Chapter 513

Nothing unexpected happened.

Jason Kidd's post-game press conference remarks were exactly the same as Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's prediction, and he even praised the Knicks' fast break. "Jieke Fan and Steve Nash's mastery of fast breaks is historic; they will stir up an Eastern storm this season."

As for being asked why they lost by 24 points, he raised his eyebrows and said, "I would call it a small problem on the road ahead. It's better for problems to appear early than late? Moreover, the preseason is precisely for us to find problems."

Saying this, Jason Kidd confidently spread his arms, resembling a speaker who controls the entire arena.

Indeed, no one would bother to dwell on the Nets' preseason loss.

Although their boss had said many arrogant things before the game, as long as he kept quiet and pretended nothing happened, naturally no one would pursue him.

At least Fan Xi had no time to dwell on or pursue it.

Currently, the Knicks also lack a figure like Arenas.

Of course, more importantly, Fan Xi, after the game, scrolled through news and saw a sensational story: the famous entertainment site TMZ had captured a photo of Scarlett Johansson going for a prenatal checkup.

This shocked Fan Xi; he hurriedly called Scarlett Johansson, but she might have been asleep. So he quickly sent her a text to get in touch, but she didn't reply that night.

Meanwhile, public opinion on the internet had already formed.

Compared to Jennifer's child, whose father nobody knows, Scarlett's is easy to guess. Everyone knows Scarlett is a Fan Xi fan; she has never been linked with anyone else, so if she's pregnant, the child must be Jieke Fan's.

Many basketball fans joined in, saying: "Hey, if Jake and Black Widow's child could dominate basketball? I mean, that sounds more promising than Jordan's or Kobe's kids." "Marvel should sign this kid for a movie deal; everyone knows that once born, he'll surely be Hollywood's darling." "I guarantee this kid will become a world-class superstar, no matter what he inherits from his parents." "Just wait and see—the whole Pacific will boil over because of this." "……"

The internet's voices were almost all positive blessings, after all, Fan Xi's years of gossip have made everyone immune. Now everyone's enthusiasm for Fan Xi's second generation has reignited the gossip flames.

Meanwhile, when Fan Xi returned home, he received a text from Jennifer: "Do you have time this weekend? Perhaps Troy should meet his father."

Fan Xi was overjoyed; he quickly replied, "Of course! Of course! Of course I have time."

It was a feeling of double joy.

For Fan Xi, family's weight in his life keeps growing.

Beating the Nets gave him no sense of achievement. If Scarlett really were pregnant and could hold Troy, Fan Xi would feel this was one of the best nights of his life.

The weekend appointment left Fan Xi distracted for the next three days.

He kept practicing how to meet his own child.

As a result, he missed 15 shots in Atlanta, but fortunately the Knicks won the game.

In this process, Fan Xi and Scarlett practiced; Scarlett wasn't pregnant, she seemed somewhat frustrated—she had indeed gone to the gynecologist, but she was there to actively prepare for pregnancy. She hoped to become the first pregnant Fan Xi fan; she understood Chinese culture and wanted to secure the position of eldest son and grandson.

Although Fan Xi no longer knows much about traditional culture, he knows Scarlett might not obtain that title.

After playing the away game in Atlanta, the New York Knicks then played Detroit; they lost this inconsequential game, Fan Xi didn't play, Lari Brown began drilling the bench lineup and letting some training-camp contracts take starting roles, hoping to pick one or two players who could continue with the Knicks.

The NBA is brutal in many aspects; it's the world's top league but can only accommodate over four hundred players. So many players keep sending resumes, constantly trying out for teams, hoping for a chance. From basic training-camp contracts, to two-way or 10-day deals, then non-guaranteed contracts, then guaranteed minimum salary… very few can rise straight to the top.

In any commercial league, the shining ones are always the top tier.

Someone like Fan Xi, rising from the bottom to the pinnacle, is historically unique.

Of course, there are also examples of becoming an All-Star or superstar.

For example, the Knicks' current Ben Wallace started from the bottom. Also, the Clippers' spokesperson Arenas rose from the bench to superstardom. Lin Shuhao is another good example; although he never reached All-Star level, he still got a decent contract. However, he's about to be waived by the Rockets, because they've secured Paul, and the team no longer needs another point guard.

Returning from Detroit, Fan Xi rushed home from the airport, took a shower, then carefully disinfected his whole body, fearing he might carry bacteria.

Next, he began calling Jennifer to ask if they could meet earlier.

It was Friday afternoon.

Jennifer agreed.

Less than ten minutes after hanging up, Fan Xi appeared at Jennifer's doorstep; they were neighboring residents, which didn't surprise Jennifer.

She seemed to have known all along that the person moving in next door was Jieke Fan.

Because in an upscale community, they wouldn't let someone unsettling move in.

That's why upscale communities are so safe, and why their social circles tend to be high-end.

Fan Xi entered Jennifer's house; the nanny quickly led him through the wide garden to the lawn, where Jennifer lay on a lounge chair, wearing sunglasses, gazing at the beautiful distant scenery.

The child lay in the cradle, comfortably enjoying the sunset's glow; the scene was quiet yet beautiful.

Fan Xi's mood became tranquil; he slowed his steps and signaled the nanny to leave.

Then he half-squatted, pulled out his phone, and took a photo.

After that, he slowly approached; Jennifer took off her sunglasses and looked at Fan Xi.

Fan Xi also looked at her.

There was no romantic intimacy between them; they seemed never to have established such a relationship, despite having played lovers in a blockbuster film and sharing many passionate scenes.

"You came." Jennifer said.

"Thank you for your hard work." Fan Xi said.

