The Best Point Guard-Chapter 65 - 62: A Perfect NCAA Finale

Although Larry Bird and Michael Jordan explained after the game that they were just joking,

Jordan wouldn’t forget the look in Larry Bird’s eyes for a long, long time. He had seen genuine contempt in them.

It even made Jordan reflect for a few seconds. ’Is my eye for drafting talent really that bad?’

He quickly dismissed the thought. ’I am the omniscient and omnipotent God of Basketball.’

’What’s Larry Bird to me? Sooner or later, I’ll draft a new Larry Bird.’

’Besides, he lost to me during his career anyway.’

’Wait a minute...’

If he had said that to Bird’s face, Bird would have surely retorted, "Go look at our head-to-head playoff record. This is the last time you’ll disrespect me."

...

The game was essentially over the moment the quadruple-double stats flashed on the jumbotron.

The final two and a half minutes were just an extension of the stunning performance, a victory lap for the historic quadruple-double.

When the final buzzer sounded,

The final score was 88-76.

Syracuse University had weathered the storm to win the first national championship in the school’s history, and the sea of orange-clad fans erupted in a tidal wave of celebration.

Su Xi’s name was chanted over and over, mingling with cries of "M-O-P! M-O-P!"

The moment the game ended, Su Xi was mobbed by his teammates. Anthony then led the charge, lifting him onto their shoulders and tossing him into the air.

There was no question who this year’s MOP would be.

Su Xi had first made a name for himself just before the start of the NCAA Tournament, kicking off a miraculous journey. He had cut down one opponent after another, and now, with unbelievable stats, he stood at the very peak, claiming the most brilliant jewel in the crown.

This was the greatest Cinderella story in NCAA history. Last year, Su Xi couldn’t even get any playing time. Everyone knew he was a special privilege recruit brought in by Reggie Williams. But his legend began last summer. He beat out the starting point guard in training camp; he forged the "lil-Goat" legend at Georgetown... and tonight, he put the perfect finishing touch on his dream run with a historic quadruple-double.

"I have to praise Su Xi! I have to praise the great Little Sheep Su Xi! He pushed the ratings past 35 million, and he shattered a record that stood for 24 years! I’m thrilled. This has happened during my career, and this new record was set right here on a CBS broadcast I was a part of!" Billy Parker exclaimed on television.

When the director fed him that stunning news through his earpiece, his heart nearly leaped out of his throat.

It was a quadruple-double, after all.

Not even the great Olajuwon from the University of Houston had managed such an incredible feat.

Su Xi and his teammates changed into their championship T-shirts and put on their championship hats. One by one, they went to cut down the net. Su Xi was saved for last. As he sat on the ladder and snipped the final piece of the net, every eye in the arena was on him, and a sea of flashbulbs went off in his direction.

Su Xi was this year’s biggest dark horse in the NCAA, its greatest legend.

On this, the most important night of the championship, his star outshone everyone else’s, including that of Cameron Anthony standing beside him.

Just then, Su Xi looked up toward the rafters. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

A spotlight settled on him, illuminating a look that was both devout and sorrowful.

The Syracuse University fans knew what he was doing.

The Georgetown fans watching on TV understood, too.

...

The NCAA committee presented Syracuse University with the championship trophy. Then, to no one’s surprise, the MOP award was announced: Su Xi was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2002-2003 NCAA season.

As he hoisted the trophy, he was showered in the limelight.

In the arena tonight were the God of Basketball, another who was just a half-step behind him, and the Smiling Assassin—the only one to escape the God of Basketball’s dominion. There were reigning NBA titans, a superstar who was the second-in-command of a three-peat dynasty, scouts and executives from all 29 NBA teams, leaders of global sports brands... Elites from every industry had gathered here.

But tonight, Su Xi was the main event.

Su Xi was quickly brought over for an interview with Billy Parker and Jim Nantz.

With the entire arena watching, they handed the microphone to Su Xi.

Billy Parker said, "Jack, congratulations on a thrilling victory. You not only helped Syracuse University win the national championship, but you also posted an unprecedented quadruple-double in the Final. How are you feeling right now? What do you want to say to the fans who have supported you all this time?"

"I’m thrilled I could help my school achieve a goal we’ve been chasing for so long. I’m so grateful to all the fans for their incredible support. For me personally, tonight’s victory and the quadruple-double are the best rewards I could ask for. It’s the perfect way to cap off my college basketball career."

Su Xi said.

