On the 20th of December, Lower Merion took part in the last divisional match before the start of the winter break.
Unlike the long summer break, the winter break for American High School students usually began on Christmas and lasted for three to five weeks.
Lower Merion's break was five weeks long.
Moreover, based on the match details, Lower Merion had nine more divisional matches. After the match on the 20th of December, the remaining eight matches would be completed in February.
Then the first four places of each division would advance to the zonal competitions, and eight teams would be selected to participate in the California basketball championships.
Lower Merion, who managed to score 15 consecutive wins, shocked all of Pennsylvania. Many experts were speculating that they were the most likely champion.
With the weather turning colder in Philadelphia, Su Feng and Kobe had given up on plans to train at 4 AM.
After all, even with a healthy body like Su Feng and Kobe's, they could not take the cold temperatures of Philadelphia.
"Sigh, I feel that the best point guard of the season is already determined," sighed Schwartz as he looked at the statistics. He had become more full of himself recently.
In fact, Schwartz was not the only one who behaved that way.
People like Stewart and Lasman had gone through a few girlfriends recently…
Can't help it, that was the nature of human beings.
Have you not seen how Yao Ming became 200 kilograms after retiring, and how A.C. Milan celebrated prematurely after leading by three points in the first half of the finals?
Actually, there was nothing wrong with being full of oneself. Without confidence, humans would be just like a bighead carp.
Of course, if everyone were overly full of themselves, the outcome was obvious.
On the 20th of December, Lower Merion High School went against Hery Catholic High School.
Based on what Su Feng remembered, this was the team that Kobe defeated in the finals when he was in year four.
Therefore, Su Feng gave up on the "a buck is a buck" plan.
….
However…
There was something wrong with the net of Lower Merion!
Clang, clang, clang!
Both Kobe and Su Feng were stuck in a weird state of "unable to score despite no defence".
The worse thing was, the musketeers of Lower Merion also began to act weirdly.
The saying went, the entire family would score brick shots together.
Lower Merion held a grand and large-scale "musical" for their students before the winter break.
For the first three quarters, Lower Merion High School, who was predicted to be the champion, was defeated by Hery Catholic High School.
At the critical moment, the last quarter, Kobe and Su Feng were the determining factors.
Su Feng, who managed to find his momentum, managed to score a three-pointer at the critical moment with 1:17 left on the clock. Lower Merion was now at 45 points, tied with their opponent.
However, Michael, the shooting guard of Hery Catholic High School, scored a three-pointer too!
48:45!
Lower Merion attacked. To play safe, Kobe made use of his height and managed to score a hook shot.
Lower Merion High School was still losing by one point. As long as they were able to defend Hery Catholic High School's attack, they still had the chance to overtake them.
When defending, Su Feng and Kobe continuously jumped, while the three musketeers gave their all under the glares of Su Feng and Kobe.
Michael's last shot missed the net. Lasman snatched the ball and passed it to Schwartz.
Lower Merion had 16 seconds remaining. It was sufficient for a successful attack.
Gregg, the head coach of Lower Merion, did not request for a time-out, as he wanted his players to play the game by themselves.
Meanwhile, to prevent a last-minute goal, Hery Catholic High School decided to make a bet. Apart from Nelson, the center, the other four players had their eyes on Su Feng and Kobe.
However, at this moment, Schwartz, who felt that he was the best player in Pennsylvania, was possessed by Nick Yang's spirit.
That was because after dribbling past the three-point field goal, Schwartz realized that his opponents were not defending…
Wasn't that the best chance to become famous?
Even though he was used as a tool, Schwartz had his own dreams.
Considering that his new girlfriend, Lenna, was watching him live, as well as his 42% accuracy for three-pointers, Schwartz suddenly felt that it was an opportunity from heaven for him to prove himself!
Don't hesitate, Schwartz.
Therefore, he attacked.
Su Feng, who was running, was stunned by Schwartz's move. Kobe, who was just about to reach his hand out to catch the ball, was also shocked.
Clang!
The ball missed the net. Nelson immediately passed the ball to Michael. Michael did not attack and tried to buy time by dribbling the ball around.
The fourth quarter ended in vain!
Lower Merion, after 15 successive wins… was defeated!
Schwartz was shocked.
48:47!
The players from Hery Catholic High School felt as though they had received a gift from heaven!
