Chapter 28: Stranglehold Defense
That elbow strike was both vicious and cunning, jabbing right into the softest spot below Lin Feng's ribs.
The sharp pain caused his breathing to hitch abruptly.
Lin Feng's body swayed for a moment, but he didn't make a sound, nor did he theatrically collapse or angrily complain to the referee like many other players would have.
He simply steadied himself, and while everyone was focused on Paul and Griffin completing the alley-oop, he turned his head and shot a deep look at Matt Barnes, who was running back to defend.
There was no anger or pain in that gaze, only a cold, icy calm.
Barnes felt his gaze, looked back, and grinned at him, silently mouthing a word.
"Welcome."
Lin Feng withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened.
But he knew this was just the beginning.
This was a "greeting" from an enforcer, an appetizer for this war of attrition.
In the following possessions, the situation on the court confirmed his judgment.
Lakers' possession.
Lin Feng began his off-ball movement again, but Barneswas like a shadow.
No, he was even more loathsome than a shadow.
His body was like a moving wall, constantly squeezing Lin Feng's space.
His hands were always in the referee's blind spots, pulling or grabbing.
His trash talk was like a fly, buzzing in Lin Feng's ear.
"Is that all the strength you have, Chinese kid?"
"Run faster, I haven't even warmed up yet!"
"Your teammates don't seem to trust you; they aren't passing you the ball."
Lin Feng felt as if he were stuck in a quagmire, every step a struggle.
Even touching the basketball had become a luxury.
Nash tried to pass to him several times, but Barnes' defense was like a lock, firmly sealing off all connection between Lin Feng and the ball.
On the sideline, head coach D'Antoni's brow furrowed tightly.
He had expected the Clippers to focus on Lin Feng, but he hadn't anticipated their defensive strategy being so extreme and targeted.
This was no longer defense.
This was a stranglehold.
They wanted to completely snuff out the Lakers' sharpest offensive arrow right from the start of the game.
"Mitch, this bastard's play is too dirty!" the assistant coach couldn't help but curse under his breath.
D'Antoni said nothing, but his eyes were filled with worry as he watched the figure wearing number 1, still running tirelessly on the court.
On the court, Lin Feng showed no sign of discouragement or anxiety.
Since the opponent was focusing all their attention on him, he might as well act as bait.
During one possession, Lin Feng suddenly accelerated, sprinting toward the left corner.
Barnes immediately followed him like a hound.
The Clippers' wing defenders also subconsciously collapsed toward Lin Feng's side, wary of his sudden three-pointers.
They maintained the highest level of vigilance against this monster who had sunk twelve three-pointers in the preseason.
However, Lin Feng was just a decoy.
His movement acted like a magnet, instantly pulling the Clippers' defensive focus to the wing.
On the other side of the court, a massive opening appeared.
How could Steve Nash, the wizard of the court, miss such an opportunity?
With a flick of his wrist,
The basketball seemed to take on a life of its own, threading through the gaps to find the cutting center, Chris Kaman, with precision.
Kaman caught the ball and finished with an easy layup.
The shot went in.
The Lakers finally scored.
The next possession followed almost the same pattern.
Lin Feng once again used his frantic off-ball movement to stretch Barnes and the Clippers' defensive formation.
Nash delivered another brilliant pass, assisting Kaman to draw a foul under the basket and score two points from free throws.
Using this method, the Lakers temporarily stabilized their precarious situation.
At the commentary desk, Kenny Smith saw what was happening.
"Lin Feng is very smart!"
"While being completely locked down, he didn't let his ego get the better of him against Barnes. Instead, he used his three-point threat to create scoring opportunities for his teammates."
"This is the playstyle of a mature player; it's hard to believe he's just a rookie."
Barkley also nodded: "Yes, but this can't go on forever. The Lakers need their primary scorer to step up."
The first quarter reached its final two minutes.
The Lakers trailed by 6 points.
D'Antoni didn't call a timeout; he trusted the players on the court to adjust themselves.
Another offensive play.
Lin Feng was still running.
His lungs felt like they were on fire, and his legs were starting to feel heavy.
Barnes' defensive intensity hadn't dropped for a single second since the game started.
Just then, Gasol set an extremely solid off-ball screen for Lin Feng at the high post.
His massive frame, like a literal wall, stood firmly in the way of Barnes' pursuit.
"Thump!"
Barnes crashed headlong into Gasol.
It was that one-in-a-million moment!
Lin Feng curled out and finally received Nash's pass a step beyond the three-point line!
This was the first time this game he had caught the ball in a position where he could shoot comfortably.
The Lakers fans in the arena subconsciously stood up.
But Barnes reacted incredibly fast after being bumped.
Like an enraged bull, he skirted around the screen and lunged frantically toward Lin Feng!
His eyes were bloodshot as he launched himself into the air, arm outstretched, desperate to block the shot entirely.
There was no time to make any adjustments.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate.
He jumped the moment he caught the ball, forcing his body into a fadeaway in mid-air to avoid the block.
Relying on the muscle memory granted by Shintaro Midorima's Full-Court Three-Pointer, he released the ball just before Barnes' fingers could touch it.
It was a forced shot of extremely high difficulty.
After the release, Lin Feng was even a bit unsteady on his feet when landing because the fadeaway was so pronounced.
He gasped for air, feeling that this single shot had consumed a massive amount of physical energy.
Every eye in the arena followed the spinning basketball through the air.
The arc of the ball was somewhat high.
"Swish!"
The sound was crisp.
The ball rattled around the rim for a moment before finally dropping in!
Three-pointer made!
The purple and gold half of the Staples Center erupted completely!
"Lin! Great job!" Nick Young waved a towel on the bench.
Kobe, sitting on the sideline, also showed a hint of approval on his face.
However, after the basket, Lin Feng didn't even have time to catch his breath.
Matt Barnes scrambled up from the floor and walked over to him.
There was no frustration or anger on his face; instead, he wore a morbid smile.
He leaned into Lin Feng's ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear,
"See that, rookie?"
"Every point you get is going to cost you a layer of skin."
The buzzer for the end of the first quarter sounded at that moment.
Lin Feng stood in place, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving violently.
He looked at the scoreboard.
Lakers 25, Clippers 30. They still trailed by 5 points.
And he himself, after a massive expenditure of physical energy, had only managed those 3 hard-earned points.
He realized a serious problem.
If he only relied on shooting, under this kind of reckless, brutal attrition from Barnes, he might very well be worn to death tonight.
Chapter 29: Kobe's Halftime Teachings
The break ended, and the second quarter began.
Lin Feng stepped back onto the court, the dull ache in his ribs still present, but he had completely adapted.
He adjusted his breathing, his gaze even more focused than in the first quarter.
Lakers' offense.
Lin Feng no longer simply ran aimlessly over long distances as he had in the first quarter.
He began to try out some of the footwork techniques Kobe had taught him in the past few days.
Beyond the three-point line, he received a pass from Nash. This was his first touch in the second quarter.
Matt Barnes instantly stuck to him, his chest against Lin Feng's back, arms spread out like a large net.
Lin Feng lowered his center of gravity, using his left foot as an axis, and took a probing step to the right, feigning a breakthrough.
At the same time, his shoulders swayed in coordination, trying to fool Barnes.
This was what Kobe taught him: using footwork and subtle body movements to create shooting space.
However, Barnes was like an experienced bulldog.
He didn't fall for Lin Feng's fake moves at all.
His lower body was as steady as a rock, his feet not moving an inch, only using stronger physical confrontation to disrupt Lin Feng's balance.
"Is that all you've got, rookie?"
Barnes's voice rang in his ear.
Lin Feng ignored him, quickly retracted his steps, and followed with a back spin.
The movement was fluid.
But the moment he turned, Barnes's omnipresent arm wrapped around him and slapped fiercely at the basketball in his hands.
"Slap!"
The basketball slipped out of his grasp!
Lin Feng's heart sank, and he immediately turned to retrieve it.
But it was too late.
Another Clippers player had already gained possession and immediately passed it to Chris Paul.
Another fast break, the Clippers' favorite!
"Get back on defense!" Nash yelled.
But the Clippers' offense was too fast.
Paul dribbled like the wind, and before the Lakers' defense could set, he had already reached the free-throw line.
DeAndre Jordan in the paint moved up, blocking the trailing Kaman.
Paul didn't look at the hoop; with a flick of his wrist, he made a brilliant bounce pass.
The ball threaded through the defenders and found its way to Blake Griffin, who was cutting on the other side.
Griffin caught the ball, took a step, and soared into the air.
"Boom!"
Another tomahawk dunk!
In the Staples Center, the cheers from the Clippers fans were deafening.
At the commentary desk, Barkley shook his head.
"Lin Feng is too eager to solve problems with skill, but he's facing Matt Barnes."
