Basketball Terminal

Chapter 54 Learning
The first quarter was a close contest between the two teams. The Clippers initially held a slight advantage, their aggressive defense making it difficult for Harden, and with Leonard in excellent form, the Clippers briefly suppressed the Nets. However, after Levi entered the game, two simple screens stunned Beverley, freeing Harden from his entanglement.

In the second half of the first quarter, Beverley lost his initial frenzy. A small player like him relies on sheer willpower to fight on the court. He's like a thug, deliberately trying to annoy people. If it really came down to it, you could count the number of players in the entire league Beverley could beat on one hand; he couldn't even beat many coaches. He only avoids physical confrontations because of the rules. But once he encounters a tough opponent like Levi, who can subtly sabotage him, his momentum dissipates, and his defense collapses.

Seeing that the effect was not good, Tyronn Lue substituted Beverley out of the game. Harden hit three-pointers in a row, and Kyrie Irving also scored on consecutive one-on-one plays. The Nets took the lead in the first quarter and entered the second quarter.

Li Wei scored 2 points and grabbed 2 rebounds in the first quarter, along with two knockouts, once again demonstrating his impact beyond just the stats. In the second quarter, he returned to the bench, and Kevin Durant offered him some gummy candies. Li Wei took a bite and almost vomited.

"What is this thing? It looks like plastic."

"It's a gummy bear, and you don't like it?"

American gummies taste like plastic; they're neither soft nor hard, with a bit of chewiness, but the flavor is weird. Judging from Durant's performance, Levi can tell this guy really isn't suited to be a leader. He was silent during the locker room argument last game, and this time he's sitting there eating gummies during the on-court conflict.

Even though you're injured, at least show some concern verbally. Saying a few trash words to Beverley might help distract you. When Beverley injured Westbrook, he also frequently yelled at Durant during mismatches. From a player's perspective, Durant can be aloof and disdainful of arguing with role players. But if you're going to be a leader, you have to stand up for your underlings; otherwise, you're just a fake leader.

In the second quarter, Paul George hit consecutive mid-range shots, maintaining his hot hand tonight, and the Clippers narrowed the gap. Marcus Morris, a former teammate of Harden's on the Rockets, took over guarding Harden's defense. Harden was familiar with Morris's defensive rhythm, drawing a foul on a shot and stepping to the familiar free-throw line. He made both free throws, maintaining the Nets' lead.

Then, Harden used Brown's screen to keep the defender behind him, hunched over, and drove into the paint, launching a left-handed floater that went over Zubac's fingers and sank. It has to be said, Harden's back-to-the-basket move is truly unique to the Scorpion. Players guarding Harden are forced to use their signature back-to-the-basket defense to counter Harden's powerful backside and step-back jumper.

The Clippers responded quickly. Lou Williams accelerated past his defender on the left side, pulled up for a mid-range jumper, and made it. Levi, sitting on the bench, carefully observed Williams' movements, marveling at how accurate the guy was.

Lou Williams was once Li Wei's favorite NBA player, and he always looked up to him to improve his skills. Coincidentally, Li Wei got to know Lou Williams because he downloaded an NBA game in middle school. At that time, Li Wei's idol was Allen Iverson, a god in the hearts of all short players, so Li Wei liked to use the Philadelphia 76ers.

Lou Williams, a very unremarkable second-round pick, was on the 76ers' roster at the time. Li Wei didn't pay any attention to him when playing games, only occasionally using him as a substitute, thinking that this guy would be eliminated from the NBA in a few years.

Later, Allen Iverson was traded to the Nuggets, and Lou Williams' role in the 76ers became increasingly important, making him one of the league's best scoring sixth men. In the 2011-2012 season, he helped the 76ers upset the Chicago Bulls in the eighth seed. By then, Levi had already begun his professional basketball career, and Lou Williams' experience and playing style began to inspire him.

Later, Lou Williams shone brightly as the sixth man, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award three times with his signature accurate jump shot, and at one point becoming the Clippers' leader. At that time, Li Wei was going through the most difficult period of his life, and Lou Williams' performance inspired him to get back on his feet. Moreover, Lou Williams' ability to date two girlfriends simultaneously filled Li Wei with admiration, and the time-traveling Li Wei decided to continue learning from Lou Williams and make many friends.

Now that they were opponents, Li Wei mentally simulated and considered how to defend Lou Williams. Different smaller players require different defensive strategies. A good defensive strategy combined with Observation Haki prediction would be twice as effective.

