At the Qingbei training base, the women's basketball team's morning run chants echoed throughout the stadium. On their first day back at training, they were all full of energy and spirit.
After the morning run, Coach Wang announced the latest starting lineup and tactical adjustments.
"The key players for the second half of the regular season were: center Yang Lingling, power forward Shu Juan, small forward Sun Meng, shooting guard Lu Xuping, and point guard Lu Yu. The tactics mainly relied on combo guards and swingmen to drive the ball in."
Coach Wang glanced around and continued, "At the same time, there will be more rotations in the substitute roster. This is also a lesson learned from the first half of the regular season. We can't use a single tactic and completely fixed personnel. Players like small forward Yang Liu, shooting guard Chu Feiyu, and point guard Wang Jie will all be involved in training matches in the future."
The field was silent for several seconds.
This result seems to have been expected.
Chu Feiyu secretly suppressed her disappointment. That's right, she wasn't like Sun Meng, with all-around advantages. Her weaknesses were quite obvious; her shooting percentage from a stationary position was too low, which wasn't suitable for a shooting guard. Coaches should be cautious when using young players.
Just as Chu Feiyu was silently planning her stationary shooting practice, a sarcastic and sharp voice rang out.
Wang Jie disagreed, "Coach, I have something to say. I think the tactical priority of combo guards has been raised too high. Maintaining a stable competitive state is the most important thing. So I don't think Lu Yu is qualified to be a starter."
Coach Wang calmed down and said, "This is a decision made by the coaching staff. No player wants to miss the game. Wang Jie, I hope you can adjust your mindset."
Wang Jie has already offended the coach, and she's determined to fight for a chance today. "Coach, is it because of Tengyue's sponsorship support that Lu Yu can play as a starter so easily? With the tactical adjustments, out of the five starters, only Lu Yu and I switched positions. It's hard not to be suspicious."
Coach Wang was publicly slandered and was so angry that he wanted to curse. He tried his best to keep his emotions in check, but the reprimand in his words was very obvious. "Am I the coach or are you the coach? Lu Yu's dribbling skills and tactical adjustment ability are far superior to yours. In the game before the Spring Festival, the substitute team beat the main team. Do I need to help you recall that? Shouldn't Lu Yu have replaced you? Go and reflect on yourself."
Wang Jie was scolded until her face turned red and her neck became thick. "Everyone knows that Sun Meng and Lu Yu are close. She threw the game. What could I do?"
"Shameless." Sun Meng's cold voice came over.
Wang Jie retorted, "Coach, I just want a fair chance to compete. Lu Yu just pushed me out like this, I don't accept it!"
Coach Wang was put on the spot in front of everyone. If it weren't for Lu Yu, and someone else had replaced Wang Jie, he could have spent the whole day criticizing Wang Jie. But now, the more assertive he appears, the more likely he is to be criticized.
Coach Wang glanced at Lu Yu, who was standing there leisurely, with no difference in expression from usual, as if the topic of conversation had nothing to do with her.
With a heavy training schedule, Coach Wang didn't want to leave any worries for the team. After a moment's consideration, he said, "Wang Jie, I'll give you this chance. Tomorrow you and Lu Yu will play 3v3. Sun Meng won't participate. You two will each find your own teams. Today's training schedule is suspended to give you time to work out. Is that fair? In competitive matches, it's all about winning and losing. And don't throw any more tantrums afterward!"
Wang Jie nodded reluctantly. This competition was crucial. Wang Jie knew her situation; if she lost this competition, the coaching staff would not give her another chance to play.
Lu Yu, who had remained silent until now, spoke calmly: "Coach, so you're saying the starting lineup isn't finalized today, and we'll have to see the results of tomorrow's game, right?"
"Yes." Coach Wang didn't understand what Lu Yu meant and looked up in confusion.
Lu Yu said expressionlessly, "Chu Feiyu has the ability to be a starting scorer. Her off-ball movement and quick stop shooting are outstanding. I'm open to the 3v3 game, and I'll choose Chu Feiyu to play with me. I hope the coach can keep an eye on her performance and reconsider."
Lu Yu's words left Coach Wang with a lot of room for maneuver, without putting too much pressure on him. Compared to Wang Jie, Coach Wang was naturally happy to accept such a suggestion. "Okay, I'll consider it."
Chu Feiyu and Lu Yu were a bit far apart, and although they were standing in the same row, Chu Feiyu couldn't see Lu Yu's expression. But Lu Yu's calm tone inexplicably gave her immense courage and confidence.
Seeing Coach Wang nod, Lu Yu turned to Wang Jie and said, "Wang Jie, let's select the players."
As soon as Lu Yu finished speaking, Wang Jie's thoughts came through.
[Among the main players are Yang Lingling, Shu Juan, and Lu Xuping. Lu Yu will definitely bring Chu Feiyu along. As long as I select Yang Lingling and Shu Juan, no matter how Lu Yu plays, he won't be able to get into the paint.]
This person is really cunning...
Lu Yu knew what Wang Jie was up to. After thinking for two seconds, he decided not to let her succeed. Before Wang Jie could speak, he said, "Lu Xuping and Chu Feiyu have the same position. You and Lu Xuping have been working together for so many years. Yang Lingling and Shu Juan, let's each choose one. You choose first. It's not like I'm bullying you, is it?"
Wang Jie was forced to abandon her original plan after being prompted by Lu Yu's words. After thinking for a while, she finally chose center Yang Lingling and shooting guard Lu Xuping based on their strength under the basket and their scoring ability from the outside.
Lu Yu selected power forward Shu Juan and backup shooting guard Chu Feiyu.
The day of practice was tight. Lu Yu, Chu Feiyu, and Shu Juan had never played together as a team before. By the end of the day, the basic tactics and offensive strategies were finalized.
Lu Yu and her teammates decided to forgo rebounding. Their offensive strategy focused less on outside and inside drives. Their defensive objective was primarily to disrupt half-court connections.
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