Chapter 8: Different Roles
The annual Pete Newell Invitational kicked off in Oakland.
For the new generation of players, the name Newell is too ancient, after all, the 50s-60s era when he was active is already half a century ago.
Larry Bird once said that greatness has an expiration date.
No matter how great the achievement, it won’t last more than one generation.
After one generation, the next generation will deconstruct the previous generation’s greatness, thereby laying the foundation for our generation being the greatest.
Knight views Newell as his mentor, so his team often participates in the Pete Newell Invitational.
This year, a total of eight teams are competing, and the only one that can challenge TTU is Marquette University from the Big East Conference, as they have several players with NBA prospects in their lineup.
Xu Ling is very interested in them, especially their starting guard Wesley Matthews.
He knows this guy was a starter in the NBA for many years in the future; although not a star player, an NBA starter is basically one of the best players in the world.
There is no better touchstone than this.
However, when Xu Ling looked at the schedule, he found that they were placed in different groups from Marquette University. To face the opponent, they would either have to give up first place in the group and aim to draw Marquette University’s group in the knockout stage, or go all the way to the finals to meet them.
Obviously, Knight wouldn’t deliberately lose in the group stage just to face Marquette University earlier, and Xu Ling wouldn’t do something so stupid. Anyway, they’ll meet sooner or later, so for now, focus the energy mainly on those weak teams.
In the first game of the invitational, Texas Tech University faced Little Rock University.
This game was also Xu Ling’s first time entering the starting lineup at TTU.
And not just him; there was more than one freshman in the starting lineup.
Besides Xu Ling, there was also the freshman point guard Charlie Burgess.
Knight clearly intended to experiment with the roster tonight; with Julius Jackson absent, he could try out other point guards.
Xu Ling’s mindset was simple: he was now just like the “sexy hitchhiking cowboy J.D.” played by Brad Pitt in Natural Born Killers. At this moment, he was unknown in the basketball world, but soon, everyone would know his name.
That’s exactly what he thought.
As a result, the underpowered Little Rock University suffered greatly tonight.
Their perimeter core, sophomore shooting guard DeAndre Evans, seemed intent on giving this Chinese rookie a lesson. On the first matchup, Evans approached with flashy crossover dribbles while trash talking: “Welcome to the real court, kid. I’ll make you show your true colors!”
Xu Ling just lowered his center of gravity slightly, expressionless, and replied: “Your dribbling looks good, perfect for performing at a streetball court.”
Before the words even landed, Evans tried to drive hard with speed, but Xu Ling’s astonishingly long arms anticipated it, stripping the ball away! Xu Ling instantly launched a fast break, and in a one-on-zero situation at the frontcourt, instead of a simple layup, he soared into the air for a tomahawk dunk that ignited the arena!
After landing, he looked back at Evans, who had just run back to half-court, and softly said: “Is this your true color?”
This moment made the on-site commentator shout out: “TTU’s No. 1 has responded to DeAndre Evans’ challenge! He not only answered the provocation with defense but also exploded the arena with a top-10 dunk!”
Soon after, the game completely lost its suspense. Xu Ling seized almost every scoring opportunity, shooting near 100%, and before coming off, delivered a stunning block-breaking tomahawk dunk, finishing with 32 points and 6 rebounds, easily claiming the college basketball headlines.
Little Rock University’s head coach Steve Shields gave him the highest praise after the game, his tone filled with helplessness and admiration: “We tried everything, but it was no use. Your No. 1 looks just like Kobe Bryant in college basketball! He destroyed us tonight.”
Reporters surrounded Xu Ling and relayed Shields’ comments.
Xu Ling listened carefully and shockingly replied: “That might sound a bit offensive, but I’d rather be Michael Jordan in college basketball.”
If anyone were to ask Xu Ling why he said that, the answer would be well-founded: Jordan went to college, Kobe didn’t, and Jordan even has an NCAA national champion title. No matter how you look at it, becoming the former is better than the latter.
But no one would ask that.
