Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Yu Fei found out about Chris Whitney being traded on that very night.

If he had to choose two people from the team to survive with him in the wilderness, he would pick Tyronn Lue and Chris Whitney.

The former was optimistic enough to help one overcome adversity, while the latter was mature and had plenty of life experience.

Most importantly, he had a really good relationship with Yu Fei.

When the trade happened, Whitney was fishing at his hometown. He was satisfied with his life and liked playing for the Wizards, eager to play in D.C. until retirement.

He even hoped to find a job as a basketball coach in an elementary school in D.C. after retiring.

But then, the abrupt trade news disrupted his plans.

"This is the consequence of publicly taking your side," Whitney said self-deprecatingly, "I knew it was risky."

Yu Fei laughed after hearing this, "Believe me, Seattle is better than D.C."

"But I've been here for seven years, I'm used to everything here," Whitney said, "My family is practically half Washingtonians now."

This left both of them speechless.

Regardless, the trade had happened, and both Yu Fei and Whitney had to look ahead.

Before parting, Whitney said to Yu Fei, "If you don't want to end up like me, you have to find a way to take control of the team. Don't be kicked out of D.C. like I was!"

Being traded like Whitney?

Yu Fei wanted to say that was exactly what he wished for; rather than dragging on with Jordan and the Wizards, he'd prefer to start anew somewhere else.

But unfortunately, this wasn't a 2K game, Yu Fei couldn't set a forced trade, otherwise he would have traded himself or Jordan long ago.

As for now, he indeed had to move on.

Just like Whitney said, wresting control from Jordan's hands was the only path in front of him.

The Wizards had traded Chris Whitney and Hubert Davis for two rookies. Bobby Simmons was the backup wing the team currently needed most, while Watson was a mature point guard.

Yu Fei had no particular feelings for these two.

Although their arrival led to Whitney's departure, he knew that the one who really should be questioned was the person who made the trade.

The first day after Whitney's trade was the day Yu Fei was most dissatisfied with Jordan, but on that day, Jordan did not come to the Verizon Center for training.

Since it was the All-Star weekend break, Jordan was preparing to go to Philadelphia for the All-Star game, and he couldn't possibly have time to train here.

Yu Fei was also preparing for the Rookie Challenge, but all he wanted right now was to pick a fight with Jordan.

Yet, he couldn't find him.

The only teammate he found on the training court was Richard Hamilton who planned to come back after the All-Star weekend.

"Did they tell you when they traded Chris?"

Hamilton asked Yu Fei this question.

Yu Fei said, "No."

"It looks like he doesn't respect you as much as I thought." Although Hamilton didn't name names, Yu Fei could immediately discern the "he" Hamilton mentioned.

Yu Fei looked at this second in command of the team—who had been absent for over a month due to a groin tear, and who might not be considered as such now—faced him with a hint of presumption, "Why do you think he would respect me? Do you think he has ever respected anyone here? I don't think so; in his eyes, everyone should serve him, everyone must bow before him and be ruled by him."

Then Hamilton asked the biggest question on his mind, "So why don't you just comply with what he wants? You have to admit he is very influential in the league, and you're the rookie he selected against all advice, you're better than Kwame, you can help him, you only need to lower yourself, and you could earn his favor, and Chris might not have been traded."

"That's what people do when they're desperate," Yu Fei answered, "I'm young and talented, I have confidence in myself, why should I sell my self-respect and soul for someone who isn't worth it?"

Hamilton laughed, "You really are rebellious."

Yu Fei retorted, "You don't seem as reverential towards the boss as you appear to be."

"No, I really do respect him," Hamilton said seriously, his smile fading, "I just hope he respects me too."

All right, I know you're still sore about people saying you don't deserve to wear Jordan's shoes. They don't think you deserve them, so just don't wear them. You could consider the Chinese Jordans. I, Yu Fei, on behalf of Jordan of China, give my approval.

Another day passed, and Yu Fei's anger had subsided quite a bit.

He felt he should be happy for Whitney, for escaping Jordan. After all, Whitney's career was nearing its end, and if he had to spend his last years being forced to accompany this doomed ship towards the iceberg, who knows what misfortune might occur?

Then, Reebok informed Yu Fei he had to properly promote his signature boots before the All-Star weekend.

This year's All-Star game was being held in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson's home court.

And Iverson was currently the biggest basketball star under Reebok's banner; they had planned to let Iverson give Yu Fei's advertisement a boost and organize some humanized activities to expand influence.

February 11th

Yu Fei, along with Lawson and Assistant Clark, headed to Philadelphia. At the airport, Reebok staff had already arranged an interview and a private car for him.

"Frye, that person is a journalist from USA Today. He'll give you a 15-minute exclusive interview. We'll leave after it's over; you're going to be very busy today," said the Reebok staff member.

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