Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 346 Welcoming Our Glory
Duan Ran found it difficult to describe her feelings. It felt like a grand banquet, with everything at the highest level, but the bride and groom acted like ordinary people who were just there to watch the ceremony.

From the coaches to the players, the Clippers showed neither joy nor solemnity; it was as if this were just an ordinary game.

At Staples Center, every spot was filled with home cheering T-shirts, and the arena was packed with fans, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. Being in such an environment must have been incredibly exhilarating.

However, you couldn't read any excitement from Chen Fang's face. During the pre-game warm-up, Chen Fang took the initiative to greet the Spurs players.

He and DeRozan stood at the center line and talked for at least five or six minutes, with a smile always on his face.

"Is this the first game of the playoffs?" Duan Ran asked Ke Fan.

"Yes, of course it is."

Don't you think something's strange?

"you also have?"

The two compared their feelings and it seemed they were right.

"You'll know once the competition starts," Duan Ran said, somewhat confused, offering only this consolation.

Admittedly, beating the Spurs shouldn't be a problem, but without playing them, there's no certainty, especially for someone like me who works in Chinese sports media.

Mishaps are common in Chinese sports.

"Do you know something?" Ke Fan suddenly whispered.

"What?" The competition hadn't started yet, and the two of them were just sitting there idly.

"World Championships!"

With just one sentence, Duan Ran understood, and his eyes sharpened.

"Isn't Prince Chen going?" Duan Ran blurted out.

Ke Fan shook his head: "How could that be? But isn't it the playoffs? Who would dare to ask?"

"I heard the Basketball Association sent out an invitation, but there's been no word from Chen and Wang."

"Really?" Duan Ran's heart sank.

"It's just a rumor. At my level, I wouldn't know even if I gave a reply. I just heard that there's a group of people in the Basketball Association who have a problem with Chen Wang."

“Saying things like ‘I don’t understand the bigger picture’ or ‘I’m too arrogant’”.

Duan Ran frowned. He knew the behavior of these people in the system all too well. As long as you affect their promotion and wealth, even if you are a savior, they will still dare to stab you in the back.

"However, this time it's a home game and it's about securing a spot in the Olympics. The fact that Chen and Wang haven't made a move yet has indeed drawn criticism."

"That's the problem. The games are in August, and if the playoffs go well, they'll last until mid-June. By then, domestic training camps will have already been going on for two months. According to the timeline, Chen and Wang will have to rush back to China after the playoffs."

"This is going to be exhausting again," Ke Fan sighed.

Duan Ran fell silent. This is how Yao was exhausted, shortening his promising NBA career by at least five years.

Frankly speaking, Sabonis entered the NBA at the age of 31 and played for 7 years, so how come Yao Ming played for 9 years?

This is because the Basketball Association, for the sake of so-called political achievements, used all sorts of dirty clauses and lofty principles to force Yao to come back.

But who is Chen Wang? Strictly speaking, he has absolutely no connection with the Basketball Association. His score with Shandong has long been settled.

If the Basketball Association goes too far, I really can't imagine what Chen Wang might do.

"Probably not, I'll ask when I have time." Duan Ran understood why Ke Fan said that; it was simply because he valued Ke Fan's relationship with Prince Chen and wanted to see if he could offer a friendly reminder to avoid making things worse.

It's really impolite to ask this when they're playing in the playoffs, at such a crucial time.

Thinking of this, Duan Ran sighed.

"The referee is coming up, the match is about to begin," Ke Fan reminded them.

"Get ready, let's finish the commentary first." Duan Ran also focused his mind, clearing away the distractions.

Spurs starting lineup: Mills, DeRozan, White, Gay, Aldridge.

This lineup abandons the center position and adds a forward, with the intention of clearly containing Chen Fang. This is also the double-teaming tactic that Popovich used in the regular season.

The Clippers' starting lineup remains unchanged.

Chen Fang, Zhu Huoludi, Dillon, Little Jalun, Zubac.

Rivers needs stability, and he has plenty of options to adapt.

As both sides expected, Gay and White double-teamed Chen Fang from three meters outside the arc, especially White, whose task today was to guard Chen Fang for the entire game.

With Jrue Holiday becoming point guard, he needs to form an effective offensive and defensive network with Dillon and Jaren, and effectively connect Zubac and Chen Fang.

In the first three minutes of the match, Chen Fang had almost no chance and touched the ball very few times.

However, the Clippers' offense was flawless. During the long regular season, the Clippers had already established a backup offensive tactical system by resting and suspending Chen Fang. Usually, Jrue Holiday would act as a deterrent at the top of the key, Dillon would attack, Jaren would act as a stretch big man to screen and cut to the basket, and Zubac would apply pressure inside as much as possible to get considerable free throws and easy baskets.

14:8.

The Clippers lead by 6 points.

DeRozan scored 4 points, Aldridge scored 4 points, the Spurs' core inside and outside players split all of the Spurs' points.

This also highlights the Spurs' predicament; all they can rely on now is their star player isolation plays.

