4. Chemistry
September 7th, 1990 Tokyo National Training Center
The All Japan Youth Basketball Team is resting for a minute after intense tactics drills. Maki talks to Sendoh.
- The national team really seems to suit you, Sendoh.
- Well, thanks for the compliment, Maki. But i don't think i am as suited here as you are.
- It's my third time here, so i'm used already. Anyway...It seems i will be Captain Fukatsu's sub forever. On the other hand... Sawakita is not here, so there is a free starting spot in the small forward position. Rukawa isn't doing well at drills either.
- Anyway, Sawakita is surely gonna be here for the Asian Cup. And we're not playing any matches before that, so it's a nonsense to think about it.
- About that...
- OK! EVERYBODY! - A shout from Mr Domoto stops Maki and Sendoh's conversation. - Come closer!
The team gathers about the coaches and listens.
- As you know, this camp ends by the 10th. But we won't be able to do any training that last day. That means we've got today and only two days more for practice. For now on, we'll focus on scrimmage.
- At last... - Morishige whispers, apparently with no intention of speaking in loud voice.
- Mr. Morishige here thinks it was about time for us to do some scrimmage. - Domoto continues. - I guess it'll be fine if he starts by looking from the bench.
Morishige's face turns wrathful, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't want to make it worse. The coach goes on talking.
- Mr. Takato here will give you white or red jerseys. Jin, nothing is wrong with you. But please wait on the bench with Mr. Morishige.
- No problem, sir.
- Ah, this... one last thing. - Mr Domoto speaks pretending to be distracted. - About the reason why we can't practice on camp's last day...
- Of course... - Fukatsu thinks.
- I knew it! - Maki thinks.
- As you know, the Asian Cup this winter will be held here in Japan. It happens to be that some other youth team who will take part of the tournament decided to come on a trip to see the facilities at Nagoya. I thought it would be nice for us hosts to offer a practice match to them. And their coach liked the idea, too. So we're playing against China this saturday.
A moment of silent came up. Senior players seemed shocked.
- Wassup u dudes? - It was Fukatsu who broke the silence. - China is unmatched strongest team in the continent. We're some lucky dudes with a chance to show what we're made off. "When u guy take the biggest challenge then u know ur true strenght". That's what granpa said. Anybody here thinks he's just occupying a spot that should be for a better player around? If that's the case, u better leave guys. Otherwise we gotta show we can do the best against'em, u folks. u guys with me? Louder, ya lads! U guys with me?
- YES, SIR! - The team replied.
- JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAN!
- FIGHT!
Then Mr. Domoto went on speaking.
- Now, we're going to start with the scrimmage. I expect you to use all the tactics we have been practicing, but also to read the game and use your creativity. Everybody, get on position.
- Rukawa is with the starters? - Maki thinks. - Despite doing frankly bad in fitness and drills...
WHITE TEAM Fukatsu - Moroboshi - Rukawa - Yamaoka - Kawata
RED TEAM Maki - Tsuchiya - Sendoh - Ozaki - Murakami
- Kawata, let me take the jump ball. - Asks Yamaoka.
- Whatever... - Kawata answers, seemingly not in his best mood.
- Then i'll take it too. - Ozaki declared with confidence.
- No way. - Murakami replies.
- Murakami... - Maki speaks. - Please let Ozaki do it.
- Alright... - Murakami answer in a mood similar to Kawata's.
In fact, Ozaki's jumping capability had really impressed Maki when they played against each other at the interhigh. Kainan's captain had only seen that skill on Hanamichi Sakuragi, Shohoku's freaky rookie. Further on, Ozaki had made himself famous precisely by dominating Yamaoka with his superb athletic ability on Kyoto finals.
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Mr. Takato takes the referee role. Both Yamaoka and Ozaki impress everyone with their high jumping, but it's Yamaoka who jumps slightly higher and hits the ball, which goes directly into Moroboshi's hands.
- Yamaoka! - Maki thinks. - He must have feel really upset about having lost to that guy. He is surely working hard.
- Alright. - Moroboshi says. - Let's do this the cool way. - He gives the ball to Fukatsu.
- That's my line, u cocky dude. - Fukatsu answer and starts dribbling.
Suddenly, the captain switches the ball to his left hand and starts dribbling left and forwards. Maki defending him.
- Rukawa... - Maki thinks. - Must cut the pass.
Fukatsu looks towards the paint. Sendoh manages to go around Yamaoka's downscreen and stands to block the pass line to Rukawa.
- Caught us... - Fukatsu thinks.
Ozaki has also gone around the screen and is also defending Rukawa.
- Bingo... - Fukatsu thinks.
Fukatsu fakes a pass to Rukawa but, without looking, he throws the ball to Yamaoka at the corner of the paint. The power forward jumps to shoot.
