Chapter 66: Teaching the Honest Man How to Curse!

After scoring on a driving layup and earning an additional free throw, Lin Tian didn’t even hesitate before making a deeply provocative gesture toward Malone.

He bent down, held his hand just twenty centimeters above the floor, and gestured, "You're only about this tall! Who do you think you can scare? My ninety-year-old grandma?"

"Kid, do you want to be carried off the stretcher like Michael?" Malone glared, his eyes fixed on Lin Tian as he practically vibrated with the urge to throw punches right then and there.

"Old dog, do you want to be carried off like Kemp? If you want to, we can test it out!" Lin Tian refused to yield an inch. Raising his head, he locked eyes with Malone, confident that if Malone even dared to make a threatening move, he would have the big man flat on his back within ten seconds.

"You think I'm a soft-boiled loser like Kemp, some pushover you can just knock down whenever you feel like it?"

"You think I'm a soft-boiled loser like Michael, some pushover you can just knock down whenever you feel like it?" Facing the trash talk, Lin Tian held absolutely nothing back.

Fortunately, Jordan had already been forcibly carried off to the locker room by the team doctor, or he would have certainly rushed over to ask Lin Tian precisely when and how he had become a pushover.

"Kid, just wait. If you’ve got any guts, try driving into the paint on the next possession!" Malone snorted, cutting off further verbal exchange.

There was simply no point talking trash to a lunatic who wouldn't hesitate to tear into his own team's leader!

Words couldn't possibly hurt a guy like that!

He needed to serve this punk something substantive instead!

Stepping up to the free-throw line, Lin Tian took a deep breath and calmly sank the shot.

Today was his first day with unrestricted green light to shoot; he had to enjoy it to the fullest!

After the score, Lin Tian couldn't resist firing another parting shot at Malone: "Can you even score without a mid-range jumper anymore, you soft piece of trash? Have the guts to step into the paint!"

At those words, exactly two people widened their eyes in absolute shock!

Malone immediately roared, "Bastard, I'll show you who the soft one is!"

Meanwhile, the "pacifist" Bill Wennington wore a face full of despair: "You aren't even the one playing in the post, why are you provoking him?!"

"Relax, there's nothing to be afraid of. He's just a paper tiger!" Lin Tian slapped Wennington on the backside and said, "On the next possession, we'll run it like this..."

As Lin Tian spoke, he sprinted back on defense.

This time, Stockton handed the ball over to Malone. True to form, Malone abandoned convention and drifted down to the low block. After backing his hip into Wennington, he violently whipped his iron elbow backward, smashing it squarely into Wennington’s chest, nearly causing the big man to cough up blood on the spot!

Wennington’s feet completely lost coordination as he stumbled backward two full steps. A ferocious, triumphant grin spread across Malone’s face. Just as he gathered himself to leap for a thunderous dunk, he suddenly felt his hands grip nothingness!

Lin Tian had swooped in and swiped the ball cleanly into his own arms!

Combining Level 2 Interception Hands with Gary Payton’s legendary glove-style steals made pulling off a sneak attack effortless!

Upon securing the steal, Lin Tian faked an explosive acceleration to spearhead a fast break. But the moment he took two strides forward—prompting Malone to scramble back on defense with panicked desperation—Lin Tian abruptly slammed on the brakes!

"Almost forgot, I told you I was going to drive past you again on this play! Go on back and defend, you slow, ancient old dog." Dribbling the ball, Lin Tian waved a dismissive hand in disgust. "I'm giving you a chance so you won't say I'm bullying you! Get lost already!"

"Kid, if you can still walk off this court under your own power by the end of the next possession, I'll change my last name to yours!"

"To be fair, 'Lin Malone' has a pretty nice ring to it!" Lin Tian chuckled as he slowly brought the ball up the floor.

Once the offense settled into a half-court set, he suddenly exploded into motion, blowing past Stockton by a full step yet again!

Stockton, whose speed was never his calling card, had zero chance of staying in front of Lin Tian! If he wanted to stop him, dirty tactics were his only option. But tonight, he decided that saving the chance to rough up Lin Tian was better left to his good buddy!

Thus, in a rare display of restraint, Stockton refrained from tripping Lin Tian, instead watching helplessly as his assignment sliced straight into the paint!

Malone stepped up to meet him, his notorious iron elbows already cocked and primed. The moment Lin Tian leaped toward him, he intended to prematurely end the kid's season right then and there.

Yet, just as Malone tensed his muscles and prepared to strike, Lin Tian suddenly flicked the basketball upward, lobbing it directly behind Malone’s head!

Almost simultaneously, Malone felt a crushing weight descend upon his skull as someone forced him straight down to the canvas!

Bill Wennington!

The 213-centimeter giant soared in from the wing, soaring directly over Malone’s back to finish an emphatic alley-oop slam!

Boom!

Following a deafening crash, the entire United Center erupted like a powder keg!

A tidal wave of frantic cheers, wild roars, and venomous curses crashed down upon Malone!

Wennington had violently hammered Malone down to the floor!

Such a spectacle was something Chicago fans hadn't even dared to dream of!

"Oh! What a brilliant pass! Lin once again demonstrates his composure and court vision! Just when we all thought he was going to take the shot himself, he dished it off!" CBS commentator Marcus marveled in genuine awe. "While Wennington's dunk was spectacular, 90 percent of the credit for this possession belongs to Lin!"

"Now, I'm terribly curious to see how Malone plans to salvage his pride," Smith chuckled. "He's probably never been posterized like this in his entire life! Not to mention, the guy who threw the lob is a total unknown rookie! His pride will definitely compel him to do something to restore his reputation!"

Yet, after driving Malone into the turf, Wennington's first instinct was actually to reach out a hand and help the fallen star back up to his feet!

Fortunately, Lin Tian was right there. He yanked Wennington back, scolding, "Did you forget how this asshole elbowed you just a moment ago? And furthermore! What did I just tell you we were supposed to do?"

Hearing Lin Tian's reminder, Wennington looked slightly sheepish. "Isn't this a bit much?"

"Do you want to throw down dunks this satisfying next time or not? If you do, listen to me!" Finished speaking, Lin Tian bent down once more, this time pressing his palms flat against the hardwood floor. "If you go any lower, you might as well dig a hole and bury yourself! You soft, cowardly rookie!"

After a brief moment of hesitation, Wennington squatted down and pressed his own hands to the floor as well. "Time to bury myself!"

Then, as if he had just committed the most humiliating act imaginable, he popped back up and sprinted away!

His blistering speed was actually faster than Lin Tian's!

"Karl Malone experienced extreme emotional fluctuation. Dropped consumable item: Invincible Iron Elbow (3 uses)."

"Invincible Iron Elbow: Grants the host an additional 20% damage bonus whenever committing intentional fouls!"

Holy cow!

Gazing at the item Malone had just dropped, Lin Tian felt a surge of joy bloom in his chest.

Simultaneously, he quietly made up his mind—

He simply *had* to put this gadget to good use tonight!