The University of California rivalry game.
George Zidek, the only center in the Pac-12 who might have a chance of challenging Li Fei.
In front of the entire crowd, Zidek was getting his belly button practically knocked out.
At the start of the game, Zidek hadn't realized how serious the problem was and actually chose to challenge Li Fei.
Zidek's thinking was: "We're both 118 kilograms. What do I have to be afraid of?"
Then, two minutes into the game, he was already saying, "Brother Li, take it easy!"
Anyone who hadn't played against Li Fei had no idea how formidable his defense was. Getting swatted several times right off the bat was only natural.
Li Fei racked up five blocks in the first two minutes tonight, and he had already set a new record for blocks per unit of playing time by a college player.
In this game, Li Fei went on to rack up 16 blocks, tying the NCAA single-game record.
The NCAA single-game record was 16 blocks, set by current NBA center David Robinson in 1986. Playing for the United States Naval Academy against the University of North Carolina Wilmington, he put up 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 16 blocks.
It caused a sensation at the time, and the game also laid a solid foundation for his eventual rise to become the first pick in the draft.
Li Fei's performance tonight was even better than David Robinson's.
Li Fei put up 48 points, grabbed 25 rebounds, and blocked 16 shots.
The only 40-20-10 triple-double in NCAA history!
As television stations across the basketball world went into overdrive covering Michael Jordan's retirement, college player Li Fei also made a bit of a splash.
NBC immediately began replaying footage of Li Fei's performance over and over.
Meanwhile, the show's two commentators, Marv Albert and Doug Collins, launched into a heated discussion about Li Fei.
"We have to move on from Michael Jordan's retirement. Now, a Chinese center from college has given us another reason to sit up and take notice."
"We need to talk about Li Fei's draft stock. In today's game, he put up 48 points, 25 rebounds, and 16 blocks."
"He tied David Robinson's single-game blocks record!"
Marv Albert picked up the conversation. "Buddy, in my book, Li Fei's defense is a hundred times better than David Robinson's!"
"David Robinson set the single-game record of 16 blocks in '86 against a center who was only 2.06 meters tall. Li Fei's opponent tonight was 2.13 meters tall. These aren't even in the same league in terms of difficulty!"
"Let me be blunt: Li Fei's defense and shot-blocking are the best I've ever seen. Even if he entered the NBA right now, he'd be a legitimate contender for DPOY!"
DPOY in his rookie season!
Whew...
Even Doug Collins couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
There had been NBA players who won the Scoring Champion title or the MVP in their rookie seasons.
Wilt Chamberlain won the scoring title and regular-season MVP in his rookie season.
Wes Unseld won the regular-season MVP as a rookie.
But winning DPOY as a rookie?
That had never happened!
"Li Fei is the next Hakeem Olajuwon, the next David Robinson. He's about to become the NBA's next superstar center."
Li Fei: What the hell do you mean, superstar center? I'm a guard! A guard!
NBC acted fast, and TNT was quick to follow.
That very night, TNT even drew up a new mock draft.
Li Fei's name shot straight into the top five!
But the Bay Area papers weren't satisfied with that ranking.
A player who put up 48 points, 25 rebounds, and 16 blocks in a game, and you're telling me he's only worth a top-five pick?
People in the Bay Area thought TNT's projection for Li Fei was far too conservative.
The San Francisco Chronicle made a poster cover for the California Golden Bears.
And there, right in the center of the cover, stood Li Fei.
The meaning couldn't have been clearer.
Li Fei wouldn't be drafted any lower than Jason Kidd!
And Jason Kidd had been projected as the second pick multiple times.
The paper also included a scouting report on Li Fei.
Strengths: Tall with a long wingspan, excellent athleticism, unafraid of contact, a Rebound Maniac, and capable of all-time great defense. Supposedly, he can touch the top of the backboard.
He's elite at finishing lobs on offense and can dunk on anyone at will. He also has some hook-shot skills in the paint, while his mid- and long-range shooting and ball-handling are better than those of a typical center. He has plenty of potential to develop.
Weaknesses: His offensive skill set is well-rounded, and he can shoot, but none of his skills are elite. He doesn't yet have a true go-to move and still needs to improve.
It remains to be seen whether his build can handle the NBA's most intense physical matchups. As an Asian player, his health and durability are concerns.
He also has a bad temper. When he gets into a fight, he goes all out and doesn't know when to stop.
Draft comparison: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
To be fair, Li Fei's draft comparisons were pretty intimidating.
Olajuwon.
Most players wouldn't be worthy of a comparison like that.
In fact, the Bay Area papers went even further.
They directly listed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell as Li Fei's draft comparisons.
Their reasoning was:
Li Fei would absolutely become a regular contender for the NBA's Blocks Champion and Rebounding Champion.
And Li Fei's little hook shot in the paint, combined with his 2.45-meter wingspan—
If he could just improve his shooting percentage, it would be every bit as potent as Jabbar's Skyhook.
But Li Fei wasn't impressed at all when he saw those papers.
What the hell, Russell and Jabbar?
And what made Li Fei the angriest was TNT's article.
"How the hell am I bad-tempered?"
"Big Dog can't fight worth a damn. You blame me for going too far?"
"This is straight-up first-generation hater stuff..."
Meanwhile.
Salt Lake City, Utah
"We have to take that player you mentioned seriously now, Carl."
In the Utah Jazz general manager's office.
Scott Layden set the TNT article on the desk.
"Honestly, when you first mentioned Li Fei, I didn't pay much attention."
"But now, he's an A-level player we need."
"Only A-level?"
Carl Malone shook her head. "You need to revise Li Fei's rating immediately."
"He's worth at least SS-level!"
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