Chapter 39: The Three Elements of Rodman’s Dirty Plays!

"But what I want to say is, I admit I am fierce, and when it is time to be tough, I definitely don't hold back. However, I will never admit that I have a dirty style of play! Because I have never injured a single person, nor would I ever aim to hurt anyone!"

"I am tough, fierce, and I won't let anyone bully me, but I am never dirty, base, or out to destroy someone else's livelihood!"

"That is exactly where I differ from people like Karl Malone, Bill Laimbeer, and Charles Oakley. They are genuine trash and dirty scumbags who take pleasure in injuring others and ending careers. I, on the other hand, am simply fierce! That is why I will never associate with them, and I hope you won't either!"

"Understood," Lin Tian nodded. "Under-cutting, tripping, poking the ribs, kidney punches, slapping the back of the head, chin shots, throat grabs, eye gouging, kicking the groin—these are the things you don't do, right?"

"Where did you pick up all that stuff?" Rodman suddenly felt like a novice showing off in front of a master—or rather, like someone showing off a woman in front of Wilt Chamberlain. This kid, could it be that he didn't even need to be taught, that he already knew everything?

"I was just asking," Lin Tian scratched his head. If he had known that this single sentence made Rodman think for the first time that perhaps he himself was a good boy, he would have been quite smug!

"These things that end careers or might cause injury—no! That is our primary rule. Secondly, no attacking from behind! Like those three guys two months ago who tried to sneak up on you—I stepped in to block them because that’s not what a man does! If you want to take someone down, you do it face-to-face! Don't go for the back!"

"That is also why I don't like Laimbeer, Malone, and Oakley; those three are cowards who attack from behind! Oh, and that bastard Stockton, he's also a pro at backstabbing! But guys like Anthony Mason, Alonzo Mourning, and Rick Mahorn, they are all my friends!"

"Understood. I don't need to attack from behind to take everyone down!" Lin Tian nodded again.

At this point, Rodman smirked and added, "Now, the third rule: if you encounter someone you truly hate, like Karl Malone, David Robinson, John Stockton, Charles Oakley, or any other dirty scumbag, you can do anything to them! They deserve it!"

"Understood. Our bottom line lowers as the opponent's bottom line lowers, right?" Lin Tian nodded again.

"I didn't actually understand what you just said, but I think you're right!" After losing a few more of his already scarce brain cells, Rodman decided to give up on trying to figure out what Lin Tian was trying to express. "Anyway, when you see those scumbags, just beat them to death! Alright, enough talk, let's start the first lesson!"

"Michael likes to post up in the low block, right?" Rodman said, simulating a post-up position, pressing his back against Lin Tian. "His elbows will constantly strike your abdomen and chest to carve out space!"

"I've noticed you always try to go toe-to-toe with him, using your body to absorb his elbows. It does stop him from getting space easily, but for one, it hurts, and for another, besides burning up your energy, it's not very effective! What you need to do is... come here, let's switch positions!"

As he spoke, Rodman moved behind Lin Tian, lifted his leg, and without hesitation, drove his knee into Lin Tian's thigh!

"If I put force into this, you'd definitely jump in pain! He elbows you? You just drive your knee into his thigh, and that's it! But remember, don't use too much force, or you'll get caught. Pay attention to the timing and angle, and stay out of the referee's sight!"

"Also, if he shifts his center of gravity forward and leans in to post up, your knee is easy to spot and you'll get whistled for a foul. That’s when you need a new move! Watch my hand! Don't just use it to brace against his body—drop it down! Find his waist!"

"Right here!" Rodman pinched Lin Tian's waist. "No matter how strong someone is, there's a soft spot right here! Pinch it! As long as they can feel pain, they can't avoid this! Of course, watch your strength, or you might end up with a piece of his flesh in your hand."

"This is very likely to cause a conflict, though I assume you aren't afraid of that anyway. I just had to warn you because it is extremely painful!"

"Besides, this move is almost never spotted by referees. It's subtle, hard to detect, and safe!"

"Now, if he posts up sideways and uses his shoulder and thigh to push you away for space, then you..."

For the next few dozen minutes, Rodman taught diligently, passing on a vast array of his signature "dirty" tricks to Lin Tian.

However, since this was just training, it would likely take some time for Lin Tian to master the art of applying these moves in live games without being caught by the officials.

As for Lin Tian's practice target...

On the evening of the 5th, during the first practice session after the Bulls ended their losing streak with a big win over Philadelphia, Lin Tian found his test subject!

"Oh! F***! What are you doing?" Jordan, who had just posted up against Lin Tian, let out a piercing shriek.

"Sorry, Michael. I didn't control my strength. Did that hurt?" Lin Tian scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. He had squeezed Jordan a little too hard.

But this move was clearly effective!

Clemens, who was refereeing on the sidelines, looked over with curiosity, wondering what had happened.

"If you pull that crap again, I'll kill you!" Jordan cursed.

He then raised his elbows, ready to retaliate—he was never one to take a loss lying down!

Then...

"Oh! F***! Where did you learn these dirty tricks? Who the hell taught you? Payton or Miller? Are those two old bastards out there spreading their trash again?"

This time, Jordan clutched his thigh, tears welling up from the pain!

Rodman was right; it really hurt!

And Clemens, as expected, hadn't seen a thing!

Lin Tian suddenly realized that he had a real talent for this!

As the saying goes, the master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to the individual!

Lin Tian had only been led through the door by Rodman yesterday, opening up a new world, and today he had already mastered the craft!

Lin Tian figured that in half a month—at most half a month—he would be able to walk a path that led straight to greatness!

This is what you call talent!