LRAB Chapter 11 The Madman's Microphone
Chapter 11 The Madman's Microphone
2008年11月7日，晚10:30。
Madison Square Garden, mixed interview area.
The loss to the defending champions didn't dampen the New York night; on the contrary, the media's enthusiasm was even higher than when they won. The Knicks' locker room was packed with cameras and microphones, everyone wanting to capture the rookie, his face covered in blood, fighting to the very last moment.
"Li! How's the wound? How many stitches did you get?"
What's your opinion on Garnett?
Do you think the Knicks can make the playoffs this year?
Reporters surrounded Li Xiangbei, whose wounds had just been treated, and flashes went off wildly.
On the outskirts of the crowd, Stephon Marbury, who had just showered and changed into an expensive suit but was ignored by everyone, was staring intently at the back of the person being fawned over.
His mental state completely collapsed at that moment.
He was once the son of New York, an All-Star earning $20 million a year. Why is he now being ignored like a nobody?
"Hey! Listen up!"
Marbury suddenly snatched the microphone from an intern reporter who was adjusting equipment, and the volume startled everyone.
"This is absurd! Absolutely absurd!"
Marbury faced the camera, spitting everywhere, his ferocious expression appearing particularly distorted under the high-definition lens.
"What are you all doing? Praising a rookie who only knows how to charge forward? Look at today's stats! We lost! Why did we lose? Because we had no tactics! That rookie ruined the team's chemistry! He only knows how to charge forward, he doesn't understand how to control the tempo at all!"
The reporters at the scene were stunned for a second, then, like sharks smelling blood, they instantly turned their cameras to point at Marbury.
This is big news! Publicly criticizing his teammate!
Seeing that people were paying attention, Marbury became even more excited, and he even started attacking the head coach:
"D'Antoni doesn't understand basketball at all! His run-and-gun tactics are a joke! He only uses that Chinese guy to sell tickets! To curry favor with the owner! This team is rotten!"
Flashbulbs went off like crazy, documenting the former star's "suicidal PR stunt." In the NBA, you can play terribly, you can neglect defense, but publicly attacking teammates and coaches in front of the media is a major taboo in the workplace and crosses a line.
Just then, the crowd automatically parted to make way.
Li Xiangbei walked out. He had a white butterfly sticker on his brow bone, and his expression remained indifferent.
A reporter from The New York Times immediately handed him the microphone: "Lee, Stephen just said you only know how to play recklessly, ruining the team, and that Coach Mike doesn't understand basketball. Do you have anything to say in response?"
The entire room fell silent, awaiting the outbreak of a war of words.
Li Xiangbei glanced at Marbury, who was still rambling on and on, his eyes showing no anger, only a kind of pity as if looking at a clown.
"Stephen is right."
Li Xiangbei spoke calmly, and his first words shocked everyone.
"I really only know how to brute force—brute force on defense, brute force when chasing that damn ball, not brute force in front of the media."
After saying that, he nodded politely to the camera, turned and left, not even giving Marbury a second glance.
High judgment.
……
9:00 AM the next day.
The Knicks' general manager's office.
"Snapped!"
Donnie Walsh slammed the remote control to the ground, cracking the television screen.
The footage shows major sports news outlets repeatedly playing Marbury's outburst from last night, with headlines that are increasingly sensational:
New York infighting! Marbury blasts the entire team!
"The Lone Wolf's Last Madness?"
"That idiot! Moron! He's ruining the team's assets!" Walsh was furious, pacing back and forth in his office.
He grabbed the phone on the table and dialed head coach Mike D'Antoni's number.
"Mike, it's me."
"I have notified the security department. From now on, Stephon Marbury is prohibited from participating in any form of training and is prohibited from entering Madison Square Garden and the Tarleytown training facility."
"We will initiate the buyout process immediately. Even if we have to pay this money in three installments, I want him out of here right now!"
……
10:30 AM. Taredon Training Center.
When the players entered the locker room, they immediately noticed a significant change.
The wardrobe that belonged to Stephon Marbury has been emptied. Even the name tags have been torn off, leaving only a bare sheet of metal.
The locker room was unusually quiet, even a little oppressive. Everyone knew what this meant—the team's star player had been purged.
