Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 371 King of the World
Authorized reporters excitedly flooded into the away game's locker room, frantically pressing the shutter to capture news material.

At this moment, the place had descended into madness. Players and coaches were hugging, jumping, and shouting amidst the spraying of champagne.

After a season and seven months of hard work, the dream has finally come true, and the joy that bursts forth is unparalleled.

Each one was thoroughly drenched, the trophies were passed around in their hands, and people took photos and group pictures.

The person who took the most photos was Chen Fang. He was sitting in his seat with his left foot exposed, wrapped in ice, and placed on a stool with it raised high to ensure that blood flowed backward and to avoid aggravating the bruising.

This resulted in him leaning casually against the chair. This is basic medical knowledge, but in the photo, it makes him look incredibly sophisticated, like a mafia boss.

Taking advantage of his familiarity with Chen Fang, a reporter seized the opportunity during a break in the group photo to hand him a microphone for an interview.

No small talk, straight to the point.

"Chen Wang, can you tell the fans that before that final three-pointer from the corner, did you even consider a game-winning shot?"

Chen Fang raised his eyebrows and laughed heartily: "This is my mission, what I have to do."

"Dragging your injured leg, you did something great during that adventure. Please tell me, what were you thinking at that moment?"

Without hesitation, Chen Fang said, "When I saw the result of my destiny, my tense nerves completely relaxed, and I told myself that I had no regrets."

"Thank you!" The reporter wasn't greedy; he had already obtained enough material.

The celebrations in the locker room continued. Each player came to Chen Wang, carefully bypassed his left leg, came to his right, and then bent down to kiss Chen Fang's cheek, wanting to express their congratulations and gratitude to him at this moment. This scene was very similar to the scene in the movie Godfather where the subjects went to pay homage to the Godfather, Don Corleone.

King Chen responded with a generous smile and concise words.

Just by focusing on filming Chen Wang, the resulting material could ignite the entire social media circle.

But no one criticized Chen Wang for putting on airs; it was something that happened naturally, and no one thought there was a problem with it.

At his feet rested the gleaming FMVP trophy. This was the fastest vote in history; the winner was decided almost the instant the final whistle blew.

Dillon, holding the championship trophy, came to Chen Fang.

“I got it back, now it’s your turn to show off.” Reeking of champagne, Dillon seemed drunk, laughing heartily with his mouth wide open.

The championship trophy can be shared by everyone on the team, but the rule is that the last person to receive it must be the core leader. He will hold the trophy, and the team's dedicated cameraman will take a picture to capture that moment.

"Okay!" Chen Fang wasn't clear on the process, but that didn't stop him from accepting it.

The photographer took a few shots, then checked the exposure and looked for the best angle. He tried a few more shots, but still felt he had found the right feel, so he said, "Something's missing."

"What's missing?" Chen Fang wondered.

At that moment, Rivers coughed. He had just changed his clothes and returned, having gone specifically to get something.

“This is missing!” Rivers waved the long box in his hand.

Approaching Chen Fang, he opened the box, and Chen Fang suddenly realized, "That's right, this is what's missing!"

Victory Cigars!

The team that wins the NBA Finals always lights a cigar after the game; this cigar is called the Victory Cigar. The tradition of the Victory Cigar comes from the Cardinal.

Cigars are a must every year, it's just that each champion team chooses different ones.

Jordan chose a double crown from his friend, James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the championship with YaxelYO, an American brand, and when the Boston Celtics won the championship, Garnett smoked Cohiba cigars.

So Chen Fang asked, "What brand is this?"

"El Rey Del Mundo, which translates to "King of the World," is Cuba's finest cigar.

“I like this name. The name is very auspicious and good!” Chen Fang said with a beaming smile.

Seeing Chen Fang's delight, Rivers recounted the flavors with great familiarity: "Its taste is mainly floral and toasty, with notes of honey and nuts, but primarily roasted, requiring careful tasting. It's also slightly sweet, making it an exceptionally delicious flavor."

