Just when the Suns' front office got into trouble...
Meanwhile, Charles Barkley—who had come specifically to watch the rookies—looked like this:
(*￣(oo)￣)
This "flying pig" was clearly uncomfortable.
The reason for his displeasure was simple.
Why was everyone praising the kid from Philadelphia?
Back in the summer of 1991, after storming into the office of 76ers owner Harold Katz and yelling at him, Barkley and Philadelphia became sworn enemies.
Since then, everyone in the league knew: between Barkley and Philly, it was either "you die" or "I die."
On top of that, the Suns were in poor shape this year, having been eliminated by the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Naturally, Barkley—the face of Phoenix—was blamed.
So all his frustration boiled over when the Suns' staff kept mentioning "The Philadelphia Kid."
At that moment, Su Feng, who was asking Nash for dribbling tips, had no idea...
"I heard he was the best defensive player in the Pennsylvania High School League for two consecutive years?"
Barkley pointed at Su Feng, who was sitting on the sidelines, and asked Coach Paul Westphal.
Seeing Barkley's expression, Westphal suddenly had a very bad feeling.
He quickly replied, "He's just a newcomer, a high school kid—not worth mentioning."
"What newcomer? He's definitely getting drafted this year, right?"
"Well... yes."
"Then he's basically an NBA player already," Barkley said, waving his arm and laughing.
"But Charles..."
"And he's 201 cm tall (with shoes). I'm only 198 cm.
I think I should be the one to test whether his defense is real or just hype." With that, Barkley walked over to where Su Feng was resting.
Westphal froze.
Because this summer was Barkley's contract year, and both the front office and coaching staff had the feeling that the wild boar was about to break out of the pigsty.
"He may be taller than you, Charles, but you weigh 121 kg!"
Looking at the 91 kg listed on Su Feng's profile, Westphal could only hope the rookie was tougher than he looked...
...
"Hey, kid, interested in going one-on-one with me?"
On the court, Barkley held the basketball and walked over to Su Feng.
What?
Su Feng, who had been chatting with Nash, was stunned.
Yo—isn't this the famous flying pig?
Su Feng was no stranger to Barkley.
But...
Why was this big guy suddenly challenging him to a one-on-one?
Was this the Suns' front office trying to test his defensive skills?
Keep in mind: although Barkley had the height of a perimeter player, he was a true inside force.
Especially with his unique arching technique, Charles Barkley had proven through sheer will that even if you're not riding the wind, a pig can still fly.
Su Feng glanced at the Suns' staff on the sidelines, trying to read the situation...
But why were they all shaking their heads?
"What's wrong, kid? Are you dumb like the folks in Philly?" Barkley continued to provoke.
Okay...
This flying pig really is something else.
Su Feng decided to accept Barkley's challenge!
Not because he was rattled by Barkley's trash talk, but because...
Ding! Legendary one-on-one challenge detected!
Current challenger: Charles Barkley, one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players.
If accepted, the host will earn 20,000 iron points per missed shot.
Legendary one-on-one...
Twenty thousand iron points per miss?
Reasonable. That legendary bonus is insane.
Su Feng couldn't help but wonder—will Kobe Bryant offer this kind of bonus when he grows up?
Right?
Heh heh...
Su Feng and Kobe's lifelong friendship forged in iron aside, Su Feng was now mentally prepared to get crushed in this matchup.
Come on, Charles—please beat me to death!
It's worth noting that when Su Feng stood up, he was clearly taller than Barkley...
Oh, and here's a fun fact: Barkley really is 198 cm tall.
And when Su Feng stood in front of him, for some reason, Nash—watching from the side—felt a chill.
Still, he wanted to cheer for Su Feng.
"Well... I'll cheer for Su in my heart," Nash silently wished.
Cough—not that Nash lacked heart, but Barkley's elbow was terrifying.
"Oh, looks like you've got some guts. How about we play to 11..." Barkley said with a grin.
But before he could finish, Su Feng waved him off.
