Chapter 8 August

In August, because the labor negotiations had made no progress, and had even regressed, some free agents, for the sake of livelihood, were already beginning to consider playing in overseas leagues.

"Su, I want to play in the CBA. If it's convenient, could you please help me introduce me to the CBA?"

That day, just after Su Feng had once again "slaughtered" Kobe by a score of 5 to 4, Su Feng suddenly received a call from a good friend who had unlocked his dribbling talent back then.

—Sam Gold-Wills.

Speaking of which, in Su Feng's skill library, there is still a divine skill called "Sam Gold" lying quietly.

There was no other way. Sam Gold, who was only selected by the Wizards with the seventeenth pick in the second round last year, although he was also a dribbling master...

But because even with padded socks, he couldn't reach "183" centimeters, last season with the Wizards, he didn't even last until a match against Kobe and Su Feng before being cut by the Wizards.

If Su Feng remembered correctly, Sam Gold would then bounce around in various lower-level leagues until 2001, when he would begin his new legendary career in the CBA.

"You want to play in the CBA?" Su Feng asked curiously on the phone.

"Yes, I like China, especially Chinese food," Sam Gold said.

Hearing this, Su Feng was amused.

After his dream was shattered in Washington last season, under the pressure of supporting his family, Sam Gold knew very well that if he continued to stay in the United States, he would most likely starve to death.

And in this life, because of Su Feng, Sam Gold's favorability towards China had simply exploded.

Especially back when Su Feng and Kobe were studying in Brooklyn, the delicious Chinese food that Su Feng made, just thinking about it still made Sam Gold unable to stop.

So, after thinking about it seriously, Sam Gold thought of the CBA league in China.

Don't think that Sam Gold is useless in the NBA except for dribbling.

But in the CBA, where the pace is slower and the physicality is average, those shortcomings of his are all advantages.

Now, here comes a little-known fact.

Did the CBA have foreign players at this time?

The answer is:

Yes.

And the quality was quite high.

Take Saulius, who played for the Shanghai team in the 96/97 season, for example. This guy was the future captain of the Lithuanian national team.

However, no matter how strong Saulius was, the Shanghai team still failed to break the monopoly of the Bayi Dynasty at that time.

In short, the golden generation of men's basketball at this time were not the tool men of the future who would only pass the ball to foreign players after crossing half-court.

Although the overall quality of foreign players at this time was not as good as in the future, even with excellent teammates like Saulius and Sam Gold, domestic players would not stand idly by and watch.

"No problem, if you want to play in the CBA, I can find someone to help you get in touch."

After chatting with Sam Gold for a while, Su Feng said to Sam Gold on the phone.

"Thank you so much, Su.

To be honest, if I can't taste all the Chinese food during this trip to China, then I don't plan to come back."

On the phone, Sam Gold made a bold statement.

Honestly speaking...

If this was really what Sam Gold felt in his heart, then Su Feng felt that this guy might never be able to return to the United States in this lifetime...

And just as Su Feng hung up the phone...

Next to him, Carter, who had heard parts of Su Feng's conversation, actually silently offered to carry Su Feng's bag after today's training, can you believe it?

"Could it be that Carter has also been body-snatched?"

Looking at Carter, whose EQ was at least 58 today, Su Feng was shocked.

Well, Su Feng had obviously underestimated the chain reaction brought about by the contract that PS had provided to Carter earlier.

Although Su Feng knew that even if Carter didn't sign with PS, the worst that could happen to him was that he would be scammed by Puma.

But in Carter's eyes, he thought that if it weren't for Su Feng's help, he might have been preparing to go abroad to "lay bricks" like Sam Gold...

So, how could Carter's EQ be so high?

He simply wanted to repay Su Feng in his own way.

If Carter's inner thoughts at this time were translated into internet slang, it would be roughly as follows: Volcano Literature.

Your humble servant, Vince Carter, the brainless general of the Northern Border, is willing to count money for the Su family for generations to come.

...

Bang dang clang!

