"Brother, why don't you just join Zhuzhong!" Zhang Tian'ai, using her brother's well-being as an excuse, began her attempt to sway him. "Otherwise, you'll lose 0:3!"
Zhang Zhenpeng ignored the "traitor" by the sidelines. He quickly replayed the last play in his mind, wondering if he could have pulled it off if given another chance.
The review of the play concluded that the situation was not optimistic. Zhang Zhenpeng was too tall and too strong. While his jumping ability was good, his hang time wasn't that long, and it would be difficult for him to fold and unfold his body so elegantly in the air.
"This is tough..."
After losing two consecutive points, Zhang Zhenpeng finally realized that things were not looking good! He seemed to have underestimated this Number 4 who "can't shoot"! At least, his drives and layups were top-notch! While he had the advantage in height and weight, he was at a significant disadvantage in speed. How to break through?
"Do you want to swap possession?" He Ximeng once again asked for Zhang Zhenpeng's opinion.
Zhang Zhenpeng gritted his teeth and insisted. He passed the basketball back to He Ximeng with a dribble, then retreated two steps, falling back to the free-throw line, effectively leaving He Ximeng open from beyond the three-point line.
"You fellow, you don't actually think I can't shoot, do you?" He Ximeng said with a wry smile.
"Shoot! If you make it, I'll admit defeat!" Zhang Zhenpeng decided to take a gamble.
Three-point shooting percentages are inherently not high. Making one out of three three-pointers could be considered excellent shooting in the high school league. As for someone who can't shoot threes, even if they take ten shots, they might not make a single one.
He Ximeng had long been categorized by Zhang Zhenpeng as someone who "can't shoot."
Therefore, Zhang Zhenpeng decided not to defend He Ximeng's perimeter shots and let him take them. As long as he missed, once possession changed, Zhang Zhenpeng was confident he could score three consecutive baskets and win back this one-on-one challenge with a score of 3:2.
With Zhang Zhenpeng having gone this far, it would almost be disrespectful for He Ximeng not to shoot.
Moreover, He Ximeng had already intended to swap possession. A score of 3:0 was a bit too disrespectful to his opponent.
He might as well take a shot and try out his three-point feel.
Before shooting, He Ximeng recalled the memories in his mind. The top three-point shooting form in the league belonged uniquely to Curry, Thompson's was the most standard, McGrady's was the most mesmerizing, and Harden's step-back...
He Ximeng finally chose to imitate Curry's shooting form. This was because he had the deepest connection with the Curry family. From Dell Curry to Stephen Curry to Seth Curry, he had witnessed these three Currys' dominance from beyond the three-point line. He had the deepest understanding of the Curry family's shooting form.
From the power generated by his feet to the flick of his wrist, He Ximeng had carefully studied every decomposed movement of the Currys' shots.
During his regular training, He Ximeng had also often had players on the team analyze the Curry family's three-point shooting form to improve and perfect their own three-point shots.
Originally, he didn't need to shoot himself; he just needed to understand the essence of these basketball skills and then impart them to others, which was somewhat like theoretical discussion.
But now, it was different. Now, it was his turn to step onto the court and personally execute.
He Ximeng didn't expect to make his first imitation shot. However, the basket at Zhuzhong was quite accommodating!
He Ximeng imitated Curry's push shot for a three-pointer. The arc was high, and the spin was strong, but the power was still a bit too much. The ball hit the inside of the rim, bounced high, and then finally fell, landing directly into the basket!
3:0, He Ximeng won decisively!
Zhang Zhenpeng stood frozen on the spot. It was as if the basket denied him any chance of a comeback. He had already prepared himself for a counterattack.
He Ximeng spread his hands, indicating that luck played a major role in this shot and that he could do nothing about it.
"It seems you have no other choice! The baskets at Zhuzhong are inviting you to join them..."
"Yay yay yay! Brother, I told you you'd lose to Ximeng..." Zhang Tian'ai rushed onto the court excitedly. "You don't have to go to Huipu Middle School, and our siblings won't have to be separated anymore..."
Zhang Tian'ai actually hoped that Zhang Zhenpeng could stay at Zhuji Middle School with her.
But seeing Zhang Zhenpeng's still grim expression, He Ximeng cautiously asked, "You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"
"How could I possibly?" Zhang Zhenpeng denied immediately. "I was just replaying the game. How could I possibly lose to you? It's not logical..."
"Haha~ As long as you don't go back on your word! Do you want to know why you lost?"
"You know the reason?"
"We'll sort out the enrollment procedures tomorrow. Come to the gymnasium with confidence, and we'll train together, and you'll know the reason..." He Ximeng deliberately left him in suspense, urging Zhang Zhenpeng to quickly complete the enrollment procedures.
However, He Ximeng suddenly remembered the rules for the national competition.
"Zhang Zhenpeng, what grade are you in?"
"I finished 10th grade abroad, which is equivalent to the end of junior high school in China."
"Oh no, no, no..." He Ximeng suddenly wailed in pain. "Even if you join Zhuzhong, you won't be able to play in the national competition anymore..."