NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 373 Treated as a Savior

The Clippers never expected that their previously well-performing rotation would be completely outplayed by two relatively unknown players, Stanley Johnson and Jon Rueer.

But that's how competitions are sometimes, and that's part of the charm of competitive sports. Even the best shooter has his moments of explosiveness, and even players considered useless have their day when they're on fire.

This is why no team can achieve an 82-0 record; strong teams simply have a higher margin for error, not that they are completely infallible.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was frantic on the sidelines. If they were to get thrashed by the Pistons at home, especially with the owner present, he, as the team's head coach, would undoubtedly bear the primary responsibility. His son had no chance of contract renewal, and if he didn't perform well, it was only a matter of time before he himself left. Currently, there's absolutely no indication that the owner's favorite player, Jia Fei, truly likes him.

Coach Li's adjustment was to put Jia Fei on the court. Although Jia Fei's skills and tactics were average, his emotional intelligence was exceptional, and he wasn't blind. He couldn't possibly not know that Jia Fei was the Clippers' best player. As a head coach, it would be foolish of him not to put such a player on the court when the team was behind and instead relentlessly suppress him.

Moreover, sending Jia Fei up there had another purpose: if the situation still couldn't be changed, then there would be one more person to take responsibility. Jia Fei was someone you, owner Ballmer, personally brought in. Now, the team's situation is bad, I used him, but he's not performing well. You can't blame me for everything!

Clippers fans at Staples Center stared at Jia Fei with bated breath, as if he were their savior. They were all hoping that Jia Fei could lead the team to break their scoring drought and get out of the mire.

At this point, the Clippers' starting lineup was on the court. The underperforming Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell duo were benched, and JJ Redick, who was outplayed by Stanley Johnson, was also benched.

The Pistons' lineup at this time consisted of Jon Rueil, Aron Baynes, Stanley Johnson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Udrih.

Because Blake Griffin played the entire first quarter, Van Gundy let him rest a little longer.

Tencent Studio.

"Mr. Yang, do you think Jia Fei's presence on the court can help the Clippers catch up?" Wang Meng asked.

Yang Yi twirled his pen: "See if the opponent double-teams you. If they don't, then look at their own offensive performance. If they do double-team you, then we need to see if the Clippers' other players can put the ball in after they pass it out."

Beverley dribbled the ball over and passed it to Jia Fei, who came out to receive it!

Jia Fei received the ball and faced Pope. After a triple threat, he immediately crouched down and drove inside!

Jon Ruel double-teamed them, but Jia Fei didn't pass the ball to the weak side. Instead, he forced his way to the basket!

1 vs 3 under the basket!

Jia Fei leaped high and, with the referee's whistle blowing, used his hang time to execute a layup off the backboard!

The ball bounced twice on the rim before finally going in!

"2+1, oh my god, that ball went in!" Wang Meng exclaimed.

Jia Fei landed smoothly, his expressionless face causing many fans in the stadium to erupt in excitement...

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, standing on the sidelines, couldn't help but applaud. He remained calm and composed, showing remarkable composure. Jia Fei truly embodies the demeanor of a great general!

Obviously, for many role players, scoring a goal like this would be something to brag about for half a year, but for Jia Fei, it's just routine.

He could have easily passed to a better-positioned teammate, but he insisted on taking the shot himself. His purpose was obvious: he wanted to break his scoring drought, and he wanted to do it his own way. He had absolute confidence in his offensive abilities.

His idol, Allen Iverson, advised him to be more confident during their last meeting, saying that he could do many things that other people couldn't, so he should never doubt his abilities and that he was very strong!

Jia Fei also remembered this, and it was partly due to his offensive explosion this season. With the Hawks, he would prioritize playing to their system, but here, Coach Li doesn't have much of a system, making his offense more reliant on him.

Jia Fei stepped to the free-throw line and made the free throw!

45:38, the score difference has narrowed to 7 points!

Stanley Johnson received the ball here. He's on fire tonight, currently on 5-for-5 shooting with 11 points, making Redick look like he's begging for mercy. He's practically the Pistons' biggest X-factor in this game.

But Jia Fei came up to defend against him, very seriously, never leaving his side.

Stanley Johnson tried to get past his opponent with a change of direction, but he found he couldn't. His opponent moved too quickly and was almost immune to feints.

Stanley Johnson tried to force his way through, but found that his opponent was also very strong, and he had no advantage in strength.

Left with no other option, they had to pass the ball. Time was running out for their attack, and Jon Rueil's hook shot missed!

DeAndre Jordan grabbed the rebound and passed it to Jia Fei, who dribbled the ball over.

As Jia Fei dribbled the ball, the Clippers fans in the arena erupted in excited cheers.

Old Li was standing on the sidelines shouting. To the uninitiated, he might have sounded like he was announcing some brilliant tactic, but the fans in the front row could hear him clearly: he was shouting "Comeon!"

So, don't overthink it...

Jia Fei dribbled the ball to the left wing, held it with his left hand, and made a dragging step, feinting a breakthrough. Pope subconsciously shifted his weight backward.

But suddenly, Jia Fei stopped and launched a three-pointer...

Even if Pope reacted quickly, he wouldn't be able to react in time to such a change in rhythm!

Jia Fei took a three-pointer and the ball went in!

45:41, Jia Fei scored 6 consecutive points, immediately turning the tide of the game!

Staples Center erupted instantly! This is a superstar! When did we ever have this kind of scoring explosiveness, back when Griffin and 58 were on the team?

Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy on the sidelines was also getting restless, repeatedly reminding his players to guard Jia Fei closely. Meanwhile, he told Blake Griffin to get ready and be on the court at any time.

Griffin was already restless; the cheers from the fans were deafening to him, and he was determined to silence them in his own way!

Stanley Johnson, facing Jia Fei's defense, made a passing error...

A substitution was made on the sidelines: Blake Griffin came on and Aron Baynes went off.

When Shafen went up, he clearly heard some boos. He sneered, he was going to shut them up!

The game continued, and Beverley dribbled over to the top of the key, directing traffic.

Jia Fei uses an off-ball screen to come out and receive the ball!

Jia Fei receives the ball, and DeAndre Jordan comes up to set a screen!

Jia Fei used a screen to initiate a switch on defense for the Pistons!

The situation has suddenly become Jia Fei vs. Sha Fen!

The cheers from the crowd grew even louder...

"Come on!" Sha Fen lowered her center of gravity, clapped her hands vigorously, and stared at Jia Fei with a gloomy look in her eyes!

Jia Fei smiled slightly. "Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have come anyway. Do you think you're the DPOY?" In the blink of an eye, he dribbled between his legs and suddenly launched a high-speed crossover!

"Iverson!" Lou Williams on the sidelines stood up immediately! Jia Fei's crossover was exactly like his idol, Iverson!