Chapter 55: The Importance of Honor

Chapter 67: The Importance of Honor

The media lavished attention on the Houston Rockets, as though winning just one out of four games was some great feat. The Cleveland Cavaliers felt no need to respond. Tomorrow, they would have another chance to prove themselves.

Everyone at practice was focused and serious, showing no signs of being affected by their recent loss or Dalembert's injury. Yet William Adams Miller's only concern was that Su Feng and Kobe Bryant remained silent.

After practice, the veterans packed up and headed home. William Adams Miller had assumed one of them wouldn’t practice today, either Su Feng or Kobe Bryant. No wonder the two still lingered.

William Adams Miller had planned to stay late in the office today, but now it seemed best to leave the court.

On the training floor, Su Feng was still refining his shot, determined to keep his touch sharp before the next game. Kobe Bryant was at the free-throw line, drilling each shot, intent on collecting every possible point.

They practiced together in silence for half an hour. Finally, when they sat down to rest, Su Feng broke the silence.

“What happened yesterday… was my fault. Don’t take it to heart.” Su Feng, never one for apologies, had to be alone with Kobe Bryant to say these words.

Gobert was surprised that the league’s hottest star would take the initiative to apologize to a rookie, especially if he felt they hadn’t done enough.

“I didn’t play well. It was all my fault.” Kobe Bryant was quick to take responsibility, as if he couldn’t bear the weight otherwise.

“In fact, we’re very similar, Rudy. We don’t care about hierarchy, outside noise, or even who our opponents are. All we care about is victory. I knew you were the same kind of person from the first time I saw you, when you tried to shut down my performance,” Su Feng said, rising and grabbing a basketball once more. “That’s why I wanted you to join the Cleveland Cavaliers—I believed we could do something together.”

Su Feng turned and tossed the ball to Kobe Bryant, who was still sitting on the floor. “Tomorrow’s game—let’s win it together!”

“Don’t worry. Tomorrow, I won’t hold anything back!” Kobe Bryant stood up, embracing Su Feng, his confidence unmistakable.

They nodded to each other and returned to practice.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers remained smugly oblivious, not realizing just how rough tomorrow would be for them…

In this season’s top league rankings, Su Feng and Durant had vied with each other all year. The top two spots in the power rankings alternated between them.

Durant’s regular season averages—32 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists—were impressively versatile, and with 32 points per game, he claimed the season’s scoring title.

Su Feng’s performance, however, was “epoch-making.” Although his 30.2 points per game trailed Durant, it was a significant improvement over Anthony’s scoring title last season.

More importantly, Su Feng averaged 33 assists per game in addition to his 30.2 points. Thirty-three assists a night—a figure even more staggering than Su Feng’s own 11.3 assists per game last year. In fact, it was the highest assist average in the top league since Stockton’s 12.3 assists per game in the 1994-95 season—nineteen years ago.

What does nineteen years mean? It’s enough for an entire generation of players to rise and fall. In that time, whether it was William Miller, Nash, Paul, or Rondo—none of these greats ever averaged 33 assists per game for a season.

There was an even more astonishing statistic, one that seemed to place the league trophy firmly in Su Feng’s grasp. He was the first player in top league history in forty years to average 30+ points and 10+ assists in a single season. That was the reason Su Feng’s stats were described as “epoch-making.”

For the average player, it’s no easy feat to score over 30 points or hand out over 10 assists in a single game, let alone maintain such efficiency over an entire season. Staying healthy is a major challenge—if you push too hard, you risk injury. What’s more, to rack up such numbers, you need to have the full trust of teammates and coaches. To maintain such a high level without injury all season is nothing short of miraculous.

The last player to average 30+ points and 10+ assists was Archibald in the 1972-73 season. Back then, Sir Archibald of the Kings averaged 34 points and 11.4 assists, and remains the only player in top league history to win both the scoring and assist titles in the same season. Yet, Su Feng might soon break even that record.

