Chapter 541

Chicago's calculations echoed through Brooklyn, and Jason Kidd could hear their scheming in the Barclays Center locker room.

The Bulls don't want to meet the Knicks in the first round.

Carmelo Anthony said.

He now feels eager and ready; after the Brook Lopez trade, the Nets' offensive level surged, and their players found a balance, with several stars performing well.

So, almost reflexively, they felt they had made it.

Although the scene of Fan Xi scoring 101 points over them remains vivid, and it is repeatedly discussed and praised in the basketball world.

But they still want to avenge their previous humiliation.

This should be looked at from two angles. Positively, the Nets are commendable and brave; negatively, they won't give up until they hit the Yellow River.

"We shouldn't follow suit; dodging isn't our style." Anthony declared boldly.

His teammates Lopez and Pierce all strongly support him.

Lopez also said the Knicks aren't anything special; they're just a bunch of old, weak, sick, and disabled players, their strength is only seventh in the East, making the playoffs is just luck.

Jason Kidd is actually somewhat wavering; he doesn't think this is a good option.

Even the Chicago Bulls don't want to face Fan Xi; we've already lost consecutive games—do we really have to fight them to the death? What if we lose again?

Jason Kidd has a different idea.

But he didn't have a chance to discuss it; his boss, Russian oligarch Mr. Prokhorov, declared firmly: "Since we have a chance to eliminate them, why not seize it? Let's go for second!"

Then Jason Kidd issued a pledge, promising to help the team secure second place in the East.

And so the decision was made happily.

…

The Brooklyn Nets began to play aggressively, while the Chicago Bulls' performance started to decline due to core Derrick Rose's wrist injury.

The Bulls' injury report said Derrick Rose's wrist was injured, including ligaments and bones with varying degrees of damage, plus his fingers.

This is a systemic injury; the team will give him enough time to return to the court.

The Bulls' injury report is somewhat absurd.

Because the footage captured by reporters shows Derrick Rose merely put a band-aid on his index finger.

At most, he nicked his finger while cutting.

Does he need to rest for two weeks?

The Bulls began to lose games; lacking Rose, they were like a machine missing an important gear, running clumsily and utterly inefficient.

This gave the Bulls a wake-up call: if they cannot solve the offensive problem when Rose is off the court, they will face new troubles.

The Knicks have been playing at their own pace; they remain executors of the rotation policy. Moreover, what is surprising is that even though Fan Xi returned to his homeland, the Knicks still can win games.

Those old-timers' fuel tanks are not completely dry.

Especially Kevin Garnett, after trading trash talk with Joakim Noah, his legs have become much more agile.

…

Fan Xi stayed domestically for nearly two weeks, always at home; he, his mother, and father all revolved around the goddess sister. The goddess sister received unprecedented treatment, making the whole Fan family happy.

Thanks to Fan Xi's supreme influence in the basketball world, the Fan family's wealth has surged these past years, and Fan Xi's mother is a savvy investor. She has received unprecedented returns in all fields, so Forbes this year, even when listing Fan Xi's wealth separately, still ranks Fan Xi's parents among the top hundred wealthiest on the mainland.

Such a vast enterprise certainly needs an heir.

Whether it's bloodline inheritance or wealth transmission.

For Fan Xi, this was a pleasant vacation; he even accompanied the goddess sister for a prenatal checkup. Moreover, the photos taken of them became the focus of mainstream media coverage.

The greatest basketball player and the goddess sister have had a child, which is practically a dream combination. Many people start to fantasize that this little one will either become an Oscar-winning actor or inherit his father's basketball skills to become an NBA superstar.

The unborn child has received unprecedented blessings.

Although everyone knows Fan Xi has many scandals overseas, deep down everyone still hopes Fan Xi is blooming inside the wall and fragrant outside.

This is the simplest sentiment of the people.

Two weeks later, Fan Xi flew to Los Angeles, then had to connect to New Orleans to participate in this year's All-Star Game.

Fan Xi is the Knicks' sole All-Star player this year.

Thus, one can see how bland the Knicks' roster is.

