James had been in the league for nearly twenty years.
He'd played in Salt Lake City's Devil's Home Court many times.
He had plenty of experience dealing with hostile crowds.
He leaned close to Wang Yi's ear and shouted:
"Do you know the term 'away-court mute button'?"
"You put on a tough, insane performance, shock every fan in the opposing arena, and make them fall silent! You make the away court completely quiet—that's the away-court mute button!"
James continued:
"But Salt Lake City fans are fierce and stubborn. Even when their team is losing by a huge margin, they'll make as much noise as they can for all forty-eight minutes."
Wang Yi nodded. Of course he knew.
Still, he wanted to complain a little.
The coach had strategically given up.
The entire Lakers roster had strategically given up.
And now you're telling me about the away-court mute button?
That's kind of hilarious.
Of course, Wang Yi only thought that to himself.
But when he lifted his head and looked around at the nearly twenty thousand fans, he saw that they were already making an enormous, irritating racket, even before the game had begun.
His body began to tremble slightly once more.
You've all given up, right?
I, Wang Yi, will never give up!
The away-court mute button?
Bring it on!
The game began, and both teams took the court.
The system's cold, seemingly emotionless mechanical voice rang out in Wang Yi's mind again:
[Please check in!]
"Check in."
[Check-in successful!] [Check-in reward: 1 Beginner Unsolvable Breakthrough Experience Card.]
As before, Wang Yi didn't use it right away.
Save the best steel for the blade's back... the handle...
The Jazz center, Gobert, and Drummond jumped for the ball at center court.
Gobert stood 2.16 meters tall, with