When Kobe heard Li Chen shamelessly call himself a genius, he didn't want to talk anymore.
The Lakers went on offense.
Kobe got the ball again. Perhaps Li Chen's shamelessness had irritated him, because this time Kobe made no attempt to hide that he was going to shoot right in Li Chen's face.
Li Chen, of course, wasn't about to let Kobe have his way. He launched straight into the air as if he had a booster installed beneath his feet.
Kobe was stunned by Li Chen's explosiveness. He had never imagined that Li Chen had been holding something back.
But there was no compromise in Kobe's dictionary. He showed off his powerful core strength and forced himself into another fadeaway. After the ball left his hands, he crashed to the floor.
Li Chen's block didn't stop Kobe's shot, but he did manage to get a touch on the ball. Under normal circumstances, there was no way that shot would go in.
But Kobe was incredibly lucky today. The ball bounced twice on the rim before finally clawing its way into the net.
4–3. The Lakers took the lead again.
Even Kobe was a little surprised. He had seen Li Chen touch the ball.
But the surprise vanished in a flash, and he immediately looked at Li Chen with unmistakable smugness.
It was as if he were saying, Luck isn't yours alone. Then he turned and ran toward the Clippers' frontcourt.
Li Chen watched Kobe's retreating back with a solemn expression. No one understood better than he did just how terrifying Kobe was when he left his shooting-slump uniform at home. Kobe was the kind of player who could shoot his team to victory.
But then Li Chen's lips curled upward. His S-rank Skill today wasn't for show, either.
Li