Debut

At that moment, he saw Li Chen brimming with eagerness, his fighting spirit high and his confidence overflowing—a stark contrast to everyone else.

It made Alvin Gentry feel a strange illusion: steady on, we can win.

As his thoughts wandered, Alvin Gentry began laying out the fourth-quarter strategy.

In 2003, it wasn't the small-ball era of later years, where a few three-pointers could erase a 15-point lead in the blink of an eye.

The style of play in this era was all about physical collision, with every player charging toward the paint.

So, a lead of over 15 points in this era was hard to overturn.

Soon, Coach Alvin Gentry made his decision.

"Fourth quarter: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Andre Miller, Kenyon Doolin, Li Chen—you five are up."

Everyone nodded, but none had any fighting spirit—except Li Chen, of course.

Meanwhile, Odom realized he wasn't in the lineup and immediately kicked up a fuss.

"Coach, why is Li Chen playing? Am I not as good as him?" Odom nearly growled.

Alvin Gentry frowned at Odom's challenge, but before he could speak, a voice chimed in.

"Hmph! You played like crap for three quarters and still want to get on the court? Are you kidding me?"

Elton Brand sneered at Odom for even daring to ask.

Hearing Elton Brand's words, Odom's face darkened. He didn't understand why that bastard Elton Brand was sticking up for some Eastern Kid.

Just then, the referee's whistle blew.

Alvin Gentry clapped his hands and said, "Alright, get ready to go."

The Clippers players all stood up and headed toward the court.

At the same time, Elton Brand walked up to Li Chen and said, "Chen, wait up—I'll pass you the ball."

Li Chen nodded sincerely and replied, "Thanks."

"Haha!" Elton Brand patted Li Chen on the shoulder and said, "You Easterners are so fussy. We're teammates—passing the ball is normal, isn't it?"

Li Chen smiled and said nothing.

But in his mind, he muttered, Not everyone in your country is like you.

In the TNT broadcast studio.

"The Clippers have Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and the newly joined veteran Andre Miller, but making the Playoffs is still a stretch," Kenny said fairly.

"Yeah! Let's take a look at how the Clippers will handle the Timberwolves' fierce attack in the fourth quarter. First, let's see their starting lineup for the fourth," Barkley said.

"Oh? Old friend, there's another Eastern man here. Want to make a bet?" Kenny Smith asked with interest and a teasing tone.

Barkley paused for a moment, looked closely, and spotted another Eastern face.

"What? Charles, you're not scared off by Eastern witchcraft, are you?" Kenny Smith teased again.

"Bet on what?" Sir Charles Barkley wasn't about to be intimidated.

Kenny Smith thought for a moment and said, "Let's bet tonight's late-night snack!"

Kenny Smith wasn't stupid—there was only one Yao Ming, and he didn't want to embarrass himself like Barkley.

Hearing that, Barkley immediately knew what Kenny was plotting.

He shouted, "Oh! Kenny, you old fox—no, absolutely not. This time, we're betting on kissing a cow's ass!"

Kenny Smith naturally wouldn't agree to a bet he was sure to lose.

In the end, they settled on a bet based on Li Chen's scoring.

If Li Chen scored five points or more, Kenny Smith would win; if he scored fewer than five, Barkley would win.

The wager was treating all the broadcast studio staff to late-night snacks.

At the same time, the fourth quarter officially began, with the Timberwolves having possession.

Timberwolves Point Guard Strickland dribbled the ball up the court.

Li Chen immediately closed in on him. Strickland raised an eyebrow, faked left and right twice, and easily shook Li Chen off.

This caught Strickland off guard. This Eastern man's Defensive Ability was so poor that he breezed past him effortlessly—he could hardly believe it.

Then he pulled up for a jump shot, but the ball clanked off the rim and bounced away.

Elton Brand grabbed the rebound.

Elton Brand didn't rush to pass to Li Chen. He knew this was Li Chen's only chance, so he had to draw the defense and give Li Chen a perfect shooting window.

After bringing the ball past half-court, Elton Brand drove left and right into the paint, disrupting the Timberwolves' formation.

Meanwhile, Li Chen noticed no one was guarding him. Instead of feeling slighted, he was actually pleased.

Just then, Elton Brand passed the ball to Li Chen, who stood at a 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line.

When Li Chen caught the ball, he felt something indescribable.

It was a strange sensation—his muscles were relaxed, and every breath carried a rhythm he couldn't quite name.

Li Chen knew this was the wonderful feeling that the S-rank Open Three-Pointer brought him.

If he could remember this rhythm, perhaps he could comprehend the S-rank skill Open Three-Pointer on his own.

[S-rank Skill: Open Three-Pointer — 100% hit rate from any position on the half-court when unguarded.]

Li Chen slowly raised the basketball, then leaped high.

The ball traced a beautiful arc toward the hoop.

Swish!

Nothing but net.

Li Chen clenched his right fist tightly. The feeling of seamless execution was too wonderful, utterly captivating him.

Li Chen's basket didn't make the Timberwolves sense any danger. In their eyes, it was just a stroke of dumb luck.

In the broadcast studio.

"Hahaha! Charles, looks like this Eastern Kid knows some witchcraft too!" Kenny Smith laughed heartily.

"Kenny, he just got lucky. Don't get too happy."

Barkley's expression soured. He muttered inwardly, No way... Am I about to lose again? Am I cursed when it comes to Easterners?

"Alright then, let's just wait and see." Kenny Smith said cheerfully.

But the moment Kenny Smith finished speaking, Li Chen sank another open three-pointer.

Kenny Smith froze for a second, then shouted in regret:

"Oh, God! I just missed a chance to make Charles taste cow ass."

Barkley: "..."

Damn it, Easterners really are poisonous! Barkley's mentality was completely shattered.

Inside the Clippers' camp.

When Alvin Gentry saw Li Chen score 6 points in a row, his heart swelled with joy. He felt like he had found a treasure.

Meanwhile, Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders watched the scene, his brow furrowing slightly. He glanced at the score: 59 to 68.

Just over two minutes had passed, and the Clippers had already gone on a 6-0 run.

No, they had to contain that Eastern kid.

But before this thought could be put into action, Li Chen had just crossed half-court with the ball, and a scene unfolded that no one could believe.

Li Chen leaped high, and the ball arced gracefully toward the hoop.

Swish. Nothing but net again.

At that moment, the Staples Center fell silent.