Chapter 535: Paul Is Open, the Clever Harden

For any shooter, a calm mindset is a necessary element.

Fan Xi's words are very lethal.

Harden is now a newly risen superstar; Fan Xi has already, with a stunning steal, achieved a quadruple-double on him. If he then gets another block, he will achieve a quintuple-double.

All face is lost.

Harden has become cautious; although he again got a shooting opportunity through Dwight Howard, his shot lacks decisiveness.

The clank of the basketball against the rim also verifies his shot.

Asik grabbed the rebound, passed it to Parsons, and Parsons hit a three-pointer.

He helped the Rockets maintain balance.

Looking back, Fan Xi calmly teamed up with Kevin Garnett, passed to Joe Johnson, who drove to the basket and scored with a layup.

Fan Xi appears not at all anxious.

He had no intention of quickly killing the Rockets.

He also knows that the current lineup lacks explosiveness, making it impossible to defeat the Rockets in one blow.

This is what Kenny Smith wants to see, and also what the fans watching on TV want to see.

But this is not what Kobe Bryant, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, Dwyane Wade... want to see.

They had just finished a game at Staples Center, where the Heat defeated the Lakers on the road. Then, in the player tunnel, they met and overheard staff discussing Fan Xi's quest to break a quintuple-double.

Afterward, they stopped in front of a TV in the corridor and watched TNT.

When they saw Fan Xi break a quadruple-double and was only two blocks away from a quintuple-double.

Wei De clutched his head in astonishment: "How did he do that? How did this happen? What exactly happened on the court? Why, before the third quarter even ended, he already had a quadruple-double and was about to get a quintuple-double?"

The Lakers' video analyst said beside them: "Because Jie Ke has been filling gaps for the teammates, the Houston Rockets have been making many ball transfers on the perimeter, giving Jie Ke an opportunity to get many steals. In the second half, the Rockets kept making inside-outside passes, and Jie Ke racked up four blocks in less than three minutes…"

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si smiled wryly and shook his head, saying: "Jieke Fan is God's favorite, he's too lucky. In the 101-point record-breaking game, he ran into JR Smith's defense. Tonight, on the night of breaking a quintuple-double, he ran into the Rockets…"

"But other league teams are also facing JR Smith and the Rockets." Kobe Bryant said: "Don't underestimate Jie Ke's energy."

James certainly would not underestimate Fan Xi's energy; he knows Fan Xi's energy too well. For over three years he has lived in Fan Xi's shadow—how could he not know how terrifying Fan Xi's energy is?

"Kobe Bryant, you never imagined that the little brother who used to carry your bags back then would become the league's number one today?" Wei De changed the subject.

Kobe Bryant stretched. He said: "One will always be surpassed by others; no one can forever sit at the top of the league. Compared to letting others snatch it away, letting one's own little brother take over is psychologically easier."

Kobe Bryant displayed a rare magnanimity.

He waved his hand. "Let's go."

He went back to the locker room to watch TV.

James and Wei De also didn't linger; they headed to the visitors' locker room.

Along the way, Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's heart surged; before Fan Xi's lightning-fast rise, he was the basketball world's anointed next league ruler. Since 2007, he had already been standing toe-to-toe with Kobe Bryant. But Kobe then entered the Finals and quickly won three championships to prolong his career.

Then Fan Xi rose.

They seamlessly succeeded each other.

Fan Xi won one championship with the Lakers and two with the Kuaisuan.

After James brought his talent to Miami, he achieved three consecutive runner-up finishes. He secured the position of second in the league, becoming a transition between the two rulers.

Sorrowful.

As James stepped into the locker room, only one thought filled his mind: In terms of personal achievements, I cannot compare to Jieke Fan. This season I must win a championship, taking advantage of Jieke Fan's unsteady footing with the New York Knicks.

At the moment he made that inner decision, the third quarter of the Houston home game ended.

The two sides tied, and Beverly hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Now the situation is that the Rockets' James Harden has scored 50+, which is his record night and will also become a record night for Houston.

But they couldn't laugh, because Fan Xi had achieved a quadruple-double and was only two blocks away from a quintuple-double.

So, on the bench.

Assistant coach Charlie Ford proposed an immature suggestion: "Let's just declare garbage time?"

This is surrender.

