In the last match, Li Ao used this action to taunt Arenas, and the Wildcats fans who watched the live broadcast were deeply impressed.
Now seeing Arenas using the same action to provoke Li Ao, the fans at the scene tried their best to cheer for Arenas!
Li Ao raised his chin slightly, glanced at Arenas with his peripheral vision, and said loudly to his teammates: "Pay attention to defending Wright, he is the strongest player on the Wildcats, be careful of his inside attack! Actively attack!"
Arenas's proud expression turned into a look of indifference, and Gardner directly cursed a word starting with F.
The Trojans player who impressed the Wildcat players the most was none other than Li Ao.
It's not about his 33 points in a single game and 14 points in overtime in the last game, but his defense.
The defense was dirty, but it didn't count. There were no injurious moves. On the contrary, once Woods almost fell because of the slippery floor, this guy helped him.
But it’s so obscene! There are endless little tricks to irritate the person being defended. There is nothing impossible except what you can't think of.
Lute Olson repeatedly reminded Arenas and Michael Wright, the two victims, during the preparation stage to remind them not to get involved.
Michael Wright, his teammate Gardner, is not worried, he is only worried about Arenas.
Seeing that Shelby Jordan was replaced, Gardner was ready to feed Michael Wright the ball. Arenas had already beaten Trey Paganier and had finished his tantrum. It was time to start cooperating. .
Arenas scored 10 points on 4-of-6. At this time, if Li Ao comes up and talks trash directly to Arenas, Gardner won't worry. They have been together for so long, and he knows what kind of person Arenas is.
I didn't expect the bastard opposite to say such a thing when he came up!
As Gardner expected, after the ball was released, Arenas continued to ask for the ball from the top arc.
He could only pass the ball, and he was sure that if he didn't pass it, this guy would definitely act out of anger, and it would be unpredictable and unpredictable!
Arenas was burning with anger, but acted calmly, waiting for his teammates to move.
After the last defeat, he spent many days studying the video and how Li Ao guarded him, just for today.
He has thoroughly understood Li Ao's strategy of defending him. The opponent's defense affects the rhythm of his shooting, so he doesn't care about the rhythm, just shoot whatever feels good!
Seeing Michael Wright cover Richard Jefferson on the wing without the ball, Arenas began to break through Li Ao!
Li Ao's first step was accurate and gave Arenas a timely confrontation.
Arenas took half a step away and performed a sideways pull in front of his body.
Li Ao moved quickly, with an advantage in both height and weight. 'Heavy Pressure Level 1' was triggered, his speed was temporarily increased to 91, and his burst acceleration was increased to 84. Although he failed to challenge Arenas again, he kept up.
Arenas broke into the inside line and Li Ao quickly retreated.
Arenas reached the free throw line and took a step forward. Li Ao moved laterally in time and moved into place when Arenas took off to grab the ball!
Li Ao didn't take off to press forward. He was too old to exert force and it was difficult to maintain interference efficiency when taking off. He tried to get as close to Arenas and raised his hands.
Arenas, who was anxious to get rid of the defense, did not take off sufficiently this time. Li Ao's defensive choice was correct and the interference was in place!
But Arenas is Arenas. He forcibly leaned back in the air. When he threw the ball, he leaned back more than 45 degrees. He successfully threw the ball and fell backwards to the floor.
Li Ao jumped up hard when Arenas threw the ball, but he didn't jump high enough. The ball flew past his fingertips...it went in!
Li Ao was not discouraged when he heard the cheers and jeers for Arenas from the fans at the scene.
He knew that he had already defended to his limit, and there was nothing he could do about the opponent's good touch.
And he doesn't believe that Arenas can score every ball like this.
Li Ao was cheering himself up, but Arenas, who had scored such a goal, did not continue to provoke. He got up and ran directly to the backcourt.
The shock that Li Ao's defensive end gave him was greater than his excitement of making such a difficult shot.
In the transition between offense and defense, Granville advanced to the frontcourt, broke through and launched an attack.
Li Ao went around to the right side of the free throw line to receive the ball. Without stopping, he passed the ball straight to the middle. Trey Paganier carried Arenas into the basket to catch the ball and hit a throw!
Root Olsen on the sidelines was amazed again.
In the last match, he admired Li Ao's supporting performance of 6 assists in a single game.
