The Best Point Guard

You’re with Su Xi, and you’re going to take this kind of crap? You’re going to let James push you around?

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This series became a signature performance in LeBron James’s career. The "Chosen One" had finally produced results befitting his title.

After being overshadowed by Su Xi for two years, it was as if a manhole cover had been slightly lifted, allowing him to poke his head out and get a glimpse of the world of superstars.

"As the core player who led his team to a seventh-seed miracle in his first-ever playoffs, I’m under a lot of pressure."

This was how LeBron James opened his post-game press conference.

It was clear just how thrilled he was, how desperate he was to show off.

He finally had something to brag about.

"Especially since this team was the two-time defending champion."

LeBron James continued.

The media was already blowing him up. Breaking his career playoff scoring record in that game was truly an MVP-caliber performance.

But the day after his moment in the sun, Su Xi was awarded the regular season MVP.

The award came as no surprise.

With that cold, hard trophy, Su Xi was essentially telling him: ’What you’re doing now is just playing with my leftovers. If you want to catch up, you’d better spend more on media and PR.’

Su Xi became the first perimeter player since Jordan and Magic to win back-to-back MVPs. And with his two Finals MVPs, Su Xi’s list of honors was already historic.

As for James’s seventh-seed upset, in the long river of history, it hardly even counted as an accomplishment.

Nike was weeping.

They were spending a fortune on marketing for James, while at the same time having to pay out Su Xi’s hefty bonuses.

And the back-to-back win meant the bonus was doubled.

Profits from Su Xi’s signature shoe line were sky-high this year, but if he won the championship and the Finals MVP again, it would mean another year of Nike essentially working for Su Xi for free.

Judging by the current trend, the Knicks’ championship odds had gone from completely impossible to very likely.

After all, LeBron James had already eliminated one of their rivals for them.

It seemed the Knicks only had one threatening opponent left in the East: the Miami Heat.

Although the media was hyping up LeBron James, no one really thought the Cavaliers could ride their dark horse status all the way to the end, and even fewer believed James could defeat the Knicks.

The Knicks’ second-round opponent was soon decided, as the Miami Heat eliminated the Brooklyn Nets, a team featuring J Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson, with a 4-1 series score.

Wade’s performance in that series was outstanding. If James hadn’t been stealing the spotlight, Wade would have definitely been considered the first-round MVP.

The superstars from the ’03 draft class were now emerging in force, especially the Big Three of the East: Su Xi, James, and Wade.

In terms of accolades, Su Xi was leagues ahead of the rest, holding the highest status.

In terms of media praise, James was the "Chosen One" with his god-given talent, backed by the largest number of experts and pundits.

But based on team strength, people believed Wade had a real shot at reaching the top this season. His partnership with the Shark was just too good; they complemented each other perfectly and were incredibly in sync.

Wade posted a dominant and well-rounded stat line in the first round: 32.4 points, 8.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks.

The league’s new rules were like adding wings to a tiger for Shaq and Wade.

Of course, Su Xi was also a beneficiary of the new rules, he just didn’t rely on driving to the basket all that often.

With the Pistons’ hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Washington Wizards led by Arenas, the second-round matchups in the East were set.

The Knicks would face the Heat.

The Pistons would face the Cavaliers.

Basketball experts were deeply divided and couldn’t predict the outcomes of these two series. About fifty-five percent favored Miami to win, forty percent favored the Knicks, and the remaining five percent were undecided, saying either team could take it.

Similarly, fifty-five percent favored the Pistons, forty percent favored the Cavaliers, and five percent were undecided.

But for Su Xi, as soon as the matchups were set, he already knew the outcome.

"If we take out the Heat, we’ll win the championship."

"This will be the series with the toughest resistance we’ll face."

"We have to give it every ounce of our energy. Everything we’ve trained for during the entire regular season must be unleashed without reservation."

"The Miami Heat are formidable, but our chances of winning are greater."

Su Xi made this declaration before the series.

