Chapter 645

Fan Xi had no involvement in the Clippers' draft affairs this year, although he arrived in New York for that reason.

While in New York, Fan Xi had a long phone call with Kobe Bryant. Kobe told Fan Xi that he would soon announce that the upcoming 2015-2016 season would be his last.

This old-timer, who joined the league before turning 18 in 1996, finally decided to leave the league after the end of his 19th season.

He will devote himself to a new job: raising Jackson. Of course, he also has many businesses to attend to.

Fan Xi supported his decision and teased him: "Are you sure you don't want to play one more season with me after this one, win a seventh championship ring, and surpass Jordan?"

"You're a devil."

Kobe Bryant felt stirred. This sentence was too tempting for him.

Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant was seen as Jordan's shadow, and he constantly tried to transcend time and space to defeat Jordan. But he never succeeded, even though he also had two three-peats. However, he only had two Finals MVPs. That is the hard condition preventing him from surpassing Jordan.

Moreover, picky fans would also say his wingspan is too short, his shoulders too narrow, his hands too small, and so on.

"If you don't win a championship next season while staying in the West, I'll play another year with you." Kobe ultimately said that.

"Then you should just retire soon." Fan Xi said Kobe was too picky.

Kobe hung up the phone.

The next day, he announced that the upcoming season would be his last. It had a bit of a grand fanfare vibe—even before the season started, tickets for his farewell tour were already on presale.

Fan Xi said it was all flash and no substance.

If you're retiring, do it quietly; don't make such a big fuss.

Kobe had his own reason: "When I retire, I want to retire in style. I want to tell the whole league that it's not that I can't play anymore, but that I don't want to."

"Then why don't you win a championship first and then retire?"

Kobe hung up Fan Xi's phone and even blocked him for three hours, but Fan Xi hadn't contacted him during those three hours anyway.

Kobe prematurely gave his farewell tour speech, sparking a frenzy of media discussion.

It's obvious that an era has ended.

In fact, this offseason wasn't just about Kobe announcing his retirement; two-time regular-season MVP and two-time champion Steve Nash also announced his retirement, followed closely by Hamilton and Kevin Garnett.

Also announcing retirement were Shawn Marion, who played 16 seasons; Andrei Kirilenko, 13 seasons; Kenyon Martin, 15 seasons; Stephen Jackson, 14 seasons; Elton Brand, 16 seasons; Jason Richardson, 14 seasons; and Tekegelu, 15 seasons. Of course, there's also the distant Chinese center Battier... but he indeed played for three NBA teams and won a championship with the Spurs. After retirement, he can also receive an NBA pension.

Fan Xi left New York for Europe, where he will conduct a series of business activities across the continent. For him, this is a genuine relaxing trip.

This is just like most American men; American college students go to Europe every summer for a rite-of-passage trip. They like the old European charm, which for them means a return to philandering.

When Fan Xi set off for Europe, James announced he would bring his talents back to Cleveland—a statement released by the Cavaliers' owner himself, who had previously withdrawn the open letter criticizing James from the summer of 2010.

This also counts as a bit of mutual respect.

When James went to the Heat, he signed first and was later traded, giving the Cavaliers many assets. When he returned, he signed as a free agent.

The Miami media were a bit upset: five years of nothing, five years of salary, divorced, and the dowry not returned.

James still loves Cleveland a bit more.

The second shocking news of James' return to the Cavaliers was that they managed to get Kevin Love for nothing—Kevin Love was also a free agent whose contract had expired. He moved from the small market of Minnesota to the small market of Cleveland.

This little incident made the New York media go crazy, they ranted: "There must be insider trading; otherwise why wouldn't Kevin Love choose New York but Cleveland?"

New York also threw out an olive branch to Kevin Love, offering the exact same max salary as the Cavaliers.

Why reject the invitation of the world's biggest city and go to that little backwater?

New Yorkers couldn't figure it out, so they blamed insider trading.

They even cursed Love, saying he would never win a so-called championship with the Cavaliers, and the Knicks would surely get a championship before the Knicks.

That's a bit unnecessary.

Moreover, Stoudemire is still a bit embarrassed—Stoudemire finished his five-year, $100 million contract last season. He originally wanted to leverage his championship and scoring title to sign another ten-million-dollar deal with the New York Knicks.

No merit but hard work isn't nothing. And the Knicks have always been a bit of a sucker; why would they suddenly not be a sucker with me?

But the Knicks aren't stupid—Stoudemire's physical condition is terrible now; he used to be sky-high, now he's a plodding floor‑scraper, slow as hell, and still wants a ten‑million‑dollar contract, but the landlord has no surplus grain.

