Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 178: The Battle of the Top Scholars (Part )

No matter what the hype was outside the window, the five members of the Late Spring Team were frowning and thinking hard while watching the video.

This is the locker room of a private stadium. It has a very simple structure, with wall cabinets along the wall. In the corner, there is a mobile tactical board. On the south wall, there is a wall-mounted LCD TV.

The configuration here is already high-end, and the cost per day is three thousand US dollars, but for Lao Lao Lu, it is a very small expense.

In the future, any owner of a sports team would have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a day.

Now Lu Yun’s identity has been confirmed, he is the investor of the Late Spring Team.

To this end, he specially hired a rehabilitation therapist and a sparring partner, and the total daily expenses did not exceed 10,000 yuan.

The outline of this team is already very clear, and everything is in place except the coach.

Watching video is a necessary process for players. Top American high schools have already made this a part of their training, and after entering the NCAA, it will become something that every player must do.

Generally speaking, there is a difference between the way they watch videos and the live games we watch.

One is a simplified version, the other is the full process.

The streamlined version does not delete free throws, timeouts, and halftime breaks, but only edits the rounds with offensive and defensive tactics, and iconic opponent tactics. Just to get this version, the team has to pay at least 2-3 staff positions.

Video analyst.

Of course, the job of an analyst is not just to edit videos, but also to provide analytical reports on the on-court behavioral tendencies of important players, analytical reasoning of tactical gestures, and prediction of the progress of the game.

The Late Spring Team is certainly not that advanced. Even this condensed video was produced in a hurry by hiring someone.

There is no coach to analyze the situation for them now, and Chen Fang doesn't say anything either. He wants to give full play to everyone's subjectivity, but they need his guidance.

"Pause!" he suddenly shouted.

Lu Yun pressed the pause button just in time, and then he heard Chen Fang shout, "Rewind."

As Chen Fang operated, everyone's attention was focused on this section.

Chen Fang took out a stack of information and flipped out a page: "Yes, I think this is the most common tactic used by the Golden Bears."

"Double-cut tactics."

"Come on, guys, let's pull ourselves together and watch it again."

On TV, three Golden Bears gathered on the wing on the strong side. The ball handler stood high on the wing, pretending to pass the ball, and two players in the bottom corner and short corner suddenly made a deceptive screen.

First, the player in the short corner area makes a back screen facing the basket for the bottom corner, and then the player in the bottom corner makes a horizontal cut and takes away the short corner defender who has switched defense, so this immediately becomes a mismatch back-to-the-basket.

In this scene, the player who cuts across attracts both defenders, and the player who is providing back screen goes to the bottom corner, receives the pass from the ball handler and shoots.

Chen Fang asked Lu Yun to call up another picture. It was the same horizontal cut. The short corner defender went around the screen to chase. At this time, the player who made the horizontal cut suddenly delayed the person who was chasing, while the person who was back blocking made a horizontal cut and received the ball directly to attack the basket.

One tactic, four extensions to end the run, this is the tactical variation under the system. (bottom corner, mismatched back-to-back, cross-cut frame, reverse cross-cut frame)

Don't think of professional players as super computers. In fact, players are not required to remember so many tactics. It is often the coach who arranges the tactics so that the players can remember and execute them.

Divide the half court into 3-5 areas, such as the wing, top of the arc, short corner, free throw line, and high post.

For each area, develop a tactic. For each tactic, vary about 3 running positions. You should memorize the beginning first, and the remaining variations will gradually become your brain's memory instinct through repeated tactical training.

This process is the same as learning Chinese characters. One is 1, adding a horizontal line is 2, and adding two horizontal lines is three.

(In fact, in my opinion, Chinese coaches can develop their own unique tactical underlying logic with their own cultural heritage, constructed from the strokes of the Chinese numbers from one to ten. Horizontal means running sideways, vertical means cutting, left stroke means going around, and hook means running back. Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. If you use basketball terminology to look at these words now, will you be inspired?)
As for turning it into characters with multiple strokes, it is obviously illogical. The tactics will not be very complicated, basically it is simple + overlapping.

