Chapter 478: Unraveling the Mystery

Fan Xi's remarks turned into a hurricane the next day.

No one would be foolish enough to truly underestimate Fan Xi's power; many have tried to slap Fan Xi down, but they all failed. That is why public opinion is clamorous yet orderly, and even the most ardent James‑supporting experts dare not categorically claim that Fan Xi's statements are bound to collapse.

All they can do is make snide remarks, saying Fan Xi disrespects reporters, that Fan Xi is arrogant and overbearing, and that Fan Xi always likes to employ off‑court psychological tactics.

They also analyze that Fan Xi's uncharacteristic speaking out is because the Miami Heat have cornered them, leaving no other better ways to boost morale.

Nevertheless, they dare not assert that the Heat will definitely win the championship.

Even though within an hour after the game ended, many were loudly proclaiming that Miami had already won, that the championship trophy had begun to be laser‑etched with the Miami Heat's logo.

All this was caused by just three sentences Fan Xi said after the game.

That is the dominance those trolls dare not acknowledge.

…

During his two days of rest, Fan Xi trained normally, ate normally, and did not deliberately do many extra drills. He only reminded Arenas, Lu Bi Ao, Butler to prepare off‑ball offense, and asked Mili Xiqi to quit his habit of flashy moves, using the simplest way to score.

Nowitzki has been very depressed these two days; although his season is over, he did not choose to return to Los Angeles or Dallas, or Germany. He decided to stay in Miami, and he is taking a conservative treatment, hoping to return to the court at a time when no one expects it.

His hand bone fracture indeed isn't severe enough to require surgery; strictly speaking, it's just a hairline fracture, needing only immobilization.

Nowitzki is an extremely loyal person, which is why Dallas cherishes him so much. He was injured in last season's finals, and injured again in this season's finals; he always feels he hasn't contributed enough.

However, Fan Xi told him, "You've performed excellently, De Ke. Actually, when you're not on the court, they find it even harder to defend, because they don't know what we'll do next. Trust me, De Ke, you'll watch us easily take two wins and lift the championship trophy in Los Angeles."

Fan Xi was confident.

His confidence filled the teammates with belief, especially after they saw Fan Xi's remarks on TV.

…

Game day is approaching quickly.

The Pivotal Game of the finals draws the world's greatest basketball attention.

One could say that everyone who cares about basketball has their thoughts right now on the Meihangzhongxin qiuguan in Miami.

This match concerns the progression of the finals.

Even though this game is in Miami's home court, Miami has already won two consecutive games, and Kuaisuan has lost their interior core, Nowitzki, who had performed excellently in the previous four games.

Nevertheless, everyone still thinks this is a evenly matched game, even believing Kuaisuan has some advantages.

That is very strange.

It runs counter to objective analysis.

Simply because Fan Xi said before the game that he would claim victory.

Sha Ke Er Ao Ni Er has already said on TV without mincing words: "That's dominance. If Fan Xi defeats Le Bu Lang Zhang Si again and takes the win, I must say he is the most dominant perimeter player of the post‑Jordan era, bar none."

"No one has more say than I do. I've been teammates with An Fen Ni Ha Da Wei, with Kobe Bryant, with De Huai En Wei De, and with Le Bu Lang Zhang Si. Those guys are the world's best guards, but none of them possesses Jieke Fan's 'talk‑to‑action' ability, a single sentence that makes opponents fear and be unable to counter."

"In fact, I've also played against Mai Ke Er Qiao Dan; I've eliminated them, and they have eliminated us. If Jieke Fan wins the championship this year, I would think he has a great chance of surpassing Mai Ke Er Qiao Dan, even though he has already beaten Jordan in many fields."

Sha Ke Er Ao Ni Er said it with conviction.

He has recently been preparing to become a TV commentator, so he throws out eye‑catching remarks. Rumor has it his next move is to join TNT, a network historically close to Fan Xi, so his statements can be accepted.

Ao Ni Er's words undoubtedly received much satire and debate; those ultra‑basketball purist fans claim Ao Ni Er doesn't understand Jordan's greatness at all, and is merely flattering Jie Ke Fan.

And those basketball legends uniformly state that Sha Ke Er Ao Ni Er is being alarmist and deliberately flattering modern basketball.

Every field is like that; some old guys always denigrate the new generation to elevate themselves.

Valuing the past over the present is tradition.

…

Before Fan Xi entered the Meihangzhongxin qiuguan, he already felt Miami's thick hostility; their bus, on the road before entering the arena, passed at least ten billboards slandering him, with titles like 'Playboy', 'Shameless Scoundrel', 'Protector of the Referee League', and the like plastered on Fan Xi.

Fan Xi just found it amusing.

After they entered the arena, they received no courtesy from staff; they even deliberately messed up Kuaisuan's locker‑room signage, and refused to turn on the air‑conditioning or provide hot water.

Such things usually only happen in very old‑school basketball eras.

"This shows their fear of us is deeply rooted; they already know we can't create difficulty for them on the court."

Arenas said in the locker room.

Fan Xi endorsed his view.

And Fan Xi then emphasized again: "Tonight we'll play simple basketball; I'll lead the offense, I'll create the best attacking environment for you. I'll absorb their defense like a black hole; you just need to catch the ball and score. Play solid defense, and we'll win easily."

Fan Xi told them.

These words made the Kuaisuan players extremely excited.

…

When the Kuaisuan players entered the arena, boos were already spreading. When the game officially began, Fan Xi led the brand‑new lineup of Deng Taiqiong, Butler, Huaiti Seda, and Mili Xiqi onto the court, and the jeers and insults piled onto them like seawater.

Fan Xi stood there calmly.

He looked at the opposite Miami Three Giants with a half‑smile.

They seemed nervous; they probably haven't rested well these two days.

They are certainly racking their brains to study Fan Xi's secret weapon.

Seeing them like that, Fan Xi wanted to impatiently unravel the mystery for them.

…