Chapter 514: You Actually Dare to Taunt Jie Ke Fan

Stephen Curry is the best three‑point shooter among active players, a reputation the media gave him before the season began.

He defended that reputation during this season's preseason.

Since the last season's finals, when Fan Xi historically knocked out the Miami Heat Big Three with a one‑step jump shot, Stephen Curry had an awakening; he undertook even harsher, extraordinary training in shooting, rapidly boosting his resistance to interference, and his release speed also increased dramatically.

He reached an unprecedented height.

This height made Fan Xi sigh in admiration; although Fan Xi's raw physical talent far exceeds Curry's, the crucial hand‑eye coordination even stems from Curry. Yet after several training sessions, he clearly realized he could not surpass Curry.

Therefore, Fan Xi focused more on traditional shooting during the off‑season, because in that aspect his ceiling is limitless; he can break and surpass the ceiling that Jordan built.

This season, Curry's meteoric rise propelled the Warriors' overall surge.

The Warriors' offensive system revolves around Curry—when Curry is strong, the whole team is strong.

…

For the first game of the new season, Fan Xi wanted a winning opening, so before the match he and his teammates studied it many times and repeatedly stressed the need for special focus.

This made Stade Miller curious: "Do you have to be this serious against the Warriors? You weren't this nervous against the Nets."

Fan Xi replied: "The Nets are just a bunch of clucking chickens, a loose sandbag. The Warriors are a real powerhouse; they'll keep getting stronger. In the future, the Western Conference may become a showdown between the Warriors and Kuaisuan."

Stade Miller didn't understand.

In his view, the Nets are stronger than the Warriors. In the West, it's the Thunder and the Rockets that are strong; the Warriors never get a turn.

His doubt was soon resolved.

The Warriors made no major changes this off‑season; they simply waited until Beldrins, Jefferson and Rash's combined $24 million contracts expired, freeing enough cap space, then acquired Andre Iguodala from the Nuggets. They subsequently signed Tony Douglas, Svet and O'Neill, and letting Landry and Jarett Jack go was just a micro‑move within a micro‑move.

Tonight's Warriors starting lineup is David Lee, Green, Iguodala, Tang Pu Sen, and Curry.

The Knicks' starters are Kevin Garnett, Stade Miller, Jo Johnson, Fan Xi, and Nash.

Garnett lost the tip‑off to David Lee.

David Lee is a power forward from New York, the only light in New York's darkness those years. He's called a good young man from New York because he doesn't mingle with those chaotic types. So when he took the court tonight, Madison Garden Arena even echoed with nostalgic cheers.

After Curry grabbed the ball, he sprinted forward, reached the frontcourt and plainly passed the ball to Green, who was positioned high; Stade Miller didn't press, knowing Green lacks shooting ability.

But Green drove the ball sharply inward, then quickly passed it to the low corner, where Curry just broke free from Nash's defense.

He received the ball and shot directly… Swish!

It went in.

Nash was surprised; he didn't expect the guy's release to be so rapid, nor so precise.

Nash, also renowned for his shooting as a point guard, now feels a strong sense of being eliminated.

But he quickly launched a fast break, dribbled to the frontcourt and passed to Fan Xi, whose feint unsettled Klay Tang Pu Sen's footing, then he surged inward swiftly.

Klay Tang Pu Sen truly lives up to being the kid Fan Xi once favored; his defense isn't as standout as Leonard's, but it's still elite.

After being faked past by a step, he actually chased hard to catch up.

If it were another player, they might indeed be contained by him.

But Fan Xi is not ordinary.

Fan Xi accelerated sharply, shedding him and denying a second defensive chance; after entering the paint, Green appeared at the second level, his defensive stance very smart, but he suddenly stopped, feinted, raising his center of gravity. Fan Xi's ball had already raced and slipped into the lane, where Stade Miller seized the ball and slammed it violently toward the rim.

It was done in one fluid motion.

The crowd on site screamed incessantly.

Stade Miller, even more smugly, flexed his muscles.

At that moment Fan Xi's eyebrows knit; he realized that although the Warriors are an offensive team and appear not very tall overall, their defense isn't a loose ragtag, nor like the Nets' individual play—they have tight coordination and a cohesive system.

