Chapter 106: Injured

Chapter 118: Injured

Yet, Chris William Henry’s dream of making it in the Western Conference might have to be postponed for another year.

When William Henry returned to the teammates’ tunnel and glanced around at his comrades, he found himself utterly speechless. Had he joined the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the Los Angeles Magicians, perhaps he wouldn’t feel so disheartened now.

By this time next year, William Henry would have reached 30 goals. Thirty goals marked a pivotal point in a professional player's career. Once a player passed that threshold, significant progress became elusive, and maintaining their current level was a struggle. Occasionally, there were exceptions—like Duncan, who thrived for decades—but such cases were rare and insignificant in the league.

What about Su Feng? That man hadn’t even reached 24 goals yet. Someone with fewer than 24 goals could still hold himself back like this. If he matured in the coming years, William Henry was certain the gap between himself and Su Feng would only widen.

At that point, Su Feng would become an insurmountable obstacle for William Henry in the Western Conference. William Henry felt deeply frustrated. The Magicians had already played their third game, yet his career still hadn’t broken through.

He hoped the big Los Angeles market would attract more attention.

Yes, William Henry—one of the best point guards in the league—was beginning to lose confidence. Although the series wasn’t over, if the Magicians wanted to win, they had to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers three games in a row.

But facing today’s young Cleveland Cavaliers, accomplishing that was nearly impossible. Beating them three consecutive times? In the regular season, countless teams struggled to win even a single game against the Cavaliers, let alone a streak.

For the Cavaliers, they only needed to win one more game to advance to the top league finals. Which was easier—to win one game or three? Even a student could give the correct answer.

The series was still underway, but in reality, the outcome seemed already decided.

If nothing changed, the Magicians could manage two wins. So now, besides worrying about the Magicians, Carlisle had to prepare in advance for the top league finals.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets had reached a fever pitch. Compared to these two teams, Carlisle immediately felt fortunate. At least the Los Angeles Magicians weren’t as dangerous as the Rockets and the Trail Blazers.

Currently, the Rockets and Trail Blazers were tied 2-2, and the series outcome was completely unpredictable. Carlisle had to prepare for either.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had to be ready defensively if they faced the Trail Blazers. Westbrook and Durant’s explosive scoring would pose a stern test to the Cavaliers’ external trio.

But if the Cavaliers unfortunately met their old rivals, the Houston Rockets… that would be quite tricky. Vickie, Duncan, Ginobili, and Tony Parker were all league veterans. Carlisle preferred facing the Thunder over these old foes.

Last year’s top league finals saw the Cavaliers eliminated by the Rockets. Despite much improvement in that series, Carlisle remained focused.

Everyone knew how strong the Rockets were. People liked to talk about the Cavaliers’ 69 wins, but in truth, the Cavaliers weren’t the only team to surpass 60 wins that season.

A group of veterans led the Rockets to 62 victories. If the Cavaliers didn’t shine too brightly, the Rockets could scare anyone.

Again, people overlooked the low-profile Rockets, but Carlisle did not. As long as GDP and Vickie were on the court, the San Antonio Rockets remained formidable regardless of age!

But Carlisle was not overjoyed. His primary focus was the series against the Magicians. The recently victorious Cavaliers had done many good things.

On May 12, the top league officially announced the rookie of the year list. William Henry was the best rookie on the team.

Gobert ranked lowest among the rookie selections. Carlisle believed the Frenchman would soon become another example of a low-ranked rookie making a successful comeback.

Hearing the news, William Henry was almost euphoric, as if charged with adrenaline. Initially underestimated, he had finally earned personal honors and could claim victory. See? When I looked down on my own team, I was the one who would regret it.

Meanwhile, Gobert was grateful that many teams had underestimated him. It was because of that that he successfully joined the Cavaliers, a club he was willing to fight for. Despite having played only one game for the Cavaliers, he had fallen in love with Dallas and Cleveland.

God still cared for him, despite his draft ranking being far lower than expected.

