The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 216 - 143: Indiana, I’m back!_2

Chapter 216: Chapter 143: Indiana, I’m back!_2

"That’s his spot, he was bound to return."

November 16, a big day for Indiana fans.

Banned for 7 games, Su Wan was set to officially make his comeback in this match.

It was another critical moment for the Pacers, in a way, similar to the phase they were in during last season’s "Auburn Palace incident." It didn’t look as dire, but another loss, and the team would definitely face a problem, a major one that would lead to a complete collapse.

By then, everything would truly be beyond redemption.

Before the game, Erin handed over the upbeat interview video of LeBron James to Su Wan, adding, "Including yesterday, this is the third time your fellow townsman has mentioned how passionate LeBron is."

"They really are a natural pair!" Su Wan smirked with a hint of sarcasm.

But he was not in a hurry.

People like LeBron belong to the "win and everyone’s brothers" category, but if they lose, it’s immediately "who are you, brother?"

Even the tweets you follow could get canceled.

The Cavaliers were currently in their "honeymoon period."

But Su Wan knew very well the Cavalier’s performance this season was much stronger than the last, but it wasn’t as dominant as it seemed, and rankings fluctuate greatly at the beginning of a new season. Today’s number one in the Eastern Conference could be seventh in a couple of days. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

After all, there’s only a win or two separating the teams.

A losing streak would quickly reveal their true form.

By then, the real nature of LeBron’s relationship with Zhu Fangyu would come to light.

Future illustrations include Wade just joining the Cavaliers, with LeBron popping into his interviews, acting like "best buddies forever." But once the team doesn’t meet expectations and Wade is traded, LeBron doesn’t even make a sound.

Right now, what’s most crucial is to achieve a resounding victory.

Tonight, the Pacers were home, facing the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sometimes you have to admire that guy known as the "Logo Man," Jerry West.

Who knows how his brain works?

He managed the Lakers, bringing the "Purple Gold Dynasty" three consecutive championships. Now in Memphis, he quickly rid the Grizzlies of their underdog status, not only successfully entering the playoffs last season but also currently sitting in the top eight of the Western Conference.

Everyone knows just how competitive the top eight spots in the Western Conference are. The Grizzlies’ record, if placed in the Eastern Conference, would be in the top four.

For the current Pacers, they’re definitely a strong opponent.

Pessimistic Pacers fans even thought:

A small loss is a win!

However, it’s precisely because of the pessimism that Su Wan became their "lifeline."

When the familiar prelude of "Extreme Ways" began, a massive cheer erupted from the crowd. Su Wan jogged from the home team’s tunnel to the center of the court and then headed straight for the scorer’s table.

Erin seemed to have anticipated his move and had a microphone prepared for him.

Su Wan grabbed the microphone, took big strides, and jumped onto the scorer’s table, shouting:

"Indiana, I’m back!"

The man wearing Bulls jersey number 23, with that phrase, had sounded the "red alert" all over the United States.

And now, Su Wan, with that same familiar line, also sounded Indiana’s "red alert."

The cheers, already thunderous in the Conseco Arena, seemed ready to explode.

Barkley watched the commotion Su Wan caused, shaking his head slightly:

That kid showboats again!

He knew Su Wan’s return would cause a stir, but what he hadn’t expected was...

Su Wan actually used that phrase to showboat!

Bold move!

Isn’t he worried about what Jordan might think?

Whether Jordan had an opinion was unknown, but the atmosphere in the arena was completely electrified.

The tumultuous vibe reminded Erin of last year’s Pacers’ playoff home games. Which opponent didn’t frown upon arrival?

She couldn’t help but mutter:

Su Wan is back; the defending champions are back!

Hmm?

What?

What did I say?

Damn, I actually came up with such a catchy headline.

Erin hurriedly noted down the phrase.

Of course, her using this line as the lead for tomorrow’s report hinged on...

the Pacers putting on a defending champion’s strong performance tonight!

