Chapter 16

On the 16th, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals between the Raptors and the Pacers tipped off in Toronto.

Because the NBA would be announcing the regular season awards for the 98/99 season on the 20th, the folks in the Great White North pulled out all the stops to support Su Feng before the game.

Many fans held signs at the home game that read, "We want freedom of speech, but we also want openness, fairness, and justice," protesting Stern's previous comments about Su Feng being too young.

Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought a protest demonstration was about to take place in the Great White North tonight.

In addition, "The Passing of the Torch," a large-scale positive energy documentary co-produced by Su Feng and Jordan, was also "screened" at the Raptors' home stadium before the start of the semi-finals.

In truth, calling it a documentary was more like a collection of small stories pieced together from random, everyday footage.

In the film, the hardships behind Su Feng and Jordan were best interpreted.

For example, even a man as tenacious as Michael Jordan would have times when he was completely exhausted.

However, what moved fans the most was the "mutual encouragement" between Su Feng and Jordan in the film.

The "loving" Su and Jordan touched the hearts of countless "naive" fans.

"Su, if it weren't for your support, I think I might have given up already."

In the footage, a scene of Jordan soaking in an ice bath brought tears to the eyes of countless Jordan fans.

"No, Michael, you're Michael Jordan. How can you give up so easily?"

At the time, Su Feng solemnly said to Jordan in response to his question.

"Michael, what has been your motivation to play basketball all this time?"

In addition, a scene of Su Feng repeatedly missing shots on the training ground immediately piqued people's curiosity about what would happen between Jordan and him next.

At this moment, Jordan suddenly patted Su Feng on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Fame and fortune, those will always pass."

"But Su, you know, the only thing I can't let go of is glory.

"Look, when climbing a mountain, it's always so easy to take a step back, but if you want to keep climbing higher, you have to put in twice the effort.

"Pick up the basketball and keep training! Even if you miss the first ten shots, as a leader, you have to resolutely take the eleventh."

At the Air Canada Centre, more than 20,000 Raptors fans were already moved to tears after watching this short story documentary about Su Feng and Jordan.

On the Raptors' bench, however, Carter, McGrady, Nash, and others really wanted to go to the bathroom and throw up.

Seriously!

If they didn't know the truth, they really wouldn't have known that Su Feng and Jordan's skin could be so thick!

Good heavens, how could these two say such disgusting lines without batting an eye?

Of course, no matter how disgusted Carter, McGrady, Nash, and the others felt at this moment...

In New York, Stern was ecstatic after watching this documentary via live broadcast.

Because for Stern, who desperately needed to promote the NBA's globalization, Jordan passing the torch to Su Feng...

Was an excellent demonstration of the NBA's openness and inclusiveness.

Moreover, no one knew better than Stern that if you want to promote the NBA, you must first promote basketball.

And if you want to promote basketball worldwide...

If there are always only American stars, then how can the NBA attract fans from other countries and increase their sense of belonging?

Therefore, after the Raptors' unprofessional documentary was released, Stern sensed that the opportunity for the NBA to go global had now appeared before him.

A team from Canada.

A young leader of international players after Jordan.

Go for it, Raptors!

Although Stern only said this to himself in his heart, believe it or not, in the summer of 1999, he, Stern, was definitely the number one Raptor fan.

At the Air Canada Centre, on the Pacers' side, Bird vaguely felt as if he had been forcibly cast as the villain.

Damn it!

Did he have to be the villain for that idiot from the Lakers back in his playing days, and now he has to be the villain for these idiots from the Raptors in his coaching days?

Well, to be honest.

Bird, wearing a suit tonight, looked so domineering standing on the sidelines. If you said he wasn't a Mafia godfather, didn't look like a villain...

Then who the hell would believe you?

Alright...

No one knew better than the cunning Bird what the Raptors' intention was in releasing this documentary now.

On the one hand, they were trying to

Meanwhile, upon seeing Su Feng's aggrieved expression, Jordan also patted him on the shoulder knowingly, "Reggie is just like that. Thanks for your hard work, Su."

Hard work?

No hard work at all.

