Prose firmly believes that Qin Yue's future is definitely in the NBA.
It's not just because of Qin Yue's continuous progress over the past half year, but also because Prose understands Qin Yue's experience.
In Prose's view, a player like Qin Yue, who turns over a new leaf, as long as he sets his mind to it, often means that his heart has already been tempered before entering the NBA.
In his past coaching career, Prose has seen too many geniuses rise, and has seen many fall like meteors.
He knows very well that for a young player climbing towards the Mountain Peak, besides talent, mindset is equally important.
For example, if Carter and Kobe swapped bodies...
Kobe would likely still be Kobe, but Carter might not still be that Demigod.
At Cameron Arena, as Sheldon was continuously thwarted by Qin Yue offensively, Duke's bench, led by the always perceptive Mike Shashevsky, quickly judged in his heart.
Even though on the court, after Qin Yue received a pass from the outside and scored a three-pointer for the Devil's Deacon Team, Coach K felt that Qin Yue's play tonight was somewhat inexplicable, but solely based on his successful defense against Sheldon, Coach K saw potential and talent far above Sheldon in Qin Yue.
In terms of height, Qin Yue is a few centimeters taller than Sheldon, yet his agility is superior to Sheldon's.
Additionally, he has a pair of long arms that are no less than Sheldon's.
And...
He is even bulkier than the famously strong Sheldon.
What kind of human physique is this?
LeBron James?
"If he really is the Eastern version of LeBron James, then why didn't he choose to skip college?
Why have I never heard his name in his high school days? And why is there no record of him playing in his freshman year?" At this moment, Coach K wondered in his heart.
Actually, if we only consider dynamic talent, the current Qin Yue is undoubtedly still a distance from those true monsters.
But just like how Durant doesn't need Iguodala's leap to defeat James in the Finals, when Qin Yue's already exaggerated static talent combines with his gradually activated dynamic talent...
An astonishing Beast appears before the world.
On the court, the Devil's Deacon Team attacks, and after a high pick-and-roll with Paul, Qin Yue successfully fakes a shot to trick Sheldon, then flies into the Blue Demon's territory, completing a one-handed dunk that leaves the entire arena silent.
"What's this kind of play?"
Looking at Sheldon, who seems to be opposing a guard tonight, Coach K grabbed his hair in frustration.
Under Prose's bold attempt, although Qin Yue's dribbling is far from flashy at this moment, using speed and power, Sheldon, who is pulled out of the three-second zone, has no way to deal with Qin Yue in the game.
"Inside, Sheldon can use his defensive experience to block Qin.
But outside, Sheldon lacks the speed and agility to keep up with Qin." On the Devil's Deacon Team's bench, Prose said to Victor.
Upon hearing this, after pondering for a moment, Victor said, "So, Skip, is this why you insisted before the game that Sheldon couldn't pose a threat to Qin?"
Prose shook his head and said, "Far more than that."
On the court, it's another offensive turn for the Devil's Deacon Team.
This time, after a hand-off pass with Paul, Qin Yue successfully screens Du Hong, known for his pursuit defense ability in college basketball.
Then, Paul hits a three-pointer.
"Skip, I remember two months ago you told me, with Qin's ability to read the game, he will eventually become a stable ball handler for us on the court.
Is it safe to say this is why you think he has more potential than Sheldon?" After Paul hit the three-pointer, Victor said.
But on the sidelines, Prose still shook his head and said, "This is just the beginning."
Coming back, Duke's possession.
On the wing, after receiving Sheldon's screen, Redick showed a sly smile as Qin Yue lunged towards him.
However, just when Redick innocently thought he tricked Qin Yue with a fake move, he rushed into the Devil's Deacon Team's paint only to face a fierce block from Qin Yue in the next second.
Clearly, Redick overestimated his ball-driving speed.
And underestimated Qin Yue's ability to recover swiftly after being tricked.
"With his defensive attitude and arm span, given time, he can definitely become a top defender." At this moment, Victor felt like a student endlessly guessing before the teacher reveals the correct answer.
No matter how many positives he mentioned about Qin Yue, Prose would refute him in the next second:
Qin Yue is not as incapable as you think!
In the first half, Qin Yue, playing 14 minutes for the Devil's Deacon Team, scored a total of 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
His outstanding performance on both offense and defense helped the team lead 45 to 30 at halftime.
During halftime, TV commentator George Wilson said, "In tonight's first half, we must tip our hats to the Devil's Deacon Team.
Especially Qin, who dominated Sheldon Williams on both ends of the court."
Beside him, Wilson's partner Henry James said, "Qin is indeed impressive.
He can control the ball from the outside, facilitate from the high post, and he even hit a beautiful three-pointer and several mid-range shots during the game.
Tonight, he gives me the feeling that he's like..."
"Hey, man, can't you just finish your sentence?"
"Ah, like a more athletic... Larry Bird?"
Well, no wonder you were stuttering just now.
A more athletic version of Larry Bird?
You really dare to say that, buddy!
I wonder how Bird himself would feel hearing such a comment?
At this moment, seeing the glance from his commentary partner, James hurriedly added, "I was just expressing my impression of Qin because he's truly versatile on the court tonight."
Upon hearing this, Wilson helped out by saying, "Everyone has the right to express their opinion, and tonight, facing the second-best in the nation at his position, Qin proved himself with an outstanding performance.
I think after this game, people will be keen to discuss his future draft template."
After halftime, the game resumed.
In the second half, Prose split Qin Yue's playing time into two segments.
Since the Devil's Deacon Team had a huge lead, after letting Qin Yue play for the first five minutes of the second half, Prose didn't send him back on the court until 8 minutes and 45 seconds remained in the half.
From Prose's perspective, if one had to pick on Qin Yue's current shortcomings, it would undoubtedly be his stamina.
There's no way around it.
Even Qin Yue must adhere to the objective laws of basketball in the short term.
Not to mention the load imposed on him by his weight and playing style...
And the pile of debts he owed before—how could he possibly pay them all back in such a short time?
It's worth mentioning that during the time Qin Yue was resting, Sheldon Williams, who traveled off-peak, momentarily regained his former brilliance on the court.
Evans indeed didn't lie to Qin Yue before the game.
Because after he left the court, Beast Ellis was like an ATM machine in front of Sheldon, letting him do whatever he wanted on the court.
Facing the beast, looking as massive as Godzilla, Ellis, Sheldon couldn't be more delighted at the time.
Evidently, Sheldon, who is somewhat self-aware, has deeply realized that the challenge posed by Qin Yue is not something he can solve.
But...
Sheldon's momentum didn't last long.
Because that man who silenced Cameron Arena several times tonight, after fully recharging on the sidelines, returned to the court with his signature big strides.
And right upon returning, Qin Yue shattered the little confidence Sheldon had regained with a LeBron James-esque chase-down block after a team offensive turnover.
Dude, can we just talk it out?
Do you have to use your talent to bully people?
At Cameron Arena, in the final moments of the game, with Qin Yue and Paul taking turns taking over the game...
This nationally recognized number one devil's home court could only be described as silent as a grave.
To this, TV commentator Wilson said, "I've never seen Duke supporters so frustrated.
It seems that the Devil's Deacon Team, true to its name, is judging the Blue Demon tonight."
Due to the dramatic mood swings of young players, apart from producing comebacks, college basketball often sees blowouts too.
In the game, even if the strengths of both sides are evenly matched, as long as one side gains momentum, the other might collapse like a mountain.
This night, Coach K and his disciples couldn't possibly be happy.
Because until the last minute of the game...
The man who had infuriated the entire arena from the start didn't give Blue Demon any chance to regain their dignity!
...
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