After more than a month, the Trojans are playing better together, and the rookie, who is as young as Arenas, is also doing a better job of supporting the team.
What is aura? This is...wait!
wrong! This is the opponent's player, and he appreciates the hammer.
He felt like he was going to suffer. As soon as the Chinese newcomer came on the field, the Trojans' entire team's offense immediately activated!
When the Wildcats attack, Arenas continues to play singles.
He didn't believe how a player could improve so quickly. How could that guy's defense improve so much in just one and a half months during the season.
Even for a genius like Arenas, his personal ability has not improved much in the past month or so. His performance is better than in the beginning, mainly because he is more adaptable to NCAA competitions and can find a position when playing without the ball. awareness raising.
He only has this, how can others make such great progress.
coincide!
It must be a coincidence!
After mentally building himself up, Arenas regained his confidence and asked him to beat Li Ao and retaliate for Tre Paganier's pie-eating score just now.
Then...he was followed by Li Ao again!
He could only continue to force his shot backwards... This time the touch was not so good, and he hit the neck of the basket with a "bang" sound!
White Mamba withstood Michael Wright's rush and collected the rebound.
Li Ao grabbed the number on his jersey and shook it while running towards the front court. The fans at the scene booed and cursed when they saw this scene.
Thanks Trepagnier!
Only Trey Paganier, who angered Arenas at the beginning and consumed Arenas' best physical strength in a short period of time, could he defend so effectively.
He thinks this can be considered 'teamwork', right?
Arenas also started to use his brain and shouted to Li Ao: "Can you only pass the ball? Do you dare to play alone?"
Li Ao replied easily: "I'm not like you, who insists on forcing yourself even though you know it's not possible."
It's better not to keep this brain inactive! Looking for anger! Arenas followed up with Tre Paganier.
Granville continued to break through and launch attacks, and Trey Paganier also continued to make cuts.
Seeing Arenas' level defense in vain, Woods had to focus his defensive attention on the cutting Trey Pagannier.
Li Ao seized the opportunity and came to the right side of the three-second zone, received the ball, turned left, and shot a hook without leaving his feet off the ground...
Richard Jefferson followed closely, but Li Ao shot the ball too fast and didn't interfere!
It felt good, the ball hit the inside of the basket, rubbed and fell into the frame!
15 to 18, the point difference narrowed to 3 points.
When the Wildcats attack, Gardner doesn't care about Arenas's hand gestures for the ball. If he wants to be a monster, he can be a monster, whatever he likes.
Contrary to Gardner's expectation, Arenas didn't curse as he usually does when he doesn't get the ball. He just found a spot and stood with his arms akimbo, looking like he was watching the show.
This time Arenas honestly stood at a lower position outside the 45-degree three-point line and pulled Li Ao away.
Arenas wants to be a bit shabby and show off his 'privilege' in the team.
But his opponent was Li Ao, the first opponent he cared so much about and was so hostile to after entering college. He forced himself to be more rational and couldn't let the opponent look down on him.
Although he didn't know why, Gardner was very excited. The 4V4 team attack started!
With Arenas as a teammate, the Wildcats are unique in terms of 4V4 teamwork.
However, the cooperation was not as smooth as Gardner thought. Even though the forwards had a clear advantage, the cooperation was not very good.
Arenas played in isolation for several minutes. His teammates moved well at first, but then they simply found a connecting point to watch the show. They could only rush for a while, but their movement felt like they were wasted.
Richard Jefferson caught the ball in front of the basket, with Charles covering him.
He turned around and took a step away, and took a shot from a step inside the free throw line... "Bang"... and it hit the right side of the basket, so hard.
Granville grabbed the rebound and advanced to the frontcourt. He seized the offensive opportunity and shot a throw from close range...but he missed, and Woods protected the rebound.
Although the opponent did not score, Root Olsen, who was sitting on the sidelines, still leaned back in his chair in frustration.
This ball just didn't make it.
It looks like a mindless breakthrough shot, but it is actually part of the teamwork!
White Mamba's movement was effective in containing the movement, Trey Paganier grasped the timing of Arenas' cut-in well, Li Ao did a good job of finding opportunities to take action and provide support, and Charles' flank cover and pie-eating position were both good and regular. Ranveer also knows very well whether to shoot or pass when launching an attack.
