Chapter 519: Versailles Speech and a Difficult Start
After the game, the Mavericks players did not say much. Losing a crucial game had clearly crushed their morale.
Chen Yan finished 16 of 29 from the field, 7 of 12 from 3, and a perfect 13 of 13 from the free throw line for an efficient 52 points.
Nowitzki had a cold night and scored only 12 points. Ray Allen turned in a steady 21, and Terry added 19. The Mavericks' three main scorers combined for exactly the same number of points as Chen Yan alone, which was more than a little embarrassing.
On the Suns' side, the postgame locker room turned into a full scale Chen Yan appreciation session. Everyone had something to say, and all of it was praise.
His 52 point explosion quickly became the story of the day.
Chen Yan had already dropped a playoff record 71 points before, and he had piled up plenty of 50 point games. Some fans had become so used to it that they started to think a 50 point playoff game was not that special. But one glance at NBA history was enough to remind them how absurd it really was.
Even Jordan, the greatest scoring machine in league history, produced only 8 playoff games of 50 or more, with a career high of 63.
Kobe was an all time killer, yet despite 25 regular season 50 point games, he had only 1 in the playoffs. That came in the 2005 to 2006 postseason, in Game 6 between the Lakers and the Suns, when Kobe scored 50 and carried almost the entire overtime himself. Ironically, the opponent back then had also been Phoenix, and the Lakers still lost.
Scoring 50 plus in a playoff game was brutally difficult. It required talent, touch, rhythm, stamina, and the right opponent. If the other team sold out defensively, even a superstar could be dragged into the mud.
Chen Yan had spent most of the night under traps and help coverage, and even when Dallas let him play one on one, the primary defender was Artest.
To still drop 52 could only be described as monstrous.
When Chen Yan first entered the league, many critics dismissed him as a flashy player. Anyone who watched him could see the dazzling dribble package, the crossovers, the sudden changes of pace, the tricks.
But under all that flair was the body of a truly efficient scorer.
Stylish and practical at the same time. Fans loved that combination.
Back on sports forums, Artest was being roasted from every direction. Before the series, he had loudly promised to shut Chen Yan down, but Chen Yan's scoring had climbed with every game.
"So this is the Defensive Player of the Year level?"
"That all you got, Artest?"
"Don't blame him too hard. He really tried. He just ran into Chen Yan."
"Chen Yan has shown the world what a real MVP looks like."
"I have a feeling he's going to go off again next game."
"For other players this would count as an explosion. For Chen Yan, it's just routine."
"Dallas is on the edge now. The next game is back in Phoenix. This series is basically over."
...
2 days later, to celebrate Chen Yan winning the regular season MVP, the Suns organized a coronation ceremony at the arena before Game 5.
The team owner, the front office, and NBA commissioner David Stern all attended.
Before the ceremony began, Stern exchanged quite a few words with Chen Yan. The young star he had placed so much hope in seemed to be developing exactly the way he had envisioned.
Soon after, Stern placed the trophy in Chen Yan's hands, and Chen Yan stepped forward to deliver his speech.
"This is a very special award. I used to imagine what it would feel like to hold the MVP trophy, but I never thought that day would come this quickly.
"First, I want to thank my parents. Your encouragement and support are the reason I am standing here today. Even though you are far away across the ocean, I can still feel your strength and your love. Thank you. I love you."
The arena burst into applause.
There was no trace of Chen Yan's usual playful tone tonight. He was sincere, and there was a visible sheen in his eyes as he spoke.
After the applause eased, he continued.
"I also want to thank the front office, the coaching staff, the trainers, the nutrition team, the doctors, and all the fans who have supported us through every high and every low.
"And of course, I have to thank my teammates, the guys who fight beside me every night. Without you, I would not have been able to put up those numbers, and I would not be standing here with this trophy."
Then he added one more line, and the arena reacted instantly.
"I also want to thank my girlfriend, Taylor Swift. Your support and your company have given me endless strength, both on the court and in life."
The camera immediately found Taylor Swift in the crowd.
On a night like this, of course she was there.
Taylor blew him a kiss. Chen Yan smiled and winked back.
Every small gesture between them drew attention.
David Stern looked at Chen Yan with a faint smile. He had always believed this kid would become something special. He just had not expected it to happen this fast.
In only 2 seasons, Chen Yan had already won a scoring title, a regular season MVP, a Finals MVP, and an All Star MVP.
Most All Stars would go through an entire career without collecting even half of that.
At this point, it was no exaggeration to say Chen Yan was already writing a legend.
Even if he retired tomorrow, he would still have a Hall of Fame case.
After thanking everyone, Chen Yan reached the end of his speech.
"To be honest, I do not have too many deep thoughts right now. This is only my 2nd season, and my career has only just started, but I have already won the highest individual honor in basketball. Do you understand how that feels?"
The entire arena exploded with laughter.
There it was.
The humblebrag.
Fans immediately felt that the self proclaimed King of Bragging simply could not resist showing off at the finish line.
At that moment, Stoudemire shouted from the side, "Youngest MVP, have you thought about what gifts you're buying for your teammates?"
That instantly set everyone off.
Azubuike laughed and shouted, "Kobe bought watches for the whole Lakers team when he won MVP last year!"
Chen Yan held the microphone, laughed, and shot back, "I don't know what Kobe gave his teammates, and honestly, I don't care. I only know one thing. Whatever I give my teammates will definitely be more expensive."
The crowd roared.
At that point, there was no escaping it. The atmosphere had already been built. Money had to be spent.
Chen Yan did not mind. This was both a celebration and a reward.
After the ceremony ended, both teams returned to the locker room to change.
The moment Chen Yan stepped into the tunnel, the smile vanished from his face.
He was locked in.
He knew the Mavericks would come into this game desperate, and desperate teams were dangerous.
And as expected, Dallas opened the night like a team fighting for its season.
They began on defense, with every player fully engaged from the start.
Down 1 to 3 in the series, the Mavericks had nowhere left to retreat.
The Suns struggled on their first 3 possessions, while Dallas got one basket each from Ray Allen and Nowitzki to jump out to a quick 5 to 0 lead.
Nowitzki's rough night in the previous game had cost Dallas dearly. Tonight he came out with a completely different look. His decisions were quick, his body language was sharp, and even his eyes looked different.
.....
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