Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 312 Play ball seriously, be a good person!
November 13, 2018, is a day worth remembering for the NBA.

This day revealed too many secrets.

This was not simply a clash between the top two teams in the league, but rather a series of events triggered after the game and its far-reaching impact in the future.

The North American media were not focused on Chen Wang's game-winning shot against the Warriors, but rather on the verbal altercation between KD and Green in the player tunnel after the game, which was fully captured on camera.

Green still uttered that classic line: "We were already champions before you came."

This statement stunned everyone, including Curry, who had just finished talking with Chen Fang and walked into the passageway.

KD instantly lost his temper and angrily tried to confront Green, but was held back by his teammates. The vast majority of the team sided with Green. When head coach Kerr saw this, his blood ran cold.

The conflict ignited the entire North American sports scene within half an hour, its popularity extending beyond mainstream media, and it became the number one trending topic in the United States within an hour.

But things took an even more interesting turn when a lucky reporter spotted KD leaving the team. Instead of taking the team bus to the airport, he went to a bar alone.

The actual owner of this bar is Chen Wang, who had just entertained Harden here a few days ago.

"KD may join the Clippers; next season, KD will team up with Chen Wang, and the NBA season will be coming to a close!"

Everything is under the control of the Chinese!

"The Authentic Art of Eastern Political Strategy: King Chen's Art Extends Beyond the Sports Arena!"

Just like when Chen Fang met KD, he said, "Oh no, if it weren't for this conflict, our meeting wouldn't have caused this misunderstanding!"

"I don't care, let them think what they want!" KD, still angry, didn't care at all.

"Okay, to be honest, I did use some tricks, but I didn't expect Green to say something like that!" Chen Fang sighed, half-jokingly.

"He's a piece of shit. He looks smart, but he always does the stupidest things!" KD was still furious.

"No, to my opinion, you've fallen for their trap!"

KD was confused; he hadn't realized it yet. Pointing to himself, he said, "I fell for their trick?"

"Yes, what he said seems impulsive, but think about it. If you really leave the Warriors, the Warriors' management will definitely offer you a much higher contract extension than if you stay with the Warriors!"

KD immediately understood. He slammed his hand on the table, splashing the drinks out of the glasses and onto the surface.

Chen Fang silently watched KD. At this moment, it was better to say less.

"Looks like I really have to go!" KD realized. Relatively speaking, KD is actually a very smart person, but because he is too smart, some of his words and actions seem foolish.

In fact, if you look at his returns in the investment industry, you'll know that KD's business acumen is quite impressive.

However, he cares too much about what others think of him, which makes him often feel anxious and insecure.

"Let's talk about investments. I think that's something we have in common," Chen Fang changed the subject. He wouldn't be too blunt, because nobody's stupid.

At 2 a.m., KD left the bar drunk and, with the help of his bodyguards, broke through the reporters' encirclement.

Chen Fang, who walked out of the bar with composure, was surrounded by a group of people.

"We talked about some investment stuff. Yes, believe it or not, we didn't exchange a single word," Chen Fang replied with a smile.

"But Mr. Chen, according to the lip-reading expert's analysis, you said a lot of things that angered KD in the last minute. Is there any reason to believe that this was the trigger for the conflict between KD and Green?"

"Only simple-minded people would make such a straightforward association."

"If a few words can cause the core members of a dynasty to argue with each other, does that mean they look down on KD or the Warriors' team strength?" Chen Fang retorted without any politeness.

"I was a little drunk, sorry. I admire KD. In some ways, we are similar, so I invited him to come over and sit with me before the game was over."

"It was just a beautiful misunderstanding. Unfortunately, sometimes, stories are just that awful!"

After saying his last sentence, Chen Fang, guided by his bodyguards, got into the Cullinan and drove away.

He checked his phone and saw that many people had sent him messages.

Harden: First came a dozen or so smiley faces, then he said, "Well done, bro!"
McGrady: You'd better clear yourself of any wrongdoing. Just a reminder, this will provoke the Warriors' wrath.

Kobe: It wasn't a clever tactic, but it was effective. Don't use it again; it's very unethical. Don't do it again!
There were even more comments. Chen Fang smiled wryly. He didn't regret it, because even if he hadn't said anything, this would still have happened.

In his previous life, Curry was sidelined due to injury, and KD naturally assumed he was the primary offensive option. Now that Curry is healthy, if he wants to ignite this situation, he'll naturally have to use some tactics.

