Chapter 27: Never Admit Defeat

Chapter 39: Never Say Defeat

But Turner’s performance was equally outstanding. Duffy, I can’t give you a definite answer right now. All I can say is, we’ll keep our eyes on him. Maybe in ten days, he’ll become our top priority? Stephen Skippy smiled at William Adams Miller. Duffy wasn’t naive. After thanking him firmly, he turned to Su Feng.

Unlike with Yao Ming, William Adams Miller’s recommendation of Su Feng seemed to encounter obstacles. The general managers of each team were pleased with Su Feng’s performance, but none promised to select him.

It wasn’t a matter of Su Feng’s ability; rather, the world had changed. Each team’s management now placed greater value on their draft picks. When they secured a higher draft position, they hoped to use it to turn their fortunes around. Look at LeBron’s Cavaliers, Durant’s Thunder, and Westbrook’s Thunder… In a gamble of a draft, a team’s manager must be cautious to ensure the right choice.

Thus, few offer guarantees to pick a rookie beforehand. Many teams finalize their candidates only in the last seconds before making their selection.

William Adams Miller knew that general managers were becoming increasingly difficult to deal with. He and Su Feng had done all they could. Now, they must wait for the draft to decide their fate.

“Hey, you played really well!” William Adams Miller laughed again, stepping forward to pat Su Feng’s shoulder.

“Did they say they’d pick me?” Su Feng’s straightforward question reflected his growing anxiety as the draft approached.

“They’ll definitely choose you! Don’t worry, alright? We have plenty of potential homes.” William Adams Miller gave him a friendly smile. With this experienced manager by his side, Su Feng felt relaxed.

“Now, we’ve only got one place left.” Su Feng said as he walked toward the locker room, preparing to leave Philadelphia.

“Yes, the last stop.” William Adams Miller didn’t hold much hope for this final destination. Originally, Philadelphia had been Su Feng and Duffy’s last stop. But another group reached out to Duffy proactively.

In order not to strengthen ties between them, Duffy agreed to bring Su Feng for a tryout.

In any case, going somewhere else wasn’t bad, thought William Adams Miller. It was time to take the kid, Su Feng, on a tour.

He hoped the next draft would work out.

γ

“Are you sure this guy’s worth it?” Outside the airport, two men wearing sunglasses and hats chatted.

“There’s never any certainty with draft picks. The team that wins the top prize might end up buying into water products. I think we should give him a try.”

“He did great in college. Let’s hope this kid can secure a spot in the top league.”

“I believe, under Jason’s guidance, he’ll grow quickly. You can only bet on one person, and the championship is only ever won by a single bet! Love the ones you bet on.”

On the airport’s electronic screen, the best flight from Indianapolis had landed. The two men leaned toward the reception. The one who could help them break the deadlock was finally about to appear.

“There are so many people here!” After getting off the plane, Su Feng clearly felt this city was more crowded than the others.

“You think this is a city like San Antonio? This is the Texas metropolis, man!” William Adams Miller smiled at Su Feng’s face. Soon, Su Feng would become accustomed to even grander scenes.

As Su Feng and Duffy walked toward the exit, a massive poster hung on the airport wall. Its words were simple: “Welcome to Dallas.”

No sooner had Su Feng and Duffy appeared than Cleveland Cavaliers owner Mark Cuban and team general manager Donnie Nelson spotted them.

“Duffy, we’ve been waiting so long! Hey, yes, welcome to Dallas!” Mark Cuban smiled warmly, not at all acting like a team owner.

Su Feng shook hands awkwardly with Cuban and Nelson. After visiting so many cities, this was the first time the team owner and general manager had personally welcomed him.

“No need for trouble. It’s not far from here, just take a cab to the American Route Center.” Duffy was a bit flattered to learn Cuban and Nelson had come to greet him and Su Feng.

Su Feng was just a rookie, not an All-Star. Even if Dallas truly wanted him, this seemed a bit over the top.

