"To say something his fans won't like hearing, Irving is really only a second- or even third-option kind of player. He has the occasional standout performance, but his overall ceiling is too low. He needs a first option who can carry him through the regular season."
"Wouldn't that mean Chen is an even better fit for him?"
"No, no, no! LeBron is still the better fit in that regard! Chen and Irving might not be all that compatible, actually. Chen Xi isn't someone who needs another player to hit clutch shots for him. Plus, Irving's defense is poor, so Chen would have to spend energy covering for him and helping on defense."
"The Lakers next door would love to trade DeRozan for Irving, but the Rockets won't agree. Hilarious!"
"DeRozan's really fallen off. He used to be the top shooting guard in the East, and now he can't even get them Irving."
"Actually, he couldn't have gotten him back then, either."
"? How could he not? DeRozan was the second-best shooting guard in the League back then, for crying out loud."
"The second-best shooting guard in a League dominated by James for seven or eight years? That's quite the accolade."
"Mitchell and Chen Xi would be a pretty good fit, too. They're also on good terms. I wonder if the Knicks could afford to bring him back."
"Forget it. What would you trade for Donovan Mitchell? Would they even want Grant?"
"How about Beal?"
"Get out of here!"
"I think what the Knicks are still missing is a small forward with enough experience. As it happens, I know just the one in the Western Conference."
"That one gets two slaps! You want Chen to come back and play in the CBA, is that it?!"
After the "epic battle" with