Incorporate basic skills such as cutting, screening, and counter-running.

Just like the Golden Bears' main tactic [double cut], two players cover each other, and the feint attack and main attack change with more defensive changes. Often the team plays this combination with two or three people. Once reminded by the gesture of the ball holder, they will immediately react and implement the tactics.

After Chen Fang's reminder, everyone began to think positively.

Trae Young asked: "How do we deal with this double cut?"

Chen Fang raised two fingers: "Two ways."

"First, increase the pressure on the wing ball handler. This tactic takes time, because the ball handler needs to wait. If you don't give him time to wait, or when he is dead, you put pressure on him closely and nip him in the bud."

"Second, if it happens, we will not change. We are not out of position. Everyone can face anyone and confront them head-on."

"That makes sense!" Jalen was the first to nod, and he added: "I'll make the crossover, don't rotate."

"You make the backup, but what if there is someone in the other corner or short corner?" Trae Young asked.

"I'll make up for it." Tatum said suddenly.

“Whoever is on the other side has to make up for it quickly.”

"Yes, let's move." Little Porter nodded.

Chen Fang smiled. This was what he wanted. The strength of Late Spring Team lies in the fact that except for Trae Young, the other four players are all over two meters tall and can be used in all positions.

"There are two more tactics we need to pay attention to."

Chen Fang asked Lu Yun to freeze on a black player, pointed at the man on the screen and said, "Tyrone Wallace, a junior, is the main scoring center for the Golden Bears, averaging 15 points per game. His center skills are very good. His strengths are his back shots and hook shots, but his weakness is that he moves slowly."

"He would often pull to the free throw line to set a screen, then go down to the basket, catch the ball and turn to attack the basket."

"The ball can only be passed in from the wing, so our two wingers must pay attention to preventing screens and try to delay such passes." (The ball from the center can only go in from the wing, this is common sense, so when the opponent has a good center, you must first consider how to protect the wing barrier and prevent passes from this area.)
"Jason and I will be in charge of the two wings. Porter Jr. and Jalen will go to the short corners and free throw lines on the left and right sides. Make clear the strong and weak sides. Whoever is on the strong side will go to the short corners and free throw lines."

"Understood!" The two nodded.

"The second tactic is the hand-off at the top of the arc by the Golden Bears. This is a big problem. Our weakness is Trae Young. You can't suppress the top of the arc." Chen Fang said bluntly, and Trae Young nodded: "I need help."

"In this area, it can only be Jason and I. The two of us will switch based on the strong and weak sides. The logic is the same as the free throw line and the short corner area. Give up one wing."

Tatum nodded in understanding.

Then, Chen Fang began to pull out the main players of the Golden Bears: "Jordan Matthews, power forward. Averages 13 points per game, Ivan Rabb, small forward, averages 12 points per game, Jabari, point guard, averages 10 points per game."

"These are the main rotation players and they all have scoring ability. Matthews' characteristic is that he has a wide range of activities, so we need to pay special attention to his movement. Ivan is a three-point shooter, he likes to go to the bottom corner. You need to keep an eye on Porter Jr., because according to the data, his three-point shooting percentage is as high as 48%."

"Jabari is a small point guard, 176cm tall and very fast. He is the engine of the Golden Bears' transition offense. Trae Young, pinch him."

After saying this, Chen Fang stopped and stood in front of the screen. At this moment, he gave people the impression of being the coach of the Late Spring Team. Naturally, everyone was looking at him.

"The last one is Jaylen Brown, Jason's big brother. He is also the core of the Golden Bears and the ball-handling core."

"I spent an evening studying him. He has several characteristics. Jason, listen carefully. This is very important."