Oh heavens, we beat the "Junior Chicago Bulls"!
Everyone from Lower Merion was frozen.
Schwartz felt like he was doomed.
Therefore, being too full of oneself may result in terrible consequences!
….
After the match ended, Gregg comforted the team for a while. Then, after the audience left, Gregg told the team about the training schedule after winter break.
Actually, to Gregg, 15 wins and one loss was the best track record he had in his coaching career.
High school players were not like NBA players. All of them were young players and it was normal for occasional losses.
After all, there was a lot of uncertainty for a competition between teenagers.
Moreover, Su Feng was more serious today as compared to his other matches. Although he did not perform well in attacking, he had done his best for defence.
However…
It was such a rare sight for the entire team to throw brick shots together.
Lower Merion even had the chance to beat their opponent at the last minute.
However, Schwartz came.
Therefore, Su Feng had predicted Schwartz's fate.
Indeed, from the moment the match ended to the time the players changed out of their clothes in the changing room, Kobe had been staring at Schwartz…
If Schwartz had a chance to make another choice, he swore that he would pass the ball to Su Feng or Kobe.
Schwartz felt like killing himself.
Meanwhile, the other players did not dare to say anything.
Everyone was extremely cautious after the match ended. They were afraid that Kobe would target them next.
"Alright, Kobe, stop making things difficult for Robbie."
Su Feng knew that he had to say something to Kobe. If not, Schwartz might really suffer from post-traumatic stress with basketball.
Although Su Feng felt that Schwartz deserved a scolding, he thought that this loss was not necessarily a bad thing.
After all, even though they had lost the match, it would not affect their ranking.
Compared to losing the most critical match, it was better to lose a match before the most critical match.
Su Feng would also not need to think about how to tell his teammates not to be too full of themselves.
However, after Su Feng said that to Kobe, the target of Kobe's "death stare" suddenly changed to Su Feng.
The coach and players of Lower Merion were shocked!
That was because Su Feng was courting death by speaking to Kobe at this moment.
Su Feng turned to Schwartz and said, ignoring Kobe, "Robbie, go back first. Take the winter break to reflect and remember to hand in a reflection note after the break."
When Schwartz heard that, he was certain that he had definitely done a good deed in his past life.
If not, why would God send Su Feng, the angel, to save him?
After thanking Su Feng, the players and coaches of Lower Merion left.
Su Feng was indeed a righteous man!
If their thoughts could be translated to Mandarin, the meaning would be roughly: In the past, Jingke attacked the emperor. Today, Su persuaded Kobe!
Shrill winds rise, waters cold; the hero shall go!
"Cough, stop staring at me, okay?" said Su Feng after seeing how Kobe was staring at him.
However, Kobe straightened his back and continued to stare at Su Feng as though he did not hear what Su Feng had said.
If Kobe stuck out his tongue, Su Feng would have thought that he would be attacked by this mamba in the next second…
Kobe's death stare really lived up to its name!
If Su Feng did not have a heart as strong as steel, Su Feng would have crumbled.
"Oh right, if I go over to your house on Christmas Eve, do you want me to showcase my cooking skills?" Su Feng knew that Kobe's character was as such. Therefore, he had to get his mindset as a Virgo to that of a Leo.
Or else, Su Feng felt that he would get stared at for 58 hours if Kobe continued with his compulsiveness as a Virgo.
"Oh?" Indeed, Kobe acted as though there was an angel and devil within him.
The devil kept stabbing Kobe with his fork and told him, "Stare him to death!"
Meanwhile, the angel flapped his wings and told Kobe, "Hurry, ask him what he is making!"
After an internal battle, Kobe changed to his Leo side and asked, "Su, why did you let Robbie off so easily?"
Su Feng smiled. "That's because I think it may not necessarily be a bad thing to lose now."
Kobe was speechless.
Su Feng shrugged. "Look, aren't they talking about successive wins recently? Almost everyone thought that they could join the NBA?"
Kobe nodded.
Su Feng took the opportunity to tap Kobe's shoulder. "That's right, Kobe, don't you know about my desire to win? I also hate how Robbie decided to not pass the ball to us!
"However, Kobe, have you thought of this: why were we able to fight until the last second with our opponents?
