Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Yu Fei accelerated at full speed, and Duncan decisively switched to defend. They say kings do not meet, but the two had already faced off countless times before.

Against any ordinary interior player, Yu Fei would have already gotten past with a single step.

But even trailing in position, Duncan maintained a suffocating defensive pressure. As Yu Fei charged into the paint, the Spurs' twin towers blocked the way; in the front was Robinson, and behind was Duncan. Yu Fei, caught between them as he jumped, cradled the ball for a layup and flicked it high with his left hand.

On the other side, the Bucks' center Travis Knight was ready for the put-back.

In their bid to double-team Yu Fei, Robinson lost the best position for boxing out.

But there was no rebound.

"Swish!!!"

ABC commentator Brad Nessler quoted classic lines, "What a spectacular move, Frye Yu single-handedly ties the game against two defenders!"

Quote from the commentary during MJ's mid-air hand switch dunk in 1991.

77 to 77

Yu Fei was neither sad nor happy, without even a single celebratory gesture.

Unknowingly, he and Duncan had both turned into what the other typically represented.

Duncan was the one constantly making celebratory gestures to boost his team's morale, while Yu Fei was unmovable as a mountain, always striking when the Spurs saw a glimmer of hope, reintroducing suspense into the game.

"Do you think everyone's left hand is as crappy as yours?"

Except for trash talk.

Trash talk was the only trait that set Yu Fei apart from Duncan.

Time moved on, with only the final two minutes of the game remaining.

The Spurs initiated their offense tactically, using up a full 20 seconds, with the last shot a three-pointer by Stephen Jackson that missed.

David Robinson with the strength of pulling up mountains secured the offensive rebound from amid the crowd and passed it out.

Duncan moved to set a high screen.

This familiar scene failed to raise the Bucks' suspicions, and Parker once again exploited Duncan's high screen to break inside. Duncan pulled out to a position two steps inside the three-point arc.

That was the spot from which he scored on his previous offensive play.

Parker's drive was blocked, and he passed the ball back.

Mason, a bit more mindful, stepped up preemptively to contest Duncan's shot. However, the lack of height due to his stature didn't deter Duncan from taking the shot fearlessly.

Duncan's shot, reminiscent of Ewing's "Bunny Hop" jumper, had a certain ungainly comedic aspect; when he shot, it seemed his limbs trembled in disarray. This time was even more exaggerated; excited, Duncan hopped again right after landing, as if trying to leap up and watch the ball fly into the basket.

"Swish!"

"Tim Duncan's game is flawless! He has no weaknesses!"

There were no more celebratory gestures from Duncan; he just watched Yu Fei then quickly retreated.

"How can there be such a player?!" Karl was becoming unhinged. With a 20+20+9 (blocks) on the interior and delivering 9 assists while scoring multiple long shots when the team couldn't score, how could this be happening?

Yu Fei's performance was already unbelievably outstanding, but this damn Duncan!!!

Duncan's heart-stopping shot plunged the Bucks' supporters into pessimism.

Only one person roared in defiance.

"Then let's hit back!" Mason shouted. "Frye, I'll set a screen for you, hit back!"

"Of course we'll hit back!"

Yu Fei advanced the ball past half-court, the space now opened up.

The Spurs knew how Yu Fei was going to play. Their only option was to double-team, and Mason would be the one left open.

As Mason set the screen, Duncan opted for an early double-team, joining Bowen on the perimeter in an attempt to force Yu Fei into a turnover.

Yu Fei's gaze was intense; at this critical moment when one false step could mean complete loss, he suddenly stopped, bounced the ball between his legs from behind, and like a crazed bull, charged through the gap in the double-team, ripping it wide open.

"!#!￥"

In this overwhelming atmosphere, this breath-taking game entered its final minute. The symbol of the Spurs' strongest defense, the Twin Towers, had been broken through by Yu Fei who now faced only David Robinson under the basket.

With the Bradley Center's deafening cheers, the Admiral couldn't hear anything; he didn't know how he reacted, he only knew he had to stop Frye Yu.

Yu Fei roared as he soared into the air, Robinson defensively passive, arms raised, attempting to intercept the ball, but he simply couldn't withstand the enemy charging at full speed trying to ravage everything.

In mid-air, Robinson's body was harshly jolted by Yu Fei; he was certain the impact wasn't light for his opponent either.

Yu Fei too lost his balance, but the ball, charged with all his might, fell like a guillotine set to drop precisely at the stroke of noon, cleaving through onto the basket.

David Robinson fell to the floor, hearing the referee's whistle, he received his sixth foul of the night.

Yu Fei hung on the rim, like a deity judging everything.

Commit your way to Jehovah, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.

Robinson didn't know if he would get the outcome he desired.

But his endeavors for the night had come to an end. Experience exclusive tales on empire

Blood seemed to seep from Popovich's eyes; he couldn't believe his team was being pushed to this extent by a player not yet 21 years old.

Robinson fouled out of the game.

The Spurs called for a timeout.

Popovich subbed in Malik Rose to replace him.

Then, Yu Fei made the free throw.

80 to 79

The Bucks made adjustments as well, with Karl subbing out Travis Knight, letting Mason play the five to create more space for Yu Fei, and bringing Ratner in at the four.

Only 58 seconds left in the game.

Every offensive possession could potentially determine the outcome.