The Best Point Guard-Chapter 53 - 51: What It Means to Be Strong Without Desire
After the interview, Anthony and Su Xi walked side by side toward the locker room.
"Jack, you need to keep a lower profile. The NBA isn’t the NCAA. Every player in this league was once a star in the NCAA, and none of them are any less talented than TJ Ford overall. Acting this cocky will just put a target on your back."
Carmeron Anthony was an arrogant man, but now he was the one reminding Su Xi to be cautious and keep a low profile.
Su Xi smiled and said, "That’s exactly why I said it."
"Why? The NBA is packed with talent, so why would you say that?" Anthony asked, confused.
’If the NBA wasn’t crawling with talent, I wouldn’t have bothered saying it,’ Su Xi thought. ’They want to punish me? Bring it on. I’m counting on them for my talent fusion.’
"Because I love competing against the best," Su Xi answered earnestly.
Anthony was shocked. He thought Su Xi was just talking big, not that he was actually serious about wanting to take on the most talented players.
’What kind of mindset is that?’
’Is this that legendary saying? "Face your fear, conquer your fear, become fear"?’
’Jack’s mental game is so much stronger than mine.’
’No wonder he’s improving so fast.’
Carmeron Anthony looked at Su Xi with admiration, and his image of Su Xi grew even grander in his mind.
Just as they were about to reach the locker room, they ran into LeBron James and Allen Iverson chatting with TJ Ford.
Anthony and Su Xi walked over to say hello.
Everyone was friendly, except for TJ Ford, who still looked a little awkward after getting schooled. But Su Xi walked right up to him. He didn’t carry their on-court beef off the court, instead extending his hand for a high-five.
TJ Ford was still a bit hesitant and awkward.
Su Xi was already complimenting him. "TJ, man, you’re so fast. Your explosiveness and speed are incredible. Would you be willing to train with me sometime?"
Huh?
No one saw that coming.
They all figured a young guy like Su Xi, after destroying TJ Ford on the court, would be acting cocky off it. But here he was, genuinely complimenting TJ Ford and even asking to train with him.
It made TJ Ford a little embarrassed. He thought, ’I was being small-minded.’
"Yeah, sure. We’ll find a chance to practice sometime," TJ Ford said, smiling.
"When?" Su Xi asked earnestly. "Are you free tomorrow?"
Huh?
That question stumped TJ Ford. He thought it was just a polite offer, not that Su Xi was actually serious.
TJ Ford subconsciously scratched his head. He was moved by Su Xi’s sincerity and even felt a little guilty. ’Jack is being so genuine, and I was just being dismissive. That’s not right, not right at all.’
He then replied sincerely, "Jack, I’m about to declare for the draft. I have a ton of interviews tomorrow, plus I have to start prepping for team workouts and go back to school to take care of some paperwork. So... I won’t be able to train with you for a while. Once we’re both in the NBA, we’ll have plenty of chances."
Su Xi looked disappointed.
He then wished TJ Ford well. "Good luck, man. I’m sure you’ll be a high draft pick. You’re seriously the fastest, most explosive guard I’ve seen all season. Your passing is great too. You’re going to be successful in the NBA."
TJ Ford was touched. "Thanks, Jack," he said. "You’re a really good guy. You’ll be a success in the NBA, too."
He then opened his arms and gave Su Xi a hug.
Then, after saying goodbye to everyone, he left to meet his agent and discuss the statement for his draft declaration.
Su Xi waved as he watched him go.
The other three watched Su Xi, looking somewhat stunned.
They never expected Su Xi to be so magnanimous off the court, like a hero from a kung fu movie who offers sincere encouragement after defeating an opponent.
James, in particular, was the most shocked.
’A beast on the court and a low-key gentleman off it,’ he thought. ’That’s the kind of teammate I want. Someone to do the dirty work on the court, who stays humble and doesn’t steal the spotlight off it. Could there be anyone better than Jack?’
"Jack, we should train together sometime," James said, extending an olive branch.
Surprise flashed in Su Xi’s eyes. ’According to the Little Elf’s scan, James is the most gifted person here. He has four super-talents. Add in his height, wingspan, and weight... he’s a straight-up basketball machine.’
"Yeah! When?" Su Xi’s eyes lit up.
"After the draft," James said. "But hey, you could also come with me to my NBA team workouts. I’ll cover your flight, how about it?"
James really knew how to win people over; most couldn’t resist his sincerity.
Su Xi thought for a moment, then said, "Well, I’ll have to discuss that with my agent. Besides, I don’t feel right about using your money."
James hadn’t expected Su Xi to politely decline. ’Going to workouts with The Chosen One, with The Chosen One even offering to pay for your flight... that’s a dream come true for most people! Just think of the media exposure from hanging around me. That’s something you won’t get with Melo. His management team is trash, and their media connections are nothing special. Not like mine...’