"This is a series called 'King's Choice,' which has a bitter taste followed by a rich sweetness."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fang couldn't help but chime in, "They really know how to pick!"

"Of course, I've been saving for 11 years since winning the championship in 08!" Rivers' words revealed his waiting.

"Can you inhale it?" Rivers asked after regaining his composure.

“I can learn!” Chen Fang was a country bumpkin in his previous life, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know how to smoke a cigar.

He calmly took the whole box, glanced at it, took out one, and handed the box to Dillon, who was eyeing it longingly, saying, "Share this with the brothers."

"Great!" Dillon was delighted and excitedly began distributing the items.

Finally, even the cameraman got one; luckily, Rivers was well-prepared and brought two boxes.

Amidst the billowing smoke, the locker room was shrouded in mist. Chen Fang held the MVP trophy in his left hand and the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his right, with the "King of the World" bottle dangling from his mouth. The sweet and bitter flavors created a strong sense of intoxication, causing Chen Fang, who was leaning back in his chair, to raise an eyebrow and squint.

The photographer captured this moment perfectly, freezing this eternal instant.

As a result, it appeared in the media countless times, becoming Chen Fang's signature poster.

The term "Chen Huang's Ascension to the Throne" is used by later generations to commemorate this championship night.

At the same time, the losing Raptors also had to deal with another heartbreaking event: attending the post-game press conference.

Toronto reporters confronted Nurse, questioning why the team lost in overtime despite Chen's injury. Nurse remained silent for several seconds before finally replying with difficulty: "I underestimated Chen's willpower and ability after the injury. I'm sorry, I want to apologize to all the fans who love the Raptors and support the Raptors."

"All the responsibility rests on my shoulders. This is a lesson I will remember for the rest of my coaching career."

Although Raptors head coach Nick Nurse took all the blame for the defeat, disappointed reporters did not stop there and instead pointed the finger at Kawhi Leonard.

"Despite your impressive stat line of 39 points, 7 assists, 12 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in this game, you scored zero points in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and again in overtime. Can you tell us why this happened?"

The incredibly pointed question made Leonard even more somber, his eyes dimming as he stared blankly into space, unable to focus.

"I played a terrible game when the team needed me. The team put me in charge of the game, but I failed. I did a terribly." Leonard finally spoke, his voice hoarse and trembling. Those who knew Leonard were surprised, because this was indeed the first time they had seen the robot lose his composure.

"This series has given me an indelible wake-up call. I know I'm not good enough yet. I won't waste a single second this offseason. One day, I will be back." Leonard then made a rare vow. It's rare for someone as introverted and silent as him to express his emotions like this. It seems that he was really hurt by Chen Wang.

The Raptors' press conference ended abruptly, but the reporters didn't leave; they were all waiting for the victor.

The newly appointed FMVP needs to be interviewed.

The reporter had so much to say to Chen Wang: playing with an injury, tying the score, and scoring all of the Clippers' points in overtime. In this game, Chen Wang had 50 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

Most of the data may seem thin, but those who know basketball know that in the finals, especially at match point, scoring is more important than anything else; high scores are everything.

Throughout the series, Chen Wang averaged 33.5 points per game, standing out from the crowd.

G1-18分，G2-19分，G3-65分，G4-27分，G5-22分，G6-50分。

As we can see, after failing to score 20 points twice in a row, Chen Fang quickly made adjustments and put up super stats, especially in G3 and G6, where he broke the scoring record in the finals.

Even in Games 4 and 5, although his score wasn't as high as Leonard's, every point he scored came at the most crucial moments. This Finals MVP award is undisputed.

In Games 3 and 6, Chen Wang's scores accounted for half of the team's total points. This exaggerated proportion is unprecedented.

You can't even find comparable star players to refer to. The best one is actually Leonard. If it weren't for Chen Wang, his stats would be amazing. It's a pity that both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang existed. In this battle between the dragon and the tiger, Chen Wang finally had the last laugh.

