These words sounded like a flattery directed at Durant.
But what he said is indeed correct.
The University of Texas played well in the first half, but Durant's performance was only average.
He only scored 8 points in the first half, which is obviously not enough for a player who averages 27 points per game.
"Kevin, you need to step up and hit some shots that might not be that good."
After laying the groundwork for a while, Tucker finally said what he wanted to say.
After listening to what Tucker said, most people in the locker room nodded.
The University of Texas had no problem with its triangle tactics in the first half.
The problem is that as Kansas's defense improved, they no longer had the easy scoring opportunities they had at the beginning.
Lin Ying also nodded.
This sentence is very applicable at this time: If tactics can solve all problems, then what are the uses of superstars?
Basketball is a sport where you can do whatever you want if you have talent.
For example, do you really think that Jordan is the only one who can master the post-up turn and fade away to that level?
Or do you think the so-called "Dream Dance" is Olajuwon's patent?
Those are all illusions!
In fact, they just used their outstanding talents to bring that technology to the extreme.
That’s why Yao Ming said, “Dream can dance like Olajuwon, but he can’t reach the speed of Olajuwon.”
Kansas' execution and tactical quality are too high.
Once they get serious, it will be difficult to create good scoring opportunities relying solely on the triangle tactics that were quickly developed in two months.
All you can get is some fleeting shooting space.
Or as Tucker said, some shots with bad chances.
No one except Durant was very confident about that kind of ball.
Because in addition to execution and tactical qualities, the personal abilities of Kansas players are also not low.
So at this time, Durant is the only way to solve the problem.
"I see."
Although Durant didn't understand as much as Lin Ying, he knew that Tucker's reminder was correct.
He is the man who wants to be the number one player in basketball, and he must stand up in such a crucial game.
While they were talking, Barnes and Springman had been standing at the door for a while.
After they finished talking, some team members noticed them.
"PJ."
Springman saw that he had been discovered and came in to greet Tucker with a smile.
Tucker also turned around and greeted his two former head coaches with a smile.
Barnes rarely smiles.
Tucker is no longer his teammate now, and he has entered the NBA, so his status is different.
Of course, another very important point is that he and Springman were still thinking about how to boost the team's morale in the office.
Well now, the team’s former captain has taken care of this matter ahead of time.
And what Tucker said was very close to what .
After reminiscing about the past, Tucker left the locker room first.
In the following time, Springman also talked about the team's adjustments in the second half.
To sum it up in one sentence: In the second half, the University of Texas will use the 2.0 version of the triangle tactics to create more shooting and scoring opportunities for Durant.
With Tucker's preparation, it was easier for the players to accept this adjustment.
When Barnes had almost finished speaking, the players stood up and prepared to return to the court.
It was at this time that they suddenly discovered that Tucker was still at the door of the locker room.
When they went out, he pulled Lin Ying aside.
"Lin, the second most important person to win tonight besides Kevin is you. You have to feed him the ball as comfortably as possible. Only you can do it."
Lin Ying was confused at first, but after listening to what Tucker said, she nodded seriously.
He was now certain that what Williams had said earlier was true.
"And you need to do more on the defensive end. Now that we are behind in the score, we can't win the game by offense alone."
Tucker added.
Lin Ying nodded again.
He could totally feel that Tucker really wanted the University of Texas to win once!
This emotion is easy to understand. Tucker has already entered the NBA and will not have another chance. If he can see Lin Ying and the others win once, it would make up for the regret.
After the conversation, Tucker returned to the arena with them.
The fans at the scene were still excited, and the fans from the University of Texas even put up more banners and KT boards.
"Charles, do you think the University of Texas still has a chance?"
The second quarter was about to begin, and the commentators finally started talking about the game seriously.
They had almost finished talking about the players in the first quarter, and if they didn't talk about the game, they would have no more to say.
"There is a gap in strength between the two teams, but if Durant can score more points in the second half, they will have some chances."
Barkley was more objective this time.
He's a little biased against Texas because of the triangle offense.
But that prejudice was dispelled by Texas' performance in the first half.
"So do you think Durant can score more points?"
Smith demanded.
Barkley was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
There is no answer, but in fact the answer has been given.
Judging from Kansas' defensive strategy in the first half, their defensive intensity against Durant was not low at all.
Durant's low scoring is not only related to the University of Texas' own offensive tactics, but also to Kansas' defensive strategy.
Or to put it simply, tonight's game was different from any of Texas' previous games.
Durant can't score more points just because he wants to!
Kenny Smith certainly saw this.
However, his question was not only about some topics to talk about, but also related to the mental outlook of the University of Texas after returning from the halftime.
Especially the way Durant rubbed his hands and jumped up and down made him feel a kind of vitality that he had not seen for a long time.
Although in terms of the performance of both teams in the first half, Kansas was clearly stronger.
But perhaps it was precisely because of that that he was looking forward to the second quarter of the game between the two sides.
The break was over and both sides' starting players returned to the court.
There were no adjustments to the lineups on either side.
Whether there will be any changes in the game depends on the performance in the second half!
In the second half, the University of Texas took the lead.
Augustine advanced to the frontcourt with the ball. The University of Texas still used the triangle offense formation, but there were new changes in the triangle composition.
Originally in the first half, Durant was in the low post, forming a strong side triangle with Lin Ying and Augustine.
But now, Wendell is in the low post and Durant is on the weak side, not participating in the triangle formation.
This is a bit surprising.
Including the commentary booth, Kenny Smith and Barkley also looked confused.
Judging from the situation, is the University of Texas prepared to stick to this path until the end?
But they soon discovered that they had been deceived.
Or as they say in basketball, they were fooled.
After Augustine moved to the corner according to the triangle tactics, Lin Ying made a pass to the low post but did not pass it inside.
