Chapter 530

JR Smith

When he walked into Houston's Toyota Center arena, he actively approached the reporters, he told the reporters who were seeking material: "Are you ready to accept the Basketball God's sanctions? I heard there are a few insufficiently devout rebels here who think they are superstars and dare to disrespect Jie Ke. I sentence them guilty!"

JR Smith entered the role very quickly, he used a firm tone to express that he is now Fan Xi's person, and also is the Basketball God's law enforcer.

He commented on Chris Paul, James Harden, and Dwight Howard.

"I don't know how you Houston people view your Three Giants, but in my eyes they are just a reorganization of three failures."

JR Smith continued to talk big, he in front of several Houston reporters, he didn't care whether these people had any face. He absolutely believes that with his strength as a professional athlete he can knock all these guys down. He is definitely not deliberately putting on a fierce look; if these guys dare to disrespect Fan Xi, he will strike.

"Chris Paul's supporters have been shouting that they want to defeat the great Jie Ke, but in fact he has never accomplished it even once; if he really had this ability, why would he flee Los Angeles in embarrassment? He is essentially a weak and opportunistic person. His abandoning New Orleans to go to Los Angeles was because he wanted to take a shortcut to win a championship. His fleeing from Los Angeles to Houston was because he saw no hope in Los Angeles, and he is still clinging to a thigh."

"But his behavior is clinging to a thigh, while mentally he still thinks he is the thigh; in Los Angeles he contended with Kobe for control, and in Houston he hasn't been idle either. How could someone like him become Jie Ke's opponent?"

Los Angeles

"James Harden is just a nobody; he will never reach Jie Ke's level."

"I've put my words out here; tonight, the game results will verify my prophecy."

Clippers

Three Giants

Joe Johnson

Before, when he was with the Kuaisuan, Fan Xi had a big-mouth person, Arenas. After going to New York, things seemed off everywhere; now JR Smith has returned, everything is in place.

Tyson Chandler

Kevin Garnett

When one is a leader, one must do this; if people actively approach you to support you, then you must cover for them.

Houston Rockets

Chandler Parsons

Fan Xi doesn't mind JR Smith's attitude being a bit arrogant, nor does he mind how big his bragging is. Since he said it out loud, we'll back him up.

This time we're here to win the game; no need to feign humility, nor to put on a fake show of kindness. They've already hated each other to the bone; why be polite with them? It's just a side matter.

New Orleans

Toyota Center

Houston Three Giants

When the two "old acquaintances" return, the team's aura becomes completely different.

Incidentally, even the defensive temperament improved, although from the 2 to 4 positions, defensive skills and talent are quite mediocre.

But, being able to lock down the top of the arc and the paint makes things much easier.

Moreover, the Knicks' bench still sits defensive stalwarts like Kevin Garnett and Prince.

There's no need to rush at all.

…

Houston fans obviously saw JR's remarks; when JR Smith entered the game, they let out huge boos, approaching the scale of Fan Xi's entrance.

Chris Paul and James Harden also glared at JR Smith with angry eyes.

However, JR Smith wore an utterly unbothered expression, putting nobody in his sights.

He arrogantly swept his gaze across their faces, an aura of 'If you dare piss off Daddy, Daddy will kill you.'

In terms of demeanor, JR Smith still has a bit.

The Houston Rockets' starting lineup is: Chris Paul, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Dwight Howard, Omer Asik.

This Rockets lineup has the traits of a patchwork monster; after D'Antoni took over, he increased the pace, yet simultaneously retained Adelman's tactical qualities.

When they play smoothly, they can exhibit the color of fast-paced run-and-gun while also maintaining Princeton's fluidity; moreover, in half-court play, they are sufficient to drag opponents into attrition.

The Kardashian family's film crew has been shooting on the sidelines; today they followed Fan Xi throughout, interspersing with Jenna calling Fan Xi and Kanye West cheering him on.

They made the game seem like a Finals showdown.

They laid the groundwork thoroughly.

Unlike JR Smith, they described the Houston Three Giants as extremely powerful, claiming they were the Avengers, the strongest trio in NBA history, and also interwove the complex relationship between the Three Giants and the Kardashian family that cannot be omitted… altogether it's a Hollywood script.

