Chapter 494: Wade Dong's Intentions, Known to All

First quarter, 5:27 remaining, Lin Hao dribbles to the frontcourt.

Boozer receives the pass under the basket, turns, switches the ball to his left hand, and misses a hook shot. LeBron James quickly follows up with a putback!

The Lakers' current strategy revolves around James.

As for the Suns...

The game plan for this match is straightforward: everyone spreads out, leaving Wade Dong to go one-on-one!

Even so, Scott doesn't employ a double-team defense on Dong, which would be effective against the Huaxia Men's Basketball Team. But this is the Suns, with Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Thompson acting like three coiled snakes ready to strike. Double-teaming Dong would only result in him dishing out spectacular assists in countless ways.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The ball bounces off the ground and back up, the sound crisp and rhythmic.

Dong drives from the right, and Kobe quickly shifts sideways, matching Dong's pace. Near the free-throw line, Dong fakes a sudden stop, then shoots a fadeaway jumper!

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swishes through the net again.

21:15!!!

Kobe fails to stop Dong from scoring, but he wouldn't utter words like, 'If I were a few years younger, I could definitely guard you.' The essence of being unyielding is not succumbing to age!

...

With 2:07 left in the first quarter, Kobe and James take a break, and Dong hits another three-pointer before resting.

Even without the 'Stamina Potion,' Dong could easily play the entire game.

However, with the Suns leading, Dong doesn't need to exhaust himself. In the first quarter, which lasted 10 minutes and 39 seconds, Dong made 9 of 13 field goals and 3 of 3 free throws, scoring 24 points in that period.

"Twenty-four points in a single quarter, Dong is aiming for Kobe's record of 81 points tonight."

"Records are like clouds to Dong; enjoying the game is what matters most."

"I hope the Lakers can give the Suns some trouble. I'm tired of watching the Suns win every game this season; it's too boring."

"Bro, are you crazy? Isn't winning all the time a good thing?"

37:33!!!

The first quarter ends with the Lakers trailing by four points.

James scores 17 points in the first quarter, 11 of which came from assists by Kobe. Kobe only attempted three shots in the first quarter, making one and scoring 3 points. However, Kobe also recorded 8 assists in that period, a career-high for him in a single quarter.

Kobe is a great player.

His single-game records for various stats are: 81 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists, 7 steals, and 5 blocks.

Of course, Kobe's greatness isn't just about the numbers. These stats can't be compared to Dong's, as doing so would make Kobe seem like just a scorer, because all of Kobe's other elite stats are commonplace for Dong.

...

The second quarter begins, and James and Kobe sit on the sidelines chatting.

"Dong has a strong desire to score; does he want to get 81 points tonight?"

"He's capable of it. New 81 book→"

Kobe takes a drink to replenish his energy. "But I won't let him have it easy."

"All players pay their respects to you, but Dong's way is the most unique."

"I can't accept his way. The last time he scored 82 points in a game, I had trouble sleeping for several days."

Dong didn't rest for long. In the second quarter, after playing for just two minutes, Dong substituted for McCollum.

As soon as he stepped on the court, Dong received a pass from Curry at a 45-degree angle and made a three-pointer.

Without a teammate to set a screen, Lin Hao tries to go one-on-one with Dong but is easily stripped of the ball. Dong then dribbles down the court.

The fans in the arena all stand up.

With no one in the frontcourt, it's Dong's time to shine. He takes a one-step jump from the free-throw line and switches the ball between his legs!

"Clang!!!"

Dong slams the ball into the basket.

"Fifty points!"

The crowd immediately erupts with cheers, and Dong's dunk in a game situation would also earn him a perfect score in a dunk contest.

45:35!!!

The Lakers' bench players, who played for three minutes, only managed to score 2 points.

James and Kobe take off their jackets and head onto the court!

The Lakers' starters are all back. Kobe dribbles outside the three-point line, and James sets a screen for him. After getting past Dong, Kobe stops and shoots a jumper.

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swishes through the net.

45:37!!!

Then, James steals a pass from Curry, dives for the loose ball, and throws it to Kobe. Kobe dribbles to the three-point line, pauses to draw the defense, and then throws the ball towards the basket.

"Clang!!!"

The James-Kobe connection!

James catches Kobe's pass in mid-air and, with a swing of his arms, slams the ball into the basket with his backhand.

45:39!!!

The 10-point lead is suddenly cut to 6, and even though they're on the road, James and Kobe's connection earns them a round of applause.

"Only James and Kobe, playing together, can give the Suns some trouble."

The fans are thoroughly entertained.

This is the most harmonious year for basketball fans worldwide, as Kobe and James are teammates, and there are no more Kobe or James haters.

Wade Dong isn't one to back down, either.

Durant, Curry, and Thompson continue to spread the floor, leaving Dong to go one-on-one with Kobe.

Dong drives from Kobe's left, stops suddenly, and shoots a fadeaway jumper. Kobe jumps with all his might but fails to block Dong's shot.

"Swoosh!!!"

The ball swishes through the net.

On the way back to defense, Dong smiles and asks Kobe, "Can you guard yourself?"

"Hmm..."

Kobe falls into deep thought.

He is the sharpest spear, but not the strongest shield. Can he defend himself? Kobe ponders, and it seems even he can't guard himself.

...

The first half ends.

67:65!!!

The Suns lead the Lakers by two points, and the gap is narrowing. When Kobe and James were on the court together in the second quarter, they also put pressure on the Suns' defense.

In the first half, Dong made 16 of 25 field goals and 7 of 7 free throws, scoring 45 points.

There's no need to guess; everyone knows Dong's intentions. He aims to score 81 points tonight.

On the Lakers' side, James also has a high-scoring first half, with 31 points. Kobe, meanwhile, has 7 points, 3 rebounds, 13 assists, 0 steals, and 0 blocks.

Defending Dong one-on-one is extremely exhausting for Kobe, but fortunately, James is playing exceptionally well tonight, which is the main reason the Lakers are keeping the game close.

"Everyone is playing well tonight," Scott says in the locker room. "If we keep it up in the second half, we can beat the Suns."

"Kobe, if you're tired, James can take over defending Dong in the second half."

"No need!"

Kobe's eyes are resolute. "Tonight, I'm going head-to-head with Dong, and I'll be the one to defend him."