The Best Point Guard

Su Xi called a meeting during halftime.

A meeting that would later be called ’great’.

Since joining the Knicks, Su Xi had never exercised his right to speak as the team’s leader in the locker room; he had always been a detached observer. On the practice court, he never interfered with anyone’s training. Of course, he made his own moves. He had gathered a group of players to his side, and they gradually came to form the core of the team.

So when Su Xi clapped his hands to gather the players, everyone was a little surprised.

"I think it’s time I said something to you all."

Su Xi said, "I know that for many of you, me joining the New York Knicks was a shock, maybe even unbelievable."

"I left Indiana to prove myself. I hate being doubted. I don’t want people pointing their fingers at me, saying: ’This is your limit. You can only win a championship under Indiana’s protection.’ I believe you guys don’t want to be labeled like that either. You don’t want to be doubted. That’s one of the reasons I chose to join New York."

"A lot of teams made me offers this summer. Their terms were better than what the Knicks offered, and they were considered much closer to success. Teams like the Lakers, like Dallas."

"Almost everyone around me—my agent, my college friends, my friends in Indiana, my business partners... they all wanted me to go to the Lakers. They said maybe I could turn Kobe into my Pippen. Everyone was high on a combination of me and Kobe, and I have a lot of business in California. But I didn’t choose to go there. I chose here. I chose this team that people claim is cursed. And I chose you."

"When I got here, a lot of people suggested I use my star power to force the team into making some major trades. That includes James Dolan and Isaiah Thomas... they either hinted at it or asked me directly."

"But I didn’t do it. Why? Because I want to make a run for the championship with you guys—the guys who are counted out, the guys the media and fans say are cursed."

"I know this sounds corny, maybe even fake. But it’s the truth. Because I have to prove myself. I have to show all the people who doubt me that I can win a championship leading a group of so-called cursed players."

"No one defines me but me."

"Before the season started, I turned down Larry Brown. He wanted to come here as an assistant coach, and he also wanted to make trades to strengthen the roster, but I rejected him. I don’t want to make any trades. I am going to make a run for the championship with this exact roster."

"If I said this to the media, they’d laugh their asses off at me. But don’t you think... a dream that people will laugh at is the one most worth achieving?"

"I believe that, like me, every single one of you has an unyielding spirit. Do you really want to just collect your huge paychecks, lie down on the bench, and let the world mock you as it pleases?"

"I don’t believe you do."

"I think everyone wants to have a glorious past that, when you’re old and sitting in a rocking chair, basking in the sun, you can look back on and still feel your blood pumping with excitement."

"I’ll say it again: I want to win the championship!"

"And we will win the championship!"

Su Xi declared, his voice ringing with power.

His firm, powerful gaze swept around the room, meeting every single player’s eyes. He wanted to extinguish any trace of doubt and cowardice within them. He wanted to rouse every man’s spirit. He wanted to reforge the fighting spirit of this team—a team that had been shattered and trampled into the mud.

Something powerful and vibrant began to stir in the locker room. Although some players avoided Su Xi’s gaze, and there was no immediate, rousing response...

...the seed had been planted. It was only a matter of time before it would sprout and grow.

After he finished speaking, Su Xi high-fived Eddie Curry. Curry was so fired up it looked like he was ready to crush one of his own nuts just to prove how pumped his blood was, how off-the-charts his testosterone levels were.

Then came Jalen Rose, Tony Battie, Nate Robinson, David Lee, Channing Frye, and Trevor Ariza.

After Su Xi high-fived Ariza, another hand reached out. Su Xi was surprised to see it was Jerome James.

The guy had been run ragged the past few days, but now, he was burning with passion.

Then came Quentin Richardson, Jamal Crawford...

Every single player high-fived Su Xi.

Su Xi’s words had struck a powerful chord with them.

Who the fuck wants to be a worthless loser?

Who the fuck wants people talking shit about them behind their backs?

Who the fuck doesn’t want to live the high life in New York?

If Su Xi really led them to a championship, it was a no-brainer what kind of fame and fortune they would gain in New York City.

For New York, a single championship trophy could make the entire city go wild.

Since Su Xi was willing to lead the charge, they had no reason not to follow.

Whether it was for personal fulfillment or for material gain.

Isaiah Thomas watched, dumbfounded. He never imagined Su Xi would forge a united front just like that. He had made everyone rally tightly around him, and now, they had a mission statement.

And they had a dream they weren’t afraid to pursue, no matter who laughed at them.

Su Xi called him over and told him to lay out the tactics.

The Smiling Assassin finally snapped out of his daze.

As he laid out the plays, he noticed a clear difference: the players’ willingness to cooperate was higher, and their excitement and focus were visibly sharpening.