Chapter 481: Who W

The Miami Heat performed like contenders on their home court.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si launched a fierce attack, he and his teammates advanced with determination, as tenacious as Spartan warriors.

Their mental resolve was unprecedented; although Spoelstra's tactical focus was to give everything on offense, they did not slack in the slightest on defense.

In the second quarter, they made up 5 points, narrowing the gap to 3 points at halftime.

This gave Heat fans endless imagination; they hoped this was the start of a counterattack, to win this game and get to match point, and even though the next two games were away, their hope of winning the championship rose infinitely.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's aggressive effort in the second quarter brought infinite emotion to the fans in the arena and those watching on TV; he appeared more often on defense, like an omnipresent ghost, constantly positioning, constantly double-teaming, constantly crashing into the paint to grab rebounds, then quickly running to disrupt.

Even Shaquille O'Neal commented: Le Bu Lang Zhang Si played somewhat like Dennis Rodman. He gave it his all; deep down I hoped they would win the game.

James displayed a fearless, heroic bearing.

This was something he had never experienced in his life.

His basketball career had always been smooth; once he entered high school, people had already clearly told him: basketball needs you to save it. He was a destined basketball myth, enjoying all the dividends of basketball.

His high school games were broadcast nationwide by the media; his impoverished mother could get a loan to buy him a luxury car when he turned eighteen… the bank only needed to know she was Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's mother to dare lend her money.

And the sponsors went crazy for him; the first thing he did upon entering the league was to sign an unprecedented endorsement contract with Nike, surpassing all current superstars.

At that time, fans across the country were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

And he did just that: he helped his hometown team quickly reach the playoffs, even leading them to the Finals. All Ohioans took pride in him, and the whole basketball world could not wait for his official coronation.

The turning point of his career came in 2010; if he had not transferred to Miami that year, he would have been a perfect man, a basketball prodigy.

However, his public betrayal left his hometown fans unable to accept it; although he had many legitimate reasons, Cleveland still could not accept losing him, treating him like a discarded girlfriend and giving Le Bu Lang Zhang Si much negative evaluation.

However, this did not truly affect Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's destined glorious and great career.

In Miami he remained highly regarded; when he said he wasn't aiming for three championships, not four, not five, nobody thought he was bragging. After all, Miami possessed a super Three Giants and was at its peak.

But that season, the Lakers signed a nobody; this guy came from a weak NCAA team, even going undrafted. Every year many such players return empty-handed from the draft.

However, Fan Xi created a miracle.

Starting with a buzzer-beater in his first game, he became unstoppable, becoming an important member of the Lakers; he held his ground in his rookie season, then performed an epic myth in the Finals.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si tasted his first major setback in his career.

At that time, everyone thought it was just an accident.

But in the second season, when Jieke Fan again led the brand-new Kuaisuan to a sniper victory in the Finals, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's myth showed signs of cracking; when Le Bu Lang Zhang Si dropped the gold medal in London, he realized he had only one path to redemption left.

Every day, he was spurred on by immense shame.

He was like the protagonist of a Japanese anime, originally growing smoothly with an astonishing background. But one day he would suddenly encounter a major setback, someone would step forward to defeat and knock him down; then at that moment he would awaken to a greater power within his bloodline.

James this season was just like that: he trained his technique, making his skill and physical condition more integrated, honed his defensive skills, and made himself more fearless.

He became a truly formidable person, with hardly any flaws to be found on either offense or defense.

Pat Riley slapped his chest in training camp and said: Your personal ability will surely surpass Michael Jordan's.

Pat Riley had once said Wei De was a Michael Jordan short by five centimeters; that time, Wei De erupted with divine power in the Finals, trailing 0:2 and eliminating the Mavericks. This time, Pat Riley was even more resolute.

Furthermore, they were up against Nowitzki's team.

This seemed to have a fatalistic element; in fact, they also tied the score after being down two games.

But tonight, this damn pivotal game. Reading.

