Who will be the role players now that everyone's been reborn?

Entering the December schedule, Wake Forest University continued its invincible performance, at one point extending its winning streak to an average of 13 games. Just when they were psychologically convinced that they were the undisputed "number one in North America," the University of North Carolina's home arena—the Dean Smith Center—in front of basketball legend Michael Jordan, the North Carolina Tar Heels dominated Wake Forest with a score of 81-72, leaving them no chance to come back, ending the Tar Heels' winning streak.

At this moment, Wake Forest University's dream has ended, and the bubble of being "number one in North America" ​​has burst.

Chris Paul and Chen Dong, the two outside shooters, were completely suppressed by the combination of Felton and Marvin Williams. Paul only managed 12 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Facing the similarly styled Marvin Williams, Chen Dong was reduced to a "jack of all trades, master of none" and only had mediocre performances of 9 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

After this game, Chen Dong's hard-earned occasional starting opportunities came to an end, and Chris Paul no longer dreamed of winning the NCAA championship, having made up his mind to bring his talent to the NBA.

Competing for a championship against an NCAA powerhouse like North Carolina is like throwing a hard time; it's much more realistic to capitalize on their current popularity and aim for the NBA draft to make big money!

After all, that loss wasn't just because the North Carolina duo was completely dominated, but because every position was hit hard. Shawn May had an advantage over Rick Williams, David Noel over Chris Ellis, and Rashard McCants over Justin Gray. How could you play a game like that? How could you catch up with such a disadvantage in physical talent and immediate impact?

In front of the four young stars of North Carolina, or rather, the five young stars of North Carolina, Wake Forest University, the "number one in North America," experienced the feeling of "fuck your basketball dream."

Indeed, Chris Paul's leadership is outstanding, taking Wake Forest University to a level they've never reached before!

On the bus carrying the Wake Forest University players and coaching staff back home, seeing the players' dejected and disheartened expressions, Coach Prossel clapped his hands. Once everyone's attention was on him, he spoke up loudly, "Kids, why are you crying?"

"Who told you to still not understand the difference between basic basketball knowledge?"

After a pause, Prosser continued, "The first common sense in basketball is that in a game of scoring and winning, someone is responsible for victory and someone is responsible for defeat."

Before the age of 29, Jordan had never won a championship. Despite achieving a historic best record of 72 wins and 10 losses, he still lost 10 of those games.

For example, the closest example of the OK duo was that in 01 they were on the verge of winning the championship with a perfect record in the playoffs, but they still lost to the 76ers led by Iverson.

Therefore, it is reasonable for us to lose to the University of North Carolina. God is unpredictable. Even if Jordan came, he couldn't stop us. At the same time, even if the OK combination came, they couldn't stop us.

Therefore, we should respect this principle, take it easy, and if we lose, we can win the next game.

"What's our current record at Wake Forest University?" Prosser asked. "Chris Paul, you're the team's core player, you answer me?"

「季前赛8战8胜，例行赛5胜1负，14战13胜1负。」克里斯保罗回道。

"So, after losing one game, where do we rank?"

"Hmm, should it still be number one?" Chris Paul asked uncertainly.

"It's not just a matter of 'should,' it's definitely number one."

"Even if North Carolina beats us, their regular season record is still 5 wins and 1 loss, the same as ours. We're on an 8-game winning streak in the preseason. I don't know North Carolina's record, but they've definitely lost games, while we haven't," Prosser said calmly.

"So, we are still number one in North America."

"Even though we lost to North Carolina, in terms of overall record, we didn't lose. North Carolina is still ranked behind us?" Chris Ellis, being an optimist, quickly put on a smiling face. "So, we at Wake Forest University didn't lose after the game!!"

"..." Chen Dong was speechless and wanted to cover his face and pretend he didn't know him.

In competitive sports, once you lose, you lose; there's no such thing as a comeback after the game.

That's called shameless!!!

Three days later, at the Frank Oak Center.

The preseason is nearing its end, and Wake Forest's ninth opponent is the University of Texas Longhorns.

This team is both unfamiliar and familiar to fans, simply because the Longhorns' greatest player in franchise history will be Kevin Durant, the Durant with labels such as "begging for foot bath water," "defecting at his peak," "before you came...", "after you left...", and "standing one-on-one".

Although Durant joined the Longhorns in 2006, it is now December 2004, and there is still a year before he joins. But the Longhorns are a formidable opponent. Otherwise, why would Durant have chosen to bring his talents here?

Getting back to the point, no matter what, the Longhorns team made it to the Final Four in the 02/03 season. At that time, their leader, T.J. Ford, was at the height of his fame. Ford's retired jersey is still hanging in the rafters of this arena.

Even though TJ Ford entered the NBA in 03 and Royle Ivey entered the NBA in 04, the team still had no shortage of talented high school players joining.

