The four four-star high school students vying for the team's starting Point Guard position were divided into two groups by Head Coach Chris Grant to compete for the final victor.
The first match was between Link, wearing jersey number 143, and the black Point Guard in jersey number 130. The opponent was a 2002-class high school student, the same year as Chris Bosh, ranked 87th among all high school students in the US in 2002.
At 184cm tall, 78kg weight, and a 190cm wingspan, he was completely outmatched in static talent by Link, who was 198cm tall, 90kg weight, and a 211cm wingspan. However, in dynamic talent, Link was a step behind his opponent.
The first possession was decided by who made a Three-Point Shot first. For a game rule that doesn't allow for changes in possession, having the first offensive possession provides a significant advantage in the game.
Although Link's mid-range shot was very accurate, reaching 63 (68), close to the high school player limit of [65], his Three-Point Shot was only average, at 49 (73), meaning he could shoot but wasn't accurate, just enough to punish opponents for leaving him open.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
After Link and the number 130 Point Guard took turns missing three or four shots, Link was the first to make a Three-Point Shot, earning the first offensive possession.
"Buddy, I'm not going easy on you. You won't score in front of me." The #130 Point Guard, after passing the ball to Link at the top of the arc, tried to affect Link's mindset with trash talk.
Link, after receiving the pass, ignored him and assumed a standard triple-threat stance. Uh, of course, in a one-on-one, there are actually only "two threats." The 184cm tall Point Guard suddenly pressed close, like a bulldog.
After Link faked left, he dribbled right, "Thump!" Although Link's explosiveness was average, his 198cm height gave him a large stride, instantly getting half a step past his opponent.
The #130 Point Guard quickly retreated. His Speed and reaction ability truly showed he was a basketball genius invited to the ABCD Training Camp, and he quickly appeared in Link's breakthrough path.
"This kid is too slow."
"To deal with Jett, who is clearly faster than him, the kid can only resort to a post-up."
"Hmph, he can only bully opponents with his height. But in a 5v5 official game, how could an outside player get a low-post opportunity? You can't even get to the low post."
The other trainees watching couldn't help but comment, their tones revealing a hint of disdain.
Especially the other two trainees who wanted to compete for the starting Point Guard position, their voices were loud, as if afraid that the team's head coach, Chris Grant, wouldn't hear them clearly.
However, what they didn't notice was that Chris Bosh, Link's teammate and best friend, had no worries on his face; on the contrary, he looked calm.
"Chris, aren't you worried about your teammate?" Matt Babcock asked curiously.
"Don't worry, this level of defense won't trouble Link..." Chris Bosh said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, Link pulled up, his slender figure shooting up. With a 15cm height advantage, plus the difference in wingspan, the number 130 Point Guard couldn't even reach Link's mouth when he stretched out his hand.
With a "swish!" the basketball went through the net without touching the rim.
After scoring, Link glanced at the #130 Point Guard and laughed, "Buddy, do you want to wear high heels? Why can't I see you when I shoot?"
"F***! The game has just begun!" the Point Guard roared.
According to the "no change of possession" rule, after scoring, the offensive team retains possession.
This time, Link repeated the trick: after a misleading start, he took a step to shift his opponent's center of gravity, and upon getting an open shot, he pulled up directly without any hesitation.
With a "swish!" it still landed steadily in the basket, 2 to 0!
"What a beautiful shooting form!"
"The wrist snap is also very standard, and the internal rotation of the basketball after the shot..."
"It seems he really has a lot of skill in shooting."
Amateurs watch the excitement, while experts watch the technique. Although ninety percent of these training camp students were academically poor, they were professional in basketball and could tell at a glance that Link's shooting level was very high.
The Point Guard suddenly felt the pressure. His opponent's shot was very accurate; as long as he got a little space, he could pull up directly.
Furthermore, he was very good at shifting his opponent's center of gravity, making his own center of gravity misaligned. This way, even if he knew Link was going to shoot, he couldn't jump in time to interfere.
The #130 Point Guard, having been scored on twice in a row, also became focused and serious. Link, holding the ball at the top of the arc, saw that his fakes and probes couldn't deceive him, so he simply... drove straight to the basket.
"Here it comes!" Bosh, watching the game, smiled and subconsciously said.
At the same time, Link drove from the right with the ball. The #130 Point Guard tried to steal it, but Link slightly raised his ball-protecting hand and, at the same time, smoothly performed a crossover. Although the Speed wasn't fast, for a high school player, the move was very skilled and fluid. After avoiding the steal, Link powerfully pushed off the ground, using his size and strength advantage to directly go past the Point Guard's left shoulder.
After breaking through the defense, Link took two steps to complete a layup.
3 to 0!
"Wow..."
"This..."
"Is this kid's ball-handling so stable?"
Link's signature skill was "mid-range shooting," followed by "breaking through." But in reality, Link's breakthroughs were a bit "bullying the weak and fearing the strong." There was no other way; lacking explosive first-step Speed, it was difficult to shake off the defense with the first step and gain an offensive advantage, so he could only use strength and rhythm to find opportunities.
Bullying these high school students who haven't fully developed and are relatively short was indeed effective.
For the next fourth and fifth shots, Link both used his body to drive in, but on the fifth shot, his opponent caught up and provided some interference, causing the ball to bounce off the rim; however, the game rules allowed for second chances, and Link, using his height to grab the rebound, put the ball in.
5 to 0, KO the opponent!
The remaining two players competing for the starting Point Guard position also began their match after Link's group finished.
The winner was number 121, also a black Point Guard, but compared to number 130, aside from the jersey number and different appearance, there was basically no difference.
Their advantages were both fast Speed and strong explosiveness.
Their disadvantages were naturally the same: insufficient strength and weight for confrontation, and poor static talent.
Link, with a combination of drives and shots, once again won 5 to 0, KOing his opponent.
He also didn't give his opponent a single offensive possession.
But compared to the previous victory, this time Link only needed 5 shots.
The number 121 Point Guard was very worried that Link would physically overpower him, so he tried to maintain a certain distance to defend against his breakthrough. The result was that Link made all 5 of his shots.
During this time, the teammates watching couldn't help but praise him.
"OMG!"
"Link, he shoots so accurately!"
"He never misses, his mid-range shot is too stable!"
Head Coach Chris Grant, despite being very satisfied with Link, shook his head at the trainees' excessive praise for Link. Link could shoot so accurately, not only because of his excellent shooting touch, but also because the defensive players were too short and didn't know how to create effective physical contact to disrupt Link's shooting rhythm.
Players like Link are indeed effective in the High School League, where the intensity of confrontation is low. But in the NCAA, the effect will be greatly reduced. As for the NBA... sorry, it's almost impossible.
...
...
Link proved himself with strength, successively defeating competitors in the same position. Chris Grant announced him as the starting Point Guard for the Dream Chasing Warriors Team.
At the same time...
The system's voice sounded again.
[Ding, congratulations Host for completing the random mission - I Want to Be a Starter!]
[Ding, rewarding Host with 100 GOAT points; random Player Action Pack x1!]
[Ding, do you want to draw a Player Action Pack?]
[Yes!]
[Ding, congratulations Host for obtaining the action pack - Duncan's 45-Degree Bank Shot!]