socalfunplaces Chapter 71 The Privilege of the Winner
Chapter 71 The Privilege of the Winner
The Knicks locker room.
Reporters surrounded Randolph.
"Zach! Your performance tonight was absolutely dominant! That kind of physicality, that kind of toughness, that's the 'iron-blooded defense' New York has been longing for."
Randolph grinned widely.
"Of course! This is New York! This is basketball!" Randolph shouted, basking in the long-awaited spotlight. "On my turf, nobody can run wild! Not even the Dragon King!"
Li Xiangbei was leaning back in his chair with an ice pack on his knee.
When asked by several local New York reporters about "Bosh's complaints about the officiating standards," he appeared unusually calm.
"complain?"
"Winners celebrate, losers complain. This is the natural law of competitive sports. It's as pointless as an antelope complaining that a lion is too ferocious."
The interview has ended.
General Manager Donnie walked in.
The once noisy locker room became a little quieter.
Walsh walked straight to Li Xiangbei's side.
He looked at the young man with a complicated expression.
"Keep it up, keep it up." Walsh's voice was low, only the two of them could hear it.
Li Xiangbei smiled slightly.
"Donnie, I told you, Zack may be a big guy, but he needs an instruction manual. If used correctly, he's the best heavy weapon."
Walsh sighed.
"Okay, I received the instructions. But remember, Lee."
Walsh's tone became serious.
"Rights come with responsibilities. Since you're going to protect him, then if he goes on a rampage in the locker room again, or causes any trouble off the court..."
Walsh paused.
"You handle this yourself. I don't want to clean up his mess anymore. Understand?"
Li Xiangbei nodded.
"make a deal."
……
After the leader left, the atmosphere in the locker room became more relaxed.
Everyone started packing their things, preparing to go home to play games or go to a nearby bar for a drink.
"Hey! Stop it, everyone!"
Li Xiangbei stood up from his chair and clapped his hands.
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
"Tonight, we're going to Marquee."
That's Manhattan's most exclusive nightclub, a place frequented by countless celebrities.
"I'll pay for everything, all the drinks are welcome."
A cheer erupted in the locker room.
"but."
Li Xiangbei raised his hand, signaling for silence.
His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Nate's hip-hop style oversized hoodie and pants.
"There's a condition."
Li Xiangbei pointed at Nate.
"This is a winners' party, not a gathering of street thugs. We're here to celebrate our victory, not to smash things up."
"Everyone must wear formal attire."
"Suit, tie, dress shoes. Dress yourself like a gentleman."
This requirement is strange, even a bit demanding.
But at this moment, the players' eyes showed not resistance, but rather a strange excitement.
Because it's not just about going out to drink.
It's more like a ritual, an initiation ceremony to join some kind of "elite family".
"No problem, boss! My Armani is in the car!"
"I'll go buy it! Right now!"
Everyone rushed to the parking lot or called to have clothes delivered.
……
The entrance to the Marquee nightclub on 10th Avenue in Manhattan.
Li Xiangbei got off the bus.
He was wearing a black custom-made suit with a white shirt underneath, no tie, and the collar was slightly open, exuding a casual yet dangerous aura.
Behind him followed a dozen or so burly men dressed in sharp suits, averaging about two meters tall.
This scene is extremely visually striking.
The oppressive atmosphere made the ordinary people queuing at the door even afraid to look directly at them.
When the nightclub's security supervisor saw Li Xiangbei, he immediately pulled open the red velvet apron rope and bowed deeply.
Good evening, Mr. Li.
The group filed in and went straight to the VIP booths on the second floor, which offered the best view.
Dozens of bottles of champagne, each tied with sparklers, were brought out by sexy bunny girls, the golden sparks illuminating everyone's excited faces.
Li Xiangbei picked up a bottle of champagne, poured a glass, and then, in front of everyone, spilled the expensive wine onto the carpet.
That's a tribute to the rules of the streets, and also a way to say goodbye to past bad luck.
Then, he raised his glass and gestured to the DJ downstairs.
The music volume instantly decreased.
……
The whole place fell silent.
Li Xiangbei raised his wine glass, his eyes sweeping over everyone present.
"This is just the beginning."
"As long as you play well with me, New York will be your backyard."
"Luxury cars, designer watches, endorsement contracts... those are what you deserve. Even if you get into trouble, as long as it's not murder or arson..."
Li Xiangbei smiled.
"In New York, we all got through it together."
These words struck a nerve with these young millionaires. What they craved wasn't just money, but the reassuring feeling of having someone back them up.
"Boss is awesome!!" Nate shouted, leading the charge.
But then, Li Xiangbei changed the subject.
He put down his wine glass and walked over to Italian rising star Danilo Gallinari.
This usually quiet young man was now nervously tugging at his bow tie.
Li Xiangbei reached out and gently straightened his bow tie.
"But I only have one red line."
Li Xiangbei's voice turned cold.
"Anyone who dares to be as weak as a girl on the court, watching their teammates get bullied without daring to stand up for them, or who doesn't put in the effort on defense..."
"I'll make him sit at the very end of the bench until his butt gets sores, and he won't get a single minute of playing time."
"No matter what draft pick he is, no matter how talented he is, softies have no place here."
"Did you understand?"
A chill ran down everyone's spine.
"Got it!!" The roar echoed in unison throughout the private room.
……
The next morning.
This set of photos, showing everyone in suits entering and leaving a nightclub, made the headline of the New York Post's entertainment section.
In the photo, Li Xiangbei walks at the front, followed by a group of thugs in suits. Their aura is even more mafia-like than that of the mafia.
The title consisted of only one line of large text: "The Knicks' New Godfather?"
When Under Armour founder Kevin saw these photos, he was so excited that he slapped his thigh.
He immediately called the GG department and decided to shoot the next season's GG blockbuster in this "suit-wearing thug" style, with the slogan "Winner Takes All".
Meanwhile, in faraway Cleveland.
Inside the training hall at Quicken Loans Arena.
LeBron has just finished a high-intensity bench press workout.
He looked at the footage of Li Xiangbei partying in a nightclub on the TV news on the wall, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"godfather?"
James grabbed a handful of white magnesium powder and walked to the center of the court.
"Some people reign supreme in nightclubs, but the real king..."
He suddenly flung magnesium powder into the air, creating a white mist.
"Sharpening the knife."