Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Chapter 886 886 543 Skye Will Definitely Not Love

?Chapter 886: Chapter 543 Skye Will Definitely Not Love Again Chapter 886: Chapter 543 Skye Will Definitely Not Love Again On Media Day for the Supersonics, player statements during interviews became fodder for the media.

The media believed that within these, there certainly hid a dissatisfaction that could destabilize the Supersonics’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive championship.

Chris Bosh’s comments were the easiest to misinterpret.

Because Bosh claimed that his long-term sacrifices were an unhealthy state and, moreover, he was vague about the future.

Strangely, when on-site reporters interviewed Supersonics owner Clay Bennett, they equally failed to get a straight answer from the controversial tycoon.

Reporters asked Bennett whether the team would renew Bosh’s contract.

Bennett replied, “Everything is in the plan.”

Everything? Including Bosh’s renewal?

Bennett laughed, “Let time answer that.”

Without a clear answer, it was of course cause for speculation.

Latterly, another reporter mentioned the Supersonics’ total salary was at the top of the league, on top of the triggered super luxury tax; a huge expense. How did the team view this matter?

Bennett saw this as an opportunity to gain popularity.

“Money is endless,” Bennett who had strongly opposed sharing profits to subsidize small-market teams during the Labor Union period suddenly considered wealth to be like dirt. “I can make money every year, but the chance for a four-peat may only come once. For that goal, I’m willing to pay any price.”

This was true.

Bennett indeed planned to use his wealth to create the opportunity for a four-peat for Yu Fei.

But this attempt was like those well-conditioned girls who, seeking to make quick money, would retire after only making one film in Japan’s dark industry; Bennett was willing to pay such a price for only one season.

He believed that Yu Fei would understand him.

That day, the 2010-2011 Supersonics team shot a group photo at the Furtado Center.

Afterward, training camp continued.

Yu Fei gradually got back in form, starting to exhibit dominance in the training matches.

However, Durant seemed to be able to match Yu Fei’s strength.

He maintained a 30-70 stance in their matchups.

Considering one was 23 and the other not yet 29, looking long-term, Yu Fei would quickly reach his peak and then start to decline, while Durant’s rise was just beginning.

Yet, compared to the development curve of an average athlete, superstars often can maintain their peaks for a longer period.

Moreover, Yu Fei was not the type to shorten his prime through indulgences.

People in Durant’s camp hoped the two’s statuses could gradually switch after Yu Fei turned 30, but now, that day still seemed far off.

Durant wasn’t arrogant; he didn’t delude himself into thinking he could pass the torch within a few years.

What he needed to do was to solidify his position as the team’s second man.

The first on the firing line was Roy.

Since the two didn’t match up much in training games, Durant’s competitive intentions weren’t that obvious.

However, once the official games began, Durant’s ambition became known to all.

In early October, after training camp ended, the Supersonics went to Las Vegas to play preseason games against the Miami Heat, Trail Blazers, and Bobcats.

The preseason game against the Miami Heat was one of the more noticed among many overlooked preseason games.

After all, the Miami Heat was one of the big winners of the offseason.

Both teams started with a star-studded line-up.

For the Supersonics, the elite were all there, Yu Fei, Roy, Hill, Durant, Bosh.

On the Miami Heat side were Wade, Curry, Ariza, Love, and Yao Ming.

The over-a-year lockout changed many people.

Some, out of lack of discipline, grew out of shape and rusty in their skills.

But some reaped unexpected benefits during the lockout.

Wade and Curry were typical examples.

In a previous life, having lost the 2011 Finals, Wade, deeply feeling that someone in the team would lose motivation if not winning a championship as the lead, voluntarily stepped back, chose to gain weight, played more off-ball facing the opponent’s spearhead, shifting from the main to a secondary attack, and the team decisively returned to a normal state. But just as Bosh said, sacrifice is difficult. It indeed brought Wade two championships, but it also led to his injuries from 2012 onwards, with his condition declining year after year.

Now, still the team’s undisputed starter, he shared ball-handling duties with Curry and didn’t need to practice off-ball, as Curry himself possessed historic off-ball capabilities. And he didn’t have to defend the opponent’s spearhead; that was what Ariza was for. Add to that a year’s lockout; even if there were any injuries, they were now mostly healed.

Wade, 11 months older than Yu Fei and now 29, was in an absolute peak condition.

Then there was Curry.

Before the lockout, Curry had just finished his rookie season, averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and was extremely impressive. However, like other guards who liked to play with tempo, he faced serious injury risks to his ankles.

Curry’s ankles were injured several times during his rookie season.

At the beginning of the league lockout, Yu Fei was organizing a team to play in China, and Curry was invited but didn’t participate because he had to undergo ankle surgery. Once recovered from the surgery, he joined an accelerated training camp, where the Trainer taught him an effective way to lessen the burden on his ankles – to power through using his butt instead of his ankles.

A full year of specialized training enabled Curry to abandon his old power mechanics; he remade his technique and his game.

Even in the preseason games, Yu Fei could distinctly recognize the budding sensation of Curry’s skyrocketing ability.