Chapter 597: It's merely the difference between a fried egg and a boiled egg

The biggest difference between modern basketball and earlier basketball is… a powerful and meticulous media network that covers all aspects.

When Chris Paul was shouting, the cameras and microphones on the sidelines were already approaching them, and they even gave close‑up shots; enough cameras even switched to the reactions of several people on site.

People saw an flustered Paul on TV, and they saw JR Smith eager to try.

And the initially calm and elegant, later imposing Fan Xi—when Fan Xi explained to the referee that it was just a private talk, his demeanor was like that of a godfather… whether in tone or posture, it showed he was in control of the whole scene.

This segment was full of presence.

Even Hollywood movies couldn't act out this kind of realism and sense of oppression.

But Fan Xi stared at Paul and said, "I've got you."

Through the close‑up, people saw Paul's flustered eyes, and also Fan Xi's firm courage and great confidence.

Fan Xi seemed to be scolding a little troublemaker who was provoking him.

His ultimatum made some Rockets fans in front of the TV involuntarily stay quiet.

And in an instant, the phrase "I've got you" topped the major headlines on the internet; almost all netizens who cared about the game were discussing it, and then more and more fans who hadn't been paying attention joined in.

It became a nationwide celebration.

"Fan Xi is displaying his dominance."

Shaquille O'Neal excitedly said: "This is just too cool—he's doing something even Jordan never did. He's not only scolding Paul; he's also broadcasting globally how he's killing this game."

"For many years, too many court stories have been fabricated through 'montage.' Even many stories in Jordan's autobiography are described from his first‑person perspective. But now, Jake is so cool. Everyone in the world knows his goal; if he can really surround and trap Chris Paul completely in the second half, I think… people will have a new understanding of the word 'dominance.'"

O'Neal was especially excited.

He had never before had such respect for this boring game.

In fact, he hoped the Rockets would be swept in the Finals, because he himself had once been swept by the Rockets in the Finals.

Looking at the excited O'Neal, Kenny Smith beside him laughed and said: "Shaq, you're acting more and more like a Jake fan."

O'Neal shrugged his shoulders and said: "I'm just welcoming him into the Dominators Club. I'm the league's biggest guy with the most dominance."

…

Jordan sat in front of the TV, and when he saw Fan Xi's ultimatum to Paul on the screen, he knew Fan Xi was doing something unprecedented.

If before JR Smith blew hot air about giving Paul the biggest margin, everyone just took it as a hype. But now Fan Xi has spoken, and the meaning is completely different.

Jordan asked his son beside him: "Marcus, do you think Jake can swallow Paul?"

Marcus Jordan's talent is a bit better than his brother Jeffrey's, but neither is good enough to enter the NBA, and they also lack the drive to play ball desperately. Since birth they've lived in luxury.

"Dad, this shouldn't be a question—Jake taking out Paul is no problem. If you know Jake's past, you know he always does what he says." Marcus honestly told his father.

"Do you young people all think that way?" Jordan said, somewhat surprised.

Marcus nodded.

Then Jordan continued: "So, you also think Jake's greatness has already surpassed mine?"

"Um… that's hard to say." Marcus was very frank: "Because you've been deified for a long time, when people talk about basketball they naturally think of you as the historical GOAT. Jake is still an active player; people usually only compare him to other active players."

"After he wins his third championship, probably no one will doubt he's already the league's number one. His lead over active players is like your lead over other historical superstars."

Marcus added: "But if he wins the championship this year and then retires, the legend he leaves behind will certainly be comparable to yours, and many will even think his legend surpasses yours."

"So, for now perhaps no one with absolute advantage thinks he's surpassed you. But as he keeps creating new legends and completing new records, when he retires and leaves the active basketball world, his reputation will be pushed to an unprecedented height."

After hearing his son's words, Jordan understood more clearly.

This is an irreversible process.

"However, if Jake can't keep up his momentum going forward, after four straight championships he'll keep suffering setbacks and being slapped in the face, leaving such a bad impression that people will naturally stop discussing whether he can surpass you."

Marcus then said.

That remark gave Jordan hope.

So tonight is an opportunity. If Jake Fan fails to swallow Paul under the world's watch, his reputation will be harmed. Even if he wins, but without building up enough of a margin, it doesn't count as a win.

Jake is playing a roulette game with huge rewards and huge costs.

…

Paul returned to the locker room, his phone already full of messages. When he opened it, he immediately saw the scene of Fan Xi issuing him an ultimatum… in the internet age, everything is live‑streamed.

