Chapter 632: This Is a Hard Fight

American national character has always been like this: if they can keep you firmly in check, they won't be stingy with praise. But if they start failing to keep you down, they will tear off their hypocritical mask and go straight to the end. This media's collective backing of James can be said to be a very clear signal.

They can no longer tolerate Fan Xi continuing to dominate the basketball world.

Even though they cannot step onto the court themselves, and the overall fairness of the games cannot be compromised, their actions off the court cannot be stopped.

In fact, since Fan Xi debuted, he has constantly been treated differently by the media.

If it were an African‑American who had signed with a company like Nike and achieved achievements as great as Fan Xi's, then sorry, LeBron, your Heaven's Chosen Son title would be stripped away. Michael Jordan, shift your seat a bit off the throne, and Jie Ke should take it.

Fan Xi feels this intense unfair treatment; he has no fear, he is eager, he looks forward to smashing all this unfairness and injustice. He wants to see how these people's faces will change after he conquers everything.

…

"This year is our best chance. No one wants Kuaisuan to win. Trust me, as long as we show our style, we'll get everything we want."

On the flight to Los Angeles, Stephen Curry held a flight meeting. He was the ace shooter of the Bulls dynasty, then became a manager, and finally built this era‑defining three‑point army for the Warriors.

"Bogut, Green, I demand you be tougher, don't be timid. You must make their interior fear you; their weakest link is the interior."

"Stephen, Klay, Igodala, your task is also crucial. You must find balance between offense and defense, and ensure you outscore them every quarter."

"Glory will belong to us. As long as we defeat Kuaisuan, beating Miami Heat won't be far off."

Curry is rallying the team during the meeting.

Then the players voiced their opinions; Bogut said, "I've long wanted to deal with Jieke Fan. This time, we'll play big and finish them off completely! The Western should be ruled by us!"

Green was also full of confidence. "We have no reason to lose to them; the timing, terrain, and people are all on our side. The whole United States is waiting for news of our triumph."

"We at least need to secure one win in Los Angeles; they aren't that scary."

"As long as we stay tightly united, this year will mark the beginning of the Warriors era."

Green talked at length; he is the most talkative person in the locker room.

His words aren't without reason; the Warriors' rise has been astonishing, Curry climbs a step each year, and the Warriors do the same. Last year they were only Western semifinalists; this year they made the finals.

Moreover, they are one of the teams that have beaten both Kuaisuan and the Heat this year.

So they naturally have reason to be confident. Moreover, public opinion now is so favorable to them.

In contrast, Fan Xi didn't hold any pre‑game meeting, and Maikelbang didn't either… Maikelbang, although the nominal head coach of Kuaisuan, gets along well with the players; he rarely orders anyone to do anything, he just offers suggestions.

Then Fan Xi coordinated and issued orders.

Although Fan Xi didn't hold a pre‑game meeting, he had private talks with the players.

One‑on‑one format.

The first person Fan Xi talked to was Jokic.

Even though everyone are teammates, coming and going together throughout the long season, they actually haven't met privately; this was Fan Xi's first one‑on‑one chat with Jokic, sitting in Fan Xi's office.

Fan Xi congratulated Jokic on winning Rookie of the Year, being selected to the All‑Rookie Team, and also making the All‑Third Team.

It is an unprecedented achievement.

"My first season was far behind yours," Fan Xi said. "Back then I barely made the All‑Rookie Team."

Jokic smiled and said, "But you won the championship and Finals MVP; now that rookie award guy is in an awkward spot."

"Now, your task is to win the championship," Fan Xi said. "Do you have confidence?"

"Of course, following you, who wouldn't be confident," Jokic replied.

"I have a point to remind you. From now on you'll be a primary focus of the Warriors and the Heat; they'll employ some hard‑handed tactics against you, and I guarantee they will. They'll make you fear them because you're one of the most important parts of our system. Tactically, you're my most important lieutenant."

Fan Xi stared into Jokic's eyes, looking at the endearingly chubby white giant: "Are you scared?"

Jokic smiled and said seriously, "They should be scared of me. If they knew what my family does."

Jokic sat up straight and solemnly promised Fan Xi, "I will make them fear."

Fan Xi nodded, saying, "You must not get injured! You must play with grandeur!"

