Li Fei + Jordan + Pippen! The Bulls' Dream Lineup!

Rasheed Wallace not only talked a big game before the match, but he also put on a spectacular performance during it.

On the offensive end, he played both inside and out, using a straight-arm jumper that left Temple University struggling to defend, while simultaneously teaming up with Darnad Williams to perfectly guard the paint.

In the end, the "Rasheed" racked up a game-high 26 points and 15 rebounds, leading the North Carolina Tar Heels to victory over Temple University and successfully advancing to the March Madness championship game!

With this, the matchup for the 1993-1994 NCAA tournament final was set.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. California Golden Bears.

Reaching the tournament final for two consecutive years is a rare feat in history.

"I don't like using 'Joe-Pi' to describe this team."

After the game, North Carolina head coach Dean Smith spoke up: "We are a 12-man team!"

"Don't forget, we are the true championship squad!"

It is worth mentioning.

North Carolina was the reigning NCAA champion from last season!

Their goal this season was to embark on the path of defending their title!

Although the North Carolina coach emphasized after the game that basketball is not a sport that relies on one, two, or three people.

But the discussion of who exactly is the "Joe-Pi" of this new era remained unprecedentedly intense.

"I've heard the 'next Michael Jordan' hype at least a hundred times."

In the Gold Club in Atlanta, USA.

Michael Jordan watched the news on TV and puffed on a Cuban cigar: "But this is the first time I've heard of the next 'Joe-Pi'."

After hitting a wall on the baseball field, Danzi had recently suffered a massive blow.

And men, once emotionally battered, tend to seek the warmth of a mature, understanding woman.

So, for the past few days, Danzi had topped up hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Gold Club in Atlanta, becoming a prestigious black-card VIP!

"MJ, your alma mater, North Carolina, is about to win back-to-back titles. Don't you want to go to the scene to witness your school's championship? I think your juniors at North Carolina and your coach would be thrilled to see you!"

The person persuading Jordan on the side was his agent, David Falk.

Ever since Jordan retired this past year, David Falk's mood had been, well, just like his name—fucking explosive.

During his year of retirement, Danzi chose to step into the world of baseball, arrogantly believing he could replicate his historical status from the basketball court on the baseball diamond.

But Jordan had thought baseball was too simple.

His baseball skill level in the league was no different than Stephen Hawking trying to play soccer in the Champions League.

Now that he realized the gap, Danzi didn't even want to play baseball anymore; he spent his days at the Gold Club in Atlanta, crazily practicing his "ball handling" with a group of mature sisters, constantly reaching into his pockets.

David Falk's busiest task every day was trying every possible way to instill the idea of returning to the NBA to play basketball back into Jordan. After all, considering his age, Jordan was currently in the prime of his basketball career; letting him rot away in wine and women was simply a waste of talent.

Moreover, David Falk had also quietly leaked to the media multiple times that Jordan might choose to return next season or the season after, hoping to stir up the fans' calls for Michael Jordan.

And recently, David Falk's method for goading Jordan back to the NBA was:

The North Carolina Tar Heels.

North Carolina was Jordan's alma mater, and its significance to Jordan could be said to be even greater than the Chicago Bulls.

Don't look at the fact that Jordan won three NBA championships with the Bulls and garnered countless honors; in this commercial league, once interests are involved, emotions fade.

Only the college days are the true years of youth.

And whenever Jordan mentioned his NCAA days, his face was always filled with a smile that came from the gods.

No one would ever forget the most important, classic, and craziest shot in the history of March Madness.

It came from Michael Jordan in the 1981-1982 March Madness final, in the final moments before the buzzer, when Michael Jordan hit the game-winning shot, helping the team win by one point and starting his journey as a god.

"If you're trying to use North Carolina to wake up my passion for basketball, I have to say, I'm actually buying it."

Michael Jordan put down the newspaper and took a puff of his Cuban cigar: "I didn't have time last year, so I couldn't witness North Carolina winning the title in person."

"This year, I really do want to see these little guys."

When David Falk heard there was a chance, he was overjoyed.

Regardless of anything else.

As long as Jordan could move his feet and leave the quagmire of debauchery that was the Atlanta Gold Club—even if it wasn't to an NBA arena, but just to a park basketball court to dribble a ball—David Falk would feel very relieved.

"Great, MJ. I believe your juniors will be very excited to see you. And this year's final is no less exciting than last year's. Li Fei and Jason Kidd, these two are known as the 'Joe-Pi' of the NCAA; they are this year's projected number one and number two picks..."

"NO NO NO."

David Falk was introducing them to Jordan excitedly, but Danzi impatiently waved his finger.

