235. The Team Scrimmage

After Duncan left the game, Garnett also left. Garnett was exhausted; Duncan was just too strong tonight, and he really couldn't keep up.

However, he persevered in the end, otherwise he would have embarrassed himself.

Without Duncan, the Spurs' rebounding ability has dropped sharply, but the Warriors are also missing Garnett.

However, David Lee is much stronger than Diaw. David Lee's relentless work ethic gave the Warriors a greater advantage.

With Harden and DeRozan's excellent teamwork, the Warriors took the lead by the end of the second quarter.

When the game entered the third quarter, although there was a 15-minute rest period, the Spurs players' stamina had clearly not recovered to their peak.

However, after resting for nearly 30 minutes, Curry and the others were full of energy. So Curry just kept throwing things around, and the Spurs almost collapsed.

Although the Spurs didn't collapse in the third quarter, they were still down by ten points.

When the fourth quarter began, their stamina became a major problem again, and they finally succumbed to the Warriors once more.

At this moment, the Warriors have already shown the beginnings of an invincible force.

The following day, Sports Illustrated's report sparked heated discussions among fans.

The Warriors have the potential to become an invincible team. Then, a series of pieces of evidence are presented.

Yes, the Warriors have incredible bench depth, but the team owners aren't worried because the Warriors can't stay this complete forever.

Because once the players' rookie contracts expire, Li Chen simply won't be able to afford the exorbitant luxury tax.

That day, after the Warriors players finished their morning practice, Harden suggested, "Boss, how about we have an intra-squad scrimmage this afternoon?"

Curry's eyes lit up when he heard this, as did Leonard and Klay Thompson, only DeRozan wasn't very interested.

As Harden's childhood friend, he can confidently say that Harden's suggestions often lead to disastrous results.

Li Chen gave Harden a meaningful look, then glanced at Curry and the others, and said, "What, you guys think so too?"

Curry and the others nodded in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Li Chen nodded, then said, "That's a good idea..." Li Chen then changed the subject, "However... playing like this is too boring. How about... we add some stakes?"

"A prize! What prize?" Harden asked Li Chen with wide, innocent eyes.

"Hmm..." Li Chen thought for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "Two months of extra training during the off-season."

Upon hearing Li Chen's words, the five boys' lips twitched in unison. Two months meant they wouldn't have time to do anything else during this off-season.

DeRozan very alert; he felt uneasy, because he had suffered too many losses at the hands of Li Chen.

So he said, "I think we should just forget about it!"

Li Chen glanced at DeRozan, thinking to himself, "This kid is actually quite alert, though he doesn't say much."

However, Li Chen is a seasoned veteran who understands the mentality of these young players.

He simply nodded, waved his hand dismissively, and said, "Since you're scared, then forget it."

Hearing Li Chen's nonchalant words, Harden was the first to object, "Demar, you're such a coward, what's there to be afraid of?"

"Exactly, you know the boss's teammates are all substitute players!"

Curry, Leonard, and Klay Thompson also spoke in unison.

DeRozan thought about it and realized it made sense. Then, he subconsciously glanced at the smiling, inscrutable Li Chen, and his unease intensified.

However, he didn't want to discourage Harden and the others, so he could only nod reluctantly.

Out of caution, the five members were only relieved after confirming that Garnett and Korver would not join Li Chen's team.

However, they wouldn't be idle either; Li Chen made them the referees.

Li Chen smiled faintly, thinking to himself, even the worst teammates are still All-Stars.

A moment later, Li Chen selected five substitute players and scanned the group of substitute players.

He immediately spotted a familiar figure: Kwame Brown, the player widely considered a draft bust in NBA history.

Kwame Brown wasn't as bad as people thought; it's just that expectations were too high, leading to a greater sense of disappointment.

He then pointed to a familiar face, Redor, who had played exceptionally well in a game against the Miami Heat during the Playoffs.

Finally, Li Chen selected a 213cm center, Baron, and a 211cm center, Andres.

Li Chen's strategy is a four-protect-one approach.

Harden, Curry, and others were filled with confidence when they saw the backup players selected by Li Chen.

To demonstrate their confidence, they let Li Chen lead the substitute lineup for the first attack.

Li Chen wouldn't hold back either; he wanted to let these future superstars know that their grandpa would always be their grandpa.

So he equipped himself with [Assist Master], [Ankle Killer], [Pull-up Jumper], [Miracle Shot], and [Iron Wall and Bronze Barrier].

At the start, Li Chen was matched up against Curry. Li Chen used his ball-handling skills to constantly deceive Curry's center of gravity. Finally, his S-rank Skill [Ankle Killer] was triggered, and Curry fell flat on his backside.

