CBS is one of the three major television networks in the United States, and their influence in the basketball world is far greater than that of the Arican Cable Network.
This ga was a massive boost to Su Xi’s reputation in the basketball world.
Before this, no one would have put Su Xi’s na on any mock draft boards.
But after tonight, the offices of at least 20 general managers out of the league’s 29 teams received a comprehensive report on Su Xi.
Su Xi had taken down Flores. While Flores wasn’t a big na, he was at the level of a fringe NBA second-round pick. This ant Su Xi was better, younger, had been training for a shorter ti, and on top of that, he was Chinese.
These were all advantages.
That night, the clip of Su Xi crossing up Flores, hitting the three, and then stepping over him appeared on the NBA’s Top 5 Plays of the Day—as the number one play. Ranked behind him were Allen Iverson’s ga-winner, Tracy McGrady driving into the paint to posterize Karto, Vince Carter’s mid-air windmill dunk, and a long-range three from Steve Nash after a steal.
This was the first ti Su Xi’s na was ntioned in the sa breath as these NBA superstars, and he was even ranked above them.
The NCAA also listed Su Xi’s shot as one of the best plays of the round of 64.
Su Xi was one of the biggest winners of the ga. He gained unprecedented attention from the basketball world and was now seen as having a chance to enter the NBA as a second-round pick. The other big winner was Caron Anthony. The scoring and ga-control abilities he displayed made the NBA even more confident in his talent, and more and more people felt he was LeBron Jas’s only competition.
Sports Illustrated called again, hoping to interview Su Xi.
Su Xi still refused. His reason this ti was, "I have so personal matters to attend to."
Su Xi’s "personal matters" were that Kobe had invited him to an Avril concert.
Kobe Bryant’s wrist injury had him staying in Boston, where he would be receiving treatnt at a top sports rehabilitation dical center.
For so reason, after the ga, Kobe Bryant found Su Xi and said, "Are you free tomorrow? Let’s go see the Avril concert together."
Avril was a Canadian singer who had recently skyrocketed to fa. Her music was sweeping across North Arica, and she had fans everywhere.
Vanessa was a fan of Avril’s and had specially flown to Boston to see the show. Coincidentally, Kobe was also in town.
Kobe wasn’t a huge fan of Avril, so he wanted to bring Su Xi along and talk so basketball.
He had a good feeling about Su Xi, thinking they were on the sa wavelength. He wanted to win Su Xi over. He wanted the Lakers to draft this rookie who loved defense and had a low-key yet assertive personality. He didn’t have his own crew on the Lakers; every ti he argued with O’Neal, he was isolated.
Su Xi was the one he had his eye on.
He believed Su Xi would defend him just as he defended Anthony, and that they were kindred spirits who would click on every level.
Kobe rarely put this much effort into getting to know a rookie.
Su Xi hesitated for a mont. He had the next day off; the head coach had already said they were free to do as they pleased, and besides, they couldn’t find a gym to practice in. Their Round of 32 ga wasn’t until the day after tomorrow.
Besides, he quite liked Avril. The two singers who blew up last year, Eminem and Avril, were both favorites of his.
"But I don’t have a ticket."
Su Xi said honestly.
"I’ll take care of it."
Kobe smiled, a rare sound from him. Then, he asked for Su Xi’s hotel, confird a ti with him, and said he would co pick him up.
At three o’clock the next afternoon, as Su Xi was waiting for Kobe at the hotel entrance, soone actually recognized him. A die-hard Boston fan said to Su Xi, "Jack, I was at the ga last night, you were aweso. Please, you have to join the Celtics. Coach Jim O’Brien would definitely love you. We’re in need of a Point Guard, and you, Paul Pierce, and Anthony Walker could form a super Big Three..."
The fan went on and on, also claiming he had a great eye for talent and could tell at a glance that Su Xi was destined to beco a top-tier blue-collar player.
Su Xi smiled and signed an autograph for him.
Then, a luxury stretch Lincoln pulled up to the entrance, and Kobe rolled down the window.
Su Xi walked over and got in the car.
When the Celtics fan who’d asked for an autograph saw Kobe, he imdiately yelled, "Hey, Jack, you can’t join the Lakers! The Lakers are a terrible team, don’t let him trick you!"
As the car pulled away, he was still shouting from behind: "BEAT LA!!"
Laughter echoed in the spacious cabin, and Kobe smiled too.
