I Don't Believe in Him

Pacers postgame press conference.

"Mr. Miller, what did you think of the Pacers' performance tonight?" a blonde reporter asked.

"Even though we lost tonight, we played really well."

"How would you rate the Clippers' performance tonight? And what did you think of Artest's foul?" the blonde reporter asked again.

Reggie Miller thought for a moment before answering. "The Clippers played really well tonight—better than we did. Li Chen, especially, reminded me of Iverson with his drives to the basket. He played perfectly tonight, at an All-Star Player level, or even better."

Reggie Miller thought for a moment, then added, "As for Artest's foul at the end, it was the best choice. Otherwise, I might have been hit with a buzzer-beater. No—we definitely would have been, because Li Chen was on fire tonight."

"Mr. Miller, do you think the Clippers can make the Playoffs this year?"

"Well..." Reggie Miller thought for a moment. "I think they can, with that miraculous Eastern Kid leading them."

Then Reggie Miller went on to heap praise on the Clippers.

The next day.

At NBA headquarters, in the commissioner's office, Li Chen's outstanding performance had given commissioner David Stern some new ideas.

He wanted to make Li Chen the face of the NBA. The reason for this was the enormous market in the East, combined with Li Chen's miraculous rise, which would give people something to look forward to.

However, he was still a little hesitant. His original plan had been to promote Kobe first, then the Chosen One, LeBron James. But Li Chen's sudden arrival had caught him off guard and disrupted his plans.

At first, he hadn't paid much attention, but Li Chen's incredible performance against the Lakers later had been exactly to his liking.

David Stern was an ambitious man. He wanted basketball to become the world's most popular sport, even though he knew that would be difficult.

After thinking it over carefully, he decided to ask Michael Jordan for his opinion.

A short while later, David Stern explained his thoughts and concerns.

Boss Joe had just gotten out of the pool. Sitting in a lounge chair, he held the phone in silence for a long while before finally saying, "David, honestly, I don't believe in that Yellow Race kid. I watched the game against the Lakers. He won on luck alone. He won't amount to anything. Trust me, David—he won't go far."

"David, you've seen LeBron James's physical gifts. Why take the risk?" Jordan continued.

David Stern fell silent, lost in thought.

Seeing that David Stern, the man he had personally helped rise to prominence, still seemed reluctant to give up, Boss Joe added, "How about this? I'll take a look at that Eastern Kid when the Clippers play the Wizards."

David Stern nodded. "All right. Michael, I'll send you Li Chen's latest physical test results in a bit."

Half an hour later, Michael Jordan, a cigar tucked in one hand, looked over the test results faxed to him by Skoen.

When he saw Li Chen's basic measurements, Jordan straightened up. He began to take this seriously.

Name: Li Chen. Basic measurements: barefoot height, 199.8 cm; weight, 93.3 kg; wingspan, 210 cm; hand length, 28 cm; Achilles tendon length, 32 cm; standing reach, 2.60 m; standing vertical jump, 96 cm; running vertical jump, 122 cm; 100-meter dash, 10.6 seconds; high jump, 2.22 m; long jump, 7.88 m; maximum hang time, 0.90 seconds.

After reading Li Chen's measurements, Michael Jordan still could hardly believe it. This Eastern Kid's physical gifts were almost on par with his own. How was that possible?

He wanted to call David Stern and ask if he'd gotten the numbers wrong, but he knew that couldn't be the case.

Michael Jordan took a deep drag on his cigar, its glowing tip flaring brighter.

He slowly exhaled the smoke filling his lungs and thought to himself, Interesting. I'm starting to look forward to facing you, rookie.

In the Clippers General Manager Office.

"Mr. Baylor, what made you suddenly want to have me retake my physical tests?" Li Chen asked tentatively.

Elgin Baylor smiled and teased him. "How else would we know you've grown?"

Li Chen knew it was thanks to the Functional Drink. It had made his body develop further.

Besides, he hadn't gone all out during this test. He'd held back because he was afraid that a sudden, explosive improvement in his abilities might attract unwanted trouble.

By now, Elgin Baylor liked Li Chen more and more. If Li Chen could make it big, then people would stop teasing Elgin Baylor for always coming in second.

If Li Chen could achieve as much as Jordan, Baylor might become the greatest general manager in history.

At the thought, Elgin Baylor grew so excited he could hardly contain himself.

Seeing the old man's lips curl into an involuntary smile, Li Chen's mouth twitched. He couldn't help wondering maliciously, Is Old Man Baylor thinking about taking another wife?

Just as Li Chen was privately mocking the team's general manager, Elgin Baylor suddenly said, "Chen, what kind of help do you need next season? I'll do everything I can to get it for you."

Old Man Baylor had decided to go all in. He was betting everything on Li Chen.

Li Chen was a little surprised, then a smile appeared on his face. "Mr. Baylor, Donald Sterling might get angry if you do that. If he does, you could lose your job," Li Chen teased.

Elgin Baylor glared at Li Chen. The brat was so irritating, always pouring cold water on him just when he was feeling confident.

But then he thought of Donald Sterling's stinginess, and his anger flared.

He gave a cold snort, then declared boldly, "That's not your concern. Just tell me who you want."

Li Chen knew Elgin Baylor wanted to prove himself. But wasn't he trying to prove himself, too?

So he looked at Elgin Baylor seriously and asked, "Mr. Baylor, wouldn't it be more meaningful to win a championship with this Clippers roster?"

Elgin Baylor stared at him, dumbfounded. You want to win a championship with the Clippers' garbage roster? You've got to be kidding.

Li Chen smiled at the shocked look on Elgin Baylor's face. "Mr. Baylor, the Clippers aren't as useless as you think. Really."

Is that so? I picked these players myself. Don't I know what they're like? Elgin Baylor thought to himself.

Honestly, Elgin Baylor didn't think much of the current Clippers players.

But that stingy bastard, Donald Sterling, wouldn't give him control. Given the limited budget, this was the best he could do.

As if he knew what Elgin Baylor was thinking, Li Chen said, "Mr. Baylor, the Clippers do have two number-one picks on the roster."

"Heh! Kid, don't insult the words 'number-one pick,'" Elgin Baylor said, forcing a smile as he voiced his displeasure.

Clearly, Elgin Baylor thought Elton Brand and Michael Olowokandi had brought shame upon the number-one pick title.

Li Chen rubbed his nose, looking a little sheepish.

Elgin Baylor didn't want to dwell on those unpleasant matters, so he suddenly changed the subject and brought the conversation back to Li Chen.