Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 446 - 300: Demons Dance Chaotically

Chapter 446: Chapter 300: Demons Dance Chaotically

The All-Star Game officially began with Yao Ming and McGrady as the hosts giving a speech on the court.

This task was mainly carried out by Yao Ming, because McGrady had been feeling downcast recently, his situation akin to that of this season’s Rockets.

The experience of a seven-game battle with the Mavericks last season had bolstered the Rockets’ confidence for this season, yet a series of injuries had thwarted their ambitions. Yao Ming had just recovered from a severe foot injury, not to mention that McGrady had been troubled by congenital spine issues and thus missed several games, but this wasn’t the worst of it.

The worst part was that in the past few months, McGrady had suffered a series of personal tragedies: the death of a family member, the murder of a close friend, and a major personal tragedy he did not wish to disclose.

This plunged McGrady into deep EMO.

Unfortunately, it was 2006, not after 2020, when you couldn’t just disappear or take extended leave from the team over some “minor” family issues. It wouldn’t fly—not in the eyes of the people of the time at least, who thought it was absurd. As a player, enduring both physical and emotional pain and fighting against fate were seen as basic requirements by the public.

Therefore, McGrady’s request for leave was denied, and he ended up participating in the All-Star Game he had wished to avoid.

Fortunately, the Western All-Star Team was not as chaotic as the Eastern All-Star Team.

Even someone like Kobe, an abnormal individual, had a very good relationship with McGrady and they were willing to collaborate to create a big stage for him to enjoy playing on his home court.

That’s why, at the start of the game, Kobe uncharacteristically passed the ball to McGrady.

McGrady shot a three-pointer, which missed.

On the Eastern side, Yu Fei took the lead, easily breaking through Carter, who pretended to defend seriously, and dunked the ball for a score.

What followed was still the script of guests setting the stage for the host.

Only this time, the person making the pass was changed to Duncan.

Duncan suddenly turned into Sabonis, delivering a precise lob within the cramped space of the paint to assist Yao Ming with a slam dunk.

Then, Iverson charged into the basket like a wraith, went for a layup, and missed due to interference.

Kobe jogged back on defense casually, and since the defensive intensity was so low, hardly anyone bothered to transition back, giving Kobe an easy opportunity to dunk.

Seconds later, it was Yu Fei again, who like training a dog, pointed for Shaquille O’Neal to come up for a pick and roll.

O’Neal sneered, setting up as if to say, “If I give you a screen today, then I’m a dog.”

Thankfully, even though it seemed like no one on the Eastern All-Star Team wanted to be human, beneath those cynical hearts there was still a man of steel willing to do something useful for the team. After all, for a big man like him, without the help of teammates, even in an All-Star game, there wouldn’t be many opportunities to shine.

Jermaine O’Neal, the only starting All-Star for the Indiana Pacers, set aside past grievances and came up to screen for Yu Fei.

But this was just a feint by Yu Fei, who suddenly took a significant step back in the opposite direction of the screen, leaped off one leg, and nailed a three as if standing on one leg.

“Swish!”

“It’s good news for the fans; Frye is showing a strong desire to perform tonight!”

Yu Fei showed approval for Jermaine O’Neal’s action: “Just for that screen, I forgive you for ruining my chance at a third consecutive championship last year.”

Jermaine O’Neal yelled, “You gotta pass the ball, Big Fei, you can’t just go solo!”

What a joke, if I’m going to impersonate ’03 Kobe, can’t I be the tumor?

But then again, although Yu Fei had the advantage of ball possession as the Eastern starting guard in the race for the AMVP, if he really played solo every time, he was bound to provoke resentment. So, having Jermaine O’Neal as an ally was acceptable—what’s the big deal in passing him the ball a few times?

Like ’03 Kobe, wasn’t he averaging nearly six assists per game? If you’re going to act, you’ve got to do the whole set.

“Fine, I’ll pass you the ball,” Yu Fei said.

The Western All-Star Team continued their sentimental support for each other, which was almost enough to make Shaq vomit.

When Kobe drove in for a layup, Shaq went up and blocked it mercilessly as if he had scores to settle that day.

“Since when can you score a layup over me?” Shaq taunted.

However, the rebound was secured by Duncan, who followed up with an easy basket.

On the Eastern side, the ball finally got into someone else’s hands.

Iverson advanced with the ball, saying he was only joking about wanting the AMVP, but after seeing Yu Fei’s unapologetic isolation plays, he realized that the MVP was indeed something you had to fight for.

So what to say? Just go solo.

When Iverson played solo for nearly 20 seconds, George Karl held his head with both hands and felt a twinge in his prostate. If he had to watch more of this ugly game, he was sure his old ailment would act up.

Iverson’s aggressive drive missed, but the offensive rebound was caught by O’Neal.

Yao Ming spread his arms and leaned against O’Neal with his body, which by All-Star standards, was considered a strong defense.

O’Neal then exerted himself to shove off Yao Ming and dunked forcefully.

Whether it was the audience in the stadium or the viewers in front of the TV, after watching a few rounds, one could see the difference in attitude toward the game between the Eastern and Western All-Star teams.