After Nowitzki was injured, Jieke Fan and Le Bu Lang Zhang Si— the Miracle Child who had plunged them into a long nightmare— erupted. Just as he had said three nights earlier, he forbade anyone from stealing his victory, issuing commands like a god.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si gave his all in this game, playing like the craziest blue‑collar worker, even though he had previously been basketball's biggest "rich second‑generation" kid.

At halftime.

TNT's commentary desk played Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's first‑half highlights, aside from those high‑difficulty offensive shots. On defense he threw himself forward, battling for possession, leaping up to grab the ball in Mili Xiqi's arms and rolling on the ground; standing firm against Butler's attack in the legal charging zone, he was knocked to the floor…

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si earned the respect of everyone watching the live stream.

In fact, he also earned the respect of the Kuaisuan fans.

Kobe Bryant in front of the TV also clapped for him, although long ago Kobe had privately told Fan Xi that Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's technique was too raw and his competitiveness lacking.

But now, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si truly has no shortcomings at all.

He has become a perfect man.

"But the Heat still can't beat the Kuaisuan," Kobe told his wife: "They don't have enough time to prepare tactics; Jie Ke's sudden burst of mid‑range ability caught them off guard."

"Nobody should underestimate the Kuaisuan's past 76 wins; they forged the team through those victories, they have enough confidence and courage, and any of their players stepping onto the court is not a stranger—they have too many backup tactics."

Kobe Bryant's analysis was thorough and logical.

However, his wife showed little interest in basketball. She merely said: "I've vaguely heard that Jennifer might really have given birth to a child—do you think it could be Jie Ke's?"

Kobe Bryant was surprised and asked: "Where did you hear that?"

"I went to a party yesterday and a New York producer mentioned this. He said it's no longer a secret; Jennifer has cut back her work over the past six months and will refuse all announcements for the coming year, just doing some investments. He said Jennifer is wealthier than imagined, the most business‑savvy Hollywood actress, even though she used to do sitcoms…"

Vanessa liked such strong‑woman stories. But Kobe didn't give her much room to shine; she was just asked to be a good hostess. Of course, she did well, bringing Kobe an angel and also a prince to inherit his basketball legacy.

"Hopefully she doesn't have a boy—if it really is Jie Ke's child."

Kobe Bryant muttered.

He didn't want his future child to face a rival in basketball; Jieke Fan is a person who gives Kobe a headache.

Of course, what gives him a headache now is Miami's coaching staff and player team.

They gave their all in the second quarter but only managed to cut the deficit by five points. Meanwhile, the Kuaisuan side looked so relaxed; they even felt Fan Xi hadn't truly exerted himself, as he kept letting the Spaniards control possession.

Dwyane Wade even had a ridiculous feeling: Jieke Fan might be training his team, seemingly planning for next season. Since he will leave the Kuaisuan next season, he needs to keep his players strong so they can remain a formidable team.

This ridiculous feeling is real, because Fan Xi indeed has that idea. But he also surely wants to win; he just wants his teammates to rotate in, develop their feel for the game, and then secure victory in the second half.

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si said in the locker room: "We have no way back. We lost once, twice—if we lose a third time, then our sole reason for forming the team is destroyed. We came for the championship, not for the Eastern title. Three championships cannot push any of our historical standing forward."

Having said that, James stood up and shouted: "The Kuaisuan are certainly not unbeatable, and Jieke Fan is certainly not God himself. If we unite, we can overtake them in the third quarter and drive them back to Los Angeles in the fourth."

"As long as we get to 3:2, I promise you all. I will definitely put championship rings on your fingers!"

James slapped his chest, his words earnest, his tone resolute, as he said.

His words filled the locker room with restless energy; three years of suppression had let them accumulate too much anger and frustration inside.

Just as Fan Xi said, they came here not for the Eastern championship title, let alone for a three-peat Eastern championship.

As Kobe would say, second place is the biggest loser.

Who wants to be the eternal runner-up?

James doesn't want to.

Wei De doesn't want to.

Patelaili even more does not want to.

…