Basketball miracles

Chapter 242 [I Won't Miss an Opportunity to Explode the Public]

The reporters eagerly awaited the end of the game, having prepared their questions for post-match interviews with Xiao Tu. Xiao Tu's incredible triple-double was poised to make headlines in sports news, and would likely be the biggest news of the entire season.

Chinese journalists were also present at the game today, and CCTV5 broadcast the match. CCTV also sent a reporter to the United States to cover the game, believing that Chinese fans would definitely like Xiao Tu.

Xiao Tu has a clean and refined demeanor, and his playing style is also very beautiful; he definitely deserves to be promoted.

Xiao Tu is about to become popular in China. Fans love to see star players put up amazing stats and enjoy individual hero victories.

The Heat defeated the Mavericks 133-115 on the road, securing their fourth consecutive victory.

Xiao Tu himself accounted for nearly half of the Heat's points, and three of his teammates also scored in double figures. Wade was the second-leading scorer with 21 points, followed by Haslem with 14 and Grant with 10.

If Odom and Jones can shoot accurately, the Heat can turn the game into garbage time in three quarters.

小牛队一边多点开花，6人得分上双难求一胜。诺维茨基表现最好，24投14中，三分球6中2，罚球6中6，得到36分6篮板3助攻。

The 213cm Nowitzki only scored 6 points in the final quarter, repeatedly allowing opponents to grab offensive rebounds. He is not good at rebounding or blocking shots, and his rim protection relies entirely on his height.

Nowitzki is not cut out to play center, and Nelson's insistence on playing him was bound to have bad results.

纳什8投4中，三分球4中3，罚球9中8，得到19分3篮板11助攻4失误。

Nash hasn't earned the nickname "Son of the Wind" yet; his teammates aren't fast enough, so his fast-break skills can't be fully utilized.

After playing against the Mavericks, Xiao Tu has no interest in playing alongside Nash again. Nash needs the ball in his hands and his defense is terrible. Xiao Tu doesn't need Nash to lead the fast breaks, and he has no interest in cleaning up Nash's messes on the defensive end.

Finley had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, but shot only 40% from the field. After the game, people will undoubtedly compare him to other stars in the same position; Finley will remember this game for the rest of his life.

The moment the final whistle blew, the entire arena went wild, but Xiao Tu himself remained calm.

Xiao Tu did not leave immediately. After shaking hands with his opponent, he gave an interview on the spot. The Dallas reporter was not going to let him go, especially since the interview was being broadcast live nationwide.

Facing the camera, Xiao Tu smiled and said, "Before the season started, no one was optimistic about the Heat, and we faced many difficulties. Now we have achieved four consecutive victories, proving that the Heat are a strong contender for the championship. We really needed this victory, and I am also very happy to have put up some impressive stats today."

The reporter asked, "Do you know that you have set a historical record today?"

Xiao Tu laughed and said, "Of course I knew. Before the final quarter started, I knew I was close to breaking the record. I vowed to get a 60+ triple-double, so I was silently counting the stats in my head."

The reporter asked, "Do you care a lot about the data?"

"Of course I care. If you have a chance, you might not get another one if you miss it. You can do things that no one has ever done before. Do you seize it or watch it slip away? I'm going to win it. I'm not going to miss an opportunity to ignite a frenzy."

After saying that, Xiao Tu returned to the locker room.

He doesn't need to say much to ignite the media, because he is truly different from others.

Because previous star players didn't care about statistics; they were all saints.

Even though Jordan won ten scoring titles in his career, averaging 27.8 field goal attempts and 11.9 free throw attempts per game before he even finished his rookie season, he still said in an interview: "I don't care about stats, I only care about winning and losing."

Now that Xiao Tu is going against the grain, he will definitely leave a deep impression on everyone.

Competitive sports are all about winning and losing. As long as you win, whatever he says is justified, and he can be as arrogant as he wants!
Conversely, if a player can't win a game, he might fawn over all his predecessors, making everyone feel comfortable, but he'll still be just another nobody on the sidelines.

Xiao Tu doesn't mind admitting to inflating his stats. If many people question it, he'll come up with another argument in the future: "If you're so capable, why don't you try inflating your stats too?"

At that time, most fans will definitely support Xiao Tu, with only a few "alternative yet clear-headed" fans supporting someone without any statistics. It's like how most people like high-grossing commercial films, while a minority prefer art films that flop.

Xiao Tu went back to the visiting team's locker room to shower, and then went to the press conference with several Heat stars and Pat Riley.

A 60+ point triple-double is unprecedented in NBA history.

