Chapter 116: Still Not Enough

“Whoa, is this for fun? He Xing doesn’t seem to take this game seriously at all—quite the confidence.” Zhang Helie was stunned by He Xinghui’s flashy move, so carefree it bordered on disrespecting the game and the opponents.

When he played, Zhang never even considered shooting free throws facing away from the basket.

Yet, even without trying, he understood how difficult such a shot was.

This wasn’t something training alone could achieve; it relied heavily on luck.

“I guess the fans, like me, are curious whether He practiced this or is just gambling,” Sun Zhengping smiled, voicing a question many were wondering.

Is it skill or luck? Does it really matter?

Many fans gave up trying to guess and simply enjoyed witnessing such a unique and spectacular moment.

“Holy crap.”

“Awesome.”

“So flashy.”

Viewers in front of their TVs expressed their amazement.

Of course, some gifted commentators unleashed sharp critiques.

“Alas, my vocabulary is limited—‘holy crap’ will have to do.”

“Xing’s leading the kids astray again; I can imagine a few more imitators getting beaten up on the court.”

“He’s killing them mentally; even LeBron must be tearing up.”

“Others play basketball, he’s playing around—completely different dimensions.”

...

After a brief frenzy, the game resumed.

LeBron James held the ball; He Xinghui stood before him and said, “Shoot it, I won’t guard you.”

Then he actually took two steps back.

He had employed this tactic twice before, each time with good results.

For an attacker, this was a massive humiliation—LeBron couldn’t stand it.

This season, his three-point shooting percentage had reached 30%.

Besides, as the star player, he could afford to be a little reckless.

So, LeBron shot a three-pointer right in front of He Xinghui.

This time, luck was on his side—the ball went in.

LeBron flexed his muscles.

Even the referee was dumbfounded, unsure whether to call He Xinghui for passive play.

While hesitating, the Clippers launched a fast break.

But the younger LeBron chased down He Xinghui, stayed in position.

He Xinghui forced a shot and missed angrily.

LeBron’s defense had some effect after all.

Still, He Xinghui insisted on shooting.

As long as he kept a 30% hit rate, it was no big deal.

“He shoots again, and misses again—three misses in a row.”

“He shoots again! Has the Mamba spirit possessed him? Missing more and more?”

“Made it! Finally scored.”

“Another one!”

“He’s hit three consecutive three-pointers and forced the Cavaliers to call a timeout. You can’t relax for a second against a player with explosive scoring ability.”

The ABC commentators shouted excitedly.

After several misses, He Xinghui suddenly hit several shots in a row.

Such dramatic ups and downs stirred the fans’ emotions.

When He Xinghui nailed three straight threes and forced the Cavaliers to stop the game, the crowd cheered for MVP.

They were thoroughly entertained.

After the timeout, the Cavaliers adjusted their strategy, increasing defensive pressure on He Xinghui.

But He Xinghui seemed possessed, continuing to shoot.

This time, with more team cooperation—teammates setting screens, blocking defenders.

At one point, a pick-and-roll even emerged.

With such help, He Xinghui fought for opportunities and took shots without hesitation.

His shooting percentage plummeted that quarter.

But his points kept climbing.

By halftime, He Xinghui had scored 50 points.

Despite the Cavaliers’ relentless pursuit, he still put up 19 points in the second quarter.

Such a toxic style of play should have left his team far behind.

Yet the score was 60 to 55—with the Cavaliers trailing by only five points. Strange indeed.

At halftime, news of the game spread to other arenas and the media.

Some TV stations dispatched interview crews to the Staples Center.

Players not in the game caught wind and turned on their TVs.

Businesses holding emergency meetings after hearing the news.

Even David Stern paused his family time to watch.

“Kobe, check out the Clippers vs. Cavaliers game,” the agent called to Kobe, who was training.

“No need,” Kobe scoffed.

“Yes, there is. He’s got 50 points at halftime...” Before the agent finished, Kobe dropped his basketball and dashed back to his room, turning on the TV.

How could this be? Why are the Cavaliers so useless?

Kobe mentally condemned the entire Cavaliers roster, wishing he could suit up and personally guard He Xinghui.

Even if it meant taking an elbow to take He out, he wouldn’t let him reach 82 points—that would overshadow Kobe’s own 81-point game.

Alas, it was just frustration.

In the second half, He Xinghui faced brutal treatment.

Though the Cavaliers were only five points behind with a chance to turn the game, they abandoned that hope, opening their defense to other Clippers players and locking down He Xinghui with all their might.

Under such savage defense, He Xinghui kept shooting like a stubborn tumor, stirring Kobe’s passion.

This was the style he admired.

“Though millions stand in my way, I will go forward.”

If He Xinghui weren’t his biggest rival, Kobe might have wanted to be friends.

Against the Cavaliers’ almost pathological defense, He Xinghui scored only 11 points in the third quarter.

Eleven points in a quarter is excellent for any player.

But for He Xinghui, it was not nearly enough.

Only one quarter remained, and he was still 21 points short of his goal.

Judging by the downward trend of his scoring, the fourth quarter would bring even fewer points.

Meaning his dream of 82 points was slipping away.

After the third quarter, LeBron lay on the bench, gasping for air.

He finally felt a bit relieved.

Though he couldn’t stop He Xinghui from scoring high, at least he could keep him from reaching his target.

If he could steer the media narrative away from the goal, He Xinghui might help the Cavaliers gain attention without them looking too bad.

Though still on the court, LeBron’s mind was already on postgame talks.

One quarter left, 21 points to go.

Fans began worrying for He Xinghui; some commentators analyzed how difficult scoring 82 points would be.

A wave of pessimism seemed to fill the air.

Yet He Xinghui’s face showed no anxiety—he appeared calm and relaxed.