Yu Jia's interview show was very warm. Unlike previous interviews, Li Feng felt a sense of familiarity and spoke more casually.
Finally, the interview entered its final segment.
Yu Jia sat opposite Li Feng and asked earnestly, "Li Feng, you are very young with boundless prospects. Chinese fans have high hopes for you. With Da Yao's peak performance lasting a few more years, I believe your combination will bring more surprises to our countrymen."
"So, for yourself, what goals will you set?"
Li Feng pondered for a moment and replied, "My goals are twofold. Firstly, in the NBA, I hope to win the championship, and not just once, but three consecutive times! On the other hand, with the Chinese national team, I hope to win world championships with my teammates, such as the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships, etc."
Yu Jia gave a thumbs-up of approval, "Your goals are very ambitious, but they don't sound out of reach. Based on your current performance, we all believe they will be achieved!"
...
After the interview, Li Feng and the Wildcats continued to prepare for the next game.
The Wildcats' next opponent was the Louisville Cardinals.
The Cardinals' star player was Earl Clark, a hot prospect for this year's lottery!
Although he later became relatively unknown in the NBA, he was a destructive force in the NCAA.
Clark was 2.08 meters tall with explosive athletic talent and incredible leaping ability.
Players like him were typically "three-and-a-half" types, playing the small forward position in the NCAA due to sufficient strength and being agile enough to play power forward, making him nearly invincible.
Coaches could adjust his on-court position at any time based on the specific opponent.
However, despite his overwhelming advantage in the NCAA, his strengths became weaknesses in the NBA. His all-around game turned into an inability to excel in any single area, and he never made a name for himself.
During pre-game interviews, Clark was extremely arrogant.
"Wildcats? Nothing to fear. Li Feng and Curry's three-pointers are just based on hot hands, and they were lucky to win one game!"
"I am the player suited for modern basketball. Li Feng and Curry will be eliminated soon!"
"NBA? They can't play there at all. That's the stage for versatile players like me!"
Reporters loved such boastful and arrogant players because they generated buzz. Fans particularly enjoyed seeing players clash.
Soon, the media reporters relayed Clark's words to Li Feng.
Li Feng appeared calm on the surface and did not show anger, but his response was equally pointed.
"Whether one can play in the NBA is not determined by one's mouth, but by performance on the court. If Clark wants to prove he can play in the NBA, he should first play against NBA players. I've played against the Dream Team in the Olympics!"
Upon hearing this, the reporters burst into laughter.
If Clark heard Li Feng's words, he would surely be rendered speechless.
This was because Li Feng was stating facts. Clark had only performed well on the NCAA stage, while Li Feng had competed on the world's highest stage, the Olympics.
Compared to each other, they were not on the same level.
However, the two teams were about to face each other, and the outcome would be decided in a real contest.
Therefore, Li Feng didn't say much, just making his point.
...
The game between the Wildcats and the Cardinals began.
Perhaps Li Feng's words had gotten under Clark's skin, because from the outset, Clark targeted Li Feng everywhere.
Terrance Williams was originally supposed to guard Li Feng, but Clark actively called for the ball and switched, wanting to directly challenge Li Feng.
Furthermore, on defense, he insisted on guarding Li Feng one-on-one.
Li Feng sneered inwardly and gave Clark a direct response.
Curry also noticed the rivalry between the two, so he appropriately ceded the ball, handing over the offensive control to Li Feng.
Li Feng did not disappoint his teammates. In the first seven minutes of the game, Li Feng took eight shots against Clark and made six, scoring 15 points!
Clark, on the other hand, shot a frantic eleven times and only made two shots.
Most humiliatingly, the 2.08-meter tall Clark was stolen from twice and blocked four times by Li Feng!
He was utterly dominated.
After just over seven minutes of play, the Cardinals' coach couldn't bear to watch any longer and quickly substituted Clark to let him calm down.
At this point, the score was 17:5, with the Wildcats holding a significant lead.
The fans in the arena understood clearly that the Cardinals' loss stemmed from Clark, who was completely suppressed by Li Feng.
The Wildcats' coach, McKillop, was also deliberate. After Clark was substituted, he also took Li Feng out to rest.
Curry continued to shoulder the role of the team's offensive core.
Clark sat on the bench, head bowed, deeply dejected.
He had used all his moves just now, but Li Feng's defense was impenetrable.
Clark's height, leaping ability, and strength all proved ineffective against Li Feng.
Most outrageous was Li Feng's strength, which made Clark uncomfortable on both offense and defense.
One typical play involved Clark receiving a pass from a teammate in the low post with Li Feng guarding him closely.
This was Clark's sweet spot for offense, where he excelled at initiating attacks.
He could either do a fadeaway jumper or drive hard to the basket.
Clark, believing Li Feng was shorter than him, first drove hard to the basket a few times, intending to force Li Feng back towards the paint and then drive for a layup.
To his surprise, after a few drives, Li Feng didn't budge an inch. Instead, he pushed Clark back a couple of steps.
Clark became a bit anxious.
Since he couldn't overpower him, he decided to attempt a fadeaway jumper.
This was also one of his signature moves. Due to his good leaping ability and height advantage, his fadeaway jumper had a very high release point.
Unless there was help defense from a teammate, it was impossible for a defender to stop.
But he was wrong again.
As soon as he bent his knees, Li Feng knew he was going for a fadeaway jumper.
So, as Clark rose up to jump, Li Feng leaped almost simultaneously.
Just as Clark was about to shoot, Li Feng extended his right hand and swatted the ball away.
Clark was startled and reached for the ball, but he was a half-step too slow. Li Feng had already tipped the ball to a teammate.
The Wildcats immediately launched a fast break. Curry was the first to cross half-court, received the pass, and fired another shot from beyond the three-point line!
Swish!
Three-pointer made!
...
Curry led the Wildcats, continuing their lead. His three-point shooting was a constant headache for the Cardinals.
Furthermore, Curry's various off-ball movements left his opponents disoriented, unsure how to defend him.
In the first half, Li Feng played 15 minutes and scored 22 points. Clark, who played 14 minutes, only managed a meager 6 points.
Curry scored 19 points. The "Splash Brothers" once again dominated the game, with the score at 54:27, a lead of 17 points.
During halftime, Clark's face was ashen, and he didn't say a word.
As the team's absolute core, his performance was terrible. Because of his slump, the entire Cardinals team played poorly.
Clark felt guilty and helpless. It wasn't that his shooting touch was off; he was simply being stifled by Li Feng's defense.