Out of bounds.
Possession returned to the Chicago Bulls, with only 4.4 seconds remaining.
"You clearly couldn't keep up with me at first, but after just a little while, how are you able to block me repeatedly?!"
Derrick Rose was confused.
He asked directly.
Su Yan patted his chest and smiled, "Because I'm strong."
Sufficient strength is very useful on the street courts, and it's just as useful on the NBA court.
"Nonsense!"
Derrick Rose didn't want to believe it. "There are too many strong guys whose ankles I've broken and who became my background.
The key is...
You couldn't defend me at all when we started!"
He had a point.
Strength is one aspect, but superior jumping ability and wingspan are also crucial buffs.
However,
Su Yan couldn't be bothered to explain in detail.
He shrugged and teased, "Derrick, you should take the easy way out when I offer it. Do you really want me to say I wasn't defending seriously before, just to make you happy?"
???
Impossible, absolutely impossible!!!
Hearing this, Derrick Rose felt even more miserable inside, but... he couldn't find a reason to refute it.
His apprehension toward Su Yan suddenly increased.
With one quarter remaining, Su Yan's suppression of Derrick Rose in the third quarter allowed the New York Knicks to gain an 8-point lead.
In the final quarter,
Derrick Rose decisively avoided Su Yan and attacked the rest of the New York Knicks players.
But by choosing to avoid Su Yan, he had already lost three points in morale, and Derrick Rose was only a sophomore at the time.
His finishing efficiency and clutch ability were still leveling up.
His playing style was undeniably spectacular; every successful offensive play looked like a highlight reel.
However, his efficiency was lacking.
This was similar to "White Chocolate" Jason Williams—watching his highlights, every pass was miraculous.
Even "Passing Masters" like Nash, Chris Paul, and Jason Kidd couldn't compare.
In reality... White Chocolate's popularity and accolades were far, far inferior to theirs.
The reason was that...
Highlights don't show turnovers, but in fact... White Chocolate's passing was too extreme. Though spectacular, his turnover rate was extremely high.
Many times,
out of ten passes, 2 to 3 were brilliant assists, but the rest were turnovers, making the side effects greater for the team.
Derrick Rose was similar.
His attacks looked incredibly cool, but there were also many immature layups that hit the side of the rim, and his mid-range game was unstable.
Looking at the New York Knicks,
Su Yan was extremely steady; with his Max Level Three-Pointer, if he got an open look, it was virtually guaranteed to go in.
Stephen Curry was also not a player eager to show off.
He focused on stability and efficiency.
David Lee and Tyson in the paint also diligently played the role of excellent role players.
The team atmosphere was great.
Thus, the team's offensive efficiency was higher, which was something the current Chicago Bulls could not match.
As things progressed,
The New York Knicks held a 10-point lead, which lasted until the end, and the Chicago Bulls failed to mount a comeback.
The New York Knicks ultimately defeated the Chicago Bulls by 8 points.
Securing a victory in the Christmas Day Game.
After the game.
Su Yan and Derrick Rose hugged as a sign of respect.
Derrick Rose gave a thumbs-up and said, "Strong power, high vertical jump, and other physical talents aren't bad either.
You also have advantages in height and wingspan.
My reckless, forceful attack against your defense was definitely not the right choice. It's normal that I was defended."
Oh wow~
How did he suddenly become enlightened?
Su Yan smiled and nodded, "Yes, Derrick needs to drive inside to maximize his talent advantage.
Therefore,
you need to utilize your teammates' screens more often to gain space for accelerated drives. That way, your offense will achieve twice the result with half the effort."
That was very true.
Next year, when Derrick Rose was in his third year, after another rapid evolution,
The team, aided by the three interior players Luol Deng, Boozer, and Noah, helped the team immediately reach the eastern conference first place ranking.
He also snatched the MVP away from LeBron, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history.
The principle of success lay right there.
"Hmph~"
Derrick blinked, humming with arrogance, "Don't think that just because you're a rookie, what you said makes sense. But... I won't listen to you."
"Listen or don't listen."
Su Yan rolled his eyes, then stared at Derrick Rose and said seriously, "Derrick, your drive is sharp, your dunking is violent, and your style is magnificent!
However,
I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.
My point is... your talent is excellent, and you completely have many other simpler ways to score and help the team win.
I think overly violent and extreme attacks should be reserved for clutch moments and key plays."
Derrick Rose, at this moment, might have been a little confused by Su Yan's words.
Because... he was healthy, he was playing very well, he was receiving a lot of applause, and his fan base was growing rapidly.
He seemed perfectly fine.
Su Yan wanted to warn him that playing this way would damage his body and lead to injuries, but he couldn't say it directly, or it would sound like a curse.
He could only speak so vaguely.
The blooming of the Rose is truly beautiful.
The wilting of the Rose is truly regrettable.
Su Yan wasn't a fan of Derrick Rose, but... a scene he once saw on TV deeply touched his heart.
When Derrick Rose won the MVP in his third year, Westbrook was still the second-in-command for the Thunder, unable to make the all-star team, and Harden, needless to say, was just a bench player.
Stephen Curry was still Monta Ellis's little brother on the Warriors, DeMar DeRozan was still unknown, and George was just a defensive ace for the Indiana Pacers.
That's right.
When Derrick Rose was already shining in the league, becoming a superstar and designated as the new face of the league in the future.
These future leaders of the small ball era could only look up to him.
In just a few short years, these supremely talented players all grew up and became powerful figures.
This was normal.
Theoretically, Derrick Rose should have already reached the summit, become the face of the league, and remained a player one, or even several, tiers above them.
The fact was, however,
he was completely ruined by the demon of injury.
He fell from the altar, wandered from team to team, was once without a team, and was utterly miserable!
Time came to the year 2021.
In a New York Knicks vs. Warriors game, after Stephen Curry hit a Three-point Shot, he surpassed Ray Allen and officially became the "Historical Three-Point King."
At the New York Knicks arena.
The entire stadium erupted in thunderous applause, and the visiting fans all stood up to celebrate this milestone moment for Stephen Curry.
The NBA officially called a timeout, allowing Stephen Curry, standing in the center of the court, to fully enjoy this moment.
Stephen Curry was very deserving.
However... attentive people would notice.
When the New York Knicks players all went to the bench, Derrick Rose stood alone on the sideline, applauding Stephen Curry and smiling as he celebrated with him.
This applause showed that Derrick Rose's character was impeccable, demonstrating mutual respect between heroes.
But.
A hint of loneliness and unwillingness could clearly be seen in his smile.
What was he thinking?
He was thinking... I once had this applause too.
He was thinking... I was also once the man standing at the top.
He was thinking... I was also the person who once gave fans endless fantasies.
He was thinking... I envy Stephen Curry, and I envy my former self!!!
Many people might not know that Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose... are the same age.
The former Derrick Rose shone in the league.
Today's Stephen Curry shines in the league.
Flowers may bloom again, but a person never gets a second chance at youth!!!
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