Chapter 327: Chapter 91: The God of the Chinese Men’s Basketball Team Is Back

Among the Lakers fanbase, although O’Neal was more dominant, Kobe was more popular. After all, Kobe was a homegrown draft pick, while O’Neal had been acquired through a trade. Throughout the Lakers’ long history, their strategy had always been to develop their own guards and then poach superstar centers from other teams. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chamberlain, and O’Neal had all arrived this way.

When Su Xi discussed the matter with Isaiah Thomas, he said he believed the Lakers would keep Kobe.

It wasn’t just for those reasons. The most important factor was that the playboy, Old Bass, saw Kobe as his own son. Even if O’Neal was the one who kept the Lakers a powerhouse, Bass would still keep Kobe.

"...You should trade for O’Neal," Su Xi said to Isaiah Thomas.

Isaiah Thomas had been sticking to Su Xi lately. Ever since Su Xi arrived in New York, he had been accompanying him, playing the part of the local host.

Su Xi couldn’t help but say, "I’m actually more familiar with this area than you are. I grew up right next door in New Jersey and went to Syracuse University."

Isaiah Thomas and Su Xi had a very good relationship. Su Xi now possessed five great acquired super-talents, and one of them had come from Isaiah Thomas.

All Thomas could think about now was Su Xi finishing his last year and coming to New York to help him out.

The waters in New York were simply too deep. He had brought Stephon Marbury to New York last season, but their record was still a complete mess. On top of that, the team was now loaded with terrible contracts.

"I don’t have any trade assets at all," Thomas said, distressed. "The Lakers wouldn’t want any of our players, and O’Neal probably wouldn’t want to come to our team either."

"Unless..."

Isaiah Thomas trailed off, looking at Su Xi.

"Unless what?"

The Smiling Assassin revealed a mysterious smile and gave a suggestive wink. "Unless you give me a verbal commitment to join New York after next season. Then, I’ll go talk to O’Neal and recruit him in your name. I think he’d definitely join the Knicks for you. After the huge falling-out he had with the Lakers, he’s going to name his destination."

"It’s the only way." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Isaiah Thomas looked at Su Xi with pleading eyes.

Su Xi waved his hand dismissively. "Stop kidding. I don’t have that much pull. Besides, I never said I would definitely join the Knicks. I just said I’d consider it."

Su Xi didn’t dare commit completely. Although returning to New York would be incredibly meaningful for him—New York State was his second home—the most important reason for his trip was to take his grandfather’s ashes back to China for burial.

"Jack, we’ve got a spot waiting for you here. Don’t you want to come here and flex your superstar muscles? There’s no better place for your career to take off than New York. The economic value, the team culture here..."

Isaiah Thomas hadn’t even finished speaking when Su Xi’s phone rang.

He picked it up and saw a name written in large letters: KOBE.

Su Xi didn’t bother hiding it from Isaiah Thomas and pressed the answer button.

The Nokia’s speaker was loud.

Soon, Kobe’s voice came through.

"Jack, Shaq and I are completely done. Have you ever thought about forming a superstar duo?" Kobe got straight to the point; he was never one to beat around the bush.

Low emotional intelligence, but it made communication easy.

"Are you recruiting me? Are you recruiting the Finals MVP who just beat you?" Su Xi couldn’t resist teasing him a little.

Just as expected, Kobe puffed up with anger like a pufferfish; the Nokia’s speaker was clear enough to pick up the sound of him taking a sharp breath. Then he said, "I know you want to be a superstar in your own right. Come to the Lakers. I’ll teach you how to score. You saw it in the Finals—there’s no better scorer in the world than me..."

Kobe’s words were indeed very tempting.

But to Su Xi, they meant nothing.

Because he had already obtained Kobe’s complete set of experience and skills. All he had to do now was follow the process and ’brick shots’ to absorb it all and level up.

"I think you’re the one who wants me to teach you how to win a championship..."

Su Xi hadn’t even finished his sentence when, CLICK! Kobe hung up on him.

’Such a short temper.’

