Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 66: No One Is Qualified but You

After Chen Yu stated that the league also had a responsibility to establish such a department, Stern finally spoke up.

"Over the years, I’ve controlled rampant drug use and increased the penalties for flagrant fouls. I’ve been working hard to cultivate a healthy image for the league. But I believe this concept of ’health’ must also include the players’ well-being. When fans buy tickets, they hope to see their favorite stars out on the court."

Stern looked at Chen Yu, his gaze behind his glasses bright and firm. "So, just as you said, this isn’t just a matter for the Players’ Union. It’s the league’s responsibility as well."

Chen Yu smiled and nodded, but inwardly, he knew exactly what was happening. ’Stern probably thinks I’m Ewing’s man. That’s why he’s putting me on the spot like this.’

"Michael."

Stern suddenly turned to Jordan. "You’re a player, and you’re about to become a team owner. What are your thoughts?"

The old rogue wasn’t stupid; he clearly caught the underlying meaning.

But he was conflicted.

He was about to become a minority team owner, so logically, he shouldn’t want another department meddling in a team’s operations.

But he was also the best player in the league. He had witnessed its ups and downs and knew how many players had been forced to leave it prematurely due to injuries.

In that moment, Jordan regretted his decision. ’What was I thinking? Why did I stick around to listen to them talk? Great, now I’m caught in the middle of this mess.’

Jordan knew Stern wanted him to pick a side.

But this was a side he couldn’t take, especially since he was about to become a team owner. If he chose poorly, he would alienate both sides.

So, Jordan just laughed it off. "David, I only just heard about this. I don’t really have any thoughts on it."

Just then, Chen Yu said, "Mr. Stern, this is a good thing. But I believe the most crucial point is whether this department can truly exercise its supervisory role after it’s established. And for that, the league’s support is indispensable."

To be honest, when Chen Yu first proposed this idea, he hadn’t thought this far ahead.

But now that he understood Stern’s attitude, his strategy had to change. Regardless of who ultimately established the department, there was only one core issue: whether it would have any real authority.

And that was what Chen Yu cared about most—the original reason he’d had this idea in the first place.

Therefore, Chen Yu didn’t mind who founded the department. Even if the league established it on its own, as long as it could regulate the teams and benefit the players, that was all that mattered.

A smile appeared on Stern’s face. "That’s a given. After all, the whole point of creating this department would be to oversee the medical teams of all the franchises."

Seeing that they had reached a mutual understanding, Chen Yu said, "Mr. Stern, I actually have a few other ideas for this department."

Chen Yu had figured it out. To get this done, there was no way around the league.

Stern had been in firm control of the league for seventeen years, single-handedly leading it to glory. He was highly respected. If he didn’t give his approval, that fool Ewing wouldn’t be able to accomplish a thing.

"I feel we can’t just focus on the players’ physical health; we also need to pay attention to their mental health." Chen Yu’s expression was serious. "These players earn million-dollar salaries and are constantly in the spotlight. They endure pressure from fans, the media, and internal team competition. Not everyone is as invincible and iron-willed as Michael!"

Chen Yu glanced at Jordan, offering a slightly disingenuous compliment.

’Is this old rogue just going to sit there like a decoration? Say something, man!’

Jordan was extremely pleased by this. He nodded and said, "David, Chen is right. I was there yesterday. Grant was afraid to play, and if it hadn’t been for Chen’s guidance, he wouldn’t have entered the game at all."

Speaking of which, Jordan seemed to recall something and grinned. "You guys know Ray Allen on the Bucks, right? I heard from Big Dog that when the kid plays, his socks have to be the exact same height on both sides, and he has to shave his head every single day."

"Oh, and another time, a piece of trash was left next to the can. Practice was already over, but he agonized over it for a long time before going all the way back just to pick it up and throw it in the bin. Chen, is there something wrong with the kid?"

Chen Yu nodded. "A classic case of OCD."

Jordan was clearly on a roll. "And what about Bill? I’ve always wondered about him. He throws up before every single game. Is that a compulsion too?"

’Of course it is,’ Chen Yu thought. He had read media reports about Russell. It was clearly a psychological issue triggering a physical vomiting reflex.

Stern furrowed his brow. He was only just learning about Hill being afraid to play.

And in that moment, Stern thought of someone else: Logo Man, Jerry West. He knew that West had long suffered from severe depression. If it weren’t for basketball, he would have been completely overcome by it long ago.

"This is a problem."

Stern sat up straight. If it weren’t for Chen Yu today, he truly wouldn’t have paid attention to this issue.

"Chen, if you have any other ideas, feel free to share them," Stern asked in a serious tone.

Chen Yu said, "There’s also training. I think this health management department we’re establishing shouldn’t only be active after a player is injured. We should also develop measures to prevent injuries in the first place, for example, through training."

He had no choice but to use the Magic as an example again.

"I’m not saying there was anything wrong with Pleasance adding a large amount of physical conditioning mid-season, but doing so suddenly creates significant risks."

During that period, if Monty and the others hadn’t been visiting my clinic every day, they wouldn’t have been able to endure such high-intensity training.

"So, I think this department could launch research projects to study more scientific training methods. This would, one, help prevent player injuries, and two, improve players’ skill levels, leading to more exciting games."

Chen Yu had first had this thought when he was treating Tracy McGrady and saw Perry being trained to the point of vomiting.

The old training methods were just too crude and brutal.

As he spoke, Chen Yu shot a subtle glance at Jordan.

Jordan instantly caught his meaning. "David, Chen is right."

Chen Yu was speechless.

However, Stern was genuinely taking it all in.

Especially the point about mental health issues. He’d actually been mulling over an idea for years, one that felt more urgent now than ever: abolishing the rule allowing players to be drafted straight out of high school.

Hearing what Chen Yu said only strengthened his conviction.

A student fresh out of high school—still a kid, to put it bluntly—enters the professional league, earns a huge salary, and endures such intense media exposure. It would be a wonder if they didn’t develop mental health problems.

Seeing that Chen Yu had no more to add, Stern reflected for a moment before saying, "Chen, your suggestions are incredibly valuable. I’ve seen media reports claiming you’re too young and inexperienced. It’s clear to me now that they were all wrong. You are a person of great insight and wisdom."

Before this meeting, Stern’s impression of Chen Yu was merely that of a highly skilled doctor. But after their conversation today, he realized Chen Yu’s talents extended far beyond medicine.

"Chen, if we do establish this health management department, then its first director must be you," Stern said with a smile.

Initially, because he was worried Chen Yu was on Ewing’s side, Stern’s plan had been to find a doctor he knew or someone from within the NBA to head the department.

But now, Stern suddenly felt that no one but Chen Yu was qualified for the position.