Chapter 467: Kobe

The whistle sounds.

The game has 4 minutes 13 seconds left.

In the arena, many fans impatiently stood up, and many signs showed these loyal purple‑gold fans that little time remained for them, that they were inevitably heading toward decline.

Jieke Fan, who was swept out by Jean Bas, is driving the carriage of history toward them, and the Lakers really are about to be swept into the dust of history this time.

No Lakers fan does not hate Jean Bas.

But now they only hope a miracle will descend, and that miracle is named Kobe.

Kobe Bryant purses his lips and walks onto the court, while Chris Paul hands him the basketball at the sideline.

He advances with the ball, and the Clippers still have Fan Xi standing opposite him.

This even catches Lakers fans off guard, because the Clippers have already placed the two formidable defenders Butler and Leonard on the court, with Nowitzki and Little Jordan inside.

Whether it's Butler or Leonard, they both have a size advantage against Kobe.

But Fan Xi's steps are very steady.

While moving forward, Kobe says to Fan Xi, "You can't guard me."

What Kobe didn't expect is that Fan Xi nods sincerely and says, "I know, I truly can't guard you. But I still think this showdown should be a direct dialogue between you two. If the one who drives you off the altar isn't me, you'd probably be upset too."

Fan Xi adopts a stance, spreading his arms to block Kobe's path.

Just like every one‑on‑one they have in the training hall.

Kobe shows a faint smile. He twists his body and assumes a one‑on‑one stance.

Fan Xi rushes forward, colliding with Kobe, and both probes are highly sophisticated.

Kobe's experience is a bit more unique; after a collision he tests the space, then swiftly executes a slide step, his body turning like lightning. Kobe's core strength is extremely powerful—he possesses a peerless waist that lets him snap away from opponents like a viper and maintain perfect balance when pulling up in the air.

Fan Xi drops half a step in defense, lunges forward; Kobe has already released his shot, but Fan Xi almost blocks the ball.

The basketball goes into the hoop.

Kobe's forceful score gives the Lakers a three‑point lead.

He stares at Fan Xi, "It's not yet time for me to leave the altar. The NBA guard line is still under my rule."

Fan Xi smiles and says, "Your stamina is almost spent, right? I didn't block this ball, but what about the next one? And what if we use a double‑team afterward?"

Fan Xi turns around to receive the ball.

Every one of his words hits Kobe's concerns.

Yet Kobe shows no retreat at all.

When Fan Xi crosses half‑court with the ball, he rushes forward.

He goes to guard Fan Xi.

He knows Fan Xi well; he clearly understands how Fan Xi initiates his offense.

But what he didn't expect is that Fan Xi doesn't tangle with him much. He simply performs two playful feints at the top of the three‑point arc, shifts Kobe's defensive focus, then laughs heartily as he passes the ball to the trapped Leonard.

Leonard goes one‑on‑one against Matt Barnes.

Jimmy Butler now blocks Paul on the weak side as he reaches for the ball.

As the play moves to the back, the Clippers' overall lineup advantage becomes evident. The Clippers dare to rotate players at any moment in the game, whereas the Lakers can only reuse seven or eight players repeatedly… In fact, that's the norm in the NBA.

Fan Xi isn't idle; he starts sprinting, like a sly electric eel darting across the court.

Kobe realizes defending Fan Xi is a mistake, but he now has to keep up, in case Fan Xi makes a small move during a switch.

While tracking Fan Xi, he keeps muttering, "Jie Ke, didn't you say you'd face me head‑on? Why are you running?"

Swish!

Butler hits a jump shot.

He makes it easily; Paul can't affect his shot at all.

At the same time, Fan Xi replies to Kobe, "Didn't I tell you I have nine ways to beat you? This is one of them."

"By the way, do you feel that when I run, I have a gravity that pulls your whole defense? Maybe you could call it: Fan's Gravity!"

Fan Xi chats with Kobe on his way back on defense.

Interestingly, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si in front of the TV and Pat Riley are also discussing the same topic.

