Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

The Nets planned to double-team Yu Fei the moment he dribbled inside the three-point line, but Yu Fei suddenly fired a long-range shot from the outside.

"Swish!"

The Bucks were only leading by one point, but with that shot, they extended their lead to four points.

Kidd's gamble on a three-pointer didn't pay off, Yu Fei grabbed the defensive rebound, and the Nets committed a tactical foul with just under 10 seconds left on the clock.

The game was virtually over for New Jersey.

"That's an MVP-level performance! That's an MVP-level display!" Bill Walton exclaimed excitedly, "If Frye isn't named MVP tomorrow, then there must be something wrong with the voting system!"

Yu Fei scored a game-high 35 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, leading his team to win the third game, thus pushing the Nets into a 0-3 hole.

After the game, a reporter asked Yu Fei, "Based on the information we have, you have a 70% chance of being chosen as the MVP, do you think this has any special significance to you?"

"Of course," Yu Fei showcased what it means to never forget one's benefactors on the spot, "I must thank the Washington Wizards' management. If they hadn't traded me to Milwaukee, I never would've come this close to the MVP in just my second season."

Yu Fei habitually mocked the Wizards.

His words would end up in the newspapers the next day, but he didn't care about the impact this would have on the Wizards.

The next morning

After the voting, the League announced the recipient of the 2002-03 regular season MVP award.

With a 30% voting share, Yu Fei beat both Duncan with 28% and Kidd with 25%, to be named MVP.

This made Yu Fei the youngest ever regular-season MVP in NBA history at the age of 20 years and 5 months.

A day later, the Bucks held a grand press conference in New York for Yu Fei as an award ceremony. Stay updated via empire

Not only were Yu Fei's friends and family and the Bucks employees present, but high-level executives from Reebok were also in attendance.

As usual, Yu Fei thanked everyone, but he saved the most "deserving" for last.

"I want to thank Michael Jordan, thanks for his incompetence, if it weren't for his incompetent trade, I wouldn't have earned such an excellent team, nor would I have the privilege to make these remarks today."

"I also want to thank the Washington Wizards, thank you for your foolishness, thank you for indulging Michael. Had you not done so, we would never know that an NBA management like this existed. I am grateful that I don't have to continue to waste my time in D.C. with them. I thank them for their pity; this trade saved my career."

"Time will prove the true gold content of this trade, and I never imagined it would take only one year to turn them into historical buffoons. I will continue to work hard and give everything to become the best player, to ensure that the orchestrators of this trade are forever nailed to the pillar of shame. This is how I thank them. Thank you, thank you, everyone."

On this joyful day, at the end of the grand and solemn MVP award ceremony, instead of warmly thanking everyone, Yu Fei concentrated his fire on his enemies.

This was an excellent opportunity to understand and get to know Yu Fei.

He might have completed his revenge on the Wizards, but he would never let it go.

As he often said.

Never forgive.

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"We could have had Rashard Lewis and Gary Payton in exchange for Frye, but now, we will have to watch Payton enter free agency, followed by the start of an endless rebuilding plan. Rick Sund (Supersonics General Manager) is beyond forgiveness!" — "Seattle Times"

"Karl Malone is ready to hit free agency, John Stockton considers retirement, Shaquille O'Neal is getting tired of Kobe, and Frye might just tarnish Michael Jordan's legacy. Is this the NBA in 2003?" — "New York Times"

"The Spurs are furious over the MVP voting results, Popovich believes it was purely for hype and promotion. Yu Fei may deserve the MVP, but no matter how you look at it, TD isn't losing anything by missing out on the MVP. It's the award itself that is suffering. The legitimacy and sanctity of it are long gone!" — "San Antonio Express-News"

"An uncertain future has MJ's team on edge, they've declined all interviews and blacklisted anyone daring to ask 'the Yu Fei question'." — "The Washington Times"

PS: I forgot to write about the All-NBA Teams; here's the update: Big Fei made the first team, and Ray Allen made the third team.