บท 20: Philadelphia Twin Towers
บรรณาธิการ: Atlas Studios
August 21st. Overcast.
Having met the Ridley High School basketball team, Su Feng was once again amazed.
Kobe was indeed terrific in his high school days!
Both Nefaria and Lower Merion had lousy basketball teams.
But take a look at Team Ridley!
All of them were so tall!
The shortest was the point guard, Goodman, 188 centimeters in height and 81 kilograms in weight.
And the tallest was the center, Larson, 201 centimeters tall and weighing 95 kilograms.
One wouldn't expect any less from the basketball champion school, which had won the Pennsylvania state championship for six consecutive years.
As a matter of fact, Kobe and Su Feng were at the same level as their opponents, but the other members of the team could be easily defeated by Team Ridley, without a doubt.
"I was wondering why Tina looked familiar. Turns out she's a cheerleader!" Su Feng said, looking at Tina, who was leading the dancing at the Lower Merion indoor basketball court.
"Yep. And she's changed the style of our cheerleading team," Kobe said.
"How so?" Su Feng's radar was activated at the signal of gossip.
"Our cheerleading team used to consist of cute, pretty girls only… But Tina insisted that it's not cool enough. Look, now their dance looks like New Zealand Maori haka…" Kobe sighed.
Su Feng almost burst out laughing.
"Su, look, that's Ridley's small forward, Williamson. He's the best player on the team.
"He's strong and fierce, but not a great shooter. By the way, if you happen to match up with him, never listen to what he says.
"When I defended against him last year, he kept on talking nonstop," Kobe said as he patted Su Feng's shoulder, pointing at a buff black member of Team Ridley.
Williamson was 193 centimeters tall and 95 kilograms in weight. It was said that his bench press results were even better than those of many NBA professional players'.
But having heard what Kobe had said, Su Feng didn't feel like it would be hard to deal with him.
First of all, in terms of defense, Su Feng wouldn't have any problem fending off Carter…
Hmm, on second thought, he would have great difficulty doing that.
Ahem, but he was not competing against Carter now anyway.
More importantly, Su Feng couldn't recall any NBA player with the name Williamson. Hence, after months of torturous training under Kobe, Su Feng believed that his basketball skills had surpassed those of his peers.
Although he shouldn't have underestimated his opponents, Su Feng had already thought of a strategic plan on how to counter Williamson.
One thing that's worth noting was that after Su Feng joined Lower Merion High School, Kobe had made a request to the head coach, Gregg, that he would only play as the shooting guard in the remaining time of his school days, just like he had done in Su Feng's former life.
In American high schools, basketball players above 190cm might be asked to play as the center. Hence, Kobe had played in all the positions in his high school.
But after Kobe had devoted himself to joining the NBA, he realized that the most suitable position for him in his future professional career would be the shooting guard.
Therefore, Gregg approved his request. Now he had a new useful member in the forward position.
"Su, stay calm. Williamson is not that easy to deal with," Gregg emphasized before the start of the game.
Despite Su Feng's previous experience with playing against Kobe one on one, the difference between his build and Williamson's…
It was drastic, so to speak.
In the audience seats of the Lower Merion indoor basketball court, students were cheering for their own school team. Some girls were shouting, "If you win, we will…"
Naturally, Su Feng couldn't care less about them.
What could be more fun than playing basketball?
After warming up, players of the two teams stepped into the arena one after the other. Kobe would be vying for the jump ball for Team Lower Merion.
It couldn't be helped… Kobe could jump so high, it was as if he could fly.
When Su Feng walked past Williamson, the latter suddenly made a menacing face and said, "Sick little man of Asia, I'll teach you a lesson today! You'll learn what fear is!"
Su Feng did not respond.
"Bro, it's 1994. Could you please change your line if you want to insult me?
"Sick man of
Su Feng ignored Williamson, but Williamson thought that he had successfully intimidated this yellow-skinned boy. So he continued his threat, "Ha, don't say I didn't warn you. If you're not careful, I'll beat your head into a pulp!"
Su Feng held his temper and kept quiet.
"Alright, Kobe was right about this guy," he thought.
Before the game, Kobe gave Su Feng another friendly reminder. "Williamson is pretty bad at insulting people too…"
Su Feng sighed and looked at Williamson. He asked, "Do you know who your dad is?"
Williamson was stunned.
He had never met his father before.
In any society, there are bound to be irresponsible men who abandon their woman after getting her pregnant.
Su Feng didn't know that had been the case for Williamson's biological parents too.
Williamson shook his head.
"I pity you. How about this? From now onwards, I'll call you 'brother,' and you call me 'daddy.' I'll show you what daddy's love is like," Su Feng said.
Williamson took a while to understand what Su Feng was talking about.
But Schwartz heard it and understood it at once. He laughed like a child.
Granted, Williamson was a talented basketball player, but it seemed his brain wasn't that sharp after all.
Williamson's reaction confirmed Su Feng's speculations.
He decided to teach Williamson a lesson.
And the literature article he would teach was…
My Father's
Beep!
With the blow of a whistle, Kobe leaped into the air in the center circle. He jumped much higher than Larson, securing the jump ball and signaling the start of the much-anticipated game.
Even before the game had started, Su Feng had noticed that basketball scouts from the Philadelphia 76ers and North Carolina were both present…
As expected, much more attention had been brought to this match, something that couldn't be compared with the friendly match between Nefaria and Lower Merion high schools earlier.
As soon as Team Lower Merion took possession of the ball, Su Feng started to mobilize himself according to strategy 1 as what they had rehearsed in the past few days.
Strategy 1 was easy to follow, in which the shooter sagged off to the low post as the center distracted the opponents with a pick-and-roll tactic.
