LRAB Chapter 14 Teamwork and Win-Win
Chapter 14 Teamwork and Win-Win
Conversely, Missouri shooting guard Kim English finally made a mid-range shot, but it was a difficult one.
As the game progressed, the Missouri Tigers continued to double-team Lian Dao near the three-point line. This time, Lian Dao quickly passed the ball to point guard Marcus Simmons and then cut inside. Simmons anticipated his move and passed the ball back to Lian Dao on the perimeter. Lian Dao released the ball extremely quickly, and before Kim English could effectively block it, he made a jump shot and hit a three-pointer.
Despite Kim English's best efforts to interfere, Lian Dao's lightning-fast shot still managed to toss the ball high over his outstretched hands.
The ball traced a beautiful arc and fell cleanly into the basket with a crisp "swish".
45: 44.
The University of Southern California has taken the lead.
"Troy! Troy!" the fans chanted in unison. At this point in the game, USC had taken the lead for the first time, their momentum unstoppable. The fans' enthusiasm fueled the players' fighting spirit. As the Trojans gradually found their rhythm, their lead continued to widen. Despite the Missouri Tigers' best efforts on defense, they couldn't stop the resurgent USC team, especially under Lian Dao's leadership, who made them virtually unstoppable.
The final score was 79:61.
Despite the rollercoaster ride, Lian Dao's outstanding performance and his teammates' tenacious comeback ultimately helped the team secure a dramatic victory. The USC Troy celebrated this hard-won win, knowing they had overcome numerous obstacles to achieve it.
Lian Dao delivered a stunning performance, racking up 26 points, 10 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, achieving his first career double-double and tying for the team's assist lead. Even more impressively, he made 8 of 10 three-point attempts and 2 of 2 free throws.
德罗赞和吉布森也贡献良多：德罗赞得到19分、4个篮板和2次助攻；吉布森贡献12分、9个篮板和4次盖帽。连道出色的组织能力为球队的成功奠定了基础，其他球员也都有亮眼表现。
After the game, Coach Tim praised Lian Dao and even considered starting him. On the way back to the locker room, Lian Dao, DeRozan, and other players received many notes from admirers, with Lian Dao receiving the most. However, he threw the notes away without hesitation, completely ignoring the attention.
USC athletes—especially football players—have always been in the spotlight. However, since Lian Dao joined the basketball team, his female fanbase has increased significantly. Many female students on college campuses aspire to have a brief relationship with a campus star, something to be proud of and to brag about to their friends. However, influenced by traditional family values and his past experiences, Lian Dao avoids such encounters, instead focusing on maintaining physical and mental discipline.
"Hey, Sickle, you threw away the note from cheerleader Selena. Don't you think she's pretty?" Simmons asked in surprise.
"Oh, sorry, she's not my type. I have a long life ahead of me," Lian Dao replied with a wink. He didn't intend to dwell on it; he was simply enjoying the lighthearted banter with his teammates.
"Don't you think she has the sexiest figure among the cheerleaders? Those curves, my god! If she gave me a note, I would definitely have an unforgettable night." Simmons said, imagining himself with Selena.
"I think our tastes are a little... different. I'm not really into overly voluptuous women," Lian Dao replied while packing his things. Before leaving, he patted Simmons on the shoulder and added, "But I'll keep an eye out for you, bro."
The locker room erupted in laughter.
Afterwards, Lian Dao called DeRozan out of the locker room, intending to continue tutoring him. With final exams approaching, Lian Dao was helping DeRozan catch up on his studies—a win-win situation for both of them.
USC basketball players have a relatively relaxed academic schedule, requiring only 5 credit hours per semester and having flexible course selection, allowing them to focus most of their energy on basketball. Lian Dao, hailed as a prodigy by his teachers, easily balances his studies and training. However, many players struggle to even meet these minimum academic requirements.
DeRozan found studying particularly difficult. With exams approaching, he was still far behind. Many student-athletes faced similar struggles, especially on football teams where coaches were constantly worried about their academic performance. This pressure visibly took its toll, and his hair began to turn gray.
NCAA rules require players to maintain good academic performance to participate in games, so Lian Dao took on the responsibility of mentoring his teammate. He reached an agreement with DeRozan: he would help DeRozan with his studies, and in return, DeRozan would be his point guard partner in practice. This mutually beneficial arrangement not only prevented DeRozan from feeling indebted but also deepened their friendship.
As they spend more time together on and off the field, DeRozan has become more engaged and cheerful, and he is grateful for everyone's support and friendship.
As Lian Dao walked toward the stadium entrance, a young white man holding a press pass and a camera approached him.
"Excuse me, I'm a reporter for the NCAA basketball section of Sports Illustrated. May I interview you?" the young reporter asked hopefully.
Judging from the reporter's enthusiastic expression, Lian Dao deduced that he must be new, or perhaps an intern. Only a newcomer would be so enthusiastic about interviewing two new NCAA members.
"Here?" Lian Dao looked at DeRozan, then at the reporter.
"No, no. I'd like to invite you for a coffee. Let's find a quiet place and talk over a cup," the reporter said, introducing himself as Haaland, a new reporter for Sports Illustrated. He was clearly excited to meet this rising star.
The three of them went to a nearby coffee shop.
The interview was very direct. Haaland asked several questions: how he felt about scoring the team's highest points and assists, what his future goals were, what the secret to his accurate three-point shooting was, and how he managed to be so strong despite his lean physique.
He repeatedly thanked his coach and teammates for their support, emphasizing that his performance perfectly aligned with the coach's tactical plans. He expressed confidence in surpassing his current achievements, stating that this was just the beginning. When asked about his three-point shooting and strength, he attributed it to his persistent training.
DeRozan interjected, detailing Liandao's rigorous training program, describing its almost "suicidal" intensity, and praising Liandao's hard work and dedication. He mentioned that many people cannot keep up with Liandao's training intensity.
Lian Dao was a little embarrassed by this, and waved his hand modestly, emphasizing that the whole team had trained hard, which was why they achieved better results.
Haaland was deeply moved after learning about Lian Dao's journey from obscurity in high school to becoming a well-rounded player. He found Lian Dao's hard work and determination inspiring, a stark contrast to the stories of exceptionally gifted athletes. Haaland believes readers will be drawn to Lian Dao's story of perseverance and ultimate success—similar to players like Jimmy Butler, who are not only highly skilled but also celebrated for their inspiring growth.