Stopped the Timberwolves

Then, a deafening roar of cheers erupted from Staples Center.

They never imagined that this Eastern man would score nine straight points, and the last shot especially left them stunned.

The score on the display changed to 62–68, Timberwolves. The Timberwolves had been hit with a 9–0 run, and yet only two or three minutes had passed.

Li Chen's sudden breakout had forced the Timberwolves to call a timeout.

"Chen, great job." Elton Brand held out his hand for a high five.

After high-fiving him, Li Chen asked, "Brand, let's train together."

The other players who had wanted to high-five Li Chen honestly pulled their hands back. Forget it! They didn't want him latching onto them.

The joy on Elton Brand's face stiffened at once. He turned and walked off, all his earlier enthusiasm gone.

Li Chen sighed to himself. Was it really so hard to find someone to practice against?

Sigh! Should I ask Black Mamba next door? Yeah, that could work, but not now. We don't know each other yet. I'll bring it up once we've gotten acquainted! He probably won't refuse.

The Timberwolves' bench.

Flip Saunders wore a dark expression and remained silent.

The other Timberwolves players were quiet, too. They hadn't expected a minor role player to have such incredible three-point shooting.

"Coach, how about I guard that Eastern Kid?" Wolf King Garnett volunteered.

He didn't want to lose, much less lose because of some Eastern man he'd never even heard of.

Flip Saunders seemed to come back to himself. He shook his head and said, "Garnett, your job is to score. I have a plan for that kid."

Garnett didn't press the matter.

"Smith, you go guard that Eastern Kid."

Coach Flip Saunders spoke as if he had Li Chen all figured out.

Joe Smith nodded.

The Clippers' bench.

"Chen, nice work." Alvin Gentry patted him on the shoulder and praised him.

"Yeah, Chen. I didn't know you had such incredible three-point range. If you'd told us sooner, would we have had to struggle so much?"

Elton Brand paused, then added sarcastically, "Unlike some people, who've played three quarters and still haven't scored as much as he did in three minutes."

Hearing that, Odom, who had been stunned by Li Chen's ability, immediately darkened.

"Hmph! This was a one-game fluke. Next game, he'll be back to his old self," Odom sneered, refusing to concede.

Li Chen couldn't help looking at Odom. You really called it—but I'm still taking your starting spot.

At the same time, Odom glared back at Li Chen, his eyes full of anger.

It was as if he were saying, What are you looking at, Eastern Kid? Looking for a fight?

Alvin Gentry spoke up. "From here on, try to get the ball to Chen as much as possible. Got it?"

The other bench players were a little envious. This was the kind of treatment reserved for stars!

Alvin Gentry then turned to Li Chen and asked gently, "Chen, do you have any concerns?"

Li Chen thought for a moment, then answered honestly. "Coach, I'm fairly confident when I get an open three. As for anything else...I'm not so sure."

Alvin Gentry froze for a moment.

He knew how tenacious Li Chen was.

Players like him were typically exceptionally good under pressure. How could he be afraid of contact?

But the timeout was short, and he didn't dwell on it. "Set more screens for Chen so he can get comfortable shots."

Alvin Gentry was now placing great hopes on Li Chen's three-point shooting. Without making use of it, it would be difficult to come back in this game.

The referee's whistle sounded again. The timeout was over.

A moment later, as soon as they returned to the court, Wolf King Garnett showed why he was the Wolf King, slamming down a dunk right over Kenyon Doolin. Then he threw his head back and roared.

The teams switched ends, and Andre Miller dribbled the ball into the frontcourt.

Joe Smith stuck to Li Chen like glue.

Li Chen let out a long breath. Scoring comfortably won't be easy now.

But Li Chen wasn't about to give up. As long as he had the strength to throw the ball, he wouldn't quit.

So Li Chen started running around the frontcourt, darting back and forth across the half court like a rabbit. With his teammates setting screens now and then, Joe Smith was having a miserable time.

At first, Joe Smith could keep up, but before long, his face turned green.

After all, he'd already been playing for nearly thirty minutes.

And Li Chen was running at full speed. He wasn't particularly muscular, either, and soon Joe Smith lost track of him.

The veteran Andre Miller saw this and couldn't help nodding to himself. This Eastern Kid wasn't just hardworking.

He also knew how to look for opportunities on the court. If someone like him didn't succeed, then God really wasn't fair.

Seeing Li Chen shake off Joe Smith, Andre Miller immediately sent him the ball.

Li Chen caught it, made a slight adjustment, then flicked his wrist. The ball traced a beautiful arc toward the blue glow.

Joe Smith could only watch helplessly as the ball sailed toward the blue glow.

Swish! The basketball dropped cleanly through the net.

65–70.

The Timberwolves' bench.

Flip Saunders' lips curled up slightly. Just as he'd expected, this Eastern Kid could only hit open threes.

So, as long as Joe Smith stuck to the kid like glue, his scoring would be limited.

But just as he had that thought, he saw Joe Smith lose track of Li Chen.

Flip Saunders froze, even rubbing his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.

You've been playing for years, and you can't even keep up with a kid who just made it into the NBA?

Joe Smith was speechless, too. The kid ran like a rabbit. He was way too fast. This was more exhausting than playing thirty minutes straight!

Flip Saunders gritted his teeth, cursing inwardly. Joe Smith, you're useless.

Flip Saunders knew this wasn't the time to think about that. He had to limit the Eastern Kid, or their chance at victory would slip away.

With that, he stood up, went to the sideline, and waved to Strickland, signaling him to guard Li Chen.

Li Chen didn't care who was guarding him. At that moment, he had only one thing on his mind: shaking the tail behind him.

A bizarre scene unfolded on the court: four men were playing basketball, while two others were running a hundred-meter sprint.

As the saying went, Strickland might be nicknamed "Flying Car."

But he'd already burned through a lot of energy, and after running nonstop, even he was struggling. By the time the teams switched ends, his legs were unsteady. How was he supposed to attack?

In the end, even Strickland, nicknamed "Flying Car," was run off the road by Li Chen.

The fans inside Staples Center responded with a chorus of boos.

Strickland was a strange one. He didn't care at all about other people booing him.

A few plays later, he kept guarding Li Chen, and even made sure to chat with him while he did.

"Hey, Eastern Kid, don't you get tired running around like that? And how did you build up that stamina? Aren't Yellow Race people supposed to be physically weaker?"

Li Chen was a little surprised by Strickland's question, but he answered anyway. "Get up at three or four every morning and train. You could do it, too."

"Huh?" Strickland stared at him, dumbfounded.