Chapter 554: Eastern Semifinals

Fan Xi was surprised by Dan Ze Er's deduction, but he hopes to see this scene unfold.

The Lakers lost the win under Fan Xi's watch; they maintained a balanced stance with the Kuaisuan in the first three quarters. Kobe Bryant scored 25 points in the first three quarters, when the Lakers' total was only 61 points, and after the third quarter the Kuaisuan had only 62 points, leading by just one point.

The current Kuaisuan is poor at offense, but they excel at making opponents poor at offense as well.

In the matter of relentless grinding, Maikelbang took it to the extreme. The Kuaisuan is also called the tomb of pseudo‑superstars; if you can't score average‑level points under Kuaisuan's defense, you will be deemed a pseudo‑superstar.

This is a touchstone.

Although Kobe Bryant is older, he still has tremendous output and continues to prove he is a superstar.

He was not defeated by Leonard's death‑grip, nor was he disturbed by Yang Ni Si A De Tuo Kun Bo's crazy sweep.

He didn't lose to anyone.

He only lost to time.

When he entered the fourth quarter, his stamina dropped. His shooting percentage fell, and at the same time Mili Xiqi repeatedly completed spot‑up penalties in the paint, instantly widening the score gap.

Kobe's son Jie Ke Xun broke free from Wa Ni Sha's control in the second half, came to Fan Xi's side, and let Fan Xi hold him.

Their relationship is quite good.

Kobe's son has great linguistic talent; he can already run, jump, and dribble skillfully.

Fan Xi looked at Xiao Jie Ke Xun Bryant and couldn't help feeling a bit jealous. Because Kobe actually cultivated this kid's love for basketball, while his own Troy only likes soccer.

"My dad is going to be defeated, right? Uncle Jie Ke," Xiao Jie Ke Xun said seriously, looking at the court, and asked Fan Xi this question.

His face is a bit chubby, but his eyes are resolute, very much like his father's. He doesn't have a whiny look; he simply asks the question seriously, having inherited his father's competitiveness, and failure won't knock him down.

"No, your father won't be defeated by anyone. It's just... time has stolen his stamina, making him tire more easily," Fan Xi told Jie Ke Xun Bryant: "A fierce tiger will have a day of aging, but I'm glad to see... a new fierce tiger is growing."

Hm?

Jie Ke Xun looked at his Uncle Jie Ke.

"Exactly, I'm talking about you. Our little tiger Jie Ke Xun Bryant," Fan Xi said to him: "In the future you must become a better player than your father."

"Yes, that's right," Jie Ke Xun clenched his fists and said firmly: "I will remember tonight; I will avenge my father. I will defeat Kuaisuan, I will defeat Kuaisuan every time, I hate Kuaisuan."

"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Fan Xi heard this and said, "That's not right. Kuaisuan is my team; why do you want to defeat Kuaisuan?"

"My dad said, because Kuaisuan is your team, that's why we must defeat Kuaisuan. But before that, he wants me to learn from you," Jie Ke Xun said seriously: "Only by mastering your basketball skills can I defeat Kuaisuan."

Uh…

Fan Xi was completely speechless.

Alright, people from your Bryant family are indeed... difficult.

Fan Xi could only 'bite' hard on Xiao Jie Ke Xun's face twice before letting him go.

Come to think of it, Xiao Jie Ke Xun looks more like Wa Ni Sha, and his skin tone isn't as dark as Kobe Bryant's. If he doesn't suffer hair loss in the future, he should be a handsome guy.

With three minutes left, the game entered garbage time, and the Clippers didn't go all‑out… of course they lacked the ability to go all‑out. They are the best defensive team in the world; offensively they are like a dull knife cutting meat, lacking players with strong scoring bursts.

Therefore, many analysts worry how terrifying the Kuaisuan will be after Fan Xi's return.

3:1.

Kuaisuan got match point.

The turning point never came, and the Lakers' season is over.

Because today's Kobe Bryant is already the fittest Kobe Bryant in this series, his stamina reserve will be worse in the next game. Even if Wa Ni Sha doesn't trouble him, he still can't withstand the all‑round onslaught from Kuaisuan's big men.

Old and weak.

Fan Xi evaluated Kobe Bryant like this. Even while holding Xiao Jie Ke Xun Bryant, he cheerfully shared his view with reporter friends: "I guess Kobe Bryant will retire in another two or three seasons. With his pride, he won't wait until he has to choose a second or third option before leaving the court."

