On January 16th, Durant hosted his good brother Michael Beasley at his home in Oklahoma City. Tonight, the Thunder would face the Heat at home. After Beasley arrived in Oklahoma City with the team this morning, Durant immediately picked him up and brought him to his house.
"Wow, Bro! All-Star, Scoring Champion, MVP—you're going to make big money! Wanda must be so proud of you. Our childhood dream is about to come true!"
"Mom misses you terribly. She always reminisces about the old days and still insists on cooking herself whenever she hosts friends. You should help me convince her. We're rich now, with tons of money. I feel like we'll never spend it all in this lifetime!"
Durant began to recall past hardships and think of current sweetness. It must be said that the arrival of his good brother Beasley alleviated his anxiety.
"Come on, Kevin, you didn't read those media reports again, did you? Those reporters and commentators don't understand basketball at all. They haven't even shot a single basket on the court. Don't pay attention to their bullshit remarks!"
Beasley saw Durant's constipated expression and, remembering how the media had been criticizing Durant's MVP candidacy as undeserving these past few days, immediately knew his brother was affected by media comments.
"Fuck! I really can't understand. Do those guys really know anything about basketball? They even talked on shows about how high scoring hurts the team, and many fans actually believe it. These damn media outlets just don't want to see me start in the All-Star Game."
Durant never expected that after entering the MVP candidate list, his attention would indeed increase, but he would also be criticized even more severely.
In fact, this is a common trick used by the media. Comparisons between MVP candidates and discussions about All-Star starters are two hot topics everyone has been frantically chasing recently. Nobody reads praise; only sensational and negative reports stir up debate among fans.
"If I were you, I wouldn't even look at Twitter or news reports. So many girls are waiting for you, why would you pay attention to those old men who spout nonsense every day? Kevin, you're about to be an All-Star player. To hell with those boring reports!"
Beasley lay on the sofa, leisurely eating snacks, while comforting his good brother.
"I know, I know, but why do they always praise Kayce? Everyone likes his style of play. I don't think he's much better than me!"
If it were just random criticism, Durant wouldn't really care, but this situation was about comparison. He considered himself the core of the Thunder and the team's strongest scorer, yet his public perception outside the court was losing to Kayce, which he found somewhat hard to accept.
"Cough, cough… Don't think about these boring things, Bro. Wanda should have lunch ready by now. I can't wait! Let's go, Kevin!"
Beasley was somewhat speechless, because Kayce indeed played very well, and he truly revitalized the Thunder's offense. But he couldn't really say that, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Okay, I hope those shitty media outlets criticize me a little less!"
When the Thunder's afternoon practice session ended, everyone noticed that Kayce seemed to have gotten a bit stronger, especially the fluidity of his back-to-the-basket catch-and-turn move, which was smoother than before.
Coach Brooks also noticed this. Facing Thabo Sefolosha's defense, Kayce received the ball with his back to the basket on the right block, then smoothly turned, cleverly slipped past the defense, and easily laid the ball into the hoop.
"Kayce, you've come up with some new tricks again. I really envy you being able to handle the ball with both hands. I've practiced for so many years, and my left hand is still as stiff as wood!"
After practice, Thabo Sefolosha immediately showered him with compliments.
"I still have a long way to go! But I do have a lot of insights into back-to-the-basket techniques. If anyone is interested, you can always ask me. My training is much cheaper than Olajuwon's."
Facing the praise, Kayce also joked. After consecutive losses to the Spurs and Mavericks, Kayce had gained another bronze achievement badge.
Achievement Badge[Drop Step Master]: 5/500
Increases the success rate of low-post turns and reduces the chance of losing the ball during a turn.
This was a dual-attribute badge with simple and practical effects. When combined with [Dream Shake], the combined bonus effect was very good. Kayce had been adjusting his back-to-the-basket moves these past two days and had mostly adapted to them.
"Alright, lads, Kostić is back from injury tonight. I hope we can deliver a victory to the Oklahoma City fans playing at home. Come on! We're almost through the team's difficult period. Jeff Green should be able to play by the end of the month!"
Coach Brooks announced the good news from the medical team. He didn't want continuous losses to affect the team's morale.
"That's great! The Lakers haven't surpassed us, we still have a chance, haha, maybe they'll keep losing!"
With a record of 31 wins and 8 losses, the Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers currently have the same number of wins. This was thanks to the San Antonio Spurs, otherwise the Los Angeles Lakers would have already taken the top spot in the Western Conference.
"I love playing against the Miami Heat. I didn't expect them to trade for Alston. Honestly, I like this matchup!"
During the break, Russell said with a beaming smile that he just loved playing against smaller guards.
"I always feel like the Heat's perimeter defense has gotten worse after the trade, but that's good news for us. Beasley's defense is still as casual as ever. Shit, I knew he wouldn't listen to my advice."
