With the anticipation of fans across the United States, this championship game officially began.
UC Berkeley stuck with their usual starting lineup: Jason Kidd, Michael Bryant, Lamond Murray, Kevin Garnett, and Li Fei.
It is worth mentioning.
Green Stewart was suspended for two games due to his fight with Chris Webber in the previous match and could only watch from the locker room while jerking off.
As for the University of North Carolina, their starting lineup was equally luxurious.
Jerry Stackhouse, Darnad Williams, Rasheed Wallace, and Eric Montross.
Looking at the UNC roster, there were three NBA-caliber players: Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, and Eric Montross.
Jerry Stackhouse would go on to become a two-time NBA All-Star with considerable individual scoring ability.
Rasheed Wallace's strength was also beyond doubt; he was capable on both ends of the floor, a four-time All-Star, and even won a championship with the Pistons.
Meanwhile, his frontcourt partner, the 2.13-meter-tall Eric Montross, was a first-round draft pick in the original timeline and was selected for the All-Rookie Second Team.
It was precisely because of this twin-tower interior with Eric Montross that Sheed had the confidence to make bold claims.
JUMP, BALL!
Anyone could guess with their eyes closed that Li Fei would definitely win the jump ball against Montross.
UNC had already dispatched Rasheed Wallace to guard the paint in advance.
"Pass me!"
Even with Rasheed Wallace's tough defense, Li Fei still raised his arm, signaling for Kidd to pass the ball.
Since this was the last dance, the signature jump-ball alley-oop certainly could not be missing.
Kidd delivered an increasingly steady long-range assist to Li Fei in the frontcourt.
Although Li Fei's body was completely off-balance in the air, his reckless, death-defying style of play still gave him the upper hand in the collision with Wallace.
"CLANG!"
Li Fei caught the ball with both hands in mid-air, switched to one, and forcefully slammed it into the rim.
"This might be the last time we see the jump-ball connection between Li Fei and Kidd!"
Marv Albert, the NBC commentator courtside, shouted, "But what's exciting is that they didn't let our expectations down!"
Li Fei's play instantly suppressed the restless noise from the UNC fans in the arena.
Michael Jordan's sudden visit just moments ago had made the atmosphere in the UNC section incredibly rowdy.
But at this moment, it was as silent as Chopin's grave.
In contrast, the UC Berkeley fan section.
It was as restless as the height of summer in Provence!
In the crowd, Jordan chewed his gum vigorously.
"This kid's dunking is really just like what the news said."
His tone seemed to use the gum-chewing to alleviate the shock in his heart: "He's much more explosive than I imagined!"
Beside him, David Falk wore a joyful smile.
Working with Jordan for a long time had given him a very deep understanding of the man.
For Jordan to speak like that already meant his interest had been piqued.
Of course, how great that interest was, and whether it could make him announce a comeback?
This level alone was far from enough.
"Motherfucker!"
On the court, Sheed was currently complaining loudly to the baseline referee about an offensive foul by Li Fei.
"Rasheed, stop arguing!"
Seeing this, Jerry Stackhouse pulled Rasheed Wallace up: "It's time to deal Li Fei a heavy blow!"
Possession changed, and UNC went on the attack.
The Golden Bears' defensive scheme did not follow conventional man-to-man logic; instead, they used Li Fei to defend Wallace, who posed a greater offensive threat.
After the pick-and-roll, Wallace chose to pop out, drawing Li Fei away from the paint, but Stackhouse passed the ball back to him.
He looked at his teammates and decided to show Li Fei what a new-era stretch four looked like.
After a jab step, he suddenly raised the ball, and with his arm fully extended, he flicked his wrist for a mid-range jumper.
A straight-arm shot!
This was Rasheed Wallace's signature move. Relying on this, the future Sheed would never fear any legendary power forward he faced.
However, facing Li Fei.
The Great One's straight-arm shot faltered.
Having not yet adapted to the defensive range of Li Fei, Sheed was swatted away by a massive block.
If you can't find the book by its title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name has just been changed!
