Chapter 559: Jordan's Real Concern

Trailing by six points after the first quarter, the media thought the Bulls could win.

Down nine points at halftime, the media still believed the Bulls could win.

The home fans at United Center also hadn't lost confidence; they cheerfully enjoyed their halftime break.

But Derek Rose was not optimistic. After he walked into the locker room, he said, "We can't keep letting the Knicks lead us by the nose."

He was impatient, feeling an uncontrollable sense of weightlessness.

Rosa rarely talked big in the locker room; he usually sat quietly there listening to the coaching staff's advice. But now he wanted to pressure the coaches. "We need to anticipate their next moves. If Jieke Fan continues to roll out a new lineup, how will we respond? And if he switches to a 101 isolation mode, how do we defend?"

Fan Xi himself is an extremely uncontrollable superstar.

Many say he's not good at scoring, but the NBA's all‑time single‑game highest point record belongs to him.

Moreover, he is the NBA's first ever "super five‑double" player; he can put double‑digit numbers in any statistical column, fully proving his omnipotence.

When facing Fan Xi, any team's coaching staff must elevate their focus and analytical thinking to the utmost.

Xi Bo Du discussed with the coaching staff, and his final decision was: I remain steadfast.

He believes we shouldn't dance with the Knicks; the Bulls' raw strength exceeds the Knicks'. The Knicks are still tweaking their lineup, and the more they change, the less confidence they have.

His judgment is that we must eliminate the Knicks within five games. Otherwise, letting the Knicks evolve under this high‑pressure situation would become extremely tricky.

Xi Bo Du bluntly said he doesn't want to force a Game Seven against the Knicks.

Therefore, he asked all players to stay highly focused in the second half, to follow their own pace, moving neither too fast nor too slow.

This is meeting myriad changes with constancy.

Inside the Bulls, thoughts were unified; they all felt this approach was fine.

…

Xi Bo Du was right; when Fan Xi walked into the locker room, his brow remained tightly knit. He led the Knicks to a first‑half lead, but his two tactics didn't truly breach the Bulls' fortress. They only seized the initiative, and that was built on Kevin Garnett and Joe Johnson both performing beyond expectations.

The Bulls' offense and defense remain as solid as a fortress.

Fan Xi looked around, contemplating a new lineup.

Assistant coach Haywood suggested simply putting Joe Johnson and Kevin Garnett together on the floor.

That is indeed a good suggestion.

Putting two outstanding players together on the court is a reliable plan.

However, the chemistry between players is hard to predict.

What if the two players' advantages cancel each other out?

Now the Knicks must proceed with utmost caution, each step needing to be doubly secure.

Larry Brown, though calm in front of reporters, now has a slight headache.

He feels a bit at a loss.

At this moment, JR Smith stepped forward and said to Fan Xi, "Jie Ke, let me go in. I feel my touch is great tonight; I will definitely deliver."

Monta Ellis also responded, saying, "Jie Ke, I'm fine. I've thought about it a long time; I can give up the ball and act as a wing supplement!"

Their eyes burned as they stared at Fan Xi.

After the game, they were criticized by many New York fans and New York media; some extreme New York outlets even labeled them war criminals. Stade Mai, Joe Johnson, and even Stephen Nash were also attacked.

That's New York: a bad game can cast you straight to hell.

It's a common ailment of big cities; they often lack patience, won't spend time waiting for a flower to bloom, nor want to trust the so‑called process.

Larry Brown looked at Fan Xi and gently shook his head.

Before the game started, he had a deep talk with Fan Xi. As a veteran head coach, his advice to Fan Xi was not to let too many of those offensively strong but defensively weak, low‑efficiency players enter his lineup.

He suggested supplementing in batches.

In Larry Brown's basketball philosophy, Stade Mai, Joe Johnson, Monta Ellis… even Stephen Nash have become liabilities; their physical condition has declined, offensive efficiency has sharply dropped, usage rate remains high, and they have defensive leak traits. He advised Fan Xi to simply drop them for this series. Occasional use to diversify offensive threats is acceptable, but mass deployment would be utter chaos.

