Rage

Marbury received the pass, and Andre Miller hurried to stay with him.

Andre Miller was seething too. Marbury had already blown past him at least ten times.

Marbury was truly skilled at dribbling. It took only a few moves for Andre Miller's footwork to start falling behind.

Knowing he was about to lose his position, Andre Miller gritted his teeth and decided to go for the steal.

But before he could even make a move, Marbury got past him.

Seeing Andre Miller beaten, Elton Brand hurried over to help.

Marbury crossed over, throwing Elton Brand off balance.

Elton Brand was in good shape and had a solid base, so he didn't go down right away. He staggered backward several times, but in the end, he still couldn't avoid the embarrassment of being shaken to the floor.

Marbury's lips curled into a smile. Then he took a jump shot and sank it.

The Suns had taken the lead over the Clippers, 68–70.

At the same time, just as Elton Brand staggered on the verge of falling, a hand reached out and steadied him, sparing him the embarrassment.

That person was none other than Li Chen.

Once Elton Brand had regained his balance, his face flushed red. Getting shaken to the floor had been embarrassing, but luckily Li Chen had caught him.

He turned to Li Chen and said sincerely, "Thanks, Chen."

The other players gathered around Elton Brand as well.

Although Elton Brand hadn't hit the floor, the fans were still displeased.

Li Chen's face was so dark it looked as if it might drip water. His hands were clenched into fists, and the veins stood out along his arms.

Seeing this, Elton Brand's expression changed. He hurriedly said, "Chen, don't do anything reckless! We're sure to lose this game without you."

He was touched, but even more than that, he didn't want the team to lose because of him.

Actually, Elton Brand wasn't as angry as one might expect. There was no point complaining when someone was simply better than you.

"That's right, Chen. Marbury didn't do it on purpose."

His other teammates tried to talk him down too.

"Li Chen, don't do anything stupid. Getting crossed up in basketball is perfectly normal!" Wang Zhizhi also tried to persuade him.

Li Chen sneered inwardly. He was certain—absolutely certain—that Marbury had done it on purpose.

He had just stopped Marbury from making a reverse layup, and now Elton Brand had been crossed up. There was no way Li Chen would believe that it had all been accidental.

Marbury, you're something else. I've got my eye on you. Just watch how I tear you apart today.

Coming back to himself, Li Chen smiled and said, "We're basketball players, not thugs looking for trouble. Why would we hurt someone?"

"What are you all standing around for? Let's keep playing," Li Chen said calmly.

Even though Li Chen said that, Elton Brand and the others felt uneasy seeing the look on his face. It practically screamed that he was unhappy.

Andre Miller had just picked up the ball when Li Chen called for it.

Seeing this, Andre Miller hesitated. After passing the ball to Li Chen, he looked over at Coach Alvin Gentry.

But Alvin Gentry gave no indication either way.

Andre Miller sighed inwardly. I hope I'm just worrying over nothing.

Meanwhile, in the Chinese livestream, Coach Zhang said with absolute certainty, "It was deliberate. Marbury definitely did it on purpose, all because Chen stopped that play of his."

Li Chen dribbled into the frontcourt.

Joe Johnson immediately closed in on him.

Li Chen said coolly, "Call Marbury over. I don't want to drag you into this."

Joe Johnson paused, then pursed his lips. He ignored Li Chen and continued playing tight defense.

When Joe Johnson disregarded his warning, Li Chen furrowed his brow, but soon relaxed it again.

"Some people just won't listen to good advice until it's too late," Li Chen said in Chinese.

Joe Johnson frowned, unable to understand what Li Chen had said.

Li Chen lowered his center of gravity and began dribbling through a series of crossovers.

Joe Johnson seemed to realize what Li Chen was about to do. This Eastern Kid actually thought he could cross him up? What a joke. Did he think Joe was one of those Easterners?

But just as that thought crossed his mind, his ankle suddenly gave way. With a thud, he landed on the floor.

Li Chen glanced at Joe Johnson, who sat on the ground staring at him in a daze.

Then he flicked his wrist, and the ball swished through the net.

The score changed again: 70–70.

Staples Center erupted.

"Beautiful shot, Li Chen!" Chinese fans cheered in unison.

Looking down at Joe Johnson, Li Chen said calmly, "Call Marbury over. Otherwise, you'll be the one getting embarrassed again next time."

With that, Li Chen ran back on defense.

The S-rank skill Li Chen had randomly received for this game was called [Ankle Killer].

[Ankle Killer: When the host uses crossovers or other dribbling moves to get past a defender, there is a 50% chance of making the defender fall. After a defender falls, the host's shooting accuracy increases by 50%.]

That was why Li Chen had been reluctant to use it. If it happened just once, that was one thing, but if he crossed someone up and they fell every time, it would be far too humiliating.

But Marbury had thoroughly provoked him. Li Chen wasn't going to hold back anymore.

As for Joe Johnson, he had brought it on himself. If he still didn't know when to back off, then he and Marbury could both become laughingstocks.

Marbury was surprised to see what had happened, then sneered. If you want to play, let's play.

Marbury brought the ball up the court.

Li Chen raised both hands and stood in front of him.

Marbury tried another crossover, hoping to shake Li Chen off balance.

But it didn't work.

"Marbury, if you're a man, guard me next possession. If you're a woman, then forget I said anything."

"You think you can act like a big shot just because you've made a name for yourself in the NBA? I'm telling you, this isn't a place where you can run wild."

As he finished speaking, Marbury suddenly took off and drove past Li Chen.

Li Chen wasn't much of a defender, but he stayed right behind Marbury.

As Marbury leaped high for the layup, Li Chen came up from behind and swatted the ball away.

The ball sailed out of bounds. The Suns had possession.

Marbury turned and stared coldly at Li Chen.

"Got a problem? Then guard me one-on-one next possession," Li Chen said evenly.

The Suns inbounded the ball.

Marbury called for it again. He refused to believe he was inferior to a rookie.

Li Chen stepped in front of Marbury once more, and the players on both teams gave them room to go one-on-one.

Marbury tried to get past Li Chen again, but this time Li Chen stripped the ball away. It rolled loose.

Joe Johnson took possession.

Li Chen's gaze fell on Joe Johnson, making him feel uneasy.

Fuck, why are you looking at me? You've already crossed me up once. I've had more than enough bad luck.

Joe Johnson complained to himself, then took a shot.

Distracted, he missed the rim and backboard entirely.

But by sheer luck, Stoudemire thought Joe Johnson had thrown him an alley-oop. He caught the ball and put it in.

The Suns led by two again, 70–72.