Chapter 32

"Derek, don't you think you gave too much ball control to those two guys in the post today? Don't forget the coach's instructions. I'm the main offensive point in this game, and Mourning and Jones are just there to distract. And you don't think these two can match up against Malone or Chambers, do you?"

Marshburn was very unhappy after the game between the Jazz and the Mavericks started. It wasn't because the Mavericks were trailing from the start. For him, whether the Mavericks were behind in the first quarter had nothing to do with his mood. He believed he could lead the team to a comeback. As for the fact that the team's two post players were dominated by Malone and Chambers, two All-Star level post players, that was fine as long as they didn't take his ball control.

However, it was clear that after the game started, the Mavericks' head coach Quinn Buckner, in an attempt to test and contain the Jazz's offensive post players, actually set up tactics for the team's two almost bench-warming post players. This tactic was clearly a huge failure. While Buckner's idea wasn't wrong— if Malone and Chambers weren't in good form, the Mavericks, who had an advantage in the perimeter, might have a chance to steal a win— the reality was that the players executing his plan were just too weak.

Marshburn couldn't stand it anymore. He had been waiting to take down Lin Han, a fellow rookie he disliked. It wasn't because he had any personal grudge against Lin Han. In fact, they had never even spoken. Marshburn wasn't that petty. The reason he disliked Lin Han wasn't about Lin Han himself, but about the things Lin Han represented, which Marshburn didn't like.

For example, six months ago at the Chicago Talent Camp, why did Marshburn go to the talent camp? As a top rookie, he could have been a top-five pick without attending the camp. According to the current NBA rookie signing model, the draft position didn't affect his income, and he had no interest in being the top pick. He went to the talent camp to show all the rookies and media what kind of player he was.

This year's draft was a big one, with many talented players joining, including Anfernee Hardaway, who was personally chosen by Jordan as his successor. Marshburn went to the camp to challenge the title of Jordan's successor, believing that among all the young players in the U.S., only he deserved it. Even Hardaway didn't deserve it, as Hardaway lacked Jordan's scoring desire and didn't mimic Jordan's signature move, the spin and fadeaway jump shot, as well as. Marshburn's spin and fadeaway jump shot was a perfect imitation of Jordan, even in his dribbling and driving style.

This hot rookie was modeling his offensive skills entirely after Jordan, and in fact, he was a true offensive all-rounder, whether in the post, facing the basket, or with the ball. He wanted to establish himself as "Jordan II" in the talent camp, but the media ignored him.

At the talent camp, all the media surrounded Hardaway, which Marshburn couldn't stand. While Hardaway's style wasn't like Jordan's, his good looks made him a heartthrob, and his slightly melancholic and cool demeanor charmed most fans and reporters. They didn't care about his playing style, so Marshburn almost lost hope in this "looks-first" world. It wasn't his fault that he wasn't as handsome as Hardaway.

Later, when the media finally started to talk about Jordan, they still ignored Marshburn. No matter how much he tried to show how similar he was to Jordan, his size made him less convincing compared to another rookie, Lin Han, who was almost considered Jordan's protégé. Marshburn suspected if Lin Han was really Jordan's protégé, but the answer was no, as both Jordan and Lin Han denied it. However, this made Marshburn really hate Lin Han.

After being heavily discouraged at the Chicago Talent Camp, Marshburn vowed to take down Hardaway and Lin Han, who had stolen his spotlight. Hardaway was strong and could be dealt with later, but Lin Han was an easy target. When he learned that the Mavericks' first opponent of the new season was the Jazz, the super rookie almost slept with a smile.

"Jamaal, I know you want to go after that kid, but I hope you can stay calm. While the media calls him trash, I don't think a trash player would be supported by Sloan, Malone, and Stockton."

Although he was also disappointed with the team's two post players, as the starting player, Derek Harper frowned at Marshburn. Marshburn was very strong, but his opponent might not be as weak as they thought.

"I know, you're so nagging. The Mavericks are where they are because of old-timers like you who are always hesitant."

Although Harper meant well, Marshburn wasn't very appreciative. Marshburn was one of the greatest players in Mavericks history, having joined the team ten years ago. He was the third man, and sometimes the second, after the "Golden Duo." As a point guard, he wasn't as flashy as Aguirre, never made the All-Star team, and even the current bench player Fat Lever was better, but he was now the team's leader.

However, his leadership was in jeopardy because the team's two stars, Marshburn and Jim Jackson, didn't respect him. His status in the locker room had plummeted, and even when Marshburn confronted him, he still held back.

Of course, Marshburn was ready to use Jordan's strongest move in this highly anticipated game to defeat Lin Han and establish himself as "Jordan II."

However, while the idea was good, whether it could be realized was another matter.

In this game, although Sloan publicly supported Lin Han by making him the starter, Lin Han didn't have much tactical importance. The Jazz's starting lineup, besides Stockton, had three offensive players, so Lin Han wouldn't get much ball control. He might be benched soon, making him a pseudo-starter.

In the first two minutes, Lin Han was just running with the team, not getting many opportunities. Since Marshburn wasn't the Mavericks' main offensive focus, Lin Han was relatively comfortable. He might have been able to leave the game with zero stats after a few more minutes.

However, Marshburn couldn't hold back any longer, and this gave Lin Han an opportunity.

"Kid, let me show you what a real Jordan-style spin and fadeaway jump shot looks like."

After receiving the pass from point guard Derek Harper on the right block, Marshburn didn't adjust and immediately spun to shoot over Lin Han, laughing arrogantly in mid-air. After the rookie completed the move, Lin Han was impressed. The move was very close to Jordan's, but Marshburn's size made it less aesthetically pleasing.

