The Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks will be the most unignorable teams in the league in the coming years.
During a later TNT panel discussion, Smith focused on the recent performances of Kai Chen and Luka Dončić.
"That's right. If Kai Chen is the successor to Jordan and Kobe,"
"then Luka Dončić is the successor to LeBron James!"
Barkley chimed in, "They're both leading their teams to victory in their own ways."
"It's only a matter of time before they grow into superstars."
"It's worth mentioning that the Mavericks also drafted Jalen Brunson this year."
Speaking of Brunson, everyone is surely familiar with him.
This rising star, who first made a name for himself with the Mavericks, is now leading the New York Knicks to prominence.
He also has quite a history with Kai Chen.
In this year's NCAA Finals, Duke University, led by Kai Chen, defeated Villanova University, where Brunson played, to win the championship.
Naturally, the grudge from that loss fell on Kai's shoulders.
"In other words, this will be a continuation of the Duke versus Villanova finals?"
Hearing this, Smith chuckled. "Charles, I can't deny Brunson's excellence at Villanova."
"But right now, Brunson isn't a key player for the Mavericks. In fact, he's not even a starter."
"The Clippers versus Mavericks game the day after tomorrow will be the rookie showdown between Kai Chen and Luka Dončić."
Apparently, in Smith's eyes, not just anyone could be compared to Kai Chen.
Basketball fans around the world were also discussing the upcoming Clippers versus Mavericks game with great enthusiasm.
Everyone wanted to know: who was stronger, Luka Dončić or Kai Chen?
"Kai, a celebrity wants to see you."
Kai Chen, one of the hottest topics, had just finished washing up when a team staff member informed him, "She asked if you're free later."
"Which celebrity?"
Kai asked while adjusting his clothes.
"Selena Gomez," the staff member replied.
"Tony, you're not joking, are you?"
Before Kai could respond, Grayson Allen quickly interjected, "Tony, tell Selena he'll be right there."
"Kai, hurry up!"
Allen rushed over, straightening Kai's clothes. "Don't make my goddess wait too long!"
Kai: ...….
A few minutes later, Kai followed the staff member and found Selena.
"Hi Kai, Its nice to meet you."
Selena was dressed very girlishly.
She wore a sleeveless Spurs jersey on top, a black ultra-short pleated skirt, white sneakers, and her brown hair tied into a small ponytail.
Combined with her flawless figure—curvy where it should be, firm where it should be—
the look was utterly captivating.
Especially the small ponytail, which looked… very convenient to hold.
"Kai?"
Noticing Kai's intense gaze, Selena waved a hand in front of his eyes.
"Cough, cough."
Kai snapped back to reality, feigning a cough. "Sorry. I got a little distracted. It's been a while since I've seen someone this beautiful."
Selena smiled, clearly pleased. "Did you put honey on your lips? That was sweet."
"Do you usually compliment Kendall like that?"
"Haha…"
Kai let out a dry laugh. "Yeah I do. So, what can I do for you, Ms. Singer?"
"I just wanted an autograph and a photo."
Selena pulled one of Kai's jerseys from her bag and handed it to him. "I wonder if the 'Next Jordan' would do me the honor?"
"Of course."
Kai signed the jersey and took a photo with her.
"Then I wonder if you could do me a favor?"
"What favor?" Selena asked, slightly puzzled.
"My teammate Grayson has always admired you. He'd love to have your contact information."
"This…"
Selena pretended to think deeply. "It's not impossible… but I want to go to the movies. And you know, it's not very safe for me to go alone late at night."
"If you accompany me, perhaps I could consider it."
Damn… so that's your plan?
"Sure."
Kai nodded.
The two climbed into her nanny van and headed to a nearby cinema.
After buying snacks, they sat closely together, waiting for the movie to begin.
It was an artistic romance—completely uninteresting to Kai—but for Grayson's sake, and future endeavors he forced himself to keep watching.
Yet as the film dragged on, his thoughts began to wander.
A nearby air vent sent cool breezes drifting past Selena, carrying her faint, intoxicating scent straight into Kai's senses.
It made him restless.
With the theater sparse, Kai grew bolder.
Kai wrapped his hand around Selena's waist
"Do you really like these types of movies?"
Selena jumped slightly and instinctively clamped her legs together.
"Kai… what are you doing?"
Only then did she realize that, at some point, an extremely improper hand had wandered.
Her subtle reaction only encouraged Kai further, his hand moving lower.
"Miniskirt and a thong? Aren't you cold?"
"Take your hand off… hurry…someone might see us!"
Selena's face flushed crimson.
A few minutes later, her cheeks were completely red, as if she were drunk.
She slumped into the seat, breathing unevenly, her legs trembling slightly.
Seeing Kai ready to escalate things, Selena quickly stopped him.
"Not here!"
"This is a movie theater. If surveillance footage leaks online, we're both finished."
"Let's go to a hotel."
Kai smirked. "A hotel is fine. But now that you're comfortable, shouldn't you make me comfortable too?"
His meaning was obvious.
Selena rolled her eyes, huffing coquettishly. "Bad boy. Either we go to a room, or you handle it yourself."
With that, she shot him a seductive glance, adjusted her clothes, and hurried out.
Kai sat there, speechless.
He wanted to follow immediately, but his "weapon" was still very visibly present.
Though the theater was dark and empty, if a paparazzi caught him like this, his reputation would be ruined.
After several long minutes, he finally calmed down.
When Kai stepped outside, the driver informed him:
Selena was already waiting at the hotel next door.
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