"Moreover, his most important task now is this: he must develop this kid into an NBA super‑star. Hey, Jie Ke Xun, what draft position do you aim for in the 2031 draft?" Fan Xi asked the Xiao Jie Ke Xun in his arms.

"First overall!" Xiao Jie Ke Xun said in a baby‑like voice.

His words sparked the reporters' loud laughter.

Fan Xi also laughed along. "Did you hear that? From now on you should respect Kobe more; he is the father of a future first‑overall super‑star. Hahaha."

At this moment, a reporter asked: "Jie Ke, aren't you planning to cultivate a super‑star? Do you and Si Jia Li have a baby‑making plan lately? Maybe you could pre‑reserve the first overall in 2032 or 2033."

The reporters started heckling.

Fan Xi quickly grabbed Jie Ke Xun and left, slipping away.

But Si Jia Li was left behind. When reporters asked her that question, Si Jia Li said: "Why can't it be a Hao lai wu super‑star? It's not like you have to play basketball."

That remark sparked endless speculation among the reporters, who wanted to follow up, and Si Jia Li left as well.

After the game, a reporter commented.

Jieke Fan's and Si Jia Li's post‑game interviews were far more exciting than the game itself.

At least, most people aren't very interested in Kuaisuan's 3:1 lead over the Lakers. These two teams are not currently the focus of discussion.

However, Kobe's son competing for the 2031 first overall does spark a lot of discussion.

After all, who doesn't want to see Kobe's son on the court?

Such a legacy of heroic sons hasn't appeared in the NBA yet; Jordan's two sons can't play in the professional league, Magic directly used a "birth‑and‑kill" strategy, and other super‑stars have all faded into the crowd, whereas the sons of role players are doing quite well.

So, will Xiao Jie Ke Xun be an exception?

Even though he is just over a year old, people already have high expectations for him.

Because after the game Kobe said that Fan Xi is Xiao Jie Ke Xun's basketball teacher; if Xiao Jie Ke Xun doesn't become the 2031 first overall, it's because Jieke Fan's teaching is inadequate.

Can a child nurtured by the combined full efforts of Kobe Bryant and Jieke Fan be any less worthy of expectation?

"Hope this kid doesn't only learn flirtatious tricks from Jieke Fan."

Magic Johnson commented on this matter.

But when he said it, people thought that even if Xiao Jie Ke Xun Bryant becomes a bit flirtatious in the future, with gossip everywhere, there's nothing wrong with that.

An alternative blessing.

Also at 3:1 are the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat. The Chicago Bulls currently lead the Washington Wizards 3:1, and the Miami Heat lead the Atlanta Hawks 3:1.

Basically there is no suspense.

This is also the reason why Fan Xi took a flight back to New York the next morning.

According to the schedule, as long as the Bulls win one more game, the New York Knicks will fly to Chicago to begin their Eastern Conference Semifinals at the United Center.

This will be an extraordinary experience; for someone aiming to surpass Jordan, playing at the United Center is extremely stressful.

Many people have already started hyping this up.

In comparison, the other potential Eastern Conference Semifinals opponent has little media coverage.

"Jake is my good friend; he means a lot to me. He changed my playing style and helped me improve my body control."

After the 3:1, Derrick Rose returned to Chicago for an interview, asked about the possibility of facing the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This historically youngest regular-season MVP, introverted in nature, spoke at length, talking about his relationship with Fan Xi: "Our relationship is close; we often exchange basketball skills and tactics over the phone. We both grow from our conversations."

"In the past two seasons, we have faced Miami consecutively; he gave me a lot of advice, and of course I also gave him many tips on how to deal with the Heat."

"Playing against Jake in the playoffs has always been what I pursued, but I didn't expect it to be the Eastern Conference Semifinals rather than the Finals; I thought he would never leave Los Angeles, and I would never leave Chicago."

"I am ready; I will let him see an unprecedented Derrick. I hope he also brings out his strongest form. Whether it's the 101-point version or the quintuple-double version, I can compete with him!"

Derrick Rose is very confident.

In today's league, in the comprehensive evaluation of superstars across all dimensions, Derrick Rose ranks fourth, and in some dimensions he can even surpass Kevin Durant to become third.

Fan Xi being first is beyond doubt; he has three championships and three Finals MVPs, and he has James under his thumb.

James being second is also widely acknowledged. He is the pride of American basketball, he is the Heaven's Chosen Son; he should have been first, but Fan Xi defeated him three times in the Finals, causing him great harm.

