Chapter 431: Mili Xiqi

The Lakers this season have only lost one game so far, which was the opening match in Miami against the Heat, that game where Le Bu Lang Zhang Si descended like a god.

The Lakers this season maintain calm and perseverance; after dropping last year's Western Conference Finals they have remained quiet.

When a beast becomes quiet, that is the most dangerous moment.

Kobe Bryant did not play in the Olympics; he ensured abundant stamina, and his condition this season is even better than last season. He currently averages 26.8 points per game, ranking fifth on the scoring list; first is Carmelo Anthony with 29.5 points, second Kevin Durant with 28.9, third Le Bu Lang Zhang Si with 28.1, fourth James Harden with 27.8.

Fan Xi is currently sixth on the scoring list, 26.6 points.

This year's statistics are exploding; the level of top stars is extremely high.

Kobe, at age 34, can still post such numbers, and he does so on a super‑star‑filled team like the Lakers, clearly showing his offensive fire remains sharp.

Moreover, Dwight Howard has also played spectacularly this season; he also skipped the Olympics, using the time to heal, and is now fully recovered. He averages 22 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks per game, making him the current rebounding and blocking leader.

He creates a strong deterrent in the paint area.

Chris Paul averages 11.6 assists per game; he is now fully devoted to the team, no longer focusing on personal glory or his status. He knows the window to win a championship is shrinking, and he does not want to become a joke.

The Lakers also added veteran Jamison during the off‑season, and acquired Jordan Hill via trade, plus players like Steve Blake; the Lakers this season are almost flawless.

Therefore, although the Clippers have remained undefeated, the Lakers still hold the leading advantage on various power rankings, sitting first in the Western Conference.

In this game, Time Warner handled the California terrestrial broadcast; after obtaining the Clippers' broadcast rights, this season's ratings rose quickly, and ad revenue surged.

However, their decision to favor the Clippers over the Lakers still creates great internal pressure. The Lakers are deeply rooted; although Fan Xi leads the Clippers in opening new fan markets, the clamor in Los Angeles is no longer weaker than the Lakers'.

Yet, as a TV network, their business pressure objectively exists.

Fan Xi is a person who likes win‑win outcomes with partners.

He decided to help Time Warner eliminate the current minor trouble.

Just defeat the Lakers.

…

Pre‑game expert analysis, as always, predicts a Lakers victory. This time, however, the reasoning sounds more logical and evidence‑based than before.

Chris Paul versus Ricky Rubio, Paul wins.

Kobe versus Fan Xi, they tie.

Leonard versus Alistair, Leonard wins.

Nowitzki versus Pau Gasol, they tie.

Howard versus Mi Li Xi Qi, Xiao Jordan, Howard wins.

Such analyses keep emerging endlessly.

Especially regarding the post comparison, the media firmly believe that after the Clippers lose Kuameibulang—the best interior defender against Howard—the Beast will run rampant in the paint.

The Beast will become the decisive factor shaping the game's direction.

This view is also popular in the Clippers locker room; Arenas teasingly says to Mi Li Xi Qi: "Hey, Dako, I heard recently Dwight Howard stole your girl at a nightclub. You were the 2003 second overall pick, he's only the 2004 first overall. No matter what, the advantage is yours."

Mi Li Xi Qi recently switched to green hair and has become a famous NBA hairstyle artist.

After changing to green hair, his recent form isn't as good as it was a while ago.

On one hand, Xiao Jordan's minutes have increased; on the other, White Set's progress is rapid. Mi Li Xi Qi is a bit reckless on the court, so the coaching staff has curbed his desire.

Mi Li Xi Qi shouted loudly: "That was a nightclub stripper, not a girl. How can a woman in a club be described as 'stolen'? He just paid more."

Mi Li Xi Qi's words lacked confidence.

The locker room was filled with cheerful laughter.

This made Mi Li Xi Qi a bit uncomfortable; he actually thought the same. "I'm far more handsome than you Howard, debuted earlier, younger than you; why are you acting tough in front of me?"

