Chapter 84: Key Factors in the New Yellow‑Green Dominance

In a flash, Chris Paul in a split second, Deron Williams indeed fell for it.

The guy who had long been regarded as the league's second point guard made a completely opposite judgment at the instant Fan Xi suddenly twisted the ball and changed direction. When Fan Xi, with the ball, surged from the left side, Deron's eyes were still looking to the right.

Whoosh!

In an instant, the two separated.

Fan Xi shattered the defense and entered inside the three‑point line.

Kenny Smith let out a scream in the live stream.

Kobe quietly clenched his fist on the bench.

This is a battle‑tested victory.

In a heartbeat, Fan Xi stepped into the paint, leapt up, drew Kevin Garnett's help defense, and passed to Zach Landolf.

Landolf caught the ball and jumped for a dunk… James came from behind, crushing him with a head‑on suppression, pulling Landolf and the ball down… Click!

The whistle blew.

James fouled.

Zach Landolf's face was full of anger.

Although he got two free‑throw chances, he thought James's conduct was extremely excessive; such a foul rarely appears even in official games.

Meanwhile, Fan Xi returned to the bench, and Chris Paul substituted him.

This left Fan Xi somewhat unsatisfied; it was his first time employing Isaiah Thomas's technique in a real game… the clean, crisp feeling was addictive.

Although currently his skill and physical quality still have some gap, in truly top‑level offense and defense he may not be able to unleash his full effect.

However, integration requires real‑battle experience.

Fan Xi sat beside Kobe Bryant, and Kobe said to Fan Xi, "Your technique is becoming more mature; that breakthrough just now was very strong, even reminiscent of Isaiah Thomas."

Kobe's analysis startled Fan Xi.

Sure enough, a true expert.

Fan Xi now carries three major techniques: the three‑point shooting and feel from Reggie Miller, the body control and coordination of Michael Jordan, and Isaiah Thomas's breakthrough skill with a low center of gravity.

These three dominated the scene in the '80s and '90s; Fan Xi now has their technical essence, and when he fuses them in the future, he will surely reach the NBA's pinnacle.

However, this requires a long process, because usually a superstar trains only one supreme skill, while Fan Xi trains multiple supreme skills together.

Most importantly, his physical quality is also soaring toward the peak.

If the basketball world were likened to the martial world, technique corresponds to the Sword Sect, and physical talent to the Qi Sect.

Throughout history, top talents with extraordinary physical quality rarely have outstanding technique. Conversely, players whose technique is superb, such as Larry Bird… tend to have relatively mediocre physical quality.

Some say that because their physical quality is exceptional, they need no technique to stand out on the court, so these players mostly live off their youth; as they age or suffer major injuries, their physical quality can't keep up, and they gradually leave the spotlight.

But there's another reason: the stronger the physical quality, the harder it is to fuse top‑level technique into the physical talent.

Across league history, only a handful have truly merged top physical quality with top technique. Forget the ancient era; in modern basketball, Michael Jordan is the undisputed exemplar. Kobe's physical quality isn't as outstanding as Jordan's, but his aggressive technical play turns every inch of his body into a component of an offensive machine. Then there's Tim Duncan, who follows a straightforward fundamental path, seemingly only weak at free throws.

Moreover, many players are infinitely close to this goal, such as Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Shaq O'Neal… and so on.

Their problem is that, although their technique is superb, they have not fully mastered their talent, or have not unlocked all their potential.

Fan Xi has gradually become aware of this issue.

He knows clearly that becoming a star, even a super star, is only a matter of time. Yet to become a dominant historical star, he still needs a tighter integration of technique and physical quality.

Therefore, he craves real battles.

He longs to merge all his gifts and techniques into one, wielding them freely.

The game continues.

After Chris Paul entered the game, he controlled the ball. Paul's physical quality is excellent and his skill is top‑notch; he has the chance to fully integrate physical quality with technique, though his ceiling is essentially fixed because of his height.

Moreover, Chris Paul is the type of star who must have the ball in hand to perform, essentially another form of ball‑sticking monster.

