The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 31 - 30: Who is Michael Jordan, who is Scottie Pippen?

Chapter 31: Chapter 30: Who is Michael Jordan, who is Scottie Pippen?

"Ira, move aside. I’ll guard Artest, and you, LeBron, I’ve already guarded the point guard for a few rounds now, you should have a pretty clear idea of how to defend, so he’s all yours!"

Su Wan watched the Pacers begin their play and started directing his teammates on where to stand defensively.

Newell, feeling greatly relieved, quickly vacated his spot.

He had never found Su Wan so agreeable before.

He moved to the other side, glanced at LeBron James, and said cautiously, "Uncle told me to guard this guy, LeBron."

Scram!

LeBron didn’t say a word, but his expression said it all.

Newell had no choice but to switch to guarding Tinsley.

But he was satisfied with the outcome.

As long as he didn’t have to guard Artest.

But...

The "Chosen One" indeed! The Cavalier’s primary leader, huh! Why don’t you dare guard Ron Artest for me?

Always picking on the weakest.

Pah!

Newell was inwardly furious.

At this moment, he truly despised LeBron.

Paul Silas watched Su Wan commanding his teammates on the court and momentarily looked bewildered:

Taking on single challenges to open up the offensive play, defensively actively guarding the toughest opponent...

Who exactly was the leader of the Cavaliers?

Why did this rookie, playing his first professional game, seem more like the leader?

It wasn’t just his feeling; some of the fans at the venue also looked at Su Wan as he approached Artest, stirring up waves of murmurs which then turned into cheering and shouting.

Tonight the Pacers had maintained a lead, every player was tough to handle, but if Cavaliers fans had to pick one player who was giving them the most trouble, it would definitely be Ron Artest.

Every time he took the ball, it made the Cavaliers fans anxious.

Su Wan even provocatively hooked his finger at Artest.

For the hot-tempered Artest, this was like adding fuel to the fire. Normally he was calm during the games. Those who were easily provoked didn’t become "Defensive Player of the Season."

But now, he was being taunted by a rookie!

A rookie whose professional career had just started, tonight even marking his first regular-season game!

For Artest to endure such provocation, his temper might as well have been for nothing.

Su Wan wasn’t confident about withstanding Artest either.

At this time, Artest was in his prime, originally averaging 24.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals per game; a shooting accuracy of 49.6%, a three-point shot accuracy of 41.2%, and a free throw accuracy of 92.2%!

Yes, you read that right, a scoring efficiency that nearly qualified him for the "180 Club", achieved by the defensively renowned Ron Artest.

The media began speculating his potential to become the regular season MVP.

If it weren’t for fate’s wheel starting to turn, honestly, the Spurs might not have won the championship that year, and the Cavaliers might not have made it to the finals in ’07.

Therefore, Su Wan’s initial provocation was just to make Artest break through into the encirclement of the Cavaliers under the basket.

Artest’s breakthrough was similar to LeBron’s, both relying on sheer physical force. He didn’t have LeBron’s explosive power or the finesse in his final layups. In terms of sheer breakthrough skills, while LeBron might have had an edge, Artest would be way behind.

"Bang!"

The plan was successful, Artest, provoked, powered forward with the ball.

Su Wan hadn’t faced off with LeBron yet, and this contact with Artest was the most intense impact he had experienced since the summer league. It felt like a huge rock had smashed into him.

"Bang!"

Before he could even feel the pain, Artest landed another elbow on his chest.

Now Su Wan understood why Newell looked so grateful when he commanded the switch in defense.

This the hell...

Are they still playing basketball?

"Defending while retreating" can’t withstand anything.

It was only when Ron Artest reached the free throw line that Su Wan finally was able to exert force and confront him; his hand remained above before Artest rushed underneath, completely blocking his view of the basket.

The "Beast" didn’t usually have a high rate of assist errors, which was a significant problem for him; last season he averaged 3.7 assists, but also had 2.8 turnovers per game. The reason was that when he was completely covered, he often couldn’t see his teammates.

