Chapter 651: Historical Status, This Thing

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Kobe, this guy is really something.

He really bricks, he really shoots.

The whole Western Conference, under Fan Xi's lead, sets up plays for him, yet he doesn't know how, he just can't even make an easy open shot.

This has Eastern's Rose in a panic; he really passes the ball, he also knows this is Kobe's last All-Star game, wanting to let him go out in glory.

Who would have thought, he himself insists on caring about his reputation as the all-time brick king, insisting on correcting the basket in this last All-Star game...

"Kobe, let go of your Mamba spirit. Don't be so stubborn. Just drive in for a layup." Fan Xi couldn't help but plead with Kobe to show mercy, stop tormenting the basket.

Kobe is the kind of person who is stubborn to the end; having milk but not drinking it well, he insists on sucking it.

He must straighten the basket's reflection, using his peak Italian Milan little iron hammer.

"Or, you could rack up assists."

Fan Xi settled for second best.

Kobe also went with the flow; the basketball bounced in his hands, he passed... swish! passed out... swish! passed out... swish!

Fan Xi, Curry, Durant, plus Jokic.

What kind of death-dealing shooting lineup is this?

The Eastern team isn't defending; isn't that like opening a safe and letting the West take the money?

On offense, the Eastern team did stop a few fast breaks, but fast breaks aren't fresh anymore.

Who in the All-Star game doesn't know how to dunk?

Curry and Fan Xi's huge three-pointers are truly heavenly. These two carried the three-point contest into the All-Star main game, with Kevin Durant also joining in. Although Jokic is a fat guy, his open three-pointer is also very threatening.

Kobe's assist numbers shot up.

He has never been this happy in his life.

He had never enjoyed the joy of passing, but at this soon-to-retire All-Star game, it was so smooth.

Kobe was very happy; he felt he could retire without regrets.

Fan Xi played house with Kobe for seven or eight minutes, then he left the court, and Curry and Durant also left one after another.

Kobe stayed on the court, continuing to play with the substitutes.

The Western team's head coach Maikelbang was happy to play along; as long as Kobe didn't call stop, he would never sub him out.

Kobe and the young Harden, Westbrook 'grandpa', Leonard, etc., cooperated well... These are all kids from around Los Angeles, who grew up playing Kobe's ball from a young age.

How could one not know Kobe's style of play?

The Eastern side also didn't seriously defend Kobe.

To be honest, this is just a retirement banquet arranged especially for Kobe.

Tonight, nobody will give Kobe trouble.

If there is, Fan Xi will definitely step up to punish him.

Fan Xi has declared that he wants the former NBA big shots to retire in glory; who would dare defy?

Fan Xi now has strong troops and sturdy horses; with just a command, the Clippers' core alone could make the East submit. Moreover, the East also has Fan Xi's little brother, Butler.

So in the first three quarters, Kobe racked up 21 assists; in the fourth quarter, the East gave only symbolic defense, and Kobe again felt the joy of being triple-teamed.

But he is no longer the young man with the world-class waist; Rose gave him a bump.

After Rose bumped him, he even sheepishly bounced a bit, like he'd accidentally broken a vase and felt sorry.

The game ended quickly.

In the final moments, Kobe took the basketball and launched a brick; this was his 24th brick of the game.

Tribute!

Closed loop!

Finally, Kobe Bryant went 15-for-39, finishing with 36 points, 26 assists, 13 rebounds, and 1 steal, successfully being elected MVP of the 2016 Toronto All-Star Game.

Adam Silver presented the trophy to Kobe, with Fan Xi, James, and others gathering behind to applaud Kobe.

This NBA front-office black mamba Kobe's retirement party was a great success; league chairman Fan Xi gave full support, executive vice chairman James gave strong backing, double-flower red sticks Durant, Rosa, etc., were busy above and below, making it joyful and harmonious.

"This is equivalent to your lifetime achievement award."

Fan Xi encouraged Kobe after the game: "You could retire this beautifully, even Jordan couldn't imagine it."

Kobe nodded with a satisfied smile.

Fan Xi then said another blunt truth: "Good thing I'm now dominating the league."

Kobe was stunned, then laughed again.

That's really the case.

Back when Jordan was about to retire for the second time, the All-Star game saw the youngsters letting him have the ball, but by the end, no one cared whether it was Jordan or not. Nobody could control the situation; it was a chaotic free-for-all. Jordan's final All-Star journey was thoroughly messed up.

