Chapter 278: Chapter 67: You Want to Sweep With Just That?

(Yesterday’s update still hasn’t been unlocked... I finished writing and went to sleep, and only just now contacted my editor. After you finish this Chapter, maybe go back and take another look.) 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The Pistons were brimming with the drive and confidence to make history.

This atmosphere, in fact, extended to the Pistons fans. When they saw Su Xi and Scarlett out on a date, their first reaction was: ’It’s in the bag! We’re about to make history and become the first team ever to reverse a 0-3 series deficit!’

The Detroit fans were very confident. They had believed from the start that their team’s 0-3 deficit was just a matter of bad luck. The pundits’ commentary had a huge influence on them. In their minds, the Pacers had won purely through luck and fouls; otherwise, there was no way they could have won.

’If Rashid Wallace hadn’t been ejected in Game 1 and suspended for Game 2, the Pacers would have lost both their home games!’

’And if it weren’t for Artest and Reggie Miller’s fouls last game, how could they have won?’

Now, Little Sheep Su Xi’s head was in the clouds. He was so gassed on the court, yet he still had to go out on a date.

’Even the heavens can’t stand to watch this. The Pistons are bound to win now and make history, right?’

Auburn Hills Palace was brilliantly lit on the evening of May 28th. Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals had finally arrived.

The Pistons fans were a united front, their roars echoing from outside the arena to within. Twenty thousand fans packed the arena, with at least another ten thousand more outside.

With deep, unwavering voices, they cheered for their team, convinced the Pistons could decisively defeat the Pacers.

’A playboy like Su Xi doesn’t belong on a basketball court.’

’How can an evil force like the Pacers represent the East?’

’Only the Pistons, only the Motor City, deserves to stand at the pinnacle of the East.’

Their roars coalesced into a thunderous storm of sound inside their home arena, cranking the atmosphere and energy to the absolute maximum.

"What happened? Do I really have to spell it out for you?" Before the game, TNT aired a clip from an interview with a beaming Scarlett Johansson. She said with a smile, "All you need to know is that last night, I was the happiest person in the world. Jack is everything I could ever imagine in a man. He’s the kind of man who can make every cell in your body feel ecstatic."

"He’s absolutely the GOAT! G.O.A.T.!"

Scarlett’s praise for Su Xi was incredibly high, and the entertainment channels’ so-called ’Mind Readers’ and ’micro-expression experts’ all reached a unanimous conclusion: she was telling the truth. She wasn’t lying.

So, just how incredible *was* Jack, exactly?

The famous New York socialite Paris Hilton commented, "I don’t believe it. Not unless I get to test him out for myself."

Kim Kardashian, who was carrying her purse, chimed in, "That’s right. He’d have to conquer Paris and me at the same time before we’d endorse Scarlett’s review."

Clearly, Scarlett’s comments were making huge waves for Su Xi, causing a seismic shock throughout the entertainment industry.

Kenny Smith, for one, wasn’t buying Scarlett’s assessment.

He said, "Scarlett is just putting on a brave face. I think she’s just trying to grab attention. Actresses in the entertainment industry love to hype things up. It’s like hyping a stock. Apple Inc. also claims their stock price is going to increase fivefold."

Smith clearly didn’t like hearing any ’good news’ about Su Xi.

This was a hobby he shared with LeBron James, who was watching from home. The only difference was that Kenny Smith couldn’t afford the brand-new, high-end plasma TV James had just bought.

James had finally smashed his TV during the previous game.

He had already started celebrating, only for Artest and Miller to unexpectedly power through the Pistons’ defense and clinch the game.

In a fit of rage, he’d smashed the TV.

The next day, he even claimed a stray cat had gotten in and knocked it over.

Despite always pretending to his friends and business partners that he couldn’t care less about Little Sheep Su Xi—even saying they were different types of players with no basis for comparison—he secretly sat in front of his TV for every single game.

He believed that tonight, the Pistons had zero chance of losing. He also thought it was highly likely that Su Xi would be benched by Rick Carlisle.

’After all, he caused such a huge off-court scandal. To actually run off and date a movie star during the Eastern Conference Finals, and get splashed all over national television...’

’Any self-respecting head coach would make an example out of him. Otherwise, how chaotic would the team’s atmosphere get? What chemistry would be left in the locker room?’

’If everyone starts going on dates, who’s going to focus on the game?’

That was what James thought.

And his opinion was representative of a large number of ’industry insiders.’

However, reality disappointed him yet again.

Not only was Su Xi not benched by Carlisle, he was moved to the shooting guard spot. Starting at point guard was the All-Star Dunk King, Fred Jones.

’What’s going on?’

’Why isn’t Reggie Miller starting?’

Larry Brown also sensed that this strategic shift was unusual.

TWEET!

The whistle sounded, and the game began.

Sure enough, Su Xi wasn’t the primary ball-handler.

Fred Jones brought the ball up the court. As he reached the frontcourt, he settled on the wing, with a very wary Hamilton guarding him.

Fred Jones and Foster ran a high pick-and-roll. After using the screen to shake his defender, Jones drove hard toward the basket.

The moment Jones made his move, Su Xi exploded into motion as well, cutting hard toward the paint with Hamilton in hot pursuit.

But just as Su Xi was about to cut into the lane, he suddenly reversed direction and flared out... At that same moment, Hamilton made a different read and went to double-team Jones. The Pistons’ defensive system was built on pressuring the ball-handler.

Jones leaped into the air and passed the ball to the corner.