Barkley and Smith's shouts added a great deal of humor to the tense, exciting moment.
This was no Rookie Challenge MVP award presentation. It was clearly the ceremony for the 'One-Time Use of a Donkey's Left Buttock and Lips' prize.
David Stern, well-versed in the Chinese saying that "great men are slow to speak," smiled and surveyed his surroundings before beginning.
Only then did he announce, "The MVP of the 2004 NBA Los Angeles All-Star Rookie Challenge is..."
He paused.
The fans in the Staples Center couldn't wait any longer: SU! SU! SU!
The TNT cameras cut to a split screen of Su Xi and LeBron James. Su Xi's face was a picture of confidence, as if to say, 'The MVP should be mine. It's only right.'
LeBron James's expression was more complicated. Though he managed to crack a smile, anyone could see the displeasure and anxiety on the nineteen-year-old's face.
