Chapter 30

"Beep beep"

The referee's whistle sounded, signaling the end of the timeout. The players from both teams retook their positions, and the game resumed!

Allen Iverson, the league's most elusive guard, who had just scored a career-high 60 points last year, dribbled the ball carefully as he advanced to the front court.

Facing the not-so-tight defense of the Rockets' starting point guard, Rafer Alston, it wasn't difficult for Iverson to get past him.

In fact, most of the 76ers' points up to this point had come from Iverson easily shaking off Alston, either driving to the basket or taking jump shots.

But at this moment, the scoring champion seemed to have no intention of scoring immediately.

"Hmm..."

Looking at his teammates constantly moving into position, Iverson's clear and spirited eyes finally focused on a tall player with yellow skin.

"Chinese kid..."

Iverson softly repeated the nickname given to Chen Mu by the fans, a smile spreading across his face. It seemed he had a plan in mind.

"There's a chance!"

Seeing Iverson slightly distracted, Alston quickly moved to steal the ball. But just as his right hand was about to touch the basketball, a black shadow flashed before his eyes. The ball, as if by magic, reacted swiftly under the control of a skilled hand.

"Too slow~"

Iverson suddenly increased his dribbling speed, using a behind-the-back dribble to shake off Alston's steal attempt. He then accelerated, darting past the "Streetball King" like the wind.

"Oh no!"

Alston realized the danger and hurriedly turned to chase, shouting to his teammates to help with the defense as he ran.

"Juwann! Help the defense!"

Juwann Howard, the veteran power forward known to the fans as "Uncle Ho," took two quick steps forward, blocking Iverson's path. He raised his hands high, ready to prevent Iverson from suddenly taking a jump shot.

Behind Iverson, Alston caught up. Though his defensive skills weren't outstanding, Alston's speed was no joke. The "Soul of the Street" wasn't just famous for his dribbling skills.

"Hey~"

With defenders in front and behind, Iverson remained calm. His hands performed a magical maneuver, and he suddenly stopped, followed by a signature crossover dribble, easily bypassing Alston.

"Double team!"

Iverson's dribbling speed was extremely fast. Alston and Howard formed a defensive wall, cutting off any path to the basket for the former MVP.

However, Iverson had no intention of attacking the basket. After a between-the-legs dribble, he held the ball with his right hand, positioned between his wrist and arm. Then, using his right foot as a pivot, he executed a lightning-fast spin. When he returned to his original position, the ball was gone.

"...?!!"

Alston and Howard were both surprised, having completely missed when Iverson passed the ball. When they turned around, a player with yellow skin was already holding the ball, preparing to take a jump shot.

"It's the Chinese kid! He's going to take a mid-range shot!!!"

On the sidelines, the commentators and fans held their breath. They were well aware that the big man the team had just signed was best known for his rebounding and least known for his shooting!

However, at this moment, it seemed Chen Mu and the team's star, Iverson, were on the same wavelength. Instead of moving to the inside to draw Howard's defense, Chen Mu stepped out to the left side of Howard's defensive area, creating a subtle distance from Iguodala, who was already in position.

This perfect positioning seemed to align with Iverson's intentions. His pass, like a ghost, quickly flew through the only available path, shooting towards Chen Mu like a bullet.

Upon receiving the ball, Chen Mu, like a loaded rifle, immediately jumped and took a jump shot without hesitation.

"Swish...!"

The ball left Chen Mu's fingertips, spinning in the air. Observant fans noticed that Chen Mu's shooting form seemed somewhat familiar, evoking a somewhat old memory in their hearts.

But if asked to explain, they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

"Why does this shooting form seem so familiar...?"

The ball danced through the air, and before Chen Mu landed, Yao Ming's hands were already raised high, using his broad back to block the 76ers' starting center, Steven Hunter, from behind, determined to secure the rebound.

"Receiving the ball, shooting, upper body posture, shooting hand form, wrist angle and force, finger touch..."

Chen Mu recalled the details of his shot, reviewing everything in his mind. A smile spread across his lips as he whispered to himself, "No problem!"