But Howard is still the league's number‑one center, a towering figure. Between a top center and a second‑overall pick, nobody wants a green‑haired second‑overall pick.

Club‑house women are the most pragmatic, with clear price tags.

At this moment, Jimmy Butler stepped out to advise Mi Li Xi Qi: "Dako, if you're looking, go after a female star; that can raise your value. The way you're dealing with Howard is too low‑class."

This advice had no positive effect.

However, after Fan Xi finished practice and returned, Mi Li Xi Qi secretly approached Fan Xi: "Tonight I want to play longer; I need to give Dwight Howard a lesson."

Fan Xi looked up, stared at Mi Li Xi Qi: "Can you do it?"

Mi Li Xi Qi pounded his chest: "Must. I'm the 2003 second overall pick, he's the 2004 first overall, the advantage is mine."

Seeing Mi Li Xi Qi's solemn vow, Fan Xi couldn't help but laugh.

He wasn't laughing at Mi Li Xi Qi's naivety, but suddenly recalled an old friend: Kuameibulang. When Kuameibulang faced Dwight Howard, he said similar words.

But he actually succeeded.

Could Mi Li Xi Qi succeed?

Fan Xi found it uncertain.

Because Mi Li Xi Qi is not the type Howard fears.

…

Tonight the game is at the Los Angeles Lakers' home court, yet many Clippers fans also came; derbies are like that—who has more local fans has the edge.

Tonight, Lakers fans make up about 60%, Clippers fans close to 40%.

This was unimaginable before, now the numbers are even, and after the Clippers beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and captured the championship trophy, they have further expanded.

Los Angeles seats are never short of social elites.

Tonight, people saw a rap‑scene heavyweight, Snoopy Dog. Though rumors say he's gone bankrupt many times, for someone like him making money is easy, and he's actually one of the black stars best at managing finances. He was especially amusing, wearing a jersey that spliced Lakers and Clippers, one side Kobe, the other Fan Xi.

To show his support for the two Los Angeles teams' star players.

Leonardo also arrived; when Fan Xi warmed up, he stood up and shook hands with him.

"Jie Ke, you used to play a bit big in New York," Leonardo said to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi thought he was referring to Madison Garden's stats, and modestly replied: "Just a coincidence."

Leonardo was shocked, exclaiming: "Still, the youngsters have the drive. I can only keep up with about a 25‑year‑old now."

Ugh….

When Leonardo said that, Fan Xi understood: you weren't talking about a match, after all.

What was being played?

The answer was obvious.

Fan Xi retorted irritably to Leonardo: "You're forever scorching, forever young, forever in love with a 25‑year‑old woman."

Leonardo smiled faintly and said nothing.

Then Fan Xi saw the Kardashian family sitting nearby; because Jenna didn't come over, Fan Xi didn't greet them. It was rather awkward—after all, that incident in London, the two sisters had bound themselves that way and still didn't tempt Fan Xi. Moreover, their relationship with Jenna had grown cold.

And another matter also gave them a knot in their hearts.

James Harden and Kohler broke up; before Christmas, Harden and Kohler decided to stop dating, and it became big news in Hao lai wu.

Harden's split with Kohler wasn't acrimonious; they said something like the outside is old, the inside is new.

Harden simply said he couldn't accept that Kohler's mind held someone else's shadow; he didn't want comparison.

All media assumed the shadow was the Dallas brothers Odom and Griffin.

But judging from James Harden's attitude toward Fan Xi, he thought it was Fan Xi.

Because Harden once was with Kohler in London, and when Kohler was lost in passion she called Jie Ke. That gave James Harden a strong knot.

Nevertheless, that's fine; Harden can now devote himself wholly to basketball, and his tactical skill is indeed improving dramatically.

For the NBA, that's a good thing.

Besides, Fan Xi also saw Megan Fox, who was sitting with Eva Longoria.