"He is very good at counterattacking with the ball. He will observe the position of the defender while moving, constantly changing the rhythm and speed to break through the defense. No matter who goes to defend him, they must pay attention to Brown's fast break and attacking the basket."

"My advice is to give confrontation, delay the game, and try to interfere. His core strength is very good, and he has many 2+1s. We either don't take action or foul early."

"Jaylen Brown has the ability to catch and shoot. His catch-and-shoot three-point shooting percentage is as high as 43%, so we have to pay attention to his escape and running. Jaylen, if you match up with him, you have to keep him in your field of vision and within your reach."

"He has excellent ability in chaos, second-chance rebounds, and one-on-one back-to-the-basket play. We need to pay attention to him at all times."

"Finally, let's talk about his problems. He doesn't have enough vision, doesn't share the pass much, likes to play one against four, and his pass is too casual. Be prepared to steal the ball."

"His pull-up jumper is very bad, Jason, this is something you can do well to formulate a defensive strategy, give him space to break through, but don't give him space to shoot, let him pull up."

"Yes, I think so too." Tatum agreed with Chen Fang's analysis very much. All he could recall in his mind were the scenes of the two's previous confrontations.

"He's a very good defender, but like Trae Young, he's easily distracted, which means that when we're on offense, our back-running and screen-circling will be very effective."

Even though Chen Fang pointed it out again, Trae Young was not unhappy. He was very clear about his problem.

"I've said everything that needs to be said. Let me say a few words from my heart." Chen Fang clapped his hands and said to Tatum, "I mainly want to talk to Jason." "These words will not be spread outside. This is a private topic of our small team." First, Chen Fang stated the principles.

"Now all major draft websites believe that Brown has a chance to be selected by the Celtics, and Jason, you also know who is persistent in pursuing you, so I have a question."

"If Brown goes to the Celtics, how will you get your future 50 million annual salary?"

These words hit the heart, not only Tatum's face changed, but others also changed.

"Wait, why would they choose him? His ranking is dropping." Jalen was surprised.

"No, besides Simmons and Ingram, the best is Brown." Chen Fang shook his head and retorted: "I don't think the Celtics will make a mistake. Ainge has sharp eyes."

"Okay, let's just take it seriously." Jalen still didn't believe it, but there was no need to argue. He would know the answer in two months.

"If you were in a team, who would be the boss?" Chen Fang asked these two questions.

“So, to whom is this game more important?”

"You, and Brown."

"In tomorrow's game, whoever performs better and whoever can lead the team to victory will have more say in the future."

"Because, it's possible that this is your only chance to decide the winner."

Tatum went from being shocked to deep thought, and when he heard Chen Fang's last sentence, he stood up.

"Chen Fang is right. Thank you for your reminder. I think I know what Brown meant."

Seeing Tatum come to his senses, Chen Fang nodded: "Brown has a bad temper and a strong desire to win. He has always been a boss. So, you have to treat this battle as the top priority of your life."

"You are the protagonist tomorrow, and I will do my best to help you win!"

"Yes, kill him!" Trae Young also shouted.

"Thank you, I now know what I should do!" Rex Rabbit looked very serious. He was indeed enlightened by Chen Fang.

※※※

Mike Montgomery: (33:45)

The 48-year-old Italian head coach of the Golden Bears is currently chatting face to face with Jaylen Brown.

This year was another year without any gains, but Mack felt more regretful that Brown actually declared for the draft. He had hoped to regroup and make it to the championship next year.

But what the two talked about today was not this, but about the private competition.

"Coach, I'm sorry, I acted on my own initiative." Brown apologized first, but his expression was calm, which meant that he cared about it very much.

Coach Mack certainly read it, and he thought it was a good idea to get the team excited during the offseason, and that this late spring team with so many talented players would be a great event.

According to him, not only are many of his colleagues from universities heading to California, but many scouts from the NBA have also come.

Their target, of course, is Brown, who has announced his candidacy.

