The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 474 - 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_5

Chapter 474: Chapter 214: Su Wan, Will You Leave or Stay?_5

"You know how it is in this city, we’re in a particularly turbulent time, with unemployed people marching in protests on the streets, demanding answers from the government!"

"The turmoil the Pacers have faced this season has been a huge blow to them too. You must have passed the Conseco Arena fan center on your way here, and you should have seen what’s going on there!"

Randolph’s dark face showed a hint of astonishment.

He couldn’t believe that it was Su Wan who had facilitated this trade.

If he wasn’t high on marijuana, causing his brain to short-circuit, he remembered, he had no dealings with Su Wan at all.

Not conflict, nor friendship...

Really...

Damn it!

Hmm...

Once Randolph heard that it was Su Wan who had made this trade happen, he immediately held a grudge against Su Wan.

That brings us to the Conseco Arena fan plaza Larry Bird mentioned.

A large group of Indiana fans was protesting the team’s trade of Artest for Zach Randolph, and one of the fans was holding up a banner, which he glanced at and remembered:

Larry, you shouldn’t exchange one jerk for an even bigger asshole!

Damn right!

Randolph was always unpopular with the fans, from the Blazers to the New York Knicks.

He was used to it.

But when he thought about how just padding his stats in each game could earn him a multi-million yearly salary, he gradually became immune to the booing.

Especially after joining the New York Knicks, where he could pad his stats on the court and be happy off it, without worrying about the fans’ expectations or someone taking his place. —Those New York idiots, every last one of them was worse than him.

And especially that Crawford, a classic example of someone who only cares about his stats and not a damn about anything else!

Just having fun in the game was all that mattered!

Playing with a bunch of losers, the fans’ jeers were all AoE attacks, making life even more comfortable.

Then came Star Weekend, and his good days abruptly ended.

Not only did he leave the big city of New York, but he also came to the recently crowned, unsettled, and, crucially, rural city of Indiana.

He knew all too well, places like this often had fans with a lot of nonsense.

And sure enough, he was spot on; his very first day at the team and the fans here gave him hell.

The unpleasant memories with the Blazers all rushed back into his mind.

At this moment, when he heard Larry Bird say that the instigator of the trade was Su Wan, a person who had nothing to do with him, how could he not be angry?

He really wanted to walk up to Su Wan and ask him:

"Sir, why have you wronged me?"

As for the reasons Su Wan gave, he had only two words:

Laughable!

What about proving myself? Do I need such an opportunity? Am I not comfortable with my life right now? Does this guy think he’s Jesus or something?

The question wasn’t a "triple" anymore!

It was a "quadruple"...

Facing Larry Bird’s intimidation, he really didn’t dare to act rashly until he walked out of the arena, and only then did his eyes regain their sharpness. He strode towards the locker room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Nate Robinson standing there with a garland around his neck, looking awkward. Upon seeing him, it was as if Robinson had seen a savior, "Zach, you’re finally here!"

What is this...

As Zach Randolph watched Nate Robinson standing there with a garland, before he could react, Dior walked over with another garland and slipped it around Randolph’s neck:

"Welcome to Indiana!"

Before Randolph could resist, Su Wan clapped his hands to silence everyone.

Zach Randolph touched the garland around his neck, feeling a bit awkward, and was about to take it off when Su spoke, "I know, right before the All-Star Weekend, everything came crashing together, and everyone had their own thoughts. But now, the All-Star Weekend is over, and the free market has closed. At least until the end of this season, we are all part of the Pacers. I hope everyone can stop their wild thoughts and fully commit to the game!"

After saying this, Su pointed to the empty locker next to him, "This one used to be Ron’s, now it’s yours, Zach!"

Randolph wanted to refuse, but he didn’t. He put his things into the locker and said to Su, "Larry told me, it was you who chose to trade me to the Pacers, can we talk?"

Su replied, "Yes, after practice!"

Right now!

Randolph silently retorted in his heart but found he couldn’t say it out loud.

He could feel on Su Wan, an aura similar to Larry Bird’s, and it wasn’t until Su left the locker room that Zach Randolph’s rugged, Big Grizzly-like face showed a hint of annoyance.

This feeling of being suppressed by someone else’s presence was really uncomfortable.

Su Wan was interviewed by Erin.

Before the interview, Erin asked curiously, "Have you decided yet? Are you going to re-sign or leave? The media outside are going crazy discussing it!"

Su Wan was a very special rookie.

The successes he’d achieved so far could potentially shift the history of the League’s number one spot in the future.

Therefore, his decision to stay or go wasn’t simply about a contract anymore.

Su said, "Before the All-Star Weekend, I did some community service, and a young fan asked me, ’Are we going to lose you this summer, Su?’ And I’ve heard this question at least dozens of times..."

"I’ve never felt like this city needed me so much!"

"Especially with Jermaine out for the season, the financial crisis hitting the city hard, and Ron’s departure..."

"If I really left..."

"This city would be scarred!"

"Erin, remember what we discussed before? What really defines a leader, maybe we need to add one more thing..."

"Would a real leader choose to leave in such a situation?"

Su Wan didn’t want to be like LeBron.

In 2010, after depleting all of the team’s future prospects, he chose to leave, causing a mess and leaving basketball fans around the world feeling bewildered and contemptuous. Su Wan was part of that time.

Now, although for different reasons, "Dynasty after-effects," "sudden injuries," and "financial crisis," the team needed Su Wan to stay and save them once more, both spiritually and in terms of strength.

"But think about the risk of staying, Su, you should be aware. If you go to a big city now, with stronger teammates, surpassing Michael Jordan is just a matter of time! Staying here..." Erin didn’t finish, but what she wanted to express needed no further explanation.

However, what Su had said also helped her understand why he was so conflicted.

Su Wan wanted to be a little selfish and plan for his career, but...

"Su Wan... you’re a proud person, so actually, I already know your answer!"