When Gods Fight

Chapter 50: Gods Battling (6K Chapter, Please Recommend)

The high double screen was set, but Sun Hao didn't immediately take the shot off it. Instead, he passed the ball to Gabajosa on the right.

This choice was somewhat unexpected, but Gabajosa had been playing with Sun Hao long enough to have good chemistry. After catching the ball, he shielded it with his back turned.

As Sun Hao ran past using his screen, Gabajosa handed the ball back with a close-range handoff.

Giannakis's face showed surprise. That little coordination was beautiful.

But it was useless.

The reason a 3-2 zone defense can guard outside shooting is because it's perimeter zone defense—it doesn't follow individual players.

When Sun Hao moved to a new area, the defender in that zone would rotate over, and he still wouldn't get a shot opportunity.

Sure enough, as Sun Hao caught the ball and prepared to shoot a three-pointer, Bodiroga from the right wing was already charging at him.

As the defending champions of the Greek League, Panathinaikos Team's tactical execution was terrifying.

But the next second, Giannakis shot up from his seat.

Sun Hao didn't shoot!

Not just Giannakis—even Bodiroga's eyes showed surprise.

Sun Hao's little coordination with Gabajosa was actually a feint!

Sun Hao faked the shot to fool Bodiroga, then gathered the ball and drove right.

Bodiroga landed and tried to chase, but it was too late.

Earlier in the fast break, he had used a behind-the-back dribble to toy with Sun Hao, but just one possession later, Sun Hao had paid him back!

This was the first time he'd encountered such a situation.

After blowing past Bodiroga, Sun Hao accelerated into the paint, aiming for the rim as he went up for a layup.

Rakocevic and the defender responsible for the corner area all collapsed inward, but they couldn't make it in time. They could only watch as Sun Hao banked the ball in for two points.

This was also the weakness of the 3-2 zone: it defended the shot, but struggled against drives!

Especially a drive with no warning—players from other zones couldn't recover in time!

Real Madrid Team had finally scored!

At that moment, the Real Madrid fans on the sidelines erupted. They all stood up, waving their arms, and began singing the Spanish War Song.

Their momentum was no less than the Greek fans across from them!

Giannakis sat back down, but the way he looked at Sun Hao was completely different from before.

Some things could be seen on tape, like three-point shooting ability.

But some things couldn't be seen on tape, like basketball IQ.

This player, who looked only 1.8 meters tall, was very smart!

However, the cheers from the Real Madrid fans didn't last long, because Bodiroga got the ball in the frontcourt and started showing off again.

And this time, he made Sun Hao understand what Prigioni meant by "the whip."

A first step on a right-side drive, followed by a left-handed gather, with his body swinging back to the left.

Trinidad had been holding in his frustration from getting beaten consecutively, and now he lunged with all his might. But he couldn't stop his momentum, fell forward, and had to catch himself with his hand, ending up on one knee.

A stir rippled through the sidelines.

Shammgod!

No, a more accurate term would be El Latigo.

Sun Hao felt sorry for Trinidad's knee. He had already rushed over to help defend, but it was still too late.

Bodiroga was really strong, and very decisive.

After shaking off Trinidad, he took one step to the free-throw line and pulled up for a mid-range shot, not giving anyone else a chance to rotate over.

And his rhythm on the stop was excellent, his shooting form perfectly maintained.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound.

Bodiroga's mid-range shot—in again!

8 to 2!

Bodiroga had already scored 6 points and 1 assist since the start, meaning every single offensive possession for Panathinaikos Team was orchestrated by him!

If plus-minus stats existed in this era, Bodiroga would absolutely top the charts for the entire game.

He was too strong.

Laso was still in a daze, like he had disconnected.

Sun Hao kept directing.

This time, he didn't call for a double screen. He only signaled for Gabajosa to move up to the right side.

A Copy Tactic, Sun Hao received the ball on a handoff again.

Bodiroga continued to charge at him.

It wasn't that he was foolish; he knew Sun Hao's three-point threat. Not closing out meant giving Sun Hao an opportunity.