With flashing speed, Ozaki approaches to Yamaoka and jumps to block with his left hand.
It's a fade away shot. Ozaki's hand hits Yamaoka's elbow. The ball hits the board and goes in. Mr. Takato shows his left fist up while making a curve looking downwards showing up two fingers in his right hand.
- It's two points and a free throw. - The referee says.
Yamaoka's free shot goes in with a little of suspense. Jin, taking care of the scoreboard, adds three points to the home team.
- Alright lads... - Fukatsu says. - Hope u ain't tired yet. Let's FULL COURT TRAP! Rukawa, block the inbound.
Tsuchiya takes the ball for the inbound. Facing Rukawa's defense, he goes backwards for a running start. The runs and throws a far ball, high enough for Rukawa being unable to reach it. With a magnificient jump, Ozaki picks the ball near the centre circle. In front of Yamaoka's defense, he passes to Murakami, who is posting against Kawata. Murakami turns around and jump shoots. Kawata is able to follow him and jump to block. The shot is blocked by Kawata and the ball goes to Maki's hands, just outside the 3-point line.
Maki starts dribbling and waits for a screen. Ozaki and Murakami seem too static, but it's Tsuchiya who comes to set a screen for holding Fukatsu. Maki goes dribbling behing Tsuchiya, but Moroboshi suddenly appears to take the ball out from him.
- That bastart read it all... - Maki thinks.
Moroboshi dribbles forward and jumps to shoot near the outer corner of the paint. Both Tsuchiya and Sendoh jump to block, but neither of them reaches the ball. It goes in. Now it's 5-0 for the white team.
Tsuchiya is about to take the inbound quickly, but he stops and waits.
- What's he doing? - Maki asks to himself. - Why did he wait for them to build the full court trap?
Suddenly, Tsuchiya passes to Sendoh, who has came all the way to the weakside corner of his own court. Sendoh quickly takes the ball and passes to Tsuchiya, who has swiftly came near him. Tsuchiya dribbles forward, then he stops and passes the ball to Maki.
- Tsuchiya and Sendoh... - Maki thinks. - They broke the full court trap with a simple but quite accurate combined move. They didn't even need to say a word.
Maki dribbles to his left. Fukatsu defends him. He looks towards the paint.
Rukawa faces Ozaki, who is setting a screen. Sendoh receives the ball behind Ozaki's screen. He puts the ball up to shoot.
- Fake... - Rukawa thinks.
Yamaoka jumps to block. Sendoh fastly throws the ball to his side, where Tsuchiya is cutting to the basket. Tsuchiya takes the ball and quickly jump shoots, avoiding blocks from Kuwata and Moroboshi. It hits the board and goes in.
- That perfect timing... - Maki keeps thinking. - Those two have never ever talked to each other. I guess that's what they call chemistry.
Fukatsu has the ball as Maki defends him. By the ball side, Yamaoka high posts against Ozaki while Kawata low posts against Murakami. On the other side, Moroboshi sets a screen for Rukawa, who cuts to the basket. Tsuchiya follows Rukawa, but he suddenly stops by the key.
Fukatsu uses Yamaoka's screen to to dribble to the key. He is surprised to find Tsuchiya's defense.
- What? - Sannoh Captain thinks... - He is supposed to have gone after Rukawa.
Fukatsu passes the ball right to Moroboshi. But Sendoh, who appears on the run, reaches the ball first. He controls it and dribbles.
- Alright, let's make another one. - Sendo says, then passes the ball to Maki.
- That's my line, you cocky dude. - Maki smiles while repeating Fukatsu's line. Defending him, Fukatsu looks upset.
Maki is dribbling by the center, close to 3-point line. The white team is tightly defending. Then Maki sees Tsuchiya coming close to him. The interhigh's MVP fakes a screen, then goes a little further away.
- Maki, pass! now! - He then says.
The ball goes to Tsuchiya, who quickly reverses it to Sendoh who is cutting to the basket. The pass is fast enough por Moroboshi to be unable to intercept it.
As Sendoh gets the ball, Murakami sets a downscreen which prevents Rukawa to defend him.
- Switch! - Rukawa shouts.
- That's Murakami's signature move. - Maki thinks to himself. - Those strong and perfect timed downscreens are really hard to get around.
Sendoh sets to shoot. Kawata emerges to defend. But Sendoh fakes and throws a downwards, curve ball that bounces before reaching tha hands of Murakami, who is now under the basket. Murakami jumps to the rim. Rukawa quickly comes running and jumps to block.
On the air, Rukawa's body hits Murakami's. Rukawa falls prone to the ground. With both hands, Murakawi violently dunks the ball, as a bear slashing his prey with both hands.
- And that's his other signature move. - Maki keeps thinking. - Brown Bear Dunk!