"Players like Barnes don't care how good your technique is; he'll just use the most primitive physical confrontation to destroy you."
On the court, Lin Feng watched Barnes, who was retreating on defense, provocatively lift his chin at him.
In the following few possessions, Lin Feng fell into an even deeper quagmire.
He tried to drive, but Barnes's physical confrontation prevented him from even taking the first step.
He tried to run off-ball, but Barnes used even fiercer entanglement and more small fouls to wear him down.
Midway through the second quarter.
A Lakers' offensive possession.
Lin Feng held the ball at the right 45-degree angle, with little time left on the shot clock.
He looked at Barnes, who refused to yield an inch, gritted his teeth, and decided to force a drive!
He suddenly dipped his shoulder, using all his strength to squeeze towards the paint.
He created half a step of space!
But just as he burst into the paint, a dark shadow lunged from the side.
DeAndre Jordan!
The Clippers' center abandoned his defensive assignment, Gasol, and came over to help.
He and Barnes formed a perfect trap defense!
"Bang!"
Lin Feng felt like he had run into a wall.
DeAndre Jordan's large, fanning hand came down hard, swatting the basketball out of his hands.
The ball flew out and landed in Chris Paul's hands again.
Another identical fast break.
Paul assisted Griffin, who once again performed an alley-oop dunk.
The point differential was stretched to double digits.
"Lin Feng is completely shut down!"
"The Clippers' defensive strategy against him is too successful. Barnes's one-on-one defense, coupled with Jordan's help defense, has left him helpless."
Online, discussions about this game had erupted.
"LOL, Barnes is really teaching him a lesson!"
"Where's that Chinese kid? Where's his three-pointer? Why does he fold under pressure?"
"I told you, he's just a lucky shooter. He got lucky in the preseason, but in the regular season, he's back to his true form."
"Soft! What else can he do besides shoot? He's like a baby when he's guarded closely."
Insults and doubts poured in from all directions.
The first half was nearing its end.
The Lakers' last possession.
Lin Feng fought with all his might and finally found a sliver of space in the left corner during a chaotic scramble.
Nash's pass arrived just in time.
Barnes frantically lunged at him again.
Lin Feng had no time to think; he caught the ball and shot.
His body twisted into an incredible angle in the air, and relying on his strong core strength and muscle memory, he threw the ball out.
The basketball arced incredibly high.
"Swish!"
A clean swish!
Another difficult three-pointer!
But this basket felt more like a futile struggle.
The buzzer sounded, ending the first half.
On the scoreboard, it was 52 to 62.
The Lakers were trailing the Clippers by 10 points.
Lin Feng propped his hands on his knees, panting heavily.
In the first half, he had only scored 6 points.
Two miraculous shots.
Other than that, he had made no offensive contributions and even had two crucial turnovers.
He dragged his heavy steps towards the players' tunnel.
At the tunnel entrance, Barnes was waiting for him.
"Six points in a half, lucky you, kid."
Barnes patted his shoulder with a smile.
"In the second half, I won't let you score a single point."
Lin Feng didn't look at him and walked straight past.
In the Lakers' locker room, the atmosphere was terribly oppressive.
The players were dejected, towels covering their heads, no one speaking.
Only Nick Young's complaints broke the silence.
"Fxxk! Are the referees blind?"
"Every move that Barnes guy made was a foul! He almost just hugged Lin!"
"How are we supposed to play like this?"
Several veterans also chimed in, complaining about the referees' officiating.
Coach D'Antoni stood in front of the tactical board, his face ashen, not saying a word.
The entire locker room was filled with an atmosphere of defeat and frustration.
Just then, the locker room door was pushed open.
Kobe, dressed in a sharp suit, walked in.
Despite his injured left foot, he still carried a powerful aura as he walked.
The locker room instantly fell silent.
Everyone's complaints ceased abruptly.
Kobe didn't look at anyone; he walked directly to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng was sitting on a chair, wiping sweat from his face with a towel. He looked up at Kobe.
Everyone held their breath, awaiting the black mamba's wrath.
They thought Kobe would scold Lin Feng for his terrible performance in the first half.
However, Kobe simply looked at him calmly and spoke.
His voice was low, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"He's provoking you because he wants you to play at his pace."
"He uses trash talk, small fouls, and brutal collisions because he wants to get under your skin, he wants you to get physical with him."
Kobe's gaze was sharp.
"But that's his territory, not yours."
Lin Feng was stunned.
Kobe continued, "You tried to use footwork to get past him, tried back spins, tried to force a drive. You were challenging him at what he does best, using his methods."
"And the result?"
Lin Feng was silent.
The result was turnovers, steals, and blocks.
In the locker room, everyone listened quietly.
Kobe didn't stop; he posed a question.
"What is your weapon?"
Lin Feng almost instinctively replied, "Shooting."
Kobe shook his head.
"No."
His voice was decisive.
"It's the 'threat' of shooting."
"Your weapon is the threat that makes your opponent afraid to give you even an inch of space. Why is Barnessticking to you like a mad dog? Because he's afraid of your three-pointer."
"He's afraid, so he puts all his energy into physical confrontation."
"And you, you foolishly walked right into the trap he set for you."
Kobe leaned down and whispered into Lin Feng's ear.
"Use your basketball IQ to defeat him, not your fists, or your immature footwork."
"Make him pay for his own defensive strategy."
These few words were like a flash of lightning, clearing the fog in Lin Feng's mind.
The 'threat' of shooting... defeating him with basketball IQ... he suddenly understood.
He understood.
He completely understood Kobe's meaning.
In the first half, he was led by Barnes's pace, solely focused on how to shake him off and score against him.
He had gotten caught in a personal battle with Barnes.
And Kobe had enlightened him.
The true weapon wasn't making the shot, but making the opponent fear the 'possibility' of you making that shot.
Lin Feng looked up, the confusion in his eyes swept away, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and calmness.
He looked at Kobe and nodded solemnly.
In the second half, he would show Matt Barnes what it meant to be too clever by half.
Chapter 30: Playing with Your Brain
The whistle for the second half was about to sound. Players filed out from the tunnel, returning to the brightly lit court.
The faces of the Lakers players still held a trace of solemnity. The ten-point deficit weighed on their minds like a stone.
Except for Lin Feng.
He walked in the middle of the pack, his face showing none of the fatigue or struggle from the first half.
His expression was calm, so calm it was almost indifferent.
The anxious, desperate desire to prove himself that had filled his dark eyes in the first half had vanished without a trace, replaced by a clear, placid lake, utterly undisturbed.
He simply stretched his wrists and ankles, as if what was coming wasn't an intense Rivalry Game, but an ordinary shooting drill.
On the sidelines, Kobe keenly noticed the change in Lin Feng.
The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
The kid listened.
On the commentary desk, Kenny Smith noticed it too.
"Lin Feng looks... different."
"His body language is relaxed, completely unlike someone who was locked down and only scored 6 points in a half."
Barkley grunted.
"Maybe he's given up."
"Under that savage defense from Matt Barnes, any rookie's confidence would be shattered."
"He's probably accepted his fate of being shut out tonight."
On the Clippers' side of the court, Matt Barnes saw Lin Feng.
Seeing Lin Feng's utterly unperturbed demeanor made the fire in his belly burn even hotter.
Putting on an act.
He made a throat-slashing gesture in Lin Feng's direction, the malice in his eyes unconcealed.
In the second half, he was going to make sure this kid couldn't even touch the ball.
The game began.
The Clippers had the first possession. Paul orchestrated the offense, but his mid-range jumper missed against the Lakers' collapsing defense.
Gasol boxed out and secured the defensive rebound cleanly.
Possession changed, Lakers on offense!
Nash dribbled slowly up the court, his eyes immediately finding Lin Feng.
Lin Feng had already positioned himself at the right-wing, about a 45-degree angle from the three-point line.
Matt Barnes arrived as expected, sticking to him like a plaster, his chest pressed tightly against Lin Feng's back, his arms spread wide, covering all possible passing lanes.
The same suffocating defense as the first half.
Nash hesitated; he couldn't find a passing angle.
Just then, Lin Feng suddenly made a backdoor cut, using Kaman's screen to move towards the top of the key.
Barnes immediately fought through the screen, staying right on him step for step.
Lin Feng didn't stop. He changed direction again, looping around, and returned to his original spot.
A simple off-ball move, yet it successfully created a fleeting moment of space to receive the pass.
Nash understood instantly. With a flick of his wrist, the ball was delivered precisely.
Lin Feng caught the ball!
This was his first possession of the second half!
In the Staples Center, the hearts of all Lakers fans were in their throats.
The moment Lin Feng caught the ball, Barnes had already readjusted his position. His whole body was like a coiled leopard ready to pounce, his center of gravity low, his eyes locked onto the basketball in Lin Feng's hands.
