Y13 [EN]: Chapter 283

Y13-283 Conference Final (2)

With Youngjae’s explosive performance, Dallas managed to barely hold onto their lead. Dirk Nowitzki repeatedly set screens to create mismatches for Youngjae, and Tyson Chandler provided solid screens to separate Youngjae from his defender, giving him space to accelerate. Youngjae was a player who knew how to utilize this space well.

However, San Antonio was by no means an easy team to deal with. They immediately launched a counterattack.

[BANG!!]

[That three-pointer gives San Antonio a spark of hope! Kawhi Leonard’s three-point shot goes straight into the rim, bringing the score to 103 to 99! It felt like momentum was shifting towards Dallas, but San Antonio is reviving their hopes. There’s still plenty of possibility.]

Dallas’s rotation defense worked well, but Leonard found a slight gap and effortlessly tossed in a three-pointer. Kawhi Leonard, while not as impactful as Youngjae, played about 25 minutes and showed a decent performance with 11 points and 7 rebounds, and also defended well against Terry and Marion. And in this urgent situation, he even hit a three-pointer.

“…”

Jason Kidd glanced at the remaining time. About 55 seconds. Even if Dallas used all 24 seconds for both of their possessions, San Antonio could still make two attacks if they used their timeout. Fortunately, Dallas’s clutch lineup had two players who were good at free throws. Chandler and Marion’s free throw percentages weren’t great, but they weren’t bad enough to warrant a ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ strategy [a deliberate fouling strategy used against poor free-throw shooters].

Most importantly, with two minutes left in the quarter, intentional fouls couldn’t be committed against players without the ball. The only options were fouls during rebound battles or natural blocking fouls. The ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ strategy is only effective if the free throw success rate is below 50%, and even if it’s just over 50%, it’s not considered very efficient. Moreover, it’s a very tricky strategy that can only be used when there are more than two minutes left in the quarter and the team is in the penalty. In other words, even if Youngjae or Nowitzki were fouled after receiving the ball, Dallas could still reliably score 2 points.

‘They probably won’t foul quickly on this possession. If they stop our attack, they can definitely tie the game or even take the lead. But if we score, they’ll have no choice but to use the foul strategy due to the remaining time.’

In the end, scoring on just one of the remaining two possessions would almost guarantee victory. And the best option was to create a good chance for Youngjae again. Coach Popovich was determined and had assigned Leonard to guard Youngjae. But Kidd trusted Youngjae. He believed that if they coordinated well with Nowitzki or Chandler, they could score at least one of them.

‘Yoon, make this game your game.’

Kidd looked at the time and passed the ball to Youngjae, thinking that.

[Only 9 seconds left on the shot clock!]

As soon as Youngjae received the ball, Chandler came to set a screen. Leonard cleverly slipped through, but felt his body balance slightly falter. However, he was still in a state where he could sufficiently check Youngjae. Youngjae had to change his plan when he realized that Leonard had gotten past the screen faster than expected.

“Tch!”

He glanced at Kidd, but Tony Parker was in that lane, so a hasty pass seemed likely to be intercepted. Nowitzki at the high post was being thoroughly denied by Boris Diaw.

Squeak- Squeak!!!

Leonard shadowed Youngjae, swaying back and forth. Youngjae lowered his shoulders as if to drive, then leaned back, repeating this to subtly shake Leonard, and the distance between Leonard and Youngjae began to widen slightly.

‘Now!!!’

Thump!!

He drastically shifted his weight from right to left. Leonard, thinking that Youngjae had finally made up his mind, took a half-step back, anticipating Youngjae’s movements with great accuracy. Youngjae smirked at Leonard.

Squeak!!!

[Lowering his shoulders, a jab step followed immediately by a step-back!!!!]

But that was a miscalculation on Leonard’s part. As soon as he shifted his weight from his right foot to his left, Youngjae used that left foot as a pivot, powerfully pushing off the court and stepping back. Leonard was startled; Youngjae’s step-back was too fast for him to react in time. Leonard’s wingspan was long, but with the space that had been created, even if he stretched out his hand, he couldn’t completely block Youngjae’s vision.