Time flies. A week after talking to Sam Gold, with Su Feng's help, several CBA teams have expressed interest in Sam Gold.

And Sam Gold, who was given a bowl of rice by Brother Feng, couldn't wait to fly to Toronto immediately and kiss Brother Feng.

In this life, Su Feng, who originally just wanted to become a basketball superstar, marry a rich and beautiful woman, and reach the peak of his life, felt that his life had become more and more boring recently.

There's no other way. The simple and unadorned Su Feng is just so approachable.

Ahem, speak plainly!

In Su Feng's opinion, it was necessary to let Sam Gold, an NBA water dispenser manager, refresh the three views of CBA fans.

Otherwise, if those future rabbits all preconceived that it was easy to get 20+ in the NBA, then who could Su Feng reason with at that time?

...

In mid-August, because of Ewing's divine assist earlier, the owners' attitude was becoming more and more tough.

In the owners' opinion, the NBA must introduce a hard salary cap next season, otherwise they would not sign any agreement.

And for this request made by the owners, let alone the super stars with high salaries, even the middle and lower-level players could not agree.

After all, once a hard salary cap was introduced, everyone's salary would definitely drop.

In his previous life, looking back at this labor negotiation, you could even understand it as a farce.

Because neither the players' union, which wanted to raise salaries, nor the owners, who wanted to cut expenses, had considered the feelings of the fans.

The lockout was destined to be a lose-lose contest.

And in late August, in addition to further improving his inner strength, Su Feng also paid attention to the Men's Basketball World Championship held in Athens, Greece.

Because of his and Hu Weidong's absence, the Chinese men's basketball team failed to reach the top eight, and finally achieved tenth place in the ranking round.

In this World Championship, Wang Zhizhi, who averaged 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, was the best-performing player in the Chinese men's basketball team.

And Little Yao, who was only 18 years old and already 224 centimeters tall, completely shocked the world in this World Championship.

Su Feng knew that Little Yao, who averaged 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, had been targeted by many American scouts after this World Championship.

In addition, Battelle, who recovered from his injury and averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, also attracted attention from the NBA.

After this World Championship, not only did the Chinese media refer to Wang Zhizhi, Yao Ming, and Battelle as the Three Great Cs, but even foreign media gave the title "Mobile Great Wall" to describe the inside line of this Chinese men's basketball team.

In addition, in this World Championship, the two strongest players in the current Chinese men's basketball team were unable to participate due to the NBA lockout, so many foreign media believed that in the Sydney Olympics two years later, this Chinese men's basketball team would definitely achieve great things.

...

Speaking of which, as the labor and management became more and more stiff, the owners have recently even submitted an application to the arbitration court, requesting that they do not have to pay salaries to the players during the lockout period.

And on the premise that the two sides still cannot reach an agreement, Stern has officially announced that all preseason games of the new NBA season will be cancelled.

While eating melons and beating Koka Mai, Su Feng knew that before Kevin Johnson stood up to save the world, this farce between labor and management would have to continue.

Anyway, the current situation is still very clear.

The lockout is not good for the entire NBA, but for the Raptors, who just need time to level up, the longer the lockout, the more exaggerated the strength of this Raptors team will be when the next season starts.

You know, even the iron-making value provided by McGrady to Su Feng has exceeded 7500.

Although in a reasonable system setting, the iron-making value is not completely equal to strength.

But even without checking the ability values of this group of monsters, Su Feng can feel the visible progress of Carter and McGrady from the pressure they put on him in the one-on-one games.

And because the main members of the Raptors next season are currently basically in the Steel Home...

Nash, who most needs time to integrate with his teammates and create a chemical reaction, has already figured out the playing habits of Su, Carter, and McGrady.

Well...

In his Nash's words:

For this kind of ball, you just throw it into the sky.

Is it difficult to pass a ball like this with your feet?

And it is worth mentioning that, on Su Feng's suggestion, Nash has also started to try a lot of fancy passes in the current daily 3-on-3 training.

