What caught Maryland coach Gary Williams even more unprepared was that the opposite center was not only flourishing on the offensive end, but also a wolf on the defensive end, just like his 40-year-old wife at home.
Maryland's players didn't know much about Li Kaiming's rim protection at first, thinking that the latter was the kind of insider who is strong in offense and weak in defense.
But turning around, Li Kaiming's few big shots made them wake up immediately. They instantly realized that this guy was not only a duck to water on the offensive end, he was also excellent at the center's job-protecting the frame and rebounding!
Originally, according to Gary Williams' arrangement, their defensive focus today should be Memphis' perimeter, because based on his understanding, Memphis basically relied on perimeter firepower in the regular season to get second place in the C-USA League. The shooting range of the shooters led by Elliott, Williams, Robert Sully and Weatherpens can cover the entire half!
So he safely formulated a strategy to strangle Memphis' outside line, but everything he expected turned into a bubble because of that Chinese boy!
Li Kaiming alone can pick up their inside players. Their starting post Jordan Williams is still rated as a four-star center by ESPN, which means he has a chance to be selected, but he is helpless in front of Li Kaiming. Just like the kids!
And the root of their backwardness is also the same.
In the locker room, Gary Williams thought hard, and finally could only think of one way to restrict Li Kaiming, and that was the familiar double-teaming tactic!
However, there are also different double-teaming tactics, and there are specific double-teaming tactics for players with different playing styles.
If a player has outstanding one-on-one ability, double-team him before he catches the ball to prevent him from catching the ball and one-on-one.
If a player is very destructive inside, then double-team him the moment he receives the ball, because this can disrupt his offensive rhythm.
If you encounter a master who breaks through well, then double-team near the penalty area, which is the famous closing tactic. Set up a checkpoint directly near the penalty area. As soon as the former breaks through, two defenders will immediately come forward at the same time, one on the left and one on the left. The right hand jams him, preventing him from getting close to the basket.
In Gary Williams' view, Li Kaiming is undoubtedly a combination of the latter two, with great destructive power inside and great breakthrough layups.
Therefore, he immediately distributed the double-teaming tactics to Maryland players.
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At the beginning of the second half, as soon as Li Kaiming stepped onto the court, a tsunami of cheers erupted in the arena, including shouts of "MVP".
The on-site commentator also laughed and said, "It seems that the audience was conquered by Li Kaiming's performance in the first half, but I believe Maryland will not sit still and wait for death. The second half will be a great test for Li!"
Vazquez threw in a three-pointer as soon as he came up, which made Gary Williams' heart settle down a little.
Fortunately, we still have to chase!
As soon as the Tigers came to the frontcourt this time, Li Kaiming frowned because he found that no matter where he ran, there were at least two people staring at him. Even if they didn't directly come up to double-team him, they didn't give him a double-team. How much space to leave.
Seeing Maryland's frenzied tactics, even Pastner next to the Memphis bench was sweating for Li Kaiming.
Gary Williams is a very bad old man, and he is determined to strangle Li Kaiming to death!
The on-site commentator had a sharp eye and saw Maryland's intention at a glance, "As expected, Maryland was double-teamed. It seemed that it left a little space for Lee to catch the ball, but I was afraid that once Lee caught the ball, In an instant, two people double-teamed him!"
The commentator was experienced. Li Kaiming, who received the ball for the first time, also discovered something. If he hadn't been the tallest person in the game and had the longest wingspan, he might not even be able to see where his teammates were!
All he could see was the arrogant hands of Maryland players!
After several passes, the ball came to the hands of Willie Kemp in the bottom corner. Although Kemp's breakthrough ability was not good enough, his shooting skills were still relatively good, so he immediately shot a three-pointer!
Bang!
Sorry, the iron is broken!
Gary Williams was overjoyed, it worked!
He has been mentally prepared to kill me without letting Li Kaiming take action, and if he has the ability to let your teammates kill me!
Pastner was a little worried. The most capable person in the team was strangled to death. What should he do now?
Looking back, Maryland handed the ball to Vazquez, who dribbled outside the three-point line to face Elliott Williams and suddenly broke through to the right.
But Williams was not a vegetarian. He reacted instantly and blocked Vazquez's path.
The next moment, the two people collided, but it was not an uncontrolled collision. Vazquez's ball-protecting arm used strength, hit Williams' chest, and then exploded the ball with a step back to the right, blinking. He retreated more than one meter in a short time!
For professional players, a space of more than one meter is considered a huge gap, especially within the three-point line!
Vazquez immediately took off and sent the ball into the basket before Williams' defense arrived!
38:46! Maryland brought the score to within 10 points!
And the most important thing is that Vazquez's personal score has reached 16 points, surpassing Li Kaiming by 1 point!
Pastner on the sidelines was about to call a timeout and change tactics, but he saw Li Kaiming on the court shaking his head at him!
He was shocked. Although there were many doubts in his mind, he still pressed the button to prepare to call timeout.
For him, Li Kaiming created countless impossibilities, so this time, he still chose to believe in the former!
On the other side of the court, Gary Williams was puzzled.
We scored 5 points in a row, and the point difference was back within 10 points. Why didn't Pastner call a timeout? Is it hung up?
Although he was surprised and confused, he did not react, but chose to remain unchanged in the face of changes!
In the Tigers' offensive round, this time Li Kaiming did not stay inside the three-point line. Instead, he led two followers through a pick-and-roll and ran to a 45-degree position outside the three-point line!
This puts Maryland's two defenders in a difficult position. Is this a cover or not?
The opposing center ran outside the three-point line. Logically speaking, their defensive strategy was effective, allowing him to step out of his most comfortable area.
But the coach gave a death order. Even if Li Kaiming went to the toilet, they had to follow him. However, the players' professional awareness made them think that there was no need to double-team.
Li Kaiming's operation immediately brought the two of them to a halt on the field!
The two men looked at each other, should they agree or not?
Then they nodded in unison, sure!
Then he rushed outside the three-point line in an instant and covered Li Kaiming with his hands!
Just when they were still complacent about guarding against the most powerful person on the opposite side, they saw Li Kaiming, who was under the cover of the two of them, suddenly grinning and revealing a mouthful of white teeth!
Just when the two of them were still wondering, a huge dunk sound suddenly came from behind them!
boom!
At the same time, Maryland coach Gary Williams yelled angrily, "FXXK! You two losers, who are going to protect the basket if you follow them out!"
