Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

As the warm-up ended, the Wizards Team's assistant coach, Larry Drew, introduced the content of today's tryout to Yu Fei and the others.

It was very simple, with only two items.

One was a technical test, and the other was a confrontation test.

There were no physical measurements since from the draft lottery to now there had been some time, and the majority of players had already completed their physical tests with other teams.

The Wizards had obtained the data through other means, so naturally, there was no need to redo the physical tests during their own tryouts.

Kwame Brown was the only one among the four trying out today who had not undergone a physical test.

Refusing the physical test was a tactic from Trem because Brown's static talents indeed had some deficiencies, but everyone was optimistic about his development potential and his unquestionable immediate combat effectiveness as a high school player. Was the physical test important? No, it wasn't. Whoever thought it was important automatically lost the opportunity to try out Brown. Although Trem and Brown had only wanted to try out for the Wizards from the beginning, it was too good that the Wizards had proactively given up on the physical test segment without any negotiation and focused more on technical skills and real combat confrontation.

His Airness truly understood basketball.

Yu Fei was the first to undergo the technical test which, in addition to simple dribbling, also included shooting.

Jordan placed much emphasis on the shooting component, not only including fixed-point shooting but also shooting under interference and pull-up jump shots after dribbling.

Just right, these were all the key training items for Yu Fei over the past few days.

Yu Fei performed averagely in fixed-point shooting, barely reaching the average hit rate, but showed obvious improvement under shooting with interference. His pull-up jump shots from the free-throw line area were highly accurate, leading Doug Collins to conclude that "his shooting is better than Scottie at the same age."

In reality, no one had ever seen an 18-year-old Pippen.

Because Pippen played at a community college, he was an absolute nobody at 18, not even daring to imagine a future in the NBA.

Then came the turn of Brendan Haywood, Jordan's highly anticipated junior, whose shooting performance can't be said to have been spectacular, but it was at least not disgracefully bad.

His fixed-point shooting was below average and his shooting with interference was even worse.

Then, the kind-hearted Big Fei, not wanting to see his junior continue to be humiliated, canceled the remaining test with the rationale that "Brendan is an inside player, and pull-up jump shots are meaningless for him."

Yu Fei looked at the sweaty Haywood, thinking there was still a one-on-one confrontation to come.

From Haywood's shooting, it was clear he was a rough player with decent physical talent who, after entering the NBA, would likely rely on rebounding and defense to make his mark. However, nothing is absolute. Who would believe that the future board king of the Warriors Team, Looney, would have a style resembling Durant in his high school days?

High school is high school, the NBA is the NBA.

Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler's technical tests were surprising.

Brown displayed a decent mid-range shot, while Chandler showed a full-range, no-dead-zone shooting capability.

This is Chandler?

Yu Fei had some recollection of this guy. In his memory, Chandler was not that good at shooting, but looking at his physique now, and comparing it to that of the future imposing figure that made people feel secure, they seemed like completely different people.

At this time, Chandler was hailed as the second coming of Kevin Garnett or a Marcus Camby with better shooting, but to Yu Fei, aside from Chandler's treasure-like physique and the currently marketable shooting ability, he had little in common with Garnett and Camby.

Garnett could play as a small forward in his first few NBA seasons; can you imagine Chandler playing as a small forward in the NBA? That's not possible; the world would end.

And Camby is even less comparable. You have to understand that Camby's immediate combat readiness before entering the NBA was incredibly strong, dominating Tim Duncan, who was very prominent at the time, throughout their college matchup.

Chandler did not possess such immediate combat readiness.

After the technical test was completed, everyone took a short break. During this gap, Larry Drew introduced the upcoming live combat rules.

This was an extraordinarily clever idea that came out of Jordan's snap decision, opting for streetball rules in the upcoming confrontation.

What's special about American streetball? One basic yet core rule is that the offense may not dribble more than three times per possession.

Even though it was time to rest, sweat broke out on Haywood's face once again.

It was clear the rules of the live confrontation were not in his favor.

Soon, Yu Fei and Haywood took the court.

Yu Fei was very "kind" to yield the first opportunity to attack, allowing Haywood to go on the offense first.

Haywood's advantage in this confrontation was a physicality that made Yu Fei struggle.

As an older draft pick with four years of NCAA experience, his physical maturity was something Yu Fei could not match. If Haywood could get into the low post, even with crude technique, he could easily overpower Yu Fei.

Yet the Wizards coaching staff had thought up this type of live combat rule.

