Chapter 75: The Confined Space

Chapter 87: Enclosed Space

Three and a half minutes remained before the end of the game. Stevens broke into a smile and substituted all his starting players. In the stands, barely a third of the fans persisted, refusing to leave.

Evan Turner was also sent to the bench, signaling that Nate Martin had officially surrendered, raising the white flag.

Su Feng lounged comfortably on the bench, while the rest of the Bulldogs chatted and laughed. For the second consecutive game, the Bulldogs had wrapped things up early, a surprise that delighted both commentators and scouts.

Last season, this was a team that barely made it into March Madness, and now they had driven Evan Turner onto the court. The progress was astonishing.

After tonight, I am certain many NBA general managers will learn a name they’ve never heard before: Su Feng!

The expressionless young man, perhaps unaware, was being approached by the professional basketball world that once seemed so distant.

In recent years, an increasing number of Spanish sports brands have grown dissatisfied with domestic development. With advances in capital and technology, many local brands—once forced to survive in the shadow of Nike and Adidas—have now established a firm foothold in Spain. But they wanted more; they even aspired to reverse the trend and enter the American market!

A celebrity endorser is undoubtedly a tremendous boon for any sports brand’s success. In the past few years, Adidas has been overwhelmed by Nike, due in part to a shrinking roster of spokespeople.

Hengliwell, a domestic sports brand, has long wished for a place in the US market. Naturally, it was difficult for Hengliwell to sign NBA stars who had already made their names. So, they turned to youth, hoping to secure a long-term contract with a young player. When he grew into a superstar, Hengliwell’s day of triumph would arrive. Just look at Nike, which signed Magic Johnson with the Eye of Wisdom contract; wasn’t that a turning point that’s kept their reputation strong to this day?

Now, Hengliwell’s “Magic Johnson” was the top candidate in this year’s draft, the versatile swingman Evan Turner.

To assess Turner’s value, Hengliwell had sent a dedicated team to observe and evaluate the top candidate in depth. In fact, Hengliwell had already made initial contact with Turner, who expressed interest in collaborating with them as he launched his professional career.

So far, Turner had not disappointed Hengliwell. Even supernova John Wall could not match Turner’s strength and fame.

However, after yesterday’s game, Hengliwell’s scouting team discovered something unusual—something that could well stir up a storm back home.

“Old Li, see for yourself!” A young man tossed a newspaper onto the table.

Li, so called, raised his eyes and glanced at the paper.

“Butler University 98–66 Ohio State University, Seven Leaves lost by 22! Turner scored 25 points, but still couldn’t ascend to the heavens! Kobe Bryant.”

“Turner keeps improving—25 points, nearly the highest scorer among all players today.” Hengliwell’s scouting team leader, Li Yuan, set down the English paper, nodding in approval. As for Ohio State’s defeat? Li Yuan cared little. His focus was Turner, not Turner’s team.

“No, no, that’s not the main point, Old Li. Don’t just look at the headline—look further, read the content!” William Adams Miller, the young man, handed the paper back to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan looked at him, puzzled. What could be more important than Turner’s beautiful stats? Was it possible to find another Spanish Jordan?

Then, in the report’s content, Li Yuan truly saw the words “Spanish Jordan”.

“Butler University’s rookie Su Feng once again became the focal point of the game! He scored 19 points and 10 assists, adding 3 steals! Among them, his one-stop dunk after stealing Turner was even chosen as one of the day’s Top Ten League Plays. The Spanish rookie has firmly secured the starting point guard position at Butler University this season, becoming a tactical core equal to Gordon Hayward! I believe, in the long season ahead, we’ll witness even more splendid performances from him! Kobe Bryant.”

Regarding Su Feng’s description, Kobe Bryant searched his mind but ultimately decided that he had never heard Su Feng’s name before.

“A Spaniard playing NCAA? Chinese-American?” Li Yuan asked the young man.

“The paper says he’s from Spain! If he were Chinese-American, they wouldn’t write that!”

“Call headquarters and report we’ve made a new discovery. Nobody at home knows about this yet,” Li Yuan’s eyes sparkled, as if he’d found a new path to fortune.

Sometimes, a single three-pointer can change so much. For instance, Seven Leaves’ confidence, once built on good rhythm, gradually fell under enemy control. Turner hoped a brilliant shot would awaken his team’s morale, and a three-pointer is one of the best ways to boost spirits.

The collegiate basketball prodigy didn’t hesitate, leaping up immediately. As Turner prepared to shoot, Su Feng appeared seemingly out of nowhere, arm raised, flying toward Turner.

Su Feng’s sudden presence startled Turner, who had believed there were no defenders nearby.

Though Su Feng wasn’t able to directly block Turner’s shot, his timely defense turned what should have been an inevitable basket into smoke and mirrors. The ball struck the neck of the rim, bounced high, and failed to fall on the second drop.

“Missed again! Coach Bryant should consider substituting players! Seven Leaves’ starters can no longer stay on the court! They’re too exhausted, and embarrassment is quickly setting in!”

As the commentator’s voice fell, Su Feng sprinted out. He had just expended a burst of strength, intending not to leave anything behind till the end.

As Su Feng accelerated, Seven Leaves’ players tried desperately to seal the passing lanes, hoping to minimize Su Feng’s threat.

It seemed they still regarded Su Feng as a “pure” point guard—unable to score, only able to pass.

True, Su Feng loved to pass; passing was often his primary task on the court. But that didn’t mean he could only pass!

Speeding forward, Su Feng gripped the ball with his left hand, reaching out. In that direction, Gordon Hayward was already ambushed in the corner!

