harleyscars Chapter 62 The Missing Passing Button
Chapter 62 The Missing Passing Button
2009年2月15日，晚7:00。
Phoenix, American Airlines Center.
The Eastern Conference All-Star team's locker room on the eve of the All-Star Game.
Eastern Conference head coach Mike Brown, the Cavaliers' head coach and LeBron James' most loyal "nanny," is currently holding a whiteboard and solemnly laying out his so-called "tactics."
"Listen, gentlemen. Even though this is just a show, we're going to win."
Mike Brown's gaze swept over every superstar present, finally settling on Li Xiangbei.
"Li, you need to control your playing time tonight."
After those words were spoken, the surroundings became noticeably quiet for a moment.
Li Xiangbei, the all-time leading vote-getter in All-Star history, and the newly crowned dunk champion last night, is actually going to have his playing time restricted?
Mike Brown seemed to have been prepared; he cleared his throat and offered a plausible reason:
"I know you're the top vote-getter and very popular. But against Kobe and Paul in the West, what we need is tough defense. Everyone remembers Kobe scoring 48 points against you two weeks ago, right? That was a defensive lapse."
"The reason the Cavaliers are number one in the East is because our winning culture is built on defense. I hope you understand that in order to win."
What a perfect excuse.
Using "defense" to suppress an offensive rookie is so logically consistent it's laughable.
Li Xiangbei's lips curled into a cold smile.
Defense is the focus of the All-Star Game?
This was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
Who doesn't know that the first three quarters of the All-Star Game are just for show? Mike Brown's words were simply to help LeBron eliminate his MVP rivals.
He glanced at LeBron beside him.
The "little emperor" was facing away from him, pouring magnesium powder onto his hands, seemingly oblivious to everything happening behind him.
Li Xiangbei simply watched the group of people put on a show.
……
Game start.
The starting five for the Eastern Conference are: Li Xiangbei, Wade, James, Garnett, and Howard.
This is a formidable lineup on paper, but on the court, it's like playing "four-on-four basketball".
Paul dribbled up the court in the West and passed the ball to Kobe.
Kobe attempted a three-pointer, but missed.
Howard grabbed the rebound and passed it to James.
Li Xiangbei started running immediately, creating a huge opening. He stood in the corner with his arms outstretched, signaling that he wanted the ball.
James dribbled the ball up the court and saw Li Xiangbei, his gaze lingering on him for a second.
Then, as if he hadn't seen it, he forcibly passed the ball to Wade, who was being double-teamed by Kobe and Paul.
Wade received the ball, didn't even glance at Li Xiangbei, and passed it back to James.
The two started playing a game of tag, or throwing alley-oops to Howard in the paint.
A full five minutes.
Li Xiangbei had no chance to touch the ball on the field except for making shuttle runs.
He was like a transparent person.
Kobe, who was guarding him, couldn't stand it anymore.
Taking advantage of the dead ball situation, Kobe walked over to Li Xiangbei, chewing gum, his tone laced with sarcasm:
"Looks like your 'vote king' title really annoyed them. The 'vote king' can't even touch the ball?"
Kobe pointed to the ball in his hand.
"Want the ball? Beg me, I'll pass it to you."
Li Xiangbei stared coldly at Kobe.
"Shoot your basket, mind your own business."
There are 2 minutes left in the first quarter.
Li Xiangbei finally got his chance—not from a teammate, but by stealing it himself.
When Xi missed his shot, Li Xiangbei leaped high in the crowd and grabbed a long rebound.
He didn't pass the ball, but went straight down the court and dunked.
2 points.
Just 10 seconds later, Mike Brown requested a substitution.
"Mo, replace Li Xiangbei."
Li Xiangbei was substituted off without even breaking a sweat.
……
In the second quarter, the West began their performance.
O'Neal broke into street dance on the court and even tried dribbling the ball across the entire court.
Yao Ming attempted a three-pointer from beyond the arc, drawing cheers from the entire arena.
Kobe and Paul executed a series of flashy passing and cutting plays, flowing seamlessly together.
In contrast, the east.
Because of their clique, ball possession was too concentrated in the hands of James and Wade, leaving other players with no sense of participation, resulting in extremely dry play and low shooting percentage.
Before halftime.
West 75 : East 60
The point difference has widened to 15 points.
Li Xiangbei, on the other hand, sat on the bench for the entire period.
Mike Brown preferred to let Lewis and Mo Williams play the entire quarter rather than let him play even a minute.
In the commentary booth, Barkley finally erupted.
"Mike Brown is committing a crime!! He's committing a crime against the sport of basketball!"
Barkley slammed his fist on the table.
"He benched the dunk contest winner, the all-time leading vote-getter, just to give his cronies playing time and boost their profile?! This is the ugliest and dirtiest moment in All-Star history! He's ruining the show!"
Kenny Smith also shook his head and sighed, "This is blatant exclusion. The locker room politics in the East are horrible."
The internet exploded.
Angry posts flooded various forums:
Disgusting! This is workplace bullying!
"Isn't it too obvious that James and Wade are teaming up? They're not even passing the ball?"
Is this the magnanimity of the top team in the East? Afraid of winning the All-Star MVP in the North?
"Let's show some spirit, Head North! Stop sitting around! Go up there and get to work!"
……
Intermission.
East locker room.
Being down by 15 points was embarrassing for everyone.
Brown also emphasized his "defensive philosophy": "We need more energy! Faster defensive rotations! Don't let those guys in the West have too much fun!"
James and Wade whispered to each other in a corner.
Li Xiangbei sat in a luxurious chair.
Before his eyes, only the system panel he could see was flashing.
[Daily Guaranteed Winning Amount]: 8/8 (Unused).
他看了一眼半场的数据统计单：出场7分钟，2投2中，4分 1篮板 0助攻。
Li Xiangbei stood up and tightened his shoelaces.
He understood the rules of the game.
In this arena of fame and fortune, within this small circle, there is no such thing as fairness, only power.
If you want respect, you have to flip the table.
"You think my defense is bad? You can't get the ball? No problem."
Li Xiangbei's eyes changed.
"Since the pass button is broken, I'm not counting on you guys."
"Rebounds, steals... as long as the ball is in the air and hasn't gone in the basket, it's unclaimed."
"That's mine."
The Eastern Conference All-Stars are ready to take the field.
Li Xiangbei suddenly stopped as he passed James.
He turned his head and gave James a meaningful smile.
"LeBron, make your shots in the second half."
Li Xiangbei patted James on the shoulder with a strong thud.
"Because I don't want to always steal the ball from the opponent. Occasionally... I also want to steal it from my teammates."
James paused for a moment, not understanding what he meant.
Stealing teammates? What does that mean?
Li Xiangbei offered no explanation.
He pushed open the locker room door and strode out.
"The hunt begins."