Chapter 48

"22 points, 14 rebounds, including 7 offensive rebounds, and 10 assists. @"

Rookie Chen Mu, who came off the bench to play for 28 minutes, scored an efficient triple-double!

After the 76ers' away game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, this jaw-dropping statistical performance quickly spread across the internet.

"The best, without a doubt, the best player of this game is the Chinese kid!"

During the post-game commentary, when Kenny Smith asked Charles Barkley whether the best player of the game should be LeBron or Allen Iverson, Barkley gave a different answer.

"What I mean is, yes, LeBron scored 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, a very versatile performance, a superstar's performance, flawless. When the team was struggling to score, LeBron single-handedly carried the team's offensive firepower."

Barkley shook his head and said, "On the 76ers' side, Allen Iverson also performed well, scoring 31 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals, completely dominating the Cavaliers' backcourt."

"But if I have to say who the best player of the game is, I will tell you without hesitation, it's the Chinese kid, Chen!"

Although Barkley's words are often exaggerated, this time his opinion was widely recognized.

Chen Mu's outstanding performance in this game quickly spread across the internet abroad. On the newly popular Facebook, many fans began to share their thoughts about the game. Even some Cavaliers fans who watched the game on-site proudly stated that they had just witnessed a "great rookie performance."

In his homeland across the ocean, Chen Mu's outstanding performance gradually sparked heated discussions.

Unlike the previous discussion when Chen Mu shone for the Suns, at that time, many domestic fans still had doubts about whether he could establish himself in the NBA. As most commentators said, Chen Mu's offensive skills were crude, making it difficult for him to adapt to the increasingly fast pace of the NBA.

This time, Chen Mu shone again for the 76ers, not only maintaining his rebounding prowess but also showcasing his all-around potential.

Videos and footage of Chen Mu's game performances began to spread online. With his unique background as a Chinese player, the 76ers' No. 5 player gained a certain level of popularity worldwide.

"【Rapid Rise】Can Chen Mu become a starter and play in the starting lineup?"

"【Ultra-Evolution!】A new look every game, Chen Mu, are your parents aware of how awesome you are?"

"【All-Around Rebounder】Substitute scores a triple-double!"

Posts about Chen Mu began to appear online, with various discussions cropping up.

Gradually, a topic came to the forefront.

"Can Chen Mu win the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award?"

While in NBA history, there have been many players who won the Player of the Week award in their rookie season, including monsters like Shaquille O'Neal, who won it in his first week of his career.

However, it is rare for an undrafted rookie to win the Player of the Week award in their rookie season.

In three games over a week, Chen Mu averaged 27 minutes of play, scoring 21.6 points, 14.3 rebounds (including 5.3 offensive rebounds), and with 10 assists in the last game, his average assists also reached 4.

Could such statistics make him a candidate for the Player of the Week award?

Chen Mu was also eager to find out.

Philadelphia.

In the 76ers' training facility, a day of concentrated training had ended, and the players dispersed to engage in specific drills based on their individual needs.

"Chen, what are you going to practice?"

Iguodala came up to Chen Mu and asked in a friendly manner.

"Oh, I'm going to work on the machines. After all, my strength is still too weak."

Chen Mu replied.

"Great, I'm also going to the weight room. Let's go together!"

Iguodala patted Chen Mu's shoulder, and the two walked into the weight room to start their respective exercises.

During the practice, Iguodala and Chen Mu chatted intermittently, especially after a set of exercises, they would chat a bit during the rest period.

As a player who entered the NBA a year earlier than Chen Mu, Iguodala had many experiences to share. This straightforward and honest Illinois man, despite having a body that could easily make him an All-Star, always seemed too selfless.

Looking at the still youthful Iguodala, Chen Mu's thoughts drifted to the original timeline.

Iguodala, do you know? After this season, the 76ers will fall apart, and you will have to carry the team on your own!

The conversation with Allen Iverson in the bar last time left Chen Mu somewhat uncertain about his future.

If the timeline doesn't change much, this season will be the swan song of Allen Iverson, the son of Philadelphia.

To rejuvenate the team through the draft and trades, the team will clear out many veteran players. Not only Iverson, but most of the players who participated in the playoffs in recent years will be let go.

The remaining players will be the future of the 76ers.

However, from Chen Mu's perspective as a time traveler, this "future" seemed very distant.

"…Chen, did you hear me?"

