Chapter 23: Shooting Is Actually Quite Simple

Chapter 34: Shooting Is Actually Quite Simple

"This is top-tier defense, kid!" Henry stared at Su Feng in surprise, but he wasn't disappointed. Su Feng was more frustrated during the summer league than in regular season games. After all, failure is the mother of success.

McGee stripped Su Feng of the basketball and handed it to Wall, who sprinted down the court at full speed. Everyone knows that once Su Feng is tired, no one can catch him—especially Wall, who is just a bit faster than Su Feng.

The foundation of the Wizards' team-building was their ability to leap high and cut through defenses with ease, astonishing everyone with their athleticism.

After scoring, Wall proudly flashed two fingers toward the fans. He had already scored twice in front of Su Feng! "Don't worry, kid! Be careful, you'll be fine!" The assistant coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Terry Stotts, who was leading the team in the summer league, roared to calm Su Feng's emotions. Careful... careful...

Su Feng's breakthrough in front of Wall and Sun Yue delighted the fans. Yet so far, the Flower Exhibition had not scored. Cavaliers fans who had come to watch the game live shouted once again, cheering for their young Flower Exhibition.

Despite the rising atmosphere in the arena, Su Feng's internal temperature was dropping. It wasn't because he was frustrated, but because the point guard approached every option with seriousness and caution. Excessive enthusiasm only leads to loss of judgment!

Wall and McGee's defense complemented each other perfectly. Players who prove themselves on top-tier courts aren't necessarily versatile; reckless breakthroughs only lead you into defensive traps. Su Feng's task was to find the gap between Wall and McGee.

This time, Su Feng and William Adams didn't perform their "duet." It was a direct pass, letting William Adams control the ball on the outside!

William Adams was at the top. After receiving the ball, he felt more in rhythm. Su Feng? Su Feng didn’t stop to watch but immediately ran.

Wall's attention was focused on Su Feng, while McGee was centered on William Adams, who held the ball. After all, this Harvard standout could score a dozen points in the summer league.

Su Feng slipped along the baseline from the left side of the basket to the lower right corner. William Adams made a breakthrough and sent the ball to Su Feng.

As soon as Su Feng got the ball, Wall closed in. But at this moment, McGee's position was drawn away by William Adams, who stood just a bit off!

Su Feng charged in without hesitation! Wall was close, but the Dallas Flower Exhibition showed that the number one wasn’t about to stop.

McGee gradually adjusted his defensive position, intending to join Wall in the fight!

It seemed Su Feng still couldn't find a solution. As the converging number one was about to crash into McGee's arm, Su Feng flicked his wrist, and the basketball slipped through McGee's legs.

McGee rushed back, but the Cavaliers' white center, Omar Samhan, picked up the ball and scored beneath the basket. This failed rookie, a Cuban, finally got his chance through the top-tier league.

Su Feng still hadn't scored, but the Cavaliers’ basket was a success. Su Feng wasn’t anxious. He knew opportunities must be cultivated slowly.

In the following rounds, the much-discussed McGee often scored in the paint. In fact, McGee's independent scoring ability wasn't strong, but faced with a failed draft pick, he hadn’t played badly.

Yet, the Cavaliers flourished under Su Feng’s organization. Although Su Feng’s passes might not directly turn into assists, they were certainly key to breaking through the Wizards' defense.

However, after Su Feng was substituted for rest, the Cavaliers began losing points repeatedly. The gap between the two teams widened quickly, becoming difficult to bridge.

Terry Stotts knew the purpose of the summer league wasn’t to win games, but to train summer league players or select a contract worthy of Cuban’s signature.

No matter the purpose, Stotts felt the moment was at hand. The team was trailing by eight points and in trouble. Only three minutes remained; time was limited. This scene was the best test for Su Feng and William Adams!

"Go!" Stotts called a timeout. He didn’t want to set up any tactics—after all, summer league players rarely used subtle plays. Everyone was fighting for a professional contract. Individual performance mattered most.

Stotts called the timeout simply to switch out the two yellow-skinned guards.

The Wizards’ assistant coach saw this and responded in kind, bringing McGee and Wall back in. This guy wanted to keep the Cavaliers under control!

"I want you to tie the score by the end of the first quarter!" Stotts' tone was stern, leaving no room for doubt. He knew, after a few simple plays, it was time to apply pressure to the Flower Detector.

Su Feng glanced at McGee and Wall, then nodded.