But less than two minutes later, Kobe called again. "That’s not cool, Jack. Just give me an answer. Are you willing to partner up with me and form a superstar duo?"

"Then who’s Pippen? And who’s Jordan?" Su Xi asked. "I’ve been burned by that question before."

Everyone knew who Su Xi was referring to without him having to say it.

"Are you comparing me to James?" Kobe said angrily. "Does he even have any skills?"

"So, who’s Pippen and who’s Jordan?" Su Xi pressed.

"I’m super Jordan, and you’re the next-generation super Jordan," Kobe said. "Happy now? Are you in or out!"

"Alright, I’ll seriously consider it. I still have one year left on my contract to fulfill. I have to bring Indiana two championships..."

Before Su Xi could finish.

CLICK!

Kobe hung up again.

Another minute passed, and Kobe’s call came through. "Then it’s settled."

CLICK!

He hung up.

Isaiah Thomas, who was sitting next to him, watched this, completely stunned. He couldn’t help but mutter, "What’s his problem?"

Su Xi just smiled and shrugged.

"Does he always call you like that?" Isaiah Thomas asked.

"Pretty much," Su Xi nodded.

"He’s emotionally unstable, Jack. Finding a partner is like finding a girlfriend; you have to find someone who’s emotionally stable. Look at me, I’m as stable as they come. Always smiling, gentlemanly, and elegant." Isaiah Thomas said with a completely sincere smile.

"Just focus on driving,"

Su Xi told Isaiah Thomas.

"You got it."

Isaiah Thomas immediately focused on the road.

Who would believe that the spiritual leader of the old Bad Boys Legion, a prime example of a slyly vicious player, was now so earnestly chauffeuring Su Xi around?

They soon arrived at the site of Wimms and Scott’s car crash. Su Xi brought two bouquets of flowers and placed them there. Then, they went to their gravesite.

Su Xi had always looked after them.

He stood there for a long time. After they left the gravesite, Thomas said, "There aren’t many young people like you these days, who cherish the past so much."

"Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today," Su Xi said.

Then, he fell silent.

Su Xi had always taken care of their families.

But Su Xi didn’t go see their families this time. He was worried it might cause unnecessary trouble, and he also didn’t want them to see him and be reminded of their loss, dredging up painful memories.

After retrieving his grandfather’s ashes, Su Xi headed back to New York City.

On the way back, Isaiah Thomas and Su Xi chatted idly.

Their conversation drifted from the newly drafted number one pick, Dwight Howard, to Shaquille O’Neal. In the midst of it, Isaiah Thomas said something particularly interesting: "...I think Dwight Howard has a lot of potential. He’ll become the best center in the league. But he’s definitely going to get poached by the Lakers, too. The Lakers have always been good at poaching superstar centers that other teams develop."

"It’s destiny. You have to believe it."

"It’s like... I know I was never fated to be on Team USA. I turned down an invitation to join the national team in college. Then, when I was at the tail end of my prime, I wanted to join the Dream Team but got shut out. It’s my biggest regret. That’s the reason I hate Magic and Jordan the most. They had no right to take away my chance to play for my country... no one has that right."

As Isaiah Thomas said this, he seemed to be grinding his teeth in frustration.

Su Xi looked out the window.

Then, he said to Isaiah Thomas, "I’m going to play in the Olympics this year."

"For the Dream Team?" Isaiah Thomas asked automatically. "Can you and Iverson be compatible on the court?"

"No, for the Chinese Team," Su Xi said seriously. "My agent told me that the fans in China see me as a god of Chinese basketball. I have to go back and bring them some unprecedented glory."

"What was their best finish before? Bronze? Silver? Or gold?"

"I don’t know. The quarterfinals, I think."

"Well, I think you guys have a great shot this year. You and Yao are both well-suited for the FIBA system."

"Why don’t you come with me to the Chinese Team and be our consultant?" Su Xi suggested suddenly. "You couldn’t join the Dream Team, but maybe you can help beat them? Don’t you want to do something that will make them regret it?"