Chapter 510: Even the Nets Have No Defense

In the same city, that itself is the greatest bond.

Moreover, during the off‑season they made an unprecedented deal, which can be called a fundamentally antagonistic factor.

The two teams' massive hype and rivalry were substantively upgraded the moment the Russian oligarch deal for Fan Xi's one‑year usage right was made.

"I've never thought that betting on a player with only a one‑year usage right is a sound move; he can't help the team achieve success within a year."

The Nets' Russian owner Prokhorov gave an exclusive interview before the preseason started, speaking openly about the deal: "Cameron, Tyson, JR are the long‑term talents we need. I believe we'll soon succeed in Brooklyn and bring a championship to the community."

"In fact, I can't buy the claim that Jieke Fan is the league's number one. To me, Cameron is the better player, Pierce the more experienced, Deron Williams the wiser, Tyson the stronger, JR the more accurate shooter… We'll definitely clinch the championship faster than New York!"

Prokhorov also clarified his conflict with Fan Xi in the report: "The first time I met Jieke Fan, I didn't like him. He's arrogant and self‑righteous, thinking everyone should revolve around him, which I'm not. So when my team obtained his usage right, I didn't treat it as a divine gift as others imagined."

"Actually, I think this is a disaster. Fortunately, the New York Knicks took on this disaster and delivered a historic‑level talent to us; I'm grateful to the Knicks club."

Prokhorov spoke with no room for retreat; this openly tearing off the mask left many people stunned.

But it must be said, he gained traffic, and the Nets' hype surged as a result.

People love to watch the excitement.

As a team that has just moved to a new location, the Nets need exposure and buzz.

From a business standpoint, Prokhorov's move is a brilliant trick; he spent virtually no promotional budget yet made the team one of the league's most watched.

Fan Xi has never responded to him.

If Fan Xi were to reply, the hype would be even higher.

But regrettably, Fan Xi didn't do that. He has no need to argue with Prokhorov, let alone prove he's not a "disaster".

Everything is judged by results.

So that's why the Barclays Center was packed that night. Many fans poured in, eager to watch the New York intra‑city showdown live.

This is the Nets' first home game of the season; previously they beat the Hawks in Atlanta and knocked out the Pistons in Detroit.

Now back in New York, they're invigorated, striving to deliver a beautiful performance at the new home and secure an opening win.

If Prokhorov's media provocations have a commercial hype element.

Then what brews in Cameron's heart is pure resentment; he can't stand being treated as a throw‑away commodity to trade for Fan Xi, and only for a one‑year usage right. When he first joined New York, crowds lined the streets; now being sold off so cheaply… where's the superstar prestige?

He wants to regain his face in this game, to slam the Knicks hard. He wants anyone who mentions the Knicks to think of their foolishness, just as Jieke Fan did to the Los Angeles Lakers.

To that end, he entered training early.

In past off‑seasons, Cameron Anthony would play until training camp was about to start before beginning physical recovery. This year, after only two months of play, he started systematic training; his physical condition is unprecedentedly good, and he's also dramatically increased off‑ball shooting drills.

His ability has improved over last season.

In a sense, Fan Xi is like a catfish entering the NBA; he forces top superstars to evolve, from James to Rosa… any player chasing the pinnacle is raising their ceiling to varying degrees.

Before the game started, Cameron and his teammates exchanged greetings early, hoping everyone would focus a bit more.

That point needs no reminder.

In fact, the off‑season extra training wasn't limited to Anthony. Deron Williams, upon learning Fan Xi was coming to New York, immediately threw himself into training, achieving effective fat loss, becoming lighter, and improving his shooting. His grudge with Fan Xi runs deep.

Originally far from Fan Xi, he had to endure Fan Xi's drills twice a year. Now, as city rivals, he doesn't want to repeat Chris Paul's cautionary tale, being hung on a shame pillar and whipped by Fan Xi.

Thus, training is his form of resistance.

Moreover, Paul Pierce hasn't stopped training; although he's already accomplished and a Finals MVP, the summer league spat with Fan Xi still haunts him. He doesn't want his own words to backfire, so he trains early to better restore his body.

Therefore, in a sense, for the Nets this is more than a preseason game, even beyond a regular‑season significance. It's a direct clash of opposing sides; they pursue only victory, not a mere lineup rehearsal.

Compared with the Nets' ambitious, must‑win drive, the Knicks are more composed, showing no aggressive pressure.

In the visiting locker room at the Barclays Center, Stade Meyer praised loudly: "This must be the most luxurious away locker room in the league."

Fan Xi agreed with that assessment.

At that moment, Ben Wallace voiced his concern: "Guys, the Nets will definitely go all‑out to block us tonight; they're waiting to cut off our heads and raise their flag for the new season. We can't let them have their way."

Ben Wallace looked rather worried: "They're gunning to step on our spotlight."

Mr. Wallace may be a muscle man, but his current heartfelt demeanor resembles that of an old uncle.

Everyone actually knows this issue inside out.

We've all been in this league for years; we're like ancient foxes, reading each other's thoughts at a glance.

Which owner doesn't covet the Knicks' revenue?

Which player doesn't want to become the New York King?

Which superstar doesn't crave a haul of honors?

Thus, Fan Xi never mobilized anyone. He felt it unnecessary, and in fact the big guys' emotions are restrained; this veteran‑heavy lineup won't act like the impulsive Los Angeles Kuaisuan crowd, who get hot‑blooded, roar in the locker room, and shout about killing to set an example.

However, when these old guys actually get their hands on it, they aren't soft; they may smile and seem merciful, but at showdown they stab straight into the heart.