Of course, he didn't close out as aggressively as the previous possession, leaving himself time to adjust.

Sun Hao faked again, driving right once more.

Bodiroga adjusted his body, but found he couldn't keep up!

Sun Hao's first step was fast!

Amid the excited gazes of Real Madrid fans, Sun Hao blew past Bodiroga for the second straight time!

Trinidad felt like crying from gratitude. Defending Bodiroga tonight was like an ant facing an elephant—he had no chance at all.

Now Sun Hao had avenged him!

When you're admiring the scenery, others are admiring you. When you're showing off, you never expect to get shown up yourself!

Bodiroga couldn't catch Sun Hao, but Rakocevic had already dropped back to the paint.

Having snatched the UEFA Champions League Regular Season MVP from Bodiroga, his abilities were no joke.

The same trick wouldn't work on him!

Sun Hao took three steps for a fast layup, and Rakocevic was ready to block.

But soon, he realized he was... no different from Bodiroga.

Because Sun Hao had already gathered the ball on his second step.

By the time Rakocevic went up for the block, the ball had already flown past him to his rear.

A fake drive, real pass—Sun Hao's mid-motion dish found Gabajosa cutting down the middle!

Under normal circumstances, a drive-and-kick like this, especially a tight-window pass, would be hard for Sun Hao to execute with his passing ability.

But now, Panathinaikos was in a 3-2 zone, focused on the perimeter, leaving the paint empty!

Gabajosa caught the ball, took one step, and Leapt Up.

He had been suppressed by Rakocevic since tip-off, holding it in for too long. This dunk used every ounce of strength he had.

"Boom!"

The dull thud echoed through the arena via the speakers.

The rim bent down a few inches.

A ferocious two-handed power dunk!

The Real Madrid fans erupted.

Even Raul and Zidane, sitting in the front row, stood up and pumped their fists for Real Madrid.

From the start, Real Madrid had been completely suppressed, with Bodiroga putting on a show that made their scalps tingle.

But this drive-and-kick, this dunk—Real Madrid's momentum had surged!

Giannakis stood up again.

And this time, his expression changed. The calm, composed look in his eyes was gone.

This Sun Hao wasn't just smart—he was very smart!

Setting aside other abilities, this was a player with the same basketball IQ as Bodiroga!

Even with prior preparation, he and his coaching staff had still underestimated Sun Hao!

Now, Real Madrid's momentum was up.

Bodiroga tried to post up again on the next possession, but Gabajosa defended fiercely, and he grabbed the defensive rebound.

Real Madrid pushed the fast break. Sun Hao led the charge, caught the ball, and sprinted to the basket for a layup.

6 to 8!

Even though Bodiroga had been dazzling from the start, looking at the score, Real Madrid was only down by 2!

Giannakis looked up at the scoreboard and called a timeout.

Sun Hao hadn't taken a single three-pointer so far—this was Completely Different from what he had anticipated.

Now, the Spanish fans were hyped to the max.

Panathinaikos had a perfect start, but instead of stopping Real Madrid, Real Madrid had stopped them!

"Napoleon! Napoleon!"

They began chanting Sun Hao's nickname in unison, just like the Greek fans had chanted Bodiroga's earlier.

Raul and Zidane Turned Their Heads to look back, unable to hide their smiles.

This game was truly exciting.

Sun Hao and Bodiroga, though different in style, each displayed their own brilliance—like gods battling it out.

But they probably didn't realize the exciting part of the game had only just begun.

When the timeout came, Laso finally fixed the connection port and came back online.

"We'll run a 2-3 zone defense."

He spoke and immediately adjusted the team's defensive strategy.

Bodiroga's opening attacks had all been focused inside the paint. The adjustment might have been a little late, but it was the right call.

Laso was young and hadn't seen big moments before, so he'd been a bit stunned at the start, but he still had the skill.

After laying out the tactics, he patted Sun Hao on the shoulder with meaning.

If it hadn't been for Sun Hao, the game might have been buried from the opening tip.