Don't ask, the answer is this is Texas, home to the Texas Big Three: "Rockets are strong, Mavericks are weak, and Spurs are old." It has a fervent basketball atmosphere, and talented high school students who make a living from basketball and aim to enter the NBA would definitely want to join this college that is closer to an NBA team.

Being near the water tower means you get the moon first!

Wake Forest University's starting lineup consists of center Rick Williams, power forward Chris Ellis, small forward Kyrie Viser, shooting guard Justin Gray, and point guard Chris Paul.

Chen Dong felt like he was being set up. Prosser was trying to develop him into a core player for the current season. After all, Chen Dong's all-around abilities made him seem like someone who would stay at Wake Forest University for four years before making his debut, just like Duncan.

While NCAA head coaches wield considerable power, they also need to prove their abilities. Given that Chris Paul's season is indeed his "last dance" and he will be joining the NBA, giving Chen Dong more playing time while simultaneously suppressing his draft position and minutes is a common tactic.

Meanwhile, at the University of Texas, head coach Rick Barnes fielded both freshmen as starters in the starting lineup. The starting five consisted of center Clayswind, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, small forward PJ Tucker, shooting guard Ian Manny, and point guard Daniel Gibson.

Beep—!

With a whistle.

The game started.

Snapped--!

Aldridge beat Rick Williams in the jump ball to give the Longhorns possession for the first possession.

Wake Forest University quickly went on the defensive.

"What the hell?"

Daniel Gibson was a step beyond the three-point line when he pulled up for a three-pointer. This freshman just doesn't know how to control his shots...

Swish-!

The knife falls, the ball goes in!!!

Gibson, who would later become James's bodyguard, was essentially a shooting guard.

He's just a point guard in disguise.

58 seconds later, Paul broke through Gibson's defense in the frontcourt, but was then double-teamed by PJ Tucker and Aldridge.

The little cannon used his body to withstand the physical confrontation and passed the ball behind him.

Justin Gray made a cut inside, received the ball, and shot immediately.

Clang!

Two points missed.

The waters of basketball shooting are deep, and the game has only just begun.

It's normal to not be able to grasp it.

During the transition from offense to defense, Gibson had just dribbled the ball past half-court when he was entangled by Chris Paul, unable to break through or shoot.

PJ Tucker received the ball on the left wing and drove to the basket, becoming a powerful dunker. Despite being 1.96 meters tall, he weighs 120 kg, making him incredibly strong and destructive in the NCAA.

Kyrie Vince was knocked off balance and then, like James, was run over by PJ Tucker driving a bulldozer.

Rick Williams and Chris Ellis slapped each other, trying to catch PJ Tucker in the paint, only to find that the basketball in PJ Tucker's hands had flown away.

Aldridge, who had been cleared in the Bullshorts, received the basketball...

Jump!

Shot!

He took a standard jump shot and attacked the Wake Forest University basket.

Swish-!

"I've got it! Aldridge's jump shot is an unstoppable killer move."

"He not only has untapped physical talent, but his immediate impact and his mid-range jump shot are also extremely lethal."

PJ Tucker can play point forward and be the ball-handling playmaker, while Aldridge has a mid-range shot and can leave the paint open for PJ Tucker's rim-driving style. At this point, Aldridge is roughly equivalent to Bosh or Love, and Gibson is equivalent to Wade or Irving.

Next, led by the "Big Three," PJ Tucker charged forward, either driving to the basket for layups or dishing out assists. Aldridge frequently hit mid-range jump shots, showcasing his "iron-blooded" jump shot technique to perfection. Coupled with Gibson's unstoppable three-pointers and advantageous penetration offense, the tide of the game turned in the hands of the University of Texas. A 17-7 run swept through the Wake Forest University, led by Chris Paul and his CBA teammates, leaving them utterly defeated.

Prosser couldn't resist calling a timeout to break the deadlock.

"Chen Dong, it's your turn to go on the court after the timeout."

"I'll be playing small forward, matched up against PJ Tucker?"

"No!" Prosser shook his head. "Can you handle Aldridge?"

"Don't worry, I'll crush him."

"Chris Ellis, PJ Tucker is yours. He only knows how to play with his strength. Just block him and keep him away from the basket to shoot."

"Then there's Chris Paul." Prosser stared into Paul's eyes. "In the next game, let's welcome that rookie point guard into the NCAA."

I believe in you; you won't let me down.

"After suppressing the Big Three of the Longhorns defensively, it's time for us to counterattack." Procell paused for a moment, then continued, "You all remember the first preseason game against Kentucky, right?"

The current situation is almost identical to that of the past.

So, Chris Paul, switch to off-ball offense mode and let Chen Dong come out to organize the card dealing.

I believe we will quickly get back the 10 points we lost...