In Los Angeles, USA, at the famous Staples Center, during a timeout, Duke University's head coach, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), repeatedly cursed at his players: "Look at your performance on defense. Is that even defense?"
"This isn't our team's practice gym!"
"This is Los Angeles, this is the Staples Center, this is our NCAA Tournament Final Four game!"
It wasn't that Coach K had a bad temper; it was entirely because the Duke Blue Devils players' performance on both offense and defense today was terrible.
Aside from Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr., the twin towers in the paint who still played at their usual level and were worthy of a top-ten draft pick this year, the other players were completely out of sync.
It was hard enough on offense, but on defense, especially the team's perimeter defense, they were completely dominated by the backcourt duo of Alexander and Jinwoo.
"Coach, Jinwoo's athleticism is just too explosive. I can't do anything against him!"
"And Alexander, his offensive rhythm is too elusive. Against him, I feel like a complete amateur!"
The Duke Blue Devils' backcourt duo looked utterly helpless.
It wasn't that they weren't defending; they simply couldn't stop them.
That's the entire problem!
"Not only that, but his shooting is also very sharp. I think Jinwoo's shooting ability is no less than Trae Young's!"
"And their ability to relentlessly hound us on defense means we didn't have any scoring opportunities at all!"
Alexander and Jinwoo's abilities on both ends of the court were a perfect, unsolvable combination.
How the hell are you supposed to limit that?
If you think you can, then you go do it!
Hearing all his players sound like fans of the opposing team, Coach K fell silent.
He knew the team had lost any realistic chance of making it to the finals.
"Coach, we haven't lost yet!"
As the team's core player, Marvin Bagley III, naturally wouldn't give up easily.
After the timeout, he aggressively grabbed an offensive rebound in the paint over Vanderbilt and scored two points with a putback, helping the team break its scoring drought.
But unfortunately, his teammates were just not strong enough to follow through.
Jinwoo was like a sharp blade unsheathed, relentlessly cutting down the Duke Blue Devils' hopes again and again.
"Crazy! Jinwoo's crossover not only shook off Grayson Allen but also knocked him to the ground, and his pull-up three-pointer was right on target!"
"Let's pray for Grayson Allen, hoping his ankle is okay!"
"Woohoo! Jinwoo hit another fast-break three-pointer! He already has 28 points, and the second half has just begun. This is absolutely terrifying!"
"This will be another one of his individual highlight shows!"
"Come on! Jinwoo shook off Grayson Allen, drove to the basket, and slammed the ball into the hoop over Marvin Bagley III!"
"His athleticism is simply outstanding, and what's even more astonishing is that he possesses super strength that doesn't match his lean build. Marvin Bagley III couldn't withstand his impact at all and was violently knocked out of bounds by him!"
"..."
With five minutes left in the game, the Kentucky Wildcats had taken an 80-60, 20-point lead.
"This is the first time the Kentucky Wildcats have achieved a 20-point lead in this NCAA Tournament!"
The huge score advantage on the court led Kenny Smith, at the commentary desk, to directly declare: "Duke University simply cannot solve the backcourt duo of Alexander and Jinwoo on defense!"
"Compared to Duke University, the Kentucky Wildcats look more like a super team!"
"Duke University can basically declare their season over. We can even congratulate the Kentucky Wildcats in advance for advancing to the final!"
The world-renowned Coach K finally stopped yelling.
He realized that no matter how much he roared, no matter how much he expressed his dissatisfaction with the players, the players on the court could not regain their former state.
This game was firmly controlled by the Kentucky Wildcats from the very beginning.
The Duke Blue Devils, lacking the offensive and defensive firepower of a backcourt duo like Alexander and Jinwoo, finally reached their limit.
At one point, Coach K even fantasized about what if Jinwoo was under his command.
Then, even if they were down by 20 points at this moment in today's game, what would it matter?
Unfortunately, Jinwoo, who could create miracles, stood on the opposite side of Coach K.
"Beep!"
Finally, the red lights signifying the end of the game illuminated the edges of both baskets!
All the players on the Kentucky Wildcats bench excitedly rushed onto the court, embracing their teammates who were standing on the court.
Alexander found Jinwoo immediately and hugged him tightly in the center of the court!
"The game is over!"
Smith and Barkley at the commentary desk were also infected by the Kentucky Wildcats' celebration: "In this clash of powerhouses, the Kentucky Wildcats stood tall at the end!"
"They have entered the NCAA Tournament final once again after several years!"
Barkley also stood up and applauded towards the Kentucky Wildcats: "Jinwoo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are embracing in the center of the court, and time seems to stand still at this moment!"
"This backcourt duo is enough to rival a thousand armies!"
Throughout the game, Jinwoo contributed 34 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, practically filling his stat sheet.
Alexander contributed 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Kentucky Wildcats' backcourt duo combined for 54 points, accounting for well over half of the team's total score!
"This game was completely one-sided!"
Watching the young men celebrate on the court, Kevin Love, in the audience, even yawned: "The Kentucky Wildcats are too strong; they will be the ultimate champions!"
"It's the Duke Blue Devils who are too weak; they simply can't limit Jinwoo's performance on defense!"
LeBron James shrugged: "In half-court offense, we can see Jinwoo's various unsolvable isolations, and in fast-break situations, this guy's athleticism is definitely one of the best in the league!"
At this point, James very deliberately glanced at Kobe and Magic Johnson, who were smiling beside him.
An NCAA Tournament game, and you two are smiling so happily?
"LeBron, we'll see you in the finals!"
Still smiling, Magic Johnson was the first to stand up and bid farewell to James: "Don't tell me you won't go to the finals!"
"You guys really have an eye on Jinwoo!"
Seemingly having his suspicions confirmed, James was also a bit smug: "You want Jinwoo to join the Los Angeles Lakers?"
"Don't be so sure…"
Magic Johnson and Kobe turned and walked away: "Perhaps we're supporting Villanova University? Or perhaps we're more optimistic about Vanderbilt?"
Optimistic about Villanova University?
More optimistic about Vanderbilt??
James watched Magic Johnson and Kobe's retreating figures and couldn't help but curl his lip.
"LeBron, we should go too!"
Kevin Love then stood up and patted James's shoulder: "Let's come back for the finals!"