Chapter 451: This Taste Is Off

The Oklahoma Thunder are ambitious this season; their roster, after the previous seasons' adjustments, has become increasingly mature, and the development of Westbrook and Kevin Durant is increasingly reassuring.

Although they sent James Harden away at midseason, which helped Harden lead the Rockets to a strong resurgence, the Kevin Martin they acquired from the Rockets also greatly enriched their wing. Compared with Harden, Martin's potential and talent are inferior, but he doesn't need ball‑handling; he had been playing under Adelman in the Princeton system, so he integrated smoothly into the Thunder's lineup.

In the sixth game where they beat the Nuggets, the two Kevins on the two wings punished the restless youngsters of the Colorado Plateau with precise shooting.

The Thunder thus advanced smoothly into the Western semifinals.

They will meet an old rival, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Last season, they lost to the Clippers in the Western semifinals and didn't even show organized resistance.

But this season they are well prepared; they have already readied themselves to defeat the Clippers in one fell swoop.

This scenario has been simulated many times in each of their minds. Westbrook has even drafted a speech for after beating the Clippers. Kevin Durant does the same; of course, he prefers to post his thoughts on his personal webpage and up‑vote and repost with his alternate account.

When the Oklahoma Thunder arrived in Los Angeles, a light drizzle fell, but their mood was not affected at all.

Durant teased on the bus about recent news: "Si Jia Li must be furious. Honestly, I kinda regret giving Si Jia Li to Jie Ke; he didn't cherish it."

The whole world knows Durant wants to drink Si Jia Li's bath water.

A reporter even read out Durant's classic tweet in front of Durant's mother; she covered her face and said, "Don't let me hear that, I don't have such an embarrassing son."

"Kevin, I think even if you don't, Si Jia Li might not choose you."

Ibaka teased Durant.

Ibaka's physique is great; after Durant used the bathroom with him once, he stopped discussing women with him.

When Durant felt a bit awkward, his good partner Westbrook bailed him out, saying: "Ibaka, you should go find Kolar. Maybe you'll learn his depth and then tell James Harden. Hahaha."

Westbrook's joke filled the whole bus with a pleasant atmosphere.

Far away in Houston, Harden, who has been practicing his step‑back, sneezes nonstop; if he knew his former teammates were teasing him like this, he certainly wouldn't have prayed this morning for God to let the Oklahoma Thunder win.

…

Staples Center is packed with dignitaries; the Clippers' ticket price this season officially surpassed the Lakers'. After all, the Clippers are now the makers of the 76‑win miracle and defending champions. Their standing is a notch above the Lakers', which is perfectly normal.

With the surge in record, the legendary storyline has increased, and the upper‑air of Los Angeles shows a noticeable shift; the Clippers are increasingly coveted.

A large number of celebrities pride themselves on appearing at the Clippers' game venue, and many showed up today.

Tom Brady came over; he's the football world's ultimate "goat", and his status in football even surpasses Jordan's status in basketball.

Of course, his model wife is also present.

He and Jisai Bangchen are considered a true golden couple, while Fan Xi's name can only be linked to Playboy… Leon Dona sitting on the sidelines is Fan Xi's reference point.

"Hey, buddy. I've long said don't mess with those Hollywood A‑list actresses; they're a hassle, and they'll eventually wear you out."

When Leon Dona greeted Fan Xi, he whispered in his ear: "My house is throwing a party this weekend, you wanna come? Absolutely safe, absolutely private, absolutely no trouble!"

Leon Dona said "absolutely" three times to show his professionalism in this regard.

Hollywood stars' parties usually have a line of lawyers at the door, signing contracts with those women before letting them in.

"Um… I don't have time, I have to focus on the game," Fan Xi said. "You have fun yourself."

"You don't have a game on Saturday; I checked your schedule," Leon Dona came prepared, very enthusiastic.

"The Thunder are too strong; even without a game, I must stay in shape," Fan Xi politely declined.

"No, buddy. The Thunder aren't as good as you guys; I know basketball too well. They only look strong, while you're truly strong." Leon Dona said very professionally: "Their scripts are just commercial movies, while yours are classics that can be passed down. The core is different."

Um…

Alright.

Fan Xi smiled and stopped talking with Leon Dona.

The game started soon.

Tonight's attendees at the sidelines included Jenna and Megan Fox; they are both in Los Angeles.

Moreover, there had been a few minor incidents earlier.

It's just that tonight they are a bit far apart.

The Clippers' starting lineup tonight is: Fan Xi, Hamilton, Leonard, Milichich, Xiao Qiaodan.

This lineup has only appeared a few times in the regular season; it's an unconventional arrangement.

The Thunder's starting lineup is: Westbrook, Kevin Martin, Kevin Durant, Ibaka, Parsons.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks is not a man of many changes.