Unlike this year, which is so joyful and harmonious.

"Toronto is my blessed land," Kobe sighed.

Unfortunately, he will soon have to return to the Lakers' chaos.

Although Kobe wanted to play another playoff run in his final season, the Lakers' current roster is simply too awful—worse than rotting leaves in a sewer.

By contrast, the Clippers are thriving.

After Fan Xi, Durant, and Jokic returned mid-season, they kept pushing, the Clippers continually defeated opponents, and they didn't lose a single game in the entire second half.

Time was like a warm ocean monsoon, comfortably blowing on the Clippers fans' hearts.

When the final game came, the Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 136–122.

The Clippers achieved their best-ever record, improving upon last season's: 82 games, only 2 losses, still because Fan Xi wasn't there.

Invincibility is very lonely.

Many commentators said sourly: Such a super-strong team as the Kuaisuan destroyed other teams' enthusiasm and broke the league's balance.

But those words were nonsense; Fan Xi simply didn't listen.

Durant fired back on the keyboard: "When James joined the Heat in 2010, you guys said the same thing. But later James wouldn't listen to losing, and you stopped saying it. Now we keep winning, and you say this about us. You just want to prove how unique your opinion is; actually you're a bunch of maggots hiding behind computers, chirping away. You make money off us and still dare to judge. If you have the skill, don't mention the Kuaisuan at all."

Durant's firepower is truly fierce!

He at least blocked seventy percent of the damage for the Kuaisuan.

After this final regular-season game ended, Fan Xi stood together with Kobe Bryant.

He also hugged Kobe's son Jackson.

Kobe Bryant took the microphone at the center of the Staples Center and said a long string of thanks. He summed up his career; he had prepared the script before the game, and he delivered it with deep feeling.

When he finished saying 'Mamba out,' he threw away the microphone in his hand.

He walked toward his family, and the whole arena screamed nonstop.

Many Lakers fans wept bitterly.

To them, an era had ended.

More importantly, the Lakers lost their final spiritual pillar.

No one knows when the Lakers will rise again, but in the foreseeable future, the Kuaisuan will remain the overlord of Los Angeles.

Fan Xi gave Kobe Bryant a heavy hug.

Without a doubt, when Fan Xi first entered the league, when he was just starting out, Kobe Bryant gave him enough respect and support.

Now, Kobe Bryant has retired in glory; it is only right that I see him off.

In this game, Fan Xi spent most of the time matched up against Kobe Bryant, never letting up. Just as he had done many times before, in the first three years of Fan Xi's career, his one-on-ones with Kobe Bryant were more losses than wins.

By now, Kobe Bryant could not possibly beat him.

But tonight, Kobe Bryant's performance was eye-catching. He took 52 shots, made 25, and scored 60 points.

Although Fan Xi also scored 66 points under his defense.

But this was Kobe Bryant's retirement game.

After Kobe Bryant and Fan Xi hugged, he told Fan Xi: "The Staples Center is now yours."

Then he carried Jackson, took Vanessa and their daughter's hand, and left the arena.

His era ended.

The Purple Gold Dynasty ended.

As one of the NBA's greatest superstars in history, Kobe Bryant's twenty-year career came to a close.

6 NBA championships, 2 FMVPs, 1 regular-season MVP, 5 All-Star MVPs, 2 scoring titles, 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA Team selections (11 first team, 2 second team, 2 third team), 12 All-Defensive Team selections (9 first team, 3 second team).

These honors are enough to place Kobe Bryant among the league's top ten.

That night, Fan Xi wrote on his Twitter: "Also teacher and friend, Lakers GOAT!"

Fan Xi's evaluation of Kobe Bryant is very high.

Kobe Bryant participated in building the Lakers' two dynasties, and in the Lakers' toughest times he stood alone. For the Lakers, Kobe gave everything; he deserves this title.

…

Seeing off Kobe Bryant, the playoffs arrived.

The Western Conference regular-season top eight were: the Kuaisuan, Warriors, Thunder, Spurs, Mavericks, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Rockets.

The Eastern Conference top eight were: Cavaliers, Bulls, Raptors, Celtics, Hornets, Pacers, Pistons, Hawks.

From this ranking, James's dominance over the Eastern Conference is as solid as a rock.

The Kuaisuan's first opponent is again the Rockets.

