Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 325 Returning to the Course
After defeating the Mavericks, the Clippers headed straight to Miami, landing in the early hours of the 23rd.

Chen Fang originally wanted to participate in the post-match analysis, but Rivers firmly refused.

Because they were going to play the Heat in 20 hours, he told Chen Fang, "What you need is rest. As for tactics, that's our job as coaches."

When I woke up, it was already noon.

With almost no time to dawdle, the whole team hurriedly finished lunch and headed to the American Airlines Center for acclimatization training.

Then leave before 3 p.m. and return to the hotel for a short rest.

Two hours later, around 5 p.m., we'll set off again to return to the American Airlines Arena to prepare for the game.

This is the main reason why back-to-back away games are so difficult.

The NBA schedule is always tight and complex. None of the 30 teams have an easy regular season; it's just a matter of time.

Some are in the early stages of the season, some in the middle and later stages, but the worst is at the end of the season.

The Clippers' schedule is tough in the later stages, but the last month is relatively easy.

No one would complain to the league, Rivers called out to Chen Fang.

“It would be best to take turns resting,” he suggested.

Chen Fang shook his head at the head coach's advice.

“At this time, taking turns to rest is not an option.”

"Alright," Rivers said, no longer insisting.

After parting ways with LeBron James, the Heat entered a rebuilding phase, but the results were slow. When Dwyane Wade asked Pat Riley to return, Riley agreed after considering various factors.

Wade returned with an extremely low price tag. Because of his humble approach and lack of competitive ability, he was not recognized by Spoelstra and was only made into the second unit, which is the rotation.

The Heat's starting lineup this season is: Goran Dragic, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, and Hassan Whiteside.

But the Clippers' arrival gave Spoelstra a new idea.

He promoted Wade to the starting lineup and replaced James Johnson, allowing Tyler Johnson, who has better athleticism, to play.

Thus, the Heat's starting lineup for this game consists of two small forwards.

This was undoubtedly aimed at Chen Fang.

Chen Fang sensed it as soon as the match started.

Wade led the defense throughout the game, while Richardson double-teamed him in the second half.

After several attempts, Rivers fielded a lineup in an effort to break this double-team strategy.

Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday, Chen Fang, Jaren Jackson Jr., Zubac.

Let Lou Williams, with his superior ball-handling skills, handle the situation after Chen Fang is cut off, and let Jrue Holiday set screens for Chen Fang to break through.

Jaren will often be positioned at the top of the mid-lane arc as a second support point.

Zubac is even more important in this tactic.

He needs to take on the majority of inside attacks to contribute a consistent scoring output for the Clippers.

Chen was positioned for most of the offensive possessions to draw the Heat's defensive formation as an off-ball player, mostly in the corners or on the weak wing.

When he stopped, the Heat did not relax their cutting of Chen Fang. Within two meters, Richardson always blocked the way to receive the ball. When Chen Fang tried to move, Wade would use his body to squeeze him. His hands never left Chen Fang's body, maintaining close contact.

When the Clippers are about to set an off-ball screen, whether it's Wade or Richardson, the Heat players following behind will immediately look for Chen Fang to delay and pull him, even if it means committing a foul.

Even though Chen Fang has temporarily escaped this predicament thanks to his efforts and the help of his teammates, he still has to face Tyler Johnson's help defense.

Unless the Clippers are willing to field four players, Chen Fang's chances of receiving the ball will be virtually zero.

This was the double-team strategy that Kerr came up with, and then Spoelstra further refined it after Popovich and Carlisle.

The defensive strategy devised by three championship-caliber head coaches is not something the Clippers coaching staff can easily counter.

Throughout the first half, the Clippers relied on scoring from Lou Williams, Brunson, Zubac, and Jrue Holiday to maintain a single-digit point difference. With the support of 20,000 Heat fans, the Heat, who had fallen into the lottery, also dominated the Clippers, who were riding high on their success.

"That's the NBA. Any weakness a team shows will be magnified infinitely." Duan Ran sighed. He thought that beating the Mavericks would make things better, but it seems that's not the case at all.

Any team that is willing to field three solid defensive players and dare to foul would be difficult to handle, even if Jordan were alive, let alone Chen Fang.

However, this strategy cannot last.

If the Clippers can find a second strong scoring option and have their role players explode, they will immediately force the opponent to abandon their defensive formation.

