The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 262 - 162: Is the First Player to Win Four MVPs in a Single Season About to Emerge?_2

Chapter 262: Chapter 162: Is the First Player to Win Four MVPs in a Single Season About to Emerge?_2

Artest looked at the McGrady posters in the streets and alleys and sighed, "I always thought Yao was the leader of this city, but now it seems like they prefer Tracy!"

Little O’Neal noticed a flicker of displeasure cross Su Wan’s face and quickly elbowed Artest to shut him up.

Su Wan suddenly chuckled, "Indeed, no one likes a softie!"

Before crossing over as a basketball fan, he watched the domestic media praise Yao Ming for maturing in the NBA, for his wit and humor, and for being able to handle issues with Tai Chi-like methods, thinking that Yao had upheld Huaxia’s international image.

But now, Su Wan looked at Yao Ming and felt he was a "non-stick pan," shoving everything onto others. In terms of rhetoric, Su Wan couldn’t pick out any problems.

But the reason Houston’s media, along with McGrady and Alexander, dared to be so brazen was precisely because Yao Ming liked to play down big issues and dissolve small ones. When people see you backing down every time, won’t they eventually step on your nose and take advantage of you?

Yao Ming had brought about his own predicament through his concessions.

Originally, Su Wan had no intention of getting involved in this matter. Even if he had talked with Yao Ming for a while during the Asian Championship, that was at Bill Duffy’s request. Afterward, he never concerned himself with the issue again. He merely wanted to see what choice Yao Ming would ultimately make, nothing more.

This time too, he wasn’t standing up for Yao Ming out of anger, but rather because Houston’s media had provoked him, and that’s why he chose to retaliate.

Did they really think that all Huaxia players were as easy-going as Yao Ming?

Fine, let’s wait and see how your chosen McGrady, as the host, will perform in this year’s All-Star game.

This shopping trip ended with Su Wan in a rather unpleasant mood.

Sometimes it’s like that—although Yao Ming’s situation was not Su Wan’s situation, seeing how much benefit Yao Ming had brought to the Rockets yet unable to maintain even the position of an Absolute Core really could invoke a sense of rage as a compatriot.

Artest could feel Su Wan’s irritation.

The next day, the League officially entered the All-Star Weekend phase, with newspapers filled with reports about the Houston All-Star event. McGrady, in an interview with reporters, expressed he would give his all in the All-Star game and then, in front of Rockets fans, lift the All-Star MVP trophy: "This is my motivation, I have never wanted the All-Star MVP trophy so much."

This is a common "declaration" in the basketball world.

Release a statement signifying this prize, I have claimed.

Those with high seniority, naturally, receive a response from everyone, with stars surrounding the moon; those with less, of course, are brushed aside.

Originally, McGrady also revealed his desire to claim the All-Star MVP trophy, and actually scored 36 points in the All-Star game, but LeBron James came out and stirred things up, ultimately grabbing the All-Star MVP.

This time, when Artest saw McGrady say these words, he just laughed.

He was very clear, McGrady was daydreaming!

Su Wan would never let him win that All-Star MVP.

On February 14th, the first day of the All-Star Weekend officially arrived, and as a sophomore, Su Wan still had to face off against the "04 class" rookies.

In this event, sophomores hadn’t lost in quite a while.

So when Su Wan arrived at the locker room, facing his class who looked at him with more or less some hostility, he stated directly, "If you guys want to become the worst sophomore class in recent years, feel free not to coordinate with me. I’ll just be like Michael, leaving some fun for the All-Star Weekend."

Then, together, they dominated the rookies in every way, securing a 124 to 101 victory, a 23-point blowout.

Su Wan, with 35 points, lifted the Rookie of the Year MVP trophy.

At this point, the others from the "04 class" belatedly realized, damn, they were just making up the numbers for him again.

Only Iguodala came over to sincerely congratulate Su Wan.

Other things aside, these top-class second-in-commands really had great temperaments.

After the game, Erin reminded Su Wan, "Su, you could very well become the first player in NBA history to take home four major MVP trophies in the same season."

Su Wan was late to realize this, but he looked at Erin with a strange expression, "How do you know I’m going to get this year’s All-Star MVP?" He hadn’t been that obvious in the interviews, had he?