His words always struck a powerful emotional chord. If Su Xi said that beating the Heat would mean a smooth road ahead, then everyone would believe him without reservation and follow him with all their might.

While Su Xi was rallying his team internally, Pat Riley told the media, "As long as we beat the Knicks, we will definitely win the championship."

"We have plenty of strategies for the Knicks. They have their advantages, but ours are more pronounced. No one can stop Shaq, and no one can stop Wade. We will win!"

Pat Riley declared passionately.

Then, as he entered Madison Square Garden Arena, he was met with the loudest boos from the entire crowd.

The Knicks fans had zero affection for Pat Riley, their former head coach from the ’90s. It was he who had betrayed New York and built the Knicks’ greatest rival in Miami.

Now, they had returned, attempting to block the path of the Knicks’ juggernaut.

Take them down!

GOAT!

GOAT!

GOAT!

When Su Xi took the court, the fans weren’t chanting "MVP." They were chanting "GOAT!"

For Knicks fans, only this title was worthy of Su Xi.

They desperately wanted Su Xi to become the GOAT of the new era.

If Su Xi could solidify that title, then the Knicks would have a dynasty at the very least, right?

BWEEE!

The whistle blew, and the game began.

The starting lineup for the Miami Heat was: Gary Payton, Dwyane Wade, Antoine Walker, Alonzo Mourning, and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Heat went with a Twin Towers lineup.

This center duo, a former first and second overall pick, formed a Twin Towers lineup that stood in the Knicks’ path. In the twilight of their careers, they aimed to be the mountain range that would halt New York’s march forward.

The Knicks’ starting lineup was: Hardaway, Su Xi, Trevor Ariza, Zach Randolph, and Eddie Curry.

This lineup had a similar composition to the Heat’s, in its own way.

It was also a Twin Towers lineup, the difference being that, on average, these towers were a bit chubbier.

Both teams also featured a veteran at Point Guard.

The Heat Team had Gary Payton, while the Knicks had Hardaway, the "heir to Jordan."

SLAP!

Eddie Curry won the opening tip against Shaquille O’Neal.

He was younger, and compared to O’Neal, he was a bit leaner and more muscular.

Although Eddie Curry’s frame was still massive, his training this season had clearly reduced his body fat while significantly increasing his muscle and strength.

Hardaway brought the ball past half-court and passed it to Su Xi.

Wade watched Su Xi intently, his defensive focus at its peak.

But Su Xi hit him with a sharp jab step, and before Wade could react, Su Xi fluidly transitioned into a crossover. His body shot forward like a meteor, violently slicing through the defense and streaking straight into the paint. Then, he exploded straight up and threw down a vicious dunk right over Alonzo Mourning.

Moning was a tough guy, but he was old, after all, and had undergone major surgery.

He couldn’t react in time... BOOM!

The monster dunk came crashing down.

Su Xi’s immense power was too much for him to handle; he was knocked backward, stumbling.

This one play was a vivid display of Su Xi’s physical gifts.

Su Xi had tried to avoid relying on his physicality this season, wanting to polish his skills instead.

But when he finally unleashed his terrifying athleticism, people realized that Su Xi’s talent was no weaker than that of James or Wade—in fact, it seemed he might even be a little bit better.

No one could put their finger on exactly how he was better.

But Alonzo Mourning knew. It was strength.

Su Xi’s power was just immense. It wasn’t guard-level strength; it was center-level strength.

Getting hit by him hurt even more than when James ran into you.

And what made him better than James was that Su Xi didn’t travel. Su Xi’s technique was sound.

"Hey Shaq, give me a nickname. Wade is ’The Flash,’ so what should you call me?"

Su Xi asked Shaquille O’Neal with a smile after making the basket.

O’Neal loved giving people nicknames.

But at this moment, he didn’t feel like it.

But Zach Randolph, who was nearby, chimed in, "Jack, you should be called ’Captain Big.’ I saw it that time in the showers. You’re huge. Hey Shaq, you two should compare! I bet only a guy your size could handle..."

Uh...

O’Neal quickened his pace. Of all the things to bring up...