# E16 - The Best Start and the Worst Start
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GYG5EQEDY/the-best-start-and-the-worst-start)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:01] ---**
Go for it! Kitasumi for the win!
**[00:04] ---**
We need to shore up our
defense in the middle!
**[00:05] ---**
Taro, don't do anything stupid this time!
**[00:10] ---**
I won't let him past me this time.
**[00:11] ---**
I didn't do all that defensive
practice for nothing!
**[00:14] ---**
It doesn't matter how
much height he has on me!
**[00:18] ---**
You dumbass! She told us
to expect shots from long range!
**[00:22] ---**
Momoharu, get the rebound!
**[00:23] ---**
Shit, you guys are running me ragged!
**[00:28] ---**
Loose ball!
**[00:29] ---**
What the hell?!
**[00:30] ---**
You had one job, Momoharu!
**[00:33] ---**
Not happening!
**[00:36] ---**
Crap... he waited to shoot...!
**[00:44] ---**
That little snot... he took his sweet time
to get the foul call!
**[00:48] ---**
Defensive foul on #7!
**[00:49] ---**
The basket counts! One free-throw!
**[00:55] ---**
He made a complete fool
out of me in front of Nao.
**[00:58] ---**
Damn him and his silky seaweed hair!
**[01:01] ---**
I'm gonna totally murder him!
**[01:03] ---**
One free-throw!
**[01:08] ---**
Dear God,
**[01:10] ---**
I love Nao with all my heart.
**[01:13] ---**
So if the power of love truly does exist...
**[01:18] ---**
...then please help me tap into it now!
**[01:47] ---**
Ahiru no Sora
**[02:59] ---**
The Best Start and the Worst Start
**[03:03] ---**
Shit! I swear I must be losing my damn mind!
**[03:07] ---**
I'm seriously starting to
think that dude is cool!
**[03:11] ---**
Taro! Why the hell are you
praying before a free-throw?!
**[03:14] ---**
5 more seconds and it
would have been a penalty!
**[03:17] ---**
Listen up, boys!
**[03:19] ---**
We'll never live it down if we lose
to a hair oil addict like that chump!
**[03:22] ---**
We know.
**[03:24] ---**
Don't let them catch up.
Let's lay on the pressure.
**[03:27] ---**
Right!
**[03:28] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[03:31] ---**
Defense! Defen- huh?
**[03:31] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[03:34] ---**
Wait, aren't we on offense right now?
**[03:36] ---**
If you don't know what you're
doing, then stop doing it!
**[03:40] ---**
Here they come!
**[03:41] ---**
Konishi! Watch out for #4!
**[03:43] ---**
On him!
**[03:48] ---**
You've got the ball, but what
can you even do from here?
**[03:51] ---**
I'm not just going to leave
you open for an easy shot!
**[03:58] ---**
How the hell does he turn on a dime
while running so fast?!
**[04:07] ---**
He blocked the shot!
**[04:09] ---**
Nice, Taro!
**[04:12] ---**
Tell me, is there a reason
you aren't trying to score any baskets?
**[04:15] ---**
Huh?
**[04:17] ---**
First you screwed up that
jump ball and now this.
**[04:19] ---**
Have you forgotten how to play the game?
**[04:21] ---**
Konishi, you damn punk.
**[04:23] ---**
Are you just here to start
shit with me or what?
**[04:26] ---**
I'm disappointed.
**[04:27] ---**
Because I had been really looking forward
to playing against you, Senpai.
**[04:34] ---**
Even back then, you were...!
**[04:39] ---**
Shit, was he always this good?!
**[04:44] ---**
I'm gonna shut you down hard!
**[04:51] ---**
Nice pass, Koney!
**[04:56] ---**
Awesome play, Taro! Konishi!
**[04:56] ---**
Kitasumi
**[04:56] ---**
Kuzuryu
**[04:59] ---**
That evens up the score!
**[05:04] ---**
Damn.
**[05:04] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[05:06] ---**
Come on, freshmen!
I know you can cheer louder than that!
**[05:09] ---**
They're starting to build
up some serious momentum.
