The Best Point Guard

But after that, Su Xi carved through their defense as if no one was there.

They couldn't contain him with a double-team, so how could they possibly guard him one-on-one?

Su Xi single-handedly destroyed the Dallas defense.

He accomplished what the San Antonio Spurs' Big Three could not.

In the end, the Mavericks couldn't close the gap, losing their first game by 11 points.

101–112.

Su Xi got another triple-double in this game, making the team better in every aspect of their play.

The Knicks clinched the first victory, and the excitement of the New York fans was beyond words. During interviews, some even wept uncontrollably. "This is something we never expected. If someone had told me before the season started that we'd make it to the Finals, I would've thought they were full of it. But we did it. Little Sheep Su Xi is so great! No, he's Goat Su Xi! Michael Jordan could never do something this great. He only ever played on stacked teams. Once he left the Bulls, he was useless. He didn't even dare to come to New York back in the day, even with a beast like Ewing here."

The Knicks fans' adoration for Su Xi reached an all-time high.

Some fans even publicly proclaimed Su Xi was the God of Basketball.

But the God of Basketball was very humble in his interview. He said, "We were taking risks this entire game. Even though we won by double digits, the truth is, the gap between our two teams isn't that large. We were constantly probing and taking gambles, and luckily, our gambles paid off. That's how we won."

"Nowitzki is, without a doubt, one of the greatest power forwards in league history. He and Larry Bird are the two best shooting forwards. He scored 47 points tonight. I think if his stamina hadn't been an issue, he could have easily scored 60."

"It's not that we didn't try to defend him; it's that we couldn't stop him. So, we had to give up on trying to limit the shooting of an all-time great forward. If we'd failed, it would have just made us look stupid."

For once, Su Xi showed a humble side in his post-game interview.

He showed the Mavericks a great deal of respect.

It was a level of respect he hadn't shown to other teams.

When a reporter asked about the bet between Isaiah Thomas and Jordan, he said, "I heard about it. My only suggestion, aside from winning two games, is for them to donate the money to the sports foundation my agent established in China."

"Of course, I also talked to James Dolan. Dolan said he's going to ask David Stern if his donating 5 million USD to the foundation would be considered an under-the-table deal if the Knicks win the championship."

"I don't see how it could be. I've already talked about it publicly."

Su Xi said with a smile.

"So, I hope to use this situation to draw everyone's attention to grassroots basketball development in China. China is a great and populous nation. Who knows how many future NBA players are out there in rural villages, doing things completely unrelated to basketball? We need to help these kids discover their talent, so starting with the schools is the best way to do that."

"I go back myself every offseason, and I go deep into the grassroots level. I bring them my basketball knowledge, along with the books and experience of many NBA trainers. I want to see more and more Chinese faces in the NBA. But even if that doesn't happen, I still believe this cause is incredibly meaningful, because we're getting more people to fall in love with basketball and gain a competitive spirit and a healthy body because of it..."

Su Xi made his appeal to the media.

He wasn't a naturally eloquent public speaker.

But you had to admit, his sincere words resonated with a lot of people.

Afterward, many NBA stars contacted Su Xi, expressing their willingness to join in the initiative.

Although they probably couldn't casually drop seven-figure bets like Isaiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, and James Dolan.

But just having the sentiment was remarkable enough.

"I will definitely do everything in my power to win both home games. As arguably the best basketball player to date, Michael Jordan's participation in this charity initiative would certainly allow it to benefit even more people."

Su Xi said.

These words put Jordan in a position where he couldn't possibly back down. When it was just a war of words with Isaiah Thomas, he could have still tried to weasel his way out of it, even if Thomas had blocked all his escape routes.

But Su Xi had suddenly elevated the matter to a higher cause. No matter how much he hated Su Xi, he couldn't just cower and hide anymore.

After all, a man has to protect his public image.

Jordan truly regretted running his mouth. 'Why did I have to say that?' Now Su Xi and Isaiah Thomas had seized the opportunity, and they weren't just riding his coattails—they had latched on and wouldn't let go.

He couldn't shake them off.

So, when he was interviewed by the media, he addressed it head-on for the first time. "Of course I was serious. The God of Basketball never makes empty promises. If the Knicks win both home games, I will certainly take action. I've already had the head of Jordan Brand in Asia prepare a check for 1 million USD. Now, all those kids' eyes are on Little Sheep Su Xi's performance. I hope he can handle the pressure and create a miracle."

Jordan's words were impassioned.

But deep down, he was completely against it.

For one, he hated parting with the money. He was rich, sure, but a million USD could still do a lot.

For another, he had always disliked Su Xi, showing his discomfort ever since Su Xi was playing in the NCAA.

And after Su Xi won back-to-back championships and his arrogant American agent rejected Jordan's offer on the spot, his dislike turned to outright hatred. He even made the classic statement: "I will definitely lead the Bobcats to a championship before Su Xi gets another."

And then... this season, the Bobcats didn't even make the playoffs. Despite Jordan putting his all into managing the team, they drifted further from the top eight in the East and closer to the draft lottery.

Meanwhile, Su Xi and the Knicks had stormed into the Finals, sweeping their way there despite missing two of their core frontcourt players.

The contrast was, to say the least, starkly ironic.

Jordan had no choice but to eat his words.

His only hope now was the 2006 draft. He believed he would definitely pick a star rookie, a franchise cornerstone who could lead the Bobcats to a championship.

He was even deeply involved in the team's practices now, desperate to pass on everything he'd learned to his players. But the results weren't great.

Ironically, he felt that Su Xi's post-up game was looking more and more like his own in his prime.

After all that trash talk, the second game of the Finals arrived on schedule.

Ticket prices for the second Finals game were even higher than the first, and scalpers were having a field day.

A saying was even making the rounds in scalper circles: "This could very well be the Knicks' last home game of the season, so watch and cherish it. We swept the last three rounds, so why not the Finals? Nobody actually thinks the Dallas Mavericks are a match for us, do they?"

Before the game, a heated debate broke out in the ESPN studio.

A fundamental conflict erupted between Reggie Miller and Larry Brown.

During the pre-game prediction segment, Larry Brown was unwavering in his support for Su Xi's opponents, offering many reasons why the Dallas Mavericks were guaranteed to win.

At this point, Reggie Miller cracked a joke. "Larry, every time you talk about Jack and the Knicks, you're always so dead certain. But you're wrong every single time. A lot of people are starting to see you as a reverse jinx."

The joke itself wasn't particularly malicious.

But Larry Brown flew off the handle. He even slammed his hand on the table. "Reggie, I know you're good friends with Little Sheep Su. But you shouldn't question the professional analysis of a top-tier head coach like that. If you can refute me on a theoretical level, I'd welcome it. But you're always making these jokes without giving any reasons, and it makes me question your professionalism."

Larry Brown was notoriously hot-tempered, and it only got worse with age.

But Reggie Miller was no pushover.

He was stunned for a second, then, just as forcefully, he slapped the table himself. "Why should I talk theory with you? If your theories are so great, why did you lose to the Indiana Pacers? If you're so amazing, why would the Knicks rather have Isaiah Thomas act as a part-time head coach than hire you?"

"If you're so brilliant, why are you wrong every single time you predict a Knicks game?"