Chapter 1 The Troubling "Pig"

　　Watching "Flying Pig" retreat on defense with that swaying, jiggling butt, Su Feng knew that if he wanted to clear the Texas Triple Threat dungeon, he had to figure out a way to deal with Barkley.

　　After all, Drexler's iron-striking stat might be tempting, but it wasn't as rewarding as winning the game.

　　Hmm...

　　How should he deal with this troublesome "pig"?

　　Wait, why did thinking about "pig" make him feel hungry?

　　Su Feng quickly shook his head, because that thought was too terrifying.

　　Just as Su Feng was pondering a solution, he faintly heard a 'ding' sound.

　　However, Su Feng's attention was focused on running his route, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

　　On the court, after repeatedly moving along the baseline, Su Feng suddenly cut out from the middle, using Big Ben's screen.

　　Olajuwon, who was playing a relaxed style of basketball, didn't follow, and Drexler was blocked, giving Su Feng an open look on the outside.

　　Iverson quickly passed the ball to Su Feng, who took a moment to aim at the basket before shooting.

　　Clang!

　　Su Feng: "..."

　　Seriously?!

　　Su Feng felt like his touch was cursed!

　　He usually made at least 80 out of 100 shots from that spot in practice, but...

　　Was he seriously incapable of making a shot when unguarded?

　　Su Feng began to question his life.

　　And at that moment...

　　"Ding, congratulations to the host for receiving 100,000 iron-striking points!"

　　Wait a minute.

　　Su Feng instantly turned anger into joy, but of course, as a qualified 'the.king', Su Feng's expression remained unmoved, no matter how turbulent his emotions.

　　Because it was during the game, Su Feng didn't have time to investigate why his iron-striking points had suddenly jumped to 100,000.

　　On the court, the Rockets attacked, and Barkley glanced at Olajuwon, who didn't want to get into a low-post battle today, took a deep breath, and then...

　　Started bulldozing!

　　Facts proved that as long as the pig bulldozed hard enough, there was no cabbage it couldn't destroy... er, no defense it couldn't break through.

　　Big Ben was still a bit green; he kept trying to directly resist. But Barkley wanted Ben to use all his strength to resist him.

　　Because Barkley's secret to bulldozing was to alternate between slow and fast, with a sense of rhythm, gradually building to a climax.

　　Bang!

　　With his final push, Barkley turned again while unloading his force!

　　Ratcliffe came over to help defend, but Barkley was worthy of the title "Magician Among Pigs." He found Olajuwon with a behind-the-back pass. Olajuwon followed up in his relaxed style and banked it in.

　　Smooth!

　　Olajuwon found this way of scoring very pleasant: effortless and easy.

　　Looking at Olajuwon's happy expression, Barkley felt something indescribable in his heart.

　　Bro, did you leave all the courage and ambition you had when you went up against Ewing, the Admiral, and Shaq back in Nigeria to feed the baboons?

　　I came to rely on you, not to let you leech off me!

　　2-6. On the sidelines, the 76ers' coach, Davis, was already walking toward the scorer's table.

　　Barkley was already running rampant tonight. Although Davis was a bit slow to react, he knew that if the 76ers wanted to win against the Rockets, they had to find a way to kill this pig.

　　The 76ers attacked, and Iverson passed to Ratcliffe, whose mid-range shot was contested by Olajuwon.

　　Ratcliffe's mid-range game wasn't consistent enough in his second year. The ball bounced off the rim, and Barkley grabbed the rebound, showing off his presence on both ends of the court.

　　The Rockets attacked again. Barkley was being a bit lazy on this play.

　　Seeing that Ben wasn't coming out, Barkley received the ball at the high post, raised his gun, and fired a random three-pointer.

　　In Su Feng's past life, Barkley's career three-point percentage was only 26.6%. Even when the NBA shortened the three-point line, Barkley wasn't accurate.

　　But since he had a 26.6% accuracy rate, that meant that Barkley could occasionally make one.

　　Swish!

　　2-9!

　　Although he didn't have a championship, Barkley was definitely a ruthless man.

　　After all, he was a tough guy who had scored 56 points in a playoff game. If Barkley's strength was considered weak, then there weren't many truly strong players in the NBA.

　　After making that three-pointer, Barkley kept waving his elbows, showing that even if the Rockets were out of fuel, the "Flying Pig" could still carry them.

