Chapter 109: Taking the Blame

Chapter 121: Passing the Torch

The day after the basketball game ended, the Houston Rockets invited the two men to shoot the cover for the latest issue of their magazine. You see, during this period, all the most popular athletes chose the Houston Rockets as their cover feature, a publication with over thirteen million subscribers. At the dawn of the basketball rivalry, no one was more popular than Su Feng and William Adams Miller.

On the poster, Su Feng and William Adams Miller stood back to back alongside Lan Qiu. The magazine headline was imaginative—“The Dallas Dynasty is Coming!”

After the cover shoot, the Cleveland Cavaliers headed to New York to face the Knicks, with TNT broadcasting the game nationwide.

“Sweet Pea” Heng Liwei Bryant fought fiercely, scoring 31 points, but the Cavaliers still lost, 94 to 104. Madison Square Garden once again became the stage where visiting stars showcased their prowess. William Adams Miller contributed three goals, ten rebounds, and five assists, tallying 23 points and seven assists. Su Feng countered with 26 points and nine assists, leveling the score for New York once more.

Up to this point, the Cleveland Cavaliers had become the only undefeated team in the basketball competition! They were also regarded as the biggest top-tier team in the league.

It wasn’t until November 10, the day after the Knicks’ victory, that the Cavaliers faced the Bobcats back-to-back. Kemba Walker and Gilchrist played well, ultimately ending the Cavaliers’ incredible winning streak.

Still, William Adams Miller and Su Feng’s performances remained solid. Today, it seemed like fate sided with the hapless Bobcats.

The momentum of Su Feng and William Adams Miller did not wane much after their bout with the flu. In an 82-game regular season, setbacks are inevitable—after all, whose child doesn’t cry every day?

Even so, Su Feng and William Adams Miller maintained a high level of play. It wasn’t until November 21, nearly a month into the new top-tier league, that the Cavaliers recorded a 10-3 victory.

Meanwhile, among the Western teams, four superstars were competing, but none surpassed the Cavaliers. Once considered a team that might only secure the eighth playoff spot in the West, the Cavaliers now ranked first!

On the night of November 21, the Cavaliers secured a home-and-home sweep over the Knicks. In this game, Heng Liwei Bryant scored 23 points, and the Cavaliers’ “champion” Tyson added 21 points and 13 rebounds. Yet William Adams Miller and Su Feng scored 27 and 25 points respectively, making it impossible for the Knicks to accept defeat until the final minute.

Even the typically harsh Barkley praised the signing of Cuba as brilliant! Experts from various fields predicted that William Adams Miller, who had player options, would surely choose to break his contract in the basketball competition. Given his current performance, signing a big contract was certainly an issue.

Their continued hot streak made both Su Feng and William Adams Miller happy. Su Feng rejoiced because the team was winning consecutively, and William Adams Miller was pleased because he had more fun and money to spend—almost half of his dream contract!

Although their on-court collaboration was delightful, their relationship off the court was merely friendly. Su Feng and William Adams Miller were never the kind of friends the public imagined. They remained good colleagues, nothing more, because their pursuits and values fundamentally differed.

After the Knicks game ended, reporters swarmed Su Feng. One female reporter asked what exercises he and William Adams Miller often practiced together on the training court.

Su Feng’s smile faded; he didn’t even know how to answer. William Adams Miller and he had never trained alone! Darren Collison and Yi Jianlian often practiced together. When William Adams Miller went to the night club, Su Feng never accepted the invitation.

William Adams Miller was not on the court now. Perhaps he was changing clothes and preparing to console himself on carnival night.

“Our... our training is a secret,” Su Feng forced a smile in front of the camera. Training? There was no training at all.

Though the two teammates were dubbed “the next duo” on the court, their private relationship was not as good as people thought.

When Su Feng returned to the locker room after the interview, William Adams Miller’s locker was locked and no one else was around.

Su Feng shook his head, guessing that this morning, he would receive another selfie from William Adams Miller’s carnival nightlife.