Rumors of an ambiguous relationship between Megan Fox and Fan Xi have been circulating lately, even extending back to last year's finals when Megan Fox cheered for Fan Xi alongside the Fan girls, prompting media speculation that Megan Fox had already fallen.

But in reality, she hadn't.

Yet Megan Fox always gives the media the impression that she is indeed a Fan girl.

For example, she may suddenly talk about basketball during an interview, or inadvertently show a Clippers season ticket when posting photos online.

Facing online doubts and media gossip, she never responds,

which leaves endless room for imagination.

Eva, who has had little news since divorcing Parker, sitting by the arena was unexpected. One is a sexy goddess of the film world, the other a sexy goddess of the TV world; together they made a beautiful sight.

The game began quickly.

Both sides' fans had already started competing.

The Lakers side seemed more relaxed; before Kobe took the court he deliberately high‑fived a young fan wearing jersey No. 24. He's increasingly fond of kids, especially the little boys on the sidelines. He's using this unique gesture to tell the media: "I finally have a son."

He might even suddenly say in an interview: "Hey, you know what? I built a kids' training ground at home for my son."

Dwight Howard was also relaxed; when he entered the game he ran over to get friendly with Eva.

It seemed he and Eva had known each other for a long time.

Howard is a womanizer, his loyalty in relationships is very low.

That's probably why Eva felt a bit awkward looking at him.

After all, not long ago she was hurt by another NBA player with low relationship loyalty, a guy who even dated his teammate's wife.

There are too many chaotic things in the NBA.

When Howard finished greeting Eva and was about to take the court, Mili Hichi followed behind him and shouted, "Hey, you dirty guy, did you wash your hands before shaking the beautiful lady's hand?"

Mili Hichi had painstakingly secured a starting spot tonight; he treasured it so much that before the game even began he was already at odds with Howard.

The white man with green‑dyed hair was hard not to attract attention; Eva saw Mili Hichi.

Mili Hichi's handsomeness in the NBA is indisputable, especially standing beside Howard—so striking that he shines like a firefly in the dark.

In a certain instant, Eva felt as if she'd been hit.

Especially when Mili Hichi raised an eyebrow, tilted his head slightly, and let a mischievous, wild grin flash on his profile.

"Shut up, you knock‑off," Howard said, not indulging Mili Hichi.

"You'll always just say such curses; I'm worried about your education."

Mili Hichi is also a trash‑talk master.

He stuffed a jersey into his pants while walking onto the court.

Unbeknownst to him, a female star's gaze behind him was about to stretch into a strand.

Eva likes tall men… Mili Hichi is simply towering.

Eva likes handsome men… Mili Hichi ranks among the top five in the NBA.

Eva likes learned men… Mili Hichi looks very scholarly.

Moreover, he's tasteful—who would dye a buzz cut green? It's a pursuit of life, the ultimate pursuit of quality.

Eva fell hard.

She asked the Megan Fox beside her, "Who's the player wearing No. 99?"

"Mili Hichi, Jieke Fan's teammate. I heard he was once an extremely strong prodigy, sweeping Europe at fifteen or sixteen. If Le Bu Lang Zhang Si weren't an Ohio native, he might have been the first pick that year. But after being the second pick entering the NBA, in Detroit a harsh coach ruined him. After joining the Clippers, with Jie Ke's help, he's improving. He's trying to reclaim the self once held in high expectation."

Megan Fox knows the Clippers players like the back of her hand.

She's a fan of Fan Xi.

After hearing Megan Fox's introduction, Eva's gaze became even more strung.

How can a woman resist such a story? They're naturally sentimental, and Eva especially so. A prodigy, buried, then revived, finally finding a similarly wounded girlfriend… My god, what a Mary‑Sue tale.

"Megan, I think I've been hit."

Eva looked at Fox and said affectionately.

"No, sister, you get hit several times a day. Ten minutes ago you were hit by that burly security guard," Megan Fox said irritably.

"No, this time it's different."

Yi Wa said firmly.

Beep!

The whistle sounded, the competition began.

…