Chapter 54

In Detroit, Michigan, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

This arena has seen the strongest Pistons team this year, not only because they have maintained their consistent iron-blooded defensive style, but also because the arrival of new coach Flip Saunders has brought a new offensive flair.

Although the Pistons can play smooth offense and score many high-scoring games, all teams in the league are well aware that what keeps the Pistons strong and at the top of the league is their tenacious defense.

With the second-lowest pace in the league, third in opponent scoring restriction, and fifth in defensive efficiency...

While the Pistons have also made a breakthrough this season by ranking fourth in offensive efficiency, defense remains the core of this iron-blooded team.

Especially at home in the Palace of Auburn Hills, this arena, which symbolizes the most passionate and intense spirit of the Motor City, has become a devil's home ground that strikes fear into the other 29 teams in the league.

The high-decibel screams, the continuous cheers, the repeated shouts, and the relentless boos for the visiting players all contribute to the final image of this steel city, standing out uniquely in NBA history.

However, today, the arena is deathly silent.

"Pretty quiet, not at all as terrifying as you said~"

Looking around, Chen Mu said, "Before we came, you kept warning me not to be provoked by the fans' words and to avoid making irrational moves. But it seems fine, no different from other home courts."

Chen Mu is no stranger to such situations. Many times during away games, as soon as Chen Mu steps onto the court, the atmosphere changes. The originally boisterous fans gradually become quiet, and some more friendly fans even start cheering for Chen Mu and the 76ers.

But the Palace of Auburn Hills is not a place for the faint-hearted.

"Chen, don't get too cocky~"

Webber laughed, "It's quiet now, that's because we just had a great run and stunned them."

"If you don't believe me, just wait until the timeout ends and you step back onto the court. When the Palace fans come to their senses and start booing you, you'll regret ever being born... ha ha!"

"Is it really that bad?"

Chen Mu laughed easily, "I'm not like Artest, who would fight with the fans. We Easterners are very polite~"

"Ha, right!"

Barnes laughed, "Who was it that just mocked the Pistons' second pick on the court? Is that part of your Eastern politeness? But it did feel good, ha ha!"

Amidst the laughter, the team didn't miss Coach Cheeks' instructions.

"Keep attacking, attacking, attacking! Important things need to be said three times!"

Cheeks punched the air, "You played great before, keep it up. Don't let the offensive momentum break. They will definitely make personnel adjustments. Dajuan is completely overpowered by Chen, he probably won't come back in this game."

Cheeks then turned to Chen Mu, "If they put Rasheed in, don't force the attack. Pass the ball more. Rasheed's defense is very different from Milicic's."

"I understand." Chen Mu nodded slightly. As the whistle signaling the end of the timeout sounded, Chen Mu looked up and saw that the Pistons had indeed made a substitution. The previous substitute frontcourt player was back on the bench.

On the sideline, two burly men stepped in. One of them, upon closer inspection, was not very tall, probably not even two meters.

But his incredibly muscular build was quite intimidating. Although Chen Mu had seen him countless times on TV, this was the first time he saw him up close, which still made him a bit nervous.

"Ben Wallace, the soul of the Pistons!"

This season, Ben Wallace averages only 7.3 points per game, but he grabs 11.3 rebounds. Under Saunders' offensive influence, he also averages 1.9 assists. Of course, his signature 2.2 blocks per game are also very prominent.

In addition, as a center, Ben Wallace can average 1.8 steals per game, a performance that is nothing short of impressive. It's no wonder that despite his average scoring not reaching double digits and his offensive methods being almost exclusively dunks, he was selected to the All-NBA Second Team, the All-Defensive First Team, and won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award this season.

With his dark skin, taut muscles that seem ready to burst with explosive power, and his wild afro, Ben Wallace's image has become one of the symbols of the Motor City, representing the defensive soul of the Pistons.

The other Wallace is even more terrifying, standing 6'10" and a versatile offensive talent. After spending a few years in the "Portland Prison," Rasheed Wallace was transformed through a major trade to the Motor City, from "another talent wasted" to "a key piece of a championship team."

"Chen, they'll probably use Rasheed to guard you."

As they stepped onto the court, Webber whispered, "Be extremely careful. I played with him on the Bullets for a year and know his capabilities well. He's not as carefree and easily angered as he looks. His fundamentals on defense are very solid. He has an incredible wingspan, good jumping ability, and is a defensive powerhouse who doesn't make mistakes!"

