bookbashuk Chapter 35 Relax
Chapter 35 Relax
Qin Yu dribbled the ball, and the sound of the ball hitting the ground was very clear amidst the noisy background noise, one hit after another.
You can feel the slightly rough texture on the rubber surface with your skin.
Qin Yu is trying to rediscover that pure feeling, that feeling that revolves solely around basketball.
Wu Yun missed a mid-range shot, the ball bouncing off the front of the rim. He jogged to retrieve it, his face expressionless, but his lips were pursed tightly.
"Relax," Qin Yu called out to him, his voice low but clear enough for him to hear, "Just like when you're playing pickup basketball."
He nodded, said nothing, and continued practicing.
After stretching, Du Dewu also came over, picked up a racket, and did a few simple crossover dribbles.
"Qin Yu has observed those guys number 11 in a few pickup games."
As he dribbled, he said, "They like zone defense, pressuring you on the baseline, forcing you to go to the baseline, and then someone's waiting on the baseline. Their small point guard is quick to steal the ball, but he's easily faked out."
"Understood," Wu Yun replied.
"Keep it simple, Qin Yu and his ilk."
Qin Yu picked up where Du Dewu left off, saying, "Wu Yun, you need to move around more, use screens, and look for mid-range shooting opportunities. Dewu, get ready at the baseline and 45-degree angle; shoot when they collapse the defense. Qin Yu, try to get the ball to you guys comfortably."
This was the most direct strategy that Qin Yu and his group could think of on the spot.
After all, the identity of "Zhou Biao" is not suitable for displaying too much personal offensive power.
Five minutes passed quickly.
"Number Six! Number Eleven! Come on!"
The three of them, Qin Yu and his companions, put their hands together.
"Third Middle School!" Qin Yu said in a low voice.
"Keep it up!" Wu Yun and Du Dewu said at the same time.
As you walk into the center of the venue, the surrounding noise seems even clearer.
Qin Yu could feel many eyes on him and his group, especially on Wu Yun. The five members of team number eleven had already taken their positions, their eyes filled with scrutiny and a hint of eagerness.
The referee took the ball and walked to the center circle. On Qin Yu's side, Wu Yun went for the jump ball. The opposing team was a power forward who was slightly taller than him.
The whistle blows.
Wu Yun leaped with all his might, barely managing to touch the ball with his fingertips, but it was deflected into the opponent's half. The opposing point guard—the short guy Du Dewu had mentioned—skillfully received the ball and immediately accelerated his advance.
Game start.
The diminutive point guard was incredibly fast, using a quick crossover to try and get past Du Dewu. Du Dewu kept up, but was at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength, being pushed back half a step. The diminutive guard seized the opportunity to cut in, drawing Qin Yu's help defense before passing the ball to a teammate lurking in the corner.
The player who received the ball in the bottom corner was a shooter. He adjusted his position slightly after receiving the ball and jumped to shoot.
"Rebound!" Wu Yun battled for position under the basket.
The ball bounced off the inside of the rim a few times before finally falling out. Wu Yun and the opposing center jumped simultaneously, battling in the air. Wu Yun, in a better position, grabbed the defensive rebound.
"Good job!" Qin Yu shouted, and at the same time started running towards the front field.
Wu Yun passed the ball to Du Dewu, who dribbled twice and, seeing Qin Yu open, immediately passed the ball back. Qin Yu received the ball a step beyond the three-point line, with no one two meters in front of him.
Team number 11 retreated quickly on defense, not rushing forward rashly. Qin Yu dribbled the ball, adjusted his rhythm, and scanned his teammates' positions. Wu Yun was cutting towards the free-throw line from the other side, using an off-ball screen from Du Dewu.
Qin Yu flicked his wrist, sending the ball in a fast, straight pass. The ball was fast but had a steady spin, landing right in front of Wu Yun's chest just as he reached his position.
Wu Yun received the ball comfortably, barely adjusted, and jumped directly to shoot a mid-range shot.
The basketball traced an arc.
Hollow-core netting.
2: 0.
Some applause rang out from the sidelines, not enthusiastic, but with a sense of approval.
"Great pass!" Wu Yun ran back and gave Qin Yu a high five, the tense muscles on his face relaxing a little.
"A decisive shot," Qin Yu replied.
The opposing team is on offense. The smaller point guard is still orchestrating the play, and this time he signals for a play. After a few passes, the ball reaches their power forward in the low post. The power forward, with his back to Wu Yun, makes a couple of passes inside, then half-turns and makes a hook shot.
Wu Yun tried his best to interfere, but the opponent had an advantage in height and wingspan, and the ball went in through the backboard.
2: 2.
It's Qin Yu's turn to attack. Qin Yu dribbles the ball across half-court, and the small point guard immediately closes in, constantly harassing Qin Yu's dribbling path, trying to steal the ball.
Qin Yu didn't rush to make a move, instead shielding the ball with his body and observing. Du Dewu made a run on the other side, while Wu Yun positioned himself near the free-throw line.
Suddenly, Wu Yun made a reverse run, shaking off his defender and driving straight to the basket. Qin Yu tossed the ball into the air almost at the same moment Wu Yun started moving. The ball flew over the defender's fingertips and soared towards the top of the rim.
Wu Yun jumped up and caught the ball with both hands in mid-air. However, his jump position was still a short distance from the basket, making a direct dunk impossible. He paused briefly in the air, then used his core strength to switch from his right hand to his left, executing a delicate low-hand layup.
The ball grazed the backboard and fell into the net.
4: 2.
"Good shot!" This time the shouts from the sidelines were louder.
"That was such a satisfying pass!" Wu Yun exclaimed excitedly, pumping his fist as he landed.
This play took the opponents somewhat by surprise. They were clearly more wary of Wu Yun's individual isolation plays or outside shooting, and didn't expect such a direct alley-oop.
In the following rounds, Qin Yu and his teammates continued to play as a team. Qin Yu played more of a playmaker, feeding the ball to Wu Yun and creating open looks for Du Dewu. Wu Yun's shooting touch gradually warmed up, and he made two more mid-range shots. Du Dewu also seized an opportunity, hitting a three-pointer from the corner.
Team 11 attempted to strengthen their defense, double-teaming at the top of the court, but Qin Yu and Du Dewu's passes were timely, denying them opportunities to steal the ball and launch counter-attacks. Their offense, however, became somewhat impatient, missing several forced shots and allowing Qin Yu and his teammates to capitalize on the opportunities and launch two counter-attacks.
The point difference gradually widened to 8 points.
The other party called a pause.
Qin Yu and the others walked off the field. Wu Yun was panting, but his eyes were bright. Du Dewu wiped his sweat: "Not bad, Brother Jun, this 'mysterious expert' is something else."
Wu Yun was a little embarrassed: "It was Qin...it was Zhou Biao who made the good story."
Qin Yu unscrewed a bottle of water, took a sip, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the volunteers.
Xin Zhiyan was engrossed in taking notes, seemingly oblivious to Qin Yu and his teammates' match. Su Lingjuan, on the other hand, stood not far from Qin Yu and his team, excitedly waving and mouthing "Go Qin Yu!"
The pause ended quickly.
After returning to the court, Team Eleven clearly adjusted their strategy. They defended Wu Yun much more tightly, almost completely surrounding him, preventing him from easily receiving the ball.
Meanwhile, the referee intensified his close marking and pressing of Qin Yu against the smaller point guard, and his actions became much more aggressive, resulting in a foul being called.