“Ha!!”

Leonard belatedly regained his senses and leaped forward, extending his hand, but in that fleeting moment of hesitation, Youngjae had already safely planted both feet outside the three-point line, adjusted his posture, and launched his signature quick shot.

[Y13 FOR THREE!!!!!!]

Thud!!!!

Youngjae unconsciously didn’t lower his right hand, which had released the ball. He stared blankly at the ball flying through the air in the same posture he had shot it, watching it bounce high off the back of the rim.

Swish!!

“…”

[BAAAAAAAANG!!!!! BIG, HUGE BIG THREE POINT!!!!!!]

[A game-winning shot!!! The game is practically over. Leonard scored a three-pointer to close the gap to 4 points, but Yoon once again sinks a three-point big shot, widening the lead to 7 points. With the remaining time, a 7-point difference is arithmetically difficult to overcome!]

[It’s almost, you can say it’s over. Since it’s the final game, San Antonio won’t give up yet, but it’s practically over.]

Youngjae laughed without realizing it, clenched his right fist, and shouted, “Woo-ah-ah-ah!!!!” His teammates, including Nowitzki and Kidd, all rushed over and embraced Youngjae.

The score was 106 to 99. Only 32 seconds remained. They had no choice but to resort to a forced foul strategy, but if Youngjae received the pass, he would be the one shooting the free throws, so essentially, four or more three-pointers would have to be scored consecutively within 5 seconds of attack time.

However, Coach Popovich and San Antonio did not give up. They immediately called a timeout and executed a perfect pattern play using Tim Duncan, Diaw, and Manu Ginobili, but Ginobili’s three-point attempt on their first try didn’t go in, and Chandler grabbed the rebound. Duncan cleverly contested the rebound and drew a foul, but Chandler made both free throws, and San Antonio waved the white flag.

[San Antonio’s first three-pointer after the timeout didn’t go in, which was huge. They needed to make several three-pointers in a row, but they failed right from the start.]

Beep! Beep!!!

[In the end, this long and intense Conference Finals Game 6 between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs concludes with a 108-99, 9-point victory for the Dallas Mavericks! The Dallas Mavericks succeed in advancing to the Finals for the second consecutive year!!]

Hubie Brown praised the Dallas Mavericks effusively.

[It was another fierce battle today, but in the end, Youngjae Yoon scored 10 consecutive points in the final moments of the fourth quarter, deciding the game! It’s a situation that would be burdensome for a young player, but he seems to be a player who can enjoy that thrill! To have such incredible scoring in the clutch time of such a big stage is like a curse to the opponent!! Today, he achieved 100% shooting accuracy and 0 turnovers, recording 29 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals. It was truly a perfect, unbelievable performance. Other players were relatively sluggish, but Youngjae Yoon filled that void.]

However, Mike Tirico glanced at the data and mentioned the potential risks that Dallas had.

[Of course, the current Dallas is also a strong team, but they seem to be struggling more in many series compared to last year? That’s partly because the opponents have become stronger, but it also seems like they themselves have become weaker. They had 4 wins and 1 loss, 4 wins and 3 losses, and 4 wins and 2 losses in the three playoff series.]

Hubie Brown nodded as if it were obvious.

[Just getting to the Finals in the Wild Wild West [NBA’s Western Conference] is a great achievement. Dallas, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, LA Lakers, etc., any of these teams could go to the Finals. In Dallas’s case, I think last season was an unusually smooth result! A team that didn’t have a very high chance of winning easily defeated their opponents. This season seems perfectly normal! If last year was a miracle, this season is a great performance that matches their roster and reputation!]

[The Eastern Conference is still tied at 3:3, so the Finals opponent has not yet been decided. Dallas struggled to get to Game 6, but the East is truly desperate. They are playing two overtimes. The Boston Celtics, with the last flames of veterans like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo’s tenacious play, are pushing the Miami Heat to the brink. From Dallas’s perspective, they would want the Boston Celtics to come up. If they are equally exhausted, Boston, with many veterans, would be easier than Miami. Above all, Miami has the league’s strongest Big 3 [LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh], so it’s impossible to guarantee victory in a short series.]

