Tony Battie realized the gravity of the situation. He shut his mouth, and everyone else stopped laughing.
Seeing Larry Bird's bleak expression, Su Xi comforted him, "It's not that big of a deal, really. They'll all be back late in the season. This gives the guys a chance to get some proper rest and nurse their old injuries. Come playoff time, we'll go all-in on a championship run."
"I believe that come next April, no team will want to face us."
Su Xi's words had the intended effect. Larry Bird thought it over and realized the situation wasn't as dire as he'd imagined. With Su Xi on the court, securing a playoff spot for the Pacers wouldn't be a problem. 'And didn't he want to work on his one-on-one game this season? Well, here's his chance.'
"Jack, the time has come to prove you can lead this team by yourself." Larry Bird patted Su Xi's shoulder. "Go get 'em!"
…
