NBA: Basketball Legend.

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Arenas is Coming, System Player Chen Yan?

Chapter 92: Arenas is Coming, System Player Chen Yan?

After roughly drafting the sneaker contract plan, Chen Yan handed everything over to his agent, Bill Duffy.

He trusted Duffy’s business acumen—he always had—and now all Chen had to do was focus on what really mattered: basketball.

---

Portland – Nike Headquarters

Nike President Phil Knight had just received word that Chen Yan’s camp had rejected their latest contract offer.

”Should we increase the guaranteed amount?” his assistant asked cautiously.

Knight didn’t flinch. ”No. This is just standard negotiation. They’re trying to drive the price up. Keep the guarantee the same, but tweak the incentive clauses. We’ll send the next version soon.”

He sounded completely unbothered. After all, this wasn’t his first rodeo. Rookie price hikes were part of the game.

Knight knew Adidas was their biggest rival here—but he also knew Adidas was notoriously cheap. From what he’d heard, Adidas only offered Chen Yan a straight-up cash deal.

A cash deal can’t compete with a signature sneaker line. No way.

Phil Knight was confident they’d land Chen Yan in the end.

As for the rumors about Chen Yan talking with Chinese sneaker brands?

Knight chuckled to himself. ”No serious player takes those small-time brands when we’re throwing real money at them,” he muttered.

To him, it was laughable.

---

November 17 – Suns vs. Wizards

The Phoenix Suns were preparing to host the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards were a top-5 team in the East, led by one of the league’s most explosive trios: Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison—all averaging over 20 points per game.

It was shaping up to be a classic offense vs. defense showdown.

But the drama started before tip-off.

The day before the game, Gilbert Arenas stirred the pot with a bombshell on social media:

”I’m gonna end the Suns’ undefeated streak tomorrow. Call it revenge on D’Antoni.”

Still salty.

Arenas never got over being cut from Team USA in 2006. Just two days before the World Championships, he was told to go home—”groin strain,” they said. But Arenas knew it was BS. They just wanted him gone without making a scene.

Last season, he told the media he’d drop 100 points over two games against the Suns.

And judging by his comments, that grudge hadn’t cooled one bit.

D’Antoni was baffled. He wasn’t even the head coach of Team USA—just an assistant. The decision had come from higher up. Coach K had prioritized chemistry, and Arenas just wasn’t a fit.

In hindsight, Dream Team Seven probably dodged a bullet. Arenas was a walking wildfire—elite talent, but unpredictable. Just ask his ex-teammates... or the ones he once pulled a gun on.

He reminded people of Michael Redd—another second-round guy with a chip the size of Texas. Shot-happy, ball-dominant, and prone to tunnel vision.

---

Pre-Game Press Conference

Arenas was in full villain mode.

”Not only am I ending their 8-0 start, I’m dropping 50 on their heads. Hell, maybe I’ll hit a buzzer-beater while I’m at it. But even if I don’t, it’s enough.”

When asked about Chen Yan?

”I’ve heard of the rookie. The media hypes him way too much. Honestly, he’s just a system player.”

”He fits too comfortably in that Suns offense. In that system, if you get enough shots, a lotta guys could put up those numbers.”

Arenas went all in, throwing shade without hesitation.

Reporters loved it. They fed off conflict.

One reporter fired back: ”But he dropped 50 on Kobe.”

Arenas smirked. ”And? That supposed to impress me?”

He wasn’t bluffing, either. On December 18, 2006, Arenas dropped 60 on the Lakers—17-for-32 from the field, 21-for-27 from the line.

So when it came to scoring, he had the resume to talk his talk.

---

It didn’t take long for the Suns to clap back.

Amar’e Stoudemire was the first to speak up during shootaround:

”What the hell is Arenas even talking about? A system player? You don’t drop 30, 40, and 50 in back-to-back games just because of a system. That’s pure skill. That’s talent. Period.”

Nash wasn’t far behind:

”Chen can score with the ball, without the ball, spot-up, isolation—you name it. He could fit into any offense. If anything, Chen is a system on his own.”

Raja Bell, never shy about playing the enforcer, added:

”If I wasn’t suspended tonight, I would’ve locked Arenas up.”

Fans couldn’t help but laugh. Knowing Bell, ”lock up” could mean a clean block—or a full-on wrestling takedown.

---

Sideline Interview

Chen Yan was calm, but clearly annoyed when asked to respond.

”I don’t know what Arenas meant by that. Maybe he just can’t believe a rookie is putting up these numbers, so he blames it on the system.”

”Look, I get it. I was a No. 2 pick. He was a second-rounder. There’s a gap in talent. I know he’s worked his ass off to get where he is, and I respect that. But some things you can’t grind your way into. And I think tonight, he’s gonna learn that.”

He didn’t flinch. That second-rounder wound had been bothering Arenas for years—and Chen knew exactly where to jab.

The media ate it up.

Then came the next question:

”Do you think he’ll score 50 tonight?”

Chen Yan chuckled, already walking toward the tunnel.

”Who cares? He can drop 50 if he wants. It won’t be enough to beat us.”

Mic drop.

---

Suns Locker Room

After D’Antoni wrapped up the pregame talk, Chen walked over casually.

”Coach,” he said with a grin, ”let me handle Arenas. Just give me more isos tonight.”

D’Antoni laughed, shaking his head.

”You don’t need to go one-on-one to deal with him. Just stick to the plan.”

He patted Chen on the shoulder.

D’Antoni wasn’t about to let Arenas bait his young star into playing hero ball. They had a team-first system—and that’s why they were 8-0.

Childish antics weren’t his style.

But for Chen Yan?

This was personal.

And tonight, he’d show Arenas exactly what kind of ”system player” he really was.

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