The Best Point Guard

Chapter 407: Chapter 132: You Are Covering Up a Crime

The luminaries on the sidelines wore expressions of utter disbelief. Isaiah Thomas clutched his head, equally stunned by Su Xi’s explosive power and creativity.

The television cameras also captured Jordan’s surprised expression; he even looked up to watch the slow-motion replay.

While Su Xi’s body control hadn’t reached a god-like level, it was certainly first-class. His flexibility was exceptional, and when combined with his immense strength—a direct contrast to that suppleness—it filled his aerial maneuvers with a unique blend of violence and grace.

Most importantly, he possessed a shrewd, calculating mind and enormous hands. His self-pass for the dunk looked fluid and effortless.

The play caught Jordan’s eye. ’But that doesn’t mean Su Xi is better than me,’ he thought. ’I can make that move too. In fact, I could do it more perfectly—jump, hang in the air for a reverse layup, and slice through the defense with even greater ease.’

Jordan had seen Su Xi play before.

He’d been keeping an eye on him ever since Tony Battie claimed Su Xi was greater than he was.

Jordan was never a magnanimous player. Throughout his career, he would unleash thunderous retaliation on anyone who dared to challenge his authority. It was how he maintained his dominion over the league.

In Jordan’s mind, ’Su Xi’s overall ability doesn’t even come close to my prime. He’s not even on the level of my second season. He doesn’t have that elite scoring touch, that offensive firepower that transcends any system.’

’This lack of offensive firepower is Su Xi’s biggest weakness. It forces him to act as a playmaker and do a lot of extra work to connect the team.’

’Besides, he’s only 192 cm tall, even with a long wingspan. On a basketball court, that height is a major limitation. Add in his average vertical, and there’s not much he can do in the air inside the paint.’

Jordan conceded that Su Xi’s overall skill definitely qualified him as a modern-day superstar. Placed back in Jordan’s era, with the right teammates, he’d have a good shot at a championship.

’But compared to me? He’s still a long, long way off.’

Jordan sat there, his eyes still fixed on the court.

He still didn’t like Su Xi. He’d felt an inexplicable dislike for him from the very first time they met.

It was one of those strange, inexplicable things. Like a tiger disliking a lion for no reason it can articulate.

Since entering the league, Su Xi had repeatedly broken records and just kept getting better. He won a championship and the Finals MVP in his rookie season, and now, in his second year, he was gunning for another title.

General managers from all over the league were desperate for a sit-down with him, everyone eagerly anticipating where he would go next. Even Jordan had been asked by his own management to come here and talk to Su Xi. He hadn’t wanted to come; he figured that if Su Xi was leaving Indiana, there was no way he’d come to his team in Charlotte.

’What do the Bobcats have to offer him?’

The team’s majority owner had said, "We have you. If you tell him, ’I’ll teach you how to dominate the NBA,’ he’ll definitely come."

Jordan, not one to be falsely modest, had to admit it made sense. So, he came.

And upon arriving, he saw that his counterparts from all over the league had rushed here too.

He felt an inexplicable twinge of jealousy. Even when his contract with the Bulls had expired, and teams from all over the league were clamoring for him, they had never shown up in such a unified force.

Especially when he ran into Isaiah Thomas.

Isaiah Thomas was very close with Su Xi.

The guy had even helped Su Xi’s Chinese Team win an Olympic gold medal last year.

So, when a group of them were chatting before the game, the guy had deliberately raised his voice, "Hey, did you guys watch the Athens Olympics last year? I got a gold medal too!"

He was talking to Magic Johnson, but he intentionally cranked up the volume.

Jordan knew. ’He’s doing it just to provoke me.’

It was payback for being left off the Dream Team all those years ago.

Now, helping the Chinese Team win Olympic gold was undoubtedly a form of sweet revenge.

When he returned to New York last summer, he’d flaunted that gold medal every single day.

He’d brought it tonight, too, parading around with it hanging from his neck.

The game continued.

The two teams traded blows, going back and forth.

In Jordan’s eyes, these were two teams with superb tactical cohesion and discipline. The San Antonio Spurs had their advantages, and the Pacers had their strengths. Moreover, both teams were built on a foundation of defense, with their offense serving as the icing on the cake.

