Chapter 527: With Me, Without Him, the Public Opinion Boils

The Knicks' losing streak continues; they lost to the Golden State Warriors 121–138 in Oakland, which was the best game they've played recently, with both sides attacking each other.

But the Warriors' offensive firepower was clearly superior.

They avenged the opening game's arrow of vengeance, showing the huge difference for the Knicks when they have Fan Xi versus when they lose him.

The New York Knicks quickly arrived in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are currently seventh in the Western, and after losing Chris Paul and De Huai Te Huo Wa De, their strength ranking has plummeted. Originally Lakers fans thought that this season the Kuaisuan losing Fan Xi and other key cores would be worse for the Lakers, but they didn't expect the Kuaisuan to still dominate them.

Moreover, the Kuaisuan have more hope. The Kuaisuan's Lun Na De is increasingly showing leadership, Yang Ni Si A De Tuo Kun Bo is also growing rapidly, and their stocked interior players Mili Xiqi, Huaiti Seda, Xiao Qiaodan, etc., are all performing excellently; Lu Bi Ao is also an outstanding commander, a textbook elite player.

Thus, many even say this year's Kuaisuan resembles the 2003 Detroit Pistons, whose iron‑blooded spirit revived in Los Angeles, right next to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the Knicks vs. Lakers game, Fan Xi sat on the sidelines. Next to him sat Zhan Na, on the other side was Hollywood big star Lai Angduona, behind were a group from the Kardashian family, and also Kan Ye Weisi Te.

Fan Xi and Lai Angduona chatted merrily; entertainment media have always grouped them together as the same type, both famous playboys.

But in fact, now Fan Xi and Xiao Lizi discuss more philosophical issues rather than women.

Xiao Lizi is getting older; although he still keeps a girlfriend about 25 years old, inevitably his mind and body are undergoing mature changes.

Before this game, the Knicks had already accumulated a four‑game losing streak; their falling out of the Eastern top eight is only a matter of time.

Regarding this, Knicks fans are indifferent. New York media are even saying: we never worry about whether we can make the playoffs. As for what seed we enter the playoffs with, that's not our concern. What we should worry about is the top‑ranked Miami Heat, or the second‑ranked Chicago Bulls.

The New York media are arrogant.

But they have confidence.

They still dare to say that even when almost every basketball expert thinks they aren't a strong team.

And the Miami Heat, currently first in the Eastern, have not yet spoken out to refute or make dismissive remarks.

This shows one thing.

Their trump card is solid!

Even if the Knicks truly aren't a strong team overall, who the hell wants to face Fan Xi in the first round of the playoffs? The demon who can drop 101 points in a single game!

Others may not know how awesome Fan Xi is, but does Miami not know?

If the Knicks ultimately can only enter the playoffs as the Eastern eighth seed, then the Miami Heat will surely give the top spot to the Bulls. Let the Bulls battle them. After all, Derek Rose is young and powerful, and once matched evenly with Fan Xi.

Although the Lakers had home‑court advantage in this Lakers vs. Knicks game, they didn't gain the edge. Perhaps it's because Fan Xi's pre‑game "motivation" of Kobe Bryant.

"I hope he scores 50 points; he can definitely do it. In my view, he's still one of the league's best scorers. What reason is there to doubt his scoring power?"

This was posted by Fan Xi on his personal webpage.

He rarely posts updates online; this is the only tweet he's posted in over a year.

It quickly became big news, to the point that Kobe couldn't possibly not hear Fan Xi's call and his trust.

Kobe knows exactly what psychological tactics Fan Xi is playing.

It's straight‑hook fishing.

But Kobe actually took the bait.

For the current Kobe, he has nothing left to lose, so he can be more reckless. For example, at the start, he hit a three‑pointer just a meter inside the three‑point line.

That announced his scoring game for tonight.

Fan Xi stood up on the sidelines to cheer him, and the Lakers fans in the arena went wild.

For Staples Center fans, the significance of a win pales compared to Kobe Bryant dropping 50 points.