Just when the Kansas team thought Lin Ying was hesitating, Durant moved from the top of the arc to the right without anyone paying attention.
Then a pick-and-roll occurred at about a forty-five-degree angle.
Lin Ying received the ball and turned around. After passing the ball to Durant, he immediately went over to do a pick-and-roll.
A variation of the low-post attack tactic, with the weak-side player completing the attack!
The triangle offense has four basic offensive tactics, but it is by no means just four tactics.
This was one of the key points that Old Winter had mentioned to Lin Ying and the others.
This time, Kansas was unable to cope with the situation.
Although Wright switched defense and went out to make up for it, Durant had already completed the shot as soon as he received the ball.
And the key is the height of his shot. Not to mention that Wright didn't have time to pounce on him, even if he did, it would be difficult to interfere.
In the stands, Tucker couldn't help drooling after seeing this scene.
This is so much talent overflowing the screen!
“Swish!”
Durant showed no mercy and shot from beyond the three-point line, helping the University of Texas open the scoring in the second half!
This ball also excited the University of Texas fans on the sidelines.
They also realized instantly that Durant had not performed well yet, and the rhythm of scoring at the beginning of the second half was about to explode!
But just as their cheers died down, Kansas University turned around and Chalmers hit a three-pointer from the outside!
answerball!
What the hell is this a star player from the NCAA!
In the NCAA arena, he is one of the strongest.
And after retreating to the defensive end, Kansas' defensive focus was clearly on Durant.
Self was still experienced and he had already judged the University of Texas' intention in just one round.
Then it becomes easier to defend against this tactic.
All the fancy pre-swings are useless, just focus on Durant!
This defensive strategy was also very successful. Lin Ying and Durant were using the same tactics, and Kansas simply let him double-team Durant.
Durant's passing is his weakness now. When he passed the ball back to Lin Ying, Kansas' defense had already returned!
"I kind of like this Kansas."
On the commentary side, Barkley couldn't help but speak.
When a player is excellent, you would say he has great talent, rich experience, excellent psychological quality, etc.
When a team is excellent, besides those things, you can also see its discipline and execution.
This Kansas team is a typical example.
Not only do their players have outstanding individual abilities, but their discipline and execution are also first-rate.
There are not many times when Barkley can express such emotion.
This Kansas team is really strong!
The University of Texas' offense was unsuccessful again, and Kansas caused a wave of damage in the frontcourt, scoring two points through free throws.
Then they once again successfully restricted Durant from receiving the ball, and James' shot under the basket was ridiculously off target.
The University of Texas is once again in a scoring drought!
On the Texas bench, Barnes reached out and rubbed his face hard.
He has done everything he should and could do.
However, the disparity in overall strength between the two teams made him somewhat helpless.
But at this moment, Springman stood up and walked to the sidelines, stretched out his hand to signal the team to adjust their defensive tactics, and at the same time raised the decibel level to remind the players of their defensive positions.
Although the pressure from Kansas also made him feel desperate, unlike Barnes, he has been training with Durant and Lin Ying for the past two months.
He knew how much the two of them had paid for today's game!
The game shouldn't end like this!!
The University of Texas set up a 3-2 zone defense, and Springman's shouting made them focus more on defense.
The key to breaking the double team defense is to play more against fewer players in a certain area, and the University of Kansas certainly knows this.
However, Brandon Rush is out of the game, and the University of Kansas lacks outside shooting ability.
Except for Robinson and Chalmers on the outside, the remaining three have no outside shooting ability.
Therefore, it is not so easy to break the 3-2 zone defense of the University of Texas.
After trying an outside tactic without success, Qianmos broke through with the help of a screen.
In addition to being afraid of being outnumbered and having weak perimeter defense in some areas, the biggest weakness of the 3-2 zone defense is under the basket.
This is a defensive tactic that focuses on the front outside line.
Qian Moss quickly broke through to the basket, and the only person left in front of him was Wendell guarding the basket.
He was very confident and took the initiative to confront Wendel, then used the reaction force of the confrontation to turn sideways to complete the shot.
The shot was a bank shot, and he did an excellent job controlling his center of gravity in the air.
It's a sure win, and good enough to be selected as one of the top five goals of the day.
but!
Before the ball reached its highest point, a long arm passed over his head.
"boom!"
In everyone's surprised eyes, Lin Ying came over from the weak side to assist in defense, and at the right moment, he blocked Qian Moss' shot!
And this is not the end. After blocking the shot, he grabbed the defensive rebound and then turned around and threw it to Augustine on the outside.
As mentioned earlier, the 3-2 zone defense is a tactic that focuses on the outside. When standing on defense, there are three people outside the free throw line and two people under the basket.
While this defensive formation presses outwards, it also means that they are positioned forward when switching between offense and defense.
This is also why when you watch the game, teams that are good at defensive counterattacks will use 3-2 zone defense a lot.
The pass was quick and beautiful, with Augustine and Durant fast-breaking to the frontcourt, one in the middle and one on the right. Only Robinson on the Kansas side had time to retreat.
Augustine pushed Robinson to the basket, pretended to make a layup, and quickly passed the ball to Durant who was already cutting into the basket from the right.
Durant got the ball and took off into the air like a roc spreading its wings.
“Bang!”
The ball slammed into the basket heavily, hitting the hearts of the University of Texas fans at the scene like a hammer.
Almost all the fans of the University of Texas stood up from their seats in an instant, raised their hands high and cheered.
From Lin Ying's block to Durant's dunk, this play was done in one go, securing the top spot on today's top five plays list!
Durant also seemed very excited after the dunk. After landing, he bent his hands and made a "strong" celebration gesture.
And the next second, he turned around and glared at the Kansas fans and shouted:
"It's not over yet! It's not over yet!"