Chapter 29 How could one not love such a newcomer?

The Pacers counterattacked.

After a timeout by the Cavaliers, Su Wan became the main force defending Tinsley. Su Wan, who was just one size bigger, could take advantage of his innate talents while keeping up with Tinsley's speed.

As the game resumed, Tinsley failed to score again.

LeBron defended Stephen Jackson, with a similarly improved effect.

Whenever physicality could solve the problem, LeBron typically did very well. Of course, this was also because Stephen Jackson didn't have much ball-handling offensive ability. If he were a ball-handling scorer, LeBron would "disappear" after defending him for a couple of rounds, replaced by someone else to take on the match-up.

This wasn't Su Wan being narrow-minded.

Before the game, Paul Silas specifically asked LeBron if he could defend Artest. In terms of both size and strength, he was the most suited to guard Artest.

But LeBron didn't make a peep in response.

Silas had no choice but to use Newell to manage Artest.

Although there was a famous photo of Newell "flying kick" at Deng Liwei that went viral, it was actually an optical illusion and a blooper; Newell wasn't some ferociously styled defensive player. At the small forward position, his defensive capability was relatively weak.

Artest bulldozed through him every time, his powerful body like a high-speed train, and Newell was left gritting his teeth with each contact, getting knocked away.

6 shots and 4 made, and Artest's score was quickly approaching double digits as the first quarter progressed.

His breakthrough from the wing, along with Little O'Neal's various beautiful "baby hooks" near the hoop, meant that the Pacers' scoring momentum continued even after Su Wan and LeBron switched defenses.

This round was no exception.

Artest scored and flexed his biceps to the home crowd.

Su Wan glanced at LeBron, really wanting to say,

He's bullying your "followers" like this, and you still won't switch Newell out?

But he knew all too well that LeBron would pretend not to hear; LeBron was the kind of person who'd never dare to engage opponents in scenes like the 2009 Western Conference Finals where Carmelo Anthony went head-to-head with Kobe, defending each other, trading points in an "Ace versus Ace" showdown.

However, LeBron had just invited him for "tea," and Su wasn't going to pass up the chance to annoy LeBron, "Keep passing me the ball, LeBron, it's okay if you're not feeling good, I'll lead us to victory! Don't worry, I can single-handedly take down the other team!"

LeBron felt as if his heart was being pricked by needles, one after another.

He wanted to respond to Su Wan's words with action, but looking at Artest who was already set up defensively, he silently passed the ball on.

He wasn't the only one with a stung heart.

So was Stephen Jackson.

Su Wan didn't even seem to notice him, which enraged him.

He concentrated with 100% focus, carefully watching for any shift in Su Wan's center of gravity.

Jackson knew his speed was a disadvantage, so he had to have even more precise anticipation.

The future "Captain" had been on the big stage, securing an NBA Championship ring with the Spurs in 2003, and unlike a pure benchwarmer like Bartel, he was an important part of the Spurs starting lineup.

The 2004 playoffs showed that some of Jackson's defensive attributes and three-point shots couldn't be replaced by Bruce Bowen.

With accurate judgment, Jackson knocked the ball from Su Wan's hand.

In non-"The zone" mode, Su Wan's ball-handling offenses were indeed a bit too simple and repetitive. And he wasn't at the level of Tim Duncan, who, even if you knew he was going for a bank shot from the 45-degree angle, you just couldn't stop him.

Luckily, the ball went directly out of bounds and the Cavaliers retained possession.

Stephen Jackson finally regained a bit of face, unable to wait any longer, he blurted out, "Damn rookie, thinking you can play one on one with me? When I won the championship, you didn't even know where the NBA headquarters was!"

Su Wan dug at his ear, the disgust plain on his face.

It was to cover up the smile that was about to spill over his lips—if every time an opponent's "trash talk" triggered Su Wan into "The zone," and he couldn't help but laught, it wouldn't be long before the League might have to send someone to check if he had mental issues. Perhaps, they would even have to test his urine to see if he was on any banned substances.