**[05:11] ---**
We need to score a basket soon.
**[05:14] ---**
They haven't gotten to the point
of totally dominating the game.
**[05:17] ---**
But letting them take the lead
here would be really bad!
**[05:23] ---**
We've gotta push through
and sink a shot right now!
**[05:28] ---**
Gah! I can't believe I let him get me
with that lame-ass fake!
**[05:32] ---**
Koney! Help me out!
**[05:38] ---**
Oh crap!
**[05:41] ---**
You left me wide open.
**[05:43] ---**
Damn! I've got to stop him,
even if it means a foul!
**[05:46] ---**
I'm gonna pay you back
for that fake you pulled.
**[05:48] ---**
And with interest!
**[05:53] ---**
A dunk?!
**[06:02] ---**
A-are you all right?
**[06:04] ---**
SHIT! I WAS SO CLOSE!
**[06:06] ---**
Just a little more and I
would have touched the rim!
**[06:08] ---**
You mean he didn't touch the rim just now?
**[06:11] ---**
So then, that was just his
attempt to fake a dunk?
**[06:13] ---**
But wow, he got some
serious air on that jump.
**[06:16] ---**
Anybody who plays basketball has to satisfy
**[06:18] ---**
the urge of pulling off a dunk
during a game, at least once!
**[06:21] ---**
Dude, you can't even pull it off to begin with.
The rim's too high.
**[06:25] ---**
If I was just 5 centimeters taller...
**[06:29] ---**
I told you. The only winner here is me.
**[06:32] ---**
I'll admit that your three-pointers
are pretty impressive,
**[06:35] ---**
but they're not enough to win.
**[06:37] ---**
Just so you know, it's not
our height that separates us.
**[06:40] ---**
The crucial difference
between you and me is...
**[06:43] ---**
...the fact that I have wings, and you don't.
**[06:49] ---**
Bye-bye, baby.
**[06:50] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[06:53] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[06:53] ---**
What now? The other team
is starting to really get riled up.
**[06:56] ---**
Let's go defense! Get it done!
**[07:02] ---**
Out of bounds! Kitasumi ball!
**[07:07] ---**
Timeout by Kuzuryu High!
**[07:09] ---**
Kitasumi
Kuzuryu
**[07:09] ---**
I didn't realize Kitasumi
was so tough to beat.
**[07:12] ---**
I don't think we can win, not at this rate.
**[07:17] ---**
It's a little early, but we're going
to change up our defense.
**[07:20] ---**
The players that we need
to shut down are #7...
**[07:25] ---**
...and #14 when he goes to post up.
**[07:29] ---**
Although he hasn't made any shots yet,
**[07:31] ---**
we also need to look out for
dribble penetration from #5.
**[07:35] ---**
That all being said, we're actually
in a pretty good position.
**[07:38] ---**
Going up against this team is
the perfect opportunity to put
**[07:41] ---**
the defense we practiced into use.
**[07:43] ---**
Do you understand?
**[07:45] ---**
This is going to be where the
real trial for our team starts.
**[07:49] ---**
It's going to be hard for you out there,
**[07:51] ---**
but you're the cornerstone
of our defense, Kurumatani.
**[07:56] ---**
A'ight! Let's knock their socks off.
**[07:59] ---**
And show them what our
defense is really made of!
**[08:04] ---**
Kurumatani will need to return back
to doing footwork practice by himself tomorrow.
**[08:10] ---**
What will decide the outcome of this match
is whether you can stop him or not.
**[08:17] ---**
I'll stop him, no matter what!
**[08:23] ---**
What's this? Their defense changed.
**[08:25] ---**
Huh?
**[08:28] ---**
That little guy rushed out all on his own!
**[08:31] ---**
Full court man-to-man?!
**[08:33] ---**
Have you gone off the deep end?!
**[08:37] ---**
But the four in the back are doing zone?
**[08:39] ---**
That's Box and 1, no... it's
actually Diamond and 1!
**[08:43] ---**
Hmm. So, they let the short one run loose
**[08:46] ---**
and kept their tallest player
at the top of the zone.
