Woj turned off the recorder. Wang Yi and Woj chatted for a few more minutes, and soon it was time to go.
Wang Yi boarded his private jet and headed for China.
Nicole was too busy with work to do more than see Wang Yi off at the airport. She watched as he boarded the plane with Anjiali, Baiyin, and Keke.
Baiyin and Keke were Wang Yi's personal doctor and personal trainer. Both had played a major role in his recovery from his foot injury and his training, so of course they had to go with him.
Anjiali said she wanted to visit China, so she came along with Wang Yi.
During the dozen or so hours Wang Yi spent flying to China, the controversy over his insults continued to grow.
Many NBA legends had already spoken out.
For example, former Pistons great Billups said:
"I know Wang Yi had been insulted on the court for a long time and was angry about it, but today's NBA isn't the uncivilized league it was thirty or fifty years ago. In other words, we've developed into a civilized society. Players should still rein themselves in and be more tolerant."
Pierce, a Celtics legend, naturally spoke up once again: "I know Wang is a man with fire in his belly, but that fire should show on the court, not off it—and certainly not in insults directed at the fans. Wang, you've disgraced the Chinese people."
Bales simply said, "I'm ashamed of Wang Yi."
And this time, even Michael Jordan and Tracy McGrady, who had supported Wang Yi in the past, said in interviews:
"Wang was a little too impulsive."
When Shaquille O'Neal was asked about it on his Shaq Show, he shook his head and said:
"I know some fans are obnoxious, and