All his attention was focused on preventing Lin Feng from shooting.
Those two difficult three-pointers from the first half were still fresh in his memory.
He absolutely would not allow this kid to score another basket in his face!
On the court, Lin Feng held the ball, crouching slightly.
His shoulders rose, his knees bent, and he brought the ball up towards his head.
It was a standard shooting motion!
He was going to shoot!
Barnes' brain made the judgment in an instant.
He was utterly deceived by Lin Feng's first-half performance, convinced that Lin Feng's only threat was his shot.
"No way!"
Barnes roared, channeling all his strength into his legs and leaping into the air recklessly, stretching his arm to its limit like a giant net, aiming to smother Lin Feng.
He was going to use a chasedown block to completely shatter this rookie's confidence!
He jumped very high.
High enough to block a shot from any angle.
However, just as he reached the peak of his jump, the basketball vanished from his sight.
Lin Feng hadn't jumped at all.
His feet were still planted firmly on the floor.
It was just an incredibly realistic, perfectly detailed shot fake.
In Lin Feng's eyes, there was only calm.
He looked at the figure in the air, flailing wildly but completely off-balance.
"He took the bait."
He thought to himself.
Lin Feng pulled the ball back, pivoted on his left foot, and turned his body with a very light touch.
Just like that, he easily blew past the desperately blocking Barnes with a single step!
The defense was breached!
"Not good!"
Inside for the Clippers, Blake Griffin reacted extremely quickly, immediately rushing out from the paint to attempt a help defense.
He was like a beast, spreading his arms wide, blocking Lin Feng's driving lane.
If it were the Lin Feng from the first half, he might have tried a forced layup, only to get swatted by Griffin's help defense.
But now, he wouldn't.
In Lin Feng's field of vision, a huge gap appeared behind Griffin.
Pau Gasol was completely wide open.
Without the slightest hesitation, the moment he drew Griffin's full attention, Lin Feng flicked his wrist.
The ball didn't fly towards the basket, but rather a precise bounce pass that went right past Griffin's feet.
The ball bounced up and landed securely in Gasol's hands.
The Spanish Bull caught the ball, with no one within three meters of him.
He even had time to take a breath.
Then, easily and gracefully, he took the mid-range jump shot.
"Swish!"
The ball went through the net cleanly!
54 to 62!
The deficit was cut to 8 points!
"Yes!"
After scoring, Gasol didn't retreat on defense as usual. Instead, he excitedly pointed a finger from afar towards Lin Feng.
That pass was so clever!
He had fooled the Clippers' fiercest defender in the simplest way!
On the sidelines, D'Antoni's tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.
He understood. Kobe's teaching had taken effect!
Lin Feng was starting to play with his brain!
Clippers on offense.
Perhaps affected by the Lakers' easy score, Chris Paul's drive looked a bit rushed, resulting in a small passing error that was stolen by Nash.
The Lakers regained possession!
Nash dribbled across half-court, glanced at the already positioned Lin Feng, and passed him the ball again.
The same spot.
The same matchup.
Matt Barnes stood in front of Lin Feng, his expression extremely ugly.
Being faked out of his shoes on the last possession made him feel like a clown.
"You think the same trick will work again?"
He squeezed the words out through gritted teeth, his gaze fierce.
Lin Feng didn't answer him.
He caught the ball and executed the exact same motion as before.
Knees bent, rising up, bringing the ball up.
Another shot fake!
Barnes' body tensed up instantly!
In his mind, two thoughts fought wildly.
Jump? Or not jump?
Jump, and he might get blown by again, becoming a highlight reel victim.
Don't jump, and what if he actually shoots this time?
He was scared.
He didn't dare to commit fully like he did before.
It was that 0.5 seconds of hesitation!
For a top-tier shooter, that half-second is the distance between heaven and hell.
Lin Feng caught the hesitation in his eyes.
This time, the fake became real.
His legs exploded with force, his body leaping lightly upward, his wrist flicking softly.
The entire motion was fluid, so fast it was just a blur.
By the time Barnes reacted and tried to reach out to contest, it was too late.
The ball had already left his fingertips, flying through the air.
Drawing a perfect arc.
"Swish!"
Another crisp, pleasant sound.
Three-pointer made!
57 to 62!
The deficit was now only 5 points!
The Staples Center, a sea of Purple and Gold, completely erupted!
Fans wildly chanted Lin Feng's name!
Matt Barnes landed, staring blankly at the back of the number 1 jersey retreating on defense.
His mind was a complete mess.
Jump, and he gets blown by.
Don't jump, and he gets the shot off.
He felt trapped in an unsolvable loop.
The initiative was completely out of his hands now.
His proud, savage defense had become a laughable trap in the face of Lin Feng's basketball IQ, and he himself was the prey that had fallen into it.
"Beeeeep——!"
The Clippers head coach couldn't take it anymore and called a timeout.
On the court, the Lakers players excitedly gathered around.
"Well done, Lin!"
"Just like that! Play him to death!"
Nick Young rushed over and gave Lin Feng a hard chest bump.
Gasol also walked over, patted the back of his head, his face full of approval.
Lin Feng just calmly high-fived his teammates and then walked towards the bench.
His gaze passed over everyone, landing on the man in the suit.
Kobe sat there, slowly giving him a thumbs-up.
The rest of the game completely entered Lin Feng's rhythm.
After the timeout, Lin Feng held the ball beyond the three-point line again.
He didn't even do anything, just raised the ball slightly.
Barnes, like a startled bird, instinctively took half a step back, afraid of getting blown by again.
Lin Feng smiled.
He seized the gap, delivering a precise lob pass to Chris Kaman inside.
Kaman caught it, powered to the basket, drew a foul, and made both free throws.
Next possession.
Lin Feng used a shot fake and once again sent the already mentally shaken Barnes flying.
He drove into the paint, drawing the defensive attention of the entire Clippers team.
Then, a no-look pass to a completely wide-open Nash in the corner.
The veteran Nash calmly drained the open three!
The deficit was erased!
Chapter 31: First Glimpse of a Superstar
Kobe sat on the sidelines and slowly raised his thumb towards Lin Feng.
This simple gesture was precisely captured by the courtside cameras and projected onto the giant screen at the Staples Center.
The entire arena erupted in thunderous applause.
Receiving such direct affirmation from Kobe Bryant was the highest honor for a rookie on the Lakers.
The expression on the Clippers head coach Del Negro's face darkened, looking like it could drip water.
He had called this timeout to calm Matt Barnes down and reorganize the defense.
But now it seemed not only had it failed to have any effect, it had instead allowed the Lakers' momentum to fully erupt.
"Matt! Stick to him! Don't give him any space to shoot! Use your body!"
Del Negro roared loudly at Barnes, having lost his usual composure.
Barnes nodded heavily, his eyes bloodshot, his teeth grinding audibly.
The timeout ended, and the game resumed.
The Clippers' offense, perhaps affected by the atmosphere on the court, seemed disjointed. In the end, Griffin took a forced shot that bounced off the rim.
The Lakers secured the rebound and immediately launched a fast break.
Nash dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, scanned the floor, and finally passed the ball to Lin Feng at the top of the key.
Now, Lin Feng was the sole tactical focal point on the court for the Lakers.
"Stop him!"
A beast-like growl erupted from Barnes's mouth as he lunged forward again.
His defensive actions were even more rough than before, almost draping his entire body over Lin Feng.
Arm pulls, knee bumps, cheap shots kept coming.
Lin Feng felt the force transmitted from his opponent's body, but his expression remained unchanged.
He simply, once again, made a motion to raise the ball for a shot.
Like a machine that had pressed the repeat button.
Barnes's mind was now completely occupied by rage and humiliation.
His reason told him not to jump easily, but his physical instinct and that uncontrollable fury made him make the worst possible choice.
He jumped up again!
This time, he even jumped higher and more ferociously than before!
However, the anticipated drive to the basket did not happen.
Lin Feng didn't even make a fake move.
He just stood there, watching Barnes jump up like a fool in front of him and then land.
He was just toying with him.
In the simplest, and most humiliating way.
"You..."
Barnes landed and was about to say something.
But Lin Feng, the moment Barnes was off-balance, accelerated past him on his right side!
This time, Barnes didn't even have time to turn around.
He watched helplessly as Lin Feng's back grew farther and farther away from him.
"Grr!"
A roar of shame and anger burst from Barnes's throat.
He had completely lost his cool.
As Lin Feng had already blown past him by a body length and leaped high for a layup.
Barnes chased from behind. He didn't go for the block; instead, he stretched out both hands, grabbed Lin Feng's waist in mid-air, and viciously yanked him down!
This was an extremely dangerous, dirty play!
Lin Feng lost all balance in the air, his whole body crashing heavily towards the floor!
