Phoenix International Airport.
Chen Yu dragged his suitcase as he ambled out, and from a distance, he saw Brian waving at him.
"How was the trip?" Brian jogged over and thoughtfully took the suitcase from him.
"What do you think?" Chen Yu’s face was weary.
The ten-hour-plus journey had been exhausting. Even with some rest on the plane and a business class seat, he still felt tired.
"It must have been tough." Brian smiled apologetically. The man before him was the Phoenix Suns’ lucky star; he had to be treated well.
How did they win the championship? It was because Chen Yu single-handedly healed Hardaway, then attracted Olajuwon and Ewing. That’s how they got it.
How did they get the number one draft pick? Chen Yu had a lucky hand and drew it himself.
And now, even O’Neal might be coming.
And why would O’Neal come? Wasn’t it in a trade for the number one pick, and wasn’t he coming because of Chen Yu?
That’s why it wasn’t just Brian who thought this. His old man had told him more than once that they absolutely could not let Chen Yu leave Phoenix, no matter what.
The two got in the car and drove toward Chen Yu’s house.
"By the way, did you guys win or lose your last game?" Brian asked.
"You didn’t see the news?"
Brian shook his head. He was swamped with work. Where would he find the time to watch World Cup news?
Chen Yu sighed. "You jinxed us. We lost."
It was a penalty kick almost at the final whistle.
Besides, the United States Team hadn’t breached the Italy Team’s defensive line the entire match. How were they supposed to create a miracle in just a few minutes of stoppage time?
They lost 0-1 and advanced as the second-place team in the group.
The day after their match, the final round of Group D concluded, so the United States Team’s opponent was set. They would face the first-place team from Group D, the South Korea Team, on June 18th.
It was unbelievable that this South Korea Team, so quietly, had managed to advance over Portugal, a team with Figo and the rest of their golden generation.
Portugal originally still had a chance.
But losing to South Korea in the final round completely dashed their hopes of advancing.
It was bizarre.
Chen Yu didn’t watch the match, but he heard from Contiguglia that Portugal had somehow gotten two red cards.
Playing 9 against 11, it would have been hard *not* to lose.
Brian shrugged nonchalantly. "It’s fine. It’s not like you were going to win the championship anyway. A loss is a loss. You can come back early and get some extra rest."
In the eyes of Americans, a competition you can’t win isn’t really a competition. Who would care?
Chen Yu rolled his eyes at him. ’You’re so concerned about me,’ he thought sarcastically.
’If you were really concerned, would you have made me rush all the way back here?’
"I have to go back on the 16th. Are you sure you guys have this in the bag? Don’t get overconfident and end up in a Game 7." Seeing how excited Brian was, Chen Yu decided to pour some cold water on him.
The knockout stage was on the 18th, so Chen Yu had to rejoin the team on the 17th, which meant he had to leave the United States on the 16th.
And with these NBA teams, people say there’s a big skill gap, but how big could it really be?
If Hill suddenly went off and dropped 50 points, there would be nothing the Suns could do.
Brian waved his hand, full of confidence. "Relax, it’ll be fine."
"I hope so." Chen Yu yawned and didn’t say any more.
While he was back, Chen Yu took care of some work at the clinic.
The contractor for the clinic in Chicago had also started construction, and there were some matters that required Chen Yu’s attention.
In his spare time, Chen Yu also went to the clinic to "grind some EXP" and replenish his depleted healing effects.
The knockout stage was coming up—a single match to decide their fate. He couldn’t be without these effects; he had to keep the players in top condition.
It had been 34 years since the team was founded in ’68.
With the championship now within reach, Phoenix erupted with astonishing passion.
Promotional posters for the Finals were visible everywhere downtown.
Tickets for the game were nearly impossible to get. Courtside seats were reportedly selling for as high as ten thousand US dollars each, which was insane.
No wonder Old Kolangelo let Brian do as he pleased. The ticket revenue from this one game alone was several million dollars.
On the afternoon of the 15th.
The game was at seven in the evening, but Chen Yu drove to the US Airways Center just after four.
By that time, the area outside the arena was already packed solid, with shirtless fans everywhere.
The fervent atmosphere in the air was even hotter than the temperature itself.
Fortunately, Chen Yu’s car was quite recognizable. The police officers on patrol to maintain order all knew it and cleared a path for him to reach the arena smoothly.
"This is insane," Chen Yu couldn’t help but remark when he saw Nelson.
Nelson laughed. "Of course it is! This is the first championship in team history. I heard Brian is already worrying about how to design the Championship Rings."
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow. ’Does he have to be so dramatic?’ he thought.
Nelson continued, "Oh, and I also heard that Brian plans to incorporate your information into the ring’s design to recognize your contribution to this championship. What do you think? Pretty commemorative, right?"
Chen Yu was taken aback, a wave of unexpected emotion washing over him.
To find a way to include the team doctor’s information in the design of a Championship Ring—that would absolutely be a first in NBA history.
But in other words, it was also a validation of his work.
’I’ve contributed a great deal to this heavy Championship Ring,’ he mused.
"In that case, once the players arrive, have them all come over to talk with me for a bit," Chen Yu instructed.
Since everyone was so sure they would win today, he needed to put in the effort to prevent any surprises.
The more excited and hyped-up everyone was, the more they needed to cool down to avoid getting careless and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
A quick chat would definitely be beneficial.
"Alright, I’ll go let them know." Nelson nodded and turned to leave.
