Surprising the Opponents

Four days after the regular season concluded, the playoffs of the major leagues began simultaneously. The Parker Ten league playoffs started with four matches all scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 12th.

USC's first-round opponent was the Stanford Cardinals. Despite USC's clear dominance throughout the season, head coach Tim stressed the importance of respecting their opponents and maintaining focus.

"In single-elimination games, there's no room for complacency. Underestimating any opponent is a recipe for disaster," Tim cautioned his team. "To achieve greatness, you must be prepared both physically and mentally. Leave no room for regrets on the court."

Tim's words resonated deeply with the team, dispelling any lingering thoughts of overconfidence. USC approached the game against Stanford with utmost seriousness, treating it as if it were a championship final.

The result reflected their focused approach. USC controlled the game against Stanford, building a commanding lead of nearly 30 points with just over two minutes left on the clock. The intensity and focus exhibited by USC left Stanford players visibly disheartened as they shook hands at the game's conclusion. The final score was USC 82, Stanford 53.

Even in victory, Lian Dao displayed empathy towards his opponents. During the post-game handshake, he offered a reassuring pat on a Stanford player's shoulder and remarked, "You guys gave it your all out there."

Despite Lian Dao's genuine gesture, he couldn't help but notice the perplexed expressions on the faces of Stanford players. It seemed his words may have been met with disbelief or misunderstanding, possibly due to the unexpected compliment after a decisive loss.

On March 13, USC faced off against the Arizona Sun Devils in the league's playoff semifinals, a team led by none other than James Harden.

In addition to Harden, the Sun Devils featured a formidable center named Jeff Ayers.

Lian Dao recalled Ayers being selected 31st overall by the Sacramento Kings in this year's second-round draft, before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Unfortunately, Ayers' season was abruptly halted due to a torn cruciate ligament suffered during the 2010-11 preseason.

In this game against the Arizona Sun Devils, Lian Dao found himself matched up against James Harden once again. Known for his speed and skill, Harden aimed to exploit his advantage against Lian Dao. However, Lian Dao surprised him by matching Harden step for step whenever he attempted to drive to the basket. This unexpected speed from Lian Dao left Harden momentarily bewildered.

"This guy's quicker than I remembered," Harden muttered to himself as he tried to maneuver past Lian Dao. But as he pushed forward, a slight mishandle of the ball gave Lian Dao the opening he needed. In a swift motion, Lian Dao stole the ball and launched into a fast break, showcasing his newfound agility and strength.

As Lian Dao sprinted down the court, dribbling effortlessly, he approached the three-point line with determination. His long legs propelled him forward, allowing him to cover ground with fewer steps than his opponents. With a powerful leap from just inside the free-throw line, Lian Dao soared towards the hoop and hammered the ball home with a commanding dunk.

Under the basket, James Harden watched with a mix of admiration and frustration. He knew challenging Lian Dao in the air would likely end in failure given Lian Dao's superior strength and height, he would just end up getting a foul. It was a realization that left him briefly stunned, contemplating the evolving prowess of his opponent.

In this game against the Arizona Sun Devils, Lian Dao found himself matched up against James Harden once again. Known for his speed and skill, Harden aimed to exploit his advantage against Lian Dao. However, Lian Dao surprised him by matching Harden step for step whenever he attempted to drive to the basket. This unexpected speed from Lian Dao left Harden momentarily bewildered.

"This guy's quicker than I remembered," Harden muttered to himself as he tried to maneuver past Lian Dao. But as he pushed forward, a slight mishandle of the ball gave Lian Dao the opening he needed. In a swift motion, Lian Dao stole the ball and launched into a fast break, showcasing his newfound agility and strength.

As Lian Dao sprinted down the court, dribbling effortlessly, he approached the three-point line with determination. His long legs propelled him forward, allowing him to cover ground with fewer steps than his opponents. With a powerful leap from just inside the free-throw line, Lian Dao soared towards the hoop and hammered the ball home with a commanding dunk.

Under the basket, James Harden watched with a mix of admiration and frustration. He knew challenging Lian Dao in the air would likely end in failure given Lian Dao's superior strength and height. It was a realization that left him briefly stunned, contemplating the evolving prowess of his opponent.

"He's not the same player I faced before," Harden muttered, acknowledging Lian Dao's improvement.

Indeed, Lian Dao lived up to his reputation as a game-changer, demonstrating his ability to defend and counterattack with finesse, culminating in a spectacular full-court dunk.

James Harden, learning from the matchup, adjusted his strategy. Instead of relying solely on speed, he employed subtle feints to draw fouls from Lian Dao. Aware of Harden's tactics, Lian Dao remained vigilant but felt a pang of frustration at times, recognizing Harden's mastery of exploiting rule nuances.

"I can't believe this," Lian Dao muttered in disbelief during one of Harden's clever maneuvers.

Nevertheless, Lian Dao maintained composure, occasionally baiting Harden into thinking he had an opening, only to foil his attempts with quick reactions. Harden's trademark step-back three-point attempt met Lian Dao's anticipatory defense, leaving Harden stunned as Lian Dao swatted the ball away effortlessly.

DeMar swiftly capitalized on the turnover, driving for a powerful dunk, exacerbating the Arizona Sun Devils' woes.

Coach Herb Sendek's exhortations to Harden to pass rather than play isolation fell on deaf ears amidst USC's suffocating defense. Hindered by USC's superior talent and defensive prowess, the Sun Devils struggled to find open shots, resorting to rushed attempts that often missed their mark.

USC's dominance was evident throughout, leading to a decisive victory over the Arizona Sun Devils with a commanding 83-59 scoreline, securing a 24-point lead by the end of the game.

In this pivotal game, Lian Dao displayed an impressive stat line of 28 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. As the players exchanged handshakes post-game, Lian Dao noticed James Harden glaring at him with resentment.

Lian Dao attributed Harden's reaction to the sting of defeat. He couldn't help but feel a touch of nostalgia, reflecting on their earlier, more innocent days when Harden hadn't yet transformed into the formidable player he was, in the NBA.

Lian Dao couldn't have known that Harden's look was more about being impressed and wary of Lian Dao's abilities. Harden suspected there was more to Lian Dao than met the eye, preparing mentally to face him again during March Madness.

DeMar also glanced at Harden with a proud grin, and Harden couldn't help but roll his eyes at DeMar's victorious demeanor.

The two had known each other since childhood, with DeMar often getting the better of Harden back in junior high.

However, as they entered high school, Harden underwent a remarkable transformation. Over the past three years, his physique and basketball skills had developed significantly. Harden evolved from a slight figure easily outplayed by DeMar to a robust player with powerful drives and precise moves.

By their senior year, DeMar found it challenging to defend against his once easily handled childhood friend.

For DeMar, USC's dominant performance against the Arizona Sun Devils was a sweet form of payback, symbolizing redemption for the times he struggled against Harden during their high school rivalry.