Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 67: Phoenix

Stern personally saw Chen Yu out.

Downstairs, Jordan called out to Chen Yu. "Chen, you didn’t become the Magic’s team doctor. So, want to come to Washington?"

Just a moment ago, upstairs, Chen Yu had shared many of his insights on sports health with the two of them, and it had been a real eye-opener for Jordan.

A man who not only possessed superb medical skills but also understood sports medicine was the perfect fit for a team doctor.

Chen Yu asked, "Do you have the final say?"

"Of course." Jordan patted his chest. "I’m a shareholder and the general manager of the Wizards. You tell me if I have the final say."

"Mitch broke his ribs last season, and they still bother him this year. Last month, he sprained his knee again. He’s already 35, so he needs proper maintenance to maintain his competitive form."

"Oh, and Juwan Howard. He hasn’t had any major injuries, but he’s constantly dealing with minor ones. He’s had some ankle problems this year and missed a number of games. Besides, I’ve always felt he’s had a mental block ever since he signed that contract."

The Mitch Jordan was talking about had to be Mitch Richmond, the former face of the King franchise, nicknamed "The Rock." And just as Jordan said, he wasn’t getting any younger.

As for Juwan Howard, Chen Yu’s main impression of him was as the infamous "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man."

When Chen Yu first saw the news about it, he was shocked. He couldn’t imagine someone could make so much money just by playing basketball.

"I’ll need to think about it," Chen Yu said with a smile. "As for those two, once the player health management department is established, you can submit a report, and I’ll provide my professional medical opinion."

’Before, I was the one desperately trying to land a team doctor job. Now, it’s my turn to pick the team.’

In reality, Chen Yu was personally more inclined to join the Suns.

Hardaway’s post-op rehabilitation would be a long process, and if he became the Suns’ team doctor, he could monitor his condition at all times.

Jordan nodded. "You have my number. Call me when you’ve made up your mind."

With that, he got in his car and left.

Chen Yu glanced back at the towering Olympic Tower behind him, pulled his trench coat tighter, and turned, melting into the wind and snow.

「Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport」

At the arrivals gate stood the current general manager of the Suns, Brian Colangelo; one of his assistants, David Griffin, who was responsible for coordinating daily affairs; and the key personnel from the medical department: current team doctor Richard Emerson and head trainer Aaron Nelson.

Chen Yu’s plane wasn’t due to land for a little while. David Griffin glanced over at the scholarly-looking Richard Emerson, who was wearing glasses, and said in a low voice, "GM, I heard from Miss Louise that Mr. Emerson is thinking of resigning."

Brian, dressed in a crisp black suit with a subtle pattern and possessing sharp, chiseled features, glanced at Emerson. He let out a barely audible snort and said, "Then I’ll respect his wishes."

Brian had a lot of resentment toward Emerson, feeling he was unfit for the position of team doctor for the Suns. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

There were many reasons for this.

For instance, in the latter half of last season, the team’s starting power forward, Tom Gugliotta, had been sidelined for the season with a torn ligament in his left knee.

Then, at the end of March, Emerson had personally performed the ligament repair surgery on Gugliotta.

And the result? A starting power forward who had averaged 13.7 points and 7.9 rebounds last season returned this season, only for his stats to fall off a cliff. So far, he was only averaging 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

The man was basically finished.

If that were the end of it, it might have been forgivable. But the critical part was that just last season, he had signed him to a massive five-year, $50.5 million contract.

Brian was about to lose his mind. He was stuck with that albatross of a contract.

Because of this, his old man had given him no end of grief about his poor judgment.

But Brian felt aggrieved. ’There was nothing wrong with giving him a max contract! In his last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was averaging over 20 and 9 and even made the All-Star team. Who would have known he’d decline so sharply after his injury?’

So, when it came down to it, the root of the problem was Emerson’s surgery.

’Besides Gugliotta, there’s Hardaway’s knee and J Kidd’s ankle... the team is constantly plagued by injuries. And he wants to resign? He’s lucky I haven’t fired him already.’

David Griffin wisely changed the subject. "By the way, GM, about this player health management department the league is planning to establish... I saw a report on ESPN that it has to do with Dr. Chen. Will that affect Hardaway’s treatment?"

The day before yesterday, Stern had mentioned in an interview that he was preparing to establish a new department to oversee the medical staff of every team and prevent players from returning to the court before they were fully recovered.

Brian folded his arms. He’d seen that news, and his old man had talked to him about it too.

"It’s a good thing. But from what I’ve heard, Chen might become the head of this new department, which could be a bit of a problem."

From the team’s perspective, of course, no one wanted players to get injured.

That shady move by the Magic’s management was an isolated case; Brian himself would never do something like that.

So, even though it meant another department interfering with the team’s daily operations, both Brian and Old Kolangelo were in support of it.

His only slight reservation was about Chen Yu being appointed head of the department.

It wasn’t that he thought Chen Yu wasn’t qualified or that his medical skills were lacking.

One only had to look at Hill’s condition to know. After his rushed return against the Nicks, Hill played again two days later against the Hawk. In 20 minutes of court time, he efficiently put up 17 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, helping the Magic crush the Hawk by 19 points.

Then, in the following game against the Spurs, he was on fire. Was there any doubt about how effective Chen Yu’s treatment was?

The problem was that Chen Yu was impartial and always put the player’s health first. For Hill’s sake, he had forced the Magic’s front office to make personnel changes. If he took over this department, wouldn’t any decision about whether an injured player could play be entirely at his discretion?

Brian didn’t support Gabriel’s actions, but in certain special circumstances, you really did need players to make sacrifices.

"But there’s no use in us opposing it," Brian added. Stern had ruled the league with an iron fist for more than a decade; no one could stand in the way of something he wanted to do.

They chatted for a while longer before Chen Yu finally appeared, pulling a rolling suitcase.

Brian immediately led the group forward to greet him.

"Hello."

Chen Yu shook hands with each of the four men. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they immediately got into a car and headed straight for Saint Luke Hospital in downtown Phoenix.

On the way, Brian made a point of having the driver take a detour past the Suns’ home, the US Airways Center.

The last time he was in Phoenix, he had been in too much of a hurry to really see anything.

As the capital of Arizona, Phoenix was actually quite a bustling city with a lot to see.

Phoenix was also a strong sports city. Not only did it have the Suns, but also the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

In the National Football League, they had the Arizona Cardinals, who had relocated from Saint Louis.

The Suns’ owner, Jerry Colangelo, also owned a Major League Baseball team that had just been established two years prior: the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Finally, Phoenix’s hockey scene was also particularly strong, boasting two teams.

Most importantly, the climate was excellent.

After spending a few days in the ice and snow of New York, Chen Yu, who was accustomed to Miami, had found it truly miserable.

Phoenix, on the other hand, was perfect. The temperature was mild, and it lacked Miami’s humidity. It was just right.

Soon, the group arrived at the hospital.

Hardaway had already come in that morning to undergo a series of tests.

His agent, Kevin Boston, was there as well.

Emerson knew his way around; he was from Saint Luke Hospital, after all.

In the examination room, Chen Yu met Hardaway.

Seeing Chen Yu, Hardaway immediately stood up and embraced him. "Grant’s recovery has been amazing," he said. "It’s all thanks to you."

His voice was filled with excitement, as if he couldn’t wait to become the next Grant Hill.