But who will lament?

Which reporter here isn't a complete novice? In Game 4, he was spitting blood, and in Game 6, he scored 8 points with one leg to turn the tide. Who else can do that?
More importantly, when Chen Wang was injured, he insisted on playing despite limping. This decision and the result were so similar to that of a single person!
Willis Reed's "Return of the King" in the 1970 Grand Finals.

1970年总决赛尼克斯与湖人杀到抢七，里德因大腿肌肉撕裂缺席了G6，被张伯伦轰下45+25扳成3-3，尼克斯全队士气跌到冰点。

Before the start of Game 7, Reed limped out of the player tunnel, causing the entire arena to erupt. He endured the pain to jump for the ball and made his first two shots. Although he only played for a few minutes, he mentally "locked out" Chamberlain (who only scored 12 points in the entire game).

Ultimately, the Knicks won the championship 113-99, securing their first title in franchise history.

Reed's moment was repeatedly shown by the NBA, becoming the origin of the memory that "the Finals MVP trophy is modeled after him".

Although the award was officially renamed the "Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award" on February 14, 2009, during the NBA All-Star Weekend, by then-NBA Commissioner David Stern, in recognition of Russell's outstanding contributions to the sport of basketball.

But the fact that Willis Reed was the original recipient of this award cannot be erased.

Although the Finals MVP award was first presented in 1969, the first winner was Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West, who is the only player in history to be named FMVP as the "loser".

However, in terms of biographical order, Willis Reed is the first player in NBA history to receive this honor as a winner.

Now, Chen Fang has won the Finals MVP trophy for scoring all of the team's points in overtime and winning the game-winning shot against the Raptors with one leg. Isn't this a legacy?
Everything is preordained.

Both Chinese journalists and Americans firmly believe in this judgment.

Furthermore, there are countless amazing coincidences involved.

Chen Wang was West's firm choice for the rookie, and at that time West was also a senior advisor to the Clippers.

Both the Clippers and the Knicks won their first championships in franchise history. In 1970, the Clippers' predecessor, the Buffalo Warriors, was established, and this team is the predecessor of the current Golden State Warriors.

The Clippers eliminated the Warriors and entered the Finals, just like the Buffalo Warriors moved to San Diego, changed their name to the San Diego Clippers, and eventually moved to Los Angeles, becoming the current Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers' first championship came in overtime, a historic moment in NBA history. Furthermore, the fact that a championship was decided by a game-winning shot is a unique occurrence, happening only twice in NBA history.

The first time was in 1969, when Celtics forward Don Nelson received the ball near the free-throw line and made a jump shot, bringing the score to 108-106 and sealing the game, winning the Celtics their 11th championship in franchise history. It is also the only true "game-winning shot" in NBA history.

The second one is more familiar to fans; it was in 1998, also in Game 6.

With 5.2 seconds left in the game, Jordan faked out Russell and hit the "shot of the century," giving the Bulls an 87-86 lead. The Jazz did not call a timeout, and their inbound pass failed to go in, allowing the clock to expire and secure the championship.

Now, Chen Fang has gloriously become the third person in history to win the championship with a game-winning shot.

There are also some noteworthy points. Both teams are led by a single star player and have both gone through a decisive Game 7, eliminating the strongest teams of the season, the Warriors and the 76ers, respectively.

Moreover, before Leonard joined the Raptors, Siakam, Gasol, and VanVleet were all unknown players.

When Chen Wang arrived in front of the Clippers, Zubac, Richon, and Dillon were also unknown to anyone.

But under their guidance, these players have earned their market value and gained recognition.

Dillon's arrogance, Siakam's all-around game, VanVleet's explosiveness, Richeon's help defense, and so on—you'll find that the talent of this group of players is one of the most needed pieces in a championship puzzle.

In short, things are always more mysterious the more you think about them, and there are so many things worth discussing about this final.

This finals, with its many coincidences, dramatic plot twists, and historic events, made the 2018-19 season championship a legendary classic.

