Chapter 32: The Most Annoying Supporting Character

The Nets' home arena, the Continental Airlines Arena, is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a not-insignificant distance from the New York City centre. On the way there, Taylor Swift played her new song for Selena.

From the way Selena couldn't help but bob her head, it was clear this would be another song to dominate the Billboard charts.

Meanwhile, Fan Xi was actively warming up inside the Continental Airlines Arena.

The super agility ability from Iverson made his movements in tight spaces even more lethal, and most importantly... it increased his shooting ability.

Physical fitness and technique complement each other.

As Fan Xi's agility improved rapidly, he benefited not only in lateral movement during defense and sudden changes of direction during drives, but also in his control for stop-and-go jump shots.

Fan Xi's previous off-ball shooting ability was very precise because it came from Reggie Miller.

Now, having gained Iverson's agility and the previously acquired explosive talent of Shawn Kemp, the two interacted, and Fan Xi's shooting in motion while holding the ball also began to show lethality.

Fan Xi was overjoyed.

It was equivalent to a double blessing.

However, Lamar Odom was worried.

Odom was a veteran on the Lakers, and his relationship with Fan Xi was the closest.

He was now certain that Fan Xi would face internal and external troubles in tonight's game.

In any society, even in a circle like the NBA where millionaires and billionaires are everywhere, it is inevitable to have a group mentality of "hating others for having what one lacks."

When Fan Xi first started making a name for himself, many players were happy because there was one more helper.

However, when Fan Xi suddenly leaped over their heads and actually received an eight-figure annual salary, most people were unhappy.

The salary ranking of the Lakers this season is as follows.

Ranked first is Kobe Bryant, with an annual salary of 24.81 million USD, which is also the highest salary in the League.

However, no one had any objections to his salary. Because he earned it entirely through his own strength, as a marquee superstar of the League, everyone only submitted, no one was unconvinced.

Pau Gasol ranked second with 17.82 million USD, and there was no objection to this either. Gasol was a leader at the Grizzlies before, and after coming to the Lakers to be the second-in-command, he worked diligently and made many great contributions.

Ranked third is Lamar Odom, who has an annual salary of 13.7 million USD. His strength has also been verified by the playoffs, and he is a recognized potential superstar and the future interior barrier of the Lakers. So, everyone had no complaints about his salary either.

Originally, Lamar Odom was ranked fourth, and his annual salary this season is 8.4 million USD. For so many years, Odom has been in the realm above elite players and below All-Stars, and he has even won the Best Sixth Man award. It is appropriate for him to take this annual salary.

But, on what grounds does Fan Xi get it?

His current annual salary has shot directly to 11.5 million USD, and he has only played three games, and was an undrafted player before.

What do you make Ron Artest think, who has been in the League for half his life and saved the team with a three-pointer in the Finals? He only has an annual salary of 6.3 million.

And Luke Walton, who joined the Lakers in his rookie season and worked hard to build his seniority, only has an annual salary of 5.26 million. Fisher has 3.7 million, Steve Blake has 4 million, Shannon Brown has 2.2 million, Matt Barnes only gets the minimum salary of 1.77 million, and there is Joe Smith who is even lower...

Thinking about it this way, it's no wonder they have emotions and sour feelings in their hearts.

Fan Xi has always been calm. Even though on the bus, Luke Walton said to him sourly: "Hurry, hurry, our eight-figure annual salary perimeter core, please take your seat in the front row."

Fan Xi just smiled it off.

He took psychology in college, and he knew what would happen after a catfish was thrown into a pile of sardines.

They both need a process of adaptation.

When they recognize his strength, they naturally won't be so sour, and naturally, they will be convinced.

There has never been a born powerhouse; who didn't fight for their own world?

As strong as Kobe, when he first entered the League, he was just a bench boy being shouted around.

His own situation is naturally much better than Kobe's back then.

Therefore, when Fan Xi faced Lamar Odom's reminder, he appeared very relaxed: "Don't worry, Lamar, I will definitely show great power tonight."

"Alright, Jack. But I think you should go talk to Matt Barnes; he also feels a bit unfair. You are friends, different from other teammates."

