When pride still matters

Chapter 577 The Worst Class

The preseason game between the Clippers and the Heat was extremely tense, and it didn't seem like an insignificant warm-up match, because the intensity that Yu Fei exerted on Jimmy Butler increased the competitiveness of both sides.

After watching most of the game, Yao Ming smiled emoticonically from a distance: "Hey! Luckily I'm resting today. The game was so intense, are you sure it's a preseason game?"

Yu Fei didn't want to make such a big fuss, but Butler's face really gave him the feeling of playing against the young Jordan.

Butler is now in a period of rapid growth, but in the Heat's team full of strong players, his position is just Ariza's substitute.

The team knew he was good, but didn't have high expectations for him. After all, they just needed someone to fill the gap.

Butler's technical characteristics are that he has no performance under Fei's tight defense. When he tried to regain the situation on the defensive end, he felt powerless due to the gap in talent.

Yu Fei doesn't need to confront the opponent head-on. As long as he lifts the ball, the advantages brought by his height and arm span will make the opponent's defense almost ineffective.

In order to stop Yu Fei, Butler had to adopt an aggressive defensive strategy. However, once the defense becomes aggressive, it is easy to be exploited by the opponent.

Butler was fooled by Yu Fei like a fool. He was first fooled by Yu Fei's dreamy footwork, then was blocked when he was attacking with the ball, and made a mistake when he tried to pass the ball. Then, he was fooled by Yu Fei and jumped up, and finally paid a foul.

The confidence built up on the bench was about to be destroyed by Yu Fei in a rough way. The Heat replaced Butler before he was completely frustrated.

When Butler left the court, Spoelstra said to him, "JB, I hope you understand that I have to stagger your playing time with Frye."

Butler, who was already somewhat confused by the beating, said: "Why? He was not targeting me."

Sibo looked at him in surprise: "Isn't this targeting?"

"He said he wasn't picking on me." Butler was a little frustrated, but not completely broken. He said, "He just hates MJ too much."

Spoelstra's heart suddenly tightened. Being used as a substitute for the former GOAT by the GOAT in the game is obviously worse than being simply targeted.

"He said he wasn't targeting me, but he made me lose face. Is this the GOAT? Don't you think he's too domineering?" Butler said firmly, "I'm going to continue to play against him. Don't stagger our playing time!"

From this moment on, the Heat coaching staff discovered Butler's uniqueness. It costs little to pretend to be tough, but those who do not back down after being clearly targeted by the GOAT definitely have extraordinary courage.

It is difficult for such a person to be beaten mentally by the opponent during the game. Therefore, Spoelstra no longer worries about Butler.

However, Yu Fei said he was not targeting Butler, so he really was not targeting Butler. Since then, even if Butler wanted to compete with the GOAT again, the Clippers rarely gave him such an opportunity.

Rivers did not intend to continue the high intensity of the first quarter. After all, this was a preseason game, and who would be serious and desperate in a preseason game? Rivers thought that Yu Fei's performance in the first quarter was a bit too much and needed to be controlled, and Yu Fei had no objection.

As a result, Rivers made the GOAT sit on the bench for more than 20 minutes in the next three quarters. Yu Fei had no chance to compete with Butler a few more times because the tone of the game had been set by Rivers.

There was no suspense in the following game. The Clippers, who took the initiative to reduce their intensity, were quickly beaten by the Heat, who went all out. Rivers kept rotating marginal players, trying to tap into potential talents, but unfortunately, no player performed well throughout the game.

It was Giannis Antetokounmpo who gradually showed his brilliance and began to attract the attention of the NBA. That night, "Antetokounmpo" scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, and also made a wonderful long-stride dunk.

The Clippers general manager boasted: "We only have two players who are not for sale."

"Fry and Blake?"

“No, it’s Frye and Giannis.”

This statement quickly became a hot topic for media hype, after all, the Clippers still have another star player. Although Blake Griffin is no longer the brightest star, he is undoubtedly still the superstar of the Clippers.

