Chapter 14: The Final Battle of the CBA

After the game, the bald commentator Baron Ross said, “Tang San logged in and played for 30 minutes, delivering an excellent all-around performance that shattered the Catbird team’s ambition to sweep the Kelp team and claim the championship.”

The hefty Chuckley Hans nodded and said, “Game 4 is still on the Kelp team’s home court. I believe the Kelp team has a chance to end the series under Tang’s leadership.”

Baron Ross responded, “Yes, tonight the Kelp team’s offensive strategy for Tang was well planned. The Catbird team couldn’t double-team him in the paint, which greatly reduced turnovers. He only committed two violations tonight.”

Chuckley Hans excitedly added, “Especially his nine blocks—seven came from outside the paint, including one at the three-point line. That seriously disrupted the Catbird team’s perimeter offense.”

David Rivers had a hard time, getting rejected by Tang five times and performing poorly overall, shooting just 4 of 17 for a mere 23.5% accuracy.

Baron Ross noted, “The Catbird team only has five inside players, and now three are injured with no immediate return in sight. I don’t know how they’ll play the rest of the series.”

Chuckley Hans shook his head, “No chance—they’re bound to lose.”

On the sidelines, Mark Fleischer watched Tang Bei’s postgame interview, almost drooling.

“Don’t look at him. He’s my player,” Eric Fleischer snapped irritably.

“Eric, you really got lucky,” Mark Fleischer said with envy and jealousy.

Eric Fleischer proudly recounted, “That night I went to Madison Square Garden to watch a game. He was outside on the open-air basketball court by the plaza. I saw him and slammed on the brakes—a wise move that landed me a gifted big man.”

Mark Fleischer glared at the smug Eric and said, “Eric, you don’t have the resources of a Fortune 500 company. Be careful, or he might get poached.”

“Are you cursing me? Or trying to steal him?” Eric growled, baring his teeth like a guard dog.

Mark snorted but persisted, “Eric, we’re brothers. You should introduce me to him—that’s basic courtesy.”

“Introduce you to him so you can take him? Do I look that stupid?” Eric sneered.

“Humph!” Mark walked away in frustration.

“I have company matters to handle. I should find someone dedicated to managing Tang’s career so Mark can’t steal him,” Eric decided as he watched his brother’s retreating figure.

Once Tang Bei enters the NBA, Eric planned to assign him a personal agent—Andy Miller.

Andy Miller joined Eric’s agency last year and had proven himself capable and trustworthy.

But Mark was right—Eric lacked the commercial resources of a Fortune 500 company; business connections were his weakness.

On April 6th, the NCAA finals began.

The final was between Duke University’s Blue Devils and the University of Michigan Wolverines, held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

ESPN broadcast the game nationwide. After dinner, Tang Bei watched the match with Eric Fleischer and John Liu at the hotel.

“So many people?” Tang Bei was stunned seeing the packed crowd.

John Liu explained, “The Metrodome hosts football, baseball, and basketball games, seating over 60,000. The NBA’s Timberwolves played here for two seasons before moving last year.”

“Damn, it’s packed!” Tang Bei exclaimed.

Previously unable to grasp the NCAA’s popularity, Tang now saw firsthand how wildly popular it was.

Compared to the NCAA, the CBA’s following was pathetic—only about 1,000 fans for the finals, versus tens of thousands here.

Ultimately, Duke, featuring stars like Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, and Bobby Hurley, defeated Michigan’s Fab Five led by Chris Webber and Jalen Rose by 71 to 51, successfully defending their NCAA championship.

Eric Fleischer wiped his mouth and said, “These NCAA stars will definitely become NBA stars once they enter, but unfortunately, they already have agents.”

John Liu translated, and Tang Bei asked, “Eric, which of them will enter this year’s NBA draft?”

Eric reminded him, “Tang, John is here to translate off the court, but on the court, you must rely on yourself. So start learning and using English now—no more Chinese.”

“Okay,” Tang Bei readily agreed after translation.

Eric said, “Only Christian Laettner has declared for the draft. He’s a top-three prospect, even a candidate for number one overall. He’s more famous and highly regarded than O’Neal in the NCAA, and he just made the national team. He’ll join Jordan and others at the Barcelona Olympics this year.”

“How’s his technique... John, how do you say ‘technique’ in English?” Tang Bei asked.

“Technique. You can say, ‘His technique is very OK.’”

Under John Liu’s guidance, Tang’s aptitude for learning was impressive; he quickly repeated the sentence fluently.

“Very good,” Eric gave him a thumbs-up.

On April 7th, Game 4 of the CBA finals kicked off.

In Miami’s Dennis Arena, a modest 3,000-seat venue was completely packed, surprising Tang Bei.

“Severe anxiety! Severe anxiety…” he muttered.

As he entered, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

Eric Fleischer shouted, “Tang, this is your influence in Miami. You already have fans here who come to watch you play. They love your dunks. Getting into the Heat in the future would be great for you.”

Tang Bei smiled broadly, waving to the fans, feeling excited.

Eric reminded loudly, “Play well tonight. This might be your last CBA game. Even though no NBA general managers are here, at least twenty scouts are watching.”

“Okay,” Tang nodded.

So far, fourteen NBA teams had invited him for tryouts. He had to seize this last chance to showcase his talent.

At eight o’clock, the game began.

“Watch your turnovers, fouls, and violations,” Coach Mice Lance advised as Tang entered.

“Coach says...” John Liu quickly translated.

“Okay.”

Tang Bei took his place at center circle for the tip-off. His opponent was the Catbird team’s last remaining backup center, Reddick John—a 210 cm, 108 kg white player.

John lacked talent and skill, only making the Catbird team due to his size, rarely seeing game time, but today he started.

Looking at Tang Bei’s powerful build and recalling the teammates who had fallen under Tang’s dominance and were now hospitalized, Reddick swallowed hard, a wave of fear rising uncontrollably.

“Snap!”

The referee tossed the ball high. Reddick reacted a moment too late; Tang knocked the ball away, giving the Kelp team the first possession.

Tang stopped at the high post. Miami Lance had designed pick-and-roll plays for him at the high post and wing, and Tang wanted to test them.

Tom Morris suddenly accelerated near the top of the key. David Rivers turned to defend but collided with Tang.

Tang immediately spun and cut into the paint, following Morris’s drive.

Morris attacked the basket, drawing the defense before turning to pass.

“Bang!”

Tang caught the ball and exploded upward, his head level with the rim, delivering a powerful one-handed slam dunk that shattered the Catbird team’s hoop.

“WOW!”

The fierce and forceful dunk, executed flush at the rim, created a stunning visual impact that ignited the home crowd into passionate cheers.