Chapter 85

April 2, 2006, Washington D.C.

Inside the MCI Center, an Eastern Conference playoff positioning game was underway.

The home team, the Wizards, had a certain advantage in their record, while the visiting 76ers had been on a tear since the All-Star break, achieving impressive results.

Currently, the Wizards were ranked sixth in the East, just half a game behind the fifth-place Pacers, with the potential to catch up at any time.

The 76ers, on the other hand, were ranked tenth in the East, still some distance from the playoffs.

In terms of team strength, many pre-game analysts believed there was a significant gap between the two teams.

At the start of the season, the Wizards and the 76ers were not on the same level. Analysts predicted that the 76ers would win around 35 games, while the Wizards would secure 45 wins and become a seed team in the East.

However, the season did not unfold as predicted. The Wizards' backcourt core, Gilbert Arenas, had made significant progress, and Caron Butler, who replaced the steal king Larry Hughes and came from the Lakers to Washington, was a pleasant surprise.

Additionally, other young players were rapidly growing, and Antawn Jamison played a stabilizing role.

However, the team's interior pillar, Brendan Haywood, regressed, and Etan Thomas was embroiled in endless disputes over the starting position, also showing a decline in performance.

Balancing these factors, the Wizards did not advance from their position last year; instead, they experienced a slight regression and a drop in ranking.

The 76ers, meanwhile, had a disastrous start to the season, even worse than what the analysts had anticipated. Especially after the news that starting center Samuel Dalembert was out for the season, everyone believed the 76ers would tank.

However, the arrival and rise of the Chinese player Chen Mu gave the team a chance to breathe.

Now, these two teams, with their different trajectories and distinct styles, were about to clash, and the sparks they would generate would be dazzling.

Back to the game.

Gilbert Arenas completed a three-point play, converting the free throw, and retreated to defend with his usual arrogant and cold-blooded demeanor, amidst the cheers of the fans.

On the 76ers' side, Hunter was replaced by Chen Mu and returned to the bench, dejectedly taking a towel to wipe his head, then angrily throwing it to the ground.

"These guys, they don't even try to score normally; they go for fouls on every play. Their physicality is just too strong...!"

The "guys" Hunter referred to were the Wizards' three-pronged backcourt.

Gilbert Arenas, with a body like a mahjong tile, had an upper body that seemed to break the limits of strength, with chest muscles like square meters and arms that were absurdly thick, resembling a black version of the white devil Bibby from the Kings era.

This incredibly strong body gave Arenas exceptional physicality and the ability to shoot under pressure. However, it also became a burden on his knees, leading to numerous injuries until his retirement.

Caron Butler, explosive and highly mobile, was a versatile player and an excellent wing partner.

However, few noticed that Butler's physicality was top-notch for a shooting guard and small forward, and his ability to draw fouls with limited ball possession was exceptional, with an impressive 87% free-throw accuracy.

In contrast, Antawn Jamison, a pseudo-big man who played more like a guard, was less prominent in drawing fouls. However, with 36 free-throw attempts per game, it wasn't insignificant.

Additionally, the Wizards' bench featured another foul-drawing expert, Antonio Daniels, who had shown unique talent in this area during his time with the SuperSonics. In just 20 minutes of play and limited ball possession, the 6'4" (193 cm) Daniels averaged over 4 free-throw attempts per game, a remarkable feat.

Combined with Arenas' over 10 free-throw attempts per game, the Wizards' four players alone averaged 22 free-throw attempts per game. Adding the contributions from other players, the Wizards ranked second in the league in free-throw attempts and first in free-throw makes during the 05-06 season.

Coupled with the third-best offensive rebounds and steals (just ahead of the 76ers), the Wizards developed a distinct tactical style, characterized by a strong and aggressive playing style.

With this aggressive style as the dominant factor, the Wizards' three-point shooting from the perimeter became a secondary option, used mainly to prevent the defense from collapsing.

The combination of inside and outside play gave the Wizards' offense a layered and difficult-to-defend structure.

This was the Wizards' magic.

"Chen!"

After Chen Mu entered the game, the 76ers had a new offensive option. After a series of passes, the ball came to Chen Mu. He quickly surveyed the court, confirming that his teammates were in position, and then made a lateral pass to the weak side.

J.R. Smith caught the ball beyond the three-point line and immediately shot, the ball spinning into the net.

7-5, the 76ers were keeping the score close.

"Defense, defense!"

Webber shouted, urging everyone to focus on defense. The Wizards still had Arenas handling the ball, with teammates running and rotating. Butler appeared on the weak side for the third time.

To prevent Butler from receiving the ball again, Smith aggressively pressed, but Arenas' pass target was clearly not Butler. He dribbled the ball to the ground, and Jamison caught it beyond the three-point line.

Iguodala quickly moved to defend Jamison, who had no clear shot. He looked to pass to Jeffries at the right corner, but the ball went over Iguodala's head.

