dmims Chapter 38 Chinese Derby
Chapter 38 Chinese Derby
Madison Square Garden, New York.
Knicks vs. Houston Rockets.
This was a highly anticipated Chinese derby, but the situation after the start was a one-sided crushing defeat – of course, a crushing defeat.
Yao Ming demonstrated what "dominance" truly means in the paint.
Against the Knicks' centers who were barely over two meters tall, Yao Ming, at 2.26 meters, had a huge advantage.
Back to goal, get into position, receive the ball.
There were no fancy moves, just a simple turn and a hook.
"brush!"
It hit the target without fail.
Turning back, Li Xiangbei attempted to use his speed to break through the rocket's defenses.
Using a screen, he accelerated past the slightly slower Shane Battier and drove straight into the penalty area.
"Great opportunity!" Li Xiangbei was overjoyed and prepared to make a layup in mid-air.
But just as he jumped...
Yao Ming didn't even jump much; he just stood there with his arms raised.
"Snapped!"
The ball in Li Xiangbei's hands was directly shoved down by Yao Ming's large hand. It wasn't a block, it was a grab that brought the ball down with him.
"Head north."
Yao Ming controlled the ball, looked at Li Xiangbei, and smiled.
"The paint in the NBA isn't so easy to get into."
Li Xiangbei landed and shook his head somewhat helplessly.
"Wow, that's really high..."
He sighed inwardly.
At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led by 8 points thanks to Yao Ming's dominance in the paint.
The game entered a tense moment. Li Xiangbei managed to keep the score close by trading blows with Yao Ming.
Rockets have possession of the ball.
The ball was handed to Yao Ming without any doubt.
Yao Ming, backing down in the low post, remained as steady as a mountain despite being double-teamed by two opponents.
He feinted, then turned and hooked his hand.
"brush!"
102:103.
The Rockets took a one-point lead! That's the value of a superstar.
The last 28 seconds.
Knicks on offense.
Artest leads the defense.
Li Xiangbei held the ball and glanced at Yao Ming in the paint.
Li Xiangbei called for Randolph to set a screen. His goal was simple: to get Yao Ming out of the game.
Yao Ming moves relatively slowly.
A pick-and-roll was set. Yao Ming switched onto Li Xiangbei.
Li Xiangbei took a deep breath.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 5/6]
That was absolutely the decisive goal.
Li Xiangbei started dribbling. He executed a series of crossovers, the rhythm fluctuating between fast and slow.
suddenly!
A realistic fake bowing gesture.
Yao Ming didn't shift his center of gravity, so he wasn't fooled by the fakes. That's the experience of a top center.
But Li Xiangbei didn't expect to be able to shake off Yao Ming. What he needed was space.
The moment he bowed to the Buddha, he suddenly pushed off the ground with his right foot, and his whole body took a large step back!
They separated by about one meter.
Then, jump, increase the arc, and release the ball.
Yao Ming lunged forward to block the shot, his fingertips just one centimeter away from the basketball!
[System locked: Guaranteed win.]
The basketball traced an extremely high arc in the air.
"brush!!!"
It was a captivating, hollow sound as it entered the net.
105:103.
A near game-winning shot!
The rocket had only 4 seconds left to run.
The rocket requested a pause.
……
The last 4 seconds.
The Rockets' final possession.
Everyone knew the ball would go to Yao Ming. The entire Knicks team fronted him on defense, tightly marking him and making sure he wouldn't receive the ball.
Alston, serving, couldn't find an opportunity and was on the verge of a 5-second violation.
Artest rushed out to receive the ball!
He received the ball beyond the three-point line with only two seconds left. There was no time to pass; he had to shoot himself!
Artest jumps.
But at the very moment he made his move...
A red figure soared into the air!
It's Li Xiangbei!
[Trash Talk King (BUFF): When your opponent loses their composure, your reaction speed increases by 20%.]
He had anticipated Artest's impatience.
"Smack!!!"
Li Xiangbei slammed his palm hard onto the basketball!
Seal it! The crucial seal!
"beep--!"
The final whistle blows!
The match is over!
The Knicks narrowly defeated the Rockets 105-103!
After landing, Li Xiangbei raised his arms high, welcoming the cheers of the entire arena. He not only hit the game-winning shot on offense, but also personally extinguished the Rockets' last hope on defense.
Artest stood there, completely dumbfounded.
……
After the game.
Yao Ming wasn't angry about the loss; he walked over with a smile.
"That last step-back was beautiful," Yao Ming exclaimed sincerely. "It was even harder to defend than I imagined. It seems you really learned a lot in the United States."
"Let's go, we still need to eat even if we lose the game. The table is already booked."
Li Xiangbei smiled, and the aggression he displayed on the court instantly vanished.
He glanced at Artest, who was still sulking not far away, and suddenly shouted:
"Brother Yao, can we bring Ron along?"
Yao Ming was taken aback: "Huh? Why bring him along? Aren't you afraid of a fight?"
Li Xiangbei grinned mischievously and pointed at Artest:
"I think he's definitely furious right now. Take him out for something nice to eat, especially one of those Peking duck wraps that will stuff your mouth full... I think he needs something to shut him up so he stops spouting trash."
Yao Ming burst out laughing and patted Li Xiangbei on the shoulder.
"Alright! Everyone go! There's plenty tonight!"