Chapter 443: Danzi, You Won

There isn't much time left for the scoffers.

Kuaisuan's record rolls forward like the wheels of history; their roars have no effect.

Fan Xi met Michael Jordan before the game started; the media captured photos, but they could never guess what Michael Jordan was saying to Fan Xi.

Even though these guys go all out to preserve Michael Jordan's lead and crazily cheer for him, claiming Fan Xi will never ever catch up to Jordan.

But they are just a bunch of mediocre spectators who cannot comprehend the inner world of a historic powerhouse.

"I envy you, Jie Ke. In this era you have so many similar rivals; they shine brightly, yet you have the chance to become the brightest of all. You can beat Kobe, you can beat James, you can beat Durant, you can beat Anthony, you can beat Derek Rose, and that interesting shooter from Oakland."

"But in that era, who could I defeat? Drexler? Reggie Miller?" Jordan spread his palms, looking disheartened.

He was looking down on Drexler and Reggie Miller.

That's Jordan's usual attitude; in his autobiography film he commented on the Glider: he's a decent player, but comparing him to me is an insult.

"And you know what? When I saw all the U. S. basketball media collectively slamming you, I was truly envious of you. Jie Ke, don't miss this chance."

Jordan said this, his excited body trembling, "I wish I were only twenty‑five now, so I could defeat each of you one by one. I could still dominate this era, I could dominate any era."

As Jordan spoke, his powerful confidence and aura radiated—true the might of a Thus we include: English.

Fan Xi smiled, shook his head, and calmly yet firmly told Jordan, "No, perhaps you can dominate James, Kobe, Durant, Curry, Rosa… but you'll still be ruled by me. At twenty you were still fighting for the NCAA championship, while I was already the NBA champion."

Fan Xi told him, "I'll soon break your regular‑season record, I'll soon claim a personal three‑peat dynasty. Whether you believe it or not, time will give you the answer."

"Just as you shortsightedly sell 4.5% of Nike back to Nike, leaving Nike only a minor shareholder of my brand," Fan Xi said to Jordan.

Fan Xi's remark was set against Fan‑X's worldwide domination; although his signature shoes haven't topped the North American sneaker market, in street fashion Fan‑X has surpassed Jordan's brand, with sales and prices becoming the top of the top.

Young kids take pride in owning a pair of collaborative Fan‑X shoes.

Jordan is competitive; he never shows weakness before any NBA player because he is Thus we include: English. Even Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, hailed as Heaven's Chosen Son, can't shake the god's aura before Jordan.

But Fan Xi is different.

Jordan owns an NBA team, and so does Fan Xi. Jordan has his own brand, and so does Fan Xi.

Although Jordan's on‑court honors still outnumber Fan Xi's, compared within the same age bracket he has no advantage.

"I like your confidence. Yet your current skill level hasn't even reached what I was at forty. Your movement on the court is like a duck idly wobbling before jumping into a pond," Jordan retorted, provoking Fan Xi.

Fan Xi didn't mind the verbal clash. "Just wait, Michael, before I retire people will say Jieke Fan is the greatest NBA player in history, not you. Just as you once surpassed Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain."

"You'll never surpass me, Jie Ke. You, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain are the same kind—always messing around off the court. Magic contracted that damned disease, Wilt bragged daily about sleeping with twenty‑thousand women. You're the same breed, the kind that seem within reach of the top but are actually far off," Jordan's tone was sharp.

"Also, Si Jia Li will never bear you children. Megan Fox won't either."

Jordan ranted hysterically with trash talk.

Fan Xi delivered a lethal jab: "When I was little I read a basketball magazine that said you once envied Scottie Pippen dating Madonna, you said you wanted to try with Madonna too, and Madonna replied… you'll never match Pippen in that regard. Is that true?"

"You're defaming me. Which magazine? I'll definitely sue them!!" Jordan fumed.

He broke down.

Fan Xi chuckled twice, adopting a victor's stance as he went to practice three‑point shots.

Fan Xi's three‑point touch was good tonight, perhaps thanks to the morale boost from trading trash talk with Jordan.

Mountain Cat has been winding around for years; after Boss Jo took over and dealt with many hassles, and after the fall of the North Carolina prodigy, they finally found their destined heir—Ken B. Walker became the cornerstone of their rebuild.