So they never even talked to Stoudemire about a contract.

They directly offered a high salary to Love, but Love ignored them.

They also ignored Stoudemire.

The little overlord isn't even a backup now.

Just think back a couple of seasons ago—he was still the scoring king.

From this we can see that Fan Xi wanting someone to be the scoring king is still relatively easy.

Stoudemire isn't far from retirement either.

When Fan Xi's plane landed in Paris, the NBA buzzed with big news: Kevin Durant actually demanded a trade from his team, his max contract still had one year left, and he didn't want to wait any longer.

This surprised Westbrook and the others: "Boss, we're about to fight to the death—why surrender first?"

When Fan Xi saw this news, he thought it was an onion‑style joke.

The next second, Durant called him.

Durant said to Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, let's play brother basketball."

…

Fan Xi was truly caught off guard.

To be honest, when I first started out, Durant was pretty good to me. At my first All‑Star game he gave me a watch. He even took me out to dinner with a goddess—although the goddess Si Jia Li later ended up in Fan Xi's bed. But Durant wasn't angry at all; he blessed me, telling me to use less force, women are made of water, don't break them.

But wanting to play ball with Durant—this really wasn't expected.

Durant is different from Howard; although Durant is somewhat sensitive, his fighting spirit is not lacking.

He might just not want to struggle anymore, just wants to win a championship.

"I don't have any chips either." Fan Xi said sincerely: "Besides, whether you come or not doesn't matter much. We're already champions."

Fan Xi said this only in private; if it got out, Durant would definitely blow up.

He then said: "Isn't your team's Leonard supposed to be traded? The salaries match perfectly!"

Durant was very considerate: "I actually think you could get the Thunder to give you two draft picks. Anyway, I'm only staying for a year; all I want is one championship."

Translation: Durant was very considerate: "I even think you could let the Thunder give you two draft picks. Anyway, I'll leave after playing one year; I just need to win a championship."

We need to keep punctuation? Keep as is.

"Just consider my on-court value, Jack. Imagine the market response if I join the Clippers. It's a guaranteed profit."

Translation: "Think about my on-court value, Jie Ke. Think about the market response after I join the Clippers. This is absolutely a sure profit, no loss."

Durant said temptingly to Fan Xi.

Translation: Durant said temptingly to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi was genuinely a bit moved; otherwise, saying Durant this guy has some talent.

Translation: Fan Xi really was a bit moved; otherwise, saying Durant this guy has some talent.

Fan Xi was genuinely a bit moved; otherwise, saying Durant this guy has some talent.

"I can't make the call on this. You go talk to Leonard." Fan Xi passed the ball to Durant and handed over Leonard's phone number.

Translation: "I can't decide on this matter. You go and tell Leonard." Fan Xi tossed the ball to Durant, and also gave Leonard's phone number to Durant.

After hanging up, Fan Xi couldn't help but remark: "This guy is truly talented."

Translation: After hanging up, Fan Xi couldn't help but sigh: "This guy is really a talent."

He's taking a tough road.

Translation: "He's walking a difficult road."

Who would have imagined that Nike's superstar, second only to LeBron James, would join Fan Xi?

Translation: "Who would have thought that Nike's superstar, second only to LeBron James, would flock to Fan Xi?"

Fan Xi thought it was surreal.

Translation: Fan Xi even felt it was dreamlike.

Meanwhile, back in the US, things went crazy.

Translation: Meanwhile, over in the US, things went crazy.

The Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland Cavaliers were practically blowing up Presti's phone.

Translation: The Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland Cavaliers—three teams were blowing up Prestige's phone.

Note: "Presti" is a name; it's not in the glossary, but it refers to a person (possibly a GM). Since it's not in the glossary, we must add it to the glossary list, as per the rule to list every character that appears. The rule says to use Hanyu Pinyin only for actual Chinese names; for foreign names like this, we keep the original transliteration in English, i. e., "Presti".

Who wouldn't want Durant?

Translation: Who wouldn't want Durant?

For the Bulls, their biggest need is wing shooting; with Durant gone, the Bulls—perennial Eastern Conference runners-up—would transform, filling the final gap; even against last season's champion Clippers, they'd feel confident to topple them.

Translation: For the Bulls, what they lack most is wing shooting; once Durant goes, the Bulls, perennial Eastern Conference runners-up, will transform directly, completing the final link; even if it's the defending champion Clippers from last season, they have confidence to overturn them.

