Su Feng and Kobe, who had returned from the "skill," had driven their teammates crazy for two days.
In order to test the power of "Sam Gold," Su Feng and Kobe naturally found various reasons to hammer their teammates after training.
Although there is no bonus for stunts, Su Feng also wants to enhance his offensive ball-handling skills.
Meanwhile, Kobe wants to take his breakthrough skills to the next level.
Of course, the reason why Su Feng and Kobe sought teammates to try out their moves was simply that they defended each other so well in one-on-one matchups that they couldn't fully showcase the trick's power.
After all, at this point Kobe is not "Iron Shadow," and Su Feng's ability to break through with his dribble is also limited.
Thus, three minutes of silence for Raul Merion's players, because in the long run they will endure "Glitter X2"—double happiness!
...
The 14th marks the day of the match between Raul Merion and Chester High School.
This is Raul Merion's last friendly match before the start of the Pennsylvania High School Basketball League, and it is still held at Raul Merion's home court.
In the basketball hall, after watching Tina Lucas lead a group of muscular, fierce girls in the opening dance, Su Feng inexplicably felt as though he recognized the bench on his own side.
"Could this be the fundamental reason why Kobe was so hooked on basketball in high school?" Su Feng said with great apprehension.
After the cheerleading performance, Su Feng paid special attention to the players from Chester High School as he warmed up—after all, they were the opponents who had once blocked Kobe's basketball dream, and Su Feng thought they were worth watching.
According to Drew Downer, all of the team's key players are seniors—in other words, they are essentially at the peak of their high school basketball careers, Su Feng reflected.
Unlike the previous battle with Ridley Middle School, as more friendly matches were played between Pennsylvania colleges and universities, the scouting intelligence of each strong basketball school increased.
"So... how weak is Nefalia? It seems to outsiders that there is no need to gather intelligence..."
Su Feng still recalls that when he played against Ridley Middle School before, they suffered a heavy defeat because they knew nothing about his true strength.
But today, that scenario is clearly impossible, because Su Feng noticed that the players on the Chester High School team were watching him as he warmed up.
Su Feng is no fool; he knew they weren't staring at him just because he is handsome.
Ok...
In Su Feng's view, it must be because he is too handsome, leaving others with no choice but to stare.
"Ayin!" After sneezing, Su Feng inexplicably felt that someone was always telling him he should chew on some cephalosporins or peanuts...
…
After the warm-up, the two teams' starters stepped onto the court.
Raul Merion still starts Rasman, Stewart, Su Feng, Kobe, and Swartz.
"Su, that's Chester's trump card." Before the game began, Kobe suddenly pointed to Chester's number 10 and said this to Su Feng.
"..."
Another trump card!
Do you really treat me as a tool?
Su—defensive tool man—Feng!
Although I wanted to tell Kobe, "You're my Pippen," at that moment Su Feng simply nodded and said, "Go on, Kobe."
"His name is DeMarcus, and he's good at dribbling. When he played last year, he felt his shot wasn't very accurate," Kobe said, patting Su Feng on the shoulder.
A breakthrough type?
Su Feng slightly opened his mouth, as if testing the results of his special training.
"By the way, he's easy to challenge. After playing, he developed a unique style and doesn't like passing," Kobe added after a moment's thought.
I don't know why, but Su Feng always gets the impression that Kobe is talking about himself. However, their friendship is as strong as steel, so Su Feng resisted the urge to reply and simply nodded.
"Leave it to you, defensive expert," Bryant laughed.
"..."
"Kobe, why do I always feel that you're saying, 'I've given it to you, my Pippen'?"
GTMD Pippen!
The so-called Pippen, suspected of being abandoned, briefly glanced at his watch. On the court, after the two players contested the jump ball, the game officially began!
This time, Kobe failed to win the jump ball.
It wasn't that Kobe couldn't jump as well as his opponent—it was all about who could secure the ball. Given the height at which the referee tossed it, the advantage clearly went to the taller players.
On the court, Chester attacked with high school intensity, and soon Su Feng understood why Kobe Bryant lost to this team in his senior year. First, in terms of age, Chester High's players were generally stronger. Second, their average height was greater than that of Raul Merion. Finally,…
They exhibit strict discipline and execute plays like Spurs.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because if they weren't a well-disciplined team, how could they organize a superb opening pass and then quickly retreat into position after the offense?"
Keep in mind, this is high school basketball—not college or the NBA.
Even if Ridley Middle School won six consecutive championships, in Su Feng's opinion, that doesn't guarantee that Chester High will perform well.
Thus, Su Feng's gaze quickly shifted to DeMarcus. Because if what Kobe said is true, then DeMarcus might be the breakthrough needed to defeat Chester.
On the court, after being attacked first by Chester, Raul Merion countered. Unfortunately, Kobe soon discovered that Chester's defensive speed was extremely high, denying him the opportunity to score directly.
And just as Bryant was watching the dribble, suddenly Chester's small forward and power forward both rushed toward Kobe!
This is…
Is it over?
Although I really wanted a 1v2, after all, Kobe at this time was not a "future dagger," so after falling into the trap, he quickly passed the ball to Swartz.
Feeling like a "Pennsylvanian Magician," Swartz didn't hesitate—he immediately passed the ball to Su Feng.
And just as Su Feng caught the ball, Chester's shooting guard and point guard both rushed toward him at the same time!
Exactly!
Chester's tactic tonight is simple: whether Kobe or Su Feng has the ball, they immediately double-team whoever's in possession.
What about the other Raul Merion players? Chester High School head coach Conte utterly despises them. In his view, aside from Kobe and Su Feng, can the rest even be called players? Aren't Kobe and Su Feng—along with the others—just three huskies again? Why do you show your teeth like that?
