Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters Chapter 748 748 501 If

Chapter 748: Chapter 501: If Chapter 748: Chapter 501: If Before the playoffs started, the SuperSonics announced that Brandon Roy would continue to be sidelined, as the speed of his recovery had not t expectations.

This news caused widespread concern.

Fans worried that Roy might be out for the season.

And the SuperSonics officials did not deny this possibility.

So tabloids began to spread rumors, saying Roy’s surgery had failed and he would need a second operation. Others claid that Roy’s postoperative sequelae were far-reaching, preventing his return during the playoffs and potentially affecting his career.

To clear up the rumors, Yu Fei had his dia friend Mark Stein co to Seattle for an exclusive interview with Roy.

ESPN’s basketball columnists and writers have a regular feature called “A Penny for Your Thoughts.”

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The idea is, “Chatter for just a di.”

ESPN reporters typically share their conversations with industry insiders in this column.

Roy appeared unhard, chatting with Stein for half an hour.

The most crucial topic was still Roy’s injuries.

Stein asked, “Are you optimistic about your prospects for returning during the playoffs?”

Roy answered, “I am optimistic about everything, and, if possible, I would love to return tomorrow, but the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the doctors. I am only healthy if they think I am healthy.”

Stein perceptively sensed sothing unusual, “Do you have a disagreent with the doctors?”

“I feel great, but the doctors think I am not yet ready to return after the examinations,” Roy said helplessly. “I must listen to the doctors.”

Stein asked, “Many SuperSonics fans believe that if you cannot return, the SuperSonics will be at a clear disadvantage against the Lakers in the playoffs. What do you think about that?”

Roy was naturally very pleased that fans saw him as the hope for the SuperSonics to win.

However, Roy did not let it go to his head.

“I think, before we worry about how to deal with the Lakers Team, our imdiate priority is to beat the Timberwolves tomorrow night,” Roy joked. “What could be worse than being upset by the Timberwolves?”

The interview was over.

Stein had already outlined his draft; he could finish the article within an hour.

“Take care, Brandon.”

Thanks to Yu Fei, Stein had a very good relationship with the SuperSonics.

From the owner Bennett to the staff at the Furtado Center, he knew them all.

He was genuinely concerned about Roy’s recovery.

“Why did Frye choose you to write this article?” Roy asked curiously.

Stein said, “Perhaps because I am the reporter with the most clicks on ESPN?”

“More than Bill Simmons?”

“Bill has a wide range of interests, he doesn’t just focus on the NBA, but also covers MLB and NFL,” Stein said regretfully. “Even if he can’t concentrate solely on basketball, he is still the world’s best sports writer. However, even if he writes just one NBA article a week, with each getting a million clicks, it can’t compete with the twenty news reports I write every week, even if I average less than a hundred thousand clicks.”

Besides, that guy can’t even manage to write one NBA article a week. In terms of quality and quantity, how could he compare with ?

Stein confidently looked at Roy.

Roy got it: “Quantity trumps quality.”

“Actually, my quality is even better than his,” Stein boasted. “It’s just that there are more fools in the world, Bill’s articles provide them with emotional value, and I cannot. Because I am responsible for delivering news. News tells the facts, it doesn’t provide emotional value.”

Roy nodded in agreent, his face clearly reading, “I get it, I get it, although your average click rate is a tenth of his, you still crush Bill Simmons on both quality and quantity.”

But I still prefer reading Bill’s articles.

Roy thought to himself.

“Is it over?”

Yu Fei walked in.

“Brandon is very good at chatting,” Stein said with a smile. “I hope there’s another opportunity to collaborate in the future.”

“There definitely will be,” Roy said.

Stein took his leave.

Yu Fei, examining Roy, said, “You look like you’re recovering well.”

“If the doctors let play tomorrow night, I could score 30 points over Russell Westbrook’s head,” Roy said. “But the doctors don’t allow it.”

Considering Roy’s injury-prone nature, it was better to be cautious.

But Yu Fei thought of his past life, where Roy was one of the most injury-prone players in history. Stalwarts like Kawhi Leonard took extensive breaks due to injuries and could only show off in the regular season, then sleep through the playoffs when they fell.

Leonard had to be thankful for a ti that treated its players like national treasures.

Otherwise, players like Roy, and many others who beca fragile after injuries, would serve as a cautionary tale for him.

Yu Fei didn’t expect that Roy, once recovered, would beco an iron man. Even if he could only play sporadically like Leonard, it would still be fortunate.

“Listen to the doctors,”

Yu Fei said.

“Of course, I will listen to the doctors,” Roy said. “It’s just, I’ve heard about what happened within the team recently. It seems there’s a big difference with or without ; you better pray I co back soon.”

Yu Fei had to admit that without Roy, Durant’s ambition indeed seed to be expanding exponentially.

Although Roy had severely limited Durant’s ball-handling opportunities, this had created a perfect triangular balance. Yu Fei, Roy, and Durant equally shared ball-handling duties, and no one could accuse the others of being selfish.

Now, with Roy out, Tyronn Lue was still playing the unique Yu-centric pure ball-handler system. Durant, clearly in the optimal environnt to rise, was restrained by the system.