"WOW! Li Fei swatted away Rasheed's straight-arm jumper right at the opening! That was such a clean block!"
Even though the commentator was speaking at breakneck speed, he couldn't keep up with Li Fei's pace: "Forget about the block for a second, Li Fei is looking to push the fast break immediately after!"
No sooner had he spoken than Li Fei, after shouting something at Rasheed Wallace, sprinted toward the frontcourt in a one-man fast break.
With his vigorous stride frequency and terrifying stride length, he left Sheed behind in just two or three steps.
He took off from the free-throw line, looked down at the rim, and secured two more points on the fast break.
4:0
"That kid really gets up there."
Michael Jordan, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but speed up the pace of his gum chewing: "Almost his entire arm was above the rim."
From where Jordan was sitting, he could clearly see the height of Li Fei's leap.
Jordan hadn't never performed a free-throw line dunk himself, but he was nowhere near the level Li Fei just displayed.
Before arriving at the arena, the only star Jordan had in mind was the suspended Green Stewart.
But right now, Li Fei was using his actions to change his assessment.
Back on the other end, it was another pick-and-roll between Stackhouse and Wallace. Wallace acted as the pivot, delivering a brilliant bounce pass to help Stackhouse shake off Murray.
But just as Stackhouse went for the reverse layup, Li Fei, who was patrolling the skies all night, suddenly changed course and pinned the ball against the backboard with a thunderous swat.
"Another spectacular help-side block from Li Fei."
Li Fei's one explosive performance after another was truly testing the commentator's passion.
"Jerry's layup seemed like a sure thing, but Li Fei's help defense once again shattered the University of North Carolina's dreams of scoring."
"Li Fei seems to be telling his teammates with his actions: Don't panic, I'm here!"
Possession changed once again.
UC Berkeley didn't have much of a fast-break opportunity, so they had to settle into their half-court set.
Li Fei and Wallace were locked in a physical battle for position; the latter threw an elbow and jammed his knee into Li Fei's waist.
This was normal; without a few dirty fouls, it wouldn't be 90s-style basketball.
But Li Fei wasn't some soft target. He grabbed Wallace's waist, flipped him with force to take the initiative, and then used his hip to shove his way inside.
In terms of pure strength, the still-raw Rasheed Wallace was no match for Li Fei.
And Kidd's pass arrived like an express delivery—mission accomplished.
The moment he caught the ball, Li Fei turned and muscled his way into the paint.
"Don't even think about it!"
Sheed let out a roar and lunged toward him.
But the next moment.
Having caught the shift in Rasheed Wallace's center of gravity, Li Fei unleashed his Dreamy Footsteps again, spinning in the opposite direction and leaving Wallace in the dust.
At the same time, facing the help defense from Montross, he went straight up for a one-handed hammer dunk.
Sheed + Montross, the twin towers of the University of North Carolina, came crashing down!
6:0
The 70,000-seat Soldier Field erupted in a deafening roar and screams.
"OH! MY! GOD!"
The commentator's voice was drowned out by the crowd: "First, he used the Dreamy Footsteps to shake Rasheed out of his shoes, then he dunked over both Rasheed and Eric!"
"This play by Li Fei not only showcased his ultimate Dreamy Footsteps but also displayed his terrifying physical gifts and violent style of play to the fullest!"
Sitting courtside, Michael Jordan felt as restless as if he were back at the Gold Club in Atlanta, his body burning with excitement.
Watching Li Fei play really gave him the urge to return to the court.
He tried to calm his shock by chewing his gum, only to realize in astonishment that he had swallowed it at some point.
"Michael, are you looking for this?"
David Falk had already pulled a pack of xylitol gum from his pocket: "How about it? Isn't Li Fei's game enough to get your blood pumping?"
"I heard he's going to enter the NBA draft this year?"
Jordan took the gum from David Falk, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth.
"That's right, it's a certainty."
"Looks like next season's NBA is going to be even more exciting."
Watching Li Fei's figure as he dominated the skies with reckless abandon, Jordan muttered to himself.
"I don't know why, but I'm actually looking forward to the new season..."
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