A Master of Score Control
With two minutes left in the winner-take-all Game 7 of the Finals, the teams were separated by just three points.
At that moment, every fan in Golden 1 Center had a much faster heartbeat than usual.
The hundreds of millions of viewers watching on screens felt their hearts racing, too.
Even if they weren't fans of either team, or of Durant and Wang Yi, seeing the score just three points apart with two minutes left in a winner-take-all Game 7 was enough to make them nervous.
Over on the Nets' side, every player wore a grave expression.
Harden's thick beard covered most of his face, but his eyes made it clear just how tense he was.
They were only two minutes away from winning the first championship of his career. He couldn't afford to be careless.
Irving kept rubbing his hands together and blowing on them.
Some people might have noticed that this looked a little like James's customary pregame routine.
As for Durant the Grim Reaper, that contractor-like air had completely vanished.
He simply kept staring at Wang Yi across the court.
Because he knew Wang Yi was his only opponent.
By contrast, everyone on the Kings looked fairly relaxed.
The fans, commentators, and reporters couldn't understand why the Kings were still so relaxed in a situation like this.
All they could do was turn their cameras on Wang Yi.
He was chewing gum, still looking completely at ease.
The reporters and fans were baffled, but it only made the Nets even more nervous.
After the timeout, both teams returned to the court.
The Kings got the first possession.
Wang Yi came out beyond the three-point line, and the Nets immediately sent a double-team his way.
At such a critical moment, Wang Yi had