: Chapter 267

Y13-267 Semi-Conference Final 2011-2012

During halftime, the Dallas Mavericks’ home arena, the American Airlines Center, amplified the excitement with various entertainment, including cheerleading performances and a half-court shooting contest for fans.

Beeeep!!!

As the third quarter began, both teams regrouped and returned to the court. Mark Followill and Derek Harper provided insightful commentary on the team lineups.

[The Dallas Mavericks start with Youngjae Yoon at point guard, Corey Brewer at shooting guard, Shawn Marion at small forward, Dirk Nowitzki at power forward, and Tyson Chandler at center. Oklahoma City counters with Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Kendrick Perkins!]

[Perkins can’t play heavy minutes, and without a reliable backup center, Oklahoma City is forced to rotate Ibaka and Nick Collison at the center position. James Harden’s emergence has led Oklahoma City to experiment with smaller lineups this season to ensure playing time for both Thabo Sefolosha and Harden. However, the impact wasn’t significant in the first half. Coach Scott Brooks briefly rested Sefolosha before reverting to a standard lineup, while Dallas continues with their rather unconventional setup.]

Brewer couldn’t replicate the roles of Terry or Kidd because his jump shot lacked consistency. Consequently, when Brewer was on the floor, Marion, a slightly better outside shooter, increased his three-point attempts, and the offense shifted towards fast breaks, cuts to the basket, and post-up plays. These were the most effective offensive strategies they could employ with a lineup that lacked natural spacing.

[The success of this lineup hinges on their defense, correct? Given that it sacrifices some offensive firepower.]

[Precisely. It’s designed to maximize the strengths of Marion and Nowitzki in the post, and Brewer’s abilities in cuts and fast breaks. In this lineup, Youngjae Yoon shoulders a significant burden as the primary ball-handler. He’s responsible for everything from initiating the offense to making entry passes and taking shots.]

The game, which resumed with the score at 49 to 44, was fiercely contested. Oklahoma City’s young stars were determined to avenge their previous year’s defeat, while Dallas aimed to repeat their success.

[Youngjae Yoon passes to Dirk Nowitzki!]

Dallas orchestrated their offense around Youngjae and Nowitzki as the central figures. Their ability to execute conventional tactics in unpredictable ways further confounded Oklahoma City’s defense.

[Nowitzki kicks the ball back out to Youngjae Yoon, who’s waiting on the perimeter!]

Both Nowitzki and Youngjae were elite shooters, forcing Westbrook and Ibaka to stay attached to them. Although Nowitzki’s screens weren’t always textbook, his exceptional ability to score even when mismatched more than compensated. In the end, Youngjae elevated quickly as Ibaka and Westbrook got tangled up.

[THREE POINTS!]

Even Westbrook’s incredible athleticism couldn’t deter Youngjae, who was already in the air when Westbrook belatedly contested the shot.

Swish!

[HE SINKS IT!]

[He’s a true marksman! The pick-and-roll with Nowitzki, whether standard or improvised, seems to work almost every time!]

In response, Oklahoma City relentlessly pursued their attack, relying on their outstanding individual skills. Russell Westbrook’s physical prowess was at its peak, and despite Brewer’s solid defense on Harden, Harden cleverly drew fouls, gradually increasing Brewer’s foul count.

[Russell Westbrook drives past Ibaka’s screen but can’t get past Youngjae Yoon’s tight defense!]

His physical gifts—strength, speed, and leaping ability—were so remarkable that he was nicknamed Ninja Turtle. Last year, Westbrook might have fallen into Youngjae’s trap defense and forced the issue, but he seemed to have matured over the past year, remaining composed against Youngjae’s intelligent and agile defense, opting to pass or take pull-up jumpers.

[Westbrook passes to Kevin Durant on the wing without forcing a bad shot.]

Although Durant faced a tough matchup against Marion and Parsons’ small forward tandem, he was still a phenomenal player who had finished second in MVP voting. He wasn’t someone who could be easily contained.

[Kevin Durant rises for the shot!]

Marion tried to disrupt Durant’s balance with his strength, but it wasn’t enough to deter Durant, whose shooting was so effortless it seemed like he was making basketball look easy.

Thump!

Swish-

[BANG!]

[A clean shot that barely touches the rim! Thanks to the growth of Westbrook and Harden, Durant’s offensive burden has lessened. Plus, he’s benefiting from fewer double-teams as the number of players requiring defensive attention increases!]

[The score is 57 to 53. They’ve cut the lead to 4 points, but another score here could widen the gap to 6!]

[Both teams have scored 8 and 9 points respectively in just 5 minutes of the third quarter, a testament to their incredible performances!]

Youngjae slowly dribbled the ball across the half-court line. With the spacing not ideal, his scoring opportunities were limited to the 2-2 play with Nowitzki.

‘The attack will start with a 2-2, but I need to mix things up…’

Youngjae used hand signals to direct the players’ movements. Most of the Oklahoma City players anticipated that Youngjae would initiate the offense with the ball, so they held their positions, ready to react to Dallas’s passing plays…

Whoosh!!!

[A sudden alley-oop pass from Youngjae Yoon!!!]

It looked like a routine pass to the top of the key, but in that split second, Youngjae locked eyes with Chandler. Chandler managed to slip past Perkins and cut towards the basket.

Slam!!!

[TYSON CHANDLER WITH THE TWO-HANDED DUNK!!!]

[Truly one of the best alley-oop finishers! Perkins’ slow reaction was a major factor, but overall, the Oklahoma City players were either too static or too passive in trying to disrupt Dallas’s fluid passing and pick plays. It was a play that exploited the lack of spacing!]

Youngjae smiled, pleased with the growing chemistry with Chandler. Chandler, energized by the electrifying play, ran over to Youngjae and tapped him on the head, and Youngjae grinned back as he retreated on defense.

