boyutpedia Chapter 3 The Butcher of Vegas
Chapter 3 The Butcher of Vegas
June 26, 2008, Madison Square Garden Theater, New York.
The scene of the talent show.
David Stern, the NBA's dictator and the creator of a business empire, walked onto the stage with almost mechanical steps. In his hand lay the envelope that would determine the fate of countless people.
The first round is over. Derrick Rose went to Chicago without a doubt, and Michael Beasley went to Miami. For New York Knicks fans, the first wave of boos came when they drafted the Italian Danilo Gallinari in the first round.
Now, it's the 35th pick's turn.
Stern cleared his throat, his voice sounding as if it came from an old phonograph:
"In the 2008 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks selected... Li Xiangbei from the University of Memphis with the 35th overall pick!"
After a brief half-second delay.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOO——!!!"
If the boos directed at Gallinari earlier were an expression of dissatisfaction, then the boos erupting at Madison Square Garden now were nothing short of an outpouring of hatred.
The television broadcast cut to a bar in New York where fans were gathered.
A fat white man wearing an Ewing jersey angrily gave a thumbs-down to the camera, his face turning a deep purplish-red, and roared with spittle flying: "Is Donnie Walsh crazy?! What we need is an inside presence! Defense! Not some Asian guy who can only shoot 58-second-per-second shots! He can't even jump over a newspaper!!"
Another fan threw his beer directly at the screen: "Damn it! This is absolutely a conspiracy to trick Chinese people into buying jerseys! This is a disgrace to basketball!"
In the TNT studio, watching this scene, Kenny Smith couldn't help but joke, "Wow, it seems Lee's popularity in New York is second only to Bin Laden. I think if Lee were walking the streets of Brooklyn right now, he'd better wear a helmet."
Barkley laughed gleefully: "That's New York, man. If you can't conquer them, they'll devour you. But I have to say, picking a guy with a vertical jump of only 60 centimeters? That's exactly what the Knicks would do."
……
Meanwhile, in an apartment in Memphis.
Li Xiangbei was curled up on the sofa, even holding a freshly opened can of Coke. Watching the chorus of boos and middle fingers being raised at him on TV, his expression was as calm as if he were watching a boring soap opera.
"These New Yorkers have quite the loud voices."
Just then, the phone on the coffee table vibrated. The caller ID read: Donnie Walsh.
Li Xiangbei pressed the answer button, but before he could speak, the Knicks' new president's slightly apologetic voice came from the other end.
"Hey Lee... listen, don't listen to those voices on TV. That's just how New Yorkers are, they'll even boo God. Just get to camp and show your projection..."
Walsh was clearly a little panicked. He was betting that if Li Xiangbei really wasn't worth the price of admission, even if he was just a second-round pick, the harsh New York media would still stigmatize him as the president.
Li Xiangbei took a sip of cola, the bubbles bursting on his tongue, bringing a refreshing sensation.
"Do you care? No, Donnie, I like it very much."
Li Xiangbei's voice, coming through the receiver, carried a calmness and a hint of...excitement that Walsh found unfamiliar.
"Remember these boos, Donnie. Record this moment." Li Xiangbei looked at the fan tearing his poster off the TV screen, a slight smile playing on his lips. "One month. Just one month, and I'll have those bastards lining up at Madison Square Garden to apologize to me."
……
July 15, 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thomas & Mark Center.
NBA Summer League: New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat.
Las Vegas summers are like an oven, the air thick with the smell of dry dust and the scent of desire.
Although it's just the Summer League, the arena was packed to capacity today.
Because the Miami Heat have the most talented player in this draft class—the second overall pick, Michael Beasley.
Averaging 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game in the NCAA, he was an offensive kaleidoscope and a brilliant left-handed player. Some say that if it weren't for his occasional lapses in judgment and penchant for getting into trouble, he would have been the true number one draft pick.
As for the Knicks? Apart from Li Xiangbei, the 35th pick who was at the center of the media storm, the rest were all undrafted players and homeless people struggling to make a living.
Warm-up activity.
Beasley chewed gum, his eyes glazed and unfocused, as if he hadn't sobered up from a nightclub hangover the night before. He casually shot a basket, his gaze sweeping across the Knicks' half of the court before finally settling on Li Xiangbei.
He crossed the center line and whistled at Li Xiangbei in a highly provocative manner.
"Hey, Mr. 58 Seconds." Beasley's nonchalant attitude made you want to punch him. "I heard you're pretty accurate? But in the NBA, there's no Calipari here to design plays for you. Watch out, or I'll steal the ball before you even release it."
