radicalducati Chapter 38: The fourth match of the series begins, and Li Xingchen is promoted to the starting lineu
Chapter 38: The fourth match of the series begins, and Li Xingchen is promoted to the starting lineu
When he saw Li Xingchen volunteer, Cole raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Li, your defense is very good, and you should be able to handle Donovan. But I've observed you in the last few games, and while you defend everyone else very well, you occasionally make mistakes when guarding Donovan. It feels like Donovan's offensive rhythm just happens to hit your defensive weaknesses, kind of like he's controlling you..."
"It's hard to say, but if it's just based on your performance in the first few games, I wouldn't agree to your decision. Do you want to stick to it? If so, please tell me your reasons."
Li Xingchen nodded seriously and spoke with a firm look in his eyes.
"Coach, I've actually noticed this problem too."
"So, after the game last night, I spent the whole night studying Donovan's game video. His offensive rhythm is different from that of a typical shooting guard; he relies more on his own strength."
"I was too wary of his drives and shots before, and I focused most of my attention on the routes he might drive and the positions where he might shoot, without paying much attention to my own body strength and center of gravity. So sometimes, he would directly challenge me and create a little space for me to shoot."
"Therefore, I also consulted Andrew yesterday. He told me that the most important thing when dealing with a shooting guard like Donovan who has a balance of speed and strength is to maintain your body's center of gravity. As for shooting and driving, you can just use your height and wingspan to cover him. After all, he is at a disadvantage in terms of static talent."
As she spoke, Li Xingchen winked at Mouth Bro.
Wiggins was completely bewildered. When did this kid come to ask me for advice yesterday? How come I didn't know?
However, seeing Li Xingchen winking at him, the kind-hearted Wiggins didn't expose him.
This young man from the East is smart on the court and humble in his personality. In fact, everyone on the Warriors team likes him quite a bit, and Wiggins is no exception.
As long as it's not a matter of principle, you can let him do as he pleases.
Li Xingchen continued, "I thought about it for a long time yesterday, and I feel that after adjusting the strategy, I should be able to limit Donovan's attack more effectively."
"Furthermore, considering that as long as I can match up against Donovan, our defensive matchups in other positions will be much healthier."
"So, I implore the coach to give me this opportunity, at least give me a chance to try. If it doesn't work, then we can try other solutions."
Upon hearing this, Cole pondered for a long time.
If tomorrow is just a regular season game, then we can give it a try; it doesn't really matter.
However, the team is already down 1-2 in the series. At this critical juncture, to attempt something with an uncertain outcome could lead to a 1-3 deficit at home, which would be disastrous.
As the coach, he will inevitably have to bear some responsibility...
The pressure is considerable.
Kerr was still pondering when Curry spoke first.
"I agree."
"We let Xingchen start precisely because we trust him, right?"
"We trust him on offense, and we should trust him on defense as well."
"Besides, we lost at home in our last game, it's time to make some changes. Wouldn't it be good to try a new matchup?"
Curry shrugged and shared his opinion.
Li Xingchen glanced at Curry with a hint of gratitude, sensing that Curry seemed to have an exceptionally high level of trust in him now.
After all, Li Xingchen knew very well how much pressure Curry was under and how much he valued the outcome of this series.
Curry's trust in Li Xingchen may be partly due to their chance encounter and chat at the training facility that morning, but it's more likely a testament to his belief in Li's abilities.
As for Kerr, since even the team's leader Curry had spoken, he naturally had nothing to say and ultimately agreed to the plan.
Li Xingchen will start as the shooting guard in tomorrow night's game.
Moreover, he will be tasked with defending Mitchell from the very beginning!
……
This was a sleepless night for many.
Like Curry, who carries immense pressure, has won three championships but never received the Finals MVP. Without the help of Durant and Thompson, he can't lead his team far on his own, making him a less than competent team leader...
He was widely regarded as a legend, and he had to prove himself.
Like Li Xingchen, who struggled in the league for two years, he finally had the opportunity to show his skills. How big his next contract would be would depend entirely on his performance on the court. The thought of signing a high-paying contract and living a life of luxury with villas and cars made him quite excited.
Of course, there were also countless fans who were passionately arguing with their favorite teams late at night.
"Still dreaming of a Cinderella story? They're definitely going to get swept 1-4. The only game they won was when the Jazz were giving up Mitchell..."
"You dare to beat me 50-1 if we don't go down 1-4? Curry has never been eliminated 1-4 in his entire career... To be precise, since Kerr came to the Warriors, Curry hasn't even lost a series in the Western Conference."
