Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 49: I’ve Done That Too

Huh?

Hardaway looked at Chen Yu, confused.

’Didn’t you say I needed to rest and not run around?’

Chen Yu said, "I meant, you spent six years in Orlando. Now that you’re back, isn’t there anywhere you’d like to go?"

Hardaway’s expression grew thoughtful.

He had given the best six years of his life to Orlando. He had many fond memories here.

But for a moment, he really couldn’t think of any place he wanted to go.

Seeing Hardaway shake his head, Chen Yu sighed.

’Alright, let’s just do the acupuncture then.’

While inserting the needles, Chen Yu considered his options. ’Maybe I should have Hill come over.’

’Two successors to Jordan, both recovering from injuries. Maybe they’ll find some common ground.’

’That could actually work.’

Hardaway was likely in a state of mind where he feared surgery, but conservative treatment wasn’t showing immediate results. He couldn’t see any hope of a full recovery, so he was starting to get anxious.

He was even beginning to doubt whether Chen Yu’s treatment was effective.

At a time like this, he needed to see tangible proof that the treatment was working, that there were no problems, and that everything would get better.

So, after finishing the acupuncture, Chen Yu said, "Come on, let’s go somewhere."

Hardaway instinctively wanted to refuse. He didn’t really want to go out, afraid of being spotted by reporters. But he remembered promising Chen Yu before he came that he would follow all his instructions, so he nodded.

They changed their clothes, and Hardaway, leaning on his crutches, got into the car with Chen Yu.

On the way, Hardaway learned that Chen Yu was taking him to Hill’s house. Surprised, he said, "Can we find a mall? I want to buy a gift."

Basic etiquette was still important.

They drove all the way to Hill’s house.

Tamia answered the door. Seeing Hardaway getting out of the car on crutches, she froze.

Of course, she knew Hardaway was in Orlando—Chen Yu had told her—but neither she nor Hill had much of a personal relationship with him.

They played for different teams and were both considered successors to Jordan. In the eyes of the media and fans, they were still competitors.

Because there could only be one successor to Jordan.

Accepting the gift, Tamia said thank you and couldn’t help but glance at Hardaway’s left leg.

’Is it so serious that he needs crutches?’

In truth, Hardaway could move on his own, but Chen Yu had insisted he use crutches. It was necessary to reduce the pressure on his knee before surgery.

In the yard, Hill was earnestly practicing the Five Animals Qigong.

He had become fascinated with it these past few days. In his own words, he especially enjoyed the refreshing, warm feeling that spread through his body after a session.

So, although surprised to see Chen Yu and Hardaway, he didn’t rush to finish his practice. He just gestured for the two of them to sit down.

"What is he doing?" Hardaway asked, dumbfounded.

Hill was standing with his hands drooping and arms drawn back, craning his neck forward in a sneaky way... just like... a monkey?

’If a reporter took a picture of this...’

Hardaway shuddered violently. ’So embarrassing.’

Chen Yu explained, "It’s a type of fitness routine from China, something like yoga."

In the United States, yoga was much more well-known.

"But it’s more effective than yoga. By using different movements, it improves the body’s circulation and helps you recover faster." The effects of the Five Animals Qigong were clearly superior.

The mention of yoga made Hardaway understand. He watched thoughtfully for a moment, then turned to glance at Chen Yu.

His eyes seemed to say, ’You taught Hill, why didn’t you teach me?’

Just then, Hill finished his routine.

He walked over and first shook hands with Hardaway. He had already seen the crutches beside him, and his feelings were complicated.

’Misery loves company!’

"Chen, don’t you think my complexion looks much better? I felt great when I woke up this morning." Hill stretched his body a bit.

Chen Yu glanced at him. He had to admit, Hill did look more vibrant, with a healthy glow about him.

But then again, ’the guy doesn’t have to do anything and still earns tens of thousands of US dollars every day, plus he has his wife with him. Especially his wife.’

A thought struck Chen Yu. ’Maybe Hardaway misses his wife too.’

’No, wait, he doesn’t have a wife.’

’And after what just happened with his girlfriend calling the cops on him, seeing her now would probably make him sick with anger.’

His gaze fell on Hill’s ankle.

It was visibly much better.

Chen Yu immediately realized it was because of the Silver Level treatment effect.

’As expected, for a situation that medicine and surgery can’t solve, I have to rely on the System.’

After a moment of thought, Chen Yu said, "Grant, let’s adjust today’s training plan. You can start training with a ball."

Chen Yu’s rehabilitation plan wasn’t just about physical recovery; it also had to restore Hill’s athletic condition.

Given his current recovery progress, he was perfectly capable of starting some low-intensity ball drills.

"Really?"

Hill’s eyes lit up. For a professional player who had been playing for so many years, not touching a ball for over a month was pure torture.

Even Hardaway was surprised.

It had only been about five weeks since Hill’s injury, right?

Didn’t they say he had cartilage damage? He could already start training with a ball?

’He’s recovering so fast.’

He glanced at Chen Yu. Hill’s treatment had been handled by Chen Yu from the start.

As a professional player, he definitely had a basketball court at home.

And for the first ball-training session after an injury, Chen Yu naturally had to be there to supervise.

Tamia brought juice for the two of them and stood quietly watching Hill warm up. Suddenly, she said, "Chen, thank you."

"Don’t mention it."

Chen Yu waved his hand. He had his own reasons for treating Hill. Besides, he was getting paid for it.

But Tamia shook her head. "Not for that. For what happened with the management before."

She stared intently at Hill. "He’s always been a ’nice guy’ in everyone’s eyes. But because of that, in many situations, he cares too much about what other people—like his teammates and the fans—think of him, and he ends up neglecting himself."

"So sometimes, I wish he could be a little more selfish and think more about himself. Chen, if it weren’t for what you said on TV before, with his personality, he would have never complained about the team’s management."

Chen Yu paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement. To put it bluntly, Hill was too easily influenced.

Beside them, Hardaway snorted coldly and said, "That’s how it should be. He’s the team leader. When there’s a problem with the team’s management, he should be the one to stand up and fight back."

Seeing Chen Yu’s curious look, Hardaway said without hesitation, "I’ve done it before."

In ’96, after his first injury, he was put back on the court by the then-Magic head coach, Brian Hill, after resting for only 20 days. The result was obvious: he played just one game and got injured again.

Then, after being coaxed by Hill and Gabriel, he made another early comeback and got injured again.

That experience was the beginning of his knee nightmare.

Later, an enraged Hardaway rallied a group of players on the team to openly boycott and protest Brian Hill.

The ending was predictable: Brian Hill was out.

Chen Yu was speechless for a moment, then chuckled. ’You two really are alike,’ he thought to himself.

’Both successors to Jordan, both screwed over by management, and now both have gotten their head coach fired.’