Basketball Terminal

Chapter 85 21 years old

The game became incredibly intense in the second half, with both sides finding their rhythm. Li Wei single-handedly pulled the Nets out of the mire. His rebounding and shooting opportunities helped his teammates regain confidence. Li Wei substituted at the end of the third quarter.

Sitting on the bench, he accepted a towel from his teammate. His arms were covered in fine red welts, marks left from his fierce battles under the basket. He gulped down water, panting heavily, clearly exhausted. Durant and Irving next to him bumped fists with Li Wei.

On the basketball court, a tough playing style will always earn the respect of teammates and opponents.

Nash came over, glanced at the bruises on Levi's arm, and said, "Well done, Victor. If you could get back on defense a little faster and pass the ball a little more often, that would be great. When you get the ball, try to get the team moving instead of just playing yourself."

Li Wei silently rolled his eyes. Nash, you could say he's a good person, and he certainly is. But sometimes, when it comes to taking care of the players' feelings, he's like a clueless idiot with low emotional intelligence. But Li Wei wasn't angry. He gradually figured out Nash's temperament and knew that Nash wasn't dissatisfied with him, but rather hoped that he could do better.

People are complex. Nash has a kind-hearted side, but don't forget he's an extremely disciplined and demanding person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone out drinking with friends and, to test his endurance, led them to every bar in Dallas, drinking one drink before moving on to the next. Most people would be shocked by this kind of behavior; they'd probably throw up all the drinks they'd had.

"Then I still have a lot to learn from you. I'm far behind you in terms of playmaking and passing," Li Wei coaxed Nash, who was quite pleased. Udoka and D'Antoni, overhearing their conversation, rolled their eyes. "You two are really putting on a good show, a real display of teacher-student affection."

However, before the start of the fourth quarter, Nash came to the sidelines for a remote interview with an ESPN reporter, and he praised Li Wei's important role, saying that his rebounds changed the course of the game and that he was the team's biggest surprise.

"We weren't playing very well tonight, but Victor was the one who changed the game. There are many ways to win, and fighting for the ball is definitely the most inspiring. We'll continue playing that way in the fourth quarter and hopefully it will inspire everyone."

The TV station displayed statistics on the screen: the Nets committed 14 turnovers, a full 10 more than the Mavericks. However, the Nets grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, 11 more than the Mavericks. The two teams traded baskets, resulting in a closely contested game.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Harden and Levi were both resting on the bench; they had to. Without Irving and Durant, the Nets lacked a leader, relying solely on Shamet to force shots after screens on the perimeter, which missed. They also failed to secure rebounds, with the ball being deflected out of bounds, giving possession to the Mavericks.

With Doncic on the court, he faced DeAndre Jordan at the left 45-degree angle and missed a step-back three-pointer. Tonight, he was completely neutralized by Levi. The Nets' three-pointer from the top of the arc also missed, but Jordan made the putback, proving he can still make an impact.

In the next possession, from the same spot, at the left 45-degree angle, Doncic received the ball and launched another three-pointer, with DeAndre Jordan as the target. A precise shot! Doncic adjusted his touch, handing over ball control to Josh Richardson and Brunson to reduce ball-hogging and prepare for the upcoming physical contact.

For the first time, Doncic wanted to unleash his full potential, competing against a peer in every aspect—offense, defense, and rebounding. Unfortunately, Doncic was at his wit's end. Both players are 21 this year; Doncic just turned 21 on February 28th, while Li Wei's birthday is a few days earlier, also just turning 21.

Taking advantage of the absence of both Levi and Harden, the Mavericks went on a mini-run, going 7-2 and regaining a 4-point lead. Nash called a timeout, patted Levi on the shoulder, and signaled for him to return to the court. He had been benched in the latter part of the third quarter and hadn't played for seven or eight minutes; it was time for him to come back in.

Li Wei vowed that he would absolutely not go to strip clubs or nightclubs after the game tonight, but would go home to rest and go next time.

Li Wei returned to the court, and the more than 600 fans in the arena cheered. Tonight, Li Wei's popularity soared again by locking down Doncic. During the Nets' offensive possession, on the sideline inbounds pass, Doncic closed in on Li Wei and began physical contact.

