Desperate Saburo? You'd fight desperately too!

On the surface, Harden had 30 points and Su Yan only had 15.

But... setting aside the fact that Su Yan had scored a shocking 15 points in just 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the key was this.

One three-pointer was worth 3,000 USD. Five three-pointers had already earned him 15,000 USD. Who could withstand that?

If it were you, wouldn't you be excited?

It's hard not to be.

Westbrook charged in, carrying the ball like a pack of explosives as he launched himself into the air, as if ready to die together with the enemy.

A drive to the basket opportunity had appeared.

Unfortunately... the second-year Westbrook couldn't finish it.

The rebound?

David Lee, who averaged 11.8 rebounds per game, secured the ball steadily.

"Su Yan, just keep running. Once the opportunity appears, I'll pass it to you immediately."

Duhong caught the ball and pushed the fast break, also instructing Su Yan.

Being this friendly to a rookie?

Think again.

It was purely because Su Yan had just hit five consecutive three-pointers, becoming a crucial weapon for the Knicks to close the gap and even turn the game around.

No matter what world it is, strength rules.

That's an unchanging truth.

Su Yan understood and didn't bother to dwell on it. At this moment, he only wanted to shoot three-pointers, only wanted to help the team win.

Really!!!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Su Yan started running, running tirelessly. David Lee, Gallinari, and the others were also friendly.

They kept setting screens for Su Yan.

Taking advantage of his hot hand, everyone hoped he would shoot more.

USD +1.

USD +1.

USD +1.

Every run earned money, which only fueled his motivation.

???

Wait, man, do you have to go this hard?

The starters are already back on the court. You're not the main force anymore. This game doesn't have much to do with you.

Why run so fiercely, fight so hard?

Harden was guarding Su Yan. Early-career Harden still had some defensive desire, but tonight he was the most dazzling player after all.

Chasing after a benchwarmer like this, one who was just running mindlessly—what kind of business was that?

He couldn't hold back.

Harden caught up to Su Yan and complained, "Stop, stop, stop. Can you quit running? Do you think anyone's going to pass to you?!

Even if they do, you won't make it."

"Then... don't guard me so tight."

Su Yan shot him a glance.

Harden talked all that talk, but his feet weren't slow at all. He was panting heavily but still sticking close.

Understandable.

After all, he was also a rookie. He still had to perform well.

If he didn't build up his reputation, future "eye defense" wouldn't fly with most teams.

"Whoosh!"

Su Yan cut down again, then suddenly made a sharp backpedal cut, shaking Harden off.

A handsome off-ball move?

It was just that he had run so much that Harden, frustrated, lost focus.

As long as you keep running, as long as you take the game seriously enough, opportunities will always appear.

At the right side of the top of the key, one step beyond the three-point line, Su Yan arrived. Duhong's pass reached his hands, and he rose for another extended three-pointer.

Far and fast.

Durant had already rotated to contest, but he still couldn't block it—he was far off.

The ball sailed from above his fingertips, from a place he couldn't reach.

Spinning toward the rim, under Harden's gaze as if he'd seen a ghost, it once again... pierced the net.

"Swish!"

The sixth three-pointer.

Another 3,000 USD in hand.

Su Yan was delighted, and the score difference had shrunk to just 4 points.

"What's going on? This kid... who is he?"

Coach Scott Brooks couldn't stay calm.

He had no reason to be calm.

A Water Cooler Manager he didn't even know had single-handedly sparked an 18-2 counterattack.

Who could take that?

It was like having his head stomped into the ground.

"He's just a pretty face to boost popularity!"

The assistant coach was also at his wit's end. "He's this year's undrafted player, with terrible combine stats.

No one wanted him.

But he's good-looking, and backed by the Dragon Country market, so the Knicks signed him to a short-term contract.

They probably wanted to see if they could attract some fans for his looks and stir up some buzz for the team!

He has no scoring ability, let alone three-pointers."

???

Six three-pointers on six attempts, each one difficult, even from way beyond the arc.

And you're saying he has no three-point shot?

What the hell...

Are you sure you're not joking?

Suppressing the urge to curse, Coach Brooks roared at Harden, "Turn up the defensive intensity. Don't let him shoot, damn it."

Even after dropping 30 points that night.

Harden still got chewed out.

He shot a look of pure disgust at Su Yan. "I'm out here grinding, and you drag me into this!

I might not be human, but you're a real dog."

Sigh...

Letting out a breath, Harden swallowed the scolding and gritted his teeth as he chased Su Yan with full effort.

Six three-pointers on six attempts.

No way he could let him shoot freely now, or else... if they lost, he'd take the blame.

A milestone turning into a tragic memory?

Harden didn't want that.

But Su Yan was relentless. Even if he didn't find a good chance to catch the ball for the next minute, he never stopped running.

Harden was panting. He felt like he hadn't been this tired all night, but these one or two minutes had worn him out.

He caught up to Su Yan again, denying him any chance to receive the pass.

Harden kept grumbling, "Su Yan, right? Stop running. Don't act like a madman.

It's not necessary.

Your teammates are strong. As a shooter, you should stay put in the corner, wait for them to pass you the ball.

That's how it's done."

Harden giving a lesson?

Hmph... Well, he wasn't wrong.

A traditional shooter should quietly lurk in the corner, waiting for the star to drive, draw the double team, and kick it out.

Then shoot the three.

Even if this wasn't the Small Ball Era, and even in the future... a lot of shooters played that way.

Of course.

The reason Harden said that was mainly because he didn't want to stick to Su Yan like a plaster.

He, Harden, was this year's Third Pick.

He, Su Yan, was this year's Undrafted player.

It made sense for Su Yan to follow Harden around.

But for Harden to follow Su Yan around? That was embarrassing.

Before his future transfer to the Nets, Harden was a player with strong pride and big dreams in his heart.

Me, a desperate grinder?

If I told you that hitting a three-pointer would earn you 3,000 USD, you'd be grinding too!!!

"Heh!"

Su Yan chuckled, not caring at all about Harden's jab. "I'm just an Undrafted player. I have to cherish every minute on the court.

So.

Can you stop following me and let me shoot a few more three-pointers?"

"You wish!"

Harden growled, and Su Yan growled back, "Then why are you talking so much damn nonsense?!"

The two rookies continued their tussle.

On the court.

When the defensive intensity ramped up and the game entered its final life-or-death moments, it really wasn't that easy for him to get the ball.

Durant, Big Heart.

At the right high post, he called out Gallinari, took one step to accelerate, one step to stop, and pulled up for a jump shot.

That was just unstoppable.

"Swish!"

The two-pointer landed cold-bloodedly.

David Lee also overpowered Kostic inside, muscling in a tough two-pointer, keeping the Score difference at just 2 points.

Westbrook wasn't backing down either.

His explosive physical talent was his capital. He shifted gears to accelerate again, shook off his defender, and charged into the paint.

Gathered the ball and exploded upward.

Drawing the bow to its full arc, a violent "C-shaped" slam, showcasing the aesthetics of violence. The Score difference was 4 points, with only 27.4 seconds left on the clock.

It seemed.

The Knicks were still going to lose.

Then... in the transition offense, Su Yan caught the ball at the Top of the key, a full two meters out.

Harden was a beat slow to react and didn't follow.

It wasn't really slow, either. From that far out, not closing out was perfectly reasonable.

"Whoosh~"

Su Yan seized the opportunity and decisively launched another ultra-long Three-point shot.

Duhong passed the ball over, pointed to the corner, and his pupils suddenly dilated. "Don't shoot~ Gallinari is wide open in the right corner.

You damn... holy shit~ Good shot!!!"

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