Fierce Battle with Young Ray Allen! A Regretful World!

"Charles, how come I don't see your college's name on the March Madness list again?"

Phoenix, USA.

Phoenix Suns All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson walked over to Barkley with a stack of newspapers in his hand, grinning: "Has your school really missed out on March Madness for three years in a row?"

The Flying Pig snatched the newspaper from Kevin Johnson's hand with a dark expression.

Sure enough, Auburn University's name was nowhere to be found on the list of at-large teams.

"Those losers, is it really that hard to make it to March Madness?"

The Flying Pig shrugged helplessly, seemingly unsurprised by the situation: "But it doesn't matter, there's only one team I'm paying attention to in this year's March Madness."

"The University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears. They will definitely reach the top!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Kevin Johnson made a Nick Young-style confused face.

He didn't understand why this fat guy would support his alma mater.

"Charles, you're being way too polite. You really don't have to go out of your way to support my school like that."

Barkley looked up, wearing a blank expression.

"What do you mean, Kevin?"

Barkley asked: "Are you saying that University of California, Berkeley... is your alma mater?"

"Damn it, we've been teammates for two and a half years, and you don't even know which college I went to?"

"Fine, there are too many branches of the University of California. I only knew you were from the University of California."

Barkley scratched his head: "So, that means Li Fei, who joined the Golden Bears, is your junior?"

"So that's it!"

Kevin Johnson smiled: "No wonder, so you've also been keeping an eye on that Chinese center with the unique physique!"

Kevin Johnson had also heard through the grapevine that the Suns were interested in Li Fei, who was still in college.

The current Suns were in dire need of a superstar center.

Ever since Jordan retired, the league had completely entered an era dominated by interior play.

And ever since the team traded Tom Chambers to the Jazz for A.C. Green last summer, the team's height had dropped even further.

The Suns were ranked first in the league last season, but this season, under the siege of the Western Conference's giants, they couldn't even hold onto a top-three spot.

The Suns really needed a center.

"Charles, Li Fei is currently a top candidate for the number one overall pick."

Kevin Johnson said: "It won't be easy for us to get Li Fei."

"I know that, of course, but that's a matter for the front office."

Barkley said: "I only know that his style of play is what I like, and it's exactly what we need."

Barkley had been observing Li Fei since the beginning of the season.

And the facts proved that Li Fei was absolutely worth the Suns waiting a year for.

Of course, this year of waiting didn't mean the Suns were just going to tank.

No matter how weak the Suns' interior was.

The team still had the Flying Pig Barkley, who averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Johnson, who averaged 20 points and 9 assists.

Making the playoffs was their baseline.

Tanking was just too extravagant.

"Kevin, since you're an old alumnus of the Berkeley branch, getting two tickets shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"That depends on whether they can make it to the Round of 32." Kevin Johnson said: "We happen to have a game on the day of Li Fei's first March Madness match."

"But as long as they advance to the Round of 32, the Round of 16 games will be held right here in Phoenix, and we'll have time then."

Barkley and Kevin Johnson locked eyes.

A tacit understanding: get those tickets!

March 3rd, US time.

The flames of March Madness officially ignited!

Multiple teams played their first games of March Madness on this day.

Duke University took the lead, crushing the UCLA team led by Keith Van Horn in their opening game, becoming the first team to advance to the Round of 32 this year.

The suave Grant Hill dropped 28 points and 12 rebounds, seemingly venting his frustration to the world about not being the top seed in their region.

"This is the depth and foundation of a two-time champion. Don't look at the fact that the Duke Blue Devils weren't the top seed in their region; their championship experience is stronger than anyone's!"

"Last year, Grant Hill fell at the doorstep of the Final Four, missing out on a three-peat, but this year, Grant has become taller and stronger!"

"No one would underestimate the strength of the Duke Blue Devils, just as no one would underestimate the Chicago Bulls who had already won back-to-back championships in '92!"

Using the three-peat Chicago Bulls to describe this Duke Blue Devils team.

To be honest, it was a bit of an exaggeration.

But Duke really was just a hair's breadth away from replicating the Bulls' dynasty in the NCAA.

Also securing a 30-point blowout victory on the same day was the famous basketball powerhouse, Michael Jordan's alma mater, the North Carolina Tar Heels.

And the team North Carolina crushed was the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, led by Tim Duncan.

"Don't you fucking talk to me about who's a future number one pick or whatever."

"I've heard that kind of bullshit ten thousand times already!"

"Forget about future number one picks; even this year's number one pick is nothing but a pushover to me!"

The one shouting at the top of his lungs in front of the cameras after the victory was none other than the future legendary "Sheed," Rasheed Wallace!

Originally, Rasheed Wallace had been quite wary of this future draft prospect and next era-defining power forward, Tim Duncan. After all, even Rasheed Wallace, who played the same position, had never been projected as a number one draft pick.

But as it turned out, this "Stone Buddha" who was so highly touted as just a college freshman had been swarmed and neutralized by the North Carolina Tar Heels all the same.

In fact, in Rasheed Wallace's eyes.

Forget about this Tim Duncan.

Even that seven-foot-three giant from China this year.

Was likely just a paper tiger hyped up by the media.

Tim Duncan and Keith Van Horn, the two titans of the '97 class, were both cut down in the first round of the '94 March Madness, truly living up to their reputation as brothers in misfortune.

The fall of such powerful future stars sent a clear signal.

There isn't a single coward among the teams that make it into March Madness!

On the second day of competition.

The highly anticipated UC Berkeley also welcomed their first-round opponent for March Madness.

The University of Connecticut Huskies.

"Welcome to March Madness!"

The Huskies' core leader, Donyell Marshall, whose draft stock had never fallen out of the top 10, arrogantly threw down a gauntlet before the game:

"Listen up, you lone survivors of the Pac-12, this is the real world out here!"

"Come and feel the pressure coming from Connecticut."

To be fair.

If you had the benefit of hindsight, the University of Connecticut's roster was indeed quite intimidating.

They had the high-tower shooter Donyell Marshall, who was a lock for the lottery.

This guy was a beast who had once drained 12 three-pointers in a single game.

They also had the future legendary three-point shooter Ray Allen!

As well as a future teammate of Kobe.

The seven-foot white center Travis Knight.

However.

Facing such a lineup, Li Fei showed no signs of nervousness during his interview.

"The same logic applies."

"To them, we are the real world too."

Li Fei smiled slightly, but the ruthlessness in the corner of his eyes was unbridled.

"Welcome to the world of regret!"

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.