Why are you touching me?!

"I'll keep an eye on you."

"Why would you bother with me when I only have a basic salary?"

"I do not care."

The two chatted on and off, but their hands never stopped moving. Li Wei was a seasoned veteran, adept at all sorts of dirty tricks. Doncic was equally experienced, but he was better at defending against dirty tricks than making them himself. The Mavericks were playing man-to-man defense, with Doncic sticking to Li Wei.

It's extremely rare for Dongzi to do this; normally, when he's on defense, he just stands at the corners. If someone comes, he'll wave them over; if no one's there, he just stands there like a scarecrow, arms outstretched. Not putting his hands on his hips is the greatest respect he can show. Even so, he still manages to grab a lot of rebounds every game.

On one hand, his teammates will help him rebound, allowing the team to launch a fast break as quickly as possible. On the other hand, Doncic's body is indeed very strong. He is not the muscular type, but his torso is very broad, and his core muscles are large and strong. Like Nowitzki, he has a long upper body, and his whole body is like a compact truck. Not to mention forwards or guards in the same position, most centers and power forwards can't outrun him.

Therefore, Doncic has a significant advantage when it comes to rebounding; most people can't push him. In this offensive possession, Levi didn't gain any advantage. After a pick-and-roll, Harris's shot from the outside missed. Levi anticipated the landing point, but Doncic could also anticipate it, getting tangled up with Levi. Brunson got the ball, and the Mavericks launched a counterattack.

The referees loosened their grip in the final quarter, resulting in numerous physical altercations between the two teams. Li Wei didn't hold back against Doncic, using dirty tricks to get him into position, while Doncic abandoned his face-up isolation plays and opted to back down the ball and try to force his way inside. The game felt like it had returned to the 90s and 00s, with intense competition transforming the game's style.

As Doncic received the ball and dribbled inside, Levi anticipated his move and attacked again, his black spear imbued with Armament Haki, poking the ball out of Doncic's hands, causing a turnover and a Nets fast break. On the way back, the two were still entangled, one tripping over the other, and both fell to the ground simultaneously. They got up at the same time, neither giving way, and collided again, falling to the ground.

One falls, the other falls too. You can't let the referee call a foul. The referee sees this and thinks, "Are you two cosplaying Rodman and Malone?" Fine, go ahead and play. It won't affect the match. As long as you don't throw punches, you can fight as you please.

The referee didn't blow the whistle, and the two players immediately got up and threw themselves into the game. Doncic's size and strength were undeniable, and Levi was indeed outmatched in power. So, Levi quickly changed tactics, playing hide-and-seek with Doncic, circling around DeAndre Jordan to shake off Doncic's entanglement.

Shamet attempted another three-pointer, but missed again. This time, Levi seized the opportunity, anticipating the ball's trajectory and grabbing the rebound near the free-throw line. Before he even landed, he immediately passed the ball to the left side, where Harris received it and launched another three-pointer, which went in!

Because the Mavericks players collapsed to grab rebounds, their perimeter defense was exposed, allowing Harris to easily score and narrow the gap to one point again. Doncic got a little anxious and returned to facing the basket with the ball, but he wasn't stubborn anymore and actively used his teammates' screens. After switching on defense, he took a three-pointer from the top of the arc, but missed.

"Damn, the physical contact affected my shooting touch." The intense physical battle with Li Wei had disrupted Doncic's shooting rhythm, and he knew his shot was off target as soon as it came out. Li Wei grabbed the rebound again, giving the Nets a fast break opportunity. Li Wei drove to the basket, drawing the Mavericks' defense once more. Shamet received the ball on the wing, launched a three-pointer, and it went in!

The Nets took the lead, with Li Wei taking all the physical contact himself, giving his teammates ample space to shoot. The Mavericks called a timeout, and Harden was about to enter the game for the Nets. But Doncic didn't change his playing style; he continued to harass Li Wei, wearing him down.