When Marshburn officially attacked Lin Han two minutes into the game, all the reporters on the sidelines were excited. They weren't there to watch Malone and Chambers dominate the Mavericks' post or Stockton show off his passing skills. They were there to see how Marshburn would toy with Lin Han.

"Beautiful spin and fadeaway, even if the form wasn't perfect, it went in."

"Ha, right, that Chinese kid didn't even jump. His eyes were good, but he thought he could intimidate Marshburn's shot away."

"Now we can expect how long Jerry Sloan can tolerate Lin Han's defense. I hope Marshburn can take advantage of this opportunity."

After Marshburn's attack, the reporters on the sidelines were waiting to see how long Sloan would tolerate Lin Han's poor defense. Sloan, a strict coach, was considering benching Lin Han immediately. Lin Han's defense was poor, and Sloan didn't plan to start him until he improved. However, the pressure from the media forced him to support Lin Han and give him the starting position.

In the end, this decision made Sloan quite conflicted. Benching Lin Han might lose his confidence, but keeping him might lose the lead. In the end, Sloan made a humane choice and kept Lin Han on the court.

On the court, Lin Han wasn't thinking much. He was just waiting for his teammates to pass him the ball. In the NBA, there's an unwritten rule that when a player is challenged one-on-one, the challenged player usually gets support from his teammates to retaliate. So, the NBA is full of one-on-one duels, and it's rare to see a player like Marshburn, who bullies a smaller player so arrogantly.

"Lin, do you have the confidence? This guy seems strong."

After Marshburn's spin and fadeaway, Stockton frowned and asked Lin Han, not liking the Mavericks' player.

"No problem, I'll get it back on the next play."

Wanting to use Jordan's signature move to teach him a lesson? Is that possible? In other areas, Lin Han admitted he was far behind Marshburn, but in Jordan's signature move, the spin and fadeaway jump shot, he wasn't afraid of any NBA rookie, including Marshburn.

"Kid, you seem pretty confident."

Lin Han's confidence was strong, and the veteran players on the Jazz seemed to want to see if he had NBA-level skills. So, on the next play, they passed the ball to Lin Han, and the others stepped back. The Mavericks did the same, clearly arranged by Marshburn.

For a moment, all the players stood aside, and the two rookies suddenly started a one-on-one duel, a rare sight in the NBA. The fans held their breath, and the coaches had different expressions. The Mavericks' coach was confident, while Sloan was deeply concerned.

The reporters lying under the basket were already capturing the moment of Lin Han getting blocked by Marshburn. Although both were small forwards, Marshburn was 2.03 meters tall, while Lin Han, a shooting guard playing small forward, was only 1.98 meters tall with a 1.98-meter wingspan. Making him go one-on-one with Marshburn was asking for a block.

When Lin Han received the ball, he completed all his offensive moves and lightly jumped. Marshburn, as the defender, also jumped. Lin Han's move was almost identical to Marshburn's, a spin and fadeaway jump shot, but even a non-basketball fan could see the difference.

"Really beautiful."

When Lin Han's sister, Lin Yu, saw her brother floating in the air and releasing the ball as if in slow motion, the young girl, who knew nothing about basketball, blurted out, "Really beautiful." The other fans and even the Jazz players, who had seen Lin Han's Jordan-like jump shots many times, were still amazed.

Because this time, Lin Han seemed to hang in the air like Jordan.

"How is this possible?"

Marshburn, who jumped at the same time as Lin Han, saw Lin Han maintaining a perfect jump shot form in the air while he was already falling. The super rookie was shocked.

"How can he have such hang time? This is impossible. No one in the league can do this spin and fadeaway jump shot like Jordan. This is impossible."

When Marshburn landed, Lin Han was thrown to the ground, but the ball he released swished through the net.

"Is this really the Chinese kid's move?"

Everyone on the sidelines was in disbelief, especially the reporters and fans who wanted to see Lin Han fail. Even Sloan was stunned.

"This is a perfect jump shot."

The photographers under the basket were thinking the same thing. It was like Jordan, no, it was almost Jordan. The image was just as beautiful.

After a brief, eerie silence, the crowd erupted. The Jazz players, after a moment of shock, surrounded Lin Han. They were amazed because Lin Han had never shown such a beautiful jump shot before. The lean, drifting, and hang time—if this guy wore number 23, no one would doubt he was Jordan.

"You've been hiding this move in practice, haven't you? Are you that freakish?"

"Aren't you afraid of hurting Jeff's confidence? Great job, kid, you're my best brother from now on."

"Karl, you shut up, or I'll kick you if we weren't the same last name."

Lin Han was a bit dazed too. After making that shot, he was momentarily unsure of what happened. Marshburn's physical advantages were overwhelming, almost leaving Lin Han no room to shoot. In the end, Lin Han made one of the most difficult shots of his career, and it actually went in.

Not only did he score, but he also heard a shocking electronic voice in his head.

"Congratulations, host, for perfectly executing a Kobe-style fadeaway jump shot. Host's Level 1 Kobe-style spin and fadeaway jump shot proficiency increased by 50%."

It was a pleasant surprise.

But no matter what, in this Jordan skill showdown, Marshburn was completely defeated!

"This must be a coincidence. I don't believe it. I absolutely don't believe you have this skill. We'll see."

Watching Lin Han surrounded by the Jazz players, Marshburn gritted his teeth and growled in his heart.

One time could be a coincidence, maybe two, but he didn't believe Lin Han could do it every time. He was ready to play a long game against Lin Han in this match.

(This chapter is a bit long, so it's a bit late. Please support with recommendations.)

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