Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1043 - 595 The Fire of Revenge_3

Chapter 1043: Chapter 595: The Fire of Revenge_3 Chapter 1043: Chapter 595: The Fire of Revenge_3 So he applauded, “That’s a good adjustment, this is real basketball!”

Curry encountered a strategic change by the opponent and fell silent for a moment, as Thompson’s three-pointer started firing for the Clippers.

A rain of three-pointers later, the score gap widened to double digits in an instant.

In the second half, the Clippers stuck to their philosophy of unlimited defensive switching, starting to play unscrupulously and comparing their star quality against the Miami Heat.

They suddenly positioned Fei and Yao Ming on the strong side, just like back in the days when the OK Lakers had Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal on one side, then had Fei feed Yao Ming the ball, thus giving the opponent a conundrum of front and back traps—either allow Yao Ming to play one-on-one or double-team him, let’s see what the GOAT would do.

Yao Ming, having spent years with the Miami Heat, was more of a utility player on the court besides his steady playoffs performance blowing Dwight Howard away, which was the reason Heat undervalued him and chose to let him go over the summer.

But the Heat knew all too well how terrifying Fei could be.

...

So, they chose to let Yao Ming go one-on-one.

It was a perfect solution for both sides.

Yao Ming got the opportunity; he could keep showing his old team who’s boss, ball after ball, while the Miami Heat took solace in at least keeping the GOAT contained outside.

Then what?

Yao Ming, shooting nearly 100% from the field, took 11 shots in the low post in the third quarter, made 10 baskets, scored 23 points in the quarter alone, and single-handedly turned the game into garbage time.

“Going so hard?” joked Fei as Yao Ming was on a rampage, “You got some big grudge or what?”

Indeed, Yao Ming did feel a sense of settling a huge score, but the nice guy image he maintained over the years prevented him from reveling in the pleasure of revenge while salting his opponent’s wounds.

He humorously responded, “I don’t know the answer to that question right now.”

Hearing that, Fei laughed.

In terms of seniority, they, like Yao Ming, were tired of the long regular season and yearned for the playoffs and finals showdown.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

However, even the seemingly boring regular season had its significance.

At the end of 2014, Fei had his revenge against Clay Bennett, and Yao Ming took this opportunity to burst out against his former team, proving what a serious mistake they made in letting him go.

In the fourth quarter, the game had entered garbage time.

Fei and Yao Ming sat on the sidelines, watching Antetokounmpo, Thompson, and Jokić, along with two substitutes, eagerly pad their stats.

After receiving a smart pass from Jokić, Antetokounmpo dunked it from behind the three-point line, shouting “Ubuntu” excitedly.

“Being young is great,” Yao Ming said with emotion, “I can’t play as freely as they do now.”

Fei asked, “Do you feel like you’re getting old?”

“After this year, I’m 36 by nominal age, what do you think?”

“If you haven’t had your birthday yet, you’re still 34. Stop saying you’re old,” Fei hummed in response. After all, the GOAT was only two years younger than Yao Ming, and hearing the other constantly talk about being old was bound to rub off on him one day.

Yao Ming looked at the GOAT speechlessly.

Wasn’t this guy always claiming he’d retire at 35? Why care about these things now?

Just then, Fei saw Jokić miss a dunk opportunity to show off some fancy moves instead, only to get his shot blocked from behind.

He immediately leaped up and shouted, “Nikola, are you serious? What’s the point of being so tall?!!”

Jokić jogged back slowly and replied, “For riding horses.”

“!@#￥”

In the end, the score didn’t truly reflect the gap between the two teams.

121 to 104.

But it was enough for Yao Ming to strut proudly.

Like Fei, he played only three-quarters but racked up 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

After the game, a reporter asked Yao Ming, “Do you hold a grudge against the Miami Heat?”

Of course, Yao Ming wouldn’t admit it.

He simply said, “No, it’s all in the past. I just chose a team that’s willing to pay me 17 million US Dollars a year.”