Chapter 1: The Staples Center

Staples Center, the sports hub in the downtown area of Los Angeles, California, USA.

The most top-tier and sacred arena in the NBA, bar none.

Here, countless NBA superstars have left behind legendary feats and heart-stirring moments that have gone down in history. For an NBA superstar, being able to leave a record in this arena is something worth writing volumes about.

February 22, 2011, the arena was buzzing with noise.

Fan Xi sat at the very end of the Lakers' bench with a confused and worried expression, looking up at the top of the arena, where the jersey numbers of retired Los Angeles Lakers legends hung densely, along with 16 championship banners, witnessing the team's glorious past.

Fan Xi was a temporary player for the Lakers; he had signed a 10-day short-term contract 10 days ago. This was because the team's guards, Steve Blake and Ron Artest, were both injured, and they were short-handed.

Although Fan Xi was an undrafted player, he had the nickname "Defense Madman" in the NCAA, and the Lakers wanted to give him a try.

But for the past nine days, he hadn't received any playing time, and today was the tenth day.

If nothing unexpected happened, Fan Xi would be packing his backpack and leaving the Lakers.

Completely ending his journey of chasing his NBA dream.

In the NBA, players are divided into several levels. The Lakers' team leaders, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, are the faces of the league, an existence beyond super-superstars. Then there are the leaders of each team, who count as super-superstars. Next are the All-Stars, then elite players, starters, rotation players, bench players... and finally, at the very end, are temporary workers like Fan Xi who are on 10-day short-term contracts.

If you perform well in 10 days, you can get a non-guaranteed contract.

But for Fan Xi, this seemed like a dream that was out of reach, because he hadn't performed at all.

Fan Xi lowered his head and stretched slightly, discovering that a small iron pipe was protruding from the seat in front of him, as if it were naturally formed... He hurriedly stretched his leg and rested it on it... his lower body felt relieved.

Beep!

Interim Head Coach Lao Wente requested a timeout.

The Lakers were trailing by 7 points, with only 1 minute and 11 seconds left in the game.

Fan Xi looked around, and the fans nearby all had very frustrated and panicked expressions, showing none of the confidence of a defending champion.

Since entering February, the Lakers had suffered 6 losses in 8 games. If they lost to the Warriors, a bottom-feeder team in the same division, tonight, the Lakers' record would fall to sixth in the Western Conference.

For the Lakers, who had just won two consecutive championships, this was absolutely a disgrace.

Recently, the Lakers had been very unlucky.

Legendary head coach Phil Jackson was diagnosed with testicular cancer last month, and he frequently traveled back and forth to the hospital; as the spiritual leader, his absence had a huge impact on morale.

Two minutes ago, Kobe Bryant had been helped back to the locker room by the team doctor for further examination after spraining his ankle due to a defensive error.

Now, they were pushed to the brink by the Warriors.

It was no wonder the scene was filled with sighs, and some fans even left early.

Kobe's departure and the low morale left them unable to see hope; they didn't believe anyone else could stand up to save the team and defend the glory of the Staples Center.

Tonight was destined to be the breakout show for that second-year rookie on the other side.

That little guy named Stephen Curry would undoubtedly leave his mark in the Staples Center, becoming a shining new star.

And the reason Curry exploded was because the Warriors' core guard, Monta Ellis, was injured just as the third quarter began, and at that time, everyone thought the Warriors were finished.

Who would have thought that the cute-looking No. 30 rookie standing on the Warriors' bench would release vicious three-point firepower as soon as he got on the court. He forcibly pushed the Lakers into a passive position, and even caused Kobe to sprain his ankle while chasing him.

As for Curry, Fan Xi couldn't be more familiar with him.

They were college classmates, led the team to the NCAA Final Four together, and were the backcourt duo of Davidson College. Stephen Curry was known for his offense, while Fan Xi was a defensive expert at that time. One on offense and one on defense, they swept the NCAA.

But now, Curry was high-spirited and had a bright future, while Fan Xi was still sitting on the cold bench?? Sigh!

He sighed.

Just at this moment.

Boom!

A violent sound of lightning came from the top of the Staples Center, and the entire arena's lighting system shook violently.

This caused chaos in the arena, and everyone felt that the thunder was too violent.

And in the midst of the chaos, Fan Xi, who was sitting in the most inconspicuous corner of the Lakers' bench, suddenly shuddered, and a strong electric current passed through his body.

At that moment, he fell to the ground, his expression shocked, dumbfounded.