Larry Brown set the tactics. He placed Fan Xi in the starting lineup alongside Joe Johnson, Bariani, Stade Meyer, and Kevin Garnett.

He still emphasized offense first, but also stressed localized zone defense and early double‑teams.

Larry Brown knows this scheme can't implement a static defensive system; a clever housewife can't cook without rice.

…

Fan Xi heard the MVP cheers echo in the Barclays Center.

That's a sight the Nets really dislike.

But reality is harsh; even though the Russian oligarch stresses a long‑term plan and poached star Cameron Anthony from the Knicks, they still can't take Fan Xi's supporters or the Knicks' core base.

Even though this is the Nets' home court, volume estimates suggest Knicks supporters still exceed 35%.

The Nets and Knicks' situation mirrors the earlier clear split between the Lakers and Kuaisuan in Los Angeles.

Only now Fan Xi has joined the Knicks, not the Nets.

Or say the Nets originally had a chance to get Fan Xi, but they gave it up.

When Cameron Anthony took the court, his face bore fierce resentment. In his early days his nickname was "Sweet Melon", but now he looks like a bitter gourd.

The players sharing the floor with Cameron Anthony were: Deron Williams, JR Smith, Kirilenko, and Tyson Chandler.

Paul Pierce did not get injured and played, probably as the sixth man.

Jason Kidd stood on the sideline, looking full of confidence. As a former league's top point guard, he has now returned to the Nets and no longer has to worry about any head coach not listening to him… because he is the head coach.

He has a smug, self‑satisfied posture.

However, some unscrupulous media tease him, saying that if Jason Kidd ever fails to manage the team, he will end up like Coach Scott back then, isolated by a superstar and pushed out of the team.

Jason Kidd was that tough when he was young; as a player he could sideline the head coach and help the team reach the Finals.

His playing career never won a championship, but it left few regrets.

Now it depends on his coaching career.

Beep!

The whistle sounded.

Tyson Chandler won the jump ball over Kevin Garnett, and the basketball was tipped to Deron Williams. Deron caught the ball and pushed forward.

Deron's weight‑loss results are obvious; he used to be called "Little Fat", now he could be called "Little Strong".

He carried the ball, landed steadily, then passed it to Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony opened a one‑on‑one stance on the wing.

The defender on him is Joe Johnson.

Joe Johnson is not a great defender, but he is a brilliant offensive master.

His defensive flaw is clumsy lateral movement, often losing speed against quick guards.

Yet, facing the classic, post‑up forward Carmelo Anthony, he is very patient.

Carmelo made a highly challenging probing step and did not fall for it.

Finally Carmelo Anthony burst inside with a quick step, smoothly turned his back, and released a fluid jump shot… Joe Johnson leapt quickly but failed to block the ball.

Bang!

Carmelo's first shot was a bit nervous; he stopped just before the rim's edge.

Perhaps he shot too fast.

Stoudamire knocked Kirilenko aside, protecting that rebound.

Pass to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi has already launched a fierce fast break.

He surged forward like lightning; Deron tried to set an ambush at midcourt, but just after completing the cut, Fan Xi accelerated past his side with a strong burst.

Deron sighed in admiration.

Fan Xi penetrated inside the Nets' three‑point line; at that moment the Nets had a chance to stop Fan Xi's move, their shooting guard rushed forward quickly and could have delayed. However, he attempted a steal, convinced he would get it.

His recklessness is as consistently low‑IQ as always.

Fan Xi simply dribbled behind him and flung him aside; he is faster than wet clothes tossed into a dryer.

Fan Xi kept moving into the paint; as he jumped, Kirilenko tried to come from another angle to block.

Fan Xi didn't even have time to play a hang‑time game. Read the book.

He tilted his body slightly in the air, slammed the ball hard onto the floor; the ball rebounded violently, and on the other side Stoudamire was already sprinting, jumped, grabbed the perfectly timed ball and hammered it into the rim… Boom!

The rim roared from his slam.

Truly the original "Little Overlord"!

Fan Xi's pass embodied ferocity, elegance, and mystery to the fullest.

The whole sequence was like Fan Xi wielding a blade, sweeping through a bamboo forest, clearing a path; when finally facing the Nets' last barrier, Fan Xi jumped, exposing the opponent's heart, then tossed the heart to the chasing opponent, and Stoudamire was cut down in one strike!

Barclays Center boiled over, and New York fans were conquered by this gorgeous, violent, elegant scene. Read the book.

Even Nets fans couldn't help cheering for that dunk.

The Nets' fan base in New York City is already shaky; some wavering fans joining Fan Xi's hype crew is no surprise—this place has a fine tradition of cheering for the opponent.

"The Nets are lifting a stone to smash their own foot."

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan smoked a cigar in his office, and he bragged to the freshly prostate‑surgery Phil Jackson: "Russians look sharp, but they actually know nothing about basketball or business. In business, a hundred 85‑point products can't beat a single 100‑point product. Carmelo is an 85‑point product, Jie Ke is 110."

Duo Lan blew a smoke ring: "Do you think I'm right?"

Jackson nodded, saying: "I think it's 150 points."

Hahaha!

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan laughed heartily: "I was conservative."

After Fan Xi and Stoudamire slapped hands on the court, they turned to defend.

With just one ball, he had already mapped the Nets' defensive system.

Jason Kidd is a great point guard, but he still lacks experience to be a qualified NBA head coach.

Fan Xi even believes that even if he coached the Nets, he could set up a more threatening defensive system.

Fan Xi exchanged a glance with Larry Brown on the sideline.

The two shared a knowing smile; they both knew: the Nets have no defense.

…