Time passed quickly, and a week passed in the blink of an eye, and it was the day of the Wildcats' warm-up match against the University of Oklahoma.
All members of the Wildcats came out of their hotel and got on the bus to the University of Oklahoma Stadium.
Yesterday afternoon, head coach McClop took the Wildcats players to Oklahoma City by plane and was fully prepared for this warm-up match.
On the bus, Whiteside anxiously asked Sun Yi beside him.
"Sun, I feel a little nervous. Do you think I can guard Griffin?"
"Hassan, you have to have confidence in yourself. Besides, basketball is a team sport. We are teammates and we will definitely come to help you." Sun Yi reassured.
"But I watched the tape of that guy's game, and he was a beast. I felt a little stressed and worried that I wouldn't be able to do the tasks assigned to me by the coach." Whiteside said worriedly.
"Relax, don't worry too much. As long as you follow the information I compiled for you before, you can still get a tie even if you have an advantage."
In order to perform perfectly in his first show, Sun Yi recalled the analysis of Griffin's playing characteristics he had seen in various sports forums in his previous life, and then compiled the information and gave it to Whiteside, in exchange for a few friendship points.
After chatting for a few more words, Sun Yi finally gave Dabai Bian some reassurance and stared boredly at the speeding scenery outside the window.
Ten minutes later, the bus stopped in front of the University of Oklahoma Arena gate.
Under the leadership of the staff, the Wildcats entered the arena.
After entering, McClop took his disciples to the visiting team's locker room.
While the disciples were changing their uniforms, McClop began to instill chicken soup for the soul.
"Boys, cheer up! This is our first game of the season. We don't want to lose the game and go back in despair like a prodigal dog!"
"Then show your indomitable fighting spirit and win this damn game!"
"The Wildcats must win!" All the Wildcats players shouted in unison.
McClop nodded with satisfaction. The team's spirit was very good.
Immediately, he pushed open the door of the locker room, led the disciples who had finished their chicken blood injection, and walked towards the arena with their heads held high.
Memorial Stadium, home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
At this time, tens of thousands of fans have already taken their seats, patiently waiting for the game to start.
This warm-up match can be said to have attracted much attention.
A large number of scouts and media reporters flocked to the game, and it also attracted some NBA players to watch the game.
It happened to be a rest day and the Thunder did not have a game, so the Thunder's three young players Durant, Westbrook and Jeff Green met to watch the game together.
Since the Thunder's goal this year is to train Durant and others, they don't have to worry about performance and can get high draft picks by doing well.
Therefore, Blake Griffin, the protagonist of this game, is the key subject of the Thunder team's investigation.
"I heard that Blake Griffin is an amazing jumper and can take off from the free throw line and dunk. I don't know if that's true."
"Although it's a bit exaggerated, the fact that this guy can be called a White Demonic Beast shows that he is indeed powerful."
"I like Griffin's style of play. If he can join the Thunder, I think my assists will skyrocket."
While the three Thunder Young Masters were having a heated discussion, the audience suddenly burst into warm applause and cheers.
On the field, Oklahoma Sooners star Blake Griffin ran out of the tunnel and waved to the enthusiastic fans.
"Blake! Blake! Blake!"
The fans at the scene burst into cheers and shouts.
In the player tunnel on the other side, Sun Yi looked at the popular Griffin and felt a little envious.
"It won't be long before I can be so popular."
Sun Yi is very motivated and can't wait to play the game.
After a while, it was the turn of the Wildcats players to enter.
When Sun Yi came to the court, he felt the NCAA basketball atmosphere for the first time. It was really scary!
Tens of thousands of people cheered and shouted in a semi-enclosed space, and the atmosphere was explosive, making people's adrenaline rush.
Sun Yi looked around and saw the crowded auditorium, feeling a little nervous.
Is this the stage I've been waiting for so long?!
It’s great to be able to stand on such a court and play basketball!
After adjusting his mentality, Sun Yi became very excited and followed his teammates to the bench.
After the entrance ceremony, players from both teams came to their respective half-courts for warm-up activities.
At the same time, in the on-site commentary box, the commentators for this game, Mike Breen and Reggie Miller, were warming up the game in advance.
"Blake Griffin, known as the "White Monster" of the Oklahoma City Rapids.
