Chapter 516: How Did You Know?

Fan Xi's remark was unprecedentedly direct and frank.

He said it straight from his heart.

Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si was indeed a Knicks player; the trade actually happened, and he attended this season's media day, but in the very first practice afterward he fell out with Coach La Li Bu Lang, displaying arrogance and dominance, and he stormed out. Prior to that, he truly had not had much interaction with the other players.

So, Fan Xi's statement was correct.

But a correct statement often sparks even more public uproar.

That night, numerous rumors spread densely, and at least on the media front they were ignited.

Moreover, insiders began to leak that Luo Pei Si's performance in practice showed disrespect toward La Li Bu Lang.

This made New York media develop a dislike for him; Knicks fans were already indifferent, and with the team's recent flashy and strong performance, fans began to turn against him, demanding that the guy who never integrated into the Knicks be simply traded away.

Of course, the key factor here was Fan Xi's attitude. Fan Xi said he had never been brought into the Knicks' big family, which is easily read as: we have no intention of accepting him.

When a chorus of boos swarmed in, Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si couldn't sit still, and his agent couldn't either.

They originally hoped to bide time, but misread the situation. The Knicks played extremely flashy without Luo Pei Si, the proper center, in a way they couldn't imagine. The current Knicks can stay a strong team even without Luo Pei Si.

Moreover, Fan Xi's line "We don't chase regular-season results" blocked their retreat; even if the Knicks suffer defeats later, they already have a clear excuse.

The spring Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si was waiting for will not come.

His reputation is now being ruined; New York media can easily destroy a superstar, let alone Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si, who isn't even a star yet—his level is still some distance from an All-Star.

He has no initiative.

He began to regret and hopes to repair relations with the Knicks.

But his agent stopped him. "You're showing weakness; going to them will only prove your frailty, and they'll look down on you even more. Wait, they'll make a trade."

Luo Pei Si trusts his agent greatly, because the high‑paying contract was secured with his help.

"I suggest you get back in touch with the Nets, or find a Nets trainer to work with; you need to prove your condition," his agent told him. "If you return to the Nets, the unfavorable factors will be offset, and you might even break through the All‑Star barrier into a new realm."

The Nets, the Knicks, and Fan Xi are mortal enemies.

The enemy of my enemy is a friend.

If Luo Pei Si's agent entered politics, he would likely achieve great results.

His suggestion won Luo Pei Si's heart, and Luo Pei Si also wanted to return to the Nets. He watched the Knicks' games and was convinced he couldn't run, that he definitely couldn't adapt to New York's breakneck pace—too fast! The "da da da da da da" kind of rhythm; Luo Pei Si is the type that goes "da… da… da… da…", even his girlfriend would become drowsy under his impact. No one likes slow motion x5, and it's not for peeking at a mosaic.

…

Fan Xi's remarks did not trouble the Knicks; from top to bottom they greatly respected Fan Xi's view. Moreover, they had no interest in any relationship with Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si.

Even with this clarification, Luo Pei Si's trade value is declining.

No team wants a center who clashes head‑on with the head coach, especially one who hasn't yet got superstar energy. ωωw. Bǐqυgétν. net

It seemed only the Los Angeles Lakers showed some interest, after all Luo Pei Si is from Los Angeles, and the Lakers' interior was very hollow after losing Howard.

But the Lakers are habitually fond of robbing trades; they always think they can scoop the bottom, and their offers lack sincerity, so the Knicks simply didn't bother to respond.

The Knicks can afford this idle player.

They are wealthy and generous.

And they have no special performance demands; they can spend as they wish, and the one who will suffer in the end is surely Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si.

Thus, even if the news is huge, the Knicks are simply carrying out their original plan.

A reporter visited the Knicks' training camp and got brand‑new news: Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si hadn't filed any registration, so even if Luo Pei Si came to practice, he couldn't enter the arena.

Coach La Li Bu Lang said before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans, "I won't be angry at that kid, but he's missed too many practices; there's no spot for him in my system."

That statement was very blunt.

It fell apart with a single blow.

