Chapter 109: And You Have the Nerve to Wear Number 23?

The Clippers’ starting lineup featured Cassell, Mobley, He Xinghui, Maggette, and Wilcox. This lineup lacked a true center, with the tallest player standing only 2.08 meters. Even more problematic was Wilcox’s lack of strength and inside skills—he was merely filling a spot.

With no other options, Dunleavy resorted early to a small-ball lineup.

On the Cavaliers’ side, the starting point guard was Eric Snow, a player of average talent. His offensive skills were poor, with virtually no long-range shooting ability. His strength lay in defense, often covering for Allen Iverson when they played together.

The shooting guard was Alexander Pavlovich, a fairly ordinary player lacking notable skill or impact.

The small forward was LeBron James, matched up against He Xinghui today. James was somewhat excited; he didn’t think that He’s slender frame could stop him. He was already contemplating how much effort to exert to dominate He without humiliating him too badly—he didn’t want He to develop a grudge that would hamper future teamwork. Yet, he couldn’t be too gentle either; he had to demonstrate his strength.

The power forward was Dražen Petrović, a solid but unspectacular player. Scoring around 10 points per game came easily to him, but pushing beyond that seemed impossible. Players like him were common throughout the league.

The center was Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, known as Big Z, a 221 cm giant. His physical conditioning was average—slow and defensively weak—but he relied on experience to gain an edge. Offensively, his touch was soft; near the basket, he could overpower opponents with his height or use his footwork to fake and score.

Had Elton Brand not been suspended, the Clippers’ lineup would have been slightly better than the Cavaliers’. But missing both Brand and Caron Butler put the Clippers a tier below.

The game began with the tip-off; Big Z barely jumped, simply tapping the ball to his side. The Clippers retreated to defense as Snow brought the ball past half-court and passed to James.

James’ ball possession rate was comparable to Kobe Bryant’s, never dipping below 30%. Dribbling forward, he faced He Xinghui.

Charles Barkley, in the broadcast booth, gestured excitedly and laughed, “Go for it, go for it, take him down.”

He was eager to see James crush He Xinghui, as he could no longer bully He on the court himself and had to rely on others to teach him a lesson.

James did not disappoint. He charged forward with the ball, intending to use his strength to shove past He.

To his astonishment, his first attempt failed to break through.

Though using only about 60% of his strength, the effect was still underwhelming.

From that single collision, James realized He Xinghui was far stronger than he appeared.

At that very moment, He stripped the ball from James and, like a whirlwind, sprinted toward the frontcourt.

“Damn,” James quickly chased after him, trying to recover from his mistake.

Otherwise, He’s play was sure to be a top highlight.

Just as James expected He to drive toward the basket, He suddenly stopped at the three-point line and shot.

James, unable to stop in time, collided into He, but in those split seconds before the contact, He had already released the shot.

Though it looked like a fierce collision on screen, it didn’t affect He’s shot.

The buzzer sounded; the shot went in—three points plus a foul.

With a stunning opening play, He Xinghui told his fans not to lose hope too soon; let the game unfold naturally.

“Beautiful! Regardless of whether He scores 82 points today, we cannot deny one fact—he is truly formidable. Can you believe LeBron James couldn’t just push him aside? He gave up a sure two points to take a three-pointer—that’s confidence…” Smith shouted excitedly, as if he had made the shot himself.

Fans watching at home couldn’t help but agree.

That play was simply gorgeous.

In China, CCTV was also broadcasting the game.

“Beautiful! He Xinghui’s physique is like a small cannon. Don’t be fooled by his slender frame—he’s got real strength,” Zhang He Li remarked.

Chinese fans almost fainted hearing this, as just before the game, Zhang had criticized He for speaking out of turn, advising him to be more humble and low-key in his development.

Now, no one had called him out—he had outright contradicted himself and praised He instead.

Of course, this was understandable; He’s play was indeed that impressive.

He disrupted the opponent’s offense and scored four points in one move, directly adding four to his win contribution value.

After making the free throw, the Cavaliers advanced with Snow controlling the ball.

James tangled again with He Xinghui and was the first to speak.

“I underestimated your strength. But I only used 60% just now,” James said.

He Xinghui almost broke down laughing, replying, “I only used 30%.”

“...”

James silently screamed inside, ‘I’m serious, damn it!’

On the Cavaliers’ second possession, Snow lobbed the ball to Big Z under the basket.

It was unreasonable not to exploit such a big advantage at center.

Big Z, with Wilcox guarding him, calmly made a soft floater that dropped through the net.

“Only one turnover and you lose the ball? You’re not doing a great job as a captain,” He Xinghui mocked.

“We’re playing smart basketball. As long as we win, I don’t care about stats,” James replied.

Yeah, right—you’re a fake old man, always posting 25+7+7 and claiming not to care about stats.

He Xinghui gave him a mental middle finger.

The Clippers’ offense returned, and the ball went back to He Xinghui.

Before the game even began, the Clippers had basically given up; their only goal was to let He Xinghui go wild.

He received the ball, faked a shot, James lunged, and then He immediately drove forward.

This was James’ first encounter with He, and his knowledge was limited to ‘he shoots well from three.’

He hadn’t yet grasped He’s ability to penetrate.

Soon, he paid the price for this lack of intelligence.

He Xinghui drove to the basket.

Big Z quickly abandoned Wilcox and moved to help defend.

Though slow, his defensive reach was wide; it looked like he could still block the shot.

But at that moment, He performed a classic Jordan-style finger roll, slipping past Big Z’s outstretched hand and scoring.

It was one of Jordan’s signature moves, second in classic status only to the fadeaway jumper.

“You’ve got the nerve to wear number 23? Which of your moves resemble Jordan’s?” He Xinghui taunted as he quickly rose and ran up to James.

“...”

James was stung—this was a sore spot.

He claimed Jordan as his idol but couldn’t replicate any of his moves. How was that loving him?

In the past, people had given him the benefit of the doubt as a rising star.

Now, He Xinghui, with no respect for decorum, showed him no mercy.