Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 455 - 309 Even the King is a Lowly Commoner

Chapter 455: Chapter 309 Even the King is a Lowly Commoner

James continued the offense, but there was a clear distinction in efficiency compared to Yu Fei.

Because Yu Fei’s offense was mostly from outside to inside, bolstered by outstanding three-point shooting, the Cavaliers didn’t dare to give him the space to shoot, allowing him to easily break through opponents. Even if the Cavaliers managed an excellent defense in a particular round, Yu Fei could still call for a pick-and-roll to break it down.

James was known as a prodigy.

From the moment he entered the league, he possessed considerable immediate combat effectiveness, but compared to Yu Fei, James was labeled as “primitive” by Hubie Brown.

“LeBron’s talents allow the Cavaliers to defeat 99% of the opponents, but unfortunately, the Bucks are the 1% exception,” Brown said, “Frye technically surrounded LeBron.”

In the first quarter, Yu Fei led the Bucks full throttle, gaining an 11-point lead over the Cavaliers, 34 to 23.

Yu Fei contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in that quarter alone.

James also performed well, scoring nearly half of his team’s points (10), along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Yu Fei sat on the sideline, drinking Gatorade.

His teammates began discussing James’s performance.

“Didn’t LeBron say he’s going to score 60 points?” Kwame Brown mocked, “Unless God himself bends down, he’s not going to make it.”

Bell said disdainfully: “That guy actually dares to call himself King, he’s insane! He has no backbone, not only unable to challenge Frye head-on, but he also lacks the courage to defend against Frye one-on-one!”

Lawson enjoyed the talk. As Yu Fei’s trainer and also serving as the Bucks’ player liaison, he was quite familiar with these guys, yet he didn’t expect them to have such a strong opinion on James.

“Why do you guys seem to hate LeBron more than I do?” Lawson asked.

In the corner of the bench, Yu Fei’s other trainer, Tim Grover, watched Yu Fei’s performance silently.

Speaking of the first quarter, Yu Fei had not really exploded yet.

16+5+4 was certainly excellent, but as long as Yu Fei got in the zone, he could achieve such performance every night.

Yu Fei still contained his emotions, not going after James the way he did Wade.

Grover absolutely believed that Yu Fei would do something to the Cavaliers.

Because he was facing the only player of the new generation who was considered on par with him.

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But in fact, this person was still far behind him; how could he tolerate the outside view that they were on the same level?

During the 1992 Finals, how did Jordan destroy Drexler? What were people saying back then? Jordan is very strong, but Drexler has a better three-point shot. Then, the world saw the supposedly weak three-point shooter Jordan break the halftime record for threes in the Finals, and he even shrugged afterwards, explaining that it was an expression of helplessness toward his own unexpectedly scorching shooting hand.

But decades later, in “The Last Dance,” he revealed the truth: “I wanted to prove that comparing him (Clyde the Glide) to me was an insult.”

The gap between James and Yu Fei at this moment was much greater than that between Clyde the Glide and Jordan back then.

With such a wide gap, the League was still hyping up the dual stars, and Nike kept loudly claiming that the NBA’s new era belonged to LeBron.

Could you really remain indifferent?

When the second quarter started, Yu Fei, who had only rested for a few minutes, stood up and said to his coach, “George, let me play.”

“Before the game, my little brother told me he wanted to score 60 points tonight,” Yu Fei said with a smile, but nobody thought this smile was warm or friendly, “But looking at his performance tonight, that seems to be just empty talk.”

Karl was stunned for a moment: “So what?”

“As his big brother, I have the duty to secure that for him,” Yu Fei said nonchalantly, “I’ll get him the 60 points.”

Upon hearing this, Karl felt like his receding hairline was urging to advance a few more inches.

How could he not understand such a straightforward statement?

“Umm… okay…” Karl said, “What do you need me to do?”

Yu Fei said, “Give me four shooters.”

Consequently, the Bucks’ lineup for the second quarter was: Yu Fei, Barry, Sprewell, Granger, Horry.

Karl watched as Yu Fei took the court, recalling the others’ warming words and feeling his lips twist. He wanted to laugh, but had to hold it in.

“I’m really envious of LeBron,” Karl said with a grin that was anything but genuine, “A good big brother like Big Fei won’t come again. This must be a blessing from God to him.”

Assistant coach Lester Conner asked, “But, 60 points… can it really be done? This is the playoffs.”

“Humph,” Karl sneered, “You can doubt Big Fei, you can doubt the potential of the X-Offense, but you have to believe in the way of the Cavaliers. Their defense is like dog shit, anybody can step on it, and if Big Fei wishes, even 70 points isn’t impossible!”

On the Cavaliers’ side, they too chose to let James start the second quarter.

But their thinking was to have James offset the timing, catch up on some points, only to see the Bucks disrupt the rotation and send Yu Fei back on court early.

The Bucks’ first possession, Yu Fei called for a pick-and-roll and then, facing Big Z’s snail-paced high hedge, retreated for a three-pointer that hit its mark.

James fed the ball to Big Z in the low post.

The Lithuanian sat and posted up Horry, scoring 2 points with no pressure.

Then, Yu Fei started singling out James.

James’s defense was purely instinctive, lacking in details and technique. Facing Yu Fei’s aggressive offense, James quickly faltered and lost his defensive positioning.

Yu Fei drove to the basket and converted a 2+1.

No trash talk, Yu Fei stepped to the free-throw line, made the additional shot, and then retreated on defense.

He gave off the impression of both respecting and not respecting James.