Those sports reporters repeat the same workflow day after day, hovering around the court like vultures chasing carrion. They rack their brains to create topics, eager to turn the tread pattern on a star player’s shoe sole into exclusive news—after all, who wouldn’t want to be the next Bill Simmons, leaping from a niche, quirky columnist to the darling of sports media?
Xu Ling’s response wasn’t particularly brilliant, yet it landed like a precise three-pointer, hitting the bullseye of the media frenzy.
“He really fucking said that?”
Bob Knight looked at his son in astonishment, confirming if Xu Ling had really said that audacious line.
“Absolutely true!” Little Knight confirmed excitedly. “He’s already on the headline of ESPN’s college basketball page!”
The astonishment on Knight’s face slowly faded, as if digesting this news that both annoyed and excited him.
“Michael Jordan?” Knight snorted lightly. “Good! Since this kid dares to put himself on the hot seat, starting tomorrow, I’ll hold him to a different standard!”
Little Knight was equally surprised by Xu Ling’s words.
Because Xu Ling usually seemed very steady, not the type to boast, yet today he broke character and actively pulled the spotlight onto himself.
Normally, he wouldn’t even react to the crowd screaming for him.
Moreover, he knew Jordan’s special status in his father’s heart.
Although Knight is one of the coaches who could compete for the No. 2 GOAT in college basketball but has coached the fewest NBA stars, he did briefly coach Jordan. That was in 1984, when Knight was appointed head coach of the U.S. team to prepare for the Los Angeles Olympics.
At that time, Jordan was the core of that team. Though their time together was short, Jordan’s performance had erected an indelible monument in Knight’s heart. Whenever he saw some so-called young genius emerge, he would compare them to that year’s Jordan.
Every time, he would feel that this prodigy was nothing special.
If Xu Ling wanted to compare himself to Jordan, he would face Knight’s all-around, no-blind-spot scrutiny.
In the locker room, Knight approached Xu Ling with an angry look: “You want to be Jordan?”
Xu Ling hadn’t expected the old man to take a post-game media tease so seriously: “I mean, as a goal, becoming Jordan is better than becoming Kobe.”
“Goal?” Knight laughed as if hearing a joke. “You don’t even qualify to talk about goals yet! Your current level only qualifies you to talk about completing my training tasks! When we get back, add an hour to your daily footwork training!”
“Got it, Coach.” Xu Ling agreed readily, as if not hearing the anger in the words. “I also think my defensive slides need a lot of details polished.”
“Go take a shower!” Knight felt the frustration of punching cotton every time he talked to this kid. He decided to end the conversation, but before leaving, he couldn’t resist getting the last word the most direct way: “And next time a reporter asks who you resemble, you fucking say Pippen!”
Xu Ling looked at the head coach’s back and couldn’t help asking: “Compared to Jordan, you really prefer Pippen after all, Coach?”
Knight whipped around, eyes like daggers: “Because I’ve had enough of a self-righteous Michael Jordan! While Scottie Pippen fucking knew when to shut up and pass the damn ball to the open teammate! Now, get out of my sight immediately!”
Once Knight was far away, senior center Daryl Dora leaned in and whispered: “Rookie, sometimes I really wonder how many guts you have to talk to the coach like that?”
This has always puzzled Xu Ling: why do these people act like mice seeing a cat in front of Knight, not even daring to breathe?
Some say courage often stems from ignorance.
Xu Ling from his previous life, though not yet tempered by society, was already a fresh graduate with mature values and clear goals. He had planned his life path clearly—until an accident threw him into this unfamiliar timeline.
Now he had only one thought: since destiny gave him this exceptionally talented physique, it would be a waste of this bizarre transmigration not to make a name for himself.
As for Bob Knight? Sorry, in Xu Ling’s view, this legendary coach was probably like Coach Anzai in Slam Dunk who retired to coach a county high school basketball team—maybe a fearsome “White-Haired Demon” back in the day, but now? Just a stubborn old man killing time at a second-rate school.