When Haywood, looking lost on the three-point line with his back to Yu Fei, attempted to initiate a post-up play from the farthest position from the basket, Big Fei realized there was a problem.

As the ultimate authority in the Verizon Center, Big Fei, the teacher, had the power to temporarily change the game rules, "Brandon, you play inside. The perimeter offense isn't suitable for you. Let's do this: each time it's Brandon's turn to attack, we'll allow you to initiate the offense from the low post."

Haywood was overjoyed and wished he could sing a hymn of praise to Jordan.

Big Fei, the original, you indeed are the proudest belief of the North Carolina students!

Jordan was so understanding, which made Fei uncomfortable. The size difference between him and Haywood was like that between Wang Ziwen and Qiao Xin in Ode to Joy—it simply wasn't the same league. You're letting a fully developed 22-year-old comrade back down a comrade who's not even 19 yet. Is that really okay?

On Haywood's first attack, he completely pushed Fei away, spin dunking as if he were dominating Dikembe Mutombo in the NBA Finals like Shaquille O'Neal.

"This isn't a playground for high schoolers."

Haywood even had the nerve to talk trash to Fei.

Fei wasn't fully lowering his center of gravity just now, but even if he lowered it to the lowest point, he could at best ensure that he wasn't knocked off his stance, and it would be very hard to interfere with Haywood's attack.

He must find a way... With wisdom, nothing is a problem.

For his second offense, Haywood faked twice, and Fei's defensive focus was entirely on his right hand, which meant a slight step would have easily allowed him to shift his center of gravity to his left hand and finish the offense with it.

However, Haywood insisted on finishing with a rigid hook shot with his right hand, and the basketball stumbled into the hoop.

"Surely no one who played four years of college basketball can only attack with one hand?" Fei looked at the ball on the ground and asked like a spectator from the sidelines.

Haywood, having his weakness exposed, stubbornly said, "One hand is enough to deal with you!"

Haywood's physical advantage was indeed overwhelming.

However, his skills were anything but advantageous. As an older draft prospect, Haywood's scoring ability was abysmally low.

You see, in the professional league, no NBA team would have Fei defend him in the low post, nor would they allow him to comfortably receive the ball under such a mismatched situation, smoothly play from the painted area to the basket, and find the right angle to finish with his right hand.

Even in this setup, Fei still had ways to counter him.

First, he made sure not to lose his defensive position. Then, right before Haywood was about to make the final push on defense, he'd pull the chair, causing his opponent to stumble and taking the fleeting opportunity to strike with his right hand like a blade, slashing the ball from his opponent's hand.

"Wow, what a defense!!!" Kwame Brown got excited, standing up and shouting, "That's my brother! Take him down! Don't give him any chance!"

Collins, standing next to Jordan, shook his head, "What a pity, Brandon's one-on-one ability is still lacking a bit. But he's got a great defense, there's still a chance."

Jordan, engrossed in watching, unintentionally puckered his lower lip to the left, a small habit of his.

However, when Fei scored with a left-handed dribble, a stop-and-pop jumper after shaking Haywood off, Jordan shook his head, "No, there's no chance for Brandon now."

This time, Haywood decided to let Fei take the outside shot.

Fei then made him question his defensive choice with a three-pointer.

When Haywood was forced to defend on the perimeter, he focused on preventing Fei's right hand.

Fei first made a quick crossover, caught the ball with his left hand, and dashed inside the free-throw line, following up with another jumper.

Anybody who knows basketball could tell that Fei and Haywood were not on the same level when it came to scoring by themselves; the game was already over.

Fei, like showing magic tricks, was demonstrating his offensive arsenal one by one.

Every time Haywood put up a targeted defense, Fei crushed it with a completely opposite move.

And his trash talk never stopped.

"This really is a playground for high schoolers because college students have no defense."

"How could anyone attend four years of college and still not know how to defend properly?"

"College boy, guess what, I can use my left hand."

Haywood went from hysterical to furious to disheartened, lifeless, and eventually, his will shattered—all in just eleven plays.

Fei broke Haywood in eleven plays.

Collins knew Jordan wanted to pick Haywood, but this guy was too disappointing, getting completely outplayed by a high schooler without putting up a fight.

As Jordan's lackey, Collins wanted to say something to salvage Haywood's dignity. However, he saw no displeasure on Jordan's face; instead, he watched admiringly as Fei played.

Alas, this high schooler was really causing a stir.