"No, I'm not angry. I thought you'd be furious, after all, having the child was my sole decision, and I also carried out a plan without your consent." Jennifer told Fan Xi: "I originally wanted to raise the child alone, but later I felt he should stay in touch with his father; that would be fair to him, to you."

Fan Xi squatted down and looked at the sleeping child. The child was fair-skinned; although he had some baby fat, one could see his nasal bridge was high, the curve of his lips elegant, and his eyes long… Anyone seeing would praise it as a exquisite creation; no one would doubt his future handsomeness.

Fan Xi reached out his hand, gently trying to touch him, but halfway he pulled back, a smile appearing on his face.

Then he sat beside the lounge chair.

He quietly watched the sunset on the horizon.

To his left was his own child.

On the other side, reclining sideways, was the child's mother.

This scene was even more beautiful than any photo Fan Xi had taken before.

…

The Knicks played a total of eight playoff games, finishing with a 7-1 record.

They whipped up a hurricane-like storm, averaging 136.5 points per game to top the league; New York media exclaimed: "This will be the greatest offensive team in history."

The Knicks' offensive pace far surpassed that of the Suns back then, and they played too flamboyantly; it inevitably brings to mind the Showtime Lakers, yet even those Lakers lacked such firepower.

In the past eight games, Fan Xi produced three or four top-five plays each game, and in the preseason's top ten highlights, he alone accounted for eight. Actually, if not for balance, he could have taken all ten.

There's no way; Fan Xi wants to show off, and even God can't stop him.

This made the Knicks leap to become the Eastern Conference's strongest offensive team, and more and more media are pairing the Knicks with the Western Conference Warriors.

The Warriors have surged this season; they played seven preseason games, winning all seven, and averaged 122.3 points per game. Although they can't match the Knicks' astonishing 136.5 points per game, they are still extremely high.

Most importantly, they pioneered a new style, a three‑point‑centric offense. After training during the off‑season, Stephen Curry has fully unleashed himself.

Previously, people had some complaints about ESPN ranking him in the league's top five.

But when he steps onto the court and fully unleashes his three‑point power, it becomes perfectly fitting.

Some media say he will directly compete with James Ha Deng for a spot as a newly emerging super‑star.

In contrast, the Houston Rockets, who built a super‑galactic battleship and poached a high‑scoring coach, lost three preseason games. Though preseason matters little, it is plainly visible that the Rockets' Three Giants are still gelling.

Chris Paul and James Ha Deng cannot adapt perfectly.

Paul is a player who needs ball possession, and Ha Deng also needs it. Although the media said that when Ha Deng was with the Thunder he also lacked ball control, he could fully adapt to Chris Paul's style.

But times have changed. The current James Ha Deng is the Rockets' boss, Adidas' flagship star. He is on the verge of breaking the super‑star threshold and cannot hand over his position, so there is no chance he will step back like Kobe Bryant; he will keep pushing, he will carve out his own sky.

Therefore, their chemistry will be a daunting task.

It now depends on how much Chris Paul can sacrifice.

So far it looks decent; at least when Paul joined the Rockets he said outright, "I know this is James Ha Deng's team."

Such a statement reveals Chris Paul's low profile.

But as time passes, what will happen, no one knows.

Fan Xi's team, the Clippers, have also played eight games, posting a 4‑win 4‑loss record, which looks unremarkable.

However, the media were surprised to find that even after losing three core players, the Clippers remained cohesive. Maikelbang and Bilupusi finally got a chance to showcase themselves; they built a tank‑like defensive lineup and established a formation with Leonard as the core, and Mili Xiqi and Lu Bi Ao as secondary cores.

They wear down opponents with set‑piece battles, playing with form. In eight preseason games, the Clippers averaged 87.5 points scored and 82 points allowed per game.

In terms of how ugly the games look, they are also of historic level.

After the Kings finished playing them, their team core Kao Xin Si complained bitterly: "They step onto the court not to score but to prevent the opponent from scoring; playing against them is no fun at all, it's all physical. Never expect to get an easy shot after a fancy spin— they will grab your waist or even yank your pants off… It's an ugly team. I hope Jieke Fan returns soon!"

To receive such an assessment from Kao Xin Si shows the Clippers are indeed hard to endure.

Fan Xi encouraged the team over the phone and endorsed their approach, urging them to become the Western Conference's toughest troublemakers.

Moreover, the highly‑anticipated No. 4 rookie Yang Ni Si has performed commendably in several games. Offensively he merely executes good fast breaks, but defensively he already bears the nickname "monster".

When he and Leonard occupy the two wings, it feels like a gatekeeper; no one can hope to get past them.

Thus, some say the Greek little monster could become the next Butler, because he is younger than Butler and more physically gifted.

Butler became the core in Charlotte; in his first preseason game he posted 38 points, though his rugged style lacks elegance. Even Jordan said his movements are tense, but he is tough and can score.

Mountain Cat finally has a truly meaningful core after so many years of building the team.

Before, the core was like a steel camp with a flowing roster, coming and going, with no reliable one.

Now, the league's most Jordan‑like Butler has arrived.

And he probably won't leave.

…

The New York Knicks didn't get the opening game, probably because of last season's record. However, on the second day of the new season's official start, they faced their first home opponent... the Golden State Warriors.

In the preseason, the East and West's flashiest, fastest, most scoring‑proficient teams met head‑on.

And it's a Fan-X brand intra‑league battle.

So many people are watching the game that after Madison Square Garden tickets rose by 30%, scalpers hiked them another 30%.

That means New York fans have money; in other cities, they'd have already protested to the city government.

……