Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

George Karl was a coach with a strong desire for control, much more so than Doug Collins, and there were numerous internal issues. Anthony Mason, the team's cancer, was still there; Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, and Big Dog Robinson's discord was public knowledge; at the same time, the Bucks were facing the other problems of a competitive team in decline—aging roster, large contracts filling the salary cap (making it difficult to strengthen the team), overly assertive coaching style, disharmony between management and the coaching staff...

For Jordan, this was "Fei's" "best" destination.

Although Jordan didn't know if he had ever turned down a better offer, now, the Bucks' offer was the best one.

He had no reason to refuse it.

Before finalizing the deal, Jordan asked Karl, "George, why do you want Frye? You should know he's a problematic player, right?"

Karl's answer sounded eerily familiar to Jordan: "I think Frye is a good player, he can fill in on both offense and defense, he's just not suitable for D.C., Sam can't do what he does."

"So, we have a deal?"

"Of course, it's settled."

Until the very end, Jordan couldn't remember where he had heard that sentence before.

But George Karl remembered where that sentence came from.

In the summer of 1994, the Seattle SuperSonics and the Chicago Bulls had discussed a trade that would exchange Shawn Kemp for Scottie Pippen. At that time, Pitppen had led the team to the semifinals after Jordan's first retirement, and they had lost to the Knicks in a game seven due to a fatal controversial call, stopping at the semifinals. During the semifinals, Pippen was infamously involved in the 1.8-second incident, and his reputation plummeted; Krause was determined to trade him.

If it weren't for the SuperSonics' owner liking Kemp, the trade was virtually certain to happen. Had it gone through, the latter half of the '90s would definitely not be what we see today.

At the time, Karl also lacked confidence in the Kemp for Pippen swap, so he called Jordan, his retired North Carolina alumni friend, to gauge his thoughts.

What Jordan told him was exactly what Karl told Jordan today.

The difference between the two occasions was that.

This time, the trade went through.

During the fierce division finals, the Wizards' trade with the Bucks swept through the news pages.

"The Washington Wizards traded Frye Yu and Christian Laettner to the Milwaukee Bucks for Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas and the tenth pick of the first round in 2002."

At the time of the trade, Fei was practicing his shooting at the Verizon Center.

It was an assistant who informed Fei of the trade.

In that moment, Fei fell silent.

"You're not really upset, are you?" Lawson teased.

"No, I'm thinking, what should I say to D.C. before I leave?" Fei said, "Farewell, my cage?"

Lawson said, "You'll come back here to play games."

"Will you regret it?"

"That sounds a bit like impotent rage."

Forget it, Fei decided not to say anything.

He held no grudge against Washington D.C., nor did he dislike it here; leaving was the team's choice.

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He just needed to be ready for the next game against the Wizards.

Yu Fei went back to the locker room to pack up his things. Before he left, he ran into Doug Collins outside the training facility.

"Frye, I heard the news," Collins said, "I'm really sorry."

Why did it sound like someone in his family had passed away?

Yu Fei laughed: "I'm sorry too, but I heard you were a strong supporter of the trade, so coach, can't you be a bit more sincere before we part ways?"

Collins looked annoyed, he didn't want this to be the final impression he left on Yu Fei.

"I indeed support the trade, but..."

But what, you had your reasons? Because Jordan wanted the trade, so you had to support it? You were forced?

Yet Collins replied with an ease and openness that Yu Fei had never seen in him before: "That doesn't mean I'm siding with Michael."

Is that your line? Yu Fei was somewhat stunned.

"You've already proven yourself this season, Frye. It wasn't basketball that let you go. I support the trade because I want you to leave, you have a limitless future, kid. During the most precious years, the first few years of your career, you shouldn't be in a toxic environment."

He called the Wizards' environment toxic?

As the coach of the Wizards, as Jordan's servant, he called it toxic?

"Leave this damn place, prove yourself in a new city, and make the whole world look at you with new respect, that's your mission, Frye!" Collins said, "You know, it's not just me, all of us believe you can do it. With great power comes great responsibility. This is your talent, and also D.C.'s curse. Make... make the decision-makers regret it!"

Yu Fei didn't know if this scene was ironic for himself, or a curse for Jordan.
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This man, who in his eyes would never betray Jordan, was betraying Jordan in front of him.

Yu Fei suddenly felt like he never really knew the real Doug Collins.

Regardless, Collins's final words warmed Yu Fei's heart.

It at least proved that his performance during the time he led the team alone was indeed meaningful. Maybe he wouldn't get the approval from the higher-ups, maybe he wouldn't win the wholehearted love of the fans, but he had won the respect and trust of his coach and teammates.

The camaraderie they formed during tough times was genuine.

"Coach, do me a favor," Yu Fei said.

Collins said, "Name it."

"Be kind to Kwame."

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"I know everyone is now talking about the huge conspiracy in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, but I have to say, let's bring the attention back to the Wizards, who traded away the most outstanding rookie since Wes Unseld, and only for a 39-year-old Michael Jordan. This trade is doomed to failure. Years from now, when we look back on it, it might be the most terrifying trade in Wizards' history." — "The Washington Times"

"What's worse than D.C. trading Frye? The fourth quarter of Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, where the Lakers scored 31 points but were given 27 free throws." — "The Boston Globe"

⑴ A little episode before the 2001 draft, Krause actually wanted to use Elton Brand to exchange for the Wizards' first pick. Well, I guess you already know what happened.

⑵ The 1.8-second incident: In the last 1.8 seconds of Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Bulls tied with the Knicks. Phil Jackson arranged for Toni Kukoč to take The Shot, Pippen felt insulted and refused to play. In the end, Kukoč successfully made The Shot.

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