The Best Point Guard

Chapter 419: Chapter 1: [Jack, You Can Leave]

Then, Su Xi went to the hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital, he saw a news report about his accident on a TV: "BREAKING! SENSATIONAL! Little Sheep Su Xi involved in a car crash on an expressway near Los Angeles International Airport. He is currently en route to the hospital."

Immediately after, Su Xi’s phone blew up.

The news instantly sparked a media frenzy.

Su Xi was dumbfounded.

It made him feel utterly disgusted with the media in Los Angeles. He spent nearly an hour in the hospital hallway reassuring everyone that he was fine and immediately had O’Connor issue a public statement.

But by then, the buzz around Su Xi had already eclipsed the NBA Draft taking place at Madison Square Garden Arena in New York.

Even though it turned out to be a false alarm, Su Xi’s every move could still send shockwaves through the entire basketball world.

This year was considered to have a strong draft class. Compared to the 2004 draft, there were many standout prospects among the new rookies.

Then there was the North Carolina Gang, who had just won the NCAA championship. Everyone believed that this year’s "North Carolina Four" could replicate the miracle of the "Syracuse Duo" of years past. Carmeron Anthony and Su Xi had already proven themselves in the NBA, and now it was North Carolina’s turn.

Additionally, there was Andrew Bogut, the favorite for the number one pick. He was a foreign center playing in the United States with an impressive frame and solid skills on both offense and defense. In the NCAA, many called him the "White Duncan."

Therefore, the Bucks, who held the number one pick, were hoping he could become a team cornerstone just like Su Xi. They even put out the word: "We’ve already prepared a ’Su Xi Clause’ style contract extension for Bogut."

However, the Australian center was clearly a bit overconfident.

He told the media, "I hope one day there’s a ’Bogut Clause.’ Of course I can do better. I’m a center; the player who controls the paint controls the game."

His statement was a shot at both Su Xi and this year’s crop of guards. This was considered a golden age for point guards, and many big-name PGs from the NCAA had entered the draft. There was Felton from the "North Carolina Four," Deron Williams and Hyde who had created the "Illinois miracle," and Chris Paul from Wake Forest...

Just as Su Xi put his phone down and was about to leave the hospital, Magic Johnson and Kobe arrived, having come specifically to visit him.

They thought Su Xi was injured, despite him insisting on the phone that he was completely fine.

But they were still concerned.

"The traffic in Los Angeles is just awful," Kobe vented to Su Xi. "I suggest you buy a helicopter. You can leave it with a leasing company and rent it out as a corporate jet. Then, if you have something important, you can fly it yourself. Tracy McGrady bought a plane, though his is a small private jet."

Su Xi shook his head. "I’d rather take a car," he said. "And you should probably give up that idea too. It’s not safe. There’s nothing more reassuring than keeping your feet on the ground."

Kobe looked thoughtful.

Magic Johnson reassured Su Xi, then said he wanted to talk about team matters.

Just then, Su Xi’s phone rang. It was Isaiah Thomas.

Su Xi stepped aside and pressed the answer button.

Thomas had already called ten minutes earlier to see how he was doing.

Now, before Su Xi could even speak, Thomas asked in an anxious tone, "Jack, it’s almost our turn. Who are you picking? Or, what kind of help are you looking for? We can get several draft picks this year. I can trade away the entire roster. Didn’t you say last time that the Knicks players weren’t any good? Let’s just do a complete rebuild."