After Butler’s three-pointer failed, the Cavaliers seized the chance to move to the next city, once again stretching the lead to double digits with a three-point play!

This time, it wasn’t Henry Shally scoring, but Su Feng, who so often played the role of facilitator.

Su Feng first used a drive to set up the illusion that Henry Shally would continue shooting, then quickly cut behind Paul to the three-point line. Just as everyone expected Henry Shally to take the shot himself, Kobe Bryant swung the ball to Su Feng. Before Paul could recover on defense, Su Feng seized the moment and launched.

If Peja and Brickley were watching, they would have been proud. Su Feng’s shooting motion struck a perfect balance between textbook form and lightning-fast release—a testament to their shared training.

Paul had barely landed from his closeout when the swish of the net rang out behind him. The Cavaliers, once up just two possessions, turned a manageable four-point lead into a ten-point cushion.

“The Rockets talk big about offense, but it’s the Cavaliers who are executing better tonight! Kobe Bryant’s unpredictability and Dirk’s improved playoff form—these two, plus consistent production, are giving the Houston Rockets plenty to worry about.”

William Miller must be feeling frustrated—his Dallas Cavaliers lost three straight in the regular season, but now they look like a different team.

In terms of playoff experience, William Miller is still a rookie. Tonight, the Cavaliers gave him a valuable lesson for free.

After that, Paul and William Miller controlled most of the Rockets’ shot attempts. Under Nowitzki’s tenacious playoff defense, William Miller found himself stifled, his shooting percentage plummeting.

Paul played steadily, but the combined defense of Su Feng and his teammates limited the league’s top shooting guard’s scoring rhythm.

On the other end, Del Negro could only rely on Nick Young for sporadic resistance. Unfortunately, Henry Shally was even hotter than Nick Young tonight.

Su Feng, Nowitzki, and Henry Shally dominated the game, and under their leadership, the Cavaliers’ offense flowed beautifully.

Though the tenacious Rockets never let the Cavaliers pull away entirely, the Cavaliers never allowed Houston to overtake them either.

“Blake William Miller learned a tough lesson tonight: you can’t equate the regular season with the playoffs!” Barkley watched as William Miller stumbled through the game, feeling a bit dizzy himself. Even this muscular madman had his day of confusion.

With forty seconds left, the Rockets still trailed by eight. In theory, the game wasn’t over, but in reality, the outcome was already decided.

Tonight, he had crushed Blake William Miller. Maybe after this, Blake wouldn’t dare boast about never losing to the Cavaliers in the regular season. The Cavaliers may have lost three times before, but their one win mattered more than all three losses combined.

“Though I don’t want to call the game before it’s over…” O’Neal nodded at the proud Barkley. “You’re right, Charles—they’re going to win!”

When the final whistle blew, the American Airlines Center erupted in joy. Cavaliers fans unleashed their loudest cheers to celebrate the team’s first victory over the Houston Rockets this season.

Three straight losses in the regular season? No problem. The playoffs are where it really counts!

Before tonight, William Miller had envisioned countless happy endings. Clearly, defeat had never crossed his mind.

So full of spirit before the game, he now looked like a beaten mouse, head down, hurrying toward the tunnel. Yet this embarrassing moment was broadcast by satellite to every corner of the world.

“With this win, the defending champion Cavaliers take the lead in the series. Everyone knows they’ve performed well in the regular season, but in the past, they’d always fall short in the playoffs. Since Su Feng joined, though, the Cavaliers have excelled in both the regular season and playoffs.

“The Rockets may have thought they’d met their match, but they squandered their lead in a losing effort. Blake William Miller and Paul both played well—Miller scored 17 on 7-of-15 shooting, Paul had a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, though his shooting was just 41%. Still, fans expect more from Chris,” Kenny Smith said, analyzing Houston’s stats. “This loss was deserved.”

