novelODS Chapter 37: Zeng Zhen's Offensive and Defensive Performance in the Finals!
Chapter 37: Zeng Zhen's Offensive and Defensive Performance in the Finals!
Standing on the court, Zeng Zhen stared at his opponent, then patted his chest and took deep breaths to adjust his rhythm.
UCLA's starting five: Westbrook, Collison, Zeng Zhen, Mbah a Moute, and Love.
Zeng Zhen was very calm as he started again, but his teammates were a little nervous, as it was their first time experiencing such a big finals event.
Kansas' starting five: Mario Chalmers, Sheron Collins, Brandon Rush, Darnell Jackson, and Darrell Arthur.
In this lineup, Chalmers and Collins are the initiators of the perimeter offense, while Rush is positioned as a defensive specialist and a three-point shooter. Jackson is a role player, mainly responsible for defense and rebounding, while Darrell Arthur is a player who combines inside scoring and rim protection.
The player with the highest projected draft position among the five on the field is Brandon Rush, who predicts he'll be on the edge of the Lotto. Next is Darrell Arthur, followed by the late first round, and Marion Chalmers in the second round...
The opening jump ball.
Love and Arthur jump for the ball.
Love passed the ball to Westbrook.
Westbrook dribbled to the right to observe.
Just like in the semifinals, UCLA is facing immense pressure.
Brandon Rush was guarding Zeng Zhen. Zeng Zhen had a deep impression of him; this guy was one of the rotation players in the Warriors dynasty and was a fierce defender.
Rush is 1.98 meters tall and very strong. After entering March Madness, he averaged 16 points per game.
The University of Kansas immediately tasked him with targeting Zeng Zhen.
"Zeng, I'm going to torture you tonight," Rush yelled at Zeng Zhen. Rush knew how difficult Zeng Zhen was to deal with, but he had a strong sense of self-confidence.
Rush loves defending these so-called super offensive players; it excites him.
Zeng Zhen ignored Rush and started running to position himself.
Love came out to the left to set an off-ball screen for Zeng Zhen. Zeng Zhen didn't have a good open shot, but he had a chance to receive the ball.
Westbrook passed the ball to Zeng Zhen at the top of the key, Zeng Zhen passed the ball to Love at the right high post, Love made a handoff to Zeng Zhen and at the same time set a screen to block Rush.
Arthur, who was switching on defense, didn't come up in time. Zeng Zhen dribbled on the right side, accelerated, and broke into the paint, stopping abruptly on the weak side for a jump shot.
Jackson was a beat too slow in providing help defense.
"Whoosh!"
Zeng Zhen's mid-range jump shot went in smoothly.
2 is better than 0
"Great block!" Zeng Zhen and Le Fu high-fived in celebration.
Love is a great passer; he knows when to pass the ball and when he needs to receive it.
"That's how you break in," Love nodded.
Love felt very comfortable playing with Zeng Zhen. Compared to Westbrook, Zeng Zhen has a more reliable mid-to-long-range shooting range, which allows for more variations in the team's offensive tactics.
UCLA's defense is very strong, constantly putting pressure on the University of Kansas.
Chalmers and Collins passed the ball around the perimeter for a while, but couldn't find a good opportunity to pass it inside. Chalmers then chose to take a tough shot against Westbrook's defense.
"box!!"
No, the basketball hit the rim. At that moment, Darrell Arthur rushed up behind Love, grabbed the basketball with both hands, and slammed it down hard.
"box!!"
Complete the deduction.
2:2.
Darrell Arthur was indulging in his jumping talent.
"ah!!!"
After completing a thunderous dunk, Arthur roared to the sky!
As a forward who stands at 2.06 meters tall, Darrell Arthur is a highly athletic man with great running and jumping abilities.
With this guy in the paint, Love is under a lot of pressure, Zeng Zhen muttered to himself.
During UCLA's offense, Westbrook dribbled the ball across half-court and then passed it to Zeng Zhen.
