Hello everyone, I'm A-Du.

Chapter 32 Unable to Suppress

Coach P.J. Carlesimo is in a dilemma right now.

He felt like a director who had been unappreciated for years and had just received a divine script and the Best Actor award, ready to show his talent, only to have his boss ask him to become an actor!

And he's a villain!

Tanking? What serious coach would tank? Can a coach who tanks be a good coach?

Are you going to give up?

I'm not giving up!

In this world, no one can make me give up!

Unless it's the person who pays my salary.

But there's an art to shirking responsibility; being too blatant will only make things difficult for anyone to explain.

The SuperSonics will have a three-game road trip next, including a back-to-back game. If they lose, no one can say anything.

Coach P.J. is preparing to pull off some big wins in the upcoming away game.

After finishing the team training session, Du Xiaoshuai was slightly sweaty, feeling like it was another day full of hard work.

I called Paris on my way home from get off work to make plans, but she said she was on her period.

Richie went to Miami, Kim went to Los Angeles, but the other two girlfriends from the party that night were still in Seattle.

Du Xiaoshuai also had a very good impression of her two other girlfriends from that night, and they were planning to have some twice-cooked pork.

I got their phone numbers and invited them out for dinner.

Don't get me wrong, we're just having a meal.

Arriving at a Michelin-starred upscale private Western restaurant, Du Xiaoshuai saw the two blonde girls from that night again.

Both of them are just over 1.6 meters tall, which is only average in North America. Du Xiaoshuai just felt that their faces looked familiar, as if he had seen them on posters or screens before. They should be celebrities or actors, but he definitely couldn't remember their names.

Lindsay Lohan

Heidi Montague

Kevin Durant

After the three introduced themselves, Du Xiaoshuai gentlemanly invited them to sit down.

Having shared their honesty the night before, the three of them were relaxed at the dinner table.

Lindsay and Heidi are very curious about Du Xiaoshuai and Du Chen's relationship. Through their conversations, Du Xiaoshuai also learns about their identities and pasts.

Despite being disgraced by the release of her private video a few years ago, Paris Hilton, as a third-generation Hilton, still maintains a circle of friends that is mostly made up of celebrities and socialites.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, and they even opened a bottle of Right Bank red wine.

After dinner, to make up for Du Xiaoshuai's expense, the three of them went to the hotel for a friendly battle.

Having just drawn so many cards this morning, Du Xiaoshuai, whose equipment had been fully upgraded and evolved, almost wore the two of them out overnight.

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Du Xiaoshuai leisurely returned to the gym to slack off during training.

November 14, Phillips Arena, Atlanta.

The home mascot, the Harrier Hawks, joking around with fans who arrived early on the sidelines, while Coach Durant, warming up, gave a pre-game interview to ESPN.

The interviewer for Du Xiaoshuai was Erin Andrews, ESPN's star female reporter. This sports reporter, who had just made it into Playboy's top ten sexiest female anchors, hadn't yet experienced the peeping incident where a colleague secretly photographed her naked. At this moment, she was in her prime, wearing a white off-the-shoulder tank top, with long, wavy blonde hair, a striking figure, and exuding confidence and poise.

A honey trap?

It seems ESPN understands me, Du!

Du Xiaoshuai wore a shy smile. With the help of multiple whitening cards, his smooth and delicate skin reflected a healthy bronze glow under the light, a sexy color favored by Europeans and Americans. His two dimples added a touch of playfulness and cuteness. With the enhancement of his overall demeanor, he gave off a humorous and quirky yet handsome vibe, exuding a unique charm.

"Kevin, it's great to interview you," Erin Andrews said, holding the microphone up to Durant. "Your performance since entering the league has been incredible. Your team has won six straight games to start the season and is currently tied for first place in the West with the defending champion Spurs. From being a bottom-ranked team last season to your strong comeback now, I'd like to know what role you've played."