This guy has great physical fitness, incredible jumping ability, and often performs explosive dunks. He is ranked at the top of the draft website and is the most popular candidate for the NBA No. 1 pick next year.
The Davidson Wildcats have Stephen Curry, a sharpshooter who performed magically in March Madness this year.
It can be said that the peak showdown between the two of them will be the focus of this warm-up match."
After Brin introduced the core players of both sides, he asked his partner what he thought of the game.
“Judging from the starting lineup, the Speedy team has the upper hand.
Most of the Wildcats' main players graduated and left this summer, which greatly reduced the team's strength. Judging from the starting lineup they sent, including two freshmen, I am very unfavorable." Miller expressed his own opinion.
Brin nodded, agreeing with Miller's view.
He had seen the starting lineups of both sides before and checked the detailed information of each player, but found that the introduction of the two newcomers of the Wildcats was very simple, and they were pure passers-by.
"The Speeders have a high probability of winning this game. What kind of surprise will Blake Griffin bring?"
Brin thought this in his mind, and then looked towards the center of the field.
On the other side, on the Wildcats bench, assistant coach Smith looked around and said something emotional.
"There are so many scouts here today. They are all here for Blake and Stephen."
"Most of them are probably for Blake," McClop corrected.
Based on the media reporters, scouts and agents present, he felt that this preseason game was very worthwhile.
"Such a good opportunity should be seized and not missed."
McClop cherishes talents very much, otherwise the tactics would not be all executed around Curry alone.
He didn't know if the Wildcats could achieve another good result in March Madness this year, but there were a lot of scouts here today, so it was definitely a good opportunity.
If Sun Yi and Whiteside perform well in this game, they may be able to get the attention of some scouts and open the door to the NBA.
So, after the warm-up activities were over, McClop gathered the players together and gave them serious instructions.
"Today our main offensive tactics are still executed around Stephen."
The Wildcats players all nodded without any comment.
"Although it is a pre-season game, don't take it lightly. There are many scouts here, so everyone must perform well.
Sun and Hassan, don't be nervous. Just play how you play in training and how you play in games. Adjust to your best condition and bring out your full potential.
Other players completed their tasks according to the assigned tactics and had the opportunity to shoot decisively."
After McClop finished speaking, he asked the players to relax and get ready to play.
After a while, the referee blew the whistle, signaling the starting players from both sides to step into the center circle.
The cheers and shouts in the audience also reached their peak.
Sun Yi kept taking deep breaths, trying to relax himself.
Although he has fought in actual combat in virtual dreams, this is the first time he has faced such a large battle. If he is not nervous, it would be a lie.
At the same time, the system's prompt voice suddenly sounded in Sun Yi's mind.
"Ding! The main mission begins: Dominate the NCAA (1)."
"Job call: Lead the Davidson Wildcats into March Madness."
"Task reward: Bronze gift package."
"Sun, why are you standing there? The game is about to start. Come on the court with me!"
Curry patted Sun Yi's arm and reminded him.
Sensing that Sun Yi was a little nervous, Curry shared his experience in his debut.
Although Curry's own NCAA debut was a disaster, it did not prevent him from fooling the newcomer Sun Yi.
"Thanks, Stephen, I feel better."
Sun Yi came to his senses, replied, and followed Curry to the center circle.
It didn't take long for this much-anticipated game to begin.
In the jump ball session, Griffin overwhelmed Whiteside and gave the Speedy the first opportunity to attack.
Although "Big White" has an advantage in height and wingspan, Griffin's jumping and instant explosive power are too abnormal.
After the game started, Griffin took advantage of the Wildcats' defense before it could take shape. He rushed into the penalty area like a tank, jumped on one foot, flew in the air to receive the pass from his teammate, and smashed the ball into the basket with one hand.
"Blake-Griffin!"
The DJ at the scene yelled heartbreakingly.
The audience burst into thunderous applause, and cheers and shouts resounded throughout the arena.
"I like the way he plays so much, it's full of violent aesthetics, it's so cool!" Westbrook praised.
He feels that if he partners with Griffin, his assist data will definitely rise. A triple-double per game is nothing.
Durant on the side nodded in agreement with Westbrook's point of view.
He can see that Griffin's physical fitness is good enough to play in the NBA, but he is simply a bug in the NCAA.