Pat Riley tells James, "Jieke Fan's off‑ball ability looks more threatening than his on‑ball play, especially after Leonard shares his playmaking duties. However, with you and Dwyane Wade in this position, we won't be as passive as the Los Angeles Lakers."

James acknowledges Pat Riley's words. He says, "Now the off‑ball skills of superstars are becoming increasingly vital; I sense the game's pace will undergo a radical shift. Centers are no longer favored, techniques are getting rougher, and we'll inevitably enter a fast‑attack era. Adam Silver also seems to want the games to become more entertaining. In fact, that's what the NBA has always pursued."

The reason James is James is because he thinks more deeply. You could call him shrewd and capable, but you could also say he has long‑term vision.

Turning back, Kobe Bryant also begins to move quickly, as if to conserve his stamina.

But Fan Xi clings to him like an octopus; Fan Xi performs the taffy act to the fullest.

However, when Kobe finishes a pick‑and‑roll with Paul and Gasol and makes a rapid drive, he suddenly pushes Fan Xi aside, quickly retreats beyond the three‑point line, Paul passes the ball out, Kobe leaps to shoot, and Fan Xi lunges forward, a beat late.

Swish!

Three‑point shot made.

The Lakers build a four‑point lead.

Fan Xi feels a bit helpless.

He looks at the head referee, hoping for an explanation, but the referee pretends not to see.

For a superstar, such a move is almost impossible to be called a foul.

Did Jordan ever push someone? He definitely did.

The game‑winning shot against the Jazz back then was also deemed a pushing foul, yet it didn't diminish its greatness at all.

Just like now, the entire Staples Center is electrified.

Everyone is shouting "MVP," waving flags for Kobe Bryant.

Reggie Miller says on TV, "That's Kobe's superpower. The strongest representative of the '96 golden generation, the best scoring guard of the post‑Jordan era. Will he score 50 tonight? He's very close."

At the same time, Reggie Miller also said: "This kind of pushing is nothing. I also pushed people back then, and also hit a buzzer‑beater."

Reggie Miller was referring to the buzzer‑beater he made by pushing Jordan aside back then.

That was his signature work.

However, Reggie Miller's entire career lived in Jordan's shadow.

"Kobe is really tough to handle. Who could believe this is his 17th season?" Pat Riley said with great emotion.

James beside him raised his eyebrows and said: "Fortunately we won't run into the Lakers. Honestly, we'd rather face the Clippers than the Lakers. The Lakers' lineup counters us."

Pat Riley nodded and said: "Thanks to Jieke Fan; I look forward to his counterattack."

After halftime, Fan Xi still had no counterattack.

This time it was a play between Nowitzki and Fan Xi; Kobe didn't guard Fan Xi, Fan Xi broke through the Lakers' defense, passed to the top of the three‑point arc, and Nowitzki hit a three‑pointer with Butler setting a screen for him.

The game fell into a stalemate again.

Thereafter, the teams traded baskets, entering a fierce, blow‑for‑blow rhythm.

During this stretch, Kobe dominated the Lakers' offense, proving his clutch ability with extraordinary efficiency.

On the Clippers' side, Fan Xi still seemed like a big housekeeper, lacking a desire to directly participate, but his teammates played extremely well.

The game soon had only 39 seconds left.

At that moment, the Clippers had possession.

The Lakers led 112–111 by one point.

Kobe Bryant had already scored 53 points in this game, his points accounting for nearly half of the team's total; his current stat line is 53 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, shooting 18 of 31, an extraordinarily efficient performance.

One could say this game was held up by him; otherwise the Clippers would have already gained a structural lead.

Of course, even if Kobe did this, there would still be discussion about whether he was too domineering, turning other superstars into mere supporting cast.

These controversies have persisted throughout Kobe's career, but they will not affect his greatness or his substantive control of the game.

Fan Xi remained outside the three‑point line; theoretically, he needed to quickly make a shot, then defend the opponent, and then launch another offensive play.

But he appeared completely unhurried.

He even said to Kobe: "Can you still shoot? Kobe, I think your shots will become difficult now. You're an old man."

Fan Xi teased Kobe.