In the realm of reality TV, the Kardashian family has figured it out. That's why they've gone from being Paris Hilton's purse-carrying sidekick to the current top-tier American celebrity family.

Actually, who now remembers who Paris Hilton is?

Smack!

The whistle blew, and Tyson Chandler won the jump ball against Asik.

The ball came to Fan Xi's hands; Fan Xi dribbled toward the frontcourt.

He faced his old rival Chris Paul at the top of the three-point arc.

Paul's face showed no expression, but his heart was filled with hatred; he desperately wanted to defeat Fan Xi, and in this world, aside from James, no one wants to defeat Fan Xi more than Paul.

Before Fan Xi's rise, Paul was the league's top point guard, the league's top brain, a regular top-five selection, and a beloved star. Now, although he remains a top-ten player and still a sought-after superstar.

but his name has been listed as Fan Xi's stepping stone; everyone worldwide knows the process of Fan Xi repeatedly tormenting him.

He wants to rebel; he wants to win once!

Bang! Bang!

Fan Xi repeatedly crossed over between the legs, his body lunging out, directly getting past Paul's defense.

Paul's reaction was swift; his lateral movement was timely.

Yet he couldn't stop it; Fan Xi not only possesses superb skill but also extraordinary physical talent; at the moment he found space in his change of direction, he surged forward, blasting open the lane.

Paul simply couldn't block it.

James Harden came over to help defend near the free-throw line with lateral movement.

But Fan Xi came to a sudden stop; waiting for Paul to inevitably double-team, he passed the ball out to the three-point line, where JR Smith had long been lurking at the left-side 45-degree angle; he caught the ball and shot straight… swish!

Three‑pointer made.

After the basket, he arrogantly sticks out three fingers, taps his own temple while trash‑talking James Harden: "You can't even guard me!"

JR Smith is that arrogant.

Give him a bit of color, and he dares to open a dye shop.

Fan Xi used to think JR Smith was pretty annoying, but after becoming teammates with the guy, his impression completely changed.

Because JR Smith, after provoking James Harden, quickly ran over to flatter: "Jie Ke, your passes are the most wonderful assists I've ever received; I don't need any adjustment, just shoot directly, smooth and in one flow!"

He was speaking the truth.

But the respect on his face starkly contrasts with his earlier arrogance.

Arrogant at first, deferential later.

James Harden is so angry his teeth itch.

Chris Paul dribbles past half‑court, screens with Dwight Howard, and after entering the paint makes a quick horse‑riding, arrow‑shooting, lob shot.

Fan Xi's chase from behind fails, and Paul's thrown ball also misses the hoop, just a bit unlucky, bouncing off the rim, and Tyson Chandler grabs the rebound.

Chandler's rim‑protecting ability is trustworthy; after he gets the ball, he flashes his elbow to sweep everything away and passes to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi dribbles past half‑court.

Still a rapid drive into the paint, but during the drive he suddenly stops, lobs the ball into the paint, just turns to evade Axi Ke's Chandler jump, catches the ball with one hand and slams it into the hoop.

Very light, very composed.

Just as JR Smith said, Fan Xi's passes are comfortable and thoughtful; you can jump, grab the ball, and finish the dunk in one smooth motion.

Larry Brown watches from the bench with a big smile, and says to Garnett: "This trade finally made us a normal team."

Kevin Garnett wholeheartedly agrees, exchanges a glance with Ben Wallace, and says: "I think our lineup is much more reasonable than the Houston Rockets."

"Yes." Ben Wallace nods seriously and says: "The Rockets' lineup is terrible, truly poor."

The game continues.

James Harden duels JR Smith on the three‑point wing, his step‑back jump shot is very distinctive.

He hits a three‑pointer.

JR Smith shouts at the referee: "That's a traveling violation."

The head referee tells him: "No traveling."

James Harden raises three fingers at him, taps his own temple, and retorts with color.

This is an answer ball.

JR Smith is still stuck on this being a traveling shot. Fan Xi, on his way past half‑court, says to him: "Just treat James Harden's step‑back as a reverse three‑step layup. He likes to go reverse, and he also likes reverse back‑down one‑on‑ones."

