The Best Point Guard

The Clippers had no idea their role was to be a defensive plaything.

Mike Dunleavy was still desperately emphasizing the need to strengthen their offensive chemistry. They couldn’t let Su Xi and the Knicks get comfortable; they had to fight back hard, making sure every part of their game fit together seamlessly.

Wasn’t that... even more pleasurable?

Why were they rewarding him like this?

The game continued.

After Su Xi’s "guidance," the Knicks’ defense tightened up, and everyone’s enthusiasm surged.

Everyone was just so eager to improve.

Unbeknownst to them, this group of Knicks slackers had happily thrown themselves into the grind. As the saying goes, the things that drive humanity forward are shame and honor.

As for shame, the Knicks players were thick-skinned. In a harsh environment like New York, it was hard not to become a public pariah. Marbury, a "Son of New York," had a mental breakdown after just two seasons. And he was a star; imagine what it was like for the rest of them.

But this season, with the winning streak and a healthy dose of hype from Su Xi, they were all champing at the bit, eager to break records and keep improving.

This rusty engine was now running at full throttle. As it sped along, lubricated by a high-performance oil called Su Xi, it surged with ever-increasing power. The spots of rust were slowly sloughing off with the motion, revealing the formidable shape of a monstrous machine beneath.

The Clippers’ intensified offense was the perfect stimulus for the Knicks’ defense.

Just as the Phoenix Suns’ defense had been the perfect stimulus for the Knicks’ offense.

They were like a match made in heaven.

It truly was a feeling of a perfect, tight fit. Every opening was filled, plump and snug. The slightest movement sent a shiver of pleasure straight to the cerebral cortex.

The sheer, uninhibited satisfaction was beyond words.

This game was pumping the Knicks players full of adrenaline and endorphins.

So good!

So damn good!

The Clippers players shot the Knicks strange looks. ’Why are they enjoying this so much?’

’Is it because we’re too weak?’

No, it’s because you’re being so cooperative.

At the end of the first half, the Knicks were up by 11.

This was Su Xi intentionally keeping the score close.

He didn’t want garbage time to start. He wanted to prolong his own pleasure—and, of course, the pleasure of the entire team.

An opponent like this only comes around twice a year. It felt like a waste.

Every opportunity had to be taken seriously, given their all.

Mike Dunleavy thought his strategy was working. During the halftime break, he made it a point to emphasize that they had to make their offense even "stickier." He wanted, in his words, a "silky, viscous, yet elastic" feel.

Mike Dunleavy’s description was quite vivid, and the players all nodded in agreement.

They were still confident.

They were only down by 11, after all.

One good run could bring them right back into it.

In the Knicks’ locker room, everyone was analyzing their defensive takeaways from the first half.

It was like a political self-criticism session. Su Xi was the first to start the process of criticism and self-criticism. This system was gradually introduced into the locker room. At first, everyone was a bit uncomfortable, but with Su Xi leading the charge in both examining his own faults and critiquing others, the players’ sense of participation grew.

And the more they participated, the more they enjoyed it.

’So this is what it feels like to be a good student.’

This bunch of bad boys was starting to enjoy the feeling of respecting rules and order.

"I want to criticize Tony. When Mobley drove the lane, Tony was passive and lazy. He should have quickly shifted left. That way, I would have more confidence anchoring the paint. At the same time, I also had shortcomings in the first half. My desire for rebounds was greater than my commitment to holding my defensive position. This is a tendency toward adventurism that I must resolutely curb..."

Eddie Curry’s session of criticism and self-criticism was very illustrative. This was why he could speak so eloquently to reporters before the game—it was all a result of this training.

There’s no such thing as effortless success.

"I want to criticize myself. I was too conservative. I’m always hesitant on defense, looking before and behind. I should be more decisive and charge forward without fear. At the same time, I think Su Xi works too hard on defense, and I feel bad that I can’t do more to share his burden..."

Su Xi waved a hand at Ariza, cutting him off. "Now you’re just flattering me. Criticism between teammates has to be sharp and to the point. We can’t have a ’you’re okay, I’m okay, everyone’s okay’ session. It’s fine to make each other blush a little."

After Su Xi clarified his stance, the meeting grew even more intense.

Isaiah Thomas watched the scene unfolding in the locker room, and he was very happy.

’This is what progress looks like.’

Why were the Knicks on a winning streak? Spirit! Spirit! And more spirit!

The second half of the game started soon after.

The Clippers were more aggressive, and the Knicks were even happier.

For this kind of thing to be truly enjoyable, both parties have to be active. If one just lies there like a dead fish, what’s the difference from just dutifully getting the job done?

The more aggressive the Clippers were, the more initiative they showed, the more complex their plays, the more the Knicks improved, and the happier the players became.

The game left them ecstatic. Their defensive chemistry was gelling, and a true system was beginning to take shape.

Even when defensive sieves like Quentin Richardson and Crawford were on the floor, the team could still maintain a certain level of resilience.

Su Xi was very satisfied.

They played through the third quarter and then the first half of the fourth.

Su Xi glanced at the clock and decided there was no need to drag things out any longer. He gave the signal for the boys to go all-out. Playtime was over.

The Knicks’ offensive machine roared to life. Immense torque generated terrifying kinetic energy, and like a primeval beast, it instantly swallowed the Clippers whole.

A lead that had been just 12 points instantly ballooned to 20.

BEEP!

Mike Dunleavy called a timeout and sent in his benchwarmers. With two minutes left in the game, he waved the white flag.