Romanov’s impact was so forceful that Brand could only raise his arms helplessly, unable to jump higher. Physical confrontations with Brand had no effect on Romanov’s momentum or movement. He gently tossed Lan Qiu up as if certain to win.

Yet, in the next second, Romanov felt darkness before his eyes, the area beneath the basket shrouded in black. Suddenly, Su Feng’s hand shot out from behind Romanov, forcefully pulling Lan Qiu away!

“East!” Lan Qiu crashed into the rim with a dull thud. The arena at West Spanish Route Center erupted in cheers. Romanov knew he was being hunted.

“Haha, what a milestone chase! My goodness, he’s probably one of the league’s top defensive players who chases down the most offensive attempts. This guy’s obsession with hunting down opponents is extraordinary!”

Brand failed to protect the rim, but his block slowed Romanov’s speed. That moment was seized. This chase was a free lesson for Damien!

After landing, Romanov quickly spun around and saw Su Feng charging into the other half. That guy, no need for a landing buffer?

Heng Liwei brought the ball forward, with Batum by his side. The Frenchman was quick to return. Though the French forward appeared sneaky, he was a true wild card. If Heng Liwei dared to recklessly lay down, Batum could provide a screen for the Cavaliers.

Just as Heng Liwei was about to sprint, stepping into the three-second zone, he shook his wrist and passed the ball back! Su Feng reached the apex, responded to Lan Qiuyun’s call, and executed a soaring slam dunk.

Seeing Su Feng take off, Batum missed the perfect moment to seal him off, helplessly watching Su Feng complete a tomahawk slam over his head.

The crowd’s cheers grew louder, but Romanov’s heart sank further. I’ve failed again!

“Cline Damien is definitely not one to show affection to rookies. You could say he’s cold, or that he has a professional attitude. But either way, I’m sure his opponents never like him!”

Su Feng passed the ball triumphantly, Romanov retreated to the baseline to receive it. The two guards exchanged glances, while Su Feng merely cast a cold stare at Romanov. This guy made it clear he wouldn’t be polite or joke around!

The Trail Blazers attacked again. Romanov’s three-point shot beyond the arc nearly became a triple-threat under Su Feng’s interference. Luckily, Lan Qiu grazed the front of the rim, giving Romanov a small opening.

The ball was still missing; the Cavaliers launched another counterattack. Heng Liwei had remained silent for two rounds and finally had the chance to show his strength. After receiving Su Feng’s pass, he cut inside from the wing, heading straight to the basket.

Wesley Matthews struggled, jumping to block Lan’s shot toward the fans. But the referee ruled it was goaltending. Heng Liwei scored two valid points, and the Cavaliers scored three consecutive baskets.

Stotts helplessly pursed his lips. Su Feng had once been every competitor’s nightmare. But he never expected such a “nightmare” to fall upon himself one day.

Romanov was completely outplayed by Su Feng. The Trail Blazers gradually shifted their offensive focus back to Aldridge.

But Aldridge had indeed battled the 2.13-meter Kaman. He could still score, albeit inefficiently. Aldridge’s performance was not bad, just moderate. Yet moderate play could not free the Trail Blazers from the Cavaliers’ grasp.

In the first game, Su Feng’s outstanding organization tore apart the Trail Blazers’ defense with four baskets. What about Romanov? He was still lively. Perhaps in the future, he would become one of the league’s best players, but for now, he was no match for Su Feng!

By the first game’s end, Matthews’ miraculous consecutive three-pointers narrowed the gap to two points. 27 to 31, the Trail Blazers surprisingly trailed.

At the start of the second game, Carlisle did not substitute Su Feng but let him rest longer. Had this been any other game, Carlisle wouldn’t dare do so. But this year, Darren William Adams Miller’s performance exceeded expectations, allowing Su Feng more rest.

After William Adams Miller entered the game, Romanov’s defensive pressure lessened considerably. But that was only because William Adams Miller was reluctant to score himself. His shots remained deadly.

“Darren William Adams Miller is indeed an excellent substitute. With him, the Cavaliers’ depth at the number one position is unparalleled.” Mike William Adams Miller also praised his outstanding performance. It seemed the Cuban’s decision to release veterans and bring in fresh blood was right.

