Chapter 159 Selfless and Impartial

Chapter 170 Selflessness

"You really are a genius!"
"No, the Spaniard and I both had our eyes on that kid precisely because he was a mute!"

"Idiot!" Robert Henry Carl stared intently.

"Well... because he is foolish. That is why he doesn't know that even if he doesn't work hard, he can still eat in first class. Because he is foolish, even on holidays, he dares not slack off. Have you seen him slack off in training? No, that silly kid only knows how to train himself. I remember when he first came to Dallas for trials, when he faced the passionate Henry Edward, he was like a stepping stone. But when he stepped onto the court to start performing, Kobe Bryant and I thought, 'This is the kid we want!'"

Edward Caleiman William recalled the past three years. Perhaps choosing Su Feng was one of the most correct decisions he and the Spaniard ever made in their lives.

On the court, Su Feng's passing still halted the San Antonio Spurs' comeback. When Kobe Bryant asked his teammates for one fading jump shot after another, Su Feng almost made Conley doubt his very existence.

After the central district basketball battle ended, William Edward Jr., influenced by Su Feng, seemed to step up as well. Now facing the chubby black bear Randolph, he appeared like a super demon blocking the gods.

William Edward Jr. opened up the situation within three seconds, and the San Antonio Spurs' primary interior defense was officially broken.

In such a favorable situation, with the third quarter of basketball only six minutes in, Edward Caleiman William unusually substituted Su Feng after ten points. As the absolute core of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Su Feng rarely came out early or went in late. Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers currently held the dominant position, Edward Caleiman William's early substitution of Su Feng was a bit exaggerated. Mike Breen and other commentators even speculated that Su Feng might have been injured in the fierce confrontation, which was why he was replaced.

However, Edward Caleiman William was not confused at all. The reason he substituted Su Feng at the precise moment was to extract even more advantages.

William Edward Jr.'s ball touches helped the Cleveland Cavaliers stabilize their scoring margin on the court. By the end of the third quarter of basketball, they were still trailing by seven points, and Kobe Bryant had already begun bringing rotation teammates onto the court.

When Paul Williams-Adams Miller and Randolph were substituted, Edward Caleiman William waved his hand and brought Su Feng back on.

Before the game, people saw Edward Caleiman William whispering into Su Feng's ear. Su Feng nodded slightly, clenched his fists, and stepped into the arena.

Stevens, standing on the sidelines, glanced at the court, trying to analyze Edward Caleiman William's intentions through the score. Su Feng had been substituted midway, and now he was back on at the end of the third quarter.

By doing this, Su Feng cooperating with the second unit might not necessarily widen the lead. If he had simply continued to maintain the inside-outside connection with William Edward Jr., wouldn't the score have widened by more than just one possession by now? But suddenly, the commander of the Houston Rockets team realized. Jerry Hanlywill, please find Dover.

In the central district, there were 11 goals, 4 goals, and a shooting percentage of 50. Do you think this is Mike Conley's data? No, no, no, no. The owner of the data is Jerry Hanlywill.

Today, Hanlywill was undoubtedly a key member of the San Antonio Spurs. In fact, Bayless's strength was not weak; from time to time, he would contribute to a shocking basketball game.

When he played for the Trail Blazers, he miraculously defeated the Spurs by 1 point in a single game. In the match against the Raptors, Bayless also scored, helping the Raptors complete a dramatic comeback when trailing by 5 points. Who could guarantee that today, the handsome guard wouldn't play a career masterpiece?

Today, Bayless felt great, and being able to perform brilliantly in the playoffs was what everyone expected. But when he confidently sprinted across the midcourt and saw Su Feng standing right in front of him, Hanlywill's smile instantly vanished.

"Relax, Jerry... He's just an ordinary person, no matter how strong he is..." Hanlywill began to comfort himself in his heart, and then he started running off the ball.

On the first off-ball screen, San Antonio Spurs backup center Kobe Bryant failed to block Su Feng. On the second off-ball zone, Darrell Arthur, the best teammate in the 2007 Houston Rockets tournament, failed to hold back Su Feng either.

Kobe Bryant and Arthur's qualities were inferior to Williams-Adams Miller and Randolph, and Su Feng was also a master at shaking off trouble. Therefore, after a long run, Bayless still couldn't shake off the yellow-skinned guard.

In a rush, San Antonio Spurs backup shadow forward Kenyon Dooling had to pass the ball to Robert Henry Carl, who had replaced the Prince, but Robert's hasty shot missed. Yi Jianlian grabbed the rebound, and the San Antonio Spurs' offense failed once again. Su Feng and Hanlywill's first matchup didn't even give the opponent a chance to receive the ball.

