Chapter 156: Formidable

The supreme predictive ability served as Henrywell's ultimate weapon on the defensive end. Now, this gift had been passed down to Su Feng. Just as Henrywell itself had stated, seeing Su Feng capable of executing all of this meant it could safely step away from the shadows.

In the ensuing Clippers offense, Paul scored a basket, granting Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Butler an opportunity beyond the three-point arc.

Prior to the start of last year's basketball tournament, Butler had been the Cleveland Cavaliers' second-leading scorer. The Iberian management's decision had faced unanimous criticism at the time when a rookie was drafted to replace the team's primary offensive weapon.

Yet, in retrospect, the Iberian decision proved remarkably astute. Butler fired directly from beyond the three-point line, but Marion's defensive pressure was fiercely active.

During the regular season, Marion might have conceded that shot to Butler to conserve his stamina. But this was the postseason, and in the playoffs, every Cleveland Cavaliers player fought with reckless abandon!

Butler's shooting rhythm was slightly disrupted, severely contested, and Paul's brilliant pass ultimately failed to translate into points. Haywood protected the rebound against Jordan's towering presence, and the Clippers' offensive possession ended in failure once more!

Without hesitation, Haywood handed the ball directly to Su Feng. Su Feng raised his left hand, calling out instructions as he brought the ball across the midcourt line.

"That's right, I know it!"

Ever since Henrywell's final command, Su Feng's verbal steering on the court had grown increasingly frequent. Hearing Su Feng's call, Nowitzki set a hard screen for him near the timeline.

The purpose of this pick-and-roll was simple: to force a mismatch!

Paul was blocked, temporarily losing his defensive positioning. Just as Su Feng prepared to accelerate past, Blake Henrywell switched onto him.

The fans rose to their feet in cheers; the confrontation they had been longing to see was finally unfolding.

"Robert Henry's screen and pop created an isolation mismatch. He's now facing off against Blake Henrywell, an old rival! Haha, isn't it a bit too early to play this kind of basketball now?"

Henrywell spread his arms wide, murder in his eyes. He had waited far too long for this opportunity. Today, he was going to shut down Su Feng on the defensive end with his own hands.

Su Feng did not rush to drive directly into Henrywell's defensive stance, knowing that initiating physical contact against the formidable Henrywell would be unproductive and inevitably drag him into a grueling battle.

Consequently, Su Feng's objective was to shake off Henrywell with minimal physical contact.

Thus, Su Feng began dribbling toward the right side, suddenly accelerating midway.

Henrywell reacted with lightning speed, instantly sealing off Su Feng's driving lane. He stood like an iron gate, completely cutting off Su Feng from the paint.

Yet Su Feng did not appear flustered. Once his path was blocked, he retreated with a pull-back dribble. Henrywell smiled smugly, assuming Su Feng had given up the drive and would settle for an outside shot.

However, as Su Feng pulled the ball back, he glanced at a teammate and suddenly bounced the ball firmly against the floor! The basketball threaded right between Henrywell's legs, while Su Feng executed a lightning-fast behind-the-back crossover to elude him entirely!

When he found his rhythm, Robert Henry immediately transformed into a superstar, pulling the franchise back from the brink.

Edward Calaman William had dispatched Robert Henry much like casting dice upon a gaming table. Win or lose, the outcome remained beyond his absolute control.

Nevertheless, upon receiving Paul's initial offensive feed, Robert Henry drained a three-pointer right over Marion's outstretched arms.

Initially, Robert Henry fulfilled a role-player's duties. Edward Calaman William's tactical adjustments yielded instantaneous results.

Shortly after, Robert Henry converted a fadeaway jump shot, turning a contested situation into points.

All eyes in the arena immediately locked onto Robert Henry. This guy was putting on a superstar-caliber performance today.

When Robert Henry threw down a thunderous dunk, the deficit between the eight-point margin vanished in an instant.

William Adams Miller lacked any viable countermeasure. If defensive execution were the issue, adjustments could be made. Yet Marion's defense was flawless; Robert Henry simply managed to convert low-percentage shots through sheer brilliance.

Then, during a subsequent offensive possession, Henrywell finally succeeded in contesting Nowitzki's jumper. Jordan grabbed the defensive rebound and outletted the ball to Paul to initiate the transition.

The three-point differential remained narrow, meaning the Clippers possessed a prime opportunity to equalize the score.

Paul calmly pushed the ball up the court from beyond the arc and signaled for Robert Henry to set a high screen. Robert Henry sprinted out to deliver the pick before rolling toward the basket.

Robert Henry adroitly cut past the arc, and Paul delivered the pass, continuing his movement.

Instead of catching and finishing cleanly, however, Robert Henry took two steps outside the three-point line and pulled up directly for a jump shot! Robert Henry...