After the timeout, Panathinaikos advanced to the frontcourt. Bodiroga had the ball and saw Real Madrid's defensive adjustment.

He tried to drive once but failed, then dribbled back to the three-point line and signaled for Rakocevic to come set a screen.

Rakocevic was big, blocking the defender. Bodiroga seized the space and launched a three-pointer from outside.

"Clang!"

The shot was off, hitting the right side of the rim. Real Madrid secured the rebound.

Bodiroga's shot... finally missed!

Sun Hao's eyes lit up.

It seemed Bodiroga still had weaknesses.

It wasn't that Bodiroga lacked talent in that area—it was the environment.

In this era, world basketball didn't emphasize three-pointers. Only shooters like Danilovic had consistent range; everyone else just had the distance.

Real Madrid advanced to the frontcourt. Panathinaikos's defense had also shifted, switching from a 3-2 zone back to man-to-man.

Sun Hao called for Gabajosa's screen, then pulled up and shot right after the pick.

Rakocevic hesitated for a moment, his closeout too slow, and Giannakis was shouting from the sideline in frustration.

Just like Bodiroga's three-pointers, Rakocevic was used to staying in the three-second zone. Even though Giannakis had specifically told him during the timeout to switch quickly.

But once a habit is formed, changing it all at once is not an easy thing.

Sun Hao had a three-point opportunity.

The ball arced through the air.

"Clang!"

Mamba possession struck, and the ball clanked off the rim.

He hadn't taken any outside shots since the start, so his touch wasn't there yet.

Rakocevic pulled back to grab the rebound, but Gabajosa had already slipped inside, leaping high to snatch the offensive board.

Rakocevic stretched his long arms to contest.

But Gabajosa didn't seem to want a second-chance shot. Holding the ball up, he passed it straight back to Sun Hao on the perimeter.

Panathinaikos's attention was all drawn to Gabajosa. Sun Hao caught the ball and had another three-point chance.

The same arc.

"Swish!"

This time, the ball sliced through the net.

9 to 8!

Sun Hao's three-pointer had begun!

Giannakis spread his hands and stared at Rakocevic, expressionless.

It was obvious he was very dissatisfied with the new MVP's performance just now.

Rakocevic looked aggrieved. Sun Hao's release was too fast; even if he hadn't hesitated, he probably wouldn't have made it in time.

Bodiroga came over then, whispering something in his ear.

Rakocevic's mood improved a lot. Besides the head coach, the only person he truly respected was Bodiroga.

Panathinaikos pushed to the frontcourt, and Bodiroga still had the ball.

But unlike every previous possession, Bodiroga didn't attack with the ball. Instead, he signaled his teammates to cross-cut.

Once Real Madrid's interior defense was drawn out, he suddenly accelerated past Trinidad and drove inside.

Real Madrid collapsed their defense. Bodiroga's eyes were on the rim, but the ball in his hands suddenly vanished.

It flew straight to the corner.

No-look pass!

The teammate lurking in the corner caught the ball completely unguarded and took a three-pointer.

"Swish!"

The basketball swished through the net.

Panathinaikos Team's score continued!

An assist from Bodiroga.

Sun Hao set another screen at the top of the key for a three-pointer, but this time Rakocevic closed out in time, and Sun Hao's step-back ultra-long three missed.

Panathinaikos Team secured the defensive rebound.

As they pushed forward, Bodiroga drove inside before both teams had fully settled into position.

Trinidad and Prigioni, retreating on defense, both lunged at him.

Just then, a legendary moment appeared.

Bodiroga looked like he was going for a three-step layup, but as he planted his first step, he pivoted, simultaneously pulling the ball with his right hand.

By the time he turned ninety degrees, the ball was already at head level, a no-look pass brushing past his ear.

The pass was so fluid that by the time Trinidad and Prigioni reacted, the ball was already in the hands of a teammate cutting in from the right.

The teammate scored an easy, uncontested layup.

The White Magician!

Bodiroga's nickname wasn't the European Bird, nor the White Jordan—it was the White Magician!

