NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

Chapter 49

The game began, and Zhao Dong faced off against Mourning for the jump ball. As Mourning's bloodshot eyes locked onto him, Zhao Dong sneered and dismissed him.

"Boy, just wait for me," Mourning hissed through clenched teeth.

"I can't wait to destroy you," Zhao Dong shot back.

At the start of the jump, Mourning's experience paid off as he pulled the ball away, allowing the Heat to initiate their attack. On the right wing, Zhao Dong was engaged in a physical battle with PJ Brown. Despite the obvious size and strength advantage of more than ten kilograms, Brown struggled to make headway. Zhao Dong stood firm at the edge of the paint, denying any progress.

As Charlie Ward defended, Tim Hardaway danced with the ball, executing quick moves that split his body in two, his speed creating the illusion of vanishing before Ward's eyes. Ward, a seasoned defender, couldn't keep up with the explosive moves, and Hardaway shook him off, driving into the three-point line. He abruptly stopped and took a long jumper, landing a two-point shot.

Boom! The ball clanged off the rim, missing. In the paint, Ewing blocked Mourning, allowing Zhao Dong to grab the rebound. The Knicks quickly transitioned into offense.

Instead of passing the ball, Zhao Dong took it himself, charging down the court. Though PJ Brown, weighing only 102 kilograms, was no slouch, Zhao Dong's speed left him in the dust.

"Oh, Zhao Dong takes the ball down quickly, Dan Marley is pressing, and Zhao Dong dribbles behind his back, breaking through... and he passes!" The on-site commentator roared.

Dan Marley tried to recover, but Zhao Dong's swift movements sent him crashing to the floor with a thud, leaving Marley helpless as Zhao Dong continued his drive.

The game was being broadcast live across the United States on TNT, with Bill Walton commenting, "His speed is incredible—Zhao Dong's pace rivals that of any guard."

Mourning, despite his best efforts to catch up, couldn't match Zhao Dong's speed as the ball handler advanced. Ewing blocked him, slowing Zhao Dong just enough for Mourning to close the gap by a couple of meters, though he was still a step behind. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway was hustling back, but Charlie Ward kept him contained on the right wing, leaving the Heat's basket unprotected.

Without hesitation, Zhao Dong charged into the paint from the free-throw line, ignoring his pursuers. With just a couple of steps, he leapt toward the basket, clutching the ball in both hands.

The crowd of Knicks fans held their breath, eyes wide in anticipation, hoping for a dunk that would electrify the arena with the powerful sound of the ball slamming through the rim.

Mourning, just a step behind, knew he couldn't catch up. But with a fierce determination, he launched himself into the air, trying to block Zhao Dong's inevitable dunk, his face twisted in a mask of fury.

Boom! The sound of the basket exploding echoed through the arena.

"Yeah!" The crowd erupted as if a switch had been flipped, instantly unleashing waves of adrenaline across the stands. The cheers and shouts reverberated throughout the stadium.

Oh! Mourning, furious and determined, collided violently with Zhao Dong from behind in midair. Zhao Dong felt an immense force hit him. Thankfully, his hands remained firmly gripped around the ball as he dunked, keeping his hold despite the impact. The force from the hit caused the rim to shake, but the ball stayed secure, and he didn't fall.

Mourning, however, was not so fortunate. After slamming into Zhao Dong's back, he was sent crashing backward. He hit the ground hard, landing flat on his back with a thud. His face paled, and it seemed as though his eyeballs might pop out from the shock.

"Oh ho ho..." The on-site commentator screamed with excitement, his voice rising in intensity. "A two-handed dunk! Zhao Dong delivers a brutal two-handed slam! Mourning has fallen at his feet..."

"Mourning hasn't moved. Is he injured?" Bill Walton asked on the TNT live broadcast.

"Falling on his back like that—he should be fine," Matt replied.

As the two commentators discussed it, they were relieved to see Mourning slowly rising with Tim Hardaway's help.