However, Phil Jackson denied the trade rumors. He emphasized, "I'm not expecting a trade; let things run their course. Only God knows what the future holds."

He fully displayed a non‑action governance aura.

The Knicks kicked the ball back to Bu Lu Ke Luo Pei Si.

Luo Pei Si and his group entered a genuine crisis.

The Knicks kept moving forward, defending their second home game, even though Ka Er Wen Jia Nei Te played only five minutes and Qiao Yuehan Sun only a quarter. Yet, driven by Si Di Fen Na Shi and Fan Xi, the team's offense remained fierce, and Si Ta De Mai Er gave the young big man a lesson.

After securing two home victories, the Knicks began their road trip.

The busy season has begun.

Their first stop was Boston, where Ka Er Wen Jia Nei Te revisited familiar ground, and the Celtics had truly begun rebuilding. In that game, Si Di Fen Na Shi rested, and Raymond Felton started alongside Fan Xi, which didn't work out that well.

Felton was the 2005 class point guard, selected by Qiao Lao Ye Zi, but that usually signifies mediocrity.

Fortunately, tonight Fan Xi was in great rhythm, hitting nine Three-Point Shots, scoring 55 points at Bei'an Huayuan Qiuquan, and securing victory with a god‑like descent.

The Celtics' current leader La Jian Long Duo looked at Fan Xi with a feeling as if from another world.

When Fan Xi first debuted, their roles were similar. At that time, Fan Xi was the biggest supplement beyond the Lakers' star, while Long Duo was the fourth biggest beyond the Celtics' star.

But their subsequent paths diverged greatly.

Fan Xi grew stronger with each game, winning Finals MVP in his first season. His strength then rose several rungs each year, and now he is the top figure shaping the league's ever‑changing tides.

Long Duo, however, has yet to become a true star.

Because his shooting never passes muster, it's believed that soon he'll be abandoned by the Celtics.

Since Boston is rebuilding, it will be a thorough rebuild; there's no need to keep this small tail.

After the game, the Celtics seemed a bit melancholy.

The summer disintegration of the Boston Celtics pained him, even though he knew long ago that the Celtics had been effectively 'destroyed' in the summer of 2011, only fully declared dead this summer.

He asked Fan Xi, "Jie Ke, do you think I can get revenge on the Miami Heat this season?"

"You definitely can't. But with me, you can," Fan Xi told Ka Er Wen Jia Nei Te frankly.

It was a harsh, blunt truth.

Fan Xi subtly tamed this unruly wolf king.

Jiānèitè's arrogance sometimes causes great harm to the team, so Fan Xi needs to work on his character, so he doesn't rely on his seniority, lest cause internal strife in the team.

If it were when Jiānèitè just joined the team, and Fan Xi said such things, he would surely fly into a rage.

But now, although his face is a bit stiff, he also admits this is a fact. He asks Fan Xi: 'Can you really defeat the Heat with our current lineup?'

Fan Xi replied: 'The current lineup definitely won't work, but if we trade Bùlǔkè Luòpèsī for a reliable inside player, we would have a decent chance.'

【Where can we find a reliable inside player? Trade Bùlǔkè Luòpèsī for the Timberwolves' Kuàméi Bùlǎng?】 Jiānèitè wondered.

Fan Xi shook his head and just said, 'Let's wait and see.'

Afterwards, the Knicks won another game in Orlando; this game did not produce an 80-point blowout, because the team's two top scorers, Sītǎdé Mài'ěr and Qiáoyuēhànxùn, were both resting.

Fan Xi, together with Jiānèitè, Nàshí, Hànmì'ěrdùn, Pǔlínsī, and others, employed a run-and-gun approach, sweeping the rebuilding Orlando.

After the first week's three games ended, Fan Xi was selected as the Eastern Conference's Player of the Week.

Fan Xi's per-game line of 33.3 points, 16.3 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks earned him the Player of the Week award without controversy, as the Knicks recorded a four-game winning streak to rise to first in the league; furthermore, with such outstanding individual stats, he had no rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Because the Bulls led by Derek Rose lost two games, one away loss to the Thunder and one home loss to the Spurs. They were still in the midst of recovering for the new season.

