When pride still matters
Chapter 627: Year of Disharmony
Chapter 627: Year of Disharmony
"Fry will have one of the most exciting careers over the next two decades," said Paul Taylor, head of NBC reality programming. "Whether it's business, entertainment or anything that can be branded, he goes above and beyond."
The praise, coming from outside the basketball world, has reignited discussions about the GOAT's potential post-season concerns.
The bigger concern is, is this seemingly bright future really as reliable as it sounds?
Some observers believe that the GOAT is as likely to succeed as to fail in the media world because he places too much trust in those around him.
These people do not necessarily possess top professional qualities; they are able to sit in high positions simply because of their close relationship with the GOAT.
Yu Fei was never influenced by this narrative.
In his opinion, his care for the people around him is a way of "making the best use of things."
Let him do whatever he is suitable for.
However, such concerns always exist.
When Yu Fei came to New Orleans for the All-Star Weekend, similar remarks began to increase.
"Magic" Johnson participates in the NBA's All-Star event every year.
Moreover, he is now the president of the Lakers, giving him even more reason to take advantage of the popularity of the All-Star Weekend.
As a benchmark figure of athlete capitalists, Magic has been committed to helping players avoid financial collapse for many years.
He stressed a cardinal rule: When players called Johnson for advice, if they mentioned any business plan — a record label, a car wash, a production company — involving a friend or relative, he would ruthlessly shut them down.
“It’s deadly,” Magic always said.
He added that he became the CEO of a billionaire conglomerate by turning down friends and family in favor of working with the glamorous suits who sit courtside at Lakers games.
"They hire these people not because of their professional skills, but because they are friends. As a result, they will fail."
It’s fair to say that Yu Fei is the opposite of a magician in this regard. His business empire is already established, and the friends who have followed him since high school are now in high positions, so a question hangs in the air: Doesn’t he worry about the power tilt between personal friendships and professional experience?
"I didn't become the person you see from the first day I entered professional basketball. Everyone grows up," Yu Fei said. "I choose to grow up with them. I am not worried about failure, because everyone can fail, but it is important who you fail with. If I have to fail, I am willing to do it with them."
More and more people began to talk about what would happen after Yu Fei retired. Suddenly, even Yu Fei himself felt that he would retire after the season ended.
He doesn't like being led by public opinion.
Maybe he has to do something to let people know he doesn't want to retire yet.
However, every star player has something to do during the All-Star Weekend.
As the face of the alliance, Yu Fei shoulders a heavy responsibility.
His time can be divided into three parts: one part belongs to the league, as he needs to accompany Commissioner Adam Silver to various activities; one part belongs to sponsors; and the other part belongs to society.
Sports is an extremely important part of American society and a window for shaping the American dream for the lower classes. As a chosen son from the small town of Kent, Yu Fei's story itself is very inspiring. Now, he needs to use his celebrity effect to share his success and help this city that was hit by a hurricane and has not yet completed some of its reconstruction work.
Of course, this sharing is more verbal.
Through various charity events, he publicized his story and made those children from ordinary backgrounds feel that “I can become someone like Fry when I grow up.” Such dreams intoxicated them and allowed them to temporarily put aside their dissatisfaction with reality.
And when Yu Fei completes the above work, he will be able to participate in the All-Star Game.
That’s right, the so-called All-Star Weekend holiday actually means no time for yourself at all.
Except for sleeping and eating, Yu Fei's time is not under his personal control.
Yu Fei doesn't like the All-Star Weekend. He needs rest, but the activities during this period will only make him more tired.
Still, it was nice to see Kobe at the 2017 All-Star Game.
Unfortunately, his good friend Anthony missed the All-Star Game due to injury.
"How many points are left before Karim?" Yu Fei asked anxiously.
Kobe does not admit that he continues to play because he has not broken Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record.
However, as he surpassed Karl Malone in total points at the beginning of the season, only one person in NBA history has scored more points than him.
Kobe is not yet 39 years old, but time has already taken away most of his talent.
Fortunately, the advent of the era of space basketball is beneficial to players like him who are proficient in various skills.
He can score easily in open space without having to grind hard like Jordan did during his time with the Wizards.
After Anthony was traded, Kobe was given unlimited shooting rights. The 38-year-old veteran can still contribute 24 points per game this season.
At this rate, he could break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record before he turns 40.
"I don't play to break a record," Kobe said seriously, "just like you don't play until you're 40 to break a record."
"You're wrong." Yu Fei said with a smile, "I'm willing to play until I'm 36 in order to become the person with the most championships in NBA history."
Winning the championship is something the Lakers often talk about, but everyone on the team knows how empty these words are.
The Lakers have a pathological narcissism and arrogance.
