The Way of the Center

\u003c"readability-styled"style=":inline;"xmlns=""\u003e30 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, 14 of 20 shots and a 70% shooting rate. Thaddeus Young can be said to have played his best game of the season. If Anjie did not exist in this world, Thaddeus Young would definitely lead the 76ers to a successful upset and become a hit .

But it is a pity that this world does not have if...

101 to 116, even though Thaddeus Young showed a superstar performance, even the tepid Turner scored 23 points, even though McAway contributed 16 points and 9 assists. However, the Philadelphia 76ers still lost to Portland by a huge gap of 15 points.

32 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks, this is the answer sheet given by Anjie to the fans in the New Year's Day game. Even Robin Lopez scored an exaggerated double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds in a limited time, which can also be seen how the 76ers' inside line has been trampled.

But what fans talk about most today is not another super stat of Anjie, nor is it the tenacious resistance of the 76ers. The most impressive scene in the whole game, without a doubt, was the scene where An Jie provoked Thaddeus Young at the last moment, but Thaddeus Young didn't dare to fight.

Wu Hua recorded An Jie's wild provocation and Thaddeus Yang's nervous expression in the reporter area. There is no doubt that the comparison of this group of pictures will be one of the classic photos of An Jie's career.

Because of this, one of the best players in this game, Thaddeus Young, quickly returned to the player channel after the game.

He couldn't continue to stay on this court, as long as he stood here for one more second, Thaddeus Young would be wrapped in a huge sense of shame.

Indeed, with the outcome already decided, there was no need for Thaddeus Young to fight in the last 15 seconds. And this will also become an excuse for Yang to respond to reporters' questions later.

But Yang knew in his heart that he didn't fight just now because he really didn't dare to go forward to fight...

Thaddeus Young has been living in hell ever since Anjie single-handedly defended Thaddeus Young in the fourth quarter.

People are usually impressed by Anjie's ability to protect the frame, but in fact, when Anjie walks out of the penalty area, his defense is still very good.

"You're so fucking handsome buddy, and you stole the limelight again!" Aldridge hugged An Jie happily. The scene of An Jie provoking the opponent with the ball in one hand just now made Aldridge bear Can't help booing with the fans.

What about Anjie? Now smiling and celebrating the victory with his teammates, he seems to be different from the cold-blooded butcher just now. It seems that this guy's attitude towards teammates and opponents are really two extremes...

The post-match press conference was naturally quite lively. While this began the Blazers' third straight game in three days, the reporters' enthusiasm for the Blazers was even higher.

Even the chief press officer of the Trail Blazers was amazed at the appeal of the New Year's Day game. Seeing a lot of yellow-skinned and black-haired faces sitting in the media reception room, the chief press officer was really uncomfortable.

No, it's not so much the appeal of the New Year's Day War, but An Jie's appeal. Without An Jie, the New Year's Day War would lose its meaning of existence. This special event arrangement was completely tailor-made by David Stern for Anjie and the Chinese market behind him.

Anjie's current influence in the alliance can be seen!

"Mr. An, regarding your actions towards Thaddeus Yang in the last 15 seconds of the game, do you think this is a provocation?" The press conference went on for a long time before a reporter finally dared to stand up and ask An Jie about this. question.

"Young was one of the best players in the game today, and I did it just hoping to play another round with the best guy in the last minute.

"An Jie didn't shy away from this question, and his answer seemed to be well-reasoned.

"Then how do you comment on Thaddeus Young's failure to respond to such a situation?"

"How do you comment? It's normal that he didn't come out to fight, because the outcome of the game is already decided, so there's no need for him to do so." On the court, An Jie didn't show mercy. But off the court, An Jie still gave Thaddeus Yang a little face. He didn't have to, what a good excuse. Since it was so miserable on the court, An Jie should "cooperate" with Thaddeus Yang off the court.

Seeing that An Jie dealt with the media so maturely, Wu Hua below also let out a sigh of relief. It seems that An Jie has not only improved significantly on the basketball court, but An Jie has also matured a lot off the basketball court. In terms of answering reporters' questions, An Jie was even more sophisticated than Jiang Du, who was buried the deepest.

The press conference ended smoothly, and with the cooperation of Anjie, Thaddeus Young and the 76ers were able to leave Portland, the city of roses, with the last piece of fig leaf.

Before the game, the players of the 76ers also hoped to use the New Year's Day battle to make a big hit. But if possible, the 76ers will definitely write a letter to David Stern, pleading with the league president, don't let them play this special game with the Trail Blazers again...