"Thud!"
A heavy impact sound echoed through the arena.
"Tweeeet——!"
The referee's sharp whistle sounded simultaneously, without hesitation!
Everyone on the court stopped moving.
Nick Young was the first to rush over from the bench, pointing at Barnes and cursing.
"FXXK YOU! Are you trying to kill him?!"
Gasol and Kaman also immediately surrounded them, protecting Lin Feng in the middle, glaring at Barnes.
Clippers players also gathered around, the tension on the court ready to explode.
The Staples Center erupted in a tidal wave of boos.
All the blame pointed towards the perpetrator—Matt Barnes.
Barnes still wanted to argue with the referee. He spread his hands, playing innocent.
"I was just trying to stop his layup! It was a normal defensive play!"
The referee gave him a cold look and made the call.
"Flagrant foul! Two free throws, plus possession!"
Then, the referee added another gesture.
"Flagrant foul 2! Ejected from the game!"
As soon as the call was made, the entire arena cheered!
"Get out!"
"Scumbag!"
"This is Clippers basketball!"
Massive jeers drowned the entire arena.
The Clippers head coach Del Negro grabbed the still-protesting Barnes and shoved him directly towards the players' tunnel.
He knew Barnes's mentality had completely collapsed. Keeping him on the court would only make things worse.
Amidst the boos, Barnes walked off the court, cursing under his breath.
At center court, Lin Feng slowly stood up with the help of his teammates.
He moved his body a bit, feeling a burning pain in his back, but fortunately, no bones were injured.
"Lin, are you okay?"
Nash asked with concern.
Lin Feng shook his head and patted the dust off his clothes.
He glanced at Barnes's disappearing back, his eyes calm.
From beginning to end, he hadn't said a word, hadn't made an extra expression.
This disregard was the greatest contempt for Barnes.
Play resumed.
Lin Feng stepped to the free-throw line.
The gaze of nearly twenty thousand spectators in the entire Staples Center converged on him.
He took the pass from the referee, dribbled twice, adjusted his breathing.
"MVP!"
"MVP!"
Someone started it, and soon, the entire arena echoed with a unified chant.
Lin Feng's expression still didn't change.
He raised his hand and shot the free throw.
"Swish!"
The first free throw went in cleanly.
"Swish!"
The second free throw was nothing but net.
Both free throws made!
Not only had the Lakers tied the game, they had taken the lead over the Clippers!
Just as the fans were cheering for Lin Feng, the live broadcast director, knowing exactly what to do, cut the camera to the VIP seats courtside.
That was the gathering place for celebrities and dignitaries.
The camera focused on a prime seat in the first row.
A woman appeared on the big screen.
She wore a pair of large black sunglasses, covering most of her face.
A dazzling mane of golden hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, her fiery red lips particularly striking under the lights.
Even from just a side profile, it couldn't hide her peerless grace and powerful aura.
On the commentary booth, Kenny Smith's voice rose an octave, filled with undisguised surprise.
"Oh! My goodness! Look who's here!"
"It's Taylor Swift! The pop superstar! She's actually here too!"
Barkley also leaned in, scrutinizing the screen.
"It really is her! The leading lady of the 2013 'Red' Tour! She's the hottest female singer in the world right now!"
The moment that name was uttered, countless fans and music lovers in front of TVs and at the scene erupted.
"Tay Tay! It's Tay Tay!"
"Oh my god! I'm watching the same game as Taylor!"
"Is she a Lakers fan too?"
The live camera lingered on her for a long time.
As if sensing the camera's gaze, or perhaps hearing the commotion around her.
The woman known as Taylor Swift slightly turned her head.
She offered a faint, somewhat polite and distant smile towards the camera's direction.
Then, her gaze, passing over the noisy crowd, returned to the court.
More precisely, it landed on that boy from the East who had just finished his free throws and was preparing to receive the inbound pass.
Chapter 32: Replication! The Mamba's Signature Move!
The image on the big screen switched back to the court, but the commotion in the arena did not subside.
Countless eyes shifted back and forth between that golden-haired figure and the Eastern youth by the free-throw line.
The Lakers had possession.
Nash inbounded the ball from the sideline, and Lin Fengcurled out to receive it.
The Clippers substituted in the reserve wing Caron Butlerto defend him.
Butler was an experienced veteran, but his lateral quickness and physicality were no match for his peak years, let alone a beast like Barnes.
The lead was cut to just 1 point; the Lakers were on the verge of taking the lead.
Momentum had completely swung back to the Lakers' side.
Butler cautiously maintained a one-step distance, fearing both Lin Feng's three-pointer and the drive he had just displayed.
He fell into the same defensive dilemma as Barnes.
Lin Feng held the ball and, facing Butler's defense, merely faked a drive to the right.
Butler's center of gravity immediately shifted backward.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Feng executed a simple crossover and drove left past him.
He blew right by him!
With Barnes off the court, a sliver of chaos appeared in the Clippers' defensive line.
DeAndre Jordan had to step out from the paint to help.
Lin Feng wasn't greedy. After drawing the defense, he flicked his wrist for a clever bounce pass.
The ball threaded through the defenders and found Pau Gasol cutting to the basket.
Gasol caught the ball and laid it in easily.
They took the lead!
66 to 64!
The entire Staples Center erupted!
From being down ten points to leading by two, this entire shift originated from that number 1 rookie!
Clippers head coach Del Negro stood by the sidelines, arms crossed, his expression grim.
His meticulously crafted strategy to smother Lin Feng had completely collapsed due to Barnes's one irrational move.
For the remainder of the third quarter, the game was completely controlled by the Lakers.
Lin Feng no longer fixated on scoring himself. Instead, he used his shooting threat to constantly create opportunities for his teammates.
Assist to Gasol, assist to Nash, assist to Kaman... Every one of his passes was precise and deadly, tearing the Clippers' defense apart.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers had established a 7-point lead.
Entering the fourth quarter, the decisive moment arrived.
Led by Chris Paul, the Clippers launched a furious counterattack.
Paul, worthy of being the league's top point guard, continuously used pick-and-rolls to hit mid-range jumpers and assisted Griffin in completing a thunderous dunk.
The lead was gradually being chipped away.
With two minutes left in the game, the score was tied at 92!
The Lakers had possession.
D'Antoni didn't call a timeout; he chose to trust the players on the court.
Nash slowly dribbled the ball up the court as the seconds ticked away.
Everyone knew this possession was crucial.
The Clippers' defenders all had their eyes locked on Lin Feng.
He was now the Lakers' biggest threat.
Nash glanced at the shot clock, suddenly accelerated, and actively found Lin Feng, setting a screen for him!
The point guard setting a screen for the shooting guard!
This was an unconventional play!
The Clippers were caught off guard.
Chris Paul, guarding Nash, and Butler, guarding Lin Feng, collided with each other.
By the time they switched, the defender in front of Lin Feng had become Chris Paul!
A small-on-big mismatch!
A perfect mismatch opportunity!
"Opportunity!" Barkley shouted from the commentary booth.
"Lin Feng's height and wingspan advantage is too great! He can use his speed to overpower Paul!"
The entire stadium's fans rose to their feet, expecting Lin Feng to finish the play with a powerful drive.
However, Lin Feng chose not to do that.
Facing Paul, whose height only reached his chin, he didn't accelerate; instead, he took a step back.
Then, he turned around, using his back to post up Paul!
A post-up!
He was actually going to use post-up moves against the league's best point guard!
Everyone in Staples Center was stunned.
Even Kobe on the sidelines leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Lin Feng.
Chris Paul was also surprised, but he quickly adjusted.
He used all his strength, planting his feet firmly, and pressed hard against Lin Feng's waist, not allowing him to move an inch toward the paint.
Paul's defensive skills were extremely profound, and his strength far exceeded players of his size.
Lin Feng felt the immense pressure from behind.
He didn't panic.
In his mind, he recalled the footwork Kobe had demonstrated for him over and over in the training gym these past few days.
He lowered his center of gravity, pivoted on his left foot, and pushed off with his right.
"Thump!"
He backed his way in one step.
Paul was bumped back a small step but immediately regained his footing.
"Thump!"
Lin Feng backed in another step!
He played with extreme patience, like an experienced veteran, using his body to gauge the defender's strength and position.
Paul gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, exerting his defensive skills to the utmost.
He absolutely would not allow this rookie to score on him!
Just as the shot clock was about to expire.
Lin Feng suddenly stopped pushing inward.
Pivoting on his left foot, he executed a lightning-fast turnaround!
This move was completely different from the attempted spin move in the first half that got stripped.
This time, his turn carried a slight fade-away arc, creating a tiny space between his body and Paul.
Immediately after, he extended his body backward, pushed off with his legs, and jumped up.
A turnaround fadeaway jumper!