Thus, he did not make the Western team's offensive firepower stronger.

He can easily turn a weak team into a strong one, but if placed into a super‑strong team of stars, he actually cannot improve that team.

Westbrook is uncooperative with his commands; he has his own ideas.

Other superstars also refuse to move according to his directions, acting as role players.

Chris Paul was anxious; he didn't want people to think his on‑court impact was still inferior to Fan Xi's. So he could only become more aggressive with ball‑handling breakthroughs, attempting to link the whole team.

But the results were minimal.

The first quarter ended quickly.

Then the second quarter began, Paul returned to the bench, and Westbrook linked the team. As a point guard, he was very loose, either taking the ball himself to go solo or passing to a teammate to go solo.

The players toured the court lightly, generally playing relaxed and focusing on individual showmanship.

The Clippers rookie, 2009 top pick Blake Griffin, performed well in the second quarter; he's a natural dunker, and against lax defense he unleashed three consecutive thunderous dunks, stirring the home crowd.

As a rookie from Los Angeles, his excellence thrilled the fans.

Moreover, his dunk reminded everyone of Fan Xi.

Fan Xi once directly blocked Griffin's guard; his dunking ability is also strong. Fans have seen too many flashy street‑ball moves from him tonight, and now want to see his shooting.

So, from the fourth minute of the second quarter, some voices rose in the arena: We need Fan.

Fans spontaneously called for Fan Xi to play.

Usually, this is a privilege reserved for super‑super stars.

But Fan Xi, an undrafted player, has created too many miracles.

People have a natural expectation of him.

And who doesn't want to see Charles Barkley face ten bald donkey butts?

When the crowd began to surge.

Kobe Bryant was discussing the game with Fan Xi.

Kobe Bryant asked Fan Xi: "…Have you realized that the Eastern side harbors unusually strong hostility toward you? When you're on the court, their defensive intensity is clearly greater."

Fan Xi nodded.

"That's human nature," Kobe Bryant said. "Not everyone can calmly accept the rise of a super rookie. Especially… you're an undrafted rookie who burst onto the scene. Human prejudice is a mountain that cannot be crossed."

"Your brilliance has dazzled others these past days," Kobe said, patting Fan Xi's shoulder. He earnestly added, "If I weren't a Lakers Player, or if I were a few years younger, I would also be jealous and would spitefully make things difficult for you on the court."

"This is a lesson you must face."

Kobe Bryant said to Fan Xi.

He actually wanted to tell Fan Xi: perhaps you could keep a low profile. There's no need to become a thorn in the Eastern giants' side, no need to clash with them; tonight you can completely avoid their sharpness, give them time to accept the fact. If you take it slowly, it will smooth out.

But the words stuck in his throat. He's not a coward, nor can he persuade others to become one… although this seems the most reasonable, most beneficial for further commercial gain.

If it were other shrewd players, they wouldn't get angry with others over such an inconsequential All-Star Game.

Kobe, though not having spent long with Fan Xi, knows Fan Xi's character; this kid has always been "prefer the straight path, not the crooked one." It's better to blow his head than to ask him to bow.

On one hand, he admires Fan Xi's vigorous fighting spirit, a youthful heroism of "seeing life and death lightly, and if you disagree, just act."

On the other hand, he worries.

The opponents Fan Xi must face are not ordinary players, but the Boston Three Giants, the Miami Heat Big Three, especially Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, who is the league's flagship star, his strength already at the top of the league.

Even though Kobe Bryant is reluctant to accept it, the fact is that James's control over the game during regular time already surpasses his.

"I actually have nothing to worry about, if they insist on making things awkward for me." Fan Xi said lightly. "They'll get a taste of bitterness. You'll stand on my side, right? Kobe."

Kobe smiled, raised his eyebrows: "Of course."

"And me."

Zack Landof suddenly extended a dark hand beside them, and said to Fan Xi: "I've long been displeased with Le Bu Lang Zhang Si; this guy is always self‑righteous, he thinks he's the Heaven's Chosen Son, that everyone should bow to him. I hate his seemingly modest yet actually very arrogant demeanor."