Lakers fans' relationship with Fan Xi is complicated; on one hand they know Fan Xi shattered the Lakers' foundation, on the other they are clear it's not Fan Xi's fault but the Lakers' own stupidity.

Moreover, many fans still miss Fan Xi; they often say: if that damned Zhen Ni hadn't traded Jie Ke, it would be great, and now the Lakers would surely have a glorious dynasty.

Regarding the ambivalent relationship between Fan Xi and Kobe, they all understand it. So when Fan Xi made such a proposal, they all responded.

Interestingly, Fan Xi came to Staples Center tonight to watch the game after accepting Ji Mu's invitation. Ji Mu gave Fan Xi two of the most expensive tickets and said that if Fan Xi wanted to bring more girlfriends, he could arrange it.

Fan Xi and Jimbas have always gotten along well; Fan Xi has always regarded Jimbas as his patron, who gave him the chance and an unprecedented rookie contract.

But….

Fan Xi's relationship with the Lakers is too tangled, intricately complex.

Kobe's scoring drags the Lakers into an inefficient offensive mode; although Kobe's momentum is fierce, everyone knows he is no longer at the peak of his career.

His matchup, Qiao Yuehan Sun, enjoys the duel with Kobe, because Kobe now sometimes can't defend him.

The two of them go back and forth.

The difference is the Lakers lack reliable help.

But Qiao Yuehan Sun's teammates Si Ta De Mai Er and Kai Wen Jia Nei Te can provide effective assistance.

Benefiting from the Knicks' open offense, Si Ta De Mai Er now averages over 29 points per game, ranking second in the league behind Kai Wen Du Lan Te.

Fan Xi's offhand remark is becoming reality; perhaps he can truly claim his first scoring title. That would give his career a qualitative leap. Without a scoring title, he's at best an elite All‑Star; once he secures the scoring crown, when his career ends people will say he is one of the few power forwards to win the scoring title, calling him a superstar.

Thus, Si Ta De Mai Er is undoubtedly thrilled now. He's happy to be Fan Xi's right‑hand man.

The game continues.

At the end of the first quarter, Kobe had 15 points.

When he left the floor, he smugly raised his eyebrows at Fan Xi, and Fan Xi clapped at him: "Hey, Kobe, you need to keep your stamina. At this rate, diminishing returns set in and you won't reach 50 points. No one is more authoritative than me, and you can't keep raging in the fourth quarter like I do; you're too old."

"Screw you," Kobe laughed and scolded.

The camera captured the warm scene.

Fan Xi rarely shows his 'liveliness' on camera, proving the close bond between him and Kobe.

And obviously, Kobe also enjoys interacting with Fan Xi.

The arena atmosphere is unusually relaxed.

In the past two seasons, whenever the two met, tension was always high. Now that Fan Xi moved to the Eastern, the murderous atmosphere has actually eased.

However, when the Kuaisuan faces the Lakers, it's still very tense.

Kobe kept attacking in the second quarter, his desire to reach 50 points was intense.

Many people are discussing his age and condition, but given his level of arrogance, he cannot accept this happening.

In the second quarter, he scored 13 points, bringing his halftime total to 28 points. Moreover, his efficiency was not low.

The Knicks, however, took the lead during this stretch, with Sita De Mai Er repeatedly scoring against Gasol's defense. Although the whole league is focusing on Kobe's age and emphasizing his decline, in fact the fastest‑declining player on the Lakers is Pau Gasol.

Gasol's decline was evident two years ago; he is not an ambitious man. After helping Kobe and Fan Xi achieve a three‑peat, he began to resist fighting in the paint. His defense never fully utilized his physical gifts; although Sita De Mai Er's athleticism is past its peak, he uses footwork and a soft touch to lift Pau Gasol for shots.

During halftime, the commentator emphasized that the Knicks would secure a rare win over the Lakers, temporarily preserving their eighth spot in the Eastern.

After the second half began, Staples Center again lost sight of Fan Xi, and the supermodel Jenna also vanished.

