Chapter 550

On the bus heading to the Barclays Center, the Knicks players appeared very excited.

Although outsiders say the Knicks players are strong-willed and hard to manage, making it difficult for Fan Xi to unite these troublemakers, simply having them sit together on the bus to the Barclays Center is enough to reflect the team's internal atmosphere.

It should be noted that many people live not far from Brooklyn, and driving themselves would be simpler.

But when the team announced this order, no one acted alone, and no one raised any objections.

Although the players on this team appear to be primarily offensive and have a 'selfish' style, with 'blemishes' in their long professional careers.

However, Fan Xi can keep them in check. Moreover, they sincerely believe that following Fan Xi will get them what they want.

Although before joining the Knicks, they were all kinds of ball hogs and troublemakers.

But being able to come to the Knicks shows they have already been knocked around by society.

Their current chemistry is high, no matter how arrogant they were before.

Therefore, those remarks in the media are unrealistic.

The cohesion inside the Knicks' locker room is frighteningly high; each of them is looking forward to the upcoming playoff opener.

This is the reason why people are so excited on the bus heading to Brooklyn.

…

Before the Knicks got excited, Brook Lopez of the Nets had already been worked up. His past regular season could be described as tumultuous: first traded by the Nets to the Knicks, he didn't play a game, and on the first day of training camp he fell out with Larry Brown, then endured a long freeze, and was subsequently traded back to the Nets.

He was holding in a bellyful of anger.

He played impressively, and his style fit well with the Nets' overall offensive tempo: both were half-court sets.

Moreover, after joining the Nets, they won both games against the Knicks.

So he was displeased with those basketball experts who predicted the Knicks would sweep. He therefore exploded: "I have no interest in those so-called basketball experts; they're just sucking up to Jieke Fan, thinking that because Jieke Fan succeeded in the West, he will naturally succeed in the East."

"They have no respect for the Nets; they haven't watched our games and don't understand the chemistry of our play."

"I dislike these people who parrot others without their own views; they will be proven wrong and foolish."

Lopez spoke at length before the game.

He even attacked Jieke Fan: "Jieke Fan has been deified; I don't deny he's a great player, but he isn't strong enough to easily punish others. Even if Michael Jordan joined the Knicks, he couldn't beat us."

Lopez was somewhat overexcited.

Young and full of vigor.

His words were being broadcast on the Knicks' bus, and the media, eager for a spectacle, were doing everything to let those following the game know this latest news.

"Hey, Jie Ke, your chance has come. This guy said even Jordan couldn't beat him; if you shut them down, doesn't that prove you're greater than Jordan?"

Kevin Garnett made a quick calculation.

JR Smith beside him quickly chimed in, saying: "Although Jordan would be unhappy, this foolish guy is undoubtedly assisting you."

Fan Xi smiled; he hadn't actually thought about comparing himself to Jordan on this matter, but having this topic is better than having none.

Thanks, Brook Lopez.

…

The Nets' home atmosphere was very lively; after moving to Brooklyn, they worked hard to promote basketball in the community, and because the team's performance surged and they had beaten the Knicks in two straight games, they accumulated many fans—including many diehard Nets fans who came over from New Jersey.

When the Nets' starters took the court, the scene was grand. The Russian owner invested heavily in the production for the arena's first home game.

Tonight the Nets' five starting players are: Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, Blatche, and Lopez.

And the Knicks' starting lineup is: Fan Xi, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, and Tyson Chandler.

The commentators looked somewhat surprised; they didn't expect the Knicks to bench the season's scoring leader, STAT, which is the Knicks' strongest offensive firepower.

Beep!

The whistle blew, and the game began.

The Knicks players on the bench didn't sit; they stood on the sidelines.

Tyson Chandler and Brook Lopez jumped for the ball; he almost effortlessly beat Lopez… and he returned Lopez's trash talk before the jump ball.

"You're stupid and slow, like a pig locked in a pen."

Chandler reined in his temper during the game; this time he wasn't going to indulge that guy.