The "psychological chat room" was open for business again.
Ewing was the first to push open the door and, without a word, embraced Chen Yu.
"Chen, I feel like the single best decision I’ve ever made in my life was coming to the Suns because of you," Ewing said, clearly moved.
After so many years of chasing his dream, it was finally about to pay off.
Chen Yu patted his back, gestured for Ewing to sit down, and asked him what was on his mind.
"Excited. Very excited. In just a few hours, we’ll be champions." Ewing’s face was full of anticipation, his eyes gleaming.
Chen Yu thought for a moment, then brought up last summer, when Ewing had decided to come to the Suns and receive treatment at the clinic.
He also talked about the little things that had happened over this long season.
From being a former superstar, to accepting a spot on the bench, and later to the conflict with Olajuwon, followed by them starting together.
Then came the playoffs, the constant lineup changes, getting past the Kings, and battling it out with the Lakers.
"Patrick, think about it." Chen Yu finally looked at Ewing with a smile. "No championship is won without a cost. You’ve all put in the effort and sweat, and you’ve made huge sacrifices."
Aside from Chen Yu’s treatments and their recovery effects, it still took immense hard work for Ewing to maintain his athletic condition at his age.
It hadn’t been an easy road.
"So for this final game, I hope you can forget the past and treat it as a brand new start. Give it your all. Like you said, treat it like the last game of your career. Play it seriously, and end your career on a high note, with no regrets."
After talking with Ewing, Chen Yu became even more certain that he needed to have this chat with them. Otherwise, these guys really might get arrogant and careless.
Ewing clearly took it to heart. The happy-go-lucky expression on his face vanished, his gaze grew firm, and he nodded forcefully.
"I get it." Ewing was no fool; he understood the subtext in Chen Yu’s words. He stood up, bumped fists with Chen Yu, and walked out of the chat room.
"Next,"
Chen Yu called out the door.
During the pre-game court warm-up, Chen Yu, who was watching from the sidelines, saw Hill and Tracy McGrady.
They were old acquaintances.
"Chen, you don’t have to console me. If we lose, it’s just because we aren’t strong enough. Besides, who says we’re going to lose?" Hill was still full of fighting spirit.
Chen Yu had prepared a whole speech, but seeing this, he realized it was all for nothing.
"As your friend, I hope you win the game. But right now, we’re opponents, so all I can say is, I’ll see you on the court." Chen Yu smiled and gave Hill a hug.
Because this game would decide the championship, the championship trophy, along with David Stern, had all come to Phoenix.
Jordan, who was still in Phoenix, along with a few VIP patients from the clinic like Guardiola, had all rushed to the arena.
Before the game, Chen Yu even went up to a suite to chat with Stern for a bit.
Jordan came with him.
In the suite, besides Stern, there were several other NBA vice presidents, and Chen Yu also saw Mark Tatum.
There was also a tall Black man there.
He looked like he had played basketball, so Chen Yu found him a bit familiar, probably from seeing him on TV.
Jordan, standing beside him, rolled his eyes and greeted the man with a look of resignation.
Quinn Buckner.
Chen Yu recognized the name. Seeing him talk with Jordan, it seemed their relationship was quite good.
"Quinn, let’s not talk about that anymore. I’m not going." Chen Yu overheard a bit of their conversation. He didn’t know what it was about, but Jordan had once again refused Buckner without hesitation.
After leaving the suite and on the way back to the court, Chen Yu finally had a chance to ask Jordan what Buckner wanted from him.
Just a moment ago, Buckner had also initiated a conversation with Chen Yu, which is how Chen Yu learned that he currently held a position at the Basketball Association.
"Don’t even mention it." Jordan pouted gloomily. "I really don’t know what Tom is thinking, wanting me to play in this year’s World Championship. Are you kidding me? I can’t even be bothered with the Olympics, let alone the World Championship."
Chen Yu’s jaw dropped. ’The Basketball Association must be crazy,’ he thought.
Just because Jordan made a comeback to play didn’t mean he wanted to keep playing forever.
Jordan’s comeback had a very clear purpose: to get shares in the Wizards and become an owner.
Didn’t he constantly talk about regretting his comeback during his special training at the clinic? How could he possibly agree to play for the National Team in the World Championship?
"By the way, I never asked. Are you playing next season?" Chen Yu turned his head to ask.
Jordan joining the Dream Five Team was unrealistic, but Buckner had talked to him, likely to invite him to be the team doctor for the men’s National Team.
That was no problem. Chen Yu was happy to boost his reputation.
Jordan sighed in frustration. "What do you think? If I wasn’t going to play, why would I still be coming to you?"
At this, his tone shifted, and he asked mysteriously, "Chen, what do you think about me coming to the Suns?"
This time last year, Jordan wouldn’t have given the Suns a second glance.
Who would have thought that this year, the Suns were on the verge of winning the championship?
Jordan found himself thinking, what if he had come to the Suns this season? Next year at this time, he could win another championship with them at the ripe old age of 40. Wouldn’t that be a huge sense of accomplishment? It would also be the perfect final Chapter to his career.
He could tell all those little punks trying to follow in God’s footsteps, ’See? I can still win a championship at 40.’
"You?"
Chen Yu was stunned for a moment, then simply shook his head.
’Better not,’ he thought.
Bringing this titan back... forget about his condition for a moment. The main issue was, if he came, who would start?
Make Jordan a backup? He wouldn’t be happy about it, and fans around the world might not stand for it either.

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