Chapter 82: Success

Chapter 94: Success

"The Best Player Trophy, the Cleveland Cavaliers Best Player Trophy Ceremony, has finally arrived!" Kobe Henley Will's shouts were quickly drowned out by the roar of the crowd, as the people of Dallas had waited long enough for this moment of honor.

The owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cuban, personally presided over today's Best Player Trophy award ceremony. At the center of the stadium, the spotlight clearly illuminated the podium. Nearby, Cuban, visibly excited, stood ready. During the introduction of last season's top league finals, the most crucial soul of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Robert Henry, was the first to ascend the stage.

Neither Cuban nor Robert Henry spoke much, as the fans were evidently more anxious than they were. Robert Henry dejectedly took the Best Player Trophy from Spain's hands, lowered his head, and kissed the cold diamond trophy. The surface of the diamond Best Player Trophy was icy, but Robert Henry's heart was ablaze!

Afterward, Robert Henry raised the trophy high, presenting the symbol of highest honor to the fans. The cameras zoomed in for a close-up of the trophy in his hands. Despite the tight schedule in producing the Best Player Trophy, the craftsmanship was superb.

On the front of the trophy, diamonds etched the Cavaliers' team emblem; on each side, diamonds spelled out "World Best Player Trophy." One side bore the O'Brien Cup, while the other was engraved with the player's name and number.

In truth, today's ceremony was attended not only by heroes and celebrities from all walks of life. At the sidelines, there was Odom's beautiful wife, Khloe Kardashian, and her two sisters, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. Tonight marked the first appearance of all three Kardashians at the American Route Center Arena.

Gazing at the Best Player Trophy in Robert Henry's hands, the three Kardashians practically salivated. Americans joked that if there were a million-dollar diamond trophy in any arena, the Kardashian sisters would surely find it. But tonight, they refrained. The Kardashians no longer wished to chase after Cavaliers players.

"When will you give me yours?" Khloe mused, eyeing the dazzling trophy in Robert Henry's hands, already imagining Odom's two Best Player Trophies.

But this time, Odom ignored Kardashian's unreasonable request. The two Best Player Trophies he won with the Lakers were the most precious memories and treasures of his life. He could give Kardashian anything—except those two trophies.

Watching the Cavaliers adorn themselves with the Best Player Trophy on the court, Odom couldn't help but glance back at the Lakers bench, wishing he hadn't left.

Subsequently, as the team claimed last season's Best Player Trophy, the heroes stepped onto the stage to receive their awards. When Su Feng appeared, Spain introduced him to the fans: "The greatest point guard of the future top league!"

Such praise did not strike the Cavaliers fans as excessive. This young guard from China had already captured the hearts of Dallas fans. They believed that the Dallas Cavaliers would soon become Su Feng's Dallas Cavaliers. No—perhaps it was already his team.

The last to take up the Best Player Trophy wore attire unlike any previous recipient. Peja Stojakovic's jersey was gone; he now appeared as a gentleman in a suit and leather jacket. At this moment, he was no longer a player, but began his journey into team management.

Yet even so, nothing could stop people from loving Peja. Taking the trophy and microphone, Peja uttered a profound statement: "My dream was realized in Dallas!"

Unexpectedly, Spain handed an unsigned Best Player Trophy to a black security guard at the American Route Center Arena.

Usually, the Best Player Trophy is awarded to coaches, assistant coaches, general managers, and key players. Some fringe players, coaches, team doctors, and other roles do not receive signed trophies. For the first time in top league history, the Best Player Trophy was awarded to a courthouse security guard.

Because the stadium's security was not part of the Cavaliers' lineup—they served the American Route Center Arena, not just the Cavaliers, much like other roles. If there were a hockey game at the center tonight, the security guards would be working for the hockey team.

But the fortunate security guard, Andre Mengzi, had worked at the arena for years and was familiar with Spain. At the end of last year's regular season, Mengzi and Spain sat together on the bench for a brief chat. At the time, no one expected the Cavaliers to win the Best Player Trophy, but Mengzi patted Spain on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, brother, you'll win the trophy!"

"If we win the Best Player Trophy, I'll give you one!"

Could the Lakers and William Adams Miller truly spend a joyful night at the American Route Center avenging themselves against the Cavaliers?

That was not the Lakers' decision, nor William Adams Miller's. Now, they had to ask whether Dallas's new king agreed.

Tonight, Su Feng had returned early to his room to rest, conserving energy for tomorrow's game.

This was their night—it had arrived!

On January 16, 2012, three hours before tip-off, a throng gathered at the entrance of the American Route Center Arena. The stands were already full, and before the players of either team appeared, the fans cheered wildly.

Even seated in the soundproof player tunnel, Su Feng could hear the chants outside. Although he had seen the trophy's true form yesterday, as he prepared to claim it tonight, he felt a surge of nerves.

Yes, he was anxious—the feeling of entering the top league for the first time a year ago returned. But tonight was different from that day—it was just a regular season game.

Just then, the door to the Cavaliers player tunnel swung open. Su Feng glanced around. Who had the authority to enter unannounced? Spain?

