NBA : Formidable Center

###

"Of course, Coach! No problem at all!"

Wang Song agreed without hesitation, fully aware of the team's predicament.

The double-teaming strategy from the first half was clearly ineffective against the red-hot Carmelo Anthony. Anthony's rhythm was improving, and he was quickly adapting to the defensive pressure. Syracuse's offense wasn't going to slow down anytime soon.

The North Carolina Wolfpack had two options left if they wanted to secure a win:

1. **Outscore Syracuse.**

They could rely on offensive firepower to overwhelm the opposition. But as shown in the first half, this strategy had its flaws—it kept the game tight and carried the risk of Anthony going berserk and clinching the win in the closing moments.

2. **Shift defensive assignments.**

As Assistant Coach Jim had suggested, the Wolfpack's most reliable "shield" could face Syracuse's most formidable "spear." If Syracuse lost their offensive anchor, their entire game plan would likely collapse.

---

When play resumed, both teams adjusted their lineups.

North Carolina increased their size on the court, bolstering their rim protection and giving Wang Song more support to handle Anthony.

Meanwhile, Syracuse swapped out Hakim Warrick, who had struggled, for a more traditional white center.

Coach Jim Boeheim's intention was clear: he was putting the game in Carmelo Anthony's hands, pinning Syracuse's hopes on their future No. 1 pick.

This was exactly what Anthony wanted—what NCAA player wouldn't relish the chance to carry their team with unlimited shooting privileges?

As Anthony scanned the Wolfpack's lineup, deciding who his next victim would be, Wang Song stepped forward to guard him.

---

The crowd froze.

Carmelo Anthony was stunned. Scouts in the stands were stunned. Even fans following the game through live updates were caught off guard.

In the live-stream chatroom, the sudden lack of comments made commentator Bai Yang check his internet connection, convinced it had dropped.

But as soon as he refreshed the page, a flood of comments overwhelmed the screen:

- **"What?! Is the coach out of his mind?"**

- **"They might as well put a dog on the bench to coach. It'd be better than Herb Sendek."**

- **"This makes no sense! Sure, Carmelo's an offensive powerhouse, but why put Wang Song, a center, to guard him?"**

- **"Why not use Wang's offensive dominance in the paint instead of wasting him on defense against Anthony?"**

Amid the sea of skepticism, a handful of fans supported the decision, though their voices were quickly drowned out.

The consensus? This matchup seemed doomed from the start.

---

In the stands, Syracuse fans were already celebrating prematurely, their sea of orange jerseys vibrant with energy.

Meanwhile, the few Wolfpack supporters watched with a mix of hope and apprehension, unsure what to expect.

---

In the VIP box, the tension was palpable.

"Ernie, who do you think will come out on top in this matchup?" Knicks president Scott Layden asked, his eyes glued to the court.

"Carmelo Anthony, no doubt," Ernie Grunfeld replied without hesitation. After noticing Layden's unchanged expression, he added, "Honestly, even elite defenders in the NBA would struggle against him. His offensive skillset reminds me of Kobe Bryant."

Layden shook his head, gesturing to the scoreboard with his wine glass. "I completely disagree. Mark my words: Carmelo Anthony's scoring won't increase for the rest of this game."

Grunfeld glanced at Layden's wine glass, hesitated, and thought to himself, **Is he drunk?**

---

Back on the court, the clash began.

The players instinctively spaced out, clearing the floor for a one-on-one showdown.

**Syracuse's No. 15 vs. North Carolina's No. 9.**

Carmelo Anthony held the ball at the top of the arc, starting with a jab step to force Wang Song to retreat.

But Wang didn't budge. His eyes remained locked on Anthony's hips, tracking his center of gravity to maintain his defensive stance. With his height and reach, he could easily contest a shot if Anthony attempted one.

**[Reasonable defensive positioning detected. Stability EXP +100.]**

Realizing his shooting threat wasn't working, Anthony opted to drive. He lowered his shoulder and charged toward the right wing, using his weight to muscle past Wang. With a quick step back, he launched into a fluid jump shot.

The sequence was textbook-perfect.

But before Syracuse's coach could celebrate, the situation shifted dramatically.

While Anthony had managed to push Wang off balance momentarily, Wang recovered almost instantly.

With **99 agility**, Wang combined the mobility of a guard with the length of a center. He closed the gap with surprising speed, raising his arms high.

Anthony, caught off guard, found his vision completely obscured. His only option was to force the shot, which sailed awkwardly through the air.

**Airball!**

The arena went silent for a second before the MC's voice broke through:

"Air... ball! Unbelievable! Carmelo just missed everything from that close. Must've slipped?"

Hearing the strained explanation, Coach Herb Sendek couldn't help but smirk.

Meanwhile, the Wolfpack quickly transitioned, drawing a foul on the other end.

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**(Chapter ends.)**