This line is like the boss saying to Lin Jiadong: "Dongguan kid, you plant the flag, don't be flashy, but you must be imposing!"

Jokic took the order.

The second person Fan Xi met was Mili Xiqi.

Mili Xiqi now has a second son; lately he's been very lax, gaining weight and body fat. Because Jokic took most of the playing time, he is comfortable, never contests Jokic, and even gives him extra support.

It's a brotherly camaraderie.

Of course, he's also living very happily.

But Fan Xi told him, "The team now needs you to step up and act."

Fan Xi's opening line made the previously carefree Mili Xiqi instantly sit up straight, he tucked away his playful grin. He asked Fan Xi, "Jie Ke, is the Warriors team that difficult?"

"Plan for the worst," Fan Xi told him. "Go back and watch more Warriors videos, especially their interior foul footage."

"Got it." Mili Xiqi took the order.

When he left the office, he tidied the previously scattered jerseys, then texted Eva: "From now on I'll focus on the games, can't go home, thanks for the kids' hard work."

The third person Fan Xi met was Capela.

Capela was a bit reserved upon seeing Fan Xi, because Fan Xi was sitting there in a suit and tie.

This season Capela has performed well; his defense is aggressive, he fights hard for rebounds, and his ability to grab low‑post positions is strong.

"Beating the Warriors requires two surprise troops; I've chosen you," Fan Xi said to Capela. "What do you have to say?"

Capela was excited and quickly responded, "Jie Ke, I can do anything. I'm willing to do anything for the team."

"Alright. Good luck. I look forward to your performance," Fan Xi handed Capela a tactical dossier.

Capela took it with both hands and then left.

Next, Fan Xi met point guard Isaiah Thomas and Lu Biao.

Fan Xi also gave Thomas a tactical file; he could see the ambition in Isaiah Thomas's eyes, knowing the short‑statured guy wasn't content with a lifelong minimum salary. He said, "This is the chance I give you; if you seize it, next season you can go out and earn a ten‑million‑year salary."

Thomas was ambitious, took the file, and left extremely excited.

Then it was Lu Biao.

Lu Biao has been with the Clippers for three years, and during those three years he has been diligent. Although he lacks outstanding statistics, he is an indispensable commander who stabilizes the team's morale. His defense and ball distribution make him a Kidd‑like figure.

"We need your offense, Li Ji," Fan Xi said while drumming on the table, addressing Lu Biao: "I know you've been training your shooting technique all along. It's time to showcase it."

Lu Biao's English isn't very fluent, but he knows what it means that Fan Xi called him in alone and said that. Fan Xi sensed danger and wants to get all the players under his command actively moving.

"Alright," Lu Biao replied solemnly.

Then Fan Xi chatted for a while with Leonard and Yang Ni Si, mainly discussing defensive issues.

…

The Western Conference Finals will be held on the evening of May 19 at 7:30 p. m. U. S. Western time.

The Staples Center is deafening with noise; enthusiastic fans fill every seat, and many more cannot get into the arena.

When the Clippers players enter, the home fans generate earth‑shattering cheers. Especially when Fan Xi appears, the MVP chant is almost enough to lift the roof.

This is something the media who vote for James can never sway.

The honor and pride Fan Xi brings to the Clippers cannot be altered by their idle talk.

All they can do is cause frustration and create disgust.

Fan Xi greeted Ku Li on the court before the game began.

Ku Li wears signature shoes custom‑made by the Fan‑X brand; his rapid rise has expanded Fan‑X's influence. Now, Fan Xi's and Ku Li's signature shoes in North America are close to surpassing Nike's signature line.

They have to admire Fan Xi's foresight, having signed Ku Li before he became an All‑Star.

And this year Ku Li signed a lifetime contract with Fan‑X, earning a share of the product line. Although Nike and Under Armour offered high sums, Ku Li chose not to leave.

In this matter, they set a precedent.

Thus, in a sense, the Western Conference Finals are also an internal war for the Fan‑X brand, which could be called the Davidson College civil war.

Five years later, who could have imagined that the unremarkable NCAA school could produce two such rising NBA talents.

Tonight's Clippers' starting lineup is: Lu Biao, Fan Xi, Leonard, Kapela, Yue Ji Qi.