William Adams Miller, despite never beating the Rockets in the regular season—

“Damn it, Jet! You—” William Adams Miller expected Henry Shally to drive straight for a quick layup, but instead he pulled up for a lower-percentage three.

Nick Young tried to recover, but could only watch helplessly as the ball sailed past his fingertips.

The shot arced high and spun rapidly—everyone else was rooted to the spot, waiting for the rebound.

Yet the ball dropped cleanly through the net, leaving only a wisp of white netting beneath the rim.

“You—damn! Nice shot!” William Adams Miller wanted to curse, but swallowed it as soon as the ball went in.

Henry Shally brazenly spread his arms in front of Nick Young, then slid back to his own half to play defense. “Streak shooter? When they called me that, your kid didn’t even know where to go.”

“Your long pass and Henry Shally’s shot were perfect. Now the Cavaliers have powerful perimeter threats. The Rockets will find it hard if they have to rely on Nick Young to close the gap.”

Del Negro had just congratulated himself on a clever adjustment—no wonder dashing Nick Young had run into such a formidable opponent in just three seconds.

Within the opening minutes, Henry Shally knocked down another three and a mid-range jumper—this young man was giving the defense fits. After Su Feng went to the bench, William Miller and Henry Shally worked together seamlessly.

The Clippers should have been able to turn the tide, but were quickly pushed right back. You think you’ve seen it all? The Cavaliers have someone even tougher!

After twelve minutes of fierce battle, the Cavaliers led 26-22. If not for veteran Mo Williams—coming off the bench and bullying William Miller with his superior play—the gap would be even wider.

But William Adams Miller knew Mo Williams was just a role player; he didn’t need to worry about him. If Del Negro was forced to rely on such players, it was a sign of the Cavaliers’ success.

“Chris and Blake will be back after the second quarter. Dirk, I need you to withstand the defensive pressure. As long as we weather this run, the game will remain in our hands!” Henry Shally and William Adams Miller focused their attention on Paul and William Miller: as long as those two were contained, the Rockets posed little threat.

“And Kobe Bryant, you’re playing in the second quarter! Remember what Nick Young did to us just now? Give it back to him! When you get on the court, share the ball more, unite as one! Victory belongs to Dallas!”

“Let’s go!” The Cavaliers roared, as Su Feng, Henry Shally, and Dirk—the team’s “budget” giants—took the floor.

On Houston’s side, Del Negro was not a defensive coach. So even though Henry Shally had just torched them, he made no special adjustments.

As a result, Henry Shally buried another three-pointer just 20 seconds into the second quarter.

“Dirk’s fake fooled everyone, and the Rockets’ defense collapsed. Dirk’s easy pass gave Kobe Bryant a wide-open look. The Rockets need to focus more on defense.”

If Del Negro could hear Kenny Smith’s commentary, he’d immediately overhaul his defensive strategy. Unfortunately, Del Negro didn’t carry a radio in his pocket.

Paul guarded William Adams Miller, but every drive was met with help defense. The Cavaliers preferred to let others try their luck than allow Paul to take over.

Faced with Su Feng’s tight defense and Marion’s quick switches, Paul was forced to pass. Unfortunately, Caron Butler disappointed the Los Angeles fans once more.

Faced with a golden opportunity, Butler’s hesitant shot clanged off the rim. If the Rockets’ offense can’t score, the game will be a long, hard slog.

But in the playoffs, William Adams Miller never lost his way. Today, his defensive schemes for Paul and William Miller made it tough for the Rockets to rely on their offense.

After the loss, Paul, William Miller, and the others headed straight for the tunnel. Del Negro was left alone, forced to shake hands with William Adams Miller.

William Adams Miller smiled politely as he shook Del Negro’s hand. “A wonderful game.”

“Yes…” Del Negro looked at William Adams Miller, feeling the weight of just how unpredictable this man was. How much was he still hiding?

After shaking hands, Del Negro turned to Su Feng, who was interacting genuinely with the fans in the stands. The young man’s performance tonight was beyond words.