This shot was going in!

"...Swish!"

Sure enough, the ball spun like a precision-guided weapon, accurately drilling into the net without touching the rim. It was a perfect mid-range shot!

"...?!!!"

The entire arena fell silent for a moment, as everyone seemed to disbelieve what they had just seen. Could this Chinese player, known only for his rebounding, really have made a mid-range shot? And such a perfect swish? Was this all just an illusion??

"...Wow!!!"

When everyone finally reacted, Chen Mu had already landed, his right fist clenched, a confident smile on his face.

"The Chinese kid... The Chinese kid made the mid-range shot! Hahaha!!!"

The fans went wild, shouting in excitement. No one had expected this player, thought to be only capable of rebounding, to make such a beautiful mid-range shot. The Wachovia Center instantly erupted, the cheers almost lifting the roof off the arena!

"Nice pass...!"

On the way back to defend, Chen Mu stepped up to Iverson, a calm and confident smile on his face, as if making that mid-range shot was just another routine task, as common as eating or drinking.

"...Hey!"

Seeing Chen Mu's extended hand, Iverson was initially taken aback, then he glanced at Chen Mu's expression with a playful look, smiled, and extended his hand to give Chen Mu a crisp high-five.

"Clap!"

This moment was captured by the camera and displayed on the large screen in the center of the arena. The fans were ecstatic, delighted by the good chemistry between the new player and the team's star.

"Defense...!!"

Back in their half of the court, Chen Mu shouted, and the 76ers players all became energized, bending down with full concentration to defend against the Rockets' attack.

"Thump thump thump... Swish!"

Facing Iguodala's defense, Tracy McGrady seemed indifferent, dribbling the ball casually before suddenly taking a jump shot.

"Beep beep beep"

Rebound!

A green ring appeared before Chen Mu's eyes. He quickly returned to the basket, using his back to shield the aging Howard, and then raised his hands to cleanly grab the rebound.

Quickly passing the ball, Chen Mu took large strides towards the front court. Having not played a formal game for a month, Chen Mu was eager to get back into action. The increase in his physical attributes made his body condition noticeably better, making it impossible for the already fatigued Howard to keep up.

Iverson received Chen Mu's pass and dribbled with lightning speed. Unlike Nash, who had an elegant yet wild style, Iverson's dribbling was like a possessed sprite, each dribble exuding a sense of spirit. Despite being the shortest player on the court, he had an incredibly strong presence.

"Allen...!"

In the front court, Chen Mu had already positioned himself beyond the three-point line, hands on his hips, and gave Iverson a nod.

"...This Chinese kid...!"

Seeing Chen Mu's action, Iverson smiled, feeling a growing fondness for this hardworking rookie.

"Thump"

The pick-and-roll was executed smoothly. Iverson stepped past Chen Mu from the left, and the pursuing Alston was blocked by Chen Mu, unable to get through. Alston quickly shouted for his teammates to help.

"COMING!"

McGrady was already in pursuit, closely following Iverson from behind. Despite the significant height difference, McGrady, known for his defense early in his career, was not worried.

"As long as you dare to take a layup, I'll block it from behind...!"

Iverson sprinted forward, and McGrady chased from behind. The hearts of the fans in the arena were gripped with tension, fearing that their hero might be blocked.

"Hey~"

But Iverson clearly wasn't concerned. He continued to step forward, jumping near the basket and raising the ball with one hand, about to score with a layup.

"No scoring...!"

McGrady also leaped, extending his long arms, almost touching the rising ball.

However, at that moment, Iverson suddenly pulled his right hand back, still in the air, and quickly passed the ball to the right side of McGrady's body.

Iverson's fingers flicked, and the ball was smoothly passed. McGrady was astonished, his face showing a rare look of surprise, but his body was already out of control, and he could only watch helplessly as the ball was passed.

"Nice pass...!"

Behind the two, Chen Mu, who had already moved from his original position, smiled and reached out to catch the ball. He then, to the amazement of the entire audience, smoothly jumped and took another mid-range shot.

Alston, who should have been defending Chen Mu at this moment