NBA : Formidable Center

###

**New York, Knicks Office**

The atmosphere in the Knicks office was unusually lively, with a towering figure among the crowd drawing everyone's attention.

"Hello, Wang Song! Welcome to the Knicks!"

Ernie Grunfeld extended his hand with a warm smile.

"Hello, Mr. Ernie!"

Wang Song, though suddenly invited, felt slightly out of place in the unfamiliar environment.

"This is Don Chaney, the team's head coach."

"And Mr. Scott Layden—well, I don't need to introduce him, do I?"

After brief introductions of the management team, the discussion turned to the main agenda.

"Don, Ernie, are you suggesting we trade for that kid from Brooklyn to pair him with Wang?"

"Exactly, sir. Stephon will form a historically elite inside-outside combo with Wang Song," said Ernie Grunfeld confidently.

Coach Don Chaney nodded in agreement. "Stephon Marbury's synergy with Wang Song should be excellent."

Scott Layden, however, appeared contemplative.

Marbury's talent as one of the league's most explosive guards was unquestionable. Yet, given the investment in Wang Song, everything now revolved around building the team around this young Asian star.

The key was finding a backcourt player who complemented him perfectly, creating a dynamic synergy that exceeded expectations.

Simply adding a scoring guard wouldn't suffice; current top scorer Allan Houston already excelled in that role.

"Marbury is indeed an intriguing choice," Layden remarked, though with some hesitation.

He picked up a file containing player statistics, his mind racing as he continued, "But Marbury's style leans heavily on isolation play. He needs big men who can create space for him and demands substantial ball possession. Don, do you think you can manage that balance?"

Chaney remained silent.

As a coach whose recent five-year win-loss record was abysmal, he was reluctant to offer definitive opinions on player dynamics.

"Mr. Wang, have you studied Marbury's style?"

Layden suddenly shifted his attention to Wang Song, who had remained an observer so far.

"A little, sir," Wang Song replied.

He knew of Stephon Marbury, the "Lone Wolf," who eventually left the NBA to find success in China. His scoring ability and efficiency in isolation rivaled the best in the league, but his dependency on solo play made him a challenging fit for most teams.

The question of compatibility between them loomed large in Wang Song's mind. Sharing the court with a high-usage player like Marbury seemed problematic, especially considering his ball-dominant tendencies.

"Interesting," Layden mused, his eyes lighting up at Wang Song's detailed response.

It was rare for a big man, especially a rookie, to have such a nuanced understanding of guard play.

"Wang, do you see yourself thriving alongside someone like Stephon Marbury?"

Wang Song didn't hesitate. "I don't think we'd mesh well, sir."

His straightforwardness left Grunfeld and Chaney visibly startled.

Both had envisioned Marbury as the solution to the Knicks' backcourt issues, only to hear the idea dismissed outright by their star rookie.

Layden, however, seemed unbothered. Instead, he probed further, "If not Marbury, what type of backcourt player do you think the team needs?"

Wang Song pondered for a moment before naming someone unexpected: **Steve Nash**.

The mention of Nash caught everyone off guard.

"You mean the guy from the Mavericks? Decent playmaker, average scorer, good at facilitating fast breaks—the kid from South Africa?" Grunfeld asked skeptically.

"Do you really think he's a fit? If Nash joins the Knicks, I worry about a lack of offensive firepower on the perimeter," Chaney chimed in, his tone careful but doubtful.

Layden raised an eyebrow. "What's the problem, gentlemen? Do you not think Nash is a good candidate?"

Grunfeld and Chaney quickly backpedaled, unwilling to argue against Layden's obvious support for Wang Song's opinion.

"Ernie," Layden said decisively, "reach out to Dallas and gauge their willingness to move Nash. Let them know that aside from Wang, no one on the Knicks roster is untouchable."

With Layden's directive, the matter was settled.

Layden then turned to Wang Song, his tone softer, "Wang, it's been a long journey for you. Let's get you settled into your new home."

**New home?**

Wang Song froze in surprise. He had just arrived in the bustling metropolis of New York. How could he already have a new home?

Could it be related to that drunken promise from the other night?

Judging by Layden's mischievous smile, Wang Song suspected he was right.

Grunfeld and Chaney, both equally astonished, made a tactful exit.

---

**Dallas, American Airlines Center**

Inside the arena, two long-haired players were practicing fast-break drills.

"Steve, your passes are unbelievably smooth!" Dirk Nowitzki praised his teammate.

"Been working hard this offseason, haven't you?"

"Ha, you know it!" Nash replied, brushing his flowing hair aside with a grin.

Born and raised in South Africa, Nash's belief in hard work had propelled him to NBA success despite his physical limitations.

"You hear about the draft?" Nowitzki asked.

Nash nodded. The draft, along with training, was one of his primary interests during the offseason.

"Cleveland stuck with their hometown hero from Akron," Nash remarked, "and there's this Chinese rookie—Wang Song, I think his name is—seems like a beast."

Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on [email protected]/Twilight_scribe1

(End of Chapter)