Chapter 162 That Trash Jordan

After the All-Star Game concluded, Stern let out a sigh.

Although he had not yet received the official ratings report, he could already guess that the overall numbers would be far from ideal.

The stars on the court simply failed to grasp the true essence of entertainment-at-all-costs.

When fans watch the All-Star Game, they want to see flashy, dazzling performances.

If they really wanted to see fierce competition, they could just watch the playoffs or the finals.

Fortunately, the breakthrough of the Rookie Challenge saved some face for this year's All-Star event.

This format, which blended half scripted performance with half genuine competition, received high praise from the audience and gave Stern a new perspective.

And for all of this, credit had to go to Xinghui He.

Even the Slam Dunk Contest and the main game owed their success to He's performance.

"That kid—no matter what, we have to arrange everything for him next year."

Stern muttered to himself.

He admitted that he had lost; an All-Star weekend without Xinghui He was simply not entertaining enough.

The following day, the media's reviews of the All-Star event were rather mediocre.

It was not that they did not want to spare Stern's feelings, but there was truly nothing much to say.

If they forced themselves to praise it with their eyes closed, they would probably be ripped to shreds by the fans.

Left with no choice, they could only focus on discussing Xinghui He's performance and the Rookie Challenge.

As a result, on the internet, the popularity and video view counts of the Rookie Challenge completely surpassed those of the main game.

This was the first time in history, and undoubtedly, it would likely be the only time as well.

Following the All-Star break, Qiuju Cai returned to China.

She was just like millions of other mothers: when she couldn't see her son, she constantly worried about him.

Yet the moment they actually met, thousands of words shrank back into her heart, leaving nothing much to say.

In order not to distract Xinghui He, she chose to return home.

He completed an exclusive interview with CCTV and then immediately plunged back into training.

The All-Star break served as an important watershed moment in the season. Once it passed, the remaining games for each team were few, and those striving for a playoff spot would begin making their push.

Teams with championship aspirations would also launch their final sprints.

On one hand, this was to adjust the team's form; on the other hand, fighting for home-court advantage would add an extra edge.

He looked over the Clippers' remaining schedule and found the second half quite difficult, featuring many matchups against the Mavericks, Spurs, and Suns.

On the 21st, the Clippers faced the Mavericks and suffered a crushing defeat.

This was already He's second loss to the Mavericks, and some anti-fans even claimed that the Mavericks were He's ultimate Kryptonite.

That assertion wasn't entirely nonsense; when matched up against Jason Terry, He could at best trade baskets, failing to truly overwhelm him.

Moreover, the Mavericks' roster depth far exceeded that of the Clippers, boasting skilled bench players like Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris, and Keith Van Horn.

As soon as the bench units came on, the Clippers would inevitably collapse.

The moment the Clippers lost, the media's sarcastic jeers came flying in like a tidal wave.

Other teams were losing too, but none of them had claimed they were going to win a championship, nor had any other players stated they would retire if they failed to capture the title.

To put it bluntly, it was all He's big mouth that caused the trouble.

[Championship? The Mavericks are the hurdle He can never cross.]
[The Clippers' roster depth dictates that they are merely a first-round playoff team.]
[He shouldn't stay with the Clippers; the stingy Sterling would never spend money to upgrade the team.]
......

Just as these news pieces broke out, He, at Sterling's invitation, was currently a guest at Sterling's home.

Sterling and his daughter, Ariel, sat across from He as the servants served a platter of exquisite food.

"He, everyone says I'm a miser. Do you think I am?"

Sterling asked with a smile, while Ariel curiously observed He, wondering how he would answer such a tricky question.

If He said yes, it obviously wouldn't be ideal.

If he said no, it would sound a bit too much like flattery.

"Whether you're a miser or not, I don't know. I only know that you're very wealthy, and there are countless people who want to marry into your family just for your fortune. When those people call you miserly, on the surface they are expressing disdain, but deep down, jealousy is probably the main emotion,"

He replied.

Sterling burst into laughter upon hearing this; those words suited his palate.

A person who cared deeply about others' opinions would generally be too embarrassed to be stingy.

And the reason Sterling could afford to be stingy was precisely because he didn't care what others thought of him. In fact, he could even feel smug because of other people's criticisms.

In short, his worldview differed significantly from most ordinary people.

"I know that the people who call me stingy are just jealous of my business acumen. The reason I didn't pay the luxury tax before was simply because the timing wasn't right. But now, I believe that you can bring a championship to the Clippers.

So, if you want any help, just say the word. Even if it exceeds the luxury tax, I'll bring them in to assist you."

Sterling proudly picked up his coffee cup.

He believed this move of his was brilliant—it would deeply move He and buy his unwavering loyalty.

