"Good Lord, the other team's already set up their defense, and Li Fei can still force his way through. The gap in athleticism is plain to see."
Phoenix, United States
In the stands, Kevin Johnson swallowed hard and looked at the Flying Pig beside him. "I even feel like it'd be pointless if you stood in Li Fei's way."
Just as the commentator had said, Li Fei's style of play really did disregard other people's lives.
He even seemed to disregard his own.
"If it were me, of course I wouldn't be able to stop him."
Barkley shook his head too.
Plenty of people these days claimed Barkley was a good defender.
There was nothing wrong with having Barkley guard a power forward or even a small forward.
But a center over 2.2 meters tall?
Did you really think Barkley's butt could handle everything?
"But if anyone tried that in front of me, I'd give it everything I had and knock him flat!"
That was one of the things about Li Fei that worried Barkley.
"His style is way too physical. He still tried to force a dunk over someone in that situation. I don't know how many dirty plays he'll have to deal with in the NBA."
Never mind the destructive force of collisions with the Four Centers.
Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, and even Barkley himself—
they were all masters of dirty tricks.
Li Fei could easily get hurt.
"If Li Fei were our center, I wouldn't throw him that kind of alley-oop. I'd be worried about his safety."
Kevin Johnson nodded. "But I have to admit, Li Fei's toughness is way beyond what I expected."
"I carefully read Li Fei's draft report. His style is dangerous, and there's a good chance he'll suffer a sudden injury in some game."
"But..."
Li Fei was hopping around on the court, celebrating with his teammates.
That brutal fall just now hadn't affected him at all.
So was Li Fei really that fragile?
As they spoke, Li Fei stepped to the free-throw line and sank the shot.
3–0
At the other end, the Arkansas Razorbacks went on offense.
Williamson came up to set a screen for the point guard. After receiving the pass, he drew Li Fei's defense and assisted Cody Thurman, who calmly sank a midrange jumper from the wing.
After all, they were the champions in the original timeline. They had some game.
But could they keep their underdog story alive in this world?
That depended on whether Li Fei would let them.
Back the other way, Li Fei set a screen for Kidd too. He rolled to the basket and took the pass, but Dwight Stewart and Williamson came rushing over to seal off the paint.
Arkansas University simply left Green Stewart unguarded.
On the sidelines, Charles Barkley furrowed his brow.
After that last defensive possession, Arkansas's two big men clearly had a better read on Li Fei. They moved to block off his space to jump.
One on two!
Let's see how Li Fei answered this time.
Just as everyone expected him to pass—
he grabbed the ball with his right hand, raised his arm high, and flicked his wrist.
The ball sailed in a smooth arc over his head.
Even with Green Stewart rushing at him, Li Fei still sent the ball sailing over his head.
Using his enormous height advantage, he made a one-armed hook shot and scored two.
"Hook Shot Like Yao"
4–2
"Oh-ho! Li Fei's height advantage is just too obvious. Once he raises his arm, all the defender can reach is his elbow!"
"This is why so many Golden Bears games are a snooze. Li Fei can make every possession look simple!"
"Of course, we have to praise Li Fei's touch too. Don't let his talent make you overlook his skill. In every game, nearly 30% of his points come from jump shots and technical finishes!"
That was right. The stats showed—
about half of Li Fei's points came from dunks or power moves around the basket. Hook shots and smart shots from close range accounted for 20%.
The remaining points were split between 10% from free throws, 10% from three-pointers, and 10% from wild, ill-advised shots.
In fact, 20% to 30% of Li Fei's offense was unreasonable.
But that was Li Fei's style.
It was also the freedom Coach Todd gave him.
As they spoke, Arkansas University missed its shot, and UC Berkeley launched a fast break. Kidd pushed forward at a measured pace, surveying the court.
He spotted Li Fei trailing in from an angle and fired a bounce pass, leading him into the lane.
"Help defense!"
Coach Nolan Richardson shouted from the sidelines. "Don't let him get a head of steam!"
Arkansas University's strategy today was simple: even if they had to foul, even if every player fouled out—
they couldn't let Li Fei build momentum!
Collison Williamson followed his coach's instructions and thundered into Li Fei's path.
But—
Williamson had planned to meet Li Fei's charging bulk head-on.
Instead, Li Fei took a stutter-step over a hard dribble, gripped the ball, and swung it around over his head.
With his terrifying stride and wingspan, he went right around Williamson.
Then he rose high and laid the ball in.
6–2
"WOOOOOW!"
The moment the ball dropped easily through the hoop, America West Arena erupted.
A 2.24-meter center charging down the court, taking a huge hop-step, and swinging the ball around over his head.
"That's a guard's move!"
"My God, that stride and wingspan!"
"That kind of agility..."
"Is he really a center over 2.2 meters tall?"
"..."
The fans in the arena weren't the only ones staring in amazement.
The Flying Pig's eyes were bulging too.
"If I remember right, Manute Bol stood 2.31 meters tall. He was the tallest player I ever came across."
"But Manute's body was nowhere near as agile as Li Fei's."
Manute Bol, the towering Sudanese player, was the tallest player on record in the NBA, standing 2.31 meters.
The Flying Pig had been teammates with Manute Bol for two years during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. He'd seen firsthand the unbelievable frame of the tallest man in the NBA.
Li Fei's huge hop-step with the ball swung around over his head, his arms stretched wide—he looked like a giant human spider.
It brought back memories of Charles Barkley seeing Manute Bol's bizarre frame up close.
Although Li Fei, at 2.24 meters, was seven centimeters shorter than Bol—
his movements were graceful and fluid, as nimble as a gazelle.
The difference was astonishing.
"This battle is getting harder and harder."
Barkley looked at Kevin Johnson. "As March Madness goes on, there'll be more teams interested in Li Fei than you can count on two hands."
"If Li Fei joins forces with other All-Star players, we'll have an even more formidable opponent."
"So, for us, Li Fei..."
"He's both an angel and a devil!"
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