Li Xiangbei was tying his shoelaces. Upon hearing this, he slowly stood up.
At this moment, the familiar pale blue light screen appeared on his retina.
[System Activation: Summer League Mode]
[Guaranteed winning quota: 5/5 (remaining today)]
[Passive Skill: Trash Talk King (Beginner) is equipped]
[Target detected: Michael Beasley. Talent rating: S-. Mental attributes: C- (Irritable, Inattentive).]
He was the perfect prey.
Li Xiangbei looked at Beasley, expressionless, and adjusted his wristband: "Michael, your tone is more arrogant than your defense. Hopefully, your legs won't go weak like they did in the nightclub last night."
Beasley's expression changed: "What did you say? You Asian monkey..."
"beep--!"
The referee blew the whistle, and the game began.
The Heat won the jump ball.
Without any specific tactics, the Heat's point guard simply passed the ball to Beasley. The entire crowd erupted in cheers; they had come specifically to see Beasley go one-on-one.
Beasley holds the ball and faces Li Xiangbei.
"I'm going to devour you alive." Beasley lowered his center of gravity and dribbled between his legs twice in a row. His movements were elegant and fast, showing that he truly had the talent of a top forward.
Li Xiangbei did not retreat; his eyes were fixed on Beasley's waist and abdomen—that was the ironclad rule of defense.
Beasley suddenly feinted to the right, preparing to pull up for a shot.
In that very instant.
[Passive trigger: Opponent underestimates you, revealing an opening.]
Li Xiangbei made a move.
Although his physical test results for explosive power were average, that was because he was in an "unactivated" state. With the system's support, his starting speed was astonishingly fast in that instant!
The moment Beasley clapped the ball, Li Xiangbei reached out his hand.
"Snapped!"
A crisp sound of the ball being sliced.
Beasley's hand went empty, and before he could even react, the ball was gone!
"What?!" the commentator exclaimed. "Li Sheng intercepted Beasley's pass! That prediction was incredibly accurate!"
After intercepting the ball, Li Xiangbei immediately accelerated towards the frontcourt.
Enraged, Beasley used his superior physical abilities to frantically chase after him: "Trying a fast break? Dream on!"
The two rushed across the three-point line one after the other.
Li Xiangbei suddenly stopped.
Normally, fast breaks involve layups or dunks. But Li Xiangbei stopped beyond the three-point line.
Beasley couldn't stop in time and lunged forward, trying to deliver a powerful block or a chase-down block.
However, Li Xiangbei didn't jump at all.
He stood there, watching Beasley fly overhead like a moth drawn to a flame. Then, he caught the ball with one hand and gently pushed it towards the basket.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 1/5]
The movements were extremely casual, like shooting a basketball on a basketball shooting machine.
"brush!"
The basketball went through the net cleanly.
3:0.
The entire arena erupted in uproar. This was utterly humiliating! He faked out the second overall pick and then shot from a standing position?
Li Xiangbei turned around and shrugged at Beasley, who landed looking completely bewildered: "Michael, your defense is like the Las Vegas Strip at four in the morning—full of holes. Also, don't jump so high; you might break your brain."
[McBeasley's rage increased by 20%]
[Defensive lateral movement speed increased by 4%]
……
The next five minutes became Beasley's nightmare.
Enraged, the genius unleashed a frenzied one-on-one attack. He wanted to get his revenge and humiliate the arrogant second-round pick with points.
But he found that no matter how he changed direction, the guy named Li Xiangbei was like a piece of chewing gum that he couldn't shake off, sticking to him tightly.
"Damn it! How could you be so fast?!" Beasley cursed after his change of direction was blocked.
Li Xiangbei pressed his body against his, feeling the other's rapid breathing, and whispered, "Because you're too slow. Did that blonde girl drain you of all your energy last night? Your first step is like that of an eighty-year-old woman."
Rage value +50%
[Defensive lateral movement speed increased by 10%]
Beasley lost his temper. He ignored his open teammates and forced a pull-up jumper over Li Xiangbei.
However, when he was consumed by anger and distracted, his hands felt cold.
"when!"
Blacksmithing.
Possession changes.
Li Xiangbei receives the ball.
At this moment, a cold glint flashed in Li Xiangbei's eyes. He had laid a solid defense; it was time to show his true skills.
He dribbled the ball across half-court, just past the center circle logo, and everyone was waiting for him to get into position or pass the ball.
