Chapter 83: Forcing Growth
When Martin announced that Gao Wen would play first singles against the Trojans, the atmosphere of the team changed subtly.
In fact, from an objective point of view, the NCAA game is a team competition. The deployment of troops is full of knowledge. Tactical substitutions of singles positions are countless and common. Even the first singles player is replaced by the fifth pick. Everything is for team victory.
But truth is truth, and human heart is human heart.
When someone comes on as a surprise player and becomes the first singles player, it naturally means that some players need to give up their positions accordingly.
Martin did not analyze the coaching staff's tactics in detail, but repeatedly emphasized the importance of the team and that they needed to fight for victory as a whole.
"Yes!" Sail responded with a giggle, not serious at all. It was obvious that it had nothing to do with him. He felt relaxed, but the two protagonists, Thompson and Gillon, did not react much. Their expressions could not be seen clearly with their lowered faces, and it was unclear what was going on in their hearts for a while.
Martin also knew that it was inevitable that a group of young boys would have some emotional fluctuations, which could not be calmed down by a few words. Sometimes, the more you talk, the more mistakes you make, and the more you explain, the less confidence they appear. After thinking about it, he didn't say anything more and let the team disband.
Grant was still a little uneasy. He looked at the players, then at the coach, and finally chased after him, "Coach, I know you think highly of Gao Wen, but is it really okay to be so anxious?"
In fact, Grant is also very optimistic about Gawain, but precisely because of this, he does not want to rush into things, which would affect Gawain's growth trajectory and would not be a good thing for the team.
Moreover, Grant was also worried about Gao Wen's position in the team. After all, Gao Wen was just a freshman.
Suddenly, Gao Wen was promoted to the first singles position. He only played three full games. What would the other senior players think? Not to mention Thompson and Gillon, there were other substitutes.
Grant thought, are you sure I don’t need to explain this in detail to the players?
Martin hesitated slightly, stopped, turned his head and looked in the direction of the court, but he never spoke.
Grant picked his fingers anxiously, then looked helplessly in the direction Martin was looking.
The players disbanded their formation and were about to start training, but Gawain quickly caught up with Thompson, bumped the 198-centimeter big man with his shoulder, said something, and then Thompson burst into laughter. The muffled laughter could be heard from a long distance away.
Then, Gawain walked towards Jilong again. The two men talked for a few words face to face. Then Gawain turned and walked towards Thompson. He could see Thompson making faces and making grimaces, which made Gawain laugh heartily, completely different from his previous silence.
Gawain and Thompson walked side by side towards the court, and it seemed that the two were going to practice serving and receiving together. Thompson was in high spirits, and he looked cheerful, without feeling any sadness at all. Not far away, Jillong was looking at Gawain and Thompson with some hesitation.
Then, Gawain turned around and shouted, "Marcos!"
In the golden sunlight, the bright smile shone brightly, as if issuing a brave challenge - not a provocation, but an upright application for a knight duel, brimming with confidence and vigor.
Jilong's chin was also slightly raised. Maybe it couldn't be seen from the front, but it could be clearly seen from the back. He unconsciously straightened his back and opened his shoulders, emitting an inviolable pride from the inside out. Then he picked up his racket and walked towards the training ground. His not strong figure also revealed a vigorous spirit.
Flaunting and surging.
"That kid is smarter than you think."
Grant heard Martin's voice in his ears. He turned his head back in a daze, and then he could see a smile on Martin's lips with a hint of relief.
Grant seemed to understand something vaguely.
Martin certainly knew he was taking a risk—
Forcing things to happen is what he has always opposed. There is absolutely no need to harm the lives of these children for the sake of a game or a season. But this does not mean that Martin is restrained. On the contrary, he is a coach who dares to take risks.
Just look at Thompson, who was the sixth singles player last year but has been promoted to the first singles player this year. Thompson's explosive level is one reason, and Martin's trust and boldness are another reason.
Martin's decision to use Gao Wen as the first singles player in the upcoming game against his city rival was a well-thought-out decision.
In the last game, Gawain's performance under pressure was truly eye-catching, but what Martin really admired was Gawain's calmness and wisdom in a crisis situation. His use of tactical combinations was far superior to his peers. In a league like the NCAA that is used to playing with talent, the advantage of brains is far greater than imagined.
Indeed, strength and speed are absolute advantages, but when the "absolute advantage" is not so absolute, the mind can become the key to turning the situation around.
Just now, Gawain's different ways of dealing with Thompson and Gillon have proved that Martin's judgment is correct. His psychological maturity and rational wisdom are undoubtedly one of Gawain's strengths. More importantly, Gawain can bring such strengths to the court and become part of the game, which is even more valuable.
It can even be said that he is one in a million, which makes Martin further certain that his deployment of troops is correct.
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Facing the University of Southern California, the team despises the opponent strategically but needs to take the opponent seriously tactically. Martin knows that the team's ability to win four consecutive championships is not just luck. If the Bruins want to suppress the arrogance of their arch-rivals at home, the deployment of troops cannot be taken lightly.
Martin believes that Gawain can be a surprise attack.
When facing the Sooners, if the Bruins were playing at home, Martin would want to let Gawain play as the third singles to impact the opponent's lineup, but after some mistakes, Gawain still faced Harris, the No. 3 singles player of the Sooners, and his actual performance proved that Martin's idea was correct.
When considering the lineup against the Trojans, Martin did think about actually letting Gawain play as the third singles instead of rushing into letting Gawain play as the first singles, but the situation changed slightly.
After the Sooners' game, the Trojans must have noticed Gawain, and the possibility of them seeing through Martin's strategy in advance has greatly increased. So if Martin wants to break the deadlock, he needs to think more, at least take one more step than the Trojans.
On the one hand, Martin needs to measure Gawain's strength and condition, and which player of the Trojans can play the role of a surprise soldier and overturn the opponent.
On the other hand, Martin needs to guess his opponent's thoughts and cleverly use Gawain's ranking to truly break the Trojans' layout and seize the initiative.
First singles, this is the result of careful consideration and comprehensive consideration.
(End of this chapter)