Such as elbow passes, pistol passes, back passes...

In his previous life, many people thought that "White Chocolate" Williams was the NBA's best point guard at performing fancy moves after watching highlight reels.

But in fact, compared with Williams, who only cares about being handsome and doesn't care about his teammates, Nash is the real point guard who can use fancy passes to organize the team's offense.

Therefore, Su Feng, who knows where Nash's passing limit is, is not afraid of Nash performing fancy moves.

Honestly speaking...

In Su Feng's opinion, Williams should have nothing to do with the future king of fancy moves on Douyin in this life.

After all...

Can Nash score while performing fancy passes?

Can Williams?

You can't, right?

Then shut up and take a beating, hand over your reputation obediently, and be Nash's stepping stone!

...

On the 23rd, Kobe celebrated his 20th birthday at the Toronto Steel Home.

As a result, Kobe, who had asked Su Feng not long ago if he remembered his birthday, was completely stunned.

Because when he happily asked Su Feng what day it was today at four in the morning, Su Feng didn't show any expression...

And the most infuriating thing for Kobe was that not only was there no birthday gift, but even breakfast and lunch that day were just ordinary sandwiches and spaghetti.

That was it.

Kobe's heart was completely dead on this day.

It was supposed to be the height of summer, but in a trance, Kobe felt like he was drinking iced cola in the Arctic while wearing a single layer of clothing.

Feeling that he couldn't go on living, Kobe looked at this group of bastards who were chatting and laughing and completely treating him like an outsider. At this moment, he couldn't help but want to pack his luggage and return to Los Angeles...

"Su, isn't that enough? I feel like if we tease him any longer, Kobe is going to explode."

Looking at Kobe's explosive head that had already started smoking, McGrady quietly said to Su Feng in the Steel Home.

"Don't worry, Tracy. Trust me, the more repressed he is now, the happier he will be when he receives a surprise later."

Su Feng, who didn't know how many girls he had deceived with this trick in his previous life, smiled as he patted McGrady's shoulder.

And so, after eating yet another ordinary dinner, Kobe returned to his dormitory with a sad expression.

Whether he was feeling uncomfortable or depressed, Kobe only felt that this world was very boring at this moment.

Then, just as Kobe was lying on the bed, rolling around in a self-deprecating manner, suddenly, the lights in his dormitory were turned on by Su Feng.

Then, Carter played a birthday song for Kobe on the saxophone.

McGrady, Nash, and Big Ben walked in holding a super big birthday cake.

"Happy 20th birthday, Kobe Bryant!"

Taking out the birthday gift he had prepared in advance, Su Feng walked up to Kobe with a smile on his face.

Kobe: "..."

wdnmd! (What the f***!)

Are you trying to force me to cry?

You just want to see me cry, right?

Honestly speaking, although a man doesn't easily shed tears...

Especially for a person like Kobe, it is even more difficult to cry once.

But under Su Feng's carefully planned scheme, Kobe, who experienced a two-way reversal on his birthday, would not be human if he could hold back his tears at this moment.

Kobe, who choked up several times and couldn't speak, slowly opened the birthday gift that Su Feng had given him.

He saw that it contained a photo of Su Feng and Kobe during their first match-up in their NBA careers.

And it was written on it:

Only Kobe is my opponent.

In an instant, looking at this photo, Kobe's thoughts were pulled back to the 96/97 season, the game between the 76ers and the Lakers...

At that time, Kobe really wanted to play, really wanted to fight Su Feng, but because of various reasons, he could only watch from the sidelines.

Kobe will not forget that it was Su Feng who liberated him from the Lakers' bench in an almost provocative way.

At this moment, recalling all the good things in the past, Kobe...

Could no longer stop his tears.

And then, Su Feng also took out another gift he had prepared for Kobe from his pocket.

"Huh? What is this?"

Kobe, wiping away his tears, asked Su Feng curiously.

"A late-night snack menu that I prepared for you, with your favorite sausage pizza, as well as beef wellington, and..."