The Western All-Star Team was relaxed and harbored an attitude of making way for McGrady and Yao Ming.

The Eastern All-Star Team is like a gang of dogs, whoever gets the ball goes on the attack, getting frustrated if they can’t score and showing off with all sorts of celebrations when they do.

Visit freewёbnoνel.com for the best novel reading experience.

In such a situation, it’s hard for the game not to heat up.

As someone famous for taking All-Star games seriously, Kobe was very restrained tonight.

But with Shaquille O’Neal’s trash talk and the Eastern All-Star Team’s attitude, it naturally ignited his 81-point spirit. Being a superstar who was working on improving his reputation through his on-court performances, he had scored 81 points against the Raptors not long ago, shocking the basketball world. If he really let go in this kind of situation, he could outdo anyone.

Provoked by Shaquille O’Neal and the others from the East, Kobe started going one-on-one, interrupting the Western All-Star Team’s usually smooth ball movement.

Kobe dribbles the ball, feints, then abruptly pulls up for a fadeaway jumper.

It’s good!

From now on, Western’s nice guy: minus one, the guy passing to McGrady: minus one.

“Jermaine, pass me the ball.”

When Fei, Iverson, and James call for the ball at the same time, Little O’Neal felt like he was the most needed person in the world.

Then, he passed the ball to Fei.

“Don’t ever say you’re from the class of ’96 again!” Iverson shouted.

Little O’Neal stiffened his neck in retort, “That’s different, Big Fei and I are both from high school, we’re cut from the same cloth!”

Fei liked hearing that.

But James wasn’t pleased, “I’m also a player straight out of high school.”

Little O’Neal’s response delivered a crushing blow to the young emperor, “How can you even compare to Big Fei!”

In just a few words, they were already at the frontcourt.

Seeing that little James was in a bad mood, Fei tried to smooth things over, calling out to little O, “Alright, Jermaine, if you want me to pass the ball to you, make sure this is the last time you disrespect my little brother!”

While Fei spoke, Little O had already zoned out, rolling off the pick.

His cut was so fast that Fei couldn’t take advantage of the pick and was immediately facing a threat of double team.

But Fei was fearless, leaning forward and hooking the ball into the air behind him with his left hand.

In terms of sheer spectacle, that pass could elicit cheers in any setting.

Little O leapt to the side, slamming the ball home on an alley-oop.

“Great pass! Great pass!” Little O was ecstatic, “Big Fei! That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do!”

“Also, what were you saying just now?”

Uh…

Fei glanced at little James, who had already backed off, “I said you’re the best O’Neal in the league.”

Little O humbly replied, “I’m still a little bit behind Shaq, though.”

“Don’t compare yourself to a dog,” Fei said, always up for rubbing salt in the wound of an enemy, even if it meant disparaging himself, “How many times has that big fatty beaten me? And how many times have you? You’re way better than he is.”

Hearing Fei’s words, Little O blew up with pride.

Looking at it now, he really was the league’s strongest O’Neal… no, he could go further, he was the strongest O’Neal in history.

George Karl on the sidelines could finally relax.

At first, he worried that Fei might be isolated by the others, but he needn’t have worried.

The only Eastern All-Star with a grudge against Fei was Shaquille O’Neal, with the rest just a clash of egos, and Little O actually shared the same vibe as Fei, striking an inexplicable harmony that made Karl take a few more glances at Little O.

However, Karl could see why Fei had clicked with Little O so quickly. On one hand, as an opponent, Little O always played tough against the Bucks, demonstrating strong dominance inside. On the other hand, after winning games, he would seldom rub it in Fei’s face, a true gentleman of talent and character. Additionally, in many ways, he resembled a deluxe version of Kwame Brown.

Fei had worked with several top-notch perimeter players before but had never teamed up with a first-class big man, which was a small regret of his.

And Little O was the enlightened version of Kwame Brown of Fei’s dreams.

With Little O as his sidekick, aiming for tonight’s All-Star MVP wouldn’t be hard.

Karl began pondering the upcoming substitutions. Though he was the coach of the Eastern All-Star Team, everything he did took Fei’s needs into consideration. If Fei wanted the All-Star MVP, no matter what, he, the coach of the Eastern All-Star Team, couldn’t just sit idly by – not even God could stop him from favoring Big Fei.

Karl watched the game for a while, then had a sudden thought.

Hmm, maybe he could try a lineup with Frye, Kevin Martin, Jermaine O’Neal, Chris Bosh, and Paul Pierce.

That might be the best lineup to let Big Fei rack up stats: one teammate from his own team opening up space, an All-Star rookie certain to be easily directed, Little O already in sync, and as for Pierce… since the Celtics had opted for a full rebuild, and he was a healthy All-Star who had recently led his team to the Eastern Conference Finals, he was as emo as McGrady.

But you see, the Eastern All-Star Team is full of dogs who cares if you’re emo or not. You want to play, play; if not, go to the corner and smoke, don’t get in the way of Big Fei padding his stats.

With that thought, Karl’s mood improved.

COMMENT

0 comment

Vote

3 left

SEND GIFT