Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Just four games into the new season, Yu Fei had already made the headlines several times for his post-game comments.

Last time, it was because he was impatient with too many questions related to Jordan, and this time, it was "The team lost, I didn't."

The local media in D.C. were relatively calm about this because everyone who watched last night's game had opinions about Doug Collins.

On the other hand, the media from outside were quite biased against Fei.

Especially those columnists from ESPN who had nothing better to do than to look for hot topics every day.

One of Jordan's lapdogs, David Aldridge, criticized Yu Fei's remarks, "Frye's ego is something D.C. should be wary of. In this young man, we don't see a humble nature. In his eyes, it seems the world is always at fault, never himself, hence he doesn't accept losing because he appears to be the only person with dignity in last night's fully criminal Wizards team. But I think he needs to understand something, accepting defeat and taking responsibility is a sign of a rookie's path to maturity."

This also caught the attention of Yu Fei's agent, Arne Trem.

Trem thought that Yu Fei's response was childish and not helpful.

"Embarrassing the coaching staff and Michael won't make your situation any better; you should know this," Trem said.

Yu Fei countered, "Did you watch last night's game?"

"I didn't..."

Trem was losing his confidence.

"You didn't? Then go watch the game before you talk."

Yu Fei hung up the phone.

He didn't think he was wrong because Collins had put Jordan's interests above the outcome of the game.

What kind of nature is this?

From a competitive standpoint, this is a professional basketball coach completely disregarding the competitive spirit, utterly relinquishing his own soul.

From the team's perspective, for his own selfish gains, he let the team miss out on a great momentum and directly ruined the game.

Personally speaking, Collins's behavior wouldn't get him any benefits apart from currying favor with Jordan, and perhaps even Jordan himself wouldn't want him to do so.

Assuming the worst-case scenario – Jordan agrees with Collins doing this, then Yu Fei has even more reason to exert pressure through external forces.

Because he can't exert pressure internally.

How could he apply internal pressure? There's a line from "Shaolin Soccer": Referees, ball certifiers, witnesses, along with organizers and co-organizers – they are all my people. How can you fight me?

The same is true for the Wizards; everyone is there to serve Jordan, and if Collins has abandoned sports ethics, it's for Jordan. As long as it is for Jordan, he is blameless.

Therefore, Yu Fei could only speak out externally; only that way could make Collins wary.

The next day, Yu Fei woke up early.

Since coming to the present, Yu Fei had developed a disciplined routine. After the draft, he trained like an ascetic every day.

Even during the season, he insisted on lifting weights in the hotel gym when on the road and practicing his shooting at night on home games.

This level of hard work made even Tyrone Nesby, the hardest trainer in the Wizards, look up to him.

Nesby would inevitably hit the nightclubs after away games.

Yu Fei wasn't ascetic; he also went to a nightclub with his teammates once.

He originally intended to find someone at the nightclub to reward his hard work in the NBA but soon found that he had gone to the wrong place.
Read new chapters at m_v-l'e|m,p| y- r

In 2001, the United States was sorely lacking in the Angela White style of women that Yu Fei favored. What was common were malnourished skinny girls and off-putting silicone-boosted busts.

Boney beauties with stone-like busts? What kind of style was that? Just look at the post-comeback Arisaka Miyuki to understand.

In a word, zero appeal.

The thin-is-beautiful aesthetic aside – people's tastes always change back and forth as times change, but in regard to silicone, one must mention a person, the 90s version of Kim Kardashian – Pamela Anderson. Mentioning this name might not ring a bell for many, but if you talk about the nighttime drama "Baywatch" she starred in, many would recognize it as the show that Chandler and Joey from "Friends" faithfully watched.

Pamela Anderson's acting in "Baywatch" was just a minor detail in her standing as the sex symbol of the 90s, her record-breaking Playboy covers, or her tumultuous relationship with boyfriend Tommy Lee, all made her the goddess in the hearts of countless admirers.

