Chapter 48: The King of Scoring

Chapter 60: The Scoring King

“Coming from you, that’s quite an honor, William Tell.” Kobe Bryant didn’t reply with any sharp words; it was just that, in the top league, some teams and coaches could become stiff and awkward if they looked either up or down on others. The Cleveland Cavaliers had just taken the championship from Staples Center today. There was no need to sell cheap goodwill.

“Mm...” William Tell Jackson gave a slight nod, then turned away. As the Zen Master turned, that impeccably formal smile instantly vanished from his face.

Before the game, William Tell Jackson had been pondering one question: Would the Dallas Cleveland Cavaliers pose a real threat to their three-peat? Now, the Zen Master had his answer—yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers were already a threat!

Kobe Bryant watched Jackson disappear into the players’ tunnel, then stood by the court, gazing at his teammates still celebrating their victory. Su Feng was still surrounded by his teammates, and Kobe couldn’t help but smile at his silly, stunned expression.

Can you really master the three-point shot in a single night? Of course not. If it were that easy, every shooter in the league would be worthless. Kobe still believed that if the Cavaliers faced the Lakers again, it would be much harder for Su Feng to hit those threes. But the guy’s persistence, sweat, and his desire to win had at least earned him something tonight. After hearing Dirk’s story, Su Feng had practiced his three-point shot until midnight after their defeat against the Grizzlies. Such people are rare. Who else could do this?

It didn’t matter how Su Feng made those threes tonight. What mattered was that he had forged himself into a true hero.

“Well done, kid!” Kobe muttered to himself as he walked toward the tunnel. He didn’t disturb the emotional players; let them savor their victory.

“25 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, 62.5% from three, 66.7% overall, and a true shooting percentage of 87.5%. No, don’t get me wrong—this isn’t Kobe Bryant’s stat line, but today’s rookie! Without a doubt, this newcomer has become the hero of Staples Center!” Van Gundy glanced at Su Feng’s stats and grinned at the dazzling numbers. He couldn’t look away. A Chinese guard, just like Yao Ming, always seemed to surprise the world.

“Jeff, this kind of performance is no fluke. Six consecutive games with 20 points—he’s been in top form. If Dirk can adjust quickly, the Cavaliers will become unstoppable.” Mike Breen was still astonished by the Lakers’ powerful ball control, but in the final minute, the defending champions had become mere background for the Cavaliers’ miraculous comeback and Su Feng’s heroics.

On the court, the players began their post-game interviews and filed toward the tunnel. Su Feng was about to leave when he saw the man in jersey number 24 waving to him from the far side of the court.

Clearly, the commander of the purple-and-gold army was waiting for him.

“I finally understand why Devin always praises you. You’re a true warrior, kid.” The fierce, obsessive competitor now wore a relaxed smile. Kobe had put up 21 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds, shooting 55%—a double-double. But compared to Su Feng, it was still second best.

Since the regular season, players’ physical reserves had been stretched to the limit; the early-season passion was fading, and fluctuations in performance were only natural.

But Kobe had no time to dwell on these issues. They were all professionals; only the players themselves could stabilize their form.

After losing to the Bulls, the Cavaliers flew to New Jersey. It took Dirk six final seconds to break through.

Two days later, when people had lost faith in the Cavaliers, they defeated the Clippers at home, giving no quarter to champion Griffin.

Griffin put up 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Su Feng tallied 23 points, 11 assists, and a steal. Statistically, it seemed balanced, but in terms of efficiency, Su Feng’s outside shooting was superior. This game proved why he topped the official rookie rankings.

After that big win, the Cavaliers seemed to slow their pace. They won their next two games against the Rockets and the Hawks, with no particular surprises from Su Feng or Dirk.

By then, it was January 29th. Though January had been rocky and not as dazzling as December’s winning streak, at least Kobe could breathe easier—the team had finally found its rhythm and returned to form.

From now until the end of the season, Su Feng and William Adams were no longer friends, nor even acquaintances. The two were now each other’s greatest rivals.

It was do or die—basketball leaves no room for ties. Would William Adams devour Su Feng, or would Su Feng extinguish William Adams’s madness?

Fans around the world were ready to find out.

Before the game began, Madison Square Garden was packed to the rafters. Many fans without tickets gathered outside, watching on a giant LED screen. TNT, ESPN, and CBS were all broadcasting the game nationwide. Ratings on all three networks were soaring—even the Christmas Day games couldn’t match today’s anticipation.

One of the most incredible moments in top-league history was unfolding in New York. In this hotly anticipated matchup, there was no Kobe, no Bryant, no LeBron, no Howard, no Garnett—only two young guards, both just starting out. And both were Asian.

In January, Su Feng’s superhuman performances had swept through the league. Thirteen wins in fifteen games; countless stars had been toppled by the number-one guard in Dallas.

In February, “Linsanity” soared in New York. With Anthony sidelined by injury, Su Feng and William Adams formed a perfect backcourt, leading the Knicks to unimaginable feats.

Such performances defied superlatives—even the President of the United States couldn’t resist their magic. According to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, the basketball-obsessed President, busy with his campaign, used his free time on Air Force One to discuss Adams’s three-point dagger against the Raptors with his staff.

“It’s a great legend—the President emphasized that again and again,” Carney said. Even though the President was a loyal Bulls fan, “he believes William Adams’s rise is a great story, transcending the meaning of sports itself.”

When two storms of madness collide, the impact is enough to blow up all of New York City. But the fans don’t care. If Su Feng and William Adams don’t deliver an explosive game, it would be the greatest disrespect possible!

