Chapter 41

After experiencing the back-to-back in New York and arriving in warm Orlando, Florida, the team had a short one-day vacation.

Thanks to them arriving in Orlando by plane late last night.

In the long, grueling season, this counted as a rare moment to catch their breath.

Lamar Odom said Orlando has the world's largest Disney park, and Fan Xi felt a headache as soon as he heard the word "Disney."

Selena's pursuit of him clearly exceeded his imagination; he originally thought it was just a night of pleasure. He had clearly been sacrificing himself to save others that day, putting in effort without reward, and even wasted a presidential suite for nothing.

As it turns out, the person is now hooked, pushing for more, and actually wants to… fly away with him.

Although Selena is indeed very tempting, and Fan Xi often misses her.

But he always feels… how can he, as a man, be so passive?

Even that night, it was mostly Selena on top.

Fan Xi ultimately chose to stay in the hotel.

He watched TV programs and found that his fame was rising crazily; he could see reports about him even on Orlando TV stations, in long, drawn-out segments.

The news reported the news of him scoring 60 points to break the record and crushing Devin Harris in New Jersey.

Interview programs played the deeds of excited teams shouting about the "Jack Phenomenon."

And those commentary programs analyzed why Fan Xi could get 60 points and why he could get a triple-double. Fan Xi watched with interest for a while; they said the Nets' defense was too loose, Devin Harris was a bit complacent, and they even brought up the female celebrity running to the sidelines to cheer for Fan Xi, having a "female buff" bonus.

Fan Xi was amused; no wonder people say commentators' mouths are like crosstalk performers—they can always find reasons and arguments for anything.

Interestingly, Fan Xi saw an interview with Devin Harris on a program.

This guy was lying in a hospital bed with his arm in a cast, saying with a face full of disbelief: "That hateful guy hid his strength; our pre-game analysis was all wrong. We underestimated his agility; he is more cunning than imagined. So, to defeat him, you must be fully prepared. Always assume he is 20% stronger than he looks on tape!"

"I will definitely come back."

Devin Harris said solemnly.

However, from the current situation, he probably won't be coming back.

Deron Williams's conflict with Sloan in Salt Lake City has already become public; this point guard, who entered the NBA in 2005 and became a superstar under the veteran coach Sloan through the pick-and-roll tactic, is no longer satisfied with the old coach's strict command.

With his wings hardened, he even thinks the pick-and-roll tactic cannot bring out his most powerful strength.

Moreover, he is tired of the Puritan-like life in Salt Lake City; he wants to go to a bustling big city.

He has already submitted a trade request to the Jazz, and now the Nets are the most actively approaching team. After the Russian financial oligarch took over the Nets, they have plenty of money and are about to move to Brooklyn, New York.

And in people's minds, Devin Harris, who was ruthlessly ravaged by Fan Xi, will be the most suitable trade chip.

This battle not only broke Devin Harris's only pride but also left him without a home.

…

Fan Xi thought that by not going to the world's largest Disney park, he could avoid Selena, but unexpectedly, Selena actually chased him to Florida. She actually came to the sidelines again, sitting in the most conspicuous position to cheer for Fan Xi.

This caused the media to speculate even more: does Selena really intend to have a grand, passionate romance with this rising rookie?

The Magic's point guard, Nelson, was extremely angry about this; he was filled with jealousy when he saw Selena wearing Fan Xi's No. 10 jersey. Because when he went to chat with Selena before the game, Selena actually recognized him: "So you're the one who wants to stop me from dating Jack? Are you crazy?"

This made the fan, Nelson, extremely sad.

He decided to launch a strong attack on Fan Xi on the court, and he learned from Devin Harris's failure.

He decided not to use speed to attack Fan Xi, nor to challenge Fan Xi's strength in three-pointers.

Instead, he used his solid weight to challenge Fan Xi's lower body.

If it were before the game against the Nets, this move might have worked.

However, he encountered Fan Xi, who had obtained Michael Jordan's full set of post-up techniques and fadeaway jump shot techniques.

Although Fan Xi couldn't use both sets of techniques completely.

But he hadn't eaten pork, yet he had seen pigs run? Not to mention, it was the most powerful post-up pig in history.

