The Best Point Guard-Chapter 75 - 10: This Kid is a Devil

That night at 9:30, Su Xi finished washing up and ate his sixth meal of the day—a nutritional plate that tasted like wax. He was getting ready for bed.

But as he tossed and turned, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had forgotten to do something.

He looked at the piece of chicken breast still on his plate and forced himself to eat it.

When his training session ended at eight o’clock, Gray, who was helping him train, had asked, "Jack, you really don’t have to work this hard. You’re already a potential millionaire. Why not go a little easier on yourself?"

Su Xi had been taken aback for a moment before replying, "You don’t know my ambition. I’m not just playing for myself—I’m also carrying the basketball dreams of Reggie and Danny. Besides, I’m determined to win an NBA championship within five years."

Su Xi was resolute.

This was why his daily training volume was so immense that even a ’devil trainer’ like Grover had advised him to take it easy.

At the time, the expressions on Gray and Rod’s faces had been pure shock.

After finishing the sawdust-like chicken breast, Su Xi remembered what he had forgotten to do.

He took out his little notebook.

Flipping to the first page, he still felt relatively relaxed. He muttered to himself, ’TJ Ford is still as arrogant as ever. If he ran into the me of today, I’d beat him so badly within three steps his hands would tremble enough to please his girlfriend.’

"April 24th. In an interview with the Nevada media, Marcus Banks stated: If Little Sheep Su Xi can get into the first-round lottery, then the only person I’ll accept being drafted after is LeBron. The media hypes him up way too much. I’m stronger than him, faster than him, a better playmaker, and a better defender. I just don’t have an Anthony on the wing drawing all the attention. If he wants to go one-on-one, I’m ready anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s in New York or Las Vegas, Monday or Sunday, I’ll be there, no questions asked."

Su Xi frowned. ’Who is Marcus Banks?’

He read on and saw there was even an annotation. ’Frank is so damn meticulous.’ (Marcus Banks, a senior point guard from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, known for his defense. Western Mountain Alliance Defensive Player of the Year.)

’That’s it?’

Su Xi’s brow furrowed.

"April 19th. In an interview with *Slam* magazine, Josh Howard stated: If Wake Forest hadn’t been unexpectedly eliminated, we would have been this year’s champions, and I would have been the MOP. There’s nothing to brag about with Little Sheep Su Xi. He just took advantage of other teams not knowing him to launch sneak attacks. If we had met in the Elite Eight, Syracuse University would have lost. All this hype about him having lottery potential is just that—hype. Predicting me for the end of the first round is unfair. It’s a total slap in the face. I won’t accept a player like Little Sheep Su Xi being ranked higher than me."

Su Xi knew of Josh Howard. Syracuse University had once considered Wake Forest University a potential major opponent, but he hadn’t expected them to get ambushed by the University of Oklahoma.

’A team that couldn’t even make it to the Elite Eight? A senior who isn’t even good-looking... why is he trying to leech off my fame?’

Su Xi kept reading.

"April 27th. In an interview with the *Michigan Document*, Chris Kaman stated: I don’t regret playing for the University of Michigan; it was an honor. But what I mean is, if we had a teammate like Carmeron Anthony, would I really have done worse than Little Sheep Su Xi? He could handle Collison, so why couldn’t I? I don’t mean to disrespect the MOP, I’m just saying I’m the best big man in the 2003 class. If that’s enough to get Little Sheep Su Xi into the lottery discussion, then I should be a top-three pick."

"May 1st. In an interview with the Texas media, Kendrick Perkins said: I don’t want to play in the NCAA. It’s pointless. If a guy like Little Sheep Su Xi can win MOP, why should I bother with the college league? This has absolutely nothing to do with my grades, that’s not the reason. I’ve decided to take my talents to the NBA. When I crush Little Sheep Su Xi on an NBA court, you’ll know I’m not just talking. When I played in the AUU circuit, only LeBron James and Chris Paul were ranked ahead of me. Why should I be afraid of anyone?"

"April 19th. Travis Outlaw declared for the draft. He said, ’I was inspired by Little Sheep Su Xi. If he can do it, why can’t I? I’m taller than him, stronger, faster, and more talented. I’m the one who deserves to be a lottery pick.’"

"April 23rd. Larry Bird was announced as the President of Basketball Operations for the Pacers Club. When asked about his team-building plans, he emphasized, ’We’ll maintain our current roster and then acquire strong help through trades. Rookies? We don’t have any plans for them. The 2003 class is a weak draft. A lot of players are being overhyped, creating a false sense of prosperity. Do you really think a high school kid like LeBron James can save the league? Do you really think Little Sheep Su Xi is worth a lottery pick? Come on, talk is cheap. I have no hope for this draft class. I was there live for the NCAA championship game. The kid who won MOP is actually terrible. He can’t play inside, he can’t play outside. He just looks like he might be good. The media loves to package this image of an all-powerful player.’"

"May 3rd. In a joint interview with the New York Media, Michael Sweetney announced he was declaring for this year’s draft. ’My point is, if I hadn’t gotten injured, there would be no Little Sheep Su Xi. They wouldn’t have made it past Georgetown. I stand by what I said. Just wait and see how I back it up in the NBA, if Little Sheep Su Xi dares to step into the paint against me.’"

Michael Sweetney was the center for Georgetown University.

By the time Su Xi got to this point, he was already getting agitated.

Even though Bird had given him a heads-up that this sort of thing would happen, he was still angry.

He didn’t understand why these guys kept using his name.

"May 2nd. At a training camp in Chicago, Kirk Hinrich told the *Chicago Tribune*: Losing to Little Sheep Su Xi was a disgrace for us at Kansas. After the game, nobody said a word. We watched the tape carefully—we were ambushed. If we played again, we would completely destroy him. His skills are crude, he’s short, and back then we were only focused on his strength. I’ll get my revenge in the NBA, if he even makes it..."

"..."

SLAM!

Su Xi slammed the little notebook shut. His breath came in ragged gasps; he was furious.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Then, he told himself: ’Jack, you’re going to be the NBA’s God of Basketball. Stay calm. Don’t let these nobodies get to you. Sleep! Sleep!’

He closed his eyes.

「Thirty minutes later.」

He opened his eyes, turned on the light, and sat up.

’Fuck it.’

’They’re treating me like a pushover.’

He opened the notebook again and burned each name into his memory.

「The next morning at 5:30.」

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Gray’s door was pounded on.

"Hey, Gray! Time to train!"

Su Xi’s voice was firm and clear.

Gray rolled over and glanced at the gloomy gray sky outside. He suppressed a surge of morning crankiness and thought with utter dejection: ’Oh, God. Here we go again.’

’Why did I accept this travel job from Nike?’

’Why did I tell Little Sheep Su Xi to come get me anytime he wanted to train?’

’Somebody save me!!’

’Nike, just sign him already.’

’This kid is a monster.’

’Let him go torture someone else.’

...