Stotts was surprised to find that even without Su Feng, his team struggled to even the score.

“Hello, Damien. Grateful.”

“Hey, I really like you. I like your playing style, your desperate struggles, and your decision to stay in Dallas this winter. You enjoy basketball chaos, don’t you? I mean, if you had gone to the Lakers this winter, you and Kobe would have easily become the best teammates on the club.” Romanov faced the man he had admired since college, and the speaker didn’t pause for a moment.

“Perhaps everyone craves basketball chaos. In fact, joining the Lakers is another kind of basketball chaos.”

“Haha, you’re exactly as I imagined. People say my sixth man role is a bit unreasonable. But you better not think that way because I will give it my all later.” When a teammate at Ran Qu club completed his war declaration against Su Feng, how did he show respect? Simply by fighting him with genuine spirit!

“Dividing things into high or low is meaningless. Want to prove yourself? Come fight me!” Su Feng laughed, suddenly fond of Romanov—a familiar yet strange opponent.

Strangely, this was only their first meeting. Su Feng seemed very familiar with him, as if Romanov had seen himself before. The boy’s silent exterior always revealed a strong energy!

“Hey, hey, I’m heading to the club first! Don’t hold back; I can take it!” Heng Liwei and Romanov excitedly passed Su Feng, hands clenched and eyes shining.

Su Feng’s ghost passes, Rose’s dream dribbles, Irving’s dazzling turns, William Henry’s all-around wisdom, and Westbrook—all these players pushed basketball’s visual limits during the club’s heyday. No one had expected Romanov then. When he was in college, he occasionally made media headlines and sometimes compared himself to superstars, but by the next day, no one thought of Romanov.

No high scores, no low rankings, no poor physicality, no volatile team influence, no unstable three-point shooting, no ostentatious off-court lifestyle, and a cold demeanor that seemed to deny the outside world a chance to understand him. This could describe Su Feng’s rookie days and also the current Li An’s Damian Lillard.

The two guards drifted in opposite directions in the teammates’ tunnel, but in the end, they were destined to return to the club, glance at each other, and draw their metaphorical swords!

Back in the teammates’ tunnel after changing, Su Feng jumped twice in place. Can’t wait to fight me? I’ll show you what first-class means, kid!

Su Feng was also excited. He didn’t know how many pounds Romanov weighed in college.

Damian Romanov, a lonely warrior always overlooked. Entering the stadium, fans at West Spanish Route Center shouted Su Feng’s name. Who cared about the black-hooded number zero? Despite scoring only 21 points and 7 rebounds in the last game against the Trail Blazers, many still didn’t know who he was.

Aldridge, Batum, even Roy and Oden—the most widely recognized names on the Trail Blazers since landing and searching the world.

Romanov remained an obscure figure, and this newcomer today planned to make a name by defeating Su Feng. Wasn’t Su Feng slaughtered on the way here?

Before the game started, top league photographers successively captured shots of Su Feng and Oje Heng Liwei on the scoring screen. Their performances would directly influence the course of the match. The Trail Blazers excelled offensively but had weak defense. If both sides engaged in an offensive war, the Trail Blazers wouldn’t benefit much.

Before the game began, Carlisle stood at the sidelines, glancing sideways at Stotts, who wore a suit and leather jacket on his side. That man knew not only the Cavaliers but also himself. But now, the Cavaliers were a brand-new club. Su Feng, Robert Henry, and Kobe Bryant were the only three champions. So, what would you do, old man?

With the referee’s whistle, Kaman’s height advantage easily placed the ball into Su Feng’s hands. Romanov instantly leapt into the game, his eyes focused, actively shadowing Su Feng.

Su Feng shook his head gently. The boy was lively but his defense was still at NCAA level. In such a rushed moment, the gap behind Romanov was as wide as the Pacific behind Venice Beach.

Romanov pressed forward, and Su Feng responded with a rapid forward bend. With just one step, he cleared the dazed head.

