Chapter 88: Judgment Dunk
The fourth quarter began, Lakers possession.
Fisher steadily dribbled across half-court, without any hesitation, directly passing the ball to Kobe in the low post.
Kobe backed down against Xu Ling, this time, he didn’t choose flashy footwork, but pure power crush.
He was like a road roller at full throttle, step by step, extremely toughly backing down into the paint. Xu Ling gritted his teeth, using all his strength to hold him off, the floor creaking under his feet.
Backing to the deep position, Kobe suddenly faked left with his shoulder, then spun right into a fadeaway! Xu Ling’s reaction was at its limit, leaping desperately to block, his fingertips nearly touching the bottom of the basketball.
But Kobe’s release point was too high, the fadeaway too deep.
“Swish!”
Lakers score first..
“I’m waiting for your fucking response!”
Kobe growled low at Xu Ling while backpedaling, looking full of fight.
Switch sides, Xu Ling faced Kobe, continuous crossover dribbles, rhythm unpredictable.
Kobe lowered his center of gravity, eyes sharp as a hawk, unmoved.
Suddenly, Xu Ling did an extremely quick body-front crossover from Kobe’s right side, driving hard, Kobe quickly slid over, using his chest to firmly hold position.
Their bodies collided fiercely again, the huge impact force making Xu Ling stumble, his ball-handling becoming slightly unsteady, on the verge of a turnover.
But in this split-second, Xu Ling relied on astonishing core strength to abruptly stop his momentum, while yanking the ball back hard with his right hand, completing a staggering, nearly off-balance behind-the-back dribble, the basketball dangerously bouncing off the floor, coming to life as it switched from behind him to his left hand!
That was it! Xu Ling slipped through like an eel, forcing his way through the tiny gap between Kobe and the sideline that barely existed!
“Wooow!”
The crowd erupted in an unbelievable gasp!
Xu Ling drove to the free-throw line, Lamar Odom already helping on defense, his massive frame blotting out the sky.
He didn’t slow down at all, instead accelerating again, leaping full force against Odom! Odom leaped to block too, his long arms covering all of Xu Ling’s layup angles.
In the air, Xu Ling made a tiny but crucial layup adjustment, his body tensing like a bowstring, barely dodging Odom’s fingertips, flicking the ball gently with his right wrist’s power.
The basketball obediently hit the high glass and bounced in.
“And One!!”
After landing, Xu Ling pointed at Odom, yelling at the referee. The ref’s whistle blew right on time, calling Odom for a defensive foul!
Xu Ling steadied himself, looking at Kobe who had just backpedaled into position, his voice sharp as a blade: “How’s this response?”
Kobe’s face was darkly overcast, no reply, just slapping his hand hard.
Xu Ling made the free throw. 89 to 88. Grizzlies take the lead!
Next possession, Kobe used Bynum’s screen to shake Xu Ling, Lowry forced to switch. Kobe faced the shorter Lowry, no hesitation, straight pull-up three-pointer!
91 to 89.
“Damn bastard!”
Lowry flung his hand in frustration.
Xu Ling ran over and patted his butt: “No problem! Get it back next play!”
Grizzlies offense, Xu Ling took possession again. He didn’t rush into isolation, instead directing off-ball movement.
Gasol came up for a screen, Xu Ling used it to drive, drawing the double team, then bounced it to the rolling Gasol.
Gasol caught the ball, Fisher switching onto him, a perfect mismatch!
The Spaniard jab stepped, swatting Fisher away, dribbled one step into the paint, leaped for a two-handed slam dunk!
But a massive shadow flew in from the wing—Andrew Bynum! He abandoned his man, chased back full speed, long arms blotting out the sky, swatting Gasol’s sure-thing dunk out of bounds!
Then, Grizzlies inbound from the sideline, Gasol at the top passed to Mike Miller, assisting his jump shot.
Score tied again.
The game entered a gritty back-and-forth, time ticking away, score still tight. Both teams ramped up defensive intensity, every possession incredibly tough. Stamina dropped sharply, shots started clanging, turnovers increased.
93 tie, 95 tie, 97 tie.
Game entered final four minutes, tied at 102.
The oxygen in the air seemed drained, every breath burning hot.
Official timeout.
