NBA's Super Troublemaker

Chapter 14 NCAA Finals! Anthony: I'll guard Hansen Lee!

At Syracuse University, head coach Jim Boehme was so nervous he couldn't sleep.

Last summer, the news that Carmelo Anthony, the top high school player in the nation, joined the team caused quite a stir. Everyone was very surprised by Carmelo's choice. He could have gone to a prestigious school like Duke or North Carolina, but instead he joined the little-known Syracuse University.

It's important to understand that although Syracuse University made it to the finals, their roster wasn't very strong, and they relied entirely on Anthony to carry the team.

Apart from Hajime Warrick, who can help Cameron Anthony, the others have performed only moderately.

Coach Jim Bohheim is not worried about the team's offensive firepower. Cameron's offensive talent is unparalleled, and he can launch attacks from any position.

However, perimeter defense may be the biggest problem in this game.

Unfortunately, from a team tactical perspective, the Arizona Wildcats are a perfect counter to Syracuse's style of play.

Syracuse University's "2-3 zone defense" collapses the paint while giving opponents some long-range shooting opportunities.

This falls under the category of trade-offs on the defensive end.

It is the defensive habit that the team has developed and the way they win.

On the University of Arizona side, apart from Luke Walton's pitiful 21.4% three-point shooting percentage, the other four players can all shoot three-pointers.

Especially Hansen Lee, number 31, who made 17 of 23 three-pointers in the two knockout rounds, achieving an incredible 73% shooting percentage!

Who could stand this!

Therefore, Coach Jim Boehme is very worried that this will be the biggest problem in the final.

Boom!

dong dong!

Just then, there was a knock on the hotel door.

Jim Bohheim arrived at the door, only to find that it was Cameron Anthony who was knocking.

Anthony, with his cornrows and still somewhat youthful face, got straight to the point:

"Coach, I have something to tell you."

"Cameron, come in and let's talk."

The two sat down inside, and Anthony stated his purpose directly:

"Coach, let me guard Hansen Lee tomorrow!"

"Huh?" Jim Bohheim was clearly taken aback when he heard Anthony say that.

Carmelo Anthony is the team's biggest star and the top high school player in the nation in the 02 class, a recognized basketball prodigy.

Players of this caliber will definitely receive special treatment within the team, such as unlimited shooting rights, or a slightly easier defensive role to ensure sufficient stamina for better offensive performance.

In fact, Syracuse University's player structure is like this. In Jim Boheim's plan, senior Cus Edwards should do everything he can to guard Hansen Lee and reduce his offensive threat.

Cameron Anthony said seriously:

"I'm definitely the best at defending Hansen Lee."

"I hope to bring a championship to Syracuse University."

To be fair, Melon is quite loyal.

He joined Syracuse University because the Oranges were the first team to extend an offer to him last year.

And Anthony lived up to expectations, leading the team into the March Madness Finals, where they performed quite spectacularly.

Coach Jim Boehm expressed his concern: "Cameron, in that case, will you still be able to maintain sufficient stamina on the offensive end?"

Anthony laughed and said, "Boss, we'll be on vacation after this game anyway."

"Besides, that kid said in front of the media that my skills are 'not bad,' so I'm definitely going to teach him a lesson when we face off!"

Jim Boehm looked at Anthony with a trusting gaze.

It would be a waste for such a talented player to stay in college and play in the NCAA.

Now that we've reached the March Madness Grand Finals, what's there to be afraid of?

"OK! Cameron, whatever you say!"

"Go for it! Beat Hansen Lee to a pulp!"

……

The date is May 7th.

New Orleans, Louisiana Superdome.

The highly anticipated NCAA finals have officially begun.

Unlike previous years, the two teams that met in the finals this year do not have much of a history in the NCAA.

Syracuse Oranges didn't even make it to March Madness last year;

The University of Arizona Wildcats are slightly better off; they won the NCAA championship six years ago, but they are still significantly behind the traditional powerhouses.

From a roster perspective, the two teams that have met in the finals are more like ordinary teams.

Apart from Carmelo Anthony, the rest of the Orange team are unremarkable;

On the Wildcats' side, Hansen Lee has only really stepped up in the last two games, and Luke Walton is predicted to be a second-round pick on a draft website.

The biggest highlight of this game is the showdown between Hansen Lee and Carmelo Anthony!

Even before the game started, the atmosphere in the entire stadium was already incredibly high.

In addition to fans of both teams, many prominent figures from various sectors also came to the scene to watch this basketball extravaganza.

Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and others took their seats in the audience, chatting and laughing while covering their mouths.

Players such as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Steve Kerr, Shawn Marion, and Gilbert Arenas were also present to watch the game. The latter three are graduates of the University of Arizona and came to cheer on their juniors.

Denzel Washington, dressed in a suit, also attended the event. The Oscar-winning actor, a graduate of Syracuse University's drama department, came to support his alma mater.

Other notable figures include current NBA Commissioner David Stern and boxing champion Mike Tyson.

This demonstrates the high quality of this year's NCAA finals.

Soon, both sides finished their warm-up.

The starting players come on.

Both teams made few changes to their starting lineups, sticking with their previous rosters to ensure stability.

During the jump ball preparation, Anthony directly approached Li He, which surprised host Jim Nantz.

"It seems the Orange team has taken the initiative to counter them!"

"Cameron Anthony approached Hansen Lee directly!"

"Coach Jim Boehm made a very bold matchup!"

Anthony was never one to back down; as soon as he got close to Li He, he subtly launched a confrontation.

Unexpectedly, Li He was already prepared, and after the collision, Li He was not affected at all.

Hmm? His physical strength is indeed impressive. Anthony thought to himself.

Before he could think further, he heard Li He sigh:

"Cameron, are you trying to intimidate me?"

"Honestly, your resistance is like a donut."

Anthony hadn't expected Li He to be so sharp-tongued, managing to connect "confrontation" with "donuts."

"Hansen, you've only played two matches. Who gave you the audacity to provoke me?"

Li He shook his head: "This is actually a lament from the bottom of my heart."

"Cameron, this is the closest you've ever come to a championship in your career."

"But sorry, you ran into me."

Li He is absolutely right. Throughout Carmelo Anthony's career, apart from one NCAA championship title, he has never won another championship.

And now, even the NCAA championship is in jeopardy.