Tellem is not stupid, he certainly knows that saying this will make Griffin unhappy. Since the first day of training camp, Griffin has shown hostility towards GOAT. Although he was suppressed later, he has been wandering around the team these days and has almost no chemical reaction with GOAT.

This phenomenon is very subtle. Management is not sure whether it is because the two styles do not match or for other reasons. Whenever Yu Fei tried to get Griffin to cooperate with him to perform a beautiful dunk, Griffin showed resistance.

Tellem has dealt with countless stars, and he knows that these people are the most self-conscious group in the world. If Griffin decides not to cooperate, no one can change his mind. In this case, Griffin's importance in Tellem's heart has decreased.

If Yu Fei and the "Greek Freak"'s position in the trade is "don't even think about it", then Griffin's is "no move in principle, but I'll answer the call."

Yu Fei did not care as much about Griffin's negative attitude as Tellem did. A bystander can see more clearly. This may be a negative example. Yu Fei believed that Griffin's negativity was not directed at him. Since Yu Fei established his authority on the first day of the training camp, Griffin has been clear about his position. His usual words and deeds did not mean to compete for the top spot, and his attitude in training classes was also fine.

His "negativity" is mainly reflected in dunking. It sounds incredible, but Griffin became famous in Los Angeles and once raised the Clippers' box office to a level comparable to the Lakers, relying on his shocking dunks. In his rookie season, Los Angeles fans' fixed program was to buy tickets to watch the Clippers games, and he would offer exciting dunks in almost every home game. At the same time, Chinese fans even gave him the nickname "Gifen" because of his explosive dunking performance.

Although he is not Vince Carter, his fame mainly comes from dunking. However, such a man who became famous for dunking actually got tired of performing dunking.

Yu Fei noticed this. In order to confirm his guess, he began to frequently instruct Griffin to play pick-and-roll and cooperate with aerial relays in training. However, his instructions were obviously imperative, just like instructing the lions and tigers in the circus to jump through the fire ring.

At first, Griffin was resistant, then passive, and Yu Fei began to deliberately criticize his attitude.

This caused Tellem to misunderstand. He thought that the GOAT was dissatisfied with Griffin because his authority was challenged, so he deliberately said that in front of the reporters to flatter Griffin.

Griffin's morale further declined after Triumph's remarks.

With three days left before the first regular season game of the new season, Griffin refused to follow Yu Fei's instructions and replaced the alley-oop dunk that should have been completed with an alley-oop layup.

Yu Fei yelled angrily, "Blake, stop being so lifeless like a 40-year-old man!"

Griffin retorted: "I'm not a robot. Don't expect me to follow your instructions 100% of the time."

"You're not a robot, you're a sissy!" Yu Fei cursed, "I've never seen a player who would give up on lighting up the stadium with a dunk! You don't understand the talent you have! You're just being self-indulgent. If you don't think you have an obligation to boost morale with a dunk when we need it, then get out of the way. I only pass the ball to those who are willing to dunk hard!"

Griffin was speechless, his face flushed red, glared at Yu Fei, and then said: "Then I quit!"

"Quit?" Yu Fei sneered, "Where do you think you can go? You represent the worst team in the NBA. If you can't even stay in this worst team, then to be honest, your only place to go is the WNBA."

Griffin shouted angrily: "Why do you think you are qualified to tell me how to play basketball?!"

"I didn't teach you how to play. I only know that this team has been the laughing stock of the sports world for the past thirty years, and the only thing that is commendable about this team is that in 2009 they selected a player who made the fans put aside their prejudices and come to watch him play in person!" Yu Fei said sternly, "I just want to know why, just two years later, you are unwilling to be yourself anymore?"

Griffin asked excitedly, "Have you ever been treated like a monkey?"

Rivers' face changed drastically. He thought Griffin was going to say something racist.

"Blake..."

Yu Fei waved his hand to interrupt Rivers and stared at Griffin: "What do you mean?"

"It looks like you've never been treated like a monkey," Griffin said. "You haven't experienced this: every time you complete a dunk on the court, a bunch of assholes you've never met will yell at you, 'Blake, do another one!' I did it, but they were never satisfied, they wanted more. If one day I can't give them what they want, they will throw me aside like a bitch! Yeah, in their eyes, I'm just a monkey who is good at dunking!"