Unfortunately, if Su Feng could hear Conte's remarks, he would definitely say, "What you just said makes sense—I'm speechless!"
In Su Feng's past, the reason Bryant won the championship by his senior year was precisely because Raul Merion was essentially a one-man team.
Kobe Bryant's high school strength is nearly on par with the NBA. In high school basketball, that level of play is enough to dominate. Frankly, Kobe unquestionably has the ability to lead a team in the future. Some extreme Komi can even turn back Kobe's high school play…
Although this might seem rather self-deceptive, is this NC Honey?
On the court, caught in a trap, Su Feng suddenly felt a pain in his waist…
"It's been a long time since I've practiced overturning, so I have to change my training focus," Su Feng thought to himself.
Cough, and say the right thing.
Hey!
Unlimited wallet...
There's a slight headache.
But don't panic!
Because this is still within Su Feng's expectations.
After all, he was once the head coach of 30 NBA teams in his previous life. Su Feng soon devised a countermeasure.
On the court, Su Feng immediately passed the ball back, handing it off to Swartz.
Last season, Swartz shot 39.1% from the field, making him a well-known spot‑up shooter.
At this time, Chester should be focusing on Kobe and Su Feng.
"Go on, Swartz—it's time to prove them wrong. You're not a Husky; you're an upright toolman!"
Just... Su Feng released his pass.
But...
Swartz—known for his tendency to indulge in assists (if only he weren't afraid of getting sprayed by Kobe and Su Feng)—suddenly switched on his "thinking life mode" upon receiving the pass.
"Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?"
Su Feng: "..."
Okay...
Swartz dared not attack at that moment—and that, too, was within Su Feng's expectations!
As soon as he passed the ball, Su Feng shifted into his running position.
Seeing that the ever‑reliable Swartz had quickly passed the ball to him, Swartz wisely moved aside.
And Su Feng...
At the moment he received the ball, Su Feng noticed that not only was his defender, DeMarcus, closing in, but Chester's point guard was also rushing toward him.
"You must shake off the defense as quickly as possible and take your shot—once a double‑team forms, it's over."
Fortunately, the offensive shot clock in high school basketball is generous. Even if Raul Merion wastes some time, this play still has 12 seconds.
Inspiration struck Su Feng almost instantly.
Dong, dong, dong!
I saw Su Feng lean 15 degrees to the right as he executed a deft move with the ball.
DeMarcus assumed Su Feng was trying to break through and hurriedly slid to his left.
"He made a mistake!" Just as DeMarcus slid in front of Su Feng, he realized that the ball—which Su Feng had been handling—was no longer under his control.
"Good opportunity!" DeMarcus immediately moved in! If nothing goes wrong, this will be a great steal.
Thud!
Unfortunately, just as DeMarcus reached out to steal, Su Feng's left hand pulled the ball to the left!
This is—"Sam Gold"!
Although Su Feng hasn't yet earned the bonus for the "Sam Gold" stunt, all those hours of dribbling practice were not in vain!
DeMarcus had never seen such an offensive move; even if Su Feng's "Sam Gold" isn't completely smooth, it still works wonders.
But... even as Su Feng left DeMarcus in awe, Chester's point guard was already closing in on his breakthrough path.
Ah!
"Sam Gold" is just a skill.
I saw Su Feng immediately pull the ball back—taking one step—and position himself right around the three‑point line.
The quick shot released from that move was reminiscent of a future elementary school phenom.
Swish—! 2 to 3!
In the Raul Merion Basketball Hall, the students were stunned!
This... What kind of play is this? What dribbling skills are these? How did Su Feng deny the two defenders an easy steal?
Not only the live fans but also the scouts and reporters present were even more shocked!
Because... even though they're well informed, they'd never seen dribbling like the one Su Feng just displayed.
It was as if they had seen a ghost... after all, it's been ages since this trick has been popular!
"Wow, this move is so imaginative!" marveled Duke University scout Wesley.
"Is it on camera? Is it on camera?" asked Maxson, a reporter from the Philadelphia Evening News, as he put down his camera and looked at his colleague Mills.
"Shot, shot—did you get it on film?" retorted Mills.
"Hey, I got it. Alas, if you didn't record it, this is an exclusive shot," Maxson said sadly.
"Bah, you old bastard. When you interviewed the 76ers last time, you always stole my seat. Do you think I don't know? Even if you didn't film, you'll find that Raul Merion's teaching assistant wants a copy of the video," Mills sneered.
The mutual bickering between Mills and Maxson temporarily sidelined the press.
Back on the court, Su Feng once again fell into contemplation as he retreated.
"Although that shot was beautiful—the effect I desired... But now, even such a difficult dribble maneuver can't stop me? My shot is so accurate... Today, I'm afraid I can't let it pass!" Su Feng thought deeply.
And Kobe, who had come to celebrate Su Feng's success, was surprised when he saw Su Feng's expression.
"That's the spirit, Su... Yeah, although that shot was beautiful, on the other hand, isn't it just a three-pointer? Su must be thinking about how to open up the play next—surely that's it!"
I don't know why, but at that moment, in Kobe's eyes, Su Feng seemed taller, more powerful, and radiant.
Mysterious tricks, or perhaps that paradox—
If you're aiming to earn the "iron" value, Su Feng's shooting practice might well surpass that of others. And to achieve unlimited "iron," Su Feng must prove he's qualified to hit the rim.
So Su Feng felt...
It's time to add a skill with a difficulty rating of 3.6—like drifting right after catching the ball—to his arsenal.
Is there any other turnaround three-pointer?
Ugh...
"It's not that I don't work hard!"
"Yes... I just can't keep up with my own progress!"