Sure enough, in the latter part of the fourth quarter, Li Wei couldn't hold on any longer. He couldn't maintain the high-quality defense and still fight hard for offensive rebounds. Doncic, on the other hand, chose to use his body, backing down his defender and driving into the paint, drawing two fouls and making both free throws.

Harden took over the Nets' offense in the latter part of the quarter, driving to the basket, hitting three-pointers, and drawing fouls to help the Nets maintain a one- or two-point lead. He got a good rest at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and once his energy was restored, his offensive performance immediately improved.

Li Wei was reaching his limit; his breathing became increasingly heavy, his lungs felt like they had a hole in them, and his legs felt like lead. Worst of all, he found it difficult to concentrate using his Observation Haki to keep an eye on the players for extended periods. All he could do was keep an eye on the ball; grabbing rebounds was his last act of defiance.

Doncic wasn't having an easy time either; the excessive physical contact affected his shooting touch, and his stamina was rapidly declining, further impacting his offense. Therefore, he focused more on playmaking, with Brunson handling the ball, allowing the Mavericks' flow to perform well.

The two teams battled to a 92-92 tie, with the pace of the game slowing down, reminiscent of the NBA 15 or 20 years ago. Doncic received the ball at the 45-degree angle again, needing to find his rhythm with a one-on-one play. He noticed that Levi's stamina was declining and his defensive focus was decreasing.

With his back to the basket, Li Wei pushed his way in, mustering his last bit of energy to hold off Doncic's bulldozing. Doncic turned and shot, but the ball went way over the bar. It didn't even touch the rim, bounced off the backboard, and ended up back in Harden's hands. Doncic was clearly exhausted, making such an off-target shot.

But superstars have incredible adaptability and unwavering confidence. When Harden countered and scored two points with a layup, Doncic immediately moved to the right 45-degree angle, received the ball, used a teammate's screen to shake off Levi, and drained a three-pointer! 95-94, a crucial three-pointer, the Mavericks lead by one point.

Nash knew Li Wei needed to rest for a while; he'd used one timeout and had one left. Li Wei thought to himself, "Coach, you still have a conscience, knowing to call a timeout so I can rest." At this point, it was impossible for Li Wei to rest; if DeAndre Jordan went in, it would be giving away points, and the Nets definitely couldn't hold on.

The outcome of this game wasn't actually that important, but at this point, nobody wanted to lose. Nash didn't want to waste Levi's outstanding performance—he had already racked up 13 points and 23 rebounds, setting a new personal rebounding record. So far this season, the single-game rebounding leader is Clint Capela, who grabbed 26 rebounds against the Pistons on January 20th, a game that went into overtime.

Nash told Li Wei, "Hang in there, let's win this game." Nash retained the old-school coaching style, emphasizing perseverance and resilience, a tactic many young players don't follow. But Li Wei had endured it all along. He nodded, saying nothing more, constantly wiping away sweat and drinking water, trying to catch his breath.

With just over two minutes left in the game, as soon as Li Wei entered the game, Doncic was already eyeing him again. Li Wei patted Doncic on the backside, Doncic retaliated, Li Wei patted him again, Doncic retaliated again, neither willing to back down. Carlisle was seeing Doncic with such fighting spirit for the first time, full of the wildness of an old-school player.

With the changing environment and family circumstances of players in the new era, it's difficult to recreate the spirit of the players from the 80s, 90s, and 00s. They weren't born that way; their childhoods were shrouded in the shadows of crime, drugs, and rampant gun violence. They lacked fathers, discipline, and a future. Aggression became instinct; it was the only way to survive. The basketball court was their life, and also their battlefield.

The criminal environment still exists, but talented children are protected early on. Many players from middle-class or second-generation basketball families receive a good education and grow up in a more nurturing environment, no longer needing to fight tooth and nail for survival. They understand basketball better, their skills are more refined, and they've been molded into the best basketball machines. However, their souls lack a certain imperfect beauty, and consequently, the entire NBA court loses a vibrant touch, becoming much more monotonous.

But the wildness is merely hidden, it doesn't disappear; it needs an environment to unleash it. Levi's successful defense against Doncic ignited his ferocity, and he couldn't play the game as usual, so he had to find a different approach.