Larry Brown's words aren't wrong; any head coach, even an offensive fanatic like De Ang Toni, would make the same choice.

Fan Xi was silent for a while. He said, "We'll take another gamble. We're up by nine now; we'll switch to a pure offensive lineup, and when our lead shrinks to just one point, we'll abandon that lineup."

Larry Brown already knew what decision to make and said, "If we lead by only one point, or get overtaken, the rest of the game will be very hard for us."

"It's fine," Fan Xi smiled, his grin plain yet firm. "I'll take the shot!"

Larry Brown said nothing more; he knew Fan Xi now commanded the team, being its primary responsible person. If the team loses, the first to blame is Fan Xi, not Larry Brown.

Fan Xi was willing to take that risk; besides choosing to support, he gave his full cooperation.

Following Fan Xi's gaze, he called out: Monta! Joe! Amare! Ben!

It was their tacit understanding.

Ben Wallace's name being called surprised everyone, including himself.

But Fan Xi's gaze was resolute.

He specifically wanted Ben Wallace.

"We need someone who makes Bulls players afraid to drive into the paint for a wild confrontation; Kevin has fouled three times, he's our last resort. So now, Ben, we need you!"

Fan Xi stared at Wallace with a very decisive gaze.

Summoned Ben Wallace felt the urgency in Fan Xi's eyes; he clenched his right fist and struck his own chest forcefully. The veteran of eighteen league seasons replied in a resolute tone, "The iron armor remains!"

That was the slogan Fan Xi used when leading the Lakers to a championship; it once inspired countless basketball fans.

At that time, the Lakers' core inside and out were all injured, and the team couldn't even field a proper center. Fan Xi led the battered squad, holding off the Heat's Three Giants with sheer willpower, and ultimately finished with a one‑legged buzzer‑beater!

It was the most passionate battle in the NBA over the past decade.

Now, Ben Wallace shouts that slogan, and the entire Knicks locker room stands sternly!

Passion is boiling!

…

Ding!

The second half's whistle sounded.

The Knicks indeed deployed a new lineup, and this new lineup left everyone stunned.

No one saw it coming!

No one expected the Knicks to use such a lineup.

"This is suicide!"

McBlin said bluntly, "I never imagined anyone would use Ben Wallace as a center in the Eastern semifinals; it's 2014, not 2004. What else can he do? He's now just a muscle coach in a gym."

McBlin lacks respect for Ben Wallace.

He also believes he can disrespect Ben Wallace.

Sitting on the sidelines, Michael Jordan rubbed his temples, pondering for a long time why Fan Xi would do this. The lineup offered no hope at all.

But at that moment, Fan Xi was already leading the lineup into formation.

Their gazes were sharp as they began to look for their defensive targets.

Derek Rose dribbled across half court, and for an instant he was indecisive, not knowing which teammate to pass to, as everyone seemed to have huge openings.

In the end, he decided to break through on his own.

He executed a clever change of direction, rolling the ball with one hand as if grinding tofu for half a turn, then accelerated at the instant Fan Xi shifted his center of gravity, shedding Fan Xi's first‑step defense and storming into the paint.

Then he leapt explosively.

Under the basket, as he was about to dunk, Ben Wallace jumped, raising both hands to block Rosa.

Ben Wallace no longer had the ability to operate in the air; his vertical was now about the same as Yao Ming at his peak.

Nevertheless, he gave Rosa a massive physical contest, distorting Rosa's technical moves.

At the same time, Fan Xi chased from behind, aiming to block.

Rosa dodged, using an extreme lever move to showcase his physical talent.

Jordan couldn't help but praise, often telling Mountain Cat's players: When you encounter a defender in the air, what do you do? Just pull a lever to dodge, a reverse flick—and it's an easy two points?

