In fact, there was a fourth and a fifth ti.
The fourth ti was when Su Xi was traded. In an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he said: "The sky has cleared! The Cavaliers made the right decision. They decisively chose LeBron, who has a higher ceiling and better talent. My congratulations to them."
The fifth ti was when Su Xi made the All-Star ballot and was neck-and-neck with Tracy McGrady in the guard voting. He said: "If this guy becos an All-Star starter, the value of the All-Star Ga will plumt to an all-ti low. I can’t imagine the scene of playing with him. It would be a disaster."
Ben Wallace was full of prejudice against Su Xi.
Normally, he should have been ntoring a junior like Su Xi. After all, Su Xi’s style of play in the NCAA championship ga was very similar to his own. Both were undersized players who held their own in the paint and played seamless defense.
But not only did Ben Wallace not praise him, he repeatedly belittled him. The better Su Xi played and the more his stock rose, the more uncomfortable Wallace beca.
Perhaps Su Xi’s success pricked the painful mories of his own early career.
It might be because he had drifted between various colleges early in his career, gone undrafted, and been quickly kicked out of the NBA... It wasn’t until he started rocking an afro and claiming to be 6’9" that he gradually beca a top superstar.
"I’m definitely going to teach that bastard Ben Wallace a lesson tonight."
As they set off for the Pistons’ ho court, the Auburn Hills Palace, at noon, Artest said viciously.
The last ti he was at the Auburn Hills Palace, he was leveled by an elbow from Ben Wallace. He clutched his chest and yelled for a foul, only to be called a pussy by the Pistons fans on the sidelines!
Artest swore he would get his revenge.
An assistant coach hurried over to remind Artest to control his emotions and not to waste his energy on things outside the ga.
At that mont, Su Xi received a call from Bird. Bird encouraged Su Xi to play well in this ga, calling it a true battle for the top of the East.
Su Xi knew the aning behind Bird’s call.
In a way, the Pacers had paid such a high price to trade for him precisely for this kind of high-stakes showdown.
Even though Su Xi had defeated the Pacers before he joined them.
But even before he arrived, the Pacers already had the best record.
Although their win rate improved further after Su Xi’s arrival, making sothing good even better is far less aningful than providing help when it’s desperately needed.
What would be considered providing help when it’s desperately needed?
Defeating an opponent they previously couldn’t beat: the Detroit Pistons!
And from another perspective, Su Xi also had to prove to the world that he wasn’t just riding the coattails of the Pacers’ strong system, playing when the sailing was smooth. He was here to lead the Pacers.
...
This ga was also nationally broadcast, and it was TNT that was carrying it across the country.
While Su Xi was on the court practicing his shots and getting a feel for the arena, Charles Barkley ran over, pulled him in front of their caras, and had him sit in the middle for an interview with him and Kenny Smith.
It was an interview that felt more like a kidnapping.
"Hey, Jack, let’s talk about Scarlett, shall we? You know, I’m a big fan of hers. I’ve seen *Lost in Translation* no less than five tis. She was so good in it. Any man who watches it would fall for her, but how did you get her to make the first move?" Charles Barkley imdiately jumped in, asking about the scandal that had blown up in the dia today.
Su Xi gave a helpless smile and said, "Charles, it’s just a misunderstanding. Last night was only the second ti I’d ever t her."
"The second ti you t?" Kenny said with exaggeration. "And on the second eting, she’s already kissing your lips."
’I think you’re lying to and the audience.’
That expression was written all over Kenny Smith’s face.
"It’s the truth," Su Xi said, spreading his hands.
"Kenny, it’s normal for you not to understand the affairs of us handso guys. Back when I played, a lot of girls would kiss on the first eting, even beg for my love," Barkley reminded Kenny with a serious look.
Smith shot back from the side, "That’s because you paid them."
"Shut up, you ugly freak!" Barkley held up a hand to stop him, then continued asking Su Xi, "So, are you two in contact privately?"
Su Xi said, "No. Yesterday was probably just a misunderstanding that the dia blew out of proportion. I ca straight here after the Knicks ga; it’s a back-to-back. You guys know how packed the NBA schedule is. When would a player have ti for a relationship, let alone the two relationships they’re talking about?"
Su Xi’s sentint resonated with the two forr NBA players.
Kenny Smith said, "Yeah, that’s why so people prefer short-term relationships that last about 3 minutes."
Barkley looked as if he’d been insulted. His dark face flushed purple, and he growled like a beast, "30 minutes, to start!!"
Su Xi sat between them, looking pure and innocent. He didn’t quite understand what 3 minutes or 30 minutes ant. ’Isn’t that kind of thing supposed to last all night?’
"Let’s get back to business, Jack. Let’s talk about tonight’s ga. The whole league is watching this marquee matchup. You guys are number one in the East, but the dia predicts the Pistons are more likely to beco the Eastern Conference champions and represent the East in the Finals. After all, the Pacers lost the last two gas against them. People think it will be hard for Indiana to beat the Pistons in a best-of-seven series. What are your thoughts on that?"
Kenny Smith began the formal part of the interview.
Su Xi imdiately wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning serious. He said, "That’s because I wasn’t here before. Now, I’m here. Things will be different."
As serious as ever, as arrogant as ever.
Kenny Smith was delighted. He quickly laid a trap: "Are you saying that you can lead the Pacers to victory?"
"That’s the reason why Larry Bird went to all the trouble to bring to Indiana," Su Xi said, stating the simple truth.
"But, Ben Wallace said that after you joined the Pacers, their roster depth actually weakened. And that with your limited stamina, you don’t have much playing ti. He said the Pacers are now just a magnificent castle in the air..." Kenny Smith continued to stir the pot.
"He’s very naive," Su Xi said lightly.
"You an you can beat him?" Kenny continued, digging the hole deeper.
"That’s what I ca here to do," Su Xi said. "Besides, I already beat them before I ca to Indiana."
WOW!
Brilliant!
Kenny Smith cheered internally. He loved interviewing Su Xi. The kid was just so arrogant. With an interviewee like this, how could he ever worry about ratings?
Charles Barkley couldn’t quite watch this anymore. He really liked Su Xi, so he tried to smooth things over a bit. "Jack, I rember your nickna in the NCAA was the ’Genius Terminator,’ but tonight the Pistons are a team of commoners. I think that might affect your performance. After all, if there’s no genius to terminate, it’s hard to get motivated."
Su Xi could have gone along with it, or just laughed it off.
It was an easy out.
But Su Xi didn’t take it.
He said sothing that made even Larry Bird feel his ’King Bi’ status was in jeopardy, a line that Indiana fans would co to consider the most badass in team history.
"It doesn’t matter."
"I’ll swat the tigers and the flies together."
Su Xi said this calmly and composedly.
Barkley and Smith’s jaws dropped at the sa ti.
So arrogant! This kid.
Has the NBA ever seen such an arrogant rookie?
...
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