Just as the reporters were lost in their own speculations, Chen Fang and Rivers walked into the press conference.

His appearance immediately ignited the entire hall, with countless flashes and a continuous barrage of camera clicks.

After sitting down, Chen Fang looked at the sea of ​​heads below the stage and said, "What do you want to ask? Sorry, I have to go to the hospital."

Upon hearing this, the reporter realized that the newly crowned FMVP was still injured.

The first to ask a question was an ESPN reporter, who went straight to the question he most wanted answered: "Can you tell us why you insisted on playing through injury?"

"Excellent question!" Chen Fang praised first, then said, "I know my body well. The chance to win the championship is in these last three minutes. Even if my injury lasts for three days, I still won't be able to play."

"So I have to go on the field and fight for that last glimmer of hope."

Next up was TNT. Perhaps Chen Fang's response was too enticing, because the reporter abandoned their own question and followed up on the previous one: "How are you so sure you'll win if you take the risk and go on stage? What's your reasoning?"

"There's no reason, I just can't swallow this feeling." Chen Fang was relaxed, and he continued, "There's a Chinese idiom, 'all previous efforts are wasted.' It roughly means that if you give up on something you've worked hard for a long time, it means that all your previous efforts have been wasted."

“I don’t want to have given in vain; I must leave no regrets. I bear the weight of the hard work and dedication of the entire team of over a hundred people throughout the season. I know very well that only I can do it, so no matter what, I will not give up.”

Next up was an official league reporter, who came with an official question: "First of all, congratulations on becoming the second youngest Finals MVP in NBA history. I'd like to know how you feel right now."

"To be honest, I understand why so many outstanding players relentlessly pursue championships. The sense of accomplishment is intoxicating. I think I will never forget today, and I believe I will continue to work hard and strive for the next championship."

The reporter nodded in satisfaction; Chen Wang's answer was very comprehensive.

Next, Chen Fang randomly selected someone to ask a question, and he chose Duan Ran as his first choice.

"Congratulations, Prince Chen," Duan Ran greeted him directly in Chinese.

"Thank you, Brother Duan. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"Actually, several colleagues have already asked me this question. Now I'd like to ask you, do you have anything to say to the fans in China?"

Chen Fang pondered for a moment, then replied in Chinese as well: "I want to tell the fans in China not to get too excited, there's more fun to come."

"Thank you!" Duan Ran recognized the voice and sat down happily.

No special treatment was allowed, so Chen Fang started asking random questions, ranging from injuries to relationships. He answered what he could and refused what he couldn't. He was busy for half an hour when the team's chief doctor, Enross, gestured from the corner before the press conference finally came to an end.

The whole team waited at the hotel. Chen Fang went straight to the airport. After a brief assessment, his left ankle was given cold treatment.

Everything can only proceed once we return to Los Angeles.

The champion's parade and celebrations can only begin after Chen Fang's injury is diagnosed.

At 3 a.m. that night, the entire Los Angeles Clippers team landed safely, while Chen Fang was taken to the hospital by special car. After saying goodbye to his teammates, Chen Fang asked Ilya to take good care of his belongings. Now he needed to face the problems ahead.

The severity of my injury remains unknown.

This relates to the next goal. Although domestic reporters refrained from asking at the previous press conference, it doesn't mean they didn't want to. It's just that social etiquette prevented them from asking unpleasant questions in a celebratory setting.

Wu Zi had already met him at the airport. The moment she saw him, she rushed over and hugged him.

"Honey, I'm sorry for making you worry again." Chen Fang felt guilty and ashamed.

"You know that, yet you still do this... sigh...!" Wu Zi sometimes felt so frustrated that her liver ached. This was Chen Fang's career, which she understood, but sometimes she felt that he cared too much about basketball and completely ignored her feelings.

Wu Zi was somewhat mentally drained, unable to say many things, and no matter how she thought about it, it didn't seem right.