Then Li Chen calmly made a jump shot, and Li Chen's team took the first game 2-0.

"Boss, your dribbling is much better than before!" Curry complained as he stood up.

Li Chen smiled without saying a word.

Seeing this, the five little ones were slightly stunned, then their faces turned grim. At that moment, they suddenly realized that they might have been tricked.

However, upon further reflection, basketball is a five-player sport, so no matter how strong Li Chen is, it won't make a difference. With this in mind, Curry and the others regained their confidence.

The Curry-Harden team scored their first points through teamwork, with Curry hitting a three-pointer from beyond the arc.

2 to 3.

Turning around, Li Chen drove straight into the paint, facing the defense of Leonard and Klay Thompson for a layup, and drew a foul from Li Chen Klay Thompson, completing a beautiful 2+1 play.

"Fuck, that ball went in?" Klay Thompson's eyes widened in disbelief.

Garnett, acting as referee, chuckled inwardly. These kids really didn't know how terrifying the Lucky Boy was!

Li Chen gets another free throw, and swish! The free throw goes in.

In the transition between offense and defense, Leonard also started his attack, forcefully driving to the basket and scoring a layup despite Kwame Brown's defense.

DeMar DeRozan and passes to Harden.

The latter scored under the basket and drew a foul from Baron. Harden also completed a 2+1 play.

"Hey, hey, hey! Kyle, you're such a terrible assistant referee! James was clearly drawing a foul on that play!" Li Chen complained.

Korver ignored Li Chen's complaints, Korver wanting to see Li Chen embarrass himself.

"Damn it! You bunch of bastards, do you have any humanity? Our team is already weak, and you're still blowing the whistle unfairly!" Li Chen cursed angrily.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Korver said seriously, "To defeat you, the number one player in the NBA, we will of course use every means at our disposal."

Seeing that Korver was determined to make biased calls, Li Chen could only turn his attention to Garnett.

"The call against Kyle just now was perfectly correct."

"Damn it! You guys are ruthless," Li Chen said through gritted teeth.

The match continued, and after one round, the score was now 11-7.

Despite the referee's misconduct, Li Chen hit two consecutive pull-up three-pointers, giving his team a four-point lead over Curry Harden.

The Curry-Harden team launched a fast break, passing the ball around continuously, and Klay Thompson drained a three-pointer from the 45-degree angle to finish the game.

11 to 10.

Li Chen then responded to the call.

At this moment, the Curry-Harden team displayed their fluid teamwork once again. Curry made a quick pass to Klay Thompson, who drained a three-pointer from the corner, tying the game at 13-13.

Li Chen continued to attack with the ball, but was double-teamed by Leonard, Harden, Klay Thompson.

Li Chen cursed, "Damn it! Can't we just play basketball properly? Three of you are double-teaming me, why don't you five just surround me directly?"

"Boss, there's no rule on the court against triple teams, this is my tactic."

"You guys are ruthless," Li Chen said, then Pull-up Jumper.

*Smack! Harden committed a foul by hitting the hand, but the whistle didn't blow.

Li Chen was speechless.

Fortunately, the big men Li Chen selected worked, and Baron grabbed the rebound.

To Li Chen's dismay, David Lee blocked the guy's layup attempt, sending it out of bounds.

Kwame Brown serves the ball from Li Chen's team, taking it from the baseline.

After receiving the ball, Li Chen immediately took a Pull-up Jumper.

15 to 13.

In the next possession, Harden received a pass from Curry and attempted a shot over Li Chen, but missed.

"James, you're still too green. You want to shoot me over the head? Even if I stand still, you can't make a shot." Li Chen arrogantly mocked Harden.

Li Chen's words infuriated Harden, his eyes widening in anger. He retorted indignantly, "Boss, we agreed you wouldn't play defense, and you still won't believe me?"

Li Chen nodded and said, "Next time, I definitely won't play defense. Let your teammates see how incompetent you are." Li Chen's trashy words immediately ignited Harden's anger.

"I'm really good, okay? All the girls say I'm amazing," Harden muttered to himself.

Li Chen: "..."

However, what he said broke Li Chen's defenses.

Kwame Brown grabs the rebound, and Li Chen's team goes on offense.

As soon as Li Chen crossed the frontcourt, he was immediately double-teamed by Leonard and Klay Thompson.

Li Chen passed the ball to Kwame Brown, and then ran towards the baseline.

After receiving a pass from Li Chen, Kwame Brown, boosted by his Assist Master, made a jump shot.

17 to 13.

In the next possession, Harden once again scored a header over Li Chen.

