The Best Point Guard

Under Su Xi’s leadership, his teammates were improving at a rapid pace.

Everyone needs encouragement.

Especially when the one encouraging you is the world’s number one basketball player, a three-peat NBA champion, a super MVP who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jordan.

A single word of praise from him could make an entire career shine.

When the Chinese Team played their warm-up games, Su Xi was on the sidelines watching.

He was even more animated than the head coach, constantly directing tactics and telling his teammates how to position themselves.

And the Chinese Team did indeed play with a completely different style—more confident, more composed, and more at ease.

The warm-up games went exceedingly well.

"This is the effect Su Xi has. He’s different from Jordan. Jordan is the kind of leader who first tears down his teammates’ confidence and then builds them back up. But Su Xi just encourages them. He doesn’t need his teammates to adapt to his playstyle; he’s more confident and capable, and his passing is far better than Jordan’s. It’s a joy to be his teammate. His teammates improve and grow in that happy environment."

Isaiah Thomas came to China again, once more serving as a consultant for the national team.

He was still not taking a salary.

When a reporter asked him why, he said, "I love China, and I love Su Xi. Su Xi has given me everything I have now. I feel I should do something in return."

Interestingly, he was the third person related to the NBA to say something similar this summer.

The other two were Tony Battie and Stephon Marbury.

Tony Battie’s reason was easy to understand. He was a "Hu Su Bao," and his fame in China surpassed that of many NBA superstars.

He came to China to play in the league as a way to give back to the fans; he didn’t come for the money.

He could earn more in the NBA.

He had already signed with a domestic basketball club and would be seen on the court next season. In the meantime, he had been participating in events around the country. Furthermore, he even spent a week as an assistant coach at the national team’s training camp.

Su Xi had invited him specifically to train Yi Jianlian.

Yi Jianlian’s team had been very ambitious, believing that once Yi went to the NBA, he would be at least an All-Star.

However, Tony Battie taught him a lesson.

Tony Battie might seem like a relative unknown in the NBA, and if it weren’t for his "Hu Su Bao" nickname, Chinese fans would likely never have paid him any mind.

But when he matched up against Yi Jianlian, his win rate was eighty percent.

Whether it was dribbling, boxing out, shooting, setting screens, or rebounding, he was superior to Yi Jianlian in every aspect.

Yi Jianlian was only younger and had better running and jumping ability.

This served to motivate Yi Jianlian.

He recognized his weaknesses, and his training became more proactive and gained a clear direction.

If Tony Battie’s arrival in China was understandable, then Stephon Marbury’s was a huge surprise.

After all, he was on a max contract in the NBA and still had over a year left on it.

His skill level in the NBA was still very high; he wasn’t so old that he couldn’t hang on. Plenty of teams were willing to offer him a contract.

But he decisively negotiated a buyout with the Pacers and came to China to redeem himself, signing with a club here.

His arrival made many Chinese fans who had once mocked him more forgiving.

After all, since Marbury had come all the way to the CBA, what was there not to forgive?

The reason Marbury came to the CBA was that he had been pushed to his limit. He was constantly being compared to Su Xi, and after he led the Pacers to be upset by an eighth seed while Su Xi led the Knicks to a championship, the psychological pressure on him reached its peak.

Furthermore, he could barely survive in Indiana anymore.

He had once again become a public pariah.

His mental state had become somewhat unstable.

Later, a friend told him: "Maybe you need to draw nourishment from a different culture. Why is Little Sheep Su Xi always able to rapidly transform a team and take it to unprecedented heights? It’s the nourishment of his culture. He’s Chinese. Maybe the Chinese spirit can help you. Go there. Once you’ve reshaped your way of thinking and return to the NBA, you’ll make a complete comeback."

So, Marbury accepted the advice and came to China to find his ’Dao’.

He no longer wanted to be treated like a pariah everyone wanted to hound, nor did he want to be a locker room cancer.

He believed he was a good person and deserved a better reputation.

And so, he came.

What he didn’t expect was that when he arrived, the fans welcomed him with open arms.

The team he joined also gave him a warm welcome, offering him a lot of unexpected support. He could feel the goodwill here.

His transformation had already begun.

...

After the Chinese Team defeated Angola, Su Xi gave an interview to CCTV.

This was Su Xi’s first very formal interview since returning to China.

He answered many questions that fans were curious about.

The reporter’s questions also started with the NBA.

"You’ve won your third championship and the Finals MVP. As you’ve said, you’ve been the champion in every competition you’ve participated in. We already see you as a legend, but in your heart, do you consider yourself a legend?"

Su Xi smiled and said, "I can’t be falsely modest and say no, because I truly am a legend. When I think about the things I’ve done, even I find it incredible. Getting a quadruple-double in my very first NBA game, winning the championship in all of my first three seasons and getting the MVP each time, helping the national team win a gold medal in Athens... That’s pretty legendary."

"For you, what’s the difference between winning a championship in New York and winning one in Indiana?"

"The difference is actually huge. In Indiana, we were a defense-oriented team. We played very conservatively, and I often had to be the tip of the spear. But with the Knicks, we’re very free. Every player is striving to become a better version of themselves. So, we’re always improving, improving every minute. A lot of people don’t understand why we always win in a sweep. Some teams even feel like they were robbed. But if you gave them another chance, they’d still get swept."

"That confident?"

"Yes," Su Xi nodded.

"So, do you think the Knicks can win the championship again next season? You promised to bring the Knicks five championships. Do you plan to accomplish that during your current contract?"

"Of course. We already know how to win a championship; now we just have to keep moving forward. My plan is to win those five championships within my current contract."

"And you think you can deliver on that promise?"

"I can."

"Getting back to this year’s national team, do you think there’s a difference in the team’s strength compared to the Athens period?"

"We’re stronger, younger, and most importantly, more confident. I believe everyone can see it plainly: all the players are more willing to make plays than they were in 2004. On the court, confidence is the most important thing. Only those who believe in themselves can create miracles."

"Speaking of young players, what do you think of Yi Jianlian? Barring any surprises, he’ll be in the NBA draft next year. Where do you think he’ll be selected? Does he have a chance to become an NBA All-Star?"

The reporter asked the question.

Su Xi thought about it seriously. This was the first time he had shown any hesitation during the entire exclusive interview.

He said, "He’s excellent, of course. His athleticism is great, and he has very solid fundamentals. If he enters the draft, he’ll definitely be selected with a high pick. Becoming an NBA All-Star shouldn’t be his goal. Everyone’s goal should be to become the best version of themselves."

"Next year is said to be a deep draft, and the Knicks will have the Portland Trail Blazers’ draft pick. Given the Trail Blazers’ record, you’ll likely get a very high draft position. Would you use that pick to select Yi Jianlian?"

"That’s not my decision to make. I’m not the Knicks’ general manager."

Su Xi chuckled.

Then the reporter asked, "So, what is our goal for the World Championship this year? The championship?"

"Of course! What else would be worth me playing for?"