Okay, there will definitely be trouble, but I don't care.

I want the championship, it's that simple!
The next day when Chen Fang woke up, his first reaction was to turn on his computer and browse the news.

As he expected, eight out of ten news articles were about the conflict between Green and KD, and his name was the most prominent in every single one.

[Chen Fang, the Schemer]

【Strategist Chen Fang】

[Master of Eastern Strategy]

[The Giant Executioner]

[Chen Zi, the 18th generation descendant of Guiguzi!]

New nicknames for things like that have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Chen Fang's conversation with KD at the last minute was interpreted word for word, and three lip-reading experts vouched for it as their exact words.

[The fall of the Warriors dynasty was due to the blow from One Piece!] A neutral fan's tweet received thousands of likes and continues to grow.

The Warriors' subsequent actions further proved this point: KD refused to participate in daily training, called President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers, and told him that the incident had made him extremely frustrated and that he had lost the desire to continue playing for the team, requesting a trade.

The entire Warriors organization mobilized, with Curry taking Green to seek reconciliation with KD. Bob Myers, Kerr, and the two owners of the Golden State Warriors, Joe Lacob and Pete Guber, were also present.

This involved a full mobilization of all executives, owners, and core members of Golden State. KD accepted Green's apology, and the matter was temporarily put to rest.

But it's clear to everyone that KD's departure from the Warriors is imminent.

When Chen Fang returned to the Clippers training center, he experienced something completely different.

Whether it was his teammates or the staff, everyone looked at Chen Fang with a degree of fear.

Some things are best left uninterpreted. Chen Fang didn't actually plan anything, but after a night and a day of fermentation, now every NBA fan knows that Clippers star player Chen Wang is a schemer.

[The NBA's biggest villain has been born!] That's how one of the columnists described Chen Fang.

Upon arriving at the coaching staff's office, Rivers greeted Chen Fang.

"Three sentences to destroy a dynasty?"

When it was Chen Fang's turn to sigh, he wanted to explain, but the words caught in his throat, and he could only give an awkward chuckle.

"Nobody's talking about your game-winning shot right now, but you're in every single thing people say. Are you happy or not?"

Chen Fang was genuinely annoyed by Rivers's teasing and sighed again, "Coach, what can I say to make you happy now?"

"Haha! I'm so happy right now!" Rivers laughed. He was indeed very happy. The team won, and their main playoff opponent collapsed. He didn't care about any schemers or multiple rings. Next stop, he would be the queen of the league.

Mazura walked in, and Brian followed. Rivers' smile faded, and he beckoned to the two of them: "Come on, let's get down to business and review yesterday's gains and losses." "Joe, you go first!"

Mazura maintained his stern expression, organized his thoughts, and began, "We need to be careful. Although Chen Fang scored 43 points, it's clear that the Warriors' strategy of cutting him off is effective."

Chen Fang nodded. He had indeed felt it. Yesterday, the rest of the team didn't score much because he had a lot of possession of the ball.

High scores but low efficiency: that was the overall performance yesterday.

“The Warriors have adopted a completely new double-teaming strategy.” Mazura turned on the projector and played a video clip he had prepared on his computer the day before.

"Pay attention to this screen." Mazura paused the screen with the remote and began gesturing.

"The defenders are positioned to the side of Chen Fang, close to the middle, which is intended to block Chen Fang from going to the middle and force him to the sideline."

"The person sandwiching Chen Fang is in front of him, and their main role is to make Chen Fang lose possession of the ball."

"Here's the thing to watch out for: Green will be positioned between these two to intercept passes."

"Furthermore, the other two Warriors players will also try to disrupt our players' passing!"

Mazura solemnly stated, "This is a three-tiered high-pressure defense strategy, intended to contain Chen Fang."

"From receiving the ball, holding the ball, passing the ball, and attacking, there will be corresponding changes to form a targeted defense."

"It's just that the players aren't familiar enough with this lineup, and Chen Fang found a loophole. But I have reason to believe that it will soon become an iron curtain that truly locks Chen Fang down."

In the room, everyone's expression turned serious. Chen Fang thought it over carefully and believed Mazura's judgment.

“Therefore, we need to rebuild a new strategy to help Chen Fang break through!” Brian understood the theme of today’s meeting.

"Yes, maybe it won't be long before teams all over the league pick up this Iron Curtain defensive strategy to face our Clippers, just like they are against the Warriors now."

