Basketball Terminal

Chapter 75 Hidden
In recent years in the NBA, it has become increasingly common for teams to score ten or more points in just a few minutes during the final moments of the fourth quarter. If the defense is momentarily distracted, the opponent can go on a hot streak and turn the tide with a series of three-pointers.

The Nets' defense faltered after Levi went to the bench, especially with DeAndre Jordan's subsequent turnovers on both ends of the court. Nash was well aware of the damage Jordan was causing the team, and Harden even had a heated argument with Jordan during a timeout.

Before Harden joined the Nets, it was rumored that someone gave him a questionnaire asking him who he least wanted to work with if he joined the Nets, and he wrote DeAndre Jordan.

Despite the numerous plays and connections between Harden and DeAndre Jordan, Harden is always the one giving the work. Although Harden might get an assist, aside from that, he doesn't receive much support from Jordan on either offense or defense, even in pick-and-roll situations.

When things are going well, things are fine, but when things turn against them, DeAndre Jordan's defensive lapses and lapses in concentration under the basket can wipe out any previous advantage. Harden's defense isn't great either; without anyone acting as a screen, points often go in over his head.

Li Wei came over to comfort a somewhat angry Harden, saying, "It's okay, I'm here. Don't panic, we're still leading by two points." Li Wei is an optimist; optimists see that we're still leading by two points. Pessimists see that even if we win this game, we'll still be blamed.

DeAndre Jordan remained on the court, while Tobias Harris was substituted. Even though Jordan wasn't the best, he was still better than Harris, and securing the paint was key. Li Wei bumped fists with Jordan, telling him not to panic, that it didn't matter if he focused on the paint, he'd handle the situation under the basket.

Having regained some of his energy, Li Wei looked confident, but deep down he wasn't sure what to expect. But when it comes to competitions, you have to put on a brave face; if you win, you can show off, and if you lose, you can pretend nothing happened. After all, I'm not the boss; the boss is sitting below eating candy.

The Nets inbounded the ball, and Li Wei received it in the middle. He immediately handed it to Irving, who dribbled to the right 45-degree angle, shook off the defense, and pulled up for a three-pointer! It was a familiar spot, the right 45-degree three-point line, the spot where they won the championship.

Unfortunately, the ball didn't go in, and it bounced high off the rim. Li Wei was helpless; a high-bouncing ball, not a long rebound, meant he couldn't grab it even if he predicted it correctly. So instead of driving to the basket, he quickly retreated on defense.

The Spurs grabbed the rebound and launched a fast break. Mills received the ball and passed it back to DeRozan, who was following up. DeRozan used a crossover to get past Irving's defense, and Irving's defense against his accelerated crossover was practically nonexistent.

There was only Li Wei inside. Instead of crouching under the basket to guard it, Li Wei took the initiative and attacked. DeRozan had already accelerated, gathered the ball, and used a crossover step to push Li Wei aside and go for a layup. But after being pushed aside, Li Wei swiftly stole the ball from DeRozan's hands.

Li Wei didn't force the shot; he knew that would be a blocking foul. He dodged, but his arm still reached out and knocked the ball away. DeRozan was still making his layup attempt when the ball was gone.

Before the ball went out of bounds, Li Wei retrieved it and tossed it to Harden, who was standing nearby. Harden had been standing on the baseline for a while, and since Li Wei was coming up, he didn't need to guard the basket anymore; he could just wait for the ball. Harden immediately took the ball and launched a fast break. At this moment, DeAndre Jordan was faster than anyone else, and he made a long pass to the frontcourt.

DeAndre Jordan received the ball, unguarded, and slammed it home with a two-handed dunk! The Nets extended their lead to 4 points, a relatively safe margin. The Spurs called a timeout, and as both teams' players were leaving the court, Gregg Popovich even came over and yelled at Levi, "Good defense, kid."

Li Wei nodded in acknowledgment, saying little else. The competition was still ongoing, and it wasn't advisable to collude with the enemy; he refused any recruitment offers. Things might change after the competition, and Li Wei wouldn't mind making connections to prepare for a bigger contract in the future.

Texas has no taxes, so you can earn a lot more there. Harden also mentioned that Texas is famous for its strip clubs, with Houston, Dallas, and Austin being particularly good. Don't let their tough-guy image fool you; those Texas cowboys are more fun-loving than anyone else in private.

The timeout ended, but Li Wei hadn't heard anything, unaware of what Nash had planned. Nash genuinely lacked understanding of defense; his defensive strategies were limited to just two sets: 3-2, 2-3, or man-to-man switching—nothing more. But that didn't matter. Li Wei thought, "Since you're a good guy, I'll take the shot." Li Wei pulled DeAndre Jordan to the baseline, to the top of the key, made him stand up straight, and then hid behind him.

"What are you doing?"

"Don't move, block for me!"

Li Wei spotted Mills inbounding the ball and, anticipating that he would pass to Murray who was making a cut outside after the second screen, initiated his attack, running towards Murray the instant Mills released the ball.

Mills had no room for repentance; his teammates' warnings were to no avail. Everything happened in a flash. Murray didn't notice someone hiding behind Jordan. Then, he quickly appeared behind Murray's side and intercepted the ball Mills passed to him!

The two made physical contact. Murray reacted quickly, but ultimately, he was caught off guard and the ball was firmly held by Levi. Before falling to the ground, he threw the ball to Irving, who came to receive it. Irving took the ball and charged forward, leaving Mills with no choice but to foul him.

The members of the One Heart Society executed a defensive play, rendering Nash's earlier instructions useless. Popovich had anticipated that Nash would stick to his man-to-man switching defense, so he set continuous screens to disrupt Nash's switches, allowing Murray to receive the ball and immediately take a three-pointer, or pass it to Mills for another three.

But unexpectedly, Li Wei, the sixth man, hid behind DeAndre Jordan, disrupting Mills and Murray's judgment. It's important to remember that players on the court don't have a god-like perspective, unlike fans in a video game who can clearly see where everyone is.

Human vision is inherently limited by height, and the eyes can only see at a certain angle. If there are obstructions or blind spots, misjudgments can occur, leading to mistakes. Li Wei used this to his advantage, executing a decisive interception that determined the outcome of the match.

Irving made both free throws, extending the lead to 6 points. With little time remaining, the Spurs could only attempt a contested three-pointer, which missed. The Nets secured the rebound, and the game ended. 112-106, the Nets' 6-point lead extended their winning streak to 8 games, their longest winning streak this season.

Popovich glanced at Li Wei, then told the assistant coach beside him to observe him closely, to observe him over a long period of time, and that it would be best to establish some contact with his agent. After saying this, he shook hands and hugged Nash before returning to the locker room.

Li Wei, DeAndre Jordan, and Kyrie Irving high-fived and then performed a set of hand gestures that Li Wei knew by heart. Li Wei regretted it; it looked a bit silly, but there was nothing he could do. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you've formed a sworn brotherhood with people, you have to follow their customs.

Nash was also puzzled. When did Levi become so close to DeAndre Jordan and Kyrie Irving? Young people really do have a strong ability to learn and adapt. Nash could never learn those black things; his best friends had always been white players.

He's slowly accepting the fact that he can't be friends with the players, and he'll stick to being a good coach. Li Wei saved the Nets' game by working overtime; Nash thinks he should be given more playing time, young players need more experience.

Li Wei just wants to go back and get a good night's sleep; this game was too tiring. But next time he goes to Houston, he absolutely has to go with Harden to experience the coolest strip club, otherwise, his trip to Texas would have been a waste.

(End of this chapter)