However, before the All-Star weekend arrives. Earlier, Phil Jackson, who had claimed to take action, completed his move. After the Mavericks bought out Monta Ellis's contract in Dallas, the Knicks quickly claimed him and offered him a two-year, $4.3 million contract.

Monta Ellis was very excited; he is an All-Star-caliber player.

He once was the rebuilding hope of the Golden State Warriors, and he had previously followed players like Byron Davis to participate in that year's shocking Black Eight upset.

Afterwards, he was abandoned by the Warriors due to poor defense, overly solitary play, and height, etc.; the Warriors then elevated Fan Xi's college teammate Stephen Curry to the starting role, and Monta Ellis began to wander around.

Monta Ellis is actually still in his prime; his offensive firepower remains strong, averaging 20 points per game easily.

But with Nowitzki's return, Blake Griffin increasingly tends to play as a playmaking forward, and his role has been greatly diminished.

The Mavericks have indeed considered trading Monta.

But Monta's trade value is not high; he earns millions per year and still has two years left on his contract. Strong teams don't need such a defenseless, shortish offensive player. Weak teams don't need...

After much thought, under Phil Jackson's various 'enticements', Monta Ellis and the Mavericks reached an agreement; the Mavericks bought out the remainder of his contract, totaling about 25 million, spending 13 million USD, to be paid out over two years.

This can be considered a win-win, though each side made concessions.

The Mavericks saved cap space, also allowing Griffin to play more freely and comfortably.

But after the Knicks signed Monta Ellis, a rumor began to circulate in the basketball world.

This rumor is that Mark Cuban privately gave, after previously giving Fan Xi Nowitzki, he also gave Fan Xi a super sixth man.

The media strongly urges the league to investigate the under-the-table deal between Mark Cuban and Fan Xi, and also to void the Knicks' contract with Monta Ellis.

The league, of course, paid no heed.

This is a normal compliance procedure.

It violated no regulations.

Monta Ellis arrived in New York immediately, and the Knicks held a press conference for him. He seemed very excited, and he said: "I've always wanted to play with Jie Ke, and finally I got the chance."

Knicks fans gave him a warm welcome.

Because the Knicks' perimeter is very weak, after Fei Er Dun and Xiangnong Bulang went to neighboring Brooklyn, only Fan Xi and Steve Nash remained, plus Shenjingdao JR Smith, and Hamilton couldn't play too long due to age. Now Monta this swing guard joining gives the Knicks strong firepower output.

"I came for the championship, I'm optimistic about New York, I'm optimistic about Jieke Fan."

Monta is full of confidence about his upcoming New York career.

Although the media didn't have high hopes for him, because the Knicks' defense is not good to begin with, adding another scorer-only player wouldn't change anything.

But, when Fan Xi's footsteps stepped onto the soil of New Orleans.

Another explosive thing happened.

Phil Jackson quietly accomplished another big thing.

The Atlanta Hawks had already bought out Josh Smith's contract the week before last; Josh Smith and the Hawks had become so estranged that they no longer interacted, and he stopped training after Thanksgiving.

This decisive attitude made the team management unable to tolerate, they announced buying out Josh Smith's contract and expelled him.

Although Josh Smith's offensive ability is far inferior to Monta Ellis's, his athleticism and defensive energy are far superior to Monta's.

Therefore, after being bought out, many teams threw him an olive branch.

Bulls, Heat, Rockets, these three teams were the most enthusiastic,

The Bulls' tactics suit him very well, the Heat is the team closest to the championship, the Rockets are playing the emotion card, Howard and Smith have a good private relationship, they were both super high school geniuses back then.

But, after a long period of consideration, Smith chose to join the New York Knicks.

Phil Jackson's recruitment was very effective, and Joe Johnson also played an indispensable role in it.

Actually, when Fan Xi was in China, he also called Josh Smith; Fan Xi's call prompted Josh Smith to make up his mind, and he resolutely joined the Knicks' roster. He received a two-year, five-million-dollar contract.

The Knicks are especially generous in this regard, they never stint on player benefits.