Although Romanov and Su Feng were about the same age, Su Feng’s two additional years of experience were undeniably useful.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers scored 126 to 99.

Three young clubs, three brilliant winning streaks. The Cavaliers seemed on the path to revival, and Su Feng was elated after the win. Heng Liwei, with a long African-American heritage, perhaps wasn’t as bad as initially thought.

Su Feng still looked forward to the next game, while Heng Liwei had already begun anticipating the weekend’s vibrant nightlife...

Before the game, the top league predicted the Cavaliers would rank eighth in the standings. Experts thought these two basketball clubs had just won the overall best team trophy in the last two games and would be grateful to enter the fiercely competitive playoffs this year.

Robert Henry was aging, Heng Liwei had proven he wasn’t a Houston Rockets superstar, Haywood was a pardoned felon, and the Cavaliers could not rely on Kaman to replace “boxing champion” Tyson. The only star the Cavaliers could count on was Su Feng. But how much of a storm could Su Feng alone stir up in the top league?

Now, top league experts should be very nervous. The Cavaliers had been underestimated before but had now won three consecutive games. After three games, how many teams in the league remained undefeated? One was the Cavaliers, the other the San Antonio Houston Rockets, a traditional Texas club.

A week ago, if someone said the Cavaliers and Rockets were first-class clubs, people would have thought they were crazy. But now, it was true.

The Cavaliers would get a rare rest at home on Sunday with no game scheduled. Although there was no game, Carlisle arranged a noon practice, meaning the players wouldn’t have to wake early that day.

In the teammates’ tunnel, the Cavaliers celebrated their big win with joy. Everyone laughed as if this wasn’t a newly formed team.

“Beautiful victory! Haha, I really want to see what the top league experts say now. Who would have imagined we’d win three straight!” Heng Liwei and Darren William Adams Miller grabbed water bottles as microphones, loudly shouting in the tunnel.

Later, he pretended to be a reporter, “interviewing” teammates with an empty Gatorade bottle.

“And today, you only let Kemba Walker score 10 points. What made you so ruthless?”

“Thanks to my teammates—their active defense eased my defensive pressure. Actually, it’s because Kemba’s shooting was terrible.”

Su Feng and William Adams Miller sang together, causing laughter in the tunnel. Kobe Bryant sat by the locker, smiling slightly, enjoying the cheerful atmosphere. As the team’s age structure grew younger, the tunnel buzzed with vitality. In the past, Terry might crack some painful jokes at most. But now, the entire tunnel was alive.

Oje Heng Liwei stood, walked over to William Adams Miller and Su Feng, and clapped with them. He knew his 30-point game today was half thanks to Su Feng and William Adams Miller.

He truly wanted the Houston Rockets to see the game just finished. Didn’t you choose to give up training Mike Conley and Rudy Gay? Heng Liwei would use his Dallas performance to plunge the Rockets into deep regret!

“Thanks, guys. Your selfless support has benefited me greatly. Hey, no game tomorrow or tonight, let’s go relax at the nightclub. Don’t worry, I’ll find the right girls in Dallas! You two, enjoy yourselves!” Heng Liwei winked at Su Feng and William Adams Miller. They wanted to say “yes” but seemed to remember something and swallowed their words.

“But we have to train tomorrow.” When William Adams Miller recalled the noon practice, his festive spirit vanished.

“Training won’t start at noon. One morning’s rest will be enough! Are you coming too?”

“That’s not right, Heng Liwei. I need to keep in shape tomorrow.” Su Feng waved his hand. He would go to the nightclub. He knew the energy spent there might not be worse than playing basketball.

If Su Feng scored 30 points tonight, he would definitely go home early to rest and conserve energy, striving to maintain good form. Heng Liwei seemed less concerned.

“Well, whatever you like,” Heng Liwei said helplessly, spreading his hands. “I’m going to check out photos from the carnival today. Maybe you’ll be interested.”

Afterward, Heng Liwei returned to his locker and continued changing. He was in good form now.

[End of chapter]