As the name implied, compared to his scoring, his versatility, his passing was his greatest strength!

This season's UEFA Champions League top ten plays, reserved!

The Greek fans, who had been holding back for so long, erupted into wild frenzy. Not only did they stand, but they started jumping crazily, waves of fireworks appearing again across the arena.

It was like a gladiator had just landed a fatal blow on his opponent.

These lunatics!

Sun Hao smelled the gunpowder lingering in the air again and Suddenly Felt there was a reason Greece's national economy had collapsed in history.

But he had to admit, this kind of frenzied cheering was like a stimulant—Panathinaikos Team's defensive intensity on the court was clearly rising.

Unlike the earlier zone defense, which relied on tactical execution, one-on-one defense depended on individual ability and aggression.

Panathinaikos Team's players on the court averaged over 1.9 meters in height. Standing there with their arms spread wide, they already blocked out the sky and covered the sun, and with that aggression added on top...

Real Madrid Team's offensive wave came up empty—they couldn't keep the scoring going!

And Bodiroga started showing off again. He dribbled from the backcourt, spun past a defender mid-stride, drove alone to the frontcourt, and passed back to a trailing teammate for an easy layup, scoring two more points!

15 to 9!

After Sun Hao's three-pointer had given Real Madrid the lead, Panathinaikos Team answered with a 7-0 run, pulling the gap back open!

In that surge, Bodiroga dished out three consecutive assists!

The reigning European Emperor, destroying heaven and earth!

On Real Madrid Team's bench, the players looked up with awe.

They could fully understand what Barcelona Team had faced in the semifinals, because Bodiroga really wasn't human—he was the god of Europe!

The fighting spirit in Sun Hao's eyes burned even brighter.

The most effective way to become a strong player was to step on the strong to climb higher.

And the way to become a god was to pull the existing god off his throne.

This time, Sun Hao didn't call for a screen. Instead, he directly Signaled for the court to be cleared.

He wanted to go one-on-one!

A scene that felt familiar—he'd done the same thing back in the Plata League.

Fortunately, his coach back then wasn't Larry Brown, who wouldn't have pulled him off the court for not following the play.

Laso wasn't Sun Hao's coach from the Plata League, and he had no problem with Sun Hao's behavior here... none at all.

Sun Hao had fully proven his ability, and if it weren't for him tonight, Real Madrid would probably have been crushed already.

Besides, Laso wasn't a stubborn person by nature—the fact that he'd promoted Sun Hao to the starting lineup said enough.

The player guarding Sun Hao was Panathinaikos Team's second-shortest on the court, standing at... 1.95 meters.

He was nearly a head taller than Sun Hao.

Giannakis didn't signal, and Panathinaikos Team showed no intention of double-teaming.

A rare sight on the European court—a one-on-one duel.

Sun Hao dribbled with a crossover, but he couldn't get past his opponent.

It was obvious—this wasn't the Plata League. Sun Hao's current ball-handling ability wasn't enough to break through him.

He dribbled back a step, then suddenly accelerated, driving down the left side.

It was sudden, and he attacked from his off-hand side, catching the defender off guard.

Sun Hao drove to the three-point line, pulled up, and released a three-pointer.

The ball spun through the air, tracing a perfect arc.

Swish!

The ball kissed the rim and dropped through—that sound was always beautiful and moving.

Sun Hao had hit his second three-pointer of the game, and of this quarter!

A clutch three!

The Real Madrid fans on the sidelines erupted again, following the example of the Greek fans earlier, jumping to their feet, pumping their fists, and bouncing wildly.

We might not have your imagination, but we can learn on the fly!

With this scene unfolding, the excitement wasn't just on the court—the sidelines were buzzing too.

Panathinaikos missed their three-pointer from the perimeter, Rakocevic's putback also failed, and Gabajosa secured the defensive rebound.

As Real Madrid advanced to the frontcourt, Sun Hao got the ball and signaled for everyone to spread out again!

In that instant, Kobe's soul seemed to have crossed over into Sun Hao—Mamba possession!

