"Position" and "Connections"

"Hey, Kobe, your dunk was so cool."

Wesley said to Kobe as he walked towards Su Feng and Kobe and gave him a thumbs up.

"Long time no see, Steve. I did not notice you today," Kobe replied after bumping chests with Wesley.

Su Feng could tell that Wesley and Kobe had known each other for a long time.

"Haha, you didn't notice me because your attention was fixated on the court. I told you before, I am most impressed by your attention towards basketball," Wesley said.

Although Su Feng did not know Wesley, he thought that Wesley was a very interesting person.

"Oh right, Su, let me introduce you to the scout of Duke University, Steve Wesley. He has been watching my matches since I was in year two."

Kobe patted Su Feng's shoulder and introduced Wesley to Su Feng.

Su Feng nodded and thought, "So he is the scout from Duke University."

"Nice to meet you, my name is Su Feng, you can call me Su," said Su Feng as he stretched out his hand to Wesley.

Wesley smiled, and after shaking hands with Su Feng, he said, "SHU? Haha, although I didn't know you before this, your performance today has left a deep impression in me."

Shu, uncle1?

Su Feng almost spat out his sports drink. However, he would not care so much about… these details.

"You were competing for Nefaria in the past? Why have I not heard about you before?" No wonder Wesley was a scout. He began to ask about Su Feng.

Before Su Feng could do a self introduction, Kobe began to praise Su Feng about how good he was.

"I see, so you have trained with Kobe for the entire summer break, and managed to bring up your basketball talent?" said Wesley as he looked at Su Feng.

Su Feng nodded.

"That's fantastic. In that case, I have another person whom I can pay attention to in Pennsylvania. Come, here is my business card, please consider Duke University in the future when you are applying for university," said Wesley with a smile.

Duke University…

Su Feng suddenly remembered something.

"If I am not wrong, Kobe mentioned in his autobiography that if he went to university, he would put Duke University as his priority."

Su Feng thought as he looked at the passionate Wesley, "Could Kobe's preference for Duke University be because of Wesley's influence?"

Cough cough… No matter what, Su Feng felt that his career in basketball had become smoother after he met Kobe.

After all… if not for Kobe, it would've taken so much effort for him to be noticed by Duke.

However, that being said, if Su Feng remembered correctly, the future Kobe said that the man whom he wanted to defeat the most in his high school era…

Vince Carter chose North Carolina in the end?

North Carolina, Duke…

Shhh!

Su Feng accepted Wesley's business card. Wesley was clearly a professional scout as he stopped revealing any information afterwards.

Wesley was merely a scout. He could only give suggestions to the school and could not promise Su Feng too much.

Therefore, Wesley knew that he only had to discover talents and establish relationships with them.

….

After Wesley left, Kobe patted Su Feng's shoulder and said, "Don't take Steve's words to heart. Duke… is a school that is quite difficult to get in."

Su Feng knew that Kobe was afraid that he would become over-confident. Therefore, he smiled and said, "Rest assured, I am not so foolish."

Kobe smiled. "Go and meet Gregg. Let me tell you, if you reject Gregg, you should be mentally prepared to be thrashed in future seasons."

After pausing and realizing that he was not threatening enough, Kobe added, "I only gave 50% today."

Su Feng was speechless…

Brother, are you forcing me to form an exclusive pair with you?

Su Feng nodded his head. After making a promise with Kobe, he left Lower Merion with the bus and the team.

Something worth mentioning was how Tony Johnson and Antony kept staring at Su Feng on the way back…

"Am I that good-looking? Why is everyone looking at me?" Su Feng thought.

Perhaps he was born a main character? Was this the so-called main character attention?

Alright, Su Feng was clearly overthinking things.

After the bus returned to Nefaria and the team dispersed, Tony Johnson and Antony pulled Su Feng aside and asked him, "Su, tell us… Did Lower Merion give you an invitation?"

Su Feng nodded.

Tony Johnson's expression suddenly became nervous. "So… how did you reply to them?"

Su Feng said honestly, "I haven't replied to them as we planned for a meeting to discuss it."

Hearing that, Antony pushed Tony Johnson aside and said, "Su, tell me, what will you say?"

Su Feng shrugged. "Of course I will join them!"

For some reason, although they knew the answer, Tony Johnson and Antony seemed to be struck by the harsh reality…

Seeing Tony Johnson and Antony like that, Su Feng explained why he wanted to join Lower Merion.

In Su Feng's opinion, he had no reason to lie to Tony Johnson and Antony. After all, both of them seemed like good guys to Su Feng.

However, the basketball world was cruel.

If Su Feng rejected Lower Merion's invitation because of the few days he had spent with Nefaria, the choice of remaining in Nefaria would be his irresponsibility.

Don't forget, Su Feng's goal was the NBA.

Was the NBA really that easy to get in?

Wake up. How many professional basketballers were there in the world, and how many of them actually end up in the NBA?

There were many talents in the American basketball world, and Su Feng was so insignificant.

He had no right to make a choice.

Su Feng was very clear of his "position".

That was because he could only gain more attention in Lower Merion. Only in Lower Merion could he improve faster too.

Su Feng never planned to hide this from Tony Johnson and Antony.

He told them the truth.

Indeed, after listening to Su Feng's explanation, Tony Johnson and Antony understood.

