NBA's King of Talking

The Thunder's locker room before the game that night.

Old Fish Fisher arrived. He looked really short, and there wasn't a single hair on his head. His simple and honest appearance made people think he was a kind and honest person.

Jia Fei knew that someone who could become the president of the players' union couldn't possibly be that honest and kind, let alone someone who had played alongside the Black Mamba in Los Angeles for so many years.

Fisher's emotional intelligence is definitely very high. He can play as a role player until he's 38 years old, and it's not just because he's in good form and can shoot. If you do, you're underestimating him. The NBA does follow the law of the jungle, but that doesn't mean there are no human relationships involved.

Old Fish greeted everyone in the locker room, from the team's core trio to the two rookies, Jia Fei, without exception.

After exchanging greetings, head coach Brooks asked Fisher to say a few words.

Although Fisher is only a 38-year-old veteran who has been bought out, he has a championship ring and Finals experience that most people in this locker room do not have.

"Hey brothers, I don't think I need to introduce myself! You all should know this old man!" At this, the Thunder generals in the locker room couldn't help but laugh, and the atmosphere immediately became very relaxed and pleasant.

"I'm 38 years old. My purpose in coming here is simple: because the Thunder have the strength to win the championship, I want to use some of my experience to help everyone and contribute to the team's championship victory!" Old Fish said calmly, without being overly enthusiastic or boastful.

But everyone who hears this knows that this is a man with five championship rings, a man who once hit a game-winning shot against the Spurs with 0.4 seconds left in the Western Conference Finals, a man who assisted the eccentric Timberwolves, and one of Phil Jackson's most trusted role players...

"Finally, I brought two small gifts for our team's two rookies today. Only they get them; your salaries are too high!" Old Fish said with a smile.

After he finished speaking, Westbrook and the others in the locker room couldn't help but laugh.

Old Yu took the gifts out of his bag and gave them to Jia Fei and Reggie.

"Thank you!" Jia Fei didn't know what to say.

"Alright, that's all I have to say. Thank you all for listening to this old man's rambling. This is my first game representing the Thunder, and I'm honored to be a player under Coach Brooks!" Old Fish didn't forget to mention the head coach, his high emotional intelligence is truly a model for us all.

Jia Fei didn't look at the gift; it would be a bit odd to check it in front of others. From the moment Lao Yu entered the dressing room to the end of his speech, the time was short, but the maturity and high emotional intelligence he exuded were truly impressive.

Who says that good basketball players are necessarily good at public speaking or giving speeches? Look at Kevin Durant, the team's leader; asking him to give a pre-game pep talk is like asking him to die. Even Perkins is more suited to be a locker room leader than him.

Jia Fei always felt that Durant, with his introverted personality and sleazy demeanor, was not suitable to be a team leader. The role most suitable for him was that of a general, who only needed to play basketball and didn't have to worry about anything else.

Quite a few, actually. As the team's leader, he never spoke privately with rookies Jia Fei and Reggie. He didn't know what they were thinking, their mentality, or anything like that. He just trained, played games, or surfed the internet.

So, whether compared to the Akron runner or the Los Angeles blacksmith, Durant falls short in leadership qualities. Of course, in terms of "underdog" qualities, he's like the GOAT...

During pre-game practice, Lao Yu saw Jia Fei practicing his pull-up jump shot and even came over to challenge him to a game.

Jia Fei also admired Lao Yu. They had only met today, yet Lao Yu had become so close to him so quickly. Some people are indeed skilled at socializing; you really have to admire them. It's like some people are skilled at sex, able to do it for an hour or two at a time, multiple times a night—all you can do is worship them.

Old Fish's shooting form wasn't actually standard. He was a left-handed player, and his shooting range was very wide, with the ball held quite far back, like he was throwing a shot put. Jia Fei felt a bit of him as the Chinese men's basketball team's "God of War," Dong Dong; his form looked strange, but he was incredibly accurate.

"Derrick, you often hit game-winning shots, what's your secret?" Jia Fei was very curious about how Old Fish, as a role player, could have such a big heart in crucial moments and still make shots. He really wanted to know the reason.

Old Fish laughed, revealing a row of teeth in his big mouth: "Actually, there's no secret. It's just about focusing! Don't think about anything else, just throw the ball."

"What if you miss? Will you consider the consequences?" Jia Fei asked.

Old Fish laughed again: "There are only two outcomes when shooting: you make it or you miss. I never consider either outcome before I shoot; I can accept either result. Like when I was with the Lakers, I was just a role player, but when the opportunity came my way, I would shoot decisively without hesitating about whether to pass the ball to Kobe or anything like that. Kobe also trusted me; he trusted teammates who were decisive."

"Decisiveness, confidence, focus, is that all?" Jia Fei asked again.

Old Yu nodded: "That's all. Besides that, all you need to do is train hard in your daily routine and don't think about taking shortcuts."

"I understand, thank you Derek!" Jia Fei was genuinely grateful to Old Fish, the veteran who had answered his long-standing question.

The Thunder's starting lineup remained unchanged. The second unit consisted of Harden and Fisher in the backcourt, Daequan Cook at the small forward position, and veterans Mohammed and Collison at the center position.

Old Fish's form is indeed not what it used to be; the biggest change is that his speed has slowed down. He wasn't fast back then either; Jia Fei remembers him getting thoroughly outplayed by Iverson in the role of the center, and it wasn't until Tyronn Lue came on that Iverson was able to be contained. Now he's older, and his speed has decreased even more.

But Fisher's experience is truly abundant, and his shooting threat is immense. He doesn't need to shoot much; just his presence alone is enough to keep opponents on their toes. Reggie Jackson can't do that at all.

In this game, the Thunder easily defeated the Clippers at home. The game even entered garbage time with more than a minute left, and Jia Fei and Reggie Jackson also made appearances, which can be regarded as a perfect ending to this big victory.

After showering in the bathroom, Jia Fei and Reggie went to the restaurant for dinner. In the restaurant, Reggie said, "Jia, it seems Derek gave us an earphone."

"Oh, really? I didn't notice!" Jia Fei said truthfully. He really hadn't noticed, nor had he opened it. He was no longer the child who would lose sleep over a gift. His biggest feeling about Lao Yu giving him a gift was that he had received some respect, nothing more.