The Best Point Guard

Most of the American basketball commentary world didn’t want Su Xi and the Knicks to keep advancing. On one hand, it was due to their deep-seated conservatism and isolationism; they didn’t want a non-American, non-black player to dominate their league. On the other hand, Su Xi had proved far too many people wrong on his way up.

So, when Antonio Davis made so many statements riddled with holes, they took them as gospel. They accepted them wholesale without any discernment and proceeded to spread and comment on them extensively.

Su Xi was portrayed by them as an arrogant dictator who had usurped the head coach’s authority, brutally suppressed dissenting opinions on the team, and forced other players into subservience.

But none of this held up to scrutiny.

If anything, it just proved something else: Su Xi was incredibly capable!

He had managed to resolve the Knicks’ locker room disputes so quickly while also organizing their tactics. And although the Knicks’ tactical system was a bit messy, their 17-game winning streak said it all. During those 17 games, they had beaten their fair share of strong teams.

As for what Antonio Davis said, it sounded more like the furious barking of an incompetent. His words were just useless nonsense spoken in the heat of the moment.

Who would really take it seriously?

At this time, traditional media and the internet showed completely different reactions.

Traditional television media was holding a public condemnation session for Su Xi. One show after another put him on blast, tearing him to shreds.

But on the internet, the discussion was overwhelmingly full of praise. People were saying Su Xi was highly skilled, not just in his playing ability but also in his tactical expertise. What was even more commendable was his ability to rally the once-disjointed Knicks tightly around him without any major incidents.

This was an all-around talent. The Knicks had really hit the jackpot.

As for Antonio Davis, everyone saw him as a discarded pawn. When everyone had decided to follow Su Xi and they had rattled off a 17-game winning streak, you jump out and curse the team? And you even say the team won’t make the playoffs? If that’s not a loser, what is?

Even the basketball experts who hated the Knicks and Su Xi the most couldn’t bring themselves to say the Knicks wouldn’t make the playoffs this season.

It’s worth mentioning that while television media blasted Isaiah Thomas for being a weak, easily manipulated puppet, the internet praised him as magnanimous, wise, and skilled at putting the right people in the right jobs.

Online analyses also pointed out that Isaiah Thomas taking on the head coach role was essentially a part-time job. His purpose was to hold down the fort and give Su Xi free rein. He was already the team’s President and General Manager, with the final say in the Knicks Club’s affairs; he didn’t need to be the head coach. The idea of him being a puppet was even more absurd. In the Knicks Club, he was second to one and above all others.

Isaiah Thomas grinned from ear to ear as he read the praise on the internet.

The Knicks’ next opponent was the Los Angeles Clippers, after which they would return home for a game against the New Jersey Nets.

The Knicks’ internal reaction to the incident stirred up by Antonio Davis was quite muted. At first, when they saw it on TV, they were all pretty angry. In the NBA, a player who goes public with a team’s internal affairs is considered a snitch. Every team has its secrets and doesn’t want outsiders prying.

But on second thought, Antonio Davis was going to be traded anyway; it was a done deal. Did anything he said even matter?

As for the content of his words, it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

In Los Angeles, Eddie Curry was surrounded by a crowd of reporters at the Staples Center. He was asked for his thoughts on Antonio Davis’s interview.

"What he said isn’t true."

"Then what is the truth? Do you think Little Sheep Su Xi is a dictatorial team tyrant? Does he force you all to obey him? Is he the one calling the plays? Has he completely sidelined Isaiah Thomas? Was Antonio Davis pushed out by him?"

The reporter fired off a series of questions.

Eddie Curry frowned. The more he listened, the angrier he got. He stopped in his tracks to set the reporter straight. "First of all, the truth is that we’re united right now. Every one of us is playing the best basketball of our careers. We’ve helped the team get a 17-game winning streak, and we have the best record in the league."

"Second, Jack is a gentle leader. I’ve never seen him act in a tyrannical way in any situation. If you’ve watched the Knicks play, you should know he treats everyone equally. Any player who performs well gets a chance to play, and everyone’s stats and efficiency are improving."

"Of course Isaiah is the one drawing up the plays. If you watch the games, you know the clipboard is always in his hands. But, I have to say, Jack deserves credit for the formation of every play. He brings the teammates together, gets the most out of each player, and puts us in comfortable positions to run an efficient offense. We’ve all benefited greatly. We’re all brainstorming, hoping to figure out our strongest tactics as soon as possible."

"As for why Antonio Davis is leaving? I don’t know. I only know he was recovering from an injury at the start of the season. Maybe he couldn’t adapt to the team’s current ’all for one, and one for all’ atmosphere. He’s an experienced player, and I’m sure he’ll play very well, but... maybe he’s just not a good fit for the current Knicks."

Eddie Curry spoke so articulately and logically that even the reporters were surprised. Was this still the same Little Shark who was known for nothing but partying and slacking off? It felt like he’d gone and gotten a liberal arts degree.