The Warriors are similar; picture a lineup with Curry, Thompson, and Durant—three elite shooters stationed beyond the arc—who wouldn't be dazzled? Plus, Durant can also create his own shot off the dribble.

Translation: The Warriors are the same; imagine a lineup of Curry, Thompson, and Durant—three big shooters standing on the three-point line, who wouldn't be dazzled? Moreover, Durant also has the ability to create offense with the ball in hand.

As for the Cavaliers, it goes without saying: Durant and James together—two superstar forwards, two super bugs—would have the Cavaliers declaring a championship a year early.

Translation: As for the Cavaliers, needless to say, Durant and James joining forces—two superstar forwards, two super bugs—the Cavaliers would announce a championship a year early.

Their trade assets are solid too: Wiggins and Bennett, two former No. 1 overall picks, plus other pieces and draft picks.

Translation: Their trade assets are also solid: Wiggins plus Bennett, two former number-one picks, plus other trade assets like draft picks.

This would directly create a lineup of Irving, James, Durant, Love, Thompson…

Translation: Directly forming a lineup of Irving, James, Durant, Love, Thompson...

The American basketball scene was rocked.

Translation: The US basketball world was shaken.

Fan Xi, even while just gossiping in Europe, felt a bit excited.

Translation: Fan Xi, while eating melon (i. e., gossiping) in Europe, felt somewhat excited.

Kobe also couldn't resist sharing his thoughts: "These young people are outrageous, with no sense of responsibility. Back in our day, it was one player, one city, defending to the death—no star would jump to another team."

Translation: Kobe also couldn't help sharing his thoughts: "Today's youngsters are outrageous, with zero sense of responsibility. Back in our day, wasn't it one person, one city, defending to the death? How could a leader defect to another team?"

Kobe just kept complaining.

Translation: Kobe kept complaining.

Finally, Fan Xi said, "Durant might come to the Clippers."

Translation: Fan Xi finally said: "Durant might come to the Clippers."

"You devil!!!!"

Translation: "You devil!!!!"

Kobe nearly bellowed, shouting: "Is this fun? xxxxxxxxx!"

Translation: Kobe nearly roared, shouting: "Is it fun playing like this? xxxxxxxxx!"

It's all profanity.

Translation: It's all profanity.

Durant's arrival in Los Angeles would hit hardest— the Lakers, and Kobe.

Translation: Durant coming to Los Angeles, who is impacted the most? The Lakers, Kobe.

Kobe's retirement tour had just started, and the Lakers' morale was building. Then Durant joins the Clippers—who would go watch Kobe shoot airballs? Durant and Fan Xi together— isn't that appealing?

Translation: Kobe's retirement tour had just begun, and the Lakers' morale was about to rally. Then Durant joins the Clippers—who would go watch Kobe shoot airballs? Durant plus Fan Xi, isn't that fragrant?

Fan Xi burst out laughing on the phone, saying: "Come play brother ball with us, Kobe. Seventh championship, huh."

Translation: Fan Xi laughed loudly on the phone, saying: "Come play brother basketball with our team, Kobe. Seventh championship, huh."

Smack!

Translation: "Pa!" (sound of hanging up)

Kobe on the other end hung up.

Translation: Kobe on the other end hung up the phone.

Fan Xi really had Kobe wrapped around his finger.

Translation: Fan Xi really had Kobe wrapped around his finger.

…

Translation: … (ellipsis)

Fan Xi spent two weeks in Europe, then headed to Asia, first stop the peninsula nation.

Translation: Fan Xi stayed in Europe for two weeks, then he went to Asia, first stop being the peninsula country.

Yoona could hardly wait.

Translation: Yoon-ah couldn't wait any longer.

The Korean public felt Fan Xi's arrival was like an emperor on inspection— crowds everywhere, and many urging people to have kids.

Translation: The Korean people felt as if an emperor had come on inspection upon Fan Xi's arrival; wherever he went, crowds gathered, and there were many urging childbirth.

Probably the news about Jennifer and Liu Yifei stirred them up.

Translation: Probably the news about Jennifer and Liu Yifei stimulated them.

They all urged Yoona to bring honor to South Korea.

Translation: They all demanded that Yoon-ah must bring honor for the Republic of Korea.

They must produce a superstar for the national men's basketball team.

Translation: They must give the national men's basketball team a superstar.

In the past, they were strict about idols dating; now they're unusually lenient with Yoona.

Translation: Previously, they were quite strict about idols dating; now, toward Yoon-ah they are this lenient.

