Li Feng wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment, "That's for sure. Yao Ming's arrival with the Knicks also made every teammate like him a lot. To put it this way, even though I was the tactical core of the team before, my contribution to the team atmosphere was average. After Yao Ming arrived, the team atmosphere reached its peak!"
Coach Zhang then turned his attention to Curry.
"Li Feng, you and Curry had great chemistry in college NCAA, but you won the championship in your first season while Curry struggled. What's your assessment of Curry?"
Mentioning Curry, Li Feng seemed deeply moved.
"Curry was my best teammate in college and my best friend. He hasn't reached his potential yet, but believe me, Curry will become a superstar!"
In 2010, not many people believed in Curry. Most media outlets considered him just a shooter with injury-prone tendencies.
At that time, Curry was slender and completely different from a power guard like Li Feng.
Yu Jia asked, "Li Feng, you have so much confidence in Curry, but Curry himself seems to lack confidence, appearing quite dejected in interviews. Have you spoken with him privately?"
Li Feng sighed and said, "I occasionally call him to chat. I actually understand his situation very well. In our first year of college, Curry was a starter, and I was a substitute. Even then, he constantly encouraged me!"
"Now, Curry is with the Warriors and indeed not doing as well, but he will definitely break through!"
Coach Zhang then asked, "Can you say a few words to Curry on the show?"
Facing the camera, Li Feng said sincerely in English, "Stephen, are you watching me? I love you! I hope you can pull yourself together and lead the Warriors to their peak! You can definitely do it!"
Li Feng's heartfelt words deeply touched both Yu Jia and Coach Zhang.
...
The first segment concluded. After a short break, the interview show proceeded to its second segment.
The second segment involved inviting a few of Li Feng's fans to the stage for a shooting game with him.
Five fans came up: three male and two female, all appearing quite young.
The fans were incredibly excited. Upon arrival, they hugged and screamed at Li Feng. It took considerable persuasion from Yu Jia before everyone calmed down.
Li Feng was then paired with the two female fans, while the three male fans formed another group for the shooting game.
The game was similar to a basketball arcade machine, with the hoop moving back and forth, making it difficult to score.
Li Feng and the fans had a blast. He and the two female fans showed great chemistry.
Three rounds of the competition were held, and ultimately, Li Feng and the two female fans emerged victorious.
After the game segment, Li Feng took another short break.
The next segment was the main event.
The show had invited three legendary Chinese basketball figures.
They were former Chinese national team player Mu Dazhu, former Chinese national team player Adijiang, and Coach Jiang Xingquan.
Li Feng stood up very politely and shook hands with the three respectfully.
The three senior figures were also fond of Li Feng and were all very approachable.
"Li Feng, don't be so formal. You are the pride of our nation now!" Coach Jiang said with a smile, constantly shaking Li Feng's hand.
After everyone sat down, Yu Jia said, "It's rare for us all to be here together today. Let me propose a topic."
Adijiang, a former star guard for the Bayi team who later became a coach, was extremely fond of Li Feng.
Yu Jia continued, "Adijiang, you know that, do you think China will produce another guard like Li Feng?"
Adijiang shook his head with a wry smile, "It's too difficult. Li Feng's strength, speed, and basketball IQ are all at a historic level. Even on the international stage, he is a once-in-a-century talent!"
Hearing such high praise from Adijiang, Li Feng became a bit embarrassed.
He scratched his head and said humbly, "Coach Adijiang, you flatter me. I believe China still has many promising young players. As long as they are nurtured well and discovered effectively, we can find them."
Mu Dazhu was less talkative, but he also placed great importance on the development of the younger generation.
"Li Feng, actually, China's training system had some issues before. When selecting young players, they would look for those with height and also measure bone age. These are not essential conditions for selecting basketball talent."
As the tallest player in the history of the Chinese men's basketball team, Mu Dazhu's observation of this issue was remarkable.
Coach Jiang nodded in agreement with Mu Dazhu's point.
"Exactly. While height offers an advantage in basketball, many basketball skills are not directly related to height. Many shorter players can still thrive on the court!"
Seeing that the esteemed veterans had pointed out this critical issue, Li Feng also offered a few words.
"Everyone, height advantage is indeed important, but many other aspects are even more crucial than height. I completely agree with your points. However, in terms of talent selection, we should relax some of the rigid criteria and allow young players more creative freedom to showcase their abilities."