Few people declare surrender when the game is tied.

However, D'Antoni remained silent for three or four seconds, and he actually did not outright refute this absurd suggestion.

This shows one thing: he had indeed considered it.

He has faced Fan Xi too many times, and he knows Fan Xi's ability all too well.

"What kind of talk is this?" Adelman loudly rebuked, saying: "If we declare surrender, will Jieke Fan stop playing? Now it's a tie; he has no reason to sit on the bench and not play."

"Do you think he would give up the unique chance to leave a super quintuple-double in basketball history for the sake of so-called sportsmanship? Don't be so naive!"

Rick Adelman had backbone; his reprimand left Charlie unable to lift his head.

He thought Charlie was a spineless wimp.

Afterward, he and D'Antoni discussed tactics. His view was that Fan Xi would surely become obsessed with blocks, which could be used to create offense, wear him out, and let the team build a lead.

"We must ensure victory; winning is the most important."

Adelman repeatedly emphasized: "Even if Jieke Fan gets a quintuple-double, winning is still what matters; without victory, a human miracle is no miracle!"

Adelman's words to some extent ignited the Rockets' morale.

The whistle blew, and the final showdown began.

At this moment, whether the fans on-site or those watching on TV, they all became exceptionally tense.

Fan Xi brought the ball across half-court.

After the Knicks traded Raymond Felton and Chauncey Billups, the team had only Fan Xi and Nash as point guards; now Nash is injured and out, so Fan Xi must play the entire game.

For Fan Xi, this is just routine.

As long as he doesn't shoot wildly like on the night of the 101-miracle, his stamina can keep up.

Fan Xi dribbles past halfcourt, accelerates to attack Paul's defense, then passes to Stoudemire; Stoudemire fakes and then jumps for a shot, which Howard slaps away with one slap.

Fortunately, the newly substituted Prince grabbed the ball, passed it to the interior Garnett, and Garnett scored with a layup.

Stoudemire faces Magic Beast Howard and has no advantage.

His physical condition declines faster, after all he is a player who has undergone micro-invasive knee surgery.

After the sides were switched, Fan Xi continued to chase and defend James Harden.

Harden, following Adelman's request, deliberately made a change.

After a step-back, he deliberately faked a shot to lure Fan Xi forward, but Fan Xi did not rush in, and Fan Xi was not eager to go for a block stat.

Adelman on the bench was strange; he thought he had studied human nature well and believed Fan Xi had no reason not to fall for it.

D'Antoni beside him noticed his doubt and told him: "Jieke Fan is not a stat maniac."

Adelman was baffled: someone who scored 101 points isn't a stat maniac? How could he have no interest in a quintuple-double? How could such a person exist in the world?

Harden was tied up by Fan Xi on the court.

Fortunately, Paul quickly ran over and snatched the ball from Harden's hands.

At this point, time was almost up.

Paul dribbled, made a fierce burst forward, then quickly shot!

But just as Paul released the shot, a figure descended from the sky— slap!

The basketball was slapped out of bounds.

Paul stared, his eyes filled with fear.

It was Fan Xi!

Fan Xi actually appeared out of nowhere and slapped his shot away with one palm.

At this point, Paul already had a clear number in his mind: 9!

The Toyota Center was filled with astonishment, rising and falling, fear spreading throughout the home arena and extending to the whole Space City. At this moment, everyone was worrying about a terrifying thing: what if Jieke Fan actually got a quintuple-double here?

"Jie Ke!!!! Great Basketball God!!!! 9 blocks!!!! Only one away!"

"God has donned the No. 30 jersey; I swear on my chest I can tell anyone that tonight Jie Ke will surely achieve a super quintuple-double, no one can stop it! This is destined to be the night Jie Ke returns to the pinnacle of humanity. The first super quintuple-double in history is imminent!"

"James Harden thought he was smart enough to trick Jie Ke into jumping, believing Jie Ke would go crazy for a block. But he greatly underestimated Jie Ke's wisdom. Jie Ke possesses a pair of insightful eyes that see through deceit; he instantly saw through James Harden's intentions. So he devised an ingenious trap, letting the self-proclaimed smart Harden fall into a swamp, luring out Paul, and then giving Paul a magnificent block!!!!"

"Great Jie Ke!!"

TNT TV's Kenny Smith was screaming.