※※※

On the first day of 2014, although they fought back to back, Anjie and the Trail Blazers still started their new year with a victory.

On the evening of January 2nd the next day, Anjie and his teammates no longer sweated in training clothes for extra training, but were all in suits and ties. They were invited by the Mayor of Portland to attend the New Year's banquet at the City Hall.

Everyone in the Trail Blazers has become the symbol and pride of the city of Portland. It can be said that without them, the economy and popularity of the city of Portland may be affected.

Because of this, the mayor attaches so much importance to these players. This party, which was supposed to belong to politicians and celebrities, was stuffed into this group of "big bosses".

But at the banquet, everyone respected An Jie and the others. Times are different, now professional athletes are very popular everywhere now.

An Jie is not very comfortable at the banquet. Compared with enjoying endless snacks and drinks in suits and leather shoes, An Jie prefers to sweat on the training ground.

But there is no way, this is a personal invitation from the mayor. If you don't come, it will be too disrespectful to the mayor. An Jie still understands the basic ways of being a human being. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to do so well in America.

The air-conditioned banquet hall made An Jie feel a little stuffy. Looking around the crowd, An Jie wiped the sweat from his forehead, and decided to find a quiet place to breathe.

It seems that the balcony on the banquet hall is a good choice. Holding a glass of low-alcohol cocktail, An Jie passed through the crowd and walked towards the balcony.

Pushing open the door of the banquet hall, on the huge balcony, a row of violinists are playing a string serenade in G major. Looking at everything around him, coupled with this gorgeous and solemn tune, An Jie felt as if he had traveled back to the Middle Ages, and now he was attending a banquet of some nobleman.

Nodding approvingly to the violinists, An Jie lay down on the railing of the balcony holding a glass of wine.

Beneath City Hall, snowy Portland still looks alive. But on the streets on New Year's Day, you can easily see many Chinese elements.

Lanterns, Chinese characters, Chinese-style billboards... These things are already a norm in Portland, and it is Anjie himself who makes these things normal.

When An Jie was enjoying the night view of Portland alone, a magnetic voice suddenly came out from behind An Jie.

"Excuse me, Mr. An, can I delay you for a few minutes?"

An Jie should turn around, but An Jie doesn't know the guy in front of him at all.

The man standing in front of An Jie was of medium build, with a meticulous American-style oiled hair, and an expensive suit. The blue eyes behind the glasses seemed to be full of wisdom, and these eyes seemed to be able to see through everything.

Look at the outfit, this guy is not a reporter. Besides, reporters can come in at the banquet held by the mayor casually.

"Excuse me sir?" An Jie asked politely.

"My name is Edward Mondes, Mr. Jiu Yang'an, I hope we can talk." The man politely handed over his business card.

An Jie glanced at the business card. It turned out that this guy is the owner of Mendes Steak House in Portland. Mondes Steakhouse is fairly well-known in Portland, with 5 branches. An Jie has also eaten here once or twice, and the taste is not bad.

"So it's Boss Mondes. I like your steak." An Jie smiled kindly.

"It's my pleasure that you like our products, Mr. Ann."

"Then, why is Mr. Mondes looking for me?" An Jie could tell that Mondes didn't just want to know himself.

"Actually, I want to discuss business cooperation with Mr. An." Mendez said, walking to An Jie.

"Cooperation?" Anjie has also signed a lot of business contracts, but he has never encountered such a thing as an endorsement for a steak restaurant. Besides, can this guy Mondes really afford a high endorsement fee? You must know that the assets of Mondes are not in the same order of magnitude as those of large international companies such as Nike and Gatorade.

"Yeah, partnership. My steak house is decent in Portland, but I want to expand this restaurant across the country, maybe even the world. But I can't do it on my own. So.. ...."

"Mr. Mondès might as well be straight."

"So, I sincerely invite you, Mr. An, to become a shareholder. With your financial resources and fame, plus my steak. I believe that we can create a business miracle together!" Mondes stared at An Jie expectantly.

"Invest in shares!?" An Jie's expression became surprised. All along, the business activities in An Jie's mind are undoubtedly signing contracts and endorsements. Sign the contract and complete the commercial promotion. Sign a contract, shoot an ad...

But things like buying shares, investing, and being your own boss. An Jie had never thought about it before.

It seems that tonight's dinner party that is out of tune with me doesn't seem to be for nothing...

"I think we have to talk to my manager, Mr. Moslav, about this issue, Mr. Mendes." An Jie raised his glass to Mendes, and the two drank the almost drink in the glass with smiles on their faces. cocktails.

A brand new field is about to be developed by An Jie...