This was the first ti Su Xi had actually been in a stretch limo like this. The interior was decorated like a private karaoke room, with a long, L-shaped sofa, red wine, and a huge television.
Su Xi sat next to Kobe.
On Kobe’s other side was his wife, Vanessa. Next to Vanessa were two beautiful won, one of whom was breathtakingly beautiful.
In fact, when Su Xi got into the car, the two beautiful won were also staring intently at him. Su Xi always seed to attract the attention of beautiful won.
A side effect of being tempered by lightning was... he was filled with masculine charm. His handso looks constantly gave off an aura that stirred sothing within won.
Even if he did nothing and just kept a straight face, he was still captivating.
"I can see the Boston fans still hold a grudge against the Lakers..." the most beautiful woman in the car, a blonde with a delicate, angelic face, spoke with a smile. Even though she was dressed simply in form-fitting jeans and a T-shirt, you could still sense her perfect figure. When she spoke, there was even a faint, sweet scent.
Without a doubt, her beauty was world-class.
Kobe said, "They’re resting on their past laurels, imagining they’re on par with the Lakers. We can’t even see the front of their car in our rearview mirror anymore. We’re not in the sa race."
Kobe was very proud.
The Lakers had built a three-peat dynasty and were now marching toward their fourth consecutive title. Although there was so internal strife, they never believed any other team could stop them.
Then, Kobe began the introductions. "This is Jack Su, the Point Guard from Syracuse University. My little bro, a rising star with limitless potential. I hear his nickna is Little Sheep Su Xi."
Su Xi smiled and nodded at everyone.
The world-class beauty also smiled slightly, repeating quietly to herself, ’Jack Su.’
She didn’t laugh out loud or show curiosity about Su Xi’s nickna like Vanessa did.
Kobe then introduced his wife, Vanessa.
"This is Jessica Alba. She’s one of Hollywood’s hottest actresses. She’s also a fan of Avril, so we’re all going to the concert together."
"Hello, Jack." Jessica rose slightly and elegantly shook Su Xi’s hand. Like a gentleman, Su Xi held just the tips of her fingers, yet he could feel their delicate softness and a hint of fragrance.
"Hello, Jessica," Su Xi said with a smile.
Their eyes t in a deep, intimate exchange.
"And this is Hathaway, Jessica’s good friend," Kobe continued.
Su Xi waved a greeting to her.
Then, silence fell over the car.
Kobe wasn’t a social butterfly, and neither was Su Xi.
anwhile, Jessica Alba’s mind was racing.
So, after the introductions, no one started a new conversation.
Su Xi closed his eyes slightly. There was sothing he was suddenly very curious about. He awoke the slumbering Little Elf. ’Little Elf, check and see if Kobe Bryant is a Super Talent.’
The Little Elf quickly provided the information: Top-Tier Explosiveness Talent! Sub-Top-Tier Strength Talent! Top-Tier Speed Talent! Top-Tier Stamina Talent! Top-Tier Vertical Leap Talent! Top-Tier Agility Talent! Top-Tier Coordination Talent! Top-Tier Flexibility Talent!
Among them, Flexibility, Coordination, and Stamina Talents are the closest to Super-Tier!
In the Little Elf’s system, Talent was divided into five tiers: Ordinary, Elite, Excellent, Top-Tier, and Super-Tier.
Su Xi was inwardly shocked. ’I can’t believe it. Kobe has achieved so much in the NBA, and he’s not even a Super Talent. That just shows how unbelievably hard he must work.’
At the sa ti, he felt a pang of regret for Reggie. ’If Reggie hadn’t been doing drugs and gotten into that car crash, with his Super Talent, who knows what greater heights he could have reached.’
"’That’s not a given,’ the Little Elf chid in. ’Many players with Super Talent don’t necessarily beco superstars. You have to work hard to polish your skills, adapt to your talent, and beco one with it to reach the peak. Besides, how many people can get all their talents to Kobe’s level, with no weaknesses at all... Huh?!’ As the Little Elf said this, it suddenly let out a cry of surprise."
"’There’s a Super Talent here! Super-Tier Flexibility Talent!’ the Little Elf exclaid in his mind."
’Who?’
Su Xi was shocked.
Just then, Jessica thought of a new topic. She asked Su Xi, "Jack, I bet a lot of girls chase after you at university, right?"
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