Chapter 115: Dealing With You

Chapter 127: Settling You

"Damn fate!" The boy gritted his teeth unwillingly.

"Hey, hey, I’m sorry. You know, professional teammates sometimes need to vent their emotions. It’s unexpected that during peacetime, the pandemic seemed calm, yet it was actually severe." Robert Henry sat in the security secretary’s office at the Chesapeake Energy Club. He shouldn’t have been here. More precisely, none of the senior team managers should have been here. But Robert Henry came because of Su Feng.

"To be honest, Mr. Robert Henry, whether the cabinet breaks down or not doesn’t matter much. Fixing it won’t take long. The main concern is the athlete’s health. If I break my hand today in the players’ tunnel, I can’t afford it." The security director shook his head, sipping his coffee, while a teammate furiously punched a huge hole in the locker room door in the players’ tunnel. It was his first time seeing that.

"Yes, but I understand him too… I tried my best despite cramps, but still couldn’t win the basketball game…" Robert Henry stopped halfway through. Who could he complain to? The security director was right there in front of him, and besides, Su Feng himself had not complained.

"He’s a good kid. Although I work at the Chesapeake Energy Club, my son is also a fan. Today, he finally made it. I’m glad my son has such an idol. At least, it’s better than liking those quirky pop singers."

"Haha, I didn’t expect Oklahoma to have fans too. It’s not too early yet. I’ll call Mr. Westbrook for compensation." "Sorry to trouble you," Robert Henry said as he got up to leave. It was because Su Feng had broken the locker door in the Chesapeake Energy Club’s visiting team players’ tunnel that Robert Henry came here to negotiate with others. Why didn’t he bring Su Feng? That guy probably didn’t have the mood to deal with such nonsense now.

Back on the team bus, Su Feng remained silent, his face expressionless. He simply collapsed into the leather seat, savoring every violent shot and every second of recovery.

32 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal, and calf cramps. Su Feng gave his all. People called him the super rookie, the next superstar, the incredible Westbrook… but these titles meant nothing to Su Feng. Only victory made him feel at ease.

When did I become so desperate to win? Perhaps Su Feng’s thirst for victory had always been there, but he had never realized it. In the past, he thought he was just playing professional basketball to earn money, but since encountering the O’Brien Cup, it seemed he had opened Pandora’s box. Money could no longer satisfy him. He craved victory and honor.

3-2, the team was pushed to the brink. Even though the Houston Rockets had won another game, another round, and even another ball! The Cleveland Cavaliers would lose the basketball game badly.

It wasn’t helplessness that made Su Feng despair. In fact, he had done his utmost, yet still fell short of expectations.

When Su Feng pondered alone, Robert Henry finally boarded the bus. Once inside, he looked at Su Feng with concern, but seeing his exhausted demeanor, he decided not to disturb him. What the boy needed now was rest, not lectures.

"Come on, Anderson. Let’s head to the airport." Robert Henry greeted the driver as the bus, laden with athletes, slowly left the Chesapeake Energy Club.

But when we returned to Dallas, was there truly hope?

One Word

"Thirty-two violent shots and six violent shots, yesterday’s stats are straightforward…"

"Awesome! He was once again the highest scorer in the game. Robert Henry had one less violent shot than him. Can you imagine? A sophomore beating Robert Henry in a violent shot battle? I know what you want to say about Rick, the stats are good!" Back in Dallas, Robert Henry voluntarily came to Westbrook’s office, wholeheartedly discussing with the team owner.

Westbrook, excited when talking about Su Feng’s stats yesterday, interrupted Robert Henry and loudly boasted about Su Feng. The overweight owner only saw that he had seized a treasure but didn’t see the greasy cat inside.

"No, Henry, I’m not trying to tell you how good his stats are. Thirty-two violent shots and six violent shots, to me, that’s very abnormal." Robert Henry spread his hands, hoping Westbrook would pay attention to what he said next.

"Why abnormal? His shooting percentage is also high."