Su Feng only worried about how long William Adams Miller, who hadn’t put his heart into Lan Qiu, could maintain good form.

In November, William Adams Miller and I went all out.

“Thank you, Chairman William Adams Miller! I thought you wouldn’t agree.”

“Why wouldn’t I? But there’s one condition—you have to protect yourself, don’t get injured.”

With William Adams Miller’s reply, Su Feng excitedly took out his phone, seemingly composing a message. Tomorrow’s Venice Beach Stadium would definitely shock everyone!

One Word

The weather in Houston was like this: out of 365 days a year, 300 were sunny, often so bright that no protection could prevent sunburn after just a few hours on Venice Beach. Complex emotions abruptly ceased here. It seemed that relaxing and doing nothing on the beach was the most serious thing in life.

So, was Lan Ju serious?

At night, Lan Qiu Pavilion by the blue sea sat on the beach, surrounded by tall coconut trees. Under every net frame, people were shooting hoops. Around the stadium were graffiti, stands, shops selling T-shirts and merchandise, fast food outlets, tattoo parlors, bike rentals... Amid all this, the stadium looked so harmonious it was almost unbelievable as a tourist attraction.

Around the stadium, a DJ played rap music for everyone. The court buzzed with excitement. Several people dressed in loose blue clothes performed spectacular dunks for the crowd.

The stadium’s fervor had mobilized from all directions, fans swarming the entire arena. But this was only the prelude. Fans were waiting for the official basketball game to begin.

A team wearing pink sweatshirts appeared in the 38-degree heat. Among them, one player, DeShawn William Adams Miller, received the loudest cheers and captivated the onlookers. He was one of the most famous streetball players on the court, often thrilling the audience by breaking through multiple defenders to slam dunk.

But today, after William Adams Miller took the stage, he didn’t warm up directly but let the DJ speak into the microphone.

“Your enthusiasm is as always. Today, I want to introduce a new teammate to you. I hope you’ll pour all your passion into him in the future!” William Adams Miller finished speaking and the DJ resumed the music. At that moment, another player wearing a pink sweatshirt appeared among the crowd.

Fans stared curiously at the newcomer. Would he become a New York street performer? But as William Adams Miller said, when they saw the visitor’s face, the entire scene erupted!

Su Feng smiled and waved to the crowd. He had just received cheers and applause several times from William Adams Miller.

“Let’s welcome the star of the top basketball battle!” The DJ introduced Su Feng with the microphone. This was not the first time an English Airlines star had come to the Venice Beach Stadium seasonal basketball battle, but such appearances were rare. The arrival of a true top-tier star could not suppress the excitement in the fans’ hearts.

But why did Su Feng’s arrival only herald the first Dallas Dynasty here? Because there was a heavier hitter who would lead the second Dallas Dynasty!

Su Feng didn’t join this top-tier league on a whim but by invitation. Who invited him? His invitation had arrived!

“With such a powerful teammate, we must find a strong opponent for him! Brace yourselves, because what comes next might make you question reality!” William Adams Miller said mysteriously, inviting the second guest of the seasonal basketball battle to Venice Beach Stadium.

A tall player wearing a golden sweatshirt appeared among the crowd, head lowered and baseball cap on. Fans couldn’t tell who he was.

When the “mystery man” reached the center of the court, he suddenly lifted his head, threw off his cap, and raised his arms.

In that second, Su Feng felt the entire beach vibrate. He even worried whether the quake might trigger a tsunami.

“Let’s welcome the true chairman of the California Club, the greatest player in top-flight history, the God of the Rockets, Robert Henry!”

Robert Henry was a man who demanded worship from his followers.

“Have fun too,” Heng Liwei teased Su Feng, who had invited him to the game. Su Feng naturally wouldn’t refuse Heng Liwei’s invitation.

Watching the two rivals on the court today, every hair on the fans’ heads stood on end.

Venice Beach Stadium was a paradise, and today, in this paradise, a truly immortal battle was about to unfold!