Afterward, Su Feng didn't wait for the ball, heading straight to the frontcourt. Now the Cleveland Cavaliers' controlling shadow forward was Darren Williams-Adams Miller.

With a 58-50 scoreline, the Cleveland Cavaliers team had exerted enough pressure on the San Antonio Spurs at the end of the central district basketball match. Su Feng had only 1 goal in the central district and 4 goals in the second basketball game. This performance completely conflicted with his scoring curve that usually erupted after the second-half basketball battle. But the number of eight goals in the central district was perhaps even more dazzling than any single scoring outburst.

"Can you imagine? There is actually a Spanish shadow forward in the top league who can revitalize the team under the San Antonio Spurs' fading jump shots. We all know how good Yi Jianlian's passing is, but we didn't expect him to be everywhere."

"He worked so hard for a single goal for so long that people forgot what he excels at is organizing the offense. From now on, we are glad the Spaniard didn't land Deron last summer. Because making you play second fiddle as well would be a waste of time!"

Stevens sat behind the technical table, unable to hear the commentators praising Su Feng, but he could imagine that Su Feng must be receiving accolades from all sides right now.

In just the central district basketball battle, Su Feng had already secured a "near triple-double" stat line. If Stevens hadn't personally coached Su Feng, he might have suspected Su Feng was a flawless finishing robot.

Before the Houston Rockets team, Su Feng's passing talent had already manifested. Why did Hayward's scoring ability drop so much when he joined the top league? One of the reasons was the lack of a fading jump-shooter like Su Feng to pass him the ball.

Sometimes, Stevens truly didn't understand why that Spaniard was so keen on recruiting big names. With a shadow forward like Su Feng, you only needed to recruit people who genuinely suited your system, and Su Feng would turn them into superstars!

If he, Hayward, and Su Feng could collaborate again, Stevens believed they would create brilliance once more!

Stevens smiled and shook his head at the thought. Su Feng and Hayward were fortunate enough to be coached by him in college. Would they continue to be coached by him in the top league? Are you kidding me? If one day I could coach a top-tier team, it would be divine intervention.

Stevens's daydreaming was interrupted by the electronic buzzer of the stadium. He refocused his attention on the court; the middle-lower district basketball game was about to begin.

When all the teammates took the court, assistant coach Darrell Robert Henry Carl, putting down the tactical board, walked over to Edward Caleiman William with a smile.

"What's wrong, Darrell? You're looking quite happy before the basketball game is even over."

"Hey, hey, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers' basketball team almost shocked me. How can there be such a teammate in the world? You know, Rick, I used to be a top-tier controlling shadow forward, and I didn't retire until 2008. I'm not entirely outdated. But honestly, I don't think this is our level of survival at all." Robert Henry Carl smiled and shook his head. Fortunately, there was no Su Feng back then. Otherwise, adding Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, John Stockton, and Gary Payton to the top league—well, indeed, without Robert Henry Carl, what kind of shadow forwards would they even be?

"This is only his third basketball game, Darrell. He will become a superstar. Someday, his name will stand alongside the greatest," Edward Caleiman William said proudly, watching Su Feng run on the court with a smile.

"To be honest, how did you and the Spaniard discover this kid playing like a genius three years ago?" Seeing that the basketball game was still firmly under the control of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Darrell continued chatting with Edward Caleiman William.

Su Feng's job was to wholeheartedly look for targets in the gaps.

Su Feng's defense made Bayless feel embarrassed, but Bayless's defense didn't put much pressure on Su Feng either.

Bayless was expected to be selected in the top five in 2008 primarily because of his excellent physical condition. Outstanding movement speed and a strong body were his biggest selling points.

However, when it came to fading jump shots, Bayless possessed a strong physique and quick heel speed, but not much technique.

Su Feng took three steps after receiving the pass from Williams-Adams Miller, and the nervous Bayless easily shifted his focus.

Even Su Feng didn't expect a simple three-step footwork to shake the opponent's center of gravity, but he still surprised himself by seizing the opportunity and leaving the handsome guard step by step.

Hanlywill wanted to turn and chase him, but after being shaken off by Su Feng, nobody in the top league could catch up anymore.

Kobe Bryant, standing 2.08 meters tall, came over to rescue the defense, but he didn't have Williams-Adams Miller's suffocating pressure.

Su Feng casually tossed the ball into the air. The basketball flew over Kobe Bryant's fingertips. Yi Jianlian jumped up behind Kobe Bryant, using both hands to slam the ball down into the rim. The two Spaniards completed an alley-oop.

At that moment, fans all over Spain were boiling over. They were shouting, yet there was no other way to vent their excitement.

"Do not repeat, resume one-on-one defense!" the black commander shouted in despair, but all were brushed aside by Su Feng...