"The ones who will become All-Stars in the future are definitely not them; at best, they'll just be average starters."

"Oh?"

David Falk was somewhat surprised: "You mean to say that someone else will become an All-Star in the future?"

"Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace?"

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Michael Jordan shook his head, his face still full of disdain.

"Could it be Lamond Murray, or perhaps last year's MOP, Darnad Williams?"

"Neither."

Michael Jordan pulled a sheet from the newspaper and pointed his finger at a name. Seemingly very satisfied with his own unique choice, he said triumphantly, "Believe me, he will rise up to become a future superstar in the NBA."

"It's him, Green Stewart!"

"Who...?"

David Falk looked at the newspaper. Seeing the guy who was frantically pounding on Chris Webber's head, he couldn't help but scratch his head: "This..."

Green Stewart—if it weren't for this fringe player throwing heavy punches at Chris Webber, David Falk would never have heard of this person at all.

So, can this guy really make it?

After all, this is Michael Jordan's eye for talent we're talking about...

This final did not just alarm Michael Jordan.

Looking at the entire history of the NBA, its appeal was also something unique.

The hype had long since far surpassed last year's record-breaking viewership of the Fab Five vs. North Carolina Tar Heels.

Every team in the NBA also cast their eyes toward the March Madness final.

Especially those teams that had listed Li Fei as a key focus were paying extra close attention.

After all, this was the last competitive game Li Fei would play before the draft.

"Jerry, what stage is Michael's comeback at?"

United States, Chicago.

Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson knocked on the general manager's office door.

As soon as the door opened, the secretary in black silk stockings sitting on Jerry Krause's lap was startled; she pulled down her tight skirt and left with a flushed face.

After the secretary left, Jerry Krause smoothed out his dress pants, wiped his sweat, and said, "David Falk has said countless times that Michael will return, but to be honest, I'm not even sure about this myself."

In 1994, the relationship between Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause had already developed cracks. The two didn't see eye to eye, but at least it hadn't reached the point of a total breakdown where Krause would say "the organization wins championships, not players" just to spite Phil Jackson.

Especially during the year Michael Jordan was retired, the two still maintained a united front regarding his return.

After all, Michael Jordan's return would not only allow the Chicago Bulls to leap into a championship-caliber team, but it could also solve the sharp decline in the Bulls' viewership this season.

"However, I heard from David that Michael is prepared to go watch this year's March Madness final," Krause said.

"Going to watch the NCAA final doesn't mean Michael will make a comeback."

Phil Jackson wasn't surprised by this; after all, Michael Jordan had an even deeper emotional attachment to his alma mater, North Carolina, than he did to the Chicago Bulls.

"Let's put the matter of Michael's comeback aside for a moment."

Jerry Krause said, "Do you think there's a possibility that Michael is going to watch a certain player on-site?"

Phil Jackson immediately thought of something, and a trace of displeasure overflowed onto his face: "Don't tell me you want to use someone to lure Michael into a comeback; I don't want to hear such nonsense."

"You can just say outright which young man you've taken a fancy to. I know you—who are you trying to gamble on in the draft again?"

Jerry Krause was a gambler through and through. Among the many core reasons for their broken relationship, one was their different approaches to building a team.

Michael Jordan and the Zen Master intended to reinforce the current core lineup, while Krause was keen on gambling on draft picks, or even scouting for hidden gems in all sorts of obscure corners.

Because Scottie Pippen was a "lottery ticket" he had scratched during the draft, and Pippen had given him a taste of success.

The future European king Toni Kukoč was also a player Jerry Krause had scouted and hidden away.

He even tried to have the rookie Tracy McGrady replace the aging Pippen in '97, attempting to build a combination of Michael Jordan and Tracy McGrady.

This was strongly condemned by Michael Jordan and the Zen Master at the time, causing the rift in their relationship to widen further. It had nothing to do with winning championships; at that time, Michael Jordan viewed Pippen as the best brother by his side during his five titles. How could a hero of five championships be replaced just because you said so?

The conflict in philosophy made the Zen Master dislike Jerry Krause, and at the same time, he knew Krause's nature.

Talking about Michael Jordan going to watch a college game and using someone to lure him back—this excuse was just too obvious.

"You really do misjudge me, Phil."

Krause narrowed his eyes, revealing a cunning and calculating smile: "If that person is Li Fei, I believe Michael will be attracted by Li Fei to make a comeback."

"Li Fei + Michael Jordan + Scottie Pippen!"

Krause lit a cigar and took a puff like a victor:

"This lineup of mine will turn the league upside down!"

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