Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

On the day of the All-Star Game, Jordan's starting position was still up in the air.

ABC Television Station portrayed Carter, who was reluctant to give up his starting spot, as a villain and played down the fact that Jordan had fewer votes than McGrady, Iverson, and Yu Fei.

Commentators believed that as a player from North Carolina, Carter was obligated to step aside for his senior, not because he wasn't worthy of starting, but because people didn't want to see Jordan without the recognition he deserved in his final All-Star Game.

Yu Fei genuinely thought this was a pure case of moral hijacking. If "people" really felt Jordan should start, they should have voted for him more. The voting results showed that people preferred Carter, even though he played little this season. Were those who voted for Carter not human? Shouldn't their wish to see Carter start in the All-Star Game be respected?

That night, when Yu Fei entered the court for shooting practice, he saw Mr. Vince Carter, who had been a starter for three consecutive All-Star Games, sitting there anxiously.

"Vince, stop thinking about it. Be a good guy and give up the spot," Yu Fei teased.

Carter gave Yu Fei a cold look, "You've got the wrong guy."

Had Yu Fei misjudged Carter? No, he had always believed that Carter would eventually be unable to withstand the pressure. He saw Carter as someone without a big heart, no backbone, and no decisiveness.

Ten minutes before the game, led by Allen Iverson, players from the Eastern All-Star Team hinted they would boycott the game if Carter didn't relinquish his spot. The absurdity of the situation made Yu Fei think he had heard wrong. ABC's commentators continued to push the narrative for Carter: "No one should say no to Michael. It's an opportunity for the people of the world to sincerely show gratitude to Michael!"

Carter capitulated— he didn't see the essence of the problem, didn't dare to offend the "world's people," and didn't want to make his Eastern stars feel he didn't respect Jordan.

He had a brief exchange with Jordan in the locker room.

Carter: Michael, I hope you start.

Jordan: Don't force it.

Carter: Not at all.

Jordan: I really think you are more suitable than me, but thank you.

Outside, Carter told reporters, "He deserves it."

Jordan became the first star player since John Havlicek in the '70s to start an All-Star Game thanks to the humility of a younger peer. Moreover, this didn't affect his reputation at all. Carter was the bad guy who refused to step aside. Jordan wasn't affected, and in ABC's interview, he even defended his junior, "Obviously, it was a last-minute decision for Vince. I think he's been criticized too much... I could've easily sat on the bench. I would've been proud of that... I just didn't want him to take any more heat, so I stepped up and replaced him in the starting lineup."

For Yu Fei, this was a valuable lesson.

How to strategically exploit the situation and transform an environment totally unfavorable to oneself into hell for the opponent.

Carter bore the bad reputation and had to give up his starting spot, only to end up with an even worse reputation and depend on Old Man Jordan for assistance.

Yu Fei expressed admiration for Old Man Jordan and once again, deep contempt for Carter.

Five minutes before the game, Marv Albert, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Fratello spent another five minutes discussing Carter yielding his starting spot. Their conclusion was that the controversy was stupid. Why did so many people like a thankless jerk like Carter?

Because of the situation with Jordan and Carter, Yu Fei's debut in the All-Star starting lineup had been overshadowed.

As Jordan started 0 for 6, Yu Fei capitalized on the Western team's lax rebounding protection and finished with consecutive slam dunks.

Ironically, Jordan's first points came from Yu Fei.

Even Yu Fei was surprised.

When Yu Fei grabbed the defensive rebound and saw someone upfield, he made the pass.

After the ball was released, he realized it was Jordan.

"Mistake!"

Jordan scored with a layup.

Van Gundy joked humorously, "The most correct duo in the NBA finally had a collaboration!"

Well said, Van Gundy. If you say a few more words, Yu Fei is going to shut you up with a basketball.

Aside from it being his first All-Star game, Yu Fei didn't have any particular feelings.

The backdrop of Jordan's last All-Star game meant nothing to him.

After halftime, Yu Fei had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, and the stage started to be set up.

The pop diva Mariah Carey was about to sing a song for Jordan.

But when Yu Fei saw the voluptuous Carey wearing a Wizards Jordan jersey standing in front of the four small screens—the screens playing a tribute video to Jordan—with the prelude to "Hero" echoing, Carey began to chant, and the big bunnies on her chest looked like they were about to jump out, he wasn't sure if anyone would still seriously listen to the song.

What was funny was that ABC pointed the camera at Yu Fei as the song began.

At that time, Yu Fei was estimating Carey's cup size, then the camera moved to Jordan.

Listening to this touching love song, Jordan seemed immersed in the past, with a distant look in his eyes and a glimmer of tears in the corners.

After Carey finished singing, she acted as a DJ, queuing up the classic intro song of the Bulls Dynasty, "Sirius," and Jordan was called up to the stage.

Jordan took the microphone from Carey, and the cheering of the crowd delayed his speech by 90 seconds.

This was the "world's people" for whom Carter had given up his starting spot.

The cheering was deafening, as if the world was shouting, "I still love you." Jordan once had the best possible ending, but he ruined it himself.

Standing here today, Jordan was filled with mixed emotions. He had thought about how he would leave, but not like this.

"I want to thank you all—my teammates, my opponents, and all the fans. I also want to thank my family for supporting me this long, supporting me in fulfilling my dreams on the court. I'm at ease, knowing that I've passed the basketball to even more outstanding individuals. I took the baton of the NBA from Dr. J, 'Magic' Johnson, 'Larry Bird', and other predecessors. Here, on the All-Star court, I'm passing this baton on. I'm very grateful for everyone's support over the years, and now, I can go home and truly enjoy the peace and comfort that basketball has brought me."

Yu Fei had seen the late career of James, and now he had witnessed Wizard Jordan; he found it hard to say which was more dignified. If he had to choose one, it would still be James. At least the former still had some competitiveness left before his traversing, while Wizard Jordan was nothing more than a name.

But no matter how you look at it, neither type of later years was what he wanted.

He wouldn't end it this way. Given the choice, he would prefer the 1998 Jordan or, failing that, the 2016 Duncan would also be acceptable.

Refusing to leave when it's time to go, tarnishing one's illustrious name for no good reason, was unacceptable.

In the second half, Yu Fei basically had no chance to perform because the game was increasingly looking like Jordan's show. Until the last moment, Jordan hit The Shot over Marion, seeming to be about to lift the All-Star MVP trophy in his last All-Star game. Then, with the little time left, Kobe drew a three-point foul from Jermaine O'Neal, dragging the game into overtime. The Western All-Star Team won in overtime, and Garnett held the MVP trophy aloft.

"Congratulations to KG!" Yu Fei said to the reporters with a bright smile, "He deserves it!"

Here's a book recommendation: "Sports Medicine: Starting with the Sun Physician." See the author's note for the recommendation reason.