Taking the Court

At that moment, he saw how eager, spirited, and confident Li Chen looked. Compared to everyone else, he stood out sharply.

Seeing this, Alvin Gentry could not help but have the illusion that everything would be fine. Stay steady. We can win.

As his thoughts raced, Alvin Gentry began arranging their fourth-quarter tactics.

In 2003, this was not the small-ball era of later generations, where a few quick three-pointers could erase a fifteen-point deficit in the blink of an eye.

The style of play in this era was all about physical collisions. Every player charged toward the paint.

That was why, in this era, a lead of more than fifteen points was extremely difficult to overcome.

Soon, Coach Alvin Gentry made his decision.

"Fourth quarter: Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Andre Miller, Kenyon Doolin, and Li Chen, you're in."

Everyone nodded, but none of them had much fighting spirit—Li Chen being the exception.

At the same time, Odom realized that he had apparently been left out, and immediately refused to accept it.

"Coach, why are you putting Li Chen in? Am I not as good as him?" Odom practically growled.

Alvin Gentry was displeased that Odom would question him, but before he could speak, a voice rang out at just the right moment.

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

Elton Brand immediately mocked Odom when he saw that Odom still had the nerve to ask.

Odom's expression turned ugly at Elton Brand's words. He did not understand why that bastard Elton Brand was helping some Eastern Kid.

Just then, the referee's whistle sounded.

Alvin Gentry clapped his hands. "All right, get ready to go in."

The Clippers players rose together and headed toward the court.

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

Li Chen nodded sincerely. "Thank you."

"Haha!" Elton Brand patted Li Chen on the shoulder. "You Easterners are so fussy. We're teammates. Isn't passing the ball normal?"

Li Chen smiled but said nothing.

But inwardly, he muttered, Not everyone from your country is like you.

In the TNT broadcast studio.

"Although the Clippers have Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and the veteran Andre Miller, who just joined the team, making the Playoffs still seems like a bit of a stretch," Kenny said fairly.

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

"Huh? Old friend, there's an Eastern Kid here too. Want to make a bet?" Kenny Smith asked teasingly, clearly interested.

Barkley was momentarily stunned. Looking closely, he saw another Eastern face.

"What's wrong, Charles? Don't tell me you were frightened by Eastern sorcery!" Kenny Smith teased again.

"Bet on what?" How could Sir Charles Barkley possibly be frightened?

Kenny Smith thought for a moment. "Let's bet on tonight's late-night meal!"

Kenny Smith was no fool. There was only one Yao Ming, and he did not want to embarrass himself like Barkley had.

The moment Barkley heard Kenny Smith say that, he immediately understood the little scheme in his heart.

He shouted, "Oh, Kenny, you old fox! No, absolutely not. This time, let's bet on eating a bull's butt!"

Kenny Smith naturally refused such a bet that he was certain to lose.

In the end, the two settled on a bet based on Li Chen's score.

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

As for the stakes, the loser would treat everyone working in the broadcast studio to a late-night meal.

At the same time, the fourth-quarter game officially began, with the Timberwolves in possession.

The Timberwolves' Point Guard, Strickland, dribbled the ball toward the frontcourt.

Li Chen moved up to defend him. Strickland raised his eyebrows, then shook him off with a few feints.

This surprised Strickland somewhat. The Eastern man's Defensive Ability was far too poor. He had gone around him with ease, so easily that he could hardly believe it.

He then pulled up for a jumper, but the ball struck the outer rim and bounced away.

Elton Brand grabbed the rebound.

Elton Brand did not rush to pass to Li Chen. He knew this was Li Chen's only chance today. He had to draw the defensive pressure and give Li Chen perfect space to shoot.

After dribbling the ball across half court, Elton Brand drove left and right through the paint, throwing the Timberwolves' defensive formation into disarray.

At the same time, Li Chen saw that no one was guarding him. Instead of feeling angry at being overlooked, he was delighted.

Just then, Elton Brand passed the ball to Li Chen, who was standing beyond the three-point line at a forty-five-degree angle.

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

It was a marvelous sensation. His muscles were completely relaxed, and with every breath, there was a rhythm he could neither describe nor understand.

Li Chen knew that this was the wondrous sensation brought by the S-rank Skill: Open Three-Pointer.

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: From any position on the court, when completely unguarded, the success rate is 100%.**

Li Chen slowly raised the basketball, then leaped high into the air.

The basketball sailed toward the hoop in a beautiful arc.

Swish!

It dropped cleanly through the net.

Li Chen clenched his right fist. That feeling of completing everything in one smooth motion was so wonderful that he was utterly captivated.

Li Chen's basket did not make the Timberwolves feel threatened. In their eyes, it was nothing more than a lucky shot.

In the broadcast studio.

"Hahahaha! Charles, it looks like this Eastern Kid knows sorcery too!" Kenny Smith laughed loudly.

"Kenny, he just got lucky. Don't celebrate too soon."

Barkley looked rather unhappy. He muttered inwardly, No way. Am I going to lose again? Am I naturally at odds with Eastern people?

"All right, then. Let's wait and see," Kenny Smith said happily.

But the moment Kenny Smith finished speaking, Li Chen took another Open Three-Pointer.

Kenny Smith froze for a moment, then shouted regretfully:

"Oh, God! I actually missed a chance to make Charles taste a bull's butt!"

Barkley: "..."

Damn it. Eastern people really are poisonous! Barkley's mentality was completely shattered.

Among the Clippers.

When Alvin Gentry saw Li Chen score six straight points, he was overjoyed. At that moment, he felt as if he had discovered a priceless treasure.

At the same time, when the Timberwolves' head coach, Flip Saunders, saw this, his brows furrowed slightly. He then looked at the score: 59–68.

Only a little more than two minutes had passed, yet the Clippers had already gone on a 6–0 run.

No. I have to contain that Eastern Kid.

But before he could put this thought into action, Li Chen received the ball and had just stepped across the midcourt line when an unbelievable scene appeared before everyone's eyes.

Li Chen leaped high into the air. The basketball soared upward and flew toward the hoop in a beautiful arc.

Swish—the ball once again dropped cleanly through the net.

At that moment, the Staples Center fell completely silent.