Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1091 - 613 Yao the Saint

Chapter 1091: Chapter 613 Yao the Saint Chapter 1091: Chapter 613 Yao the Saint After the end of preseason training camp, the Clippers officially announced several major developments.

Firstly, Steve Ballmer finally had enough of sharing a home court with the Lakers Team.

Through a press conference, Ballmer honestly admitted that he had not initially thought about building a new arena for the team.

“When I bought this team, I was very happy because I didn’t have to build an arena—really,”

Ballmer recalled. But after he truly owned the Clippers, he experienced the difficulties faced by the team. Sharing a home court with the Lakers, which is also the home court of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. At least until this year, the Clippers’ city status is ranked behind the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings, and every year’s schedule arrangement puts the Clippers in a sacrificing position.

“So I think, we must have our own arena!”

Ballmer officially announced the new stadium plan for the Clippers.

According to the content of the press conference, the new arena will be built in Inglewood, Los Angeles, with preliminary work expected to be completed within a year, and the team could start using the new arena as early as 2019.

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Hearing the news, Yu Fei was completely unaffected.

The prospect of the new arena being utilized by 2019 sounded completely exaggerated to him.

Even if this timeline was not exaggerated, Yu Fei did not think he would still be playing by 2019.

So, this might be another story of regret.

He never had the chance to play in the new arena for either the Supersonics or the Clippers.

However, this is not important, what is important is that after these arenas are built, he can proudly say that he brought them about.

Of course, the direct relationship between the Clippers’ new arena and him might not be that significant, because Ballmer, who only has money left, would build a new arena for the Clippers anyway.

After the end of training camp, the Clippers welcomed the preseason games.

Preseason is always a necessary part of identifying shortcomings.

However, as the defending champions, the core framework for the Clippers’ championship remained intact over this past summer except for the departure of Zaza Pachulia. It turns out that although the Georgian was a quality backup for the interior, he was just a minor link for the defending champions.

Jokić will fully enjoy the playing time he left behind.

Moreover, from the preseason games, it seems like that little bit of time was still too little for the Serbian.

Fei has been maintaining stability and strength for fourteen years straight, without any sign of decline.

Klay Thompson, after the championship, completely shed the negative image from his Warriors Team days and earned himself a reputation as a sharpshooter like Miller.

As for Giannis Antetokounmpo, he was undoubtedly the most dazzling Rising Star during the preseason.

As a new generation star heavily promoted by Reebok, Antetokounmpo kept creating buzz in the games. His stunning chase-down blocks, powerful slam dunks, and those extraordinary moments utilizing his unparalleled physical gifts, were all the focus of Reebok’s marketing machine. They promoted the “Greek Freak” with the same intensity Nike did with James in his early days.

Even the Clippers’ rookie Josh Richardson demonstrated quite impressive immediate combat effectiveness.

“Based on the preseason, the Clippers might be even stronger than last season.”

Because the younger players are still growing rapidly, and as long as the condition of Yu Fei and Yao Ming doesn’t plummet drastically, the progress of these Rising Stars will far outpace the decline of the veterans.

After the preseason, Yu Fei finally gave that so-called advice to Yao Ming.

When Yao Ming heard Yu Fei say that only by accepting the role of coming off the bench could he play healthily until 2019, he fell into deep thought.

“Of course, the decision is yours,” said Yu Fei. “Apart from you, no one can take you out of the starting lineup.”

What could be harder than asking a star player in their prime to take a bench role?

The answer is: asking a star approaching the end of their prime to voluntarily take a bench role.

Those who have already achieved success often get accustomed to relying on their past achievements to live through the days. The more apparent the decline, the stronger their ego becomes.

This phenomenon is unique to the sports world, especially when their performance clearly dips, the team could not act hastily due to their status, and they would often exhibit a rebellious mentality stronger than that of adolescence when facing external doubts.

When the ruthless younger generation points out this fact, it becomes even harder for the accomplished athletes to accept it.

Lowering the status of accomplished athletes and supporting more promising young players has always been a tough challenge that championship teams must face.

Now, the Clippers team has encountered this problem. Jokić’s rise is unstoppable, and once the regular season starts, more people will witness his power.

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By the time that moment arrives, both Jokić’s personal ambition and public opinion will push the Clippers to a difficult decision.

Yu Fei offered this advice to Yao Ming before that moment came, precisely to preemptively address the issue.

But ultimately, the decision is still in Yao Ming’s hands.

Yao Ming was personally recruited by him, and considering their relationship, Yu Fei could respect Yao Ming’s wishes to the maximum extent. If Yao Ming is not willing to accept a bench role, then the issue can be set aside for now, and let time slowly solve this dilemma.

However, Yao was not blinded by past glories; he was very clear-headed and knew what he wanted.

Playing up to now, he was approaching 36, and in the NBA, he had won everything that could be won. The only hope left in his basketball career was to last until the 2019 Basketball World Cup hosted in his home country.