**[08:49] ---**
It's a solid formation that
fully accounts for our offense.
**[08:52] ---**
However... it's much easier said than done.
**[08:57] ---**
I wonder just how long they'll last?
**[09:00] ---**
This is the same defense
the girls' team used against us, isn't it?
**[09:03] ---**
That's right.
**[09:04] ---**
The formation is a little different,
but the idea is the same.
**[09:08] ---**
Tinytown is going to get wiped out
doing full court, ain't he?
**[09:11] ---**
I mean, the offense doesn't really
make any moves until they reach the front court.
**[09:14] ---**
And that's exactly why it's necessary.
**[09:17] ---**
Before they even reach front court,
our goal is to make them think
**[09:19] ---**
"#7 can't do anything", or even just,
"getting a pass to him would be difficult."
**[09:26] ---**
Like you said, this is really going
to push the limits of Kurumatani's stamina.
**[09:30] ---**
But our opponent will be expending
just as much effort by trying to shake him.
**[09:35] ---**
We'll throw their scorer off-kilter
with pressure and fatigue.
**[09:38] ---**
That will be Kurumatani's job.
**[09:41] ---**
Of course, it won't be easy for
the rest of the team, either.
**[09:44] ---**
Since they'll be playing zone D
with only 4 players instead of the typical 5.
**[09:48] ---**
Okay, but like, are you really sure
that our defense is so important?
**[09:52] ---**
I feel like we could easily win this thing
if Kite and Sora just focused on scoring.
**[09:56] ---**
Yeah, I was thinking about that, too.
**[09:59] ---**
It's true that the effectiveness
of defense is ambiguous,
**[10:02] ---**
we can't just tally it
like points or rebounds.
**[10:06] ---**
That also makes it difficult to understand
how much of an impact it has on the end result.
**[10:11] ---**
However, I think that only applies
if you ignore one important thing.
**[10:14] ---**
The reality of winning or losing.
**[10:17] ---**
The majority of players on losing teams
share the same feelings after a game,
**[10:21] ---**
about how essential defense
is to winning the game.
**[10:25] ---**
That was close, I gotta focus.
**[10:27] ---**
There's no point to using this defense
if I let Kabachi get free.
**[10:31] ---**
I've gotta be quick to fill any space
where a pass might come through.
**[10:35] ---**
But the problem is, this guy is really good
at subtle fakes and other simple moves.
**[10:40] ---**
He's also a lot quicker
on his feet than I am.
**[10:42] ---**
But even so...
**[10:43] ---**
Too slow!
**[10:44] ---**
Why do you keep using defensive slides against me
when I'm doing a full-on drive?
**[10:48] ---**
Didn't you consider just
dashing alongside me?
**[10:50] ---**
No, because then it'll
delay my reaction time.
**[10:53] ---**
You dummy. Your ability to
react in time only matters
**[10:56] ---**
if you can actually keep up with your mark.
**[10:59] ---**
Your priority is to match
the speed of your opponent,
**[11:01] ---**
or move slightly faster than them
if they have possession of the ball.
**[11:05] ---**
If you can't do that,
then we'll never be able to use Nanao's defense.
**[11:10] ---**
All right, let's go again.
**[11:14] ---**
Dealing with an opponent
who is unbelievably fast...
**[11:17] ---**
...that's something I'm totally
used to at this point!
**[11:20] ---**
And compared to how
ridiculously fast Kite is...
**[11:22] ---**
...this guy seems way
more grounded in reality!
**[11:25] ---**
He's gotten pretty damn good.
**[11:27] ---**
Dammit! It's like he's stuck right to me!
**[11:30] ---**
I hate sticky shit like natto
and gum with a passion!
**[11:34] ---**
I can do this! I can shut him down!
**[11:37] ---**
Screen!
**[11:44] ---**
Kato! Pass it to m-
**[11:49] ---**
Behind you, Nabe!
**[11:50] ---**
Huh?
**[11:53] ---**
Nice shot!
**[11:54] ---**
Kitasumi
**[11:54] ---**
Kitasumi! Kitasumi!