But the question now is, who is it?

Lou Williams is certainly capable, but defensively, he's practically giving away points.

If you need his scoring, you have to accept his defensive weaknesses. The Heat have already gained a lead by targeting Lou Williams.

“Dillon’s absence has far-reaching consequences. If it weren’t for this injury and Cole’s ruthlessness, we wouldn’t have seen this problem.” Duan Ran spoke frankly, also trying to exonerate Chen Fang.

"The Clippers need Dillon's all-around game. Although he is not outstanding in scoring, he has a three-point shot, can penetrate, has the ability to play and distribute the ball, and is tough, strong on defense, and has great stamina."

Duan Ran used three strong points to describe Dillon's value, and he continued, "This is also why Chen Fang asked Dillon to come to the Clippers. Chen Fang understands this very well."

"The Clippers don't have a replacement like Dillon. Brunson is good, but he's limited by his height. Lou Williams also has this problem."

"Bridges, DiVincenzo, and Jaren are all rookies in their first year and their understanding of the game is still too immature."

"Beverley and Rose, these veterans, are injured again, the Clippers are incredibly weak."

Duan Ran's words hit the nail on the head. The Clippers coaching staff was even more aware of their current situation. During halftime, Mazura could only assign defensive tasks to each player in more detail.

Chen was panting heavily. He didn't score many points; 6 out of his 8 points came from free throws. The Heat had tightly guarded him and used the "Hack-a-Dragon" strategy.

Spoelstra truly lives up to his reputation as a master coach. He iterated on the tactics with Kerr, Popovich, and Carlisle, incorporating elements similar to the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy.

Once he gets the ball, foul him immediately, preferring to send him to the free-throw line rather than let him show any signs of gaining momentum.

Just as the locker room was feeling rather dull, Chen Fang suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Guys, don't look so gloomy."

Shouldn't you be smiling?

"Now is the time to realize one's own value. Every person's contribution at this moment is more worthy of attention than ever before."

"This means big contracts and money."

Everyone thought Chen Fang's words were meant to boost morale, but they didn't expect him to say these things, and they all realized what was going on. "4 against 3, 4 against 2, attack the basket, open three-pointers, free me from my shackles."

"The opportunity is right in front of me. I want to see who can seize it."

It was as if it were magic; the players' eyes lit up.

The coaching staff exchanged bewildered glances, while Rivers looked at Chen Fang with eyes full of admiration.

At the start of the third quarter, Rivers put Chen Fang's words into practice.

He divided the remaining ten players into three batches, constantly substituting them in. Those who performed well were given more playing time, while those who performed poorly were immediately substituted out. The assistant coach would then review the performance, pointing out the reasons for the substitution and ways to improve.

Surprisingly, the unassuming Sandwell became the biggest highlight.

Standing at 198cm, Sanwell joined the Clippers at the same time as Chen Fang and was among the first players to follow Chen Fang. However, due to his individual abilities, he gradually became a marginal figure as more players arrived.

But today, he perfectly replaced the small forward problem by almost replicating Dillon's playing style.

With drives to the basket, three-pointers, and jump shots, Sandwell scored 11 points in just a few minutes, seemingly by divine intervention.

Even Mazura was shocked and admitted that she had misjudged him.

Strong, with solid defensive skills, a strong will, and a soft touch, Thornwell suddenly became the Clippers' savior.

Spoelstra was forced to have Johnson, who was helping on defense, go out and help others more, while Richardson, who was double-teaming, also had to join in more help defense.

As the fourth quarter began, Chen Fang suddenly realized that the only person he had to face was Wade.

With a reverse run, Chen Fang received the ball on the baseline and regained possession after a long absence. He took a deep breath. Wade was putting more pressure on him with his experience, but compared to the intensity of the first three quarters, this was nothing.

With a three-threat move followed by a slight crossover, Chen Fang immediately cut inside and thrust forward, leaving the stunned Wade behind as if he were walking over a wooden stake.

Richardson rushed in to cover, but Chen Fang, who had gained space to sprint, wouldn't let it happen. With a step-over, a jump shot, and a spring-like leap, Heat center Whiteside experienced for the first time what it felt like to be in deep trouble.

He bravely raised his arms and jumped up, only to be terrified to find that a large hand was holding the basketball high above him.

"How high did they jump?"