His Real Madrid teammates spread out once more. Sun Hao had already hit a shot, so they had no reason not to trust him.

Giannakis still didn't signal for help. He trusted his own players just as much.

The defender guarding Sun Hao lowered his center of gravity, one hand out to block the drive, the other raised to contest the shot.

It was a textbook defensive stance, and his eyes stayed locked on Sun Hao's shoulders—the most accurate spot to predict a drive.

Giannakis's trust wasn't baseless. He knew Sun Hao's scoring ability, and the man guarding him was his team's best perimeter defender.

One possession not stopping him didn't mean much.

Sun Hao drove again, another sudden first step.

But this time, he couldn't create space for his shot.

The opposing guard, despite his height, had quick footwork, impressive wingspan, and fast reactions.

Taking him one-on-one wasn't going to be easy.

Gabajosa saw this and wanted to come set a screen, but Sun Hao waved him off.

This kind of play was about momentum.

Even if he missed, he couldn't back down first.

Besides, he'd just gotten the Gold Badge and had been practicing in the system for so long—now was the perfect chance to test it.

Sun Hao tried a crossover but still couldn't shake his defender.

The Greek fans on the sidelines started jeering.

The noise pressed down on Sun Hao like a tangible weight.

He shrugged his shoulders to shake off the burden, then executed a between-the-legs dribble to the left before suddenly accelerating, driving straight down the left side.

He was still going with his off-hand.

A pull-up jumper at the three-point line, just like the last one.

The difference was, the defender stayed with him!

As Sun Hao released the shot, the defender leaped from the side to block it.

Sun Hao didn't raise his release point—he knew the height gap meant he couldn't outjump his opponent. Instead, he leaned back slightly.

In that moment, he was the Black Mamba.

The results of Sun Hao's system practice with One-Minute Rapid Fire showed—he got the shot off before the defender could block it.

Smack!

The defender didn't block the ball; he smacked Sun Hao's hand instead.

The referee's whistle sounded.

Swish!

The next second, the ball swished through the net.

This was a 3+1!

The power of a Gold Grade Badge!

Sun Hao lost his balance after the hit but protected himself with a professional leg-kick slide.

When he saw the ball go in, he pushed off the floor with one arm and sprang back up.

He brought his right hand to his mouth, gave a light blow, and made his signature blowgun gesture.

Mamba confirmed!

"Napoleon! Napoleon!"

The next second, the entire arena was filled with the roar of Real Madrid fans.

This 3+1, plus that blowgun celebration, was absolutely sick!

Giannakis shook his head helplessly.

The defense couldn't have been any tighter, and Sun Hao still managed to sink the shot. That was pure individual ability.

No complaints.

After blowing the gun, Sun Hao was immediately swarmed by his teammates, their shouts and collisions letting him relive the feeling of playing in the EBA.

He steadied his breath and stepped to the free-throw line.

"Swish!"

The free throw went in too!

Counting the three-pointer before, he had personally gone on a 7–0 run!

Bodiroga could show off his passing, the White Magician could be unstoppable in Europe, but none of it could stop his scoring explosion.

In just two possessions, he had caught up and even taken the lead!

"This is a clash of gods!"

Just then, the announcer at courtside said a fitting line.

Europe believed in religion and revered gods, especially for the Greek fans in attendance. The Athenian Pantheon was legendary.

Bodiroga had displayed the strength of Europe's Best from the opening tip; he was the God of European Basketball.

But Sun Hao had twice pulled Real Madrid back from the brink, also showcasing his individual ability.

Especially his aura—unrivaled.

This was the Clash of New and Old Gods!

PS: 12,000 collections now, a 6,000-word chapter. Big shots, let a poor kid experience the feeling of two or three thousand recommendation tickets in a single day!

Thanks to book friends 20200221141612561, Dianjiang Overlord, Burial! Disguise, and Ling Tian Feichen for the tips! Thanks for the support, big shots!

PS: If no new tips come in, Shui Qie will have to pull something out of thin air! ┗|｀O′|┛ Roar~~