Chapter 23: An Unconventional Approach

As the saying goes, "Three parts are predestined, seven parts depend on hard work." On the basketball court, victory often comes down to effort. In the NBA, there are countless examples of the weak prevailing over the strong. When faced with a stronger opponent, sometimes the only way is to take an unconventional approach.

Lin Fei’s Business Administration team was set to face the Taxation Department led by the formidable 195. The Taxation team boasted two players over 190 centimeters tall, with 195 being the strongest among them. His athleticism was exceptional, his ball-handling solid, and his passing vision broad—he could play all five positions on the court. Yet, his true strength lay at the forward position, whether power forward or small forward, always performing brilliantly.

Cui Yong had already investigated the Taxation team’s lineup and tactics. Their specialty was the inside game, especially the synergy between their big men, orchestrated mainly by 195’s abilities. Lin Fei understood this well; he knew 195 best. When they had formed a “super trio,” sometimes he had partnered with 195, sometimes faced him in opposition. He knew no one on his team could truly contain 195. The best approach was to unleash his own energy and match him stride for stride, but Cui Yong would never agree to that plan.

On the day of the match, they played on the same court where Lin Fei had once lost to the school team’s star player.

Lin Fei gazed at 195, walked over, and struck up a conversation.

"Here we are as opponents once more. Last time, you won. Now we each fight for our own team. I’m looking forward to it," Lin Fei said with a relaxed smile.

"We haven’t played together in ages, Hong Qi. Today, it’s a real contest!"

The game began. The jump ball went to the Taxation team, whose players stood a full ten centimeters taller than those from Business Administration. On the court, Cui Yong matched up against 195, Lin Fei against Taxation’s Cao Xiang. Notably, though Cao Xiang played point guard, he was tough and fearless, often charging the paint. He stood at 185 centimeters, and among guards, he had a signature move—posting up. Lin Fei used to dread this, for when defending against physically strong players, he couldn’t hold his ground. But after all those training sessions—running, dribbling, practicing dunks—he’d improved significantly. Today, he wondered if he could handle Cao Xiang’s move.

Cao Xiang took control at the top of the arc, facing Lin Fei’s defense. Not confident, he passed the ball to 195 in the post. Facing Cui Yong’s defense, 195 spun around for a fadeaway jumper. Cui Yong, at only 185 centimeters, was far below the Taxation team’s average height; he had no answer for 195’s shot. This dealt a blow to Business Administration’s morale.

On the return play, Lin Fei passed to Cui Yong, who attempted to force his way through 195’s defense. But with years of experience, Cui Yong knew the opponent behind him was no ordinary player. He played it safe and passed back to Lin Fei on the perimeter, who reorganized the offense. Lin Fei sensed Cui Yong was wary of 195’s prowess. Stepping back, Lin Fei surveyed the court—195 was sticking tightly to Cui Yong, Cao Xiang was on him. Lin Fei was confident against Cao Xiang; despite his strength, he was no match for Lin Fei’s speed. Lin Fei could go left or right as he pleased. He chose the right, since 195 was positioned slightly to the right, and Lin Fei knew 195 was just as wary of him. After his breakthrough, 195 would surely rush to help, leaving Cui Yong open. The play unfolded exactly as Lin Fei anticipated: Lin Fei broke through, 195 switched to help, Cui Yong was left open. Lin Fei quickly passed to Cui Yong, who scored easily. This strategy relied on fully utilizing Lin Fei’s organizational skills.

On Taxation’s offense, Cao Xiang tried to post up against Lin Fei, but then 195 set a screen. Cao Xiang drove inside for an easy layup—or sometimes, after breaking through with 195’s screen, he would pass back to 195, who could choose to shoot or pass to another big man. This style was nearly impossible for Business Administration to counter: height, second-chance points, unstoppable offense.

In contrast, Lin Fei’s team was forced to focus on inside play, requiring high-level passing from guards. Thanks to Lin Fei’s speed, he could disrupt Taxation’s defense, scoring himself or delivering spectacular passes—but his teammates’ movement was often chaotic. Whenever 195 switched to guard Lin Fei, Lin Fei felt uneasy, making Business Administration passive on the court.

At halftime, Business Administration trailed by eight points, 28:35. The inside scoring comparison was 20:26, something Cui Yong was painfully aware of. Continuing this way, even if his own big men gave their all, they couldn’t match the opponent. The only solution now was to heed Lin Fei’s advice—take the unconventional route.

In the second half, Lin Fei found himself unguarded. He scanned the court, his brows furrowed, murderous intent blazing in his eyes. This was the real Lin Fei—on the court, the unrestrained Lin Fei was his true self. 195 sensed trouble, instructing Cao Xiang to guard Lin Fei full court. He knew Lin Fei’s playing style well. But 195 was mistaken; that was the Lin Fei of the super trio era, long gone. The Lin Fei now was—

Lin Fei took the ball and charged forward with reckless speed. The Taxation players hurried back to defend, oblivious that an opponent had already accelerated—sprinting down the court—leaving only a layup—and a score. 195 was astonished; Lin Fei’s speed had reached new heights, even more unstoppable than before. His dribbling dazzled.

195 gambled that Lin Fei would shoot from the three-point line, knowing that was Lin Fei’s sweet spot. But he was wrong. Lin Fei breezed past 195 without so much as a pause, passing him with hardly a trace. 195 tried to chase and block Lin Fei, but he was two steps behind. Lin Fei soared, dodged the final defender, and—“boom”—a thunderous dunk. The crowd erupted. Had there been a video, it would surely be one of the school’s top ten plays of the year. Speed, agility, dunk—a seamless, divine sequence.

On defense, Business Administration gambled on Taxation’s shooting percentage.

Back on offense, Lin Fei urged his teammates to run ahead, to confuse their opponents' defense. Lin Fei dribbled, 195 followed, determined to guard Lin Fei, but Lin Fei didn’t breeze by this time. Instead, two steps from 195, he stopped abruptly, pulled up for a long-range three-pointer—two steps beyond where 195 anticipated. No matter how much taller 195 was, he could only watch as the ball sailed into the basket.

195 realized it was too late. He knew what a “crazy” Lin Fei could do. The old Lin Fei had matched him evenly. The Lin Fei now—unstoppable! Absolutely unstoppable. All 195 could do was congratulate Lin Fei on his triumph.

Business Administration won. In the second half, they scored a wild 48 points, while Taxation managed 35—good, but not enough to avoid defeat. Lin Fei himself poured in 24 points in the second half, a performance worthy of an All-Star.

“Hey, their defense is terrible. Do they even know how to play? Letting so many points through.” The voice was loud—and harsher still.

Looking over, it was the two team captains.

Anger blazed, fighting spirit soared ever higher!