Y13 [EN]: Chapter 290

Carlyle chose the latter option. Youngjae, as the game planner, quickly conferred with Coach Carlyle and received the ball from Marion.

‘Hoo.’

Youngjae took a deep breath, waiting for 17 seconds to tick down. With 7 seconds remaining, he subtly gestured, received a screen from Chandler, and darted forward. Shawn Marion and Jason Terry spread out to either side, opening up the lane for Youngjae.

[Finally, Youngjae Yoon makes his move! He slips past Tyson Chandler’s screen!]

He blew past Wade, hesitated momentarily as if considering a three-pointer at the top of the key, then drove towards the basket again, leaving LeBron James in his wake. As he penetrated the high post, Battier and Bosh stood as the last line of defense. Youngjae leaped with everything he had, cradled the ball in his right hand, and went into a floater stance.

Thwack!

Battier and Youngjae collided mid-air. Despite his body reeling from the impact, Youngjae kept his eyes locked on the rim and released the floater, but unfortunately, it clanked off the rim.

Beeeep!!

[Shooting foul!! Two free throws! Can he convert these crucial shots?!]

Youngjae tried to center himself and lift the ball, but something felt off. He had a premonition that if he shot now, it would clang against the rim and bounce out, so he lowered the ball again.

“Hoo…”

He took extra care with his first shot.

Thunk!

“?!”

For a split second, he tried to make the shot too perfect, adding unnecessary force. The ball smacked the back of the rim and bounced high, ricocheting off the top of the rim a couple of times before…

Tick-

[MISS!!! Oh no, does he falter at this critical moment!]

[Youngjae Yoon, who held the second-highest free throw percentage in the regular season at 91.9%, just behind Jamal Crawford’s 92.7%, misses a free throw for the first time tonight!]

[Could it be a combination of nerves and fatigue? There’s no such thing as a guaranteed free throw, but this missed shot at this juncture is a major setback for Yoon.]

Youngjae gritted his teeth. He wished he could rewind time by 5 seconds and take the shot again, but it was too late.

“Stay calm. It’s okay.”

Chandler and Nowitzki approached Youngjae, who was still clenching his jaw, gave him a high-five, and offered words of encouragement. Youngjae nodded and prepared for his second free throw.

Swish-

[Thankfully, the second shot is good! The Dallas Mavericks now lead by a single point, 108 to 107!]

[There are 12 seconds left on the clock. That’s plenty of time for Miami, who still has a timeout in their pocket. With only a one-point margin, Dallas is guaranteed to lose if they concede a field goal instead of forcing a free throw situation. That missed free throw could very well cost them the game. If he had made both, they could have hoped to force overtime by simply preventing a three-pointer.]

Miami called a timeout, and both teams huddled with their coaches before returning to the court. Youngjae, visibly anxious, kept repeating “Just 12 seconds, just 12 seconds” in his head as he guarded Wade.

LeBron James, receiving the inbound pass at the top of the key, exchanged a quick glance with Wade after everyone settled into their positions, then passed the ball to Wade.

[5 seconds left!]

Thwack!

“Ugh!!”

The pressure was immense. Youngjae’s right leg buckled slightly as he readjusted his stance, barely withstanding Wade’s powerful drive, which sent jolts of pain throughout his body. Wade continued to post up, relentlessly pushing Youngjae closer to the basket, shrinking the distance to the hoop. When Wade felt he had reached his desired spot, he unleashed a lightning-fast move.

Screech-

[Spin move!!]

It felt as if Youngjae had witnessed teleportation straight out of a fantasy novel. He anticipated the move in his mind, but his legs refused to respond.

Wham!!

“Argh!!”

Thud!!!

Ultimately, Youngjae couldn’t withstand the force of Wade’s spin move and crashed to the floor. Wade casually elevated for an uncontested jumper.

BEEEEEEEP-!!!!

Swish!

[BAAAANG!!!!!! WHAT A CLUTCH BUZZER BEATER!!!!]

[What a heartbreaker! The Dallas Mavericks! They suffer a painful defeat, conceding a game-winning shot due to the critical missed free throw and a defensive breakdown in the final seconds.]

[Both mistakes can be attributed to Youngjae Yoon, but it’s unfair to solely blame him tonight. Youngjae Yoon put up 25 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals, leading the Dallas team in all three categories. He was tasked with guarding Wade for the majority of the game while also spearheading the offense, so he was undoubtedly physically drained. Furthermore, he continued to play despite taking a hard fall late in the fourth quarter. Without Yoon’s presence tonight, Dallas would have likely lost without even having a chance at a ‘game-winning shot’.]

The commentary was intended to console Youngjae. But Youngjae knew the truth. The game was over. He remained on the court for a long time, devastated that their first home game had ended in defeat.

“Yoon.”

Completely devoid of energy, Youngjae opened his eyes to an unfamiliar voice calling his name.

“Bosh.”