Back on the court, the Wildcats quickly organized their offense.
Curry used Whiteside's screen to hit a three-pointer.
In the next round, Griffin continued to play hard inside, but was interfered by Whiteside and failed to score.
Sun Yi grabbed the rebound and passed it to Curry to advance.
The Speedy retreated very quickly and failed to allow the Wildcats to play a fast break.
Curry dribbled to the outside of the three-point line, waved, and signaled Whiteside to come out and cooperate with the pick-and-roll.
The moment Big White left the penalty area, Curry hit the ball straight to the basket.
After receiving the pass, Sun Yi, who was cutting through the air, rushed to the basket, wiped the board and scored the ball.
5:2!
Looking back, Griffin was double-teamed in the low post and had no choice but to pass the ball out.
Valdes received the pass and looked at Sun Yi in front of him, feeling quite good.
"I'm so lucky. I faced a new guy in the first game of the new season. It seems like it's time for me to eat dumplings."
Immediately, Valdez prepared to perform a triple threat move to tease the newcomer in front of him.
Sun Yi saw the guy in front of him froze on the spot with a silly smile, and immediately started to take out the ball.
"If you don't even protect the ball, what on earth is this guy doing for fun!"
After successfully stealing the ball, Sun Yi took the lead and rushed inside and scored an easy layup.
The ball is transferred and the Speedy attack.
Griffin felt that his teammates were not very reliable, so he decided to fight on his own.
After he came to the mid-range area on the right, he directly faced Whiteside's defense and shot a mid-range jumper.
Bang!
The basketball bounced out of the frame and missed.
The Wildcats launched a counterattack, Curry quickly advanced with the ball, and Sun Yi and Whiteside quickly followed up on both sides.
Griffin, who had retreated to the penalty area, saw the Wildcats' three-man fast break and was unable to stop them. He could only stay in the penalty area and wait for opportunities.
Curry broke into the penalty area, was intercepted by Griffin, and immediately passed the ball to Sun Yi, who cut in from the right.
Sun Yi received the pass and took three steps to prepare for a layup.
During this process, he deliberately tilted his head back, caught a glimpse of Griffin following behind him from the corner of his eye, and immediately took the ball back and threw it in the air to the left.
"Damn it! Fortunately, I paid attention, otherwise it would have become a backdrop." Sun Yi praised his carefulness.
On the court, Whiteside, who followed up from the left, rose into the air, grabbed the basketball in the air, and dunked it into the basket.
Under the basket, Griffin picked up the basketball on the floor, glanced at the Wildcat players who were high-fiving in celebration, and smacked it angrily. He felt like he was being played by the three Wildcat players.
"These guys must have done it on purpose. They want to embarrass me. Damn it! I must take revenge!"
On the next possession, an angry Griffin motioned for his teammates to pass the ball to him.
The players of the Oklahoma Sooners didn't dare to offend the team's star player.
Defender Bilson quickly hoisted the ball inside.
After Griffin caught the ball, he used his nimble steps to lift the ball and sway his shoulders to hit Whiteside. Then he turned to the basket, jumped high, and made a powerful one-handed dunk.
At the same time, Sun Yi, who rushed back to help defend, wanted to sneak attack from behind, but he did not have enough bounce and failed to block the basketball.
After scoring the goal, Griffin turned around and taunted Sun Yi behind him.
"Asian boy, basketball is not a sport you should play. Your physical fitness will not have any impact on me."
Sun Yi clenched his hands and retorted tit for tat.
"Then you have to be careful. Don't be careless. After all, there are so many people watching. Don't cry when you are embarrassed."
"Ha! Boy, your courage is commendable. I really hope you can blame me, but don't let me down."
After Griffin finished speaking, he immediately ran towards the frontcourt. He had already seen the Wildcats players surrounding him. If he continued to act arrogantly, he might be beaten by the group.
Sun Yi looked at Griffin's retreating figure and didn't feel angry in his heart.
Having experienced the keyboard warrior era, his heart will not be so fragile and he will be immune to most trash talk.
And trash talking is part of the game.
"Then we will prove it with practical actions!"
The fighting spirit in Sun Yi's heart was aroused, preparing to leave an indelible shadow on Shafen's psychology.
This chapter has been completed!