　　Well...

　　The "Flying Pig" had wings too!

　　Otherwise, how could it fly (manual joke)?

　　After Barkley made that three-pointer, the 76ers called a timeout.

　　Taking advantage of the timeout, Su Feng quickly checked in his mind the reason why he had suddenly gained 100,000 iron-striking points from that missed shot.

　　"Ding! [Efficiency is High, But One Cannot Solely Pursue Rationality]:

　　The system has detected that the host has recently been too focused on shooting percentage.

　　Although this style of play is very team-oriented and efficient, how can a host who aspires to surpass Michael Jordan limit himself because of rationality?

　　Therefore, the system will increase the reward for obtaining iron-striking points. In the next three games, the host's iron-striking points against his matchup will be multiplied by x5!"

　　"..."

　　Seriously!

　　System, you can't be so reasonable (well done)!

　　"Sigh, have I become so accurate lately that even the system can't stand it anymore?" Su Feng thought to himself with a sigh.

　　But speaking of which, how did the system know that his greatest wish was to surpass Michael Jordan?

　　He had never mentioned this wish to anyone.

　　"When did I accidentally reveal my ambition?"

　　Su Feng stroked his hair. With the system's reward buff, that meant that in the upcoming game, every time Su Feng went up against Drexler, his iron-striking points would increase to 100,000 per miss.

　　If he randomly missed a few shots, plus winning the game, wouldn't he be in heaven?

　　He had to win!

　　Even if he couldn't win, he had to win!

　　Su Feng's already high fighting spirit was completely ignited by the system at this moment.

　　So, during the timeout, he put his arm around Ben's shoulder and said, "Ben, be patient!

　　Don't compete with Charles head-on. Although your strength isn't inferior to his, you have to know that your true talent isn't strength!"

　　Hearing this, Ben, who originally felt like he was being dominated by Barkley, suddenly felt full of energy. Su said that his true talent wasn't strength; did he think he was smart too?

　　In Su Feng's past life, Ben Wallace in his prime was also a monster who could defend from the paint to the three-point line. He had quick lateral movement, strength, and the ability to help defend. Except for facing Shaq and Yao Ming, he could defend most players one-on-one.

　　Barkley was short in height, and now he was purely taking advantage of Ben's lack of experience on the defensive end.

　　As long as Ben didn't fall for his feints, Barkley's efficiency would be greatly reduced.

　　After tricking Ben, Su Feng patted Ratcliffe's shoulder before the timeout ended, "Theo, you need to pay attention to the timing of your help defense.

　　See, Charles always manages to pass the ball at the moment you help defend. I think you can also give him one or two fake moves."

　　Ratcliffe nodded, "I understand what you mean. You're saying I should pretend to help defend and then suddenly retreat to steal the ball?"

　　Su Feng gave Ratcliffe a thumbs up, "That's exactly what I mean."

　　Just like that, during the timeout, Ben and Ratcliffe forgot what tactics Davis had arranged, but they remembered all of Su Feng's instructions.

　　Su Feng felt that cooperating with a scapegoat coach like Davis was just too pleasant.

　　Because even if you sidelined him, he wouldn't hold it against you.

　　And if Su Feng's ideas failed, Davis would always take the blame himself.

　　In Su Feng's past life, after gradually losing control of the 76ers, Davis ultimately took most of the responsibility for the losses.

　　If this coach wasn't Xiao He, could it be Larry Brown?

　　Su Feng was most worried about the fact that the 76ers only had a one-year contract with Davis, which clearly meant they wanted to dump him after using him...

　　"Coach, do you know that my hair is falling out for you?"

　　As he looked at Davis, who was smiling kindly and patting him on the shoulder at the end of the timeout, Su Feng sighed silently in his heart.

　　……

　　On the court, the game continued after the timeout.

　　The 76ers attacked, and Iverson was like a light and agile scarab at the high post. After breaking through Elie, Iverson saw Su Feng shaking off Drexler and delivered a bounce pass.

　　Su Feng received the ball near the free-throw line, turned, and immediately shot.

　　The old "Glide" now understood why Jordan said Su Feng was difficult to deal with. This guy was a defensive-minded Reggie Miller.

　　Of course, Su Feng's shooting wasn't as consistent as Miller's yet.