Fan Xi's tip works well for JR Smith; he is enlightened.

Fan Xi dribbles past half‑court, breaks through and passes to the open Joe Johnson, who fakes a little and draws Parsons' defense away. Harden rotates in, Fan Xi passes to JR, JR Smith shoots… it hits the rim and goes in.

That shot had a luck factor.

But he's excited.

He keeps trash‑talking James Harden: "I'm different from you, James Harden, you're a sissy player. You always go reverse; when you play with Kelley, she's definitely on top, that's why she broke up with you…"

Fan Xi, listening nearby, feels solemn respect and extrapolates the principle.

James Harden is indeed angry, his expression a bit complicated; he glances at Kelley on the sideline, thinking: "Weren't we supposed to keep this secret? She's getting involved with JR Smith?"

James Harden is a smart person; smart people do the least effortful thing.

The court and the bedroom, as long as it's a battle, are the same.

Chris Paul screens, then jumps and shoots, scoring.

The Rockets now delegate most of the offense to three perimeter shooters—Paul, Harden, and Parsons—each with his own domain. Inside, Axi Ke and Howard play relatively simple; they just defend, dragging opponents into a meat grinder.

This style is very effective, especially against strong teams; they can wear down opponents with a tenacious approach. Against weaker teams, however, they lose some unnecessary games. That's why the Rockets are now only third in the Western.

Basketball experts think the Rockets have a very high chance of winning this game.

TNT's nationwide broadcast shares the view; Charles Barkley thinks Fan Xi's return in this game isn't wise, and he further believes JR Smith had no need to say such things.

However, after the game starts, some things indicate that matters aren't as simple as imagined.

Fan Xi's attacks are like a sharp blade, easily cutting through defenses, and he doesn't go deep into the paint himself; he either passes to the wing's one‑on‑one ace, modern‑day Jordan Joe Johnson, or to JR Smith beyond the three‑point line, or directly feeds when Tyson Chandler has an opening.

The Knicks' offensive pattern is simple but effective.

The Rockets frequently showcase their screen‑and‑roll mastery and James Harden's offensive versatility; Dwight Howard has single‑handed Stoudamire twice, and Stoudamire has been holding back all game, with low shooting desire.

He actively complies with the request that Fan Xi focus on integrating JR Smith and Tyson Chandler into the system in this game.

In the first five minutes, the two teams are evenly matched.

After the first commercial timeout, Fan Xi hits a jump shot from beyond the three‑point line.

He fakes, Chris Paul retreats, and he quickly uses a One-stage jump shot… swish!

Three‑pointer made.

Chris Paul is at a loss against Fan Xi.

Then, Fan Xi and Stoudamire screen, Stoudamire frequently moves Dwight Howard, forcing Howard's defense to spread, and he manages effective defense on the little tyrant.

Yet they allow Fan Xi into the paint; Stoudamire misses from the outside, but Fan Xi explosively jumps for the offensive rebound… Axi Ke is locked down by Chandler, Paul can't contain Fan Xi, and James Harden and Parsons are also powerless.

De'Anthony sadly discovers he still can't stop Fan Xi from infiltrating and disrupting his tactical system in various ways.

Fan Xi grabs four offensive rebounds in the latter half of the first quarter.

He tallies 5 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in a single quarter.

And helps the Knicks lead by five, 33‑28.

"The Rockets play very aggressively, but they seem tense. I don't deny they have more balanced talent and positional advantages. However, I'm pessimistic about their victory tonight,"

Erik Johnson, TNT's host, says this during the halftime break.

Kenny Smith was completely biased toward the Knicks, he said: "The real issue reflected by this game remains that, although the Rockets have the Three Giants, they still cannot limit Jieke Fan, so as long as Jieke Fan is paired with four teammates whose positions are clearly above average, he can put the Giants Hammer team in a difficult situation."

Kenny Smith's judgment was precise.

He truly is the number one Fan fan in the commentary world.

At the same time, JR Smith, the number one Fan fan on the court, was trash-talking with the Rockets players: "Stop bragging, you can't stop us; Jie Ke tonight will not only take the victory, but also give you a lesson. What I'm saying is, even if you let Satan wear a Rockets jersey, you'll still get two slaps and leave with defeat."

…