Chapter 548

Fan Xi reached the frontcourt, he simply passed the basketball to Josh Smith for an isolation.

Josh Smith is not an isolation player, and he was facing Paul Pierce.

He used a very aggressive offensive strategy, he quickly stepped inside for a breakthrough, then stopped and released a Stop-and-Go Jump Shot……without skill or fake moves.

Pure instinct.

But Paul Pierce overthought his defense, mistiming it.

Josh Smith made the jump shot.

7-0.

What can be done about this?

Looking back, when Deron drove, Fan Xi gave him a step of space. But Deron Williams, who fears even a ten-year-old well rope, was nervous; he didn't pull out his go-to move to attempt a Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, instead he passed the ball to Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony finally completed the drive, drawing a foul in the paint.

Stoudemire sent him to the free-throw line.

Swish!

Swish!

Both free throws made.

The Nets broke their scoring drought.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan relaxed in the box, he swirled his glass of red wine, and said to the Brazilian model in a cheongsam: "Do you know what it means to first suppress then exalt?"

The Brazilian model's full, curvaceous figure filled the cheongsam, looking splendid.

But James Duo Lan's gaze toward her was artistic.

The model shook her head, saying: "I don't understand these things, but I know whatever you say is right. You are God, you always make exquisite arrangements."

Hahaha.

James Duo Lan laughed heartily, he liked this feeling.

He certainly knew this woman was just flattering him, but… why bother with all that.

Just be happy.

Stoudemire was in isolation, his defender wasn't Anthony but Kirilenko, Kirilenko is a very good defender, he prevented Stoudemire's Stop-and-Go Jump Shot from going in, successfully disrupting the rhythm.

Looking back, it was still Carmelo Anthony in isolation, Tyson Chandler picked up his second foul early, just like last time.

Larry Brown quickly subbed him out, putting in Kevin Garnett.

At the same time, JR Smith came in, replacing Josh Smith.

The game continued after Anthony made both free throws.

Fan Xi passed the ball to JR Smith, Smith ignored Stoudemire's request for the ball, he began an isolation, Pierce gave him great pressure, and he ultimately airballed.

The ball was taken by Lopez.

On the way back to halftime, Stoudemire and JR Smith 'argued' a couple of sentences.

Afterwards, JR lost his defensive assignment on Pierce, and Pierce made a jump shot.

Next, Stoudemire went into isolation, JR Smith ran to get open for the ball, Stoudemire didn't pass, he forced his way into the paint, and under the double-team of Lopez and Kirilenko, he turned it over.

Two turnovers in a row.

The Knicks showed internal conflict.

This let Jason Kidd's mood settle: Fan Xi isn't omnipotent either, the Knicks' interpersonal relationships are so complex, he surely can't handle them. Not a single easygoing person.

JR Smith and Stoudemire's 'internal strife' affected the Knicks' overall offense, and subsequently Garnett also criticized Stoudemire for lacking focus on defense.

This let the Nets see an opportunity, and they increased their offensive intensity.

But after the first quarter, both sides were still tied.

31-31.

Fan Xi felt a bit regretful; he was regretting on behalf of Prokhorov, having spent so much money, kept so many people, yet the effect was so insignificant. The Nets are just at the level of an ordinary strong team, second in the East—too flattering to them.

If they really let loose, their level would be that of fifth or even sixth in the East.

The Heat, Bulls, Pacers, and Knicks are definitely stronger than them.

Their average tactics have nothing worth boasting about; Jason Kidd never managed to sort out their defense all season. He merely temporarily solved the ball‑usage problem of a few stars on offense.

When the high‑pressure atmosphere of the playoffs truly arrives, they might not be able to keep up the surface prosperity.

In the second quarter, Fan Xi rested for five minutes; those five minutes were a run‑and‑gun led by Steve Nash with Hamilton, Barbosa, Josh Smith, and Stoudemire.

They almost blew the Nets apart.

Steve Nash and the player‑era Jason Kidd were once evenly matched, but now Kidd has become a head coach and realizes he still can't control Nash. Nash leads this group of shooters and athletically gifted players to thrive.

Although these five players' star power is far below that of the Nets, their offensive chemistry completely outshines the Nets.

If it weren't for Fan Xi and Aldridge coming in promptly to steady the situation, the Nets would really have been swept away by a run.

Fan Xi steadied the fast‑break momentum, continued to let JR Smith and Stoudemire isolate, and also brought Josh Smith into the mix—a chaotic jumble.

It was fiercely hot and very proactive.

But in terms of one‑on‑one, they definitely can't match those Nets superstars.

At that moment, Nets fans watching on TV gradually relaxed.

Jason Kidd sitting on the sideline, however, grew increasingly solemn; he is a top‑tier player by background and also a master of organization. He quickly sensed something was off, he saw that the Knicks weren't really trying at all: as soon as they got an edge they gave up, and deliberately lowered their shooting percentage, all just to let the Nets win.

Over.

