Chapter 591 86: [What If I'm Also a One-in-a-Million Genius?]

CLANG!

Millsap's pull-up jumper didn't hit.

Milicic held his ground against Howard and secured the rebound.

On the other end, Su Xi passed to Milicic again.

This time, Milicic pulled up to the high post to facilitate. Howard couldn't follow him out to the perimeter. With the Knicks players spread across the floor, Su Xi made a quick off-ball cut.

Milicic got an easy look for a shot.

SWISH!

It dropped straight through the net.

Milicic's basket sent the entire arena into a frenzy of cheers and screams.

It seemed he was gradually figuring out how to flip the switch on the cheers in Madison Square Garden Arena.

James Dolan sat in his private box, looking down casually. He was in a relaxed mood. He said to the management staff beside him, "The Millsap for Milicic trade? That was my call."

The boss is brilliant!

The boss truly has a unique eye for talent!

The boss is amazing.

A series of ass-kissing compliments followed.

James Dolan lapped it up; he loved this kind of flattery.

If a successful person can't enjoy a little flattery, what's the point of being successful?

Besides, someone who had become that successful could certainly tell how low-grade the sycophancy was.

The low-grade nature was the entire point.

It was all about that emotional payoff.

The game continued.

The Magic Team's offense couldn't get going. Their four-forward strategy had met its Waterloo.

Charles Barkley said on television, "Could the Magic Team's golden strategy really be broken just like that? Was all their previous success just a fleeting dream?"

Kenny Smith offered a different opinion: "Isn't it a bit too early to make that kind of judgment?"

But by the end of the first quarter, the Knicks were leading by 11 points.

By the end of the second quarter, the Knicks were surging forward, on the verge of breaking the 20-point lead barrier.

And Zach Randolph hadn't played a single minute tonight.

Given Zach Randolph's history of posting up and dominating Howard, the lead would surely be even bigger if he were playing.

Stan Van Gundy was in his usual crouch on the sideline. His expression was like that of a Hollywood actor; his shock and horror were impossible to conceal.

He probably never would have dreamed that the balance of power could shift so drastically overnight.

How had the Knicks suddenly become so effective at shutting down the Magic Team?

Thinking it over and over, there was only one reason: Milicic.

Milicic was just too good.

Van Gundy was dazzled by what he was seeing.

Milicic could hit mid-range jumpers, drive with the ball, pass it out, facilitate the offense, hold his ground in the paint, and even provide some help defense. He was simply doing it all.

Before, he had thought all of Milicic's skills were useless. Jack of all trades, master of none. That's why he had Milicic focus on boxing out, gaining weight, and being a blue-collar player.

But now, with the support of Su Xi and the Knicks, he had somehow managed to link all his skills together, forming a system. He had developed his own style.

The Magic Team was completely stunned.

Stan Van Gundy, especially, could only think: 'If only Milicic were still with the Magic Team, how great would that be? If he were still an Orlando player, with his current all-around skills, I could totally build the team around him. He and Howard could team up and sweep the league.'

'This twin towers combo would definitely be stronger than the one in Cleveland.'

Stan Van Gundy felt worse and worse.

He had been feeling pretty comfortable before. Millsap was doing great; after joining the Magic Team, the chemistry was improving, his play was becoming more refined, and the wins were piling up.

Everyone said he had made a perfect trade.

But now, with Milicic and Millsap meeting again after the trade, the comparison was just brutal.

Tonight, Millsap couldn't even get the better of David Lee. At best, they were trading blows, and David Lee even had a higher shooting percentage.

Although Millsap had the advantage in athleticism and defense, David Lee was better at defensive rebounding and had a more accurate jump shot.

You could say they were evenly matched.

But the Knicks didn't need two evenly matched power forwards.

They needed a great center like Milicic.

And one who was unique, in a class of his own.

The first half of the game quickly ended.

Looking at the huge 19-point deficit.