Su Feng had also noticed that although Williamson was large and buff, his wingspan was only average. He couldn't jump very high either.
Players like him were often disadvantaged in speed.
Hence, when Su Feng took to his heels and ran towards his post, Williamson could hardly keep up.
Although Lasman didn't manage to defend against Williamson for long, Su Feng believed that Williamson wouldn't be able to block his shot, given his short arms and the gap between them.
After he had reached the corner on the other side, Schwartz passed the ball to Su Feng.
Schwartz had been grateful for Su Feng joining the team.
He had always been able to see the overall picture on the court, and now he could finally put it to proper use!
Having received the ball from Schwartz, Su Feng charged forward fiercely.
Williamson sprinted towards Su Feng at the top of his speed. He had just figured out what Su Feng had meant!
"Damn it, how dare you!!" Williamson cursed under his breath.
But, just as Su Feng had expected, Williamson was unable to reach him.
Moreover, Williamson wasn't very smart. He had forgotten to control his speed well as he lunged towards Su Feng. After Su Feng had shot out the ball, he voluntarily moved towards Williamson.
"Ouch!"
Swoosh!
Beep—!
Following the painful cry, Williamson was judged a foul. Su Feng had started the game with an amazing four-point play!
You've got to be a good actor on the stage of life, don't you agree?
The scene petrified the audience.
What the heck!?
Good shot!
Due to Su Feng's superb acting, the referee warned Williamson to watch his moves.
However…
Williamson felt wronged.
It was unintentional!
Kobe pulled Su Feng up from the floor and asked with a concerned look, "You alright?"
Su Feng shrugged and pointed at Williamson. "I'm fine. It's him you should worry about."
Kobe smiled. That's right, he knew that Su Feng would never let him down.
After that, Su Feng walked towards the free throw line. The ball went through the hoop.
0 - 4!
At the side of the court, Gregg was very satisfied with the teamwork of his team.
He had finally found another tactic, besides letting Kobe do all he wanted.
Back to the game. Williamson had retreated to the low post at once, as if to find a position he would be more comfortable with. He even drove the 201cm-tall Larson to the corner…
Needless to say, he was a toxic player!
Tall and toxic, that'd be enough to make him Su Feng's enemy!
In the next instant, Su Feng put his elbow against Williamson's waist and locked him with his feet.
Earlier, Su Feng had learned by observing Williamson's warm-up exercises that he wasn't a great offensive player.
When hand-checking was still allowed, a few fighting tricks were necessary for charging and low-post defense.
The four great centers of the 1990s had become so successful precisely because they had their own tricks too.
Regrettably, however, Williamson was not only lacking intellectually, but he was also not competent enough to play against Su Feng one on one in the low post.
Williamson received the ball from his teammate, but he was dumbfounded in the next instant.
That's because…
He couldn't move across Su Feng!
"What's going on? Is this Chinese kid trained in kung fu?
"Or is he a hidden martial arts expert in our country?
"Or maybe he's a third-generation student of Jeet Kune Do?"
Williamson couldn't figure it out. Without a choice, he attempted a jump shot.
But…
Su Feng was 100% certain that his jump shot would never score.
Clang!
As expected, the ball bounced off the backboard and missed the rim.
"What a lousy shot!" Su Feng secretly snorted.
In the past, Williamson could bully his peers using his sheer strength.
But it was unfortunate of him to have met Su Feng tonight.
After all, Su Feng was a hard-trained Iron Man!
Kobe took hold of the falling ball and swiftly carried it towards the goal of his team.
The shooting guard of Team Ridley could hardly defend against Kobe. Kobe dodged him effortlessly and leaped high into the air, launching a perfect jump shot.
0 - 6!
The entire atmosphere around the court had been ignited instantly by Su Feng and Kobe!
"Yes. Very much alike! I agree," Wesley, the scout from Duke University, exclaimed.
Seated not far apart from him was Leonard, the scout from North Carolina. Leonard said, "If not for their jerseys, I would've thought that I was watching the Chicago Bulls."
Williamson had been thwarted again. But he didn't want to give up just yet.
Standing outside the three-point line, he was planning to charge into the free throw lane with the ball. At this moment, he saw Su Feng stepping backward, and then…
Su Feng saluted him, inviting him forward!
"Damn it!"
He was too far away from the goal. Even if Williamson managed to break through the defense line, Su Feng would probably stop him somewhere along the way and might even land him in a charging foul.
However…
He had told his teammates that he wouldn't need help here.
Since that was the case…
Williamson mustered all his courage and made the move.
He stepped into the three-point line and made a jump shot at once.
Game over for him.
Kobe caught the missed ball, and Su Feng sprinted forward immediately.
Before Williamson could defend, Su Feng arrived in the frontcourt and received Kobe's passing ball.
This time, Su Feng gathered all his strength and jumped up at the same spot where Kobe had been training him.
Clang!
A slam dunk!
Although his slam dunk was less impressive than Kobe's in terms of height and strength, Su Feng was overjoyed!
That was his first-ever slam dunk in a real basketball match!
Though there had been an element of luck in it, it was still a successful slam dunk!
"Good dunk!" Kobe ran towards Su Feng and congratulated him with a hit on the chest.
0 - 8.
The reporter from Philadelphia News, Mills, captured the moment with great excitement.
Many years later, Mills would definitely feel blessed that he was at Lower Merion High School on this day.
That's because he had taken a precious photo.
"They are… the Philadelphia Twin Guns!" Mills exclaimed.
At his side, the reporter from the Philadelphia Evening Post, Markson, corrected Mills. "No, we should call them the 'Philadelphia Twin Towers.'"
….
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