The Best Point Guard

Chapter 421: Chapter 2: What on Earth Is Su Xi After

After being provoked by O’Connor in Indiana, Jordan extended his reach fully into the management team. He was going to personally build a championship squad.

So, he picked Felton.

There were three reasons for picking Felton.

First: Felton was his junior from the same alma mater, having helped North Carolina win the championship this year.

Second: Felton was a solid player with a strong body, which couldn’t help but make Jordan think of Su Xi, who also had a powerful physique. Though Felton looked a bit stout, while Su Xi was lean and muscular.

Third: Everybody loves Raymond.

Jordan even gave an interview personally, saying, "The Bobcats will replicate the University of North Carolina’s success. Raymond is the greatest champion in basketball this year. He brings championship DNA to the Bobcats, and we have every reason to believe that in the near future, he will lead the Bobcats to unprecedented glory."

Every lottery pick carries the hopes of their team.

So, it wasn’t too out of the ordinary for Jordan to say something like that at this time, as almost every management team says the same thing.

Only Isaiah Thomas was an exception.

"Why did we pick three frontcourt players? Because we’re about to get Little Sheep Su Xi."

"I hope these three young men can follow in Jack’s footsteps and make some contributions on the road to a championship."

"How we’re getting Jack? That’s a secret."

"Why am I so sure Jack will join the Knicks? Heh heh, he was a Knicks player to begin with. He was just traded away by two idiots. After helping someone else win two championship trophies, now he’s coming home. Coming home, you understand?"

"..."

Draft night was exceptionally lively. A lot of news broke, and some trades happened—an annual tradition.

...

Su Xi was enjoying a peaceful time in Los Angeles. He paid no mind to the war of words in the media, going fishing at sea with Jessica Alba. In the evening, they attended a business dinner together and did a ribbon-cutting for a company.

Su Xi received an after-tax income of 250,000 USD.

With Su Xi’s current fame, in a major international city like Los Angeles, he frequently got such easy and lucrative business engagements.

In comparison, there were far fewer opportunities like this in Indiana.

That’s why his two agents, O’Connor and Huang Xiaoman, didn’t quite understand Su Xi’s decision to go to New York.

Whether from the perspective of weather, business, investment, or even basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers were the better choice.

But Su Xi insisted on jumping into the Knicks’ quagmire.

The Knicks were currently the league’s biggest laughingstock. Everyone felt they were beyond saving. Su Xi’s arrival might improve their record slightly, but what if he got dragged down into the muck with them? Wouldn’t the losses outweigh the gains?

But whether they understood or not, they would execute his wishes without question.

Larry Bird had already offered Su Xi a nine-figure contract with a starting salary of 17.23 million USD. Theoretically, Su Xi could have even signed a 7-year, 156 million USD deal.

But Su Xi only chose a five-year, 105 million USD contract.

Then, the New York Knicks began talks with the Indiana Pacers.

Su Xi’s message to Isaiah Thomas was: "Meet any of the Pacers’ demands."

Larry Bird said to Isaiah Thomas, "Who do you need us to send over to support Jack?"

Isaiah Thomas said, "You can have anyone you want from our roster."

The harmony was unprecedented.

Nothing like this had ever happened in the history of the NBA.

Frankly, there wasn’t really anyone on the Knicks’ current roster that the Pacers desperately needed.

Moreover, the Knicks players’ contracts were generally inflated. Stephon Marbury’s annual salary of 16.45 million USD was considered a relatively good contract. On top of that, they were paying Alan Houston 19.13 million USD a year, a contract that didn’t count against the salary cap. There was also Anfernee Hardaway, who was collecting 15.75 million USD a year while sitting on the injured list, having barely played.

Add to that veteran forward Antonio Davis at 13.93 million USD. Furthermore, players like Morris Taylor, Eddie Curry, Jamal Crawford, Shandon Anderson, Quentin Richardson, and Jerome Williams were all on annual salaries of seven to eight million USD.

Only a team with deep pockets like the New York Knicks could afford such a roster; what other team could possibly handle it?

In the end, after much discussion.

The Pacers decided to take Stephon Marbury. Marbury was, at least, still in his prime and had the skills. Although he was trapped in the Knicks’ quagmire, his reputation had soured from the "Son of New York" to "New York’s Menace."

Finally, on the day the trade window opened, the Pacers and the Knicks jointly announced the deal.

The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks reached a sign-and-trade agreement. Su Xi re-signed for 5 years and 105 million USD.

Subsequently, the Pacers traded Su Xi, Tony Battie, Krohseil, Derek Anderson, and Bender to the New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks sent over Stephon Marbury, Anfernee Hardaway’s expiring contract, and a 2007 first-round draft pick.

The core of this trade was Su Xi for Marbury.

Because Hardaway was bought out before he even made it over.

Similarly, the Knicks immediately bought out the contracts of Krohseil, Anderson, and Bender, keeping only the "Hu Su Bao," Tony Battie.

Tony Battie’s reputation as a bodyguard was now much greater than his reputation as a player.

Many commentators said that Tony Battie was going over to be Su Xi’s enforcer.

Because if Su Xi went over alone, he would surely be unable to control the chaotic locker room at Madison Garden.

"I can’t understand why Little Sheep Su Xi chose the Knicks when he clearly had better options. His best choice would have been a mid-tier team, a big-market team that, with his help, could quickly become a strong championship contender."

"The Knicks bring him no positive assets. If he wants to prove his ability to lead a team on his own, he should at least go to a functional team."

"After getting Marbury, Indiana still has the strength to compete for a championship; a three-peat is very possible. But with Little Sheep Su Xi joining the Knicks, I can’t imagine what he’ll get out of it. A ticket to the playoffs?"

"Reality is going to give this young guard a rude awakening."

"..."

After the trade was announced, public opinion was in an uproar.

Except for the New York fans who were celebrating wildly, almost no one else understood Su Xi’s move.

Su Xi was already a two-time Finals MVP. He had no reason to go be the leader of such a rotten team.

Doing so would only expose his own shortcomings.

In fact, Larry Bird had also tried to persuade Su Xi; he didn’t think the Knicks were a good choice either.

No one supported Su Xi’s move to the Knicks.

The Knicks were just too terrible.

Even his new teammate, Eddie Curry, was saying, "I don’t know what Little Sheep Su Xi can change by coming to this team."

The Knicks were rotten to the core.

Unless you cleared out all the players on the team and rebuilt it from scratch.

But what other team would be willing to take on this group of players?

"I’ve finally escaped the sea of bitterness. While that might sound disrespectful to Knicks fans, if you personally walked into the Knicks’ locker room and saw what it’s like in there, you would believe in my sincerity right now."

"I’m very grateful to Jack. He’s willing to join the Knicks, and I hope he brings a new change to New York basketball."

"As for me, I’m going to Indiana to chase my championship."

"I wish Jack the best, and I wish the Knicks the best. I hope everything goes well."

Stephon Marbury wrote these words in his farewell open letter.

His words were brimming with joy and anticipation.

For him, going to the Pacers was truly the greatest opportunity of his career. He just needed to follow in Su Xi’s footsteps to pilot the aircraft carrier. Basketball experts were also optimistic about him, as no one felt Marbury’s skills were that much worse than Su Xi’s.

As long as he could follow the established plan, it wasn’t impossible for him to win a championship, or even a Finals MVP.

In comparison, what could Su Xi get with the Knicks?

Back when Marbury returned to New York, he had also received a hero’s welcome. Everyone had sincerely welcomed the return of the Son of New York and hoped he would lead the team out of the mire.

It was exactly the same as now.

Could Su Xi break this vicious cycle?