Although Ken B. Walker isn't as gifted as those prodigious young guards, he still has above‑average talent, works hard, plays well, so the problem isn't big.

To support Ken B., Mountain Cat brought in Ben Gordon and other near‑top players.

Ready to swing the axe and go all‑out.

Charlotte Arena was packed tonight with fans from all over North Carolina, hoping to witness a victory, a beautiful sniping battle.

Everyone didn't want Kuaisuan to keep winning; everyone hoped to crush Kuaisuan, accelerate its downfall, so they could never break the 72‑win‑10‑loss record.

This is the sixth‑to‑last game; Kuaisuan has already lost six games this season, and if they are beaten five more times, they'll have no hope.

But this is Kuaisuan's sixth‑to‑last game of the season.

Mountain Cat players let out a roar before taking the court, determined to prove their supreme courage and fighting spirit.

They want to prove basketball is round, that the NBA has no weak teams.

But.

When the game started, Little Jordan tossed the ball over Haywood's head to Rubio, Rubio launched a long pass forward, Fan Xi seized the ball, surged into the paint, leapt, drew back like a bow… Boom!

A fierce war‑axe dunk cooled the arena considerably.

Michael Jordan sat on the sidelines, his complexion somewhat grim.

Because after the dunk, Fan Xi stared at him with a provocative glare.

Jordan liked the youngster's fierce drive, yet he also disliked him because that drive was aimed at him.

But Jordan was already old; he could no longer return to the court.

He lamented the ruthlessness of time.

He also lamented Fan Xi's aggressive push.

When facing other rising stars, Jordan could mask with swagger. Kobe, he could claim the guy merely copied all his moves. James, he could say he's strong with historic talent but lacks a bit of skill. Anthony, he'd say the guy is talented but his leadership is lacking.

But Fan Xi, he didn't know where to start.

All he could say was that Fan Xi's technique wasn't good enough.

What about the rest?

Fan Xi launched fierce attacks on him in almost every aspect.

That's really messed up.

If Fan Xi truly succeeds, Jordan can't reverse aging to return and defeat Fan Xi on the court.

Jordan suddenly realized coming to the arena tonight was a mistake; he intended to show off in front of Fan Xi, but now the show fell flat and he'd lose money.

Mountain Cat's head coach this year is Michael Denglop, a completely unknown coach, with a 25% win rate this season.

A coach who loses three out of every four games.

His coaching style is just pick‑and‑roll, drive and distribute, then the players watch the ball move.

He is a head coach destined not to stay in the NBA to continue his duties.

Against the league‑leading Kuaisuan, Kemba Walker's drives hit an invisible wall, and his hurried passes were ruthlessly stripped by Leonard.

He passes to Fan Xi, who carries the ball into the frontcourt, uses a sudden‑stop fake to shake off Ben Gordon's clumsy defense, then shoots calmly.

Swish!

Three‑point shot made.

After scoring, Fan Xi keeps his eyes locked on Michael Jordan.

Jordan pretends to be indifferent, even deliberately resting his hand on his Cuban model girlfriend's shoulder.

But Fan Xi retorts, "Hey, Michael. My skill level easily outmatches your team."

The remark angers Jordan, who even stands up afterward to personally coach the Mountain Cat players.

The Mountain Cat players are also furious.

But they are not very satisfied with Jordan's coaching.

After all, Jordan shouts, "Why can't you get this easy shot in? Just drive in, use a pull‑up to dodge the first defender, then side‑step to evade the second wave, switch hands, and tip the ball into the hoop with your left hand."

Kemba Walker feels bitter inside, "I can't do it."

Jordan suffers even more than Kemba Walker.

In the next possession, Jordan sees Fan Xi slash into the paint, use a pull‑up to beat Haywood's block, then side‑step and switch hands to evade McRoberts' pressure, and finish with his left hand.

After the basket, Fan Xi lands and raises an eyebrow at Jordan, as if saying, "Danzi, you can't even call me the Hover King."

Jordan is visibly emo.

It's the first time in his life he despises the swift passage of time so much; he would trade his entire current fortune to regain his 25‑year‑old body, because he wants to destroy Fan Xi.

Fan Xi gives him a mirror‑like feeling; on the court he sees another version of himself: a detestable self.

…