"I guess you haven't experienced this either: a bastard like Donald Sterling praises your performance on the sidelines, and then he brings a group of season ticket holders into the locker room to harass me. Because these guys who think they have spent a lot of money not only want to watch the monkey show, but also want to touch the monkey. And Sterling doesn't think this is an offense to me at all. In his eyes, I'm just a lovable monkey!"

"Now, I am nothing. I don't even have the power to lead the team. I am not even a non-saleable player of the team. I am a monkey who just wants to play in my own way. Don't I even have this freedom?"

The training ground was completely silent.

Yu Fei finally understood why Griffin was tired of dunking and even rejected it. To be honest, this is not surprising.

He has been comparing Griffin to Carter back then, and now it seems that the two have similar "symptoms". Carter was born in North Carolina and is famous for his explosive jumping and unparalleled dunks, which is why he has achieved the title of "half man, half god". However, those who know Carter know that his dunks are not very high, because he does not like to be called "Jordan's successor".

In Yu Fei's opinion, this is the result of the NBA's excessive pursuit of stars since 1984. Stars produced in this way will always complain about themselves.

They used their talents to earn fame and fortune like Hollywood stars, but suddenly "awoke" after establishing their status.

How did you awaken? Oh, I'm not a dunker, don't expect me to perform. What? You actually expect me to perform? Do you think I'm a monkey? I'm a monkey because everyone just wants to see me dunk.

In fact, it is the star's responsibility to perform for the audience. Jordan never felt like a monkey, and neither did Yu Fei.

Why did Griffin feel this way? Apparently, he was being PUA’d by his former boss Sterling, so he began to deny everything.

Yu Fei understands this idea, but will not support it.

"You are not a monkey." Yu Fei said, "No one is a monkey. Do you know why the audience likes you? Because you got good statistics in a bad team? No, the most common people in this world are vulgar people, and they just want to see you dunk. Do you think you are a monkey? I don't think so. You have become one of the most influential people in Los Angeles because of these 'monkey tricks'; you have received huge off-court sponsorships because of these 'monkey tricks'. Your world has changed because of 'monkey tricks'. Now you tell me that you don't want to do 'monkey tricks' anymore because it makes you feel disrespected? Did you get something wrong? If you want to enjoy the fame and fortune brought by 'monkey tricks', you must accept the responsibility of performing for the audience every night in the game."

"As for what you said..." Yu Fei concluded casually, "The chaos during the Sterling era will certainly not continue to this day. Mr. Ballmer will not treat you like a monkey, and season ticket holders are no longer eligible to enter the locker room."

As Yu Fei talked about these, some teammates began to realize that what bothered Griffin were just trivial matters.

What is this compared to the fame and fortune he has gained?

"Now, your problem is solved." Yu Fei asked, "Can you solve my problem?"

Yu Fei did not address Tellem's statement that Griffin was not for sale. This issue cannot be resolved because Tellem misunderstood Yu Fei's pressure on Griffin, but in the long run, this statement may not be a bad thing.

Because if Griffin continues to maintain this mood swings and unstable mentality, trading him is also an option for the Clippers.

Griffin looked at Yu Fei deeply and said in a deep voice: "I will do those damn 'monkey shows'."

A conflict that almost broke out was thus resolved.

The way Yu Fei tamed Griffin was very impressive.

Rivers didn't expect that he wouldn't have to personally solve the problem.

Pierce was originally dissatisfied with being placed on the bench, but now he has nothing to say.

Although the GOAT has not played a regular season game for the Clippers, he has already firmly controlled the team. Whether it is the management, the coaching staff, or even Griffin, the theoretical opponent, he has them all firmly in his control.

From on the court to off the court, Yu Fei has become the absolute dominant player.

Pierce decided to take a step back and endure it for the time being.

Kwame Brown has been having nightmares recently because Yu Fei's behavior in the Clippers always reminds him of the wizard Dan who lingers in his nightmares.

