Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 113 - 84: Let’s Restart the Game

So far, he’d only scored 2 points.

Iverson already had 6.

’What is that kid Tracy McGrady doing? It’s the All-Star Game! You should learn from O’Neal!’

"David."

Adelman looked at David Robinson and waved him onto the court.

’With O’Neal’s attitude, what else could he do? Might as well let him rest on the bench.’

At the same time, Adelman also subbed out J Kidd for Finley.

’Watching J Kidd’s shooting was enough to make his blood pressure skyrocket.’

"Guys," Adelman said earnestly, "I know this is just an All-Star Game, but we can’t be trailing by this much. Besides, if we lose with a lineup like ours, wouldn’t that be a little too embarrassing?"

Before the game, all the media in the United States had assumed the West would win for sure. If they lost, it would be a huge loss of face.

’As the head coach, I don’t really care, but if you superstars don’t care either, then I’ll just have to accept it.’

"So, get serious."

Adelman looked at the players and offered a final word of encouragement.

The players exchanged glances, feeling the pressure as well.

Losing this badly was indeed unacceptable.

The game resumed. The East also made adjustments, subbing in Antonio Davis and Ray Allen.

With this change, Davis moved to the four, while Hill, who remained on the court, returned to his most familiar position at the three. With Iverson still in, the East maintained a strong ability to attack the rim.

Larry Brown actually wanted to win, too.

Especially when everyone assumes you’re guaranteed to lose.

His adjustment now had a clear purpose: increase their frontcourt height. Hill was a good defender, but having him guard Duncan was a bit of a stretch.

Back at the three, his ability to drive and dish could also create some shooting opportunities for Ray Allen on the perimeter.

The game continued.

O’Neal plopped down next to Chen Yu and complained jokingly, "Chen, my big toe has been hurting this whole time. You shouldn’t have let me play in the All-Star Game."

Chen Yu glanced dispassionately at his toe. "How about this, then? Why don’t you just sit out the rest of the season and rest up? How does that sound?"

"Sounds great," O’Neal said, his eyes lighting up.

’Great, my ass. If I actually did that, the Lakers management would have my head.’

"Playing like you were just now, aren’t you worried about losing the game?" Chen Yu asked, gesturing toward the court.

O’Neal pouted. "What’s there to be afraid of? As long as I want to, I can win anytime, anywhere."

’With the West’s frontcourt lineup, who could possibly stop him?’

’He’s pretty full of himself,’ Chen Yu thought.

"What, you don’t believe me?" O’Neal raised an eyebrow. "Chen, let’s make a bet. Let’s bet on whether we win. Ten thousand US dollars."

After Stern took control of the league, he had cracked down hard on the gambling trend in the NBA. But these multimillionaires, used to spending lavishly, still loved to bet.

Chen Yu subconsciously started to nod.

’Ten thousand US dollars... I can afford that now.’

But before the words could leave his mouth, a soft cough came from behind him.

Chen Yu chuckled to himself and changed his tune. "Forget it. I don’t like to gamble."

’It’d still be pretty difficult for the East to win.’

O’Neal raised an eyebrow. "Chen, you’re not scared, are you?"

Chen Yu shook his head again and retorted, "Shaq, you make over ten million a year in salary alone. You have the nerve to try and win my money?"

’If O’Neal played seriously, the West would win for sure.’

O’Neal’s eyes darted, and he changed his proposal. "Alright then, let’s bet on whether the East can win. If the East wins, you lose ten thousand US dollars to me. How about it?"

’Betting the other way around?’

Just as Chen Yu was about to speak, another soft cough came from behind him.

"Fine," Chen Yu said, nodding with a helpless smile.

’If the Hill-led East really did win, what’s losing ten thousand US dollars to him?’

"It’s a deal!"

O’Neal extended his huge hand and high-fived Chen Yu.

Just then, on the court, Iverson drove hard to the basket, adjusted in mid-air, and scored with a reverse layup.

"Great shot!"

O’Neal immediately roared.

Beside him, a speechless Adelman stared over.

O’Neal didn’t care, pointing to the court and defending himself, "It was a great shot."

Once the West got serious, their advantage in the paint was on full display.

Especially the frontcourt’s Twin Towers, Duncan and Robinson, who were all too familiar with each other’s games.

On the perimeter, Kobe had also found his rhythm and was scoring continuously.

With just a small burst of effort from the West, the deficit was cut to just 4 points.

O’Neal couldn’t take it anymore. After Iverson missed a low-post shot while being contested by Duncan, he couldn’t help but stand up and shout at Iverson, "Allen, look at how Kobe’s making his shots! What are you doing?"

Iverson, who was about to get back on defense, froze and shot a confused glance at O’Neal.

’That’s right, that’s the West’s bench.’

’So he’s taunting me?’

’Can’t make a shot, huh?!’

A spark flashed in Iverson’s eyes. He ran off without a word.

The next possession.

Iverson drove forward with the ball.

From the same spot, facing Duncan who came over to help on defense, he threw his whole body into an extreme fadeaway shot.

The ball traced a high arc through the air and fell into the hoop.

Iverson, who had fallen to the floor, immediately scrambled up and stared at O’Neal.

Having been shot a glare by Adelman, O’Neal was too embarrassed to cheer out loud, but he excitedly gave Iverson two thumbs up.

Iverson’s expression shifted slightly.

’Still provoking me?’

’You really think you guys on the West have already won, huh?’

He ran off without another word.

O’Neal grinned at Chen Yu. "Chen, you’re definitely going to lose."

Chen Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’You really don’t care about winning or losing at all, do you?’

In reality, aside from their weak frontcourt, the East had another weakness: their bench.

Compared to the West, their bench was a whole level below.

So by the time the first half ended, the West had not only caught up but had also taken a 7-point lead.

And by the third quarter, the point difference was growing even wider.

By the halfway point of the third quarter, the lead had stretched to 15 points.

Brown called a timeout, preparing to make substitutions.

Hill heard his name called but didn’t have much of a reaction.

Truth be told, back in the first quarter, Hill had felt a slight desire to win.

But as the game went on, that feeling faded.

After all, it was just an All-Star Game.

On paper, the East was clearly outmatched.

Not to mention, the West was practically playing without O’Neal.

O’Neal had only played for a few minutes before being pinned to the bench by Adelman.

If he were on the court and playing seriously, the East would only lose by more.

Just then, Iverson suddenly spoke up. "Why do you all have that look on your faces, like we’ve already lost the game? There’s still a quarter and a half left to play, and we’re only down by 15. Why can’t we make a comeback? Why can’t we win this game?"

Everyone looked at Iverson in surprise.

"Don’t look at me like that. When I step onto the court, no matter what kind of game it is, I don’t want to lose," Iverson said through gritted teeth. He felt a knot in his stomach, especially when he remembered O’Neal repeatedly giving him a thumbs-up and clapping for him.

’Does that bastard really think we can’t win?’

The players looked at each other. Tracy McGrady suddenly mumbled, "I don’t want to lose either."

’Someone’s watching me.’

Before the game, Hardaway had contacted him, saying he’d be watching and that he should play well.

Hill, taken aback, found the smile gone from his face.

"Alright guys, if that’s the case, then let’s go win this game," he said, clapping his hands, his expression utterly serious.

’Let’s start this game over, right from this moment.’