However, if the result of such demeanor was to completely strip away the latter’s dignity, then all previous efforts were wasted.

Yu Fei was of course aware of the blow it would deliver to James’s pride to score 60 points tonight, but deep inside, he harbored a strong desire to mercilessly crush every competitor.

In just a half, James realized that under the same intense defensive pressure, his scoring ability was nowhere near Frye’s league.

Yet, if he could mobilize the entire team, there might be a chance to stand toe to toe with the opposition.

But that very wish was shattered by Yu Fei’s 34 points in the first half.

Compared to a ball-dominant core, Yu Fei tonight was more like a contemporary, weaker-side isolation core similar to Kobe.

The only difference between him and Kobe was that he took more three-point shots, from farther out, and yes, had a higher shooting percentage.

67 to 49

The Bucks were leading the Cavaliers by 18 points at halftime.

Yu Fei stunned every single person on the Cavaliers with his stats of 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Even LeBron’s diehard fans had to admit that Yu Fei was unstoppable tonight.

“Bron…” At least for now, Yu Fei’s explosive performance at the Bradley Center made Mims give up on any thoughts about this game, and he just wanted to give LeBron some encouragement. “Frye is… after all two years older than you.”

The age difference was something LeBron was reluctant to mention, because every loss could be atributed to the opponent being older than him.

But as long as they were alive, as long as they were playing ball, Yu Fei would always be two years older than him.

How could that become an excuse for failure?

Yet, if this reasoning was not valid, then why did he fail?

The answer was harsh and unacceptable.

Inside the home team’s locker room, Yu Fei said to Karl, “I won’t pass the ball in the second half.”

Karl had no objections, “In that case, it would be more appropriate for you to play the small forward position.”

Yu Fei had no objections.

The candidate for the Bucks’ starting point guard in the second half fell on Brent Barry.

The veteran who joined last year lost his starting spot this season due to the rise of Martin and the addition of Bell. Initially, he had complaints, but as Martin exploded and the Bucks’ championship prospects became more evident, he decided to accept his fate as a substitute.

Although not a starter, this combo guard capable of seamlessly switching between both backcourt positions was an invisible asset on the Bucks’ bench.

If Yu Fei’s offensive feeling was even better, Karl would let him play the small forward, while Barry took the point guard position.

Tonight was undeniably a legendary battle that would be remembered.

Yu Fei was going for his 50 points and LeBron’s 60 points; once achieved, it would become another classic battle in the NBA.

Barry was grateful to be a part of it.

In the second half, the Cavaliers were still the same team, with a defense full of holes that let Yu Fei score 16 points in 7 minutes, accomplishing the feat of 50 points in three quarters.

By then, the score difference had reached 26 points.

The Cavaliers had not given up yet, LeBron had just reached 30 points, which was an outstanding offensive performance for him, but compared to Yu Fei’s 50 points in three quarters, it seemed meager.

When Yu Fei scored his 50th point, LeBron thought his opponent would come over to him with his customary smugness and say, “LeBron, look at my score, I told you so.”

But when Yu Fei received the ball again, he deliberately called for a pick-and-roll, making LeBron switch to defend him.

“LeBron, it seems you won’t be able to reach 60 points tonight,” Yu Fei said, his words landing like a power-charged critical hit, “but you won’t break your word, because I’ll help you get to 60 points.”

What?

LeBron felt a ringing in his ears, and then, Yu Fei hit his third pull-up three-pointer over him of the night.

“Swish!”

“Yu Fei’s 53rd point! His offensive surge continues!”

If it were just a matter of Yu Fei getting to 50 points, it would be significant, but LeBron wouldn’t have any psychological trauma.

But now, when Yu Fei declared he would “take over” and reach 60 points on LeBron’s behalf.

LeBron’s mind echoed with what Jordan once told him.

“That guy claiming to be your big brother, he’s been using you as a tool from the start. Do you know what you are? You’re his little brother.”

“You’re his backdrop.”

“Does he care about your feelings?”

LeBron didn’t believe Yu Fei was the kind of person Jordan described.

But what if Jordan’s words came true? What then?

The Cavaliers’ offense failed again, Yu Fei countered with a one-man dunk, which was his 55th point.

Close to breaking down, LeBron opted for a jump shot and missed again, giving the Bucks another chance to counter.

Yu Fei caught Barry’s long pass and dunked again.

That was Yu Fei’s 57th point.

Larry Hughes stepped up and put in an inconsequential three-pointer to stop the Cavaliers’ slump when LeBron could no longer resist, but did it really matter for a team losing by over 30 points?

Yu Fei brought the ball from the backcourt to the front, and LeBron took the initiative to defend him for the first time tonight.

Then, Yu Fei almost shook him off with a crotch change of direction, linking another direction’s crotch change of direction, like a one-strike killer making LeBron’s center of gravity collapse.

In the moment of the King’s fall, he saw Yu Fei rising up, his eyes cold and merciless; he was determined to make this shot.

“Frye finishes LeBron James!” Mike Breen’s voice was more piercing than ever, “With a perfect three-pointer, bringing his personal score to 60 points!”

“60 points in 3 quarters, unbelievable! Incredible!”

“LeBron, all he needs is for you to submit before him like a base King, but in the presence of The Chosen One, even a King is but a commoner.”

LeBron opened his eyes and saw Yu Fei extending his hand to him.

“LeBron, are you alright?”

“Enough!” LeBron slapped away Yu Fei’s hand, stood up and roared, “I’ve had enough of the big brother and little brother game, let it end here!”

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