Chapter 97

On April 17, 2006, at the Wachovia Center, the applause was thunderous.

The Philadelphia 76ers had endured an incredibly tough season, and although they ultimately failed to make the playoffs, the fans in the arena saw a glimmer of hope.

In the latter half of the third quarter, the "temporary" player signed by the team mid-season, Chen Mu, performed magnificently. He stood firm at the free-throw line, continuously delivering precise assists, thoroughly invigorating the team's offense while completely overwhelming the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, who ultimately left in defeat.

In this game, Chen Mu, who had averaged around 12 points per game in the previous season, received tight defense from the Bucks.

His direct opponent, Magloire, hardly gave Chen Mu any easy scoring opportunities. Other players like Mo Williams, Ford, Simmons, and Redd also frequently stepped up to interfere and delay, creating significant trouble for Chen Mu's personal offense.

Without taking shots for a long time, the "Scoring Shooter" badge Chen Mu had earned began to have a negative effect.

Although passing and assisting could somewhat maintain the badge's effectiveness, the significant reduction in shooting attempts led the badge to determine that Chen Mu's role as an offensive finisher was diminishing.

Under this negative effect, the badge began to fade, not only failing to sustain Chen Mu's shooting touch but also reducing his shooting accuracy, leading to a further decline in his personal offensive performance.

In fact, even without the negative effect of the badge, this situation on the court was not surprising: when a player only takes five shots in a game lasting several dozen minutes, how can one expect him to maintain a hot shooting hand?

Indeed, in this game, Chen Mu took only five shots from start to finish, making two of them and missing the other three.

There are players in the league who can maintain a hot shooting hand even with very few attempts, but most of them are pure shooters whose shooting form has become a fundamental part of their lives. When left open, it is harder for them to miss than to make a shot.

However, Chen Mu was different. Although he had developed a decent mid-range shooting ability, he was still a rough-around-the-edges interior player. If his position or rhythm was off when receiving the ball, it could easily disrupt his shooting touch, leading to misses.

How to improve his stability, especially the continuity of his scoring, was a major challenge for Chen Mu.

However, he didn't need to rush to solve this problem. After all, the rookie season had concluded, and during the off-season, Chen Mu had plenty of time to hone his skills and enhance his abilities.

Standing in the arena where he had fought for half a year, watching the confetti fly, Chen Mu's thoughts were many.

About a year ago, he was just a middle-aged man in the original timeline, going to work and coming home every day, earning a meager salary to support his family, living a monotonous life with no end in sight.

But now, after just a short year, he had undergone a complete transformation.

Becoming a professional athlete, possessing a body with astonishing physical attributes, entering the national youth team training, and even making it to the NBA!

The journey had been long, and it felt somewhat surreal to Chen Mu, but it was also very fulfilling.

"Having a goal, having the belief to strive, having a strong mind, and gradually refining one's skills and strength."

Looking at the fans in the stands who had risen to their feet, cheering for the players, Chen Mu felt a surge of determination.

"One day, I will become a dominant force on the wing!"

The fans in the stands were reluctant to leave. The game had long ended, and the Bucks players had already left the arena, but the 76ers players remained, interacting with the fans.

"Thank you, thank you all!"

The team's core, Allen Iverson, feeling the fans' enthusiasm, asked for a microphone from the staff. As soon as he spoke, the fans erupted in cheers.

"This year has been very difficult, very tough. Kenny left, McGee left, Mark Jackson, Collison Williams, Rogers... they all left."

There seemed to be something flickering in Iverson's eyes as he recalled the past year, and the tough man was moved, speaking more than usual.

"Five years ago today, we made it to the playoffs with a 56-26 record, one of the best defenses in the league, and countless electrifying nights. We made it all the way to the Finals. You were by my side, and Kevin Ollie was by my side. Now, everyone else has left Philadelphia."

"Today, another season has ended, and unfortunately, we finished ninth in the East, just one step away from the playoffs. We couldn't give you the surprise you deserved. I take full responsibility for this."

"No, no, no! Allen, you're the best!"

"This isn't your fault! Next year, we will rise!"

As soon as Iverson began to self-reflect, the fans shouted out, cheering for their hero.

"Hey, that brother, you're right."

Iverson smiled and pointed to a fan in the upper stands. "This year's setbacks are for next year's rise. A short-term loss is for long-term progress!"

"As you can see, we have Coach Cheeks, a 76ers legend and a great backcourt leader. He has taught me a lot and brought a lot to me. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"And Chris, my good partner, if it weren't for the game, he couldn't even climb the stairs. Now he's full of energy and even dunked today. Ha ha, Chris, it's been a long time since you touched the rim, hasn't it?"

