Chapter 548: You’re Strong, Do What You Want, I’m Nick Young

Barkley and O'Neal arrived to commentate the game.

O'Neal said, "The biggest regret of my career is not having faced Wade Dong."

Barkley replied, "Wade is the best player on this planet; even in the paint, you will still get dominated by him!"

O'Neal responded with silence.

Barkley pressed on, "Admit it!"

O'Neal countered, "With the Lakers' three-peat lineup plus LeBron, this Suns team wouldn't stand a chance." 

Barkley shot back, "Living in hypotheticals makes you invincible."

O'Neal fell silent again.

...

**Starting Lineups for the Game:**

- **Suns:** Curry, Wade Dong, Thompson, Green, Durant

- **Lakers:** Lin Hao, Kobe, Clarkson, LeBron, Hill

"Beep!!!"

With the referee's whistle, the first game of the Western Conference Finals began.

Jordan Hill and Durant jumped for possession.

"Smack!"

Durant easily tapped the ball to Curry, who dribbled upcourt as the Lakers' defense was still settling in.

"Swish!!!"

Curry launched a quick three-pointer that went in.

"Three!!!"

The excited voice of the DJ echoed throughout the Western Conference Arena.

The Lakers inbounded from the baseline as Lin Hao brought the ball upcourt. They patiently organized their offense; after several passes, the ball reached Hill.

"G~~~"

As time wound down on their possession, Hill's hook shot missed!

Wade Dong grabbed the defensive rebound. Curry was already sprinting forward; Wade flung the ball ahead like it had GPS navigation, and Curry received it while on the move.

"This kind of pass looks simple..." 

Whiteside murmured from the sidelines.

In the previous game against the Trail Blazers, Wade had made a full-court pass. If it weren't for Wade's speed and jumping ability, that pass could have been one of those bloopers.

After receiving Wade's pass, Curry saw LeBron closing in.

He dribbled towards the basket but quickly spun back out to beyond the three-point line. He knew that if he attempted a layup against LeBron's defense, he might end up with a chase-down block.

At that moment...

Wade Dong caught up and received a pass from Curry.

Wade took two dribbles and charged towards the basket. In mid-air, he executed a layup while avoiding LeBron's block and scored.

5:0!!!

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The Lakers were not to be outdone; LeBron pushed towards the basket and passed to Kobe.

"Swish!!!"

Kobe hit a mid-range jumper.

When LeBron joined the Lakers, many fans worried about how well they would mesh. In reality... both LeBron and Kobe are basketball geniuses; not only do they complement each other well but they also have great chemistry on court.

It's hard to imagine!

If both were at their peaks together, it would be a terrifying lineup—capable of challenging even the Suns.

...

23:21!!!

Seven minutes into the first quarter, both teams were scoring closely matched.

Scott called a timeout.

"Don't give yourselves mental barriers; just believe in yourselves. We can defeat the Suns!" 

Scott began his motivational speech; he knew that to beat the Suns required every player to perform at their absolute best.

On the Suns' side,

Wade Dong was displeased. "Our defense lacks focus; Kobe has had three open mid-range shots—completely unguarded! Green, what were you doing?!"

"Uh... Dong..."

Green shrank back slightly and didn't dare make excuses.

Gentry added: "Dong is right; this is the Western Conference Finals—we need to be sharp."

"Hang in there, guys! Just seven more games until vacation."

...

After the timeout ended,

Whiteside replaced Thompson while McCollum took over for Curry.

The Lakers initiated their offense.

Kobe held onto the ball at mid-range while Green raised his hand to defend closely against him. He shouted at Whiteside: "No need for you to help defend; I can handle this myself!"

"Hah... is that so?!" 

Kobe scoffed lightly.

He held the ball with one hand and faked a shot before smoothly spinning around for a fadeaway jumper!

This sequence was fluid and graceful but unfortunately...

"Smack!"

Wade suddenly appeared from Kobe's left side and blocked his shot attempt.

Green smirked. "Got blocked!"

Kobe ignored Green's taunt and turned to chase after Wade Dong.

LeBron also followed suit...

Unfortunately for them, Wade's speed was too much; as they reached near the free-throw line, Wade had already completed a dunk.

25:21!!!

From blocking Kobe to finishing with a dunk took Wade only three seconds.

Gentry remarked: "Dong is so eager for victory—this kind of determination is unmatched by any player; not even Kobe can compare!"

Afterward, LeBron went one-on-one against Wade but missed his jump shot!

Whiteside secured another defensive rebound and passed it to Wade. As Wade brought it upcourt, McCollum was already lurking in the corner beyond three-point range.

Wade glanced at Durant before flicking his wrist!

"Whoosh~"

The basketball found its way into McCollum's hands as he was ready to shoot.

"Swish!!!"

The basketball went through cleanly.

28:21!!!

The Suns gradually began to widen their lead.

With just 1 minute and 37 seconds left in the first quarter, Durant, Wade Dong, Kobe, and LeBron all took a break together.

...

35:27!!!

At the end of the first quarter, the Suns led by 8 points.

During this timeout,

Scott laid out strategies while reminding one player: "Nick Young! While Wade is off court, whenever you receive the ball just attack decisively!"

"No problem!" 

This tactical arrangement was exactly what Nick Young loved most.

As long as he had unlimited shooting opportunities—what could Wade do? You're strong if you want; I'm Nick Young!

On the Suns' side,

After Gentry analyzed their strategy,

Wade Dong reminded everyone: "Make sure to protect those boards!"

...

The second quarter began,

And there were significant changes on court:

**Suns:** McCollum, Tucker, Yi Nan, Carter, Whiteside

**Lakers:** Blake, Nick Young, Boozer, Clarkson, Hill

The Lakers initiated their offense again.

Nick Young brought up the ball without any intention of passing. Facing McCollum's defense he made a move to break through with a pause before spinning around for his shot attempt.

"Swish!!!"

The basketball went through cleanly as Scott encouraged from the sidelines: "Good job! Just keep playing like that!"