Whether it's DeRozan's mid-range shot or Aldridge's mid-range shot, they will face a perimeter combination that currently ranks third in the league in defensive efficiency.

Chen Fang's 201cm height, speed, agility, and basketball IQ give him a significant advantage in switching and helping on defense. Meanwhile, the tough defense of Dillon and Jrue Holiday often leaves the Spurs in a difficult situation of individual play.

Chen Fang finally got the ball. Jaren used a screen from the center in the logo area to get rid of White's close guard. Before Gay could help, Chen Fang and Jrue Holiday made a handoff pass.

Without pausing, Chen Fang, holding the ball, used the momentum to rush straight towards the inside. DeRozan quickly came to the rescue, but saw Chen Fang suddenly jump up with the ball.

Damn!

Forgot that this guy's favorite scoring method now is the mid-range shot.

Helpless, he watched as Chen Fang scored his first basket near the free-throw line.

It was as if Pandora's box had been opened. From then on, the Clippers used Dillon and Jaren to constantly set screens and screens for Chen Fang to get away from his goal.

When Chen Fang gets the ball, he immediately attacks the basket. If he is double-teamed by the Spurs, he will pass the ball to his teammates positioned on the wing.

Even if the Spurs react quickly and Chen Fang has no chance, he will dribble back to the top of the key and then decisively take a three-point shot after a high pick-and-roll.

At Staples Center, cheers and applause rang out continuously, each cheer signifying that the Clippers had scored.

The Spurs are facing a helpless dilemma: who will score?

DeRozan tried his best, but he couldn't completely dominate Jrue Holiday.

Mills is good, but his three-point threat is only 3 out of 10, which is greatly reduced if there is any interference.

Gay is no longer the young, high-flying player he once was. At 33, he is riddled with old injuries, and he has exhausted all his defensive abilities, making it difficult for him to contribute offensively.

Only Aldridge is still fighting hard against Zubac and Jaren, and he can still score, but the Spurs' scoring per possession is 1.0 level lower than the Clippers'.

After the first quarter, even the Spurs' commentators were frustrated.

"This is the strength of the league's number one team!"

37:23.

The point difference has reached 14 points.

In the latter part of the first quarter, the Clippers brought in Brunson, Bridges, and DiVincenzo, a trio of well-coordinated players who effectively filled the roles of Jrue Holiday, Chen Fang, and Dillon.

While defense remains a problem for them, their scoring is certainly refreshing.

Whether it was Brunson's step-back jumper after a drive, Bridges' wing three-pointer, or DiVincenzo's face-up offense, they all thrilled the fans. Chen Fang, who was already on the bench, was exchanging words with Mazura.

“If we’re looking for a suitable replacement, only Di Vencenzo is barely acceptable,” Mazura said.

Chen Fang smiled at this. Divinson's strengths and weaknesses were obvious: he had spirituality and skills, but lacked physical strength and the will of a strong person.

A skilled player when things are going well, a coward when things are going badly.

Chen Fang had long ago reflected on his over-reliance on so-called past life knowledge.

Neither of the three of them, nor Jaren, are true championship pieces; their weaknesses and strengths are equally fatal.

Bridges and Jaren don't need to worry too much; they can provide reliable defense.

But Brunson's problem is that he is simply not a good match for Chen Fang.

The Clippers tried having Brunson play open shots and Chen Fang play small forward, even scoring, but Brunson's ball-handling issues severely hampered Chen Fang.

It's not about stealing possession of the ball, but Brunson is a bit like Westbrook; he can only be effective when the ball is always in his hands.

The problem of holding onto the ball too long can disrupt the entire offensive rhythm.

Bridges and DiVincenzo were able to adapt because the three of them developed chemistry and teamwork in college. This doesn't mean the Clippers have to adapt as well; this is Chen Fang's team.

Mazura has already excluded Brunson from her future plans. Rivers' advice is to let Brunson prove his worth and then trade him in the contract extension year to acquire suitable pieces.

As for Di Vencenzo, after observing him for a season, the coaching staff has basically made their judgment.

He is a promising 3D player. Although his defense is still immature, his attitude is excellent. His offensive skills are comprehensive, but inconsistent.

This is a player to be wary of; it's difficult to predict his future achievements.

Currently, the Clippers only have his skills that are close to Chen Wang's, making him Chen Fang's most promising substitute.

To this, Chen Fang simply said, "Wait another three years."

Yes, Chen Fang had confidence in Di Vencenzo. He knew that this guy was the hardest-working person on the team besides himself, and because of his tumultuous playing experience, he had developed a patient and resilient character.

He is a combination of Brunson and Bridges, possessing Brunson's skills, Bridges' defensive talent, and his own strong will.

However, he still finds it difficult to produce a masterpiece when things are going against him, because he has never played a leading role.

So, to put it simply, he possesses the aura of a tragic hero.

Four minutes into the second quarter, Chen Fang returned to the court.

The Spurs tightened their offensive and defensive pace and began to close the gap. At this point, Chen Fang needed to control the tempo and launch a punitive offensive to curb the opponent's offensive surge.