Because for Su Feng, who always paid back every slight, if Reggie Miller scored 5 points tonight, then Su Feng...

Then Su Feng would make McGrady retire immediately and become a truck driver!

Don't ask, just assume he was the team bully, and everything in the Raptors was up to him, Su Feng.

On the court, the game continued.

Raptors' offense.

Su Feng, who was petty and never waited ten years for revenge, directly called Carter over to pick-and-roll with him.

After switching Miller onto himself, Su Feng ruthlessly charged into Miller's defensive zone.

As a result, Miller's ribs took a heavy blow.

Miller, who was already skinny, was no match for Su Feng's cold-blooded steel elbow.

Bang!

Almost blasted away by Su Feng, Miller also looked at the referee with a wronged expression.

Unfortunately...

Su Feng's standard back-attack was so well-executed that even in the future, when the referees weren't corrupt, they wouldn't call a foul, let alone in this era of brawling.

Swish!

After scoring another two points for the Raptors with a turnaround fadeaway, Su Feng finally got rid of his pent-up anger.

And coming back on defense, noticing that Miller still wanted to pinch him, Su Feng directly slapped the back of Miller's hand hard with his big hand.

What the hell!

You still want to pinch me?

On Miller's side, with the back of his hand reddened by Su Feng, he was also pissed.

What the hell!

I'm gonna pinch you anyway!

Slap, slap, slap...

The referees, who were originally focused on Jackson's isolation play against Nash, suddenly felt like they were hearing some disharmonious sounds.

But whenever they turned their attention to the direction of the sound, they could only see Su Feng and Miller, who were "respectful as guests"...

Clang!

On the court, after battling wits and courage with Su Feng for ten seconds, Miller finally gained the "upper hand."

Unfortunately, with his hand reddened by Su Feng, how could Miller maintain his accuracy?

It had to be said that the current meta was indeed very unfriendly to shooters.

Players like Su Feng, who were indiscriminate offensive threats, were fine.

At worst, they could just pull up with the opponent's black feet and black hands in their face.

But for shooters like Miller, who needed to run around to create opportunities, who knew how much effort Miller had to put in just to get a shot off sometimes?

On the court, Miller's three-pointer clanked off the rim, and the Raptors grabbed the rebound and quickly launched a fast break.

However, the Pacers' retreat speed was also very fast.

As a result, the Raptors' classic fast break turned into a set offense.

This possession, because he had just played "rock-paper-scissors" with Miller, Su Feng did not choose to shoot after squeezing past Jalen Rose on the wing. Instead, he chose to charge hard inside, drawing a foul against two Davises under the basket.

Su Feng made one of two free throws, and at this moment, the Raptors players, who were preparing to high-five Su Feng, realized that Su Feng's big hands were already red and purple.

To be honest...

It was too difficult for Brother Feng. This time, it wasn't just a joke.

Maybe the pace of NBA games in the 90s wasn't as fast as in the future, but the defensive actions at this time...

How could the "joke era" of the future compare?

On the court, the game continued.

As the first quarter progressed, on the Pacers' bench, Bird vaguely had the same realization as Van Gundy.

That was...

The Raptors' tactics weren't difficult to deal with.

But Su Feng this season...

Was simply the brightest star on the NBA street.

Especially after the playoffs started, he was in full-throttle mode, and his state was completely on a different level from other players.

23 to 29.

At the end of the first quarter, the Pacers were down by 6 points to the Raptors.

Originally, for Bird, who had hidden two starters, the second quarter was a great opportunity for the Pacers to chase points.

However, in the second quarter, with Su Feng still not resting, leading McGrady, Old Curry, and others, he had already become a nightmare in Bird's eyes.

With the game reaching this point, even a tough guy like Bird couldn't help but ask himself:

In the second quarter, can we really catch up, or will we just watch the score get further and further away?

After asking himself this question, Bird, shifting his gaze to Su Feng, felt a sense of "fear" towards a player for the first time in his life.

This guy...

Was he made of iron?

…

ps: Wuhu! I finally kept 200! (If I keep rolling, I'm gonna be gone, crying!)

ps2: Continuing on the 19th!