Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 14 "The Best Point Guard"

It's impossible for Xu Ling not to know Asi Rauna.

But there's really no need to be polite to this Jordan successor who starts trash-talking before the game even begins.

(1) Danzi’s famous saying: Trash talk should start before the show even begins.

Upon hearing Xu Ling's words, Lao did not show any anger. He simply gave him a deep look before turning and walking away.

"You really don't know Asi Law?"

My roommate, Cedric Craig, asked in surprise.

“How is that possible?” Xu Ling said. “Isn’t he known as the top point guard in the Big 12 league?”

"Perhaps the best point guard in college basketball," Craig said.

"So, I've offended him?"

“What do you think?” Craig glanced at Xu Ling with regret. “You actually said you don’t know him.”

Xu Ling shrugged, offering no response, and instead changed the subject: "How are you feeling?"

Craig's face darkened: "Well, that's how it is. It's not going to get any better."

Xu Ling was speechless.

Craig is probably the person he's closest to on the team. They're roommates, have spent the most time together, and know each other best. Craig was originally a freshman whom the coaching staff was heavily investing in, but unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a heart problem last month. As a result, his training volume has decreased significantly, and his personal performance has become increasingly unsuitable for college basketball standards.

"The Big 12 Conference Championship will open with a match between Texas Tech and Texas A&M!" ESPN commentator Dan Shulman introduced the basics. "Both TTU and A&M are strong contenders for March Madness spots, so this match is bound to be a fierce battle. Dick, what's your opinion?"

Shulman's partner, Dick Vitale, naturally chimed in: "TTU's 13-2 record in the preseason has lifted them off last season's slump and propelled them into the top 20 nationally. Eli Xu's arrival has greatly alleviated the pressure of Jarius Jackson's impending graduation, and I believe TTU's outside shooting will be key tonight. And everything for A&M rests on Asi Law!"

"Over the past three years, Assy has grown into one of the nation's top players, and this year, he is undoubtedly the best point guard in the country. Considering that many games are likely to go down to the wire, Assy's ability to lead his team to victory in the second half, and the fact that he performs better when the game is under pressure, it is safe to say that his performance will determine how far A&M can go!"

Xu Ling knew before the game started that Asi Law was the top point guard in the division, but after hearing the commotion on the sidelines, he realized that he had underestimated the man.

However, all of this only proves that he was a great college player, because Xu Ling had almost no impression of him, which in turn proves that he performed poorly in the NBA.

Before the game started, Knight told the starting players, "I don't care if Asi Law is the best in the country. I only know that no one in college basketball can single-handedly decide the course of a game!"

After that, the players took to the field.

Xu Ling walked up to his opponent – ​​Dominique Kirk SG, a 3D guard who was undersized. He was listed as 193 cm tall, but his height was exposed when he stood next to Xu Ling.

Xu Ling is 198 cm tall barefoot, but reports 201 cm tall with shoes on. Kirk's height data is clearly his height with shoes on, and it is also inflated. His real height is definitely not 190 cm.

However, this hardware deficiency will not have a significant impact on university competitions.

Kirk has an excellent reputation in the Big 12 league. Every coach says he is tough, ruthless, and has a reliable spot-up three-point shot. He is an invaluable asset to star players.

"I heard you don't know Assie?" Kirk mocked as soon as they met. "Could Jordan from college be that ignorant?"

Then Xu Ling had even more to say: "And who are you?"

The other party was not friendly upon first meeting.

But Xu Ling had gotten used to it; ever since he boasted that he wanted to be the college Michael Jordan, few of his opponents had been friendly.

But it's okay, he's not here to make friends.

In the opening jump ball, A&M gained possession first.

Asi Law quickly advanced the ball, and before TTU could even get a foothold, the screen had already landed next to Jarius Jackson.

Lao seized the opportunity and headed straight for the basket. Daryl Dora was a step too slow in his defense, and by the time he tried to defend, he had already given his opponent too much space.

Lao easily scored with a layup.

"Damn Daryl Dora!" Knight couldn't sit still any longer when he saw this defense. "Why is he always a step behind?!"

This is the most criticized aspect of Dora.

Before Xu Ling joined the team, Dora was recognized as TTU's number one talent. He was strong, fast, and explosive, but he was lazy and unwilling to fight hard. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a starter in his senior year.

In the transition between offense and defense, Jackson was eager to retaliate. When both called for a pick-and-roll, Law was more willing to drive to the basket, while Jackson opted for a more confident three-pointer from the outside.

"boom!"

My luck is bad!

Since his comeback, Jackson has never been in top form.

However, Xu Ling managed to grab the long rebound.

However, Xu Ling was poorly positioned and unable to launch an attack, so he had to pass the ball to the outside.

Martin Zeno drove to the basket, but missed the layup.

Xu Ling quickly retreated on defense, but in the three-on-two situation in the frontcourt, Lao Jia made a layup, drawing a foul from Jackson and scoring.

"Go back to school, JJ! You're completely useless! You can't stop me!" Lao never missed an opportunity to suppress his opponent and boost his own team's morale. "Rookie, do you recognize me now? You and I are not even in the same league!"