“I can’t imagine how crazy this game will be. Jeremy and Jeremy were once summer league teammates. It’s said they were good friends—but now, I’m sure they’re thinking only about how to outdo each other!” The referee signaled both teams to take the court. Mike Breen was restless; the warlike mood had already gripped the crowd.

On the court, both teams’ players stepped onto the hardwood. Before the tip, Anthony patted William Adams on the shoulder. One had to admit, D’Antoni’s leadership hadn’t worked out perfectly for either Stone or Anthony. Even after Linsanity, the Knicks sat at a disappointing 15-16. That wasn’t D’Antoni’s fault—it was the Knicks’ front office, who, regardless of his coaching philosophy, kept stockpiling stars.

To acquire Anthony, the Knicks’ management gave up half their team. D’Antoni strongly opposed the deal, but there was nothing he could do. New York, they believed, needed a superstar. Anthony arrived, but the Knicks became a mess.

Recently, however, Anthony’s injury and Adams’s emergence had given D’Antoni a taste of his Phoenix days. Adams fit his system perfectly. Together, they created miracles that swept the world.

So before the game, D’Antoni patted Adams’s shoulder with high hopes. If the Knicks’ management hadn’t chased stars so blindly, perhaps things would be even better now.

Hearing Anthony’s words, Adams turned and strode into the arena. The roaring noise in Madison Square Garden’s grand hall seemed to drown out the entire East Coast.

On the big screens, the cameras zoomed in on Adams’s magical number 17. Fans around the world watched his face in close-up.

On the other side, Su Feng was stretching as usual. He had once been Adams’s teammate—he knew Adams had the potential for greatness. But sorry, friend, tonight your legend will not continue in New York!

“The Cavaliers’ roster is incomplete, so they’ll have to start England’s Maximi at center. For the Knicks, Landry Fields will replace the injured Anthony as starting small forward. Even so, the injuries won’t diminish the spectacle. As long as he and Lin are on the floor, there’s no way this game will be boring!”

Three days after the Cavaliers advanced, the Houston Rockets eliminated them 4-1, becoming the second Western Conference finalist this year.

As the Cavaliers and Rockets met again, fans of both teams instantly launched a war of words online. This summer’s Western Conference firestorm seemed destined to ignite all of Texas.

Watching the Rockets coast into the finals and seeing Popovich interviewed by reporters, Kobe Bryant felt the pressure mounting as he sat before his TV. His team would have to face Houston, and Kobe himself would have to face Popovich.

“Coach Popovich, congratulations on reaching the Western Conference Finals! What do you think of your next opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers?” the reporter’s voice came through the TV. Kobe stared at the screen, waiting to hear Popovich’s verdict.

Popovich looked into the camera, as if peering straight through the TV into Kobe’s eyes. Kobe gripped the sofa armrest, tense.

“What do I think? I just stand on the sidelines.”

The old man replied in his usual tone, leaving the reporter smiling and crying at the same time.

Kobe laughed. He appreciated Popovich’s wit and coaching ability. But facing him in the playoffs was never a good thing.

San Antonio Rockets? They’re no easy opponent.

The San Antonio Rockets and the Dallas Cavaliers were Western Conference, Texas, and Southwest Division powerhouses—superpowers of the West. Dallas had Dirk, Houston had William Tell; the Cavaliers once had their “Big Three,” the Rockets had the “GDP.” Every year, the battles between these teams were fierce and unforgettable.

In both regular season and playoff history, they’d met many times.

Now, both teams were entering a period of transition. The Cavaliers were now fully Su Feng’s team; the San Antonio Rockets had cultivated a superstar rookie in Leonard.

These old foes were meeting again, this time on the battlefield of the Western Conference Finals. Texas fans were ecstatic. Who could have imagined the Western Finals would become an all-Texas showdown?

All of Texas was swept up in the finals fever, but Houston fans could only watch as the state’s other two teams topped the Western Conference, while their own team missed the playoffs entirely.

San Antonio and Dallas were just over 300 kilometers apart—a short drive. More importantly, the Cavaliers had charter flights for their players.

Meeting the Rockets in the Western Finals meant the Cavaliers wouldn’t have to waste energy on long road trips. The bad news was that Houston was among the toughest playoff opponents.

These days, many reporters camped outside the ATT Center, eager for Popovich’s take on the Cavaliers. But Popovich would either crack a cold joke or remain silent. Clearly, the old man wouldn’t comment on his opponents before the game; to him, such talk was meaningless.

In Dallas, Kobe led his players in intense preparation. The San Antonio Rockets were a strong, unified team—defense, offense, stability. They had no glaring strengths, but no weaknesses either.

Don’t think Houston is all about team basketball just because their stars aren’t dominant: William Tell, Parker, Ginobili, the young Leonard—these are no ordinary men. They’re all future Hall of Famers.

On paper, the Cavaliers lagged far behind Houston. But basketball games aren’t won by paper—victory or defeat must be decided on the court.

As the Western Conference Finals approached, the anxiety among players grew. This season, the Cavaliers and Rockets met five times in the regular season. Both teams won and lost; neither had a clear advantage.

That’s what made the Cavaliers so anxious—they knew just how tough Houston would be. Playoff Houston was a different beast from regular season Houston. The Western Finals would be brutal.

The tangled, fateful rivalry between the Rockets and Cavaliers had been hyped like a prime-time melodrama—everyone knew about it. Because of Su Feng’s emergence, the Cavaliers had miraculously reached the Western Finals this year; the team was more fired up than ever.

After practice, the Rockets’ players walked from the training court to the locker room, reporters following, peppering them with questions about the Cavaliers.