Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1102 - 616 Tomorrow Will Be Better_3

Chapter 1102: Chapter 616 Tomorrow Will Be Better_3 Chapter 1102: Chapter 616 Tomorrow Will Be Better_3 “A high-talented raw gem and a low-pick overlooked talent, both coincidentally snagged by the Clippers. And when the Clippers picked them up, they were heavily criticized, only to slap the public opinion in the face with the outcome.

With these two assisting, along with Thompson and Yao Ming, GOAT could definitely hope for a Bill Russell-esque glorious ending.

Kobe had many chances to win another championship, but they were all thwarted by Yu Fei.

Now hearing Westbrook boldly declaring that winning a championship would let him die without regrets, as if it was a minor goal.

But he didn’t want to crush the hopes of the younger ones.

People only realize how unattainable their supposedly moderate goals might be after life has beaten them down.

Although Yu Fei enjoyed teasing Westbrook, he was indeed motivated by the latter and became more proactive.

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His proactivity mainly manifested in his defense.

He successfully became the kind of fool Barkley mentioned who plays serious defense in the All-Star game.

This change had minimal impact on the game; ultimately, the Western All-Star Team won, with Westbrook defending his AMVP title.

After the game, Yu Fei performed his interview duties perfunctorily, and once done with everything, he hurried back to Los Angeles.

A few days later, Yu Fei’s second child was born, a girl.

Yu Fei shared this news on social media, and instantly, countless people sent their blessings.

While Yu Fei was enjoying the joys of family life, the NBA trade market was anything but calm.

In just one and a half seasons, the Rockets announced that their plan to bring in Howard had failed as he didn’t mesh with Harden, so they decided to trade away this aging center, who obviously had an outdated style and back, shoulder, and knee issues.

The first to fire on trade deadline day were the Spurs.

They sent Pau Gasol to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Ryan Anderson and Lu Bamoto, and afterwards signed both Paul George and Kemba Walker to a four-year max contract.

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On paper, this definitely looked like a weakening move, but such is the plight of small-market teams, forced to ensure a healthy and manageable salary cap for long-term planning of the team.

Then, also to cut expenses, the Mavericks announced they had bought out veteran Monta Ellis’ contract.

Although not as capable as in his prime, Ellis was still a reliable bench scorer, a decent addition for strong teams.

Ellis didn’t give other teams any chances to snatch him up, quickly announcing his new team.

He would join the Clippers on a one-year minimum salary.

Ellis’ addition meant that the Clippers’ bench was deeper than before, and at the same time, their average age increased once again.

Interestingly, Ellis was also from the 2001 draft class.

With him included, the Clippers now had four members from the 2001 draft class.

Aside from Yu Fei, most of these players had already lost the ability to start.

This was the only operation carried out by the Clippers in the recent trade waves.

And it could be said, the most rational choice.

Seize the opportunity when it presents itself, stay put when it doesn’t; the Clippers now were not afraid of lack of players, only of ruining the great team chemistry.

It was a season full of incidents.

Many hopeless teams wanted to tank, some unfulfilled teams desired to make themselves better through trades, but there were no magical transformations on the trade market.

As a result, team GMs complained that there were no good trades available.

Players wanting to switch teams complained about the slow actions of their teams.

Those teams aiming for the championship had to consider one problem: how to compete with the Clippers.

Perhaps what they should really be asking is whether there is still a chance this season?

They dared not ask.

Because people like Durant would never allow giving up any peak season.

But some, even if they don’t wish to give up, fate makes the decision for them, like the once lucky, now luckless King.

After the All-Star weekend, James looked at his team’s records, thinking that if they trade for a good player, maybe they could still make a run for the finals.

However, upon returning to the team, he immediately felt like the sky had fallen.

Yahoo Sports’ Woj reported: “Cleveland Cavaliers’ star power forward Chris Bosh is facing pressure from doctors and the team management, potentially missing all remaining games this season due to health issues. This could be yet another tragic season for Bosh. In the next 24 hours, Bosh will meet with Cavaliers Boss Dan Gilbert and general manager Adrian Griffin to discuss whether to declare this season over.”

Meanwhile, Clippers’ sophomore star Nikola Jokić seemed like a prescient philosopher. Before the All-Star weekend, he scored a triple-double in a game. When asked about his thoughts, he simply stated, “I think tomorrow will be better.”

“Tomorrow will be better,” there was no simpler or more innocent wish than this. The Cavaliers held on with this belief from last year to now, hoping Bosh would recover, tomorrow would be better.

However, now all the beautiful fantasies and hopes were shattered. The Cavaliers lost their most crucial support, and James’ “homecoming” journey had also spanned four years. If the team was in dire straits with dim hopes, would the once departed not make the same choice again?

After the All-Star weekend, in the first game, the Clippers hosted the Miami Heat, entering with a 22-game winning streak, not losing their form despite the break. Even though Curry led the Heat in a tenacious battle, persisting through four quarters, the Clippers eventually won thanks to their significant advantage in the paint, making the Heat their 23rd victim.

Tonight, Jokić once again scored a triple-double.

The reporter, smiling, asked him, “Nikola, do you think today was better than yesterday?”

Jokić, with a deadpan expression, replied, “Not at all!”

With that, he left in a huff.

When the reporter turned to Yu Fei, asking why Jokić was still unhappy despite the win, Yu Fei explained with a smile, “He relaxed too much during the All-Star break, neglected his training, and ended up last in the team’s internal shooting contest. As a punishment, the coach demanded he not violate dietary regulations for a month. I guess that’s probably why he’s unhappy.”