The Best Point Guard

Given his experience, his presence here was a bit of an overkill.

Although his coaching style was called conservative, when he appeared on camera to analyze the various teams, he was undoubtedly more professional and precise than the other commentators.

After all, he was a legendary head coach.

For him to be here just to make a living was, in itself, a downgrade in status.

Brizdrik, sitting next to him, had once been his video editor. The difference in their status was enormous, but now they were on equal footing.

Larry Brown commented on the league’s top contenders. He believed the three teams with the highest probability of winning the championship this season were: the Miami Heat, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Mavericks.

When asked why the Indiana Pacers weren’t included, he said pointedly, "Stephon Marbury possesses the ability to screw everything up. That’s why Allen Iverson was the first overall pick, and he was the fourth. What I mean is, if Allen were playing for Indiana right now, I’d say the Pacers would win the championship."

"Iverson’s mentality is a perfect fit for the Pacers."

Larry Brown’s feelings toward Iverson were a complicated mix of love and hate, but overall, he held Iverson’s individual talent in high regard. With rumors of an Allen Iverson trade swirling in Philadelphia, he secretly hoped Iverson would end up with the Pacers.

This was because the Pacers were essentially an upgraded, more hard-nosed version of his old 76ers team, which he had led to the Finals with Iverson, Mutombo, and Snow. Iverson’s individual skill peaked in ’01, and that year’s Finals run cemented the legacies of both Larry Brown and Iverson.

Although Iverson’s skills had declined somewhat, his addition to the Pacers would surely make them stronger overall than that ’01 team.

Next, Larry Brown was asked for his take on the New York Knicks.

"It’ll be a victory for the Knicks if they just make the playoffs, but their chances of reaching the second round are zero."

"Jack Su is an arrogant, conceited guy. He doesn’t intend to implement a defensive system for the Knicks. What’s more, he refuses to make any trades. He wants to prove what he can do on his own, to make a championship run with this exact roster."

"The kid’s never faced any real adversity. He won two championships right out of the gate, so he thinks it’s all about individual skill, not teamwork. He’s bound to hit a wall. He might put up a decent record in the regular season, but come playoff time, he’s going to get crushed."

"A team without defense is doomed to fail."

Larry Brown stated this with conviction.

He was then asked to predict this year’s regular-season MVP.

His answer: Steve Nash.

"In fact, it should have been him last season. He brought a monumental change to Phoenix. The Suns went from being an overlooked, small-market team to one of the most-watched teams with the highest TV ratings, and Nash deserves most of the credit. Their tactical system is ahead of its time. And while I don’t like their purely offensive model, I have to admit, their impact has been revolutionary."

Larry Brown spoke with eloquent confidence.

When asked if Su Xi had a chance to win the regular-season MVP, he said, "His goal for the new season should be to keep his spot on the All-NBA First Team. As for the All-Defensive Team, he definitely won’t be on it again."

...

The New York Knicks’ second home opponent was the Houston Rockets.

The team was led by Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, making it another "China Derby."

The game was once again being broadcast nationally in the US, in addition to being aired live across all of China.

Every year, the Rockets started the season with high expectations, seen as championship contenders. But as the season progressed, those expectations would be dialed back until, in the end... just getting past the first round was considered a win.

During this season’s offseason, the Rockets acquired the second overall pick from the 2000 draft, Stromile Swift. Rockets fans were ecstatic, believing this high-flyer would be the team’s third star. They thought the supremely talented power forward would be the fuel for the Rockets’ ascent, all thanks to the incredible bounce in his legs.

But by the end of the preseason, all hope for him was basically lost, and Juwan Howard had once again solidified his position as the team’s starting power forward.

Additionally, the Rockets drafted rookie Luther Head and signed veteran point guard David Wesley, hoping they would provide a bit of a spark.

This was typical of the Rockets; they lacked the courage for bold, sweeping changes.

They were holding a great hand with players like Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, yet they were unwilling to invest in the supporting cast.

The most ridiculous part was that during the offseason, their owner, Alexander, had personally called Su Xi. He asked if Su Xi, for Yao Ming’s sake, would take a pay cut to join the Rockets and create a "Chinese Whirlwind" in the NBA.

The empty promises he was selling had absolutely no appeal.

Su Xi politely told him to get lost.

With the Rockets’ stingy management, winning a championship was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Su Xi had repeatedly advised Yao Ming to jump ship and not to stubbornly stay in Houston, telling him there was no future for him there.

But Yao Ming was a loyal person and never gave Su Xi a firm answer. So, Su Xi just spelled it out for him: "When your rookie contract is up, go to Los Angeles and find Kobe. The two of you would be a seamless fit, way better than teaming up with Tracy McGrady."

Tracy McGrady lacked Kobe’s killer instinct. He wasn’t even as tolerant of other players as Kobe was.

Kobe’s refusal to submit to O’Neal’s dominance was one thing, but if you went to be his number two, he would never get passive-aggressive or spout a bunch of sour, nonsensical bullshit. Besides, Kobe was mentally tough, never sensitive, and certainly not the type to get all melodramatic and weird.

CCTV broadcast this "China Derby" live from start to finish.

And so, for the first time, Chinese fans watched on television as Su Xi walked into Madison Square Garden Arena, only for Scarlett Johansson to approach, wrap her arms around his neck, and give him a deep, passionate kiss.