Fan Xi didn't comment on others, but he reached out and shook Landof's hand.

At that moment, Popovich turned around, calling Fan Xi's name: "Jie Ke."

Then came Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

The three appeared together, substituting Westbrook, Giannis, and Nowitzki.

The lineup on the court became Fan Xi, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Pau Gasol.

Meanwhile, the Eastern team's lineup was: Deron Williams, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Stadtmayer.

"Oh ho ho!! The Lakers Three Giants meet the Celtics Three Giants."

Kenny Smith said on TV, particularly excited: "Last season the Los Angeles Lakers won the Finals against the Celtics in a Game Seven showdown; this season the Eastern environment has changed a lot, but I still think the Finals could again feature a yellow‑green showdown."

"However, the Celtics Three Giants are limited by age; they've gotten a year older. The Lakers, on the other hand, have magically added Fan Xi as a new All-Star, leaving the Celtics at a disadvantage."

Kenny Smith analyzed thus.

Charles Barkley, like a contrarian, interjected: "I don't think so; the Boston Three Giants are old, but hasn't Kobe gotten old? Jieke Fan has never proven himself in the playoffs."

Barkley always has his reasons.

Their discussion captured the attention of Lakers fans and Celtics fans in front of the TV; the Lakers and Celtics are the NBA's two great powerhouses, their rivalry peaked during the black‑white battles of the 1980s, and has flared up again in recent years: the Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, and the Lakers took revenge in 2010.

Phil Jackson, in front of the TV, was intrigued; he looked forward to how Fan Xi's first clash with the Boston Three Giants would unfold.

After all, the Celtics Three Giants' tactical acumen and technical experience are extremely rich; in some ways they are harder to deal with than the Miami Heat Big Three.

Under Phil Jackson's expectant gaze, Fan Xi had already engaged with Deron Williams.

Deron Williams came forward with aggressive defense, spreading his arms, crushing forward with his strong body.

But at the moment he forced his crush forward, Fan Xi quickly passed the ball to Kobe.

Deron was caught off guard.

Just as he muttered inside that Fan Xi was a coward, Fan Xi suddenly accelerated, broke through his defense, and rushed straight to the free‑throw line.

At that moment, Paul Pierce was also tangled with Kobe, raising his defense to playoff level.

But Kobe didn't engage in the usual "world‑class triple‑threat technique" with him; instead, he decisively passed the ball to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi received the ball at the free‑throw line and sprinted into the paint.

Kevin Garnett immediately came to help on defense, but Fan Xi passed again, this time to Blake Griffin. When Griffin received the ball, Garnett hurried to retreat… because he didn't want to see Griffin soaring above the rim again.

But the instant Garnett turned, he saw Griffin toss the ball into the air above the paint; Garnett turned back, and Fan Xi launched skyward, using the super‑jump talent inherited from Jordan to soar, his graceful form catching the ball mid‑air as if strolling in the sky... Boom!

Fan Xi single‑handedly jammed the ball into the hoop.

The Staples Center erupted, and the on‑stage DJ shouted again at the top of his lungs: "Jie Ke… Fan!!!"

Fan Xi raised both hands and high‑fived Griffin.

Earlier, Griffin, who had a big grudge with Fan Xi, said to Fan Xi: "How did you know I would definitely pass to you?"

Fan Xi smiled and said, "Because you're the only one in the world who knows how good my jump is."

Um…

Blake Griffin looked a bit down.

Which pot won't open, which pot to mention?

However, now their grudges have been untied because of the All-Star Rookie Game, they won't take it to heart; it's just a joke among friends.

Phil Jackson, in front of the TV, laughed happily.

This play made him extremely happy.

Although it was just one offense, Phil Jackson no longer worries in his heart that the Boston Celtics will make a comeback.

He even looks forward to meeting the Boston Celtics again in the Finals.

The tactical skill displayed by Fan Xi's recent play gives him ample reason to believe the Lakers will easily defeat the Celtics again.

…

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【Updates of ten thousand words tomorrow.】