"Kai Chen's defensive prowess is severely underestimated!"
During halftime, O'Neal flipped through the stats: "He hasn't recorded many blocks, nor has he made many steals!"
"But he changed the course of the entire game!"
"Exactly, that's what surprised me the most. His defensive impact isn't reflected in the stats!"
As a world-class "Kai-fan," Smith certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity: "I have to say, if Kai Chen can maintain this level of defensive performance in his upcoming games!"
"Then it's time we congratulate him on becoming this season's Defensive Player of the Year!"
Even Smith himself wouldn't have imagined it.
The game between the Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks was hyped by major media outlets as the battle for this season's Most Valuable Player.
But as the game progressed, it surprisingly became a showcase for Kai's defense!?
And he's even being discussed as a candidate for this season's Most Valuable Player?
What kind of operation is this!?
But he had to admit, the competitiveness Kai displayed on defense today was absolutely Defensive Player of the Year level!
Just like Curry only needs to keep moving on offense to help his team open up their attack.
Similarly, Kai doesn't need various big blocks or steals to help the Clippers be impenetrable on defense.
"Although we're behind right now, you guys aren't going to win in Milwaukee!"
As halftime ended and Kai stepped up to the scorer's table to prepare, Mallory, pouting her lips, said with a defiant look: "Kai, Giannis will crush you in the second half!!"
"Do you want to take a good look at the current score?"
Facing Mallory's provocation, Kai smiled faintly: "I really can't see where you guys can win this game."
"Hmph, never mind that!"
"Anyway, we're going to win!"
"Then do you want to make a bet with me?"
Looking at Mallory, who was still fuming, Kai suddenly had an idea: "If we win, I'll need your service tonight."
"You..."
Upon hearing this, Mallory immediately stood up from her seat, pointed a finger at Kai, and cursed: "How out of line can you be!?"
"What are you talking about?"
Kai spread his hands, saying with a helpless expression: "What I mean is, if we win, you treat me to a meal tonight. It's that simple!"
"Alright then!" Hearing Kai's explanation, and after a moment of thought, Mallory agreed.
"Are you ready!?"
Seeing Mallory agree, Kai clapped the magnesium powder from his hands, ready to go on court.
Mallory asked somewhat confused: "What do I need to prepare??"
"Get ready to enjoy Kai Chen Time!"
Mallory unconsciously rolled her eyes, inwardly scoffing: I've seen confident people, but never this confident!
After the interlude, the third quarter officially began!
Los Angeles Clippers' possession!
Beverley quickly dribbled the ball past half-court and immediately chose to pass it to Kai.
"Thump!"
With the ball in his hands, Kai immediately faced the basket.
Blocking him was a serious-looking Middleton!
Facing Middleton's defense, Kai drove left from the top of the arc, continuously dribbling behind his back, shaking off Middleton's balance, and then drove again with the ball in his left hand.
After accelerating past Middleton's defense, he pulled up for a mid-range jumper!
"Swish!"
The basketball arced beautifully through the air, then swished through the net!
74:62!
On the return, the Milwaukee Bucks advanced their offense. Brogdon used Giannis's screen to successfully shake off Beverley's defense and shot a three-pointer from the top of the arc!
"Swish!"
It went in cleanly!
"Yes!!"
Watching Brogdon sink the three, Mallory on the sidelines was exceptionally excited, standing up and pumping her fist at Kai, who was not far away, gesturing twice, while also not forgetting to mock him: "Let me see your... um, Kai Chen Time!"
"Come on, let me see it! Hahahaha!"
Kai didn't respond to Mallory's taunt, merely smiling faintly.
At the top of the arc, Kai actively called for the ball, still defended by Middleton.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
With continuous crossover dribbles like a butterfly flitting through flowers, while reading the defense, the moment Middleton shifted his right foot to the right, Kai dribbled with his right hand and accelerated his drive.
"Screech!"
Middleton's sneakers screeched on the floor, defying gravity to move left, closely following Kai's drive.
At the same time, Kai suddenly stopped short, dribbled the ball between his legs to his left hand, and simultaneously took a step back, returning behind the three-point line.
"Shit!"
Middleton cursed inwardly. Still moving forward, he saw Kai about to shoot and, without thinking, flew forward to block.
However....
Having already shifted his weight to the left, it was clearly impossible for him to shift his weight back. The moment he tried to lunge forward.
His foot slipped, and before he could even block Kai, he fell to the ground.
"Oh~"
The entire Bradley Center instantly erupted in an uproar.
Meanwhile Kai expressionless, pulled up for a three-pointer!!
"Swish!"
The basketball, like a blade unsheathed, pierced the net with a single stroke!
"Thump, thump, thump!"
After scoring, Kai didn't forget to do his head-tilt three-point celebration towards Mallory in the stands!
77:65!
On the return, the Milwaukee Bucks tried the same trick again.
Brogdon and Giannis continued to initiate a pick-and-roll at the top of the arc.
Only this time, Beverley was prepared, desperately squeezing past Giannis's screen to get in front of Brogdon.
Seeing no clear shot, Brogdon had no choice but to pass the ball. However, halfway through the pass, he noticed Middleton was a bit dazed.
"Swish!"
With the opponent showing a weakness, Kai naturally wouldn't give him a chance to recover.
He lunged forward, intercepting the ball in mid-air before Middleton could react, then immediately transitioned from defense to offense, sprinting down the court!
Middleton quickly pursued, but the speed difference between the two was too obvious.
He could only watch as Kai Chen completed a one-handed tomahawk dunk!
79:65!
"Stay focused! Stay focused!"
Seeing the score gap widen, the Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach on the sideline quickly reminded his players: "Don't make any simple mis.... Goddammit!"
Before he could finish, Kai once again made a steal on the court, and without a word, dribbled the ball all the way down the court for a flying tomahawk dunk!
"Beep!"
Mike Budenholzer could no longer endure it, walking onto the court to call a timeout.
"Do you know now?"
As he returned to the team bench, Kai looked at Mallory, who was somewhat dumbfounded on the sidelines, and couldn't help but laugh: "I still prefer the you who was just waving your fists at me."
Mallory:....
==========
Thank you for the support.
100 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Check my P@treon for 25+ advanced chapters
[email protected]/JustTranslate