Blocking You Until You Dare Not Shoot

Zhu Fangyu paused and continued, "The most classic example of confidence being shattered is the Mailman Malone's 'The mailman doesn't work on weekends.'"

"Back in the NBA Finals Game 1 between the Jazz and the Bulls, it happened to be a Sunday. Malone, nicknamed the Mailman, scored repeatedly in the final moments. With 7.5 seconds left in the game, the score was tied at 82. Malone also had two free throws. If he made them, he could potentially seal the game."

"But as he was shooting, Pippen, his opponent, whispered something in his ear, 'The mailman doesn't work on weekends.' Malone's mentality shifted. He missed both free throws, and Jordan hit the game-winner. They ended up losing the championship because of it."

"It was because his confidence was shattered in that game. From then on, his free throws were inaccurate in crucial moments. Every time he shot free throws in a critical situation, Pippen's words, 'The mailman doesn't work on weekends,' would echo in his mind."

"And Hachimura Rui now has that tendency."

For the next two minutes, until the end of the first half, Hachimura Rui couldn't score another point.

Actually, there were two opportunities in between.

But each time, he seemed very hesitant.

In NBA games, opportunities are fleeting.

His hesitation caused him to miss his chance to shoot.

He could only pass the ball out in the end.

Because his hesitant play affected the smoothness of the team's ball movement.

The Wizards' offense became as stagnant as constipation.

By the end of the first half, the Lakers were leading by 11 points.

Wang Yi's shooting touch wasn't great in this first half.

He shot 2-for-5, scoring only 5 points.

During halftime, the atmosphere in the Lakers' locker room was quite relaxed.

James patted Wang Yi on the back and said, "Wang, good job. Keep it up in the second half."

Caruso, while taking off his shoes, said, "That Hachimura Rui was very arrogant at the pre-game press conference. Wang's response to him was good."

The other players nodded in agreement and congratulated Wang Yi.

Wang Yi re-taped his ankle, jokingly saying, "This is just the beginning."

It sounded like a joke, but only he knew that was exactly what he thought.

Crush the opponent's confidence?

That's far from enough.

He wanted to play until the opponent despaired!

Until the opponent no longer dared to be arrogant in front of him!

Until opponents would go out of their way to avoid him in the future!

He remembered a famous quote from a certain fat guy who couldn't play basketball: "Don't let them live!"

Meanwhile, in the home team's locker room.

The team's atmosphere was somewhat somber.

Hachimura Rui sat there with his head down, silent.

Beal clapped his hands repeatedly, trying to rally the team.

"They're not that scary!"

"LeBron isn't the King anymore, he's old. Besides him, the Lakers don't have any other players worth mentioning."

"As long as we stop LeBron and force him to pass the ball, we've already won half the battle."

Westbrook reminded them, "Their number 1 is also playing well, we need to be careful of him."

Beal shook his head.

"He's only played three good games. His three-point shooting isn't as sharp in this game. I noticed he only scored 5 points in the first half. Even if he scores another 10 points in the second half, as long as the other players don't step up, we can easily beat the Lakers."

Westbrook wanted to say more, but ultimately didn't.

Instead, he turned and put his hands on Hachimura Rui's shoulders, saying, "Show your spirit in the second half, show the drive that got you 30 points before."

"You have to remember, he's just a poor short-term contract player. But you are a star player who has scored 30 points. In front of you, he's just a pathetic maggot! Understand?"

Hachimura Rui subconsciously nodded.

His previously dim eyes seemed to brighten slightly.

When the third quarter started, the Wizards' first possession still went to Hachimura Rui.

This time, Hachimura Rui finally got an open shot after a screen.

He didn't hesitate anymore, raising the basketball high, already jumping, about to shoot.

But just then, Wang Yi suddenly bypassed the Wizards player who screened for Hachimura Rui and lunged at him.

Hachimura Rui's heart skipped a beat.

A dark cloud seemed to pass through his mind.

In his panic, he didn't dare to shoot.

He turned to look for an outside player.

But in his field of vision, there wasn't a single outside player who was open.

This hesitation caused him to start descending.

Wang Yi took advantage of his descent, swinging his left hand wide, smack--

A huge block, right in his face!

"Oh--"

The crowd immediately shouted in unison.

The commentator on the scene also exclaimed in shock:

"Oh--NO, he blocked Hachimura Rui again!"

"As the home commentator for the Wizards, I hate his blocks. But from an objective standpoint, I have to say his blocking ability is too strong."

"Official data shows he's only 1.92 meters tall, yet possesses such outstanding blocking ability, which is truly rare. It reminds me of Wade."

"I found the stats from his last game. He actually... My goodness, he had 10 blocks last game! Unbelievable!"

On the court, Hachimura Rui's newly brightened eyes dimmed once again.

Wizards coach Brooks frowned tightly upon seeing this.

It was only the first possession, and the little bit of courage Hachimura Rui had mustered was gone again.

This wouldn't do.

Losing this game wasn't the issue, but the players absolutely couldn't lose their confidence.

Before he completely lost his confidence, he had to help him rebuild it during this game.

With that thought, he substituted Hachimura Rui out during a dead ball.

Hachimura Rui sat back on the bench, still with his head down and eyes vacant.

Coach Brooks handed him a bottle of mineral water.

Hachimura Rui numbly took the water, numbly unscrewed the cap, and numbly drank.

Coach Brooks said:

"Hachimura, have you forgotten what you said before the game?"

"You said you were going to blow him up! That you were going to teach him a lesson for your seniors! That you were going to give him a good lecture. Have you forgotten all that?"

Hachimura Rui's gaze flickered slightly.

Coach Brooks continued:

"You have to think, you've already said those words. If you can't do it, and instead get blown out by him, how embarrassing would that be? Your country, your people, your family and friends, how would they see you?"

Hachimura Rui's eyes began to gleam.

His right hand, gripping the water bottle, clenched tighter.

The water bottle groaned in his hand with a "crackling" sound.

Coach Brooks saw that his words were effective and Hachimura Rui had been stirred up.

But he didn't let Hachimura Rui back on the court immediately.

He knew clearly that Hachimura Rui now had anger in his heart.

But he also knew that anger alone wasn't enough.

In Hachimura Rui's current state, anger alone would only lead to more mistakes.

So, he still needed to let him calm down first.

Coach Brooks handed Hachimura Rui a towel, his voice softening considerably.

He said:

"I won't let you play again in the third quarter. You reflect on yourself first."

"In the fourth quarter, I'll give you one last chance. If you seize it, you will grow. If you don't, I won't use you again. I won't even give you another minute of playing time. Do you understand?"

Hachimura Rui nodded heavily:

"I understand, Coach!"