“Going to the gym? No, no, no, you must not have eaten yet? I’ve reserved a table at a good Chinese restaurant. Let’s have dinner first, see the sights of Dallas, and then talk about the tryout.”

After a few passes, Su Feng performed brilliantly. Dirk even felt it wasn’t a tryout at all, but a showcase orchestrated by Cuban for Su Feng. This time, Su Feng dazzled with uninhibited brilliance!

Cuban laughed heartily, and Dirk, that guy, was already dreaming of the O’Brien Cup.

After the tryout, Cuban and Nelson proactively met with them, expressing their affection for Su Feng.

“Mr. Duffy, he’s really outstanding. Please tell him how wonderful playing in Dallas is!” Cuban gripped Duffy’s hand tightly, as if he’d seized the Cavaliers’ final missing piece.

“I know your team is genuine, and I know playing in Dallas is great. But… Mr. Cuban, as far as I know, this year the Cavaliers don’t even have a first-round draft pick. And my client shouldn’t drop into the second round.” That was why Duffy didn’t take the Cavaliers too seriously — Dallas simply had no chance to pick Su Feng due to their second-round position.

“Mr. Duffy, I’m very concerned about draft rights. I’m telling you now, I’m willing to trade for a higher draft pick!” Cuban’s resolute gaze left no doubt about his words.

Cuban seemed preoccupied. He repeated, “Su Feng, I want to make my decision in Dallas!”

The Spurs, the uncertain 76ers, and the overly enthusiastic Mavericks…

Duffy looked at Su Feng. This kid’s draft might be filled with unprecedented uncertainty.

Where would his career begin? Even the experienced William Adams Miller found it impossible to predict.

Traveling through America was always quick. When William Adams Miller and Sophie Peck returned to Indianapolis, it was already June 18. Now, only a week remained before the 2010 top league draft.

William Adams Miller was deeply concerned about Duffy and Su Feng’s prospects, but Duffy could only shake his head in response to his inquiries.

“Ye’s draft ranking won’t be lower than expected, but I’m not sure which team will pick him.” Duffy spread his hands. The draft was extremely passive for players, as rookies had no choice, and even Duffy, an experienced manager, couldn’t change that fact.

Hearing this, William Adams Miller breathed a sigh of relief. It was predicted that Hayward would be picked ninth by the Jazz. If nothing happened, Su Feng would never drop out of the top fifteen! As long as expectations weren’t disappointed, William Adams Miller wouldn’t worry.

“Brad.” As William Adams Miller was thinking, Su Feng suddenly called out to him.

“Hm?” William Adams Miller knew Su Feng rarely spoke to others. He must have something important to say.

“On draft day… will you come?” The brave young man, Su Feng, looked away shyly after saying this, not daring to meet William Adams Miller’s eyes.

“Hahaha, of course I’ll go! I’ll witness your transformation into a true professional player!” William Adams Miller pondered what had happened to Su Feng, and realized… this unruly Asian guard simply regarded him as a real friend. Su Feng yearned for William Adams Miller not to miss the most important day of his life.

Everything was ready. Now, all Su Feng could do was wait for draft day. Then, see what coach would let the kid emerge from the woods.

(u)

June 25, 2010. The fans were still immersed in the glory of another green-and-gold war, and Los Angeles was awash in a sea of happiness. Kobe Bryant and Gasol had brought them a second consecutive championship trophy, and after years of waiting, the purple-and-gold dynasty seemed poised once more atop the world.

The top league finals decided the fate of the two best teams. But today, something even more captivating than the just-ended finals was about to take place! After all, the annual top league draft could directly shape the future of every team!

“Coach! This is bigger than the March Madness final!” Hayward had just gotten out of the car, saw the crowds surrounding Madison Square Garden, and couldn’t help but gape.

Su Feng looked at the scene before him, equally stunned. Yet he did not show emotion on his face, instead clenching his fists. He knew that when he walked out of Madison Square Garden, his world would be forever changed!

