Chapter 43: A Powerful Touchstone: The Flash Wade

Taylor Swift, the super female singer who exploded in popularity since the end of last year, her albums are bestsellers worldwide, and she has won major awards at numerous ceremonies.

She is called the person expected to become the fourth true global superstar in the history of American music: the first three are Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Britney Spears from the late 90s and early 21st century.

Therefore, when she appeared in Miami, it naturally triggered a lot of discussion.

"Taylor Swift should be here to see Lebron James; last month they even filmed a commercial together in New York. The most appealing little diva in the music world and the most appealing basketball superstar in our basketball circle, if they were together, it would really be a couple combination full of imagination." Famous commentator McBlin said to the North American audience watching the game on the ESPN broadcast desk.

ESPN and TNT are the top two sports channels in the United States, and ESPN's influence and radiation range are larger.

Their ace commentator is McBlin, an old white man who has been in the commentary industry for over 40 years. He is a very "sycophantic" commentator; he always uses the most complimentary words for superstars, and rarely gives affirmation to ordinary rotation players or role players.

"It's a pity, Taylor Swift doesn't fancy Lebron."

Sitting next to him is Reggie Miller.

They are a "serious yet humorous" combination. McBlin is responsible for hyping up those superstars, and Reggie Miller is responsible for poisonous tongue roasting.

Reggie Miller is the best shooter in NBA history. His growth experience is legendary enough; he was born with polio, but he relied on astonishing perseverance to become a professional player. When he was a child, his sister, also a famous ESPN sideline reporter, Cheryl Miller, often taught him a lesson in one-on-one.

A woman's devastation taught him new moves, his mouth became more nagging than a woman's, and his trash talk became famous after entering the League. He always sprayed people until their tempers exploded and their emotions were uncontrollable.

Players who were driven crazy by him include Gary Payton, known for his poisonous tongue, New York's best sixth man Starks, Scottie Pippen, and... young Tracy McGrady and young Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant even fought him on the court because he lost his mind... unfortunately, he threw two punches and didn't hit him.

Therefore, the TV station inviting him to work at the commentary desk was absolutely a case of having a discerning eye.

This is also why ESPN's ratings have always been slightly higher than TNT's.

Before the game started, he began his mockery. "With Taylor Swift's income level, she has absolutely no need to wrong herself by dating a man who is strong to the point of not being human. I am not denying Lebron's male charm, but if I were a woman, and a woman who doesn't lack fame or money, my dating object would definitely be... Jack! Yes, that three-point kid on the Lakers."

Reggie Miller said: "I see the handsome shadow of my younger self in him... I mean the feeling when shooting."

McBlin was a bit depressed and said unconvinced: "Any normal woman would choose Lebron, not that pretty boy Jack Fan. Although he has played many good games, he is a rookie after all. Tonight is the duel between Kobe and Lebron."

Reggie Miller couldn't be bothered to discuss this issue with him. He sarcastically mocked: "You old guy who hasn't had a sex life in twenty years, don't worry about the mate-selection views of contemporary young women; you could be Taylor's grandfather."

"..."

McBlin was habitually rendered speechless by the retort.

At this time, players from both sides walked onto the court. When Lebron James came onto the court, he even specifically went to greet Taylor Swift.

The fist-bump action between the two caused some deliberate noise from the fans at the scene.

Humans are all gossipy.

At the same time, Fan Xi walked onto the court with his head down; his eyes were full of his opponent, Mario Chalmers.

Beep!

As the head referee blew the whistle, Pau Gasol and Ilgauskas jumped at the same time.

Ilgauskas, nicknamed Big Z, had always been the center for the Cavaliers before; he was the sword-wielding guard on Lebron James's growth path. When James transferred to the Heat, he followed.

In his prime, at 221cm tall, he could be considered All-Star level.

But now he basically has no athletic ability, and only his height remains on the court.

Slap!

Pau Gasol lightly stretched his ape-like arms and tipped the basketball to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi received the basketball and immediately advanced with the ball steadily.

When Fan Xi reached the front court, just when everyone thought Fan Xi would pass the ball to Kobe, Kobe made a move for Fan Xi to play one-on-one.

This scene even exceeded the expectations of the Flash Wade.

Before this, every time he played against Kobe, it was always Kobe holding the ball for a one-on-one in the first round.

Tonight, Kobe let that rookie handle the ball.

Is it because his injury hasn't recovered yet?

Dwyane Wade was very puzzled at the same time.

Fan Xi suddenly changed direction; his figure was like a drawn scimitar, and also like a leopard pouncing on him... Bang!