"This is the result of our team's hard work. My teammates, coaches, everyone in the team, and the fans who support us, everyone contributed their efforts." Du Xiaoshuai can answer this kind of interview question without hesitation. Anyway, attributing the credit to the collective is definitely the most standard answer. No one can take away his credit, and he can also get a reputation for selflessness.

"Hmm, as everyone knows, your performance is the key. Whether it's the statistics or your impact on the game, your performance far exceeds the level of a rookie. Can you talk about how you did it?"

"Hmm—actually, if someone maintains enough love and effort for basketball, I think they will always succeed." Du Xiaoshuai's gaze lingered on the miniature microphone that Erin Andrews had clipped to her chest, his mouth leading his thoughts: "Basketball will not let down anyone who loves it, but without talent, no amount of hard work will help."

What kind of blunt truth are you spouting!

"?" What kind of incoherent sentence is this? Erin Andrews frowned slightly, her chest trembled slightly, and even the microphone stuck in her crotch shook twice. In the interview camera, Du Xiaoshuai stared wide-eyed, his eyes rolling back.

After a pause, Erin Andrews changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of passion and talent, there was a commentary on BR the other day saying you have too many off-court issues and aren't focused enough on basketball. Do you have anything to explain to the fans?"

"Some people don't understand football, and their real lives aren't going well," Du Xiaoshuai bluntly stated. "Our team has been winning consistently, winning big, and winners don't accept any criticism!"

......

The competition began at 8:10 PM.

At this moment, the Phillips Arena was unusually full.

Today's attendance was a bit of a surprise to the home team. For a team that has missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, the Hawks' home fan support has been quite poor in the last two years.

The stands were filled with fans wearing SuperSonics green jerseys with the number 35, and some even held up banners that read "Kevin, kiss me," accompanied by pictures of airport farewell posters and Dwight Howard.

These are a bunch of ridiculous football fans!

Hawks starting lineup: PG, Tyronn Lue, SG, Joe Jensen, SF, Josh Smith, PF, Marvin Williams, C, Al Horford.

SuperSonics starting lineup: PG, Billups, SG Jeff Green, SF Kevin Durant, PF Mohammed Sidney, C Chris Wilcox.

Judging from the SuperSonics' roster, Coach P.J. really wanted to lose. He started all three rookies he drafted in the summer. If they could win, he would accept defeat.

However, Coach PJ was still a little worried, as the opposing team was known throughout the league as a team with exceptionally talented, albeit underdog, players.

The team's star player, Joe Johnson, nicknamed "Isolation Joe," is a legendary figure who controlled the bench for All-Star games, having been selected to the All-Star team seven times as a reserve. He possesses All-Star caliber talent, but that's about it. He has considerable one-on-one ability and a decent passing game, and can occasionally play point guard. This type of player is unnecessary as a second option, but his ceiling as the main star isn't high; he's mostly at a playoff-level performance. His playing style isn't flashy, making him easily overlooked by fans, hence his relatively low popularity.

1.5's starting point guard, Josh Smith, is an all-around player who can play both the three and four positions, yet he doesn't quite fit into either. He has a balanced offense and defense, explosive physical talent, and some passing and ball-handling skills. However, his long-range shot selection is terrible, yet he loves to take wild shots. He's another bankrupt version of LeBron James.

The center is Al Horford, this year's third overall pick, ranked after Durant. He's a short, technically gifted big man, an underrated gem. In his previous life, when Durant transmigrated, he had signed a multi-year veteran's minimum contract with the Warriors. Keep in mind, this guy only entered the draft as a junior in college! He's two years older than Durant!

Point guard Tyronn Lue, later known as Coach Lue the Bass, the fish that Iverson stepped over, a basketball expert, the dog that James chained to the coaching bench, a coach who wouldn't advance without a comeback. Currently the Hawks' weakest link in the starting lineup.

Actually, Durant really wanted to work with Coach Lue. While Lue's tactical abilities might be average, his player development and patience were truly exceptional, and he clearly knew how to leverage a player's strengths. In his previous career, the Clippers' rotation system was inconsistent, with players playing intermittently for five or six years. Any other championship-winning coach would have quit long ago, but this guy managed to keep the entire team playing along. His reputation as the best "nanny" coach in the industry is well-deserved!