　　Swish!

　　4-9.

　　Well...

　　Although Su Feng felt that making this shot meant losing 100,000 iron-striking points, winning the game was the priority. Su Feng wasn't the kind of person who craved iron-striking points.

　　Besides, if you intentionally missed, it wouldn't count anyway...

　　However, Drexler, who was observing Su Feng from the side, still noticed the fleeting look of depression on Su Feng's face.

　　The Glide: "???"

　　Did this kid think he was too weak?

　　Drexler was angered.

　　Although he was never the type of player to have a bad temper, being "looked down upon" by a rookie, as one of the 50 greatest players, he couldn't swallow this insult!

　　On the court, Drexler actively called for the ball during the Rockets' attack.

　　Barkley's eyes lit up because the day he had been waiting for was finally coming?

　　Go, Glide!

　　On the wing, Drexler lowered his head and dribbled. Old or tired, don't underestimate the old warrior!

　　Su Feng was a bit slow on his slide, and the Glide broke through his defense.

　　This was a real glide...

　　Drexler jumped directly in a position that the 76ers' interior players couldn't have anticipated. In the air, his legs were slightly bent, as if retracting the landing gear...

　　This was the Glide.

　　Bang!

　　After putting the ball into the basket with one hand, Drexler looked at Su Feng while retreating on defense, constantly pointing to the number on his chest.

　　Remember this, Su, I am one of the NBA's 50 greatest players, a legend of the Trail Blazers and Rockets, Clyde Drexler, the Glide!

　　Seriously, Su Feng scratched his head.

　　Because it seemed like he had inexplicably attracted another wave of taunts.

　　But as a good player who respected the old and loved the young, a role model for future Akron boys, Su Feng didn't continue to escalate the trash talk.

　　He simply smiled at Drexler, a smile that was so bright, sunny, and youthful.

　　It was a good thing Jordan wasn't watching the live broadcast, or he would have gone up and debated with Su Feng.

　　On the court, the 76ers attacked, and Drexler increased his defensive intensity.

　　He and Su Feng fought with their wits and courage. The two left traces of battle on the baseline and on the wing.

　　If Su Feng hadn't been born, all the races would be as long as nights!

　　He was getting old...

　　Drexler felt like he was really getting old when Su Feng shook him off at the last step.

　　Who in this league could defy aging?

　　Old soldiers never die, but they will eventually fade away.

　　Swish!

　　On the court, Su Feng made two consecutive mid-range shots!

　　6-11.

　　Looking at Su Feng's depressed little expression, Drexler thought, this kid must be嫌弃 (xián qì) me for not being as good as Michael Jordan, right?

　　Oh well...

　　Maybe he wasn't as good.

　　Anyway, he had been playing for his whole life. Hadn't people always said he wasn't as good as Jordan?

　　What was there to argue about?

　　He had lived his whole life. Did he still care about this one game?

　　"Hey, kid, teach me how to pronounce your Chinese name." On the court, Drexler looked at Su Feng in front of him and said.

　　"Su Feng." Su Feng replied.

　　"Su... Feng, very good."

　　Drexler smiled. "I like your smile because when I see you smile, it's like I'm eating cantaloupe as a kid."

　　Su Feng: "..."

　　"Your nickname is 'the.king'?"

　　That nickname is too domineering. It doesn't suit you.

　　I think you should have a sunnier nickname," Drexler added.

　　Vaguely...

　　Su Feng had a very bad feeling.

　　"I don't care what other people call you in the future. Anyway, I'm going to call you 'Sweet Melon' from now on."

　　After saying this to Su Feng, Drexler moved.

　　Receiving a pass from his teammate, he opened up smoothly at the high post and hit a pull-up jumper!

　　6-13.

　　"Let's continue, 'Sweet Melon'!" On the court, Drexler suddenly challenged Su Feng to a duel.

　　He pointed at Su Feng and made a one-on-one gesture.

　　At Compaq Center, the originally quiet Houston fans were shocked.

　　Drexler challenged Su Feng to a one-on-one?

　　On Chinese Central Television, Zhang指导 (zhāng zhǐ dǎo) said, "Wow, Drexler has taken a liking to Su Feng."

　　Sun Zhengping said with some understanding, "Drexler probably feels uneasy because Su Feng has scored on him consecutively, right?"