"He is also an organized center, and I admit he is capable of violent shots."

The Houston Rockets teammates cheered, their fans rejoiced, and the entire Chesapeake Energy Club had become a sea of joy. Su Feng and the other Cleveland Cavaliers suffered in this atmosphere of jubilation.

The Cleveland Cavaliers stood at 3-2 on the edge of a cliff. Lose one more game, and the best defensive players would be eliminated in the second round. Su Feng had created his masterpiece this playoff season, but his team was in crisis.

Should we accept the fate of defeat? Su Feng returned to the players’ tunnel and punched the locker door, smashing a large hole.

However, on the court, they rarely attack from start to finish alone but involve the whole team to drive the offense. The standard stat line is 20+10. The reason he scored 32 violent shots and 6 assists was that no one else around stood up, so he had to work alone. The result was more points but fewer assists. Robert Henry clearly understood that Su Feng should have restrained himself yesterday. After all, this wasn’t the basketball style he was familiar with.

"What do you want to say, Rick? You and I don’t have to beat around the bush." Cuban wasn’t angry but patiently asked his manager.

"I want to say… if our basketball game ends in the Westbrook semifinals, this summer, I hope you bring in a few more helpers. You know, real helpers! You have to admit, Henry, Dick is old, Jet is old, Jason retired. The team we won with last year has completely fallen apart. We need fresh blood and new strength. If you don’t know who to sign, you can ask me, Henry, even. For Henry, this is a time of change. If the team continues to age like this, we’ll lose competitiveness sooner or later. Even if we don’t leave, we’ll lose it. He can work hard for three or four years, but in the long run, people get discouraged. Look at LeBron. Didn’t he leave Miami for the world’s best teammates? I bet you won’t want to fight the lottery in a few years." When Robert Henry finished speaking, he didn’t avoid Westbrook’s gaze. Like Paul, when they started scoring wildly, Su Feng and the team had problems.

Westbrook lowered his head to think for a moment but hadn’t expected his manager to say this all of a sudden. Last summer, my hand surgery was a mess. I not only gave up many excellent teammates’ puzzle pieces but also some new signings were useless.

Odom’s companion is almost autistic now, with no feeling for the team. Delonte West, not to mention Henry, had a terrible shooting incident. Both men didn’t help the team at all but only turned the players' tunnel into a mess.

Perhaps it’s time to discuss transfer plans with teammates and coaches. The team belongs to everyone, not just him and Nelson. Only those who play on the court know what kind of teammates they want most.

"I see, Rick. I know what you mean. Don’t worry, I don’t want to leave." Westbrook smiled and nodded at Robert Henry.

Although seeing Su Feng nail a high ball was refreshing, it was best to listen to the coach.

One Word

After a grueling day of special games, Su Feng and his teammates prepared to go home. In the Westbrook semifinals, Su Feng never practiced extra. He knew that persisting through special games in such exhaustion was chronic suicide. He would give his all on the court to battle Kobe Bryant.

After saying goodbye to William Adams Miller in the parking lot, Su Feng opened the door of his heavy pickup truck to leave. But just as he was about to get in, a man suddenly hugged him from behind.

"Haha, surprise!" Van Nistelrooy suddenly jumped in front of Su Feng. The lively female basketball player smiled brightly, contrasting sharply with Su Feng’s melancholy.

"Why are you here?" Seeing Wagner suddenly appear before him, Su Feng couldn’t help but smile. In the past, only when Su Feng saw his mother, Wen Xue, did he feel such emotions.

"I said I’d come watch you play, but unfortunately, some business activities delayed it these days. Hey, aren’t you going to hug me? How long has it been since we last met?" Van Nistelrooy voluntarily came closer. That Westbrook girl was still so enthusiastic, as if melting Su Feng’s ice.

"I…" Su Feng wanted to stop and hug the Westbrook girl. Suddenly he felt warmth, and his heart warmed too…

"Also."