The team's offensive performance was great!
And Brusenthal, the strongest scorer in the opponent's frontcourt, hasn't even played yet!
On the other hand, for the Wildcats, that genius destroyed the team's offense once and for all.
This is not the first time this season, more times than I can count on one hand.
To defeat the weaklings, you can still rely on your personal abilities.
But the Trojans, who are playing No. 1 in the league...
Root Olson wanted to ask the opposing coach if he had any sons. He missed Mike Bibby.
In terms of talent, Mike Bibby is indeed not as good as Arenas, but he has a good brain!
…
The situation on the field, as Root Olson expected, quickly tilted in the Trojans' favor.
Trey Pagnier and Li Ao took turns irritating Arenas, successfully turning the Wildcats' offense into a singles game between the strongest stars inside and outside.
Gardner wanted to connect the offense together, but after playing a few rounds, he found that their current teamwork was not as good as letting Michael Wright and Arenas take turns playing singles.
But the longer the two of them play alone, the less their teammates move on the offensive end, and they become spectators.
It would be fine if they were playing against the Golden State Bears, Sun Devils, or even the Bruins. Arenas and Michael Wright might be able to dominate each other with their individual abilities.
If you rely on two people to take the lead alone, you can also rely on team defense to win.
But playing the Trojans…
After Arenas rested for a few rounds, he recovered his physical strength in a short period of time and accepted his fate. I have to admit that Li Ao has made great progress, played more cautiously, and his offensive efficiency has rebounded.
Michael Wright also played easily against the White Mamba.
But the two of them took turns, and they could only compete with the Trojans' team offense.
When the Trojans replaced Charles with Brusenthal, the situation completely tilted in the Trojans' favor!
At the last moment of the first half, Li Ao hit a long two-pointer, Brusenthal hit a turning hook, and White Mamba hit a three-pointer. They went on a 7-2 run and tied the score at 51-40. Successfully opened the point difference to double digits at the end of halftime!
In these rounds, Arenas and Michael Wright both scored zero points, and the Wildcats only scored two points from substitute Luke Walton.
There was no break in the half, and the two of them stopped moving for the last few minutes!
In order to pursue the victory, the Trojans also let Granville and White Mamba play the entire first half, so that the opponent did not dare to replace the two stars.
However, the Trojans focus on team offense, and their two major players' physical exertion was much less than that of the two opposing players, and their performance was much better in the final moments of the first half.
Looking at the score, Li Ao put his hands in his hands...if he didn't have pockets, he put his hands on his hips.
Their overall strength is stronger, and they play better as a team. Although they are not at an advantage in terms of status, they are not at a disadvantage either. Their strategy execution is still in place.
Tonight, we will definitely win!
Looking at Arenas who threw his towel on the floor angrily and walked into the tunnel, Li Ao understood to some extent why Arenas shot 48%+41% in his sophomore season and led the team to the finals. Won second place, only 19 years old, but couldn't even make it to the first round.
The problem is not talent or ability, otherwise the Warriors would not have given Arenas so much playing time in his rookie season. You must know that the Warriors had Larry Hughes, a big ball handler at the time.
It was because the Warriors gave too much ball rights and playing time to Arenas that Larry Hughes broke up with the Warriors who dug him up after his rookie contract ended, and followed the old Jordan without looking back.
He gets aggressive when he disagrees, is conceited, gets angry out of nowhere... so many flaws are enough for most teams to avoid him.
If Arenas is like Duncan, he is complete when he enters the NBA, no matter how bad his personality or court habits are, no one will care.
But his situation, at the age of 19, actually hindered him in the draft stage.
In the second half, Root Olsen did not sit still and encouraged his players to launch a counterattack.
Arenas is naturally the vanguard.
But the counterattack effect is average!
The Trojans played very steadily and insisted on playing a team offense. Even if the Wildcats once relied on a desperate attack to close the score difference, the Trojans, who were already very confident and steady, persisted. When the Wildcats' momentum passed, they The score difference was widened again.
After beating, Arenas started acting like a monster again.
The reason... Li Ao was very simple on the offensive end today. He scored 6 points in the first half and only scored 4 points after two-thirds of the second half. There was no sense of deja vu like the previous game where he had to fight.
(End of chapter)
