Chapter 607 94: Jack Su's Ability to Exploit Loopholes

Su Xi glared at him.

Then, the duel began.

Su Xi executed a lightning-fast jab step. He was more athletic than Kobe, and his explosive first step was like a clap of thunder. Though Kobe was on guard, his body still rocked back reflexively.

The moment Kobe rocked back, Su Xi exploded forward, his body shooting past like a bolt of lightning.

After a single step, Su Xi pulled up for a jump shot.

Su Xi got great elevation.

Kobe's contest was perfectly timed, but it was just a fraction too late... SWISH!

The ball dropped cleanly through the net.

A two-point basket!

After the basket, Su Xi wagged his index finger at Kobe. The message was clear.

Instead of getting angry, Kobe just laughed.

But a torrent of boos rained down in the Staples Center. They couldn't stand Su Xi's disrespect toward Kobe. And what's more, they were faintly worried—worried that Su Xi might actually defeat him.

Just then, a hefty, uninvited guest joined the TNT broadcast booth.

It was Shaquille O'Neal.

This was his first time returning to the Staples Center as a non-player. The three championship banners he'd brought to this arena were still hanging from the rafters.

However, when he entered the arena, some of the home fans booed him.

Clearly, back when the OK Combination split, it wasn't just the Lakers' owner who sided with Kobe; the fans also supported the Little Flying Hero more.

And events had proven their support was justified.

After O'Neal left the Lakers, he came up empty-handed, thanks in part to Su Xi.

Although the Lakers went through a brief rebuilding phase, they rose quickly after acquiring Yao Ming and had now returned to the Finals.

O'Neal had bad-mouthed the Lakers and Kobe plenty over the years, so of course the fans would boo him.

Tonight, however, he was acting uncharacteristically.

He was actually on television supporting Kobe and the Lakers.

"Jack hitting that first shot isn't a bad thing, fellas! My point is, Jack's one-on-one ability is truly impressive. He's improved at lightning speed over the years. He's no longer just a slasher with no mid-range game. That's why he's in the conversation for the GOAT."

Shaquille O'Neal said, "But if you think this is the start of a Knicks victory, you're dead wrong. Jack Su can't beat Kobe. Kobe is the best scorer on the planet. Even if '90s Jordan came back to the court, I'd still say Kobe's ability to break down a defense one-on-one is better."

Charles Barkley looked puzzled. "Shaq, you've changed. Why are you sticking up for Kobe? Are you trying to go back to the Lakers and form a twin-towers lineup with Yao Ming?"

The comment was pure sarcasm.

It was a jab at him for coming up empty-handed with the Cavaliers.

A jab at him for winning nothing after leaving the Lakers.

Kenny Smith added his own take. "Shaq, I have to correct you. The only reason you think Kobe is better at breaking down a defense than Jordan is because Jordan never had to. He could blow by his defender in a single step. He could elevate over anyone guarding him. He was the best player on the planet at combining skill and athleticism, bar none. Kobe's physical gifts are a step below that. In fact, they're even a step below Jack Su's."

"Exactly," Charles jumped in. "That's why I said Kobe was playing dirty. Jack can easily blow by his defender and score with his incredible explosive power."

The two of them ganging up on O'Neal left him speechless. He clearly hadn't found his rhythm on the live broadcast yet.

While they were talking, the Lakers completed an offensive possession.

Kobe hit a turnaround jumper.

On the other end, Su Xi didn't go one-on-one with Kobe again. Instead, he drove into the paint and passed to Milicic for an easy layup.

This made Kobe furious. He demanded of Su Xi, "When did you become such a coward? Are you afraid to face me head-on?"

"We'll check the box score after the game and see who scored more,"

Su Xi replied.

'You think you can fucking goad me and I won't fire back?'

Kobe took a deep breath, trying his best not to lose his cool.

'Calm down! Stay calm! Kobe, you can't be the one to lose your cool. You have to make Jack Su lose his!'

Kobe brought the ball upcourt and isolated on Su Xi. Seeing an opportunity with Yao Ming, he quickly passed it inside. Yao turned and hit a hook shot.