"Help defense!"

Webber shouted, already pulled to the corner by Jeffries. Jamison's pass was powerful, landing in the hands of Arenas, who had forced his way into the paint with his strength. Chen Mu had to help defend!

Arenas used his strength to push past Allen Iverson, took three steps, and went for a layup. On the weak side, Chen Mu rushed over, leaping to block the shot with both hands raised.

"Don't touch...!"

Before Hunter's warning could finish, the referee's whistle blew.

"76ers No. 5, defensive foul!"

"Yeah!!!"

The crowd roared, and Arenas, breathing heavily, walked to the free-throw line, his eyes fixed on the basket.

"Damn...!"

Chen Mu shook his head, realizing he had been too aggressive. In reality, Arenas didn't have a clear shot, and even without Chen Mu's block, the ball might not have gone in.

However, the physical confrontation in the air gave Chen Mu a sense of facing an interior player, and his body reacted automatically, reaching out to block the shot. Arenas took advantage of the contact to draw a foul.

Arenas made both free throws, nodded slightly, and retreated to defend with his usual arrogance, muttering, "Rookie, you can't stop me. I'm the best second-round pick!"

Chen Mu knew these words were a challenge from Arenas. Although their positions were different and they couldn't directly match up, the aerial confrontation had revealed something in both of them:

This guy is a hard-nosed player who would rather die than lose!

To defeat such an opponent, one needed to not only respond on the court but also apply significant mental pressure, or face a strong backlash.

On the 76ers' next possession, Chen Mu set a screen for Iverson at the high post and then moved to the weak side baseline.

Iverson drove to the free-throw line, facing Haywood, and passed to Webber.

Without hesitation, Webber executed a signature behind-the-back pass, the ball skimming the baseline and landing in Chen Mu's hands on the weak side.

"Good pass!"

Chen Mu hit a mid-range shot and retreated to defend. As he passed Arenas, he made a shushing gesture, causing Arenas' face to change, and he became visibly agitated.

"Good rookie...!"

Seeing Chen Mu's gesture on the big screen, Arenas' eyes blazed with fire, and he gritted his teeth, "I need to show him some color!"

As he spoke, Arenas received the inbound pass and dribbled to the frontcourt like the wind. He suddenly stopped just outside the three-point line and shot.

The ball rose rapidly in the air and then plummeted into the basket, a three-pointer!

"Agent! Agent! Agent!"

The home crowd was electrified, shouting and waving large images of Arenas, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Yo, he's challenging me...!"

Chen Mu knew he had to respond. There was no room for mercy in the NBA. After the inbound pass, he signaled to Iverson that he wanted to take a one-on-one, and Iverson gave a thumbs-up, then dribbled to the frontcourt.

Chen Mu positioned himself on the weak side, and Iverson made a tactical gesture that only the 76ers understood. The players knew what to do, clearing one side, and the ball was passed to Chen Mu.

Facing Haywood's defense, Chen Mu, who had faced a similar style in Danilo Gallinari, knew how to handle this type of player with a strong defensive style, impressive height, and arm span but not the fastest feet.

Without hesitation, he dribbled and cut past Haywood's side, like a giant scalpel, piercing the Wizards' defense and jumping for a shot near the basket.

"Swish"

The ball went through the net, and the 76ers were elated, high-fiving Chen Mu.

12-9, the 76ers were down by 3 points!

The calmness in Arenas' eyes at the start of the game was gone. Chen Mu's consecutive scoring had ignited his competitive spirit, and he quickly demanded the ball.

Facing Iverson's full-court pressure, Arenas stopped just a step outside the three-point line and shot.

"Swish!"

The ball went in perfectly, and Arenas showed no emotion, as if it were a routine play, and retreated to defend.

"Again!"

Chen Mu was also fired up and immediately asked for the ball in the frontcourt.

Iverson didn't hesitate, but as he passed the ball, a hand appeared in the air.

Caron Butler had anticipated that the 76ers would let Chen Mu attack and had positioned himself on the passing lane, stealing the ball as Iverson's vision was blocked by Arenas.

"Back to defense!!"

Iverson shouted, and the 76ers retreated. After a few dribbles, Iverson caught up to Butler, who immediately passed the ball to Arenas.

As Arenas caught the ball, Iguodala was already in position, ready to defend. No matter which direction Arenas moved, Iguodala would block him.

However, Arenas had no intention of moving.

Still a step outside the three-point line, Arenas glanced at Iguodala and immediately shot.

"No way...?!!!"

Iguodala was shocked, forgetting to step up to block, and watched as Arenas launched a long three-pointer, the ball arcing high and then plummeting.

"Swish"

The ball went in, and Arenas remained expressionless, turning to defend.

As he passed Chen Mu, who hadn't yet returned to the backcourt, Arenas said nonchalantly, "See that, rookie."

"That's what it means to have skill...!"

==========

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