The two players nearly grappled under the basket. Li Wei grabbed Doncic's shirt and pulled it down, then grabbed a rebound. He forced a layup, and Doncic fouled him from behind, sending Li Wei to the free-throw line. It was a hard foul, but Li Wei didn't say anything, because he wanted to use the foul and free throws to get some rest.

In the crucial moment, both free throws were made, and the Nets regained the lead. Every subsequent offensive and defensive play would determine the outcome of the game. Doncic held the ball on the perimeter, repeatedly setting screens, switching defenses, and driving to the basket. Suddenly, he passed the ball to the right corner, where Finney-Smith caught it and drained a three-pointer! 98-96, the Mavericks led by 2 points.

A brilliant pass once again exploited the weakness in the 3-2 zone defense.

Harris missed a three-pointer, and Levi grabbed the offensive rebound. Doncic was completely exhausted. Levi's positioning was consistently too precise, forcing Doncic to constantly push his way in. Levi was also tired; unable to attack the basket any further, he passed to Harden, but Harden failed to catch the ball, and Brunson stole it!

Li Wei chased after Brunson with all his might, pushing his physical limits. Even so, he caught up and delivered a powerful block from behind! Then, he went over the baseline and fell backward to the ground. Dizzy, he looked up at the high ceiling, where the white light and the black ceiling blended together like a vortex, making it impossible to distinguish between light and darkness.

There were no spectators, no photographers, and certainly no cheerleaders at the bottom of the pit. If there were cheerleaders, at least you could see some legs, but there was nothing, so he could only lie down and rest for a while. His teammates rushed over and pulled Li Wei up from the ground; he really wanted to lie there a little longer.

On the sidelines, Nash asked Levi, "Are you alright? Do you need a rest?"

Li Wei said, "Go to hell with rest, don't substitute me."

At this point, whoever steps down is a coward. The Mavericks have an inbound pass, Brunson receives the ball, drives past Harris, and attacks the basket. This guy is a short but powerful guy, not very tall, but incredibly strong, with very strong core strength.

But to Levi, his layup looked like it was in slow motion. He rushed up and blocked it again! Kleber picked up the ball and went up again, but Levi blocked him again and forcefully pushed him down! After two consecutive blocks under the basket, Jeff Green got control of the ball.

Li Wei stood at the edge of the paint, like a giant statue. Surrounding him seemed to possess a powerful aura, one that made it impossible for anyone to score. The continuous high-intensity competition between the two teams had rapidly depleted their stamina. Li Wei, who had already reached his limit, seemed possessed by Ben Wallace, unleashing a series of blocks that ignited the Nets' bench and various live broadcasts.

"Block! A series of blocks! Three blocks in a row! Li Wei's defense is absolutely explosive! Durant is dancing and singing on the sidelines, he knows he's found another reliable ally! He's so happy he's even taken off his mask..."

Xu Dongyu's commentary remained passionate, while Li Wei was completely calm, worried that excitement would disrupt his current flow. Everything slowed down again; the physical discomfort temporarily disappeared, and every cell was brimming with energy. He knew he was about to have another bout of lucidity! He had to hurry!
As he crossed half-court, the aura that had enveloped him receded, transforming into a single line wrapped around his arm. Li Wei immediately called for the ball. At the top of the key, Harden, assuming he was going to receive the ball briefly, set a handoff screen and passed it to Li Wei.

Who knew that Li Wei would receive the ball and, just a step from the three-point line, raise his hand and shoot! Doncic hadn't expected this guy to launch a sudden attack! The ball, wrapped in string and spinning intensely, flew towards the basket and sank cleanly! A three-pointer! The Nets 99-98, taking the lead!
This dramatic match caused a minor stir not only in domestic broadcast rooms but also in the well-traveled ESPN studios, which had seen countless matches. Commentators and guests shouted without regard for their image, exclaiming that this was the thrill of a live game, something that watching replays couldn't compare to, and that's why people always need new matches.

Even when you watch porn, you still want to see new stuff. Even if you know it's just the same content, the same actions, the same routines, the same tricks, people still keep making it and people keep watching it.

