Chapter Thirty-Five: The Backdrop

The team was trailing, and Brand and the others were struggling with their shooting touch. Consequently, Mobley began looking for He Xinghui more often, hoping he could pull off something surprising as he usually did.

The ball found its way to He Xinghui, but he was up against Snyder’s defense, which was no easy task. Snyder might not have been well-known, but this season he was a defensive specialist averaging eight points a game, with a three-point percentage up to 36%. A solid role player like that, thrown fifteen years into the future, would command at least eight million a year.

“Step aside, guarding me is just going to turn you into a background prop,” He Xinghui kindly warned him.

Snyder had no response, choosing to stick to his assignment, not giving He Xinghui any room to drive or shoot. With no other choice, He protected the ball with his back to the basket, searching for a teammate. Yet his teammates weren’t moving aggressively, as if they were all telling him to go one-on-one.

As the shot clock wound down, He Xinghui, out of options, splurged on another fancy move and casually tossed the ball over his head. The motion was neither a shot nor a pass, and almost made Scott burst out laughing. But his grin froze immediately. The ball went in.

No matter how awkward the shot looked, a basket was a basket.

“I told you to move, but you didn’t listen. Do you just enjoy being a background prop? Maybe I should just call you ‘Backdrop’ from now on,” He Xinghui declared, bestowing his opponent with a new nickname without waiting for Snyder’s approval.

As the Hornets took possession, He Xinghui began chanting in front of Snyder. “Backdrop, Backdrop, Kirk the Backdrop...”

Kirk Snyder finally lost his composure and gave He Xinghui a hard shove. The referee immediately called an offensive foul on the Hornets.

Chris Paul was so exasperated, he practically leaped at the referee, arms and legs flailing. He and West had just executed a beautiful play, and were on the verge of scoring, only for the ref to blow the whistle for an offensive foul. The referee pointed at Snyder, and only then did Paul realize Snyder had shoved He Xinghui.

Even someone as sharp as Paul couldn’t fathom why Snyder would commit such a senseless infraction. He Xinghui, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised at all. Fools, after all, are prone to foolish actions. Compared to Snyder’s later break-in and theft, this shove was hardly the stupidest thing he’d done.

In 2009, Snyder broke into an ordinary home and was caught stealing. He posted a $500,000 bail to get out. The house he targeted wouldn’t fetch fifty thousand on the market, let alone the trinkets he tried to steal. For a man with millions in the bank to do such a thing—how could you not call that foolish?

Possession changed hands. This time, Mobley’s intention to pass to He Xinghui was too obvious, and Paul intercepted it. Over his career, Chris Paul would win six steals titles, the most in league history. Clearly, he was naturally gifted, showing that talent even as a rookie.

“Cuttino, you and Brand should run more pick-and-rolls. My touch isn’t great tonight,” He Xinghui advised.

He’d already pulled off three fancy shots this game—enough for now. Too many at once and the audience would get bored; better to space them out.

Mobley shot him a questioning look, as if to say, “Are you kidding me?” Two circus shots in a row and he claimed his touch was off? Meanwhile, Brand was 3-for-8, Maggette 1-for-4, Kaman 2-for-4, Mobley himself 2-for-5—all dismal. Only He Xinghui was shooting decently at 4-for-6.

Yet this guy, with the best touch on the team, claimed he wasn’t shooting well. Mobley seriously suspected He was just talking trash, slyly criticizing him and the others. Damn, even his own teammates weren’t safe from his jabs.

By halftime, the Clippers were down by eight.

During the break, Coach Dunleavy pulled He Xinghui aside. “He, you need to take more shots.”

“Coach, I’m not feeling it this game. I don’t want to force anything. You know I always play rational basketball,” He Xinghui replied.

The rest of the team nearly revolted at that. Of all people, He Xinghui had least right to talk about rational play—every shot he took was outrageous. If he didn’t make so many, the team would have cut him long ago for his shot selection.

“Playing smart is important, but sometimes you have to step up and take responsibility,” Dunleavy said, nearly stating outright that a star needs to lead and carry the team.

“All right,” He Xinghui agreed, albeit reluctantly. It was a heavy burden for someone so young to carry the hopes of a team’s revival.

As soon as Dunleavy left, someone in the locker room suggested, “Let’s strangle this kid—who’s in?”

Shot opportunities were always a sensitive issue for players. Many fought their whole careers for more chances, yet here He Xinghui was, acting reluctant while everyone else was envious, jealous, and resentful.

In the second half, He Xinghui increased his shot attempts, and his percentage quickly dipped below fifty. This was his true level. As his efficiency dropped and no one else on the team stepped up, the Clippers’ deficit only widened.

Yet, the fans didn’t blame He Xinghui. More often, they felt the rest of the Clippers were just too weak, forcing He to take charge. Even commentators Barkley and Smith said as much.

“The Clippers are in trouble. None of their mainstays are willing to shoot. At least He is shouldering the responsibility—even if his percentage isn’t high, he hasn’t given up,” said Barkley.

“This is only his rookie season. You can’t expect him to shine every game; he needs time to grow. But one thing is certain—he’s got what it takes to be a star. He’s got heart,” Smith added.

Their praise for He Xinghui wasn’t out of personal connection, but because the league needed stars, and stars drove ratings. TNT had already tasted success with He Xinghui and naturally wanted his popularity to last.

Finally, the referee blew the whistle to end the game. The Clippers lost to the Hornets at home, 90 to 99.

The best performances came from Paul and West. Paul had 18 points, 11 assists, and 2 steals—a rare double-double with assists. Yet the loudest applause was for He Xinghui. He went 9-for-19, scoring 20 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing 3 assists. Although he scored the most, the high volume of shots made the total less meaningful, as it didn’t lead to a win.

Still, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To his fans, a rookie leading the team in scoring was impressive enough. As for the loss? Clearly, that was on his teammates—how could their idol possibly be at fault?