When alone at home, Durant would appear somewhat troubled, but as soon as he came to the team, he would immediately put on a boss-like demeanor, after all, the team leader's prestige could not drop.
"Remember not to go easy, Kevin. I'm looking forward to your performance tonight."
Kayce smiled and teased Durant. He estimated that the other party would definitely go all out against his good brother tonight, after all, Beasley was the Miami Heat's perimeter defensive liability.
"Losing is good for him. To play in the NBA, your defense has to be decent. I've told him many times, but unfortunately, it never has any effect."
Durant shrugged helplessly. He was worried that his good brother would really be cut by the team after his guaranteed contract ended.
"Alright, guys, let's not talk about this anymore. When I recover from my injury at the end of the month, I'm definitely going to throw a big party. I've met a lot of Mexican girls recently. God, they are so passionate!"
Jeff Green had a shoulder injury, but that wouldn't stop him from having fun.
"Maybe they're all very enthusiastic about millionaires, man, you know, be safe!"
"Oh!!" "Haha, Kayce is right, don't get too involved, Green!"
January 17th
In the player tunnel, the Miami Heat players, feeling the fervent atmosphere of the Ford Center, couldn't help but look at each other. Last year when they played here, the scene wasn't like this.
"I never expected Oklahoma City fans to be so enthusiastic. God, I feel a ringing in my ears."
Seeing the thunderous cheers erupt when Durant came out, Beasley secretly felt a pang of envy. It seemed his good brother was indeed about to make it big.
"Don't envy them. When we win the championship, the Miami fans will be even more passionate!"
Wade, however, looked calm. After all, he had won a championship and participated in a championship parade. He had witnessed even more enthusiastic scenes than this. But when he looked at his teammates around him, Wade couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"Mysterious reinforcements, I always feel like this season holds no promise."
Before the game started, both teams were doing their final warm-ups. Kayce saw Alston in a Heat jersey and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Perhaps after this season, the Streetball King would bid farewell to the NBA.
The referee signaled everyone to the center of the court. Both teams' players exchanged simple greetings, and Wade smiled at Kayce beside him, saying,
"Are you ready? It'll be tough for you to score easily against me!"
"I've already adapted to NBA games. You can't stop me, Bro!"
Kayce replied casually, knowing this was the time to talk big.
"The game begins! O'Neal jumps for the Heat and gets the tip. Alston quickly dribbles across half-court."
On the Heat's first possession, O'Neal came up for a screen. Alston drove to the left. Russell quickly squeezed past the screen. Feeling the defensive pressure beside him, Alston didn't hold the ball, quickly passing it to O'Neal, who was cutting.
After receiving the ball, O'Neal tried to use his body to push past Kostić's defense but failed. Helpless, O'Neal turned, gathered the ball, and quickly shot a hook.
"Bang!" It clanked off the rim.
After Ibaka secured the defensive rebound, he immediately passed it to Kayce beside him, and the Thunder pushed for a fast break.
After receiving the ball, Kayce noticed that Russell and Durant had already crossed half-court. The Heat's transition defense was also very fast. It was a 3-on-2 in the frontcourt, and Durant actively ran to the corner to create space.
Kayce, on the move, flicked his left wrist, faking a pass. The basketball bounced off the floor and quickly returned to Kayce's hand, momentarily stunning Alston.
Kayce seized this opportunity, throwing the ball directly towards the hoop. Russell, who understood perfectly, had already taken flight, catching the ball with both hands and slamming it into the basket!
"Slam!" An alley-oop dunk was successful.
"Wow!"
The Thunder's signature fast break right from the start had the Ford Center crowd roaring with excitement.
The Heat quickly inbounded the ball. After Alston dribbled across half-court, he immediately passed it to Wade. The latter, upon receiving the ball, didn't immediately attack but directed his teammates to their positions, making a series of outside passes.
Finally, Alston, off an O'Neal screen, took a mid-range jump shot.
"Bang!" It missed.
Durant grabbed the long rebound and immediately passed it to Kayce. Noticing Wade quickly closing in, Kayce made an accurate long pass to an accelerating Russell. The latter, after receiving the ball, charged towards the opponent's half like a small train, choo-choo-chooing.
The slender Alston, after colliding with Russell, stumbled, only able to watch Russell execute a one-handed dunk!
"Slam!" A transition dunk was successful.
Two transition offenses, both ending in dunks, completely ignited Russell's emotions. On defense, he began to desperately chase Alston. Seeing that the team couldn't get anything going, Wade stepped up again.
After receiving the ball, Wade crossed over, stopped abruptly, pulled back, and shot a step-back jumper over Kayce's defense.
"Swish!" The mid-range shot found the bottom of the net.
Kayce wasn't discouraged; this was the ability of a superstar, scoring even with defense. Wade took less than 5 seconds from receiving the ball to shooting; such an offensive rhythm was worth studying.