However, Tony Johnson still could not believe it.

That was because… it was the NBA!

However, after looking at Su Feng's calm expression from his eyes, Tony Johnson felt…

Perhaps Su Feng could really make it?

The first Chinese player in the NBA.

If Su Feng made it, he could be considered as his inspirational coach!

"Reality… is incredible," Tony Johnson exclaimed after Su Feng left.

"Let's go, Tony. Su is a precious jade, he doesn't belong to us, that's because… this is how American basketball works!" exclaimed Antony.

Indeed… The basketball world was so cruel.

If not, why did everyone want to enter the top universities?

….

At the Beasley Cafe on Market Street in Philadelphia, Su Feng arrived based on the timing he had agreed with Gregg Downer.

The cafe was not very big and it was located in a relatively quiet spot. Kobe had brought Su Feng here once.

"Su, nice to meet you, please allow me to introduce myself again. I am Gregg Downer, the head coach of Lower Merion High School's basketball team," said Gregg Downer as he stretched out his hand.

Su Feng shook Gregg's hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Coach Gregg. I am Su Feng."

After they sat down, Gregg let Su Feng order a cup of coffee and said as he looked at Su Feng, "I think you have heard some of my comments about you from Kobe."

Gregg suddenly stood up and apologized to Su Feng. "Now I formally apologize to you."

Su Feng was stunned…

Huh?

What did Kobe tell me?

However, if he did not accept Gregg's apology, Gregg probably would not sit down. Su Feng could only say in a thick-skinned manner, "I have already forgiven you, Head Coach."

Hearing that, Gregg heaved a sigh of relief. "Now, I formally invite you to join Lower Merion High School."

One had to admit that the biggest benefit of the English language was that it was straightforward. Of course, though, that meant a sacrifice in the enjoyment one could get out of the language.

Su Feng looked at Gregg calmly and said, "Head Coach, can you tell me the reason for inviting me?"

Gregg said, "Because of your defense and shooting. Although it was only a friendly match, I am very certain that your defense can be ranked top in Pennsylvania."

Su Feng was indeed very confident about his defense…

After all, he was training it everyday.

Su Feng remembered those times when he thought about his incredible talent in defense…

"However, Head Coach, Lower Merion already has Kobe. In Nefaria, I can be the top player, so why should I join Lower Merion?" said Su Feng as he looked at Gregg.

Although he had already decided to join Lower Merion, Su Feng thought that he had to pretend to sound reluctant…

That was because he had already understood the situation from Kobe and knew that he had the upper hand in this conversation.

The United States was unlike China. In the United States, one fought with their capability. As long as one had capability, one could play hard to get.

In Su Feng's past life, even Yao Ming had done that in the NBA…

No choice. As the saying went, adapt to the local customs—one had no choice but to play hard to get.

Of course, more importantly, Su Feng knew that once he agreed to join Lower Merion, he could not make decisions. Therefore, he had to ensure that he was certain of what Lower Merion could provide him with before he agreed.

To put it frankly, in the American basketball world, the most important thing was a full scholarship. This scholarship determined one's position in the team as well as the opportunities one would have in the match.

It was like how when one purchased items. One would definitely care more about the more expensive item as compared to the cheaper one after purchasing both of them.

Of course, after hearing what Su Feng said, Gregg was more certain that he wanted Su Feng.

"Of course, we will treat you like a famous basketball player. As for your position, don't worry, I have observed you. Although your shooting was good, your positioning…

"Don't be doubtful, Su, I am not questioning your positioning, but I think that the coach in Nefaria did not teach you about specific tactics.

"After you join Lower Merion, I will customize shooting tactics for you. Furthermore, you know that Kobe is not only an excellent attacker, he is also a very good collaborator.

"Meanwhile, I believe and trust that you two are the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of Pennsylvania.

"Both of you will definitely make it big in the United States!"

Promises and talks, Gregg was very good at them.

After Gregg's speech, Su Feng knew that he had no other reason to reject him.

Therefore, Su Feng agreed on the transfer happily.

"May we have a pleasant time working together!"

"Same here."

….

After reaching an agreement with Gregg, Kobe was over the moon when he heard about it.

In order to register Su Feng for the new competition season before it started, Kobe had even asked his father, Joe Bryant, to help.

That was because Joe was once the head coach of Lower Merion High School, and with his status as an NBA player…

Su Feng's transfer procedures and the miscellaneous matters only took a few days.

Even outside of China…

The treatment one received depended greatly on connections.

Yes, "connections"!

After Su Feng settled the transfer procedures, Kobe smiled during the one-on-one match in the afternoon. "Su, next Monday will be the welcome ceremony for you. Oh right, what number do you want?"

As for his number, Su Feng did not have any special requests. Therefore, he casually said, "Number three."

"No problem, I will introduce you to our teammates during the ceremony. Oh right, I'll bring you to somewhere nice this weekend to celebrate," said Kobe as he patted Su Feng's shoulder and smiled.

Su Feng nodded and did not reject Kobe.

But…

For some reason, both of his eyelids began to twitch when he agreed…

"…"

The saying went "twitching of the left eyebrow means good luck, while right means bad luck", but what did it mean when both twitched together?

Su Feng felt that something was wrong…

Forget it…

He would know the truth that weekend.

….