The Christmas showdown between the Clippers and the Miami Heat was scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.

On the day of the match, the Staples Center was flooded with countless celebrities.

Even Hollywood stars coveted an appearance at such a grand event.

As superstars, both Yu Fei and James have extended their reach into Hollywood, but while James had merely dabbled, Yu Fei built a real career there, becoming a core member of the globally acclaimed Marvel Studios.

This is also why many believe Yu Fei might retire soon.

A player’s prime years typically come to an end around the age of 35, and despite advancements in sports medicine and recovery technologies, it’s hard for most to keep playing into their forties.

A forty-year-old basketball player is much like an octogenarian; although healthy in biological terms, they can’t keep up with younger ones, with many tasks becoming heart-willing but flesh-weak.

Acting is different, especially for men; forty is often their golden age.

Of course, that’s just speculation from the outside world. As for Yu Fei himself, he isn’t that interested in a full-scale Hollywood career.

However, on this occasion today, the media naturally didn’t forget to ask that core question everyone cared about: “Frye, you said you would give us your final decision in January next year. Now, do you have an answer to that question?”

“I think I do,” Yu Fei replied, with a hint of uncertainty.

But he quickly clarified: “What I can say for sure is that my current contract is my last. I won’t be signing another one.”

He added, “I believe I can still play, so I might not retire after this season. However, if someone defeats me this year, knocks me out of the playoffs, I’ll choose to retire,” he said with a touch of self-mockery, “after all, I’m getting old and I can’t stand another failure.”

A reporter curiously asked: “Doesn’t failure ignite your competitive spirit, and make you want to prove yourself even more?”

Yu Fei looked at the reporter like he was indulging someone naively ignorant: “I’ve won ten championship rings. Do you think I haven’t proven myself? Really?”

With Yu Fei’s response, some were finally at ease.

Meanwhile, those trying to plan his retirement tour also put their ideas on hold.

Yet Yu Fei’s words might just ignite the fighting spirit of his opponents. After all, defeating the GOAT in the playoffs is not only about gaining the precious “defeated the GOAT in playoffs” on one’s resume but also unlocking an unparalleled achievement – “retired the GOAT.”

Wouldn’t that be tempting?

Yu Fei’s statement quickly spread to the visiting team’s locker room.

Jimmy Butler said casually: “We’ve got one more reason to beat Frye!”

“If Frye retires because of this, can we say that we’re the ones who retired him?”

The Miami Heat players discussed excitedly.

James, however, remained silent.

If it were his younger years, he might have thought the same, but now, he only felt Yu Fei’s superior arrogance from his statement.

Retire if defeated?

Too old to take another failure?

How many failures have you had?

If you can’t withstand failure, should the rest of us even be living?

James could read between the lines: the GOAT didn’t believe he’d be defeated before retiring; he wouldn’t be retired by anyone.

If someone indeed defeated him in the playoffs, James would wager everything that person wouldn’t retire. Instead, he would do everything to prove himself again.

It can be said that the only way to make him play until the age of 40 is to prove that he has lost his dominance. If he keeps winning, he might actually become numb to victory and choose to retire.

When James realized this, he was astounded at how well he understood Yu Fei.

Curry, much like James, did not comment on this. He and Yu Fei were both under Reebok, and they had a very close personal relationship. Back then, Curry even made the Dream Team thanks to Yu Fei’s personal recommendation.

Before the match, Curry asked Yu Fei, “Would you really retire because you can’t bear failure?”

“You believe that tease for the media?” Yu Fei responded with a laugh.

“That’s good,” Curry said, biting his mouthguard, showing a smile like a horror movie’s evil child, “That way, I can beat you without any burden.”

For that remark alone, Yu Fei wouldn’t make it easy for Curry tonight.

Since becoming the core player for the Miami Heat, the team had turned into the league’s most troublesome opponent. The era of small-ball was rapidly evolving, and Curry’s style of play perfectly fit this trend. He was the modern “Answer,” capable of crumbling an opponent in minutes when his outside shooting caught fire.

After Wade left, the Heat’s problems focused on Curry’s lack of physical gifts; faced with intense confrontation, his exquisite shooting touch could be affected. As for Love and Butler, they weren’t players who could single-handedly change the course of a game.

James’ arrival solved that problem. When Curry was off his game, the Heat could rely on James. His presence prevented other teams from concentrating on Curry.

However, the Clippers had Yu Fei.

When the coaching staff wanted to adopt a pick-them-apart strategy against the Heat, Yu Fei vetoed it, insisting on strengthening the defense against Curry.

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