"The whole world knows where they went."

Kenny Smith said on TV with a smile.

"Fan Xi can only watch half the game, because his second half is usually played in a hotel," and Ba Ke Li didn't miss the chance to tease Fan Xi.

However, the game kept going; they cannot switch to another halftime for a live broadcast. Fan Xi and Jenna would not allow it.

Kobe continued attacking in the third quarter, unleashing his offensive firepower fiercely.

At the same time, he also tried to maintain organizational balance.

However, his balance was poor; after losing Chris Paul, the Lakers' backcourt could be described as a tangled mess.

They could only rely on Kobe's individual offense.

At the end of the third quarter, Kobe's total reached 42 points.

Then, midway through the fourth quarter, his score surpassed 50, reaching 51 points.

Only, at that moment the game lost its suspense.

The Knicks' Stephen Nash, an old man acting like a teenager, hit three consecutive three‑pointers from beyond the arc, followed by Sita De Mai Er scoring repeatedly. The Lakers were stunned by the barrage… in a daze, people felt as if they had returned to 2005‑2007, when the same Staples Center saw Kobe single‑handedly face Nash and Sita De Mai Er.

Many fans' youthful moments made a limited‑time comeback.

Finally, the Knicks defeated the Lakers 125–109.

Kobe finished with 56 points, and when garbage time arrived, he gracefully returned to the bench.

He has always been dignified in scoring and dislikes padding stats; this is especially admirable.

At the peak of his abilities, he once faced the powerhouse Mavericks, dropping 62 points over three quarters, then sitting out the fourth. Had he kept playing, the 81‑point record might have come sooner, perhaps even a chance to reach the 90‑point mark.

After the game, Kobe Bryant calmly answered a reporter's question about scoring 56 points: "Just something I did effortlessly."

"I don't think anyone in the league can guard me, even though many keep saying Kobe is old, Kobe is old."

"Even Jie Ke, who scored 101 points, I don't believe can beat me one‑on‑one."

Kobe has always been dominant in scoring.

However, in a one‑on‑one against Fan Xi now, his chance of winning would not exceed fifty percent, and it's not like before when he held the advantage.

Fan Xi's hands were occupied at that moment; he didn't even watch the game, having more important matters.

He needs to conquer a "fierce" milk leopard.

"How would I know where my sister went? She wouldn't take me there," Jin Ka Dai Shan said coyly in an interview at Staples Center. "That's her private matter."

"We are currently inviting Jie Ke to join a new segment of our reality show; he has agreed because we will travel to Houston together,"

Jin Ka Dai Shan added afterward.

In fact, it was not her who Fan Xi agreed with, but Kanye West and Jenna, who acted as lobbyists and persuaded Fan Xi.

Next, Kuaisuan will head to Texas, reaching Houston after two away games in San Antonio and Dallas.

This is a long Western journey.

Fan Xi also confirmed a comeback in one of these three games.

The specifics depend on the situation.

The Knicks' win secured the top eight.

Then, over in New York, Phil Jackson, during an interview, suddenly mentioned Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si, saying: "There's no doubt Lopez is part of our long‑term plan. He's a very promising traditional center; in this era, few centers have his size and such delicate skill."

"We haven't alienated him. We're testing him, tempering his character. He passed several tests; he didn't give up in this 'exile' situation, he kept training. This shows he's a player with strong stress resistance, and his physique remains excellent."

"Jie Ke and I have discussed it; we'll bring him back to the team at the right time."

"Of course, the prerequisite is that he must communicate effectively with the coaching staff. I believe this kid will make the right choice; in New York, he will become a championship‑winning center and get everything he wants!"

Phil Jackson's sudden display of goodwill left all of New York stunned.

Including the subject himself, Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si.

He asked his agent in confusion: "Do they really mean that? Are they testing me?"

The agent nodded, then said: "That fits Phil Jackson's personality; he likes to tame players with this odd method."

The agent's view is also the mainstream media perspective.

