Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1030 - 591 Top 12

Chapter 1030: Chapter 591 Top 1/2 Chapter 1030: Chapter 591 Top 1/2 “`

No wonder Popovich was so restless back then; after all, Rivers was that kind of highly provocative leader.

However, when Rivers specifically mentioned this, Yu Fei immediately realized he was laying the groundwork for something.

Sure enough, Rivers introduced the concept of “Ubuntu” to the new players.

“Years ago, if you were to come to the Clippers to play, people around you would definitely advise you to find a way out because this place was once the hell of basketball, a team cursed by the basketball demon. But now, in just one year, we’ve swept away the misfortune!” Rivers said, “We have the greatest player of all time, and now we’ve got the greatest active center. That is the meaning of ‘Ubuntu,’ gentlemen! We are great because of others! How many chances in your life will you have to work with great people? Cherish it, seize it! When you are old, like me, you can tell your offspring that you spent the most thrilling years of your life in the right place!”

Different people had different reactions to Rivers’ words.

Yu Fei was already immune to Rivers’ speeches.

Yao Ming, on the other hand, was somewhat moved. He was clear about Yu Fei’s position on the team, and Rivers’ speech elevated him to the same level as Yu Fei, which could not have been without Yu Fei’s permission. The feeling of being so respected was indeed nice.

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Antetokounmpo was excited, having been more obsessed with the concept of “Ubuntu” than Rivers in the past year. Whether on the court, off the court, or even while eating and showering, he liked to shout “Ubuntu.” He simply loved the word and what it stood for.

He was also the one who made Yu Fei’s nickname “Others” popular.

Now hearing Rivers promote this concept again, Antetokounmpo was even more excited, and he kept shouting along.

Someone like Thompson, who had been through ups and downs, was somewhat resistant to Rivers’ emotional speech. He knew he had not yet secured his place on the team and that he had to prove himself in the upcoming season to make the decision-makers at Golden State regret their previous choice.

Jokić was indifferent to these matters. He didn’t care about Rivers’ history, as long as Rivers didn’t interfere with his eating habits. Similarly, the concept of Ubuntu held no appeal for him. For him, basketball was work, and the NBA was the world’s best basketball company. He disliked attributing extra value to work; basketball for him was simple—anything can be done with both hands.

This was a team bursting with talent, ready to unleash its power, but in most people’s eyes, the representatives of talent were Yu Fei, Yao Ming, and Antetokounmpo.

However, Rivers was well aware that the team’s potential was not limited to them.

That day, he organized an intra-squad scrimmage.

Yao Ming was not originally intended to participate since he had just come back from vacation, but he insisted because he had just finished the World Championship; although he took a few days off, he hadn’t really rested. Since he had already been away for a week, he felt he couldn’t sit still any longer.

Thus, Yao Ming joined the scrimmage, and the team quickly split into two groups.

Rivers simply let Yu Fei and Yao Ming lead the teams.

Yu Fei led the White Team, glanced at Jokić: “Nikola, come to my side.”

Antetokounmpo, who had originally wanted to be on Yu Fei’s team, saw Jokić join the White Team. He instantly turned around, singing the “Song of Yao” and ran towards Yao Ming.

This detail did not escape Rivers’ eyes. The seemingly carefree Greek was in fact highly competitive and keenly attentive to the feelings of the Serbians, especially about the regard of the GOAT.

Afterward, Thompson joined Yu Fei’s team, while Jefferson went to Yao Ming’s team, and the teams were fairly balanced.

During the jump ball, Jokić’s poor 17-inch (about 43 centimeters) vertical jump was no match for Yao Ming.

“Ubuntu!!!” Antetokounmpo charged at Yu Fei with the ball, “GOAT, here I come!”

After saying this, he tried to dribble past by changing direction, but Yu Fei’s defense was extremely tight, giving him no chance.

So, the Greek lofted the ball inside.

Yao Ming caught it, with Jokić pressing all his strength from behind.

But Yao Ming had no intention of a direct confrontation: with a shoulder shimmy, he turned and stepped back for a fadeaway jump shot. With his height, it was like someone shooting from the third floor while Jokić stood on the first.

“Swish!”

After scoring, Yao Ming didn’t forget to encourage his junior: “Be serious, top 1.”

“Would he be mad if I front him on defense?” Jokić was ready to ramp up his intensity.

“No problem,” Yu Fei said with a smile, “he’s famously good-tempered.”

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Jokić didn’t have special feelings for the mild-mannered GOAT in front of him (Yu Fei), perhaps related to his approach to basketball.

However, the fact that the GOAT, with whom he had no personal connection, said that he would become Top 1 one day did bother Jokić somewhat.

Later on, Jokić moved up to the frontcourt, taking a position at the top of the arc. He originally thought he wouldn’t have the same ball-handling opportunities in the NBA as he did in Serbia, but the GOAT directly passed the ball to him, followed by a beautiful cut.

Antetokounmpo was prepared and, along with Yao Ming, double-teamed Jokić. For a center, a double team by Yao Ming and the “Greek Freak” might be the hardest defense to break in the world, but Jokić simply held the ball above his head, increased the arc, and flicked it lightly.

At that moment, Rivers’ face changed, and Jerry West, who was watching from a distance, also widened his eyes.

Yu Fei had anticipated it, caught the ball on the