The referee called a jump ball, and the SuperSonics' Chris Wilcox won possession. Billups dribbled the ball across half-court, and Durant took a mid-range shot, receiving a high lob, and then went for a stand-up one-on-one.

With the boost from those dozens of purple cards a few days ago, which increased his core strength and equipment protection attributes, the physical confrontation of ordinary forwards had a much smaller impact on Du Xiaoshuai. Backed against Marvin Williams, Du Xiaoshuai suddenly executed a crossover dribble, the basketball bouncing at a sharp angle. Du Xiaoshuai's large hand, almost knee-high, easily held the basketball with his five fingers, as if the ball was being gripped by a mechanical arm. The ball momentarily hovered in the air and then moved horizontally. Du Xiaoshuai's slender legs flipped to the right side in one step, his waist and hips pushing away Marvin's pressure, instantly releasing the force of the confrontation. He then took a step with his right foot and leaped from the middle, gliding through the air for a distance before the basketball in his large hand slammed down into the basket like a shot put!

Horford quickly retreated under the basket.

"Whoosh!"

After the ball went in, Du Xiaoshuai was still in the air when he crossed his legs and pushed off before landing.

Dunk without touching the rim!

"Wow—" The fans at Phillips' home arena were seeing this kind of talented basketball performance for the first time, and many fans wearing jersey number 35 cheered excitedly.

2-0, the Supersonics took an early lead.

The Hawks inbound the ball, and Tyronn Lue dribbles the ball across half-court, directing his teammates' runs.

The SuperSonics' roster was utterly terrible today, especially their frontcourt. Their starters, Mohammed Sidney and Chris Wilcox, would be easy prey against any team in the league.

Al Horford, also a rookie, immediately displayed the style of Tim Duncan from his college days. After a simple play, Horford pushed past Wilcox under the basket and scored with a hook shot off the backboard.

2:2, a tie.

Du Xiaoshuai stood at the free-throw line, shrugged, and indicated that he had done his best.

Before the game, Coach PJ had already spoken to Du Xiaoshuai, saying that since it was an away game and the team's veterans had injury concerns, they should play as little as possible even if they weren't rested. He told Du Xiaoshuai to go ahead and score as much as he wanted, but not to play too aggressively on defense, and that the coaching staff would take the blame for the loss.

The intention to "retreat" is obvious, but they also have to consider Du Xiaoshuai's feelings.

I'm too hard!

This is P.J's compromise in a dilemma. It is true that it is a three-game road trip, but the opponents are all weak teams in the East. With Durant on the court, many times even if he doesn't throw the game enough, he can't lose.

Du Xiaoshuai doesn't care whether the team is tanking or not. He just goes out there and plays. If they win, the opponent is bad; if they lose, his teammates are bad!

The Atlanta Hawks were clearly eager to win today. Coach Mike Woodson has been in charge for three years, and it's time for them to achieve results. They noticed that the SuperSonics were holding back, so they called for Josh Smith and Marvin Williams to double-team Kevin Durant from the sidelines.

Josh Smith is considered a senior at Oak Hill High School. When Du Xiaoshuai was still a freshman, Josh was already a legend in his senior year.

Josh Smith possesses explosive physical talent. As a high school player selected and developed by the Hawks, Josh has a high opinion of himself and is actually quite disrespectful to Joe Jensen, who was discarded by the Suns. At this time, Mike Bibby has not yet arrived, and factional infighting is rampant in the Hawks' locker room.

Josh wants to be the leader, but how can the leader double-team his own player with his teammates? It makes it seem like I'm a bad defender!

He started his career on defense.

Du Xiaoshuai has extensive experience in reading defense. Seeing Josh's passivity, he took advantage of the opponent's momentary delay to make a strong crossover and drive hard. With a huge forward sway, he squeezed past Smith's shoulder and flicked the ball high off the backboard before Williams could intercept. The ball bounced off the top edge of the backboard, and Du Xiaoshuai squeezed past Marvin again, leaped up, grabbed the falling ball with one hand, and slammed it down with both hands!

