Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1059 - 601 Dont End It Like MJ

Chapter 1059: Chapter 601: Don’t End It Like MJ Chapter 1059: Chapter 601: Don’t End It Like MJ February 2015 didn’t seem particularly different for the NBA.

Even when Chris Bosh was ruled out for the season due to blood clots, it was just another misfortune for a star player.

Each season, some star has bad luck, but Bosh’s situation especially caught people’s attention. As Yu Fei’s former teammate and a core aide to James, the risk of season-ending and potentially career-ending injury weighed heavily on many hearts.

Meanwhile, the news of Trail Blazers legend Jerome Cossey’s death from blood clots cast a shadow over Bosh’s condition.

Cossey had been a main player in the ’90s, and having retired for many years, he was only remembered by the older generation of Trail Blazers fans.

Cossey’s death mainly brought increased attention to Bosh’s health within the League.

The death of NBA legends is mostly like this—unnoticed during life, only a notice is posted upon their passing.

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However, Yu Fei never expected to hear such terrible news about a former teammate before his own retirement.

On February 28th, during the Clippers game at the Grizzlies’ home court, sudden news emerged: NBA legend Anthony Mason had died from heart disease.

When the news broke out, Yu Fei was warming up and felt a buzzing in his head, finding it unbelievable.

“Mason? Is it the Anthony Mason I know?” he asked in confusion.

Lin Kaiwen confirmed, “Yes, it’s him. The news is from Mason’s family; there’s no mistake.”

Hearing this, Yu Fei struggled to calm his emotions.

He silently walked over and sat by the court, Rivers asking with concern, “Frye, are you okay?”

“It’s nothing, just need to rest a bit,” Yu Fei softly replied.

Sitting court-side, his thoughts drifted back to the past.

When he was first traded to Milwaukee, Mason tried to establish rules for him as the Bucks’ prevailing star, only to be countered by Yu Fei.

That confrontation solidified his footing in Milwaukee.

Subsequently, Mason settled his differences with Karl through a game, and then the Bucks embarked on their championship streak.

Looking back, Mason’s role in the team was just like Kwame Brown’s when he first joined the Supersonics—a grunt worker.

Yu Fei remembered how after games they’d often hit some untidy spots to hang out, and Mason would even help him pick up girls, truly being his wingman.

Yet after Mason retired, their contact nearly ceased, and Mason never bothered him.

Many years passed by, Yu Fei was no longer the brash youngster banished to Milwaukee by the Basketball God, and Mason—years later, the news about him was sadly his obituary.

“Get in touch with Mason’s family,” Yu Fei told Lin Kaiwen before going back on the court, “see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

He was distracted during that evening’s game.

However, the Clippers’ strength was there, and most of the time the games did not require Yu Fei to take them seriously.

Even as Yu Fei’s mind wandered, the Clippers easily defeated the Grizzlies.

After the game, Yu Fei declined interviews.

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A few days later, Yu Fei and his old Bucks teammates attended Mason’s memorial service.

Yu Fei saw Ray Allen, Latrell Sprewell, Dan Gadzuric…

Yu Fei was the sole active player from that original old Bucks team.

No one ever imagined that the old Bucks reunion would be at Mason’s memorial.

“I still can’t accept that he’s gone,” Ray Allen said, “after all, he was so strong…”

It was like Chamberlain’s teammates couldn’t believe Glia could die from complications caused by a toothache.

Initially, Yu Fei thought the same, but later, he realized death is everyone’s final destination. Yes, Mason’s premature departure was tragic, but did it have anything to do with his strength?

“How have you been lately?” Yu Fei asked about Ray Allen’s recent life.

“Good,” Allen said, “I’m writing an autobiography about myself.”

With a smile, Yu Fei asked, “Will it mention me?”

“You’re a name that can’t be avoided.”

“I hope I’m portrayed in a good light.”

Yu Fei looked around; among the Bucks’ core members, only Michael Redd was absent.

Understandable, since Redd had left the team on bad terms, and Yu Fei had also been immature in handling the competition between him and Ray Allen back then. Redd later moved to New York and Boston and also failed to manage relationships with those teams.

So, perhaps Redd himself was the issue.

Then, Yu Fei sought out Sprewell for a chat.

As the instigator of The Palace of Auburn Hills brawl, which was closely tied to Ray Allen’s trade, Yu Fei had still stood firm against all opposing opinions and secured a hefty contract for ‘The Madman’.

Later, after Yu Fei left, Sprewell was also traded.

Eventually, ‘The Madman’ retired in 2008, having been for seven years.

The last time Yu Fei heard any news about him was years ago when Sprewell filed for bankruptcy.

Seeing him now, his once formidable arrogance had vanished.

The Madman had put on weight, became more amiable, and despite his bankruptcy, the veteran NBA pension was enough to sustain him.

“Sprewell, long time no see,” Yu Fei inquired about ‘The Madman’s recent status and offered help.

Sprewell was the typical teammate: close during collaboration, gradually losing touch afterwards.

The Madman knew, with just a little help from Yu Fei, his life could be vastly improved.