area51novel Chapter 32: The Madman Who Only Shoots 3 Points? No, He's a Tactical Mastermind
Chapter 32: The Madman Who Only Shoots 3 Points? No, He's a Tactical Mastermind
December 24, 2008, Christmas Eve.
Madison Square Garden, New York.
Knicks vs. Orlando Magic.
Madison Square Garden is filled with festive cheer tonight.
Before the match, Li Xiangbei's system suddenly popped up a crazy notification.
[Advanced Quest Triggered: The Grinch's Arrogance]
【Task Requirements:】
He scored over 40 points in this game.
All points (including free throws) must come from beyond the three-point line.
No shots are allowed inside the three-point line (once you enter the three-point line to shoot or lay up, the mission will fail immediately, and there is no penalty for failure).
Win the game.
【Task Reward:】Guaranteed winning limit permanently increased by 1.
"Only three-pointers? And you still want to score 40 points?" Li Xiangbei paused in the locker room as he tied his shoelaces.
This means he has to completely abandon drives, mid-range shots, and finishing at the rim. He even has to avoid free throws as much as possible.
"Is this what they call arrogance?" Li Xiangbei's lips curled into a maniacal smile. "Interesting."
……
Game start.
Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy has clearly done his homework. His tactics are clear: defend the paint, allow shots but not drives.
Howard was like a guardian angel, firmly crouching within the restricted area, refusing to step out. The perimeter defenders merely extended their arms symbolically, without actually closing in.
Li Xiangbei dribbled the ball to a point one meter outside the three-point line.
There was a wide-open space in front of him, and the defender was at least two meters away from him.
"You look down on me that much?" Li Xiangbei raised an eyebrow.
He didn't rush to use the "guaranteed win" bonus. It would be a waste to use a cheat code on such a training-level opening.
Li Xiangbei took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, jumped, and flicked his wrist.
The movements were so precise, like something out of a textbook.
"brush!"
The basketball went through the net cleanly.
The Magic didn't take it seriously and continued to use their collapsed defense.
Two minutes later, the same scenario played out again.
"brush!"
again.
In the first quarter, Li Xiangbei made 3 of 5 three-point attempts, all of which were made thanks to his natural shooting touch.
Now, the Magic's coaching staff couldn't sit still.
Van Gundy sprang from his chair, roaring at the players on the court: "Damn it! Is he practicing?! He's on fire tonight! Charge out and defend! Don't let him shoot so comfortably!!"
……
The Magic were forced to change their defensive strategy.
The defensive line expanded outwards. Hedo Turkoglu began to stick tightly to Li Xiangbei, giving him no space to receive the ball and shoot.
Li Xiangbei received the ball, and Turkoglu immediately closed in, his long arms almost blocking his eyes.
This is an extremely difficult defense.
At this point, it's time to use a cheat.
[Guaranteed credit limit: 1/5 (activated)]
Ignoring the overwhelming hand in front of him, Li Xiangbei jumped straight up.
Turkoglu thought the ball would definitely be interfered with, and was even preparing to grab the rebound.
however.
"brush!"
The basketball seemed to have a navigation system installed, precisely swooping into the net.
Li Xiangbei landed, looked at the bewildered Turkoglu, and said calmly:
"You can block my eyes. But you can't stop the ball's trajectory."
With Li Xiangbei hitting those unreasonable shots one after another, the Magic's defense completely fell apart.
To contain this madman, Howard had to step out of the paint and even extend his defense to the vicinity of the three-point line.
And this is exactly what Li Xiangbei wanted.
The penalty area is open!
Li Xiangbei's realistic shooting fake instantly drew the attention of both Turkoglu and Howard.
But he didn't vote.
He flicked the ball with one hand in mid-air, sending it straight to the basket like a scalpel.
Zach Randolph and David Lee were already getting impatient waiting there.
Facing an empty basket, Randolph received the ball and easily slammed it down!
"boom!"
In the commentary booth, Charles Barkley exclaimed in admiration:
"So clever! Li Xiangbei is like a giant magnet! He used those incredible three-pointers to draw the Magic's defense to the perimeter! The Knicks' interior is now as empty as a New York street at four in the morning! Randolph has never had such an easy basket in his life!"
……
The final 15 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Knicks 108: Magic 109.
The game has entered its final decisive moment.
Li Xiangbei's score was 39 points (13 three-pointers). He was just one point away from completing the mission. His "guaranteed win quota" had already been used up.
The Knicks' defense was successful! Li Xiangbei reacted quickly and intercepted Turkoglu's pass!
Counterattack!
Li Xiangbei rushed towards the frontcourt at full speed.
Howard was the only one desperately chasing back, but he was still two body lengths behind Li Xiangbei.
This is an absolute opportunity for a fast break.
As long as you get to the basket, even a simple layup is a sure two-point game-winner.
Two points, win the game.
But if he makes the layup, the mission will fail. His coveted "sixth sure shot" will vanish.
In the blink of an eye.
Li Xiangbei made that crazy decision.
He rushed to the basket, and everyone thought he was going to jump and dunk.
"squeak--!"
Sudden braking!
Due to the great inertia, Li Xiangbei even slid a distance on the floor.
Howard, who was desperately chasing back, couldn't stop in time and went over the bar, flying out of bounds!
The crowd gasped, "A layup!! What are you doing?!"
Li Xiangbei ignored him. He turned around, dribbled, and retreated to the 45-degree angle outside the three-point line.
At that moment, Howard scrambled to his feet from the baseline in a disheveled state. Fu*k! He looks down on me!
This is an insult! This is a blatant insult!
Howard lunged at him, his face contorted with rage: "How dare you humiliate me?!"
Facing Howard rushing towards him.
Li Xiangbei's eyes were calm as still water.
He jumped, leaning his body slightly backward.
The basketball flew from his fingertips, tracing a high, rainbow-colored arc that soared past Howard's outstretched fingertips.
Li Xiangbei was extremely nervous; he absolutely had to succeed!
Time seemed to stand still.
"beep--!"
The red light is on.
"Whoosh!!!"
The decisive sound of the hammer hitting the net echoed throughout Madison Square Garden!
111:109.
Lore!
mission completed!
[System Prompt:]
[Mission Complete: The Arrogance of the Grinch]
[Reward Distribution: The guaranteed winning limit has been permanently increased to 6 times.]
Li Xiangbei landed, looked at the still swaying basketball net, and let out a long breath.
His teammates rushed up and overwhelmed him like madmen.
……
Post-match interview.
Reporters surrounded Li Xiangbei, and everyone had only one question:
"Li! That last shot, you had a wide-open basket! You just needed to make the layup to win! Why? Why did you back out and shoot a three-pointer? You almost ruined the game!"
Li Xiangbei broke free from his teammates' embrace and straightened his jersey, which had been stretched and deformed.
He pointed to the pair of green "Greek of Christmas" boots on his feet, revealing his signature smile, which carried a hint of cunning and arrogance.
Why?
Li Xiangbei looked at the camera.
"Because today is Christmas Eve."
"Ordinary wins are meaningless. I want to steal their souls."
"When I made that three-pointer, I knew Dwight would never forget this Christmas. Every time he thinks about that game, about that missed layup, he feels terrified."
"That's how villains do it."