In response to Iverson's joke, Webber laughed out loud, standing up amidst the fans' cheers and waving to everyone.

"Samuel, even though you were injured and couldn't fight with us to the end, you will be back next year. I promise to pass you more balls and not let you just run back and forth on the court."

Dalembert, dressed in a suit, pointed at Iverson, a smile on his face, and everything was left unsaid.

"Andre, Kyle, two incredible energetic kids, you've made great progress. If Kyle could share some of his shooting touch with Andre and Andre could share some of his defense with Kyle, our wings would be perfect!"

Iguodala and Covington both laughed, nodding to the fans and silently resolving to improve their weaknesses.

"There are many more, Lee, Mike, Matt, Lou, John. Whether you stay in Philadelphia next season or go elsewhere, we will always be brothers."

Scanning the bench, Iverson emotionally called out the names of each player who had contributed to the team, nodding deeply to each one.

Chen Mu, sitting at the end of the bench, had just recovered from the melancholy of the end of his rookie season. Listening to Iverson's speech, he couldn't help but admire this short but powerful scoring champion even more.

"Quiet and strict with his teammates, never giving up on the court... Allen, you're a real man!"

"Finally, we can't forget my little brother."

As Chen Mu was lost in thought, imagining a day when he would also be a speaker in this arena and wondering how he would start his speech, Iverson suddenly changed his tone, walking over with a smile and pulling Chen Mu up.

"Chinese kid, without you, I don't know how we would have made it through the second half of the season."

Iverson looked up at Chen Mu, a slight smile on his lips and a hint of gratitude in his eyes, which was touching. However, what he said next made Chen Mu's face turn black.

"You're a defensive sieve; anyone can dominate you in the post. You're a turnover king; when your hands are off, you keep turning the ball over, allowing the other team to counterattack. Your passes are always too strong, and to chase your long passes, Andre and I almost ran our legs off. Of course, the last twenty games were much better."

"You're also a ball-handling nightmare; your dribbling is so bad that even my grandmother could steal the ball from you. Your shooting is inconsistent; one game you explode, and the next you're so cold I want to kill you."

"Your defensive focus is a big issue; you always chase the ball and often lose your man, making Chris use his old legs to cover for you. You also commit a lot of unnecessary fouls. Count them; the number of players who have scored a 2+1 on you this season could form a team!"

Iverson laughed as he listed Chen Mu's flaws, and the teammates and fans laughed along. Although Chen Mu knew it was in good humor, he still felt a bit embarrassed, his face turning slightly red as he scratched his head.

"But, you are who you are."

Iverson's tone changed, his smile fading as he spoke seriously. "It's all these things combined that make you who you are, the rebounding guardian of Philadelphia."

"You are the future rebound king, and you will eventually become the DPoY. With your talent and hard work, you will be the next MVP of Philadelphia!"

Iverson's words were simple, but to Chen Mu, they felt especially warm and touching.

This small man, who had carried the hopes of all Philadelphia's fans and walked for ten years under a heavy burden, who could share his burden?

"Stay."

Iverson looked at Chen Mu, as if finally finding a reason to continue fighting. "Stay in Philadelphia. Let's take that damn trophy back together...!"

"Stay, stay, stay!"

As Iverson spoke, the fans in the arena began to chant in unison, raising banners and waving Chen Mu's face in a sea of waves.

"Stay! Stay! Stay!"

On the bench, the teammates also stood up, coming to Chen Mu and Iverson's side, shouting loudly to the two guardians who might span the next twenty years of Philadelphia basketball.

"Stay, Chen."

Among the teammates, Iverson turned off the microphone, lowering his voice and gritting his teeth. "You know, Billy has always wanted to trade me. If I leave, what will they do? Who will replace me and protect the dignity of Philadelphia basketball?"

Saying this, Iverson pointed at Chen Mu and shouted, "You!"

"Stay! Protect Philadelphia with Andre and Kyle. I promise you, even if I really have to leave, I will come back after Billy is gone. I hope that when I return, I can still receive your assists...!"

Chen Mu didn't say much, his expression solemn, and he simply raised his fist in the air.

Seeing this, Iverson understood and raised his fist to lightly bump Chen Mu's.

Amidst the fans' cheers, the entire team waved.

Confetti danced, and the cheers were thunderous. The fans' tears, Iverson's determination, Webber's smile, Iguodala's resolve, and Covington's calmness...

A series of images combined, and the dream-like rookie season finally came to an end.

Five days later, at Philadelphia International Airport.

"America, I'll be leaving you for a while~!"

On the long-haul flight, Chen Mu fastened his seatbelt, looking out the window at the sun and the ground, his thoughts already flying thousands of miles to his homeland.

"The time to dominate is finally here...!"