The Swift Ship in Dire Straits

Paravilla Stadium was dead silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Hearing this, Odom was momentarily stunned, and even the others stared at Li Chen in shock.

Then Li Chen continued, "Even if you leave the Clippers, I'll still crush you. No matter what team you go to."

Even if it's the Lakers, he silently added in his mind.

At Li Chen's bold declaration, the other players were dumbfounded.

After all, since Odom joined the Clippers four years ago, he'd averaged over 14 points per game. Before Elton Brand arrived, he was unquestionably the second-in-command! Even now, he was the Clippers' third-leading scorer. And this Eastern man, Li Chen, was actually claiming he wanted to replace Odom? Wasn't that overreaching?

Just then, Odom snapped out of his shock.

He burst out laughing. "Eastern Kid, you want to replace me? You'd better worry about where you'll be after tonight's game. Trash."

"Then we'll wait and see," Li Chen said calmly.

"None of you training? What are you all huddled together for? Everyone's doing extra drills today."

Seeing the players gathered around instead of training, Alvin Gentry—facing the threat of being fired—felt a surge of irritation. He barked out the order.

Hearing this, the Clippers players all winced, cursing Odom out in their heads. If it weren't for his big mouth, they wouldn't be getting punished.

Then it struck them that one man was probably thrilled. They all looked at Li Chen.

Li Chen was silently training.

Alvin Gentry had just arrived and didn't know what had happened, so he only gave a scolding.

At the same time, he sighed inwardly. He'd seen Li Chen's diligence with his own eyes—he'd even sneaked a peek in the early hours to check if the kid was really putting in extra practice.

And Li Chen hadn't let Alvin Gentry down.

Let's see how today goes. Against the Timberwolves, the odds of winning weren't high. If the first three quarters fell apart, he'd put the kid in for the fourth.

Hope you can perform well, kid. As long as you don't embarrass yourself too badly, I can still give you another ten-day contract, Alvin Gentry thought to himself.

After strength training, Coach Alvin Gentry started laying out tactical drills. Since there was a game that night, the players all went back to rest in the afternoon.

Alvin Gentry walked through the bustling, traffic-filled streets of Los Angeles.

Then he stopped mid-step. Had he forgotten something? After a moment's thought, he slapped his forehead. He'd forgotten Li Chen.

So Alvin Gentry turned around and headed back to Paravilla Stadium.

As soon as he reached the entrance of Paravilla Stadium, he heard the occasional sound of a basketball swishing through the net inside.

It made him sigh again. This young man was truly hardworking—the most diligent player he'd ever seen, bar none.

When Alvin Gentry pushed open the gym doors, Li Chen was momentarily startled.

"Coach Alvin Gentry, why haven't you left yet?" Li Chen asked politely.

Alvin Gentry said flatly, "Oh, I came to tell you that you might get to play tonight. So don't keep practicing this afternoon."

With that, Alvin Gentry turned and left. As he heard Li Chen's excited cheers behind him, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Kid, I hope you seize this chance.

Meanwhile, Li Chen watched Alvin Gentry's retreating figure and silently said, Thank you, Coach Alvin Gentry. In the East, we believe in reciprocity. Don't worry—I won't let you get fired this season.

Then he thought, Even though my stamina is good, I still don't know what ability I'll randomly get tonight.

So it was essential to conserve energy and try to maximize that unknown S-rank Skill.

By showing his best side to Alvin Gentry, he could earn more playing time.

Maybe this was his chance to turn things around. He really felt it—strongly. Tonight, he would make this city know him, this Eastern man.

Li Chen didn't leave the gym. Instead, he kept replaying the rhythm of his shooting motion in his mind, occasionally taking a few shots to match that rhythm.

And so, Li Chen spent another half-day soaking in the gym.

At seven in the evening, they gathered and took a bus to Staples Center.

Then Alvin Gentry began selecting the starting lineup and setting the tactics for the night. After that came player warm-ups.

The Clippers' starting lineup for this game was: Small Forward Elton Brand, Shooting Guard Corey Maggette, Power Forward Odom, Center Michael Olowokandi, and Point Guard Andre Miller.

Coach Alvin Gentry hesitated repeatedly but ultimately didn't put Li Chen in the starting five.

Even though Alvin Gentry valued his training attitude and tenacity, that didn't mean he'd throw the game's outcome to the wind.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves' starting lineup was also announced.

Power Forward Wolf King Garnett, Shooting Guard Gill, Small Forward Joe Smith, Center Nester, and Point Guard Strickland.

Seeing this starting lineup, Odom shot Li Chen a mocking look.

As if to say, See that, Eastern Kid? I'm an untouchable starter. You want to replace me? No way.

Li Chen ignored Odom's blatant provocation and instead held his breath, focusing on the system notification.

[Notification: This match has obtained an S-rank Skill...]

January 16, 2003. Staples Center erupted in cheers.

The regular-season game between the Los Angeles Clippers, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves, officially began.

Timberwolves Center Nester won the tip, and Wolf King Garnett pushed the ball forward, quickly sinking a jumper inside off his individual skill.

On the transition, Odom caught a pass from Andre Miller and drove toward the paint.

Odom had already made up his mind—he was going to show that Eastern Kid Li Chen the gap between them.

Odom floated a little hook from outside the paint. The shot felt smooth; he had a sense it was going in.

But then a figure leaped high, and with a sharp smack, swatted the ball away hard.

That figure was none other than the two-way Wolf King Garnett.

Damn it, Odom cursed to himself.

In the first quarter, the Clippers' shooting percentage was abysmal. Aside from Corey Maggette and Elton Brand, everyone else was basically clanking iron.

Just like that, the Clippers were suppressed from the opening tip by Garnett's Timberwolves. The first quarter ended with Minnesota leading 23 to 13, a ten-point advantage.

Watching this, Alvin Gentry frowned deeply. The gap was too big. The Clippers' role players were far too inconsistent.

Alvin Gentry felt a pang of frustration. He couldn't help glancing at Li Chen, wondering if he should give him a shot.

But then he shook his head. Giving up in the first quarter would only make the front office more dissatisfied.

So he decided to wait and see—maybe the second quarter would bring a turnaround.

But by halftime, the Clippers trailed the Timberwolves 33 to 48, down by 15.

The third quarter began, and the Clippers launched a furious counterattack, barely managing to tie the Timberwolves 20 to 20.

Still, the Clippers remained 15 points behind.

Alvin Gentry was deeply dissatisfied with Odom's performance this game. He had only scored 7 points through three quarters.

Looking at his dejected players, Alvin Gentry felt a bitter frustration at their lack of fight.

Is it really going to be a loss? Alvin Gentry asked himself silently.