Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

"I believe, but my eyes don't."

Yu Fei really couldn't explain himself this time; he only saw Garnett as a practice target. Though the Western All-Star Team's starting lineup included Duncan and Yao Ming, Duncan hardly ever went into the paint, and Yao Ming... He just couldn't bring himself to go hard against his spiritually akin compatriot.

So what was he to do? He had to pick on Garnett, since it was Garnett who ran his mouth at the start of the game.

Seven minutes into the game, it was time for a timeout.

Once Yu Fei knew that the Western All-Star Team was planning to bring Shaquille O'Neal on, he said to Carlisle, "Coach, I can rest a few extra minutes in the second quarter, but right now, please let me get back in."

"Why?" Carlisle asked.

Yu Fei replied, "I received nearly 1.7 million votes, and I'm in such great shape tonight, I want to give the fans a thrilling performance."

Carlisle was duly impressed.

Aside from Kobe-type fools, stars from championship-contending teams usually don't ask for more minutes in the All-Star Game. They rest whenever they can, and if it were possible, Carlisle would happily give Jermaine O'Neal's minutes to Yu Fei. There weren't many fools eager to squander their own energy...

"Coach Brown always says you never dedicate yourself to the fans... I see now, that's not entirely true!" Carlisle had a change of heart about Yu Fei, "Tonight, you're the role model for the Eastern All-Star Team!"

Michael Redd rolled his eyes.

"Don't say that," Yu Fei almost believed it himself, "I just want to put on a good show for the fans!"

"Alright, you keep playing, and Big Ben, you stay on a bit longer too," Carlisle said. "You and Frye were coordinating well just now."

Big Ben indeed wanted to play; earlier Fei and Iverson had fed him five easy baskets, and he had scored 10 points in the first quarter. It was truly enjoyable.

"I'm good!"

Big Ben responded loudly.

Great, that way both key players from the Eastern Conference's biggest rivals were worn out a bit.

Carlisle gloated inwardly.

Afterwards, Shaquille O'Neal indeed replaced Yao Ming.

The Western All-Star Team decisively had O'Neal play the first ball after the timeout.

Having already disturbed Garnett multiple times in the post, Yu Fei knew how to slip in for the double-team, ensuring that O'Neal got a top-notch welcome as soon as he entered the game.

The moment Yu Fei came in for the double-team, the booing from the Staples Center crowd indicated they knew it was a personal vendetta.

Unable to forcefully back down in his position, O'Neal had no choice but to pass the ball.

Francis missed a three-pointer from outside.

Yu Fei grabbed the rebound and, on the fast break, alley-ooped to Carter once again.

The UFO taking flight roused the fans, but then they remembered the pass came from Yu Fei and felt as uncomfortable as if they had just tasted shit-flavored ice cream.

Shaquille O'Neal, determined to win the AMVP, was dumbfounded.

Yu Fei denied him the chance to go one-on-one; everyone else was playing in the All-Star game while he was in a regular season game mode.

Even though Big Ben wasn't serious about defense, the moment Yu Fei came in for the double-team, Big Ben had to at least pretend to be earnest.

And because Yu Fei was openly targeting O'Neal, he basically just watched and double-teamed him.

The problem was, the other teammates couldn't provide support. Some were just there to have fun, and others who might have wanted to help didn't know how.

Like Garnett, for example. If he positioned himself next to O'Neal, it would only crowd the offensive space even more. If he moved to the side, not only was it uncertain whether O'Neal could pass the ball, but why pass to a teammate for a shot when there were open players on the outside?

"You son of a bitch, only playing these dirty tricks!"

O'Neal cursed at Yu Fei in anger.

Yu Fei responded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Aren't you the self-proclaimed MDE (Most Dominant Ever)? How come the MDE can't even break a double-team?"

After that, Kobe isolated to bail them out, just like what often happened in Lakers games.

"We still need Kobe, eh!" Yu Fei taunted, "Some people will never succeed without Kobe!"

O'Neal roared, "I have three FMVP trophies!"

"Then why wouldn't the Lakers Team renew the contract with a three-time FMVP like you?" Yu Fei mocked, "Don't they want you?"

O'Neal, ridiculed to the point of breaking down, was almost ready to get physical but was held back by the pacifist Duncan.

"!!￥%"

The verbal sparring between Yu Fei and Shaquille O'Neal—or rather Yu Fei's one-sided derogatory mockery of O'Neal—clearly didn't fit with the theme of the All-Star game.

The referees came over to stop it.

Yu Fei happily embraced the stadium-wide boos, not knowing how many times since the start of the game the entire Staples Center had booed for him.

"You like being the villain?" Carter asked. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

"Don't jump to conclusions, Vince," Yu Fei laughed, "In the eyes of Los Angeles People, I'm the bad guy, but to those who dislike Los Angeles, I'm the embodiment of justice."

Carter nodded, "Makes sense."

The charm of the All-Star stage was that it fostered exchanges between star players.

Players who usually had filters of prejudice and misconceptions about each other changed their views after close contact.

Although Yu Fei's actions only served to deepen others' impressions of him, he had indeed changed his view of Carter.

Nice personality, doesn't seek the limelight, and what's more important, his game style suited Yu Fei's.

He seemed like a luxury version of Ray Allen, with a weaker shot but upgraded talent.

I wonder if there will be a chance to cooperate in the future?

Yu Fei's thoughts went no further, arriving in the frontcourt, he called for Big Ben's screen.

Of course, O'Neal wouldn't come out; he hadn't expected Yu Fei to target him so directly in the All-Star Game.

If O'Neal wouldn't come out, Yu Fei was naturally going to embarrass him thoroughly.

Using Big Ben's screen, he broke past Kidd, dribbled to just inside the free-throw line, where a slight move would have allowed O'Neal to interfere.