Xu Ling did not respond. Then, Laoga scored the free throw and went to interact with Xu Ling again: "See that! That's real skill!"

Jackson picked up the ball and shouted to Xu Ling, "Don't let that bastard affect you, let's get back at him right away!"

Xu Ling glanced at the score: 5-0. It was only the beginning, and there was still plenty of time.

But who is affected? And who is affected remains to be seen.

Xu Ling wanted to get the ball, which was never a problem before Jackson returned.

On the contrary, after Jackson returned, the power hierarchy of TTU was forcibly restored to its original state. The teammates who had followed Xu Ling to achieve a twelve-game winning streak felt awkward, and Jackson did not perform accordingly.

Xu Ling is still trying to work things out with Jackson, but he doesn't know how long his patience will last. Maybe next round?

"Get the ball, TTU Jordan, are you scared out of your wits by Assie?"

Kirk taunted Xu Ling as he fought back.

At this moment, Jackson passed the ball to Zeno, preparing to make a run to find his rhythm.

Xu Ling made a reverse run to get rid of Kirk, pointed to the sky, and Zeno almost instinctively tossed the ball into the air—inside the paint, Texas A&M's starting center Joseph Jones C, a 208cm, 125kg power forward, had already noticed TTU Jordan's intention.

"Zeno throws the ball—Eli makes a cut to get past him! Oh, he jumps! He takes flight—he takes flight!!!"

Jones did react, but what kind of reaction was it? A typical "he's just a bit clumsy" center would at most turn around, but TTU Jordan, who rushed in front of him, was like a plane launching from its stationary position, suddenly leaping up. That instantaneous burst of energy was a height Jones could never reach. He grabbed the ball, his body unconsciously straddling his opponent, and swung his right hand in a crescent moon motion, smashing the ball into the basket with the force of a thunderbolt.

BOOM!!!!!!

"Wow! W ...!"

The commentator's exclamation was drowned out by the screams inside the Union Sports Arena.

The referee reminded Xu Ling that this was a "2+1" play.

Therefore, Xu Ling had time to enjoy the reactions from the audience.

He could have done that; he could have encouraged the audience to give a more enthusiastic response, like Ashley Law did, but he didn't.

"Oh~~ He's still talking to Dominic Kirk!"

The commentator called out.

Xu Ling said to Kirk, "Didn't you tell me to get the ball? Where did you go after I got the ball?"

Then, ignoring the audience and even his opponents, Xu Ling walked straight to the free-throw line, took the ball from the referee, and scored immediately.

3 is better than 5
When returning to defense, Xu Ling said to Zeno, "Good pass."

Knight had a clear view of everything.

Leadership skills can be honed through experience, but players who are born with an innate ability to motivate others and unite a team are one in a million.

Jarius Jackson has leadership qualities. However, when there is an overwhelming gap in skill, talent, and the ability to read the game, the levels of leadership become brutally differentiated.

This is Jackson's third game since his return. He is still trapped in his inner demons, struggling with the rookie's dazzling performance, fearing the erosion of his core status, and even seemingly able to hear the ridicule from the national media—a person who has long been regarded as the core of the team, but whose core status was taken away by a rookie in his senior year of college.

Knight knew perfectly well that if TTU wanted to go further down this path, some people had to face reality and find their place.

But before that, Xu Ling needed to let Jarius Jackson know that they were indeed not on the same level.

Clearly, Xu Ling was also aware of this.

"I'm not interested in you anymore, JJ." Ash Law swiftly bypassed the disoriented Jackson, hurling a contemptuous taunt as he entered the paint. "Let that bragging rookie of yours try!"

He leaped into the air, ready to end the play with a deft layup.

However, just as the basketball was about to leave his fingertips...
A red shadow, as if anticipating Asi Law's attack, struck from the weak side like a thunderbolt!

Snapped!
A devastating block slammed the ball against the backboard! The loud thud echoed like a resounding slap throughout the arena.

Xu Ling landed, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the stunned and still reeling Asi Law, before saying, "Now I know you, the 'best point guard' who got swatted away by a rookie."

After saying that, he ignored his opponent who was frozen in place and walked straight towards Jackson.

“Captain,” Xu Ling used the title, but his tone was decisive and left no room for negotiation, “Leave that guy to me.”

Jackson was torn. Rationally, he believed Xu Ling could contain Lao, but emotionally, he felt it was beneath his dignity as captain to hand over the opponent's star player to a rookie to defend.

"No, I can still..."

“You’ve just come back, get back into rhythm first.” Xu Ling interrupted him, her tone leaving no room for argument, but then she offered him an easy way out. “Besides, their number 22 Kirk is the real problem—that guy is like a mad dog. You have to help me keep him occupied.”

These words instantly ignited Jackson's fighting spirit, burning away all the embarrassment he felt.

He immediately puffed out his chest and said confidently, "No problem, I'll teach that mad dog a lesson!"

Yes, it's your turn.

　Thank you to the kind readers who corrected the errors. Thank you to Fankun and reader 20241112100101175 for the donations. Please continue reading, add to your favorites, and vote! Thank you everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)