Li Chen didn't defend, but Harden still missed the shot, leaving Harden staring at his own hands in shock, as if asking, "Are these really my hands?"

Li Chen suppressed a laugh, then patted him meaningfully on the shoulder as if to say, "Kid, you know how lousy you are, right?"

Under the basket, David Lee grabbed the rebound again, and then he made a powerful hook shot inside.

In the transition between offense and defense, Li Chen hit another three-pointer from the right 45-degree angle, making it 20-15, and the score was widened to five points again.

As the score gap widened, Team Curry and Harden launched a fierce attack, unleashing a 7-2 run led by Curry, instantly tying the score.

At this moment, Li Chen stepped up first, followed by a classic triple threat, and then hit a mid-range pull-up jumper that swished through the net.

It was Li Chen again; he stole the ball from Harden and assisted Redor for an easy layup.

24 to 22.

"Boss, I've been with you for seven years, why are you always stealing my thunder?"

Li Chen replied matter-of-factly, "We have a saying in China, Li Mingyan, which is called 'ripping off acquaintances.'"

Harden looked confused and asked, "What do you mean?"

"In other words, targeting someone you know very well greatly increases the success rate."

Harden "..."

With Curry sinking that three-pointer, the first half ended with Team Curry leading by 5 points, 43-38.

After a five-minute break, the second half of the game begins.

Curry kicked things off with a three-pointer.

43 to 41.

Li Chen made a quick pass to Kwame Brown, who stumbled slightly upon receiving the ball, but after regaining control, he easily scored.

45 to 41.

At this moment, Li Chen walked side by side with Kwame Brown and said, "Kwame, on the field, you just need to be confident."

Kwame Brown a bitter laugh. "This is how my life is going to be."

Seeing Kwame Brown's dejected look, he knew that this guy's mental attributes were too poor, and people with such poor mental attributes could not achieve much.

Harden dribbled the ball, but Li Chen stole it again. Frustrated, Harden grabbed Li Chen's waist, stopping Li Chen's fast break.

Li Chen passed the ball to Redor.

Harden reacted quickly, stealing the ball from Redol, then drove the length of the court for a layup and drew a foul from Baron.

Harden also made his free throws without hesitation.

45 to 43.

Immediately afterwards, Li Chen's team passed the ball to the inside through teamwork, Kwame Brown made a layup to complete a three-point play.

Kwame Brown seemed to have found the switch to attack.

Li Chen then broke through and passed the ball to Kwame Brown under the basket, who scored again.

Li Chen stole Curry's pass and added a beautiful three-pointer, giving Li Chen's team a 7-2 run and widening the gap to seven points.

The two sides then traded baskets, with Harden assisting Leonard for a long two-pointer.

Harden missed another shot over Li Chen, Curry picked up the loose ball under the basket and passed it to David Lee.

David Lee hits a low-post shot.

Li Chen then hit a tough three-pointer from the outside, making the score very close.

Curry then stole the ball and made a long pass to DeRozan, who easily slammed it down for a dunk.

The score was quickly tied by Curry and Harden's team.

Towards the end of the second half, Curry and Harden's shooting suddenly went cold.

Li Chen's team seized the opportunity to gradually widen the score gap. In the final moments of the game, Li Chen's team trailed Curry and Harden's team by two points, 80-82.

Li Chen sealed the victory with a last-second shot, defeating the Curry-Harden team.

But then Garnett and Korver once again made their presence felt, indicating that Li Chen had just taken the shot when time was up.

"Oh! We won!"

Li Chen was speechless; this was truly shameless.

"Even if you win, so what?" Li Chen sneered.

Hearing Li Chen's words, everyone was slightly stunned, then they cried out in despair, "Fuck, we didn't say what the reward would be if we won!"

Li Chen looked smugly at the five people groaning in pain, then led Fang Mu out of the stadium.

He walked out of the Training Gym, and a few minutes later, he heard a familiar voice calling him from behind.

A moment later, "Stephen, what's wrong? Is something the matter? Are you feeling guilty about what happened earlier and have come to apologize to me?"

Curry blinked and said, "No."

Li Chen: "..."

Li Chen turned and left, as if there was nothing else to discuss.

But Curry followed along eagerly, like a little tagalong.

A few minutes later, in Li Chen's office, Curry didn't stand on ceremony, poured him a glass of water, and then sat down opposite Li Chen, saying, "Boss, do you want some?"

Li Chen shook his head and said, "No need, get to the point."

Curry took a sip of water and then recounted what had happened.

It turns out that Curry received an invitation from Nike Company to sign a contract, Curry wanted to ask Li Chen for advice.