69novels Chapter 14 The Grandmaster of Run-and-Gun
Chapter 14 The Grandmaster of Run-and-Gun
2008年11月17日，晚7:30。
Madison Square Garden, New York.
Knicks vs. Phoenix Suns.
This is a showdown of "speed and passion," and also a heartwarming reunion of mentor and apprentice.
As the Phoenix Suns players ran out of the tunnel, Madison Square Garden didn't erupt in boos; instead, it was filled with respectful applause. Because the long-haired Canadian leading the way—Steve Nash—was an artist in the eyes of all basketball fans.
Behind him stood the moving mountain, Shaquille O'Neal. Although he was 36 years old, and although his ill-fitting Suns jersey made him look somewhat comical, he remained the most intimidating big man in the league.
On the sidelines, D'Antoni walked towards the away team's bench. Nash came to greet him.
The two embraced tightly. No words were exchanged; the crow's feet around Nash's eyes and D'Antoni's slightly moist eyes said it all. This was a long-awaited reunion between the creator and the executor of the run-and-gun era.
"Mike, your new car looks powerful." Nash let go of Li Xiangbei's hand, glanced at him as he warmed up, and said with a smile.
"That's a Ferrari, Steve," D'Antoni patted his former protégé on the shoulder, "but he still needs to learn how to corner from the best drivers."
……
The first quarter of the game.
The race started with a high-speed mode where the brakes were never applied.
Although Nash is old, his reading of the game is still like that of a god.
With just a glance or a gesture, Amar'e Stoudemire would understand perfectly and make his move.
"Bang!"
A powerful alley-oop dunk! Stoudemire roared as he hung on the rim.
Turning back, Li Xiangbei didn't rush to pass the ball. He knew very well that compared to Nash in terms of passing vision, he was still a novice.
Since we can't pass the ball, we'll exploit your poor defense!
Li Xiangbei holds the ball and faces Nash.
Nash was very aggressive on defense, but his thin frame and increasingly serious back injury made him no match for the young and strong Li Xiangbei.
Li Xiangbei didn't even need fancy dribbling; he simply used his body to lean against the ball and provide enough contact.
Nash stumbled. Li Xiangbei used the momentum to pull up for a jump shot.
"brush!"
The mid-range shot went in.
Next round.
Nash used a pick-and-roll to deliver a stylish no-look bounce pass, assisting Raja Bell for a three-pointer from the corner.
"brush!"
Li Xiangbei immediately responded. He advanced at full speed, taking advantage of the Suns' unsteady footing to launch a three-pointer.
"Bang!"
Throughout the first quarter, it was like a basketball shooting game. You score one, I score one. Defense? Forget about it. Victory was simply scoring one more basket than the other.
End of first quarter: Knicks 35 : Suns 35.
The entire audience was thoroughly entertained. This is what basketball should be! This is what run-and-gun offense should be!
……
Section 2.
The Suns made a substitution. That massive figure—Shaquille O'Neal—swung his enormous body onto the court.
Li Xiangbei's eyes lit up instantly.
"Zach!" Li Xiangbei shouted to Randolph, "Come up and set a screen! Pull that fat guy out of the way!"
Targeted tactics!
As long as O'Neal is on the court, this is a celebration for all guards.
Randolph mentioned a high screen. O'Neal, though extremely reluctant, had no choice but to move out and follow. However, he didn't move too far out, but instead chose to retreat near the free-throw line—a standard strategy for defending smaller players, focusing on preventing drives rather than shots.
Li Xiangbei dribbled the ball to the area between the center circle logo and the three-point line.
Seeing that O'Neal was still huddled inside, she even raised an eyebrow at him.
Li Xiangbei stopped dribbling, grabbed the ball with one hand, pointed at O'Neal who was huddled inside, and shouted loudly:
"Hey Shaq! If you don't come out soon, I'm going to keep pitching until you retire!"
That trash talk was so harsh, and it was so loud that even Spike Lee on the sidelines laughed.
O'Neal was stunned and hadn't reacted yet.
Li Xiangbei jumped directly.
[Guaranteed Credit Limit: Activate]
[Long-range three-pointer]
The basketball traced an extremely exaggerated arc, as if it had been suspended in the air for an eternity.
"brush--!"
Hollow into the network!
O'Neal's expression changed instantly. He hadn't expected this kid to actually dare to shoot from that far, and with such accuracy.
Next round.
O'Neal learned his lesson and had to take heavy steps to the three-point line.
"That's right, Shaq." Li Xiangbei looked at O'Neal, who was panting as he rushed out, and a smile appeared on his lips.
Just as O'Neal shifted his weight forward...
Li Xiangbei made a very large crossover!
"Whoosh!"
Using the explosive power provided by his enhanced body, Li Xiangbei swept across the mountain like a red lightning bolt.
O'Neal tried to turn around and chase back, but his massive body was like an aircraft carrier trying to turn around, and he simply couldn't turn around!