He cheered wildly for Fan Xi.

His madness also ignited the passion of the entire basketball world.

Even Le Bu Lang Zhang Si sitting in the visiting team's locker room couldn't help clenching his fists, wondering: what else could Jieke Fan not accomplish?

During this process, the Rockets missed the ball in the last 1.1 seconds.

Fan Xi dribbled the ball past halfcourt, then passed to Stoudemire.

The Little Tyrant continued to go one-on-one, continued to miss.

After the sides were switched, Paul dribbled the ball past halfcourt.

Fan Xi still kept his eyes on James Harden, looking completely unhurried.

Harden, moving without the ball, opened up space, helping Paul enter the paint, then assisted Howard to finish an alley-oop dunk.

Afterward, Fan Xi crossed halfcourt, set a pick-and-roll with Stoudemire, entered the paint, and hit a floater.

Both sides entered another back-and-forth phase.

They took turns leading.

During this process, the Rockets played as if walking on thin ice, not daring to easily change their lineup.

On the Clippers' side, they constantly shuffled troops and changed lineups very quickly, except for Fan Xi, who remained unchanged.

James Harden's scoring frenzy subsided; he did more off-ball movement, serving to stretch the defense. Chris Paul stood out, his Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, his pick-and-roll playmaking, his exquisite passes, helping the Rockets play efficient basketball.

Fan Xi also organized the team's offense; his organization was not bad, but he relied more on his own drives into the paint to create damage. Therefore, his scoring stats rose quickly, almost in the blink of an eye entering the 40-point mark.

Harden remained stuck at 55 points for a long time.

Until there were 2 minutes and 22 seconds left in the game, the Knicks put JR Smith back on the court again.

At this moment, Fan Xi also made a personnel adjustment with JR Smith.

Fan Xi went to defend Chris Paul, and JR Smith came to James Harden's side.

Harden, facing JR Smith, made the first shot a three-pointer.

His scoring, which had been stagnant, rose to 58; after the basket, he smugly shook his head at JR Smith.

Now, each of his points is a challenge to his own single-game record.

But no one paid attention to him.

All viewers in front of their TVs were anxious about Fan Xi's quintuple-double; as the game time dwindled, Fan Xi still had only 9 blocks, and Fan Xi himself wasn't in a hurry.

Fans worldwide were already anxious like ants on a hot pan, glued to TV and the internet just to witness the birth of a new human record.

"Jie Ke, you must keep going! Jie Ke!! Please!!"

Kenny Smith even shouted loudly on TV.

He had long abandoned any pretense of objectivity; he simply wanted Fan Xi to get a quintuple-double.

Fan Xi drove into the paint, kicked the ball out, JR Smith caught and shot… swish!

He finally made the three-pointer.

He gave James Harden the answer ball as he wished.

After the basket, JR Smith was extremely excited and said to Harden: "My touch is hot now; do you dare to have a three-point shootout with me?"

JR Smith is a nerve knife.

As everyone knows.

He challenged Harden at this moment, which was interesting.

Fan Xi walked over and quietly said two words to JR Smith.

Harden watched the two of them.

Waiting for Paul to bring the ball past half-court, he immediately snatched the ball from Paul's hands.

Then he hooked his finger at JR Smith, just as Fan Xi had done to him earlier.

This action drew cheers from the whole crowd.

Everyone in the world knows James Harden is going to play one-on-one.

If he makes this shot, he will become a member of the league's 60-point club, which has few members, and almost everyone who joins is a superstar.

James Harden is determined to beat JR Smith and is very experienced.

"Harden is about to break 60 points."

Charles Barkley was making a forecast on television.

JR Smith stepped up, leading Harden's defense.

He drove Harden toward the wing, seemingly intending to push Harden to the baseline corner.

His driving motion was obvious and also violent.

But Harden surprisingly did not use a quick change of direction to shake off this trap; instead he went in alone… Does he have that much confidence in his baseline corner shot?

Harden walked two steps toward the wing, then suddenly accelerated, making a sharp cut toward the interior.

At that moment, Fan Xi, who had been shadowing Paul's movement on one side, suddenly turned his focus.

He stepped forward, intending to come over and double-team.

But just then, Harden came to a sudden stop and then passed the ball to the interior.

Paul was open.

…