Chen Yilun stayed up in the rafters until the Rookie Challenge wrapped up before finally heading down.
"Boss? You came to watch too?"
Dillon, who had just finished his game and was waiting for interviews, looked genuinely surprised to see Chen Yilun walk in.
After all, he hadn't spotted him anywhere earlier. Before arriving, Dillon had even heard a Kings tradition:
whenever a Kings player made the Rookie Game, Chen Yilun would always show up to support them.
Since he was only a second-round pick this year, Dillon figured the captain wouldn't bother coming. But unexpectedly, there he was.
"How could I not come when you're playing?"
Chen Yilun mumbled, cheeks puffed with grapes. "I was just sitting somewhere you couldn't see me, that's all."
"Oh, got it!"
Dillon suddenly understood—of course, the boss still cared.
"Alright, don't just stand there. I'll take you to meet a reporter friend and get you an interview. Listen, as a second-round pick, you need to find ways to boost your media exposure."
Chen Yilun scanned the court. Reporters were all crowded around players for interviews.
"Would anyone actually want to interview me? I'm just a second-rounder."
Dillon blinked, incredulous. He'd basically been picked as an international filler—yet he might get media time?
"If I say you will, then you will!"
Chen Yilun spotted a familiar figure.
"Follow me!" He grabbed Dillon's wrist and strode confidently forward.
Mike Breen was standing courtside, having just wrapped up his interview with Collins, speaking to the camera when—
"Mike!"
Chen Yilun walked up and threw an arm around his shoulders without hesitation.
"Whoa—who—oh!"
Mike Breen startled at first, then instantly broke into a wide smile when he recognized him.
"Chen! Long time no see!"
The two immediately slipped into natural conversation.
Ever since Chen Yilun took over in Sacramento, they'd kept in touch. Mike had been the first major media figure to help him establish connections across the league, and Chen Yilun had benefited plenty from that support.
"I tried to catch you last time I swung through Sacramento but you were out of town,"
Chen Yilun said with a laugh as they chatted right in front of the cameras.
"My bad, my bad!"
Mike laughed along, clearly pleased. Being seen talking so casually and warmly with one of the most influential figures in the league on camera would only raise his profile further.
"Oh—almost forgot why I came over."
After a bit of small talk, Chen Yilun pulled Dillon forward.
"Hello, folks! Let me introduce our team's newcomer—Dillon Brooks!"
Dragged suddenly into the frame, Dillon froze for a moment before offering an awkward "Hello!" to the camera.
Seeing Chen Yilun bring Dillon forward, Mike immediately understood the intention and smoothly transitioned into a normal on-the-spot interview, giving Dillon a genuine shot at exposure and credibility.
...
"Boss, thank you."
When the interview ended, Dillon looked at Chen Yilun sincerely.
He knew perfectly well that he only got that sideline interview because of Chen Yilun's connections. At All-Star Weekend, reporters always targeted big-exposure players; if they couldn't get one, they'd rather skip interviews than go to someone like Dillon. Otherwise, it would make their outlet look weak.
So this had been entirely thanks to Chen Yilun.
"No need. We're on the same team. Don't thank me."
Seeing Dillon so moved he could barely contain himself, Chen Yilun shrugged casually.
"You'll probably pick up more fans after today. What you need now is to take some classes on how to present yourself better to the public—because that intro you gave was rough."
"Got it! I'll sign up for classes tomorrow!"
After a bit more small talk with others, Chen Yilun headed out of the Staples Center with Dillon in tow.
...
He didn't go to the individual events the next day, though Booker entered the Three-Point Contest for fun—and unexpectedly won the whole thing.
As for the Slam Dunk Contest, after the Gordon–LaVine battles of the past two years had raised expectations sky-high, this year's event dipped hard. LaVine didn't participate, Gordon withdrew with injury, and the buzz evaporated.
In the end, Mitchell, stepping in for Gordon, took the championship.
On the final day—the All-Star Game—LeBron, as the East captain, picked Curry first, then Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeRozan, and Davis.
Durant, captain of the West, built a flashier lineup. His first pick was Harden—no hesitation—sending the Beard into pure joy. Then he chose Westbrook. The Thunder trio reunited once again on the All-Star stage.
Next up were George and Embiid.
Jokić, who'd barely made the cut, was placed on Durant's bench.
This year's All-Star Game wasn't the usual casual runaround.
Team LeBron, powered by the LeBron-Curry connection, looked at Durant and wanted to go at him.
Durant, reunited with his brothers, was fired up too. So from the very first possession, both sides cranked up the intensity.
"This is lively!"
Watching from the VIP box high above the Staples Center, Chen Yilun couldn't help commenting. "Way better than everyone just throwing threes for fun."
Adam Silver, seated beside him, heard the praise. Though he maintained a polite smile, he was thrilled inside.
"I always felt the All-Star format wasn't working. Nobody played seriously, and it wasn't fun to watch. So I changed the rules. Didn't expect it to turn out this well," Silver said calmly.
"During the offseason, the owners will vote on whether to keep this format."
"Count me in!"
Chen Yilun smiled, turned, and sat beside him. "I'll vote yes for Sacramento, Adam!"