stonecrandall Chapter 57 The King in the Locker Room
Chapter 57 The King in the Locker Room
2009年2月12日，下午2:00。
Phoenix International Airport, Arizona.
Just ten minutes ago, the NBA officially announced the Players of the Month for January in the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The West is Kobe.
The East is LeBron James.
The arrival hall was filled with the clicking of camera shutters from various lenses.
Li Xiangbei was wearing a custom-made "Villain Series" hoodie from Under Armour and a pair of aviator sunglasses.
A senior reporter from ESPN pushed his way through the crowd and nearly poked Li Xiangbei's chin with his recording pen.
"Lee! The official results are in. LeBron has been named Player of the Month because the Cavaliers have the best record in the Eastern Conference."
The reporter paused for a moment, then brought up the point of contradiction that everyone was well aware of.
"But the numbers don't lie! You averaged a whopping 30.8 points per game in January, leading the Knicks to an amazing 12-2 record! Don't forget, last season the Knicks struggled for their 23rd win all season, ultimately finishing second-to-last in the East. And now? You're 30-22, fourth in the East!"
"This historic transformation in leading the team has been overshadowed by 'overall record.' Do you feel the league is favoring LeBron? Do you feel like you've been robbed?"
The surrounding reporters held their breath, waiting for this "big-mouthed villain" to unleash his attack.
Li Xiangbei stopped in his tracks.
He slowly took off his sunglasses, and there was no anger in his deep eyes, only a kind of sarcasm that came from seeing through the rules of the game.
"Robbery? No, that's too crude."
Li Xiangbei's voice was calm, but every word was like a bullet coated with sugar.
"If the judges have their own scoring rules, I don't blame them."
He spread his hands.
"Take a used car that rattles everywhere except for the bell, modify it into a tank, and then drive it all the way into the top four in the East. Which is harder, that or driving a top-of-the-line red Ferrari that's already parked at the finish line and winning first place?"
"Everyone knows this principle."
Li Xiangbei put his sunglasses back on, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"It's okay. LeBron needs that trophy to maintain his confidence; it's his source of security. I suggest Mr. David Stern just pack the trophy up and mail it to Cleveland. Don't let our 'King' get tired."
……
2009年2月13日，上午10:00。
Phoenix, Eastern Conference All-Star locker room during All-Star Weekend.
This is a battleground for superstars.
The dressing room was decorated in an extremely luxurious manner.
As this year's All-Star vote leader, Li Xiangbei enjoyed the highest level of treatment from the league.
His wardrobe was placed in the very center of the dressing room—the absolute prime spot.
The golden nameplate gleamed under the lights.
However, the atmosphere here is a bit strange.
The social hub of the locker room is not in the center, but in a leather sofa lounge area on the side.
LeBron, Wade, Howard, and other prodigies chatted together, while the Celtics' Big Three, Garnett, Pierce, and others laughed and talked on the other side.
They deliberately turned their backs to Li Xiangbei, who was in the center, as if he were just a wisp of air.
This is a silent isolation, a form of cold violence from the established superstar class.
The most jarring thing was the item on the coffee table in front of Li Xiangbei's wardrobe.
That was a newly awarded "Eastern Player of the Month" trophy.
James casually placed it there, which conveniently blocked Li Xiangbei's space to change his shoes.
This is not just random; it is a blatant demonstration.
Li Xiangbei pushed open the door and entered.
The laughter and chatter didn't stop, and no one even turned to look at him.
Li Xiangbei walked straight to his wardrobe.
He glanced down at the trophy blocking his way, then at the group of "big shots" watching his reaction out of the corner of their eyes.
He didn't get angry.
He bent down and casually picked up the trophy representing the honor of the month with two fingers, as if he were picking up a half-empty bottle of mineral water.
Then, he gently moved it to the floor next to him.
Then, he took out the pair of black "Rogue Generation" combat boots from his bag and placed them heavily in the center of the coffee table.
"Thump."
The lively conversation instantly disappeared.
James slowly turned his head and squinted.
"That's my trophy, rookie," James said in a low voice.
"I know."
Li Xiangbei replied casually, without even looking at James, and started taking off his coat.
Wade couldn't stand it anymore. He stood up and spoke in a harsh tone:
"Newcomers need to know the rules!"
Li Xiangbei stopped what he was doing. He turned around, looked at Wade, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"rule?"
"If you followed the rules, this trophy shouldn't be in front of my cabinet right now."
Li Xiangbei pointed to the trophy on the floor.
"You!" Wade was furious.
At this moment, Garnett, who had been observing coldly, spoke up.
He let out a sneer.
"Stop your glib tongue, rookie. The All-Star Game is about skill, not numbers. Here, rings matter more than votes."
Garnett raised his hand, waving his championship ring, and also taking a jab at James and Li Xiangbei, who hadn't won a championship yet.
Li Xiangbei looked at Garnett.
"ring?"
"Indeed, apart from that ring, you don't have many years of youth left, Kevin."
Li Xiangbei plopped down in the chair that symbolized his status as the top vote-getter, and crossed his legs.
"Enjoy this All-Star game, old guys. Because the future belongs to me."
……
Corridor passageway.
Li Xiangbei walked out of the oppressive locker room.
Just as he turned the corner, he ran into Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant.
"Hey, Xiang Bei," Yao Ming greeted with a smile, clearly having heard about what was going on inside. "I heard you were ostracized in the locker room? Well done. Those guys in the East take seniority too seriously; they need someone to loosen things up for them."
Yao Ming's humor cheered Li Xiangbei up considerably.
"There's nothing I can do, Brother Yao. Fame brings trouble."
Kobe chewed his gum and looked at Li Xiangbei.
"I saw your interview at the airport on TV."
Kobe spoke, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.
"The Ferrari theory? That's bold. I like it."
Kobe stepped forward and bumped fists with Li Xiangbei.
"Since they're isolating you in the locker room, prove them wrong on the field Sunday night."
Kobe's eyes turned fervent, like the excitement of a Mamba snake seeing its own kind.
"Remember, don't pass the ball. I want to see you score 50 points over them."
Looking at Kobe, Li Xiangbei felt that pure fighting spirit.
"Don't worry, Kobe."
Li Xiangbei straightened his collar, his eyes resolute.
"Whatever it takes, I want them to shut up."
See you on Sunday.