The basketball soared through the air, directly passed by Su Feng into Peja's hands. Fortunately, Peja reacted quickly, reaching for the ball with a conditioned hand. Had it been someone else, Su Feng’s pass would have been a mistake.

As people turned their heads on the basketball track, Peja pulled up for the shot.

Despite the critical moment and immense pressure, Peja wouldn’t waste the opportunity of a wide-open look.

"Rebound! Protect the rebound!" McMillan was furious, his saliva practically dripping onto the court, but this time, the Trail Blazers still failed to protect their basket. Peja's shot sailed straight into the net.

"Again! An imaginary pass! My God, does this guy have eyes in the back of his head? How did he do that! The whole game felt as if it lacked a true point guard, but in the final minute, the Cavaliers were eliminated! Unbelievable pass, pinpoint shot! The Cavaliers are up by two, they're up by two!" Kenny Smith’s voice trembled, as if his heart couldn’t bear such excitement.

"Ha ha, how about that?" After scoring, Peja excitedly high-fived Su Feng in celebration.

Su Feng and Peja gently slapped hands, but said nothing. Instead, he continued to stretch out his arms and pat the hardwood floor beneath his feet. He wanted to win! For the ones he loved.

This time, William Adams brought the ball across half court alone. At this moment, in the hearts of Trail Blazers fans, the player wearing number seven was a god. They believed God would save the city!

Since William Adams was controlling the ball, Su Feng naturally became his defender. After all, Terry’s height disadvantage gave William Adams endless sweet spots.

Time was running out, and the Trail Blazers were still behind. So William Adams didn’t waste a second. He called for two screens and then, like a sharp knife, broke through.

Seeing this, Su Feng didn’t get tangled up with the two elders who had moved up, but instead turned and ran directly behind. Of course, he bit onto William Adams! Ursulu language.

Just as William Adams thought he had shaken off the defense, Su Feng immediately stripped the ball from behind. William Adams had to sigh—he really wasn’t as fast as he used to be. Of course, Su Feng’s explosive start was one reason he could catch up.

Seeing Su Feng repost, William Adams suddenly stopped, pulling up for a jump shot just inside the free throw line!

William Adams thought his sudden stop would cause the fast-running Su Feng to overshoot due to inertia. But to William Adams' surprise, Su Feng’s brakes were just as timely!

Fully focused, Su Feng wasn't fooled by William Adams. He hit the brakes almost simultaneously and leaped with William Adams.

As William Adams fired, Su Feng’s defense was right there in front of the Yellow Mamba.

"Your defense is excellent! He didn't give Brandon any chance!"

Su Feng began to push forward relying on William Adams. Just as Su Feng was about to pass the ball, Childpe Bacon Bruce suddenly rushed in front of Dirk! This guy blocked the passing lane!

"I'm dizzy!" Carlisle knew this tactic wouldn't work. Yet, he didn’t stop moving—in other words, the fate of the Trail Blazers was now entirely in the hands of rookie Su Feng!

What should they do now? No one would tell Su Feng. As a point guard, Su Feng could only rely on his own judgment when the situation on the court changed in an instant.

Now the passing lanes were completely blocked; Su Feng decided to break through directly!

Thus, Su Feng ran all the way to the baseline, leaning on William Adams. But William Adams always blocked between Su Feng and the basket, and there wasn’t much time left on the shot clock.

Su Feng had no other choice. At the right baseline of the basket, he suddenly pivoted left as if about to turn and jump for a shot.

As William Adams shifted his weight to jump and cover, Su Feng suddenly pivoted left with his right foot as the axis.

Then, Su Feng jumped back directly, falling into a desperate position. He could only throw the ball from behind the backboard on the baseline!

"Your footwork is beautiful, but the shot is too difficult!"

The basketball arced high. Because Su Feng wanted not only for the ball to reach the rim but also to hit the backboard. Meeting both requirements at once wasn’t easy.

As Su Feng launched the ball into the air, he felt everything around him freeze. The busy Rose Garden grew silent; in his ears, only his rapid heartbeat remained.

William Adams was sweating profusely, which Su Feng saw clearly. Time slowed, and slowed...

The basketball flew successfully from behind the backboard. Now, it depended on whether the ball would find the net.

If it did, the Cavaliers would reach paradise.

Otherwise, William Adams would create a miracle.

In or out?

The basketball dropped straight down, just a few seconds, but for Su Feng, it felt like minutes had passed.

Isn’t this the perfect illustration of the importance of basketball?

PS: Recently, I've been playing basketball and realized I really have no athletic nerves at all. Dizzy...