The Warriors' starting lineup is: Ku Li, Tang Pu Sen, Ba En Si, Ge Lin, Bo Gu Te.

The whistle sounds; the game begins.

Bo Gu Te steps onto the midcourt, standing on either side of Yue Ji Qi. Before the start, he hurls a harsh line at Yue Ji Qi: "Kid, I'm going to kick your butt tonight."

Yue Ji Qi pats his own butt: "Are you thinking about eating farts?"

That retort makes the Australian very angry.

So he decides to give Yue Ji Qi a harsh blow, giving this naïve youngster a bit of a thug's shock.

Bang!

Yue Ji Qi wins the jump ball over Bo Gu Te.

Lu Biao carries the ball past halfcourt, then Yue Ji Qi sets a high screen. Lu Biao breaks through the defense, with Ku Li shadowing him, though not tightly. He and the Warriors believe Lu Biao won't go for an offensive push.

But Lu Biao drives straight into the paint; with Ge Lin not reacting, he launches a horse‑riding‑archery‑style lob… Swoosh!

It hits.

Lu Biao scores an unusual first basket of the night.

This scene leaves the Warriors slightly stunned.

The game resumes.

Fan Xi marks Ku Li, while Lu Biao guards Tang Pu Sen.

They coordinate their duties.

But after Ku Li carries the ball past halfcourt, he passes it to Ge Lin, who distributes from the high post.

Ku Li sprints back quickly.

He weaves through the crowd; Fan Xi gives relentless pursuit but falls just short, because Bo Gu Te moves to screen, shifting a step and a half under the referee's nose, delaying Fan Xi by a second. That moment allows Ku Li to receive the ball and shoot quickly… Fan Xi's block is just a hair too late.

Ku Li's One-stage jump shot has reached perfection; he has entered the transcendent realm.

Swoosh!

Three‑point shot made.

The Warriors maintain resilience from the start.

Then Lu Biao passes the ball to Yue Ji Qi; Yue Ji Qi is at the high post, Ge Lin steps out to defend, and Bo Gu Te controls Kapela inside.

Ge Lin continuously disrupts Yue Ji Qi, using his aggressiveness to block Yue Ji Qi's passing vision.

And catching him off guard, he throws a punch at Yue Ji Qi, intending to steal the ball amid the chaos.

Yue Ji Qi inadvertently lifts his elbow… Bang!

He strikes Ge Lin's throat, and Ge Lin collapses instantly.

He's a good actor, rolling on the ground.

The head referee whistles a foul on Yue Ji Qi.

Then he gets up.

Although he pretends nothing's wrong, his throat is actually hurting.

Yue Ji Qi plays upright and sincere, but he's no pushover. Both of his older brothers are in the underworld, and one is a heavyweight boxing champion.

Having been exposed since childhood, how can you say he doesn't know how to hurt others?

"If you dare make a move against me, I dare to leave you lying on the ground."

When Yue Ji Qi retreats, he runs to Ge Lin's side and coldly warns him: "You should know what my family's business does."

Ge Lin is a bit taken aback.

He's used to playing tough in the league and assumes a foreign player like Yue Ji Qi is easy to bully.

But he didn't expect Yue Ji Qi to give him a strong warning and issue such a threat.

Could his background really be that formidable?

He lifted his head, Teacher Yue's deep blue eyes flashed a hint of ferocity.

Gelin is a combination of jiannete and ataisite, he is good at finding trouble, good at releasing passion, but at the same time... also has the gene of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

The game continued.

Gelifen passed the ball from the high position, Kapela moved up on defense.

Kuli moved out of position, was about to pass the ball, Kapela suddenly rushed forward, he fiercely chopped at Gelin's passing hand.

Gelifen instinctively pulled back, and the passing force also weakened a bit.

Kuli received the basketball and adjusted slightly, he shot again but was interfered with by Fan Xi, bang! hit the rim, Leonard grabbed the rebound.

Gelin looked at Kapela in surprise, didn't expect Kapela to be so ruthless.

And Kapela also looked at him with an innocent expression.

His scalp went numb instinctively.

He began to realize that the Kuaisuan were also preparing to cause trouble for them.

This is a tough battle, ah.