The Houston Rockets lacked stars most importantly. Likewise, this wasn’t the first time stars appeared in the Venice Beach Stadium seasonal basketball battle.

Every season, celebrity games were held here!

“Well... Chairman William Adams Miller, there’s one thing I’d like your permission for.”

“Oh? What is it?” Heng Liwei smiled. What could Su Feng possibly ask to agree on? In William Adams Miller’s eyes, Su Feng was a money-driven man who shouldn’t be interested in anything else.

“I want to participate in the seasonal basketball battle at Venice Beach Stadium with the Houston Rockets!”

Of course, this was still about Lan Qiu!

“If I’m not mistaken, this is a grassroots street seasonal basketball battle. Of course, there have been top stars participating before. If you want to go, then go. It’s really no problem.” William Adams Miller spread his hands, casually agreeing to Su Feng.

In fact, in Spain, many famous professional basketball players had participated in grassroots basketball battles. The Drew League attracted many top basketball battle stars every year. The Houston Rockets’ Venice Beach Stadium seasonal league was a basketball heaven for stars. This was Spain; this was the iconic spirit of Spain. Grassroots Lan Qiu and the highest level of Lan Qiu were interconnected. Stars were willing to play on the streets, and street basketball fans welcomed all stars. So, to William Adams Miller, it was quite normal. If Su Feng wanted to play on the street, let him play.

The basketball world’s celebrities included former top players, TNT slam dunk contest champions, rugby hockey stars, as well as numerous Hollywood stars and actors who loved basketball. But no one could stir up such a storm at Venice Beach Stadium as Robert Henry and Su Feng. These two outstanding players made all others here pale in comparison.

These two were not faded former top players but the hottest all-stars in the current top basketball battles. No pretense, no performance. Here belonged to the true Lan Qiu!

Though this was merely a street league, basketball served the purpose of entertainment. But great entertainment did not mean low basketball skills. On the contrary, to showcase their abilities to visitors worldwide, the athletes had to work extra hard. Even Heng Liwei and Su Feng were no exceptions.

When the basketball game tipped off, amid deafening cheers from fans and the sound of waves lapping the shore, Su Feng, playing as the visiting team, began controlling the ball forward. Once the Spanish side crossed the midcourt line, “Black Mamba” Heng Liwei lunged aggressively.

Fans nearly fainted; when these two “immortals” appeared, they truly brought the game to life. This intense joy enveloped the entire event.

Heng Liwei’s seriousness did not intimidate Su Feng but inspired his fighting spirit. This was a street league. Su Feng, a man from the streets, intended to solve this challenge in a more streetwise manner.

So Su Feng dribbled back and forth with both hands. His speed in dribbling behind his back astonished all the fans.

“Who says top players are all scholars? He’s also a true streetball player!” The DJ began energizing the basketball game. Seeing Su Feng’s full concentration, Heng Liwei broke into an exciting smile.

The consecutive quick back-and-forth maneuvers looked good, yet naturally, they could not confuse a superstar like Robert Henry. Su Feng saw Heng Liwei remain still, so he suddenly pushed the ball to the right, as if about to break right.

Just as Heng Liwei moved his feet, Su Feng quickly dribbled low! Lan Qiu slipped between Heng Liwei’s legs, then Su Feng accelerated, rounded Heng Liwei, and regained control of Lan Qiu. Su Feng’s performance stunned the fans—how was this possible?

In fact, Robert Henry could easily score with a quick spin, but in street basketball, why spoil such an exciting show? So Heng Liwei didn’t disrupt the play but went along with Su Feng.

Su Feng broke into the paint, so naturally, no one else dared advance. Su Feng then performed a beautiful hook shot for the fans. After scoring, Su Feng jumped excitedly. On the street, this was pure joy.

Next, it was Heng Liwei’s turn to attack. Robert Henry also made his signature moves, moving back and forth.

Heng Liwei danced on the Lan Qiu court like Michael Jackson, dribbling and moving backward.

