Chapter 87: The Storm (Part Two)

This was originally a match that the home team, Lingbei Youth Team, didn’t consider particularly important. Yet when their head coach, Sheng Tianhuai, called the first timeout less than four minutes into the game, every home supporter present realized that their opponents were nowhere near as simple as they had imagined.

The Borderland Youth Team came on like a sweeping gale—relentless speed, seamless all-around offense, and an unrestrained, collapsing defense with timely rotations. What they displayed was nothing like an amateur team. Some of their players shone just as brightly as Lingbei’s core players, perhaps even at a higher level.

Though Lingbei managed to score six points in four minutes, Borderland’s thirteen made it clear they were outmatched.

To Sheng Tianhuai, his team’s rhythm was already in disarray. If he didn’t call a timeout immediately, he feared the team might collapse entirely. He was no stranger to such situations. Though it was his first time coaching a team personally, he understood young players. Once they found their stride, they could be unstoppable, but faced with setbacks, they were equally prone to crumbling.

“Don’t let them lead you by the nose. Play our own rhythm. Take your shots bravely on offense, especially our perimeter players. Zhang Yongdong, pay attention to fighting for offensive rebounds. You have the height advantage—let’s aim for more second-chance points. Also, if they counterattack, press them immediately. If you can’t stop them, foul on the spot, but don’t let them set the pace again.”

Sheng Tianhuai had a keen eye for the key issues. Just as he told his players, the Borderland Youth Team had seized the rhythm, which was dangerous. They needed to ensure offensive efficiency and slow the game down; a breakneck pace was not something this Lingbei Youth Team could keep up with.

“If they settle into a half-court offense, spread out on defense. Zhang Yongdong, don’t get dragged outside by their lanky forward—stay inside, protect the rim and the boards. The rest of you, rotate carefully on defense, suffocate their point guard, don’t let him shoot easily. If necessary, foul him. This might be the qualifiers, but remember, this is the People’s Arena. The Vladivostok fans don’t like seeing their home team lose.”

Sheng Tianhuai believed he’d grasped the match’s critical points. He wasn’t an old-fashioned coach stuck in his ways. In his eyes, the Borderland Youth Team’s most important player was their white-haired point guard. The young man’s poise and skills were on par with any prodigy Sheng had seen. He was convinced that if they could shut down Turgun, the Borderland team would be forced onto the back foot.

However, his plans fell flat after the timeout, because Wang Lei made a sudden adjustment. He subbed out Cai Aihong—who had excelled with mid-range shots—and replaced him with the shorter Sun Dexun. The Borderland Youth Team fully embraced a small-ball strategy.

Two point guards, an undersized center, and a team with much faster mobility than Lingbei. Though they were at a defensive disadvantage, their transition play reached another level. Even when Lingbei’s defense got back in time, as long as Hawule, Sun Dexun, or Turgun set a good screen, Lingbei would face mismatches.

Zhang Yongdong was indeed Lingbei’s best interior player, with impressive height and wingspan, but none of that mattered against Sun Dexun’s speed. No matter how much ground he could cover, Sun Dexun could simply accelerate and change direction, shaking off Zhang’s defense almost at will.

While Lingbei managed to maintain offensive efficiency and Zhang Yongdong grabbed several offensive rebounds, their defensive strategy remained ineffective. The Borderland Youth Team’s storm was unstoppable.

Vladivostok’s fans were reputed to be the toughest, always backing their home team unconditionally. Yet tonight, some began to waver. The Borderland Youth Team didn’t offer flashy plays or spectacular dunks, but after years of feasting on bold, robust seafood, the fresh, crisp style of the Borderland team was surprisingly palatable.

Some didn’t care for the thrill of speed, but most had a subconscious craving for it. As the action blazed across the court, adrenaline surged, and excitement became irresistible.

The current basketball world emphasized defense and the dominance of the paint. But competitive sport has always idolized the motto: higher, faster, stronger. Compared to the unreachable height of centers, speed—something closer to the ordinary person—was far more addictive for fans.

The Borderland Youth Team didn’t widen the lead further, but the pace remained far faster than usual games. Having fully adapted to this speed, the Borderland Youth Team played with growing ease, while Lingbei never seemed to find their usual form or momentum.

At halftime, the Borderland Youth Team held a nine-point lead.

In the second half, Lingbei began to falter. Their players had expended too much energy trying to keep up with the swift pace. With a shallow bench, Lingbei was drawn right back into the Borderland’s rhythm—the game fell into the tempo the Borderland Youth Team knew best.

It must be said that Wang Lei’s constant emphasis on fundamentals and fitness was now paying off. Compared to other domestic coaches, Wang Lei had seized on the sport’s essence: without solid basics and outstanding stamina, it was almost impossible to maintain performance in such a fast-paced game.

In the third quarter, the Borderland Youth Team sealed their victory. Facing increasingly aggressive Lingbei defenders, they showed no fear. They scored thirty-two points in the quarter, blowing the lead out to nineteen.

Lingbei tried to rally in the fourth, but Turgun ended all hope with three consecutive three-pointers. In the end, the Borderland Youth Team took the game 99-81. The eighteen-point margin left the home side with little to show for themselves.