Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

The 2017 championship earned Yu Fei the eleventh title of his professional career.

This brought him into the exclusive eleven-title club, a distinction held by Bill Russell for nearly half a century.

Undoubtedly, it was a symbolic moment.

Moreover, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to end his journey.

The Clippers won three consecutive championships, establishing a dynasty, while Yu Fei was closing in on 35 years of age. As he had often said over the years, he was likely to retire this year, just like Jordan did in 1998.

"Stay or go, I will announce my final decision at the end of the month during the award ceremony."

Yu Fei gave a definite time point.

Before that, the 2017 NBA Draft was scheduled as usual.

The Suns got the first pick and chose Markelle Fultz, the consensus top prospect, The Magic Team, with the second pick, chose Lonzo Ball, and The Celtics, holding the Knight's first-round pick, selected Jason Tatum with the third pick. Subsequently, DeAaron Fox went to the King, and Josh Jackson was picked up by the 76ers...

This year, the Clippers only had the 29th overall pick in the first round.

They didn't know who to choose.

Yu Fei mentioned a name to Arne Trem.

So, the Clippers chose Josh Hart with the 29th pick of the first round.

That was the only thing the Clippers did in the draft.

Although this year's draft was called a strong one, it would take at least four or five years for these rookies to realize their potential, so the league's dynamics wouldn't change because of it.

However, Yu Fei's decision before the free agency market opened would change next season's dynamics in advance.

As last season's All-NBA Team member and FMVP, it was safe to say that he was still the best player in the league.

While the progress of Antetokounmpo and Jokić was welcome, they were not yet considered superstars.

Under these circumstances, having Yu Fei lead them for another year is the safest choice for the Clippers. Should Yu Fei retire this summer, the Clippers would likely fail to defend their title.

Therefore, Yu Fei's decision at the award ceremony was particularly significant.

June 27th.

The day finally arrived.

NBA held its off-season award ceremony for the first time, successfully turned the players' award ceremony into a televised event.

From now on, you won't see fans listening to players' heartfelt speeches on-site. Instead, it's been replaced by a lively reality show. The players know it's a show, and so do the fans. So where does emotion fit in? It all lies in the ticket.

How much emotion do you have? How much are you willing to pay to witness your favorite player's award?

It's all up to you.

As if on purpose, TNT scheduled Yu Fei's FMVP award presentation last, starting with the smallest awards.

Watching the winners parading on stage like Victoria's Secret models, Yu Fei could only be thankful that there were no such arrangements during Stern's era.

Otherwise, he would have suffered every year.

Nonetheless, the event was loathsome, practically all the dignitaries of the league turned up at the site.

Even the players who did not win an award tried to get a ticket.

There was also a detailed arrangement for the seats among the stars.

As the losers of the last season, the entire Golden State Warriors team was present.

James, who missed being All-NBA and MVP, chatted carefree with Curry, seeming unconcerned he was being overshadowed.

Yu Fei chatted with his team for a while and then went backstage.

He saw Durant.

Durant seemed preoccupied.

Yu Fei asked, "Something on your mind?"

"My contract with Nike expires this summer; they want me to renew, but Reebok is also pursuing me," Durant asked, "What do you think I should do?"

Yu Fei smiled and asked, "From which perspective should I answer this question?"

"The perspective of a leader," Durant said, "I moved forward under your guidance in those years, which were as precious as gold to me, and I hope to get your advice on this matter."

Apart from Anthony Davis, Durant was Nike's leading figure of the middle generation.

If Durant was poached, it would be a blow to Nike comparable to when Nike poached Kobe from Adidas.

Though Yu Fei did not care much for these commercial battles, he was still willing to lend a hand to the company if he could.

"Nike has become decadent," Yu Fei said, "Most younger stars are with Reebok, and if you want to shine in New York, you need to join a more stellar camp. I can't tell you which path is the right one, I only know that Nike is on the downhill, while Reebok hasn't reached its peak yet. That moment may not come until after I retire."

Durant was silent for a while, then asked, "Are you planning to retire?"

"Of course not." Yu Fei was about to go on stage, leaving Durant with his last words, "Because I can still kick your ass!"

Under all eyes, Yu Fei finally came to the forefront, answering the question that had puzzled the outside world for a long time.

"I will not retire."

"I will play for another year."

This time, there were no suspense, no room for ambiguity, not even room for speculation.

"I can say with certainty that next season will be my last, and I'm glad to share this news with all of you here!"

In the days that followed, Yu Fei's remarks about retirement made headlines in newspapers and social media.

Although that day would not come until the end of the next season, many media professionals who had witnessed Yu Fei's career couldn't help feeling sentimental: "When we did not know where this road would end, we blamed Frye for not revealing it? Now that we know the answer, we feel an indescribable sadness, yes, we know there will not be another Frye!"