Su Xi shot back, "Your pull-up jumper only works because of your physical talent!"
That really got to McGrady. He’d always prided himself on being a master of technique, the pioneer of a smooth and graceful style.
McGrady imdiately took the ball from Tyronn Lue. Bending low, he started unleashing quick, slashing crossovers in front of Su Xi. The man’s coordination was incredible, his flexibility just as impressive. Despite his height, he could drop his center of gravity lower than a point guard’s, practically skimming the floor.
His long arms swung the ball back and forth.
Su Xi genuinely had trouble tracking its path.
But McGrady kept pressing him. When he reached a step inside the three-point arc, he made a sudden move to the left, and Su Xi hurried to follow... But just as Su Xi anticipated another crossover, McGrady simply exploded forward... First step, second step... Su Xi couldn’t keep up.
Su Xi was a defensive specialist, no doubt. His lockdown defense was among the best in the league.
However, once McGrady gained an advantageous position, his handle and unparalleled physical gifts made him truly indefensible.
Su Xi tried to poke the ball away from behind, but he couldn’t reach it.
McGrady stord into the paint like a bolt of lightning. He leaped explosively into the air, and Ah Bu scrambled out of the way... BOOM!
He threw down a thunderous dunk.
Water House Center Arena erupted, T-Mac once again firing up the crowd.
Given McGrady’s level of talent, it was no wonder that when choosing between him and Kobe, Adidas gave McGrady the lifeti contract. They even told Kobe, "We’re afraid it would make Tracy unhappy."
In terms of pure talent, McGrady was undeniably superior to Kobe.
A whole tier above, even. McGrady possessed all-ti great talent. Among periter players, he might have been a step below Jordan, but he was definitely in the sa conversation as Jas.
The rest of the players, like Hill, Hardaway, and Kobe, ca after that.
"Now do you see what real skill is?" McGrady turned and lectured Su Xi. "You’ve still got a long way to go."
"I still think your skills can’t fully master your talent," Su Xi retorted. "You’re the most talented opponent I’ve ever faced, but not the most skilled. Kobe is more skilled than you."
McGrady was getting annoyed. ’This rookie is really stubborn, huh?’
’Always complinting just to put down in the next breath. Is he trying to get my attention?’
’Fine, rookie. You’ve successfully gotten my attention.’
McGrady started shadowing Su Xi again.
This ti, Su Xi ran over and set a screen for Jas... It was absurd.
A 192cm player setting a screen for a 204cm player, all to screen the 180cm Tyronn Lue.
Su Xi screened Tyronn Lue, allowing Jas to drive into the paint. McGrady had to switch over, using his height and wingspan to shadow Jas.
Jas quickly passed the ball back out to the arc, where Su Xi leaped to catch it.
Facing Tyronn Lue’s defense.
Su Xi didn’t hesitate for a second. He went straight into a pull-up jumper... releasing the ball with his left hand.
Just like McGrady had done to him earlier.
Tyronn Lue was helpless against Su Xi.
SWISH!
Su Xi drained the three.
On his way back down the court, he even said to McGrady, "See? I can hit a pull-up jumper too. Tyronn Lue is just a 0.5 version of . It doesn’t take any skill."
Huh?
Tyronn Lue, who was walking by, frowned. He was good-natured, but even he felt offended. ’Am I just a unit of asurent to you?’
McGrady was pissed. He was getting serious with this rookie now.
He got back on offense, imdiately posted up Su Xi, and called for the ball.
Tyronn Lue imdiately passed the ball to McGrady, screaming internally, ’Go, Tracy! Destroy this rookie! So arrogant. What’s so great about being talented? There’s always soone more talented than you!’
After catching the ball, McGrady didn’t try to beat Su Xi with raw talent.
He went to his post-up ga.
But Su Xi wasn’t afraid of that.
Su Xi was worried about players who used changes of pace against him. His poor coordination made his center of gravity unstable, making it easy for opponents to blow by him. But a settled, back-to-the-basket ga? That was playing right into his hands.
McGrady had a huge advantage in height, wingspan, and weight, but Su Xi’s strength was solid and he held his ground well.
McGrady’s post ga was certainly excellent for a guard, but it wasn’t elite. His fakes and probes weren’t as sophisticated as Kobe’s. To use Su Xi’s own words, his skills still hadn’t fully caught up to his physical talent.
So, when he tried a spin move, Su Xi was right there to cut him off.
Just as Su Xi was about to go for a steal, McGrady suddenly did another half-spin, took a small step, and completely broke Su Xi’s containnt, easily getting his shot off... SWISH!
The move was incredibly difficult, requiring the utmost physical coordination.
If Ah Zhan tried that move, he’d get dizzy on the first spin, never mind the extra half-spin and step.
After McGrady scored, Su Xi couldn’t help but marvel aloud, "So this is the Super Coordination Talent?"
Hearing the undisguised envy in Su Xi’s voice, McGrady couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride, a small smile touching his lips. But he still had to get the trash talk in. "That’s skill, rookie. Take notes!"
"No, McGrady, you’re a genius. But if I had your Super Coordination Talent, I’d be even better than you."
Su Xi said this with a completely straight face.
"Tch!"
McGrady was dismissive. "Even if I gave you my Super Coordination Talent, you wouldn’t be able to do that. You think my skills just appeared out of thin air?"
The mont McGrady finished speaking, Su Xi suddenly appeared at his side, buzzing with excitent. He grabbed both of McGrady’s hands and asked excitedly, "You’d really give your Super Coordination Talent? Do you an it?"
"Of course. I an, even if I gave you my Super Coordination Talent, you still wouldn’t be able to..."
As McGrady was speaking, he felt a strange tingle on his scalp, as if sothing had suddenly been taken from his body. He paused for a second before continuing, "Stop thinking everything is about talent. I’m a skills player, got it?"
McGrady was obsessed with being seen as a skills player. He didn’t want to be labeled as soone who just relied on talent.
It was like how most rich kids want to make their own fortunes through hard work and ability...
...only to squander the entire family fortune.
This is why so self-made fathers would rather their sons waste their lives on smoking, drinking, cars, watches, and won—anything but thinking they’re capable enough to start their own business.
But right now, Su Xi couldn’t care less if McGrady was a skills player or a talent player.
He was ecstatic. He wanted to grab McGrady and spin him around, because his Little Elf had just notified him that he had acquired the Super Coordination Talent!
’An angel!’
’McGrady, you’re an actual angel!’
’You just gave your Super Coordination Talent just like that. You’re too kind. What a great guy!’
’To think I’d searched high and low, and it just fell into my lap.’
Su Xi finally had his fifth Super Talent.
He was so happy he wanted to jump for joy.
He said to McGrady, "Okay, okay, you’re a skills player. You’ve always been a skills player. You were born a skills player!"
McGrady felt a flash of joy upon hearing this, but he quickly frowned. ’Why do I get the feeling this kid isn’t being as sincere as he was before?’
...
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