The Mavericks called a timeout; they still had a chance to attack, a game-winning shot. On the Nets' side, Nash set up the defense, but Levi wouldn't listen to a word; he was completely numb. The aura of dominance faded, and he felt utterly drained—a final burst of energy before death. Did it always have to be at such a critical point to occur?

However, it seems to have lasted longer than before. With one attack and one defense, if we hadn't called a timeout, it might have lasted a little longer.

On the Mavericks' bench, Doncic's eyes held less confusion and more depth as he pondered how to deal with Levi's defense. His two recent blocks had created an oppressive atmosphere, seemingly immobilizing everyone. Standing under the basket, Levi appeared to be 2.5 meters tall, much taller than Porzingis.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Porzingis had been largely absent; he had just failed to grab the ball under the basket, seemingly intimidated by Levi. What an amazing guy; Doncic had never imagined facing such an opponent before the game.

"Luca, do you have any thoughts?" Carlisle asked Doncic.

"what idea?"

"The last ball is for Brunson to take."

"I have no objection. If it doesn't go in, I'll try my best to grab the offensive rebound."

Doncic struggled offensively throughout the game, and Carlisle passed the final shot to Brunson. Normally, Doncic would object at this point, but tonight he didn't; he even proactively requested to box out for the rebound as a backup. Carlisle grew increasingly fond of Doncic, thinking to himself how great it would be to play 82 games against the Nets in a season.

On the other side, Li Wei took a breath and executed a crucial defensive play. But Li Wei was truly exhausted. He went onto the court, looked at Doncic, and said, "Come and attack me. I'm out of energy. I can't stop you anymore. I'll give you a fair chance to score."

Doncic shook his head and said, "Don't try to fool me."

Li Wei thought to himself, "I'm not kidding you, I'm really out of energy. All I have left is the energy to grab rebounds. If Doncic drives to the basket, Li Wei can't stop him; his legs and reaction time can't keep up."

However, the Mavericks' strategy was to use Doncic as a feint to draw out the defense. Brunson received the ball in the middle, drove to the basket, and attempted a floater! Jeff Green tried his best to contest the shot, but the ball bounced a few times on the rim and fell out.

Li Wei and Doncic's arms were tangled together, desperately trying to gain position. They both grabbed the ball almost simultaneously, pulling it towards each other, neither willing to let go, and both fell to the ground. Doncic was trying to use his weight to pull the ball, while Li Wei wanted to lie down and rest. The referee blew the whistle for a jump ball.

With 5.8 seconds remaining, the Mavericks had possession and a chance to turn the tide. The two players stood facing each other at the free-throw line, battling for possession to decide the game's outcome. Levi, exhausted and relying solely on his last ounce of energy and willpower, managed to touch the ball with Doncic during the scramble.

The two collided in mid-air and both fell to the ground. This time it wasn't an act; they were genuinely exhausted, collapsing at the slightest touch. Players from both sides swarmed forward, but Bruce Brown was the first to get the ball. You have to admit, that guy's cunning; he's got so many stealthy goals.

He grabbed the ball and turned to run. The Mavericks players didn't even have time to foul, and could only watch helplessly as time ran out. Brown tossed the ball into the air, and the game ended! The Nets narrowly defeated the Dallas Mavericks 99-98, a one-point advantage.

Li Wei collapsed to the ground, having delivered an unparalleled performance with 18 points, 24 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Unlike his game with the Kings, which was suspected of padding his stats, in this game, he was the team's core player, carrying the team to victory.

He struggled to his feet, and his teammates came to congratulate him, celebrating their hard-won victory. Doncic was also helped up by his teammates. He looked back at Li Wei, and the two exchanged a glance without saying much before returning to their respective benches. Li Wei didn't seem too excited, perhaps because he was too tired. Doncic, however, wasn't particularly discouraged; he suddenly felt a surge of motivation.

After all, she's only 21 years old, with endless possibilities ahead, the best 21 years of her life.

　I updated once today, finishing the match story in one go; it was indeed too long.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)