"Hmm?"

"Why do you keep frowning?"

The second round of playoffs was evidently harsher than the first. In the East, the Heat and Pacers fought fiercely, and the unpopular Pacers seemed determined to overthrow the Big Three. The old Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers battled the 76ers. In Westbrook, the Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t say much. When two teams met, blood would surely flow. From the start, the Houston Rockets-Cleveland Cavaliers series had entered a white-hot stage!

Today was the third game for both sides, and the basketball team came to Dallas for the first time in the Westbrook semifinals. Although fans were worried, they remained enthusiastic. In the Westbrook Route Center, which held nearly 20,000, everyone, familiar or not, beat the Dallas drum with their own cheers.

Today’s basketball battle saw Su Feng continue his excellent form. Last year, William Adams Miller led Su Feng to slaughter opponents everywhere. This year, Su Feng led a group of old friends forward tirelessly.

After being injured by Su Feng’s break in the last game, Henry told Kobe Bryant to defend Su Feng’s drive today.

Su Feng did not disappoint, thanking Henry’s goodwill with two points and three points in the first game.

"If anyone still thinks these three points aren’t a threat, they’re completely self-destructive! This game also had a three-point shooting percentage of 41.3%. That’s not a number to ignore! William Adams Miller, I admit his three-point performance in the game was unsatisfactory, but he’s old school. Our hero Shaq, who watched the water cooler from the sidelines last year, has changed a lot this year. Look at what I can say about the game." When explaining Su Feng’s three violent shots, William Adams Miller did not forget to mention Henry.

Su Feng’s three-point winning streak was just his first appearance in the heat today. After the basketball game, the Cleveland Cavaliers would lose all their form at home. William Adams Miller, the most reliable scorer besides Su Feng, had failed multiple times today. Henry was a nerve-wracking presence.

To compensate for William Adams Miller’s injury, Robert Henry even increased his playing time today. Henry did score a few points, but in the playoff stage, his role was still too minor.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had already stretched thin in personnel, and their lineup weaknesses were undoubtedly exposed. But Su Feng kept the Cavaliers ahead with his outstanding performance.

Shooting, Su Feng changed his old style today, shooting indifferently at Kobe Bryant.

At 15, when Su Feng was 12, he led the sickly Cleveland Cavaliers to a narrow victory over the Houston Rockets with an astonishing shooting percentage.

After the game, back in the players’ tunnel, Su Feng didn’t even have the strength to shower. He slumped before the locker, breathing hard for a long time before recovering.

Robert Henry was distressed. He knew Su Feng’s stamina was exhausted. More than that, every subsequent game would be affected!

31 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Su Feng again achieved a perfect record in the playoffs. His name was thoroughly established in the league. In the past, people only regarded Su Feng as William Adams Miller’s follower. But now, everyone knew he was the real master of Dallas!

The playoffs were a stage for rapid fame, and Su Feng was undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing teammates. But this did not make Su Feng happy, because the team was still in danger.

In the next two games, the teammates not only had to keep working hard but also had to travel back and forth between Dallas and Oklahoma. This was nothing to the Rockets, but it was a fatal blow to the aging Cleveland Cavaliers and the physically weak Su Feng.

In the fourth game of the Dallas series, Su Feng did not defend at home. Robert Henry and Kobe Bryant scored 51 points, tearing apart the Cavaliers’ shaky defense in one-on-one play again and again. In the end, it had to break down.

Su Feng still scored 26 good points, but William Adams Miller’s 17 violent shots contribution obviously did not help the team win.

"Henry is old, Henry is really old. Although only a year apart, this year’s Henry and last year’s Henry are like two different people!" After the game, William had no choice but to say this. It wasn’t that Su Feng wasn’t good enough, nor was Henry. It was time—too merciless.

After the game, the series was tied 2-2. Whoever won the next game would take the crucial lead.

Returning to basketball in Oklahoma, Su Feng was still struggling to complete his special games.

