The rise of basketball legends

After reaching the top 32 of the NCAA Tournament, the Texas Longhorns have five days off.

Rest is not a vacation, Chen Yan did not relax himself, and went to and from the training hall and dormitory with Durant every day.

The same goes for the rest of the Longhorns' teammates, who either practice or are on their way to practice every day.

At this stage of the game, nobody thinks about anything else.

Chen Yan's outburst in the last game made him the focus of the American media. It can be said that he became famous in the first battle!

This also motivates the Texas players, who have put more energy into training during this time.

Everyone is eager to become the hero of the team like Chen Yan and attract the attention of the outside world!

During the rest period, Chen Yan's urine test results came out, and the report showed that Chen Yan did not take stimulants or banned drugs, and everything was normal.

This report broke some suspicions from the outside world, and Chen Yan will also appear in the top 32 of the NCAA Tournament.

In the past few days, Chen Yan could clearly feel the change in his reputation.

On the alleys of the campus, there are always some girls who take the initiative to strike up a conversation with him.

Chen Yan receives small notes from different girls every day.

"Chen, there are so many small notes, you can't use them all by yourself, so let me share some." Seeing Chen Yan's full battle results, Durant was a little greedy.

"You don't like girls on social software every day, why do you want these little notes?" Chen Yan glanced at Durant.

Durant is the only one who does not rely on money or strength to rely on praise for flirting with girls.

"Occasionally, I have to fight..."

"KD, listen to my brother's persuasion, these girls are all high-ranking, you can't handle it..." After speaking, Chen Yan stuffed the note into the cabinet: "You have to let me come."

Durant: "..."

......

......

Five days passed in a flash, and the Texas Longhorns also ushered in the top 5 opponents - the University of Southern California!

This is a university from Los Angeles, but compared with UCLA, which is also located in Los Angeles, it is far worse in terms of reputation and background.

However, the University of Southern California has shown signs of rising in the past two years. Under the leadership of the team's top scorer Nick Young, Southern California has entered the "March Madness" for two consecutive years!

Last year, it broke into the Sweet 16!

But the major draft prediction networks only put Nick Young in the 15th-20th pick in the first round, which is the edge of the lottery.

Nick Young has strength and a good mentality, but he has a huge disadvantage compared to most rookies participating in the draft, and that is age.

Nick Young repeated five years in high school due to poor grades, which is outrageous. After entering college, he played in the NCAA junior year, which also made many scouts think that his potential is not so great.

In addition to Nick Young, there is another player in Southern California that needs attention, and that is the team insider Taj Gibson.

Taj Gibson is an athletic forward who is good at running and defending, especially at blocking shots.

Taj Gibson averaged 2.3 blocks per game this season and is the mainstay of Southern California's interior defense.

However, this player's offensive methods are relatively simple, and his finishing methods are mainly dunks, and he occasionally makes mid-range shots.

Taj Gibson entered the All-Rookie team of the Pacific Ten League this year. Many scouts believe that this is a player with NBA potential.

Before the war, the outside media predicted that this would be a close match.

On March 3, the top 23 of the NCAA Tournament will start!

The game between the University of Texas and the University of Southern California was scheduled to be played at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Before the warm-up began, Chen Yan and Durant each walked into the arena with a pack of crispy noodles, looking very relaxed.

"KD! Fuck them!"

"Chen!!! Look here!"

"Come on! Texas Longhorns!!"

Many fans shouted Chen Yan's name before the game started, which also made Chen Yan feel the enthusiasm of the fans.

After experiencing the last game, he is no longer a little transparent in the team.

"Hello, Chen, I'm George, a reporter from Fox Sports!"

During the warm-up period, Chen Yan was interviewed by Fox Sports.

Now Chen Yan will not refuse as long as he is interviewing. He wants to participate in the NBA draft, in addition to making a name for himself in March Madness, the power of the media is also indispensable.

He must show his face in front of the camera more and use the media to promote him.

"Hello!" Chen Yan warmly greeted the reporter.

"The top 32 is about to start, Chen, are you confident in winning this match?"

"Of course, my purpose of coming to this arena is to win." Chen Yan replied.

"In order to win this game, do you have any special preparations before the game?"

"Does eating, sleeping, and playing cards count? If not, then nothing."

"Chen, who do you think is a threat to you in the University of Southern California?"

"I don't think so. The fate of promotion is in our own hands."

Hearing this, reporter George smiled unconsciously. Chen Yan's character seemed to be much more flamboyant than he imagined!