Perhaps due to his time as Allen Iverson's protégé during his rookie season, Lou Williams' dribbling and crossover mechanics clearly resemble Iverson's. His body is incredibly flexible, and the direction of his crossover dribble is opposite to the direction of his body swing, making it extremely deceptive. However, Lou Williams isn't as fast as Iverson, and he relies more on floaters and jump shots to finish plays; his offensive scoring ability is average.

Bruce Brown and Harden ran a pick-and-roll to drive to the basket, Brown drawing a foul from Zubac. Brown was incredibly aggressive, daring to challenge the towering Zubac and earning two free throws. Then, Lou Williams used a screen, the Nets switched, and he dribbled past Harris with a crossover before hitting a floater in the paint.

Lou Williams, coming off the bench, is indeed a strong individual scorer. However, as a point guard, his playmaking ability is too poor. With five Clippers players on the court, none possess good playmaking skills. At this point, the Clippers' offense relies heavily on isolation plays; Williams goes on to guard George, then George, then Morris, resulting in even less overall team coordination than the Nets. Despite having a strong record, their assists and passes are only in the middle of the pack.

This is also what worries outsiders about the Clippers: whether George and Leonard, two forwards with similar functions and lacking playmaking ability, can produce good chemistry.

The second quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with the Nets maintaining their lead at halftime. The Clippers played aggressively and energetically, but their offense lacked fluidity, preventing them from completely turning the tide. Levi received two more minutes of playing time at the end of the second quarter, but didn't have many opportunities to showcase his skills. Beverley was clearly timid; Levi had no interest in relentlessly attacking a dog with its tail between its legs.

Unable to establish a significant lead, Nash adopted a much more conservative personnel approach in this game compared to the previous one. Aside from Levi, DeAndre Jordan, and Landry Shamet, no other substitutes received playing time. Nash reverted to his "farmer mode," with Harden playing almost the entire first half; without him, the team struggled to execute fluid offensive plays. This is a problem the Nets need to address: they lack a reliable second playmaker to alleviate the playmaking burden.

Li Wei has the potential, but he's only been with the team for a short time and hasn't practiced with them enough, making it difficult for the team to build a strategy around a short-term contract player. Kyrie Irving's assist numbers aren't bad, but he's not a playmaker; he relies on strong isolation plays to draw defenders and then pass the ball. If Kevin Durant can return in time, the Big Three, once combined, won't need a second playmaker. Their exceptional spacing and perimeter isolation abilities will tear apart any team's defense.

However, Durant's return has been repeatedly delayed, and his rest time may be much longer than expected, raising questions about whether he can even participate in the All-Star Game. During halftime in the locker room, Harden appeared slightly fatigued, having scored 24 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and made 2 steals in the first half.

The TV station replayed Harden's outstanding performance in the first half, and commentators Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy praised Harden's all-around performance on the offensive end, saying that James Harden's performance since joining the Nets has been MVP-level.

"He's controlling his turnovers better now, and his passing is more consistent, which makes him more threatening." Harden's high turnover rate has always been criticized, but since joining the Nets, his control over turnovers has made his contributions in games more consistent.

Van Gundy also briefly mentioned Levi, saying, "He's an interesting player, and his arrival might bring some changes to the Nets." He didn't say anything more. Although Levi caused a stir in the last game, the NBA is a place where events change very quickly, like scrolling through short videos; people don't stay in front of one video for long, and everyone quickly anticipates the next one. Moreover, Levi's performance lacks statistical support.

Li Wei understood that on the court, you can't just do things that aren't reflected in the statistics. When it's time to score or grab rebounds, don't hesitate. Having something is always better than nothing. Harden, protected by Li Wei in the first half, pulled Li Wei aside in the locker room and said, "In the second half, go more towards the basket. I'll pass you the ball. Remember to put the ball in the hoop; if you miss, don't blame me."

At the start of the third quarter, the Clippers executed a series of screens, two handoffs leading to George's mid-range jumper from the corner. Harris missed his shot, and the Nets' fast break also failed. George then committed a turnover on his baseline drive, and Harden followed with a rare turnaround jumper for two points. Leonard immediately responded with a mid-range jumper from the same corner as George's earlier shot.

Both sides maintained a high-intensity offensive pace from the start, resulting in a very fast-paced game.