The entire sequence—from the post-up, to the turn, to the fadeaway—was executed seamlessly, as fluid as a textbook example.
The graceful posture, the momentary hang time, the extreme fadeaway angle... At this moment, time seemed to slow down.
In Staples Center, countless veteran fans saw an overlapping phantom.
That man wearing number 8 or 24 had ended games on this very court countless times in the exact same way.
Chris Paul jumped with all his might to block the shot; his fingertips even felt the texture of the basketball's surface.
But he couldn't reach it.
That fadeaway angle was too exaggerated.
The ball soared over his fingertips, tracing a high, perfect arc through the air.
The gaze of nearly twenty thousand people in the arena followed that orange leather sphere.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net!
A buzzer-beater!
94 to 92!
The Lakers took the lead!
After a tenth of a second of silence, the entire Staples Center erupted with volcanic cheers!
"Kobe!"
"Kobe!"
The fans subconsciously shouted that familiar name!
They seemed to see the black mamba in his prime, returning to the court!
On the court, the Lakers players rushed toward Lin Fenglike madmen, surrounding him.
On the sidelines, Kobe Bryant, who had been sitting calmly, suddenly stood up from his seat!
He raised both hands high and clapped vigorously for Lin Feng!
His face showed unconcealed excitement and approval!
The camera cut to the VIP seats once more.
Amidst the cheers of the entire arena, the golden-haired diva wearing sunglasses slowly removed them.
Revealing a pair of clear, beautiful eyes like sapphires.
Her eyes were filled with unconcealed surprise and admiration.
She turned her head and softly said to her Agent beside her.
"This Eastern boy is quite interesting."
Chapter 33: The Muse of Inspiration
That textbook-perfect fadeaway jumper not only ignited the Staples Center but also served as a shot of adrenaline, injecting itself into the heart of every Lakersplayer.
Lin Feng's basket completely energized the entire team.
When the Clippers organized their offense again, everyone could feel the change in the Lakers' defensive end.
Gasol's footwork became more active, Kaman's positioning in the paint became more ferocious, and even Nick Young, who was usually somewhat lax on defense, began using his body to impede his opponent's movement.
The role players were infected by the calm yet powerful leadership aura emanating from Lin Feng, giving their all on the defensive end.
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
The roars of the home fans converged into an invisible wave of sound, pressuring every Clippers offensive possession.
Chris Paul felt the pressure.
Facing Nash's defense, he attempted a difficult pull-up jumper. The ball hit the front rim and bounced out.
Gasol firmly boxed out Griffin and secured the rebound.
Transition offense.
The Lakers' offense flowed seamlessly. Just one movement by Lin Feng beyond the three-point line drew the defensive attention of two Clippers players.
Nash seized the opportunity with a precise direct pass to a cutting Jordan Hill.
Hill caught the ball and threw down a powerful, thunderous dunk!
The lead was further extended!
But the Clippers didn't collapse.
Chris Paul, the league's premier point guard, showed his true strength in adversity.
He stopped fixating on isolation plays and instead began orchestrating for his teammates, utilizing his unparalleled court vision.
First, he assisted Butler on the perimeter for a three-pointer.
Then, with another brilliant bounce pass, he found DeAndre Jordan under the basket for an easy finish.
The score began to seesaw, and the game entered a truly white-hot phase.
Every offensive and defensive possession gripped the hearts of nearly twenty thousand spectators in the arena.
In the VIP seats.
Taylor Swift's Agent, a capable middle-aged woman, whispered a reminder.
"Taylor, we should probably get ready to leave soon. The exit corridors might get very crowded."
However, Taylor Swift seemed not to hear.
She leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes, now exposed to the light after removing her sunglasses, were fixed unblinkingly on the court.
She was completely captivated by this rollercoaster of a game.
Especially that figure wearing number 1.
His every movement, every touch of the ball, every shot attempt seemed to carry a peculiar magic.
The Agent tried to persuade her again but saw Taylor make an unexpected move.
Taylor Swift took out her phone.
On the bright screen, she opened a search engine. For the first time, her slender fingers actively typed the name of a basketball player on the virtual keyboard.
"Lin Feng".
Search results quickly popped up.
On the screen, information about Lin Feng wasn't plentiful, but each entry was impactful.
[CBA Cast-off, Dreaming of the NBA with a Slim Chance]
[Biggest Dark Horse of the Summer League! Mysterious Eastern rookie's Buzzer-Beater Stuns Vegas!]
[First Undrafted Player in Lakers History! Can Lin FengFind a Foothold in Los Angeles?]
The lines of headlines outlined a career path that was anything but smooth.
From a disappointed figure in the CBA, to a fringe player unnoticed in the Summer League.
To using a shocking buzzer-beater to knock open the door to the NBA.
And tonight, under the spotlight of the L.A. Derby, from being brutally locked down by his opponent to responding forcefully with basketball IQ and dazzling skill.
This story of rebounding from the bottom and blooming defiantly under the world's gaze deeply touched Taylor's heart.
Hadn't she herself been the same?
Achieving fame at a young age, standing atop the world music scene, yet also having experienced countless criticisms, betrayals, and storms.
She understood better than anyone how much strength of heart and unwavering belief it took to prove oneself again under immense pressure and doubt.
She lifted her head and looked once more at that figure on the court, clad in purple and gold, sweating profusely.
Sweat trickled down the sharp line of his jaw, dripping onto the "Lakers" lettering on his chest.
His eyes were focused and calm, as if all the external noise was irrelevant to him.
At this moment, the look in Taylor's eyes as she watched him changed.
It was no longer a simple appreciation for a handsome athlete.
It was the resonance of one artist for a genius in another field.
It was... a capture of "inspiration."
"He's like a symphony struggling in darkness, yet ultimately playing a magnificent movement."
Taylor unconsciously murmured softly to her Agentbeside her.
The Agent was stunned. She rarely saw Taylor use such a tone to evaluate someone completely unrelated to music.
The game had entered its final countdown.
"Roar!"
Accompanied by a roar, Blake Griffin, posting up against Gasol in the paint, used a powerful bank shot to put the ball in the basket!
And drew a foul on Gasol!
He made the free throw!
95 to 96!
The Clippers took a 1-point lead over the Lakers with only 24 seconds left in the game!
The Staples Center fell into dead silence.
The Lakers had the final possession.
Everyone's gaze turned to the coaching staff on the sideline.
D'Antoni stood there with his arms crossed, his expression calm.
He did not call a timeout.
He chose to trust the players on the court.
To trust the experienced veteran Steve Nash.
And even more, to trust the number 1 rookie who, in the second half, had completely gained confidence and taken over the game.
Nash received the inbound pass in the backcourt and wasn't in a hurry.
He glanced at the game clock and advanced the ball up the court unhurriedly.
20 seconds.
15 seconds.
10 seconds.
The Clippers' defensive formation was fully set, every player's nerves taut.
Their defensive strategy was clear: prevent Lin Feng from receiving the ball at all costs.
Nash dribbled to the top of the key. 8 seconds remained.
A look from him.
Lin Feng understood instantly, immediately starting his movement from the corner.
He used Kaman's screen and curled out.
The Clippers switched immediately.
Nash flicked his wrist gently. The ball precisely pierced through the defense, arriving in Lin Feng's hands.
At the right forty-five-degree angle, a step beyond the three-point line.
At this moment, the eyes of the world were all focused on this rookie who had been in the NBA for less than a month.
In front of him was the Clippers' defensive specialist, the experienced Caron Butler.
Time, only 5 seconds remaining.
Lin Feng held the ball, crouched slightly, sensing the pressure emanating from Butler.
In the stands, Taylor Swift unconsciously clenched her fists.
On the commentary desk, Barkley's voice was hoarse with tension.
"Final shot! It's Lin Feng again!"
"What will he choose? Drive or shoot?"
"Will he use that fadeaway jumper again?"
Chapter 34: Game-winner! Assist!
4 seconds.
3 seconds.
Under the gaze of nearly twenty thousand people in the Staples Center, time ticked away second by second.
Lin Feng didn't move.
He just stood there, rhythmically dribbling the basketball, his calm eyes scanning the entire court.
His gaze bypassed Butler in front of him, seeing the Clippers' interior defense contracted like an iron barrel.
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan stood like two guardian gods on either side of the paint; their intention couldn't be clearer.
They would let him shoot, but they would never let him drive inside.
This was a trap specifically designed for his individual scoring ability.
"Time is running out! What is Lin Feng waiting for?"
At the commentary table, Barkley clenched his fists nervously.
"He has to take the shot!"
Just as Barkley finished speaking, Lin Feng moved!
He suddenly dipped his body to the right, making an incredibly realistic drive fake!
Caron Butler's body instinctively shifted to the right to block his path.
Now!