But when a man in a suit and leather jacket appeared, most people in the tunnel immediately cheered.

"How's it going, guys?" Peja Stojakovic, the retired legendary forward, stood in the tunnel, waving to his old teammates.

"Haha, Peja, I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon!" Terry greeted Peja warmly, followed by Robert Henry, Terry, and Su Feng…

Though the Cavaliers lineup had changed since last season, Peja still felt at home here. Everything was as before, except he could no longer wear the Cavaliers jersey.

"Meanwhile, your three-point shooting percentage has soared this season. Keep it up in the off-season!" After hugging everyone, Peja patted Su Feng on the shoulder, generously praising him.

At times, Peja truly envied Su Feng. After thirteen years in the league, Peja finally claimed the trophy of his dreams in his final season—but he never won the Kings' Best Player Trophy.

Su Feng? This young man was just starting his career, tasting what many players never experience in a lifetime.

For Peja, it was lucky to win the Best Player Trophy. But Su Feng—this guy—would never settle for just one!

"Alright, guys, wait until the game is over. The temporary podium is already set up. Don’t let the trophy wait too long!" William Adams Miller waved, interrupting Peja’s conversation.

The players smiled as they exited the tunnel; the soundproof doors opened, and the overwhelming cheers washed over them. They knew they were still in the corridor—once they stepped onto the court, the roar would be deafening.

"Crazy, man. Absolutely crazy," Robert Henry’s voice trembled. He was nervous—or perhaps, excited. At this pivotal moment in history, he felt both the anxiety and thrill of a rookie.

The Best Player Trophy would soon rest in his hands—yet it was the Cavaliers' first in their history!

Soon, the German adjusted his breathing, standing as usual at the front of the line, vigorously swinging his arms at the glittering exit.

"It’s our turn! Let’s go!" Robert Henry shouted, leading the defending trophy holders out of the tunnel.

As the players rushed into the stadium, the cheers soared even higher. Spain stood at the temporary podium in the center, applauding the athletes. On the stage, the golden O'Brien Cup had been moved aside. Next to it sat a delicate red wooden box—the beautiful Best Player Trophy lay inside!

At that moment, Spain smiled at Mengzi. Mengzi had always thought Spain was joking, but today the trophy was truly in his hands.

When the fifty-something black security guard ascended the stage, he burst into tears. Spain's gesture of humanity stunned the entire league once more. Simply because of a joking promise, a million-dollar trophy was given to a security guard. This gave fans and players one more reason to love the team.

"I don't care if tomorrow isn’t a big day for the Cavaliers. What matters is that they won the Best Player Trophy. But as far as I'm concerned, my only task tomorrow is to defeat them!" Henley Will said in an interview, "Even if it ruins their fun, I won't hesitate." This showed Kobe’s good relations with Su Feng, but when it came to victory, the "Best Player Trophy" was always cold-blooded.

"The trophy is certainly a symbol of honor, but I’ll make the Cavaliers players understand—it’s last season’s honor. Tomorrow, we won’t let the ship drift for the sake of giving up victory. I remember the anger from last season." William Adams Miller was reluctant to speak publicly to reporters. As a rival, he dreamed of disrupting others’ celebrations.

"This is a professional league, and there’s no room for sentimentality. Maybe many think we won’t spoil the coronation night, but sorry, my team and I are going to win." Even the Lakers’ trusted coach Mike Brown threatened to take the championship from Dallas, showing the team’s tough stance.

"Spain picked the wrong day. He shouldn’t have held the trophy ceremony before the Lakers and William Adams Miller. Only geniuses know what William Adams Miller will do when provoked!"

The Lakers and William Adams Miller hadn’t forgotten how they were beaten by the Cavaliers in last year’s playoffs. It was believed the Lakers would retaliate tomorrow. After all, the Cavaliers got the trophy, but the Lakers would get their bodies!

"Forty points? Fifty? I don’t know how many William Adams Miller will score tomorrow, but I’m sure he won’t hold back. Maybe the last thing he’ll do is win honor right under their noses."

Spain may have invited trouble, but after announcing the trophy ceremony for tomorrow, such commotion was unexpected. Of course, this news and the trophy had nothing to do with them; everyone focused on how the Lakers would seek revenge.

Everyone believed the trophy ceremony would ignite William Adams Miller’s competitive spirit. Many thought the Cavaliers were playing with fire…

It was ironic—the trophy team would claim their deserved honor, but criticism remained abundant. The team that was swept last year seemed to be carried up by the wind.

When the tearful security guard uncle left, the brief ceremony ended. As for players now on other teams, Spain would send them their trophies later. For players like Carter, who hadn’t won a trophy with the Cavaliers, their careers with the team were filled with expectation.

The lights came back on, and the trophy-winning athletes walked onto the court, adored by fans.

With the lights up, the Lakers players, led by William Adams Miller, began warming up. They had waited impatiently, and now William Adams Miller wanted nothing more than to blow the whole place up!

"Haha, William Adams Miller really didn’t show any respect to the Cavaliers. Before the podium was dismantled, he and the Lakers started warming up. We saw Odom run to the Lakers’ half to hug William Adams Miller."