When they traded Gasol and Anthony, they had no backup plan, so the outside world reasonably suspected that they would start playing the sentimental card, using Kobe to sell tickets and rebuilding at the same time.
As a result, Magic Johnson said at the media day of the preseason training camp: "Are you kidding? We are the Lakers. Tanking is not in our plan!"
When the media wanted to know how the Lakers would impact the championship around the 38-year-old Kobe, Magic confidently stated: "Kobe is our backbone, but his most important task now is to turn Zach and D'Angelo from boys into men!"
However, Kobe has unlimited firing rights, but the progress of LaVine and Russell has slowed down.
The Lakers are actually using Kobe to sell sentiment, but at the same time they are not giving up, and their record ranks among the top ten in the Western Conference.
Kobe knew that such a game was meaningless to him, but he was unwilling to retire.
Judging from the data, he still has a lot of gas in the tank.
So, after hearing Yu Fei's remarks, he couldn't help but say, "OK, we will definitely make it to the playoffs, and then do everything in our power to overthrow you!"
"Is it dream time now, Kobe?"
Compared to other things during the All-Star Weekend, this kind of bickering is definitely something that people of all ages can enjoy.
When James arrived in New Orleans, reporters asked him which position the team still needed to strengthen.
James said bluntly: "We need to strengthen the depth of the five position, otherwise, we will be at a disadvantage again in the game against the Clippers."
In fact, there is nothing wrong with James's opinion, but TNT's Barkley couldn't help but spray in the studio after hearing it: "LeBron's words are inappropriate. Miami has provided him with everything he needs. They are the team with the highest salary expenditure in NBA history, and they also have Stephen Curry, Kevin Love and Jimmy Butler. If he wants to prove that he is the best player in the world, he should shut up and prove himself in the finals!"
It can be said that Barkley is playing with the wind.
Because James has had a bad reputation recently.
But James did not intend to swallow his anger and responded the day before the All-Star Game: "He is a loser. What makes what he said credible? Just because he is on TV? I will not let him disrespect my achievements. I am not the kind of person who will throw people out of the window, nor the kind of person who will spit at a child. I have never owed gambling debts in Las Vegas!"
Then, things got interesting.
A loser calls another loser a loser, and the main method of attack is to dig up the other party's dark history.
Seeing James' reaction, Barkley was so excited that he almost jumped up in the studio.
He is now a media person.
What is the most important thing for media professionals? Traffic.
Barkley has no shortage of this, but the war of words with James will bring his traffic to a whole new level.
To this end, Barkley specifically applied for a media pass and visited the Western Conference All-Star team's locker room on the day of the All-Star Game.
Barkley went straight to Yu Fei and asked, "How do you feel when you hear the media mention your name alongside LeBron?"
Yu Fei asked back: "How did you feel when No. 23 broke up with you because you said a few truths on TV?"
"That's terrible. I understand you, Frye." Barkley asked again, "Do you still think LeBron doesn't deserve to win a championship?"
Yu Fei continued to ask: "Do you prefer donuts or sandwiches?" "Donuts! To be honest, donuts are really delicious!"
"Will you change your mind until the end of your life?" Yu Fei asked again.
Barkley said: "Absolutely not!"
"I don't like to deny others." Yu Fei began to speak like a GOAT, as if to make a final conclusion on something. "But if I do this, I will be like you looking at donuts, and I will never change!"
Barkley was excited.
What Yu Fei said was enough to make him the headlines of major media.
Moreover, with Yu Fei's support, it would be useless no matter how much James dug up his dark history.
Rather than liquidating a lost cause that has already been concluded, people obviously prefer to besiege a lost cause that is in progress.
Before the All-Star Game began, ESPN reporter Mark Stein, who has a close relationship with Yu Fei, called the 2017 NBA "a year of discord."
It's not just the open hostility between Yu Fei and James, nor is it just the off-court quarrel between James and Barkley.
There was also the clear infighting within the Bulls, which erupted when Dwyane Wade, who moved to Chicago, was unhappy with the bench;
Durant grew increasingly suspicious of Phil Jackson and his triangle offense;
There is hostility between Eastern Conference teams. Wall and Beal of the Wizards think that the Heat receive too much attention. There are obviously several teams in the Eastern Conference, so why is all the traffic in Miami?
There is also the crisis of Cousins. Because he can't control his temper and his relationship with the referees continues to deteriorate, DC has a love-hate attitude towards Cousins.
But recently, that attitude has been changing.
They began considering trading Cousins.
The last one happened not long ago. Knicks legend Charles Oakley was expelled from Madison Square Garden and banned from watching games again because of his foul mouth and rude words to team owner James Dolan on the spot.
This is a battle between a disappointing owner and a legendary team star.