"Hehe, my brother led the team straight to the top draft pick during the regular season, so of course he won't lose a series in the Western Conference."
"Why bring up a season that ended in just five games due to injury?"
"Stop struggling. I'm a Warriors fan too. We lost the last home game, which shows how big the gap is between the two teams. Just accept it and we'll fight again next year."
Curry neither heard nor saw any of these words.
But he doesn't need to listen or see; he knows it all in his heart.
Tomorrow is the team's do-or-die game.
Although there have been instances in NBA history of teams coming back from a 1-3 deficit, it's impossible to pin one's hopes on such a low-probability event.
If the Warriors lose again at home tomorrow, it will basically spell the end of their season.
Curry didn't have high hopes for this season, since entering the playoffs as the eighth seed in the West made it unrealistic to expect to contend for the championship.
However, Li Xingchen's sudden emergence reignited his fighting spirit.
With a base salary that can be converted to a permanent position through a two-way contract, he performed like someone earning 20 to 30 million in the playoffs.
Is it appropriate to miss such a good opportunity and instead wait until next year?
Next year after next, how many next years there are!
The best opportunity is always now.
Recalling his conversation with Li Xingchen that morning, and Li Xingchen's final words to him, "We will win," Curry felt inexplicably excited.
This young man from the East possesses a unique charm with his indomitable spirit and infectious optimism.
Let's work together to win this series and prove ourselves.
We will definitely win!
……
Time quickly passed to the next day.
Since the training mission had come to an end, Li Xingchen was finally able to give himself a short break. He simply followed the team's training rhythm and did not do any extra training on his own.
The team had a unified tactical drill in the morning, and an hour of light shooting practice in the afternoon. After all, there was a game in the evening, so it was impossible to arrange any high-intensity training.
Evening arrived quickly, and Li Xingchen followed the team to the stadium to begin their pre-match warm-up.
The fans' enthusiasm was no less than that of the previous game; in fact, it was even more intense.
Besides asking for autographs and photos, many fans also sincerely cheered for the Warriors and every player on the team.
"Hey Stephen! Cheer up! You'll crush them!"
"Li, you're the best short, Eastern player I've ever seen! That last tackle in the last game was absolutely amazing! We lost because of those damn referees' crazy calls. We have to win today!"
Seeing the sincere eyes of the fans, Li Xingchen's fighting spirit grew stronger.
After a week of hard work, I've finally unlocked a new ability that will surely shine in tonight's match.
Whether it's to repay the expectations of fans at home and abroad, or to complete his own system tasks, he will definitely give 120% effort to help the Warriors win this series.
At the start of the game, standing in the center circle was Draymond Green, the Warriors' center who is only 1.98 meters tall.
The forwards are Wiggins and Bazemore.
The starting guards are Curry and Li Xingchen.
Li Xingchen has been officially promoted to the Warriors' starting lineup!
Upon seeing this, Warriors fans at Chase Center began to cheer.
Not only the Warriors' coaching staff and players, but also the fans, all adore this rising star from the East.
Fifteen points in forty seconds: an epic comeback in the play-in tournament; orchestrating steals, displaying impeccable defensive awareness, responding with a barrage of three-pointers on offense, sealing the team's fate with a crucial three-pointer in the final quarter, and relentlessly battling for rebounds in critical defensive possessions...
In just three games and forty seconds, Li Xingchen has already left countless memorable moments for the Warriors.
How could fans not like him? How could they not support him starting?
Amidst waves of cheers, the match officially began.
Green truly lives up to his reputation as a small-ball center who has played in the Warriors' small-ball lineup for many years. At 1.98 meters tall, he really can hold up a piece of the Warriors' interior.
Facing a height difference of nearly 20 centimeters between himself and Gobert, who stands at 2.16 meters tall, Draymond Green managed to jump for the starting ball.
I have no idea how he did it.
The ball is passed to Curry, who dribbles up the court and prepares for the attack.
The Jazz, having successfully employed a one-on-one defensive strategy against Curry in the previous game, are maintaining the same approach in this game, still assigning Royce O'Neale to guard Curry while focusing on shutting down the offense of the rest of the Warriors.
Seeing that his opponent still didn't take his offense seriously, Curry's eyes sharpened instantly.
He glanced at the faces of the Jazz players and let out a soft breath.
Tonight, he'll make those guys who look down on him pay the price!