Chapter 19: Dropping 28 Points and Shocking Staples Center! (Please Add to Your Library)-Basquete: Começando com Klay Thompson!(Sui Sui, um barco ao entardecer.)

Li Rui’s shooting was not unsolvable; after all, his offensive repertoire was too one-dimensional. The Lakers were not the Warriors, and they didn’t have a vast array of plays designed for him. As long as the opposition paid him a modicum of attention, his opportunities to shoot would diminish rapidly.

The reason he was able to hit so many shots so easily tonight was largely because the Mavericks had underestimated him. Li Rui had only just broken out in the previous game, so the Mavericks’ scouting database didn’t contain much information on him. In the NBA, there are many players who have great individual games, and scouts tend to focus more on the core members of a roster. When the Mavericks’ scouting report mentioned Li Rui, it merely warned: "Watch out for Li Rui’s three-point shooting."

However, the Mavericks’ players had no real impression of Li Rui. Who would commit to aggressively guarding a player just because of one line in a scouting report? Their habitual strategy for dealing with the Lakers was simple: just stop Kobe. This carelessness cost them dearly. Seeing the opposition call a timeout, Li Rui returned to his half of the court, jumping up to bump chests with Bynum in celebration. The arena’s big screen replayed his three-pointers from the night over and over. Lakers fans were completely stunned by Li Rui’s scoring explosiveness. This rookie was contributing far beyond what his draft position suggested.

...

CCTV studio.

"Walton grabs the rebound and passes it to Li Rui."

"Li Rui passes to Kobe, Kobe passes it back."

"Oh my, he hit it again! Li Rui’s touch is incredible today."

"That’s his seventh three-pointer; the Lakers have tied the game."

"The Mavericks have been forced to call a timeout."

Coach Zhang was extremely emotional, as were the fans watching the live broadcast back in China. The Hupu forums were filled with post after post.

"I hereby declare that Li Rui is the Lakers’ premier shooter."

"Haha, Kobe has turned into a point guard, just feeding Li Rui the ball."

"I’m definitely buying Li Rui’s jersey."

"Awesome! That’s the seventh three-pointer. I declare that Li Rui has officially taken off in the NBA."

"Brothers, this game has kept me hyped for 30 minutes straight."

Chinese fans were so excited because there had never been a Chinese guard in the NBA before. Compared to the more rigid style of play associated with interior players, the flashy playstyle of a guard was far more captivating for fans. Previously, fans could only follow American guards like Kobe, Iverson, or McGrady, but now they could support a purely Chinese guard like Li Rui, which provided a strong sense of personal connection.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Phil Jackson clapped on the sidelines to gather everyone together. For a head coach, sparking a 9-0 run to tie the game was a cause for joy. Of course, Jackson also had his concerns: if the Lakers were only just managing to tie the Mavericks while Li Rui was this hot, it meant there was a clear gap in talent between the two teams, and the remainder of the game would be difficult. After the timeout, the Mavericks adjusted their defensive strategy against Li Rui, sending Jerry Stackhouse to guard him man-to-man.

Jerry Stackhouse was a veteran who had spent many years in the league. Standing 6’6" and weighing 218 pounds, he was physically capable of matching up with Li Rui without a disadvantage. He had been a star-level player in his youth, though he had since become a role player. Stackhouse possessed a wealth of experience and played with great defensive intensity; he acted as a mentor on the Mavericks’ bench and was averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists this season. Of course, his defense wasn't elite overall, but because Li Rui’s offensive repertoire wasn't yet that varied, Stackhouse’s high energy was enough to keep him in check.

Li Rui’s offense was stifled for a while; he only managed three three-point attempts in the following stretch, hitting one of them. However, in the interim, Li Rui managed to score 2 points by slipping to the rim on a backdoor cut. For the Lakers, aside from Kobe, Walton also began to heat up. The space created by Kobe and Li Rui was so vast that Walton capitalized on these opportunities, scoring in succession. The Mavericks’ overall shooting touch on the road gradually declined, and the situation became increasingly tense.

The game soon reached the final 1:13 of the fourth quarter. The score was 105-107, with the Lakers leading by 2 points; the game had reached a fever pitch. Li Rui had already hit 8 three-pointers tonight—a passing grade for an ordinary rotation player. But for Li Rui, who aspired to be a superstar, he wanted more; he wanted to help his team win.