Lin Feng's body snapped back like a spring, he crossed the ball between his legs, and launched himself to the left!
A simple change of direction, yet so fast it left only an afterimage!
Butler's center of gravity was completely fooled. He twisted his body, only to see Lin Feng's No. 1 jersey flash past him.
He was beaten by half a step!
"He's in!" Kenny Smith shouted.
Lin Feng took long strides, charging toward the paint!
At that moment, the Clippers' trap tightened completely!
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan didn't hesitate for a second, closing in on Lin Feng like two moving mountains!
In their eyes, there was only that Eastern kid rushing toward the basket.
This was a lethal double-team!
For a rookie facing two of the league's top interior defenders, the outcome seemed predetermined.
In the stands, countless Lakers fans had their hearts in their throats; some even closed their eyes, unable to watch.
In the VIP seats, Taylor Swift's Agent let out a low cry.
"Oh no, he's being too impulsive!"
Taylor didn't speak. Her fists clenched even tighter, her blue eyes reflecting the figure flying through the air.
Just as Griffin leaped high, his massive hands about to envelop the ball, ready to deliver a sky-blocking rejection to this overconfident rookie...
In mid-air, Lin Feng made a move that caused everyone's brain to freeze.
He didn't choose to shoot, nor did he even attempt a layup.
His body leaned back to the limit in the air, performing a double-clutch maneuver that completely evaded Griffin's block.
Then, he flicked his wrist downward.
The basketball didn't fly toward the rim.
Instead, from an inconceivable angle, it passed through the gap between Griffin's raised arm and body, right under his armpit!
This was a pass that should never have appeared in a game-winning possession!
This was a pass that belonged only on a street court or in an exhibition game!
The eyes of the world followed that orange ball as it traced a low, flat arc.
The ball flew accurately to the other side of the basket.
There, a figure in a No. 16 purple and gold jersey had been waiting for a long time.
Pau Gasol!
All of the Clippers' defensive attention had been drawn to Lin Feng, who was flying through the air.
No one noticed when the Spaniard had cut into that position.
He was completely wide open!
Gasol caught the ball with no one in front of him.
He didn't even need to adjust.
He rose from the floor!
Holding that basketball, which represented the hope of victory, high above his head with both hands.
"Roar!"
With a roar that had been suppressed all game, Gasolsmashed the ball into the hoop with a powerful two-handed dunk!
"Clang!"
The rim let out a groan of pain.
"Buzzer!"
At the same time the ball passed through the net, the red light above the court lit up, and the final buzzer echoed throughout the arena!
Time's up!
The shot is good!
97 to 96!
The two points count!
The Lakers, in the final second of the game, snatched a comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers by one point!
After a split second of dead silence, Staples Center...
...instantly turned into an ocean of joy!
"Aaaaaah!"
"We won! We won!"
"A game-winner! It's a game-winner!"
The tension, suppression, and anticipation accumulated throughout the game transformed into the most primal cheers and shouts at this moment, the sound waves nearly lifting the roof off the arena!
On the court, Gasol, having completed the dunk, excitedly beat his chest and roared at the sky!
Nick Young was the first to rush in from the bench, jumping directly onto Gasol's back!
Jordan Hill, Chris Kaman... all the Lakers players rushed toward the center of the court like madmen.
But their target wasn't Gasol, who had finished the dunk.
It was that No. 1 rookie who had just stood up from the floor.
"Lin! You genius!"
Nash rushed over and grabbed Lin Feng's head tightly.
"Incredible pass! It was pure magic!"
Gasol also squeezed in, slapping Lin Feng's back hard; the Spaniard's face was full of excitement and gratitude.
Lin Feng was surrounded by his teammates and tossed into the air.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Like a hero, he enjoyed the adoration of the entire crowd.
The Clippers players, meanwhile, looked stunned and dejected.
Chris Paul stood with hands on his hips, staring blankly at the replay on the big screen.
He couldn't understand how a rookie dared to make such a choice in that situation.
It wasn't a rational choice.
It was a gambler's choice.
Yet, he had won the bet.
On the big screen, the slow-motion footage of the final moments played over and over.
Lin Feng's inconceivable double-clutch evasion in the air.
That brilliant pass through Griffin's armpit.
Gasol's easy, uncontested dunk.
Every frame felt like a heavy punch to the heart of everyone on the Clippers.
"My God! That wasn't a game-winning shot! It was a game-winning assist!"
Barkley stood up excitedly at the commentary table, waving his arms.
"I take back what I said before! He's not the next Kobe! He's Magic Johnson! He's Larry Bird! He's Jason Williams! He's a combination of all the passing masters!"
"On the final possession, when everyone thought he would attack himself, he chose to trust his teammate! That kind of poise and court vision is something I've only seen in the top superstars!"
Chapter 35: The Birth of a Hero
Gasol landed, feeling as if his chest were about to burst.
He tilted his head back toward the lights of the Staples Center dome and let out a beastly roar that had been suppressed the entire game.
He was releasing all his emotions, all his pent-up frustration.
The next second, he turned around like a charging bull and lunged at the Eastern kid who had just scrambled up from the floor.
He grabbed Lin Feng in a death grip, his immense strength nearly suffocating him.
"Beautiful pass! Lin!"
Gasol's voice was hoarse with excitement as he shouted with all his might.
"You damn hero!"
All the Lakers players rushed over.
Nick Young let out a weird cry and jumped straight onto Gasol's back, forming a comical human pyramid.
Nash rushed over and vigorously ruffled Lin Feng's hair; this usually gentle and refined gentleman was now laughing like a child.
"Genius! You are an absolute genius!"
"What kind of pass was that? Magic? How did you do it?"
Kaman, Jordan Hill—every teammate swarmed them, surrounding Lin Feng and Gasol at the center, venting their victory's euphoria in the most primal way.
Lin Feng was jostled by his teammates as shouts, cheers, and the roars of his comrades flooded his ears.
He was tossed high into the air.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
With every ascent, he saw the purple and gold ocean of the Staples Center boiling for him.
With every descent, he saw his teammates' faces, distorted with excitement.
He smiled.
Sweat slid down his cheeks, mixing with his smile in a state of hearty, dripping satisfaction.
At the other end of the court, it was a completely different scene.
The Clippers players stood in place like a group of puppets whose souls had been snatched away.
Griffin leaned on his knees, gasping for breath as sweat dripped onto the floor; he couldn't believe he had been fooled just like that by a single pass.
DeAndre Jordan stared blankly at the rim, where the lingering vibration of Gasol's slam dunk seemed to remain.
Chris Paul stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze complicated as he looked at the figure surrounded by Lakers players.
He replayed the final play over and over in his mind.
That trap should have been perfect.
That double-team should have been fatal.
But that rookie had broken it all in a way no one expected.
It wasn't a conventional choice; it wasn't even a rational one.
To place one's fate in the hands of a teammate during a game-winning moment...
What level of courage and trust did that require?
Paul's gaze finally landed on the big screen.
On the screen, Lin Feng was being tossed high by his teammates, a bright smile on his face as he waved to the camera.
In this moment, he was the hero of this city.
By the sidelines.
Kobe Bryant stood slowly; he did not join the reveling crowd.
While the entire arena fell into a frenzy, the smile on his face actually faded.
He just watched Lin Feng quietly, clapping his hands firmly and continuously.
The applause was steady and powerful.
In his eyes was a sense of relief and pride that outsiders could not decipher.
He felt incredibly gratified by Lin Feng's choice to make a 'game-winning pass' at the end.
A true leader must not only be able to kill the game with scoring but also know how to make the most correct choice at the most critical moment.
Tonight, Lin Feng had done it.
In the VIP seats.
"My god... this is crazy."
Taylor Swift's Agent, Andrea, covered her mouth, her heart still racing from that game-winner.
Taylor Swift slowly stood up from her seat.
She didn't cheer, nor did she clap.
Those sapphire-like eyes gazed unblinkingly at the radiant Eastern boy in the center of the court.
He possessed a peculiar charm.
At times, he was like a cold-blooded assassin, destroying opponents with inconceivable scoring skills.
At other times, he was like a commander strategizing, deciding the outcome of the entire battlefield with a single pass.
This contradictory yet harmonious temperament gave her an unprecedented sense of novelty.
"Andrea."
Taylor spoke softly.
"Hmm?"
"I need his contact information."
Andrea blanked for a moment, then immediately understood her boss's intent.
She nodded, her gaze scanning the sidelines, quickly locking onto a man in a suit communicating with the staff.
That was the Lakers' PR manager.
The clamor of the celebration gradually subsided, and field reporters carrying cameras and microphones rushed onto the court immediately.
Undoubtedly, there was only one focus in the entire arena.
"Lin! Lin! Look over here!"
