Chapter 567: Winning Finals MVP Again
"Ohhhhhh! A game winner! With that 3 point shot, Chen Yan has pushed his total to 58 points, and a new NBA Finals single game scoring record has been set!" Mike shouted, nearly losing his voice.
"For a player, there is no more perfect way to win a championship than this," Reggie Miller said with a smile. "I have imagined countless times what it would feel like to win a title for my team with a game winning 3 on the NBA Finals stage, but Chen Yan just turned that dream into reality."
"Congratulations to Chen Yan, and congratulations to the Phoenix Suns!" Jackson roared. "Two titles in 2 years. Chen Yan has already achieved what many active players and retired legends never touched in an entire lifetime. This is a perfect start to a career, and all of us believe that perfection is going to continue!"
Scattered cheers rose from the arena, coming from the Phoenix Suns' traveling fans, including Father Chen, Mother Chen, and Taylor Swift.
Everyone had believed the Suns would lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy that night, and now they finally had.
Van Gundy immediately walked over to shake D'Antoni's hand. Losing the game did not mean losing grace.
"Congratulations, Mike."
"Thank you," D'Antoni replied politely. "The Magic played hard tonight. You lost with honor. Keep pushing."
"You have the best guard on this planet," Van Gundy said, unable to hide his admiration. "That must be a nice thing to have."
He was telling the truth. In this series, the Magic had not really lost to the Suns as a whole. They had lost to Chen Yan.
On the floor, the Suns players embraced in celebration. Jordan and Novak, both winning the first championship of their careers, were especially emotional.
As a role player, Novak had not received many minutes in the Finals, but he did not care. Starting tonight, he was an NBA champion too. He could go back and proudly tell every relative and every friend, "I have a ring too."
Nash did not join the wild celebration on the court, not because he was not excited, but because his back had flared up again.
Winning 2 straight championships had fulfilled Nash's dream, but the heavier workload had also worsened the wear on his body. In this timeline, the toll on him had been even greater than before.
With a towel draped over his shoulders, Nash smiled, gestured toward the opposing side in acknowledgment, and headed back toward the locker room. He needed a few minutes to recover. There was still an award ceremony waiting for him.
Chen Yan grinned as he hugged one teammate after another. He paused a little longer when he reached Turkoglu.
"Chen Yan, congratulations," Turkoglu said. "You deserved this win. You are one of the greatest players I have ever faced in my career, and this is only your 2nd season."
"Hedo, you were great too," Chen Yan replied. "You deserve an even bigger contract."
This time, there was no mind game behind his words. During the series, he had tried to shake Turkoglu's confidence. But now, he genuinely meant it. Turkoglu's playmaking as a forward was outstanding, and his nerve in the clutch was even more impressive. That late 3 had nearly stolen the game from Phoenix.
Far away in the West, Phoenix was already celebrating. The city was going wild.
Fans poured into the streets, cheering for the Suns. Even though they had already experienced this feeling once last season, no one was tired of it. For fans, championships were like rain in the desert. No amount was ever enough.
An ESPN reporter randomly stopped a bald middle aged fan for an interview. The man delivered a speech full of accidental arrogance.
"As a fan, I'm thrilled that the Suns won another Larry O'Brien Trophy," he said. "My only regret is that both times we swept our opponents, so we did not get to watch our boys lift the trophy at home."
The camera cut away, and by then the Suns players had already changed into championship shirts and hats.
There was still a little time before the official presentation, and family members and close friends were allowed onto the court to celebrate.
Chen Yan hugged his parents and Taylor Swift in turn.
Father Chen was so excited his face was red. "Son, you are my pride! I knew that shot was going in!"
Taylor Swift had been recording the entire moment with her camcorder, determined not to miss a second.
Then came the formal ceremony.
By that point, most of the Magic players had quietly returned to the locker room. Many home fans had also started filing out.
Watching the other team celebrate a championship on your court was a special kind of pain.
