Chapter 672 - 597: Qian Chenghai

Chapter 672: Chapter 597: Qian Chenghai

Even the grandest spectacles must end; there’s no feast that lasts forever.

The program, which had been filming for nearly five months, came to a close with the grand finale.

The name Kevin Durant exploded in popularity, becoming known to many across the United States.

A photo of his game-tying shot even landed on the full-color front page of the New York Times.

It was safe to say he had become a star.

The day after returning to Phoenix from New York, Chen Yu was driving to the US Airways Center when he saw a Nike ad for Durant on the billboards lining the highway.

On the poster, Durant gripped a basketball in one hand, staring powerfully straight ahead.

The tagline read: I fight for my dream. Do you?

Chen Yu knew the ad had been shot before the finals. Both Durant and Oden had filmed one; whoever won the championship would have their ad released.

Rumor had it that Nike was also preparing to give Durant his own signature shoe.

To have his own signature shoe at sixteen, before even entering the NBA—even if it was just a limited, commemorative edition—was an accomplishment that surpassed many NBA players.

Chen Yu glanced one last time at the massive billboard.

’He’s quite photogenic.’

The plan was to go to China as soon as the show’s filming concluded, but there were a few things he needed to take care of before leaving.

For instance, today was the regular-season opener. They were presenting the championship rings, and he couldn’t miss that.

Then there was Oden’s surgery. Chen Yu planned to help him get it done before leaving for China.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d be in China, so it was best to get the surgery over with first.

His car soon arrived at the US Airways Center.

Fans were already beginning to file in.

A crowd of reporters was waiting near the entrance to the parking garage.

Everyone in Phoenix recognized Chen Yu’s sports car, so a swarm of reporters surrounded it before he even got close.

Chen Yu spotted a familiar face among the reporters.

It was Su Jun.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Yu tapped the brakes, rolled down his window, and called out to Su Jun.

The reporters surged forward like a swarm of bees.

They asked about all sorts of things.

The inside scoop on the O’Neal trade.

The news about Oden’s upcoming surgery.

Several Chinese reporters asked if Mo Ke had a chance to play that day.

Because he had participated in the Olympics, Mo Ke hadn’t played in the Summer League and only arrived in the United States at the start of the new season.

He played in three preseason games.

One game against the Lakers was even hyped by the Chinese media as a "Chinese Derby."

In the end, Mo Ke only played six minutes of garbage time in that game, going 0-for-2 with zero points and two rebounds.

If O’Neal hadn’t been traded, the team would have been shorthanded at the power forward position, and Mo Ke might have gotten some playing time.

But now they had Nowitzki. West had also stayed, and they had Kwame Brown and Dale Davis as well.

Under these circumstances, Mo Ke was likely destined to be a towel-waving mascot on the bench.

There were too many reporters, so Chen Yu didn’t linger. He told Su Jun to find him in the penthouse suite later and drove off.

The Suns’ roster for the new season was set.

Bigs: Tyson Chandler, Nowitzki, David West, Kwame Brown, Dale Davis, and Mo Ke.

Wings: Marion, Posey, and Rogers.

Guards: Hardaway, Miller, Ben Gordon, Payton, Kendall Gill, and Quinton Ross.

Kendall Gill was a veteran who had joined the team to chase a championship.

Quinton Ross was an undrafted rookie from that year’s class. The Suns had invited him to the Summer League, later giving him a training camp contract. In the end, they signed him to a full contract to fill out the roster.

His defense was decent, at least.

They were presenting the rings that day, so a joyous atmosphere filled the office area.

Chen Yu ran into David Griffin on the way to his office.

"Is Malone here?" Chen Yu asked, stopping him.

He had been the one to tell Malone to just stay home and wait for his championship ring.

He’d thought the man was too proud to show up in person, even for a championship ring. But just a moment ago, Chen Yu had seen Malone’s car in the parking garage.

Griffin nodded, adding that he’d just seen Malone, who looked triumphant and was all smiles with everyone he met.

Chen Yu chuckled to himself.

He recalled how Malone had complained to reporters after the Suns suspended him indefinitely, calling the management heartless. Later, he even went on TV, declaring he’d be too proud to accept this championship ring.

And now?

This was probably the only chance he’d ever have in his life to get a championship ring.

But the man was here now. When Chen Yu saw him by the court, Malone had jogged over to greet him as if nothing had ever happened. What could Chen Yu say?

It was too joyous of a day to let the man spoil his mood.

For the season opener, the Suns were hosting the Magic.

When the solid gold championship rings, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, were brought out, Chen Yu noticed Hill and Tracy McGrady’s expressions turn awkward.

Especially Hill. At thirty-two, he likely only had a few years left to lead a team on a championship run.

Chen Yu glanced over at Howard, who was standing on the sidelines grinning foolishly next to Drew Gooden. ’I hope this kid’s arrival can bring Hill and McGrady the championship trophy they’ve been dreaming of,’ he thought.

Once the ceremony ended, Chen Yu made his way to the penthouse suite.

It wasn’t long before Su Jun hurried over.

"Dr. Chen, congratulations."

He offered his congratulations and sat down beside Chen Yu, unable to resist remarking, "The Suns have really helped a lot of veterans fulfill their dreams."

During the ceremony, Miller had broken down in tears again after receiving his ring.

The career of this cold-blooded killer, a veteran of seventeen long years in the NBA, was finally complete.

Chen Yu didn’t comment.

For every player who fulfilled their dream, just as many veterans left the league with regrets.

"By the way, Dr. Chen, is there any chance Mo Ke will play tonight?" Su Jun asked.

It was the same question on the mind of every Chinese reporter.

The sports channel was broadcasting the game live back in China, and expectations for Mo Ke were high.

Chen Yu glanced down. The players from both teams had already taken the court.

The Suns’ starting lineup was Chandler, Nowitzki, Marion, Gordon, and Hardaway.

Skiles had spoken with Miller, who had agreed to give up his starting spot to give the younger players more opportunities.

"What do you think?" Chen Yu said, his gaze fixed on Mo Ke at the end of the bench.

He was sitting there all by himself.

Since coming to the NBA, he had encountered the same problem as Yao Ming: the language barrier.

Chen Yu had spent some time with him. Mo Ke had a bold and straightforward personality, but the language barrier was a significant hurdle.

Fortunately, the Suns’ locker room had a friendly atmosphere, so there was no bullying of rookies.

All he could do now was work hard on his English and try to integrate with the team as quickly as possible.

Su Jun gave a wry smile. He’d known this would be the answer.

The expectations for Mo Ke back home were simply too high.

Thinking about it rationally, Mo Ke was a late second-round pick. At that draft position, the Suns’ intentions for selecting him were obvious. Combined with the new roster, Mo Ke was almost certainly destined to ride the bench for the entire season.

"Dr. Chen, was there something you wanted to see me about?" Su Jun asked.

Chen Yu wouldn’t have asked him up to the suite for no reason.

Chen Yu nodded. "Reporter Su, you’re familiar with Mr. Qian Chenghai, I presume?"

Su Jun froze, completely caught off guard that Chen Yu would mention that name.

When he came to his senses, Su Jun nodded at once, his expression turning serious. "In the Chinese Basketball Community," he said, "I don’t think there’s a single person who doesn’t know his name."