Chapter 456: How Could They Have Such Great Chemistry?

What Fan Xi didn't expect was that not only was Fan Xi well prepared, but his teammates were even more so. Before noon had even arrived, five teammates had already come to the court.

Nowitzki said to Fan Xi: "Hey, Jie Ke, I can't let you bear all the pressure; I'm not here to freeload off the championship."

"Yes, Jie Ke, don't take our effort as well."

Jimmy Butler excitedly said: "This is everyone's game."

The Clippers displayed a united front.

Everyone's spirits were high; they didn't want to drag the game to a sixth match, they wanted to crush the Kuaisuan tonight.

Meanwhile, the Thunder team, as always, issued a strong statement in the media; they were boosting their own morale, needing extra psychological cues, after all, the team backed into a corner is them, not the Kuaisuan.

"There will always be a team that creates a miracle; why can't it be us?"

Westbrook's opening words were just like old Kobe.

He is a Kobe fan; kids like him who grew up around Los Angeles still haven't failed to worship Kobe.

Kevin Durant, although not a Kobe fan, also spoke on ESPN: "We are doing something extraordinarily rare; we will move toward success; the NBA needs us."

"The scoring title can no longer satisfy my appetite."

Kevin Durant brandished his sword, aiming for the Finals MVP.

The media were also eager to report the Thunder's positive side, even more anticipating a historic moment. They hoped the Thunder would win Game Five, then advance to Game Six, and ultimately qualify for the Western Conference Finals through seven games.

If this young Thunder team ultimately makes it to the Finals, they will surely tip their hats to every member of the team.

…

Before the game began, Fan Xi received a call from Kobe Bryant.

Bryant exchanged a few pleasantries with Fan Xi on the phone, then suddenly put pressure on Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, if they stop double-teaming you in clutch moments and stop giving you tough defense, what will you do?"

This was a test.

Fan Xi displayed astonishing acting skills; he deliberately shook his hand, dropping his phone onto the locker room carpet, then picked it up again, and, "forcing himself to appear calm," said: "Well… then I'll finish them off; no one can ignore me."

Kobe on the other end was very pleased; he knew he had guessed right. He knew Fan Xi too well.

"Jie Ke, go for it! Just as you said, go take down the Thunder; I look forward to meeting you again in the Western Conference Finals."

Kobe Bryant said.

In fact, he wasn't that eager for this to happen. Compared to playing the Kuaisuan, they'd rather match up against the Thunder. Of course, they still need to settle the score with the Grizzlies first, although to Kobe it's merely a matter of time.

Fan Xi's reaction already let Kobe understand that Fan Xi was indeed secretly practicing shooting under high-difficulty conditions; that was his trump card.

Bryant stretched; when you know your opponent's trump card, you sometimes can't help feeling bored.

After hanging up, Fan Xi remained calm.

Arenas beside him asked what had happened? Why did he look so tense?

Fan Xi said: "Nothing, just acting."

Acting?

Arenas didn't understand why acting required dropping the phone on the ground. Could it be that Jie Ke's backyard had some trouble again?

Arenas didn't get it; he had never read the allusion 'Among heroes under heaven, only the lord and Cao Cao.' But any Chinese person knows the acting of dropping chopsticks at a crucial moment.

What's dropping a phone?

…

Staples Center was ablaze with lights tonight, a sea of people, as Clippers fans gathered here; the home atmosphere had been blazing madly since before the game, and everyone was clear on one certain fact: we will definitely crush the arrogant Nets here tonight.

They never doubted the home team's energy, never wavered in their trust in Fan Xi; in their view, this was already a done deal.

No matter how fiercely the Thunder shouted, it was merely adding weight to their losing side of the scale.

The game was held at 7 p. m. Western time.

Before the game began, Fan Xi accepted the regular-season MVP trophy presented by David Stern; the arena's thunderous MVP cheers made Fan Xi the brightest light in the venue.

David Stern was about to retire; as he presented the trophy, he deliberately told Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, my era is ending. But yours is just beginning. I hope you can go to the Eastern Conference next season, where you are also needed to create a legend."

He patted Fan Xi on the shoulder.

He gave great encouragement.

No matter what anyone says, it cannot change the established fact: the NBA flourished under David Stern; without him, the NBA would merely be a small American sports league, incapable of having today's global influence.

The talk between Stern and Fan Xi already revealed the plan for Fan Xi's team affiliation next season. In fact, it's just what Fan Xi previously discussed with the incoming commissioner Adam Silver: if a Western team wins the championship, Fan Xi will be assigned to an Eastern team via a lottery based on standings, but the odds aren't as clear-cut as a draft lottery; the team with the first pick and the team with the last pick don't differ much in their chances.

So, it could happen that Fan Xi gets picked by the Miami Heat.

Of course, the Heat could also announce they are opting out before the lottery.

But this might exist only in imagination.

…

The game officially began.

