The black base of the All-Star Game MVP trophy had two lines engraved on it.
The top line read "NBA ALL☆STAR GAME."
The bottom line read "KOBE BRYANT MVP AWARD."
The NBA All-Star Game—Kobe Bryant MVP Cup.
A crystal disk shaped like a clock stood upright on the base.
The NBA logo was in the center of the disk.
Five stars were above it.
This was Wang Yi's fifth All-Star Game MVP.
Ever since he joined the Kings, he had won MVP every time he played in the All-Star Game.
His dominance was plain to see.
At the postgame press conference, Wemby and Antetokounmpo represented the East.
Tristos, a reporter from the Sacramento Chronicle, deliberately put them on the spot:
"Anyone watching tonight's All-Star Game could see that nearly every star was targeting Wang Yi. The Western stars wouldn't pass him the ball, and the Eastern stars swarmed him whenever they saw him. Why did you do that?"
A trace of embarrassment crossed Antetokounmpo's face, but he quickly recovered.
He said, forcing himself to press on, "No, I think everyone's got the wrong idea. We weren't targeting anyone. This was an exhibition game, a chance to relax. Why would we target someone over an exhibition game?"
The reporter gave a faint, mocking smile.
"Do you think everyone's an idiot? But it doesn't matter if you targeted him. Wang still put up 50 points and a massive triple-double while facing one against ten. You failed to embarrass him, and instead made a fool of yourselves. You've become a laughingstock. So I want to ask: how does that feel?"
This was no longer an ordinary interview. It felt more like an interrogation.
Antetokounmpo glanced up at Christos, then lowered his head.
After a moment's silence, he finally shook his head. "Sorry, no