And Chen Fang did it without a doubt.

He made off-ball runs, first setting a screen and then cutting to the baseline. With the help of Zubac, he shook off the frantically chasing White and finally received a pass from Dillon in the corner, hitting his second three-pointer.

"14 points! Although Chen Wang was double-teamed by the Spurs and struggled today, a superstar is a superstar. You can suppress him for a while, but you can't control him for the whole game." Ke Fan praised loudly. Now, whatever he said wouldn't sound harsh to the audience.

Over two seasons, Chen Fang has proven himself with a series of outstanding performances, demonstrating that he is one of the best players in the league.

Two possessions later, Chen Fang executed a free throw-in with Jaren at the free throw line, quickly retreating to the top of the arc to receive a pass from Jrue Holiday and sink his third three-pointer.

"17 points! Chen Wang's skills are too comprehensive. Whether it's a pull-up jumper or a catch-and-shoot, he can make the perfect shot."

"7 out of 10 shots made, 3 out of 3 three-pointers made, the most efficient killer, an undisputed superstar!"

He made that shot, and the point difference was back to 15 points.

Popovich remained calm. In fact, from the beginning, he knew that the Spurs would never get past the first round, but in order to train the team and maintain the Spurs' dignity, he still took it seriously and devoted himself to it wholeheartedly.

These are the cards I have. White is good, but still very inexperienced. Guy is too old and has lost his drive.

DeRozan is at his peak, but he is destined not to achieve his dream with the Spurs.

Ade was also confused. He was not a good leader, but if he were to become the second-in-command, he would be the best one.

This is the current situation for the Spurs.

Chen Fang played for 7 minutes before being substituted again.

Rivers' use of Chen Fang is cautious; maintaining health and fitness is crucial in the intense playoffs.

When Rose first appeared on the court, his eyes shone with light; at the end of his career, he hoped to deliver the perfect finale.

He and Lou Williams are both opinion leaders of the team, and the young players on the team respect him very much, including Chen Fang. His biggest role in the team now is to calm people down and play the role of a veteran.

But Chen Fang's words yesterday invigorated Ross.

"Brunson is too young. At crucial moments, you need to control the pace."

"You need to be prepared for an average of 20 minutes of playing time per game."

Chen Fang, who was substituted off the court, was also watching closely. When he saw Rose's performance in driving and passing and controlling the game, he couldn't help but stand up and applaud. After sitting down, he said to Mazura, "I think playing with Rose might be more suitable than playing with Lou Williams."

Mazura pondered for a moment and said, "His athleticism may be gone, but his skills are still there, especially in shooting and passing."

"Yes, his passing is the best on the team." Chen Fang nodded.

“I’ll set it up; it’s going to be a really interesting experiment,” Mazura said excitedly.

The game continued, intense but not heated, with both sides remaining quiet. Without Bowen, the Spurs finally became the obedient child, while the Clippers, having tempered their edge and gathering their strength, were not going to fight the Spurs.

When the fourth quarter reached the seventh minute, Duan Ran finally felt relieved.

"The Clippers played a level above the Spurs today, and the point difference reached 22 points. The Spurs never took the lead and never managed to close the gap to within 5 points. That's the difference."

"Chen Wang only played 21 minutes, but he efficiently scored 26 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds. You couldn't even see him sweat. I have to say, this made me feel extremely reassured."

Duan Ran wouldn't act badly, but after muting his microphone, he said to Ke Fan, "It's very difficult for the Spurs to win the first round; the most likely outcome is that they'll win one game at home."

"A score of 4 to 1 should be a reasonable prediction."

As soon as the final whistle blew, Chen Fang ran to the Spurs' bench and hugged DeRozan.

"Brother, I'm sorry."

DeRozan remained calm and patted Chen Fang on the shoulder, saying, "That's professionalism. Don't worry, and don't get cocky. We'll give you trouble in the second game."

"I know, I will do my best."

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Fang accepted an interview with reporters on the sidelines.

The person being interviewed happened to be Doris Burke.

"How does it feel to easily impact the Spurs?" she asked.

“It wasn’t easy, it’s just that we were better prepared.” Chen Fang dodged the question first, then continued, “I’m proud of my teammates. Many of them were playing in the playoffs for the first time, but they performed very well.”

"Is that why the Clippers didn't make a big splash this time?" Doris Burke asked.

"Yes, we try not to put pressure on the rookies and make them feel that this is just an ordinary competition, but I really hope that they can find confidence from this competition, because the later competitions will only get more and more difficult."

Back in the locker room, Chen Fang called everyone together.

"Guys, I didn't say anything before the game because I was worried about putting pressure on everyone, but now I have to say something."

Scanning the entire arena and observing every face, Chen Fang said, "This will be our easiest game in the playoffs. After that, it won't be."

"So, in this playoffs, whether we win or lose, we must firmly believe that we are okay."

"Believe in yourself, believe in your teammates, believe in the team!"

"Let's play every game well, persevere to the end, and welcome our glory."

(End of this chapter)