　　Uneasy my ass!

　　Was he really going to play those kids from 2003 to death?

　　Speaking of the nickname 'Sweet Melon'...

　　Su Feng felt like it actually suited him quite well.

　　After all, that way, he would have a legitimate reason to beat Chris Paul in the future.

　t ask, he was just a 58-year-old Chris Paul fan, loving Paul his whole life.

　　On the court, the 76ers players all moved aside when they saw this scene.

　　Because it was a sign of respect.

　　Drexler was one of the NBA's 50 greatest players and a key contributor to the Rockets' two championships.

　　At this moment, passing the ball to Su Feng and letting Su Feng go one-on-one with Drexler was the greatest respect for this veteran.

　　Vaguely, Su Feng couldn't remember if the NBA still had this tradition in the future.

　　But he knew that Drexler was passing the torch.

　　Okay, as Philadelphia's Little J Doctor, Su Feng felt that the title of "Glide" successor perfectly fit him.

　　On the court, after receiving the pass from Iverson, Su Feng held the ball with one hand.

　　Drexler lowered his center of gravity and focused all his attention.

　　Even Olajuwon, who had been playing a relaxed style of basketball, couldn't help but look at Su Feng.

　　Barkley liked him.

　　Drexler also liked him.

　　What kind of magic did this kid have?

　　That he could attract so many people?

　　Olajuwon had heard the story of Su Feng's rampage in Los Angeles and had also seen the videos of him dunking on Ewing and Mourning.

　　"It's already the era of these kids," Olajuwon said with emotion.

　　Bang, bang, bang!

　　When Su Feng started backing down, the Rockets fans in the arena were cheering for Drexler.

　　At that moment, the Rockets fans seemed to have returned to the time when the team won two championships in a row.

　　Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

　　Clyde, did you still have the heart of a champion?

　　On the court, Drexler guarded his ground.

　　He looked at Su Feng jokingly and said, "Hey, little 'Sweet Melon', is that all you've got in your backdown game? If that's all you've got, what are you going to use to beat Michael Jordan?"

　　Bang!

　　Maybe it was because he was stimulated by Drexler, but Su Feng suddenly increased the intensity of his backdown.

　　This wasn't to break through Drexler.

　　But to create space for himself to turn and break through.

　　Speed was Su Feng's greatest advantage against this veteran.

　　Drexler didn't reach in.

　　Although in this era with the hand-check rule, reaching in wasn't a big deal.

　　But he was just unconvinced!

　　He also wanted to compete with Su Feng to see who was faster!

　　So, he missed the last chance to stop Su Feng.

　　In Houston, facing the relaxed Olajuwon, Su Feng grabbed the ball with one hand, and after a reverse layup, he sent the ball into the basket with one hand.

　　At that moment, the back of Philadelphia's #23 seemed to overlap with Chicago's #23.

　　They were surprisingly similar, yet each was different.

　　"This is definitely going to be on the top plays! Shaking off Drexler, challenging Olajuwon one-on-one, Su Feng's play was too beautiful!" Zhang指导 (zhāng zhǐ dǎo) exclaimed.

　　Maybe this was talent...

　　Drexler glanced at Olajuwon, his expression seemed to be asking: old buddy, have you really reached the point where you can't play anymore?

　　And Olajuwon seemed to recall something, and replied with his eyes to Drexler: In this game, I will no longer allow anyone to score easily in my paint, in my airspace.

　　On the 76ers' bench, Kenny Smith waved his towel excitedly, while on the court, Charles Barkley watched Su Feng's back. He knew that Michael Jordan's judgment was correct.

　　Although this kid's strength wasn't enough yet, his personality was indeed rogue enough.

　　"Hey, can you give me the ball? I want to go one-on-one with 'Sweet Melon'," Drexler said with a smile, looking at his team's point guard.

　　Elie nodded, while Barkley on the side was curious, "Who's 'Sweet Melon'?"

　　Drexler pointed to Su Feng, "Don't you think he looks sweet when he smiles?"

　　Barkley scratched his head, feeling like he didn't get Drexler's point.

　　But oh well...

　　Let's focus on the game first!

　　……

　　ps: The late 20,000-word update! ps: I will try to get it done earlier tomorrow afternoon, the fourth update, this update counts as the bonus update for the 1500 monthly votes!