As Jordan saw it, even without Su Xi, the Pacers could still contend for the championship against the Spurs with a decent point guard.

With Su Xi, their chances were just that much better. Case in point: they were up 3-0.

Tonight, aside from that one flashy play at the beginning, Su Xi had spent the rest of his time as the primary penetrator. He relentlessly broke down the San Antonio Spurs’ defense off the dribble before dishing the ball to his teammates.

His teammates were playing exceptionally well, completely locked in.

Artest, Stephen Jackson, and even Jordan’s old rival Reggie Miller were all having outstanding games. In the paint, Little O’Neal, Foster, Tony Battie, and the others were also contributing heavily.

The San Antonio Spurs’ own key players were also firing on all cylinders, with forwards Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry, and Brent Barry all making contributions.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 27-28.

The Pacers led by one.

At the end of the second quarter, it was 51-53.

The Pacers led by two.

After the third quarter, the score was 71-74.

The Pacers led by three.

Charles Barkley quipped on television, "If I’m not mistaken, the Pacers are going to win by four points tonight."

Although it was a joke, everyone was inclined to believe the Pacers would indeed win.

The Pacers were simply playing great basketball. Su Xi’s command of the game was meticulous; he was like an actuary, finding opportunities in the dynamic flow of offense and defense, fighting to secure every last inch of a lead for his team.

BZZT!

The whistle blew, and the fourth quarter began.

Both teams brought in players from their rotation.

Su Xi took the floor with Artest, Reggie Miller, Tony Battie, and Foster.

For the San Antonio Spurs, it was Tony Parker, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Robert Horry, and Duncan.

On the first possession, Su Xi ran a pick-and-roll with Tony Battie. He drove to the basket, baited Robert Horry out of position, and drew the help defense from Duncan before feeding the ball to Foster. Just as Foster caught the pass, Bruce Bowen came from behind and smacked him hard across the bridge of his nose. Foster’s nose immediately began to bleed profusely.

Bowen’s blatantly malicious foul sparked an argument on the court, but the head referee, surprisingly, did not call a technical foul on him.

He merely stopped the game to let Foster go to the sideline and get cleaned up.

Little O’Neal returned to the game.

He was to shoot the two free throws.

Su Xi walked over to Bruce Bowen and warned him, "Keep your dirty hands to yourself. You can’t afford the price of making me angry."

Bowen put on an innocent act, even holding his palms up. "Jack, I was really just playing normal defense."

Su Xi stared into his eyes. "You dare say that again and swear to God?"

Bowen’s eyes darted away. "It was an accident," he muttered.

Little O’Neal made both free throws.

The game resumed.

Su Xi brought the ball past half-court. When Bowen came up to guard him, Su Xi didn’t engage, instead passing the ball to Little O’Neal.

Little O’Neal had the advantage over Horry.

He used some slick footwork, spun, and scored.

But the referee blew his whistle, waving off the basket. He called a foul on Bruce Bowen.

Over in the corner, Reggie Miller was on the ground, clutching his ankle.

A moment earlier, as Reggie Miller was making a cut, Bruce Bowen had extended his right foot and left hand. He gave Miller a push with his left hand while simultaneously lifting his right foot to trip him.

Miller’s foot twisted, causing him to lose his balance and fall hard.

Su Xi exploded with rage. He charged forward to grab Bowen by the collar, but Bowen quickly backed away toward his bench.

Tony Battie quickly wrapped his arms around Su Xi. "Jack, Jack! Calm down! Let me handle this! This kind of thing is my job!"

The referee also came over to warn Su Xi, "Don’t lose your composure."

Su Xi confronted the referee. "Why won’t you give him a technical? Both of his fouls were malicious attempts to injure someone! You should go to the scorer’s table and look at the replay! You’re protecting a criminal!"

Su Xi pointed right in the referee’s face.

The referee didn’t respond to Su Xi.

Su Xi strode over to the scorer’s table and slammed his hand down hard. "Look at the replay! Look at the replay!"

TWEET!

The referee walked over and gave Su Xi a technical foul.

The San Antonio Spurs’ home crowd erupted.

A faint smile touched Popovich’s lips.

After getting the technical foul, Su Xi simply stopped moving. He sat right down on the scorer’s table.

His eyes were fixed on David Stern, who was sitting not far away.

He needed an answer.

...