Sports Medicine Master System

The regular season was over, and the season's MVP was about to be announced.

The media was buzzing with many names.

O'Neal, for example.

After joining the Mavericks, O'Neal had become their true cornerstone, their one and only core player.

O'Neal, who had started to slack off a bit last season, was forced to step up this season, putting up a stellar average of 27.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

Then there was Hill.

Averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, he remained the best and most well-rounded small forward in the entire league.

Of course, two-time reigning MVP Duncan couldn't be forgotten either.

Kobe's name was also frequently mentioned. He was putting up incredible numbers and leading the Lakers' resurgence, looking poised to make a run for the scoring title.

And Nash was on the list of contenders as well.

This season, after leaving the Mavericks to become the absolute core of the Pioneer, Nash's stats had evolved across the board.

He was averaging 19.6 points per game, a new career high, and had also been selected as a West All-Star.

While his scoring ability had seen a huge leap, Nash was also dishing out an average of 12.6 assists per game.

This number was outrageous. He was in a league of his own on the assists leaderboard, with a monumental lead over the rest—almost catching up to Stockton in his prime.

Furthermore, his player efficiency rating and other contribution metrics were also among the top ranks.

It could only be said that coming to the Pioneer and playing under D'Antoni's run-and-gun system, Nash had truly undergone a complete evolution.

At the same time, as the team's leader, he had single-handedly brought the Pioneer, who were at the bottom of the West last year, back to the playoffs. In terms of contribution to the team, Nash was not lacking in the slightest.

"Chen, is what you're saying true?" Beside them, John Nash's eyes lit up.

If Nash could win the regular season MVP, it would be a significant honor for the Pioneer as well.

Excitement filled Nash's eyes as he looked at Chen Yu with anticipation.

Chen Yu sat down beside the hospital bed and said, "Anyway, from the intel I've gathered, it's highly likely to be you."

Nash had won the assist title and his stats were good, but if you really compared them, they still fell a little short.

But according to the gossip Chen Yu had heard, it seemed the league wanted to give the MVP to Nash.

Chen Yu figured there were probably two reasons for this.

First, Nash was from Canada, so it could be seen as a nod to the Canadian market.

Second, the league hadn't had a point guard win MVP in many years. Now that one had finally emerged with dazzling stats and a qualifying performance, this was a significant plus in his favor.

Nash remained relatively calm. Besides, Chen Yu had only said it was "highly likely," not a hundred percent certain. "It would be great if I win it, but it's okay if I don't. Right now, all I'm worried about is the upcoming games. Chen, how soon can I come back?"

He looked at Chen Yu, his face full of hope.

Having congenital spondylolisthesis and battling back injuries for years, Nash knew exactly how fragile his back was. The moment he fell to the floor, he thought he could almost hear the sound of his bones grinding together, followed by complete numbness.

In that instant, even without a medical examination, Nash knew he was done for.

But then Chen Yu arrived.

If it were any other doctor, Nash might be asking if his season was over.

But with Chen Yu, Nash would only ask how soon he could return.

Chen Yu had already created too many miracles!

Meeting Nash's expectant gaze, Chen Yu smiled. "What do you think?"

The injury happened last night, the tests were run overnight, and Chen Yu had arrived in Portland this morning. He had just finished reviewing the relevant medical reports.

Upon entering the hospital room, Chen Yu had also confirmed it with his Eye of All-Seeing.

Nash was lucky this time. He hadn't sustained any bone damage from the fall, just a soft tissue contusion.

However, it was a nasty fall. Even with an NBA player's superior physique, he wouldn't be able to move normally without resting for a few days, let alone play in a game.

Normally, it would probably take a week, maybe even ten days, for Nash to make a full recovery.

But by that time, the series would be long over.

Nash's eyes lit up.

The two men beside them, John Nash and Patterson, also had their eyes light up.