It turned out that the small iron pipe he was stepping on was actually connected to the lightning protection system of this arena, which had witnessed countless history, and the workers hadn't covered it up when laying the floor today... and as luck would have it, Fan Xi stepped on it.

Most importantly, it was struck by a once-in-a-century thunderbolt on the lightning rod at the top of the arena, triggering the entire lightning system.

The electric current formed a violent cycle in Fan Xi's body.

Immediately, Fan Xi felt a brilliant halo suddenly form in his mind.

In the halo, there were faintly flowing lightning and human figures.

Looking closely, they were actually the hazy shadows of some NBA superstars.

At the moment his emotions fluctuated violently, the lit halo flashed an image of Reggie Miller... then Fan Xi was stunned; he felt a secret power circling his entire body, all his cells, all his muscles... and even his capillaries and body hair were involved.

He was invigorated, his whole body filled with an unprecedented power, and his interpretation of shooting reached a terrifying height.

At the same time, the halo in his mind gradually dimmed. And it transmitted a consciousness to Fan Xi: as long as the halo lit up again, he could obtain a certain physical quality or technique of a superstar who had left a deep impression in this arena.

And the way to light up the halo was very simple: when emotions reached their extreme, generating his own brain waves to stimulate it to light up.

Fan Xi was overjoyed.

Reggie Miller's shooting! In the future, there would be many, many more techniques or physical talents of superstars who had left great achievements in this arena!

He was going to make it big!

Reggie Miller!

Reggie Miller was recognized as the greatest shooter in NBA history. In the 90s, he relied on his shooting to contend with Jordan, and even nailed Patrick Ewing and his New York Knicks to the pillar of shame.

Fan Xi couldn't be more surprised; the ability he lacked most before was his shooting ability.

He hurriedly stood up and walked towards the team's assistant coach, Lao Wente; he expressed a very strong desire, he wanted to seize this opportunity: because after tonight, he would have no more possibilities.

Seeing Fan Xi walk over, looking at him with a firm gaze, Lao Wente was a bit surprised; he had never seen such a confident and energetic look.

Fan Xi had left a deep impression on him over the past nine days; he was the assistant coach in charge of training, so all of Fan Xi's efforts fell into his eyes.

Although this Chinese teenager's physical fitness wasn't as good as the black players, and his offensive ability was somewhat lacking, his defensive effort was full, and he was also very smart, with a high level of understanding of tactics.

So, inexplicably? He wanted to give this guy a chance.

Anyway? It didn't look like there was a chance to win the game.

"Jack, come here."

He beckoned and called Fan Xi's English name.

This made other players frown and feel puzzled; why put in this substitute of a substitute at this critical moment?

Steve Blake was the Lakers' second point guard; he thought that after Kobe Bryant was injured, it should be him and Fisher playing at this time, using shooting to solve the problem, instead of putting in this? Chinese kid who popped out of nowhere, he had no shooting at all.

"Coach Wente, I'm not questioning you. But, are you really going to put him in at this time? We still have a chance to win. There's no need to surrender!"

Steve Blake said bluntly.

His condescending attitude didn't put Fan Xi in his eyes at all.

In the past, on the training ground, he often ordered Fan Xi around; although his status in the Lakers wasn't high, he was the person who was most harsh to Fan Xi. He habitually didn't pass the ball to Fan Xi, and even deliberately attacked Fan Xi's playing style.

To maintain his fragile self-esteem.

Fan Xi didn't argue with Steve Blake before, after all, he was just a temporary worker.

But tonight, he had confidence.

He said extremely toughly to Blake: "Me playing is better than you playing. I know Curry, I was his college teammate, and I won't be beaten by Curry into raising my hands and surrendering. Besides, when it comes to shooting, you are no match for me at all."

Fan Xi said confidently, and also mocked Blake for being beaten by Stephen Curry with no power to fight back.

This made Steve Blake furious, and he glared at Fan Xi: "What big talk, you are courting your own destruction."

Fan Xi stared at him coldly: "Whether it's courting destruction, just stand here and watch!"

Lao Wente made up his mind; he was the head coach temporarily replacing Phil Jackson, and Phil Jackson had gone to the hospital for a physical checkup these past few days. He didn't want his authority to be challenged during this period of acting as head coach: Steve Blake was a bit self-righteous.

So.

"Jack, you go in."

Lao Wente picked up the tactical board and demonstrated the tactics on it.

Beep!

The whistle sounded quickly, and the game continued.