The Clippers are one of the teams in the league that takes the most mid-range shots, with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being excellent mid-range players. However, in terms of efficiency, mid-range shots have the lowest cost-effectiveness, which will undoubtedly affect their offense in the current NBA landscape.

Top mid-range shooters like Carmelo Anthony, despite being in good form, struggle to find stable employment with top teams. As a veteran still playing his best, his offensive performance is far less impressive than that of three-point specialists like Ray Allen. In the 18-19 season, he only played 10 games for the Houston Rockets before being released, partly because he refused to shoot three-pointers, clashing with the Rockets' "Moreyball" philosophy.

The Clippers started with relatively complex tactical plays, but as the game progressed, George and Leonard began to engage in isolation plays. George was in good form tonight, with an excellent outside shooting touch, hitting a pull-up three-pointer against Harden, and then driving to the basket to draw a foul from Harris.

Udoka called Bruce Brown to the sidelines and told him about the defensive issues, "Don't leave George open, or you'll expose Harris!" Brown was guarding George, and a high pick-and-roll switch left Harris exposed to George's attack. Harris was the Nets' weakest point on defense; he couldn't withstand George's drives and had to foul. Listening to Udoka's lecture, Bruce Brown thought, "Damn it, I didn't foul. Switching after a pick-and-roll was Nash's strategy, so why can't I switch? What am I supposed to do? Let me squeeze past him? If I leave Ibaka open, and he catches the ball at the top of the key and shoots, will he blame me then?"

Brown said nothing, just nodded helplessly, and rolled his eyes as he returned to the court. The Nets coaching staff hadn't even figured things out internally; everyone was doing their own thing, so it's no wonder the players were sometimes dissatisfied. This kind of situation is common in NBA teams; makeshift teams are everywhere, and in the end, it's just a matter of who's the least makeshift.

Harris's defense was also a problem. Despite being a white shooter with average physical attributes, he was forced to play small forward, a position that demands the most defensive skill, and was frequently exploited one-on-one by opposing perimeter ball handlers. On offense, his catch-and-shoot three-pointers were irreplaceable. Therefore, Harris was a double-edged sword for Nash; either he was poisoned or he was thirsty.

George made both free throws, and the Clippers quickly closed the gap. However, Harris immediately received a pass from Irving on the right side at a 45-degree angle and quickly hit a three-pointer! His catch-and-shoot three-pointer is really strong, which is why he can stay on the court despite his poor defense.

Li Wei thought to himself that Harris's catch-and-shoot three-pointer was his goal. If he could reach that level, he could be a regular starter on any team. After joining the Nets, Li Wei never stopped learning. He learned from Brown, from Harris, from Lou Williams—learning was endless.

The competition between the two teams intensified midway through the third quarter, with the Nets going on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 11 points. The Nets' offense was truly ferocious; even without Durant, their firepower remained potent. The Clippers called a timeout, and Leonard began to take over the team's offense, scoring with three-pointers and setting screens to drive and dish to Ibaka. Ibaka scored repeatedly inside, and the Clippers narrowed the gap again.

Li Wei pointed at Nash and said, "Coach, isn't it my turn to play? Coach! Stop watching!"

Nash was still looking down at the data on his tablet; the game was in full swing, and he had somehow gotten caught up in the statistics.

"Victor, how's your three-point shooting?"

"I can seize every three-point opportunity that comes my way."

In reality, Li Wei's three-point shooting ability is only passable. Because the NBA three-point line is so far, his shooting level at that distance was only so-so, definitely not as good as Harris's. But Nash asking this question means another opportunity to play is in front of him, so even if he's just bragging, he has to promote himself first. Whether he can make the shot or how he shoots, we'll see once he's on the court.

Nash lacked sufficient three-point shooting data from Levi; Levi only made one in the last game against the Lakers. However, Nash currently has a high level of trust in Levi, so he instructed Levi to prepare to play. During a dead ball situation, Levi entered the game with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, replacing Harris.

Just before going on the court, Nash pulled Levi aside and whispered, "Be a little... tougher."

"Wouldn't that be too extreme?"

"Just a little bit, not extreme. You did very well in the first half."

Li Wei nodded; it seemed Nash had tasted some success. At this moment, the Nets led the Clippers 80-74 by 6 points. Terrence Mann had just hit a three-pointer, but Harris and Green hadn't secured the rebound properly, allowing Batum to grab it offensively. The perimeter was wide open, leaving a huge gap. Harden helplessly shrugged; everyone was pushing in, but they still couldn't out-rebound the Clippers.