Chris Bosh, whom he had exchanged greetings with during last year’s finals, was extending his hand, praising him for a great game. Youngjae initially resisted the gesture, but knowing the importance of the second game and the remaining finals series, he couldn’t afford to wallow on the ground.

Y13!!!

Y13!!!

[Over 20,000 home fans are chanting Youngjae Yoon’s name! The Dallas faithful don’t want their young hero to be discouraged. They want him to rise and conquer his opponents.]

Youngjae barely managed to stand and looked up at Bosh without uttering a word. Bosh didn’t speak either, but he seemed to understand Youngjae’s unspoken message.

“I understand. See you in the next game.”

What Youngjae conveyed to Bosh with his eyes was a single, resolute message.

‘We’ll win next time.’

– The long journey of the 2011-2012 NBA playoffs will conclude tomorrow. What are your thoughts? –

An NBA-related program played on TV.

Weeeeng-

The sound of the vacuum cleaner and the loud whirring of the washing machine nearly drowned out the TV’s audio. Emily, holding the remote, increased the volume slightly and continued watching the program.

– 3 wins and 3 losses. It’s been a truly intense battle. –

– The finals started with Miami winning the first game, leading many to believe they would easily secure the championship. However, they also suffered a loss at home, resulting in each team recording 2 wins and 1 loss on their home court. In the sixth game, facing a 2-3 deficit, Dirk Nowitzki and J.J. Barea’s explosive performances leveled the series. –

“…”

Emily remained standing, vacuum cleaner in hand, intently focused on the program instead of sitting on the sofa.

– Now that it’s come down to a decisive seventh game, I believe both teams will be playing with everything they have. Experts who initially predicted that the small-ball lineup [a lineup emphasizing speed and shooting over traditional size] would have numerous weaknesses are now praising Brandon Wright’s transition to center. He’s been effectively containing Chris Bosh and providing valuable minutes during Tyson Chandler’s rest periods. Of course, Miami’s small lineup was implemented out of necessity during the playoffs, so their tactical execution and player chemistry aren’t flawless. –

– Furthermore, they’ve reduced Youngjae Yoon’s defensive responsibilities by increasing Corey Brewer’s playing time and adjusting the rotation to have him guard Dwyane Wade as much as possible. As a result, Youngjae Yoon isn’t exhibiting the same level of fatigue in clutch situations as he did in the first game. And Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, who struggled in the opening game, have also shown significant improvement, contributing to leveling the series. –

Beep- Beep- Beep!

Emily briefly leaned the vacuum cleaner against the sofa and hurried over to the washing machine as the alarm signaled the end of the cycle.

– Miami Heat, in their second year with the Big 3 [LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh], are demonstrating improved teamwork compared to last year, but they’re still slightly short of their full potential. Instead of last season’s predictable “you take a turn, I take a turn” approach, they’re executing smoother passing plays and pick-and-rolls, but their effectiveness in attacking Dallas’s interior defense remains limited. –

– In Dwyane Wade’s case, he only participated in 49 games this season, and he appears to be experiencing lingering effects from having fluid drained from his knee during the series against Indiana. Moreover, Youngjae Yoon and Corey Brewer have been providing tenacious defense. Consequently, Dwyane Wade is averaging 39 minutes, 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the finals, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 25% and a field goal percentage of 46%, which are significantly lower than his regular-season averages. This has increased the burden on LeBron James and Chris Bosh. –

Tap tap-

Emily placed the laundry basket in front of the sofa and began sorting the clothes into tops, bottoms, and underwear. Thanks to the advanced drum washing machine, the clothes were perfectly dried. Emily continued to watch TV while neatly folding the laundry.

– LeBron James is compensating for Wade’s struggles by averaging 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. While Wade is facing challenges against Yoon and Brewer’s defense, LeBron is breaking through Marion and Parsons’ defense and carrying a heavy load. –

– Chris Bosh is also instrumental in Miami’s 3 wins, scoring over 15 points in each game. He’s securing the second-most rebounds in this series after LeBron, with 9.4 rebounds, and effectively protecting the paint. This finals series showcases the true potential of the Big 3. He seems to be thriving in the small-ball lineup, demonstrating excellent teamwork with LeBron. –

“Ah…”

Emily remained glued to the TV, even while folding and stacking the clothes. Remarkably, she managed to organize the laundry flawlessly while watching TV, without any tangling or toppling, just like her mother.

– Now Miami faces the daunting task of playing the final game on the road. It’s a very challenging situation. However, as they’ve reached the seventh game, the small-ball lineup is gradually becoming more refined. Regardless of the outcome, their performance is steadily improving. Dallas is also finding success with their anti-Miami strategies, heavily utilizing Brewer and Wright. –

Emily retrieved her smartphone from her pocket and checked the time.

“He’s a bit late tonight.”