"I like that phrase – 'creativity'!" Coach Adijiang exclaimed.
From this topic, the four of them extended the conversation to discuss many issues related to selecting basketball talent.
...
After the interview show concluded, Li Feng did not leave immediately but fell into deep thought.
Coach Zhang walked over to Li Feng and said meaningfully, "Li Feng, I know you attach great importance to talent development, but many things must be done step by step; you can't be too hasty."
Li Feng sighed and nodded, "I truly don't want to see a situation where, after Yao Ming and I retire, China has no players capable of making it to the NBA. That would be a true regret."
Coach Zhang understood Li Feng's feelings and patted his shoulder without saying anything further.
Li Feng stayed in China for a month, completing his tasks, and then returned to the United States to resume his training.
Yao Ming was still in China accompanying his family, but he did not neglect his training, dedicating at least four hours to it daily.
The annual NBA draft had concluded, and another batch of highly talented rookies had joined the league.
This year's top pick was John Wall, selected by the Washington Wizards.
The second pick was Evan Turner, chosen by the 76ers, and the third was Derrick Favors, selected by the Nets.
Other notable picks included Cousins, Monroe, Hayward, Paul George, Bledsoe, Bradley, and Stephenson.
During the offseason, several major trades occurred in the league.
Besides the Miami Heat forming their "Big Three," the Knicks traded Danilo Gallinari and two role players to the Suns for Amar'e Stoudemire, signing him to a four-year, $100 million deal.
Additionally, the Jazz and Bulls completed a trade that sent Carlos Boozer to the Bulls.
The Bulls also re-signed Kyle Korver.
Furthermore, due to Lowry's mention of a starting role, the Knicks' Chris Duhon was unhappy and requested a trade.
Consequently, the Knicks traded Duhon to the Orlando Magic, simultaneously sending Larry Hughes to the Pacers, and acquiring Raymond Felton and Chauncey Billups in return.
After two months of training, the preseason games began.
The Knicks' first preseason game was a home match against the Wizards.
With the top draft pick Wall, the Wizards were highly anticipated this season.
Given Li Feng's success with the Knicks, many Wizards fans harbored great expectations for Wall.
This was because Wall appeared similar to Li Feng in many aspects: extremely fast, strong, and possessing a decent three-point shot.
Li Feng saw some of the pre-game media reports that even referred to Wall as the "next Li Feng!"
This made Li Feng feel quite indignant.
It was akin to how the media had once compared "The Glide" Clyde Drexler to Michael Jordan's rival.
Jordan had famously said at the time: "I have great respect for Clyde Drexler; he's a very good player, but I have to dominate him in the game, otherwise, you'll think we're on the same level!"
That was Jordan's dominance!
Although Li Feng wouldn't say it out loud, his thoughts were similar to Jordan's.
He made a silent vow to dominate Wall in the preseason and show everyone whether any top draft pick could be compared to him!
On October 16th, the preseason game between the Knicks and the Wizards commenced.
Fueled by media hype, fans were highly invested in this matchup.
Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks' starting lineup consisted of Li Feng, Yao Ming, Amar'e Stoudemire, Luis Scola, and Rajon Rondo.
The Wizards' starting five were Wall, Gilbert Arenas, Andray Blatche, Kirk Hinrich, and JaVale McGee.
McGee's jumping ability was impressive, winning the first possession for the Wizards in the tip-off at center court.
As Wall dribbled past half-court, Li Feng personally stepped up to defend him.
In terms of height, it would have been more logical for Li Feng to guard Arenas and Rondo to guard Wall.
However, Li Feng had a last-minute change of mind and switched with Rondo.
Wall was very excited. Ever since becoming the top draft pick, he had been labeled as the "next Li Feng" by the media, so he had been looking forward to a head-to-head confrontation with Li Feng.
Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, he had resolved to dominate Li Feng and prove himself to be the strongest No. 1 pick!
Wall's most prized asset was his speed, so he intended to use it to get past Li Feng.
*Swish!*
Without employing any other techniques, Wall executed a quick crossover, and without slowing down, he flew past Li Feng.
He was truly fast!
Had it been anyone else, they would have been completely outplayed.
Unfortunately for Wall, he encountered Li Feng, who possessed the league's fastest first step!
Li Feng's footwork was instantaneous, and he managed to keep up with Wall.
