Chapter 57

"Yellow-skinned monkey! Get out of here!"

"Don't even think about causing trouble at the Palace!"

"Want to make a game-winning shot? I think you're out of your mind!!"

Inside the Palace of Auburn Hills, the jeers and insults directed at Chen Mu never ceased. Almost every fan extended their hands, pointing viciously at the Chinese player who was unusually arrogant on the court, and cursed at him.

Chen Mu had become the public enemy of the entire city of Detroit.

"Chen! One more word and I'll have you sit down to cool off!"

Although Coach Cheeks said this, when he crossed his arms in front of his chest, he gave Chen Mu a thumbs up under his arms.

"Great job! That's the kind of dominance we need!"

Chen Mu was certain that what Cheeks truly wanted to say was this.

"YO, that was a strong response~"

Even Allen Iverson, who rarely spoke on the court, was amused by Chen Mu's actions. Taking advantage of the technical foul free throw by the Pistons, he came to Chen Mu's side and patted his back, saying, "But the NBA isn't a place that forgives big talk. You have to clean up your own mess!"

"Haha, that's easy~"

Chen Mu said with a carefree smile, "As long as we keep working hard and don't let the game drag into a game-winning moment, it'll be fine!"

"…Hey"

Iverson was taken aback by this, looking up at the fearless Chinese rookie and raising his eyebrows, "You, I don't know whether to call you stupid or incredibly smart."

As he spoke, Iverson turned and walked away, continuing, "That was a satisfying response. I've been driven crazy by their endless shouting and insults. It's a good time to cool off."

"But I want to make one thing clear. If the game really does come down to a game-winning moment, you have to stand on the left side of the key. Even if I die on the court, I'll pass the ball to you."

Iverson turned slightly, his eyes flashing with a cold light, and said seriously, "When the time comes, you have to put this damn ball in…!"

"Ha…"

Chen Mu took a deep breath, calmed down, and said confidently, "No problem!"

The game continued. After Chen Mu's antics, the 76ers' previously overly excited momentum instantly cooled down. The players moved more cautiously, and their actions were more careful. Several small fouls that had been called before would likely be called again if the physical play continued. Under the pressure of the home fans, the referees might compromise and make calls unfavorable to the 76ers.

On the offensive end, Allen Iverson remained unstoppable, with mid-range jump shots, layups in the paint, pull-up jumpers after screens from Chen Mu, and three-pointers from the baseline.

With constant movement, Hamilton's stamina was not yet an issue, but his mindset had changed.

This change was very subtle. While it wasn't surprising that he couldn't defend Iverson, the continuous scoring by the 76ers' star made Hamilton feel a bit embarrassed.

"It's all that Chinese kid's fault! What game-winning declaration, it's utterly foolish!"

Chen Mu's words not only affected Hamilton but also made the entire Pistons team less calm.

Although they knew it was just a rookie's boast, Chen Mu had indeed performed strongly in the game.

When the Pistons' starters were off the court, Chen Mu would score wildly, repeatedly bullying the Pistons' bench players.

But when the two Wallaces returned, Chen Mu became extremely cautious, focusing on rebounding.

This ability to switch game states at any time was rare in a rookie. Chen Mu's bold words had calmed his teammates, shaken the opponents, and kept himself composed.

"Scared to shoot again! Look! This yellow-skinned monkey is being timid again!"

"Talking about a game-winning shot, ha, what a joke!"

"Rasheed, shut him down! This kid is all talk, no skills! He avoids you as soon as you come on the court!"

The fans' insults never stopped, each word forming a storm of madness in Chen Mu's ears.

Calm down, calm down!

Don't let their insults and taunts change your game. When facing the Wallaces, never shoot blindly!

Chen Mu constantly reminded himself, even as the fans cursed and insulted him, not to lose his composure.

"The best way to respond to insults and doubts on the basketball court is to play well and shut them up!"

In fact, before making the game-winning declaration, Chen Mu himself was already hot-headed, almost wanting to fight the fans.

At this moment, Chen Mu truly realized why Webber and others had specifically warned him before the game not to be overwhelmed by the passion at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

But after making the game-winning declaration, Chen Mu's mind instantly calmed down.

Looking at the fans in the stands who were constantly berating him, Chen Mu knew that none of them could be his match.

Their insults were not only directed at him but also at the Pistons players.

This emotion proved that his role on the court was growing, and neither the opponents nor the fans could ignore his power. It also continuously put pressure on the Pistons players. As long as he maintained his performance, the atmosphere in the arena would eventually be reversed!

"Slap!"

Another offensive rebound, the game had entered the fourth quarter. After a brief rest in the first half of the fourth quarter, Chen Mu returned to the court. His rebound count had already reached a staggering nineteen, with nine offensive rebounds, breaking his single-game rebound record!

"Just one more!"

In this lifetime, Chen Mu had never been so eager to grab another rebound. If he could grab one more, he would successfully enter the "Rebound Freak Club" with twenty rebounds in a single game, setting a new career high!