Countless flashes and microphones were aimed at Lin Feng, who had just 'escaped' from his teammates' encirclement.
Although Gasol was the one who completed the game-winner, everyone knew who was the director of tonight's comeback drama.
A veteran female reporter from ESPN snatched the first opportunity to ask a question.
Her voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"Lin, congratulations on winning the L.A. Derby! On the final play, you had completely beaten your defender; facing two of the league's top interior players, you could have easily tried to shoot yourself. What made you choose to pass at the last moment?"
This question was also the doubt in the hearts of the nearly twenty thousand spectators in the arena and all the fans in front of their TVs.
Lin Feng took the towel handed to him by a staff member and wiped the sweat from his face.
Flashbulbs continued to pop in front of him, but he appeared exceptionally calm.
He glanced at Gasol, who was still in a state of excitement beside him, and answered seriously into the camera:
"Because I believe in my teammates."
That simple sentence caused the noise in the arena to lessen significantly.
Lin Feng continued: "When I broke inside, I saw Pau's (Gasol) position."
"He was unguarded under the basket; giving him the ball was the only correct choice at the time."
His voice carried clearly through the microphone throughout the entire stadium.
"I just did what a guard should do."
"The victory belongs to the whole team, to Pau's tough dunk, and to everyone in the Staples Center."
After speaking, he gave a clean smile to the camera.
This answer left the reporters stunned.
They had anticipated many kinds of answers.
Arrogant ones, wild ones, or official polite ones.
But they didn't expect this young man, who had just staged a shocking game-winning assist and was at the height of his fame, to attribute all the credit to the team and his teammates.
After a brief silence, the arena erupted into even more enthusiastic applause and cheers than before.
"Well said! Lin!"
"That's our Lakers player!"
Beside him, Gasol was even more moved upon hearing these words.
He stepped forward, hugged Lin Feng tightly once more, and whispered in his ear:
"Thank you, Lin. Truly."
Someone who could perform both flamboyant individual heroism and selflessly trust teammates at a critical moment.
Someone who had the flamboyance of youth yet a maturity and humility beyond his years.
Who could not love such a superstar rookie?
The television broadcast captured this scene faithfully.
Kenny Smith was filled with emotion at the commentary booth.
"High basketball IQ, a big heart, and so humble... the Lakers have truly found a treasure."
Barkley also nodded in agreement: "That's right, he didn't just win the game; he won the hearts of his teammates and fans. This young man's future is limitless."
Inside the player tunnel.
Andrea stopped Scott, the Lakers' PR manager, who was preparing to leave.
"Hello, Mr. Scott."
Scott looked at the capable-looking woman before him with some confusion.
"Hello, and you are?"
"I am Andrea Finlay," Andrea handed over an exquisite business card with only a name and a phone number on it, "Taylor Swift's Agent."
Scott's hand paused as he took the card, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
"Taylor... Swift?"
"Yes." Andrea maintained a professional smile, "Taylor watched the game tonight; she really appreciates your team's number one player."
"She hopes to have an opportunity to get to know him."
...The night was deep.
After Lin Feng finished his shower, the full weight of his exhaustion surged up.
Once the adrenaline faded, the muscle soreness and the pain from that final fall became clear.
But mentally, he was in a state of extreme excitement.
Lying on the soft bed of his apartment, the cheers from the arena still echoed in his mind.
He grabbed his phone, wanting to see the post-game news.
The screen lit up; a text message from an unknown number sat quietly at the top of the notification bar.
He instinctively tapped it open.
The message was short, just one sentence.
"Hi, I'm Taylor."
"Great game tonight, like a true artist."
Chapter 36: Advancing on Two Fronts
Lin Feng looked at the text message from Taylor on his phone screen, and his heart rate underwent a slight change.
Unexpected.
But also within the realm of reason.
This was Los Angeles, the entertainment center of the world, the central vortex of the vanity fair.
A rising basketball star who performed a game-winner at the Staples Center attracting the attention of a pop queen was part of this city's script.
He didn't reply immediately.
His fingertips hovered over the screen as his brain worked rapidly.
The other party was Taylor Swift.
A woman standing at the peak of global pop music, a talented woman known for being emotionally rich and daring to love and hate.
"Like a true artist."
This evaluation was quite sophisticated.
She didn't say he played well or that he was handsome; instead, she used "artist" to define his performance tonight.
This was a form of equal, even slightly scrutinizing, appreciation.
If he replied with too much of a fan mentality, he would immediately lose the upper hand.
If he replied too coldly, he might miss the opportunity.
He needed a response that matched the word "artist."
Lin Feng's fingers typed a line on the virtual keyboard.
"Thank you, it's my honor to receive praise from a true artist."
He looked at the sentence and felt it was a bit too humble, lacking his own attitude.
Delete.
He typed again.
"You are also beautiful, like a beautiful song."
Too frivolous, like a novice flirt.
Delete.
In Lin Feng's mind, he recalled his journey from the bottom of the CBA to the spotlight of today.
He recalled the paranoia about basketball Kobe had mentioned to him.
He recalled his focus when he took that fadeaway jumper.
He recalled the split-second decision during that final pass.
What was that?
That was his everything.
He found the answer.
His fingers tapped steadily and quickly on the screen.
"Thank you for the praise."
"Art comes from life, and basketball is my life."
Send.
No redundant compliments, no deliberate flattery.
Just a calm statement, yet it clearly stated his position and attitude toward basketball.
This was a kind of confidence.
A composed confidence stemming from strength.
He put the phone aside and waited.
He knew that if the other party was truly interested in him, this reply would be enough to pique more of her curiosity.
"Buzz."
The phone vibrated.
Even faster than he had expected.
Lin Feng picked up the phone; it was a new message from Taylor.
"It seems our arts have something in common."
"I hope for a chance to talk in person."
Direct and proactive.
It completely matched the outside world's descriptions of her.
A small curve formed at the corner of Lin Feng's lips.
He knew that this line had been firmly established.
But he didn't agree immediately.
Now was not the time.
The game had just ended, and he was at the center of the conversation; meeting a pop queen too eagerly would be infinitely magnified by the media.
More importantly, he wanted to hold the initiative in this relationship.
He didn't reply to the message but locked his phone and placed it on the nightstand.
Let the bullet fly for a while longer.
He tapped the screen and switched to another chat interface.
At the pinned position was a cute rabbit avatar.
Yinna.
The chat box was filled with a string of celebratory emojis: fireworks, trophies, champagne... they almost took up the entire screen.
Below the rain of emojis was a message sent in Chinese.
"You won! I'm so happy for you!"
Followed by an emoji of an arm waving forcefully in encouragement.
Through the screen, Lin Feng could imagine the usually cold and aloof national goddess now acting like a little girl, holding her phone and rolling around on her bed in excitement.
This pure joy, unadulterated by any interests or calculations, allowed his nerves, which had been tense all night, to completely relax.
A warm current surged in his heart.
He replied: "Get some rest early."
He thought about it and added another sentence.
"I will keep winning."
This was not just to soothe her, but also a promise to himself.
Soon, the other party replied with an emoji of an obedient nod and a moon for "Goodnight."
Lin Feng put down his phone and let out a long breath.
Two women, two completely different feelings.
Taylor was like a shot of strong liquor—pungent, stimulating, and full of the desire for conquest; drinking it could ignite the blood in one's entire body.
Yinna was like a glass of warm water—clear, pure, and able to soothe all fatigue and restlessness; she was a peaceful harbor deep in his heart.
After handling these two important information lines, Lin Feng sat up from the bed.
The joy of victory and the favor of beauties did not make him lose his head.
He closed his eyes and began to review tonight's game.
That fadeaway jumper was a perfect replica of Kobe's technique, proving his talent in technical learning.
But the scenes of being continuously restricted by Butler's physical strength in the first half were still vivid in his mind.
The final game-winning assist was certainly brilliant, praised by the media and fans as the choice of a "big heart" and "high basketball IQ."
But Lin Feng knew best.
The reason he chose to pass, besides seeing Gasol's open shot, was the deeper reason that he didn't have absolute certainty that he could put the ball in the basket under the frontal pincer attack of those two mountains of flesh, Griffin and Jordan.
His physical confrontation ability was still his biggest shortcoming.
Under the intensity of regular-season defense, this problem had already begun to be exposed.
If it reached the playoffs, facing even more brutal muscle-clashing and defensive physicalities, this weakness would be infinitely magnified.
He had to become stronger.
Not just in technique, but also in physique.
Lin Feng's will moved slightly.
A translucent blue interface, visible only to him, unfolded before his eyes.
[charm basketball system]
The interface design was very simple, without flashy values or a mall.
There were only a few core functional modules.
His gaze fell on the [Skill Unlock] column.
[Shintaro Midorimas Full-Court Three-Pointer] (Unlocked)
[Unlock Condition]: Complete the first deep intimate link with the ss-rank charm target 'Yinna'.
