Chapter 46

"Damn, this kid is really tough as hell."

Feeling the immense power coming from the slender body behind him, Karl Malone was extremely uncomfortable. In the entire NBA, there weren't many players Karl Malone feared, and even fewer at the power forward position. Players like Dennis Rodman, the best defensive player at the four, and Charles Barkley, the best offensive player, both had ways to deal with Malone. If Malone faced these two, he would indeed need to put in a lot of effort. However, even these two superstars, Rodman with his poor offensive skills and Barkley with his short stature, didn't make Malone particularly afraid.

The only exception was the young power forward, Shawn Kemp, who had recently risen in the league. This guy was truly extraordinary. He didn't look particularly large, but his strength was astonishing. Malone found it difficult to dominate him in the post. If he tried to drive to the basket, Kemp's agility had caused many turnovers for Malone in the previous season's playoffs. As for the classic pick-and-roll with Stockton, even though it created short mid-range shooting opportunities, Kemp would use his athletic and jumping abilities to quickly return to Malone's front and block him.

Moreover, Malone was even more frustrated when he chose to post up in the paint. Even if he created an opportunity, he still had to worry about Kemp's terrifying second jump to block him. In the fourth game of the previous season's playoffs between the Supersonics and the Jazz, Kemp had 3 steals and 5 blocks against Malone. Where did these steals and blocks come from? Malone's 6 turnovers in that game gave a clear answer.

This young power forward's defensive skills weren't particularly outstanding, and his offensive skills weren't superhuman either. But what was most frustrating was that his athletic abilities could make up for any deficiencies in defensive or offensive skills. Even with mediocre defensive skills, he could still average 2 steals and 2 blocks per game. Even with average offensive skills, he could still contribute around 18 points per game. If you had the skills, you could try to bite him.

Moreover, after four years in the league, Kemp was no longer a rookie lacking experience. Malone couldn't play him like he used to play young big men. Therefore, at the beginning of the game, Malone's strategy was very clear: to use his superstar status, not to take mid-range shots after a pick-and-roll, but to drive directly to the basket, and to create damage in the paint. In the current NBA, Malone had the benefit of superstar calls, and this strategy worked well in the first half. With Malone's ample energy, he dominated Kemp in the first half. However, this style of play couldn't last the entire game. Even though Malone was known for his endurance, such a collision-based style of play was unsustainable, even for Wilt Chamberlain. In the second half, Malone became increasingly frustrated. He couldn't post up, he couldn't drive to the basket, and his mid-range shots were heavily contested. Unless Malone had an incredible shooting night, he would struggle, and his shooting wasn't particularly good in this game.

In the final quarter, with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp effectively neutralizing the Jazz's key offensive players, the game became a defensive battle. The Supersonics' offense wasn't much better in the decisive moments, and the physical nature of the game drained both teams' energy. Despite the Jazz's struggles, the score remained tightly contested with the Supersonics.

"This game is heading for a game-winner."

The game between the Jazz and the Supersonics was a grind for both teams, with every score being extremely difficult. In the fourth quarter, the Jazz scored 16 points in the first three minutes, but only 8 points in the next 6 minutes. The sound of missed shots from both teams left the commentators on the sidelines in despair. The game became increasingly rigid and entangled.

"With just over 2 minutes left, the score is tied at 93. Gary Payton is controlling the ball. Lin Han is staying one step away from Payton, making it difficult for him to break through easily. At this point, a jump shot isn't a good decision. So far, the players on both teams, except for Lin Han, have low shooting percentages. Karl Malone, the Jazz's star big man, is 7 for 21 from the field and 8 for 14 from the free-throw line, scoring 22 points. He also has 5 steals and 2 blocks, showing that he faced significant challenges on both ends of the court. His opponent, Shawn Kemp, has already committed 5 fouls but remains in the game."

"If the game comes down to a game-winner or a crucial shot to save the team, I think the Trail Blazers have an advantage. They have more players who can execute the final play. Neither Malone nor Stockton is suitable for the final play in this game."

As the game, which felt like a mud pit, approached its end, the score remained tied at 93 and then 95. Payton, facing Lin Han who was one step away, leaned into him, spun his back, and easily shook him off. He then made a difficult jump shot over Spencer. After Payton's shot, Lin Han, using a double screen from Malone and Stockton, managed to break free from Payton's defense and receive the ball. Just as Payton caught up, Lin Han made a difficult turnaround jump shot from the left side of the free-throw line. The degree of his lean was so extreme that it seemed he might have twisted his waist. In fact, every time Payton defended Lin Han, his jump shots were so extreme that he almost fell to the ground.

"This year's Jazz is really different."

As the final minutes of the game approached, the Supersonics' head coach, George Karl, began to tap his right foot nervously. The tension was natural, as the game was a torture for both players and coaches.

If it were last year's Jazz, they would have surrendered by now. With Malone's shooting performance, the team couldn't find anyone to score in the final moments, leading to frequent failures in crucial situations. However, this year's Jazz had found another scoring option besides Malone. Watching Lin Han and Payton exchange "answer balls," George Karl was momentarily stunned.

