33: The Muse of Inspiration

That textbook-perfect fadeaway jumper not only ignited the Staples Center but also served as a shot of adrenaline, injecting itself into the heart of every Lakers player.

Lin Feng's basket completely energized the entire team.

When the Clippers organized their offense again, everyone could feel the change in the Lakers' defensive end.

Gasol's footwork became more active, Kaman's positioning in the paint became more ferocious, and even Nick Young, who was usually somewhat lax on defense, began using his body to impede his opponent's movement.

The role players were infected by the calm yet powerful leadership aura emanating from Lin Feng, giving their all on the defensive end.

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

The roars of the home fans converged into an invisible wave of sound, pressuring every Clippers offensive possession.

Chris Paul felt the pressure.

Facing Nash's defense, he attempted a difficult pull-up jumper. The ball hit the front rim and bounced out.

Gasol firmly boxed out Griffin and secured the rebound.

Transition offense.

The Lakers' offense flowed seamlessly. Just one movement by Lin Feng beyond the three-point line drew the defensive attention of two Clippers players.

Nash seized the opportunity with a precise direct pass to a cutting Jordan Hill.

Hill caught the ball and threw down a powerful, thunderous dunk!

The lead was further extended!

But the Clippers didn't collapse.

Chris Paul, the league's premier point guard, showed his true strength in adversity.

He stopped fixating on isolation plays and instead began orchestrating for his teammates, utilizing his unparalleled court vision.

First, he assisted Butler on the perimeter for a three-pointer.

Then, with another brilliant bounce pass, he found DeAndre Jordan under the basket for an easy finish.

The score began to seesaw, and the game entered a truly white-hot phase.

Every offensive and defensive possession gripped the hearts of nearly twenty thousand spectators in the arena.

In the VIP seats.

Taylor Swift's Agent, a capable middle-aged woman, whispered a reminder.

"Taylor, we should probably get ready to leave soon. The exit corridors might get very crowded."

However, Taylor Swift seemed not to hear.

She leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes, now exposed to the light after removing her sunglasses, were fixed unblinkingly on the court.

She was completely captivated by this rollercoaster of a game.

Especially that figure wearing number 1.

His every movement, every touch of the ball, every shot attempt seemed to carry a peculiar magic.

The Agent tried to persuade her again but saw Taylor make an unexpected move.

Taylor Swift took out her phone.

On the bright screen, she opened a search engine. For the first time, her slender fingers actively typed the name of a basketball player on the virtual keyboard.

"Lin Feng".

Search results quickly popped up.

On the screen, information about Lin Feng wasn't plentiful, but each entry was impactful.

【CBA Cast-off, Dreaming of the NBA with a Slim Chance】

【Biggest Dark Horse of the Summer League! Mysterious Eastern rookie's Buzzer-Beater Stuns Vegas!】

【First Undrafted Player in Lakers History! Can Lin Feng Find a Foothold in Los Angeles?】

The lines of headlines outlined a career path that was anything but smooth.

From a disappointed figure in the CBA, to a fringe player unnoticed in the Summer League.

To using a shocking buzzer-beater to knock open the door to the NBA.

And tonight, under the spotlight of the L.A. Derby, from being brutally locked down by his opponent to responding forcefully with basketball IQ and dazzling skill.

This story of rebounding from the bottom and blooming defiantly under the world's gaze deeply touched Taylor's heart.

Hadn't she herself been the same?

Achieving fame at a young age, standing atop the world music scene, yet also having experienced countless criticisms, betrayals, and storms.

She understood better than anyone how much strength of heart and unwavering belief it took to prove oneself again under immense pressure and doubt.

She lifted her head and looked once more at that figure on the court, clad in purple and gold, sweating profusely.

Sweat trickled down the sharp line of his jaw, dripping onto the "Lakers" lettering on his chest.

His eyes were focused and calm, as if all the external noise was irrelevant to him.

At this moment, the look in Taylor's eyes as she watched him changed.

It was no longer a simple appreciation for a handsome athlete.

It was the resonance of one artist for a genius in another field.

It was... a capture of "inspiration."

"He's like a symphony struggling in darkness, yet ultimately playing a magnificent movement."

Taylor unconsciously murmured softly to her Agent beside her.

The Agent was stunned. She rarely saw Taylor use such a tone to evaluate someone completely unrelated to music.

The game had entered its final countdown.

"Roar!"

Accompanied by a roar, Blake Griffin, posting up against Gasol in the paint, used a powerful bank shot to put the ball in the basket!

And drew a foul on Gasol!

He made the free throw!

95 to 96!

The Clippers took a 1-point lead over the Lakers with only 24 seconds left in the game!

The Staples Center fell into dead silence.

The Lakers had the final possession.

Everyone's gaze turned to the coaching staff on the sideline.

D'Antoni stood there with his arms crossed, his expression calm.

He did not call a timeout.

He chose to trust the players on the court.

To trust the experienced veteran Steve Nash.

And even more, to trust the number 1 rookie who, in the second half, had completely gained confidence and taken over the game.

Nash received the inbound pass in the backcourt and wasn't in a hurry.

He glanced at the game clock and advanced the ball up the court unhurriedly.

20 seconds.

15 seconds.

10 seconds.

The Clippers' defensive formation was fully set, every player's nerves taut.

Their defensive strategy was clear: prevent Lin Feng from receiving the ball at all costs.

Nash dribbled to the top of the key. 8 seconds remained.

A look from him.

Lin Feng understood instantly, immediately starting his movement from the corner.

He used Kaman's screen and curled out.

The Clippers switched immediately.

Nash flicked his wrist gently. The ball precisely pierced through the defense, arriving in Lin Feng's hands.

At the right forty-five-degree angle, a step beyond the three-point line.

At this moment, the eyes of the world were all focused on this rookie who had been in the NBA for less than a month.

In front of him was the Clippers' defensive specialist, the experienced Caron Butler.

Time, only 5 seconds remaining.

Lin Feng held the ball, crouched slightly, sensing the pressure emanating from Butler.

In the stands, Taylor Swift unconsciously clenched her fists.

On the commentary desk, Barkley's voice was hoarse with tension.

"Final shot! It's Lin Feng again!"

"What will he choose? Drive or shoot?"

"Will he use that fadeaway jumper again?"