The frantic traffic on the internet filled Paul with rage; in the picture he had no aura, looking like a pitiful, helpless elementary school student.

Damn, this guy really knows how to grab the camera.

Paul thought viciously.

Then Howard came over and said to him: "Chris, you must now stop Jake Fan's next move; if he really swallows you, you'll become the fodder for his ever‑growing legend……"

Paul took a deep breath—how could he not know?

His intelligence is quite high.

He's now being put over the fire to roast.

At that moment, he received a call from LeBron James. LeBron James is his close friend; their relationship is very tight, they are each other's children's godfather. qqxδnew

James said to Paul: "You now need to work out a result with the coaching staff—whether to give up this game or to save your reputation."

"If you want to win, you're very likely to be swallowed by Jake Fan. If you're not pursuing victory, just trying to narrow the score, maybe you can stop Jake Fan's boast."

"Don't underestimate him—he's a demon."

James said earnestly.

These years he has stood on the front line of resisting Fan Xi's dominance, and no one knows better than him how terrifying Fan Xi's dominance is.

So he gave Paul a suggestion that sounds absurd but might work: give up trying to win a game and focus on resisting Fan Xi's creation of a huge point gap.

Making Fan Xi unable to "walk the talk" is also a kind of victory.

But for the Rockets, this is an extreme challenge. They came for victory, yet now, having played half the game, they must abandon it.

Paul finds it hard to convince the coaching staff, and even harder to convince James Harden.

Because, to some extent, this is a personal grudge between Paul and Fan Xi.

At least up to now, James Harden has shown no indication. Paul is sure that Harden saw this news that is going viral on the world internet via his phone.

So, he fell silent for a moment, then told James: 'I understand.'

Then he hung up the phone.

Next, D'Antoni gathered the players. D'Antoni clapped loudly to motivate the players, saying: 'I just saw the news online; I know it has already created a huge impact. Jieke Fan is too arrogant, thinking he is an invincible tyrant. But we cannot let him have his way. We will devour him!'

'No difficulty can defeat brave Houston; we will soar to the skies with the glory of Space City!'

'Now, the person being roasted over the fire is Jieke Fan. If he can't do it, he will become a joke. Once we win this game, he will become an ant on a hot pan, in utter chaos, and we will continue to win the second, third, and fourth games!'

'The championship belongs to Houston!!'

D'Antoni shouted, he was igniting the players' anger and fighting spirit.

The effect was significant.

Everyone felt a strong urge to defeat Fan Xi, and they absolutely believed what D'Antoni said: as long as they opened a gap, they would surely be able to completely crush the Knicks.

As D'Antoni said, the one now being roasted over the fire is Fan Xi.

At least, that's what they think now.

They think Fan Xi will be bound by public opinion, hand and foot.

…

However, at this moment in the Knicks' locker room.

But the situation is completely different from what they imagined.

JR Smith was imitating Fan Xi. 'Hey, Chris, I will eat you in this game and the next.'

He wanted his performance to be more domineering; he even put on sunglasses.

'How is it? Does it look like Al Pacino?'

He asked everyone for their opinion.

Fan Xi joined everyone in laughing loudly.

Then Kevin Garnett gave his evaluation: 'JR, your imitation isn't convincing. But Jie Ke isn't acting either. That's the difference between you.'

This precise evaluation made the locker room burst into laughter, accompanied by applause.

'Right, Jie Ke, aren't you worried that the Rockets will unite to deal with you?' Garnett asked.

Everyone was also concerned.

After all, public opinion is now focused on this matter. The pressure is all piled on Fan Xi, and everyone wants to know what Fan Xi is really thinking.

How can he still look so relaxed.

Fan Xi smiled and said: 'I'm just worried that they won't unite to deal with me. Whether they try to use this public opinion pressure to win, or decide to hunker down, admit defeat, and narrow the gap, they are doomed to lose. It's like an egg: boiled it's eaten, cracked open and fried in olive oil it's also eaten.'

Fan Xi spoke very calmly, as always resolute.

Stephen Nash was also curious, he asked: 'What if the egg doesn't let you eat it?'

Fan Xi smiled. He said: 'An egg placed in the kitchen is either eaten or thrown away.'

At this time, everyone didn't understand what Fan Xi meant.

They just laughed at this humorous metaphor.

Fan Xi has always been unfathomable.

When everyone can't guess him, they will automatically follow devoutly.

…