“Andrew!” Phil Jackson with the tactical board, first emphasizing the paint, “Hold your ground! Don’t let that #1 in easy again! Foul if you have to, stop him!”
Bynum nodded heavily, determined to defend the Lakers’ paint.
On the other side, Marc Iavaroni’s board was full of lines, but his core instruction simple: “Get the ball to Eli! Everyone, space the floor for him! Paul, your screen like a fortress! Kyle, ready to trail the drive!”
Timeout over.
Next up, the decisive moments.
Lakers offense, Kobe demanded the ball low again.
But Xu Ling, having been worked over by the same move all night, anticipated his spin direction, positioned early, causing Kobe’s traveling violation!
Turnover.
“Defense!”
“Defense!!”
“Defense!!!”
Home crowd erupted in massive cheers.
Xu Ling dribble pushed forward, knowing this possession was crucial. He called for Gasol pick and roll again, Bynum and switching Kobe immediately pinched! Xu Ling saw no opening, passed to Mike Miller on the outside.
Open in front of Miller!
He took a deep breath, rose for the shot.
105 to 102!
Miller hit his first three of the game! Priceless!
Lakers inbounded quickly, Kobe pushed fast, catching Grizzlies before they set, pull-up three!
“Bang!”
Ball smashed hard off the back rim!
Long rebound!
Xu Ling and Odom both crashed for the ball, jumping almost simultaneously, Xu Ling’s superior explosiveness tipping it in the air to trailing Lowry.
Lowry grabbed and pushed fast break, frontcourt 2-on-1, only Fisher defending.
Lowry passed to Xu Ling trailing on the wing, Fisher lunged at Xu Ling. Xu Ling with a realistic shooting fake move swatted Fisher, dribble step to adjust, mid-range jump shot.
107 to 102!
Lead up to 5!
2:30 left.
Lakers stayed calm, Kobe steadied the team, drew double again with his skill, kicked to Luke Walton in the corner for the open three.
107 to 105!
Grizzlies’ turn, Xu Ling drove and passed to Gasol, Gasol’s hook shot rimmed out under Bynum’s interference. Lakers secured the rebound, Kobe pushed fast break, drew help from Lowry for the foul, two free throws good.
107 to 107!
Tied again!
1:15 left.
Next possession, Xu Ling milked the clock to 8 seconds on shot clock before accelerating. He forced past Kobe into the paint, Bynum’s massive frame looming again.
Xu Ling max layup in the air to dodge, but Bynum’s long arm still got the swat.
Ball rolled off! Odom grabbed the key board! 45 seconds left.
Lakers called timeout.
Phil Jackson set up the final possession. No doubt, ball to Kobe.
FedEx Forum silent, everyone holding breath.
After timeout, Kobe sideline inbound to Fisher, who immediately returned it. Kobe at the top, milking time, eyes locked on the rim.
Shot clock ticking down. 10 9 8
Kobe accelerated, crossover steps, sudden hard drive right.
Xu Ling stuck tight, no space. Kobe squeezed to free-throw line, pull-up, forced spin with arm up.
Xu Ling’s weight shifted up, feinting a block jump.
In that split second, his peripheral caught weakside Odom cutting, and Kobe’s raised arm had a subtle wrist flick—not a shot, a pass!
Xu Ling aborted the jump instantly, barely touching ground, core strength and explosiveness propelling him sideways like an arrow toward Odom’s receiving lane!
He beat him to the spot, at the peak together, long arm swiping, fingertips just nicking the inbound alley-oop pass!
Ball deflected out of bounds! Priceless steal!
“Ohhhh!!!！！！”
Crowd exploded in relief gasps and thunderous screams!
Still Lakers ball, but 1.4 on shot clock! Sideline inbound, Kobe’s desperation heave way off. Gasol rebounded! 28 seconds left!
Grizzlies called timeout!
Tied score, Grizzlies could go quick two or milk for last shot!
“Stay steady! Milk it! Last shot!” Iavaroni’s voice trembled, “Eli! You take it! I believe you’ll make the right call!”
Timeout over, crowd stood spontaneously.
Xu Ling inbounded backcourt, fullcourt pressure from Kobe, no easy push. Xu Ling protected and crossed half-court, top of key milking time.
Clock ticking. 20 19 18
FedEx Forum’s air froze. All eyes on Xu Ling.