**[11:57] ---**
Katori! Nice assist!
**[12:01] ---**
That's the way. Create some open space
and then attack their weak side.
**[12:05] ---**
Don't sweat it, Nabe!
**[12:07] ---**
Just shake it off and switch to offense!
**[12:10] ---**
You okay after that run in?
**[12:12] ---**
Your head hit my elbow pretty hard.
**[12:14] ---**
I'm fine!
**[12:15] ---**
Defense! Defense! Defense!
**[12:17] ---**
Only 3 minutes left in the first quarter.
**[12:20] ---**
That settles it! For the
rest of this quarter...
**[12:22] ---**
I won't let Kabachi score a single point!
**[12:25] ---**
Rebound!
**[12:29] ---**
Kitasumi!
**[12:31] ---**
Let's score!
**[12:32] ---**
There's an opening near #8, hurry!
**[12:34] ---**
Hey, am I crazy or is Momoharu
a little off his game?
**[12:37] ---**
You think? There's not much
he could've done differently just now.
**[12:43] ---**
Him again?!
**[12:45] ---**
Dammit, what a pest!
**[12:47] ---**
I don't want to boost their morale
by letting them shut Taro out here.
**[12:51] ---**
So we'll catch them off guard by getting Taro
to score with brute force.
**[12:56] ---**
Shit!
**[12:57] ---**
I don't get it. How is he so relaxed
while putting up such a fierce defense?
**[13:01] ---**
Having a solid poker face is
essential to a good defense!
**[13:04] ---**
I can't afford to show him even
the slightest sign of fatigue!
**[13:06] ---**
Rather than staying up close, I'm better off
leaving a tiny bit of space between us.
**[13:10] ---**
No matter what crazy moves
he pulls to get rid of me,
**[13:12] ---**
I can't let my eyes of the ball.
**[13:14] ---**
I've got to keep track of the
point guard's movement, too.
**[13:16] ---**
Kuzuryu
Kitasumi
**[13:17] ---**
Actually, wait... I don't have the time
to be thinking about all that right now!
**[13:21] ---**
I just need to sprint, dash...
and run all over the place!
**[13:30] ---**
You might think you've got me 1-on-1,
but from my eyes it's 5-on-1!
**[13:41] ---**
This is the same situation as before!
**[13:43] ---**
Kato!
**[13:46] ---**
I've got this!
**[13:49] ---**
What the?!
**[13:54] ---**
That damn shrimp!
**[13:57] ---**
Out of bounds! Kitsumi ball!
**[14:00] ---**
Aw, man! I was so close!
**[14:02] ---**
I knew having a shorty would be useless.
**[14:05] ---**
What a waste of space.
**[14:07] ---**
Let's swap him out for Yashuhara.
**[14:09] ---**
No way, I won't stand for it!
**[14:10] ---**
That was almost a clean steal.
**[14:13] ---**
Yeah, it would have been
a huge advantage if he'd gotten it.
**[14:16] ---**
There's nothing to be disappointed about.
**[14:19] ---**
Throw-in!
**[14:21] ---**
He's providing us with the very best defense!
**[14:31] ---**
Sweet! That's the third one in a row!
**[14:34] ---**
Nice moves, Kite!
**[14:40] ---**
I can't believe they're sticking to Taro
for the entire quarter.
**[14:43] ---**
There's hardly any time left!
**[14:44] ---**
Go Kitasumi! Sink it before the buzzer!
**[14:48] ---**
Don't make it sound so easy!
**[14:55] ---**
That's the end of the first quarter!
**[14:58] ---**
2-minute interval!
**[15:03] ---**
Hey Sora, great job out there!
**[15:05] ---**
Thanks!
**[15:06] ---**
Kuzuryu
Kitasumi
**[15:07] ---**
They haven't left us in the dust.
**[15:08] ---**
We're keeping right up with them!
**[15:10] ---**
And most importantly, Kabachi hasn't
scored a single basket since
**[15:13] ---**
I started my full court defense!
**[15:15] ---**
I did it!
**[15:17] ---**
I shut him down!