A reporter moved in for a routine question.
"Chen Yan, congratulations on winning consecutive championships. That is an incredible achievement. Can you tell everyone how you did it?"
"Trust your teammates, stay united, and fight through every difficulty," Chen Yan answered. "None of this happens without every single guy in that locker room. I'm proud of myself, but I'm even prouder of them."
Another reporter quickly followed up.
"You are about to receive the 2nd Finals MVP of your career. How do you feel?"
"Has it been announced already?" Chen Yan replied with a smile. "How would I know? I do not think about things that have not happened yet. Ask me again once it does."
"Do you have any special plans for the offseason?"
"Oh, I want to do a lot," Chen Yan said with a laugh. "I want to release a single, go back to my country for basketball events, do something for the game back home, and travel a little. Some film projects have reached out too. Honestly, the vacation has not even started and I already feel like I'm running out of time."
The reporter laughed along with him.
Soon after, David Stern stepped onto the temporary stage at center court.
The ceremony officially began.
"This is a perfect team," Stern said. "I do not think I need to add much praise. Their actions and their performance have already said everything. Winning 2 straight NBA championships proves their dominance. Congratulations to the Phoenix Suns. Congratulations on winning the 2008 to 2009 season championship. Congratulations on a truly great season."
After speaking, Stern handed the championship trophy to Suns owner Sarver.
Sarver could barely contain his excitement. A championship meant attention, fame, and value. And in the NBA, all of that eventually meant money.
The players crowded around to touch the trophy. Jordan was so excited he nearly slipped off the stage. Chen Yan joked that it was his first time touching the Larry O'Brien Trophy, so it was normal to lose control a little. After a few more championships, he would get used to it.
At the same time, gold confetti and streamers began falling from above.
Even though the home team had been swept, the fans who remained in the building gave the Suns a warm round of applause. Respect had to be paid where respect was due.
Then came the Finals MVP presentation.
Bill Russell slowly stepped onto the stage.
The Finals MVP trophy bore his name, and having the man himself present it was an honor few players would ever forget.
"The 2008 to 2009 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player is... Chen Yan."
Russell did not drag out the suspense. He called the name immediately.
No one was surprised.
Chen Yan had led the Suns in both production and impact. He was the clear choice.
This was the 2nd Finals MVP of his career, and with it he set another record, becoming the youngest player ever to win consecutive Finals MVP awards.
Russell smiled warmly as he handed over the trophy.
"I said before that if you were my son, I would be very proud," he said. "Now I want to say it again."
"Thank you," Chen Yan replied. "That is an honor."
He took the trophy into his hands.
The feeling was different this time.
When he had won his first Finals MVP, the emotion had been pure excitement, almost disbelief. But now, standing there with the 2nd trophy in his hands, Chen Yan's mind had already moved further ahead.
He wanted more.
He felt he deserved more.
Behind him, his teammates began shouting in unison.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Chen Yan smiled, stepped to the microphone, and began his speech.
"It's me again," he said. "Sorry to disappoint the haters."
The crowd burst into laughter. Even at a moment like this, Chen Yan could not resist slipping in a joke.
"This year has been a year of harvest for me. I won the regular season MVP, the championship, and the Finals MVP. I want to share all of that joy and all of that glory with my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who supported us. None of my individual honors would exist without your help, your encouragement, and your belief in me."
He paused, glanced around the arena, then smiled again.
"I will not say too much tonight. This is the Magic's home court. I want to respect them and respect how they feel. Thank you, everybody. That is all from me tonight."
Another wave of applause rolled through the building.
Chen Yan had not only won with his performance, he had won over even the opposing crowd with his composure and grace. Some fans in the arena had even started chanting "MVP," sounding suspiciously close to switching sides.
Once the ceremony ended, the Suns players rushed back toward the locker room.
Champagne, cigars, and a long night of celebration were waiting for them.
.....
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