In the ensuing plays, Durant began to strike hard. Facing the Thunder's double-screen tactic, Beasley's switch defense was always a half-step slow, allowing Durant to easily receive the ball and shoot calmly.
Seeing the Thunder execute the same tactic three times in a row, with Durant making all three shots, Coach Spo couldn't take it anymore and immediately called a timeout.
On the Thunder's bench, everyone looked relaxed. This was their game rhythm: fast-break offense, quick shots after off-ball screens—everything had come together at the start.
"It's clear, Kevin, you're really not holding back. Beasley might have to be subbed out."
Kayce shrugged, teasing Durant. He truly hadn't expected the same tactic to succeed three times in a row.
"If I were the Head Coach, I'd sub him out too. That guy's defensive awareness is too poor. I even reminded him at lunch, and it's still like this!"
Durant was also a bit frustrated. With his own brother playing so poorly, he was worried about Beasley's next contract.
Coach Brooks didn't give any tactical instructions. The Thunder had played exceptionally well from the start. If the game continued at this pace, it was pretty much secured.
The Heat returned from the timeout and scored two points off Wade's pick-and-roll drive, helping to stabilize the situation. But the Thunder's offense had completely opened up. Russell's high pick-and-roll, pull-up jumpers also went in consecutively.
With his teammates in good form, Kayce didn't force his offense. Most of the time, he "smoked" in the corner, occasionally transitioning the ball, helping the team execute tactical plays, and feeding Kostić easy baskets. After all, the latter had just returned from injury, and he needed to help him find his rhythm.
With 4 minutes and 12 seconds left in the first quarter, the Thunder failed to execute a tactical play successfully, and the shot clock was running down. Kayce received the ball at the top of the arc beyond the three-point line, and Kostić came up for a screen.
Kayce held the ball in his right hand, leaning on Wade while observing the Heat's defensive positioning. Perhaps because the shot clock was about to expire, O'Neal was defending very high this time, seemingly wanting to double-team Kayce.
Just as the opponent was about to move, Kayce made a subtle behind-the-back bounce pass that sliced through Wade and O'Neal, landing precisely in Kostić's hands. The latter, momentarily surprised upon receiving the ball, then strode towards the basket and slammed it down with one hand!
The combination of the [Bullet Passer] + [Dime Dropper] badges made Kayce's passes both fast and accurate, easily tearing apart the Heat's defense.
In the remaining three minutes of the first quarter, Wade grew increasingly disheartened. Had he been possessed by a blacksmith? Quentin Richardson and the subbed-in Haslem clanked shot after shot, and the Thunder once again launched a furious fast break, easily going on an 8-0 run.
By the end of the first quarter, it was 19-31, with the Thunder leading by 12 points. The Heat had almost bent the Ford Center's rim out of shape.
Coach Spo saw that everyone was cold. In the second quarter, he put Beasley back in, but this was a double-edged sword, hurting both sides. The Heat's defense was completely dissected by Kayce.
During the rotation, Kayce struck hard, going all out. Facing the subbed-in Dorell Wright, he continuously dribbled between his legs beyond the three-point line, faking a drive with the ball in his right hand.
This simple fake made the opponent retreat a big step. Kayce instantly gathered the ball and shot a jump shot from beyond the three-point line.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
In the next few possessions, three-pointers after high pick-and-rolls, step-back three-pointers to shake off defenders, and open three-pointers from outside passes, Kayce hit them consecutively, and the Thunder continued to extend their lead.
Coach Spo helplessly brought Wade back in early, but unfortunately, the game's rhythm was already completely controlled by the Thunder. Missed shots led to fast breaks, and in half-court sets, Kayce constantly connected with his teammates.
Wade grew more and more frustrated. Why couldn't they defend? How had the Heat's defense become like this?
In the latter half of the second quarter, Kayce began to frequently get to the free-throw line. After making both free throws, Kayce, with a smile, said to Wade:
"My teammates are all scoring easily. It looks like this game has no suspense!"
After saying that, without waiting for Wade's reaction, he quickly turned and ran back on defense. Showing off and then running away—this was a show-off technique he learned from Paul.
Wade looked at the scoreboard and gave a helpless, bitter smile. An 18-point deficit meant the game was basically over. They had been annihilated by the Thunder's three-pointers!
In the second half, both teams played even more fluidly, and garbage time quickly arrived, making the bench players on both sides ecstatic; finally, they could rack up some stats!
Ultimately, 82-106, the Thunder easily defeated the brick-laying Heat, continuing to lead the Western Conference.
Wade sat silently on the bench from the third quarter onwards. After the game, he stared intently at the Thunder's trio receiving cheers from the fans on the sidelines, unable to help but show an envious gaze, thinking to himself:
"Perhaps, I should also make some changes!"