Chapter 20: A Keen Eye

Chapter 26: Keen Eyes

Many watched with great anticipation, countless people hoping to witness Su Feng's failure. Why should a Chinese player secure a contract worth 100 million yuan? Why do formidable athletes like Lin succeed on the basketball court?

Randolph was pulled outside by Nowitzki, temporarily freeing Marc Gasol. Now, Su Feng faced only Conley—a situation he desired.

So, Su Feng leaped straight into a drive! Confronting Conley’s defense, he raised the ball with one hand and hurled it toward the basket!

The air around them seemed to freeze. All eyes followed the basketball. No one wanted the coach to hinder Su Feng tonight.

Yet, when the scoreboard lit up, the most despairing outcome unfolded!

85 to 108. On the day after Su Feng's ten-year contract was inked, he claimed another playoff victory!

Fans pointed to the stadium, chanting, “This is my house!”

Conley sat painfully on the floor; the Billion-Dollar Man was not so easily toppled.

The shot went in, the net rippled, and the crowd erupted. Was this Su Feng’s first killing spree at England Route Center? Mike Breen couldn’t recall. But he knew, whenever Su Feng delivered, fans would go wild.

Before Su Feng, Conley fell back in shock. For this basket, his defense was excellent. He gave Su Feng intense physical resistance, leaving no easy mismatch. Yet Su Feng, cold as ever, completed the one-handed shot under interference, fully leveraging his height and reach. Seconds earlier, Conley never imagined a seemingly impossible throw could turn into the deadliest strike.

But as Mavericks fans celebrated, the referees stepped in to dampen the scene. Looking to the big screen, it became clear Su Feng’s score hadn’t increased.

The officials couldn’t judge by sight alone whether the shot beat the clock. They needed help from the basketball replay center to make the final call.

The Bulls' players sensed a glimmer of hope. Perhaps time had truly run out? Su Feng’s release did seem a touch late. The coach wouldn’t let the Bulls be pushed to the brink this way.

Several referees gathered at the scorer’s table, reviewing minutes of gameplay for both Bulls and Mavericks. After what felt like ages, they finally reached a consensus and delivered the verdict.

The coach didn’t let the game end, but he played the Bulls a cruel joke.

Upon review, the officials deemed Su Feng’s basket valid. He began his move before time expired, and the shot went in before the buzzer. Meaning—the Bulls would have one more possession!

But how much time remained? When Su Feng started his drive, only 4.3 seconds were left.

The Bulls’ players watched the referees expectantly, who signaled the scorer’s table to return the seconds. Fans craned their necks, eager to learn how much time the Bulls would be granted. Yet, when the timer was reset on the scoreboard, uproar filled the arena.

Marc Gasol felt played. He slammed the basketball to the ground and stormed off in anger. Randolph shouted at the referee; though his voice was drowned out, his lips unmistakably formed some words starting with “f.”

Conley was stuck, unsure whether to protest with his teammates or pick up the ball. Only when Lionel Hollins waved him over did the guard finally leave the court.

On the scoreboard, the number was set back to 0.1 seconds. Yes—just 0.1 seconds. The officials knew what they were doing, but the Bulls' players were left feeling humiliated.

The referees offered hope, only to snatch it away, telling them absurdly, “You’ll still go home with a 2–0 series deficit!”

The Bulls refused to continue, but the officials didn’t care, signaling for play to resume. In a flash, 0.1 seconds passed, and the England Route Center erupted once more after the brief interruption.

The Bulls had performed admirably today, just one step away from toppling the Mavericks. But in the world of BA, there are no ties—only winners and losers. Though the Bulls lost by merely two points, a few seconds was all they needed. Yet the narrow margin forced them back to Memphis trailing 2–0.

Despite the next two games being at home, overturning a 2–0 deficit would not be easy—especially when their opponent was Su Feng, marking his first iconic playoff run.

Carlisle broke into laughter. People claimed “women” were the fastest way to ruin a great player. In basketball history, many fell after succumbing to a woman’s bed.

But Su Feng, on the contrary, seemed to grow more vigorous.

In tranquil surroundings, time always raced by. On May 16th, the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Trailblazers played Game Six at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

So far, both teams fought smart and bravely, knowing each other well in the Western semifinals. After losing two consecutive games, the Trailblazers brought in Ibaka, seeing immediate results. The Spurs responded by starting Matt Bonner in the previous game, achieving a massive victory under the “mountain king’s” watch.

In the second half, Parker sat out with a left foot injury, never returning. Joseph took his place, but the Spurs were barely affected. Instead, the Trailblazers lost their composure, scoring only once in the first four minutes of the third quarter. The Spurs, after a 14–5 run, led 56–54. From then on, the teams tugged back and forth, trading leads several times.

Tension persisted until the last 9.3 seconds, with both teams locked at 103 apiece. Durant initially had a chance to tie the game, but inexplicably fell, and Ginobili snatched the ball.

The Argentine had an opportunity to end the series, but failed to score before time ran out. In despair, both teams entered overtime.

In overtime, many expected the young Trailblazers to dominate. Yet Duncan—the oldest on the court—became a monster, controlling the entire game.

Popovich repeatedly called for Duncan to go one-on-one in overtime, and he delivered each time. Westbrook, impatient, fell into the trap of “mindless isolation,” wasting many opportunities. Despite open teammates, he still forced the ball into crowds.

Ultimately, Duncan’s steady play led the Spurs to win the Western semifinals by three points, earning promotion after six battles.

Westbrook became the focus of the cameras, his four reckless drives sealing the Trailblazers’ fate.

This year, Durant didn’t comfort Westbrook. They walked silently down the players’ corridor, neither speaking.

The veteran Spurs, long considered past their prime, once again overcame numerous rivals, miraculously ascending to the Western summit.

Su Feng watched number 21’s cold, ruthless dominance in overtime on TV, utterly stunned. The Thunder had been slain by him. What about the Mavericks?

He hoped that dream would remain just a dream...

Westbrook unexpectedly became the most talked-about player of the day. His indifference in yesterday’s critical moments directly led to the Trailblazers’ season’s end.

Though Durant claimed everyone was responsible for the loss, his disappointment was clear in the journalists’ lens.

Westbrook attempted 20.9 shots per playoff game this season, sinking only 8.8. He averaged 5.8 three-point attempts, but converted just 28.6%. After reporters compiled these startling numbers, Westbrook was instantly labeled a “cancer.”

The world blamed number 0. Everyone believed the reason for the Trailblazers’ years of frantic effort was Westbrook’s “toxicity.”

While everyone focused on the turtle’s slaughter, Su Feng and Carlisle worried about the silent Spurs’ number 21—a concern rarely mentioned by reporters.

“Isn’t it idiotic for people to see Duncan losing four straight games to Westbrook in overtime and consider Duncan’s performance poor?” Reading the online criticism of Westbrook, Carlisle felt the “turtle” was worthless.

Indeed, Westbrook’s shot selection was problematic. But he wasn’t the only one responsible for the loss. If Duncan hadn’t played like a coach in overtime, the young Trailblazers might have forced a seventh game.

“Should we have Rudy guard Tim?” In the coach’s office, Su Feng discussed strategies against the Spurs with Carlisle. Carlisle was fortunate to have tactical input from Su Feng, knowing he wasn’t someone obsessed with his own drama. At times, Su Feng’s suggestions proved especially valuable.

“No. If Tim forces Rudy into the middle, he’ll suffer most. It’s fine. Let Dirk and his old rival battle to the death.” Carlisle rubbed his temples, pairing Nowitzki with Duncan to see who would kill on offense or ignite the other.