Outside, reporters analyzed the thoughts of each group in the draft. It was like a gambling show, perhaps even more thrilling than a serious basketball game.

“We can beat anyone we meet. If you don’t believe it, ask LeBron. No one dares fight us. That kid is just bluffing.” Terry didn’t confront Westbrook in front of the reporters, but despite being a veteran, sometimes Terry was more excited than the younger players.

NT even sent Jeff Van Gundy and Kevin Harlan to Oklahoma to show their level of interest in the game.

From the start, both teams took the game seriously. Marion put heavy defensive pressure on Durant, causing the long-armed forward at the three spot to miss two consecutive three-point shots.

Westbrook, eager to perform in front of Su Feng, operated directly against Kidd. Though Kidd could easily judge the immature number zero’s drive direction, he couldn’t help but speculate what Westbrook would do next, nor could he immediately stop him.

Kidd could handle most guards in the league, but players as fierce as Westbrook were now Kidd’s weakness.

In the first half, Carlisle finally substituted Su Feng. As the point guard entered, Chesapeake Energy Arena erupted in loud boos. It seemed not only Westbrook, but Thunder fans, hadn’t forgotten what Su Feng did last time in this arena.

Once Su Feng entered, Westbrook’s offense became noticeably less smooth. Not only could Su Feng anticipate Westbrook’s drives, he reacted quickly where Kidd could not.

On the other hand, Westbrook always relied on his strong body to stop Su Feng’s drives.

The battle on the defensive line paused for a moment, as Nowitzki and Durant again raised their teams’ offensive flags.

In the final minutes of the first quarter, both sides traded blows. Thunder coach Brooks substituted James Harden, also a guard, for last year’s showman.

In the final showdown, Harden had been nearly invisible, but today, as soon as he entered, he scored consecutively, keeping the fierce contest alive after both teams’ starters finished.

Finally, after the first quarter, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 34-29 lead into halftime.

Although the game was tough, the Cavaliers’ dazzling performance filled Carlisle with confidence.

“Serge, you’re in the second quarter. I have a mission for you: interfere with the German’s offense as much as possible! I want you to defend him closely! When you feel uncomfortable, you can bug him too. Starting from the Cavaliers’ baseline, I hope you can stick to him!” On the Thunder bench, Brooks shouted at the Congolese forward Ibaka.

The Thunder’s weakness inside made Nowitzki’s game easy today. Brooks believed the Thunder possessed the strongest defensive force, even if it was only their second-year forward.

Though in terms of experience, Nowitzki was much stronger than Ibaka, Ibaka was Brooks’ only chance to restrain the German.

After the second quarter began, the Cavaliers substituted Su Feng for Stevenson. Meanwhile, Brooks put Jeff Green in for the Congolese, who was performing well offensively today.

“Though Jeff Green’s offense against Dirk is good today, it’s clear Brooks intends to win with defense now. He’d rather sacrifice Thunder’s offensive firepower than let Ibaka go head-to-head with Dirk. But it’s no easy task for Ibaka to restrict Dirk.” Jeff Van Gundy agreed from the commentary booth. After all, Van Gundy was a coach who always emphasized defense.

But Ibaka was still a low-profile sophomore. Whether he could shoulder the task remained unknown.

Nowitzki was unfazed by the Congolese’s strong body. On the first offensive play of the second quarter, the king of Novotian nation leaned on Ibaka, then raised his right hand and rushed to Su Feng for the ball.

Su Feng unhesitatingly delivered a precise lob into the paint.

Under Ibaka’s tough defense, Nowitzki knew he couldn’t counterattack. So the German simply turned and jumped. Ibaka reacted quickly, his hands seemingly in Nowitzki’s face.

However, as a superstar, how could Nowitzki be stopped by such defense? Though Ibaka defended well, Nowitzki’s shot was unreasonable. The basketball dropped through the net, and Su Feng notched his third assist of the game, as the Cavaliers continued to widen the gap.