Even if they don't earn the title of top defensive team, underestimating them would be a self‑binding mistake.

Then Fan Xi personally went to guard Curry.

Although Fan Xi tracked his longtime friend, Klay Tang Pu Sen on the other side shot easily… his Three‑Point Shot was also extremely accurate.

The Warriors hit another Three‑Point Shot.

Fan Xi had to exchange a glance with Larrie Brown on the bench, signaling him to bring Prince in quickly.

The Warriors' Three‑Point Shot is a standard weapon, elevated to a primary combat weapon. Their pace is rapid, stretching the space enormously, making it very hard to defend.

Curry and Tang Pu Sen's partnership, in some respects, rivals the collaboration of Jordan and Pippen back then. The difference is Jordan and Pippen operated on either side of the free‑throw line, whereas Curry and Tang Pu Sen expand their range to the entire area beyond the Three‑Point Shot line.

Fan Xi and Stade Miller executed a pick‑and‑roll; he passed to Kevin Garnett, who drove into the lane and scored on a layup.

David Lee's defense is the Warriors' soft spot.

In fact, David Lee's speed and spatial sense aren't that suited to the Warriors, though he briefly served as their interior core.

From Fan Xi's perspective, David Lee should soon be traded by the Warriors.

At that moment Prince walked to the scorer's table, and the Warriors' Bogut began warming up.

It's evident that Coach Kerr's in‑game responsiveness is quite good.

The game continued, and Curry hit another Three‑Point Shot.

Fan Xi kept a tight chase, but his body was blocked by Iguodala during the pursuit—barely a second—so when Curry received the ball and Fan Xi leapt again, he was already too late.

The ball flew out just a few centimeters above Fan Xi's fingertips.

Curry's release speed was too fast.

If it were any other opponent, even a strong, tall, long‑armed player like James, Fan Xi would still be confident he could block him.

"Jie Ke, you can't stop me. I told you long ago, no one can beat me in shooting." Curry bragged smugly to Fan Xi, "Your shooting all came from me."

Fan Xi didn't argue; he reached out and gave his butt a pat.

Curry grinned, teeth clenched in his mouthguard.

Their relationship won't cause the referee to misjudge; if other players made such an offensive move, the technical foul whistle would likely be blown immediately.

After patting Curry, Fan Xi turned and caught the ball, because Prince entered the game, substituting Stephen Nash. At the same time, Bogut came in, replacing David Lee.

Fan Xi reached the frontcourt, used a feint to fake out Curry, surged past the Three‑Point Shot line, then abruptly stepped back, halted, jumped and released… Swish!

Three-pointer made.

Fan Xi returned the favor in kind.

Fan Xi couldn't stop Curry from scoring, and Curry also struggled to defend Fan Xi one‑on‑one.

In their private one‑on‑ones Curry had hardly ever beaten Fan Xi, because Fan Xi was already an all‑around warrior, while Curry's power was never limited to one‑on‑one; although his isolation ability was also extremely strong, what truly made him formidable was… his mere presence on the court could create massive damage—he was a walking system.

Looking back, Curry was still running with Thompson, Green stood at the top of the arc to inbound, and with the floor spaced he passed the ball to Bogut.

Bogut received the ball in the paint and went one‑on‑one.

Bogut was the 2005 number one overall pick, known for his big mouth; his bad breath could be compared to a slum's open sewer. When he entered the league, he proclaimed he would clean it up.

Unfortunately, he is ambitious beyond his fragile fate.

After many unremarkable years in Milwaukee, his efficiency improved upon joining the Warriors.

He has post‑up ability and also defensive skills.

Although his two‑way ability wouldn't have amounted to much ten years ago, in this era of scarce big men he already counts as a classic center.

His strong body bumped Kevin Garnett aside, then he turned and pump‑faked a shot, Garnett biting and jumping.

At that moment he could have gone straight for a hook shot.

But he took a step forward, leapt… and slammed the ball one‑handed through the hoop, Garnett stumbling back from the contact.

That play excited the Australian immensely; he roared at Garnett, shouting, 'The paint is my turf!' ωωw. Ｂǐqυgétν. net

He showed no respect for Garnett whatsoever.

