Larry Brown was notoriously distrustful of rookies and extremely strict. The European genius, who barely spoke any English, was going through the most stifling time of his life.
Su Xi and Milicic exchanged a look before Su Xi was subbed out to rest.
On draft night last summer, Milicic was the highly anticipated superstar second-overall pick, while Su Xi was the much-questioned eighth pick. Now, less than a year later, they were facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals, and their statuses couldn't be more different.
Milicic watched Su Xi leave the court to a chorus of cheers from the entire arena, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
He didn't know where to go from here.
But he still remembered the encouragement Su Xi had given him during their first matchup. It was the glimmer of light that kept him going through the countless times he wanted to just give up.
96–75.
The Pacers took their second home game, securing a 2–0 series lead.
