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Chapter 538 - 234. The Old Era Has Turned a New Page! (11,000 words)

Chapter 538: 234. The Old Era Has Turned a New Page! (11,000 words)

Seeing Felton approaching, Parker turned to leave... but then he stopped, wondering, where could he possibly go?

After the G5 loss, although his teammates didn’t say it outright, Parker could feel that many were internally blaming him for not passing the ball to Ginobili in the final moments. The team atmosphere was already chilly, and he hadn’t spoken to his teammates in days.

He was already annoyed and regretting his decision, until this morning when he saw a very popular post—Have you all forgotten when Parker scored 29 points and 10 assists, holding up the team’s offense when Duncan was performing poorly, and giving them a chance to tie the score in the end?

Parker had always known that Popovich didn’t value him. In 2001 when he tried out for the Spurs, Popovich didn’t want him at all. General Manager RC Buford insisted on drafting him, even threatening to resign, which led to Popovich compromising. Especially since the Spurs were the number one seed in the regular season with a last-pick draft right, Popovich was willing to compromise.

After his rookie season ended, in the summer of 2002, Popovich expressed to the media his regret at not picking Arenas.

In 2003, when Kidd and Payton became free agents, Popovich used him as a bargaining chip, offering sign-and-trades to the Nets and Bucks.

In 2004, Popovich used him as a bargaining chip again, competing with the Mavericks for Jason Terry and failing, while the Hawks wanted the 206 cm forward Anthony Walker.

Inside the Spurs for the past two years, there have been rumors that Popovich complained to Buford about not trading him for the lottery pick in 2005 to draft Zhang Yang.

Ginobili, who never really valued him, often publicly praised Zhang Yang as a talent-enhanced version of himself...

But faced with such injustice, he kept gaslighting himself, believing that one day, through his own efforts, he would earn the recognition of the coach and teammates.

It wasn’t until after G4 and Popovich’s words that he truly realized, no matter how hard he worked, the coach just didn’t value him.

The popular post from yesterday ignited the long-suppressed grievances and frustration within him...

Parker stared at Felton: Go ahead, keep shooting your shots!

Wow, he didn’t leave! Might as well say a few more lines before I forget... Felton continued, "I really enjoyed our duel last game. It’s an honor to compete on such a stage with an All-Star like you. I hope tonight we can have another thrilling showdown!"

Parker: Huh?

Wait, wasn’t this chubby guy here to mock him? Why has it suddenly turned into an invitation to duel?

Then, Felton’s tone shifted, and he asked in confusion, "I don’t understand. You’ve made the All-Star game two years in a row, so why does your coach value a bench player who might not make it once in three to five years more than you?"

Parker: "..."

First, an invitation to duel, and now mockery? This chubby guy must be schizophrenic!

But then, Parker quickly felt that the other person wasn’t mocking, but was genuinely puzzled as to why.

Parker thought this with a condition—Felton was very much loved by his home team’s fans.

In April 2005, after North Carolina won the championship, the hottest phrase in North American sports was—"Everyone loves Raymond."

At the 2005 draft, Felton was proud and looked down on everyone, because of this.

Even now, after joining the NBA, despite his talent not matching several geniuses in his class, his popularity remains very high, in the Carolina region his popularity is even comparable to Zhang Yang’s.

As an expert in self-gaslighting, Parker assumed that Felton, a sophomore star adored by his home fans, truly didn’t understand why "Little Sports Car" was facing such a plight...

Mainly, Felton’s words were quite comforting, a tone of consolation Parker had never heard from Popovich, Duncan, or Ginobili.

In fact, veterans like Barry and Finley did praise and comfort him from time to time, but Parker focused on those three, ignoring the comfort and praise from others, which was a form of pride and arrogance.

Parker could endure mockery and humiliation, but sympathy, especially sincere sympathy from an opponent, was unbearable. He turned and walked away, looking for another quiet spot to wallow alone...

...

This style of trash talk wasn’t something Felton was originally good at—even if he knew what to say, he didn’t know how to say it at first.

He did talk trash on the court, but his was straightforward, or involved swearing, similar to the street rappers.

So before G5, he asked his little brother for advice on how to talk this kind of trash.

Zhang San: "Just follow your heart, be sincere, and speak your mind."

Big Fatty: "Just be sincere?"

Zhang San: "Right."

After Parker left, Felton returned to the bench and put the provocation behind him.

The provocation had taken effect only in the last moments of the previous game but had otherwise been ineffective, so he held little hope for it tonight, believing it wouldn’t make a difference even at the crucial moment.

Felton too judged others by himself—players like Parker, who grew up in such circumstances, wouldn’t be fooled a second time having been burnt once before.

But as his little brother said, it’s like a pregame exchange of pleasantries with the opponent, effective or not, at least he wouldn’t regret not having said anything. It’s like a confession; once it’s out, you can fully move on.

Plus, he was genuinely curious about how Parker internally viewed his own predicament... Humans love to gossip, and this summer, watermelons are only five mao a piece.