The ball was passed to Newell on the wing.

LeBron, who had not moved away from the exterior of the three-point line, suddenly sprang into action, running at high speed.

Leading the charge, his historic physical condition was apparent.

But he kept looking back and did not see the ball fly over his head.

Newell, who caught the ball, made eye contact with him, but seeing Su Wan using his explosive power to distance himself from Artest, his hand involuntarily tossed the ball to Su Wan.

He couldn’t let Su Wan defend Artest alone while he left the spotlight opportunities to LeBron, could he?

His heart made him choose Su Wan.

After all, the ball was with Su Wan, but LeBron was still on the "fastbreak front line."

Whether the ball went to LeBron or not, it was Su Wan’s decision, and it couldn’t be blamed on him.

Su Wan caught the ball with a look of surprise, sprinted down the court without any intention of passing, even though LeBron was already standing under the basket; at the Pacers’ free-throw line, he smashed the ball against the backboard.

Just when LeBron thought Su Wan had finally shown some awareness and chose to alley-oop to him, pleased that he jumped up, he realized the ball had been smashed too hard against the backboard and rebounded too quickly; he had barely jumped when the ball had already bounced out of the hoop.

LeBron came up empty.

As his body slowly fell from the air, Su Wan, having shaken off Tinsley, jumped up, caught the rebounding ball, performed a "self-throw and self-dunk," and ignited the crowd’s cheers.

He actually didn’t pass me the alley-oop and played me like this?

LeBron clenched his fists; he felt like a clown.

Su Wan had no time to pay attention to him, his focus was on Artest and Stephen Jackson on the other side.

Continuous provocation caused Artest to once again take the ball and forcefully drive in; this time Su Wan couldn’t stop him, and the "Beast" broke into the paint. However, LeBron James showed his specialty, delivering Artest a "Big Needle Hat."

The ball was grabbed by "Big Z"; LeBron snatched it and moved it up the court himself.

He was furious!

"Smack!"

Then, an even angrier Artest made a face-to-face steal.

Fortunately, Su Wan fell to the ground, secured the ball, and loudly called "timeout," preserving possession.

"In crucial moments of catching up, pass me the ball!"

When Su Wan said this, his eyes were locked on LeBron, and the "Little Emperor" hardly dared to look at him.

This scene was recorded by a reporter on the sidelines.

As the game resumed, Su Wan directed his teammates to clear space, allowing him to play one-on-one against Stephen Jackson.

"Martial Saint" defended with great care, but he had never been in the "Best Defensive Lineup" in his career, and his movement speed was significantly weak for position two, yet explosive power was Su Wan’s advantage.

Thus, despite his utmost effort, he could not prevent himself from being once again overcome by a "step over."

"Bang!"

This time Su Wan’s dunk was followed by a celebration move, shaking his shoulders, something LeBron would favor doing in the future. At this rate, he could almost crown himself.

"Switch players, because this guy can’t defend me!"

By the second quarter at 3 minutes and 45 seconds, Su Wan’s scoring had broken into double digits.

He had fulfilled his promise, forcing Stephen Jackson onto the bench; Rick Carlisle replaced him with Reggie Miller, who had stronger entangling ability. But his age was showing, and in just a couple of plays, he turned into a sieve, even more useless than Stephen Jackson.

Seeing the Pacers nearly falling behind by double digits, Rick Carlisle had no choice but to set Artest in front of Su Wan.

But by doing so, Su Wan completed his one-on-one mission.

LeBron James was unleashed, breaking through and passing, revitalizing the Cavaliers. Even though the Pacers displayed their tenacity, the Cavaliers still took the tightly contested game with a score of 98 to 90, securing an "auspicious beginning."

In the TNT studio, Charles Barkley watched Su Wan high-fiving his teammates as he walked off the court, snickered, and asked his commentator partner, "Kenny, based on tonight’s game, who do you think is Michael Jordan, and who is Scottie Pippen?"