Miami's Le Bu Lang Zhang Si had individual stats inferior to Fan Xi; this season he reduced his shot attempts, but his efficiency was even more exaggerated.

After watching a game, Fan Xi knew that James had evolved again.

He is a terrifying man; his weight-loss effect is very obvious, he still maintained his strength, and at the same time his explosiveness, speed, and agility have significantly improved.

Most importantly, his technique has become more refined, and his offensive efficiency has noticeably improved.

If it weren't for Wei De constantly searching for his touch, Fan Xi believed Miami would win more easily.

The second week's games began quickly, and the Knicks were still on the road, continuing to adhere to the rotation-rest philosophy.

They won a game in Detroit, then lost to the Hawks in Atlanta, and subsequently lost by 22 points in Indiana.

After arriving in Chicago, they suffered a three-game losing streak.

Their record instantly fell from first in the league to third in the Eastern Conference, while the fourth-place Pacers were also in hot pursuit.

This three-game losing streak was not unjustified; when facing systematic defensive pressure, the Knicks appeared unable to respond, their offense could not fully break away, and they constantly got into trouble on defense.

Although they had players resting in these three games, basketball experts believe that even if all players returned, if Fan Xi did not explode, they would still lose the game at the United Center.

Therefore, some media objectively stated: the Knicks are still not a top-tier championship team. However, Jieke Fan can lead the Knicks to this level, which in fact already surpasses last season's Knicks. This has stimulated the Knicks' market and brought about a significant improvement in their style of play. If Jieke Fan can stay in New York for three seasons, and the team continually adjusts its roster, the Knicks have a chance to win the championship. However, it will not be this season.

At the same time, the Knicks returned to their home court.

They will face the New Jersey Nets at home, and then the Miami Heat.

Some basketball experts believe the Knicks will suffer a five-game losing streak.

After enduring struggles at the start of the season, the Nets have won their last three games. Although Jason Kidd's tactics are described as each playing for himself, it is precisely because they have strong output at every position that opponents have no idea how to defend them.

They have won one victory after another with an extremely free-form 'individualism'.

It seems to have become a consensus that the Knicks will lose this game.

Although Fan Xi had previously made his stance clear, the Knicks' fans still expressed great anticipation for this game.

On one hand, they do not want to lose to a same-city team. After all, everywhere there is the sentiment of 'rather side with external enemies than with domestic traitors'.

On the other hand, they know the team will definitely be unable to beat the upcoming Miami Heat, and a five-game losing streak sounds too awful.

In light of this, Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan even invited Fan Xi to his office for tea.

Indeed, to get closer to Fan Xi, Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan has even stopped drinking foreign liquor and started drinking tea.

This slovenly billionaire even put on ancient Chinese clothing, and instead of feeling out of place, he gave off a sense of unrestrained abandon.

He said to Fan Xi: 'Jie Ke, Chinese culture is vast and profound; I have learned a lot from it, especially ancient Chinese culture.'

Fan Xi thought he wanted to discuss Chinese philosophy with him, he showed a curious expression and asked: 'What have you learned?'

'Jie Ke. I finally understand why you have so many rumored girlfriends—this is the charm of Chinese culture. If I were an ancient Chinese person, I would do the same: three wives and four concubines, forming a household… that's too cool. The Chinese have extraordinary ability in managing the household; I have never possessed it, so they call me a playboy, but Jie Ke, you don't have such worries.'

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan's words left Fan Xi somewhat speechless—what has he learned? He's picking out the dross!

Fan Xi no longer discussed this matter with him, because Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan obviously wanted to talk about the scope of the bedchamber arts.

Fan Xi asked him about the proper business.

He then said: 'I want to win this game, Jie Ke, can we not rest any players?'

Fan Xi replied: 'We will not rest any players in this game; we will strive to win and give the fans a breather.'

Then he asked Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan: 'Has Brook Lopez been frequently in contact with the Nets lately?'

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan exclaimed in shock: 'How do you know that?'

…