Compared to Jordan, Nelson's post-up movements were as clumsy as kindergarten graffiti; in Fan Xi's eyes, it was like slow-motion playback.

He was merely using his strength advantage to attack Fan Xi.

However, Fan Xi also possessed the advantage of height and wingspan.

Therefore, Nelson failed in his first three consecutive offensive possessions. Moreover, his movements were really too clumsy.

The Lakers originally had no requirement to win this game.

After all, Bynum and Kobe were missing.

Although Fan Xi broke the record in the last game, he was still just a rookie after all. Moreover, Pau Gasol has historically not had many ways to deal with the tough Howard.

However, who would have thought that the Magic's brains would collectively have a fever?

Nelson failed in his first three offensive possessions, and Fan Xi led the offense, successfully executing three consecutive counterattacks. Fan Xi hit a three-pointer, assisted Barnes in hitting a three-pointer, and assisted Gasol in a successful layup.

Subsequently, Howard didn't want to be a blue-collar worker and insisted on showing his talent in offense; he used brute force to attack Gasol. Although Gasol was hit until he was dizzy.

However, Howard's shooting percentage was very sluggish, and he was even stolen from twice by Fan Xi.

Such clumsy performance by the Magic undoubtedly triggered Stan Van Gundy's dissatisfaction; he shouted and yelled on the sidelines, and even roared at the head referee.

The head referee couldn't stand it in the third quarter and directly ejected Stan Van Gundy from the court.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Harmony in the family leads to prosperity in everything."

Problems arose within the Magic team, and the opportunities the Lakers gained from the outside increased.

Although the newly joined veteran guard Vince Carter tried his best to repair the cracks on the court, the dunk king was old after all… Carter used to fly and dodge, shining on the court with his athletic ability. Now, he is an old steed in the stable, relying on positioning and perimeter three-pointers to survive.

He is the only one among all of Jordan's successors who surpassed the "Flying Man" in dunking, but he is also the player with the greatest gap in technical aspects.

By the middle of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were leading by 15 points.

At this time, the Beast Howard also had no spirit. Known for being happy, he simply returned to the bench and never appeared again.

It seems that between him and Stan Van Gundy, one of them has to go.

Recently, this trend seems to be becoming the norm in the league; Lebron James took the privileges of stars to the extreme in the summer of 2010.

Then came the things where Deron Williams and Howard went against their head coaches.

The Jazz's former point guard, John Stockton, once jumped out and said: This was unimaginable in the 90s. At that time, no matter how big a star was, they would always strictly execute the head coach's tactics.

But now, top stars get ten times the money and fame of the 90s, so naturally, the power structure in the locker room changes.

It is hard to say whether this change is positive or negative.

It can only be said that existence is reasonable.

Fan Xi showed off two operations at the last moment.

He used the post-up skills he got from Jordan to shake off Nelson, who had been biting him all night, and then a graceful fadeaway, shooting the basketball… Swish!

The moment the basketball hit.

Nelson was completely stunned.

He thought his post-up skills were considered good for an NBA point guard, but once Fan Xi's move came out, he directly felt inferior.

Even if he hated Fan Xi, he had to praise him in his heart: "Good guy, as smooth as silk."

And Phil Jackson and Lao Wente, who were sitting on the sidelines, were even more bright-eyed; Fan Xi's agility and charm made them see the shadow of Michael Jordan completely.

Many people say that Kobe Bryant's fadeaway jump shot is as beautiful as a painting.

However, in their hearts, there has always been a higher level of aesthetics.

Just now, the style of Fan Xi's shake, step-back, and jump shot stunned their eyes.

Jack is actually this silky?

Although Fan Xi's jump height is insufficient, in terms of aesthetics alone, they think it has already surpassed Kobe.

Kobe Bryant himself was also stunned in front of the TV.

"How many more surprises can this little guy give us?"

"Even the post-up is so perfect."

"This is an art that is about to disappear."

Kobe Bryant has been immersed in the post-up technique for many years; when he was very young, he imitated Jordan's tapes, and later even went to ask Hakeem Olajuwon, the number one footwork expert in the paint, for advice.

However, when Fan Xi used that move silkily.

He saw… the gap in talent.