"Alonzo?" Pat Riley called out from the sidelines.

"I'm fine," Mourning panted, shaking his head.

Pat Riley didn't make a substitution. His iron-willed coaching style meant that, unless a player was seriously injured, they would remain on the court.

The Heat quickly transitioned into offense. Tim Hardaway passed the ball to Mourning in the low post on the right wing. Mourning's offensive moves were limited—a mid-range shot, a small turnaround hook, and a dunk, known as his "triple axe." After receiving the ball, he attempted the turnaround hook, but missed. Zhao Dong, blocking PJ Brown, grabbed the rebound and secured it for the Knicks.

"Return to defense! Return to defense!" Pat Riley yelled sharply from the sideline.

Zhao Dong initiated another fast break, but this time, he chose to pass. Charlie Ward advanced into the paint, but Hardaway stuck to him closely. Ward pulled to the right wing, leaving the Heat's basket unprotected. Zhao Dong made a sharp cut from the left wing, easily shaking off Brown, who fell three steps behind. As Mourning charged into the paint, passing Ewing on the way, Zhao Dong positioned himself perfectly.

Charlie Ward passed the ball to him, hanging it in midair. Zhao Dong, already aware of Mourning's approach, leaped into the air. With his right hand pressed against Mourning, he grabbed the ball with his left hand, then slammed it down with a powerful, flat dunk.

"Flat basket dunk!" The commentator's roar rang out, his voice filled with exhilaration.

Mourning flew toward the basket and lunged at Zhao Dong, but at that moment, a large hand was pressed against his face. The next instant...

Boom! The sound of the basket exploding once again reverberated throughout Madison Square Garden.

"Yeah!" The excited cheers of countless fans filled the arena, their fists raised in triumph.

Oh! Mourning was slammed to the floor by Zhao Dong, but this time, he landed on his back. Zhao Dong, having completed the dunk, flew under the basket, unable to stop his momentum after landing. He took four or five steps before finally coming to a halt.

"Is it cool?" he yelled, his voice filled with excitement, addressing the cheering crowd.

"It's so cool!" the fans shouted back in unison.

"Haha..." Zhao Dong laughed, enjoying the moment.

"Foul! It's a foul!" Pat Riley growled from the sidelines, his frustration evident.

But no one paid him any attention. Mourning, getting up on his own, rushed back to the game. Zhao Dong, with a smirk, had shown mercy—if he had wanted to, he could have raised his elbow and caused even more damage, but he didn't. No fouls were called.

The game had started with two fast breaks, both resulting in thunderous dunks. After the Heat's serve, Riley called for a timeout.

"Be careful of that rookie's fast break," Riley's voice rang out as he addressed the team from the bench. "He's extremely fast. Control him inside and don't let him start whenever he wants..."

His stern instructions made everyone, including Mourning, lower their heads and wipe the sweat from their brows.

"Alonzo, do you want to rest?" Riley asked, eyeing Mourning.

Mourning's face was still a little pale, but he shook his head firmly. "I'm fine. I can keep going."

How could he leave the court now? He had already suffered two humiliating dunks from Zhao Dong, and he was determined to redeem himself.

"Be careful with that kid. His speed is faster than you expect, and his strength is no less than yours. His impact is powerful," Riley warned, his expression serious.

"Yes, coach, I'll be careful," Mourning quickly responded.

As play resumed, the Heat attacked. Mourning received the ball on the low right wing, determined to take on Ewing and score. Mourning and O'Neal had both been rookies of the year—Mourning was the second pick, overshadowed by O'Neal, the first overall pick. Even in their rookie seasons, O'Neal had been named the best rookie, leaving Mourning in second place. Over the years, O'Neal had become one of the top four super centers, while Mourning had struggled to break into that elite group.

Mourning knew he couldn't compete with Shaquille O'Neal's dominance, but his current goal was clear: to take down Ewing, the weakest of the four super centers, and eventually claim the top spot for himself.

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