This time, Zeng Zhen didn't set a screen, but instead faced Rush's continuous changes of direction.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Zeng Zhen charged down the right flank, drawing a double team, and then passed the ball to Westbrook outside the three-point line.
Westbrook decisively launched a zombie-style jump shot three-pointer.
Extremely confident!!
"box!"
"Whoosh!"
The basketball bounced off the rim and luckily went in.
5:2.
After scoring, Westbrook was overjoyed, treating making a three-pointer with his less than 20% three-point shooting percentage as if it were a holiday.
"Thank you for your trust, Zeng." Westbrook grinned.
"Russell, you're awesome," Zeng Zhen encouraged.
Zeng Zhen's original intention was not to have Westbrook shoot three-pointers, but to have him continue to drive and pass, but this guy was really too confident.
There's not much to say once you're in.
After the match started, both teams displayed their own style of attack.
UCLA relied on the individual abilities of their star players to create tough plays, while Kansas University put the ball in the basket through exquisite teamwork.
In terms of game flow, the University of Kansas is slightly better.
Westbrook calmly orchestrated the team's strategy, and every touch of Zeng Zhen made Kansas University tense.
Although UCLA was a bit disorganized, their tactical movements were generally centered around Zeng Zhen.
In addition to being the core player on the offensive end, Zeng Zhen also needs to defend Rush on the defensive end.
Rush possesses exceptional physical gifts and a pinpoint three-point shot, but he is not adept at dribbling.
In one possession, after Chalmers failed to penetrate Westbrook on the perimeter, he passed the ball to Rush.
Zeng Zhen spread his arms wide and lowered his center of gravity.
Looking at Zeng Zhen in front of him, Rush burst forward on the right, and then suddenly pulled the ball to the left.
Rush is considered to be bad at ball control because his feints are not fake.
Such technical maneuvers could not fool Zeng Zhen, who kept Rush firmly under his control.
With no time left to shoot, Rush forced a sidestep to gather the ball, attempting a mid-range jump shot without shaking off Zeng Zhen.
"Snapped!"
Zeng Zhen didn't tolerate it, and with a powerful block, he sent the ball flying into the stands.
The scouts at the scene gasped in surprise.
Rush is a well-known lottery-caliber rookie, but Zeng Zhen seems capable of keeping him in check.
The referee signaled that the shot clock was up, and possession of the ball went to UCLA!
"Excellent defense, thanks to Zeng Zhen's block. Front row fans should definitely get their insurance covered."
"Zeng Zhen's defense is NBA level. Brandon did his best to create space, but it's a pity he couldn't shake off Zeng Zhen's defensive coverage foul."
McBreen shouted excitedly.
On the field, Zeng Zhen shouted at Rush, "You'd better bring a ladder, so you won't be eating hotpot."
Rush wiped his sweat, feeling the pressure.
The morale of everyone at UCLA was boosted, and they launched an attack.
Westbrook dribbled the ball up the court and passed it to Zeng Zhen.
Zeng Zhen received the ball and faced Rush, placing the ball on the left and assuming a breakthrough stance.
Rush shifted his weight rapidly to the left, but in that instant, Zeng Zhen swiftly slapped the ball to the right and unleashed a powerful shot!
"Whoosh!"
Zeng Zhen rushed over, and Rush tried to turn around and chase after him, but he stumbled!
"Bang!!"
Rush fell down!!
That's Brandon Rush, one of the top defenders in the NCAA.
Why did I seem like a clumsy wooden stake in front of that Chinese person?
Zeng Zhen drove into the paint and launched a floater over Arthur, who was a step behind.
The basketball flew past his fingertips, and Arthur's block was too slow.
"Whoosh!"
The basketball swished perfectly into the net!
[A beautiful fall!]
That dribbling move was truly mesmerizing.
Zeng, you're so handsome, I love you!!
The Chinese fans at the scene were very excited. Zeng Zhen was a dominant player in the NCAA, not a dispensable fringe player.