"Even if Jack started practicing from his mother's womb, it couldn't be this smooth."

Kobe Bryant sighed: "This is a rhythm that can't be practiced through hard work; it's talent!"

While Kobe was sighing, Fan Xi came for another fadeaway jump shot, only this time it was Vince Carter defending him.

His jump shot missed the rim, but the posture was still as beautiful as a painting.

Vince Carter gave him a thumbs up.

Then, the Magic's assistant coach requested a timeout; they announced the arrival of garbage time in advance, and Fan Xi also returned to the bench.

When Fan Xi returned to the bench, Phil Jackson couldn't help but ask him: "Did you learn your post-up technique by watching Jordan's tapes?"

Fan Xi answered seriously: "No. I suddenly knew how to do it overnight."

Hiss!

Phil Jackson gasped.

He has been in professional sports for most of his life; he knows the gap between "genius" and ordinary people. For a genius, an epiphany is just a matter of yawning. For ordinary people, it requires ten years of hard work, and they might not even get that kind of charm.

Ku Pu Qie Ke picked up a treasure.

The Lakers' eight-figure annual salary was spent too worthily.

The Zen Master could only say so.

…

Defeating the Magic was an unexpected joy; Fan Xi got 15 points and 10 assists in this game. Although the data was not as stunning as the last game, everyone knew… he had already become the perimeter core when Kobe was away.

He and Pau Gasol supported the team.

In addition, Ron Artest was officially placed on the trade block by the Lakers before this game ended; also placed on the trade block were Steve Blake and Shannon Brown.

The Lakers making this move before the big battle with the Heat was a bit unusual, but it also proved that they didn't want to wait for a moment.

They announced to the world that Jack had become an important part of their future.

Just like Selena making an important speech in Orlando, she didn't want to wait for a moment either.

"Can you help me tell Jack that I like him and I want to date him? Whether it's 4 AM in Los Angeles, 3 AM in New York City, or 12 PM in Beijing, as long as he is willing, anytime, anywhere, I want to be with him."

As one of Disney's most supported little princesses, her confession was textbook-level.

It also made Fan Xi the object of entertainment media scrambling to report again.

Everyone wants to see what the man who makes the Disney little princess and American sweetheart so admiring and even a bit humble looks like.

And curiosity is the beginning of obsession.

Fan Xi's appearance and the legendary stories Fan Xi created in the NBA are all making this person full of attraction.

At the same time, Fan Xi has already boarded the plane to Miami.

Miami is a symbol of enthusiasm and a collection of South Coast style.

Everywhere here are sunshine, beaches, palm trees, and some beauties in bikinis.

After this city got Pat Riley in the 90s, basketball culture flourished.

In the early 21st century, it was Pat Riley who used his divine calculations to dig Shaquille O'Neal from the Lakers, formed a super inside-outside combination with rookie Dwyane Wade, and won the championship in 2006.

After sinking for four years, Pat Riley once again displayed his "God-like Calculator" skills last summer.

He tricked Lebron James, who was at his peak and called by the media the next Basketball God, to Miami, forming an unprecedented super Big Three combination with Wade and Bosh.

Today, they are unstoppable.

Although many media outlets accused their peak "super-team" behavior of lacking sportsmanship.

But winning can always dissolve criticism; if they keep winning and keep winning championships, they will turn from the controversial villain role into the great and righteous protagonist group.

James and the others all think so.

And in their hearts, the Lakers' purple and gold army led by Kobe Bryant is their number one target.

Their guns have long been aimed at the Lakers; they have made full preparations, and as long as the Lakers dare to come, they will definitely make them pay a painful price.

"Have you heard about that rookie who broke the record for the Lakers? He seems to be very powerful?"

In Dwyane Wade's big villa, Chris Bosh asked James, who was lying under a sun umbrella. "The recent momentum is even more grand than the No. 1 picks of these years."

James hadn't spoken yet.

Wade smiled and said: "Every year there will be some flash-in-the-pan rookies; last year it was Jennings, this year it's this handsome Chinese man. When the tide recedes, you will find they are all swimming naked."

The Flash laughed: We are the tide! We are the waves!

Saying that, he jumped into his own swimming pool, stirring up surging waves.

…