Kobe paid no attention to Fan Xi.

Although those standing beside him felt his breathing was uneven, rapid, and irregular.

He had truly reached the point of exhausted fuel and waning light.

In this game, his physical consumption was the highest among the Lakers.

Fan Xi suddenly made a quick lunge, his body darting like lightning toward Kobe's left side; Kobe hurriedly shifted sideways, but at that moment Fan Xi passed the ball.

He passed it to Butler, not Leonard.

Fan Xi himself also sprinted quickly toward the inside of Kobe's left side.

Kobe hurriedly gave chase, but after two steps Fan Xi swiftly cut back; at that moment Leonard and Nowitzki converged perfectly… they blocked Kobe's pursuit.

Fan Xi returned to the top of the three‑point arc, and Butler passed the ball to him.

Fan Xi caught the ball and shot immediately, very swiftly.

His shooting speed was extremely fast.

Swish!

The basketball precisely hit the mark.

With 29.6 seconds left in the game, the Clippers took a two‑point lead.

The entire Staples Center fell silent; they dared not even dream it could happen.

Although they knew Fan Xi always had the ability to create miracles, they never expected him to do it this way.

Timeout! Timeout!

Pat Riley shouted anxiously in front of the TV.

This tactic surprised even Pat Riley.

Although Fan Xi's shot was extremely accurate, his running play this time intrigued him even more.

ESPN quickly replayed it, when the Lakers requested their final timeout.

"Isn't this two‑man off‑ball screen illegal? It's like closing an elevator to block the defender," LeBron James said from the side.

Pat Riley furrowed his brow.

Whether this screen is legal or not is hard to define, but it gave Pat Riley an inspiration. He said: "This is truly the Clippers' secret weapon. Look, Jieke Fan's run this time was well‑structured, including the pass to Butler. Also, this shot—let the videographer edit it and send it to you later—he adopted a speed‑seeking shooting style."

"He's used it before; Jieke Fan has started playing a brand‑new kind of basketball," Pat Riley said.

"Could we let Ray Allen try this style too?" LeBron James said: "We could also give him an elevator‑style screen."

"No." Pat Riley shook his head: "Ray Allen's shooting percentage is high, but his shot is too mechanical. He's a standard two‑stage jump shooter, and he has OCD."

"So, his release needs subconscious adjustment, whereas Jieke Fan's is a reflex‑like shot—he can release before the help defender closes in. It's kind of like… that guy from the Golden State Warriors."

"Right, they were college roommates."

Pat Riley remarked: "Who would have thought that tiny Davidson College would produce two dragons and phoenixes."

Pat Riley's comment made LeBron James frown slightly; he worried that Fan Xi's secret weapon would disrupt his own meticulously planned hunt.

"We should thank Kobe, thank him for forcing out the strongest Jieke Fan," Pat Riley said.

As Pat Riley was thanking Kobe, Kobe stood on the bench, his hands resting on Blake's shoulders, utterly exhausted, unable even to sit down, fearing that if he sat to rest he might cramp up… causing him to miss the final showdown.

The Lakers' trainer was massaging him to help relieve his fatigue.

At this moment, D'Antoni was setting up tactics, clearly demanding a three‑pointer because the Lakers were trailing by two points.

He had set up a very complete tactical system.

But just then, Kobe put forward his idea.

His idea left the entire bench in astonishment.

Everyone felt it was unbelievable.

But Kobe's gaze was very determined.

Beep!

The whistle sounded.

The game continued.

The Lakers made their final lineup: Blake, Kobe, Jamison, Gasol, Howard went on the court.

The Clippers did not change their lineup.

When Chris Paul did not appear in the lineup, everyone was shocked, the fans on site were shocked, the viewers in front of the TV were shocked, and the commentators on the commentary bench felt even more incredulous.

Even Le Bu Lang Zhang Si said: "Although I know the final play will definitely be given to Kobe, putting Chris on the bench still makes me angry. Chris is my good friend, and he is also one of the best point guards in the league."

When James was puzzled.

Fan Xi had already walked toward Kobe.

This was the final round.