The basketball made a sharp change in front of his body, and his body followed the swing.

Crossover!

Mario Chalmers couldn't react in time.

Fan Xi bypassed him like lightning and entered the paint with the force of a broken bamboo.

The surging explosive power and sharp speed allowed him to succeed in one go. In an instant, he reached the restricted area and jumped up against Ilgauskas. Big Z hurriedly came to help defend.

However, he didn't expect Fan Xi to rub hard against him and then shoot.

Fan Xi cleverly utilized Ilgauskas's lack of mobility... and forcibly drew a foul on him. Beep!

The head referee blew the whistle, and Fan Xi's basketball also went into the basket.

2+1.

Fan Xi made a shot with great strategic significance at the start.

"This is where he is smart." Lao Wente said to Phil Jackson.

Phil Jackson nodded with satisfaction.

He had no pursuit of the outcome of this game. Because even if Kobe Bryant returned, the Three Giants sitting at home still had a considerable advantage. Their power is not something Kobe alone can resist. His expectation for this game is for Fan Xi to continue accumulating experience in this game, because this is a tough battle.

Only tough battles can verify a player's ceiling.

Fan Xi's style of quickly bypassing the defense and killing into the paint to draw a foul on Big Z was very smart, capturing the fleeting opportunity without letting the Three Giants get involved, but instead playing one-on-one against the two weakest Heat players.

It belongs to a medium horse killing two inferior horses.

Therefore, Lao Wente said he was smart.

At this time, Dwyane Wade showed his sharpness.

Facing Matt Barnes's defense, he also used a crossover, and it was obviously more aggressive than Fan Xi's. Although Wade had a major knee injury, his speed and explosive power were still at a top level, and his coordination ability was much stronger than Fan Xi's, plus he possessed upper body strength far exceeding Fan Xi's.

Therefore, he completed a crossover that was almost like flying close to the ground. Even with Matt Barnes's highly concentrated attention, he still couldn't defend it.

Moreover, after bypassing Barnes, Wade rushed directly into the restricted area and jumped high.

He didn't take shortcuts like Fan Xi, but collided with Lamar Odom head-on in the air. Under the action of super strength, jumping ability, and explosive power, Lamar Odom was suppressed... Boom!

Wade completed a thunderous dunk over someone.

The American Airlines Arena instantly boiled over, and the fans in the audience shouted Wade's name under the guidance of the live DJ.

The home team's morale was high to the extreme.

Wade domineeringly raised his right hand and said his most famous words: THIS-IS-MY-HOUSE!

This is my territory.

The power of a superstar can be seen from this.

The Flash ignored Lamar Odom, who was dunked under him amidst the roaring cheers, but looked at Fan Xi with burning eyes.

His eyes clearly said: Kid, you are still green.

Wade used the same move as Fan Xi, but his strength was undoubtedly two grades higher than Fan Xi's.

This is the realm of superstars.

Lao Wente on the sidelines was a bit worried; he was afraid that Fan Xi would develop fear because of this and stop moving forward.

However, he soon saw Fan Xi staring at Wade with firm eyes.

Wade himself was also caught off guard.

He didn't expect that Fan Xi not only didn't feel timid, but instead stared at him with a challenging look that was neither humble nor arrogant, and even carried a bit of "excitement."

This kid... could it be that he treats me as a hypothetical enemy?

Fan Xi patted Lamar Odom on the back, then took the ball from Matt Barnes's hand, and he reorganized the offense.

These small actions of his were accurately captured by Reggie Miller at the commentary desk.

At this time, his partner McBlin was bragging about the Flash Wade's bravery: "This is definitely the top of the top five plays tonight, Wade is Wade. He used the exact same move to produce a result ten times more violent. This is the difference between a rookie and a superstar."

Fan Xi reached the front court, and Mario Chalmers strengthened his defense.

At this time, Kobe Bryant backed into Wade, and Fan Xi quickly passed the ball over.

The moment Fan Xi passed the ball, he took advantage of the moment Mario Chalmers's spirit relaxed, suddenly broke through his defensive line, and went straight to the paint.

Kobe seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, and with a tacit understanding, he tossed the ball backward. Fan Xi received the basketball at the perfect moment and went straight to the basket.

This move of "crossing the sea under the cover of darkness" deceived the entire Miami defense. People didn't expect Kobe to pass the ball, and even less did they expect Fan Xi to be so agile.

Chris Bosh had to hurriedly move horizontally to make a blocking posture.

Who knew, Fan Xi only took one step inward after receiving the ball, and then passed it to Lamar Odom on the side.