The Nets lost several offensive rebounds; they were too gentle and lacked movement in their positioning and rebounding in the paint. As soon as Li Wei entered the game, he set a solid high screen for Harden, and Beverley, even if he had the guts, wouldn't dare to challenge him, avoiding him. Harden easily shook off his defender and cut inside, giving Li Wei a look. Li Wei understood and drove to the basket, and Harden cleverly floated a left-handed pass to Li Wei.

But Li Wei didn't drive straight to the basket. He habitually glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw Leonard coming to help defend on the right, while Jeff Green had an opportunity in the right corner. His point guard instincts kicked in, and Li Wei faked a layup, drawing Leonard's help defense before making a no-look pass to Jeff Green in the corner. Green even had time to dribble, adjust, and then shoot a three-pointer!

Not entering!

Oh shit.

Li Wei cursed under his breath, anticipating the rebound's landing point. He slammed the ball to the left, shoving Ibaka aside to grab the offensive rebound. Trusting Green, he passed to the veteran, who, instead of attempting a three-pointer, drove to the basket, received the ball, and soared for a thunderous dunk! Leonard, busy fighting for the rebound with Li Wei, couldn't get a chance to help defend. The Clippers' interior defense really lacked a rebounder and help defender; Ibaka's abilities had truly declined significantly.

During a Clippers offensive possession, Beverley elbowed Harden in the back while setting a screen for Leonard. In response, when Leonard missed a three-pointer and was scrambling for the rebound, Levi used his arm to pin Beverley down and grabbed the defensive rebound. Beverley, enraged, shoved Levi. Levi simply opened his arms, as if to say, "Try and bite me." The referee blew the whistle and gave Beverley a technical foul.

Harden made the free throw after receiving a technical foul. Tyronn Lue substituted Beverley, and both Nash and Harden were secretly pleased, having found someone to deal with Beverley. Beverley was a second-round pick in 2009, and his journey to the NBA was equally arduous. He was drafted and then waived, spent several years honing his skills in Europe, was signed by the Rockets, played in the G League for a while, and was promoted to his original team. He established himself in the league by going toe-to-toe with superstars, relying on his relentless, fearless attitude.

Beverley has been in the league for 10 years now, and finally, he's met his match – someone who's much tougher than him. After a few head-on clashes, Beverley knew he was no match for Levi. This guy was cunning and had a lot of tricks up his sleeve; Beverley, being short and weak, was no match for him.

With Beverley out of the game, Harden's pressure eased. Meanwhile, Levi and Irving executed a play, Levi receiving the ball near the free-throw line, dribbling into the paint, pushing past Morris, and scoring a layup! Levi's first field goal of the second half. Next, Levi blocked Lou Williams' layup on the defensive end! Shamet was closely guarding him, but Levi followed up from the side, anticipating his movement perfectly, and delivered a pinpoint block.

If this had been DeAndre Jordan, it would have been a volleyball block—spectacular, yes, but the ball went out of bounds, and possession remained with the Clippers. Li Wei's block was unremarkable, but it secured possession; the two were clearly more practical. On the Nets' fast break, Harden advanced, drove straight down the middle, drew the defense, and passed to Li Wei at the left 45-degree angle.

The Clippers didn't know about Levi's three-point shooting ability, so no one was specifically guarding him. Levi received the ball and prepared to shoot without hesitation; he was already in form. He felt a powerful aura emanating from him, and everything around him slowed down. Even Kwanon Leonard, who was rushing towards him, seemed to slow down.

"Everything has slowed down? Has Conqueror's Haki reappeared?!" The thought flashed through his mind. Li Wei had experienced this twice before: once during a no-point challenge after he held five opponents to a scoreless record, and once during a tryout game with the Long Island Nets. This was the third time, but this time it happened during an offensive play.

Leonard jumped with all his might to contest Levi's shot; he was fast, but it was too late. Levi took a standard shot, the ball flying towards the basket and swishing through the air! A three-pointer, and the Nets regained a double-digit lead! At that moment, Levi felt like he could make a hundred in a row; the feeling was wonderful.

Li Wei remained expressionless as he made the three-pointer, mimicking Leonard's equally expressionless demeanor—truly, there's no end to learning.

(End of this chapter)