"Kai!"
Thinking it was a fan asking for an autograph, he turned to see Mavericks owner Mark Cuban waving at him.
If you were to ask which NBA owner cares most about his players, many would answer Mark Cuban.
Kai Chen had a deep impression of this highly individualistic and enthusiastic owner, who loved commenting on other teams and players yet adored his own team to the core.
As soon as Kai Chen approached, Mark Cuban gave him a warm hug, holding his head and whispering nonstop.
"Kai, your performance is truly unbelievable!"
Mark Cuban kept patting Kai Chen's chest. "I'm really happy to see you putting on such an astonishing performance in the NBA!"
With Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian before him, and Kai Chen now, Mark Cuban's affection for Chinese players clearly came from the heart.
"Thank you!"
After a few compliments, Mark Cuban revealed his purpose. "I really regret not drafting you."
"But if you ever consider playing for us in the future, the doors of Dallas will always be open!"
"I firmly believe you and Luka will lead the Mavericks to build a dynasty!"
The enthusiastic Mark Cuban, combined with his animated gestures, painted a beautiful blueprint for Kai Chen's future.
"You already have your answer."
Kai Chen shook his head. "Luka is an extremely excellent player, and he will definitely lead Dallas to rise again!"
"And I have my own mission!"
"Alright. If you ever need my help, call me anytime!"
Mark Cuban did not insist. Instead, he handed Kai Chen his private business card, making it clear that goodwill remained.
"Consecutive high-scoring games. What is Kai Chen's limit?"
"European King's triple-double is impressive, but the gap compared to Kai Chen is still too wide!"
"Clippers Top the West. Kai Chen Silences All Doubts!"
"One man completely confounds the Mavericks' defensive system. Who can stop his scoring?"
After defeating the Mavericks and climbing to the top of the Western Conference, major domestic and international media outlets extensively reported on the game.
"We were helpless on defense!"
Luka highly praised Kai Chen after the game. "His career has just begun, and he has already reached heights countless players never achieve!"
"Kai Chen is not only the strongest rookie of this class, he may become a generational superstar!"
To receive such praise from a fellow rookie was rare.
Luka was clearly impressed, and combined with Mark Cuban personally recruiting Kai, it was easy to view this as a gesture of goodwill from the Mavericks organization.
Want Kai Chen?
The Clippers management would be the first to disagree!
On the night the game ended, team chief consultant Jerry West was surrounded by reporters.
Upon hearing that Mark Cuban had personally recruited Kai Chen, he was initially surprised. But thinking about Kai Chen's rookie contract, he quickly became confident.
"I advise other teams to put away those crooked thoughts. Kai isn't going anywhere!"
"We have priority matching rights. Before his rookie contract ends, we will offer him a contract that satisfies him!"
"And we will meet all his demands!"
Besides the Clippers–Mavericks matchup, Phoenix's game against the Kings also drew attention.
Number one overall pick Deandre Ayton abandoned his usual soft style. Playing 38 minutes, he posted 28 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks, completely dominating Marvin Bagley.
Ultimately, Phoenix defeated the visiting Kings 116-90 at home.
At the post-game press conference, Ayton was in high spirits.
When told about Kai Chen's and Luka's performances, he shook his head pretentiously.
"Kai Chen and Luka are difficult to compare with me."
Facing the camera, Ayton spoke with disdain. "Although Kai has beaten me once, that doesn't mean his career will be better than mine!"
"Today's game is proof. I blew out the number two pick!"
"Moreover, I have truly adapted to NBA intensity. My NBA run has just began!"
After the interview, Ayton surprisingly received praise.
It seemed dawn was breaking in Phoenix.
A few hours later, the NBA officially announced a disciplinary report.
Phoenix's starting center Deandre Ayton tested positive for a banned substance and would be suspended for 25 games.
As soon as the news broke, Ayton issued an apology on social media.
"I apologize to my family, my team, and the entire Phoenix family."
"This was an undoubted mistake. Unfortunately, I ingested the banned substance without my knowledge."
His apology was sincere, but fans were dissatisfied with the explanation.
"Ayton, are you even a man? If you used it, you used it! What the hell does 'accidental ingestion' mean!?"
"I thought you really got tough. Turns out you took stimulants!"
"Haahh, Ayton is truly an oddball!"
"Can't beat Kai and Luka, so you use stimulants?"
"Get out of Phoenix. You're embarrassing!"
Portland!
"Kai, Ayton was suspended for taking stimulants!"
As soon as he got off the plane, Grayson Allen, burdened with luggage, jogged toward Kai Chen.
Looking at his comical appearance, Kai couldn't help but retort, "Slow down. Falling is one thing, but if something in your bag breaks, you're finished!"
"I'm telling you something serious!" Allen said, slightly annoyed.
"Isn't it just that Deandre got suspended?"
Kai Chen shrugged indifferently. "That's normal. With his strength, how could he possibly put up 20+20 stats?"
"That actually makes sense."
Allen nodded thoughtfully. "I was wondering how someone as soft as wet toilet paper could blow out Marvin."
"Alright, let's go quickly!"
"Coming, coming!"
Allen, covered in backpacks, struggled to follow behind Kai Chen.
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