Pamela's notoriety led women to imitate everything about her, from her hairstyle and clothes to "modifying her body", especially the silicone implants for the bust, which remain mainstream to this day.

```

Facing the rare occasion of visiting a nightclub, Yu Fei only witnessed experiences of technology and hard labor, which reflected the profound impact Pamela has had on American women.

Unable to find a suitable partner, Yu Fei embarrassingly remained a virgin after crossing over.

Yu Fei didn't know when his "I've been fighting all my life, so what's wrong with enjoying myself?" moment would come, but at least for now, his training kept him in good shape, which was key to him not missing a single game of the new season's first four matches.

Amidst the complex struggles within the Wizards team, he had to persevere.

It wouldn't have been a big deal to hit the gym in the hotel that morning, if not for the presence of someone Yu Fei didn't want to see.

Joe... Oh no, it's the head coach of the Wizards team, Doug Collins, who had lost all respect and trust from Yu Fei.

"Good morning, Coach, it's great to see you."

I must have cursed him and Jordan's mother in my heart too many times, that's why fate rewarded me with this encounter.

Yu Fei greeted Collins with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Collins looked at Yu Fei with a complicated gaze.

In terms of ability, Yu Fei, having only played four regular-season games, was already considered the team's third operational force by Collins, but frustratingly, this significant force couldn't make it into the starting lineup because he had the "Anti-Mike" bones.

As a coach, Collins had no reason to dislike Yu Fei.

Full of fighting spirit, tough style of play, good at finding opportunities in adverse situations, and very capable of boosting his teammates' morale; plus, he trained hard outside the court, Collins hadn't seen anyone as dedicated to practice as Yu Fei in a long time.

This was a rookie nearly without any flaws.

If only he didn't go against Jordan, how perfect would that be?

"You said to the media yesterday that you didn't lose?" Collins asked softly, "Is that true?"

Yu Fei replied with a slight smile, "Seems like it."

"Why do you think so?"

"Why?"

You don't know? Do you dare to swear on God's name that you don't know?

"Because the Detroit Pistons used a seven-man rotation last night, their starters played through the entire first quarter and continued into the second quarter when we were closing the gap. Just when we were about to catch up, I was substituted off," Yu Fei said bluntly without beating around the bush. "I remember we were only 3 points behind when I left the field, and by the time I got back, we were 18 points behind. Even so, my plus-minus was still +9. No matter who asks, I will answer the same, I didn't lose."

Collins struggled to keep calm, not knowing why he had to control his anger in front of a rude and indisciplined rookie, "You can say these things to me privately, I accept criticism, but... you can't say these things to the media."

"Why can't I?" Yu Fei's retort set off the firecracker before him.

"Because you're a fucking NBA player!" Collins yelled, "You can't just say whatever you want!"

Yu Fei still had that infuriating expression and asked in a serious but more infuriating tone, "Since when does the United States not support freedom of speech?"

"That's a fucking different thing!"

"Fine!" Yu Fei nodded, then said coldly, "I can keep my mouth shut, provided you first prove yourself to be a qualified coach."

Today, Doug Collins confirmed something.

The rumors of Frye's insubordination were not unfounded.

Every cell in his body rebelled; he only believed in his own set of principles, completely disregarding the bigger picture.

Could Michael truly tame him?

Collins was pessimistic about it.

Because so far, Jordan's performance hadn't been any better than Yu Fei's. With the two performing similarly, how could he possibly win over Yu Fei, who was already very hostile towards him?

Collins left.

Yu Fei thought Collins had given up on communicating with him, but not long after, Johnny Bach brought Yu Fei a Bible.

"This is from Doug for you," Bach said. "He hopes you'll read it when you have time."

"Is that so, thank him for me," Yu Fei responded with a fake smile that Bach saw right through, "He and Michael are truly my great mentors and benefactors."

```