Strike While the Iron Is Hot! Seal the Trade!

Now, back to Coach Mike D'Antoni.

The moment the game ended, he enthusiastically sought out Coach Don Nelson and gave him a warm hug.

Then.

He tightly grasped Don Nelson's hands, looking immensely grateful as he said happily, "Don, thank you so much—thank you and your whole family.

"Thank you for helping me avoid a landmine.

"Otherwise... if I'd really drafted Stephen, gotten my hopes up, and then watched him play like this, I'd be devastated.

"Looking at it now.

"Second-year Danilo Gallinari is so much better!

"He's averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game this season. He also makes 2.3 three-pointers per game at an outstanding 39.1%.

"If we hadn't recently moved him to the bench, those numbers might have improved even further.

"Sure, there's still some gap between him and the League Top Shooters, but he's genuinely much better than Stephen.

"More importantly.

"He's only in his second year. He still has so much room to grow."

???

You're thanking me?

But you should know I'm fucking not happy either. I never expected Stephen to play this badly.

Speaking of Gallinari.

Now that you put it that way, he really does sound pretty good.

He had solid three-point volume, some rim protection, decent steals and blocks, and his defense wasn't bad either.

A typical quality "3D Player."

At that thought.

Don Nelson suddenly felt a slight stir in his heart. He looked at D'Antoni and tentatively asked, "I have an idea."

"I have an idea too."

"You go first."

"No, you go first."

In the end... Don Nelson spoke first, getting straight to the point. "Didn't you complain before that I snatched Stephen away from you?

"Now.

"I'll give him back to you. The trade terms are simple: Stephen for Gallinari, straight up."

D'Antoni's eyes widened.

He froze on the spot.

Hahaha~

But inside, he was laughing madly.

Heavens above, earth below, hard work really did pay off.

The trade was happening.

Not only was it happening, but Don Nelson had proposed it himself. And not only had he proposed it himself, he only wanted Gallinari.

Originally, I was even planning to throw in Wilson Chandler, a swingman who could both score and defend.

What a steal.

This was an absolute robbery.

Coach Mike D'Antoni was jumping for joy inside. Even if someone told him to kiss a donkey's ass, he would have done it.

"Mike, Mike—hey! Say something, Mike!"

When Don Nelson saw that D'Antoni had not spoken for quite a while, he waved a hand in front of his face and called out to him loudly.

"Ah—oh, oh, oh—"

D'Antoni finally snapped out of it, and the joy on his face was about to overflow.

But seeing his silence, Don Nelson thought he was unwilling and timidly added, "How about... I make up the difference.

"You know.

"Even though Stephen has been playing poorly lately, his talent and track record are there. The legend he created during last year's NCAA March Madness.

"I'm sure you know about it too.

"Give him a little more time to adjust, and I think... he'll definitely be much better than he is now.

"As for me.

"I've simply figured it out. Between Monta and Stephen, I'm choosing the win-now Monta in the end."

He was a little eccentric.

But if you really gave him the ball, he could still put up the corresponding points, and he was clutch when it mattered.

That was enough!!!"

???

No.

No, no, something was very wrong.

Wasn't I supposed to be begging you to give Stephen to me? How had it turned into... you begging me?!

Come on.

That was Stephen Curry. I wouldn't allow you to look down on him like that. (furious.jpg) (quietly snickering.jpg)

"Ah, well, this... this..."

D'Antoni turned the tables, looking somewhat reluctant. "Fine, fine, seeing how sincere you are.

I'll agree to it.

But if Stephen still sucks this badly afterward, I'm coming after you, Don!!!"

"No problem, no problem!"

Don Nelson hurriedly agreed, though inwardly he thought: No problem my ass. Once the trade goes through...

Do whatever the hell you want.

It won't have anything to do with me.

"Then... let's strike while the iron is hot and finalize the trade tonight. Otherwise, I'll have to make another trip to Golden State later.

What a hassle."

D'Antoni said it casually.

He could hardly wait to complete the trade.

Yet he made it seem as though he only wanted to get it done quickly because he hated trouble, not because he desperately wanted Stephen.

He gave Don Nelson no chance to sense that anything was off.

This time, he was playing on the fifth level.

"Sure, sure!"

Don Nelson nodded furiously.

Stephen was a hot potato he desperately wanted to throw away, and the more he thought about it, the more he liked Gallinari.

He agreed immediately, afraid D'Antoni would come to his senses and change his mind.

He gave himself a thumbs-up for his cleverness.

This time, he thought he was in the stratosphere, never realizing... he was on the zeroth floor!!!

The two swiftly signed the trade agreement, and Stephen Curry and Danilo Gallinari swapped teams.

Thus, this trade

would be known decades later as "one of the most absurd trades in NBA history"!!!

Knicks Locker Room.

Su Yan and his teammates celebrated the victory.

Since their next game was two days away, they had plenty of time. Tonight's game had also started at eight.

The game was over.

It wasn't even ten-thirty yet.

It was still early, so everyone unanimously decided... to head back tomorrow.

McGrady suggested, "To celebrate the team's three-game winning streak, guys, how about we hit the night market and grab a drink at a bar?!"

"Sounds good to me!"

Larry Hughes raised his hand in agreement.

Wilson Chandler grinned slyly. "Just... just one drink?!"

"Shh~"

McGrady made a gesture for him to keep quiet.

DDDD.

"I'm in too!"

Wilson Chandler raised his hand without another word.

"Are you going, Yan?!"

McGrady turned to Su Yan and asked with a smile.

"No."

Su Yan declined.

Larry Hughes explained, "Yan's only nineteen. He can't go to a bar!"

Su Yan shrugged helplessly.

David Lee spoke up then. "Guys, I can't hang out with everyone tonight either.

My girlfriend's here, so I'm taking her for a stroll around Union Square."

"Oh, oh."

McGrady nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before adding, "That's kind of a shame.

But... remember St. Francis Hotel. It's a pretty nice hotel.

Queen of England, General MacArthur, President John F. Kennedy, and so on.

A lot of famous people have stayed there."

"I know, I know."

David Lee made an "OK" gesture and said with a grin, "That's where I booked a themed hotel room."

"Oh?"

McGrady was instantly interested. "Mind telling us what kind of themed hotel room it is?!"

"Uh... a nurse theme."

David Lee did not bother hiding it and said it outright.

Men, after all.

Everyone understood, and this was America—there was no need to be overly reserved.

"Holy shit!"

McGrady shouted, then gave him a thumbs-up. "You really know how to have fun, kid!!!"

Without another word, Larry Hughes pulled out a pack of contraceptives from his bag and stuffed it into his hands. "Take it. No need to thank me!!!"