In the next play, He Ximeng continued to hold the ball, calling for Qin Rui's high pick-and-roll, hoping to find an opportunity through the screen. However, the rookie team resolutely executed their strategy of collapsing defense, making the paint impenetrable.
After failing to break through, He Ximeng chose to pass the ball back to Wang Xian, who was near the free-throw line, for a direct shot. Wang Xian received the pass and shot. The rhythm of this shot was very comfortable. Moreover, it was from near the free-throw line, Wang Xian's favorite shooting spot, and the shot was successfully made!
Wang Xian further helped his team extend the lead to 4:1. The situation was now very unfavorable for the rookie team.
He Ximeng's team only needed one more basket to end the game.
"Watch out for He Ximeng, he'll definitely go for it himself!"
Regarding the final shot, Zhang Zhenpeng firmly believed that He Ximeng would take the shot himself. This was because Zhang Zhenpeng was a scorer, and scorers always felt that taking the shot themselves was more reliable than anyone else at any time—this was the scorer's logic.
However, for the head coach, who took the shot was not important; what mattered was how to make this shot and win the game. Winning was the priority!
Therefore, He Ximeng had no mental burden. After his drive was blocked, he did not hesitate to pass the ball again to Wang Xian near the free-throw line!
On the previous play, Wang Xian had found his rhythm in that spot; this time, he naturally ran to the same position to demand the ball.
Compared to Ming Hanfei, who had yet to score, He Ximeng naturally trusted Wang Xian, who had just made a shot!
Wang Xian received the ball and shot again. Unlike the wide-open shot before, this time Huangfu Yanlin rotated to defend, but he didn't succeed.
Wang Xian made another mid-range shot, directly killing the rookie team.
Zhang Zhenpeng shook his head, questioning He Ximeng why he didn't shoot himself. He Ximeng smiled and said, "If you were in that position, I would pass to you too..."
"You have to play the right way! Winning is our goal. Does it really matter if you score the basket or a teammate does?"
Zhang Zhenpeng, who had been instilled with the idea of individual heroism since childhood, was stunned and speechless.
Third Master quickly stepped in to clean up the situation, affirming the performance of the four new recruits who had joined the team today and welcoming them to the new collective of the Zhuzhong Basketball Team.
Afterward, Third Master eagerly disbanded the team, declaring today's training session concluded.
Due to the recruitment work earlier and the subsequent four-on-four challenge, Third Master had already wasted a significant amount of time. If he didn't leave soon, he would be late for the training class again.
After Third Master left, most of the players also dispersed.
Finally, in the gymnasium, only He Ximeng and Cui Tianci remained.
Zhang Zhenpeng and his sister had already left the gym, but seeing that He Ximeng was still there, they turned back.
"Why aren't you leaving yet?" Zhang Zhenpeng asked He Ximeng.
He Ximeng: "I plan to practice extra every day starting today..."
Cui Tianci: "I'm his assistant coach!"
Zhang Zhenpeng: "Can't you practice at home?"
He Ximeng was utterly speechless: "Do you think we can have a basketball court in our own backyard like you do?"
Zhang Zhenpeng: "Then I'll train with you?"
"Whatever you want~" He Ximeng shrugged. "Anyway, I just want to improve my shooting ability lately. Half a court is enough..."
As he spoke, He Ximeng ignored Zhang Zhenpeng and signaled to Cui Fatty to help him pick up the balls.
Compared to his past self, He Ximeng's physical fitness had significantly improved. His height had grown from 1.8 meters to 1.85 meters, his leaping ability had transformed from ground-bound to aerial, and his core strength had increased substantially. He Ximeng had gradually adapted to these improvements through dribbling, passing, and layups. However, when it came to shooting touch, due to the changes in his overall strength, He Ximeng needed to find a balance.
This was also why Zhang Zhenpeng had always suspected that He Ximeng couldn't shoot.
For his shooting technique, He Ximeng's first choice was Curry's "flick-snap three-pointer," also known as the push shot three-pointer!
The reason Curry could maintain such a high three-point shooting percentage from extremely long distances, even from the half-court logo area, was attributed to this unique shooting method!
Compared to the standard three-point shooting method, this push shot shooting method had two advantages.
The first advantage was its speed of release! It took Curry about 0.3 seconds from holding the ball to releasing the shot. Before him, even the league's top shooters needed 0.4 seconds from catching the ball to completing the shot.
The second advantage was its power! In conventional shooting, power was transmitted from the feet, then to the wrist, and finally a flick of the fingers. But in Curry's flick-snap, the motion from the arm to the finger flick was a continuous "whipping" action. The ball was flung out like a "whip," naturally extending the shooting range of three-pointers from the regular three-point line all the way to around the half-court line. Moreover, as the range expanded, the shooting form remained largely unchanged, ensuring a high degree of accuracy.
He Ximeng's original three-point shooting touch was not bad. What he needed to do now was to adapt to the changes in his overall strength while gradually adjusting his three-point shooting form towards Curry's style.