Before the thought could even cross his mind, Bai Bian was struck as if by a bullet, and involuntarily fell backward.

"Death dunk!" Duan Ran, who had been frustrated all game, roared with a raised arm.

In a classic moment, Chen Wang delivered his signature leaping dunk, signaling to the 20,000 Heat fans at American Airlines Arena, "I'm back."

Upon landing, Chen Fang roared to the sky, feeling utterly relieved. After pent-up frustration for so long, this slam completely unleashed his anger.

Vedra told Richardson that he had to stick to the plan and not care even if others voted to their deaths.

But is it really possible?

Thornwell received the ball at the top of the key, and with Richon's screen, he dribbled like the wind and charged into the paint.

Richardson, who was providing flank support, remained motionless as he watched Thornwell charge in.

Seeing the opponent score, he looked at Wade.

"Is that right?" he asked, puzzled.

Wade also looked at Spoelstra, whose expression was serious.

When Johnson started guarding Thornwell closely, Jrue Holiday became the third scoring option, hitting an open three-pointer on the wing to put the team ahead.

This wasn't the end of it. The Clippers' offense became unstoppable, with Thornwell hitting two consecutive three-pointers, directly breaking through the Heat's weak-side defense.

Spoelstra called a timeout and said to his assistant helplessly, "Unfortunately, we've become the last ones holding the bag."

In the league, at the coaching level, everyone knows that it's impossible to gain a long-term advantage by relying on a single extreme tactic. You have to build a winning mechanism through a systematic approach and a sufficient number of players.

The Clippers were just too successful recently, and no team wanted them to have an easy time, so there was a tendency to kick them while they were down.

But everyone knows that the Clippers will find a solution sooner or later.

Because most players who make it into the league need just one opportunity, one game.

Chen Fang hugged Sangwell happily. He was so happy to see his brother win. All the anger from the previous losses had long since vanished.

"Brother, I'm so happy. You must remember this feeling and keep it up," Chen Fang reminded him.

“Yes, I will not forget.” Thornwell was equally excited and seized the opportunity.

He also discovered that the NBA wasn't that difficult; as long as he dared to make moves and dared to fight, he could score.

With Samwell's outburst, the other Clippers players were also inspired. Evans used his speed to repeatedly drive to the basket and draw fouls. Whiteside fouled out, signaling that the fragile Heat could no longer hold onto the tail of victory.

The game ended with the Clippers completing a comeback on the road, winning 104-96, securing a significant victory.

When interviewed, the reporter congratulated Samwell, the player of the game, on becoming the unexpected hero, and asked, "Do you think you've found a way to score?"

"Yes, I think I've found this opportunity."

“Since entering the league, I have always believed in myself and never slacked off. Every day, I have trained hard, and I have been waiting for my opportunity. Thank God, God heard my prayers.” Thornwell was very excited, and he even choked up a little.

"Congratulations." The reporter was also happy for him; the media is always pleased to see marginalized figures make a comeback.

Duan Ran was also very happy. Although she still had some concerns, she still explained the connection between Sangwell and Chen Fang to the fans.

"In the NCAA, they were rivals. Chen Fang personally blocked South Carolina's path to the next round. In that game, Thornwell defended Chen Fang the entire time, and the two gave their all on the court."

"He also started his NBA career as a rookie with the Clippers. I'm glad that Samwell is back in an important position. I believe that his 21-point performance will provide a great help to the Clippers who are struggling."

After the match, Chen Fang and Sanweier attended the press conference together.

"Please go find him today, Sindarius is the star of the day, he was amazing today." Chen Fang praised his brother to the reporters below the stage before he even sat down.

Sangwell appeared nervous during his first press conference, but the experienced Chen Fang eased his tension, and he regained his composure as he answered more and more questions.

"In the team, Chen Wang treats everyone equally, and everyone can feel that. Our team atmosphere is the best I have ever seen, and that is why we have never lost our fighting spirit no matter what difficulties we face."

"I also believe that people will keep stepping up. That's our winning culture. In the Clippers, we trust each other and believe in ourselves."

Chen Fang was surprised. He hadn't realized that Sangwell was actually quite capable; his words were very insightful.

My brother has grown up!
Chen Fang couldn't help but put his hand on Sandwell's shoulder, and the two smiled at each other. This photo became the front page of the next day.

The title is concise: "Back to the Course".

(End of this chapter)