Undoubtedly, this is a big gimmick and a commercial hype.

But Mike had no objection. He was the head coach of Berkeley and was in charge of all basketball affairs. This was his territory. (The power of NCAA coaches is even greater than that of NBA head coaches. Of course, the NBA has similar power. Some head coaches have multiple positions, such as Reeves, who is the head coach and president of the Clippers.)
Therefore, he needs to remind Brown that he has no say in this matter, but he is the one who allocates it.

Brown finished expressing his attitude and lowered his head. He became famous at a young age and came from a wealthy family with many talented people. He developed an arrogant and rebellious character since he was young.

In 2013, Billy Donovan, the head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Championship national team and later head coach of the Thunder, was very disgusted with him and criticized him publicly.

Since then, Brown began to reflect on himself and started to improve his relationship with his coach. Unfortunately, this decision was made by his agent, but it was also what he wanted.

He wanted a high draft pick because his ranking was already slipping, and doing whatever he could to change that became his main goal.

"I will let all the main players play. This is the team's reward for your year's hard work." Mike said slowly.

"But you have to make sure of one thing."

"Win it!" Mike raised his index finger in front of Brown. It is said that Italians are mafia. There is no way around it. Italians with slicked back hair, sunken eye sockets and deep gaze do look like gangsters, just like Mike at this moment, he was chewing gum and staring at Brown.

"Yes, coach, I won't lose." Brown was very confident.

"Go and get ready." Mike didn't want to say more, as he still had a lot of work to do.

At the same time, he was also very clear that Berkeley was not an outstanding team, and it was very surprising that it could attract Brown.

What attracted Brown to Berkeley was not the Golden Bears but its academic background.

Yes, Brown is actually a top student and very successful.

The phone rang, it was the assistant.

Mike answered the phone, and then he said, "You can open the stadium stands. Just apply on the school's official website. Yes, except for Stanford, dogs can enter! Yes, I said it!"

After hanging up the phone, Mike spat out the tasteless chewing gum. From his perspective, he could see the entire stadium.

Yes, he has the right to convert the box into an office.

What a boring fight! Mike shook his head and cursed in his heart.

But strangely, he didn't know what he was expecting. Maybe he could be the chief spectator and have fun.

Far away in Boston, Ainge had just put down the phone and looked at his subordinate, scouting director Leon Quick.

"You should go to California now. You are really worried about these two kids!" Angie sighed.

"Is there anything I need to do?" Leon asked.

"Don't do anything, don't contact them, and record the details of this game."

"Understood, sir."

Seeing Leon was about to leave, Angie suddenly stopped him: “Who do you think will win?”

Leon hesitated for a moment, and asked carefully: "Are you referring to the data or the game?"

"Tell me everything." Angie said.

"The data should be Brown. His body has reached the level of NBA confrontation after this year, and his skills have also improved."

"But Tatum's talent is better than Brown's, and so are his scoring skills. Based on the data, I think it's Tatum."

"As for the outcome of the game, the Golden Bears have a better chance of winning. After all, this is a high school team, and they may not be able to adapt to the intensity of D1."

After listening to the analysis, Angie did not say anything, but just waved his hand to let him leave.

Sitting alone in the office, Angie was lost in thought.

His plan was not affected by this accident, but made it more interesting.

He suddenly picked up his landline and called his secretary: "Book me a flight to California."

Then he took out his cell phone, found a number and dialed it.

"Yeah, I need some concealment, well, thank you very much."

After hanging up the phone again, he felt exhausted, but his spirit was inexplicably excited.

In his mind, the two are must-haves and are the core foundation of the Celtics' revival. If he really has to choose, he will definitely choose Tatum. (When Durant applied to change teams, the whole league was scrambling for him. The Celtics took out Brown as a bargaining chip. When asked about Tatum, Ainge directly hung up the other party's phone.)
(End of this chapter)