That's good for the league. They need more rivalry, more personal vendettas, more heartbreak, and less clenched fists. Not the ugly scenes we saw at Madison Square Garden last week, with Oakley being dragged off by security, but real competition on the court.
However, none of these struggles reached a higher level.
Marc Stein concluded: "The struggle was fun, but we may never see the kind of confrontation Frye had against MJ in his rookie year again."
It was once a scandal in DC, then became NBA history, and now is an indelible chapter in the GOAT’s career.
The current GOAT started his career against the former GOAT.
How dramatic is this?
When the star players from the East and West walked onto the court, Yu Fei was like the moon held up by the stars, walking naturally to the center of the court.
As the host, Anthony Davis was the first to speak.
Next is Yu Fei.
On behalf of other star players, Yu Fei thanked New Orleans for the warm hospitality over the past few days.
"Our goal is to make your trip worthwhile and have fun!"
Then, the competition will begin.
Doc Rivers, the head coach of the Western Conference All-Stars, said: "You guys can play as you please. I only have one request, don't play a game with zero defense! Whoever doesn't defend, I will replace him!"
After the game started, the Western All-Stars team clearly took the initiative.
Anthony Davis scored consecutively with the help of his teammates, scoring 14 points in the first quarter alone, and he is already on the verge of becoming the AMVP.
Although this year's AMVP trophy seems to be tailor-made for Yu Fei, Yu Fei finally decided to be a talented and virtuous senior.
Now that the All-Star Game is being held in New Orleans, the city that was once hit by a hurricane needs their heroes to perform well at home.
Davis is eager to win the AMVP.
This is also the unspoken rule of the All-Star Game. Performance opportunities are given priority to stars playing at home, and every effort is made to make them the star among stars.
When he was young, Yu Fei once stole the limelight from his master, but he is no longer young.
Moreover, is it really necessary to take an honor like AMVP seriously?
So what if the trophy was custom-made for him?
He has not announced his retirement, let alone a retirement tour. If he wants to receive the honors that a Hall of Fame star deserves in his retirement season, he only needs to announce it at the beginning of the season.
He didn't do that, he decided to keep fighting.
Because he didn't want anything to distract the team.
You know, except for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, no one has started a retirement tour when the team is still competitive. Even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar can do this without any burden because he is no longer the boss of the team.
Perhaps, the GOAT has the greatest privilege.
He can compete while going on a retirement tour and finally make a perfect farewell like Jordan did in 1998.
But that's not now.
Not now.
That night, Yu Fei scored 11 points and sent out 14 assists, and together with the rest of the Western Conference All-Stars, Anthony Davis touched the sky.
Davis scored 52 points and 11 rebounds in the All-Star Game held at home, and the Western Conference All-Stars defeated the Eastern Conference All-Stars by 12 points.
After the game, Davis held the AMVP trophy without a doubt.
"Only tonight did I feel Frye passed the ball better than Chris," Davis joked in his acceptance speech. "No matter what, I will always remember this night. This trophy belongs not only to me, but also to everyone in New Orleans!"
Antetokounmpo was extremely envious of this scene.
He dreamed countless times of taking the lead on a stage where all the stars gathered.
But apparently, this year is not his.
Jokic left listlessly. He liked the money he got from activating the "fly-on-the-fly clause" after becoming an All-Star, but he didn't like the All-Star obligations or the All-Star Game. These activities mainly devoured his vacation time, making him a poor guy who had to rush to work in a strange city when other colleagues were on vacation.
However, as long as he thought about the fact that when he renewed his contract in a few years, activating the "Yu Fei Clause" would increase his annual salary by millions of dollars, he felt that the current suffering was worth it.
Klay Thompson may be the one with the most stable mentality.
Being selected to the All-Star Game for two consecutive years has enabled him to achieve his goal.
What he has to do now is to use his All-Star reputation to satisfy his personal interests.
During the All-Star weekend, he had three female companions.
The Los Angeles Times reported: "Clay is as popular with women as the young Frye."
Yu Fei likes the youthfulness of young people, but he doesn't like the media always involving him.
Before leaving, a reporter from New York asked him if he regretted not winning this year's AMVP.
"How could that be?" Yu Fei said calmly, "I don't lack AMVP."
"But everyone knows that this AMVP trophy is designed for you..."
"so what?"
Yu Fei smiled.
"The league can always design a trophy for me if I want it."
After saying that, Yu Fei shook off the reporter.
Bodyguards kept other media away, ensuring their employers would not be disturbed again.
But the media could easily imagine from the departure of the GOAT how complacent Adam Silver would be when he handed a more exquisite custom trophy to that man.
Because they've seen it too many times over the past fifteen years.
(End of this chapter)
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