"Pass more, don't hold the ball. If you hold the ball, their paint will become your nightmare...!"

After the break, with about a minute left in the first quarter, the game resumed.

The Pistons took the first possession, and the ball was immediately passed to Rasheed.

"Trying to take me on...?"

Chen Mu's feet were firmly planted, showing no obvious weaknesses.

But Rasheed is not like Milicic, who hesitates. With a solid back, he leaned into Chen Mu, felt his defensive position, and suddenly spun around for a straight-arm fadeaway mid-range shot.

The ball fell precisely into the basket, no rebounds, no plays, no movement, no probing.

Rasheed Wallace, upon entering the game, used his versatile post-up skills to give Chen Mu a good lesson.

"YO!!! Rasheed! Great job!!!"

"Take down this cocky kid! Shoot him down, shoot him down!"

"Just beating Dajuan, and you think you're so great? Our Pistons' paint is not for you to trample on!!!"

A simple mid-range shot completely ignited the passion of the Palace of Auburn Hills. The fans roared, continuously attacking Chen Mu.

From the fans' faces, Chen Mu was surprised to find that although the score was still close, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after the starters came in, and then immediately became confident that they would win the game.

"Chen, stay calm!"

Webber reminded him, and Chen Mu nodded slightly, focusing on the offense.

After a series of passes, the ball came to Chen Mu. Just as he leaned back to find his defensive position, a black shadow suddenly appeared from the side.

"Be careful!"

Before Allen Iverson's warning reached Chen Mu's ears, the ball in his hands was cleanly stripped away by a quick hand.

"Ben...!"

Chen Mu was startled, looking up to see the Pistons already on the attack.

"Stay calm, work the offense!"

Billups also regained his composure, spreading out on the weak side, stacking on the strong side, and quickly passing the ball around the perimeter without taking any risks. The ball was eventually passed to Rasheed.

Rasheed pushed his way inside with his back, and Chen Mu felt a force he had never experienced before. Although he had faced Duncan before, Duncan was more of a player who preferred to win with technique, even when pushing inside, he wouldn't use full force.

But Rasheed was different. This basketball demon was incredibly strong, each collision was full of power, slamming into Chen Mu's chest. After a series of pushes, he smoothly reached the basket.

A simple move, Rasheed Wallace raised his right hand and scored a hook shot, adding two more points for the Pistons!

"What's going on?!! Where's your spirit? Your defense? Push up, push up hard!!"

Chen Mu was eaten up twice in a row, and Cheeks was getting anxious, shouting to remind Chen Mu to focus.

"I know...!"

Chen Mu nodded firmly, gritted his teeth, and stepped into the frontcourt for the offense.

With the two Wallaces in the paint, the Pistons' defense became much tighter. The two highly mobile frontcourt players constantly roamed, filling the paint with no room for any opportunities.

Allen Iverson dribbled into the paint, struggling to find a gap to shoot, but as soon as the ball left his hand, a black giant hand came down from the air.

"Big Ben! Great block!!!"

Ben Wallace appeared out of nowhere, swatting the ball away with one hand. As he landed, he was about to start a fast break, but a yellow-skinned figure rushed over.

"Rebound!"

With the help of his in-game boost, Chen Mu predicted the ball's landing point, extended his long arm to grab the ball, and immediately jumped to shoot.

"Chen! Pass the ball!!!"

Webber's shout was still in his ears, but Chen Mu couldn't afford to wait. His body was already in the air, the ball high above his head, the rim just a short distance away!

Behind Chen Mu, two long arms suddenly appeared, intertwining with Ben Wallace's raised hands, forming an impenetrable defense.

The Detroit No-Fly Zone!

Chen Mu knew it was bad, but it was too late to adjust. In the collision of four arms, he found a tiny gap and shot the ball.

"Beep beep beep"

This shot was destined not to go in, with both the force and angle being terrible. A green ring flashed in Chen Mu's vision, but the two Wallaces had already completely controlled the air, making it almost impossible to grab the rebound.

"Beep"

But the long-awaited system notification suddenly appeared. In the corner of Chen Mu's eye, a bronze badge began to flash, a new badge he had just activated...!

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