blogombal Chapter 18 Team Trust and Strategy
Chapter 18 Team Trust and Strategy
At this point, the University of Oklahoma decided to double-team the link again. This time, Willie Warren and Tony Crocker were responsible for this defensive task. Known for his agility, Warren focused on disrupting the link's three-point shots while cutting off passing lanes.
However, facing tight defense, Lian Dao remained fearless and aggressively dribbled forward. As Warren closed in, Lian Dao executed a beautiful behind-the-back dribble, the ball bouncing between Warren's legs and landing precisely in DeRozan's arms in the corner. DeRozan didn't hesitate and quickly shot for the basket.
Defensively, Wilkinson's foul trouble forced him to play conservatively in the paint, giving Gibson more defensive space. When Blake Griffin passed the ball to Tyler Griffin, Lian Dao quickly moved up to help defend. Tyler then passed the ball to Tony Kroc, who hit a three-pointer.
Wilkinson's accumulating fouls disrupted USC's interior defense. When Wilkinson fouled Blake Griffin on a turnaround jumper in the low post, Griffin capitalized on the opportunity by making both free throws.
When he saw Wilkinson pick up his fourth foul, Tim didn't call a timeout. Instead, he let Wilkinson stay on the court and gestured with his finger to Lian Dao.
After understanding the coach's intentions, Lian Dao signaled the next play to his teammates. Daniel Hackett received the ball, while Lian Dao and DeRozan made off-ball runs. The key to this play was the pick-and-roll combination between Gibson and Wilkinson.
Lian Dao executed the play perfectly, using his teammates' screens to create space near the 45-degree angle outside the three-point line. Daniel made a precise pass to him.
On the other side, Willie Warren of the University of Oklahoma ran to the three-point line.
Lian Dao remained calm and quickly passed the ball to DeRozan. DeRozan cut to the baseline and scored with a powerful dunk.
Meanwhile, USC tightened its perimeter defense, preventing Oklahoma from scoring on fast breaks. With fluid offense and solid defense, USC went on a 26-15 run before halftime, ultimately securing the victory.
At halftime, USC led 49-32, a huge advantage of 17 points.
In the first half, Lian Dao performed exceptionally well, scoring 17 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 turnover, becoming the top scorer in the first half. Blake Griffin also played well, contributing 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist. DeRozan found his rhythm and scored 9 points and 2 rebounds, while captain Gibson contributed 6 points and 5 rebounds.
As Lian Dao slacked off the field, he felt cramps in both legs, a clear sign of exhaustion. He quickly sat down on the bench, panting, and began pressing acupoints on his legs to relieve the fatigue. This was the first time he had played a full half, and considering his fitness rating of 64, it was a considerable challenge for him.
In the second half, Lian Dao and Wilkinson sat on the bench, while DeRozan started. Oklahoma University recognized Lian Dao's fatigue and kept their starters on the court. Head coach Jeff Capel hoped to use Lian Dao's absence to narrow the gap.
His strategy worked. Without their connecting lane, USC's perimeter defense weakened, and their offensive organization became chaotic. Oklahoma capitalized, their three-point shooting percentage soaring. Even with the NCAA's 35-second shot clock, a 17-point lead quickly vanished against accurate three-pointers.
USC head coach Tim Murtaugh faces a thorny problem. While improving defense on the three-point line might help, the bigger issue is USC's crumbling interior defense. Leonard Washington, replacing Wilkinson, struggled against Blake Griffin. The 2.05-meter Washington was simply unable to contain Griffin, who dominated the paint and repeatedly hit and-one plays.
As Washington's defense faltered, allowing Griffin to score and draw fouls, Tim's frustration intensified. In just four minutes, Oklahoma City went on a 17-7 run, narrowing the gap to just 7 points, bringing the series score to 49-56.
Finally, when the game went dead, Tim substituted Wilkinson for Leonard Washington. Although Wilkinson had already committed four fouls, there was no other option—USC had no other available centers.
Watching his teammates struggle as Oklahoma City steadily narrowed the gap, Lian Dao grew increasingly anxious. This game was exceptionally difficult, and he didn't want to hand over the victory easily. He walked resolutely towards Tim.
"Coach, I've rested, please let me play," Lian Dao pleaded.
Tim shook his head, looking at Lian Dao's still tired legs. "Coach, I can do it. My legs are fine. We can definitely turn things around," Lian Dao pleaded urgently.
"Sicker, you need to trust your teammates. You're a team. Besides, this is just a preseason game; it won't have a big impact on the whole season," Tim said, while also noticing the obvious fatigue of the Oklahoma players. However, Lian Dao's persistence put him in a difficult position.
Tim admires the team's strong competitive spirit. This passion often inspires players to achieve greatness. However, Tim also understands what's more important. A preseason game is far less important than the players' health—a principle he always adheres to.
"Sikel, you're not fit enough to play yet. If you play now, there's a risk of injury. Compared to your health, this game is nothing," Tim explained.
Touched by Tim's concern, Lian Dao stopped protesting and returned to the bench. He watched the game intently, analyzing every offensive and defensive play. He appeared calm on the surface, but a warm sense of gratitude welled up inside him.
Tim wasn't Lian Dao's first basketball coach. During his four years of high school, he played for two different teams. The first coach, out of distrust, benched him indefinitely. The second coach only gave him a chance because the team desperately needed players during his senior year. Tim was Lian Dao's third head coach after coming to the United States, and the only one who truly trusted him. Tim never neglected him due to any prejudice, always prioritizing the players' health.
This concern deeply touched Lian Dao, who had long been accustomed to skepticism and ridicule.