All I Really Want Is To Play Basketball - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Slam Dunk At Age 17

At the sports section of Philadelphia Evening Post in Philadelphia…

Markson, the chief journalist of the Philadelphia Evening Post, was busy editing his latest article.

“‘A Stunning Transformation’? No, this title doesn’t work.

“If I wrote his article like that, that would be going against my past review of Su.

“After all, Su is a talent, so the word ‘transformation’ does not suit him.

“Well…

“Seems I have to use a double sentenced title.”

As the basketball reporter who covered Su Feng, Markson was in an extremely good mood recently.

Especially after interviewing Lower Merion about the four seasons, Markson was extremely delighted when he saw Su Feng’s increasingly muscular arms.

That was because in the United States, many basketball talents lost their fame after summer vacation.

To Markson, a talent was only considered a good talent if he was able to put restraints on himself and was willing to work hard.

Just as Markson was immersed in the joy from his investment in Su Feng, Debatorre, an intern reporter, ran into his office in a hurry.

Markson’s expression changed. “How many times have I told you to knock before entering. What if you disrupted my precious train of thought?”

Debatorre nodded apologetically and said, “I am sorry, Boss, I will take note of that in the future.”

“Hmm, speak, what’s the matter?”

After all, he was once an intern. Therefore, Markson did not make things difficult for Debatorre after he apologized.

“Boss, three Chinese reporters want to meet you. These are their identifications.”

Debatorre placed the reporter identifications of the three Chinese reporters on Markson’s office table and took a few steps back.

“Chinese?” Markson drank a sip of coffee and held up the identifications…

Pfft!

Markson picked up a tissue, and after wiping his mouth and the identification that he accidentally spilled coffee on, he asked Markson, “Where are they?”

“In the guest room,” replied Debatorre.

“Let’s go!” As a reporter who had met many people, Markson recognized the identification.

Of course, Markson did not recognize the picture.

However, how would he not know about Dynasty News?

…

At the guest room of the Philadelphia Evening Post, as a newbie, Su Junyang, who was holding the new camera given by his unit, was a little nervous.

Although Su Junyang had been the guest in the China Central Television program, it was his first time conducting an interview overseas.

Before he left, his university friends even did a crowdfund and ordered a suit for him, claiming that he could not afford to embarrass himself overseas.

However, because it was too rushed, the suit was oversized.

“Mr. Xu, you went to Barcelona in 1992.

“Do you think we will return with fruitful results?”

Su Junyang looked at Xu Jicheng and wanted to change the topic to calm himself down.

Xu Jicheng, who was wearing a t-shirt, replied, “We will know the answer after we meet the reporter named Markson.”

“Oh, right, Director Zhang, you have seen the video clips. Do you think Su Feng is as good as the Americans claim?”

Su Junyang asked Zhang Weiping.

Director Zhang was a middle-aged man who looked young as he maintained his figure well.

Director Zhang smiled and said, “Su, I cannot give you a definite answer from the video alone.”

Su Junyang nodded and thought, “No wonder they are Mr. Xu and Director Zhang. When can I be as calm and composed as them?”

They did not wait for too long. After a few minutes, they met Markson, the chief journalist of the Philadelphia Evening Post.

After greeting each other, Markson figured out the intention of their visit.

“You want to interview Su?” asked Markson.

“Yes, yes,” Director Zhang said with a heavy accent.

“Why did you only come now?” asked Markson.

The team did not know how to respond.

Thankfully, Xu Jicheng, who was more experienced, smiled and said, “Mr. Markson, you do know that China is very far from the United States.

“Moreover, both countries are big countries. We do have to go through a lot of procedures before we can do an interview overseas.

“Therefore, we hope you can understand why we came so late.”

Hearing Xu Jicheng’s fluent english and his calm explanation, Markson replied in astonishment, “Alright, Lower Merion High School will be competing with Hery Catholic High School tomorrow.

“I can bring you to the live match. After the match, you can interview Su.”

“Okay, okay!” Director Zhang smiled.

“However, I recommend you to do the necessary preparations first, especially earplugs,” added Markson.

“Earplugs?” Xu Jicheng and Su Junyang were confused.

“Yes,” answered Markson.

…

On the next day, they saw Markson, who was driving a Ford.

On the way, the three of them heard that Lower Merion was the most popular basketball team in Pennsylvania.

“However, isn’t there an NBA team in Philadelphia?” asked Su Junyang.

“Forget it, the Philadelphia 76ers are terrible. You will see later.

“According to the Chinese, this was called ‘witness with your own eyes’,” Markson replied as he drove.

Meanwhile, just as the car was about five or six kilometers away from Lower Merion High School…

The reporter team witnessed an unforgettable scene…

The streets were packed with people dressed in white and carrying banners.

“Are they going to a parade?” asked Su Junyang.

Markson laughed. “No, they are cheering for Lower Merion.”

Xu Jicheng and Zhang Weiping looked at each other. “The banners they are holding indeed say Lower Merion.”

“I told you, Lower Merion is the most popular basketball team in Pennsylvania,” said Markson proudly.

…

Soon, under the lead of Markson, the reporter trio reached Lower Merion.