His words were met with waves of cheers and applause from the crowd.

Then, Billy Parker asked, "You’re the first Final Four MOP of Asian descent. How does it feel to earn that honor?"

"I have to thank my teammates; they’re the ones who helped me earn this," Su Xi stressed. "A special thanks to Melo. If he hadn’t been drawing so much defensive attention, I wouldn’t have had it so easy."

"You mentioned that your college career has come to a perfect end. Does that mean you’ve decided to declare for the NBA draft?" Billy Parker followed up.

"Yes. I’ve decided to enter the 2003 NBA Draft," Su Xi announced in front of sixty thousand people, with over thirty million more watching on television across the country.

This was bound to dominate the basketball headlines tomorrow.

That was the kind of clout that came with being the MOP.

And the undeniable impact of a historic quadruple-double.

At that point, Billy Parker asked a question that set the whole arena abuzz with gossip: "Jack, if you enter the draft, is there a specific team you’d hope to play for?"

The NBA had 29 teams at the time. Which one would Su Xi join?

Which team did he favor most?

The fans were dying to know.

Even the scouts and superstars on the sidelines found themselves waiting in anticipation.

Su Xi paused for a moment before saying with great earnestness, "It doesn’t matter which team I go to. But I hope that whatever team I join, I can help them win a championship right away."

That answer hit Larry Bird like a bolt of lightning. He subconsciously clutched his chest.

He knew this was Su Xi’s blatant message to him, delivered in front of sixty thousand people in the arena and tens of millions watching across America.

’The third hint,’ he thought.

’I won’t let you down!’

Larry Bird vowed silently.

Afterward, Su Xi stepped aside, letting Cameron Anthony and their other teammates have their turn at the interview.

Anthony, as expected, also announced he would be entering the 2003 NBA Draft, sparking the second major wave of excitement of the post-game celebration.

Though, the roar of the crowd was a little quieter than it had been for Su Xi.

While the players were being interviewed, Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas were having a discussion of their own.

Magic Johnson said, "You know, Jack winning MOP doesn’t actually help his draft stock all that much. The NCAA MOPs from the last decade just haven’t panned out in the pros."

"To be precise, ever since Ewing in 1984, none of them have become NBA superstars," Isaiah Thomas added, reminiscing.

The ’84 MOP was Ewing, ’83 was Olajuwon, ’81 was Isaiah Thomas himself, and ’79 was Magic Johnson. Before that, you had a constant stream of historical superstars like David Thompson, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell...

But since ’84, the only memorable ones have been guys like Danny Manning. Even Christian Laettner is considered one of the standouts from that period.

Especially in the last 10 years, the success rate has been appallingly low. The only truly memorable names are the 2001 MOP, Shaun Battier, and the 1999 MOP, Richard Hamilton.

Think about it: Juan Dixon in 2002, Mateen Cleaves in 2000, Jeff Sheppard in ’98, Miles Simon in ’97, Tony Delk in ’96, Ed O’Bannon in ’95, Corliss Williamson in ’94, Donald Williams in ’93, Bobby Hurley in ’92.

Besides hardcore NBA fans, who even knows those names?

"But Little Sheep Su Xi is different from them," Magic Johnson said. "He’s a dark horse who came out of nowhere. Those are often the guys who make a name for themselves in the NBA. I’m really looking forward to seeing him play in the league. I hope he continues his role as a ’talent-killer’ in the NBA. It’s been a long, long time since we’ve seen a superstar who could dominate in both the NCAA and the NBA."

"I have high hopes for him, too," said Isaiah Thomas. "He’s very smart, a quick learner, and he can create mismatches. Even in the NBA, his strength will still be a major asset, and his body is incredibly flexible. I saw his speed and power trending upwards even during this game, which shows his potential is enormous."

Isaiah Thomas’s analysis was very professional.

He was the only one in their group... who had actually worked as a scout.

But Michael Jordan just had to interject, "I think he’s no different from the MOPs of the last 10 years. The NCAA nowadays only produces role-player MOPs."

"How about a bet, then? Michael, I know you’ve never been a good loser with me. But I have to show you why I was able to beat you," Isaiah Thomas said, finally finding an opening to challenge Jordan. "I bet he’ll make an All-NBA team within three years."

Michael Jordan’s eyes lit up the moment he heard the word "bet," but his interest vanished when he saw it was Isaiah Thomas making the offer.

He wanted nothing to do with the man.

...

...

...