On this possession, the Lakers were on offense. Kobe took over the team’s ball-handling duties, bringing the ball up from the backcourt. In such a high-stakes moment, Phil Jackson wouldn't dare let Li Rui handle the ball. Kobe ran a pick-and-roll with Bynum at the top of the key, blocking Josh Howard. Kobe accelerated to the right, drawing double-teams from Terry, Nowitzki, and Howard, before quickly firing a pass to Li Rui at the left three-point line.

Li Rui hadn't completely shaken Stackhouse, but he had an opening to receive the ball. Upon catching it, Li Rui showed nerves of steel; he pump-faked, and Stackhouse jumped immediately. Li Rui dribbled once to the left, easily getting past Stackhouse. Seeing that the three-point lane was closed, he drove one step into the paint and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.

"Swish!"

Stackhouse’s defense was shattered. 105-109. This basket helped the Lakers extend their lead, giving them the absolute upper hand.

With 22 seconds left in the game, Phil Jackson subbed Li Rui out, replacing him with Vujacic. The opposition would be forced to use a foul strategy now.

"LI!"

As Li Rui walked off the court, the entire Staples Center crowd stood up and chanted in unison. Li Rui clapped toward the sky to acknowledge the fans. Danny came over and high-fived Li Rui: "Hey, Li, how does it feel to be adored by the fans?"

Li Rui didn't look at Danny; instead, he scanned the excited Lakers fans in front of him and said in fluent English: "I’m enjoying it."

...

Buzz!!

As the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers, relying on steady free-throw shooting, ultimately secured a 109-113 victory.

"Clap!"

The Lakers fans in the arena cheered and applauded; these cheers were for the entire Lakers team. Being able to defeat the league-leading Mavericks was no small feat for the Lakers.

...

On his way to the locker room, Li Rui high-fived fans along the tunnel. The fans were shouting Li Rui’s name with intense excitement, providing him with immense emotional validation. As he reached the player tunnel, Li Rui was stopped by a staff member; two people were standing beside him.

Li Rui scanned the faces of the two men. They looked somewhat familiar. He paused for a moment, then smiled. Wasn't one of them Stephen Curry? How old was Curry this year? And the middle-aged man next to him must be his father, Dell Curry.

"Li, this is Dell Curry, a former NBA star," the staff member quickly introduced.

Li Rui politely shook hands with Dell Curry.

"Li, Li, my name is Stephen Curry. Could I please have your autograph and a photo with you?" The baby-faced Curry looked a bit nervous.

"Of course."

After all, this was the bond of the future Splash Brothers; fate had linked them. Li Rui had no reason to refuse. Li Rui took the jersey and pen handed over by Curry, signed his name in Chinese, and added a sentence in Chinese: "Stephen, I hope you become a top-tier NBA player in the future."

After signing, he handed it back to Curry, and the two took a photo together.

"Click! Click! Click!"

Dell Curry held a digital camera and captured the photo of Curry and Li Rui.

"Li, I really love the way you play. I’m going to make it my goal to reach the NBA," Stephen Curry said, clenching his fist and speaking with great determination.

Curry was a high school senior this year, but he hadn't yet received an offer from an NCAA Division I school; many universities felt he wasn't suited for the physicality of the NCAA level. Curry was deeply frustrated. He was moved by Li Rui’s "underdog" rise, feeling that Li Rui was much like him—starting from being unsuited for the physical demands of the game to making a name for himself in the NBA.

"Well, keep working hard. Stephen Curry, right? I’ll remember you. I look forward to seeing you in the NBA," Li Rui encouraged.

"Okay, thank you!" Curry said, thrilled.

Li Rui then bid them farewell and walked back to the locker room.

[Ding! Host has signed an autograph for Stephen Curry, completing the bond. "Passing Vision" attribute increased by 1 point.]

Hearing the system notification, Li Rui was delighted. He hadn't expected to get a reward just for meeting Curry. His passing vision had increased from 40 to 41. Although this reward was minor, it was better than nothing, and it gave Li Rui a greater sense of satisfaction.