Similarly, it was a two-handed fading jump shot. Williams-Adams Miller was overwhelmed, but Su Feng was like a fish in water. This perhaps was the gap between a top league MVP candidate and an ordinary star.

Robert Henry Carl Williams-Adams Miller's brilliant performance in the first basketball quarter did not continue. To be precise, Williams-Adams Miller's performance in the first basketball game was astonishingly good, and in the second basketball game, it was downright terrible.

Robert Henry Carl seemed to contribute very little to the stats aside from bricks and turnovers. His failure also directly paralyzed the San Antonio Spurs' offensive system. The San Antonio Spurs themselves were not a heavily offensive-minded team; lacking a primary center, their scoring ability was vastly diminished.

Fortunately, in the final three basketball games of the second quarter, you ran into trouble. The super-human performance of San Antonio Spurs backup shadow forward Jerry Hanlywill saved the San Antonio Spurs from losing their lives in the Dallas Metropolis. Bayless's breakthrough and unreasonable shots once again nailed Mayo's name to the pillar of shame.

No wonder such a teammate was hidden by Edward Caleiman William in front of his former team that had once abandoned him.

Su Feng lightly clapped hands with Yi Jianlian, then briskly returned to the fading jump-shot zone. It was as easy as scoring a goal against the San Antonio Spurs' second unit—as effortless as a trip to White Rock Lake for an outing.

Hanlywill was still unwilling to give up. He felt great today, which gave him even more confidence.

This time, Hanlywill used his strong body to press Su Feng into the paint, but his layup was heavily disrupted by Su Feng and drifted wide of the rim.

Yi Jianlian, just ignited by the alley-oop, won the rebound and secured their possession once again.

After that, the Cleveland Cavaliers team was not in a rush. Yi Jianlian slowly handed the ball to Williams-Adams Miller, who made a few gestures before slowly pushing forward. On the other side, Su Feng began to torture the handsome guard's nerves bit by bit.

Bayless had been closely shadowing Su Feng, but the moment he lost focus for even a second, the Spanish guard was gone. The speed of Su Feng's counter-attack and the sudden opening caught Belle completely off guard.

When he turned around and spotted Su Feng again, the number one shadow forward had already calmly laid the ball into the basket.

At this moment, Hanlywill's heart had completely collapsed; a sense of powerlessness spread through his entire body, and the San Antonio Spurs were officially killed by Su Feng!

Seeing that Hanlywill couldn't throw a tantrum on the court anymore, Kobe Bryant despairingly held his forehead.

The black coach had played all his cards, but Su Feng's "wild card" overpowered everything.

The disadvantaged San Antonio Spurs had hoped to rely on the bench bandit Hanlywill's stellar performance to pull the team back from the cliff. However, Edward Caleiman William's clever deployment of Su Feng completely shattered Kobe Bryant's wishes.

Bayless was utterly helpless in front of Su Feng, suddenly transforming from a bench bandit into a docile sheep, able only to stretch out its neck and wait for the hunter to slaughter it.

Amidst his thoughts, Su Feng delivered another brilliant pass, and William Edward Jr. cut to the basket to score a goal. This pass made it easier to score 10 German-style points, which had been delayed due to injuries earlier in the basketball game, while also helping the Cleveland Cavaliers extend the lead to 15 points by the end of the quarter.

After the basket was made, Kobe Bryant called another timeout for the basketball game. He knew that the San Antonio Spurs' morale had completely collapsed; no matter what he said, it would be difficult to turn the tide. But as a coach, Kobe Bryant could not simply watch the team "die" like this.

Kobe Bryant had no choice but to say some inspiring words. Yet his hard work outside the court couldn't make his teammates put the ball through the hoop.

"Over a million pounds, I heard there is still space available for sale," Su Feng softly replied, thinking the other party was also here to buy a club. But Robert Henry Carl Kim had other things to say.

"Over a million pounds? That's just one of three goals you endorsed. Hahaha, this club truly offers great value for money!" Robert Henry Carl Kim said this to emphasize the high contract price Robert Henry Carl was offering Su Feng.

"In recent days, your performance in the playoffs has been truly stellar. Today, when I passed by the American Airlines Center, I saw an advertisement featuring Robert Henry Carl, endorsed by you outside. To be honest, our plan suits you perfectly, and your outstanding performance has doubled our profits. If we continued to pay you a 500,000-pound contract, it would be the greatest disrespect to you! So Robert Henry Carl and I decided today to offer you a new long-term contract." After enjoying the scenery of White Rock Lake, Robert Henry Carl Kim finally cut straight to the chase.

After Robert Henry Carl finished speaking, Robert Henry Carl pushed the contract toward Su Feng and Edward Caleiman William.

