Chapter 234: The Best Defensive Player

Huang Yu was still thinking about appearing on the variety show.

Suddenly, Wade Dong said, "The Warriors played pretty well this season, but there are some concerns."

"What concerns?"

Dudley and Huang Yu looked at Wade Dong.

Wade Dong explained, "David's performance has started to decline, and Bynum is inconsistent. If they can maintain their playoff form from this season, the Warriors have a chance to compete for a top-four spot in the West next season. Otherwise, it's not even worth discussing."

"Hmm..."

Huang Yu and Dudley fell silent.

Dudley said, "It doesn't matter where we finish in the West as long as you're in the league, Dong Ge. Other teams will have a hard time winning the championship."

"You're quite the talker~"

Wade Dong raised an eyebrow, then turned serious, "Jackson might be fired. A couple of days ago, Kerr told me that the Warriors' management is in contact with him, and they're considering him for the head coach position."

Huang Yu asked, "So, is Kerr going to coach the Warriors?"

"Probably not."

Wade Dong shook his head, "Kerr told me this, so he probably doesn't plan to leave the Suns anytime soon. But next summer is a different story."

The Suns' current lineup might only last one more season. After next summer, most of the players' contracts will expire, including Nash's retirement. Other players like Curry, Thompson, Green, and Middleton will be seeking big contracts.

Kerr might leave the team then.

Huang Yu asked, "What about us?"

Wade Dong said, "Anyway, next season is your chance to prove yourselves. Work hard and show your worth."

"Okay."

Huang Yu and Dudley agreed, and they had almost finished drinking.

Lu Qingyan had left about ten minutes ago, and after they finished drinking, Wade Dong asked the hotel for a deck of cards, and they played a few rounds of 'Landlord' (a Chinese card game).

That night, Huang Yu and Dudley also stayed at the hotel, each in their own rooms.

...

The next day, the Suns flew back to Phoenix.

They would face the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series in the second round.

The Nuggets and Clippers were tied 2-2, and the next game was a pivotal Game 5 at the Pepsi Center.

Regardless of the winner, the first two games would be played at the Pepsi Center.

Wade Hua and his wife, as well as Li Zhen and his wife, had arrived in the US, and Li Jiajia picked them up from the airport. So, after returning to Phoenix, Wade Dong asked for a couple of days off from the team.

Gentry didn't mind; he knew that Wade Dong's parents were coming, so it was normal for him to take some time off.

Moreover, the second-round opponent was relatively easier.

This season in the West, only two teams could make the Suns take them seriously: the Thunder and the Spurs.

On his way home, Wade Dong received a message from Varick informing him that the NBA had just announced the All-Defensive First and Second Teams for the 2012-13 season.

First Team: Ibaka, Chandler, James, Paul, and Wade Dong.

Second Team: Duncan, Gasol, George, Conley, and Bradley.

They also announced the winner of the DPOY award, and Wade Dong, who led the league in blocks and steals, unsurprisingly won the 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

Wade Dong had also won the Western Conference Player of the Month award twice this season.

The DPOY was another award with a trophy for Wade Dong, as individual awards like the scoring title, blocks leader, and steals leader did not come with trophies.

Wade Dong was excited to share this good news with his parents and in-laws.

...

Back home.

Wade Dong eagerly pushed open the door, only to find the mahjong table he had stored in the storage room brought out again.

"What are you..."

Wade Dong was a bit taken aback, "You're playing mahjong in Phoenix?"

Li Zhen laughed, "Even when we're in China, we rarely have the chance to play together. Since we're in Phoenix for a few days, we want to play a few rounds to satisfy our cravings."

Li Zhen referred to Wade Hua as his 'brother.'

Since his father-in-law had said this, Wade Dong decided to show his filial piety, "Then I'll make lunch for you."

"Wait!"

Qi Juan stopped Wade Dong, "It's only 10 AM, and we're not in a hurry for lunch. Let's play a few more rounds, and I'll start cooking after that. You should rest."

Wade Dong rolled up his sleeves, confidently saying, "You guys play, and I'll show you my skills!"

After saying this, Qi Juan looked at Li Jiajia with suspicion.

Seeing Li Jiajia shake her head, Qi Juan pushed the mahjong set aside, "Forget it, I'll start cooking now, and we'll continue after lunch!"

Li Jiajia had also shaken her head, indicating that Wade Dong still couldn't cook.

It wasn't easy to find suitable ingredients in the US, and Qi Juan didn't want Wade Dong to waste them with his cooking. She didn't want them to go hungry for lunch.

"Hehehe~"

Wade Dong went upstairs, feeling proud.

A child knows his mother best, and Wade Dong understood Qi Juan well. Qi Juan wasn't being protective of Wade Dong or reluctant to let him cook; she didn't want him to make a mess in front of her in-laws, embarrassing her.

After changing his clothes upstairs, Wade Dong came back down, and Qi Juan was already busy in the kitchen.

Wade Hua and Li Zhen sat outside by the pool, smoking and chatting, while Li Jiajia curled up on the sofa with a book.

Wade Dong walked over and said with a bit of coquetry, "I'm the DPOY this season."

"Awesome~"

Li Jiajia gave Wade Dong a sweet smile and praised him with two words.

Wade Dong raised an eyebrow, "So, aren't you going to reward me?"

"Well..."

Li Jiajia glanced at Qi Juan, who was busy in the kitchen.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to her and Wade Dong, she quickly gave him a quick peck on the cheek and blushed.

Even though they had already done everything a couple should do, this was the first time they showed such affection in front of their parents.

It even made Wade Dong feel like they were having an affair.

After the meal was served, Wade Dong joined Wade Hua and Li Zhen for a drink. They had been drinking quite a bit these past few days. The night before, he and Huang Yu had finished two bottles of white wine, and today, the three of them had drunk two more bottles.

After the drink, Wade Dong went back to his room to sleep.

He had originally planned to take some time off to spend with his parents in Phoenix, but it seemed like Wade Hua and Li Zhen were more interested in staying home and playing mahjong.

They weren't here to spend time with Wade Dong; they had found their mahjong buddies.

So, the next morning, Wade Dong decided to go to the arena for some training.