Odom said this, and then told Fan Xi other news: "Jenna will also come to watch the game tonight. And my wife, and all their sisters. Tonight is the civil war of the Kardashian family, hahahaha."

Lamar Odom automatically classified Fan Xi as a man of the Kardashian family.

Fan Xi felt a headache because of this.

Although Jenna is really beautiful, and it is very comfortable to be with her, and there will be an electric feeling when their bodies touch... but, she is still so young, isn't she?

Thinking of Jenna, Fan Xi couldn't help but think of the female celebrity named Selena, her lips were really soft.

Fan Xi would blush slightly when thinking of the madness that night.

A man can never forget the woman who took his first time, even if they were just passing acquaintances.

And based on a man's self-esteem, it's not good to let others take responsibility.

However, Selena said she wanted to pursue him.

Fan Xi's thoughts wandered for a while.

Soon he adjusted himself, and then he went to find Matt Barnes.

Just as Odom said, Barnes is his good friend, and he doesn't want his good friend to have a knot in his heart about him. He is different from other teammates; other teammates are fine however they are, but Barnes is not.

Barnes showed a smile when he saw Fan Xi walking over to talk to him alone.

He is not a pretentious person.

"I just think fate is strange." Barnes frowned: "Could it be that I really miss the opportunity to make money every time? I have never received a big contract in my life. In fact, there were a few times I could have received the full mid-level exception..."

Barnes spread his palms in frustration: "I don't have an opinion on you, Jack."

Fan Xi nodded.

He didn't know what to say either. He was silent for a long while, and he said to Barnes: "My parents told me before, they said people's financial luck is very strange. Sometimes you chase it, but it won't come. When you are unprepared, it will come quietly, rushing towards you, and you can't stop it."

"Maybe your financial luck hasn't come yet."

Fan Xi said to Barnes.

Barnes smiled. "My grandmother also told me, she said if you see someone who is always lucky, you should make friends with him, and whatever he does, you follow."

"So, Jack. What will you do after you get your salary?" Barnes asked Fan Xi.

Fan Xi took out the latest Apple phone from his pocket. He said: "I will use all the money to buy the company's stock. Keep it in my hand for at least ten years. I always feel that this phone can subvert the world."

Barnes looked at Fan Xi, and then at the Apple phone Fan Xi just took out.

He was originally not interested in digital products, but seeing Fan Xi so determined. He immediately took out his Nokia phone and called his financial advisor: "Move all the cash under my name to buy Apple stock."

"No, move all the money I have in the stock market to Apple stock as well."

Barnes trusts Fan Xi very much.

It is the end of January 2011, and Apple's stock price is only 32 USD.

Fan Xi is also holding a heavy position.

While Fan Xi and Barnes were chatting, Humphries was also talking to his boss Harris.

Humphries hoped Harris could show mercy, he said: "He is the little brother of the Kardashian family, and very likely to become my brother-in-law, I hope you can give him a break for my sake."

However, Humphries obviously overestimated his face.

Harris didn't even look at him, but said to him arrogantly: "Don't dream, Humphries. I will definitely beat your little brother to death tonight. Do you know how many players in the League hope I beat him up? Do you know how many emails from star players are in my mailbox?"

"Compared to them, your request is too insignificant."

Harris didn't take Humphries seriously at all.

He walked out of the locker room and accepted the pre-game interview from TNT. This interview will be quickly broadcast on the TNT channel before the live broadcast starts, used for the station's preview, attracting viewers to sit in front of the TV and wait for the live broadcast to start.

"I don't have any other thoughts, I just want to beat that guy who is fishing for fame and compliments directly, ball by ball by ball!"

"I will make him show his painful back molars."

"How does he deserve an eight-figure annual salary?"

"Just an undrafted player!"

"When I get on the court, you will know what a real superstar is, what a garbage contract is."

"I'm not targeting him, I just look down on him, despise him, and trample on him!!"

Devin Harris stood in front of the camera, putting his harsh words to the extreme, word by word.

And, it could be seen from his expression that he was not acting at all, he really hated Fan Xi to the core.

The ratings will definitely explode.