On the offensive end, the 76ers executed a beautiful play, with Webber scoring in the paint. But before they could set up their defense, the Pistons' brain, Billups, hit a chase-down three-pointer.

"Rookie, weren't you going to game-win us?"

On the way back to defend, Billups passed by Chen Mu and said, "I just hit a three, and we've taken the lead!"

Chen Mu did not respond but looked up. The score was now 85-82, with the Pistons leading and two minutes left in the game!

"Chen!"

Iverson made a direct pass, and the ball reached Chen Mu in the paint. The two Wallaces were still not back in the paint after Webber's cut, leaving Chen Mu with a clear path. He hesitated for a moment before jumping to dunk.

"Slap!"

A hand appeared from nowhere, swatting the ball out of Chen Mu's hands.

"AAAAAA!!!"

Ben Wallace, who had been frustrated by Chen Mu's rebounds all game, finally found an outlet. After swatting the ball out of bounds, he roared to the sky, venting his anger.

"Great play! Big Ben, well done!!!"

"Yellow-skinned monkey, where's your game-winning shot? Where's your scoring? Ha, what's the point of grabbing so many rebounds? You're just a draft reject, what can you do?"

"Shut him down! Big Ben, shut him down with Rasheed!"

This play reignited the fans' passion, and the taunts against Chen Mu continued, with no kind words.

"Don't mind it, let's keep attacking!"

Iverson patted Chen Mu's back and quickly moved to receive the ball. After a difficult one-on-one, he scored a tough layup.

"Damn, it's AI again!"

"No problem, look at that yellow-skinned monkey, he's completely out of gas. He's just showing off next to AI!"

"Get out! Go back to your hometown! Ha ha ha!"

The fans' taunts, his own regret, and the opponents' anger all weighed heavily on Chen Mu, making it hard for him to breathe.

Chen Mu sighed, dissatisfied with his recent performance.

"Not calm enough!"

Suddenly, Iguodala's voice rang out, and he slapped Chen Mu on the head, saying loudly, "Chen, that offensive choice wasn't calm enough!"

"Oh…?"

Chen Mu looked up, seeing Iguodala's stern face.

"That play, if you had passed one more time, there would have been an open spot at the baseline. You weren't calm enough!" Iguodala said quietly, "Don't pay attention to their insults. You're the one playing the game, not the fans! You're the one who needs to win, not the ones insulting you!"

"…Yes!"

Iguodala's simple words instantly cleared the confusion in Chen Mu's mind.

Yes, at this moment, the one standing on the NBA court and fighting is not those who are insulting him, but himself.

It's me, Chen Mu, the power forward from China!

"Phew…"

Chen Mu took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and reviewed his recent offensive choices, identifying his mistakes. Then he opened his eyes, and a new confidence shone in them.

Stay calm, make the right choices, and shut them up with a great performance!

Regaining his confidence, Chen Mu sprinted back to his half of the court. The Pistons' offensive attempt failed, and Chen Mu grabbed the rebound.

Iverson quickly attacked, passing to Iguodala, who scored a layup.

The Pistons slowed down their pace, and Billups passed to Rasheed, who, facing Chen Mu's defense, hit a fadeaway mid-range shot.

"Great play! Destroy him!"

"Destroy this boastful Chinese kid and send him back home!"

The fans' insults continued, but Chen Mu was unaffected, continuing to attack.

With 20 seconds left, the Pistons led 87-86 at home.

The game-winning moment had truly arrived!

"Thump, thump, thump"

On the court, Iverson controlled the ball, occasionally looking at the clock to calculate the time.

With 10 seconds left, Iverson accelerated from the top of the arc, came to the free-throw line, and suddenly pulled up for a mid-range shot.

"Clank"

The ball missed, and Coach Cheeks shouted for the players to foul. But a yellow-skinned figure leaped from the crowd.

"Rebound!!!"

In front of Chen Mu, the badge flashed continuously. He smoothly grabbed the offensive rebound and passed the ball back to Iverson, then quickly moved to the left side of the three-second area, extending his hands.

"Hmm…!"

Seeing Chen Mu's position and actions, Iverson suddenly realized that this was the spot Chen Mu had mentioned for the game-winning shot!

"Swish"

Breaking free from the defense, Iverson smoothly passed the ball to Chen Mu.

"Gesture, stance, remember the follow-through."

Chen Mu recalled the shooting fundamentals in his mind, raising the ball over his head. In front of him, a black shadow flew up, and Rasheed Wallace charged over to block the shot.

"Stay calm."

Chen Mu suddenly pulled the ball back, using a fake shot to completely fool Rasheed. Then he dribbled once and charged into the paint, raising the ball high with his right hand, charging towards the basket as if his body was on fire.

In front of him, Ben Wallace was coming to block, hands raised, ready to jump and block.

But in Chen Mu's eyes, there was only the basket…!