Odom was in a completely open position; he grabbed the basketball, took a step inward, and jumped high... Boom!

He completed the counterattack with a two-handed dunk.

Regaining his previous face.

After scoring, he let out a roar of venting.

The resentment he felt after being dunked over was finally vented at this moment.

Subsequently, he looked at Fan Xi with gratitude.

Fan Xi's smooth assist made Lamar Odom's relationship with him even closer.

"Leader style."

Reggie Miller said to the American audience at the commentary desk.

McBlin, sitting next to him, didn't react for a moment and asked him: "You mean Lamar Odom?"

"No, I mean Jack Fan." Reggie Miller said with endless praise: "Fan Xi's pass not only reflects his excellent vision and court coordination ability, but also reflects that he is a player who understands human relationships. He helps his teammates regain their ground without a sound. If you were Lamar Odom, would you be grateful to him? Would you cooperate with his actions more in the future?"

"This is something many superstars lack, especially Kobe Bryant. So, I say Jack has leader style."

Reggie Miller praised him sincerely.

McBlin stared at him with an unbelievable look: "Are you crazy? Reggie. You mean that rookie is the leader of the Lakers? Don't joke, he doesn't deserve to stand at the center of this game's stage at all. Didn't you see that ball just now? Wade blew him out from inside to outside. Tonight is the stage for Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol."

"I guarantee, as long as Wade matches up with that rookie, that rookie will be blown out easily!"

While McBlin was speaking... Slap!

Mario Chalmers made a passing error under Fan Xi's tight pressure, and the basketball was directly intercepted by Fan Xi.

"The scene you are looking forward to is about to happen."

Reggie Miller said, raising his eyebrows.

Sure enough, Wade walked toward Fan Xi.

He stood in front of this rookie who was in the limelight.

The fans in the arena all became excited, and they made strenuous roars.

They hoped Wade could dampen Fan Xi's unstoppable momentum recently, preferably letting this Miracle Child fall completely in Miami.

Fan Xi stopped his pace at the top of the three-point arc, and Wade also stopped closely behind.

Dwyane Wade's height is not much different from Fan Xi's, and both of their wingspans are astonishing, but... Wade's body thickness far exceeds Fan Xi's.

Moreover, Wade's coordination talent, jumping talent... etc., are all stronger than Fan Xi's.

"I heard you've been very proud recently, breaking several records in a row? Have you ever thought about how many moves you can hold up under my defense?"

Wade asked Fan Xi with interest.

Fan Xi opened his mouth, just about to answer.

But he found Wade pressing up without talking about martial arts. Moreover, he was muttering: Don't be too stupid in the NBA.

Fan Xi was caught off guard.

The Wade who didn't talk about martial arts came very fiercely.

Fan Xi immediately felt real deterrence, but he didn't panic; he completed the dribble calmly... Bang!

He made an acceleration at a 45-degree angle, which is a clever starting point for an attack.

But Wade just adjusted his pace slightly and pressed his body against Fan Xi's attack route.

Fan Xi made a decisive decision; he quickly used a behind-the-back dribble, hoping to use this as a basis to change direction and bypass Wade's defense.

But he didn't expect that just as Fan Xi completed the behind-the-back dribble, his body hadn't followed up yet.

Wade used his astonishing coordination ability to move horizontally in a beautiful way... and penetrated through.

Fan Xi's route was blocked again, and at this time, Wade used his powerful body to crush up. He used strength to force Fan Xi... Fan Xi had to retreat.

Fan Xi had no way forward.

He had to suddenly make a shoulder-lifting shooting motion, attracting Wade's momentary relaxation of attention, and quickly passed the basketball from his side... The basketball broke through the siege and was passed to Kobe's hands.

But at this time, Fan Xi was forced to stagger back two or three steps under Wade's further pressure before stabilizing his footing.

It must be said that Fan Xi was a bit embarrassed at this time.

The gap between him and the superstar was still visible to the naked eye.

Lao Wente looked at Fan Xi with concern.

But at this time, Fan Xi raised his head with burning eyes.

Full of fighting will.

Wade was a powerful touchstone in his eyes.

He wanted to hone the sharpest knife on Wade.

He reviewed the offense and defense just now in his mind, and he believed that if he did it again, he could definitely do better.

But at this time, he didn't know... Taylor Swift on the sidelines had already clenched her fists for him, her whole heart hanging in the air.

She wished she could rush up to help Fan Xi fight.

【Author's Note】

Next update, tomorrow morning at eight. ===== CHAPTER 44 =====