Kobe: "..."

wdnmd!

Hearing this, Kobe's mentality completely collapsed.

Because when he was eating dinner tonight, Kobe, who was a little annoyed that Su Feng and others had forgotten his birthday, activated the special ability to turn grief into appetite, and then...

There was no then.

Recalling the pile of trash he had eaten for dinner...

Kobe, who burped, had lifeless eyes, a dull gaze, and felt as if there was no love in his life.

"It just so happens that we didn't eat much for dinner. Let's eat together."

Looking back at Carter, McGrady, and others, Su Feng smiled.

Kobe: "..."

...

Kobe, who experienced great ups and downs on his birthday, sadly missed out on a delicious meal.

And as time went by, in September, watching this group of uncles who were flying around every day, Stephen and Seth had a huge argument on the 6th.

As the saying goes, there were two children arguing in ancient times, and now there are two Currys arguing about dunking.

"Uncle Carter's dunk is invincible!"

Stephen said righteously to his younger brother.

"No, in my opinion, Uncle 'Melo's dunk is the best in the world!"

Seth retorted emotionally to his brother.

Next to them, looking at the two little Currys who had been arguing for at least half an hour, Old Curry said with a smile: "What do you know about dunking?"

And hearing his father's words, Stephen and Seth were unhappy.

"Then Dad, can you dunk like Uncle Carter for us to see?" Stephen asked curiously.

"That's right, Dad, can you dunk like Uncle 'Melo'?" Seth echoed.

Old Curry: "..."

Enough!

Our Curry family only produces shooters, not dunkers!

Speaking of which, just as Old Curry was stabbed in the heart by his sons again, on the court, Kobe, who saw this scene, thought for a while and suggested:

"Let's have a dunk contest! How about it?"

"Okay! No problem, I think this suggestion is good!"

Carter signed up to participate immediately.

Alas...

As soon as dunking was mentioned, Carter's whole mood was obviously different from when he was one-on-one.

And looking at this silly Kobe, what else could Su Feng and McGrady do at this moment besides covering their faces with one hand?

"Why don't I be the judge?"

Looking at Carter and Kobe, whose souls were burning with dunking passion, Su Feng said.

"Yes, I'll be the judge too."

The well-behaved and sensible McGrady echoed.

But...

"No, Ben doesn't have to participate, but you must participate."

On the court, Kobe grabbed Su Feng with one hand and McGrady with the other, not giving the two of them a chance to run away.

"What? Are you scared?" Looking at Su Feng and McGrady, Carter smiled.

Well...

Well!

Sure enough, Carter is still that Carter.

You can never let him maintain an EQ of 58.

Especially in the field of dunking.

There was no way.

Su Feng knew that if he and McGrady didn't agree to dunk with Kobe and Carter today, then he would definitely be tormented by Kobe for a day.

"Alright... then how should we compete? We have to set some rules, right?" Su Feng said, looking at Carter and Kobe.

Kobe nodded and said, "We each dunk four times, and then let Dell, Steve, Ben, Stephen, and Seth score, just like in a dunk contest."

Su Feng: "..."

Honestly speaking, it's a pity that Stern isn't in the Steel Home right now.

Otherwise, with the dunk contest lineup of Su Feng, Carter, Kobe, and McGrady, Stern would definitely feel that the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest is trash.

And just as the four of Su, Kobe, Carter, and McGrady were preparing to draw lots to decide who would dunk first, suddenly...

"Ding—!

[Who is the King of Dunks?] Task has been activated!

As a well-known dunker in the NBA, who has created the Meteor Dunk, you are now facing unprecedented challenges.

Try to defeat Carter, Kobe, and McGrady in this dunk contest!

Task Completion Reward: Hidden skill 'Tomahawk Dunk' (Vince Carter Edition).

Task Failure Penalty: None."

...

ps: Thank you to The Exorcist for becoming the alliance master! Thank you again to The Exorcist for becoming the alliance master of this book!