Li Xiangbei drove into the paint, only to find himself completely unmarked.
But he didn't dunk directly.
He deliberately slowed down, made a highly humiliating "looking back at the moon" gesture, watching O'Neal who was still struggling to turn around, and then gently put the ball into the basket.
"beep--!"
The goal stands.
Li Xiangbei landed and returned to defense, passing right by O'Neal, who looked sullen.
He reached out and, with extreme boldness, patted O'Neal's enormous buttocks.
"Snapped!"
"Shaq," Li Xiangbei said with a smile, "your ass is still very sexy, and feels good to the touch. But... it's too heavy."
"You need to lose weight, buddy. Otherwise, you won't even be able to see my taillights."
O'Neal's eyes widened, his beard trembling: "You little brat! I'm going to crush you into a meat patty!!"
But he was just saying it. Because the next second, he had to bend over, clutching his knees and panting heavily. He really... couldn't run anymore.
……
The last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter.
Knicks 110 : Suns 110.
The competition has reached a fever pitch.
Both teams' key players had pushed themselves to the limit. Nash's jersey was soaked with sweat; every sprint was exhausting his back muscles. O'Neal was already sitting on the bench, drinking Gatorade, completely worn out.
Only one person remained as energetic as a monster.
Li Xiangbei.
He dribbled the ball across half-court, looked at the panting Nash on the other side, and a hint of respect flashed in his eyes.
"Steve, watch this move."
Li Xiangbei started it.
Instead of attacking the basket directly, he slipped in along the baseline.
The Suns' defensive attention was entirely drawn to the area under the basket.
Just as Li Xiangbei was about to go out of bounds, he suddenly jumped. But instead of shooting, he seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and swung his hands back!
A behind-the-back pass!
This is Nash's most classic signature move!
The basketball flew precisely to Wilson Chandler, who was left wide open in the left corner.
Chandler catches the ball, jumps, and shoots.
"brush!"
Three point hit!
113:110.
Nash tried to retaliate, but his pass was anticipated by the energetic Li Xiangbei and went out of bounds.
Knicks ball.
This time, Li Xiangbei dribbled into the penalty area, facing a defender named Stoudemire.
Instead of stopping the ball, he jumped on one foot while moving, leaned forward, and gently tossed the ball out with his right hand.
Horseback archery!
That's Nash's signature move again!
The basketball bounced off the backboard and went into the net.
115:110.
That's absolutely devastating! Using your signature move, I'm killing the game right in front of you!
Watching this scene from the sidelines, D'Antoni seemed to see a Nash ten years younger. No, a Nash who was faster, taller, and stronger.
The final whistle blew.
The Knicks defeated the Suns 118-112.
The data was displayed on the big screen:
Li Xiangbei: 38 points, 15 assists, and 3 steals.
Steve Nash: 18 points and 12 assists.
This was a complete victory, both in terms of the data and the result.
After the game, Nash wasn't angry. The debonair master took off his jersey and walked towards Li Xiangbei.
"Well played, kid." Nash handed the jersey to Li Xiangbei, his eyes full of admiration. "Mike has definitely found the engine that suits him best. Your speed... reminds me of myself when I was young."
Li Xiangbei took the jersey and handed over his own number 8 jersey.
"It's my honor, Steve," Li Xiangbei said sincerely. "I'm just standing on the shoulders of giants."
Nash smiled. "No, you're stronger than me. Make good use of this body, don't end up like me, always getting injured."
Just then, a huge dark shadow loomed over.
O'Neal's large face suddenly squeezed into the frame, grabbing Li Xiangbei's neck and nearly strangling him.
"Hey! I want to change my jersey too!"
Shaquille O'Neal yelled at the camera like a giant baby who hadn't grown up yet.
"That kid's so naughty! He keeps teasing my butt! But..."
O'Neal then changed the subject, winking at the camera:
"I could win another championship with him! All he has to do is pass me 10 balls every game! You hear me, Donnie Walsh? Trade me for him! I want to play with this madman!"
The whole room burst into laughter.
Li Xiangbei's face was flushed red from being strangled. He struggled to break free, rubbed his neck, and gave O'Neal a helpless smile.
"Shaq, if you can get down to 300 pounds, I'll pass you 20."
"Deal!" O'Neal answered immediately, then added in a low voice, "That's a matter for the next life."
In the locker room after the game, Li Xiangbei received a text message from Bill Duffy.
"The Under Armour contract is finalized. The equity transfer agreement will be delivered tomorrow. Also, Curry has agreed."
Li Xiangbei looked at his phone, a smile playing on his lips.
Everything is going according to plan.
Just then, a system notification sounded.
[Congratulations, host! You have defeated the "Grandmaster of Run-and-Road" and obtained a special skill pack—"Wind Child's Vision (Low-Tier Version)".]
[Effect: Your passing vision is improved by 20%, but you may occasionally make mistakes because you try to pass too skillfully.]
"A low-end version?" Li Xiangbei muttered.