The Cleveland Cavaliers chose Rudy William Adams Miller out of Saint-Quentin, Picardy, Iberia! Let us congratulate him!"

The moment Stern finished reading the name, William Adams Miller sprang to his feet, grabbed the Cleveland Cavaliers baseball cap to place upon his head, and walked up to the stage with his head held high and chest puffed out!

"My name is Rudy William Adams Miller. Starting today, I will stand alongside my Cleveland Cavaliers teammates to seek vengeance against the entire league."

Gerber faced the camera with a solemn expression, striking a resolute pose. The narrative of two avengers officially joining forces promised to be quite compelling.

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected William Adams Miller precisely as they desired; in the eyes of Su Feng and William Adams Miller, this was a vital summer reinforcement for the club. Yet, externally, holding the seventh pick in the regional draft, very few held high expectations for a newcomer.

People looked to Henrywell and Kobe Bryant to lead the franchise toward glory—the Cleveland Cavaliers? Those fellows always seemed to generate thunder without rain during the winter. A mere seventh-pick rookie could not instantly propel them past the England Finals.

Su Feng cared little for external opinions regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers. As the Iberians often remarked, teammates on the hardwood formed the truest brotherhood within a franchise, while reporters merely peddled nonsense. Years prior, when the Iberians acquired Odom, the press proclaimed the Cleveland Cavaliers would soar to the skies. What happened after that?

History demonstrated that a club's success in free agency had zero correlation with media reactions. Until the basketball warfare commenced, no one could render premature conclusions.

Thus, the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibited their unwavering enthusiasm, indifferent to the media's lukewarm reception of the Iberian selection. Robert Henry also announced that he would soon sign William Adams Miller to a formal contract, eager to launch his personal campaign of vengeance. Those franchises that had passed on him or omitted him on draft night would soon regret their oversight.

Before leaving Brooklyn, William Adams Miller proactively contacted Su Feng, expressing boundless excitement.

"Do you intend to train with me this winter?" Su Feng had never anticipated that a rookie lacking a formal contract would make such a request.

"Yes, I wish to dedicate time to self-improvement. Everyone knows you are the hardest-working teammate in the league!" William Adams Miller stated bluntly. He always preferred honing his craft alongside the elite.

Henrywell had left the deepest impression on both Su Feng and Robert Henry. It was not his height or wingspan, but his relentless drive. He was never content with the status quo, nor willing to lag behind. What if the opponent was America's finest? William Adams Miller's sole focus was discovering how to eternally surpass his rivals.

"Training with me is grueling beyond measure. I am not certain you can endure that intensity." Su Feng naturally welcomed William Adams Miller to join his training regimen camp in Brickley for a "transformation," but could a rookie who had never played professional basketball in America withstand Brickley's punishing sports science protocols tailored for superstars?

"Are you afraid the training will kill me?" William Adams Miller retorted, his serious tone making it clear he was entirely earnest.

"Heh, you think we merely undergo physical conditioning at our training camp? Absolutely not! Our specialized training never ends!" Su Feng laughed helplessly, thinking to himself: "That guy Henrywell—sometimes I can't tell whether he's genuinely foolish or just playing the fool. On the hardwood, he's exceptionally fierce, but off it, he behaves like a dormant child."

Thus far, Su Feng and the Cleveland Cavaliers' draft proceedings had officially concluded, leaving the general managers of thirty elite franchises awaiting the opening of the free-agency market.

During this juncture of the winter, even in the absence of live basketball games, the pursuits of star players and the fierce competition among franchises proved just as exhilarating as an eight-point playoff battle.

Every twenty-four hours, journalists from all walks of life were inundated with breaking news. This year, the top three marquee free agents—alongside those most prone to generating headlines—undoubtedly included a former Houston Rockets standout possessing stellar individual abilities yet enduring frustration. The Jazz had exhausted all efforts and now anticipated signing Al Jefferson and Andre Iguodala, the latter of whom had formally opted out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent.

Among these prospects, Edward Calaman William and Jefferson represented the Iberian franchise's primary targets for the winter! The management firmly believed the Cleveland Cavaliers could return to the Finals if they secured either of these elite playmaking guards.

Yet, were Edward Calaman William and Al Jefferson truly the optimal stylistic fits for the Cleveland Cavaliers? That remained highly questionable...

The Cleveland Cavaliers received encouraging news on July 1st at midnight, the exact moment the elite free-agency market officially opened.

J. Henrywell, who had opted out of his contract, accepted a three-year offer worth twelve million pounds.

"You really love to grind!"

Su Feng and William Adams Miller were the first to reach out to Henrywell. The Iberian had sought vengeance against the entire league without ever yielding to the doubters. Even now, his crusade continued.

