Chapter 631: I Hate That I Cannot Grow a Few Centimeters Taller
The media immediately rushed to report that Chen Yan had become the 10th player in history to win back to back regular season MVP awards, and the 2nd foreign player after Nash to do so.
Phoenix media went into a frenzy.
Having 2 players on the same team who had both won back to back MVPs was simply too perfect as a publicity angle.
After finishing the road trip, Chen Yan returned to Phoenix and directly invited the reporter to his home.
The reporter asked, "You have won the regular season MVP, the heaviest individual award of the season, for 2 straight years. You must be incredibly excited right now, correct?"
Chen Yan smiled.
"It would be a lie to say I am not excited. This is the most important individual award of the season, an honor every player dreams of. For me, it is also proof of an entire season of hard work and effort. I am very happy and very fortunate to receive this award. It is also encouragement that motivates me to keep moving forward."
Chen Yan's demeanor when facing domestic media was clearly different from when he dealt with foreign media. His answers were more serious and formal.
The reporter continued, "You and Nash have become another duo after Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Magic Johnson to both win back to back MVPs while playing for the same team. Many people are calling you a legendary duo. Can you tell us how you feel right now?"
"Without question, we have already entered history," Chen Yan said. "Nash is a great player. Since I entered the NBA, he has taught me many things, such as passing, court vision, and how to read the game. I am glad that I grew quickly enough to win 2 MVPs, and to win them back to back, before he retired.
"As you said, it is not easy for 2 players who have both won back to back MVPs to be on the same team. I believe history will remember us, and fans will remember us. As for whether we are legendary or not, I will leave that for everyone else to judge. What I say does not count."
The reporter then asked, "What are your plans for this offseason? Will you participate in the World Championship in Istanbul this summer?"
"Definitely," Chen Yan replied. "I am very eager to play for my country again. That is my honor."
"Which 2 teams do you think will meet in this year's NBA Finals? Will Phoenix break through in the Western Conference?"
"I have full confidence in our team," Chen Yan said. "If I did not have confidence, I would not be on the court. But I do not want to make predictions. The Eastern and Western Conferences have changed a lot this year. Many teams strengthened themselves through midseason acquisitions, such as the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Those teams all have the strength to contend for the NBA Finals. So no matter which team appears on that stage in the end, I would not be surprised."
"The Rockets were eliminated in the 1st round this year. What do you think of Yao Ming's performance?"
"Many people say Yao Ming's form has declined," Chen Yan said. "Those people are looking at it only from a statistical perspective. In reality, I do not feel that Yao Ming's dominance has decreased. He has transitioned and changed his style of play. Before, he was a post up center. Now, he spends more time facilitating.
"Also, the Rockets are currently in a rebuilding phase. They traded McGrady and brought in new blood. That has a significant impact on the team's stability and chemistry. However, I believe that once they develop chemistry, the Rockets will still be very competitive. I hope they will be better next season."
After that, the reporter asked several more questions related to the playoffs, and Chen Yan answered each official question seriously.
…
1 day later, Game 3 between Phoenix and Dallas began.
As soon as the game started, the Mavericks players felt the intense pressure of Phoenix's home court.
From the 1st minute, the fans stood up, waving towels in their hands.
Phoenix's 1st possession ended with DeAndre Jordan scoring.
Diaw received the ball at the top of the arc and served as the offensive hub. Chen Yan ran from the right baseline to the top, then caught Diaw's pass at the 60 degree angle.
Nowitzki and Artest immediately double teamed Chen Yan.
Chen Yan stepped back and passed the ball through the gap to DeAndre Jordan, who cut to the basket and slammed it in with both hands.
2 to 0.
DeAndre Jordan was simply too explosive.
With his height and leaping ability, no one on the Mavericks could stop him once he got moving. They could only get out of his way. If they tried to contest, they might get posterized or give up a 2 plus 1.
However, Jordan's threat was limited to that.
Once he left his comfort zone under the basket, his role was basically the same as a wall.
Mavericks offense.
Kidd brought the ball across half court and began organizing.
Ray Allen came off the baseline, and Nowitzki set a screen for him.
At the top of the arc, Phoenix chose to switch.
Ray Allen had hit many shots using this kind of action in Game 2, so Phoenix could not afford to be careless.
Ray Allen quickly passed the ball to Nowitzki, creating a clear mismatch.
Dirk Nowitzki was now going 1 on 1 against Chen Yan.
Nowitzki backed down once, then quickly spun to his right.
This was 1 of Dirk's signature moves. After the spin, he could either shoot or drive.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yan had already anticipated the move.
He shifted early and slapped the ball away the moment Nowitzki completed his spin.
"Slap!"
After stealing the ball, Chen Yan flicked it forward past Nowitzki and took off alone on the fast break.
His speed was too fast.
By the time Nowitzki turned around, Chen Yan was already at midcourt.
Kidd also chose not to chase. He was a smart man and would not waste energy on something that would bring no result.
Chen Yan calculated his steps and finished with a full circle windmill dunk.
The dunk boosted Phoenix's morale, and the entire arena erupted.
Dallas ran the same play on its next possession.
This time, Nowitzki was more cautious. He protected the ball as he spun, drew the double team, then passed to Artest.
Artest had an open look in the corner and aimed at the rim.
With no interference, he lined it up and made the 3 pointer.
4 to 3.
After the shot, Artest got excited again. He raised both arms in triumph, celebrating as if he were on his own home court.
However, this time Artest was a little smarter.
He did not rush in front of Chen Yan to celebrate. Otherwise, he might have picked up another technical foul.
Artest's brief swagger was quickly followed by humiliation from Chen Yan.
On Phoenix's possession, Chen Yan circled along the baseline and then came to the top of the arc, successfully receiving the ball off DeAndre Jordan's screen.
Fueled by adrenaline from the previous play, Artest chased him all the way and did not lose position.
Chen Yan did not shoot immediately.
He extended his left hand forward, signaling for everyone to clear out for isolation.
Chen Yan dribbled continuously between his legs.
Artest remained steady and kept applying pressure.
That was Artest's defining trait. His mental toughness was strong enough that no matter how many times he was beaten, he would not become psychologically afraid of his opponent.
Chen Yan was dribbling to find his rhythm.
Artest was also trying to read Chen Yan's rhythm.
Suddenly, as Chen Yan dribbled between his right leg, Artest reached out with his left hand.
It was almost a steal.
Artest's anticipation was perfect.
What he did not expect was how quickly Chen Yan reacted.
Chen Yan shifted into a behind the back dribble, forcing a change of direction to the left. Immediately after that, he stopped hard, slammed the ball down, and pulled back beyond the 3 point line.
Artest nearly fell to the floor and could only watch Chen Yan rise into the shot.
This was the so called difference of a few centimeters becoming the difference between success and failure.
At that moment, Artest only hated that he could not grow a few centimeters taller.
Kidd rushed over to contest, but Chen Yan shot directly.
Kidd could not truly bother him.
"Swish!"
The ball went in.
7 to 3.
.....
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