"Huh… huh??"

Iguodala's voice rang in his ear, and Chen Mu snapped back to reality. He saw Iguodala's thick lips almost touching his face, frowning and asking with concern, "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"

"Oh my god…!"

Chen Mu almost wet himself, thinking this big guy couldn't be gay, right? He quickly pulled away and said awkwardly, "Sorry, I was just spacing out. What did you say?"

"I was asking if you are alone in America?" Iguodala said seriously, "No family or friends? After each game or practice, I see you go home alone, and no one picks you up or has plans with you."

"Oh, that…"

Chen Mu shook his head and sighed, "I came alone, my family is in China, and I don't have any relatives or friends here, so I usually have nothing to do in the evenings and just go home."

"To be honest, I don't like going to bars with AI either."

Iguodala deliberately lowered his voice, "I'm a Christian, and I don't feel comfortable in those places."

"But, always being alone isn't a good thing. Over time, it can affect your mental health."

Iguodala returned to the machine, preparing for the next set of exercises, and said loudly, "I've seen many players, both in college and in the professional league, who live alone and spend their substantial salaries. Over time, they don't know what to do, and you know, in this society, anything can be bought with money."

"Without a source of stimulation, life becomes boring. Constantly traveling, rarely returning home, what would you do if you were in that situation?"

Chen Mu didn't quite understand Iguodala's meaning and asked tentatively, "Uh… read web novels, vote for recommendations, give tips…?"

"No." Iguodala waved his hand, then turned his head to look at Chen Mu, eyes wide, and said in a mock scary tone, "Drugs, have you ever touched them?"

"No, of course not!" Chen Mu shook his head vigorously, firmly denying it.

"That's good, never touch them." Iguodala said earnestly, "Just once, and you're done, no coming back. Your body will get worse, simple technical actions will become impossible, and your mind will always be in a daze, ready to short-circuit at any moment."

"Len Bias, have you heard of him?"

Chen Mu nodded slightly, "A super rookie who was said to be on par with Jordan."

"That's an exaggeration." Iguodala said, "Len Bias never had an advantage over Michael. But he was undoubtedly a genius."

"Ruined by drugs, hah~"

Chen Mu knew the story Iguodala was referring to. Len Bias, who was expected to become a superstar, was selected by the Celtics but died due to excessive use of illegal drugs.

This incident directly delayed the Celtics' revival by many years.

Iguodala, noticing that Chen Mu was always alone and seemed to have no friends, was worried that he might pick up bad habits, so he came to talk to Chen Mu, hoping he wouldn't go astray.

"Iguodala, you are a kind and good person, worth getting to know!"

Chen Mu looked at Iguodala with gratitude and nodded in his heart.

"By the way, Chen, have you been in America for a few months and not found a girlfriend yet?"

After another set of exercises, Iguodala teased, "You Chinese aren't that conservative, right? Ha ha!"

"No, no, just haven't had the chance to meet good girls."

Chen Mu laughed awkwardly, thinking of the two beauties Allen Iverson sent him that night. That night was indeed very enjoyable, but such overly open girls who were willing to sleep with many people were a bit too much for him.

"Ha ha, don't be shy~"

Noticing Chen Mu's embarrassment, Iguodala said, "I'm just giving you a friendly reminder. If you have the chance, find a girlfriend quickly! Being alone in a foreign country is tough~"

"Beep beep beep beep"

At this moment, Chen Mu's phone rang. He greeted Iguodala and walked to the side to take out his phone. It was an unknown number, but he answered without hesitation.

"Hello, is this Chen Mu?"

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from the other end of the phone, and this greeting made Chen Mu a bit dazed.

This voice, could it be…

"Is this Chen Mu? Don't play dead, I know it's you! I can tell by your breathing, speak up!"

Still the fiery temper, still the relentless attitude, still the forceful tone that could swallow the other person whole.

These words instantly brought Chen Mu back to a recent, innocent memory.

"It's me, Mo Fei!"

The familiar voice continued on the other end of the phone. Outside the weight room, Salmons suddenly burst in, saw Chen Mu, and shouted, "Chen! Come and watch the news! Sports news!"

"Huh… huh?"

Chen Mu was momentarily at a loss, unsure how to respond, and looked around with a puzzled expression.

"Quick, turn on the TV and watch the news!" Salmons shouted excitedly, "Player of the Week! You won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award!!!"