Chapter 108: Empowered by Dual Cards

January 25.

Under the media's deliberate hype, the Clippers' showdown with the Cavaliers had already become common knowledge, carrying more than a little of the atmosphere of a Super Bowl eve.

A game with controversy had spectacle; that was something most players understood. They simply did not dare to be as brazen as He Xinghui, talking recklessly without a care in the world.

Before the game, many stars were asked about the subject.

"Kobe, what do you think of He's claim that he'll score 82?"

"It's a joke. He can't possibly get 82."

Kobe smiled, wearing the dismissive look of someone not even willing to dignify it with a proper answer.

"Paul, do you think He has any chance of scoring 82?"

"He's dreaming. It's nothing but a stunt for attention."

Paul Pierce said disdainfully.

"Yao, did you hear that He said he was going to score 82?"

"Well... He's still just a kid. It's worth encouraging that kind of courage."

Yao Ming spoke very tactfully, though beneath the courtesy there was still a faint trace of disbelief.

...

Many stars were asked. Those who were on good terms with He Xinghui, like O'Neal and Payton, gave brief, perfunctory replies. Those who disliked him took the opportunity to sneer at him to their heart's content.

It was a risk-free thing to do. No one had to worry about being slapped in the face by reality.

Of course, even the man at the center of it all, James, was not spared; he too was asked about the matter.

"He is a very good player, but it's absolutely impossible for him to score 82 against the Cavaliers. I'll stop him," James said.

In truth, what he wanted to say was, "What kind of idiot crawled out of nowhere?"

As a disciple of smooth-talking diplomacy, James knew all too well how to preserve his image and how to deal with reporters.

In his view, He Xinghui's move was simply too foolish.

Still, James did not actually dislike He Xinghui. In fact, he even hoped to join the Clippers and team up with him.

Because He had real ability, especially his three-point shooting, which could draw defenses and create space for him.

More importantly, He Xinghui was foolish, which would make it easier for James to seize control and become the team's leader.

If he teamed up with Kobe, he had no confidence that he could wrestle away authority successfully.

A partner who could help him without threatening his position was exactly what James wanted.

And Los Angeles was a big market city besides. It was practically perfect.

Unfortunately, it was only something he could think about. The Cavaliers would not let him leave now.

At six in the evening local time, fans began filing into the arena one after another.

At 6:30, the player introductions began.

The visiting Cavaliers were introduced first, and James received a grand welcome.

Although he was not as talkative a subject as He Xinghui, he was still a star the league had promoted for three years, and he was undeniably strong, with a massive fan base across the United States.

Next came the Clippers. Brand and Kaman were still suspended and sat courtside in suits.

He Xinghui came out last as usual, but this time the applause he received was far thinner than before.

Media rhetoric had a tremendous influence on fans.

Under the media's smear campaign, many fans had come to believe that He Xinghui was nothing more than a fake superstar.

At the same time, his loose tongue had genuinely alienated some people.

More importantly, some of his star fans wanted to support him, but felt embarrassed doing so.

After all, the louder they cheered now, the harder it would be on their faces later.

Only a small number of fervent fans quietly brought signs bearing the number 82.

If He Xinghui saw them, he would surely be moved to tears.

In this world, there really were people who believed he could do it. They were unquestionably die-hard fans.

No ordinary person would ever develop the delusion that "He Xinghui can do it."

He Xinghui did not care much about the reduced cheers.

That was simply how athletic stardom worked: one moment the fans might be adoring you, and the next, if you were injured and unable to play, they could turn their backs and become anti-fans.

Compared with the treatment Liu Xiang had received, he was already doing fairly well.

"He, it's a pleasure to face you. You don't need to pay too much attention to what the media says. They just..." James took the initiative to come over and speak with He Xinghui, wanting to make friends. He knew that across the ocean, tens of millions of people were watching this scene.

This was a perfect chance to win over Chinese fans, and he was not going to miss it.

"In a little while, you won't be so pleased."

He Xinghui cut James off. He did not know the meaning of tact.

He Xinghui's words meant that he was going to blow James away in the game, which made James feel a little awkward. But James was James; he would not answer with a verbal counterattack like Kobe. Instead, he smiled and said, "I'll be waiting."

In truth, he had already cursed He Xinghui several times in his head for not knowing when he was well off.

The brief exchange ended, and James returned to the Cavaliers' side to practice shooting and warm up.

He Xinghui went back to his seat and rested with his eyes closed, looking utterly leisurely, with no sense of an impending battle on his face.

In truth, his consciousness had already entered the system, where he was selecting the right tools.

After the game against the Mavericks, his rage points had accumulated to 2623, enough to indulge himself.

Curry experience card. Thompson godmode card. Jordan experience card. Kobe experience card...

Scoring 82 points would not be easy, especially after telling the opponent in advance.

So a godlike three-point weapon was absolutely necessary. Without enough range, the Cavaliers would easily target him defensively.

But once his range extended beyond half court, it would be difficult for the Cavaliers to defend him. Unless they completely gave up on winning and had all five players link arms to form a ring around He Xinghui.

He Xinghui first chose an S-rank peak Curry card, priced at 1000 rage points, lasting for one game.

Compared with the Thompson three-quarter godmode card, the shooting boost from the peak Curry card was slightly weaker, but its duration was longer.

More importantly, Curry's three-point range was farther, his release quicker, and his ability to shoot through interference stronger.

Besides the peak Curry card, He Xinghui also purchased an A-rank Jordan experience card, which also cost 1000 rage points.

After using this item card, He Xinghui could temporarily obtain Jordan's strength, speed, vertical leap, and other physical attributes, as well as his mid-range shooting ability.

It was not peak Jordan, but it was still terrifyingly strong.

More importantly, his godlike three-point shooting and epic mid-range game would both be concentrated in He Xinghui, inevitably producing an effect greater than the sum of their parts.

He did not believe anyone could stop him with those two monstrous abilities.

No one in league history had ever been a master of both three-point shooting and mid-range shooting. Not even in games, for the sake of balance, would such a broken player be designed.

With those two abilities, He Xinghui was brimming with confidence.

And even if something unexpected happened, he still had 600 rage points left to use.

By then, if he bought items like guaranteed shots or clutch finishers, would 82 still be in doubt?

He Xinghui was not a masochist; he was not going to do something as stupid as get humiliated for the sake of it.

When the warm-up ended, He Xinghui stepped onto the court, and even his presence seemed to change.

Of course, no one else could feel it.

As the whistle blew, the game officially began.