Often, Toxic Pep Talks Work

Kings starting lineup:

Mike Bibby (Point Guard)

Doug Christie (Shooting Guard)

Peja Stojakovic (Small Forward)

Chris Webber (Power Forward)

Divac (center forward)

Clippers starting lineup:

Andre Miller (Point Guard)

Li Chen (Shooting Guard)

Corey Maggette (Small Forward)

Wang Zhizhi (Power Forward)

Cherokee Parks (Center)

"Huh! Odom isn't in the starting lineup," Barkley exclaimed in surprise.

Kenny Smith thought for a moment and said, "Coach Alvin is probably considering the transition in the second quarter."

Barkley nodded. "It was like this for the first three games. Starting in the second quarter, only Chen was carrying the team. I have to say, Chen is a real stamina monster. He basically doesn't need any rest, just like Kobe."

A short while later, the competition officially began.

Li Chen's randomly selected S-rank Skill in this match is [Pick and Roll King].

[Pick and Roll King: After a successful pick and roll, the defender's defense is reduced by 30%, while the host's finishing ability is temporarily increased by 10% for one round.]

Li Chen was somewhat surprised to see this skill, which had never appeared before. However, it didn't seem very good, and he felt that it didn't quite deserve the title of S-rank Skill.

Divac of the Kings won the jump ball.

Bibby caught the ball that Diva passed to him.

Bibby the ball up the court.

The Clippers continued to use their preferred 2-3 Zone Defense.

Bibby passed the ball to Doug Christie before the Clippers him.

Doug Christie breaks through and passes the ball to Chris Webber.

Webber scored by forcefully attacking Wang Zhizhi.

2 to 0.

The shift from offense to defense.

Li Chen called in Cherokee Parks for a screen, then drove to the basket.

However, as the Clippers' best player in the first three games, the Kings certainly won't let Li Chen score easily.

Li Chen was quickly double-teamed. Li Chen forced a layup with a Euro step, but Stojakovic blocked his shooting angle.

However, Li Chen still managed to throw the ball out, and it bounced off the rim several times before finally jumping into the net.

2 to 2 draw.

Seeing this, Li Chen felt a little heavy-hearted. A 10% finishing ability was indeed not enough against the Kings' strong defense!

It seems I'll have to draw fire myself to create opportunities for my teammates.

Bibby continued dribbling, and Li Chen and Andre Miller double- Bibby.

Bibby knew he had to pass the ball, or he might lose possession.

However...

Bibby almost lost the ball to Li Chen.

The Kings' inbounds ball.

Doug Christie passed the ball to Bibby.

Bibby dribbled past Andre Miller.

Li Chen quickly filled the gap and blocked Bibby's breakthrough.

Bibby felt a surge of emotion; he never expected that this Eastern Kid would lead his team into the Playoffs.

"Kids, you can't win," Bibby, undermining Li Chen's confidence.

Li Chen, focused and expressionless, countered, "How can we judge success or failure until the very end?"

Although he didn't quite understand what Li Chen was saying, he knew that this kid was unwilling to admit defeat and wouldn't back down.

What a stubborn little guy.

Lost in thought, Bibby suddenly sped up, trying to get up and break free from Li Chen's clutches, but he failed.

Immediately afterwards, Corey Maggette attempted to double-team Bibby with Li Chen, but Bibby forced a Euro-step pass to Webber, which was thwarted by Andre Miller.

But Doug Christie picked up the ball and rolled it to the basket, then lobbed it to Divac under the basket.

Divac slams an alley-oop dunk with both hands.

4 to 2.

The Clippers are on offense.

The ball was passed to Li Chen again.

Li Chen continued to call for pick-and-roll screens, then drove towards the basket.

Li Chen was surrounded again.

Li Chen knew that the Miracle Shot couldn't be triggered consecutively, so this time he chose to trust his teammates.

He passed the ball to Wang Zhizhi.

Wang Zhizhi turned and dribbled, trying to get past Webber, but Webber wasn't fooled.

Wang Zhizhi passed the ball to Cherokee Parks.

Cherokee Parks's layup attempt was disrupted by Divac and missed.

Stojakovic grabbed the rebound.

The Clippers' Clippers lack of stamina was immediately exposed once again.

At the end of the first quarter, the Clippers trailed the Kings by a whopping 14 points, 15-29.

In the Clippers' rest area, Alvin Gentry sighed deeply. He thought that as long as they avoided the Spurs and Lakers, they could still make it to the second round. But reality told him not to underestimate any team that could make the Playoffs.

Seeing that Alvin Gentry had given up, Li Chen had no choice but to stand up, saying, "Gentlemen..."

At this moment, everyone who had been silent turned to look at Li Chen, including Alvin Gentry.

He sighed inwardly, knowing that Li Chen was unwilling to accept this, but how could he accept it himself?

However, not only does he lack Playoffs experience as a coach, but neither do the players. This year is considered an opportunity to accumulate experience, and hopefully the team can strengthen its roster next year.

Li Chen was unaware of Alvin Gentry's thoughts; he glanced around at his teammates.

He said calmly, "There is a saying in our country: 'Though born as an ant, one should aspire to great heights; though life is as fragile as paper, one should possess an indomitable spirit.' A true man born between heaven and earth should not be resentful or live under the thumb of others. He should ride his dreams like a horse, and live up to his youth. The future is still uncertain, and we are all potential dark horses."

"I just want to ask everyone here, do you want to be the dark horse, defeat the second- Sacramento Kings, then go all the way to defeat the Lakers, and finally win the championship?"

Li Chen's words stirred their hearts, and the magnificent scene Li Chen described involuntarily appeared in their eyes.

But they quickly regained their composure. "Can we?" Corey Maggette asked in a muffled voice.

Li Chen grinned, "Guys, we're a bottom-feeder team with nothing, understand? We have nothing, so what are we afraid of? Tell me, what are we afraid of?" Li Chen almost roared at the end.

The question jolted everyone awake. Yes! They had nothing, not even an All-Star Player. What were they afraid of? Just go for it.

At this moment, Li Chen shouted loudly, "Tell me, what do you want to be?"

"We're a dark horse, a dark horse!" At this moment, the Clippers suddenly gained momentum.

The roar drew the attention of the Kings players.

Wang Zhizhi was stunned; he was completely aroused by Li Chen.

Alvin Gentry was also stunned; he never expected that Li Chen's words alone would give the Clippers such a surge of momentum.

He was taken aback to realize that this kid was more suited to be a coach than he was; should he ask him for advice?

No, no, no! How could that be? Absolutely impossible.

A moment later, the referee's whistle blew.

At the start of the second quarter, Alvin Gentry substituted Cherokee Parks for Odom.

Li Chen dribbles the ball and attacks, Wang Zhizhi comes out to set a screen.

Li Chen used Wang Zhizhi's screen to break through towards the basket.

At this moment, the Kings players double-teamed Li Chen.

Li Chen passed the ball to Wang Zhizhi near the outside.

Wang Zhizhi attempted a jump shot, but Doug Christie's Defensive Ability was reduced by 30%, making it impossible for him to stop Wang Zhizhi.

Wang Zhizhi scored.

18 to 29.

At this moment, a smile appeared on Li Chen's lips; he now knew the true use of this skill.

This skill is specifically designed to create shooting opportunities for teammates. With the defensive player's shooting ability reduced by 30% and the [Assist Master] skill's 10% shooting percentage bonus, scoring couldn't be easier.

If your teammate is a center like Jokic who excels at three-point shooting, you could probably send Jokic soaring to the heavens.