Chapter 481: Keep the MVP in Phoenix
"Chen, keep feeding me in the second half," Stoudemire whispered during halftime.
His point total at the break was the highest of anyone from either conference, and the thought hit him like a fast break. This was an All Star MVP night.
Chen Yan smiled. "No problem. You're sleeping with that trophy tonight."
Stoudemire's grin nearly split his face. For a guy who had lived among the league's best power forwards for years, his personal trophy shelf was painfully bare. Outside of Rookie of the Year back in 2002 to 03, he did not have many individual headlines to point at. If an All Star MVP was within reach, he was going to chase it like it was a loose ball.
Chen Yan had already won the award. He did not need it again. Helping a teammate get one, especially a teammate who had battled beside him all season, was an easy investment in chemistry.
At halftime, the arena's attention drifted right back to the OK duo, who treated the floor like their personal stage and started a playful one on one show. The crowd ate it up. Phoenix fans loved seeing the former rivals laugh, bump shoulders, and move like the old days.
But it could not last long. The league's halftime schedule was packed.
First came a celebration for Bill Russell's 75th birthday.
After the ceremony, Russell returned to his seat and immediately started eating his cake like it was the real main event.
Reporters rushed over, ready for a legendary quote.
Russell licked his finger and said, "The cake is good. I like it."
The reporters froze. They had been prepared for reflections on legacy and the meaning of the game. Instead, they got a dessert review.
One reporter adjusted quickly. "Did you watch yesterday's Slam Dunk Contest? Which dunk impressed you the most?"
Russell smiled. "Chen Yan's last dunk. I didn't know a human could do that."
Another question came right behind it. "And how do you feel about his performance tonight?"
Russell's tone softened. "Excellent. Everyone knows he can score in every way, but tonight he's playing like Magic Johnson. He's creating for everybody. I talked with him before the game. He's a great kid. If I had a son like him, I'd be proud."
After the birthday segment, the league skipped the usual dance show and used the break to honor the Olympic players from Beijing.
USA Basketball brought out the USA women's team and then the men's team, and the building applauded every name. International All Stars who had also competed in the Olympics were called out as well.
As representatives of international stars, Chen Yan, Yao Ming, and Yi Jianlian stepped onto center court and received a warm ovation.
Chen Yan was called first, the home city roared.
Then came Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, followed by Dirk Nowitzki, Luis Scola, and Marc Gasol.
After that, the USA women's team received rings from USA Basketball chairman Colangelo, and then the USA men's team appeared.
Kobe looked like a kid with a new toy, shaking his ring at Chen Yan from across the line. LeBron James inspected his with a mock serious expression, like he was evaluating a rare gemstone.
Sometimes the hunger to win really did make grown men hilarious.
…
The second half started, and both teams kept playing with surprising intensity.
Kobe had been joking around five minutes earlier. The moment the ball went up, his eyes turned cold. On the first possession of the half, he jumped a passing lane, stole it clean, and finished a solo fast break dunk.
Chen Yan stayed in the same groove he found in the second quarter, and the commentators joked that he was doing a Nash impression, playmaking first, scoring second.
Midway through the third, both sides rotated again. The West brought in more bench talent, while the East responded by sending out Joe Johnson and Vince Carter in the backcourt. Mike Brown also controlled O'Neal's minutes. Shaq's mind was still halfway in comedy mode, and a comeback was not the time for experiments.
When the fourth quarter opened, the Eastern Conference finally went for it, turning the pressure up to maximum.
Wade nearly stripped Chen Yan as he crossed half court. The Flash was not just fast with his feet, his hands were vicious too. During the Olympics in Beijing, he had turned more than a few ball handlers into highlight reels.
But Chen Yan was not an ordinary guard.
As the ball started to get loose, he reacted instantly, stepped into position, stabilized his base, and protected the ball with his body. Wade's swipe turned into contact.
Whistle.
Not only did Chen Yan save the possession, he drew the foul.
Then Chen Yan made his decision obvious.
For the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter, every meaningful pass he threw went straight to Stoudemire.
He was not even trying to hide it.
Anyone with eyes could tell he was pushing Stoudemire toward the All Star MVP. The West already had a big lead. If Stoudemire stayed as the top scorer, the trophy was basically guaranteed.
Stoudemire rewarded the trust. He did not just dunk. He mixed in midrange jumpers and even stepped out to hit from deep.
With 7 minutes and 44 seconds left, Stoudemire buried a 3, pushing his total to 30 points.
The next closest Western player was Kobe at 25.
Young Kobe would have fought for the trophy. This Kobe had learned the politics of the moment. With the game already decided and Phoenix hosting, he let the home big man have his shine. Kobe even signaled to come out, choosing rest over ego.
The final horn sounded with the West winning 150 to 121.
A blowout by All Star standards.
Stoudemire got what he wanted, lifting the All Star MVP trophy with a grin that said he had been waiting years for something like this.
Chen Yan kept his promise.
The MVP stayed in Phoenix.
.....
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