"Boom!"

A self-thrown and self-rebounded dunk! Another dunk worthy of being a top-five play! The home fans on the sidelines are practically turning against the team!

4:2.

"Damn it, double-team harder!" Mike Woodson yelled from the sidelines.

Josh scratched his head and ran back to the frontcourt.

This junior has really grown up! His jumps are amazing, he's practically flying!

Because the SuperSonics' interior defense was terrible and lacked any coordination, Durant didn't bother to defend the paint, and both sides had a high success rate in their offense at the start of the game.

第一节打完，28:32，超音速落后4分。杜小帅打了8分钟，砍下16分3板2助攻1盖帽，下场的时候其实还赢了3分，结果替补4分钟球队输了7分。

The SuperSonics' bench big men are actually stronger than their starters, but the Hawks' bench is led by Josh Childress, a bench player chasing the Sixth Man of the Year award this season.

When Du Xiaoshuai entered the game in the 8th minute of the second quarter, the team was already down by 12 points.

This is the first time Du Xiaoshuai's team has fallen behind by this much since the regular season began!

So Durant and Billups started using pick-and-roll tactics to close the gap.

At halftime, the score was tied again at 62-62.

Neither side went all out on defense, resulting in less physical contact and smoother offense. However, Du Xiaoshuai's team had an exceptionally high success rate, shooting 8-for-10 in the second quarter, including 2-for-2 from three-point range, and failing to make any free throws, yet still managing to score 18 points.

Before we knew it, the score was already 34 points at halftime.

In the third quarter, Mike Woodson simply started to compete with the Supersonics on offense.

......

After three quarters, both coaches started scratching their heads.

Mike Woodson clearly overestimated his team's talent.

The Hawks are a team of average players. Their offense has a ceiling. Joe is quite good at isolation plays, but within a certain range of defensive intensity, his true shooting percentage is only around 55%, and he only scores about 1.2 points per possession at most. He is consistent but can't really explode.

Josh Smith is the same; after Durant blocked his shot, he likes to take one or two wild shots from the high post whenever he has free time.

Al Horford is not an unpredictable player either.

Marvin Williams, the second overall pick in the same draft class as Xiaoming, has a good shot, but his output is not high.

Tyronn Lue, I'm not going to say anything more.

If both sides tighten their defense, the Hawks can actually utilize their years of chemistry to execute tactical plays, and their scoring won't drop too much.

However, when both teams lower their defense and focus on offense, the Hawks, whose stamina is waning, are clearly not as potent as the SuperSonics in terms of offensive firepower.

Du Xiaoshuai scored another 15 points with a smooth finish.

96:90. The supersonics are firmly in the lead.

Coach P.J. was so angry he wanted to curse the dark-skinned coach on the other side as if he were a player.

Give you a chance, you are useless!

Didn't I give you a chance, but you didn't take it?

They're more trouble than they're worth, and they've ruined my important plans!

This brat is not worth discussing things with!

In the fourth quarter, Du Xiaoshuai sat on the bench for 4 minutes. Seeing the Hawks pull back the score, Du Xiaoshuai asked PJ for permission to play.

I scored 49 points in three quarters, just one point away from 50. The game was close again. No one would object if I went up to rack up points, right?

Coach PJ swallowed hard, speechless.

122: 115.

As the final buzzer sounded, Durant unleashed his "Grim Reaper" mode in the final moments, scoring two consecutive baskets and adding a block to firmly suppress the Hawks' comeback attempt and secure the victory.

此役杜小帅出战36分钟，39投27中，三分9中5，罚球，4中4，狂砍63分8板6助攻4盖帽1抢断1失误2犯规！

After the game, Coach PJ shook hands with Mike Woodson with a deadpan expression, as if he were the one who had lost the game.

The home fans on the sidelines stared in shock at Durant's terrifying statistics, feeling humiliated yet witnessing history.