From another angle, they are manufacturers of garbage contracts.

After these two players joined, the Knicks' roster suddenly became strong. Moreover, these two signings of getting something for nothing gave the Knicks depth; even if Fan Xi returns to the Clippers next season, their strength should not be underestimated.

Currently, the Knicks' main roster has become.

Point guards: Fan Xi, Steve Nash.

Shooting guards: Monta Ellis, JR Smith, Hamilton.

Small forwards: Baliyani, Pulinsi, Joe Johnson.

Power forwards: Kevin Garnett, Amar'e Stoudemire, Josh Smith.

Centers: Tyson Chandler, LaMarcus Aldridge, Ben Wallace.

The addition of the two bought-out players made the Knicks' otherwise ordinary roster instantly shine.

Many basketball media even shouted: "The wolves are coming."

Fan Xi himself is a super-duper-superstar; give him a few distinctive role players and he can lead the team to take off. Now who still dares to say the Knicks' roster lacks distinctive traits?

Fan Xi was surrounded by the media in New Orleans.

"I don't know the team's reinforcements, but without a doubt, from your shocked expressions I can clearly tell: we did it right. We got a super galactic battleship. As the captain, I'm very happy."

Fan Xi praised Phil Jackson in front of reporters: "Phil's talent in management leaves me in awe."

Afterwards, the reporter asked Fan Xi what his goal for this season is, hoping to see how high he can bring the Knicks.

Fan Xi smiled and said: "Our goal has always been the championship; you just didn't believe before."

"But, now the Eastern Conference second place is the Brooklyn Nets. They've made rapid progress in the past two months; do you have confidence to beat them?" The reporter started stirring things up, seeking to have the two cross-town teams exchange harsh words.

"You should instead ask them if they have confidence to beat us; we have always been the victors." Fan Xi replied.

"But, they have two All-Stars this year, while you only have one." The reporter continued to stir things up.

"So what?"

Fan Xi spread his palms, unfazed.

Fan Xi's attitude made the reporter overjoyed; he could now write a big story.

But he didn't get a chance to ask the next question, because entertainment reporters started frantically asking Fan Xi about gossip.

The news of the Goddess Sister's pregnancy not only caused a sensation on the other side of the Pacific, but on this side it was also the focus of attention.

The media even went to interview the female fans.

But the answer they got left them very 'disappointed'; they actually blessed.

Good heavens, why bless? Shouldn't they be tearing each other apart? Shouldn't they be dissatisfied, shouldn't they be resentful?

"This is a good thing, a major advancement for all of human civilization. Jie Ke's extraordinary sports genes are being continued, and also that beautiful, exquisite Eastern beauty—this is God's masterpiece."

Si Jia Li, considered the fiercest of the female fans, answered this question very calmly.

She showed none of the fierceness she had when surrounded by land, sea, and air on Miami beach.

So, does this mean admitting defeat?

"Congratulations, Jie Ke. Also congratulations, Yifei. I can't wait to see their baby; I'll prepare a gift for him." The bedside table female war god also naturally expressed her feelings.

These are the answers of the two female fans who accepted media interviews.

This made their relationship become mysterious and unpredictable.

Now, Fan Xi stands before the media; how could the reporters let him go?

"So, do you intend to marry Miss Liu? Then what about these American female stars? Do you really intend not to want any of them?"

"Do you plan to have a child in the United States? I mean, have you already broken up with all the female fans?"

"Jie Ke, you couldn't possibly be that all those past rumors are fake; in fact you're not a playboy, you're a conservative Eastern man."

"Do you have anything you want to say to Jenna or Selena...?"

"..."

Fan Xi was surrounded by these gossip questions.

Finally, with the help of security, he left the glare of the spotlights.

Fan Xi decided to stay in the hotel before the game started; he did not intend to go watch the Rookie Game, nor did he intend to go to the Three-Point Shot Contest to cheer for Ku Li.

In fact, Fan Xi originally also wanted to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Shot Contest.

But he is now glad that he did not agree.

However, the surprising thing is that Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, who had been hesitating and refusing to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest before, chose to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest this year.

…