"That's because we are not strong enough! We are players who see the NBA as our goal. We should have more foresight and view this competition as a lesson.
"We cannot be full of ourselves. We must remember to be humble. There are countless examples of how a basketball player lost the match because he underestimated his opponents.
"However, if we didn't experience it ourselves, how would we know the pain of this?
"Therefore, we must continue to work hard. As long as we get better, we will not be afraid of similar incidents happening again."
Kobe nodded continuously as Su Feng spoke.
Indeed, Kobe knew that Su Feng's desire to win was not weaker than his own. Sometimes, Kobe even admired Su Feng's perseverance.
"I know, but… I still feel bad." Kobe frowned.
"There's a Chinese saying that goes: if you were met with something that made you unhappy, you should eat a good meal. If one meal doesn't resolve the problem, have two." Su Feng tried to change the topic as he saw Kobe getting persuaded.
This time, Kobe's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, what else do you know how to cook?"
Su Feng smiled. "You will know then."
Su Feng had adjusted Kobe's mindset unknowingly, and they did not waste their time.
Because they lost the match, Kobe was unhappy. Therefore, Su Feng used this as an excuse to start a new one-on-one match with Kobe…
….
Just as Su Feng successfully resolved an internal crisis, in Chicago…
After a day of training, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. picked up his phone at the agreed timing.
"BJ, I am back from Los Angeles." A low voice was heard from the phone.
"I know, Michael, I saw the news. It reported that you bumped into Latrell Sprewell when visiting a friend at Los Angeles," said Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr.
Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. felt that Jordan was very childish when he thought of the news.
Indeed, the person on the call with Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. was none other than his ex-teammate, Michael Jordan.
"Haha, yes, Benjamin, do you know Anfernee Hardaway?" asked Michael Jordan curiously.
"Yes, he is the trump card of the Orlando Magic, he has very sharp breakthroughs. I have gone against him a few times, it was very difficult to defend," replied Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr..
"Then, between me and him, who do you think is harder to defend against?" asked Jordan.
"Fine, Michael, you are the hardest person to defend against. Moreover, he is only a newbie," said Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr..
"Hmm… Oh right, Benjamin, what do you think of Jason Kidd?" Jordan asked after pausing.
When facing Michael-Many Questions-Jordon, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. replied, "Jason is a very outstanding point guard. He has a tall build and is very speedy. His power is good too."
Jordan seemed to be pondering over Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr.'s reply. After a few seconds, Jordan replied, "BJ, how are you guys doing?"
"Brother, I think you have to be more specific. If it's the entire team, I can only say it's about the same as when I updated you last time," said Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr..
"Hmm, what about the younger players? How has Phil been treating them?" asked Jordan.
"The few young guys are still adapting. You know that we have created too many miracles in the past, the stress is overpowering them," replied Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr..
"Alright, we shall end our conversation here. I will call you another day," said Jordan.
"Hmm, alright." After hanging up, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. was in deep thought.
That was because he had been contacting Jordan more often now.
As the Chicago Bulls player who had been in contact with Jordan most frequently after he retired, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. had never asked about Jordan's involvement with baseball, and hence was liked by Boss Jordan.
Meanwhile, after Jordan's retirement, in order to find out about him, Phil Jackson always asked Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. about Jordan.
Sometimes, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. felt speechless.
He did not understand why the two of them could not meet up to chat.
Before the training of the Chicago Bulls, Phil Jackson pulled Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. aside.
"So what, what did Michael ask you yesterday?" Phil Jackson was like the old man in KFC.
"He asked me about Anfernee, Jason, and the other young players," answered Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. truthfully.
In fact, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. never chatted with Jordan about anything other than basketball. This was why Jordan was very assured when chatting with Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr..
Therefore, after hearing Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr.'s reply, Phil Jackson thought for a few seconds before replying, "How was his tone in the call?"
Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. replied, "He felt… younger, just like…"
"The time when we clinched our first champion title?" Phil Jackson patted Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr.'s shoulder in satisfaction.
"BJ, you also have a strong sense of premonition, right?" Phil Jackson suddenly became very serious.
Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. nodded. "Yes."
"He is planning to return." After saying that, Phil Jackson strolled to the side slowly.
"Yes, he is planning to return." Although the Chicago Bulls performed averagely in the new season, Benjamin Roy Armstrong Jr. felt that this would not be an ordinary season…
….