- Brown bear dunk? - Rukawa thinks from the ground. - It looks pretty mucha like Gorilla dunk to me.
- Rukawa! - Domo shouts from aside the court. - You've got to be faster on defensive switches!
- Tsuchiya and Sendoh... - Maki goes on thinking. - Those two can perfectly read the game and control the flow with combined actions. They make other players to play the best of themselves.
- Calm down lads. - Fukatsu speaks as dribbling forwards. He passes the ball to Kawata.
Kawata is posting against Murakami. He dribbles to get away him and makes a jump shot. But Ozaki appears on the air to make a beautiful block, letting Sannoh's center astonished.
- FAST BREAK! - Claims Tsuchiya as he picks the ball. Maki and Sendoh run forward while opening themselves on each side of the court. With Moroboshi defending him, Tsuchiya dribbles towards Maki and Fukatsu. Fakes a forced pass to Maki, but instead reverses the ball to Sendoh, who is now cutting to the basket.
Sendoh picks the ball and dribbles to the opposite corner. Rukawa follows him as Fukatsu is stopped by a screen set by Tsuchiya. Without turning around, Sendoh one-hand throws the ball to Maki, who is now free near the paint. Maki shoots and scores. The match is now 5-6 with the white team going behind the red team.
- Alright guys, we just gotta make one. - Fukatsu claims as dribbling the ball in front of Maki. He passes the ball left to Rukawa, who receives it near the key. Sendoh quickly approaches to defend. Rukawa dribbles around and makes a fade away shoot, strongly pressed by Sendoh's defense.
Yamaoka and Ozaki struggle for the best position under the basket. The ball hits the rim and they both jump. Ozaki jumps higher and gets the rebound.
Rukawa is defending Sendoh. Sendoh moves towards the centers. When going after him, Rukawa is blocked by Tsuchiya's screen.
- Switch! - He says.
- You don't need to tell me. - Moroboshi replies, approaching to defend Sendoh.
Sendoh picks the ball and quickly sets to shoot.
- A fake... - Rukawa thinks.
Moroboshi jumps to block. Sendoh simply keeps holding up the ball.
- Idiot... - Rukawa thinks.
Just before Moroboshi lands, Sendoh is about to shoot. With a great jump, Rukawa shows up to block. Sendoh waits for a little more, then he makes a fade away shoot. His right hand makes contact with Rukawa's arm before shooting. The ball enters the basket.
- The basket counts! One free throw in addition! - Mr. Takato dictates.
- And thinking about signature moves... - Maki states to himself. - That's Sendoh's 3-points play for you.
- It's ok. - Moroboshi tells Rukawa. - But you need to wait for the screen before cutting.
Sendoh puts the free throw in.
By the center, near the 3 point line, Morboshi receives a pass from Maki, who is near the sideline. He holds the ball and thinks. Swiftly, Tsuchiya hits the ball with one hand and it goes away Moroboshi's holding. Tsuchiya takes the ball and dribbles forwards.
- That idiot... - Rukawa complains to himself.
Defended by Fukatsu, Tsuchiya waits for his team to come and stands in the point guard spot. He looks left, then looks ahead for a moment and, without looking, sends a pass to the left. A screen from Murakami has once again set Sendoh free of Rukawa's guard. Sendoh catches the ball as Kawata stands to defend him.
Rukawa quickly appears from behind Kawata and hits the ball with his hand. He manages to take it away from Sendoh and quicly dribbles forwards.
- Rukawa! Pass! - Fukatsu asks, as running along Rukawa.
Rukawa switches the ball to his left hand and continues dribbling forwards. Sendoh arrives to defend him. Kawata shows up to set a screen for Rukawa to go past Sendoh. Sendoh quiclkly gives a step backwards to avoid the screen.
But Rukawa dribbles to the opposite side, dribbling through were Sendoh was instead of taking advantage of the screen. Sendoh is unable to recover and gets past.
- What? - Kawata thinks. - He didn't use the screen, and that way he was able to deceive his defender.
Rukawa runs fast to leave Sendoh and Murakami behind and mades an impressive dunk.
- And that's Rukawa signature lightning penetration. - Maki thinks to his own.
- Alright! - Mr. Domoto says. - It's over. It's 7 for the whites and 9 for the reds, so the reds win. As they lost, the whites will change members. Rukawa, give your jersey to Jin. Kawata, you let your place to Morishige.
As Kawata and Rukawa are walking to the bench, Rukawa seems quite upset.
- Eiji doesn't like it either, you know? - Kawata says.
- What? - Rukawa asks.
- All this tactical, full of screens game we play here. Eiji doesn't like it either. But...believe me. Once you see just how strong China is... You'll understand why we need to use this kind of playing if we want to stand a chance.
Rukawa's eyes shined.