This carries a hint of fated entanglement.

But… the Rockets lost Paul, lost Howard. Now James Harden alone just pads the stats, still hasn't outscored Durant.

Durant won the scoring title again.

Averaging 35.5 points per game.

No way, who let the Kuaisuan's season scoring reach 141 points?

This frightening score naturally allows for one scoring title, two seasons averaging a triple-double, plus one most-improved player.

This is a team with a data explosion.

James Harden was especially low-key before the series began; he didn't even talk about the Kuaisuan at all, and he wouldn't answer whether he could snatch a victory from under the Kuaisuan.

Because he simply doesn't appear in front of the camera.

Their head coach McHale kept doing tai chi, saying things like 'the team has its team strategy, strategy isn't just about victory and advancement…' What the hell is this nonsense.

The Kuaisuan couldn't be bothered to be polite with them.

Durant's keyboard started clacking.

4:0.

His nickname is the Grim Reaper, and he especially added afterwards: 'Death Note first name, Houston Rockets, √!'

This is kinda damn.

Rockets fans felt offended.

There's such a thing, saying 4-0 before even playing.

Just saying 4-0 would be enough.

And still they have to stir up trouble.

And still they have to check off the Death Note!

Damn it.

In other words, bullying us Houstonians who dare to be angry but stay silent.

James Harden's mouth got his beard stuck.

In the first game, the Kuaisuan gave it a try and won by 17 points.

In the second game, the Kuaisuan gave it a try and won by 21 points.

The third game was at the Rockets' home court in Houston; Yao Ming even went to watch the game, and Mutombo was also present. Therefore, Jokic didn't give them face, scoring 32 points and 22 rebounds, giving the Space City people a little Serbian shock.

The Kuaisuan won by 28 points.

In the fourth game, Harden was injured.

The Kuaisuan then put in the substitutes, played gently, and won by 11 points.

In short, four words: unstoppable.

The Rockets were no match at all.

How could they stop a team with three All-NBA First Team players?

How could they stop a team with two All-NBA Team players?

They simply don't have that strength, you know.

This has nothing to do with tactics; even the little bit McHale picked up from Boston isn't enough.

It's purely a matter of overpowering them with talent.

4-0, clean and neat.

After beating the Rockets, the Kuaisuan had four days off.

Until the Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-2, the Spurs-Mavericks rivalry has lasted from the last century to now, each time exciting, each time the stars are Duncan and Nowitzki.

Duncan's historical standing is definitely heading for the top eight in the league; he has some advantages over Kobe.

He has 4 championships, 3 Finals MVPs, 2 regular-season MVPs, 15 All-NBA selections, and 15 All-Defensive selections.

By comparison, Nowitzki's honors are a bit less: he has 2 championships, 1 regular-season MVP, and 12 All-NBA selections (4 first team, 5 second team, 3 third team).

But Nowitzki has a good chance of making the top twenty in history.

Actually, by their standard, Fan Xi, who won five consecutive championships and five consecutive Finals MVPs, should have surpassed Jordan long ago, after all, Fan Xi truly dominated the league for five years.

And it was consecutive domination.

This difficulty is far greater than Jordan's two separate dominations.

But still, some people are stubborn, saying six is greater than five.

Six is greater than five is a fact.

But this fact will be shattered this year.

On the night Durant won and advanced with the Spurs, he started causing trouble again.

He wrote on Twitter.

4-0.

Death Note, San Antonio Spurs, √!

The Grim Reaper again checked off the Spurs' name.

Taking turns causing trouble, the Grim Reaper is professional.

This season he completely let loose; on the NBA keyboard realm, he is absolutely the GOAT.

But the Spurs are much more gritty than the Rockets.

Popovich said at the time: "Twitter should shut down his account; he's always spreading alarmist talk. The league should pull his network card, never allowing a superstar to rant online like a vagrant."

Moreover, can the Kuaisuan really sweep the Spurs? I don't believe it!

I don't believe the so-called Death Note. Chris Paul doesn't believe it, and Tim Duncan doesn't believe it either.

The Kuaisuan have been too arrogant lately; they need an experienced team to wake them up and give them a lesson.

This task is entrusted to the San Antonio Spurs!

Popovich is also an old-school ranter.

Moreover, he has more ability and more confidence.

After all, with Duncan and Paul together, who wouldn't be afraid if they got serious?

…