The moment Yao scored, Su Xi turned to Kobe and spread his hands in a shrug.

The gesture was dripping with mockery.

When it came to psychological warfare with Su Xi, Kobe seemed out of his league.

After all, Kobe just came out of high school.

Isaiah Thomas smiled from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, on the Knicks' possession, the ball went directly to Milicic.

Su Xi started running, moving without the ball, and Kobe chased after him relentlessly.

Milicic had already linked up with Zach Randolph near midcourt, and Randolph took it in for a layup.

Kwame Brown tried his best to defend, but Randolph and Milicic had better chemistry. They were the "Black and White Bears."

"You really are a coward,"

Kobe said to Su Xi through gritted teeth.

Su Xi just smiled and replied, "You should come up with a new line."

Back on offense, Kobe went one-on-one against Su Xi again. He created space with a shoulder fake, but as he turned, he was met with a double-team from Stephen Jackson. He passed to Odom, who hit the jump shot.

On the other end, Su Xi was still running off the ball.

Once again, he drew the defense's attention, allowing Lowry to drive to the hoop and score on a layup.

This time, before Kobe could even speak, Su Xi beat him to the punch. "I have to protect my field goal percentage. You go ahead and get four points, and I promise I'll answer back."

Su Xi was turning the tables, forcing Kobe to play his game.

Kobe hadn't expected Su Xi to respond this way.

He was furious but did his best to keep it in check.

Back on offense, he continued to assist Yao Ming, who went one-on-one against Milicic.

The whole world knew that Yao Ming was unstoppable in the first quarter; he had a huge advantage.

Kobe wasn't about to force his own one-on-one game at a time like this.

If Kobe wasn't going to force it, neither was Su Xi.

Su Xi was even more unselfish than Kobe. He ran relentlessly, sometimes not even touching the ball, and yet the New York Knicks' offense was clicking on all cylinders.

The first quarter ended quickly.

The New York Knicks were ahead 29-27, a 2-point lead.

Kobe had 6 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in the quarter.

Su Xi had 7 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.

In terms of scoring, Su Xi was actually ahead by one point.

Because Su Xi had hit a three-pointer over Kobe.

He had only taken three shots and was shooting 100%.

Kobe, on the other hand, had taken five shots and only made three.

"I think Jack Su is being a punk! How can he play like that? He's supposed to be going all-out, one-on-one against Kobe! He has to do that to prove his iso game is better than Kobe's!"

Shaquille O'Neal said on television, sounding genuinely annoyed.

Because he genuinely wanted Su Xi to lose.

Barkley, sitting beside him, chuckled. He knew Little Sheep Su Xi all too well. He said, "But according to Kobe's rules, Jack isn't losing. He has one more point than Kobe, and he's more efficient. All he has to do is score more than Kobe, right? Why should he have to go one-on-one on every single play? If he did that, wouldn't he just be another Kobe?"

Barkley's last line was dripping with sarcasm.

Lakers fans watching at home were grinding their teeth in frustration.

Five years ago, O'Neal would have loved hearing a line like that.

After all, he hated Kobe back then, too.

But now, he 'hated' Su Xi more, and he wanted Su Xi to lose even more.

Kenny Smith chuckled. He and Charles Barkley usually bickered, and they rarely agreed on anything concerning Su Xi. But now, with O'Neal in the mix, he found Barkley's sharp wit rather endearing... After all, O'Neal was the one getting roasted and left speechless, not him.

He even thought Barkley was being rather witty.

So, he added, "Look, in the entire NBA, no player is better at exploiting the rules than Jack Su. It's going to be very, very difficult for Kobe to box him in."

That was certainly true.

Many fans watching at home deeply agreed. Hadn't Su Xi spent years exploiting loopholes? He was practically toying with the rules.

At that moment, O'Neal boomed, "No, you're all wrong. The moment Jack Su agreed to this duel, he was doomed to lose. No matter what loopholes he tries to exploit, he can't beat Kobe. That's the real bottom line."

"If you don't believe me, just you wait and see!"