Kobe arms wide like hunting black mamba, eyes locked on Xu Ling’s every move.
10 9
Xu Ling exploded!
Called Gasol screen again! Gasol’s screen rock-solid, blocking Kobe clean!
Xu Ling shook free, attacked the rim!
Andrew Bynum! Abandoned Gasol, slid over, massive frame like a mountain guarding the restricted area! Eyes burning with resolve, determined to protect the Lakers’ rim and redeem himself.
Switching Odom helped from the wing!
Tower ahead, help aside.
6 5
In that instant, flashes in Xu Ling’s mind: training camp first day posterizing Gay, buzzer-beater joy over Spurs, locker room clashes, endless media doubt, Bynum’s paint dominance all game, and… Kobe’s halftime words:
“You only bully small guys?”
Watch with wide eyes, see if I only bully small guys!
No hesitation, no retreat.
Impossible power surged from his feet, through his body.
Xu Ling charged Bynum, every ounce of strength, full leap! So high, so resolute, breaking gravity’s pull.
Bynum roared up too, arms like gates raised high, trying to slam down the attack and Xu Ling!
Bodies collided midair! Muscle clash scalp-tingling.
But Xu Ling’s momentum and height exceeded Bynum’s expectation! Superior core strength and fearless resolve gave him clear air advantage.
As Xu Ling raised the ball right hand high, body like full-drawn bow ready to hammer home, his outer thigh inevitably, heavily smashed Bynum’s slightly extended left knee side adjusting midair!
“Boom!!!!!!!!!”
Thunderous crash shook the arena!
Ball thundered through the net! Whistle shrill—Bynum defensive foul!
Good! And one!
After the boom, a pained grunt.
Andrew Bynum landed post-poster, but the violent knee hit wrecked his landing. Knee buckled unnaturally, collapsing like a felled tree.
“Ah——！！！！！”
Bynum let out a piercing scream, clutching left knee, writhing on the floor.
Scene froze.
Xu Ling landed, staggered then steadied, glanced at suffering Bynum, no pity, but drowned by roaring crowd.
FedEx Forum instantly nuclear-exploded with insane cheers and gasps, nearly lifting the roof!
“Bynum’s down! Bynum’s down! Eli Xu swung God’s Hammer! He didn’t just beat the defense, he destroyed it! Destroyed Andrew! Trainers on, looks catastrophic! Horrific! We just saw the cruelest, most spectacular, most heart-stopping bucket in sports history!”
Lakers surrounded, team doctor rushed in.
Kobe’s face shock, rage, disbelief, eyeing writhing Bynum then glaring at nearby Xu Ling, eyes burning everything.
Xu Ling deep breath, suppressed inner turmoil, walked to line. All eyes—anger, awe, shock, fear—on him.
But Xu Ling’s world only Kobe, staring at #24, emotionless: “Big enough?”
Then to line, took ref’s ball, bounced twice, eyes locked on rim.
Free throw.
Good.
110 to 107.
1.2 seconds left.
Lakers used last timeout, but Bynum stretchered off by teammates and doctor.
His season, career, shadowed by Xu Ling’s earth-shattering, controversial Judgment Dunk.
Post-timeout, Lakers inbound, Kobe’s deep desperation three way off.
Buzzer, game over.
Memphis Grizzlies, after tense battle, beat Los Angeles Lakers on Xu Ling’s history-making, controversy-sparking poster.
Xu Ling stood, sweat-soaked jersey. Moment of quiet amid chaos, then FedEx Forum’s tsunami roar like sonic boom, ears ringing. Eyes drawn to tunnel—Bynum stretchered away, empty space glaring.
Brief daze.
Next second, Miller, Lowry, Warrick, Gasol, Darko Milicic… all battle-brothers swarmed, engulfing him in ecstasy.
Memphis’s king, mobbed, shoved, hugged, drowned in navy joy.
Even now, he hadn’t fully grasped what he’d done.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━
“Latest is he’s down, carted off, looks bad. MRI back in LA tomorrow. Too early to say anything, we just pray. Destructive moment.” Phil Jackson on Andrew Bynum’s injury.
“Talented, powerful bucket. Midair battles, anything can happen. Eli jumped high, huge impact… Andrew protected the rim. ‘Dangerous’? Refs reviewed, called foul. That’s basketball. But great plays carry costs. Tonight, we paid.” Phil Jackson on Xu Ling’s dunk.