To snatch the All-Star MVP, it had to be when Houston’s media along with McGrady and Rockets fans all thought the atmosphere was ripe—that’s when it would be most impactful.

To jump out now and say you’re going to snatch the All-Star MVP would only unite their guns against you.

Even if it were snatched then, they would just be filled with rage.

But if it was a sudden move, taking that All-Star MVP, then the emotional changes at that moment would be rich.

Su Wan was itching to give these guys a "surprise."

They like to take advantage of the weak Huaxia people, eh?

Well, let them see how tough Huaxia people seek revenge!

Erin said proudly, "Others may not know, but I do!"

Su nodded thoughtfully, "You have indeed interviewed me for too long, I’m considering whether it’s time to switch to another reporter, you make me feel insecure."

Erin: ??? What? A person?

The second day of the All-Star Weekend featured the three major challenge events, and because Calderon and Dior were participating, Su Wan arrived at the court early to cheer them on.

He had just come from Yao Ming’s house before heading there.

The day before yesterday, after Yao finished his game, he slept until it was nearly dark, so he didn’t call Su Wan. Yesterday Su Wan had a game himself, so it wasn’t a good time to disturb Yao. Today, as both of them were free, Yao invited him to his home.

Su met Ye Li, and couldn’t help but think of Lauren Jackson, even taking a moment to compare the two; Ye Li still came out on top in his mind.

Unfortunately, even with Su cheering them on, Calderon and Dior ended up just being runners-up.

Wade took the final championship of the Skills Challenge, Dirk Nowitzki became the overall "Three-point Shooting Contest champion," and the "Dunk King" was the NBA’s least visually impressive "Little Potato" Nate Robinson.

With his dunk over "Potato" Weber, he claimed the championship. Up to this moment, the script was still perfect; Su also recognized him as the "Dunk King."

However, his repeated participation afterward, merely to achieve the NBA’s Three-time champion in the Dunk Contest, only prompted Su to say, "Reminds me of someone." Not enough talent, but with service years piled up, he forcibly accumulated three "Dunk Contest championships."

It’s worth mentioning that Wade originally wanted to play peacemaker by taking a photo with Su, Anthony, and LeBron, for a bit of nostalgia. Back in the summer of ’04, they had taken a group photo together in Las Vegas that caused quite a stir.

Anthony had no objections, and Su had been waiting for it, but LeBron turned and ran off, running as if he was flying. Wade could only look at his Skills Challenge championship trophy and let out a heavy sigh.

It seemed they really couldn’t go back to the way things were.

Then, on the third day of the All-Star Weekend, the main event arrived.

As soon as Su Wan pushed open the door to the Eastern All-Star locker room, he made his intention clear, aiming to take home the All-Star MVP trophy that night.

Artest, little O’Neal, and Wade, who already knew this, naturally echoed in agreement. Artest even said, "We all know you’ve got a score to settle with Houston."

Then Vince Carter, just as Su had expected, nodded in agreement.

Among the rest, Paul Pierce remained watchful.

He had no conflict with Su and no intersection either; he also didn’t want to "brownnose" Su, so he had no intention of helping Su win the All-Star MVP. If there were many in opposition, he wouldn’t mind stirring things up.

But unfortunately...

LeBron James kept his head down and said nothing, everyone knew he wouldn’t help Su, but he didn’t dare say it out loud.

The three Pistons players also didn’t join in, and they likewise remained silent.

Pistons coach Philip Sanders, this year’s Eastern All-Star head coach, made it clear he would hardly give them any playtime; his goal was to let them use the break to rest up and get ready to make a push in the playoffs.

Only Shaquille O’Neal let out a scoff, giving a clear response:

You want to win the All-Star MVP, why don’t you just fly to the moon?

Unfortunately for him alone, with Pierce feeling it would be difficult to stir up any trouble, his enthusiasm waned and he simply pursed his lips.

Su watched everyone’s reactions, none of which exceeded his expectations. He’d never thought everyone would support him. But as long as some maintained neutrality and didn’t interfere, the rest couldn’t bother him.

Having the support of little O’Neal and a few others was enough for Su to play well.

Don’t forget he still had "The zone."

In an All-Star game, which was more of a showcase, with his physical fitness and "The zone" activated, he had no issue playing three quarters.