Chapter 22: After the PUA, It Was Time for the Green Tea to Take the Stage!

This time, perhaps influenced by Lin Tian’s two consecutive fast breaks, the Magic’s three perimeter players did not venture too deep. They passed the ball to the former cornerstone of the Bulls’ first three-peat, "The Cobra" Horace Grant, for a mid-range jumper.

"Clang!"

With a crisp sound, Grant’s shot missed, and the ball bounced off the rim. O’Neal, under the basket, was ready to unleash his dominance, setting his elbows to snatch the rebound. However, a sudden movement beside him made him freeze for a split second.

"Get out of my way! You greasy, fat idiot!" Jordan’s eyes were bloodshot. His massive elbows slammed directly into O’Neal’s chest, sending a jolt of sharp pain through the giant. The most terrifying behemoth in NBA history was actually forced to retreat a step against his own will!

Jordan then snatched the rebound, held the ball in one hand with immense arrogance, and landed firmly.

"I said, get the hell out!" Jordan glared at O’Neal after landing, his eyes filled with hostility and the murderous aura of a terrorist. O’Neal, who had initially intended to press him, didn’t even dare to step up and defend him closely!

Twice in one second, O’Neal had been intimidated by Jordan! This was absolutely a unique experience in O’Neal’s career!

After securing the ball, Jordan didn’t even dribble once; he whipped it out again! This time, the trajectory of the ball was clearly controlled, with the angle and speed perfectly calibrated. Lin Tian, who had already reached the Magic’s three-point line, caught the ball with ease, without needing to bend over or adjust at all!

However, after being burned by Lin Tian twice in a row, the Magic’s defense was clearly prepared and retreated rapidly! Hardaway rushed in front of Lin Tian the moment he arrived, arms spread wide, looking to teach the rookie a lesson!

Facing Hardaway’s defense, Lin Tian didn’t rush to drive. After all, the Magic’s defense was set, and with his current lack of elite skill and strength, a forced drive could easily result in a turnover. Instead, he stepped back slightly to create distance!

Just then, Hardaway suddenly felt a shadow beside him. Kukoc had arrived on cue to set a screen for Lin Tian!

Using the pick, Lin Tian surged forward and attacked the Magic’s paint! Anderson and the newly arrived Grant were on edge, shifting laterally to block Lin Tian’s path! But they forgot that in terms of seniority, Lin Tian was the lowest on the court, and in terms of scoring ability, he was only slightly better than Rodman!

Faced with the incredibly vacant paint caused by the Magic’s over-reaction to Lin Tian’s stunning performance, Jordan had already cut toward the restricted area! Lin Tian’s pass flew through the air!

"BOOM!"

Following a thunderous sound, Jordan completed the alley-oop, slamming the ball home with a powerful two-handed dunk! The deficit was cut to just two points!

"Michael! Great run!" Lin Tian actually complimented Jordan after the pass!

This comment from Lin Tian made the corners of Jordan’s mouth twitch uncontrollably. He really felt like hitting someone! Does a legend like Jordan need a compliment from a rookie? Well, he had already forgotten that he was just annoyed because Lin Tian’s earlier compliment wasn't "up to par"!

Phil Jackson, sitting on the sidelines, couldn't help but narrow his eyes. He had never seen a situation like this on the court! Was Jordan... being manipulated by Lin Tian? If Jackson were to ask Lin Tian how he did it, Lin Tian would tell him: This is PUA!

After further stimulating Jordan’s nerves, Lin Tian quickly shifted his target! As he headed back on defense, he walked alongside O’Neal, who had just crossed half-court.

"Shaq, how many possessions has it been since you touched the ball?" Lin Tian asked suddenly, out of the blue.

"What did you say?" O’Neal frowned, feeling quite irritated by the question. It’s only been three possessions, what’s there to ask?

"I mean, if I had someone as great as you, the greatest center in history, on my team, I would never let you go three possessions without a touch. But don't tell Penny that; he’ll get angry. I don't want you and Penny to have any trouble because of this."

After saying this, Lin Tian turned and walked away without giving O’Neal a chance to respond! *Heh, after PUA comes the 'green tea' manipulative rhetoric! This is the power from the future!*

Following Lin Tian’s words, O’Neal’s state of mind was clearly different!

On the Magic’s offensive possession, Hardaway held the ball at the three-point line. Facing Pippen’s defense, he signaled for O’Neal to come set a screen. But O’Neal acted as if he didn't see him; instead of setting the screen, he backed down Rodman in the paint and demanded the ball!

"Penny, here! I can crush this little punk Dennis!"

Faced with O’Neal shouting and refusing to leave the paint, Hardaway’s rhythm was disrupted. He couldn't decide whether to pass or wait for O’Neal to come out. This hesitation caused the referee’s whistle to blow immediately!

"Shaq O’Neal, three-second violation!"

O’Neal had picked up a turnover for absolutely no reason!

"Penny, why didn't you give me the ball!" O’Neal threw his hands up, his face full of confusion and dissatisfaction! He was already in the three-second zone, and Hardaway didn't give him the ball immediately!

"Dennis, your defense is amazing!" Lin Tian, who happened to be at the baseline ready to inbound the ball, said loudly on purpose: "You’re the only one in the entire league who can defend a historic monster like O’Neal like this!"

Rodman, receiving this flattery, laughed excitedly: "Kid, I’m taking you to Disney tonight! We’re going to find some princesses!"

Rodman was delighted, but to O’Neal, it sounded completely wrong. *His defense is crap! Just give me the ball, and I’ll crush him in minutes!*

And Lin Tian’s earlier words resurfaced in O’Neal’s mind: *"If I had the greatest center in history on my team, I would never let him go three possessions without a touch!"*

*The greatest center in history!* Listen to that! Look at that! O’Neal suddenly felt... Lin Tian really understood the game! O’Neal didn’t know why he took Lin Tian’s words to heart—after all, he hadn’t even remembered Lin Tian’s name yet—but those words kept echoing in his mind.

At this moment, Lin Tian held the ball at the top of the arc again. When Jordan moved to receive the ball, Lin Tian suddenly waved his hand, telling Jordan to move away!

"Let me handle this one, Michael. I know their weakness. If I don't score, I’ll do 500 extra shots after the game!" Lin Tian said, throwing out a challenge as he directed Jordan.

Lin Tian’s words made Jordan laugh in disbelief. *Good kid, you’ve gotten addicted to bossing me around, haven't you?* But despite his thoughts, Jordan inexplicably drifted toward the baseline, thinking to himself: *"500 shots isn't enough! It has to be 500 high-intensity shots! If you miss even one, I’ll destroy you!"*

"Shaq! They’re going to run a pick-and-roll, watch the help defense, don't let him shoot!" Hardaway, just like Lin Tian, issued instructions to O’Neal.

But O’Neal’s reaction was completely different from Jordan’s. He remained hunkered in the paint, ignoring Rodman as he ran out. In O’Neal’s heart, he was still repeating Lin Tian’s words. *I don’t want to be played, but he called me the greatest center in history!*