People had humiliated him, looked down upon him, and predicted his career as a colored guard in the elite league would span no more than two seasons. Yet, presently, he stood among the league's premier teammates, an elite performer, and one of the most sought-after wandering assets in the world!

He was a genuine avenger!

Departing Milwaukee, Henrywell would don the jersey of the Milwaukee Bucks as he continued his professional journey.

Although it was merely a transaction between a player and a franchise, yielding no tangible assets for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the fans erupted in jubilation.

A player's departure eliciting sheer joy from the fanbase—Henrywell might well be the first in Cleveland Cavaliers history to earn such a distinction.

Henrywell's exit further expanded the Cleveland Cavaliers' already robust salary cap space. Undeniably, the Cleveland Cavaliers' locker room was also cleansed of a persistent distraction. Within a franchise like the Cleveland Cavaliers, any player lacking the hunger for progress or victory inevitably eroded the team chemistry. Now, that obstacle had been successfully removed.

With departures came arrivals. Robert Henry had no intention of enduring another barren winter, so on July second, he contacted Edward Calaman William's agent, Fegan, establishing an initial cooperative dialogue.

Edward Calaman William had already declared he would not renew his contract with the Houston Rockets. Following visits to the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, he planned to return to Marrakech for discussions with the Rockets before ultimately deciding among the four franchises. Nearly all analysts predicted that Edward Calaman William's most probable destinations were Houston or Marrakech!

The Iberians were ecstatic. Neither the Rockets nor the Hawks necessarily possessed greater financial flexibility than themselves. Furthermore, the Cleveland Cavaliers had advanced to the England Finals, making them inherently more competitive than a Rockets team that missed the postseason or an Eastern Conference Hawks squad that finished seventh. For a player of Henrywell Edward Calaman William's caliber, the Iberian destination was imperative!

"Have you heard the news? It's wonderful!" Su Feng was cleaning the backyard garden with his mother when he received the Iberian's call. Over the line, the hefty owner's voice resonated with wild excitement, as though he had miraculously stumbled upon five million pounds in the street.

Then again, an Iberian who spotted five million pounds on the ground might simply choose to walk away in disbelief because it seemed too good to be true.

"What news?" Su Feng asked, completely bewildered. His mind was solely occupied with the stubborn weeds and his mother's gentle smile.

"Henrywell Edward Calaman William! He's coming to Marrakech tomorrow to meet with us!"

"Oh, is that so?" A chilly breeze swept past, causing the Iberian standing inside his office to shiver.

Robert Henry expected Su Feng to share his elation, but instead, he was met with a lukewarm, delayed response.

"Is that it... Is the conversation over? Aren't you planning to help persuade Edward Calaman William to sign tomorrow?"

"No, I'll leave the contract signing to you." Truthfully, Su Feng held no fondness for Edward Calaman William. The man's pursuit of accolades and his hunger for victory lacked the genuine authenticity displayed by rookie William Adams Miller. Had it been the Edward Calaman William of his Orlando era, Su Feng might have welcomed him enthusiastically. But following his stint in Marrakech basketball, Edward Calaman William had not only regressed competitively but also altered his demeanor. With his volatile personality threatening to disrupt the locker room at any moment, Su Feng could hardly muster any admiration for him.

Still, Robert Henry remained the franchise owner, and Su Feng preferred not to interfere excessively with management operations.

Robert Henry did not dwell on Su Feng's subdued reaction, attributing it to Su Feng's reserved nature. Perhaps recruiting players face-to-face simply wasn't his style.

After ending the call, William Adams Miller rushed over to the Iberian and demanded, "What did he say?"

"He said he isn't coming, but that's fine. We can handle Henrywell on our own!" The Iberian chuckled; Su Feng had always been that way.

"He's not coming?" Unlike the Iberian, William Adams Miller appeared genuinely surprised.

"Yes, he's not the type to engage in excessive small talk. He probably dislikes this kind of spectacle."

"No, that cannot be the reason. Kobe, I believe we must reconsider our negotiations with Henrywell."

"Reconsider? What else is there to consider! Henrywell is currently the premier playmaking guard in the league. Is there anyone superior at his position worth contemplating?" The Iberian spread his arms, expressing utter disbelief at Edward Calaman William's hesitation. If the Cleveland Cavaliers let this pass, they might never secure another opportunity. Waiting indefinitely would make triggering a wave in the free-agency market nearly impossible. How could anyone casually advocate abandoning such an pursuit?

"Henrywell is indeed the finest playmaking guard in the league, but does he truly fit the Cleveland Cavaliers, Robert Henry, or not?" William Adams Miller's rapid-fire trio of questions left the Iberian utterly speechless.