Abnormal Sidestep Speed

No one wanted to see Thick Eyebrows get injured, and Wang Yi didn't either.

But objectively speaking, Thick Eyebrows' injury was precisely his opportunity.

With Thick Eyebrows injured, his playing time would be distributed among other players.

His shooting opportunities would also be distributed among other players.

Wang Yi would naturally benefit as well.

Of course, this also meant greater responsibility.

All these benefiting players would have to share the scoring burden of Thick Eyebrows.

Thick Eyebrows was currently averaging 25.8 points per game.

These few benefiting players combined had to score this many points for the team's record not to decline.

Coach Vogel said a few more encouraging words, finally stating:

"This afternoon's practice session will be a scrimmage."

When the players heard this, they all perked up.

Other training sessions, whether shooting practice, tactical training, or strength training, were extremely tedious.

Only the team scrimmage was somewhat interesting.

Vogel said:

"LeBron, Harrell, Caruso, Pope, Wang, you're one team."

"Drummond, Schroder, Tucker, Gasol, Morris, you're the other team."

Vogel's division naturally had its purpose.

With Thick Eyebrows out, he had to try out several lineups.

Harrell's ability to finish lobs was stronger than Drummond's, and he also had some mid-range ability, which could open up space for LeBron's drives.

Caruso and Pope were both strong defenders.

Coupled with Wang Yi, a typical 3D player.

This lineup, except for Harrell's weaker defense and height, could be considered the best theoretical lineup the Lakers could field right now.

After being assigned to a different team than LeBron, Little Black's gaze once again locked onto Wang Yi.

Wang Yi pretended not to see it.

Little Black glanced at LeBron, then walked over.

He tilted his chin and provocatively said to Wang Yi:

"Hey, East-erner, do you dare to guard me?"

Facing such provocation, Wang Yi naturally wouldn't back down.

He sneered:

"What is there to dare not?"

Hearing this, Little Black's already pent-up anger intensified.

He was a player striving for a max contract.

And Wang Yi's personality had always been relatively gentle.

In Little Black's eyes, this was weakness.

He thought that if he provoked him a little, this guy wouldn't dare to accept.

He didn't expect him to actually accept.

When did a mere short-term contract player dare to be so bold in front of him?

Since that was the case, he wouldn't hold back.

"A 3D player? I'll show you how easily your defense can be broken!"

He dropped a harsh threat.

Wang Yi didn't respond.

He preferred to shut people up with his performance rather than with a moment of quick wit.

Today's team scrimmage was ten minutes per half, a total of twenty minutes.

After the tip-off, Schroder got the ball.

He dribbled it past half-court.

Gasol intended to set a screen for him.

But he waved his left hand, telling Little Gasol to move aside.

Then he pointed at Wang Yi: "Come here!"

Wang Yi didn't hold back either, striding forward, spreading his legs, and getting into his defensive stance.

Since someone was looking to get beaten up, it was only natural to oblige.

Coach Vogel could tell Schroder was fired up.

But he didn't stop him.

Sometimes, you just had to let off steam.

If you kept suppressing it, the real problems would arise when it finally exploded.

Besides, certain player issues, like who gets the ball or how much playing time they get, could be resolved through competition.

Only when you're strong enough will others respect you.

Furthermore, he wanted to see if Wang Yi's defensive efficiency changed against different offensive players.

At this point, the other players mostly spread out, leaving the court to the two of them.

Schroder's face was full of confidence, even a hint of arrogance.

He was very confident in his drives.

His driving speed was incredibly fast.

In the league, apart from the top defenders, he hadn't encountered anyone who could stop his drives.

Driving was his bread and butter.

This time, after dribbling three times, he suddenly accelerated and drove from the right.

He had no respect for Wang Yi.

So he didn't even bother with changes of direction or spins.

In his eyes, a simple acceleration would be enough to leave this Easterner lost.

However, the moment he took a step to the right.

Wang Yi had already slid over one step, cutting off his path.

He couldn't stop in time and crashed directly into Wang Yi.

The collision also caused him to lose the ball.

Caruso, quick as a flash on the other side, grabbed the ball and sprinted down the court for a slam dunk!

The coach on the sidelines' eyes lit up.

As a coach, he keenly felt that Wang Yi's defense seemed different.

Exactly how it was different would require observing a few more possessions.

In the second possession, Little Black continued to hold the ball.

Wang Yi continued to defend.

Even though it was just an intra-squad scrimmage, the tension was palpable.

Having been shut down last time, Little Black added a change of direction this time.

His change of direction wasn't as rhythmically distinct as Harden's or Durant's.

His changes of direction were usually quite simple.

He'd dribble left, then suddenly execute a very quick change of direction to his right hand—primarily relying on speed to break through.

However, if it was just about speed, he had no advantage whatsoever against Wang Yi.

Wang Yi increasing his lateral movement speed by twenty percent wasn't a joke.

He slid over one step again, quickly cutting off Little Black's path.

When his drive failed, Little Black immediately pivoted on his left foot.

He pressed his back tightly against Wang Yi, intending to spin around using Wang Yi as a pivot.

With his back against Wang Yi, he made it impossible for Wang Yi to move.

A spin would easily get him past Wang Yi.

Wang Yi was indeed halfway past him.

But just as he pulled the ball with his right hand and spun to Wang Yi's side.

Wang Yi suddenly slid one step to his back-side, creating distance from Little Black.

Then he slid another step, once again cutting off Little Black's path.

Seeing that he couldn't break through, Little Black was forced to retreat five steps.

He returned to mid-court, creating distance.

Then he accelerated and charged towards Wang Yi.

As he approached Wang Yi's left side, he suddenly executed a between-the-legs dribble, again breaking to the right.

He was already moving incredibly fast.

Combined with his low center of gravity, the small amplitude of his change of direction made it even faster.

In such situations, very few people can defend against him.

However, Wang Yi once again shifted his position, preemptively taking up his defensive stance.

Bang--

Xiao Hei collided with Wang Yi once more.

This time, due to the excessive speed, Wang Yi was immediately sent stumbling backward.

Xiao Hei also tumbled directly onto Wang Yi.

For a moment, their entangled posture resembled that of the male and female leads in a melodramatic idol drama colliding with each other.

It was quite awkward.

"Hahahahaha..."

"Beautiful!"

"Mixing feelings with work, you two are going too far."

The surrounding players burst into laughter.

Vogel, standing nearby, had a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

He blew his whistle and signaled an offensive foul:

"Offensive foul!"