When pride still matters

Chapter 67 It all depends on you, New York, New York
2001年10月30日，华盛顿奇才队从D.C出发，前往纽约参加2001-02赛季的NBA常规赛揭幕战。

Because of Jordan, the Wizards suddenly became one of the major teams in the NBA, and it was natural for them to be scheduled for the opening game.

Yu Fei sat on the plane with a numb expression. Even here, he could still hear some news.

Regrettably, whether in newspapers or on television, everyone is talking about the war on terror launched by the United States at the beginning of this month as a response to the 911/[-] incident. The world's only superpower has stepped into the graveyard of empires, and TV commentators are endlessly talking about the front lines. Story, no one talked about Jordan's second comeback, and even Barry Bonds's major league record-breaking number of home runs were overshadowed by the national mourning.

During this period, the influence of any sports star was diminished, whether a god resurrected from the dead (Jordan) or a living god (Woods), and the only sports narrative that received mainstream attention was that of the New York Yankees.As a team, the influence of the Yankees has transcended the limitations of ordinary sports teams. As a cultural symbol, it can even be regarded as a synonym for Americans.In the United States, the Yankees are generally hated and despised because they symbolize arrogant, crushing victory with no mercy for their opponents.

The hatefulness of the Yankees is exactly what the Americans want to see in the war in Afghanistan. They hope that the U.S. military will be as destructive as the Yankees.

As the only person in the world who knew that this war would last 20 years, Yu Fei waited with dull eyes for the announcement from the aircraft.

New York, they've arrived.

The moment Yu Fei walked out of the plane with his backpack on his back, Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" played on the live radio.

It's all up to you, New York, New York
(It's up to you New York, New York)

Yu Fei sang silently in his heart.

When Yu Fei arrived outside the airport, he found that there were not only dozens of media gathered here, but also thousands of fans shouting "MJ" and the tightest security he had ever seen.

Yu Fei understands their thinking. If there are terrorists who want to find targets for attack, who else can be more conspicuous than Jordan? Who else can attract more people than Jordan?
On the way from the airport to the hotel, where he rested for a while and then from the hotel to Madison Square Garden, Yu Fei witnessed the strictest security measures in his life.

It can be said that New York protects Jordan like the president.

The most exaggerated thing is that a reporter tried to avoid the security check because he did not pass the security check in the first time and did not want to miss the opportunity to interview Jordan. As a result, the security guard used authentic grappling techniques to knock him to the ground. In an instant, several people surrounded him. Subdue him and remove him from the scene no matter how he curses.

After a brief walk on the court, Yu Fei returned to the locker room an hour before the game started.

He was also nervous.

As a lottery pick, he is about to usher in his first career NBA game.

He needs his own little space.

However, CTMD's David Stern stipulated in the 90s that NBA locker rooms must be open to all media with interview licenses 45 minutes before the start of the game. Although interview licenses are difficult to obtain, many reporters can still be found. connections, especially some well-informed foreign journalists.

Jordan was resting his head with his eyes closed. Grover was giving him a simple massage. Standing beside him were two burly men, who were his bodyguards.

Then, a rash foreign reporter rushed in and raised the microphone in front of Jordan: "Michael, do you want to say something to the Spanish fans?"

Jordan didn't even look at him, "I don't do interviews before games."

"Can I take photos?"

"No photography allowed." This is what the security guard said.

The Spanish reporter was unwilling to give in. This was Jordan's first game wearing a Wizards jersey.Once it comes true, it will be a historic moment for Jordan to leave the Bulls.

"I'll just take a picture."

"No photography allowed, don't make me say it a third time!"

"Hey, you can shoot me." Yu Fei said.

The Spanish reporter reluctantly walked up to Yu Fei and said, "What do you want to say to the Spanish fans?"

"Please don't forget that amazing and kind-hearted person," Yu Fei said, "This person is me."

The reporter said helplessly: "Are you sure the fans know what you are talking about?"

"As long as you know," Yu Fei shrugged, "If you are really grateful, please don't let me see you before the game starts."

After the reporter left, Jordan sarcastically said: "Is it your nature to be annoying?"

"No, I just know very well that Spanish people will not buy my sneakers, so I don't care how they feel about me." Yu Fei retorted, "But I believe some people will lose some Spanish fans because of their arrogance."

Tonight, MSG was packed.

The welcome ceremony for Jordan was grand. Stern appeared again, together with the mayor of New York, and then the current president of the United States, talking about the significance of Jordan's return to the whole society. Then, there was a tribute to the soldiers, a tribute to the firefighters, and a tribute to the whole society. A tribute to the American spirit. If they continue to pay tribute like this, Yu Fei will vomit.

Fortunately, they know that this is the regular season, and the game itself is the most important. Just pay a little tribute. In a game with an average number of spectators, no matter how flashy your tribute is, will no one watch it?
Subsequently, the two sides made their debut.

The Wizards' starting lineup can no longer be described as mediocre: Chris Whitney, Richard Hamilton, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, and Jaxidi White.