It was past 10 PM, but there was still no sign of Youngjae. He usually contacted her first from time to time, but that had stopped after 8 PM. He was likely undergoing incredibly rigorous training and would return home exhausted, barely shower, and then fall asleep after a brief conversation with Emily.

As Emily placed all the laundry in the drawers, the program’s topic shifted.

– Dallas has witnessed their veteran players gradually regaining their form, significantly alleviating the pressure on Youngjae Yoon, who struggled in the first game. Yoon’s stats in the subsequent games are lower than in the first game, but he remains Dallas’s ace. –

– He rightfully earned 5th place in the MVP race in just his second year and was even named to the ALL-NBA team 2nd team, so it’s no exaggeration to call him the next superstar. He also finished 2nd in last year’s Finals MVP voting, leading to jokes about his affinity for the number 2, but he has stated in interviews that he desperately wants to win the championship, not finish 2nd, in the finals. –

– Indeed, his performance in crucial games is truly exceptional… –

Ding-a-ling-!

Emily, still engrossed in the program, rushed to the front door, anticipating Youngjae’s arrival. As she expected, Youngjae was utterly exhausted, barely able to raise his hand in greeting.

“Honey, take a good shower first. Okay?”

“Okay.”

After depositing his sweat-soaked clothes in the laundry basket, Youngjae headed to the bathroom. Emily hurried to the bed and spread a blanket on top of it.

“Do this here, and that there…”

Emily fidgeted with her hands and muttered to herself. Soon, Youngjae emerged from the bathroom, walking heavily, and Emily guided him to sit on the bed.

“Here. Drink this.”

For Youngjae, who was too anxious about tomorrow’s game to even have an appetite and had just completed a grueling training session, liquid nourishment was preferable to a full meal. Youngjae gulped down the entire can, and then Emily instructed him to remove his top and lie face down on the mat.

“Um, I’ll do my best, even if I’m not very skilled.”

“Okay. But what are you going to do…”

Press-

“Oof?!”

Youngjae couldn’t help but exclaim as Emily’s hands firmly pressed down on his shoulders.

“Hey, honey. Isn’t this a sports massage?!”

“Yeah! This is a sports massage. But I don’t know if I’m doing it right…”

With a “Eet eet!” and a determined shout, Emily put her weight into it and firmly pressed down, and Youngjae was enveloped in a blissful sensation. He had been craving a sports massage, or at least a spa treatment, after training, and Emily was providing him with a massage like this. Youngjae nearly drooled without realizing it.

“Ooh, oof! Wow!”

From his shoulders to his arms, and then down his back, thighs, and feet, Emily meticulously massaged every inch until sweat beaded on her forehead. She finished by playfully slapping Youngjae’s broad back and laughing.

“Done!”

Youngjae considered complaining out of regret, but seeing Emily’s trembling hands, he abruptly sat up and flexed his upper body.

“Resurrection!”

Emily’s face flushed as she gazed at Youngjae’s sculpted physique. Youngjae barely managed to suppress his desires, gently brushed Emily’s hair aside, and gave her a tender kiss.

“There’s no way I can lose tomorrow.”

“Right? So you have to win!”

Youngjae nodded at Emily’s adorable encouragement and told her to go wash up.

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

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

YeosinYuriPraise/// Unfortunately, this time we got hit with a buzzer beater ㅠ.ㅠ

Han512, CountOfDark, 사라질영혼, Omarion/// Thank you for your comments as always ^^

BlackMoonHwaya/// LeBron was almost complete at this time ㄷㄷ. Unfortunately, the first game was Youngjae’s tears…

goimosp, magara/// Haha… As I was dividing it, that position… It was ambiguous to cut it before or after that. In my opinion, the Heat’s 3rd year was the peak, and the 4th year was when the system was complete, but the players were aging and San Antonio’s team play was too overwhelming… The 2nd year is the process of completing the system. The small lineup was first activated during the 2nd year playoffs.

H0H/// The opponent is the Big 3, and it’s a matchup with Dwyane Wade, so he has to roll this much;;

SilverTurtle/// It’s very difficult for a contender team, not a rebuilding team, to sign big names. As for the name value, the current Dallas in the story is full of living legends. The problem is that they’re too old ㅠ.ㅠ Nowitzki is still showing his con artist tendencies as of 2016. Please look forward to the subsequent seasons as well, as the roster is the result of squeezing my brain as much as possible ^^

Ultra10/// As you said, LeBron was a hit in his 2nd to 4th years with the Heat. The fact that they lost in the 1st year due to poor organization and incomprehensible passive management, and that San Antonio’s team play in the 4th year was too fraudulent, must be disappointing from LeBron’s perspective. Especially in the 4th year, the role players were too old and low class, and Wade was often injured. Compared to LeBron’s skills, 2 championships and 2 runner-ups are disappointing records, but considering the efficiency of the Big 3, I think it’s not a bad record. Especially Wade and Bosh were much less active compared to LeBron.

eastarea/// I wanted to write about the atmosphere of the finals.