The big screen at the venue displayed the starting lineups for both teams.

The Pacers’ starting lineup, with the return of Su Wan, was: Point Guard Tinsley, Shooting Guard Su Wan, Small Forward Artest, Power Forward Little O’Neal, and Center Foster.

The Grizzlies’ starting lineup was: Point Guard Damon Stoudemire, Shooting Guard Eddie Jones, Small Forward Shawn Battier, Power Forward Paul Gasol, and Center Lorenzen Wright.

From the lineups, it seemed the Grizzlies didn’t actually have any standout players.

Anyway, no way would "Mr. Baylor" assemble such a lineup if it were up to him.

Yet, the Grizzlies managed to climb back into the top eight of the Western Conference with just this lineup.

There had to be something special about it.

And it was the same old approach:

High pace!

Damon Stoudemire, nicknamed "Little Flying Squirrel," had grabbed the "Rookie of the Year" award back with the Raptors thanks to their fast-paced offense, but after Vince Carter and McGrady joined, he had been shipped to the Blazers.

Portland in previous years was called the "Prison Team," a bunch of "bad boys" plus the "Big Brother" from the League, and unable to command them, Damon could only burn out his prime in a positional war.

Since joining the Grizzlies last season, he had become the "engine" of the backcourt. Despite unremarkable stats of only 11.7 points and 4.7 assists per game, the Grizzlies’ pace relied entirely on him and Paul Gasol.

Actually, Paul Gasol could be considered a prototype of the "Space Four." Except for not having as long a shooting range, he matched all the criteria for the "Space Type 4."

It was just the constraints of the era that steered his offensive choices toward the paint.

Su Wan believed Little O’Neal’s goal was to become a version of Paul Gasol with enhanced physical qualities and second-chance ability, but with diminished post moves and playmaking skills.

Before going on the court, Su Wan glanced over at Artest, "Watch closely, Ron. This is how you play the two!"

O’Neal chimed in from his side, "Watch closely, Ron. This is how Su Wan and I run pick and rolls!"

"What the hell do I have to learn? Do I need to run pick and rolls?" Artest shot back.

Little O’Neal was annoyed, "Why aren’t you brave enough to retort to Su?"

Artest replied, "Cut the crap, if I can’t talk back to him, you think I can’t talk back to you?"

At the jump ball, Little O’Neal, facing the slender and long-limbed Paul Gasol, actually won the tip-off.

Tinsley passed the ball to Su Wan in the frontcourt.

One of Su Wan’s most comfortable games from the last postseason, including Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat, resulted in the "58-point massacre."

The one guarding him then was Kobe’s former big brother, Eddie Jones.

Interestingly enough, this first game back from hiatus brought him face to face with the same guy.

"It seems even God wants to witness an exciting comeback show!"

Su Wan muttered to himself as he looked at Jones, not bothering to lower his voice so Eddie Jones could hear clearly.

Although he didn’t understand the context, a sudden apprehension hit him:

This is going to be bad!

Most of the Pacer fans in the venue stood up out of their own volition.

They felt they had to stand to watch Su Wan’s first offensive play of the new season, to show their respect for him.

"Dribble, dribble, dribble!"

The rhythm of his dribbling was neither fast nor slow, but each bounce weighed heavily on Eddie Jones’s mind.

As Su Wan glanced to the right and successfully deceived Jones into looking that way too, he took off. His explosive power, which had greatly improved over the summer, made his first step even more fierce.

Eddie Jones instinctively reached out to stop him but was already too late.

The mid-range jump shot, with an ability value of 80 points already reaching All-Star level, was as good as a wide-open shot for him, with absolutely no pressure to make it.

The familiar shooting motion, now with an unfamiliar sense of stability.

Amidst the cheering from the crowd, the voice of the Pacers, Bobby Leonard, roared with all his might, "Special Agent number 99 declares his return with his signature mid-range shot, now, his performance is officially starting..."

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