Y13!

Y13!!!

MVP!!

[Youngjae Yoon’s brilliant pass, which dissected Oklahoma City’s defense with a single play, is drawing MVP chants from the crowd!]

The home fans’ roaring cheers always impact the visiting team, whether subtly or significantly. The alley-oop dunk and the ensuing cheers, which felt like daylight robbery with the home team riding high, put pressure on Oklahoma City’s young players.

“Chase them! It’s only a 6-point difference!”

Durant, the team’s leader, clapped and encouraged his teammates, and Coach Scott Brooks also stood near the sideline, offering encouragement. Oklahoma City, a young team, quickly regrouped.

“Alright! Let’s get a stop!”

In contrast, the Dallas Mavericks were shouting to secure a defensive stop and maintain their momentum. They viewed it as a crucial possession that could solidify their lead, which felt precarious.

[Russell Westbrook quickly advances the ball past the half-court line.]

[Oklahoma City’s energy is becoming a factor in the second half, right? Compared to Dallas’s starters, they have a younger lineup, so they need to capitalize on their activity and stamina!]

Westbrook, Harden, Durant, and Ibaka moved dynamically in their respective areas, and the Dallas players guarded their positions with unwavering focus.

“…”

Youngjae, guarding Westbrook, focused on executing Coach Carlisle’s instructions. His mission was to contain Westbrook, not to allow the opponent easy opportunities with risky plays.

Thump- Thump-

Westbrook’s footwork was impressive—fast and powerful, utilizing his quick and strong physique. However, his vision was narrower than expected, and his instinct to take over often led him to force shots instead of passing, which was a weakness. That’s why Harden’s leadership was becoming increasingly important this season.

Whack!

[Westbrook! Attempts a forceful drive to the basket!]

[That aggressive drive after a few jab steps is the type of move that Youngjae Yoon finds most challenging to defend. Is that why he struggles against players like Dwyane Wade?]

Thwack!!!

“?!”

[STEAL!!!]

[Even if that kind of drive is effective against Youngjae Yoon, this one was too direct. Because it was too reckless, Yoon was able to anticipate the timing and steal the ball. He momentarily blocked Westbrook with his upper body, slowing him down, and then reached out with his left hand like a spear to snatch the ball at the moment it bounced. A truly brilliant play!]

Youngjae’s steal sent the ball backwards, and Corey Brewer, shaking off Harden, sprinted to retrieve it.

“Run! Run!!”

Regardless of Brewer’s offensive limitations for Dallas and the inconsistency of his jump shot, he was arguably the best fast-break player on the team. His explosive reaction speed and offensive instincts were his greatest assets.

[Kevin Durant and Westbrook are chasing after Youngjae Yoon and Corey Brewer!]

[Oklahoma City knows they can’t afford to give up a basket here!]

Brewer, startled by Durant closing in, quickly spotted Youngjae running to support him and passed the ball without hesitation. Youngjae, catching the pass with his right hand, saw Westbrook closing from behind and accelerated. Even for Youngjae, whose speed was among the league’s best for guards, there was a difference between dribbling and running at full speed, and Westbrook, unencumbered, finally caught up with Youngjae near the low post.

“Hat!”

With a quick shout, Youngjae raised his right hand, holding the ball in the low post, and planted his right foot as if going for a layup. Westbrook hesitated, anticipating a possible fake, but soon realized that Youngjae was committed to the layup and he could no longer affect the shot as he launched himself off the court.

“Ugh!!!”

[Russell Westbrook leaps with tremendous force!]

However, as he went to block Youngjae, Westbrook realized that Youngjae hadn’t jumped straight up in a layup motion. Seeing Youngjae change his trajectory mid-air and fade away as if falling backwards, Westbrook gritted his teeth, stretching out his right hand in a desperate attempt to block the shot.

Beeeep!!!

Ultimately, Westbrook was called for a foul for jumping forward and disrupting Youngjae’s balance, and Youngjae managed to get the shot off while aiming at the rim, even with his vision blurred.

Thump!

[FADE AWAY!]

The ball bounced high off the rim, teasing the shooter by circling the rim a couple of times.

Thud!!!

Youngjae, knocked to the floor by Westbrook, managed to push Westbrook away to lessen the impact and looked up.

Swish-

[Y13 TOUGH SHOT YES SIR!!!]

[He makes it! Switching from a layup to a fadeaway! A masterful play by Y13 that outsmarts Westbrook! And one!!!]

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

★Thank you to those who subscribed, recommended, commented, and gave coupons!!

@Ah, I was so busy yesterday registering and preparing. There are so many things to prepare. The preparation period is also short…

FrogPower/// I pressed modify yesterday… but it wasn’t modified ㄷㄷ. Thank you for letting me know.

GoddessYuriPraise, Witted, ㅎ0ㅎ, VanishingSoul, Financia, Omarion/// Thank you for your comments!!

Ultra10/// Oh, Oklahoma is a case of gathering an incredibly young core ㄷㄷ. No team could beat Oklahoma’s starting lineup in terms of energy level. Dallas is fortunate that Nowitzki and Terry haven’t fully aged yet.

Yabes/// 3 MVP talents and 1 Defensive Player of the Year talent…. They really drafted amazingly well. Golden State also drafted Curry, Green, Thompson, Barnes, and Ezeli and is running at an all-time pace, but I don’t think their individual talents are as good as Westbrook, Harden, Durant, and Ibaka. Golden State is a more complete team, but in the end, basketball is 5 people…

chaikopusuki/// Haha, thank you for your support. Have a great Sunday^^ I will continue to show you a wonderful Youngjae!!

-DarkANGEL-/// Worrying about Sannoh is the same as worrying about celebrities ㅋㅋ