Syracuse University arrived in Boston on March 16th. Their game was scheduled for March 18th. They had to rush to North Shore Garden Arena early on the morning of March 17th for court acclimation training.
That was because the Boston Celtics had a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers that evening. Only after the game concluded would the court be switched over to the floor for the national tournament.
Su Xi also received an interview invitation from *Sports Illustrated*.
Su Xi was a hot topic right now. Ever since he shouted that line on the American Cable Network, many media outlets had been reporting on him, and many other talented players were calling him out.
But Su Xi turned down *Sports Illustrated*.
This was unbelievable to most people. *Sports Illustrated* was an authoritative media outlet with a huge circulation, and a feature on him would have greatly boosted his fame.
"I don't have anything more to say."
Su Xi told the *Sports Illustrated* reporter frankly over the phone, "And besides, I have to prepare for my game."
At 7:30 on the morning of March 17th, the Syracuse University players were scheduled for a training session at North Shore Garden Arena.
It was an arena steeped in history. Although the Celtics had fallen on hard times in recent years, and McHale's series of plans had all failed, the championship banners and retired jerseys hanging from the rafters were a testament to how glorious the Celtics' past had been.
Unlike the other players, who were asking the assistant coaches to take commemorative photos of them with a camera, Su Xi was quietly training the entire time. He also practiced his shooting and his drives to the basket.
Su Xi's shot was quite good for a normal person, and his form was picture-perfect. This proved he wasn't someone who *couldn't* shoot; he just had no interest in being on the offensive.
'His main goal right now was fusing talents.'
Carmeron Anthony was shooting next to Su Xi. Antonio's shot was far more accurate. When Antonio practiced his open shots, he rarely missed. It was his signature skill.
"Jack, why aren't you taking pictures? This is the home of the Boston Celtics," Antonio said to Su Xi. "For many people, this is the Mecca of basketball."
Su Xi just smiled and shook his head. 'It was pointless.'
"Hey, how about I teach you the step-back jumper?" Carmeron Anthony suddenly perked up.
Su Xi thought about it. 'I'm not doing anything else, anyway.' "Sure."
So, Carmeron Anthony began to demonstrate for Su Xi. "With the step-back, the most important thing is rhythm," he said as he showed him. "And you need to have a strong burst of power. A sudden move forward, a hard stop, then step back for the shot…"
Carmeron Anthony's instruction was meticulous.
Su Xi was a very diligent student.
He improved at an incredible rate.
It wasn't so much that Antonio was an amazing teacher, but that Su Xi had spent the past few months defending him every day. Through osmosis, he had already subconsciously grasped Antonio's offensive moves—it was like reverse-engineering them.
Su Xi had already deduced the entire process. Now, with a little guidance, it was only natural that his execution was a perfect imitation.
In less than 20 minutes, Su Xi's move was already starting to look deadly.
Carmeron Anthony was floored. He said to Su Xi, "Jack, you're an offensive genius. Why don't you focus your energy on offense?"
Su Xi just smiled and said, "For now, there's no need."
Carmeron Anthony was once again mystified by Su Xi.
He felt that understanding Su Xi was like trying to find a needle in the ocean. 'Good thing I'm not a woman, or he'd play me for a fool and I'd never know what hit me.'
Shortly after, Coach Jim urged the players to hurry up and begin their team practice.
Around noon, the other Syracuse University players left for lunch.
Su Xi and Carmeron Anthony stayed behind. They had arranged to play one-on-one.
Even though Su Xi's one-on-one games with Antonio no longer helped with his talent fusion, they both had come to enjoy them.
As usual, Antonio was on offense, and Su Xi was on defense.
They were having a blast.
Su Xi could now stop Antonio on three or four out of every ten possessions, which was a top-tier level of one-on-one defense.
They played 20 possessions, with Antonio ultimately making 12 shots to end the game.
After they finished, both of them were completely exhausted.
As they walked to the sideline and sat down, they finally noticed someone sitting on the bench, who had been watching their one-on-one game the entire time.
"Kobe!!"
Carmeron Anthony cried out.
The Little Flying Hero was one of the hottest stars in basketball, with immense popularity. He had already won a three-peat with Shaquille O, and they were now aiming for a four-peat.
Su Xi was no stranger to Kobe. Last summer, many players who were in New Jersey for the finals had gone to Reggie Williams's house to pay their respects, and Kobe had helped Su Xi stop Kitels from getting violent.
"Wanna go one-on-one?"
Antonio's very next words were a challenge to Kobe.
Kobe was taken aback. He had been all ready to give the kid an autograph.
He hadn't expected Antonio to actually challenge him to a one-on-one.
Kobe ignored Antonio and spoke to Su Xi. "You're just as arrogant as you were last year."
Antonio was surprised. He hadn't realized Kobe actually knew Su Xi.
"On defense just now, you took an extra half-step several times," Kobe continued, speaking to Su Xi. "Your read on the ball's path is accurate, but you put too much faith in your own explosiveness. That's a bad defensive habit."
'He thought Su Xi would thank him for the advice.'
But Su Xi looked him dead in the eye and said, "I did it on purpose."
Er...
Kobe froze.
'On purpose?'
'Kids these days shouldn't spout nonsense just to save face. Who would do that on purpose?'
For some reason, Kobe suddenly felt the urge to be a mentor today. He said to Su Xi, "Impressing NBA teams with defense is a smart move, but defense alone isn't going to get you a 200,000 USD car to toss bottle caps from. You need to at least develop a three-point shot. The NBA loves role players who can defend and space the floor."
"Mhm," Su Xi nodded. Then, he added, "Thanks."
Watching the two of them interact, Carmeron Anthony, who was standing nearby, got a very strange feeling.
"I'm going to get lunch. Thanks for helping me out last time." Su Xi gave Kobe a wave and left with Carmeron Anthony.
Kobe didn't get up to see them off, treating the encounter like a chance meeting between strangers.
Once they were a good distance away, Antonio couldn't help but ask Su Xi, "You know Kobe? Are you good friends with him? I heard he's a loner, that he doesn't even respect O'Neal and is always fighting him for the ball."
Su Xi shook his head. "We've only met once."
"That's unusual. I've read in the news that he's not an approachable person. Why was he so friendly with you? Then again, your personalities are a bit similar. Both of you are arrogant and aloof."
Su Xi asked Antonio, "Am I arrogant? Am I aloof?"
Antonio nodded earnestly.
"I'm different from him," Su Xi said, speaking from the heart. "I have to focus on enhancing my talent."
Antonio didn't get it.
"I heard Jim isn't going to start you tomorrow night," Carmeron Anthony continued. "He wants to let the media buzz die down. He's protecting you."
Su Xi picked up his pace. He was going to find Jim Boham.
...