If Qin Yue's Christmas wish this year is to make it to the NBA and become famous, then Prose is undoubtedly the Santa Claus responsible for putting gifts in his stocking.
Duke Blue Demon, a stepping stone carefully chosen by Prose for Qin Yue.
It's full of value and naturally attracts attention due to the century-long rivalry between Wake Forest and Duke.
The day before the game, Prose announced the starting lineup against Duke in advance.
Then...
In the next moment, Qin Yue became the object of everyone's attention.
At this moment, the players of the Devil's Deacon Team had every reason to suspect that there must be some undisclosed secret between Qin Yue and Prose.
Considering Qin Yue's recent performance, no teammate would question that this guy is worthy of the team's starting position.
Therefore...
What truly left the teammates feeling doubting life's meaning was actually Prose's tactical setup after announcing the starting lineup.
Prose's tactical setup for tomorrow night's game was filled with various details.
But no matter how many details were arranged, they could be summed up with the simplest sentence:
——With Qin Yue as the core, the offense revolves around Qin Yue.
Oh right, there's another important arrangement:
——In the next game, Qin Yue will have unlimited shooting rights.
It is well known that this Devil's Deacon Team has long been labeled as "Paul's team."
But can you believe...
In the pre-game setup, the words Prose elder said most to Paul were about playing the role of assisting Qin Yue in the upcoming game against Duke?
And most unbelievably, Paul accepted it all contentedly.
Is this really Chris Paul?
After months of interaction, who in the Devil's Deacon Team now doesn't know about Paul's small-mindedness?
As another highly competitive presence in the team, Paul always fights for higher ground in everything, not as agreeable as he appears when smiling.
Even though everyone knows that Qin Yue and Paul have always had a close relationship, but...
Chris Paul, would you really willingly play second fiddle to Qin Yue in the game?
So, perhaps these people don't really understand Paul?
In fact, compared to a certain game's core status, what Paul couldn't tolerate was the miserable defeat Devil's Deacon Team suffered in Illinois.
That huge defeat not only turned the Devil's Deacon Team into a "false strong team" overnight in the media, losing the top spot in the US, but also made people see the gap between Paul and Deron through the specific performance on the court.
Even the campus radio was mocking: "Good morning, Wake Forest, our inspirational legend refreshed his personal career high yesterday, but our guard handed the victory to the opponent.
Well, it was a terrible game, hope it doesn't affect anyone's good mood for starting a new day."
After the last game, Paul sought out Prose alone.
He hoped to be told how to avoid becoming the guard who hands victory to the opponent.
To this, Prose smiled as he looked at Paul, who was still in need of refining, saying, "Chris, hasn't the key to victory always been by your side?"
With Qin Yue's rapid growth, Prose was well aware that the current Qin Yue could completely take on more responsibilities on the court.
Indeed, the Paul in Qin Yue's memory had no choice but to take the lead.
But in this lifetime, how could Paul possibly have no choice?
"College basketball, not all teams are without weaknesses.
Some teams have strong outside lines, while others are strong inside.
Chris, you're the core point guard of the team; only by using all your teammates well can you unleash the maximum combat power of this team."
After having a heartfelt conversation with Prose, Paul couldn't help but recall Qin Yue embracing him during the game against North Carolina.
"Chris, starting now, you're no longer fighting alone."
In this instant, Paul got it.
"I understand, coach. Next, I'll do my best to activate all the potential of Qin on the court."
Having suffered a disastrous defeat to Illinois, then facing Duke, a strong enemy, Paul longed for a victory to wash away the shame, so to him, Prose elder's pre-game setup definitely had deep meaning.
It's just...
During the tactical discussion session, noticing Prose lightly touching on Duke University's inside players, Paul still showed a worried face.
Because Paul knew well that the inside of Duke was not as trifling as Prose said, and no one could handle Qin Yue.
After the meeting, Paul wanted to chat with Qin Yue alone and explain the technical characteristics of Duke University's inside players.
But who knew, Evans, who looked remarkably like Terrence Gibson, found Qin Yue first, saying, "Qin, do you know the 'Landlord'?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yue said with a puzzled look, "Ronnie, I don't need to rent a house."
Evans gave Qin Yue a helpless look and said, "I'm not talking about that 'Landlord', but 'Landlord' Sheldon Williams."
Sheldon Williams, the inside core of Duke Blue Demon.
Although in Qin Yue's memory, his wife Candace Parker will be more famous in the future, college-era Sheldon was definitely a dominant-level inside player.
"Because the three-second area is entirely his territory, opponents must pay rent before entering, so everyone likes to call him 'Landlord'.
Qin, I think you know, our coach always doesn't like to boost others' spirits while diminishing our own.
But as your teammate, I must remind you, among your position, Sheldon currently ranks second in the nation." Evans said to Qin Yue.
In the future, when the actual barefoot height of Sheldon is revealed to be only 202 cm in the physical test, his terrifying arm span is 224 cm.
During his college days, his weight was around 115 kg, a highly mobile tank-type inside player.
And during the Duke era, Sheldon developed an extremely outstanding defensive habit.
In defense, his all-encompassing rebounding and blocking even once got him dubbed by the US media as the most reliable inside barrier in NCAA.
Additionally, offensively, he had solid back-to-basket skills, various hook shots were his expertise, and when needed by the team, he could move to the high post to free up space for teammates through mid-range shots.
Although after entering the NBA, with the level of opposition increasing, Sheldon didn't showcase these offensive strengths anymore, but still, as said...
In college basketball, Sheldon Williams was unquestionably a nightmare in every opponent's mind.
"Thanks for the reminder, Ronnie, but did you really listen to the coach's tactical arrangement just now?" Looking down at Evans, Qin Yue asked.
Seeing Qin Yue not realizing the seriousness of the problem, Evans urgently said, "I certainly listened well, but Qin, do you know, last year the 'Beast' was like a toy in front of Sheldon..."
"'Beast' is 'Beast', I'm me, Ronnie.
Believe in the coach's tactical arrangement, since the coach thinks Sheldon won't pose a problem for me, I also believe it." After patting Evans's shoulder, Qin Yue said.
No choice...
Some things, before they truly happen, Qin Yue didn't know how to explain to Evans.
In fact, upon hearing the tactical details arranged by Prose for him today at the tactical preparation meeting, even Qin Yue had to marvel at the adventurous heart contained in this elder's chest that remains unextinguished!
Qin Yue knew clearly, in the upcoming game, Prose wasn't just using Duke as a stepping stone for himself...
He also wanted to test through a strong confrontation how much talent he had fulfilled in the recent period.
On the training ground, after taking a deep breath, Qin Yue immediately turned around and dove into the last extra training session before the game.
Sheldon Williams, huh?
Since you're the second in the nation among my position, I'll use you to test if, under Prose elder's tactical blessing, I can use you as the stepping stone for me making a name in the NBA in the future!
...
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