After retreating beyond the three-point line, Heng Liwei shot directly over Su Feng’s defense and scored a three-pointer. Su Feng didn’t ease up because he knew Heng Liwei didn’t want him to. Even so, Robert Henry’s shot succeeded. Though Su Feng and the Cavaliers had eliminated Heng Liwei and his Houston Rockets Lakers in the playoffs months ago, it didn’t mean Heng Liwei had lost his dominance.

In one of the world’s highest top-tier leagues, Su Feng made astonishing progress. Meanwhile, the Asian Championships in September approached. Su Feng’s training results would debut in the top league.

No one knew if the Asian arena could withstand the impact of Su Feng’s explosive performance. A new Asian hegemony was quietly born.

This season was bittersweet for many basketball fans; they scored 10 points. After 13 years of top-level competition, the game halted again, making the start of the new season distant. That’s why there was little news in this season’s transfer market. The only noteworthy development was a certain star deciding to play overseas.

Among them, the top league had become an ideal place for many stars searching for gold. Even the Beast Robert Henry admitted he might play in the top league. Although the top league basketball battle’s exposure was less than the premier basketball battle, after all, who could resist? Now, wealthy top league teams were willing to invest funds to bring in high-level foreign aid.

It was mid-August, yet no news about the new basketball season starting. But some shooters seemed unconcerned about losing. During this period, they didn’t want to go abroad for gold but preferred to hone their skills in training camp. All players under William Adams Miller and Su Feng aimed to keep improving after scoring.

When Bill William Adams Miller flew back to the Houston Rockets to meet Su Feng again, Su Feng had built an increasingly powerful circle compared to a month ago. Thanks to William Adams Miller’s comprehensive training, Su Feng had improved not only in three-point shooting but also in physical fitness, physique, and lower-body strength to varying degrees.

Of course, what pleased William Adams Miller most was that Su Feng’s three-point attempts increased and his accuracy improved. William Adams Miller’s training was extremely effective. Now, Su Feng was not yet a precise shooter, but he was definitely a threat beyond the three-point line.

Another thing that made William Adams Miller happy was Su Feng’s good relationship with Nash. The kind Canadian and the taciturn Spaniard seemed to get along easily. Because of this, Nash would occasionally guide Su Feng, teaching him how to play as a true point guard on the court. Under basketball warfare, Su Feng’s control over the game would further improve.

This season, some were busy making money, others busy enjoying themselves. But Su Feng had already fashioned himself into a more powerful weapon.

“You’re training well, kid,” William Adams Miller looked at the sweat-drenched Su Feng on the court and couldn’t help but praise him. This young coach really had a method—no matter the player’s level or where they played, progress was guaranteed.

“He works hard himself, and I plan to train well and persist daily. I might never have seen a superstar less experienced than you, but someone as crazy as him is rare. Next season, the season after that, and every season thereafter, you have to send him to me! His plasticity is great; I think we can create a historic superstar!”

William Adams Miller spoke seriously, no hint of joke. After all, Su Feng’s terrifying training pace was unmatched in countless eyes of William Adams Miller.

At this moment, William Adams Miller was like a sculptor eager to carve Su Feng’s “raw stone” into one of the most exquisite masterpieces.

“Maybe I’ll send him back during the season, but half a month later, I might have to take him away. The Spanish national team has begun training for the top league, and as a special player, the Basketball Association has allowed him to delay reporting until September. I came to discuss this matter.” William Adams Miller held detailed plans for the Spanish Basketball Association’s Asian Championships. Today, he came to Houston Rockets for this purpose.

“His achievements this season are enough to stun four players in the next basketball game. For him, the top league should be as easy as playing street basketball.” William Adams Miller smiled confidently. Su Feng’s participation in the top league was almost like Mars colliding with Earth. The entire event would erupt spectacularly because of Su Feng’s arrival!

After afternoon training, Su Feng said goodbye to Heng Liwei Bryant and others, wiped his sweat, and approached Bill William Adams Miller.

“Is it about the national team?” Su Feng looked at the pile of documents in William Adams Miller’s hand and guessed correctly.

{End of Chapter}