Xu Ling was very clear about his goals. When he was absolutely in the right, he would naturally stand equally in front of Knight.
And this was exactly what Knight wasn’t used to, and the root of the other teammates’ shock.
No one had ever done this before.
Xu Ling looked at Dora, his tone calm but straight to the core: “The key isn’t that I’m ‘not afraid,’ but what exactly are you all afraid of?”
Xu Ling’s first start, first headline, and first time showing all teammates he could stay independent under Knight’s intimidation truly earned him his status.
Even Martin Zeno, the junior guard who had many complaints about him before, came to his room at the hotel to chat after returning.
In the following games, Knight used Xu Ling in completely varied ways.
Against Little Rock in the opener, he was a pure scorer leading the team.
In the second game against North Dakota State University, he was positioned as a shooter focused on catch-and-shoot.
Xu Ling carried over his hot hand from the first game, going 7-for-11 from beyond the three-point line, barely stepping inside once on offense.
Relying solely on shooting, Xu Ling dropped 30 points again.
When reporters asked why he liked shooting from one or two meters beyond the standard three-point line, Xu Ling said: “Isn’t it obvious? The NCAA three-point line is too short.”
Then in the final group game against Gardner University, Knight had Xu Ling guest at the one spot to organize offense.
Finally, Xu Ling wasn’t as relaxed or fluid.
Xu Ling fits the ball-handling requirements for point guard, but at his core, he’s a scorer.
His playmaking stems from radiating off his individual offense; if asked to organize full-time, he struggles to adapt.
That night, Xu Ling had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but also 4 turnovers.
“You know what? Back then, I suggested to a certain friend of mine to draft MJ in the draft, but he said they needed a center. Guess what I said?”
Though not everyone knows the answer, anyone with a bit of NBA history knowledge would find this a gimme.
Xu Ling said: “You suggested your friend make MJ play center.”
“I fucking did think MJ could play from one to five! Even in the NBA! And today, I just asked you to handle a bit of the organizing, and look at the pile of shit you played! Ugly! Too ugly! It’s an insult to my eyes!” Finally, Mr. Xu gave Knight the chance to criticize him. “For this, you better never fucking mention Michael Jordan’s name again!”
Xu Ling didn’t talk back; by his standards, he did feel he wasn’t as fluid as the first two games.
He was angrier at his own performance than Knight was.
This effort carried into the knockout stage—entering the knockouts, the eight teams eliminated four, needing just one win to reach the final for the Pete Newell Invitational championship and the $50,000 grand prize.
Texas Tech University faced the Air Force Academy in the knockout; though they lacked exceptional talents, their core starters were all seniors, mature and cohesive enough to compete with any team.
Before the game, Air Force Academy forward Dan Nwaelele SF clearly noticed Xu Ling’s struggles from the previous game. During warmups, he deliberately walked by Xu Ling and tossed lightly: “You’re that legendary TTU Jordan?”
Xu Ling glanced at him: “Something wrong?”
Nwaelele snorted: “I’ve seen plenty of arrogant rookies like you. You’ll get your lesson.”
Xu Ling just dribbled, finding these old birds trying to mess with his mindset amusing.
Right from the tip, Xu Ling went revenge mode, repeatedly isolating Nwaelele. On the first possession, from the right wing, he used a realistic shooting fake to blow by the experienced Nwaelele, drawing a foul while twisting to finish.
“Welcome to the knockout, old bird!” Xu Ling said softly to Nwaelele after making the and-one.
Next possession, he shook Nwaelele completely with a big crossover, driving for a slam dunk. In just minutes, Nwaelele picked up two fouls and was sent to the bench, throwing Air Force Academy’s defense into chaos.
“We have to double team him! At all costs!” the Air Force Academy head coach roared from the sideline.
The double team came as expected. Though not a natural organization master, Xu Ling was an outstanding offensive core. He had the awareness to expand the floor and radiate teammates. Whenever the double formed, his ball always found the open teammate in time.
