Who Would Have Thought

Helpless.

Truly helpless.

Coach Izumi Akino had been a head coach for so many years. He felt that Kunioka was one of the best players he had ever encountered! Not only did he possess individual skill, but he also had an extremely good ability to command the game. Furthermore, his ability to connect the team through his attacks was also exceptionally outstanding. It was no exaggeration to say that with his presence, the team’s offensive capabilities could even be elevated to an entirely new level. As a veteran of the team, he was completely qualified! Even when placed in national tournaments, compared to all junior high students in the country, Kunioka was absolutely a standout.

However, in today’s match. The player named Li Zhong Shu, facing Kunioka, truly made him feel a shock.

A groundbreaking shock!

That kind of adaptability, along with the ability to grasp the game situation, was no longer at the junior high level.

It could almost be described as professional-level ability!

If there was only one such player, it would be easier to deal with. But there wasn't just Li Zhong Shu; there were four other… terrifying guys.

Although these four all had their own unique characteristics, they were all undoubtedly extremely powerful!

Midorima Shintaro’s unresolvable three-pointers almost drew the entire perimeter defense of the opponent. He had originally thought that his team could finally shine in this year’s national tournament.

Radiating glory.

But who would have thought?

This single friendly match had already shattered their confidence.

“Shirogane, old man, just how good is your luck?”

“How did you find such talents?”

“And there are even 5 of them!?”

“Sigh… This match, we didn’t lose unfairly.”

Although Izumi Akino was a bit unconvinced, he had no other choice at this moment. After all, the difference between the two teams’ players was truly too great. Both Aomine and Murasakibara Atsushi were extremely promising prodigies. The tactics Kunioka had implemented at the time were also perfectly sound. Indeed, they had tried their best to use their numerical advantage to exhaust Teiko Junior High’s stamina. On this point, Kunioka and his teammates had done very well. However, the counter-strategy that Li Zhong Shu and his teammates employed was also extremely appropriate. Furthermore, Teiko Junior High actually used their sheer strength to dismantle the opponent’s tactics. This was a complete crushing by strength, with no logic to argue against! Therefore, this loss was understandable.

And at this moment, Coach Shirogane Kozo smirked, waving his hand dismissively and saying:

“What are you talking about! This is all luck, just luck!”

But both of them knew perfectly well in their hearts. This was not luck at all.

Even when facing such a disadvantageous situation, Teiko Junior High could still launch their counterattack and execute such fluid offensive plays.

This couldn’t be encompassed by a single word like ‘luck’. How much calculation was hidden within, no one knew.

It could only be said that this was not just talent, but also an element of effort.

At this moment, the match results had just appeared.

A look of disappointment also emerged on Kunioka’s face.

He had originally never thought this match would end in failure. At most, he had only thought that this match might not be won as gloriously, but he had never thought he would lose!

Because stamina limits were Teiko Junior High’s biggest Achilles’ heel!

But who could have thought that this match would actually end in defeat.

Moreover, even after he had used such methods… using rotation tactics to wear down the opponent, he still couldn’t cause them any trouble.

He shook his head. Although this match was just a friendly, he had placed great expectations on it.

He had hoped this match would be a crucial test, hoping to firmly pass this step. Then, his goal was to lead Kairi Junior High towards the national championship.

But.

The very first step had already started unfavorably, a strong slap to his face.

He hadn’t expected this year’s newcomers to be so strong. Even Kunioka felt a hint of disbelief.

If they had faced Nijimura Shuzo leading a complete Teiko Junior High team, such a result might have been understandable.

But they were facing a team of first-year rookies who had just entered the national tournament!

Kunioka’s expression fell.

And at this moment, Akashi Seijuro, however, walked over and said: “This was truly a spectacular match.”

“Your tactics were indeed very effective; they caused us quite a bit of trouble.”

“If it weren’t for Li Zhong Shu’s suggestion just now, we might have lost this match.”

Li Zhong Shu also said: “Yes, this match was truly very dangerous.”

“If our decision-making had been slightly flawed at that time, we would definitely have lost this match.”

Li Zhong Shu spoke with a full sense of peril.

But in reality, everyone present was perfectly clear: on the scoreboard.

Teiko Junior High was ahead by over 30 points… A narrow victory?

You call this a narrow victory?

This was undeniably a bit much.

...

Of course, Akashi and Li Zhong Shu said these words with the intention of comforting him.

But in reality, it didn’t achieve a good effect.

Because at this moment, Kunioka’s mood was a bit downcast.

He only sighed softly, then helplessly said: “There’s truly no other way; we lost this match fair and square.”

“Your strength is also truly very formidable, I think… even better tactics wouldn’t have any effect against you.”

These weren’t Kunioka’s excuses. The truth was simply that.

The strength of those few individuals far surpassed his team. This was not something ordinary people could change.

Even top-tier tactics were useless without the ability to execute them.

A few random NBA players, even without any tactics, could crush a domestic team. This was the disparity between the two sides.

What’s more, Teiko Junior High not only had individual skill, but their tactics were also top-notch.

Their precise ability to adjust and command the game was also perfectly timed.

Although this was just a friendly match, the disparity between the two sides was clearly evident.

At this moment, Kunioka just wanted to ask: Looking across the entire national tournament, which team could truly contend with them?

In truth, he had no answer in his heart.

But he knew… no matter which team encountered them, it would likely be very difficult to deal with, very hard to play against.

Even a team formed by these rookies would surely achieve incredibly terrifying results in this year’s national tournament!

At this moment, the spectator Xiao Ge under the stands was equally stunned. He watched the match gradually deviate from his expectations, his face filled with disbelief.

At this moment, several other spectators also asked: “Could it be that this… was also within your predictions?”