Media workers naturally like Chen Yan, a player with a flamboyant personality, otherwise, where would the topical news come from?

Then, reporter George paused, he was about to start working!

"Chen, Nick Yang said in the interview just now that he would beat you up in a one-on-one tonight. Do you have anything to say about that?"

Chen Yan shrugged: "I think Nick Yang should be a stand-up actor, he is very talented in funny."

"Chen, do you mean you will beat Nick Young in the game?" Reporter George continued to ask.

"Let's just say that I lost if he didn't cry after the game."

The reporter couldn't stop laughing. Although Chen Yan was flamboyant, he was not annoying. He had his own unique sense of humor and charisma.

......

......

"WOOOOOOOOOW!! What just happened?"

"Chen received a lob pass from DJ-Augustin before the end of halftime, and then completed a 180-degree twist and a pull-up layup after being in the air!"

The ball went into the buzzer, and Chen Yan scored this juggling buzzer-like goal, and the audience was boiling!

A white middle-aged man was even more excited and spilled beer all over the floor. This white man was none other than Mavericks owner Mark Cuban!

Most NBA owners buy teams for business, but Cuban really loves basketball.

As long as he has time, he will go to the scene to support the Mavericks. Tonight, he heard that there will be a March Madness game at the American Airlines Center and immediately got a front row ticket.

"Chen! You should have dunked that ball just now!" Durant ran to Chen Yan excitedly, discussing the buzzer in the midfield.

"Hahaha, warm up first in the first half."

"OK! Let's work together in the second half and get rid of them!"

The two walked into the player tunnel talking and laughing.

Nick Yang behind him gave a black question mark face after listening.

What the hell do you call a 180-degree pull-bar layup called a warm-up?

Nick Young shook his head and walked into the locker room cursing.

38 to 22, the Texas Longhorns held a 16-point lead at halftime.

Throughout the first half, Nick Young and his University of Southern California could not be said to have been blown up, it can only be said that they were beaten helplessly.

The tactics of the Texas Longhorns were simple and rough. Durant and Chen Yan took turns playing singles.

But I just can't prevent it!

The former head coach of the Texas Longhorns, Rick Barnes, was always criticized for his single tactics. He gave the ball to Durant forehand for singles, and the backhand still gave Durant the ball for singles.

Now that he can finally jump up to refute with confidence, why the hell will I single out Chen Yan!

Although Chen Yan still came off the bench in this game, he gradually won the trust of the head coach by virtue of his performance in the last game and in training.

Rick Barnes played him 13 minutes in the first half, even more than the main shooting guard AJ Abrams.

Chen Yan also repaid his trust with actions, maximizing his advantages on the offensive end.

As soon as he came on the field, he broke through Nick Young's defense line continuously, and went inside to cause damage.

Facing the complaints from his inside teammates, Nick Yang could only spread his arms out. It would be good if he could keep his ankle in front of Chen Yan's CORSSOVER, and defend?

In the past, when Nick Young couldn't defend against his opponents, it was mostly because of his attitude, but today he really couldn't keep up with all his efforts.

If it is too tight, it will be passed by one step, if it is too loose, Chen Yan still has a mid-range emergency stop, and his normal defense is easy to be played around by his powerful combination of man and ball.

Nick Young said he was too difficult.

On the defensive end, when Chen Yan faced Nick Young one-on-one, he only guarded against his shooting, not his breakthrough.

On the one hand, Nick Young's scouting report shows that he prefers mid-range jumpers to breakthroughs and fouls, and his style of play is very classical.

On the other hand, Chen Yan's current defense is a bit small. If he wants to defend against shots and bursts, he may not be able to defend against anything in the end.

The halftime result proved that Chen Yan's defensive strategy had achieved good results.

More than 70% of Nick Young's offensive choices are shooting. After a fancy turn and dribble, Chen Yan can use his athletic ability and wingspan to interfere in time.

In addition, Chen Yan can only flick the [God-level Stealing Ball] once he has a chance, the kind that does not spare his physical strength.

Chen Yan scored 4 steals in the first half, 3 of which were contributed by Nick Young.

As long as Chen Yan steals the ball, it is basically a fast and fast counterattack, the kind that can't be blocked.

半场结束，陈炎拿到17分4篮板4抢断，而尼克杨只拿到了7分1助攻却有高达5次失误。

The contrast between the two is very stark!

Before the game, Nick Young: I will beat him in 1V1!

Halftime, Nick Young: Give me the ball, I want to go home!