"What are your thoughts?" Rivers asked Chen Fang.

"My first thought was that I would need at least three people to help me." Chen Fang said without hesitation, then added, "A second support player, someone who can set screens!"

"The key issue is finding a high point to pass the ball!"

"Jaren did a good job. In the last game, he moved up to the ball, otherwise I would most likely have made a mistake on that ball!"

“Yes, it looks like we’ll be busy,” Rivers agreed.

With the head coach having spoken, all that was left was to get to work, and Chen Fang spent the entire afternoon participating.

As they were leaving, Mazura called out to Chen Fang.

The two tacitly found a quiet place.

"I've found myself taking on more and more work."

Chen Fang certainly didn't think Mazura was complaining. He recalled that Mazura had indeed been involved in many aspects of the work.

"Did Doug talk to you?" Chen Fang asked.

“Yes, he appreciates me, and Brian has given me a lot of help. I’m a little uneasy.” Mazura was confused. He was just a newly arrived teaching assistant, and his current situation made him feel both fulfilled and uneasy.

“You have the potential to be a head coach, which is a good thing. I have a tacit understanding with the head coach,” Chen Fang said, revealing the truth.

Mazura stared wide-eyed at Chen Fang in disbelief.

“Yes, I’m not kidding. Doug is leaving. He’ll leave after winning the championship, and then you’ll be the head coach.” Chen Fang’s words completely stunned Mazura.

"Can I?" Mazura was a little confused.

"It may not be enough now, but it definitely will be in the future. Let's keep going and grow together!" Chen Fang patted him on the shoulder reassuringly.

After they parted ways, Chen Fang went somewhere.

The old man called him, and he had no choice but to obey.

Half an hour later, Chen Fang sat awkwardly on the balcony overlooking the sea with the elementary school student who had done something wrong. Even though the glass blocked the biting sea wind, he still felt a chill.

Because Mr. West was sitting by the fireplace not far from him, and he hadn't uttered a sound for five or six minutes since he came in.

"Snap!" The match cracked with a dull thud, seemingly waking the dozing old man. The old man turned his wheelchair to face him. At home, he usually used a wheelchair, not because his legs were inconvenient, but because it was easier and safer. If he stumbled and fell, that would be terrible.

"Have you noticed something?"

"Yes."

"Talk about it."

"Actually, it's just a guess. I usually pay attention to information about various teams. I noticed that there were reports about KD's contract extension with the Warriors since the start of the season. After analyzing it carefully, I have some ideas."

"So, he deliberately provoked KD to feel that he was someone KD could do without?"

"Yes!" Chen Fang nodded honestly.

“Without you, this wouldn’t have happened,” West asserted, but then he added abruptly, “But this was bound to happen sooner or later.”

"Yes!" Chen Fang was truly convinced; after all, he was a master.

“Only by being upright and honest can you earn respect!” West sighed, then added, “Kobe talked to me about his concerns, and I reassured him that you wouldn’t go astray.”

Embarrassingly, Chen Fang hadn't expected Kobe's reaction to be so strong.

"I'm glad to see you get your revenge. You've been holding this in for over half a year. This is something a man should do."

"However, you don't need to stir up conflicts between other teams. That's a taboo. Many people have called me to express their great dissatisfaction with you, believing that you have overstepped your bounds."

"You don't need to ask who it is, and I won't tell you."

West was getting on in years, and speaking continuously took a toll on his energy. He paused for a moment before saying, "You're a player, not a reporter, not a columnist. This isn't your job."

"Yes." What could Chen Fang say? He had indeed been a bit presumptuous.

"Focus your energy on the field, find the weaknesses in your opponent's lineup, find the flaws in their technique, and find the moments when their willpower wavers. That's what you need to do."

"Jordan wouldn't do such a thing, Kobe wouldn't, and even LeBron wouldn't!"

That was really harsh, Chen Fang lowered his head.

"This time, I will handle it, but if you appear again next time, you will only become the biggest villain in the NBA. This path will not lead to the highest hall."

"Play basketball seriously, and be a good person!"

Chen Fang silently stood up, bowed deeply to West, and after leaving the manor, he drove slowly alone on the road.

A person's values ​​are more or less corrected by the people they respect on the road to success.

Chen Fang said this to himself.

Play your game seriously, and be a good person!
(End of this chapter)