"In Philly, our one-on-one rules go to 21 points. Each player gets one offensive possession per turn."
This was a rare opportunity to go one-on-one with an NBA legend. And Su Feng—a man who never backs down and thrives on competition—wasn't about to shy away.
Okay...
Okay.
Truthfully, Su Feng was still a bit nervous. After all, he and Barkley weren't even in the same weight class.
But Su Feng also knew that despite Barkley's temper and trash talk, he often became friends with players he battled on the court.
Why? Because Barkley was just venting—he wasn't out to destroy anyone.
Honestly, given the system's logic and Su Feng's cautious nature, if Barkley were truly malicious, Su Feng wouldn't have accepted the challenge.
So even if Barkley was the thickest armor and the deadliest poison...
A warrior never backs down!
"Looks like I need to learn some trash talk.
Once I'm in the NBA, I'll challenge these legends one-on-one.
And when my teammates come over to set a pick-and-roll, I'll say: 'Would you please put away your shit pick-and-roll?'" Su Feng thought to himself.
On the court, when the Suns' staff heard Su Feng wanted to play to 21 against Barkley, they thought he must be delirious...
Oh my God! Kid, do you even know who you're up against?
Su Feng: I know. And if possible, could you help me get a matchup with Michael Jordan next?
"Interesting. Alright, I'll let you take the first shot," Barkley said, tossing the ball to Su Feng with a grin.
Su Feng couldn't help but shiver as Barkley stared him down.
Bang!
Su Feng took the first shot—but under the pressure of Barkley's elbow, he missed.
"That's all you've got?" Barkley mocked.
"Well... yeah," Su Feng replied cheerfully.
Twenty thousand iron points!
Playing Barkley for one day was better than playing Kobe for ten!
Su Feng believed that once he entered the NBA, the iron value from real games would be even sweeter.
Boom!
But Su Feng's delight clearly irritated Barkley.
Feeling disrespected by a high school kid, Barkley lowered his shoulder and unleashed his signature arching move.
No joke—this was the real deal...
After being shoved by Barkley, Su Feng had no chance to get up and chase him down for defense.
Although the Flying Pig was already past his prime, it had to be said: Barkley wasn't just strong — he knew how to use his body with finesse.
This time, he first bumped Su Feng with his hip, then used his elbow to keep Su Feng from standing up, and finally spun around for the basket.
1–0. After scoring, Barkley raised his right arm like Popeye — the cartoon sailor Su Feng used to watch as a kid.
"Rookie, that height of yours is useless!" Barkley taunted.
Su Feng ignored him and got ready to attack again.
Bang!
Uh-oh… the rhythm was off!
Under Barkley's defense, Su Feng knew that if the Flying Pig pressed too hard, he might not even be able to unlock his phone.
So Su Feng went for a quick shot — even if it didn't go in.
The important thing was to enjoy the game. Happy basketball, that's what matters.
"All you know how to do is shoot those girly floaters?" Barkley stared at Su Feng, then glanced at the Suns staff on the sidelines.
This is the guy you said had offensive talent?
The Suns staff exchanged glances, but none of them thought Su Feng was playing poorly — Barkley was just being a bit… overwhelming.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
That impact.
That force.
It was excessive.
Even though he was a veteran nearing retirement, Barkley's chaotic charge completely shattered Su Feng's defensive armor.
But give up? Not a chance.
Because Su Feng wasn't just here to get dunked on.
Basketball was his dream.
Su Feng knew from the start that winning would be tough, but he still wanted to try. That was the gap between an NBA legend and a rising star.
To play against Barkley — even past his peak — was already part of Su Feng's purpose in his basketball journey.
Can't move?
That's normal.
Can't defend?
Then try your hardest.
Tough play — that's Su Feng's style!
On the court, when Barkley created space again, Su Feng, under the effect of his "rock badge," quickly adjusted his center of gravity and rushed toward Barkley.
On the sidelines, Nash couldn't help but shout:
"Go, Su!"
