Chapter 605 93: Goat Su Xi Must Accept the Challenge

His honors and achievements would also be brought back into the spotlight, even receiving widespread publicity because of Su Xi.

This campaign was already underway in New York State.

Isaiah Thomas was already being hyped as the best person in NBA history to have ever handled the three roles of player, head coach, and general manager.

Who could argue with that?

Bird was great, too, but... Su Xi was on the Knicks now, and Bird had never won a championship as a head coach.

Magic had been a player-coach, but he'd never been a general manager.

As for Jordan, he was certainly a phenomenal player and remains the God of Basketball to this day. But his management skills were terrible. The Washington Wizards were still paying for his mistakes, and the Charlotte Bobcats' draft picks in recent years were a whole other story.

In contrast to Isaiah Thomas's smug satisfaction, the Knicks players appeared more low-key.

Milicic said, "Yao Ming is incredibly powerful. It's not easy for someone of his size to maintain that kind of flexibility. I'm often shocked by his moves on the court."

"What's even more surprising is his shooting. His touch is just so soft. He can fire from anywhere, and once he gets the ball cleanly and sets his sights, all you can do is pray to God!"

"I'm not arrogant enough to think I can block him. That's unrealistic. It's like he's standing on the second floor dropping a rock into a pond."

"But I will do everything in my power to disrupt him. I can't let him catch the ball comfortably, and I can't let him make his moves comfortably. That's the job I can do on the defensive end."

Milicic finished the night with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

He had already proven himself to be a top-tier center in the league.

Although he humbly said he couldn't compare to Yao Ming, the truth was, Yao Ming had no answer for him on the defensive end either.

He had developed his own style and had truly entered the realm of superstars.

One of the criteria for entering the superstar realm is: on the court, you can only trade blows; you can't be blown out.

Afterward, Su Xi also spoke highly of Kobe and Yao Ming.

Su Xi said, "They're the strongest active inside-outside duo. I think they've perfected the inside-outside game. Yao Ming is the most suitable inside partner for Kobe, and Kobe is the most suitable outside partner for Yao. I'm not at all surprised they've achieved what they have."

It was rare for Su Xi to praise his opponents like this, especially with such heartfelt admiration.

However, Kobe Bryant did the complete opposite at that moment.

He appeared at the press conference.

He publicly issued a challenge to Su Xi.

"I don't think Su Xi is the number one player in the league yet."

"Even though he won the scoring title, he still doesn't dare to face me head-on!"

"If he can't beat me in scoring, he'll never be able to surpass Jordan."

"Maybe his style of hiding behind his teammates can win him some games, but it won't win my respect."

When Kobe dropped these remarks at the post-game press conference, the reporters were all stunned.

'Aren't Kobe and Su Xi on good terms? Why is he suddenly firing shots at Su Xi? And how can he say Su Xi doesn't dare to face him head-on? Didn't Su Xi just beat him?'

'Su Xi had a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in this game.'

'That's not worse than Kobe.'

'What on earth is Kobe talking about?'

A reporter from TNT quickly posed a question: "Kobe, I don't quite understand what you're saying. Jack just won the scoring title, he averaged over forty points, which is a record-breaking achievement and a historically rare honor. Why do you say he's hiding behind his teammates? He's the leader of the Knicks; no one has ever doubted that."

Kobe composed himself and said, "What I mean is, he doesn't dare to take me on one-on-one. Understand? He doesn't dare to beat me by taking on double-teams and triple-teams by himself. He doesn't have that ability. He only dares to use his physical gifts for quick attacks and to score at the rim. He only dares to use his off-ball movement to quickly get open for a shot."

"A true God of Basketball should face the toughest defense in the most difficult spots on the court and still hit the shot!"

Kobe said decisively.

At this point, the TNT reporter understood. He said, "So, you're saying you want Jack the Goat to become a lone wolf, not pass to any of his teammates, and score sixty or seventy points by himself to beat the Lakers? And to beat you, right?"

Kobe nodded. "You could put it that way."

Even though this was Los Angeles, even though this was the Lakers' home turf, the reporters below couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter.

Kobe's demand was simply bewildering.

It went against all basketball logic.

Even someone as great as Jordan didn't do that. Before Pippen developed, no matter how much he scored individually, he didn't win a championship.

What gives you the right to demand Su Xi play like that?

Isn't that asking Su Xi to give up the Knicks' biggest advantage and get into a knife fight with you?

Su Xi isn't an idiot. Why would he listen to you?

So, a reporter from the Los Angeles media said, "I don't think Jack the Goat will listen to you. He won't turn himself into a lone wolf. Because fundamentally, he's a Point Guard."

But Kobe just gave a mysterious smile, shook his head, and said, "No! I think he'll definitely do it! He's an ambitious guy. If he wants to become the ultimate God of Basketball, he has to do this. He has to make me submit, to truly accept defeat! I am the last individual super-competitor of his career."

"Do you know what I mean? Only by beating me one-on-one can he earn the title of the strongest player in the league. Only then can he take the crown from Jordan's head."

Kobe explained to the reporters, as if he were afraid they wouldn't provide enough coverage.

Su Xi watched Kobe's interview on TV and had only one thought: 'Old fox! That damn old fox.'

Kobe had read him like a book.

Although the media considered Kobe's statement absurd and illogical, for Su Xi, it was the absolute truth.

If he didn't crush Kobe head-on, he knew he'd never be able to get over that mental hurdle.

Just as Kobe said, he had become the last individual competitor on Su Xi's path to becoming the GOAT.

Kobe represented the ultimate in one-on-one play, the ultimate ability to score against tough defense.

Su Xi's scoring skills came from Kobe; he had now integrated them to a level of 97.

He was already one of the top scorers in the league today. With his superior physical attributes, stronger ability to attack the rim, better off-ball movement, and more reliable open shots, his overall scoring ability had definitely surpassed Kobe's. This was true even if he was a little over three centimeters shorter than Kobe.

However, when it came to scoring against a set defense in a one-on-one, lone-wolf mode, Su Xi was definitely not Kobe's match.

Kobe had made his name playing that way. From the moment he first touched a basketball, he was a lone wolf.

He didn't even respect O'Neal.

Therefore, when he issued this challenge, the vast majority of the media thought it was a fantasy. They believed Su Xi would never accept it, let alone pay any attention to him.

But at this moment, Kobe's former teammate, Shaquille O'Neal, threw in his two cents. "I think Jack Su will accept the challenge, and he has to. He's reached that level. He has to defeat every defiant opponent in every possible way."

"Even though what Kobe's doing is a bit of a cheap shot, who's to say he can't? He's already given up on vying for the number one spot in the league himself."

"This is a huge gamble. If Jack can't beat Kobe, Kobe remains the face of the league. If Jack takes the bait, the Lakers will very likely win the championship."

"Kobe has a high chance of winning this."

"Does Little Sheep Su Xi dare to bet the championship and the trust of his teammates?"

"Does he have the guts? I, for one, can't wait to see."

Shaquille O'Neal's words were clearly meant to provoke him.

And in reality, he was biased towards Kobe and the Lakers.

After all, Goat Su Xi had mercilessly swept him twice.