The Best Point Guard

Chapter 427: Chapter 5: [Su Xi Gets to Work]

’Anyone who’d spend a million USD on a diamond ring can’t be all that smart.’

Jamal Crawford had some game. He was better than an elite role player but not quite an All-Star. He could make an impact on the court at times. Malik Rose was pretty much on his way out of the league.

At Point Guard, that left Su Xi as the only viable option. Nate Robinson, who’d just been traded from Phoenix, was a rookie this year. At only about 5’9", his passing vision would be severely limited.

’This roster...’

HISS!

Su Xi sucked in a sharp breath.

Isaiah Thomas quickly reassured him, "Jack, don’t worry. Take it slow. It’s okay if we don’t accomplish much this season. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We aren’t expecting to win a championship in our first season..."

Su Xi shot him a look. ’With this roster? You’re still thinking about winning a championship in the first season? On what grounds?’

’Because you’re good at handing out trash contracts? Or because you’re a good daydreamer?’

"Honestly, it doesn’t even matter if we make the playoffs. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself," Isaiah Thomas said. "It’s your first season. Miracles don’t just happen overnight."

"What about Anfernee Hardaway?" Su Xi asked suddenly. "What’s his condition? Can he still play?"

"I hear his recovery is going well. But, you know, he’s from a bygone era."

Isaiah Thomas waved his hand dismissively. He had never factored Hardaway into his calculations of the team’s strength, even complaining, "Not many of the guys labeled ’the next Jordan’ have had a happy ending."

"Have him come to training camp. We need him," Su Xi said.

Thomas was confused, but he carried out Su Xi’s requests without question.

Then, Su Xi said, "Can we trade Jerome James? And Eddie Curry. And any other players with weak mentalities. Get rid of them if you can."

"We need to make sure everyone in the locker room is on the same page."

Isaiah Thomas nodded.

Then, Su Xi asked again, "Who is our head coach for the new season?"

The Knicks’ head coach situation was still up in the air. There was talk of bringing in a coach with a thousand wins, and some said they should get Larry Brown.

The entire New York media was buzzing with the ambition to make a big splash.

Su Xi, however, believed the head coach was the least important piece of the puzzle right now. Solve the locker room problems first, then bring in a good coach. It was like cleaning the house before inviting guests over.

If the locker room problems weren’t solved, even the best head coach would be useless.

"Who do you want it to be?"

Thomas told Su Xi with great seriousness, "Whoever you want, we’ll bring them in. Jack, you know this. The owner has complete faith in you. The team’s one and only mission is to follow your lead."

"I just want a head coach who can be on the same page as me," Su Xi said.

Isaiah Thomas thought for a moment, patted his chest, and said, "Then what do you think about me?"

Su Xi looked at Thomas. After a moment of thought, he said, "That works."

Isaiah Thomas had a bit of a hustler’s mentality, but his tactical mind was sharp. Under his coaching, Indiana had leaped to become a powerhouse in the East. Moreover, his sharp eye for talent had laid the groundwork for the Pacers’ future championship run; Little O’Neal was a player he had single-handedly discovered and developed.

Besides, he would undoubtedly align with Su Xi unconditionally.

Their fates were now intertwined; if one succeeded, they both succeeded, and if one failed, they both failed.

If Su Xi didn’t perform well with the Knicks, Isaiah Thomas would be implicated as well.

"Give me all the players’ phone numbers. I’m going to give them a call," Su Xi continued.

Although it was now the long offseason, Su Xi’s work had already begun.

The entire basketball world was waiting to see him fail. Everyone was saying he’d made the worst possible choice.

He refused to be underestimated by anyone, which meant he had to start putting in the work now.

Su Xi’s first call was to Eddie Curry.

It was already two in the afternoon, but the phone rang for a long time before someone picked up. The voice on the other end was groggy and indistinct; he had clearly been woken up by the call.

"Hello, Eddie Curry. This is Jack Su," Su Xi said.

Eddie Curry was stunned for a long moment. His voice became much clearer. "Jack Su? Little Sheep Su Xi? The Finals MVP? The new cornerstone of the Knicks?"

"All of the above. That’s me," Su Xi replied.

"What’s up?" Eddie Curry asked. "You want me to show you around New York? Show you a good time? I’m an expert at that."

It was Eddie Curry’s way of being friendly, his preferred method of getting closer to new teammates.

"No, thanks. Your idea of fun isn’t really my style. You should have seen what league I’m in from watching me on TV. I’m calling to give you my number. I’ll be in New York for a while, so if you want to get some training in, or if you have any questions about basketball, you can give me a call," Su Xi told Eddie Curry.

"Basketball? Training?" Eddie Curry was baffled. "Isn’t it the offseason? Hey, Jack, don’t tell me you’re calling just to put on some act about how professional you are. Don’t pull that crap on me, man. You know I’m not that kind of guy."

"Only you know what kind of person you are. I’m just offering you a choice. Goodbye. We’ve been on the phone for 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Scientists say if your sleep is interrupted for less than three minutes, you can pick it right back up. Sweet dreams. Bye."

Su Xi hung up the phone.

Eddie Curry tossed his phone aside and flopped back onto the bed.

About an hour later, he shot up in bed. ’Wait, what’s wrong with that guy?’

In the meantime, Su Xi called Quentin Richardson, Jalen Rose, and Malik Rose.

The conversations were smooth, but he could clearly hear their resistance. They obviously saw his call as a power play, like a new boss making his first condescending call to his underlings. They had been in the league for years; they weren’t the type to just bow down to a new face.

’It’s just basketball, isn’t it?’

Su Xi considered the task complete after finishing the calls.

He had no intention of getting any more emotionally involved with them.

Then, Su Xi called Jamal Crawford.

Surprisingly, Jamal Crawford was in the middle of a workout. He was the only player who was actually training.

Su Xi told him on the phone, "Do you want to become the Most Improved Player next season?"

Jamal Crawford replied, "That’s not something I can just decide to do, nor is it something you can arrange."

"Let’s give it a shot. What if it happens?"

"You called me because you want me to follow your lead?"

"That’s right. I need a top-tier scorer."

"So what’s in it for me?"

"Nothing. Just winning."

"Okay, see you at training camp."

The call between Su Xi and Crawford went smoother than expected.

Isaiah Thomas was sitting next to Su Xi. He asked, "Who are you calling next?"

Su Xi thought for a moment and said, "Call Hardaway."

The call connected.

Su Xi introduced himself.

The man on the other end of the line laughed. "I’ve been waiting for your call."

"I know. You probably also want to retire with a championship ring," Su Xi said. "Reggie Miller and I talked about you. He said you still have gas in the tank. He also said you thought about getting a contract buyout to join Indiana last year."

"I still couldn’t part with that salary," Hardaway said.

"Well, now’s your chance. How’s your recovery coming along? We need a steady backup Point Guard," Su Xi told him.

"I tried a dunk last night," Hardaway said with great confidence.

"That’s great. But no more dunking from now on. I need you to play a floor game."

"HA HA HA HA."

The laughter was hearty.