Even their agencies urged them, saying, "Hurry up and have a baby." Formula and baby product companies already had their checks ready.

Translation: Their agencies even urged them, saying: "Hurry up and have a baby." Formula companies, baby product companies... their checks were already ready.

This can't be rushed either.

Translation: This can't be rushed either.

Isn't Fan Xi coming?

Translation: Fan Xi, you're not coming?

He spent a week in Korea, holding nothing back.

Translation: He stayed in Korea for a week, holding nothing back.

In this process, the conflicted Leonard finally made a decision.

Translation: In this process, the torn Leonard finally made a decision.

He originally wanted to go to the Sacramento Kings, which isn't far from here. Plus, there's All-Star center Cousins; he could chat with Cousins for a bit, but they couldn't even fill a urinal together.

Translation: He originally wanted to go to the Sacramento Kings, which is not far from here. Also there's Cousins, this All-Star center; he chatted with Cousins for a while, but they couldn't see eye to eye.

Forget it.

Translation: Forget it.

Later he also reached out to the Spurs; the Spurs were very sincere, with Popovich personally coming to Los Angeles to recruit him.

Translation: Later he also contacted the Spurs; the Spurs were very sincere, with Popovich personally coming to Los Angeles to recruit him.

They promised him an absolute core role.

Translation: They promised him an absolute core role.

But then Leonard's uncle and the Spurs' management somehow had a misunderstanding, and the deal fell through.

Translation: But then Leonard's uncle and the Spurs management somehow had a misunderstanding, and that was called off.

He also chatted with New York for a bit, but New York wasn't much of a draw for Leonard. He isn't very interested in the bustling business world, although his sponsors want him to actively develop the market there.

Translation: He also talked with New York for a while, but for Leonard, New York wasn't very attractive. He wasn't that interested in the bustling business world, although his sponsors wanted him to go there to actively develop the market.

Just as he was about to be convinced, Durant called him.

Translation: Just when he was about to be persuaded himself, Durant called him.

Then he met a few times with Westbrook in Los Angeles; they're both Californians, Leonard is still a fan of "u", and he sees Westbrook through rose-colored glasses.

Translation: Then he also arranged to meet a few times with Westbrook in Los Angeles; they're both Californians, Leonard is still a u fan, and he has a biased view of Westbrook.

The two hit it off right away.

Translation: The two hit it off immediately.

Then Leonard told Fan Xi.

Translation: Then Leonard told Fan Xi.

When Fan Xi heard the news, he was completely stunned… He had originally thought this trade was just talk.

Translation: When Fan Xi heard this news, he was completely stunned…… He originally thought this deal was just talk.

Unexpectedly, it actually happened.

Translation: Unexpectedly, it actually happened.

Leonard was traded for Durant.

Translation: Leonard for Durant.

Just kidding?

Translation: Playing?

The Clippers had braced for a tough season ahead, but instead their on-court strength didn't drop—it actually improved.

Translation: Originally the Clippers were prepared to suffer a bit more next season, but the result was that this combat capability not only didn't decrease, it actually increased.

Fan Xi decided to chat with Durant.

He used Yun Er's inability to fight again to give himself a butt.

"Since Ke Huai is willing to trade with you, I need to make one thing clear to you. If you go to the Kuaisuan, your ball usage will decrease, and we have our own plan for developing rookies. Can you accept an off-ball playstyle?" Fan Xi said the unpleasant things upfront.

Du Lan Te is not unwanted.

But he is determined to play a season of brotherly basketball with Fan Xi; he just wants to first win a championship, then wait for a good price.

"Okay, I accept! I guarantee obedience!" Du Lan Te said especially solemnly.

"Okay, keep a low profile these two days, don't let any news leak out first." Fan Xi reminded Du Lan Te.

Then, he immediately called Ke Bi: "Hey, Ke Bi, why don't you cancel your retirement activities? Next season, Los Angeles might have an earthquake."

Hmm?

Ke Bi hadn't reacted yet at first.

Then he asked: "Is Du Lan Te really coming to the Kuaisuan?"

Hmm.

Fan Xi nodded.

Ah!!!!

He heard Ke Bi roaring over there.

He frantically shouted: "You devil! You devil!"

Fan Xi laughed heartily, then he said: "Do you want to come to the Kuaisuan to win a seventh championship?"

Damn.

Ke Bi swore.

"My contract isn't over yet!"

I'll stick with it to the end!!

You devil!!!

Hahahaha

Fan Xi laughed especially happily.

He had a premonition, feeling so good right now. Later, Yun Er might possibly get pregnant with a daughter.