Air Force Academy showed their resolve. Their defensive rotations carried a do-or-die momentum; even when TTU’s other players got wide-open shots, their priority was locking down Xu Ling, betting the others couldn’t beat them.
“These cowards won’t even let you iso!”
During a dead ball, Allen Worskul ran over and shouted to Xu Ling, his tone mixing helplessness and annoyance at being underestimated.
Throughout the second half, Xu Ling was instantly trapped in double or even triple teams every touch, shoved and tugged by countless arms, ultimately limited to “just” 14 points.
However, this reckless, all-cost double teaming led to TTU’s full-line explosion. Martin Zeno hit 3 open threes, and Allen Worskul led the team with 22 points. Air Force Academy bet wrong; they staked everything to stop one threat, only to let TTU’s perimeter shooters fire all cannons, ultimately sinking their ship.
When the final whistle blew, Texas Tech University won handily without breaking a sweat, advancing to the final of the Pete Newell Classic. Just one more win away from the champion trophy and $50,000 prize.
After the game, a reporter asked Xu Ling: “Eli, you dished out a career-high 12 assists tonight, but your scoring was the series low. Was this a deliberate tactical shift by the coaching staff?”
“When opponents always send two or three to ‘welcome’ me, it reminds me of a simple basketball truth,” Xu Ling replied calmly. “The most logical pass often comes from the opponent’s defensive ‘gift.’ But honestly, I do miss those good old days of solving with one-on-one.”
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Post-game tidbits
2007 Draft Class: Potential Watch Report
Author: Chad Ford
Publish Date: December 9, 2006, 9:40 AM Eastern Time
After a relatively flat draft year, we’re finally seeing signs of an exciting “golden generation.” It’s too early for conclusions, but as NCAA early games deepen, the freshmen across teams are starting to shine. Below is the top freshman ranking you can’t miss over the next year—they’re poised to make waves in the 2007 NBA Draft.
Core Trio: No. 1 Pick vs. No. 2 Pick Battle
NO.1 Greg Oden
Just five games, and largely one-handed, but Greg Oden has undoubtedly proven himself the most dominant big man in college basketball. Though still recovering from a summer wrist injury, his play is still stunning. On defense, he’s already a nightmare for opponents, with impressive blocks and rebounds. Once his right wrist fully regains mobility, his offensive efficiency will rise further. Barring a devastating injury like an ACL tear, he’ll be the undeniable No. 1 pick in 2007.
NO.2 Kevin Durant
Greg Oden may lock the No. 1 spot due to center scarcity, but he’s not the best freshman this year. That honor goes to Kevin Durant. To find a more dazzling freshman in a major NCAA conference, you’d have to go back to Carmelo Anthony’s era.
Durant shows extraordinary talent across all facets. He can slash sharply inside for points or shoot precisely from outside; despite his slender frame, he’s already a double-double machine. He displays fearless leadership on court and has been dubbed by some scouts as a combo of Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett. Barring surprises, he’ll firmly hold the No. 2 spot.
NO.3 Joakim Noah
Noah’s rise seems inevitable. Last season, he led University of Florida on a Cinderella dream run. Had he entered the 2006 NBA Draft, he might have been No. 1. However, with this class’s supernovas entering college and NBA scouts scrutinizing Noah more closely, we expect his stock to dip slightly, likely going in the top few lottery picks.
Potential Stars to Watch
Beyond the top three, this class has many talented freshmen poised for NBA first rounds, some even debuting in the league next season. Here are 10 names to start familiarizing yourself with:
Wayne Ellington, shooting guard, University of North Carolina
Paul Harris, guard/forward, Syracuse University
Ty Lawson, point guard, University of North Carolina
Mike Conley, point guard, Ohio State University
Quincy Pondexter, forward, University of Washington
Gerald Henderson, shooting guard, Duke University
Lance Thomas, power forward, Duke University
Robin Lopez, center, Stanford University
Stephen Curry, guard, Davidson College
Eli Xu, guard/forward, Texas Tech University
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