At this point, Kobe's career-high single-game score was 56 points, while last season's scoring champion McGrady's highest single-game score was only 52 points, and three-time scoring champion Iverson's highest single-game score was 58 points.

Compared to renowned scorers, Xiao Tu's stats today seem even more impressive, as the others' numbers were achieved through a focused scoring strategy. Xiao Tu commented, "I didn't expect to put up these numbers before the game; a normal performance would only result in a 30+ point triple-double. Today, my shooting touch was exceptionally good, so I took a lot of shots, and my shooting percentage was quite high. It just happened without me realizing it."

The reporters were completely stunned. You're saying you only get 30+ points and a triple-double when you're playing normally? Seriously?
A reporter asked, "You're currently far ahead on the scoring leaderboard, what are your thoughts?"

"The one who laughs last laughs best. The season has only just begun, and I might not play well later on. I like stats, but the most important thing is always winning. Stats for losing games are meaningless."

The reporter asked, "Will you reduce your shot attempts in order to win?"

"No, I want them all." Xiao Tu stretched out his right hand and grasped them tightly.

The reporters all felt that Xiao Tu was full of vigor and looked down on everyone.

His demeanor doesn't give off the impression of a rookie at all; he just looks relatively young.

A reporter asked, "Are you confident of becoming the scoring champion this season?"

"I'd rather be the assist leader because it means the Heat aren't just about me scoring a lot, but about multiple players contributing. I hope to help my teammates play better, and we need to win."

Next, Xiao Tu mentioned his teammates who were out. "Caron (Butler) got injured in the preseason and will be out for a while, so we're not playing with our strongest lineup. We can be stronger in the future, and I'm very optimistic about the Heat's prospects."

The reporter asked, "You're currently the top favorite for Rookie of the Year. What's your take on that?"

"Is there even a need to choose? I'm happy to accept challenges from other rookies and crush them," Xiao Tu said with a smile.

Now it's LeBron James challenging Xiao Tu; the two are clearly not in the same league this season.

Xiao Tu believes that it would be reasonable for Commissioner David Stern to place him among the top three players in the league for the league to be considered a top contender.

There aren't that many players worth promoting in the NBA these days. The "Four Great Shooting Guards" were just a publicity stunt. Now, three of those four have no achievements, Kobe Bryant is constantly involved in legal battles in Eagle County, and Xiao Tu's timing couldn't be better.

Xiao Tu also expressed his special thanks to Riley and Wade.

Riley orchestrated the offense around Xiao Tu, giving him unlimited shot attempts. Wade was the second-leading scorer today, and many of Xiao Tu's assists came from him.

Xiao Tu praised him, saying, "I think Wade will become a superstar in the future. He has the ability; he just needs to realize his potential. I'm happy to pass him the ball. We have great chemistry, and he will only get better and better."

Wade was deeply moved by what Xiao Tu said, and at the same time, the pressure on him was further relieved.

In an interview, Wade also praised Xiao Tu. "He has been helping me. We practiced together in the summer, and he helped me see my shortcomings and gave me some good advice. I will give my all in every game and try to compete for the championship with him."

Grant, Jones, and others gave interviews that were full of empty praise, offering little substance and simply lauding Xiao Tu.

Riley also praised Xiao Tu highly, saying he was the most complete star player.

Riley had some things he couldn't say, but if Xiao Tu had been on the team last season, he wouldn't have suggested retiring Jordan's number 23 jersey.

That's clearly just a publicity stunt. Riley wants to attract attention this way so he can sign big-name free agents. Riley wants to tell them that as long as they play well for the Heat, they'll definitely have their jerseys retired and become remembered stars.

Riley now says, "The Heat finally have their own superstar scorer."

At the Mavericks' press conference, Don Nelson exclaimed, "Shaw's performance today was incredible. We double-teamed him in the second half, even off-ball, but we still couldn't stop him from scoring so many points. I think he's the most versatile player in the league right now, he doesn't seem like a rookie at all."

At the same time, Don Nelson was also envious, as the Mavericks had a chance to draft Xiao Tu.

"Xiao is very young. Everyone thought he had a promising future, but he has already shown amazing strength. I think he will change the landscape of the league in the future. His youth is his biggest advantage."

When Nowitzki was interviewed, the reporter asked him to comment on Xiao Tu. He didn't say much and admitted that he was not good enough.

There is indeed a clear difference between the two. Nowitzki, as the core player, mainly relies on jump shots for scoring; his penetration and passing are not particularly strong. Moreover, he is well aware that his physique limits his ability to be a well-rounded player and he will not develop in the same direction as Xiao Tu.

(End of this chapter)