Steve's post-game interview was both bold and humble.
He didn't admit Yuuto was better than Jordan, yet deliberately brought up their college statistics.
Jordan was already excellent in college.
His sophomore year, he averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 53.5% shooting, making the All-NCAA First Team.
But Yuuto?
His current scoring average had broken 30, with rebounds and assists both approaching double digits.
Comparing numbers, Yuuto crushed college Jordan.
Of course, this comparison wasn't entirely fair—Jordan's era was dominated by big men.
Back then, basketball rules favored post players. "Control the paint, control the game" originated from that era.
Most legendary big men in history emerged from that period.
Then what?
Once Jordan reached the league, his numbers became otherworldly.
From 1987 to 1993, the scoring title belonged to Michael Jordan—seven consecutive seasons.
His lowest scoring average during that stretch was 30.05 points—enough to win the scoring title in most other years.
His highest was 37.09 points.
That remained the modern-era record that no one had broken.
But that wasn't even Jordan's ceiling. If someone could truly push him, fans believed he could average 40-plus.
So comparing Yuuto's current numbers to college Jordan wasn't fair.
But Steve was clever precisely because of this.
There was no better hype than being compared to Jordan.
Why did so many "Jordan successors" appear after his retirement?
Marketing!
Everyone knew that after Jordan's first retirement, league ratings plummeted. To recover viewership, David Stern manufactured numerous "Next Jordans."
...
"In my view, Yu's performance has surpassed KD and Carmelo Anthony in '03. He's shouldered more responsibility on a team with less depth. I don't think I've ever seen a better freshman."
That was the next day's ESPN report, featuring Williams's interview.
Then, naturally, they began the hype machine.
"Melo, KD, Yu... Who's the better NCAA player?"
Historical college talents were lined up for comparison.
For Yuuto, this was undeniably great exposure.
After all, he was now being mentioned alongside elite superstars.
But there was even bigger news.
Yuuto had officially announced he would enter this year's NBA Draft.
"Yes, this is a decision I've thought through carefully."
"It was difficult. I have to leave college life early and say goodbye to these amazing teammates."
"But it's precisely their encouragement that helped me decide. Yes, after this season ends, I'm taking my talents to the NBA!"
In Miami, King James saw the newspaper, his brow furrowing deeply.
He felt like this Asian kid was lowkey mocking him.
"What's wrong, LeBron?"
"Look at this. Don't you think he's taking a shot at me?"
James tossed the paper to Wade.
Wade thought he was overthinking it.
"Maybe it's just his fans deliberately imitating their idol. After all, you're King James!"
That made sense.
James considered his image perfect—his only stain was announcing his departure from Cleveland on live television.
But if he hadn't left Cleveland, how would he win championships?
Fans should understand his choice!
...
Meanwhile.
A day later, the Bruins were still celebrating making the Sweet Sixteen.
Before the season, their rallying cries had been loud, but expectations weren't high.
After all, last year they'd been eliminated in the Round of 32, and they'd lost multiple key rotation players.
Most players hadn't held much hope for this season.
And now?
They'd just beaten North Carolina—a team loaded with future first-round picks.
This rekindled their hope.
"Yu, I think we might actually have a shot this year."
"What else? Did you think I was joking?"
Yuuto referenced that conversation from early in the season. Mosely remembered.
"We came together by divine arrangement. Maybe we can do something great."
Now, they truly had a chance at greatness.
"Alright, I have to apologize—I didn't believe it before." Mosely looked embarrassed, then remembered something. "But don't think I didn't hear you—you Chinese don't believe in Jesus."
"What matters isn't what we say—it's what we do." Yuuto patted his shoulder. "Don't let up. Our journey isn't over!"
"Of course. But you're definitely going top three in the draft. After you announced, the media outside went crazy."
Mosely's expression was excited, tinged with envy.
After Yuuto's draft announcement last night—
Newspapers across every major American city were strategizing how their local teams could acquire Yuuto.
Their coverage kept emphasizing how excellent Yuuto was, how getting him would mean getting the future, etc.
But most articles ended with the same question: "The problem is—how do we actually get him?"
The funniest part? Knicks fans were getting involved too.
The current Knicks roster wasn't exactly lacking.
They had Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.
A two-star team.
When this roster was first assembled, Knicks fans had been ecstatic.
They felt New York's good times were coming.
But reality proved the Melo-Stoudemire duo wasn't as beautiful as imagined.
This year they were barely clinging to playoff contention. A chaotic locker room and incompetent management prevented the team from reaching its potential.
Stoudemire especially—last year he'd averaged 25.3 points, but this year he'd dropped to 17.5.
After coming to New York, Stoudemire had declined rapidly, losing the dominance he'd shown in Phoenix.
Knicks fans couldn't help but wonder: Was this guy just a product Steve Nash manufactured?
Their front office had made another losing deal.
Some extreme fans were already pushing the team to trade Amar'e for this year's top pick and pair Carmelo with Yuuto as a backcourt duo.
Stoudemire felt personally attacked.
These damn fans wanted to trade him for some Asian kid?
Absolutely ridiculous!
He vowed to prove his worth—in the very next game.
But tragically, he pushed too hard and got injured. Season over.
...
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