บท 136: Chapter 136: "I'm Already Thinking About the Next Opponent"

Tang Lei felt a twinge of gratitude as he saw Curry walk out of the locker room just to check on him. He nodded silently and stood up.

"It's nothing. Just one bad game. This was your first playoff road game. It's normal to struggle a bit. You'll adjust, and I know you'll bounce back in the next game," Curry said, placing a hand on Tang's shoulder as they walked together.

"Thanks, man" Tang Lei replied, his tone sincere.

"No need for thanks. We're teammates. We've got each other's backs."

"Yeah, we do," Tang said, forcing a small smile.

The Warriors' loss and Tang Lei's off-night were all the ammunition critics and trolls needed. Social media was soon flooded with scathing comments.

"Oh wow, the almighty 'Thunder Emperor' has bad games too? Who knew?"

"16 shots, only 4 makes. Even I could do better. I told you he's overrated—just a tall dude who can shoot. Nothing else."

"He crumbles under pressure. Clearly just a regular-season stat padder."

"Embarrassing! Can't even handle the Clippers, yet he's swimming in endorsements. Guess he's cashing in before his stock drops completely."

But for every critic, there was a die-hard fan ready to fight back.

"Victory and defeat are part of the game! Even the best stumble. You think you're better? Get out there and show us."

"Jordan himself wasn't perfect every game. This is just one loss in a long series. Calm down, haters."

"People like you are why basketball in China struggles to grow. Always tearing others down."

"Let the trolls talk. They're just jealous. Don't feed them."

Back in the Warriors' locker room, the air was thick with tension. The loss stung, and the players' silence reflected their disappointment.

Coach Steve Kerr didn't say much. He wanted the players to sit with their thoughts and process the loss. In his mind, this was the wake-up call they needed. The team had become too complacent, and this defeat was a reminder that they couldn't afford to take anything for granted.

After showering, Tang Lei skipped the post-game press conference and headed straight to the team hotel.

As soon as he returned to his room, his phone buzzed with a familiar ringtone. It was a call from Yixiao Zhu.

"Hello?" Tang Lei answered.

"Tang, are you okay? You seemed off tonight," Caroline's concerned voice came through the line.

"I'm fine. Just one bad game," Tang said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Tang, you're amazing. I know this was just a fluke. You'll bounce back—I believe in you," Caroline said, her voice full of encouragement.

"Thank you," Tang replied softly. "I should rest now."

"Alright. Remember, you've got my support. Always. Good night!"

After hanging up, Tang Lei collapsed onto his bed, but sleep didn't come easily. Despite the kind words from Curry and Yixiao, the weight of the loss lingered.

He replayed the game in his head, shot by shot, mistake by mistake. Twelve missed shots. Just three or four more makes, and the outcome could have been so different.

"No use dwelling on 'what ifs,'" Tang told himself, sitting up abruptly. "I have to figure out what went wrong and fix it. Now."

Grabbing his tablet, he called one of the assistant coaches and requested the game footage. Within minutes, the video file arrived.

For the first time in his career, Tang Lei watched every second of his gameplay with laser focus.

"That shot was forced. That pass was telegraphed. Here, I lost my man entirely," he muttered as he analyzed each play.

He rewound, paused, and rewatched key moments, imagining better decisions and more effective actions. Hours slipped by unnoticed. By the time Tang finally closed the video file, the clock read 4:00 AM.

The Warriors and Clippers squared off again at Staples Center. The arena was packed, and the noise was deafening. Clippers fans had made Tang Lei a target, their boos and jeers reaching a fever pitch every time he touched the ball.

But this time, Tang didn't flinch. His demeanor was calm, his movements confident. The Clippers fans were unsettled.

"How is this kid so composed after last game?"

"He's faking it. He's probably shaking inside."

"We'll see if he cracks under pressure again."

When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 132-105, Warriors.

Tang Lei had silenced his critics in spectacular fashion. His stat line: 55 points, 7 assists, and complete domination on both ends of the floor.

He had dismantled the Clippers' defense single-handedly, leading the Warriors to a commanding 3-1 series lead.

"Unreal," Curry said, clapping Tang on the back. "You were unstoppable."

"Thanks," Tang replied with a faint smile. Only he knew the hours of work he had put in to make this performance possible.

Even Kevin Durant, usually reserved, gave Tang a high-five and nodded approvingly. "Big-time, man."

The media was buzzing. Tang's 55-point game in just his fourth playoff outing was a feat few in NBA history had ever accomplished.

After the game, TNT's sideline reporter, a blonde in a sleek white dress and high heels, interviewed Tang.

"Mr. Tang, congratulations on your 55-point game—a career-high! How do you feel about tonight's performance?"

"Calm," Tang replied, his voice steady. "I knew I'd score big tonight."

The reporter chuckled. "Very confident! So, what does scoring 55 mean to you?"

"Nothing special. It's just a number. If it means anything, it shows I dismantled their defense tonight."

Her final question: "Do you think the Clippers can still challenge you and the Warriors in this series?"

Tang smirked. "I'm already thinking about our next opponent."

The reporter laughed. "Confident as ever. Thank you for your time, Mr. Tang."

Tang shrugged as she walked away, her flirtatious glance a mere footnote in his night. He returned to the locker room, his mind already shifting to the next game.

Tang's post-game interview went viral, sparking heated debates online. Clippers fans were outraged, with some going so far as to burn Tang's jersey outside Staples Center.

But back in China, Tang Lei's performance and bold words were met with overwhelming support."55 points in a playoff game! Is this guy even human?"

"He's the future of Chinese basketball!"

As Tang Lei lay in bed that night, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. For now, he had silenced the doubters. But with Game 5 looming, he knew the journey was far from over.