The Best Point Guard

Chapter 381: Chapter 119: [I Suddenly Thought of Something Funny]

O’Neal was angry.

O’Neal was the biggest, most dominant center in the NBA. He usually seemed like a happy-go-lucky guy, very magnanimous.

But in reality, he was as petty as they come.

Otherwise, how could things with Kobe have gotten so bad?

Kobe had his faults, and O’Neal had his flaws.

After getting his shot blocked, he immediately ran over to Billups. He "reminded" him, "Pass the ball properly."

The tone of this "reminder" was anything but friendly, filled with a commanding air.

Billups wasn’t about to take that crap. He turned and walked straight to the bench. ’Fuck this, I’m out. Let someone else deal with it.’

Billups was never comfortable with the All-Star atmosphere anyway; he was just here for the ride. He was confident in his passing skills. O’Neal getting blocked and then taking it out on him? He’d picked the wrong guy. ’I’m no pushover.’

Billups had just quit.

O’Neal couldn’t help but look toward the sideline, his eyes filled with a plea for help. His gaze shifted between Iverson and Su Xi, clearly saying: ’For the sake of the East, give a brother a hand.’

Su Xi remained perfectly still, waiting for his moment.

It was the ever-loyal Iverson who stood up and went in to save the day.

But were Iverson and O’Neal a good match?

Iverson went in, got the ball, drove two steps, found an opening, and put up a jumper... SWISH!

Iverson scored.

On the way back to their side of the court, O’Neal couldn’t resist putting an arm around Iverson’s shoulder. "Bro! Pass me the ball. I’m gonna destroy Kobe."

His voice was urgent, his mood desperate.

But Iverson truly couldn’t help himself.

He was a born scorer. If he saw an opportunity and didn’t take the shot, he’d wake up from nightmares in the middle of the night. ’It’s a sin not to take what heaven provides.’

Still, Iverson promised O’Neal he would pass him the ball.

Play resumed on the other end. Kobe cleared out for an isolation play against Pierce’s defense. He adopted a powerful offensive rhythm, and even though Pierce’s defense was solid, Kobe still sank the ball with a turnaround jumper.

This offense and defense was truly a top-tier matchup.

Watching it was a delight for Su Xi.

Just then, a thought suddenly popped into his head: ’If I keep clanking shots while double-teamed by several stars, wouldn’t my super offensive technique evolve faster?’

Currently, after clanking shots for more than half a season, Su Xi’s super offensive technique had risen to 85. He could handle regular one-on-one defense with ease. Against two defenders, his shooting percentage dropped a bit. Against three, he could focus on clanking shots and absorbing experience.

In this regard, Kobe was more uninhibited.

He didn’t care how many people were defending him. When he wanted to take a shot, not even God could stop him.

CLANK!

Iverson shot again, and this time, he bricked it.

O’Neal had already established position on Yao Ming under the basket.

But Iverson just didn’t pass. It was such a great opportunity, he couldn’t hold back. ’Only one defender? Isn’t this a freebie?’

Fortunately, Little O’Neal tipped the rebound. He tipped it to Pierce, who scored with a floater.

The two teams went back and forth for another three possessions.

Kobe was getting hotter with every play, while O’Neal had come up completely empty.

It looked like the West was about to completely take control of the game’s tempo.

With five minutes left, O’Neal personally came over to Su Xi. "Jack, help me out. I can’t let Kobe get this year’s All-Star MVP. He’ll definitely make a huge deal out of it."

Su Xi frowned. On one hand was O’Neal’s plea, and on the other was his long-standing friendship with Kobe Bryant.

"You know Kobe and I are on pretty good terms," Su Xi said.

"Jack, if the East wins tonight, I’ll treat everyone to a huge meal," O’Neal said loudly, pounding his chest. At the same time, he leaned in and whispered in Su Xi’s ear, "And I’ll give you a separate gift, just for you."

"Uh..." Su Xi put on a troubled expression. "I can go in. But... the way I play might not be what you’re expecting."

"That’s fine, Jack. Don’t I know you? You’re the best passer in the world, you’re a master at teamwork. With us together, even if you tied all the Western Conference All-Stars together, they’d be no match for us."

"In that case... once I’m on the court, you have to listen to me," Su Xi continued.

"Guaranteed. No problem."

"Alright then."

Su Xi nodded.

Rick Carlisle made the following change: Su Xi in at the one, partnering with Arenas, Pierce, Little O’Neal, and Big O’Neal.

BZZT!

The whistle blew.

The game resumed.

As Su Xi took the court, he instructed everyone, "My game plan is to mainly clank shots, so I’ll draw the defense for you guys. Shaq, Jermaine, you need to crash the offensive boards. Gilbert, Paul, when they get the rebound, you cut to the basket. Get the ball and go right for the second-chance bucket."

Huh?

O’Neal felt something was off.

"I shoot, you get the rebound. It’ll make you feel like you’re back on the peak Lakers."

Su Xi patted O’Neal’s shoulder.

Then, the ball was inbounded.

The West’s lineup at this time was their starting five, which was, in theory, their strongest possible lineup.

Kobe stared at Su Xi. "What are you coming in for now? You guys are already down by four."

"To clank some shots."

Su Xi said with a smile.

Reaching the three-point line, he hesitated for a moment, then took a big step to drive past Kobe Bryant’s left side, heading straight for Kevin Garnett.

Garnett immediately came over to provide help defense.

Kobe and Garnett, two All-Defensive First Team players.

Su Xi instantly felt the collision of talent as the defensive pressure magnified infinitely.

It was almost the toughest double-team he had ever faced.

Because Tracy McGrady, seeing an opportunity, joined in as well.