187. The JR Smith User Manual

After receiving a pass from Ariza, Li Chen dribbled the ball with both hands while quickly observing the situation of his teammates on the court, looking for the best opportunity.

At that moment, Li Chen was being defended by his former teammate, Richardson.

Nash's defense was simply too poor, so D'Antoni, outside the sideline, signaled to Richardson to guard Li Chen, since the two had been teammates before.

Seeing Richardson defending him, Li Chen smiled and said, "Quentin, don't let me get past you in one step."

Richardson didn't reply, but his serious expression said it all; he knew exactly how fast his boss was breaking through.

Li Chen's smile faded, and with a slight movement of his eyes, he took in everything on the court. The instant the basketball hit the floor, he moved.

At the same time, the moment the basketball slammed onto the floor, Richardson knew that Li Chen was telling him he was about to break through.

Li Chen suddenly accelerated, skillfully maneuvering the ball past Richardson and hurtling towards the basket.

During this time, although Richardson knew the direction of Li Chen's breakthrough, his brain reacted, but his body could not immediately make a defensive move.

Li Chen's speed was astonishing; Richardson couldn't react at all. He had already rushed to the basket like lightning.

However, just as he was about to jump and shoot, a dark figure suddenly pounced, attempting a suicidal steal from the side.

This person was none other than Nash. Nash himself knew very well how bad his defense was, so he made a suicidal steal without hesitation. If he succeeded, he would be in luck.

Li Chen's eyes narrowed, and he quickly changed his movements, making a back-to-the-basket pass. The basketball was successfully passed to Kurt Thomas was following up, at a tricky angle.

Thomas caught the ball steadily and quickly drove to the basket.

Just then, Stoudemire, who was guarding the basket, stepped in front of him.

Thomas instinctively nudged Stoudemire.

Stoudemire staggered backward.

However, just as Thomas was about to shoot the ball into the basket, the referee blew his whistle and then made an offensive foul gesture.

Thomas was slightly stunned and at a loss. After a moment, he dropped the basketball in his hand and walked towards the referee, wanting to argue with him. It was obvious that Stoudemire was faking a foul.

However, Li Chen stopped Thomas because he knew that once the referee called a foul, it was usually difficult to change the ruling, and he might even be penalized with a technical foul.

Li Chen knew that these referees were very averse to players questioning them, which could be seen from the fact that every time a player questioned a call after a bluff was triggered, the referee would issue a technical foul.

So it's not Clutch Shot, there's no need to argue with the referee.

Li Chen let out a long breath, quickly composed himself, and said to Kurt Thomas, "Kurt, don't worry about it, the game has only just begun."

"But, Chen, just now I..."

But when he saw the determination in Li Chen's eyes, he couldn't continue.

His eyes seemed to tell him that although we had been treated unfairly, we were fearless.

The Suns are on offense.

When Nash passed the ball to Stoudemire under the basket for a one-on-one shot, the referee blew the whistle again.

The referee called an offensive foul on Stoudemire naturally protested and argued with the referee, who then said that Stoudemire had pushed Stoudemire during his drive.

In the TNT broadcast room.

"I have to admit, Li Chen's actions just now were really rational," Kenny Smith said.

"Yes! If the Knicks had argued with the referees, this balanced call might not have happened."

"This kid really knows the referees inside and out," Kenny Smith remarked.

As time went by, the score between the two teams continued to increase.

At the end of the first quarter, the Knicks trailed the Suns 20-29 by 9 points.

Although the Knicks' scoring seemed decent in the first quarter, the fact is that 10 of those 20 points came from Li Chen.

The other four players on the court only scored 10 points.

Meanwhile, Dolan, seeing his team trailing by 9 points, looked incredibly grim. "These useless guys! They can't even make those wide-open shots! What else can they do?"

If Dolan knew that Li Chen's passes also had a 20% field goal percentage, I wonder what the Knicks' owner would think.

In the Knicks' rest area, Alvin Gentry kept touching his bald head.

He now feels like he has a lot of skills, but no one to use them.

At this moment, Li Chen suggested, "Coach Alvin, how about we bring on JR Smith?"

He was somewhat tempted by his beloved student's suggestion, but when he saw JR Smith with his face covered and his whole body lying across a row of seats, he had an urge to banish him to the sidelines.

Alvin Gentry is exhausted after encountering one of these things!

There are so few players as easy to manage as Chen, sigh!

Lost in thought, Alvin Gentry gritted his teeth and said, "Go and wake that bastard up."

During this time, Alvin Gentry silently reassured himself that Jr. Smith was actually somewhat useful, and after repeated persuasion, his restless heart finally calmed down.

But when Li Chen pulled the towel off his face, the corner of his mouth twitched violently.

This kid actually fell asleep; he must be speechless.

A short while later, the second quarter began.

As he entered the game, Li Chen patted JR Smith hard on the shoulder and said earnestly, "JR, the rest of the game is up to you. You're the Knicks' best shooter."

JR Smith, who was still half asleep, was slightly taken aback when he heard Li Chen's words.

When he turned to look at Li Chen's serious expression...

At that moment, he felt trusted, as if he had met a kindred spirit.

"Chen, I won't let you down."

Li Chen clearly sensed the change in JR Smith's expression.

Li Chen was somewhat surprised, silently thinking to himself, "So that's how it is!"

At the start of the second quarter, Li Chen used himself as bait to attract most of the Suns' attention, thus creating opportunities for JR Smith.

Li Chen then passed the ball to JR Smith using a Euro step.

After receiving the ball, Jr. Smith showed what it means to have a big heart, sinking a three-pointer despite being pressed hard by Joe Smith.

23 to 29.

Li Chen's eyes lit up; this kid's got guts! But he didn't forget a few key points for properly opening Jr. Smith.

So, Li Chen went up to JR Smith, vigorously rubbed his head, and praised, "Well done, kid."

JR Smith thoroughly enjoyed Li Chen's Headpat.

Next, the Suns went on offense.

Richardson's three-pointer went in.

In the TNT broadcast room.

"Now I know why my idol specifically asked for JR Smith."

"Yeah! This kid's shooting accuracy is incredible. He's another one who debuted at his peak."

"Kenny, that kid's made a few three-pointers."

"Five, no, now it's six."

"Hahaha! The Bobcats must be kicking themselves right now, right?"

"That's for sure, but I'm more curious about how Li Chen tamed this troublemaker."

Haha! Actually, I'm curious too.

But just then, an unexpected incident occurred on the court that caught the Knicks off guard.