In the final moments, despite Robert Henry’s foul, the situation did not change. 107 to 100, the Houston Rockets ultimately won at home.

When William Adams Miller and Henry collected the game data, they were surprised to find that the highest scorer today was neither Robert Henry, Kobe Bryant, nor Harden. Instead, he scored 9 points but was still beaten by Su Feng, who scored 31.

"Alas, it’s a pity the Cleveland Cavaliers lost today." William Adams Miller sighed regretfully; Su Feng was the best performer today. But there was no way out. The Dallas Cleveland Cavaliers really needed an upgrade.

The Cavaliers were tied 1-1 in the playoffs. Afterward, the battleground would shift to Dallas. But Su Feng knew well that even returning home, fighting would still be difficult with ten violent shots.

Dallas Cavaliers fans had been tense and uneasy lately. Maybe the first round with the Clippers went too smoothly, or the Rockets were too terrifying. In any case, when the game came to Dallas, fans felt great hope, but danger was spreading.

"They’re too strong. They have the youngest scorers. We only have a group of veterans no longer brave."

"Yeah, it’s too hard. Without Kidd, the Cavaliers have no useful centers on the bench. Yesterday we made 45 calls. What are you doing? No one can stand it."

"The longer the game drags on, the worse it is for us. Our lineup is relatively old; we can’t physically compare to others. So you see, the Rockets won yesterday with the last thing you did."

In Dallas, friends and relatives often discussed the playoffs after meetings. Most of what they talked about was negative. This year, even Dallas fans themselves were somewhat depressed.

In fact, the Houston Rockets were a strong team. But Su Feng did not believe he would lose. Since college began, he had been doing the same thing—facing bigger challenges.

"Do you want me to keep you company? You must be under pressure lately." Van Nistelrooy was far away in Westbrook, worried about the Cavaliers’ negative news. She was also a professional player and knew how much public opinion affected athletes.

"You can come watch the game, but I might not have much time to accompany you." Honestly, last year’s playoffs allowed Su Feng to hang out with Li Wagner. But this year, in such a critical moment, Su Feng really didn’t feel like it.

"It’s okay. I’ll cheer for you. I haven’t yet repaid you for what you did for me in the All-Star Game." Van Nistelrooy’s voice suddenly became so alluring that Su Feng, a boy, could understand what “reward” meant.

"By the way, I bought you a lucky bracelet a few days ago. If you wear it before the game, you’ll be lucky."

"Westbrook?"

"Westbrook’s traditional hand-woven craft, others can’t find it even if they want to buy it!" Van Nistelrooy proudly boasted. "My teammate bought one herself in the past, and her condition immediately improved in the second half of the game. Trust me, it works!"

Su Feng never believed in fate or luck. But he knew this was Wagner’s intention, so he was happy.

"Thank you, Wagner."

"No, you shouldn’t say that!" Van Nistelrooy screamed on the other end of the phone, followed by a mischievous laugh.

"Then what should I say?"

"You should say, thank you, darling." Then, the girl’s laughter came from the other end.

Su Feng blushed slightly. He looked around to make sure no one was nearby. "O-okay... thank you... thank you, darling..."

"Oh my, what did you just say?" Henry had just walked into the players’ tunnel, and "darling" jumped into his arms.

Su Feng’s face turned from red to white like a thief caught by the police.

"Damn it, jet! You didn’t hear anything!"

"Hahaha, yeah, yeah, I heard nothing." In the players’ tunnel of Westbrook Route Center’s hall, a long-awaited laugh finally emerged…

One Word

After talking to Wagner on the phone, Su Feng’s accumulated negative emotions truly eased a lot. Being with that girl was really good. She seemed to relax you anytime, letting down all your guard and burdens. Even if you weren’t by her side, a phone call could brighten Su Feng’s mood.

Of course, Henry was the happiest. He grabbed Su Feng’s "hand" and “wore” a pair of shoes after today’s special game.

{End of Chapter}