Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 393 - 254 Enemies on a Narrow Road_2
Chapter 393: Chapter 254 Enemies on a Narrow Road_2
“What’s this?” Iverson didn’t think much of spending tens of thousands of US Dollars on a meal. “Don’t mind it, KG, we earn money to spend it, otherwise, what are we busting our asses playing ball and signing big contracts for?”
Yu Fei and Garnett exchanged glances, the two who were adept at calculations unanimously shut up.
That evening, upon Yao Ming’s invitation, Yu Fei headed straight to Denver’s best cinema for the premiere of “The Year of Yao.”
There were many Chinese media at the scene, and Yu Fei’s appearance was a pleasant surprise for them.
Before the movie started, they scrambled to interview Yu Fei.
Just like what Yu Fei had seen in domestic news reports back in China, if a Chinese athlete played in a top foreign league, the media would incessantly seek foreign players’ opinions about them.
Yu Fei emphasized, “Yao and I are friends, and although Asians represent 40% of the global population, in the NBA, Yao and I are part of the minority, and we have to rely on each other.”
A journalist with limited English skills asked in astonishment, “You mean, you and Yao will embrace each other? Wow!”
Yu Fei: “…”
Afterward, the movie began.
Instead of calling it a movie, it was more like a documentary of Yao Ming’s rookie season.
Throughout the film, three segments left a deep impression on Yu Fei; one was the vague portrayal of Shaquille O’Neal’s racial discrimination against Yao Ming, another was Yao Ming’s insouciant smile while watching Barkley kiss the donkey’s butt, and finally, that enchanting song, “YAOMING (repeatedly)~~~~.”
“How did you find it?”
After watching, Yao Ming earnestly asked Yu Fei for his impression.
Yu Fei’s response made Yao want to die: “It was okay, the song was catchy.”
Yao Ming could no longer smile, “I can’t stand that song to this day, it makes my skin crawl whenever I hear it.”
“Actually, it’s not that embarrassing, the movie’s biggest problem is the part with O’Neal,” said Yu Fei. “I don’t know why people are so keen on portraying you two as rivals, it’s unfair to you, and they didn’t film what they should have.”
Yao Ming knew what Yu Fei was referring to and was aware of the conflict between him and O’Neal.
“You know, O’Neal’s father has already brought him to apologize to me, and after all, this is the United States,” Yao said meaningfully, “We are a minority in the League, there are some things, we must compromise on.”
Yu Fei knew all these things.
But every time he imagined himself or Yao Ming calling any black player the N-word and it being caught on camera, he knew it wouldn’t just be resolved with an apology.
Just thinking about it filled him with rage.
He would never let it go.
Afterward, Yu Fei and Yao Ming headed to the Pepsi Center to watch the ongoing Rookie Challenge.
At that point, the second half of the rookie game was already underway.
The game wasn’t particularly suspenseful, the 2003 class’s overall talent was far superior to the 2004 rookies, plus they had one more year of experience. Coupled with a hot streak from beyond the arc, the score was consistently a double-digit lead.
In the end, Anthony, who was playing at home, lifted the Rookie Challenge MVP trophy.
For him, it was a consolation prize.
When he lost the Rookie of the Year award to James last year, some people felt sorry for him, but now, as James had evolved and was averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, he definitely had the strength of a top ten League star, while Anthony hadn’t shown significant improvement, and off-court troubles piled up, clearly separating their ranks.
As soon as the Rookie Challenge ended, the scene shifted into the typical post-game segment of an All-Star weekend.
Celebrity interviews were happening one after another.
Yu Fei planned to leave, but just as he was walking through the corridor, a bald middle-aged black man was heading his way from not too far ahead.
Yu Fei would recognize that face even if it were covered in ashes.
Michael Jordan was already 42 years old this year, but he was far from the bloated figure Yu Fei had seen in his previous life.
Jordan saw Yu Fei as well.
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Whether the feud between Jordan and Yu Fei was bigger, or whether the feud between O’Neal and Kobe was bigger, was a subject of endless debate.
But those who truly understood the nature of these two grudges would not hesitate to choose the former.
Because at least O’Neal and Kobe had a honeymoon period, they had succeeded together, and conflict was the inevitable result of things developing.
Yu Fei, on the other hand, had been at odds with Jordan from the first day of the training camp of his rookie season.
“How have you been lately?”
Jordan was the first to speak, and he certainly knew whether Yu Fei had been doing well.
The chance at a three-peat had been ruined by a brawl, how could he be well? This was the first time Jordan found the Pistons’ team name to be so pleasing to the ear.
“Not very well,” said Yu Fei sarcastically, “but thinking that we can at least play in the playoffs, while some teams have only won 11 games and have to think about the lottery draft halfway through the season, I feel much better.”
Jordan, with fire in his heart, couldn’t show it, “If you want to compare your defending champion team to mine, then I don’t know if it’s your misfortune or my luck; after all, we are a team in our first year.”
“But it’s not your first year managing a team. Just look at what you did in D.C. and you’ll know what the future holds for the Bobcats.” Yu Fei laughed mockingly.
Yu Fei didn’t give Jordan a chance to retort.
He continued: “Well, comparing teams might not be fair, so let’s compare ourselves instead. Do you know what’s the hottest topic recently?”
Jordan looked at Yu Fei coldly.
“You must have heard about it. Everyone is talking about how great my little brother LeBron James is at the age of 20. As you know, he has a boundless future and is already one of the best players in the league at such a young age. Although he hasn’t proven himself in the playoffs yet, everyone believes he is far better than you were at the same age.”
“You see, LeBron is already stronger than you were, and what about me?” Yu Fei spoke bluntly of a reality, “At the same age, I arranged your third retirement ceremony and then proved in the finals that your decision to trade me was the most laughable thing in NBA history.”
“So you see, whether we compare the present or the past, I am the better one. Of course, you can pray that the shit at The Palace of Auburn Hills continues to happen to me,” Yu Fei scoffed, “GOAT, that’s the only thing you can do now.”
Many people at the scene heard Yu Fei’s words.
This verbal clash would undoubtedly make the headlines tomorrow.
And Yu Fei’s words would be talked about delightfully, just like the controversy surrounding his astonishing contract renewal.
Jordan maintained his composure to the utmost extent. He told himself not to be impulsive, not to do anything that would taint his image; he was not like Yu Fei, whose reputation was scandalous.
But those present would not only remember Yu Fei’s disrespect and insults to Jordan, but they would also notice that Jordan had almost no place to rebut.
Afterward, Yu Fei returned to his hotel room to get some rest.
He would be participating in the three-point contest tomorrow, and then the All-Star main event the day after; he certainly wouldn’t be able to wander around leisurely like today.
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