Except for Hamilton, who averaged 18 points per game last season, only White was the starter last season. Laettner and Whitney are both veterans who have played in the league for many years. Their strength has been established. They were not starters last season. Why did they become the starters this season? A starter?
Because Jordan believed that Yu Fei was not "working hard" enough, Collins felt that it was a high-risk decision to let a young boy like Yu Fei play at the starting three position and alternate with Jordan at the first position.

Yu Fei and Brown sat in the audience and stared.

"Seeing you as a substitute makes me feel much better." Brown mocked, "Why can't the top three players on the training field be in the starting lineup?"

Yu Fei resisted the urge to verbally hunt Jordan and said expressionlessly: "Although I practice three times a day, I don't work hard enough to get the approval of the 'boss'."

"It's too scary, he's not human." Brown has been led astray by Yu Fei, and blasphemy has become an indispensable entertainment item in his life.

Yu Fei snorted coldly: "You already think highly of him by using human standards." "Ahem." Director Lu sat on pins and needles, "Can you say a few words less?"

Yu Fei felt that he still didn't say enough and should say more.

On the field, Richard Hamilton and Alan Houston were like mirrors of each other.

Whenever Hamilton scores, Houston responds in kind.

And it doesn't seem to have any sense of violation.

Jordan's performance disappointed the fans at the scene. First, he hit a pull-up shot too hard at the free throw line, and then used a weird-tempo breakthrough underhand throw to regain his face. Then he struck again and continued to strike, making 5 shots in the first quarter. 1 in.

When New Yorkers discovered that this was not the Jordan who played with them like a toy in their memories, they couldn't help but turn to the rusty god.

"Wizard Pill is too different from Bull Pill!" Spike Lee muttered, "Retire now, Michael, this is not the person I remember!"

Seeing that Jordan was not adapting to the rhythm of the official game, Collins chose to make a substitution seven minutes into the first quarter.

"Fry!" Collins shouted, "Replace Michael."

Yu Fei asked: "Where is Kwame?"

Collins looked at Yu Fei dissatisfied. Does this rookie still want to teach me how to arrange rotations?
"Kwame and I have good chemistry," Yu Fei said.

Collins said seriously: "This is not something you should worry about."

This is really not Yu Fei trying to pull Brown out for the sake of his friends. Even considering the long-term interests of the Wizards, it is appropriate for Yu Fei and Brown to play at the same time.

Because there are enough training samples within the team to prove that Brown works best with Yu Fei.

If Collins wants Brown to grow up smoothly, he should do this.

But Collins refused.

There is no reason. The situation between Brown and Yu Fei is different. Although he has lost the position in the team that the No. [-] pick should have had, he has no conflict with Jordan, unlike Yu Fei, who is a clear-cut "anti-Mike".

Brown's outstanding performance is beneficial to Jordan. Who wants to take the blame for "unrecognizable people"?

Yu Fei spread his hands to Brown and said that he has tried his best. This coach is too unfaithful. You can figure it out yourself.

Then Brown began to use the American curse word starting with F to refer to Collins's mother.

When Yu Fei and Jordan handed over, Boss Qiao said jokingly: "If you make a mistake, I will replace you."

To this day, Jordan still has plans to conquer Yu Fei.

But Yu Fei didn't want to compromise with Jordan.If Jordan was 10 years younger, it would be okay to consider him the boss. You are already 38 and you come up and hit 5-for-1, how can you be the big brother?My chosen son is shameless?

"I can do whatever you want."

After that, Yu Fei didn't even have to look at Jordan, he waved and asked Chris Whitney for the ball, "I'll control the ball."

Whitney said angrily: "You have to know that your opponent is Latrell Sprewell."

"Oh, will he choke me?" Yu Fei asked.

"No, but you'd better keep your mouth shut in front of him."

"I know," Yu Fei stretched out his hand impatiently, "Here comes the ball!"

Whitney served, and sure enough, Sprewell wanted to give Yu Fei a shocking welcome gift and directly launched a one-on-one full-court press.

It's not that Yu Fei looks down on Sprewell's defense, it's just that the current NBA has very strict controls on hand movements. Defenders are not allowed to handcheck outside the front three-point line.

In this case, as long as the confrontation is passed, even an aggressive defender like Sprewell will have difficulty forcing a mistake.

After successfully gaining weight in the summer, Yu Fei now struggles to fight inside and is barely adequate at the third position. Sprewell failed to press several times, but instead missed a big flaw.

Yu Fei quickly turned around and dribbled the ball, using his strength to throw the madman away, making MSG's noise even more intense.

Jeff Van Gundy looked at Yu Fei's skillful dribbling and fell into deep thought.

This coordination is amazing, and the speed at which he turns and dribbles with his dominant hand is not what a 208cm player should have at all.

In the blink of an eye, Yu Fei broke into the three-point line.

The Knicks' defense was already in place, but he collected the ball directly at the free throw line, started with his left foot, changed direction with his right foot and took the second step, then used one foot to hit the heavy Knicks temporary starting center Felton. Felton Spencer C hit a visually impactful tomahawk dunk on his head.

The moment the dunk was completed, Yu Fei roared, fiercely pulled off the rim to provoke his opponent, stole Russell Westbrook's turtle step, and staggered on the floor.

Nothing could be more fitting for this scene than the lyrics to "New York, New York."

It's all up to you, New York, New York!

(End of this chapter)