Without Fan Xi, given James's current ability and fame, he would be the NBA's ruler, or perhaps he would already have three championships.

Ranking third is Kevin Durant; Durant's scoring is unstoppable, and he is not just scoring—his drives and passes have improved rapidly, and his defense is at an elite level.

One could say Fan Xi has spurred a whole generation of superstars to reach peaks they originally could not attain.

James is like that, Durant is like that, and Derrick Rose is even more so.

If Derrick Rose had a more distinct personality, and if his endorsement brand were not Adi but domestic Nike, he could surpass Durant to become third.

He is too strong: not only is his speed sharp, his finishing at the rim is deadly, his passes are precise, his defense is ferocious, and his long-range shooting has gradually developed this season.

Many say he is the ultimate version of a swing guard; without Fan Xi, he would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with James at the peak as a marquee superstar.

But Fan Xi is right there; he is about to face Derrick Rose soon.

Many fans' regret is that Derrick Rose has never faced off in the playoffs, so no one has witnessed a showdown between the East's and West's top point guards.

Basketball experts also look forward to their clash, and have long dubbed it the greatest and fiercest point guard showdown in NBA history.

"I have no opinion."

Isaiah Thomas agrees with that statement.

Magic Johnson does not deny it either.

They once faced each other in the 1990s.

Thomas and Magic were the two best point guards of the 1980s.

But.

It can now be confirmed that Fan Xi's historical status surpasses that of Magic Johnson.

Derrick Rose's personal ability surpasses that of Isaiah Thomas—although this is hard to quantify precisely, Isaiah Thomas has expressed no dissatisfaction with the claim that "Derrick Rose is the best guard produced by Illinois."

On the other hand, Dwyane Wade has some reservations; he believes Rose lacks a championship ring and a Finals MVP, and therefore is not yet worthy of being mentioned alongside him and Isaiah Thomas.

Fan Xi also responded on Twitter to Rose's remarks: "It's time for us to truly compete."

Rose and his Bulls are a tough team; for the past three years they have been on the front line resisting the Miami Heat's Three Giants, meeting the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals each year and ending their season in disappointment.

However, compared to the Miami Heat, who won the Eastern Conference but then lost consecutively to Fan Xi, the Bulls have earned broader respect.

Because the Bulls never thought of forming a superteam, they have stuck to their strategy, and Derrick Rose has never pressured his team to trade for a superstar.

They have merely made cautious reinforcements, never made big moves, just gradually increasing team cohesion and fighting strength year by year.

They are becoming more and more in sync, and their fighting strength keeps growing.

As Derrick Rose grows stronger, the Bulls become more resilient.

Fan Xi has watched the Bulls' games; he knows the upcoming test for the Knicks will be huge. The Bulls are a defense‑based team; Thibodeau built them an iron‑curtain scheme, and on offense they are also unique—not just a one‑star‑four‑shooters setup, their offensive combinations are many and well‑coordinated.

A slight mistake and the Knicks will capsize at the United Center.

The Knicks' current offense is fine; their chemistry still has some issues.

Most importantly, their defensive problems are serious.

However, there is also an optimistic side: this team is not what those basketball experts predicted; it is not a power‑less team, but rather one with limitless potential, likely to unleash a surging energy that will explode with fighting power beyond imagination.

Fan Xi is extremely confident in these old teammates.

…

Megan Fox also has great confidence in Fan Xi, she thinks she will definitely get pregnant this time.

She feels a sense of urgency; she doesn't want her child to be much younger than Si Jia Li's child, she worries she can't keep up with the pace, and she also worries her child will be bullied by Si Jia Li's child.

It must be strictly controlled within three months.

That is the reason she is so diligent.

Fan Xi has no other way to help her, so he has to share everything he knows.

Fortunately… Fan Xi is gifted; his stamina and endurance will not weaken because of this, but will actually increase.

This makes Fan Xi more relaxed.

When the Chicago Bulls defeated the Washington Wizards on Sunday to clinch the Eastern Conference Semifinals and will face Fan Xi head‑on, Fan Xi had already prepared the clothes he will wear in Chicago at home.

He appears very calm.

Nowadays, Fan Xi's mood rarely fluctuates; only at times like this does he reflect that he has not triggered the Energy Halo in his brainwaves for a very long time.

Even Fan Xi himself has forgotten about it.

He sometimes wonders, if he triggers the halo, what else could he gain?

Fan Xi is already this strong.

He can already launch a frontal assault on Jordan.

Next, he will go to the United Center Arena.

…