**[15:19] ---**
We can do this! We can win!
**[15:24] ---**
He's drenched in sweat,
and they're not even at halftime yet.
**[15:30] ---**
You know, I'm starting think
we're pretty damn good!
**[15:32] ---**
The score might be tied, but I think
we've showed them who has the most skills!
**[15:36] ---**
Kite's actually scored more
than I thought he would!
**[15:39] ---**
Well, it looks like you guys
aren't going to need me to save you.
**[15:43] ---**
We've barely made it 1/4th
of the way through the match.
**[15:46] ---**
Things are only going to get harder for us
from here on out.
**[15:50] ---**
I have here a copy of their team's
official records from last year.
***SIGN*** National High School Basketball Tournament Kanagawa Preliminaries - Kitasumi
**[15:54] ---**
Kitasumi is what is known
as a "slow-starter" team.
**[15:59] ---**
They perform better in the
second quarter than the first.
**[16:01] ---**
Same for the second half of the game overall.
**[16:04] ---**
The level of intense play that
they bring to the court at their
**[16:06] ---**
peak is something to be scared of.
**[16:08] ---**
Hold up. How'd you get your
hands on that, anyway?
**[16:11] ---**
Taro gave it to me. Or
rather, forced it on me.
**[16:16] ---**
Our defensive strategy worked well
in the first quarter, but that's
**[16:19] ---**
not going to be enough to win.
**[16:21] ---**
Starting in the second quarter,
we'll put on more of an offensive.
**[16:24] ---**
This should be obvious to all of you,
**[16:26] ---**
but we want to score without
letting them score.
**[16:29] ---**
If we can't manage that,
then we won't be able to win in the end.
**[16:32] ---**
Yasuhara will be subbing in for Nabe.
**[16:35] ---**
S-sure.
**[16:37] ---**
Natsume, please provide
him with your support.
**[16:40] ---**
I already know what I need to do.
**[16:43] ---**
Kurumatani, keep up your aggressive defense
and aim to get some steals.
**[16:48] ---**
Whenever making a fast break for the basket
**[16:49] ---**
isn't an option, Chiaki
will be our rallying point.
**[16:52] ---**
Am I understood?
**[16:53] ---**
Loud and clear.
**[16:58] ---**
I was very curious, since I heard that their manager
was also doubling as their coach.
**[17:03] ---**
She's quite the tactician,
far more competent than I ever expected.
**[17:07] ---**
For now, let's just see what happens
when I play into their hand.
**[17:11] ---**
Taro. Here's the plan.
**[17:13] ---**
You don't need bother trying
to score any more points, okay?
**[17:16] ---**
What?!
**[17:17] ---**
Have you gone senile on us, Gramps?!
**[17:20] ---**
If I'm not going to score us
points, then who the hell is?!
**[17:23] ---**
Cut me some slack. You can't shake off
that short kid at all, can you?
**[17:27] ---**
Running around like a madman
is only going to wear you out.
**[17:30] ---**
That's not enough to stop me!
**[17:33] ---**
The interval is now over!
**[17:34] ---**
Huh? Already?!
**[17:36] ---**
Give 'em hell, Yasu!
**[17:38] ---**
Get out there and show them
what a supporting character can do!
**[17:40] ---**
I'm a main character, dammit!
**[17:43] ---**
Um, Momoharu?
**[17:45] ---**
Is something wrong? Everyone's
already on the court.
**[17:48] ---**
Oh... right.
**[17:55] ---**
Throw-in with Kuzu High in possession!
**[17:57] ---**
Why did you say all that
stuff to Taro, coach?
**[18:01] ---**
You know that's only going
to get him all wound up!
**[18:04] ---**
Ehhh, don't fret about it.
**[18:06] ---**
That's exactly why I gave him a hard time
in the first place.
**[18:08] ---**
Huh?
**[18:09] ---**
Kuzuryu! Kuzuryu!
**[18:12] ---**
Kuzuryu! Kuzuryu!
**[18:16] ---**
His eyes just never stop moving.
**[18:19] ---**
He's keeping a sharp watch for any openings.
