Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1141 - 629: Unique_3
Chapter 1141 -629: Unique_3
Therefore, if there’s a chance, they still need to add a power forward with a unique style.
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Yu Fei’s agent Ratner recommended his client—Michael Beasley to the Clippers.
Over the past two years, Beasley shuttled between China’s CBA and the NBA. He usually finished the CBA season before signing a non-guaranteed contract at the end of the NBA season.
But due to his history of misconduct, no team was willing to sign him to a long contract.
Last season, Beasley signed with the Timberwolves after the CBA season ended.
According to Synergy Sports data, he was still an outstanding one-on-one scorer, and he had improved his previously criticized shot selection, adding catch-and-shoot and pick-and-roll layups to his repertoire.
Last season with the Timberwolves, Beasley’s one-on-one shooting percentage was as high as 53%, and he undertook Minnesota’s offensive responsibilities during several periods.
That was exactly the scorer the Clippers bench needed.
Yu Fei agreed with this.
Thus, Arne Trem decided to take a small gamble on Beasley.
The Clippers signed Beasley until the end of the season, with a rather complex contract: Beasley’s salary for the first month was guaranteed, and after that month, the Clippers could cut him at any time; however, if he entered the playoffs with the team, his contract would automatically become fully guaranteed.
The Los Angeles Daily News commented, “Has this ridiculous and comical NBA wanderer really changed after reviving his career in China?”
Beasley had indeed changed.
On his first day of training, his outstanding one-on-one ability won him the recognition of the GOAT.
In terms of ball-handling and one-on-one plays, no one in the Clippers could match him, except for Yu Fei.
However, the Clippers were not a team like the Timberwolves that could let him play one-on-one at will, so Beasley needed to adapt to a role that was quite complex for him.
For example, to catch the ball, pass back, set screens, and move through the top of the arc all in one play.
Rivers expressed his doubts, unsure if Beasley was up to the task.
But Beasley understood that a man living hand to mouth had no right to be picky. He was very aware of how precious the chance given to him by the Clippers was. If he could get through the end of the season with the defending champions without causing trouble, perhaps he could get more opportunities with other teams next season.
Subsequently, the Clippers faced a challenge from the Lakers.
Inside the Staples Center, every seat was filled.
Nowadays, it couldn’t be said that every game the Lakers played against the Clippers at Staples Center was a home game for them.
Because the fans of both teams were about equal in number.
Moreover, when Yu Fei put on a spectacular performance, it was common to see Lakers fans switch allegiance on the spot.
Some long-time Lakers fans, who looked down on the Clippers, began to justify supporting both teams voluntarily.
Both the Clippers and Lakers are Los Angeles teams, why favor one over the other? Can’t we support two hometown teams at the same time?
Although this reflected the bandwagon mentality of the fans, demanding fans to continue supporting a team that was becoming increasingly mediocre with their hard-earned money was indeed a tough ask.
In this context, the Clippers were clearly the better choice.
Because the Lakers’ popularity was still largely dependent on Kobe’s influence to a great extent.
Kobe, that’s twenty-one years of prestige accumulated in Los Angeles, a prestige that the Clippers couldn’t shake with just a few championships.
However, Kobe’s career was also coming to an end, and the Clippers seemed to be strong contenders for the next decade.
In the long run, it seemed highly likely that the Clippers would overturn the Lakers’ status in Los Angeles.
However, this was not something for the fans to worry about.
The fans who genuinely supported both Los Angeles teams were undoubtedly happy. Tonight, Yu Fei scored 42 points, and Kobe also contributed 30 points. The two superstars, nearly 80 years old combined, were still able to deliver an excellent performance, plus Zach LaVine’s dunks, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s monster moments, and Jokić’s brilliant passes time and again.
The absolutely thrilling game ended with the Clippers’ victory, and every fan in attendance felt it was worth the trip.
“Clippers VS Lakers, this is the NBA’s greatest drama!” shouted Snoop Dogg into the camera, “These two teams should face off ten times every time, N-word~~!!! Make it happen, let it happen, N-word!!!!”
When the game ended, Kobe still remembered what he said to Yu Fei in New Orleans: “See you in the playoffs.”
“Really?” Yu Fei expressed doubt, “You guys are tenth in the Western.”
Kobe didn’t say anything else.
Yu Fei turned and walked towards the reporters on the sidelines.
Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, earning widespread praise for his all-around performance, but he wanted to know what else he needed to do to achieve the core status like Jokić.
“GOAT!” Unable to hold back, he went straight to Yu Fei. “What do I have to do to be like Nikola?”
The GOAT replied coolly: “You can never be like Nikola.”
Listen, that’s the sound of a heart breaking.
The Greek Freak was about to break down.
At that moment, Jokić passed by with a big cup of cola in his hand: “The game was great tonight, want some cola?”
He then realized the atmosphere was off and hurried away.
But the GOAT gently patted the Greek Freak’s shoulder: “Nikola could never be like you either.”
“Giannis, don’t listen to the outside noise. You need to explore your own potential. The seven-foot magician is just a myth in the commentators’ hearts,” the GOAT said soothingly, comforting him like a brother. “Don’t live in the myth others construct for you. Just like tonight, from the backcourt to the frontcourt, you scored, rebounded, screened, pick-and-rolled, stole, blocked. I assure you, no one can complete these tasks as easily as you can. That’s your unique talent, cherish it.”
With that, the GOAT entered the locker room, leaving the Greek standing outside to digest these words.