Yes, even if you're a defensive black hole, you don't give up just because you can't stop your opponent.
Boom!
On the court, Barkley clearly noticed Su Feng — more terrifying than a goblin — but didn't believe anyone would dare defend him under the threat of his iron elbow.
Because even in the NBA, fewer than five players had that kind of courage.
And Su Feng was just a rookie?
But…
Su Feng really charged in!
Barkley hesitated.
And in that split second, the Flying Pig forgot to shield his elbow.
Bang!
Su Feng's brow slammed directly into Barkley's elbow — splitting open.
But Su Feng's long fingers managed to reach Barkley's right hand holding the ball!
Smack!
Su Feng blocked Barkley!
Barkley was stunned.
On the court, the Suns staff were also in shock.
Even though Su Feng fell during the block, he had stunned the entire gym.
Nash immediately ran to Su Feng. It's worth mentioning that when he reached Su Feng, the skinny white teenager even shoved Barkley.
"What kind of perseverance and courage is this?" Suns coach Westphal completely abandoned his previous bias against Asian players.
In Su Feng's past life, Yao Ming once said: respect isn't given — it's earned.
At that moment, even Barkley couldn't help but give Su Feng a thumbs-up.
On the ground, with Nash's help, Su Feng slowly stood up, feeling blood trickle down his brow.
"Where are the medics? Where's the team doctor?" Nash shouted anxiously.
Su Feng noticed Barkley looking at him with a hint of regret.
After all, no matter how angry he was at Philadelphia, Barkley felt he shouldn't have elbowed Su Feng like that.
So Su Feng smiled at Barkley:
"Hold on, our one-on-one isn't over yet."
Barkley: "..."
Suns staff: "..."
"Su, don't play anymore, your brow is…" Nash tried to stop him.
"It's fine, I've been through this before.
And you know, my brow's been split so many times by Kobe I've lost count." Su Feng grinned.
Nash didn't know why, but even though Su Feng was only slightly taller than him, at that moment, he seemed like a giant.
Soon, the Suns medics rushed onto the court to treat Su Feng's injury.
But when they heard he wanted to keep playing, they were stunned.
"Are you sure? If you want to continue, I'll have to stitch it without anesthesia," said James, one of the medics.
"Go ahead," Su Feng replied calmly.
Actually, in basketball, the brow is one of the most vulnerable spots.
In the future, NBA players will frequently suffer brow injuries. With the rise of hemostatic gel, it'll become common to stop bleeding with a quick spray on the sidelines.
But in the 90s? Forget that kind of tech.
In Su Feng's past life, Manchester City's famous player Sun Jihai was nicknamed "Chinese Sun" by British media — not just because his name meant "Sun," but because in one match, even with a split brow, he took dozens of stitches without flinching.
"You…" At that moment, seeing Su Feng sitting on the sidelines getting stitched up, even Barkley was speechless.
Ten minutes later, the bleeding stopped. Aside from slightly blurry vision, Su Feng was fine.
After changing clothes and confirming no blood was visible, Su Feng once again stood across from Barkley.
The Suns staff wanted to stop this uneven duel, but when they looked at Su Feng, they all fell silent.
Though they hadn't known Su Feng long, in that moment, he had become a true hero in Nash's eyes.
"Su, don't lose to him! Go! I believe in you!" Nash looked up and said firmly.
"Relax, now you'll see how I roast this Flying Pig." Su Feng smiled and ruffled Nash's hair.
Beside him, after taking a deep breath, Barkley looked at Su Feng and said:
"I take back all the disrespect I had for you."
"From now on, I'll treat you like a real opponent — the same way I treat Michael Jordan." On the court, Barkley tossed the ball to Su Feng.
This time…
What?
It was Su Feng's turn.
Because Barkley also said he wouldn't use any post-up techniques anymore…
And maybe to avoid injuring Su Feng again, the Flying Pig was clearly playing more cautiously.
Su Feng: "..."