Jason Kidd's mood sank to the bottom; he already knew the Knicks' ultimate intention.

The Knicks don't care at all about winning or losing this regular‑season game; after all, they've already proven in history that Fan Xi once slaughtered the Nets with a shocking 101‑point performance. What they're now pursuing is the playoffs, and they want to utterly bury the Nets in the postseason in an inescapable abyss.

Jason Kidd lifted his head, he saw the players on the court howling with excitement, he felt sorrow inside, knowing he could not stop any of this from happening.

He recalled the words the Pacers' head coach had said after the game ended, and just then his assistant told him that the Eastern‑third Chicago Bulls lost 88‑101 to the Eastern‑sixth Washington Wizards.

So it turns out everyone knows the Knicks' intention. Everyone is playing me.

Jia Sen Kid at this moment cannot stop the game any longer; he can only grit his teeth and follow the Knicks' dance.

This is very sad.

He wants to resign.

He knows ahead lies a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.

The first half finished quickly, and the Nets turned the lead around by three points.

On the way back to the locker room, Deron Williams was excited and said, "The Knicks' casual expansion has had negative effects; JR Smith, Mengta Ailisi, Yue Shi Shimi Si are all isolation players, and there's also Si Ta De Maier; they don't fit together. Even if Jieke Fan has organizational ability, he still can't stop these people from vying for power."

Ka Meilong Andongni agreed with his view and reflected. He said, "We must not do this; we must keep our unity. This year is our best chance. Take down the Knicks, then take down the Bulls, then take down the Heat. After that, whoever reaches the finals cannot stop us from winning the championship."

An Dongni is ambitious; Tian Gua has grown for so many years and is finally about to ripen.

Bao Luo Piersi, at this moment, offered another idea: "To win the playoffs, we need to strengthen our defense. Our defensive line must be tighter."

Everyone agreed with Piersi's view.

However, they could not provide concrete implementation suggestions.

Jia Sen Kid walked into the locker room; he said nothing.

His complexion looked off, and then he told the team doctor that his body was a bit uncomfortable; he handed the command to chief assistant Lai Angnei Er Huo Lin Si.

Lai Angnei Er Huo Lin Si is an experienced head coach; he had previously worked for the Grizzlies. He did quite well with the Grizzlies, leading the team into the playoffs for several consecutive years, and also single‑handedly built a super defensive lineup centered on the black‑and‑white duo, with Mai Ke Kangli and Lu Di Gaiyi as assistants.

He is renowned for defense, but he is not very strict with the Nets; he does not want to lose his job by over‑shuffling these star players.

When Jia Sen Kid handed the coaching baton to him, he realized his opportunity had arrived.

He wants to stay in New York; he has been lurking beside Kid, hoping that one day he could replace him.

Now, Jia Sen Kid's ill health comes at just the right time.

If I command the team to defeat the Knicks, which the boss despises most, wouldn't my favor be maxed out?

It is said the boss is already somewhat dissatisfied with Jia Sen Kid.

After Jia Sen Kid left, Lai Angnei Er Huo Lin Si emphasized the brand‑new tactics twice in the locker room and said many impassioned words. He is very passionate and good at brewing motivational soul‑food.

This made Bao Luo Piersi briefly recall a Boston old friend, Du Ge Li Fu Si. Li Fu Si also liked to stress defense and was good at saying stirring words.

Drip!

The whistle blows, and the second half continues.

Jia Sen Kid was not on the sideline, but this did not affect the game's progress.

When the Knicks fielded the "dream lineup" of Mengta Ailisi, JR Smith, Qiao Yue Han Sun, Yue Shi Shimi Si, and Si Ta De Maier, La Li Bulang's head ached just from watching.

These five are all lone wolves.

If they had invited Ma Bu Li from back then as a consultant, the Knicks would have directly renamed themselves the Lone Wolves.

"Seeing this lineup, I finally realize our team is full of talent," Jia Neite joked from the bench.

La Li Bulang, rarely humorous, said, "I also just remembered."

Swish!

Ka Meilong Andongni completed a jump shot.

Turning around, Mengta Ailisi plunged into the paint, collided head‑on with Bu Lu Ke Luopeisi, forced a jump and release, and the ball veered far away from the hoop.

The rebound was grabbed by Yue Shi Shimi Si, who also didn't pass, forced a one‑on‑one, had three attempts under the basket, snatched three offensive rebounds, yet still failed to make the shot.

Bu La Qie took the rebound, passed to Deron, and Deron hit a three‑pointer in the frontcourt.

The point gap widened further.

Time ticked away.

Fan Xi and the others sat on the bench, unmoved.

Their expressions were calm, even a hint of smile.

This time, they will directly lock in Eastern seventh.

Getting Eastern seventh makes them happier than getting Eastern first.

At least Kai Wen Jia Neite thinks so; he said, "This is the game of the wise."

Ben Hua Laishi corrected, "This is Jie Ke leading us to play a brand‑new game."

…