Beyond the frenzied newspaper coverage.
Major television channels also repeatedly broadcast rolling previews for this NCAA Finals.
Even the still-underdeveloped internet was flooded with promotion for the game.
North Carolina vs. California.
This March Madness final had reached unprecedented levels of hype!
Over in China, footage of the games brought back by the Basketball Trio had already spread throughout the country.
"Am I seeing this right? Li Fei actually led his team into the finals!"
"At first, I thought the news and media had exaggerated things, but I never expected him to really lead a team to the finals!"
"Holy crap! More than 50 points and over 20 rebounds—in the semifinals! He blew up America's talented big men!"
"And the way he grabbed Chris Webber in the semifinals reminded me of Charles Barkley!"
"Li Fei had already made enemies with NBA players before even entering the NBA!"
"Li Fei has made quite a few enemies. That guy named Rasheed Wallace has already publicly challenged him. This final is going to be great!"
"..."
Although Chinese fans had only learned of Li Fei through newspapers and game footage, their expectations for him were already overflowing.
Now, in China's basketball circles.
If you didn't know Li Fei, don't call yourself a basketball fan!
April 3.
Every sporting event in the United States paused to make way for the NCAA Finals.
The cameras focused on Chicago's Soldier Field. The stadium, which could hold 70,000 spectators, was already packed to the brim.
The stands were still cleanly divided into two halves, one red and one white, their boundaries unmistakable.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the NCAA Tournament Finals!"
NBC commentator Marv Albert was also building up the pregame excitement. "The two teams facing off are the University of North Carolina and UC Berkeley. There were no dark-horse upsets—these two teams have been the biggest title favorites all season!"
"The North Carolina Tar Heels dreamed of completing a repeat championship, while UC Berkeley, with Li Fei and Jason Kidd—two players projected to go first and second in the draft—were equally determined to win it all!"
"Both sides are incredibly strong. I simply cannot predict who, two hours from now, will stand alone on the podium and enjoy the view from the mountaintop!"
Bzzzz!!
"Hm? Wait, what's happening? It looks like someone has arrived..."
Just as the commentator spoke, the crowd suddenly erupted into commotion.
Then, the cameras turned toward the entrance to the fan tunnel.
A bald head, dressed in a University of North Carolina uniform, strode in with firm, powerful steps.
"OH! MY! GOD!"
"I think this is the first time in the past year that I've seen him appear on a basketball court."
"Just listen to the noise in this arena. That man has definitely returned!"
"Mi-chael... Jor-dan!"
Amid the cries of the commentators and MC.
Jordan and David Falk arrived and took seats in the North Carolina fan section.
There were certainly plenty of big names in attendance. NBA All-Stars Karl Malone and John Stockton had both found time to arrive before the playoffs.
The NCAA's one true god, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson, who had retired at his peak after contracting HIV three years ago.
The game was truly packed with legends.
But compared to Michael Jordan, all of them still paled somewhat.
"I don't regret officially announcing my retirement a few months ago."
Facing the reporters at the venue, Jordan calmly chewed gum. "My only regret is that I wasn't able to attend North Carolina's championship game this time last year."
"This year, I have more personal time, so I had to come here to support North Carolina."
As he spoke, Jordan pointed to his white-and-blue number 23 North Carolina jersey.
He was openly supporting North Carolina.
In an instant, Jordan drove the North Carolina fans in the arena into a frenzy.
However, when asked when he would return to the NBA, Jordan bluntly said:
"I've given you enough time. Don't get in the way of me watching the game."
That cocky manner made one thing clear to the reporters.
I fucking don't want to answer that question!
Meanwhile, on the court.
On UC Berkeley's Golden Bears' side of the warmup court.
"Li, maybe I'm just too emotional."
Jason Kidd looked at Li Fei, his gaze unexpectedly tender. "I feel like crying."
Li Fei reached out and rubbed Kidd's soft crew cut with his large hand. "Don't be nervous, Jason. Just close your eyes and enjoy it. I'll always be behind you."
Something about that did not sit right with Kidd.
"I'm not nervous. I was thinking..."
Kidd slowly raised his lowered head, light flowing through his dark pupils as they narrowed and widened.
"Li, this may be the last time we fight side by side."
Li Fei's body trembled, and realization dawned on him.
Just as Kidd had said, after this game, both of them would enter the NBA Draft. The chances of them ever fighting side by side as teammates in an official game again would be extremely small.
Li Fei truly had not noticed before that this was very likely the last dance for him and Kidd together.
Some people, once missed, might truly be lost for a lifetime.
"Li, I don't want the last bond between us to end in regret."
Kidd extended his fist. For someone as steady and reserved as him, this seemed to be his greatest gesture of encouragement. "Do you remember what I told you when we first met?"
"I hope every memory between us will be the view from the mountaintop!"
Looking at Kidd's outstretched fist, Li Fei's thoughts drifted back to that basketball court beneath the setting sun—their first meeting.
"Do you want to see the view from the mountaintop with me, Li?"
"Please, you have to join my team!"
And so, he had joined the Golden Bears and become inseparable best friends with Kidd.
"Don't get so sentimental, Jason."
Li Fei gathered his thoughts, then raised his fist and bumped it heavily against Kidd's.
"We came to this mountaintop, we saw it, and I'll conquer it with you!"
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