blogombal Chapter 44 The God of Point Guards? No, it's Physical Bullying
Chapter 44 The God of Point Guards? No, it's Physical Bullying
2009年1月14日，晚7:30。
Madison Square Garden, New York.
Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets.
This season, the Hornets are a playoff-caliber team in the Western Conference.
Chris Paul's outstanding performance, averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists per game, has helped the Hornets establish themselves among the Western Conference powerhouses.
The man known as the "God of Point Guards" is at the peak of his physical and technical abilities.
He is the commander on the field, and also the most cunning hunter.
From the very start of the game, Paul showcased his textbook-perfect skills.
He used David West's high screen to outmaneuver Randolph, who had switched onto the defense.
He dribbled between his legs repeatedly, the rhythm sometimes fast, sometimes slow, like he was dancing. Suddenly, he faked a crossover, making Randolph lose his balance, then took a step to the side and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
"brush!"
It hit the target without fail.
The movements were fluid and effortless, without any unnecessary exertion.
This is Paul's basketball philosophy: precision, efficiency, and rationality.
Turning back, the Knicks went on offense.
Li Xiangbei dribbled the ball across half-court. Facing Paul's tight defense full of subtle tricks, he did not choose to post up or call for a pick-and-roll.
He simply dribbled the ball to a point just outside the three-point line.
Paul spread his arms wide, kept his center of gravity low, and focused his eyes. He was confident that he could defend against Li Xiangbei's breakthroughs and disrupt his shots.
But Li Xiangbei had no intention of playing a technical game with him.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 1/6 (activated)]
Li Xiangbei took a direct pull-up jump.
191cm vs. 183cm.
Paul jumped up desperately to block the shot, but his hand could barely reach Li Xiangbei's wrist.
"brush!"
A three-pointer swished through the net.
Li Xiangbei landed, looked at Paul with a serious expression, and shrugged.
"Chris," Li Xiangbei's voice was full of teasing, "you work your butt off to create space and get 2 points, while I just casually toss a ball and get 3 points."
"That's what you call efficiency."
In the next few minutes, the game took on this strange rhythm.
Paul scored with perfect technique, and Li Xiangbei responded with an easy three-pointer.
Due to his movement and the height difference with his opponent, he didn't even need to use his guaranteed shot during this period, making 2 out of 4 three-pointers.
Paul got impatient. He started using defensive tactics.
During a dead ball situation, Paul subtly nudged Li Xiangbei in the lower back with his elbow. It was a small, subtle move that could easily cause a stitch in the back.
But Li Xiangbei didn't even flinch.
He backs down with a backhand, using his weight and strength to bulldoze Paul into the paint like a bulldozer, and then easily makes a layup.
"Too light, Chris." Li Xiangbei patted Paul on the shoulder. "Eat more beef."
……
Paul is a superstar after all, and he is unwilling to be suppressed like this.
Midway through the second quarter, he began to erupt.
Steals, assists, floaters... he tried to close the gap on his own.
The Hornets are gaining momentum.
Paul drove into the paint, and facing help defense, executed a difficult, mounted, floater.
"Swish!" Goal! The gap is narrowed to 5 points.
But Li Xiangbei gave Paul no chance to catch his breath.
Before the Hornets could retreat and get into position, Li Xiangbei received the ball on the baseline and sprinted straight to the frontcourt.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 2/6 (activated)]
A three-pointer in pursuit!
"brush!"
The narrowing gap widened again in an instant.
Paul gritted his teeth and assisted West to make a mid-range jumper.
Li Xiangbei dribbled past half-court and faced a double-team.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 3/6 (activated)]
He made an extremely illogical move—drifting backward, losing his balance, and forcing a three-pointer.
That shot would be considered a reckless play by any coach.
But it went in.
"brush!"
Paul was devastated. He yelled, "This isn't scientific! He was just throwing it around! How could it possibly go in?!"
His teammates on the bench shouted, "That was a fair play! That's how you should play!!!"
Next round.
Li Xiangbei dribbled the ball to the center circle logo.
Paul positioned himself one step inside the three-point line, a very reasonable defensive positioning.
Li Xiangbei looked at him and smiled.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 4/6 (activated)]
Just throw it away!
Super distant logo shot!
"brush!"
The basketball swished through the net again!
Madison Square Garden was absolutely in an uproar!
Li Xiangbei spread his hands, looking at Paul who looked like he was questioning the meaning of life.
"Chris, didn't the textbooks teach you how to defend?"
"Oh right, the textbooks don't explain... how to defend against geniuses."
……
The game has been completely blown out by Li Xiangbei's unreasonable and unstoppable three-pointers.
The point difference has widened to 20 points.
The main issue is that the Hornets' morale has plummeted.
At this point, Li Xiangbei had already scored 34 points.
D'Antoni walked to the sidelines, preparing to substitute Li Xiangbei and let him rest.
Li Xiangbei saw the gesture to substitute, but he waved his hand, indicating that he would wait another minute.
"Wait a minute, Mike," Li Xiangbei called out to the coach, "I'll round it up."
Round it up?
Paul, who was on the court, almost vomited blood when he heard this. Were they treating him like an ATM?
Li Xiangbei successfully intercepted the ball and launched a fast break.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 5/6 (activated)]
A sudden stop!
"brush!"
37 points!
The final possession of the third quarter. Only 3 seconds left.
Li Xiangbei has the ball near the center circle. Paul is marking him.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 6/6 (activated)]
Li Xiangbei was in the center circle, and he took the shot at the last second.
Lights on, goal!
"brush!"
40 points!
40 points in three quarters!
Li Xiangbei landed, glanced at the scoreboard, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Okay, time to go home."
He went straight to the bench, draped a towel over himself, sat down next to Randolph, and began chatting and laughing.
"Zack, where should we eat tonight? I think Chinese food would be better."
Randolph looked at him with adoration: "Boss, you can eat whatever you want! I'll get you anything, even a dinosaur!"
……
After the game.
保罗看着技术统计单上李向北那刺眼的 40分（三分球14投10中，必中6 +真实4），气得直接离开了球馆。
They didn't even shake hands.
Post-match interview.
The reporter asked, "Li, you were already leading by 20 points in the final moments of the third quarter, why did you still take that logo shot? Wasn't that a bit too... merciless?"
Li Xiangbei took a sip of water, looking completely innocent.
Why?
He pointed to his head.
"Because the atmosphere was just right. And... I have obsessive-compulsive disorder."
"If I don't shoot that ball and get 40 points, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Reporters present: "..."
This is probably the most arrogant and Versailles-like reason they've ever heard.
In the locker room.
Li Xiangbei was packing his things.
A system notification sounded.
[Congratulations, host! You have achieved a crushing victory!]
[Gain special title: Data Brush]
[Effect: Your shooting touch will be slightly improved during garbage time or when you have a large lead (making it easier for you to rack up stats)]
Li Xiangbei's lips twitched. "Damn, this is real data manipulation."
However, this system is quite thoughtful.