Jalen Rose, who had only come to coach as a formality, didn't mind at all. If Chen wanted to play less, so be it. There were plenty of hungry rookies eager for playing time, so Rose didn't have to worry about the rotation.
After the game started, Chen casually sank a few threes, then headed to the bench to rest.
From his super-VIP seat, he happily chatted with the people beside and behind him.
After checking back in for a few minutes in the Third Quarter, Chen came off the floor and officially wrapped up his first All-Star experience. All he had to do now was sit back and watch.
Without Chen, the Rookie Game's biggest draw was probably the future dominant center Teacher Jokic teaming up with Porzingis to face Towns—a showdown between unicorns.
Porzingis scored 18 points in the first half, outdoing Towns. But after halftime, the focus of the game suddenly shifted. With the World Team's lead erased, Murray stepped up, hitting long-range shots and driving to the basket. In the second half, Murray went 10-for-14 from the field and 6-for-9 from three, pouring in 27 points. By the end of the game, he had racked up 36 points and 11 assists. The Kobe Mamba deservedly took home the MVP trophy.
The Nuggets' two future cornerstones were already starting to shine.
After the first day's events, Chen Xi carried Veronica back to the hotel.
"Sweetheart, why did you only play for a little while?" Veronica asked, still indignant on Chen Xi's behalf.
"Was that black guy discriminating against you?! Did he refuse to let you play!!!"
"Hahahaha, don't yell that. If someone hears you, they'll say you're being racist." Chen Xi soothed her.
"I went and told Jalen Rose myself that I didn't want to play. The