The referee whistles.
Under the expectant eyes of the fans, the divisional finals officially started.
Midfield jump ball.
University of Texas center Zelos Bemba jumped off the offensive ball in the first possession.
Texas offense.
And just like they did, they played a tactic that completely focused on one player as the core of their offense.
Durant circled an eagle loop, shifted from the strong side to the weak side to catch the ball at the top of the arc, and the run cleared the weak side immediately.
It was Mbah a Moute defending Durant.
Durant caught the ball with his back and turned to the front, and Mbah a Moute immediately put on defense, not giving Durant an easy shot.
Durant felt the positive defensive pressure, took a dribble and took a half-turn to the free throw line one step away.
Swish!
"Is that the vote?"
"It's still in!"
After hitting steadily, Durant retreated back to defend calmly. This ball is a routine operation for him.
"How are you, Barmotte?"
Zhang Jun couldn't help worrying about Ba Moute's state.
After all, as the strongest defensive player, he was more or less uncomfortable when he was shot by Durant in such a way.
Bamot took a long breath, and said still unconvinced: "I can do it!"
Switch offense.
The shooting guard of the University of Texas is a player named Drew Lawrence. He is 199cm tall and weighs 98kg. He is strong enough to match Zhang Jun in terms of height and strength.
More importantly, he is also a very good defensive player and is the best defensive team in the Big 12 league.
call!
Drew Lawrence was stunned by Zhang Jun's one-step pass, and the latter quickly broke through to the basket and scored a layup.
"He's so fast?!" Drew Lawrence said in disbelief.
Durant already had a deep understanding, and patted his teammate Drew Lawrence on the shoulder at this time.
"Even Julian Wright, Al Thornton, and Rodney Starkey were all passed by Zhang Jun in one step."
"I can't prevent him from being ashamed."
Drew Lawrence naturally knows that the three players mentioned by Durant are well-known forward and defensive forwards in the United States, and even Julian Wright's defensive ability is even inferior to Drew Lawrence.
Zhang Jun was able to pass them so easily, which really made Drew Lawrence a little unconvinced. Their offensive talent is not outstanding, and they want to gain a foothold in the NCAA and successfully rush to the NBA, relying on their stalking and Xiaoqiang spirit. defense.
Any offensively gifted player will experience a significant decline in offense when they encounter a defensive player of their type.
But Zhang Jun, no matter who came, took one step at a time.
This really hits the self-confidence of defensive players.
next round.
Durant singled Mbah a Moute at the waist, and made a slightly receding mid-range shot.
Mbah a Moute has already fought hard to defend, his legs are about to break the ball, but there is still at least one palm away from Durant's release point.
This is how he defends Durant.
The latter doesn't even need to worry about the shot being blocked, and only needs to focus on hitting the basket, which is why Durant has always maintained an efficient shooting rate.
The only thing that can interfere with Durant is his own touch.
"Bah Moute, are you alright?"
Being beaten like this, it's no wonder that his mentality is not broken. At this time, Ba Moute finally realized how those opponents felt when defending Zhang Jun in the past.
I really want to kill him.
Mbah a Moute gritted his teeth and said stubbornly: "I have to defend a ball from him."
attack.
Zhang Jun singles Drew Lawrence.
Use the left foot as the pivot foot, turn your back to Drew Lawrence suddenly during the breakthrough process, make a forward turn with the left foot as the axis, and step forward with the right foot to the basket, and at the same time press the left shoulder to the side of the defender , forming a ball protection and actively looking for physical confrontation, pushing the ball with the right hand and stepping forward with the left foot off the ground, surpassing the opponent.
Swish!
Hit!
"This is turning around and breaking through!"
"I have to admit that Zhang Jun's breakthrough skills are really rich. Let alone an NCAA player, even if he wins the NBA, there are not many players who can defend it."
Kenny Smith couldn't help but praise.
But praise is all praise, the game has been played for so long, the first half of the game is almost over, and I haven't seen the personal matchup between Zhang Jun and Durant, which really makes Kenny Smith's heart itch.
Barkley said calmly: "Don't worry, there is still a long time in the game. According to this process, the two will have to face each other at some point sooner or later."
"It depends on the coaches on both sides who can't handle it first."
The head coach of the University of Texas, Barnes, looks dignified on the court at the moment.
48:47, even leading the University of Texas.
Barnes noticed the player named Zhang Jun. He made 8 of 12 shots and 4 of 5 free throws. He scored 20 points before halftime was over.
Looking at my beloved apprentice Durant, although he also performed well, he made 7 of 13 shots and 2 of 2 free throws, scoring 17 points, but it seems that his impact and pressure on the court are not as good as Zhang Jun.
This is the first time Barnes has felt that a player can suppress Durant on the offensive end, which is unbelievable.
When Durant arrived at the University of Texas training ground on the first day, Barnes noticed that any tactical system would restrict Durant's performance, so he tried every means to create offensive space for Durant and let him let go. solve everything.
The University of Texas has thus become a well-known offensive team in the NCAA.
"Much like us, they did the same thing as us to open up space for Zhang Jun."
"It's also an outstanding team on the offensive end~www.mtlnovel.com~ But now, I have to admit that if the game continues like this, the University of Texas will probably lose the game."
"So Zhang Jun, my double-teaming of you has begun."
Barnes called a timeout and rearranged the defense.
Zhang Jun was double-teamed by Drew Lawrence and point guard Nagorne LeBron.
Drew Lawrence can finally breathe a sigh of relief. He has been defending Zhang Jun alone, and he is almost stunned.
At the end of the halftime game, it was tied with the University of Texas at 53:53.
"Guys, we have to find a way to limit Durant. As long as he limits his offense, the overall offense of the University of Texas will completely collapse."
Alford said anxiously.
Even though he was already mentally prepared, he was still intimidated by Durant's performance on the court.
The opponent deserves to be a player as famous as Zhang Jun.
Mbah a Moute was a little angry: "Coach, I'm afraid I can't guard against that guy, his shot point is too high, and his shots are too accurate."
Love agrees: "Even I can't necessarily interfere with Durant's shot."
Sid couldn't help but took a deep breath and said, "With Durant's height and wingspan, I don't think anyone can defend him one-on-one."
"Coach, I'm afraid we can only fight against them."
Alford took a deep breath. At present, it seems that this is indeed the only way, but he is a little unwilling.
Because this kind of offensive move is really a bit too desperate. If he wants to get a bigger chance of winning, he must defend Durant.
"Let me do it."