The whistle blows; Little Jordan will pass the ball from Parsons' head to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi rushes forward with the ball.

Westbrook's immovable defense.

But after reaching the frontcourt, Fan Xi does not launch an attack; instead he passes the ball to Milichich, who is stuck in the paint with Ibaka.

Milichich catches the ball, sits down, blocks Ibaka and flicks the ball backward; his body twists like a mudfish, then he makes a beautiful layup fake, Ibaka rushes, but Milichich easily pulls back, steps up, switches hands and scores.

This sequence left the spectators stunned.

What a dreamy footwork.

Milichich's posture is like a fawn.

His talent, though not comparable to when he entered the draft at 17, is still that of a 2003‑generation second‑overall pick, whose potential can be mentioned alongside James. Even if time steals half his gifts, occasional flashes still leave opponents unable to cope.

"What a pity, Eva didn't come tonight."

Milichich said regretfully.

The reason Eva didn't come is that Eva is pregnant.

Parker has been with Eva so long and still hasn't sown a seed, but Milichich is still a firepower.

"I once thought it was because Eva got older, but it turned out Tony Parker was the problem," Milichich gave a brilliant interview to the media.

Watching that interview left Fan Xi dumbfounded; we Westerners are not subtle at all in this regard.

He could even guess Tony Parker's angry reaction upon hearing that.

Mi Li Xi Qi's mouth is getting more and more unhinged; he wasn't like this before, he used to even be a bit socially anxious.

Now he's still socially anxious, only now he's a social terror.

Mi Li Xi Qi's one‑on‑one in the paint that earned the opening lead for Kuaisuan was something Thunder didn't anticipate.

They think Fan Xi will go in alone, using his own breakthrough as a point of attack to pierce Thunder's defense.

They made a full set of Zhou Xiang's deployment for this.

Only…。

"…Thunder was a bit careless; they made the same mistake as Rockets, underestimating Kuaisuan's arsenal. But that's fine; Rockets and Thunder have cleared the mines for us," La Li Bu Lang said, sitting in front of the TV. "This fully proves that Jieke Fan also knows his 'flaws'."

He was resolute and confident.

Howard, sitting beside him, was still a bit worried: "Could it be another trap left by Jie Ke?"

The monster now sees phantom threats; he is truly scared of Fan Xi's attacks. Every time he faces Fan Xi, Fan Xi always gives him a new surprise. Each time they think they have the win in the bag, but each time they end up like a drowned dog.

"Don't say anything that harms team morale," La Li Bu Lang said seriously to Howard. "Jieke Fan is not a deity; his ball‑handling jump shot is only average, though threatening, but… it will never skyrocket overnight. No one can solve this problem."

La Li Bu Lang is especially arbitrary.

This is his iron‑blooded method of commanding troops.

The game on the court is still ongoing.

Kaiwen Dulan Te missed Thunder's first shot, and Lun Na De's wrapping defense made him very uneasy. This year Lun Na De was selected for the second defensive unit, and the small‑forward position on the first defensive unit was given to James.

Fan Xi was rather displeased about this; he thought James didn't have any particular defensive talent, only some whistle buffs.

Looking back, it's still Mi Li Xi Qi one‑on‑one. But Thunder quickly and timely substituted Pa Jin Si to guard.

Mi Li Xi Qi still used his waltz‑like steps to evade Pa Jin Si, but when going for a layup he passed the ball to the cutting‑in Fan Xi, who flicked it and handed it to Han Mi Er Dun.

Han Mi Er Dun, at the free‑throw line, used Little Jordan's screen, performed a Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, and scored 2 points.

Kuaisuan's tactics are rich and varied; even a scholarly coach like La Li Bu Lang directly praises Kuaisuan's tactical literacy as superb, and Fan Xi's leading role is even unfathomably profound.

His eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

However, his gaze still brimmed with confidence; he didn't think this Kuaisuan could defeat the Lakers.

He thought Kuaisuan beating Thunder wouldn't be a big problem.

This point is very similar to Lai Ang Duo Na's perspective.

Thunder's tactics are somewhat simple, like the dialogue design of a commercial film, lacking flavor, only to set up flashy stunts.

Wei Si Bu Lu Ke drove into the paint, using a reverse layup to evade Little Jordan's block, scoring Thunder's first basket.

The game continues.

Kuaisuan still doesn't center on Fan Xi; Lun Na De begins a one‑on‑one against Du Lan Te.

Du Lan Te at this moment concentrates, still bitter about losing his starting spot in the All‑Star game.

But Lun Na De only made three moves before passing; Fan Xi passed again into the paint, Little Jordan, pressing Yi Ba Ka, slammed the ball into the hoop.

The camera cuts to Thunder's bench, where their head coach is furrowing his brows.

That's not right.

Why is Kuaisuan's formula completely different from our tactical simulation?

…