Wall was stunned. From his peripheral vision, he saw that Li Feng had kept pace with his move.
*Swish!*
Wall spun again, attempting to shake off Li Feng.
This was another of Wall's signature moves; his spin was incredibly quick, comparable to Tony Parker's "tortilla spin."
Although he had just joined the NBA, he had previously competed against NBA players, and this move had always been effective.
He expected to lose Li Feng, but to his surprise, Li Feng, as if anticipating his move, executed a similar spin, continuing to defend Wall closely and deny him any shooting opportunities.
Wall became anxious. With less than 5 seconds left on the shot clock, he needed to make a move quickly or it would be too late.
Therefore, Wall suddenly stepped back, gathered the ball, and intended to take a pull-up jumper!
His pull-up move was very smooth and indeed difficult to defend.
However, Li Feng, as last season's Defensive Player of the Year, did not let him off the hook.
*Smack!*
Just as Wall hastily released his shot, Li Feng, as if his feet were equipped with springs, sprang up, raising his right hand high, and swatted Wall's ball away.
The crowd erupted in gasps, followed by thunderous applause, celebrating Li Feng's tight defense.
Wall's face turned pale. He had not expected his first offensive possession in the NBA to be so ruthlessly disrupted by Li Feng.
After the block, Li Feng smiled at Wall and said, "Welcome to the NBA!"
Wall looked at Li Feng, a sense of dread creeping into his heart.
Could someone really be this fast in the world?
The basketball landed near Amar'e Stoudemire. Stoudemire immediately grabbed the ball and passed it to Rondo.
"Little Cannon" Rondo accelerated quickly, driving past half-court.
Wall was indeed fast. After a brief moment of stunned disbelief, he immediately retreated to defend.
Gilbert Arenas also caught up to Rondo.
Seeing Rondo facing a two-on-one situation, Li Feng quickly crossed half-court and yelled, "Rondo, pass it to me!"
Wall had been shut down by Li Feng on the previous possession, and now that he had an opportunity, he was determined to defend Li Feng.
Rondo immediately passed the ball to Li Feng, with Wall positioning himself in front of Li Feng.
Li Feng smiled and asked, "Wall, do you think you can guard me?"
Wall snorted, "What do you think? I'll give you a big block too!"
Li Feng suppressed a smile and nodded, "Okay, let's do it then!"
*Swish!*
Li Feng exploded forward, driving towards Wall's right side.
Wall's speed was indeed impressive, and he immediately kept up, focusing on the ball in Li Feng's hands, aiming to strip it.
Unexpectedly, Li Feng suddenly stopped, then pulled the ball back to his left.
His ability to stop on a dime was incredible, truly a "ankle-breaker."
Wall hadn't anticipated Li Feng's ability to stop, so he quickly braked as well.
The moment Wall finally managed to stop, Li Feng initiated his move again, gliding past him from the left, even faster than before!
Wall's brain wanted to pursue Li Feng, but his feet could no longer keep up.
*Thud!*
Wall was so thoroughly faked out by Li Feng that he stumbled and fell to the ground.
The arena erupted in a clamor!
The esteemed top draft pick was floored by a single move from Li Feng!
Li Feng, like the wind, dashed to the basket and soared for a powerful slam dunk!
Arenas was too late to defend and could only watch as Li Feng scored two points.
Li Feng's offensive and defensive plays had served as a valuable lesson for Wall.
Wall's earlier confidence had vanished from his face, replaced by a look of despair, especially at the moment he was faked to the ground.
Score: 2-0.
The Wizards' possession. Wall did not handle the ball this time but passed it to Arenas.
Arenas possessed strong scoring ability, and his three-point shot was exceptionally potent in those days.
Rondo found it difficult to defend Arenas one-on-one.
Arenas executed a big crossover, creating space, and fired a three-pointer!
Although Rondo leaped to contest, he was still a step too late.
*Swish!*
The three-pointer was good!
Simultaneously, because Rondo closed out too aggressively, he fouled Arenas.
*Beep!* The referee's whistle blew.
A 3+1!
"Agent Zero," Arenas, responded with a three-point play to Li Feng!
Rondo was frustrated and stood by, shaking his head repeatedly.
Li Feng, understanding the pressure Rondo was under, walked over, patted his arm, and quietly reassured him, "It's okay, no big deal. You'll return the favor later!"