The Thunder were filled with determination from top to bottom, having made all preparations to take victory.

However, as soon as the game started, the unfolding events departed from their imagination.

Little Jordan easily beating Perkins in the jump ball was no longer worth mentioning, but as soon as Fan Xi got the ball, he unexpectedly launched a fast break.

And after completing a pick-and-roll with Nowitzki at the high post, he cut straight to the paint, leapt up with an unstoppable posture, and slammed the ball with one hand into the basket.

From launching the fast break to finishing the play, it took less than five seconds, and this was still a dunk.

Oklahoma fans in front of their TVs sensed an unusual atmosphere.

At the same time, TNT commentator Kenny Smith, who was broadcasting the game, said: "Jie Ke's first ball already shows his attitude; don't expect a man as resolute as a stone to lose the game on his night of glory; he will surely brush off the tiny dust on the MVP trophy."

"So, are the Clippers going to run and gun tonight? They haven't played run-and-gun in a very long time." Barkley always misses the point.

"That's not the point, man."

Kenny Smith said: "My meaning is that the Thunder are ending their postseason; just like last year, they can go enjoy a long vacation."

Barkley was still puzzled.

On the court, Kuaisuan gave the answer; they frantically went to block the Thunder.

On the defensive end, they showed a fighting spirit not seen earlier in this series; Jimmy, Kawhi, Dirk, and DeAndre, who started alongside Fan Xi, gave it their all on defense, putting the Thunder in an uncomfortable rhythm.

Boom!

Durant's first shot missed the basket.

Fan Xi rushed to the basket, grabbed the rebound, then launched a fast break; the Kuaisuan players also surged forward with big strides.

The Thunder were a little slow to react; they didn't expect Kuaisuan to change its tactics again in Game 5. But their quality still allowed them to quickly retreat on defense, after all, they are a strong team.

But Fan Xi, using a sharp change of direction at the top of the three-point line, got past Westbrook, drove straight into the paint, and was about to finish the attack with a beautiful One-stage jump shot.

Jimmy Butler got open with an excellent cut, Fan Xi passed the ball to him, Butler shook off Kevin Martin and drove into the paint, leaping up…Boom!

Under Jordan's screen, he completed his second dunk of the game.

Kuaisuan was very active.

The home atmosphere was extremely heated.

Two consecutive dunks set the tone for the game.

The attitude displayed by the Kuaisuan players was somewhat domineering: "We've got this game locked up, nobody can stop us, I'm telling you!"

The Thunder hurried to create offense, unwilling to be suppressed in momentum; Westbrook led the charge, charging forward like a fierce beast, Fan Xi intercepted him beyond the three-point line and cut him off with greater speed.

Westbrook had to reduce his speed, and then Fan Xi tangled with him.

He chose not to pass, but instead set a screen with Perkins, then quickly drove to the basket.

As he leapt up, his body arched backward, intending to slam the ball into the basket in a hatchet-like motion.

Fan Xi leapt from behind him. A light tap… the ball slipped from his grasp.

That was a perfectly timed block.

Westbrook dunked at nothing.

After grabbing the ball, Fan Xi smoothly initiated a new fast break, reached the frontcourt, Leonard ran to the corner, and Fan Xi passed the ball to him.

He admitted there was an element of gamble in it.

But two seconds later… Swish!

The ball fell into the net.

7:0

Leonard made that beautiful Three-Point Shot.

The Thunder head coach had to call a timeout, admitting he had been caught off guard again, and that he needed to adjust his defensive strategy; if he let Kuaisuan continue like this, besides losing they would gain nothing.

Kobe Bryant sat in front of the TV, his brows slightly furrowed.

Although he had learned Fan Xi's hand via phone, the resilience and momentum shown by Kuaisuan in the first three possessions still made him feel uneasy.

He had to admit that Fan Xi had fielded a tenacious, young ironclad team.

This team is full of momentum and utterly united.

In the long march of regular-season victories, they forged a resilient character and steadfast confidence, despite their core being so young.

Kuaisuan did not pursue a superstar route; they developed newcomers internally, and those newcomers are already capable of standing on their own, often performing at the level of star players.

Kobe Bryant has determined that Kuaisuan has accomplished a unique team-building approach in history.

In terms of sustained output, Kuaisuan's future prospects will surely be better than the Lakers'; no wonder Time Warner is pouring big money into Kuaisuan rather than the Lakers.

The Lakers' window of opportunity is closing.

Watching the active young Kuaisuan on the court, Kobe Bryant knew full well and silently resolved: this season he must win the championship.

He hopes to keep Howard and Paul with a championship, although that would pose a huge challenge to the Lakers' salary cap, but the Lakers have no alternative.

After the timeout, Durant made his shot; they hoped to rely on his individual power to unlock the key to victory.

However, Durant often faced double-teams from Leonard and Butler tonight, with Fan Xi occasionally joining in. nonsense

Kobe Bryant watched the game, his anxiety rising. He once again admired Fan Xi's scouting eye; Butler and Leonard's defensive instincts were superb and clean.

