Barkley: Li Fei Is Worth a Year of Waiting!

"Li, are you really going to enter this year's draft?"

Back in the locker room, Jason Kidd asked Li Fei.

"Of course."

Li Fei nodded: "I will be entering the draft with you."

"Alright then."

Kidd shrugged: "I honestly thought you would wait at least another year."

Lamond Murray walked over at this moment: "Li, if you enter the draft, our team probably won't have much competitiveness next year."

Lamond Murray had also played in college for three years, and he and Kidd had agreed to ascend to the NBA together in '94.

And by then, UC Berkeley wouldn't have any serious tough guys left.

"Come on, Li!"

Just then, head coach Todd walked into the locker room, his gaze landing on Li Fei: "If you have a moment, come with me."

"Sure, Coach." Li Fei followed Todd outside the locker room.

"Li, although I shouldn't influence the choices you make for your basketball career."

"But if you could stay in college for one more year before entering the draft, I believe you would have a much better draft outlook."

Li Fei knew Todd's intentions; it wasn't out of selfishness regarding the team's performance next year.

In the 90s, it was truly rare for a freshman to jump to the NBA.

Even the college king Jabbar, who put up those kinds of numbers, played for three years in college.

Michael Jordan also played for three years, and the Flying Pig Barkley and O'Neal all played for three years in college.

Coach Todd meant well.

However.

Li Fei still didn't intend to stay any longer than necessary.

"Coach, I have already made full preparations."

Li Fei said solemnly: "But before entering the NBA, I will ensure that I bring a championship trophy to this team."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Li Fei, Todd could only nod in understanding.

Since Li Fei was determined not to stay in college.

Then, the usage rate for Li Fei this season must be maxed out!

The news of Li Fei officially announcing his entry into the '94 NBA draft was mentioned repeatedly across major newspapers and television stations.

Various NBA teams also turned their enthusiastic attention toward Li Fei.

"Mark Eaton has officially confirmed that he will no longer compete in the NBA."

United States, Utah.

In the Utah Jazz management meeting, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Following the official retirement announcement of the "Mammoth" Mark Eaton.

This 224cm-tall, four-time block champion, who held the all-time record for 5.6 blocks per game in a single season, was retiring after 11 seasons with the Utah Jazz, having worn the armor of loyalty and achieved great success.

"Currently, our S-tier candidate for the future center position in Salt Lake City is."

Scott Layden blurted out the name:

"Li Fei!"

United States, Los Angeles.

"There is no need for us to tank directly this new season."

At the Lakers' internal meeting that had just been convened, The Logo summarized the Lakers' goals for the new season.

"But we will not give up on the goal of pursuing Li Fei!"

The Lakers currently didn't have an absolute leader.

Nick Van Exel's shot selection sometimes made people want to slap him.

Vlade Divac was a tier below the four great centers; Kevin Willis, Dikembe Mutombo, and even the second-year Tom Gugliotta could go toe-to-toe with him.

But The Logo felt.

The inside-outside combination of Divac and Nick Van Exel wasn't exactly something that would just roll over and die.

Make a push, and if it doesn't work, then talk about tanking.

Besides, this is the Los Angeles Lakers.

They never really had a tradition of developing rookies through their own draft picks anyway.

If they set their sights on a target, they'd just snatch them; if they liked Li Fei, they'd just trade for him.

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name has just been changed!

After all, Los Angeles is always the side that takes advantage.

"It looks like our lineup has gotten weaker now; the new season is going to be even tougher for us!"

United States, Phoenix.

Inside a Phoenix Suns front office meeting.

Barkley, the Flying Pig, expressed his anger in front of the team's executives.

"A.C. Green, that guy who has never been with a woman in his entire life."

"How are we supposed to break out of the Western Conference, which is filled with giants, with him as my frontcourt partner?"

Barkley's anger was not without reason.

Last season, the Phoenix Suns reached the NBA Finals, only to lose to Michael Jordan, who averaged 41 points per game.

Consequently, the Phoenix management was determined to bring in some new faces to deal with MJ.

They acquired the 6'9" forward A.C. Green from the Los Angeles Lakers.

A.C. Green had a tough style of play and was nicknamed the Iron Man. He was famous for his high attendance rate and never getting injured; in his eight-season career so far, he had only missed three games, and not even due to injury, but simply because the coach decided to DNP him for no reason.

However, his most notable trait was that he had never been with a woman in his life, truly a breath of fresh air in the NBA.

If this had been before MJ retired, Barkley would have absolutely supported his team's trade.

A.C. Green would have played a key role in defending MJ in the Finals.

But MJ's sudden retirement disrupted the Phoenix Suns' plans.

The Phoenix Suns currently didn't have a decent center.

The 6'9" A.C. Green was already the tallest player on the Phoenix Suns—can you believe that?

Barkley could already imagine it.

At critical moments in the game, he would have to drag his 91-inch-wide backside and go play the center position.

Even a donkey on a collective farm couldn't handle that kind of abuse.

"We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity now that there is no MJ. The league will return to the era of the center; height is the key we must reinforce."

Reaching the Finals last season had shown the Flying Pig the hope of a championship.

Now, his desire for a championship had reached the highest point of his career.

However.

At this moment in the conference room, the Phoenix Suns management remained silent.

In the current trade market, centers were hot commodities; it was extremely difficult to secure a talented center.

Quality centers were almost untouchable unless a massive amount of assets were traded away.

"I actually have a good candidate in mind!"

Seeing that everyone was silent, the general manager spoke up: "Li Fei from college. He stands at 7'4". He would be a better interior rim protector than Bill Walton, and he also has some room to develop his offensive game."

Li Fei!

The Flying Pig nodded.

He had, of course, heard of the Chinese monster who had recently been taking the college basketball scene by storm.

However, Li Fei's draft stock was unlikely to fall out of the top five.

If the Phoenix Suns wanted to land Li Fei, they would have to burn through their luck during the draft lottery.

To get him via trade, they would have to bleed assets.

"Even if we have the ability to get him, we have to wait until next year."

The Flying Pig thought for a moment and said: "A year is too long, but if he is worth it."

"We have no choice but to wait."

Time flew by quickly.

The NBA preseason flashed by, and the flames of the regular season had already been ignited.

At the start of the new season, every team in the league had different goals.

Teams like the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs were undoubtedly aiming to challenge for the championship, seizing the golden opportunity of the league lacking a big boss.

Meanwhile, some bottom-feeders were preparing to test the waters; if there was no hope of making the playoffs, they would decisively give up and dive toward the draft.

Because 1994 was a draft year beyond reproach.

Glenn Robinson, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Juwan Howard, Donyell Marshall, Lamond Murray...

And Li Fei!

There was always one that suited you.

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