Phil Jackson truly excels at using psychological tactics to capture players.

His approach of first suppressing then promoting is not uncommon.

Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si hesitated, saying, "So I go back?"

The agent fell into thought, considering that if Phil Jackson and Jieke Fan were truly only testing Luo Pei Si, then his return to New York would surely bring great development. Mixing with Fan Xi might actually yield a championship, even though the Knicks' roster looks shabby; with Luo Pei Si, it's different.

And Fan Xi always has the ability to turn decay into wonder.

The agent hesitated.

Although returning to the Nets would be a familiar road, and the Nets' lineup is better with freer tactics.

Yet the Nets' popularity can never compare to New York's.

New York is a proper aristocracy.

The Nets, after all, are a country team that came from the Hudson side.

The most important thing is that after Fan Xi leaves the Knicks next season, Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si will become the primary leader.

Returning to the Nets, Ka Mei Long An Dong Ni will certainly weigh on his head, along with Deron Williams and Pi Er Si as two huge obstacles.

The agent's heart began to pound.

Lopez whispered, "What do you think, should I call Larry Brown directly to apologize? I was indeed reckless at the time."

"No, wait a bit. If you apologize now, he'll become even more conceited later," the agent said.

At that moment, the Nets' general manager John Nash called, but the agent let it ring for a long time without answering.

Then he called Lopez again. The agent also told Lopez not to pick up.

"Now we need to hang up on them," the agent said assertively.

The two refused the call; the Russian Prokhorov erupted in the office, shouting, "These two stupid guys."

…

The next day, the Kuaisuan vs. Knicks game took place.

It was a back‑to‑back game.

For the veteran Kuaisuan players it was unfriendly; they didn't have Fan Xi's robust physique. Fan Xi appeared on the sidelines full of vigor, while Jenna, who was flamboyant last night, now couldn't get out of the big bed in the hotel.

Fan Xi can go from night to day…

In this game the Knicks were in poor shape. Kuaisuan's defense was taken to the extreme; under Fan Xi's orders the players fought especially hard.

All of them were bad guys.

Defense was maxed out.

The Knicks went silent from the first quarter; after Stephen left, Raymond was even clumsy crossing half‑court, he excels at confrontation… so Kuaisuan matched Giannis Antetokounmpo against him.

That's tantamount to playing dirty.

Kuaisuan dragged the game pace to an unimaginable level; any offensive possession that didn't last 20 seconds was counted as a failure. Moreover, they attacked slowly themselves and wouldn't allow opponents to attack quickly.

Garnett raged on the court, swearing; Huaiti Seda and Mili Xiqi had him in a bad spot, he received two technical fouls and was immediately ejected.

Stade Myer also felt uncomfortable, sensing the ever‑present defense.

He logged 22 missed shots throughout the game.

Joe Johnson was worn down by Leonard, whose wrapping caused Johnson's offensive efficiency to drop sharply.

In the end, Kuaisuan only scored 71 points.

That's a season low.

Their season‑average points before this were 118.5.

A drop of nearly 50 points.

This shows Kuaisuan's ferocious defense.

After the game, Larry Brown praised loudly in front of the TV: "Kuaisuan played extremely well, very exciting; they took defense to the extreme, I love this kind of game."

"I especially like their interior; their defensive intensity delights me. I want the team to trade with them right away, whether it's Brook Lopez for Mili Xiqi, or Huaiti Seda, or Tyson Chandler. I will applaud Phil Jackson."

"I don't need Brook's apology; I simply don't like his style. I dislike a finesse‑scoring center; give me a defensive center and I'll give you a championship."

"In short, they need to choose between me and Lopez."

Larry Brown's sudden shout in this game caught everyone off guard.

Previously, Phil Jackson's words made people think a dramatic turnaround was imminent, that a coach‑player duel would soon unfold.

Yet the tough‑minded Larry Brown directly shouted the slogan "Me, not him."

The Knicks are about to stage another great show.

Which side will Jieke Fan support?

For a moment, public opinion erupted!

…