This skill gave him a nuclear-weapon-level perimeter threat at the shooting guard position.
And below this skill was the next skill slot waiting to be unlocked.
There, it was all gray.
Next to the gray skill icon, there was also a line explaining the unlock condition.
[Aomine Daikis Formless Shot]
[Unlock Condition]: Complete the first deep intimate link with an ss-rank charm target.
Aomine Daiki!
The ace scorer of the "Generation of Miracles" from "kurokos basketball"!
The man who possessed physical coordination beyond common sense and could shoot the ball in from any posture and in any inconceivable way!
His "Formless Shot" was the ultimate answer to cracking high-intensity physical confrontation and double-teaming!
If he could get this skill, Lin Feng was confident that he wouldn't have needed to pass that final ball tonight.
He could have confronted Griffin and Jordan in mid-air and then scored in a way they couldn't understand!
Lin Feng's breathing became a bit hurried.
His desire for this skill was stronger than ever before.
His gaze fell once again on that unlock condition.
"Complete the first deep intimate link with an ss-rank charm target."
He was already well aware of the system's definition of a "deep intimate link."
And as for "ss-rank charm targets," only two candidates meeting the standard had appeared in his life so far.
Lin Feng picked up his phone.
After unlocking the screen, it stayed on the chat interface with Taylor Swift.
"I hope for a chance to talk in person."
That proactive invitation seemed to possess magic, echoing in his mind.
Lin Feng's gaze lingered for a long time on the name he had just saved in his phone contacts— "Taylor Swift."
He knew very well that as long as he replied with a "Sure" now, the next opportunity for a "deep link" would be almost within reach.
Unlocking [Aomine Daikis Formless Shot] would be just around the corner.
But in his mind, another cold yet innocent Oriental face emerged.
The Chinese sentence with a cheerful tone emerged: "You won! I'm so happy for you!"
A sweet trouble was about to begin.
Where exactly was the key to unlocking the next god-tier skill?
Chapter 37: The Diva's New Prey
The day after the derby ended, the Los Angeles sun was still bright.
In Lin Feng's apartment, his phone screen was still lit, staying on the chat interface with Taylor.
"It seems our arts have something in common."
"I hope to have the chance to chat in person."
These two sentences, like a baited fishing line, lay there quietly, waiting for the prey's response.
Lin Feng didn't respond.
He took a shower, changed into comfortable loungewear, and made himself a simple breakfast.
Steak, eggs, milk.
Replenishing the energy consumed during last night's intense confrontation.
He ate slowly and methodically.
As if that message, enough to make any man's heart race, didn't exist at all.
Not until he finished the last sip of milk did he wipe his mouth and pick up his phone again.
An entire morning had already passed.
This deliberate delay was a silent psychological game.
He couldn't act like an eager fan.
He wanted her to understand that although he was a rookie, he also had his own world and rhythm.
Lin Feng's fingers tapped on the screen, replying to the message.
"Basketball isn't performed on the court; it's carved out with sweat and injuries in countless days and nights in the training hall."
"I don't know if this counts as art, but it is indeed my life."
He didn't directly respond to the invitation to meet, but instead pulled the topic back to the discussion of 'art'.
This was a more sophisticated test.
Sent.
Tossing his phone onto the sofa, Lin Feng walked into his small training room and began basic strength recovery training.
He needed to control the rhythm of this relationship.
"Buzz."
The vibration of the phone came from the living room.
This time, Lin Feng didn't wait any longer.
He walked over and picked up the phone.
It was Taylor's reply.
"Carved with sweat and injuries... I like that saying."
"Many of my songs were also written amidst heartbreak and struggle."
"It seems we are both people who build our own kingdoms upon ruins."
Lin Feng looked at the message, the corners of his lips curling up.
It worked.
The other party had been completely attracted by the'sense of story' he had created.
An oriental genius who came from the bottom of the CBA, amidst everyone's misunderstanding and doubt, to the NBA, and then became an overnight sensation.
For a singer-songwriter diva who excelled at writing emotions and experiences into songs, this story itself was full of fatal attraction.
This was an artist's keen sense for creative material.
Lin Feng continued to reply.
"Maybe, but your kingdom is already radiant, while mine has only just laid its foundation."
In his humility, there was a hint of ambition that could not be underestimated.
Taylor's reply was almost instantaneous.
"Foundations are the most fascinating, aren't they?"
"They're full of infinite possibilities."
I have a 'Red' tour concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles next weekend."
The message paused for a moment, as if the other party was organizing their words.
A few seconds later, the next message popped up.
"After the concert, I'll be hosting a private after-party at my home in Beverly Hills."
"The attendees are all friends from the industry—composers, producers, directors... a bunch of boring 'artists'."
"Interested in coming to find some new 'inspiration'?"
The true intent was revealed.
This was her true purpose.
A formal, private invitation into her inner circle.
Lin Feng's breathing hitched for a moment.
In his mind, that small line of gray text on the system interface clearly surfaced.
[Aomine Daikis Formless Shot]
[Unlock Condition]: Complete the first deep intimate link with an ss-rank charm target.
Taylor Swift.
Music Diva.
ss-rank charm target.
This party was the key to the door for unlocking the god-tier skill.
He didn't hesitate for a second.
"My pleasure."
Three simple words that were both an acceptance and maintained his stance.
"Then, see you Saturday night, mr. artist."
Taylor sent a playful winking emoji.
"Looking forward to your performance."
Lin Feng replied.
"My concert will be more exciting than your buzzer-beater."
Taylor declared confidently.
Lin Feng smiled, ending this conversation full of verbal sparring and ambiguity.
For the next few days, the Lakers had no games and entered a short break for adjustment.
The team's atmosphere became exceptionally relaxed because of that soul-stirring derby victory.
On the training court, teammates would even joke about Lin Feng's game-winning assist.
"Hey, Lin, next time there's an opportunity like that, remember to look at me. My open threes are also very accurate!"
Nick Young always leaned in with a goofy face and said.
"Come on, Nick, you'll only airball it."
Jordan Hill ruthlessly debunked him from the side.
Lin Feng just smiled, enjoying the atmosphere of integrating into the team.
Part of his mind had already drifted to the party on the weekend.
He didn't need to worry about what to wear; as a rising sports star, several top luxury brands had already sent their latest seasonal clothing, hoping to reach an endorsement deal with him.
He was simply looking forward to it.
Looking forward to the formal meeting with that music diva.
And looking forward to what kind of terrifying dominance he would display on the court after unlocking the new skill.
On Friday afternoon, Lin Feng finished his individual extra training and was preparing to go home to rest.
His phone suddenly rang frantically.
It wasn't a call, but push notifications from various social media and news apps, as dense as a rainstorm.
He opened the screen in confusion.
A push notification from the well-known gossip media TMZ occupied the most prominent position on the screen.
The cover of the push was a high-definition profile photo.
In the photo, Taylor Swift sat in a VIP seat at the Staples Center, her blue eyes focused on the court, with a faint smile on her lips.
The angle of the photo was extremely tricky, just happening to blurrily frame the back of the figure wearing the number 1 Los Angeles Lakers jersey on the court behind her.
And the news headline was even more provocative and full of room for imagination.
[The Diva's New Prey? The Lakers' oriental sharpshooter, Lin Feng!]
Scandal exploded across the entire North American social network in such a simple and crude way.
In an instant, countless fans and basketball enthusiasts flooded the comment section of this news.
"Oh my God! I knew it! I thought the way Taylor looked at him during the live broadcast that day wasn't right!"
"Lin Feng? That rookie who hit the game-winner? How is he worthy!"
"You upstairs, have you seen him play? Have you seen his face? He's worthy of any woman in the world!"
"Is another song about a breakup already on the way? (dog head emoji)"
"Don't get involved! Leave our Emperor Lin alone! He still has to help the Los Angeles Lakers win the championship!"
"A powerful union! One is a music diva, the other is a new basketball king! I declare this CP is locked in!"
Lin Feng's name, for the first time, hit the entertainment headlines in a sweeping manner.
Its popularity even exceeded the sports news traffic brought by his buzzer-beater against the Clippers.
Lin Feng scrolled through his phone expressionlessly, looking at those comments that were either blessings, jealousy, or teasing.
His expression was very calm.
This is Los Angeles.
This is the price of fame.
When you stand under the spotlight, everything about you will be magnified, and your private life will become a public consumer good.
He had long expected this.
This was just the scenery one would inevitably encounter on the road to the peak.
He was just about to turn off his phone and ignore the clamor.
The screen, however, suddenly lit up.
A video call request popped up.
The caller's avatar was a cute cartoon rabbit.
The name marked below was the two words he both missed and felt a hint of complexity towards.
Yinna.