Fortunately, Chen Fang is always the one who bows his head and admits his mistakes. If Wu Zi had a different personality, she would have been even less able to hold back.

After working until five o'clock, accompanied by Wu Zi and Lawrence, Chen Fang heard the attending physician's diagnosis.

"Fortunately, it's just a sprain; no fracture was found. No ligament damage was found, but there is a slight separation of the tibia and fibula." The attending physician's first sentence caused Chen Fang's pupils to dilate.

"Tibial-fibular separation, mild, including scar tissue and fine bone spurs in your ankle joint." The attending physician continued calmly and easily, "There are currently two treatment options: immediate surgery or conservative treatment."

"Sir, I would like to know the recovery time for both of them?" Chen Fang suppressed his worries, gently patted Wu Zhen's hand that was gripping his tightly, and asked.

"With conservative treatment, it will take 4 weeks to walk."

"What about exercise?" Chen Fang asked helplessly.

The attending physician glanced at Lawrence, who spread his hands and said, "Just state the facts. There's no need to hide anything. Prince Chen also has his own medical team."

After receiving the answer, the doctor said, "A conservative estimate is 16 weeks, but it always depends on the individual's recovery progress. As far as I know, the fastest it can take is 12 weeks."

"What if we need surgery?" Chen Fang continued to ask.

"Depending on the success rate, it usually takes 8-10 weeks."

"Huh, this is faster?" Chen Fang exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, but it will leave a scar," the attending physician warned.

"Thank you." Chen Fang smiled and nodded in gratitude.

“I need to remind you that this is your second sprain in such a short time. If you don’t take it seriously, you may develop angina.” The attending physician took out a business card: “I recommend Dr. Ferkel to you. He is one of the top ankle surgeons in California. Curry’s ankle was treated and healed by him.”

"He has also performed surgery on many athletes. If you want to recover as quickly as possible, I recommend you go to the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute. The doctor is there."

"Curry only took 49 days from surgery to recovery, but I don't know the specifics."

"Thank you again, I think I know how to make a decision now."

After the doctor left, Chen Fang asked Wu Zi to go outside, leaving only him and Lawrence in the room.

"You've made up your mind?" Lawrence sighed.

“The scars don’t matter; I need to recover as soon as possible,” Chen Fang said.

"I understand. You're in charge of everything. Don't worry, I'll take care of the arrangements. It's almost dawn, you need to rest." Lawrence naturally understood what Chen Fang was going to do this summer. No matter when or what his status was, serving the country was an important matter that he couldn't refuse.

Even though doing so would lead to many unimaginable accidents, Lawrence, as the team representative, did not object.

Having dealt with Chen Fang for so long, Lawrence knew very well how to get along harmoniously.

"Thank you, I am indeed very sleepy."

After Lawrence left, Wu Zi came in.

"Do we need to operate?" Wu Zi asked anxiously.

"It's a minor surgery, I'll be fine in two months!" Chen Fang grinned and opened his arms for a hug.

But Wu Zi didn't come over. Instead, she sighed and said, "If you weren't injured, I wouldn't object at all. Now, don't you want to think about it anymore?"

"I don't want to, and there's nothing to think about. Don't worry, honey, I'm not someone in power, and I'm not Liu Xiang."

"I will act according to my recovery progress and will not become a sacrifice for others to gain political achievements. I am not that stupid, nor am I a nobody to be manipulated." Chen Fang sneered a few times.

Chen Fang wasn't afraid of the troubles his predecessors had gone through. If anyone didn't know what was good for them, he wouldn't hesitate to flip the table and let these blind vampires know what the benefits of being a transmigrator were.

Hearing Chen Fang say this, Wu Zi finally felt relieved. She ran a few steps, hugged Chen Fang, and held on for a long time.

"Let's get some rest. I bet things are in complete chaos back home," Chen Fang said with a smile.

He looked out the window, but his heart had already flown to the early autumn of September.

I hope everything goes smoothly.

(End of this chapter)