Under Fan Xi's leadership, Kuaisuan's perimeter defense can be described as impregnable.

Durant felt somewhat uncomfortable.

He passed the ball to Kevin Martin; Martin, who had performed well in the previous four games, tonight encountered a cold spell, his hands feeling icy.

Over the past many years, Kevin Martin has been proven incapable in crucial moments.

He is merely a low‑rank guard who was forcibly elevated to the Kings' core; over the years his flaws have remained flaws. He could never reach the level of his predecessor Stojaković, and his career is nearing its end.

After Kevin Martin repeatedly turned over the ball on offense, Westbrook took up the banner, driving into the paint and causing damage.

But this kind of damage is something Kuaisuan can tolerate.

Kuaisuan maintained its lead and steadily expanded it.

After the second quarter began, the fans in the arena could not wait to cheer.

This differed from the Thunder's imagined scene; they had thought the Los Angeles Kuaisuan fans would fall into a long silence after a brief cheer, because they intended to forcibly take this victory.

But now… these cheers have nothing to do with them; they just find it noisy.

In the second quarter, Durant began to take on a big load.

At this moment the audience's attention turned to the sidelines; Si Jia Li Johansson arrived late, and then people saw Megan Fox sitting beside her. The TNT commentary bench originally thought this would become a new farce, even joking why Kuaisuan would sell two adjacent tickets to them.

But what they didn't expect was.

Si Jia Li quickly began chatting with Megan Fox; they got along well, sometimes smiling, sometimes holding hands… appearing extremely intimate.

And when they started eating the same fry… people began to wonder.

"Why is their relationship so close, even sharing a fry?" Charles Barkley asked Kenny Smith.

Kenny Smith spread his hands: "I don't know; I only saw that this fry was very thick and also coated with delicious tomato sauce. Shouldn't female stars be watching their diet? Fries are high‑calorie stuff."

"Look at how practiced and natural they are—I doubt this is their first time sharing something like that." Charles Barkley said confidently: "So, was all of this just a farce? They never had any feud; they're just hyping each other up."

"The entertainment industry is truly amazing." Barkley sighed.

They spent too much time talking about the entertainment industry, but it didn't affect the ratings. As everyone knows, the Kuaisuan's games can discuss Hao lai wu, and the two are closely related.

Moreover, Hao lai wu gossip fans also care about the Kuaisuan's games, which always bring them fresh firsthand information.

Compared to tonight, they saw Si Jia Li and Fox sharing a single fry, despite being like fire and water.

"Kevin Durant should perhaps go pick up some ketchup to eat; at least that way, he won't come away empty-handed tonight. Moreover, compared to bathwater, the fallen ketchup is undoubtedly much tastier."

Kenny Smith teased Durant.

He always manages to hit Durant's weak spot.

Consequently, the Oklahoma fans in front of the TV all thought that Kenny Smith's teasing caused Durant to underperform, and the Thunder fell into a slump.

Their play wasn't even as tough as the fry in Si Jia Li's hand.

After the second quarter, the Kuaisuan led by 15 points.

They almost completely suppressed the Thunder, and the lineup advantage displayed by the Kuaisuan left the strong teams watching on TV astonished.

Although the Kuaisuan may have the fewest superstars among the strong teams, their roster depth is something no other team in the league can possess.

This is why they can present an invincible posture in the regular season.

Before 76 wins, no one; after, no one will come.

Even the most arrogant team wouldn't dare shout a slogan of 77 wins, because it's too hard to achieve.

It cannot be accomplished relying solely on the outstanding performance of one or two players; it requires the entire team to provide continuous power.

The Kuaisuan did it.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si called Pat Riley and said, "If the Kuaisuan make it to the Finals, we must prepare ourselves physically for a seven-game series. Our players still need rest; we shouldn't drain our stamina so quickly."

Pat Riley deeply agreed.

If they play the Lakers, they hope to cut through the chaos quickly; as long as they knock a few stars senseless, the longer the game drags on, the more advantageous it is for the Heat.

But playing against the Kuaisuan requires grinding effort; this is an extremely resilient young team—any four of them plus Fan Xi on the court have the caliber of a playoff contender… no other team can achieve this.

"The best result is for the Lakers and the Kuaisuan to go to seven games, barely advancing." Pat Riley said.

Indeed, that's the case.

This is also Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's wish. Although he has improved greatly this season and made many preparations, he still does not want to face Fan Xi. Fan Xi is too uncontrollable, too unpredictable.

He would rather face the double-team of Paul, Kobe, and Howard than have Fan Xi standing harmlessly before him.

In the past long struggle, he has already gained some insight.

Of course, if it truly is the Kuaisuan meeting them again in the Finals, James still believes he can come out on top.

After undergoing this season's rebirth, he already possesses a true king's mindset.

…