Although the attending physician at the hospital had already said that Nash didn't have any bone cracks or fractures, nor any vertebral slippage, and that he just needed to rest, the words didn't feel convincing enough until they came from Chen Yu's mouth.

"Chen, so that means I can play in tomorrow's game, right?" Nash asked eagerly.

"How is that possible!"

Chen Yu shook his head without hesitation.

'Even if I'm a miracle worker, even with the system's effects, there's no way he can recover from such a bad fall and play again in just two days.'

Meeting Nash's stunned gaze, Chen Yu said in a serious tone, "The best I can do is guarantee you'll be back for Game 5. And even returning for Game 5 is pushing it. I can't guarantee you'll be back to one hundred percent."

Game 4 was tomorrow, and Game 5 was two days after that.

That meant there were only three days in total for recovery.

For someone with a severe fall, especially to the back, to return to the court in just three days was already mind-boggling.

Beside them, Patterson cried out in dismay, "Then doesn't that mean we're definitely going to be eliminated?"

The Pioneer with Nash and the Pioneer without Nash were two completely different teams.

D'Antoni's system placed incredibly high demands on the point guard.

So, they were most likely going to lose tomorrow's game.

Down 1-3, if Nash couldn't play in Game 5 or wasn't fully recovered, their elimination was practically set in stone.

Chen Yu didn't say anything, and the atmosphere in the hospital room grew heavy.

Just then, Nash suddenly said, "Chen, what if I get a cortisone shot?"

"Huh?"

Chen Yu was startled. 'What is he thinking? A cortisone shot?'

'It's only the first round. There's no need to risk it all like this!'

Looking at Nash, then turning his head to look at John Nash and Patterson, Chen Yu frowned. "Don't tell me you guys are still thinking about an eighth-seed upset?"

Chen Yu really couldn't understand why Nash would even consider getting a shot to play.

These were the Spurs.

With the Phoenix Suns' fall from grace, the Spurs were starting to look practically invincible in the West.

The Pioneer couldn't possibly be thinking of pulling off an upset against the Spurs, could they?!

Sure, they had managed to grind out a win at the Spurs' home court, but everyone gets lucky once in a while.

John Nash and Patterson didn't say a word.

Upsetting the Spurs was something the two of them only dared to dream about.

"Steve, you should just focus on resting. We've already improved so much this season, and we'll only get better," John Nash said.

This was him accepting reality.

In fact, towards the end of the season, the Pioneer's plan had been to push for the seventh seed to avoid the Spurs.

But clearly, the King didn't want to face the Spurs either.

Since things had turned out this way, and with the unexpected injury to Nash, they had no choice but to give up, no matter how reluctant they were.

Besides, just making it to the playoffs this season, especially in the hellish West, had already made Paul Allen very satisfied.

He couldn't believe that a lineup that didn't even have to pay the luxury tax could actually make it to the playoffs.

Not to mention the team was full of young rookies with a promising future.

"No!"

But just then, Nash shook his head, his gaze firm. He said in a low voice, "John, we shouldn't give up."

He then looked toward Chen Yu, his tone earnest. "Chen, I can feel it. We're actually really strong. We can go further. You should know this better than I do."

He stared at Chen Yu without blinking.

The fact that the Mavericks went and got O'Neal as soon as he left had been a source of frustration for Nash.

But as the season progressed, Nash gradually discovered that this Pioneer team was far stronger and had much more potential than he had ever imagined.

Most importantly, Chen Yu's team was constantly helping the team, helping everyone improve their abilities.

They had continuously gelled as a team, defeated many strong opponents, and even beaten the Magic. Especially after Game 2 of the first round—after that game, Nash truly felt like the whole world was shining. He felt the Pioneer had the confidence to beat any opponent.

That's why Nash was so unwilling to give up.

Every year is different; no one knows what next year will bring.

They had a chance right now, so they had to fight for it!

"Chen, we're stronger than you think!" Nash's tone was incredibly serious.