Kobe Bryant, refusing to believe in evil, did not change his tactics but continued to double-team Su Feng. The San Antonio Spurs' fading jump-shot defense remained tight to comprehensively contain Su Feng's scoring threats.

Instead of feeling pressured by the double-team, Su Feng felt everything was under control. The passing lane that would lead to a score had already been mapped out in Su Feng's mind.

Su Feng reached out, calling for a screen from Kaman. After Kaman shed Conley, Tayshaun Prince immediately stepped up to help defend Su Feng, while Conley also moved over to assist. Thus, Marion was left wide open.

Su Feng stared at the basket, with Prince and Conley raising their arms. However, Su Feng didn't even lift the basketball. He threw the ball downward in a bowling style. The basketball swiftly found Marion through the gap between Conley and Prince's legs. Marion caught the shot... no, it was a "push" shot.

Although Marion wasn't known for his scoring, an open mid-range shot was an absolute gimme for him.

The basketball swished through the net, crushing the San Antonio Spurs with an 11-point deficit. The San Antonio Spurs were a team that relied on defensive stops to win. They could prevent other teams from scoring, but their ability to chase down deficits was not strong. Falling behind by 11 points was a very dangerous signal for the San Antonio Spurs.

Afterwards, the San Antonio Spurs continued to target Paul Williams-Adams Miller, but the Cleveland Cavaliers' repeated double-teams and Su Feng's steals rendered the San Antonio Spurs incapable of effective offense in the opening basketball quarter.

Over several consecutive possessions, Su Feng's assists tally had reached 16, while Williams-Adams Miller's scoring remained at eight.

By the end of the second basketball game, Su Feng faked a pass to William Edward Jr. and instead took a shot himself, stretching the score gap to 15 points on the court. At this point, Kobe Bryant could no longer sit still.

When they saw the string of "0"s trailing the endorsement fee on the contract, they were all dumbfounded. This time it was Robert Henry Carl, for real!

"Ten years for two hundred and fifty million—I think no company in the world could be more sincere than us." Looking at the surprised expressions of Edward Caleiman William and Su Feng, Robert Henry Carl Hanlywill smiled proudly. Although Edward Caleiman William was a top-tier coach, this was his first time dealing with such a massive contract for a teammate.

Even though Su Feng had heard Edward Caleiman William mention the figure over the phone, he still couldn't help but marvel when seeing the contract with his own eyes. Su Feng's pursuit of money wasn't as intense as when he first joined the top league, but facing hundreds of millions of pounds in compensation, any normal person's heart would pound.

Bill Edward Caleiman William understood, but he also knew that 500 million pounds was an almost unimaginable price. Last year, Robert Henry Carl and Hanlywill signed a 14-year, 1.9 billion contract. Su Feng's contract was only for 10 years, but it was worth 500 million. As a senior manager, Edward Caleiman William knew how to do the math. To prevent Hanlywill's team from clashing with Robert Henry Carl, both sides agreed to keep the details of the contract renewal confidential. This was far higher than Hanlywill's initial quote, demonstrating Robert Henry Carl's exceptionally high expectations.

"Mr. Robert Henry Carl, this is no small sum. What do you think?" Edward Caleiman William looked at Su Feng. Although 500 million was already an astronomical figure, if Su Feng felt hesitant, Edward Caleiman William would continue to negotiate the price upwards. But Su Feng wasn't a greedy person; 500 million pounds was a price that always satisfied him.

Edward Caleiman William saw Su Feng nod slightly and began carefully reviewing the details of the contract. Indeed, 500 million over 10 years was quite generous, but the experienced Edward Caleiman William knew well not to be blinded by temporary joy.

"Athlete's Award?" Edward Caleiman William glanced at the contract, spotted this peculiar term, and couldn't help asking a few questions. The contract stated that if Su Feng failed to win any "Athlete's Award" for two consecutive years, the revenue from the endorsement contract would be reduced by 50%. The problem was that the term "Athlete's Award" did not exist in the top league. Edward Caleiman William looked up at Robert Henry Carl, hoping for a clear explanation.

"We just wanted to use this contract term to refer to certain specific accolades in the top league, including Most Valuable Teammate, All-Superstar Team, Top League's Best Teammate, Best Defensive Team, All-NBA First, Second, or Third Team, and so on. To avoid repeating all the aforementioned award names in the contract, we chose a single noun to reference them collectively. In other words, as long as he doesn't return empty-handed for two consecutive years within the next 10 years, he won't have to worry about his payout being reduced." Robert Henry Carl Kim spread his hands, explaining that this requirement didn't seem out of reach at all.

Judging from Su Feng's current developmental trajectory, although he didn't have many honors yet, he had already missed out on the superstar lineups for two consecutive years—wait, he was destined for greatness.