Su Junyang took a few photos of the scene, which looked like a festive celebration, and asked, “However, how will the sports hall accommodate so many fans?”

Markson nodded. “Of course they cannot, but so what?”

“Who wouldn’t want to see the Twin Towers of Philadelphia with their own eyes?” added Markson.

The reporter trio were more interested in Su Feng after Markson said that.

At least they could be sure that Su Feng existed in Philadelphia.

Moreover, he seemed to be pretty popular?

After arriving at the indoor basketball court, Markson brought the reporter trio to the VIP seats for reporters, which were located behind the basketball net.

There was still a bit of time before the start of the competition, but the atmosphere of the entire indoor basketball court was reaching its peak.

“This atmosphere is excellent for a high school competition. No wonder it is the country of basketball,” thought Su Junyang.

Bang, bang, bang!

Before the competition started, under the lead of Tina Lucas, the leader of the cheerleading team, the cheerleading for Lower Merion began.

“We make it big in Pennsylvania, we fight with courage.

“We run forward, we are the champions.

“Lower Merion, go, go, go!”

Markson, who was experienced, took out his earplugs while the reporter trio enjoyed the cheer.

That was because after that…

“They are renowned in Pennsylvania!

“Lake Erie is going wild because of them. They are wilder than the deers in Asbury!

“They are the pride of Philadelphia, ladies and gentlemen, let us shout their names—!”

“Kobe—Bryant—!”

“Shu—Feng—!”

A young, black player was seen first by the reporter trio.

He was followed closely by a handsome, Chinese young man.

He was Su Feng.

Xu Jicheng, Zhang Weiping, and Su Junyang regretted their actions.

That was because they had not bought earplugs.

With the resounding cheers in the indoor basketball court, the reporter chio felt like their eardrums were going to burst!

However, just as the reporter trio were enduring the pain from the loud sounds…

Su Feng made a three-pointer throw as he was entering the court from the furthest distance one could imagine.

Swoosh!

“Hmm… My luck is pretty good today, not suitable for Brick Shot Points. Let’s go all out!” After testing his luck, Su Feng stepped onto the court.

Meanwhile, Kobe shot Su Feng a look.

Su Feng smiled and jogged towards the other end of the court. He passed it to Kobe, who was at the center circle, after picking the ball up.

Accelerate, speed, jump!

The impromptu opening from Kobe Bryant!

Clang!

“Do you want one too?” After hearing the cheers from the audience, Kobe turned to Su Feng.

Su Feng shrugged. “Take note of the height. Not too high please, I am not you.”

Kobe smiled. “Rest assured, I will only let the fans see your good side.”

Su Feng nodded and ran to the other half of the court with Kobe.

Just as Su Feng reached the three-second zone, Kobe suddenly threw the basketball up.

Su Feng’s jump and air time were not as good as Kobe’s…

However, he had long hands.

Then, a 1,440 degrees windmill dunk… Ah spat! Since when could a human turn 1,440 degrees?

Cough…

Anyway, with Su Feng, their team was extremely ready!

Clang!

“Kobe!! Kobe!! Kobe!!”

“Su!! Su!! Su!!”

The fans were going wild in the indoor basketball court.

Especially the female students who had their eyes glowing with love.

“I am dying!”

Kobe was the one who suggested the impromptu shots as a warmup to hype up the atmosphere.

That was because Su Feng knew that if he wanted to skip university to enter the NBA, he had to fully utilize the power of the crowd.

In this era, people were overly full of themselves. Therefore, Su Feng called this “adapting to the local customs”.

Moreover, Kobe absolutely loved the suggestion.

After all, which 17-year-old youth did not like to show off?

However, just as Su Feng completed his slam dunk, he thought he was seeing things…

Eh, wasn’t the person who had his jaw dropped the kind and approachable Director Zhang?

Ssh~ Wasn’t the person who was wearing an oversized suit Mr. Su Junyang?

Hold on, wasn’t the middle-aged man with a fit body Mr. Xu?

Su Feng rubbed his eyes to make sure that he was not seeing things.

Huh?

Just as Su Feng was shocked by this scene, Su Junyang pulled Zhang Weiping’s shirt excitedly. “Director Zhang, Director Zhang, did you see that, did you?”

Director Zhang nodded and said, “Yes, yes…”

Xu Jicheng shook his head. “What kind of monster is he?”

The reporter trio were familiar with slam dunks, especially Xu Jicheng, who had interviewed star basketball players.

However…

The 17-year-old Su Feng and Kobe did not consider the feelings of the reporter trio when they showed off their talent without holding back.

Before leaving the country, Zhang Weiping specially visited the leader of the basketball association.

The leader of the basketball association had told Zhang Weiping to make his own judgement call as the skill level of American high school students was not very high.

However, now, Zhang Weiping felt that he had lost his so-called “own sense of judgement”.

If Kobe and Su Feng were not talents, who would be?

Odom, who was defeated by Kobe, or McGrady, who was defeated by Su Feng?

The Philadelphia Twin Towers were the “Beatles” of Pennsylvania.

“They… they are really only 17 years old?” mumbled Zhang Weiping.

…