The basketball was slapped into Fan Xi's hands; he immediately launched a fast break, like a sharp dagger easily slicing through the Nets' defense at the top of the three-point arc, then cutting into the paint like lightning.

Afterward, he leapt violently… neither Blatche nor Lopez was prepared.

Their defensive skills were poor and slow.

They watched helplessly as Fan Xi leapt, extended, and then slammed the ball into the hoop with both hands—boom!

Fan Xi's violent attack on the rim made the entire Barclays Center arena gasp.

"Jieke Fan is like using a sharp knife to cut through a cream cake." Barkley said on TV: "The Nets' defensive efficiency has always been low, allowing 115 points per game in the regular season, ranking third worst in the league, yet them being second in the East has always been a mystery to me."

"Jieke Fan remains as ferocious as ever. Many superstars shine in the regular season but struggle in the playoffs and disappear in the finals, but Jieke Fan doesn't; at any level of defense, he maintains absolute aggression."

Kenny Smith didn't miss the chance to praise Fan Xi: "This is why he's the only player who can be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan. Even though this is only his fourth season."

Smith spared no effort in creating the impression that Fan Xi is greater than Jordan. Although he, like Barkley, is a player from the Jordan era, he differs from Barkley in that he has won a championship, which he won together with Olajuwon.

Therefore, he doesn't need to uphold Jordan's authority like Barkley, Miller, Malone, and others do. For these losers, losing to the Basketball God and being ruled by the Basketball God is preferable to being ruled by the second-best player…… they are the ones who least want Jordan's historical status to decline.

There's some dark humor.

"Defense!"

Garnett shouted loudly as he retreated to half court.

He was very passionate.

The team needs such a loud voice.

The Knicks quickly took up their defensive positions; under Larry Brown's direction, they conducted an effective defensive rehearsal against the Nets.

They came prepared.

The season hasn't even reached the halfway point, yet their goal is already set on the Nets.

Deron Williams at the arc top is tangled by Fan Xi, who uses his super‑long arm span and resolute defensive toughness to bind him, forcing his passes to become difficult. Deron, through a pick‑and‑roll with Lopez, finally gets the basketball to Pierce on the wing.

Defending Pierce is Josh Smith.

Pierce uses his triple‑threat footwork to manipulate Smith's balance; after he makes a quick Probe Step that tricks Smith's center of gravity into a misjudgment, he cuts in rapidly from the left side.

But his teammate Garnett quickly moves to guard him.

Trapping him on the sideline.

He hurriedly passes the ball, trying to find Braze.

But Braze has already been tangled by the switching defender Josh Smith; Fan Xi times a perfect cut, steals the ball from the middle.

The three coordinate with perfect chemistry, each link fitting the next.

It's hard to believe they hadn't rehearsed this before.

This is completely different from their regular‑season performance.

Even a casual fan can see how harmonious their lead‑offs, help‑defense, rotations, and interweaving are.

The Nets' interim head coach on the sideline looks stunned; he never expected such a scene.

Fan Xi has already broken into a sprint.

He uses a fierce killer crossover in the middle to shake Deron to one side, then drives into the frontcourt.

Carmelo Anthony attempts a chase from one side, but Fan Xi's ball has already entered the paint a beat earlier; Joe Johnson receives the ball and finishes with a steady layup.

The Knicks' bench erupts in laughter and some "boo"s.

Clearly, the substitutes led by JR Smith do not appreciate Joe Johnson's layup finish.

After landing, Joe Johnson apologetically smiles and says, "Got used to it. After this series I'll buy everyone a drink."

That makes the bench laugh.

The TNT camera catches this, giving TV viewers a strange impression: the Knicks don't take the Nets seriously; they're just playing for fun.

This intuition is puzzling; the Nets actually have the better regular‑season record, so where does the Knicks' confidence come from?

The next battle is a one‑on‑one by Carmelo Anthony.

He goes one‑on‑one against Joe Johnson.

His back‑to‑the‑basket move is spectacular, but as he rises for a turn‑around jump shot, Fan Xi drifts in from the side and interferes.