While James was still surprised, Su Xi had already struck up a conversation with Iverson.
He was full of gratitude toward Iverson, his tone brimming with respect.
He even asked Iverson, "Are you running a training camp this summer? Do you train in the offseason?"
Iverson said, "I never train in the offseason, but I am going to China for a brand’s training camp event."
Su Xi was slightly disappointed.
Just then, Iverson suddenly called over a staff member. "Hey, Mike, come here. What do you think of this kid? He’s Chinese, a guard, about to enter the draft, and he just had a hell of a game. I think your brand should consider bringing him along with us to China."
The man Iverson called over was a marketing director from Reebok. He had come to scout TJ Ford. Les, the agent for both Iverson and TJ Ford, was hoping for a package deal to get Reebok to sign Ford.
However, as the game progressed, Mike lost interest in Ford and set his sights on Su Xi. Even if Iverson hadn’t called him over, he had already been planning to approach Su Xi that night.
Especially... after witnessing Su Xi’s conversations with TJ Ford, James, and Iverson.
He was absolutely certain this guy would be a star player who would make shoe sales skyrocket.
First, he was incredibly handsome and charismatic, with an appeal that worked on both men and women.
Second, he was a guard with great handles; whenever he made a crossover, everyone would get a close-up of his shoes.
Furthermore, he was Chinese. The market in China was massive, and Asia was becoming the world’s fastest-growing region for sneaker sales. They had already signed Yao Ming and were just lamenting their lack of a star guard when Su Xi fell right into their lap.
Finally, Su Xi’s recent conversations had shown him to be humble yet confident, competitive, ambitious, and dedicated to training hard.
In the conversation with TJ Ford, he was completely in control. He came across as powerful, confident, humble, and gracious—immensely charismatic.
In his conversation with James, he demonstrated independent thought and character, proving he was unwilling to play second fiddle. He refused to be a sidekick bundled into James’s workouts, even though James was the high and mighty "Chosen One."
His talk with Iverson showed his interest in the Reebok training camp and revealed his work ethic—he was always thinking about training. This was a stark contrast to Iverson.
Therefore, Reebok had no intention of letting a blue-chip prospect like this get away.
"Hello, Jack. I’m Mike Blunt, the Global Marketing Director and a Vice President at Reebok. I have an endorsement deal I’d like to discuss with you," Mike Blunt said, getting straight to the point.
But Su Xi refused. "Hello, Mike, it’s a pleasure to meet you," he said. "But on this matter, I’d prefer you speak with my agent. Right now, I need to focus on the game. Besides, I’m still an NCAA player, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to have this kind of business meeting."
The refusal took Iverson, James, and Anthony by surprise.
They all knew Mike Blunt was a high-level executive who could make big things happen.
And for him to make the offer personally meant the money would be serious. How many NCAA players ever get a shoe deal? Landing one meant you weren’t just a star in the NCAA, but an anticipated star in the NBA. It would be a huge help for future advertising and promotions.
But Su Xi had rejected him flat out.
However, not only was Mike Blunt not angry, he broke into an even wider smile. He extended his hand to shake Su Xi’s. He praised him internally: ’Jack really knows how things are done. We should work with people who follow protocol. Plus, his mind is only on basketball. I like a player with that kind of focus.’
His opinion of Su Xi rose another notch.
But he couldn’t resist a little joke, asking Su Xi, "Aren’t you even a little curious how big of a contract I’ve prepared for you?"
Su Xi just smiled and said something that stunned everyone. "I’m not interested in money."
"I just love playing basketball."
"You have to earn everything you get. And I believe that when I get good enough at this game, I’ll be the one naming my price."
"Right, Mike?"
Su Xi turned the question back on Mike Blunt.
Blunt was a seasoned negotiator who had met with countless top sports stars. But he had never seen a rookie with an aura as powerful as Su Xi’s. Not even the elites of the business world possessed that kind of presence.
Su Xi’s question even made him stumble over his words.
"Er... yes. Of course, Jack. You’re right. You’ve really piqued my interest now. Would you mind giving me your agent’s contact information?" Blunt said.
"Sure. I’ll give you my agent’s number next time we see each other," Su Xi said with a smile.
Mike Blunt laughed along with him.
The three superstars watched, dumbfounded.
It was a real eye-opener for them.
’How is it that the more Jack acts like this, the more Mike Blunt respects him?’
People are drawn to strength.
Mike Blunt now considered Su Xi to be in the highest tier of this year’s rookies, right alongside the other two top-tier prospects next to him: Anthony and James.
As for why Su Xi had such a powerful presence...
Three words.
Desirelessness is strength!
Why would someone with the assistance of the Basketball Elf, someone who already considered himself a soon-to-be God of Basketball, bow and scrape just because of a few nice words?
There was no need for that.
...
