Chapter 154: Famous Scene – Kobe and Chen Yan Dancing on the Court
"Haha! You elbow me, I elbow you. Are these two just exchanging Christmas presents?"
"With this intensity, you'd think it was the playoffs."
"Playoffs? This feels like the Finals."
"Forget that—this is a boxing match on hardwood."
Fans online were losing it. From a pure entertainment standpoint, the duel between Chen Yan and Kobe had become something unforgettable.
Back on the court, the Suns were in a half-court set. Nash tried to find Chen Yan, but Kobe was glued to him, chest to chest, refusing to give an inch. The passing lane was too dangerous.
So Nash changed plans. Using Stoudemire's screen, he shifted left, rose up, and buried a clean three.
"Splash!"
63–58. Phoenix by five.
Nash wasn't known for volume scoring, but when he picked his spots, it was money.
On the other end, Kobe went to work against Raja Bell. He stopped on a dime, spun, and rose for his trademark fadeaway.
Clank. Off the rim.
Kobe had been pouring so much energy into hounding Chen Yan that his legs were starting to feel it.
The Suns ran their bread-and-butter again—Nash feeding Stoudemire off a pick-and-roll. Amar'e powered through contact for a tough layup.
65–58.
Garnett answered quickly, hitting his signature turnaround jumper from the block.
65–60.
With 21 seconds left in the half, Nash slowed things down, calling for one last possession. At the free throw line, Chen Yan fought for position. Kobe wouldn't let him breathe.
And then it happened.
The cameras caught it perfectly: Kobe and Chen locked together, arms entangled, hands clutching, feet sliding in unison. For a moment, it looked less like basketball and more like ballroom dance.
Social media and forums went into meltdown.
"Yo, are they dancing out there?"
"This is hilarious! Two dudes in an embrace in the middle of a Christmas game."
"Forget a foul, just give Chen a rose and call it a night."
Finally, the referee had seen enough. Tweet! Double foul. The crowd roared with laughter.
The half ended soon after, Suns leading 65–60.
Halftime stats told the story of a duel: Chen Yan had 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from deep. Kobe answered with 29 of his own. It was heavyweight punch for heavyweight punch.
Inside the Suns' locker room, Chen Yan peeled off his drenched jersey and pulled on a fresh one. Playing Kobe was exhausting. His AeroWing sneakers sat by his locker, laces loosened, steam practically rising off them.
Meanwhile, in the Lakers' locker room, Phil Jackson pulled Kobe aside.
"Don't waste your legs fighting him possession by possession," Phil said calmly. "Save your energy for offense. Break them with your scoring."
Kobe nodded, eyes sharp. "I got it, Phil. Time to finish this."
After halftime, both teams adjusted their lineups. The Lakers sent out Fisher, Kobe, Radmanovic, Garnett, and Kwame Brown—their most balanced mix of offense and defense.
The Suns countered with Nash, Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Boris Diaw, and Amar'e Stoudemire. D'Antoni had Chen Yan start the third on the bench, saving his rookie to lead the second unit.
Kobe and Garnett came out attacking, living at the rim and drawing fouls. The Lakers cut into the lead, but Nash and Stoudemire kept Phoenix afloat with their unstoppable two-man game.
With 6:12 left in the third, the Suns still held a slim 76–74 edge.
During the next dead ball, subs checked in. Phoenix pulled Nash, Bell, and Amar'e, replacing them with Barea, Chen Yan, and Azubuike. The Lakers gave Kobe and Garnett a breather.
That was all Chen Yan needed.
He smelled blood. Fisher, the aging guard nicknamed "Old Fish," was his target. Chen Yan danced on the perimeter, blowing past him possession after possession. Quick first steps, lightning crossovers—Fisher simply couldn't keep up.
Chen scored at will, then collapsed the defense and found Azubuike and Barea for easy buckets.
In just ninety seconds, Chen Yan orchestrated an 11–1 Suns run, ripping the game open.
Phil Jackson called timeout. As the huddle formed, Phil's calm glance said everything.
Kobe and Garnett rose, tugging their shorts back into place. They hadn't even cooled off yet, but it was clear—Phoenix had forced the Lakers' stars back early.
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