Li Xiangbei suddenly stopped, gathered the ball, and jumped.
The Heat guard defending him was two meters away and never expected him to fire from that distance.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 2/5]
【Logo Shot】
The basketball traced a high, rainbow-like arc.
"brush!"
Another one in!
"My God! He shot from center court?! And it's only halfway through the game!" The Summer League commentator slammed his fist on the table in excitement. "Does this guy think this is a video game? Is he using cheat codes?!"
Before the audience could even recover from the shock of that long-range three-pointer...
Next round.
Li Xiangbei crossed half-court using a screen. The Heat's 2.13-meter center, Mark Blunt, stood in front of him, like a mountain blocking out the sky.
Pass? Float?
No.
Li Xiangbei jumped directly towards the center forward.
Blunt's large hand almost blocked Li Xiangbei's face, making it visually impossible for him to score.
[Guaranteed winning amount: 3/5]
Ignore interference
Li Xiangbei didn't even adjust the arc in the air, just flicked his wrist by feel.
The ball grazed past Blunt's fingertips.
"brush!"
Facial! Even if you're seven feet tall, even if you're completely covered in eyelids, it'll still go in!
13:4. The Knicks forced a Heat timeout.
Pause back.
Beasley's eyes were already somewhat unfocused, a sign that he was being defended so badly he was questioning his existence. But he still forced himself to try and block Li Xiangbei's shot.
Li Xiangbei dribbled to the right corner.
Beasley stuck to him tightly, gritting his teeth: "You're not getting another shot! If this goes in, I'll eat the basketball..."
He hadn't finished speaking.
Li Xiangbei suddenly stopped dribbling. He turned his head and looked at Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who was standing just two meters away on the sidelines.
At this moment, all eyes were on him.
Li Xiangbei pointed to the three-point line at his feet and asked Spoelstra:
"Hey coach, does that count as a three-pointer?"
Spoelstra was taken aback, then nodded subconsciously.
The instant he nodded, Li Xiangbei turned his head, without even looking at the basket, closed his eyes, and pulled up for a shot right in front of Beasley!
This is a blatant insult! It's not just disrespecting the second overall pick; it's provoking the entire Heat team!
[Guaranteed winning amount: 4/5]
[Show-off level: MAX]
Beasley reached out in despair, but could only touch the corner of Li Xiangbei's clothes that were being blown by the wind.
The basketball spun in the air, accompanied by gasps from everyone.
"brush--!"
The crisp sound of the net hitting the net shattered Beasley's last shred of pride.
The entire Thomas & Mark Center was in complete chaos!
"My God!!" The commentator jumped up from his chair. "He asked Coach Spoelstra, then closed his eyes and sank a three-pointer?! That's absolutely the most audacious shot in Summer League history! Bar none!"
"Li Xiangbei! He didn't come here to play basketball, he came here to be a butcher! He slaughtered the second overall pick in Las Vegas!"
The camera focuses on Beasley, the once-proud young man, who stands with his hands on his hips, looking at Li Xiangbei's back. The contempt he showed at the beginning is gone, replaced by a deep fear and confusion.
He made 5 of 20 shots throughout the game, and was defended like a complete novice.
The second-round pick, Li Xiangbei, played for 15 minutes, making all 5 of his shots, all three-pointers, and also had 5 steals.
Li Xiangbei was substituted off the field.
As he passed the Heat's bench, he didn't even glance at Beasley, but simply nodded politely to Spoelstra, who was still in shock.
"Thank you for confirming, Coach. This floor is indeed quite standard."
After saying that, amidst the shocked and enthusiastic cheers of the audience, he draped a towel over himself, sat at the very end of the bench, and picked up the bottle of Gatorade again, as if he had just accomplished a trivial task.
On this day, Las Vegas remembered a name.
Meanwhile, Knicks fans in New York, watching on TV, suddenly felt... that this yellow-skinned kid wasn't so bad after all?
Post-match press conference.
Surrounded by reporters, Li Xiangbei smiled slightly when asked whether he believed he was stronger than Beasley.
"Michael is very talented."
Just when the reporter thought he was going to be modest, Li Xiangbei changed the subject.
"But he hasn't learned how to win yet. Also, please give a message to the fans in New York for me."
Li Xiangbei faces the camera.
"Don't rush to tear down my posters. Because soon you'll find it'll be a hassle to stick them back on."
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant, who had just lost the NBA Finals this year, turned off the television.
"That's interesting."