"gather!"
D'Antoni blew the whistle.
All the players formed a circle in the center circle. D'Antoni stood in the middle, his face serious.
"I think you've all seen the news, and you've seen that empty locker." D'Antoni looked around at everyone. "In this team, no one is above the collective. If you don't want to play basketball and just want to be a clown in front of the media, then get out."
After he finished speaking, he turned around and pointed to Li Xiangbei, who was standing at the front of the line.
"Starting today."
D'Antoni's voice rose an octave, echoing in the empty arena.
"Li is the primary initiator of our offensive tactics. He is the team's brain and the core of this run-and-gun system."
"Anyone who can't get into position, anyone who doesn't follow his signals, anyone who dares to stroll around the court like that idiot..." D'Antoni glared at Eddie Curry beside him, "Then go fishing with Marbury!"
This can be considered a formal "coronation ceremony".
Although everyone knows the truth, the head coach publicly announcing the core status has a completely different meaning.
All eyes turned to Li Xiangbei.
Li Xiangbei didn't speak, he just stood there quietly. He was waiting, waiting for a more important statement.
really.
Zach Randolph, the most difficult troublemaker in the locker room, the black bear who once called Marbury his brother, slowly emerged.
He was holding a basketball.
Everyone held their breath, thinking Randolph was going to stand up for Marbury.
However, Randolph walked up to Li Xiangbei and casually tossed the ball to him.
Li Xiangbei caught it steadily.
"Kid," Randolph's voice was gruff, "you were tough last night. I admire tough guys."
"As long as we win, as long as you can make us money," Randolph pointed to his chest, "I'll set that ton of screens for you. If anyone dares to touch you, I'll beat them up for you."
At this point, Randolph grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth, his tone carrying a hint of threat: "But if you don't pass the ball well, or if you're afraid to shoot... I'll still yell at you in the locker room. Understand?"
Li Xiangbei looked at the big black bear, a smile playing on his lips, and raised his fist.
"Deal, Zach. Get your hands ready, you'll be giving me high-fives until your hands are sore."
"Bang."
The two fists collided.
This collision marked the complete transfer of power in the Knicks' locker room. The old king is dead, and a new king must rise.
……
8:00 PM. Li Xiangbei's apartment.
After the commotion subsided, Li Xiangbei sat alone on the sofa and opened the system panel.
[System settlement complete.]
[Achievement Completed: Bloodstained Battle (S-Rank)]
[Description:] You earned respect with your blood and shattered doubts with your actions. This is the medal of a true hero.
[Reward:] +5 Free Attribute Points.
Li Xiangbei stared at the gleaming 5 attribute points and fell into deep thought.
Where to add?
Speed? Shooting? Or ball handling?
He picked up the schedule and his gaze fell on the match three days later.
November 11th. New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers.
Opponent: LeBron James.
That's the ceiling of physical ability in the current league, a human tank, a monster that can carry two people and dunk on them when it charges.
Li Xiangbei touched his muscular but relatively thin frame. Facing James, even with unlimited stamina, if you're sent flying by a single collision, there's simply no way to defend you.
"My speed is good enough, and I can practice my skills," Li Xiangbei muttered to himself, "but I also need to strengthen my body to deal with heavy tanks like these."
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
[Add confirmation.]
[Core Strength: +5.]
[Current core strength assessment: A- (You're already as solid as a rock.)]
With the injection of attribute points, Li Xiangbei felt a surge of heat instantly flow through his entire body. His abdominal and back muscles seemed to have been reforged, becoming firmer and more resilient. Combined with the Iron Knee he had previously acquired, he was now fearless in any confrontation.
At that moment, the trailer for the next match was playing on the television screen.
In the image, LeBron James, wearing jersey number 23, stands in front of the scorer's table, tossing magnesium powder into the air with his arms outstretched, exuding dominance. He is the king of Cleveland, the invincible young emperor.
Li Xiangbei touched the scar on his brow bone where the stitches hadn't been removed yet.
"The chosen one?"
He turned off the TV and picked up the basketball next to him.
Meanwhile, at Nike headquarters.
A marketing plan for "LBJ vs Li" was urgently placed on the president's desk.