"Maybe I need to design a specific defensive strategy for him in the next game?"

Looking at the Jazz's No. 8 player on the court, George Karl muttered to himself.

As the game neared its end, the Supersonics fans in the stands became increasingly frantic.

With 46 seconds left, the Supersonics' center, Sam Perkins, broke free from Spencer's defense, drifted to the right 45-degree three-point line, and hit a long two-pointer off a pass from Payton, giving the Supersonics a 97-95 lead.

With 31 seconds left, Spencer, who had just been scored on by Perkins, quickly responded. The not-so-offensive big man grabbed a key offensive rebound after Malone's failed post-up against Kemp and scored a putback, keeping the Jazz alive. The Supersonics fans in the stands sighed, and Lin Han, standing at the top of the key with his hands on his hips, was catching his breath, unable to make two consecutive offensive plays.

"Damn, this is really bad. With less than 30 seconds left, Payton's strategy to control the clock is correct. Dragging the game to the last second before attacking is the best choice. However, his pass to Ricky Pierce was not decisive enough. Pierce doesn't have much time, and this rushed shot is hard to make. Payton should have taken the shot himself. Malone grabbed the defensive rebound, and it looks like the Jazz will call a timeout."

"Wait, no, the Jazz didn't call a timeout. Coach Sloan's gesture is to push up. With just over 5 seconds left, the Jazz don't want to give the Supersonics a chance to set up their defense."

"This is a good decision. Neither team can score in less than 6 seconds, so the Jazz's aggressive approach, though risky, is the best choice."

Watching the Jazz sprint forward and the Supersonics quickly retreat, Hiko Ma's heart tightened.

The Jazz's fast break was indeed swift. Malone passed the ball to Stockton, who pushed it up the court. The Supersonics' defenders, like a tightening net, were retreating but also gradually closing in on Stockton and Malone. With the remaining time, Stockton and the Jazz had only one passing option: either Stockton could shoot or pass to Malone or Lin Han. There was no time for any teamwork. The Supersonics, though hurried in their retreat, were not overly tense.

Lin Han was being closely guarded by Payton. Although Payton couldn't play aggressively or cut off Lin Han's passing lanes in the fast break, the other Supersonics players were confident that Payton could handle Lin Han. Therefore, they focused on Malone and Stockton, ignoring the other Jazz players.

"This time, I won't give you any chance."

Racing shoulder to shoulder, by this point, both Payton and Lin Han knew each other's moves extremely well. As Lin Han crossed half-court, Payton consistently stayed half a step ahead, knowing Lin Han's attack zones. Although he couldn't cut off Lin Han's passing lanes, he could position himself where Lin Han would receive the ball most comfortably.

So, although they were shoulder to shoulder, Payton still had some energy left, while Lin Han was truly exhausted. His legs felt like lead, and he didn't have the energy to respond to Payton's challenge.

"Let's go all out!"

Just as Payton planned to stay with Lin Han and be in the best position at the crucial moment, Lin Han suddenly bit his lip and accelerated. Although his acceleration wasn't fast, it was enough to catch Stockton's attention, who was hesitating between passing to Lin Han or Malone, and to surprise Payton.

"No matter how hard you try or how fast you accelerate, you can't shake me off."

In just a moment, Lin Han was again suppressed by Payton. However, seeing the three-point line ahead, Lin Han's eyes sparkled.

By using his last bit of energy to accelerate, although Payton could easily keep up, when Lin Han suddenly stopped at the left 45-degree three-point line, his sudden brake caught Payton off guard, sending him flying forward.

"Damn!"

Seeing Lin Han kneel on one knee from the sudden stop and quickly stand up, Payton, who had been thrown a meter away, felt a chill.

At this moment, Stockton, who seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, was about to drive to the basket and, with the ball in his right hand, passed it backward. The ball found Lin Han, who had just stood up.

This brief passing moment allowed Payton, who had been thrown a distance, to struggle to catch up. However, due to the distance, he could only stay close to Lin Han without interfering. When Payton caught up, Lin Han had already turned his back to him. As Payton prepared to jump and block, Lin Han also jumped, and Payton's blocking hand almost touched Lin Han's fingertips. But at that moment, Lin Han had already released the ball.

Seeing Lin Han fall outside the three-point line after releasing the ball, Payton instinctively looked at the basket. At that moment, almost everyone in the arena, including the Supersonics' head coach George Karl, who had stepped onto the court due to nervousness, was looking at the basket. The ball left Lin Han's fingers just as the game clock expired, and this three-pointer would decide the game.

With a "swish," the ball, watched by almost everyone in the arena, went through the hoop with a perfect swish. The entire arena fell silent.

Three-pointer made, game over!

At that moment, Lin Han, watching the ball go through the hoop, sat on the court and fiercely punched the air. Payton, standing in front of Lin Han, turned and stared at the ball on the ground, his body trembling.