**[18:21] ---**
As a fellow point guard, I've
really gotta hand it to him.
**[18:24] ---**
This guy is a legit passing specialist!
**[18:27] ---**
Peep.
**[18:31] ---**
You know, Chiaki keeps glancing over here
every so often. Why is that?
**[18:35] ---**
Beats me.
**[18:36] ---**
Okay, I've exuded enough charisma.
It's time to strut my stuff.
**[18:44] ---**
He's trying to drive past me?
**[18:46] ---**
But considering his big size,
I doubt he's actually that fast.
**[18:50] ---**
Does he seriously think he can cut through
with a spin like that?
**[18:55] ---**
I don't see the ball!
**[18:56] ---**
Did he lose it?! Where'd it go?!
**[18:58] ---**
Kato! Above you!
**[19:02] ---**
It was a pass?!
**[19:04] ---**
He coordinated with the center
to get that pass through while in my blind spot?!
**[19:09] ---**
Go!
**[19:14] ---**
His timing is absolutely sensational.
**[19:16] ---**
Just one misstep and that would have been
a foul for sure.
**[19:19] ---**
Look! Yasu's wide open!
**[19:21] ---**
Score us some points!
**[19:37] ---**
All right! We took the lead!
**[19:39] ---**
Hell yeah! We're a force to be reckoned with!
**[19:43] ---**
Jeez, I gotta do everything around here.
**[19:46] ---**
Those were all smooth moves,
from in the back and up to the basket!
**[19:50] ---**
I can't believe how coordinated
those plays were!
**[19:53] ---**
I nearly forgot. Those two are twin brothers!
**[19:57] ---**
Our point guard and our center.
**[20:00] ---**
I don't think there's ever been a better duo!
**[20:02] ---**
I was a little worried about Momoharu
because of how he was acting.
**[20:06] ---**
But I guess I was just
reading too much into it.
**[20:10] ---**
Katori! They haven't gotten
their zone defense up yet!
**[20:13] ---**
Oh shit!
**[20:14] ---**
Okay! Let's make a fast
break and tear them apart!
**[20:19] ---**
Just watch me, you damn pipsqueak!
**[20:21] ---**
I'm DEFINITELY going to
leave you in the dust!
**[20:25] ---**
Acceleration Mode.... on!
**[20:31] ---**
What the hell was that, dude?!
**[20:33] ---**
I didn't see him coming
because he's so damn small!
**[20:36] ---**
Shit!
**[20:40] ---**
Oh crap!
**[20:41] ---**
Yasuhara! Go for it again!
**[20:45] ---**
Stop!
**[20:46] ---**
Your layup form is all wrong.
**[20:49] ---**
What your hands are doing is more important
than how you jump.
**[20:52] ---**
After you jump, have the
ball roll over your fingers.
**[20:55] ---**
Then all you have to do is... let
it fall right into the basket.
**[21:11] ---**
You did it! That was awesome, Yasuha-
**[21:17] ---**
Hoo boy, they've really
got us on the ropes now!
**[21:19] ---**
Don't make it sound like we've already lost!
**[21:22] ---**
We're just getting started! Isn't that right?
**[21:24] ---**
I'm impressed, the other team
has some incredible players on their roster.
**[21:27] ---**
Come on, Coach!
**[21:29] ---**
We're in a tight spot,
I'm not sure what to do.
**[21:32] ---**
I guess maybe we should
put Taro on the bench.
**[21:34] ---**
I can hear you from over here, damn geezer!
**[21:37] ---**
Just shut up and watch.
**[21:39] ---**
Forget that shorty, I'm gonna
fly past their whole team!
**[21:42] ---**
Oh crap, now he's even more wound up.
**[21:44] ---**
He's gonna go on a rampage
soon, there's no doubt.
**[21:47] ---**
And I keep telling you,
that's exactly what we want.
**[21:50] ---**
Huh?
**[21:53] ---**
We're going to have Taro...
trample all over that kid's tiny wings.
**[23:30] ---**
Ahiru no Sora
Next Time: Versus
**[23:31] ---**
Next time: "Versus."