When Derek Fisher, Fan Xi, Matt Barnes, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum walked onto the court.

The CCTV host was surprised.

"Our Fan Xi is on the court! Fan Xi is actually on the court! Have the Lakers announced garbage time?"

The host blurted out.

In his view, Fan Xi's level should only get playing time during garbage time.

The commentator next to him hurriedly reminded him: "Bynum and Gasol are both there, it shouldn't be garbage time. Fan Xi is very likely being entrusted with high hopes tactically!"

His words made the land of China instantly expectant.

Fan Xi was the second Chinese guard to land in the NBA, although he hadn't received any opportunities before.

But countless fans hoped that Fan Xi could carry the banner of Chinese basketball and make a name for himself in the NBA. Just like Yao Ming? But Yao Ming had an impressive height, while Fan Xi's body had no advantage in the NBA at all.

Fan Xi arrived on the court, he was very calm.

When veteran Fisher brought the basketball to the front court, he ran quickly. He had a strong understanding of tactics; he cut into the paint quickly, used Bynum's body as a screen, and ran out at the first opportunity? The person defending him was blocked behind Bynum.

He was in a completely open position, and then he reached out for the ball.

Fisher hesitated slightly, then passed it quickly.

Fan Xi received the basketball and jumped to shoot with extreme decisiveness and firmness?? The movement was natural, even more standard than a textbook.

Coach Lao Wente, standing next to him, was dumbfounded: Little Jack's previous shooting gesture wasn't like this!

Swish!

The basketball slid out in a perfect arc and fell into the net hollow.

115:119.

There was 1 minute and 03 seconds left in the game, and Fan Xi's 3-pointer narrowed the point difference to 4 points.

Yes!!

Lao Wente waved his fist hard; he had bet correctly.

"Jack-Fan! Fan!"

The Staples Center suddenly erupted with surging energy after being suppressed for a long time, and the fans' cheers were enough to lift the roof.

Fan Xi waved to them, and didn't forget to show his muscles to Steve Blake.

This made the fans' cheers even louder, and they placed all their hopes on Fan Xi.

After Kobe Bryant was injured and left, the City of Angels urgently needed a new savior to stand up.

Now, it seemed it should be this young player who suddenly killed his way out from the bench.

Steve Blake curled his lips on the sidelines, thinking that Fan Xi's three-pointer was just dumb luck.

"Three-pointer! Three-pointer! Three-pointer!! Fan Xi has performed a meritorious service! Fan Xi has performed a meritorious service!!"

The CCTV host roared on TV, feeling unprecedentedly refreshed; he didn't expect Fan Xi to hit a three-pointer at such a critical moment.

"It's stable, it's stable, Fan Xi should be able to stay on the Lakers' roster."

The host said optimistically.

The commentator next to him reminded: "It's just one three-pointer, it's not stable enough. If he can do something else??"

Before the commentator finished speaking, Fan Xi on the scene went straight for Stephen Curry.

The two were classmates at Davidson College, partners for two years, and had a very good relationship; they were not only teammates but also roommates? And even good brothers who chased girls together.

Perhaps, the person in this world who understood Stephen Curry best was Fan Xi.

Now, Fan Xi stood on the opposite side of Curry.

Curry was a bit nervous; he had made great progress since entering the NBA. However, when they were in college, the two practiced against each other, and Fan Xi always had a way to make him feel uncomfortable because Fan Xi could predict his movements.

Curry used a sharp change of direction, and his progress was indeed very fast.

He was much stronger than he was in college.

However, his shoulder-shrugging movement before starting hadn't changed, and Fan Xi captured it keenly, blocking in front of Curry in advance.

Curry's change-of-direction attack failed.

Quick turn.

Fan Xi entangled him quickly, no longer giving him any room to maneuver.

Curry lost the timing to shoot and had to pass the basketball to Al Thornton.

Al Thornton got the basketball, and the Lakers' defensive tough guy Matt Barnes quickly entangled him, using his strong body to force Thornton to pass the ball. Under the tough defense, Thornton had to pass to David Lee, but who knew that as soon as the basketball was passed out, Pau Gasol went around in front and intercepted the basketball with his amazing long arms.

The Lakers gained possession.

Great defensive success!

The Staples Center once again resounded with excited cheers.

Fan Xi locked down Curry, who had been unstoppable before, and made a great contribution.

On the way back to the half-court, Matt Barnes couldn't help but walk over and pat Fan Xi on the head. "Great job, kid."

Fan Xi smiled.

It had only just begun.