[Now, all that’s left for the Dallas Mavericks is the Finals. Will they be able to win the championship this season, following last year’s victory! This has been Hubie Brown with the commentary, and Mike Tirico with the play-by-play!]

As the broadcast ended and the San Antonio Spurs’ home fans barely accepted the end of this season and left their seats, and after the Dallas Mavericks players’ interviews were over and even the tired Youngjae finished his final preparations and shower, he was meeting someone just before leaving the stadium.

“…”

“…”

It was none other than Kawhi Leonard. Youngjae was looking up at Leonard with a clearly exhausted expression.

“You seem to be running forward too quickly. It feels like the gap is only widening, not even catching up.”

There was an edge to Leonard’s words, mixed with lament and regret. He had been partners with Youngjae since their freshman year of college, but contrary to their previous life, Leonard felt like Youngjae was an insurmountable wall. Their friendship remained, but his competitive spirit couldn’t be hidden.

“I’ve been thinking, and thinking, about what the difference is between you and me. But, I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is.”

Youngjae also knew. He knew that Leonard was putting in tremendous effort, more than anyone else. Perhaps he had become even more obsessed with basketball than Leonard in their previous life because of him. Although he couldn’t remember exactly, his stats in his first season might have been much better.

“Leonard. There’s no difference between you and me.”

“…”

Leonard demanded an explanation. He wanted an answer. He didn’t say it, but his expression was unmistakably that of a same-age friend asking for help. But he had no choice but to swallow the next words.

‘I just had the luck to overcome death.’

“All I can say is that there’s no difference between you and me… If I had to pick, maybe luck? Desperation? Something like that?”

Youngjae confidently stared at Leonard straight in the eye and said.

“The me you saw in freshman year was more desperate than you. You know that too. And, I had some luck, and thanks to that, I came to the pros a year earlier. That’s all.”

“…”

“You will definitely become the best player too. But, I came to the NBA a year earlier than you. That gap will continue to narrow, but it’s a valuable experience that will continue to help me.”

Leonard finally smiled slightly as if he understood a little.

“It’s like you’re saying you won’t lose until the end?”

“Of course. I’ll always be ahead of you. I’ll never be overtaken.”

Youngjae patted Leonard on the shoulder and turned to meet Emily, who was waiting outside.

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

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

magara/// ㅠ.ㅠ Me too

Thank you always for the comments, 사라질영혼, Han512, 오마리온, 위티드, 파이넨시아, 여신유리찬양^^.

르네르바, Hspider/// Aisshhh!!!!!

흑월화야/// It seems like he’s trying to resemble a senior con artist. The best time to con is in the clutch.

神龍/// It’s frustrating when they make a tough shot even when you defend well. I think that’s how defenders feel when they’re guarding Nowitzki, Kobe, Durant, or Aldridge’s turnaround jumpers.

울트라10/// Although he’s on the opposing team and it couldn’t be described in detail due to the length issue, Leonard also made a big shot.

eastarea, 가연을이, 잠.자.비/// It’s time for him to show off his refreshing performance after a long time.

goimosp/// Clutch shooters have high player value, but they’re also essential as the ace of a winning team. The main reason why LeBron was undervalued until the 11-12 season was the controversy over his being a choker.

액티비아/// It has a chewy taste. Playoffs are fun when they’re like that ㅋㅋ

잉킹둘/// Aiverson…. First of all, you have to be born with that iron stamina ㄷㄷ. His stamina is as good as Jordan’s. And it seems difficult for a second Aiverson to appear in modern basketball.

anguqwhdk/// 엌ㅋㅋ There must have been a similar scene in Slam Dunk. I didn’t know that this scene would bring back memories of Slam Dunk… He’s similar to Yoon Dae-hyup except for the relaxed part. He’s an all-around player, calm, and handsome. If there’s a slight difference, Yoon Dae-hyup is so relaxed that he doesn’t get angry, while Youngjae knows how to suppress his anger.