Charles Barkley said, "I never would've thought the Knicks could shut down the Magic Team so effectively. It looks like the people who said the Magic Team won that trade in a landslide have egg on their face again."

Kenny Smith was one of those people with egg on their face. He was speechless now, feeling awful.

It felt even worse than losing a game himself.

'How did it suddenly turn out like this?'

'How did Milicic suddenly awaken?'

'Wasn't he a bust? How did he suddenly rise up, revive his career, and make such a strong comeback with the Knicks?'

Larry Brown had the same question.

And the same frustration.

He had originally thought the last game might have been a fluke.

After all, any player can have a sudden, explosive performance once in a while.

But after watching tonight's game, he was left speechless.

He knew that Milicic had finally broken out.

At least with the Knicks' current roster, he already possessed the skills of a top-tier center.

Perhaps calling him the best center in the East was an exaggeration, but when discussing the top centers in the league, his name would definitely have to be included.

'And it's only been half a season!'

'Goat Su Xi is terrifying. He actually managed to turn trash into treasure.'

Larry Brown now felt a mix of confusion and regret. He was starting to think that opposing Su Xi was a road of no return.

Not only could Su Xi prove him wrong, but even Milicic, who had been written off as a bust, could prove him wrong with Su Xi's help.

Before, people just said that Larry Brown had held Milicic back.

Now, everyone was saying that the foolish Larry Brown had sabotaged Milicic. That if it weren't for Larry Brown, Milicic might have become the best center in the league long ago.

When people said that back then, there wasn't much evidence, since Milicic hadn't broken out yet.

Now, the evidence was conclusive.

'This is tough!'

Larry Brown felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn't want to talk.

Kwame Brown, however, really wanted to talk. He was sitting behind Kobe and Yao Ming, all of them watching this marquee matchup.

After the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers in their last game, the Lakers' number one hypothetical opponent had shifted from the Cavaliers to the Knicks.

After that game, Kobe had called Yao Ming: "Looks like we're really going to face the Knicks in the Finals."

So, they had organized this viewing session for the current game.

They had originally thought that the red-hot Howard and the Magic Team would pose some threat to the Knicks.

But now, what they were witnessing was a one-sided slaughter.

The Knicks had the advantage at every position.

Kobe was impressed. Before, everyone thought the Knicks' roster wasn't anything special. But once the games started, someone stepped up at every position, and they all showed progress that exceeded everyone's expectations.

At that moment, Kwame Brown said quietly, "Maybe I should go play for the Knicks for a couple of seasons, too."

Hmm?

Everyone turned to look at Kwame Brown.

They didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.

Kwame Brown himself was very self-aware. "I'm an even bigger bust than Milicic, and I was drafted by Michael Jordan. Goat Su Xi would definitely be happy to rebuild me."

??

Everyone was stunned by this comment, caught completely off guard.

'So Kwame Brown is actually this self-aware.'

'He's not an idiot after all.'

Indeed, if Kwame Brown went to the Knicks, Su Xi and the Knicks would have no reason to refuse him.

Isaiah Thomas and Su Xi might even set off fireworks to welcome him.

After all, what could be a bigger slap in the face to Michael Jordan than developing Kwame Brown into a successful player?

Jordan had already become a "reverse indicator" in the draft because of Kwame Brown.

If Isaiah Thomas and Su Xi could also saddle Jordan with the reputation of being a 'fool with no eye for talent'...

...then Jordan would be thoroughly defeated in yet another category.

And Su Xi would take another huge step toward becoming the GOAT.

Just then, Kobe turned around and said to Kwame Brown, "Don't even think about it. Milicic can at least dribble and pass. You can't even catch the ball. How are they supposed to develop you? Just focus on being a good backup for Yao, show off your strength and speed. Win a championship, and everyone will respect you."

Kwame Brown nodded under Kobe's intense pressure.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but wonder: 'But what if Goat Su Xi could transform me even more?'