Seven Leaves’ players grew tense as Evan Turner rushed toward Hayward, hoping to steal the ball.

Yet, in the next second, the ball didn’t fly toward Hayward as Turner expected. Su Feng reclaimed his ball and vision, advancing into the half-court. It was just a feint!

Su Feng deceived his opponents with a fake pass, then raised his arm and leaped lightly.

Another effortless shot, Su Feng looked as if he hadn’t even broken a sweat, tearing through Seven Leaves’ defense!

The referee’s whistle sounded urgently; Coach Bryant was forced to call another timeout. The point gap had now grown to double digits, and if the trend continued, Seven Leaves would be buried in the ferocity of the first half’s attack.

But in this game, Coach Bryant had little left to offer. All he could do was pull his exhausted starting five and give the substitutes a few minutes.

“Four minutes left! I’ll give you two, then sub you out! Remember, score—I want your own points! Use your breakthrough to widen the gap as much as possible!” Before the timeout ended, Stevens explained to Su Feng what he should focus on. The time for playing dead was over. Now, it was time for those who had scorned Su Feng to witness what the Filipino could do on the court.

As the only starter left among the ten players on the court, Su Feng naturally received special attention. Previously, the defense focused on Hayward; now, all the pressure was on Su Feng.

Coach Bryant would not underestimate Su Feng any longer. The team was now trailing by ten, and Su Feng was a key figure.

After the timeout, Seven Leaves launched an attack. Yet, in Turner’s absence, their offensive efforts dragged on without a single opportunity, ending with a rushed finish.

Bulldogs’ backup center Wanzat grabbed the rebound and handed it to Su Feng. The moment Su Feng received the ball, he found himself facing a defender, indicating Coach Bryant had assigned exaggerated full-court pressure to the newcomer.

The point guard wasn’t intimidated, advancing as usual at the same steady pace. When the defender appeared, Su Feng kept moving forward, his shoulder surpassing the opponent.

The defender kept pressuring Su Feng, who seemed to stand his ground. Physical strength and contact remained Su Feng’s weaknesses. For a moment, everyone thought the Soviet summit had ended, but he suddenly slowed, switched hands, then accelerated right past the tense defender.

Coach Bryant’s full-court press was easily shaken off by Su Feng! He surged onward once more.

After Brad’s breakthrough, Hengliwell interjected. Brad began passing, the ball threading through a gap between Durant and Perkins, landing securely in Hengliwell’s hands.

A chorus of exclamations rose. Brad’s passes weren’t as flashy as Su Feng’s, nor filled with feints. But they were straight, fast, and accurate—that was Brad’s hallmark!

Hengliwell took the ball and dunked with both hands, smashing the rim, plunging the Cleveland Cavaliers into deeper trouble!

“Cleveland Cavaliers lost the ball in the opening game! They underestimated Brad’s abilities, never mind that most Houston Rockets are veterans—they’re no generals!”

Seventeen points—the gap widened. Fans watched Durant and Kobe Bryant with anticipation, hoping these two could rescue the team from the abyss.

Two young men under twenty-three should not bear the burden alone. But once you stand on the court, age is irrelevant. Everyone is a man, no matter how young or old—you’re treated equally! William Adams Miller.

Kobe Bryant led the charge. Terry, though seasoned, lacked Su Feng’s speed and Kidd’s strength. Kobe Bryant ran to receive the ball, then took a probing step to shake Terry’s focus and drove straight for the breakthrough.

Terry pressed hard, but this scramble did nothing to disrupt Kobe Bryant’s rhythm. Charging into the half-court, Kobe Bryant held the ball with both hands, leaned his shoulder into Terry, and shot for himself. At last, the Cavaliers scored a clean three-step layup!

Ten seconds later, the Cavaliers struck again. Kobe Bryant made a swift forward bend to break past Terry, heading straight for the half-court.

This time, Hengliwell’s defense was timely. As Kobe Bryant soared, Hengliwell jumped high, determined to give the young man a taste.

Hengliwell swatted at the ball, but the referee called a foul.

Desperate to win, Kobe Bryant scored thirteen points on two free throws, narrowing the gap.

Later in the game, the Houston Rockets seemed to lose control from the first quarter. William Adams Miller tried several offensive plays according to Carlisle’s plan, but all failed. Now the German knew it was time to let go.

When the Cavaliers chased the gap down to ten points, Carlisle called a timeout. Chesapeake Energy Arena erupted, the crowd eager for victory!

Amid the cheers, Carlisle could only use his voice to address his players. “Kidd, Shawn, you’re back on stage! Pull the score apart—I want you to widen the gap!” William Adams Miller.

Carlisle didn’t devise any tactics during the timeout, only changed personnel. He hadn’t expected the Cavaliers to close the gap so quickly, forcing him to cut his three key players’ rest short. If things went smoothly, they’d have time to rest again in the second half.

After the timeout, Carlisle glanced back at the restless crowd behind him. In a few minutes, you’ll be silenced!

The game resumed, Houston Rockets on the attack. Kobe Bryant, now fired up, was more aggressive defensively than before. As Su Feng approached, he actively sought contact, or kept poking at the ball to disrupt Su Feng’s dribbling rhythm.

In playoff terms, all of Kobe Bryant’s actions would go unpunished. From time to time, Su Feng had to shield the ball at his waist, using his elbows to ward off Bryant’s advances.

The Cavaliers’ defense was excellent—at least for now, Su Feng found it difficult to spot a gap. No choice, he signaled to William Adams Miller for a screen.

Ahem, ahem, ahem, so now everyone’s a good guy, right?