Chapter 69: A Battle of Offense and Defense – Embiid’s “WTF” Moment

With the East widening the gap to twelve points, West coach Mike Malone quickly called a timeout. While All-Star coaches have limited influence, they can use timeouts to refocus the players on key issues, as true coordination among unfamiliar teammates can be challenging. The Warriors trio, however, shared a unique synergy that gave them an edge over others.

Returning to the game, Curry brought the ball up the court. Aware of his cold shooting hand, Curry deferred to Tang Lei, who had already scored a team-high 16 points. Given LeBron's laid-back approach and Durant's reserved interest, Tang Lei was clearly the West's best chance. If they won, Tang Lei would be a strong contender for All-Star MVP, and Curry, knowing Tang Lei's potential, was eager to support his teammate.

As Tang Lei took possession, Embiid quickly closed in. With their weight and strength disparity evident, Tang Lei opted for finesse rather than brute force. He feigned a move to the left, subtly shifting Embiid's balance, and seized the opening with a beautiful turnaround jump shot. Embiid reached forward to contest, but the ball was already airborne, gracefully arcing over him before sinking into the hoop.

The score now stood at 135–125, trimming the East's lead to ten.

Furious at being scored on, Embiid aggressively called for the ball on the next possession, determined to redeem himself. Watching Tang Lei's confident move, Embiid refused to back down, crowding the paint with intense posturing. Kemba Walker responded by feeding Embiid the ball, signaling that the East's offense would revolve around their powerhouse center.

Durant approached to help, but Tang Lei signaled him off, eager to handle Embiid solo. Although Embiid was a versatile big man, known for his agility and shooting, Tang Lei was comfortable with this type of matchup. Unlike a dominant inside force like Shaq, who would simply bulldoze his way to the rim, Embiid's game relied more on footwork and finesse—a style Tang Lei knew he could counter.

Embiid's footwork was fluid as he took two forceful steps, setting up for a familiar move. Mid-turn, he suddenly halted, pivoting on his right foot and executing a signature fadeaway with his massive frame creating space from Tang Lei. Confident, Embiid released the ball, certain it would find the net as it had countless times before.

But Tang Lei was prepared, lunging at an angle to contest the shot. The sudden leap startled Embiid, who had thought his move was unguardable. A wave of disbelief washed over him as Tang Lei's towering frame and extended reach closed the gap. "WTF," flashed through Embiid's mind as Tang Lei's outstretched hand met the ball mid-flight, sending it hurtling downward.

LeBron scooped up the loose ball and immediately launched a fast break, throwing a lob to Paul George, who had sprinted ahead. Seeing no chance of stopping the play, the East eased up, allowing George to showcase a stunning 360-degree dunk that ignited the crowd, drawing roars of approval from every corner of the arena.