Wang Yi answered each question with a smile.
"The future belongs to them, but the present belongs to us."
"Aleksandar's mid-range game is strong, but don't forget, mine isn't bad either."
"Whether the Lakers can keep sweeping their opponents remains to be seen."
His answers lacked some of the swagger of his younger days, the kind that said he would take on the whole world, but carried more composure and calm.
He sounded like an old man weathered by time, telling the younger generation his story.
The Western Conference Finals had reached a fever pitch.
That evening, the NBA released its Western Conference Finals poster.
On the left: Forty-year-old Wang Yi stood with the ball, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Caption: The old guard never dies; the flames of battle never fade.
On the right: Forty-year-old Aleksandar struck his signature Golden Rooster Independence pose, frozen at the moment of release.
Caption: Past his prime, yet his spirit still endures.
The moment the poster came out, the internet exploded.
#Wang Yi VS Aleksandar#
#2040 Western Conference Finals: The Ultimate Veteran Showdown#
#Lakers VS Thunder#
The three topics immediately took over the top ten trending spots.
Fans argued, and experts debated nonstop.
Some favored the Thunder's depth.
Some believed in Wang Yi's miracle.
Some said that a forty-year-old player no longer deserved to dominate a game.
Others said that true legends could always defy fate.
In the Staples Center conference room, the Lakers' pregame team meeting began.
After Coach Harris finished explaining the game plan, everyone looked toward Wang Yi.
Wang Yi slowly rose to his feet.
His gaze swept over each of his teammates.
"Tonight, the Western Conference Finals begin."
"Our opponents, the Thunder, are strong."
"They can run, jump, defend, and fight for rebounds."
"I'm old and out of