But no one could grasp his spirit; even Butler couldn't perform the effortless task he described. Butler isn't a prodigy, but his willpower is tougher than stone, and at certain moments Michael Jordan even considered dragging him for a paternity test.

Rosa's lever move evaded Fan Xi's chase defense, but his shooting motion was still somewhat distorted.

The basketball skimmed the backboard and landed on the front edge of the rim.

A touch more force sent the ball outward instead of dropping inward.

Ben Wallace logically tipped the rebound.

His base was very stable.

Fan Xi caught the ball and immediately launched a rapid attack.

Fan Xi drove to the basket, drawing double teams and passing to Joe Johnson.

Joe Johnson received the ball but didn't shoot immediately; he faked again, shook the defender, then shot... Boom!

It hit the rim.

It was the same as in the previous game.

This instantly released the previously subdued United Center arena, and a wave of cheers erupted in the arena.

It was a huge blow to Joe Johnson.

Fan Xi walked over, patted his back, and said, "It's fine, hit the next ball back."

"Every player has his own fixed rhythm, every player has his own style. Joe Johnson has been a leader for so many years; making him adapt to Jieke Fan's rhythm and become a set shooter is not easy. He's a born wing one‑on‑one player," Reggie Miller said on TV.

Jeff Van Gundy also commented, "Jack's action is not shy about letting a thoroughbred race dolphins in the sea."

They were dissatisfied with the Knicks' chemistry.

At that moment, Dennis Rodman, sitting beside Michael Jordan, said, "Why don't they use the triangle offense? Jieke Fan also played for Kuaisuan."

Jordan spread his hands and said, "That's the crux of the issue. Joe is a great wing one‑on‑one player; his offensive arsenal is rich, but he's not good at strong‑weak side ball‑handling, and he lacks solid defensive traits. He's a different type of player from Kuaisuan's Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard."

"He's one of those scoring guards you corrupted," Dennis Rodman quipped.

In the post‑Jordan era, a wave of scoring guards who prized offensive one‑on‑one rose. Including, but not limited to, Starks, Joe Johnson, Vince Carter, even Allen Iverson….

However, the only ones truly able to inherit the triangle offense were Kobe Bryant, and later Fan Xi—who even cultivated Leonard as half a piece, while Butler can only currently play a Pippen role.

Thus, the triangle offense isn't something everyone can execute.

This tactic, though an ultimate one‑on‑one power play, requires players to balance individual duels with a broader, collective perspective.

While Jordan and Rodman discussed the triangle offense, Joe Johnson completed a splendid defensive play.

He is not known for his defense.

However, when Rosa burst past him on the side, he used a quick lateral move to block Rosa.

Rosa then passed the ball to the open Lloyd.

But as Rosa was passing, the laterally moving Joe Johnson lunged like a soccer goalkeeper, both hands deflecting the ball outright.

He fell to the floor, Fan Xi snatched the ball he knocked down and sprinted to the frontcourt.

Fan Xi launched a quick attack, drove into the paint, and scored with a left‑hand layup.

But at that moment, Joe Johnson didn't get up at midcourt.

He clutched his ribs, gritted his teeth, and made not a sound.

He was injured.

The overhead screen replayed the scene, and the United Center arena erupted with cheers.

Those cheers made Fan Xi's gaze suddenly cold and murderous.

It was a strong affront to the Knicks, a display lacking any sportsmanship.

The Knicks' team doctor went over, performed a preliminary check on Joe Johnson, then called for a stretcher, carefully lifted him onto it, raised him with a hydraulic device, and pushed it away.

The broadcast's slow motion showed that when Joe Johnson hit the ground with no protection, his chest hit first, likely fracturing a rib.

From the Knicks team doctor's cautious assessment, the injury may be even worse.

For an athlete, this is not a severe injury that shortens a sporting career. However, Qiao Yuehan Sun will at least miss the rest of this series, and his participation in the next series is also in doubt.

