Chapter 475: Chen's Fashion, Slacking Off in the Rookie Game
On February 13, All Star Weekend officially arrived in Phoenix.
The city had been soaked in All Star energy for days. Phoenix was different from most host cities because the arena sat right on Jefferson Street, the busiest stretch in town. Players, media, and fans were all packed into the same corridor of hotels, restaurants, and street traffic, which made everything feel tighter, louder, and more alive.
Most of the league's stars were staying at the Hilton near US Airways Center. If they wanted, they could literally walk to the arena. Security around the building was visibly heavier too, with barriers, checkpoints, and police presence layered on top of the usual NBA setup.
Across the street, the Bank of America Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Phoenix, carried the weekend's most eye catching symbol.
A giant poster.
Chen Yan stood in the middle. Yao Ming and Dwight Howard flanked him on both sides like personal bodyguards. The image hung over downtown like a billboard for the entire league, staring down US Airways Center and the streets around it.
With Steve Nash confirmed out, Phoenix's All Star representatives dropped to 3: Chen Yan, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Jordan. Jordan did not make the main game, but he was selected for the Rookie Challenge, and he treated it like the biggest moment of his life.
He kept peppering Chen Yan and Stoudemire with questions, asking what to do, what to expect, how to play, how to look like he belonged.
Stoudemire finally got tired of it and waved him off. "Just go out there, dunk twice, and tear the rim down. Steal everybody's thunder."
Chen Yan laughed beside him. "I think Amar'e is right."
Jordan grinned, completely serious. "Then I'd have to gain another 20 kilograms and turn into Shaq."
Chen Yan shook his head. "The league reinforced the rims a long time ago. Even if you became Shaq, it probably wouldn't work now."
Jordan looked disappointed for half a second, like he was genuinely mourning the death of his dream.
Chen Yan and Stoudemire did not stay long. As All Star players, they still had obligations, including a morning media conference.
Chen Yan had done it all last season, so the routine felt familiar. Cameras, questions, sponsors, smiles, repeat.
When he walked into the event space, he immediately linked up with Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.
3 Asian players together at All Star Weekend was a first.
Chen Yan leaned in with a grin. "Yao and I already agreed, we're targeting you in the main game. Be mentally prepared."
Yi laughed. "Don't traumatize me. This is my first All Star."
Yao chuckled. "Don't listen to him. Targeting? At most, it's hospitality."
Chen Yan nodded seriously. "Right. This is Phoenix. I have responsibilities as the host."
"If you keep talking, I might fake an injury," Yi said, laughing harder now.
Even Yi, usually reserved, loosened up among his own people. The three of them joked for a while, then split off for interviews.
All 3 were popular, but it was obvious who had the largest crowd. Chen Yan was the top vote getter, Phoenix was hosting, and the media wanted the face of the weekend.
One reporter asked, "Chen, you won All Star MVP last year, and now you're at home. Is your goal to keep the trophy in Phoenix?"
Chen Yan answered calmly. "To be honest, I'm not chasing All Star MVP. But this is our home. I don't want the fans to leave disappointed, so I'll still play to win."
It was measured, not arrogant. If he won it, great. If Stoudemire won it, it still stayed in Phoenix.
Another reporter smiled and asked, "You're the busiest guy of the weekend. Rookie Challenge, 3 point contest, dunk contest, and the All Star Game. How many trophies are you trying to take home?"
Chen Yan lifted his shoulders. "If I start thinking about trophies, that's just pressure. I'm here to enjoy it. If I have a goal, it's to have a good time."
The reporters exchanged looks, amused. Chen Yan said the same thing last year, then walked away with Rookie Challenge MVP and All Star MVP anyway.
…
In the afternoon, Chen Yan joined a group of stars for an NBA Cares community event, another standard part of All Star Weekend.
But in Phoenix, it did not feel like a quiet charity photo op. The league set up temporary courts around US Airways Center so the stars could interact directly with fans, especially kids.
There were hoops at different heights for different ages, and the organizers had clearly thought it through. Kids who could barely palm the ball still got the feeling of shooting on a real court. Teenagers got alley oop attempts with NBA players tossing passes under loud music. Dunking, shooting, simple two man plays, everything was built to make ordinary fans feel, for a moment, like they were part of the show.
Chen Yan's schedule stayed brutal.
After community events, he got 1 day to breathe, then it was back to work. On the morning of February 14, he had rookie training. In the afternoon, open practice and fan interaction. At night, the Rookie Challenge.
Then February 15 was even worse, 3 point contest, dunk contest, and the All Star Game.
No room for anything else. Not even time to squeeze in a proper date with Taylor Swift.
…
The Rookie Challenge on the 14th tipped off quickly, and both rosters were stacked.
The freshman team had Derrick Rose, O J Mayo, Greg Oden, Michael Beasley, Marc Gasol, and Eric Gordon. Even Russell Westbrook had to come off the bench.
The funniest part was Oden. He missed an entire year with injury, so the league slotted him into the freshman team this season, letting him play beside guys who were technically his juniors.
The sophomore group was not as deep overall, but they had Chen Yan and Kevin Durant, which made people lean their way before the opening tip.
Yi Jianlian was not selected for the sophomore roster. It was almost comical. He was an All Star starter, but not chosen for the Rookie Challenge.
The reason was simple. All Star starters were fan voted. Rookie Challenge rosters were selected by assistant coaches through internal voting. Different systems, different results.
When Chen Yan showed up in the tunnel, he wore a black trench coat and sunglasses, clean and minimal, but sharp.
The media joked that he had brought his Grammy Awards look back to the NBA.
Kevin Durant showed up with his own sense of style, dark green jacket, pink knit hat, and the confidence of someone who believed fashion was a contact sport. During his interview, he stared at the female reporter like he was waiting for a reaction.
When she gave him nothing, Durant's expression tightened just slightly.
No way, he thought. I can't even win you over?
Durant's real stage was the court.
Tonight, he went completely off, scoring 40 points, carrying his team to the win, and taking home Rookie Challenge MVP.
Chen Yan did exactly what his body and schedule required. He cruised.
14 points, 7 assists, and a night spent mostly as a passer, efficient and controlled. He gave the crowd a 360 dunk early, just enough to feed the fans, then avoided unnecessary collisions and unnecessary risk.
The crowd understood.
Chen Yan had too much coming up. This was his weekend, and the Rookie Challenge did not need to cost him anything.
Sometimes, the smartest way to dominate was knowing when to save your legs.
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