Then reporters interview Kobe onsite.
“Kobe, tough loss. Thoughts on Eli’s performance tonight, especially endgame?”
“He made some shots. That’s it.”
“You two trash-talked and battled all night. Rate the matchup?”
“He played well. I played bad（ 58 points full game）. We lost. Next.”
“Bynum’s injury exit the turning point?”
Kobe got heated: “Bynum’s injury ain’t some fucking ‘turning point’, it’s a fucking disaster! Lost key brother, that’s the point! Game? We’ll film study, improve. But now, nobody cares about damn game! Care if Andrew’s healthy, vital to team, that’s it!”
“On Eli’s post-dunk celebration? Chaos then.”
“Celebrate? Win, you celebrate. We celebrate victories. Rest? Don’t care what others do, care about my team, teammates. That’s it!”
Done, Kobe ignored questions, stood, stormed off.
Lamar Odom hinted Bynum injury tied to Xu Ling’s landing.
“Aggressive play, Eli attacked paint all night, gotta admit he was great.” Odom pivoted, “But airborne, off-balance, first protect self, and… not hurt others. Some plays foreseeable. Not just basketball, destructive hit. Lost more than a win.”
Marc Iavaroni sharply refuted.
“Absurd! Utterly absurd! Rewatched tape over and over. Eli straight-line leap to rim, no downward arm or extra motion! Purest, ultimate basketball competition! Blame player for jumping too high, driving too hard?”
“Andrew Bynum big strong rim protector, leaped to block. Eli leaped to finish at peak. That’s paint battle! Giants collide midair, one takes more force, injury possible, but not blame attacker’s fight! Calling Eli ‘too aggressive’ absurd, weak, soils the courage and resolve we prize most tonight! Proud beyond words!”
Then Grizzlies players praise the king.
“Some born for big stages, tonight Eli proved he’s one.” Paul Gasol to reporters.
“My God! Saw what he did?! Did ya?!” Lowry to camera, reliving, “Knew Eli different! Fucking different! When he passed for my open three, knew his head clear. But last one… whoa! Flew right by! I trailed, saw Andrew there, thought ‘oh no’, but Eli didn’t think it! Charged! That’s our attitude! Our rock, alpha dog!”
“Fearless. Many say, few do. Training shows victory desire. Tonight, world saw. Dunk… tough.” Milicic added mysteriously, “My prayers worked.”
Xu Ling at podium, elbow wound taped, sweat not dry, tired but satisfied smile.
Needs energy snack, warm bed, but reporters await.
“Eli, everyone wants your feelings on final dunk and Bynum injury?”
Clearly California reporter.
Xu Ling pondered, replied: “Sorry for him, nobody wants that. But then, eyes only on rim. His job stop me, mine hammer it in. Did jobs, result unlucky. Sometimes victory and injury fly same plane.”
《Memphis Commercial Appeal》 reporter Elizabeth Weinberg: “Kobe Bryant said he played bad tonight, you good. On your duel?”
Xu Ling smiled: “（Shrug） Maybe, didn’t notice what he did much（Reminder: 58 points full game）, busy winning.”
Likely LA reporter, blunt: “Dunk sparks debate, controversy. Some call dirty, reckless. Response?”
“Sir, may I dunk?” Xu Ling said, “Next paint dunk, I’ll ask opponent.”
Laughter erupted, Xu Ling wearily eyed back reporters.
Why sit answering stupid questions?
Even one game vs Lakers puts you in opinion center.
Kobe NBA hype king, Xu Ling season’s new hype king.
Pre-game hype.
In-game fierce duel.
Dramatic game-ending dunk.
Tonight, tomorrow, future: arguments, debates, bitterness, doubt, all mashed. End with Kevin Harlan’s postgame summary:
“If Eli’s Memphis’ long-awaited one, years later fans debate this night. The dunk, cost, meaning. But above debate, rock-solid fact: Facing top foe, heaviest expectations, Eli Xu didn’t dodge, retreat—he chose greatness. And greatness, as we witnessed!”
“Memphis won battle, but basketball world lost and gained here. Ladies gentlemen, that was sport’s ultimate beauty, cruelest reality. Believe me, nothing tops it.”
Indeed not.
