In 2009, the Orlando Magic hosted a crucial game against the Los Angeles Lakers, with the series score at 3:1 in favor of the Lakers. Any mistake by the Magic could cost them the championship.
That year, Kobe Bryant was unstoppable, scoring 30 points and dominating the court.
The Magic suffered a crushing defeat at home, while the Lakers were crowned champions, with Kobe earning the MVP award.
On the podium, the Lakers players were ecstatic, passionately kissing the trophy and showcasing their championship rings.
However, one Chinese player remained silent and calm, seeming out of place among the jubilant champions.
This player was Sun Yue, then a member of the Lakers.
Ironically, as a new player on the Lakers, Sun Yue had won a championship ring in his first season, which many NBA veterans could only dream of.
During that season, Sun Yue played only 10 games for the Lakers, averaging less than three minutes per game, and scored a total of six points throughout the season.
He did not play at all during the playoffs but still received a championship ring. Two months after the game, Sun Yue was cut by the Lakers and eventually returned to the CBA.
This marked the end of Sun Yue's brief NBA career, which was quiet yet incredibly lucky.
Using the word "lucky" to describe Sun Yue is somewhat ironic, as his career should not have been so passive.
Upon leaving the Lakers, Sun Yue reflected on what he had learned and acknowledged areas for improvement.
His career was far from over; the championship was just the beginning.
How can one describe Sun Yue? A player with remarkable physical attributes who excelled defensively.
Rewind to 1995 when a tall young boy arrived in Cangzhou, Hebei. Both his parents were basketball players, but they were not optimistic about their son's prospects.
Born in a martial arts town, Sun Yue's parents hoped he would find success in martial arts, but fortunately, he chose basketball.
Soon after, Sun Yue displayed extraordinary basketball talent, pouring all his passion into the sport with more dedication and focus than other children.
Watching Sun Yue play left a clean and decisive impression; he lacked unnecessary flair, had excellent ball control, a broad vision, and was particularly outstanding on defense.
However, it turned out that Sun Yue, despite his undeniable talent in basketball, had some "flaws" in his personal life.
It is often said that success in one's career comes at the expense of love, and Sun Yue was no exception.
Sun Yue's first girlfriend was Gu Chen, a professional model with stunning looks and figure.
Tall and handsome, Sun Yue matched Gu Chen's ideal of a prince charming.
This period was relatively challenging for Sun Yue, as issues with the Olympian team prevented him from joining the national team and even led to him being unable to compete in the CBA.
This frustrated Sun Yue, who felt like he had nowhere to channel his energy.
During this low point, Gu Chen provided significant support, constantly encouraging Sun Yue to regain his confidence.
Soon after, Sun Yue experienced the first highlight of his career.
In the 2007 draft, Sun Yue was selected by the Lakers, becoming an NBA player.
Sun Yue's height and defensive prowess, including blocking NBA stars Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony during the Olympics, were the main reasons the Lakers were interested in him.
However, upon joining the Lakers, Sun Yue realized that everything was different from what he had imagined.
Life in the NBA was incredibly tough, watching top players soar and dive on the court made Sun Yue realize the gap between them.
The NBA's competitive style demanded unwavering determination to achieve results.
Yao Ming, who also struggled in the NBA, used every means to stay, but years of competition brought him endless pain.
Nonetheless, entering the NBA was already a great honor. Although Sun Yue had limited playing time, facing strong NBA teams and training with the Lakers significantly improved his skills and increased his aggressiveness on defense.
After spending a year in the NBA, Sun Yue "coasted" to a championship ring, as if in a dream.
This ring elevated Sun Yue's reputation, making him a sought-after player in China.
Fame and fortune came flooding in, but Sun Yue's love life crumbled, with the breakup initiated not by the successful Sun Yue but by Gu Chen.
The reasons behind this were closely related to Sun Yue's personality and the media's reports on the "car sex scandal."
After returning from the NBA, Sun Yue became arrogant, clashing with coaches and even Yao Ming within the team.
At 24, the prime of his career, Sun Yue should have been shining but was instead suspended due to various issues.
The subsequent "car sex scandal" further exacerbated his relationship problems.
After parting ways with Gu Chen, Sun Yue met another model, Chen Lu, through friends.
Chen Lu was still in university, from a wealthy family, and worked as a model part-time out of interest.
They quickly became lovers, and after Chen Lu graduated, they married.
In May 2012, Sun Yue and Chen Lu registered their marriage, but Sun Yue, busy preparing for the London Olympics, had to postpone the wedding until after the competition.
On their wedding day, many famous basketball stars attended to offer congratulations, and even Kobe Bryant, far away in the United States, recorded a video to celebrate for his former teammate.
After marriage, Sun Yue and his beautiful wife Chen Lu frequently appeared in public, flaunting their affection and making netizens envious.
Soon, they had a child, living happily as a family.
During this period, Sun Yue was at the peak of his fame, participating in the London Olympics, representing the national team, and excelling in the CBA, becoming the first Chinese player to win both NBA and CBA championships simultaneously.
However, as age caught up with him, injuries began to plague Sun Yue, forcing him to gradually withdraw from the men's basketball team.
The once prodigious talent and unstoppable player also had his days of fading glory.
Due to a dislocated shoulder, Sun Yue missed the 2015 Asian Championship and subsequently became less visible to the public.
When he reappeared, it was news of his divorce, the reasons for which remain unknown.
This divorce shattered Sun Yue's perfect family, leaving him with nothing.
In 2020, they divorced, and Sun Yue retired a year later.
After retiring, Sun Yue virtually disappeared from public view.
Yet, for Sun Yue, many felt pity.
Many believed that Sun Yue should not have stopped there; his career should have been more glorious, not just content with "coasting" to a championship ring.
What disappointed fans the most was that Sun Yue let down Kobe's blessings and the expectations of his fans.
Rapidly rising to fame in his youth undoubtedly had a significant impact on Sun Yue, but the dedication and passion of his younger years gradually diminished.
Looking back at Sun Yue's past, he possessed exceptional physical abilities and was once the most entertaining player to watch.
If his life had continued to "attack" towards the pinnacle, his achievements would have been far greater.
But a series of events and personal issues brought wave after wave of troubles to Sun Yue, wasting his talents off the court, always in a "defensive" state without further progress.
Fortunately, after experiencing various ups and downs, this prodigal son has matured, focusing on contributing to the basketball industry in whatever way he can.
Engaging in grassroots training and launching campus basketball activities, Sun Yue is helping new players step onto the stage. He has bloomed again outside the court, and although his career has ended, he still has the opportunity to start anew for basketball in another form.