When this interview was sent back to the anchor room and quickly edited and played on the TV station.

All the guests formed this consensus.

Tonight's commentary combination is TNT's ace ratings guarantee, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, who has "deep grievances" with Fan Xi.

Sure enough, less than 10 minutes after this interview was broadcast, the backstage director reminded everyone that the ratings were rising in a straight line.

For ordinary American viewers, they were looking forward to this game too much.

Especially after Devin Harris released harsh words on TV like an ugly villain.

Everyone's psychological expectation is that Fan Xi, who has always been the embodiment of miracles, urgently needs to perform a miracle and defeat this arrogant guy severely.

Only those basketball experts think Fan Xi is in bad luck, because Fan Xi is facing not only Devin Harris, but also the entire basketball system. Fan Xi's big contract makes the vast majority of basketball players feel unhappy, and they try their best to help Harris analyze Fan Xi.

So, Fan Xi himself has loopholes.

He will definitely die miserably.

Charles Barkley said to Kenny Smith before the live broadcast started: "I guarantee, he will be targeted by Harris to the end today!"

"Why do I suddenly have some confidence in him? Charles, if Jack gets 20 points tonight, do you want to bet something with me?"

Kenny Smith suddenly proposed a bet to Barkley.

"If Jack gets 20 points tonight, and the score is higher than Harris. I am willing to wash your pants for a month, if he doesn't do it, you wash mine for a month." Barkley said "viciously".

Kenny Smith hesitated for a long time, then steeled his heart: "Okay, I'll bet with you."

The two high-fived to form an alliance, and the agreement took effect.

Fan Xi didn't know so many things were happening outside, he had been training on the court until the fans gradually entered, and then he walked back to the locker room.

The internal structure of the Continental Airlines Arena is a bit chaotic, and without the guidance of the staff, he seemed to have walked the wrong way.

At the same time, another person with no sense of direction also walked the wrong way.

After Taylor Swift parked her car in the underground garage, as big stars, they could enter through the player tunnel. Selena, in order to see the man she was thinking about earlier, left without loyalty.

Taylor took a long time to park, and when she walked in, she found she was lost. She shuttled inside the huge arena.

Walking around, she was anxious.

She kept calling Selena, but found that her phone was also turned off... She had been using her phone to play demos for Selena along the way.

Damn it.

Desperate Taylor was even about to cry.

Until she suddenly saw that familiar, shy, handsome, and unique boy in her mind at the corner... Jack.

Fan Xi also saw her at a glance.

Two lost lambs grabbed a straw of life at the same time.

"Hey, Jack, see you again."

Taylor Swift said ecstatically, and then she ran over quickly. When she was about to run to Fan Xi, she suddenly stepped on the slippery water... and lunged forward violently.

Fan Xi hurriedly took a step forward, and he hugged Taylor Swift.

Taylor's forward momentum was too strong.

His center of gravity became unstable.

Thump!

He tried his best to fall backward when he lost his center of gravity, letting Taylor Swift lunge onto him.

This is his gentlemanly demeanor.

However, when Taylor lunged onto Fan Xi, her whole heart started thumping.

Before, this little pop diva always thought the encounters between the male and female protagonists in campus romance dramas were too fake.

But now, the sound of her heart pounding like a little deer told her clearly: as long as things happen to you, you know how sweet it is.

Taylor couldn't help but feel shy, she even half-pushed and half-accepted, resting her head on Fan Xi's broad and hard chest muscles... Thump thump thump thump!

She clearly heard Fan Xi's heart also beating wildly.

And, with her slight "struggle" on Fan Xi's body.

She felt her lower abdomen being supported by a powerful force.

The support area and scale were both amazing...

"Hey, do you need help?"

An untimely voice sounded in her ear.

Taylor, who had maintained this posture for more than ten seconds, finally climbed up embarrassedly, and she said politely to the staff member: No, thank you.

She maintained politeness.

But inside she was shouting: When you should appear, you don't appear, when you shouldn't appear, you just have to appear.

Do you know that the most annoying thing in romance movies is those noisy supporting characters.

...... ===== CHAPTER 33 =====