Bang!

The basketball rims out.

Garnett grabs the rebound, giving Braze no chance.

The Nets fail to score consecutively.

Turning back, Fan Xi and Garnett set a pick‑and‑roll; Fan Xi bursts into the paint, draws Lopez's help defense, then tosses the ball skyward, where Tyson Chandler, whose dunking talent is unrivaled, slams it into the hoop with both hands.

Tyson Chandler, who has teamed with Chris Paul and Jason Kidd as a super‑catching interior player, admits that Fan Xi has the best passing style and is his most comfortable receiving partner.

His dunk comes naturally.

The Knicks start the game with a surge.

And they play very easily.

The Russian oligarch sitting in a luxury box at Barclays Center wears a sour expression; this isn't the result he wanted.

He didn't expect that after spending so much money on so many superstars, they'd reach the playoffs with no chance to fight back.

He's completely crushed.

The Nets call a timeout; they need to make an adjustment.

Jason Kidd leaving the team now seems a wise move; at least they won't have to handle the hot‑potato.

He led them to second place in the regular season; the playoffs are none of his business.

Originally Hollins thought his luck had turned, picking a sweet, ripe peach.

He didn't expect… it turned out to be a hot‑potato.

He tells the bench, "Looks like the Knicks came prepared. We must be cautious, cautious, and cautious. Play to our strengths. Stretch the line, reduce ball‑turnover, force them into defensive passivity. Especially keep Jieke Fan from roaming to help defense…"

Beep!

The whistle blows, and the game continues.

Paul Pierce is subbed out; the replacement is Kirilenko, intended to boost defense.

Carmelo Anthony is then given a heavy responsibility; he spreads out on the wing for a one‑on‑one. He hits a jump shot, stabilizing the Nets' footing.

However, that score doesn't do much.

Fan Xi quickly launches a fierce attack on the opposite end, tearing the defense with a drive, passes to the three‑point line, and Joe Johnson nails a three.

Compared with the Nets' reliance on isolation, the Knicks' attack has far richer layers.

Fan Xi clearly uses last season's Heat tactics against the Nets.

Tyson Chandler's skill and experience surpass Little Jordan.

Although Garnett's offense isn't as strong as Nowitzki's, his pick‑and‑roll, defense, playmaking, and mobility are better than Nowitzki's.

Joe Johnson together with Josh Smith form a very mature front‑court duo; they had success with the Hawks. To some extent, they can replace the roles of the two small forwards the Clippers had last season.

Adding Fan Xi, whose ability has grown since last season.

So how could the Nets possibly beat the Knicks' lineup?

Miami Heat didn't even handle them last season.

If others don't know how the Nets got second in the Eastern, how could the Knicks not know?

In the first quarter, the Nets stumble, never regaining the pre‑series frenzy.

Their overall offense stalls before this defensive surge.

After the first quarter, the Knicks lead 38–22, up by 16 points.

The Nets' performance fundamentally does not look like that of a team of the same caliber; their offense is weak, their defense sluggish.

Prokhorov flew into a rage in the private box, swearing in Russian with nasty words.

However, impotent rage cannot solve the problem.

TNT has already made an inference.

Barkley said: "This is the layout aimed at the Nets; the two games the Knicks lost were fundamentally intentional, the Knicks falling to seventh in the Eastern Conference was also aimed at the Nets, who were second in the East. They let the Nets enjoy a false sense of joy for a game."

"This is clearly Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's idea; Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan is too scheming."

Barkley said.

"If the Nets get swept, they will become the biggest joke of this year's playoffs."

"They've been schemed against; it's been like that from the start. I now even begin to understand why the Chicago Bulls fell to third, why the Pacers directly gave up in the last three games…… They are all cooperating with the Knicks' performance, and the final result is just to make the Nets look foolish……"

The more Barkley analyzed, the more energized he became.

Although the audience in front of the TV thought this was a conspiracy theory, and only one quarter of the game had been played, saying this was premature.

But often, absurd deductions actually get closer to the truth.

…