The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 188 - 132: As the League President, can’t you show some understanding for others?

Chapter 188: Chapter 132: As the League President, can’t you show some understanding for others?

Su Wan’s words stunned David Stern for a moment.

From his point of view, Su Wan shouldn’t have been that kind of person.

Such a flamboyant character should have loved to take the limelight at times like this, shouldn’t he?

Yet, he had given his first Championship MVP speech opportunity to Reggie Miller?

Even though David Stern had decided to praise Su Wan, a rookie who had equaled "Magic" Johnson in his debut season, he saw his personality as a hidden problem.

Fortunately, he now followed a "broad-net, multi-star development" approach, a bloody lesson taught by Michael Jordan’s retirement at his peak.

Those two years saw the NBA’s market value plummet.

Since then, David Stern had learned not to "put all his eggs in one basket."

Kobe’s deep troubles in Eagle County further proved this point.

But now, Su Wan’s modest gesture made David Stern feel the need to reevaluate him!

The "Championship Night" ended with Reggie Miller’s heartwarming farewell. His last words to the arena full of fans were:

"It’s time, there is no more perfect moment to announce this—I am ending my 17-year career, officially retiring. Thanks to all the fans who have supported me all this time, thanks to Su, thanks to Jermaine, and Ron... and of course our most beloved Larry, Rick, Donnie... Thank you all for letting me win the long-desired Championship in my final season. I think... I have no regrets!"

Old fans at the scene wept.

Their days were spent year by year alongside Reggie Miller.

For this reason, even though signs of Reggie Miller’s retirement had appeared, they couldn’t hide the sadness in their hearts.

Seeing this, Reggie Miller knew he had been too sentimental and immediately turned his head to Su Wan, asking him to save the situation.

Tonight was not suitable for too much sentimentality!

Seeing the situation, Su Wan deftly lifted the O’Brien Cup, his actions drawing the attention of the entire venue.

What followed was his show:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I said I would restore the glory of the Pacers. It’s not just about this Championship Trophy. I’ll bring as many trophies to this city as the Pacers did during the ABA period, even more!"

"So, it’s time to stop feeling sad about the end of the ’Miller era!’"

"Next, you will enter the era of Su Wan!"

"I promise, it will be the most passionate period in the history of the Pacers."

"Beginning now, let’s make Indiana great again!"

His bold proclamation, lasting less than fifteen seconds, turned the silence in the arena into a surge of excitement.

David Stern was both startled and pleased.

He was astonished that Su Wan promised to bring Indiana three Championships, and possibly more.

That was an exaggeration even considering youthful enthusiasm.

Do you know what four Championships mean?

Considering the NBA’s top ten stars in history:

"Ring King" Bill Russell with 11 Championships, Ker Jordan with 6, "Magic" Johnson with 5, and Larry Bird with 3...

You can see that, except for Bill Russell, even for a "President Mountain" level "historical Superstar", winning 6 Championships is an incredible feat; the "Black and White Duo" of the 80s had 5 and only 3, respectively.

This implies reaching at least the level of Larry Bird!

And how many years did Larry Bird take to win 3 Championships?

David Stern couldn’t remember the exact number, but he knew it was at least 7 years!

That was his pleasant surprise:

Su Wan would continue to stay in this city for 7 more years!

For David Stern, who was committed to creating a "one player, one city" League structure, there was nothing more delightful than a "Super Nova" willing to stay in a small city for 7 years.

He began to view Su Wan more favorably...

Wait, why did I dislike him again?

Oh, right, his ostentatious personality, a bit of a thorn...

Is that a problem?

Being in a small city, it isn’t easy to get exposure; if he’s not ostentatious, who would report on him?

As the League president, can’t you empathize with him a bit?

What an outstanding young man!

To be able to perform miracles in Indiana comparable to Johnson in Los Angeles!

That proves his capability.

Capable is one thing, he’s also pragmatic!

Look at Jabbar, who took one championship with the Bucks and immediately ran off to Los Angeles!

What about Su Wan?

After winning one, he still wants to make Indiana great again!

That spirit...

Greatness needs no words!

Besides, the Fighting Spirit is the local custom of Indiana.

The local customs are just so pure; how can you not let Su Wan integrate?

How else could he stay in this small city?

David, remember, you need to give more tolerance to the young people in these small cities, they...

It’s not easy!

Hmm...

Probably, Su Wan didn’t expect his speech to suddenly make the League president see him in a new light, and his approval rating shot up from 30% at the beginning to 80%!

There’s no way around it, David Stern has always had two ideas:

One is "NBA Internationalization," and the other is for NBA stars to embody "one man, one city," making each team possess a star known worldwide, increasing the team’s market value, thereby affecting the entire League’s market value.