"No, actually I don't want, nor will I allow you to trade for any more stars. If you bring in any more help, I'll leave the team."

He's words almost caused Sterling to choke, and even Ariel couldn't help but chuckle nearby.

She thoroughly enjoyed He's unexpected answers.

"Why is that?"

Ariel voiced the question on her father's behalf.

"Isn't it simple? If I have to rely on star teammates to win a championship, how am I any different from that bum Michael Jordan? Only a lone hero can truly showcase my greatness. If possible, I'd like to apply to the league for the Clippers to only send four players onto the court every game."

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs with a 10-point posture, lacking only a thick gold chain, sunglasses, and a cigar.

......

Sterling and Ariel were dumbfounded, frozen like living fossils. They knew He often made shocking remarks and had mentally prepared themselves beforehand.

Yet, He's words still left them utterly lost.

If they didn't know that the guy in front of them possessed extraordinary talent and was a genius, they would have unhesitatingly dialed the hospital's number and sent He to the psychiatric ward for an evaluation.

"Jordan a bum? If he heard that, he'd probably be angry enough to announce a comeback."

Ariel laughed.

Jordan was great, but Ariel wasn't a fan of his.

Perhaps she had been influenced by her father's values.

"Even though I say this now and you probably think I'm a lunatic, just have a little patience. In just a few years, I'll prove that Jordan is really nothing special.

Before Pippen and Rodman, didn't he also get beaten to tears? Once he had Pippen and Rodman, he only managed a mere 6 championships. And people call this the Basketball God? God might actually get angry because He's being blasphemed."

Fifteen seasons, six championships—to mortals, that might seem like a lot.

In He's eyes, however, it was just so-so.

With a cheat system backing him, looking down upon the entire world.

It was just... a mere... nothing much.

These words rolled off He's tongue so naturally, without a trace of deliberate flexing.

And yet, this usually left normal people utterly speechless.

At the very least, Sterling didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Hahaha, so you even know we think you're a lunatic."

Ariel laughed until her shoulders shook; He was simply too amusing.

In all her years growing up, she had never encountered anyone with this style, not even anyone remotely similar.

"He, are you saying this sincerely, or are you just joking?"

Given the gravity of the matter, Sterling decided to clarify.

"Do I look like a guy who likes to joke?"

He asked. Sterling and Ariel nodded.

"Come on, I was being very serious just now. Let me reiterate: I don't want star assistance. Give me two more seasons, and even Gasol can be shipped out. Not only am I going to win a championship, but I'm going to win it with the lowest-paid, lowest-profile roster in history."

He stated.

"He, I don't doubt your grand ambitions. But this is the real world. Can you really win a championship all by yourself?"

Sterling said helplessly.

He suddenly realized that having a franchise player who desperately tried to save you money wasn't entirely a blissful experience.

Damn it, the world had gone completely mad.

"Come on, Donald, can't you phrase your question differently? Like, 'How many championships can you win all by yourself?'"

Since he had already established the persona of a madman, He decided to go all the way with it.

Right now, there was nothing he wouldn't dare to say.

If Sterling questioned him further, he would claim he could step on his left foot with his right foot and his right foot with his left foot to fly straight into the sky.

......

Sterling felt he had been utterly mistaken before; he had actually attempted to buy He's loyalty.

Could someone like He, who might fly off into the sky over a minor disagreement, ever be reined in?

It was simply laughable.

"Okay, we'll do it your way, but we need an agreement between us. Three years—if you fail to bring a championship to the Clippers within three years, you must let me build the championship roster according to my vision."

Sterling compromised, deciding to observe He for a little longer.

"I'm applying for a trade right now."

With a sudden shift in attitude, He threatened to demand a trade and leave the team.

???

Sterling wore a face full of question marks. Why did his attitude change faster than flipping a book? Wasn't it just you who blew yourself up to the heavens? Why are you now complaining that three years is too short?

Just as he was filled with confusion, He declared: "Because I feel I haven't been shown enough respect here. Three years? Just how little do you think of me?"

With that, he even pointed at a crooked-necked fruit tree in the distance: "Two years at most. If I still don't have a championship in two years, I'll go hang myself on that crooked tree."

"Hahaha......"

Ariel laughed so hard she slid right down onto the lawn, bending over and clutching her stomach, entirely abandoning her previous image as a young lady of breeding.

As expected, He did not disappoint her; his words never lacked a dramatic twist.

"Alright, my mistake, my mistake."

Sterling was truly defeated.

He suddenly recalled a saying: geniuses and madmen are often indistinguishable.

After seeing He, he finally believed that saying.

If not for the fact that He had previously created so many miracles, his words just now would have warranted sending him straight to a psychiatric hospital without needing any diagnosis—just an immediate verdict.

Utterly insane.