After breaking through the dribbling ceiling with Iverson's help, Su Feng had finally found some relief. It was as if a heavy weight had lifted off his shoulders. His dribbling and ball-handling potential was now rated an impressive 62, and that realization filled him with a sense of accomplishment.
Thinking back to all the players who could effortlessly showcase their fancy dribbles in the NBA and finish with a pull-up jumper, Su Feng couldn't help but marvel. Man, it's like a lightbulb turning on!
On the 5th, after another hard session with Iverson, Su Feng received an unexpected call. The team informed him that Jason and Rick, two of the assistants, had invited both him and Iverson for coffee. Given that the summer league was just a week away, Su Feng figured the meeting would be about some special strategies that the assistants wanted to share. After all, having the top pick from the golden generation and a first-round No. 13 pick in the same room couldn't be ignored.
Jason and Rick, despite their assistant coach status, were highly respected in their own right. Most NBA assistants were aware of their "place," as they were all aiming for promotions, so the gesture of inviting them wasn't lost on Su Feng. Even though Iverson initially resisted, Su Feng convinced him to come along.
However, Su Feng had underestimated their "card face."
Jason and Rick weren't actually there to discuss tactics. Instead, they wanted to tap into the influence of the two young stars. They needed a favor—recommendations for potential players to sign. Klaus, with his notorious blind spots, had given them a strict order: If Iverson and Su Feng didn't perform well in the summer league, their contracts would be in serious jeopardy.
It was clear that Klaus wasn't exactly the sharpest basketball mind, but his influence had skyrocketed with public favor. Thanks to Su Feng's rising star power, Klaus's local approval in Philadelphia had surged to 90%. And Su Feng's popularity wasn't just a byproduct of his talent; he had become a symbol of pride for the fans, especially as he was now close friends with Iverson. This fame made Iverson and Su Feng incredibly valuable.
To Jason and Rick, this meant they needed to get on Iverson and Su Feng's good side. After all, in the NBA, stars often held more power than the coaching staff. Even head coaches found themselves kneeling before their star players if they wanted to keep their jobs.
Su Feng was unaware of how much Klaus had invested in him. Meanwhile, Jason and Rick were desperately looking for players who could create chemistry in the summer league and potentially stay on for the season.
As they arrived at the 76ers' office building, Su Feng noticed someone standing outside—a bulky figure with a head full of unruly hair. Initially, he wondered if this was Kobe Bryant trying to mock him. But then, he saw the face more clearly.
It was Ben Wallace.
The man, towering and muscular despite his unpolished appearance, looked somewhat like a raw diamond. A bit younger than the Ben Wallace Su Feng remembered from his previous life, but it was unmistakably him.
Wallace's journey had been anything but smooth. In the 1996 draft, he went undrafted, overlooked by teams for his size, lack of polished skills, and age. However, his immense potential hadn't been fully realized yet. He had considered playing football, but basketball had always been his true passion. After failing to gain any serious attention, he wandered from city to city submitting his resume, seeking a chance to prove himself.
Su Feng was aware of Ben Wallace's hardship from his past life. He knew how much Wallace had been overlooked, even though his defensive prowess and athleticism had always been undeniable.
Su Feng had an idea when he saw Wallace. The 76ers were in need of a tough, defensive-minded player, especially with the trade of Clarence Coleman. The team lacked size and grit in the paint, something Ben Wallace could provide.
Iverson was confused by the sight of Wallace standing outside, but after a brief exchange, Wallace nervously introduced himself. "My name's Ben. I'm here to drop off my resume."
Iverson, not giving it much thought, nodded and walked past him into the building. But Su Feng had a lightbulb moment. Ben Wallace wasn't just a random player—he was a player with raw potential, someone who could make an immediate impact if given a chance. So, he did what he thought was right: he vouched for Wallace.
Later, when Su Feng and Iverson were inside meeting with Jason and Rick, Su Feng casually brought up Ben Wallace, introducing him as a "defensive specialist" who had great potential despite his height disadvantage.
Jason and Rick, who had heard of Wallace but didn't take him seriously because of his size, perked up when Su Feng spoke highly of him. With the pressure from Klaus, Jason and Rick were desperate for players who could contribute, and if Su Feng vouching for Wallace could help, they weren't about to turn him down.
So, a few minutes later, Ben Wallace, still standing outside and shivering in the cold, was invited inside. He was taken aback, unsure if this was truly happening.
Jason, seeing the nervousness in Wallace, wasted no time. "We're willing to sign you for the summer league. It'll cover your food and lodging. Are you interested?"
Wallace's mind raced. He had no idea how it had come to this, but here was his chance.
Before he could speak, Su Feng sidled up to him, whispering in his ear, "Just go with it. This is your shot."
Ben Wallace nodded, understanding that this was his moment. The 76ers, despite their doubts about his height, were willing to give him a chance based on Su Feng's recommendation.
In that moment, Su Feng knew he had just secured a powerful ally for the 76ers. Even if he couldn't control the management, helping a future defensive powerhouse like Ben Wallace was the best thing he could do to ensure his own spot on the team.
And as Wallace signed the summer league contract, Su Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. In his mind, it was another step closer to his long-term goals, even if it meant building the team from the inside out.