His yelling looked extremely arrogant.

Garnett is no pushover; he gave Bogut a hard stare.

Then he started asking Fan Xi for the ball.

Could Fan Xi refuse to give it?

Although Garnett disliked playing center when young—so much that he even shaved his height, claiming he was only 211 cm—when standing before O'Neal he was actually a bit taller.

After crossing half‑court, Fan Xi handed the ball to Garnett.

Garnett received the ball outside the paint, made a very crafty down‑press move, Bogut bit a little and his balance shifted.

Garnett then dribbled inside, swiftly moved around Bogut, and slipped the ball in with one hand.

That play was very skillful.

From a face‑up post‑up to a spin move to a layup, it was all in one fluid motion.

The fans at Madison Square Garden gave a loud cheer, going wild for this answer‑ball.

This also stirred Bogut's 'fighting spirit'; after returning to half‑court he again tightly clung to Garnett for the ball.

His sturdy frame played a big role, and Stephen Curry quickly lofted the ball into the paint.

When Curry passed, Garnett tried to step around but failed, losing his defensive position; after Bogut caught the ball he simply shrugged him off.

At that point, Bogut going straight for a layup would have been a good shot.

But he insisted on dribbling once more, then leapt… he was going to dunk.

But just as he jumped, ready to slam the ball down with two hands—

A shadow descended from above, covering the light in Bogut's pupils; just as he was shocked and about to pull the ball back, a pair of huge hands came down from all directions… smack!

The ball was slammed hard against the backboard; Bogut lost control of it, and his clumsy body also lost control in the air, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Fan Xi, however, landed with the ball and immediately launched a fast attack forward.

At that moment, the entire Madison Square Garden arena was shouting: MVP! MVP! MVP!

The sound waves rose like a tide.

Fan Xi surged forward like a bamboo shoot splitting, driving straight to the paint; Curry pursued relentlessly, but his gamble‑style steal attempt at the free‑throw line came up empty, leaving him only to watch Fan Xi slash into the paint.

An incoming Iguodala tried to contest, but when he saw Fan Xi's leaping height, the former small forward once touted as having a physique closest to James' voluntarily stepped back, not wanting to be a mere backdrop.

Boom!

Fan Xi smashed the ball through the hoop with both hands… in the posture of a transcendent battle‑axe.

The passion of Madison Square Garden was ignited, releasing bomb‑like energy.

The home court's might erupted violently.

From Fan Xi's violent board‑stuffing block to his straight‑ahead violent battle‑axe charge to the frontcourt.

Fan Xi used this super‑charged score to show what a superstar is!

This shot will definitely make tonight's top‑five plays.

But it might not reach number one, since the game is still ongoing.

What happens next, nobody knows.

"You're still too naïve—why do you think you can steal from me?" Fan Xi said after landing, not forgetting to chat with Stephen Curry.

"I've got to do something," Curry admitted frankly: "Even if it's just for show, what if it works?"

He displayed a spirit of governing through non‑action.

This is because he knows Fan Xi too well.

Bogut clearly doesn't understand Fan Xi; when Fan Xi returned to half‑court, Bogut actually stepped out beyond the three‑point line, taking advantage of the gap while Curry hadn't yet brought the ball back, he challenged Fan Xi: "People like you only dare to sneak‑attack from behind—if you've got the guts, take me head‑on!!

"I've never regarded your so‑called league‑top player as anything."

Bogut was very loud.

The sideline spectators could hear him.

Just like his stupidity, it was blatant.

Fan Xi glanced at him.

"Fine. I heard you." Fan Xi replied.

Then, he turned around to defend Ku Li.

Fan Xi never imagined that the first challenger after joining the Knicks would be a center, a foolish center.

He hadn't been provoked in a very long time.

Even he himself found it a bit boring.

He began to understand why Qiao Dan would write those who provoked him into his autobiography to lash out, after all, these foolish guys are the embellishments of a long career.

Calling them 'fun people' is quite fitting.

At that moment, the fans on the sidelines were also excited, especially those who knew Fan Xi, each of them putting on a look of watching a good show.

…