But honestly, Jackson was quite the trash talker, though his trash-talking ability wasn't quite as good as his hands-on skills.

"Stephen, there was someone else who also liked to brag about his 2003 championship run, do you know what happened to him?" Su Wan said to Stephen Jackson while waiting for the inbounds pass, "I had him sitting on the bench until the game ended!"

Bartel: Achoo!

Heh~

Stephen Jackson snorted with laughter and grumbled through his nose, "Let's see how you're going to send me back to the bench then!"

Big Z inbounded the ball from the sideline. Seeing Artest sticking to him like glue, LeBron James didn't go to receive the pass. Otherwise, he'd easily lose the ball if trapped in a corner. Su Wan decisively stepped forward, took the ball in his hands, and waved grandly: "Spread out!"

The two men inside moved, LeBron James hesitated for a moment, but seeing Brandon Malone constantly signaling for a "spread out" from the sidelines, he leisurely walked to the opposite sideline.

He wanted to see how Su Wan would handle a one-on-one against Stephen Jackson.

"The zone," Activate!

Mentally initiating his zone, Su Wan's dribbling rhythm abruptly changed.

Stephen Jackson immediately felt something was amiss, stepped forward to apply pressure, but as he did, Su Wan, holding the ball in his left hand, slipped it under his leg to his right hand, and suddenly exploded towards the right front.

Jackson's slow cross-step was unmistakably exposed.

Now, he could only hope his teammates in the paint could provide timely obstruction.

But...

Before speeding up his dribble, Su Wan deliberately glanced at the basket, ensuring that Little O'Neal was about to incur a "defensive three-seconds" violation before assuming an offensive stance. From the acceleration of his dribble to his explosive step, it perfectly coincided with Little O'Neal's forced exit from the three-second zone. With an unobstructed path, Su Wan charged to the basket for a "slam dunk."

Here it comes, here it comes!

That's the stuff!

That's the stuff!

Brandon Malone couldn't hold it in: "Paul, did you see that? Uncle's about to start again!"

During the previous month of the closed training camp, Su Wan's performance was above passing, but it still fell short of the "Summer League Dominator" Malone had seen in Las Vegas. He thought either the opponents' strength had increased, or changes in the team's lineup no longer centered around him as the absolute core.

Now, it seems it was just the rookie's usual "out-of-sync" phases. He had been in a slump before, but entering the pre-season, Malone saw the familiar Su Wan again. He felt much more relieved, yet somewhat worried.

Because the regular season was on a higher level!

Just now when Jackson disrupted Su Wan's dribbling, his heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully, Su Wan immediately bounced back with dominance!

That's also why the Clevelanders were so fond of Su Wan. He always managed to burst with energy at certain moments of the game, then dominated both ends of the court. From the moment he started handling the ball, they were looking forward to seeing this scene.

Now, that moment seemed to have arrived!

Even against the Pacers, who were first in the league last season, he exploded without fail.

How could they not love such a rookie!

LeBron James struggled to keep his composure, preventing any frown from showing on his face.

When Stephen Jackson slapped away Su Wan's dribble a moment ago, he almost shouted out loud:

Success!

He thought Jackson had seen through Su Wan's tricks, and that Su Wan would be thoroughly locked down next.

But when the game restarted, what he saw was Su Wan stepping over Jackson, freely showcasing his talent.

This Pacers team, airtight when guarding me, turned into the No. 58 bus when Su Wan attacked, letting anyone come and go as if it were nothing.

"LeBron, why aren't you giving me a high five?"

Amidst the cheers, Su Wan rushed back on defense. Several other Knights high-fived him, but LeBron James still stood there, stunned. Su Wan wasn't about to miss this opportunity.

"Nice job!"

LeBron James's face twitched several times before he finally managed to squeeze out a smile. That expression was even uglier than his classic crying face meme.