After eliminating two players, Pang Bo asked Wang Yi a question during practice the next day:
"Brother Yi, how do you do the soma step? I'd like to learn."
He looked eager to learn.
The 27 players present all turned to look at Wang Yi.
The debate over the soma step had been going on for three years now.
Many people said the soma step was a travel, while others argued that under the new rules, it didn't count as one.
They all wanted to hear what Wang Yi, a professional player, had to say.
At the same time, those who believed it wasn't a travel wanted to learn the soma step from him.
Wang Yi shook his head and called Little Fatty over.
Looking him in the eye, he said solemnly, "Little Fatty, you shouldn't be thinking about the soma step or the Yugoslav step right now. Your top priority is to master the fundamentals and practice the most basic footwork. The fundamentals of basketball are the foundation. The ten moves I taught you are all you need for a lifetime, as long as you practice them until they're solid."
Pang Bo took Wang Yi's words almost like they were a royal decree.
He nodded. "I understand, Brother Yi."
Another player asked, "Brother Yi, I've never seen you use the soma step on the court. Does that mean you think it's a travel too?"
Wang Yi looked at him. "Strictly speaking, the soma step isn't a travel. Some people say it's a travel because you lift your pivot foot or take off from one foot, but neither of those makes it a travel. The rules allow you to jump off one foot, both feet, or your pivot foot. As long as you shoot or pass the ball before your