McBlin said, "With Qiao Yuehan Sun's injury and departure, the Knicks' playoff run has reached its end. They have no next series."

This is not his unilateral decision alone.

All the fans following this game think so; Qiao Yuehan Sun is the Knicks' best perimeter scorer besides Fan Xi, ranking third on the Knicks in regular‑season points per game, and he has delivered outstanding performances in many games. Many had expected him to excel further in the playoffs.

But now, it's all over.

A layer of gloom hangs over the Knicks' bench.

Many people looked there with gloating eyes, as if the big screen above them replayed the cheers from the United Center when Qiao Yuehan Sun was injured.

They all thought the Knicks were finished.

But at this moment, the Knicks' fury is burning.

One harms its own kind.

Their teammate was injured by his tenacious fighting, and when he left he heard the opposing crowd's cheers.

No player could tolerate that.

"Let me play, I want to go up against them."

Yue Shi Shi Mi Si growled.

In his early days he and Qiao Yuehan Sun played the big game in Atlanta, sharing a wonderful period of struggle. He was eager to go up and avenge Qiao, to dominate the basket in Chicago.

Fan Xi did not approve his choice; he chose JR Smith.

He made JR Smith the team's number 3.

Thus, the Knicks' backcourt became Fan Xi, Mengta, and JR.

Strictly speaking, these are three nerve knives.

Mengta and JR, occupying the two and three spots, will face severe tests on defense; the Bulls will certainly launch a reckless side‑wing attack.

Their defense is terrible.

Kai Wen Jia Nei Te signaled Fan Xi, indicating he wanted to play.

Fan Xi thought it over and still let Jia Nei Te rest for a while. After all, they are still leading, and it's not yet time to put Jia Nei Te in.

Beep!

The whistle blows, and the game continues.

The Knicks did not change the core lineup, and even the move of putting JR Smith on the floor was interpreted by Jie Fu Fan Gan Di as: they have already given up the game. This lineup shows no way out.

Ka Long Ba Te Le launched an attack from the wing, using a crossover to shake off JR Smith's aggressive defense, and he drove to the basket.

But just as he attempted a Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, JR sprang up from behind, slapping the ball out of bounds.

JR Smith was extremely pumped; after he swatted Butler away, he shouted loudly, "Do you think you can really get past me? I let you through on purpose, you lousy old man, your crossover move is more obvious than a stripper's hip twist."

Ka Long Ba Te Le is no longer young; he has entered the twilight of his career.

His peak years were in Washington, where he once formed a trident with Arenas and Jia Mi Sen. But that era is over now.

He lacks the ability to summon wind and rain.

JR Smith's roar only made his eyebrows twitch; after half a lifetime of playing, his mindset is already steady.

After the inbound, Derek Rose passed to Luo Er Deng, who body‑checked Mengta and hit a turnaround jumper.

This is an unsolvable situation.

JR passed the ball to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi originally intended to steady the pace, but when he saw his teammates quickly forming a front‑court running formation.

A new calculation immediately formed in his mind.

He increased his speed.

He sprinted to the top of the three‑point arc, exchanged a glance with Mengta Ailisi, and passed the ball to Mengta.

Then he raced toward Mengta Ailisi's side; Mengta pretended to pass the ball to him, but in fact Mengta turned and surged toward the paint… At this moment the Bulls' defensive focus was on Fan Xi.

Mengta still possessed great impact, charging to the basket like a blade through bamboo.

When Qiao Jin Nuo A turned to help on defense, Fan Xi also sprinted in.

This disrupted the Bulls' defensive positioning.

Mengta Ailisi easily dropped the ball into the hoop.

He still uses his single‑threaded style, unchanged.

However, Fan Xi's movement increased his efficiency, trimming away the tangled branches.

It instantly turned from brainless to efficient.

Qiao Dan raised his eyebrows at the sideline, his mind racing as he simulated the Knicks' offensive possibilities in full.

Then his complexion changed dramatically.

A genuine worry surfaced in his expression.

…