Brown didn't know what he was worried about. Whether Yu Fei would become another "Wizard Dan" or not, their relationship would not improve. But seeing Yu Fei becoming more and more like Wizard Dan, Brown did feel an indescribable discomfort in his heart.

Today, the kink came undone.

If it was Wizard Dan who heard Griffin say he wanted to "quit", he would have kicked him out without hesitation, leaving no room for negotiation. However, Yu Fei wanted to find out what Griffin was thinking from the beginning. His provocation worked, and Griffin finally spoke out his hypocritical and nauseating difficulties.

Brown really admired Yu Fei for being able to resist mocking Griffin after listening to his complaints.

Brown doesn't understand whether people like Griffin understand that his life is what countless people dream of?

If he had a choice, Brown would rather be the popular monkey a hundred times than a lackey leaning against a big tree to enjoy the shade.

As a result, Yu Fei did not say anything unpleasant, but just asked him to continue doing those "monkey tricks" and then promised to solve his worries.

This is the end of the matter.

Brown felt that this was the Yu Fei he was familiar with, a person who liked to put on airs but cared about his teammates.

After the show, Yu Fei was spinning the basketball in his hand in boredom. Brown came over excitedly and said, "Da Fei, I just opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles. Would you mind coming to support me?"

Yu Fei asked with a smile: "You treat?"

"I'll take care of it all," Brown answered readily.

"Then I won't be polite." Yu Fei replied with a smile.

As expected, Yu Fei did not hold back. Not only did he show up in person, he also called all of his teammates and coaching staff from the Clippers over for a team-building event.

Griffin also showed up. Although he still looked unfriendly, after what happened today, the ice had begun to melt.

Brown looked at Griffin, still feeling a little unhappy. He felt that Griffin should be thankful that Yu Fei only looked like a genius now. Otherwise, Griffin would really understand what it meant to be "played like a monkey".

He can select you with the first pick, brag about you all day long, play the role of a kindly elder for months, and then when preseason training camp starts, he can use you as a stepping stone in front of the whole team and use your lime to establish his authority.

Is this something humans do?
Brown will never forgive Jordan.

Two days later, the opening game of the new NBA season kicked off, but it had nothing to do with the Clippers. The opening game of the NBA usually only arranges one or two games, usually for the teams with the most topics.

Although the Clippers have the GOAT, due to their poor record last season, the Clippers have no reason to be on the list of the opening game. Therefore, the Clippers' first game was scheduled on November 11. They will play against their city rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, at the Staples Center "away".

This is the art of scheduling. Although the Clippers cannot play the opening game, the first game of the new season is still full of topics.

Can the GOAT really turn around the Clippers' fortunes?

If possible, let's start with the city derby.

For the Clippers management, nothing is more frustrating than facing the Lakers. Although they play at the Staples Center, the audience treats them as badly as they treat the Celtics. To break the Lakers' monopoly on the local basketball market, they must start with the derby.

The Clippers decided to make full use of their advantages - as long as the GOAT can't be used to death, they will use the GOAT to death.

The day before the game, the Clippers announced that Yu Fei would spend an hour signing autographs for Clippers fans before the game. This was his first regular season gift to the fans as a Clippers player. Of course, he would only sign autographs for those who were true fans of the Clippers wearing Clippers jerseys, and Lakers fans were not allowed to do so.

In this way, even if the Staples Center will become the Clippers' graveyard, they have ensured that there will be some filial sons and grandchildren crying at the grave.

This idea was proposed by Rivers. Yu Fei was originally strongly opposed to it. For many years, he had maintained the habit of randomly selecting a few lucky fans for autographs in every game. Suddenly arranging a one-hour pre-game autograph session for him, was it that necessary?

Rivers explained to him the necessity of this move. If Yu Fei didn't want to be booed by the audience at home, it would be better to give the fans some sweet treat.

Yu Fei finally agreed, but still felt annoyed.

DC, Milwaukee, Seattle
This is the worst class he has ever taught.

(End of this chapter)