NBA : Formidable Center

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The game ended with the Kansas Jayhawks claiming an overwhelming 94:61 victory, securing their spot in the NCAA Championship.

"The Marquette team is just too weak to handle. Especially their interior defense—it's practically nonexistent," muttered Randy Finley, the Miami Heat's general manager, looking visibly disappointed.

"They were like lambs to the slaughter against the Jayhawks' offense, completely riddled with weaknesses. It's hard to believe that Dwyane Wade single-handedly dragged this Marquette team to the Final Four. Absolutely incredible!"

He continued, eyes lighting up as he spoke about Wade, "He's exactly what the Heat needs! With Caron Butler and Udonis Haslem supporting him, and given how young he is, we have plenty of time to help him grow. Miami has the perfect environment to nurture this kind of talent."

"John, don't you think it's almost like fate? Wade and the Heat—it's a match made in heaven. He's practically a gift from God to our team."

John, the scout accompanying him, didn't respond directly.

Wade's stats for the night were decent—19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, securing Marquette's top scorer position. However, his weaknesses were glaringly evident.

His jump shot, in particular, was still a work in progress, accounting for most of his eight missed attempts. If he could improve his shooting, it would create more opportunities for his teammates, and perhaps the game wouldn't have been decided so early.

Still, there was no denying his talent. Even if Miami passed on him, Wade was almost guaranteed a spot in the "green room" on draft day. The league's current demand for versatile guard-forwards made him a hot commodity.

But as John observed the glowing admiration in Randy Finley's eyes, his thoughts drifted back to Wang Song—the North Carolina Wolfpack's standout Asian center.

Wang Song's performances in the tournament might not have been as flashy as Wade's, but his consistency was undeniable. Especially after watching his games live and reviewing the tapes, John was convinced of Wang's potential.

Yet convincing the old-school GM was a Herculean task.

"Boss, should we attend the next game between the Wolfpack and the Texas Longhorns?" John asked, cautiously bringing up the topic.

"Hmm?" Finley hesitated briefly before shaking his head, then nodding again.

"You can go watch it. Personally, I think Texas will make it to the finals, but who knows? The Wolfpack might surprise us again. Regardless of who wins, I doubt either team will pose a serious threat to the Jayhawks."

"I, on the other hand, need to meet with Dwyane Wade and gauge his interest in joining Miami before the tournament ends."

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### On the NewFox Sports Forum

As the NBA regular season winded down, the league's waning excitement had many Chinese basketball fans turning their attention to March Madness.

Unlike the modern "play-in" system, which allows teams with nearly ten fewer wins to compete for a playoff spot, the 2003 NBA lacked such a format. Consequently, games at the season's end were largely uneventful, with many teams resorting to blatant tanking.

In stark contrast, the single-elimination nature of March Madness was exhilarating, especially this year, as it featured a Chinese player in the Final Four—Wang Song.

The domestic forums were flooded with discussions about the NCAA tournament:

- *"The Kansas Jayhawks are unstoppable! A 33-point blowout to secure their spot in the NCAA Championship!"*

- *"Who will challenge the Jayhawks next? Their dominance is unmatched!"*

- *"Breaking down the Jayhawks' victory: the anatomy of a 33-point massacre."*

The forums buzzed with excitement as passionate fans debated.

"North Carolina Wolfpack made it to the Final Four! This is incredible! The first Chinese player in the NCAA Final Four—absolutely legendary!"

"Division MVP? Are you kidding me? Wang Song is officially the GOAT of Chinese college basketball!"

"Fly high, Wang Song! We're rooting for you from home!"

However, as fans analyzed the remaining matchups, many expressed concern about the challenges ahead.

"Texas is the only No. 1 seed left in the Final Four. Their backcourt duo, both RSCI top 50 recruits, is no joke. The team has four top-50 players overall—no weaker than Kansas on paper."

"Honestly, if the Wolfpack manages to win this one, it'll already be a huge achievement. No shame in losing to Texas."

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### Pre-Game Excitement

The buzz surrounding the Final Four was even more intense in the United States, with nearly every major media outlet dedicating front-page coverage to the tournament.

The heightened publicity brought waves of fans to New Orleans, turning the city into a basketball hotspot. Tickets were sold out, with scalpers inflating prices to astronomical levels.

Even fans who couldn't secure seats gathered outside the arena to cheer for their teams.

As the Wolfpack's team bus made its way through the crowded streets, Julius Hodge pointed excitedly at a group of fans.

"Look, Wang! It's your fan club!"

Everyone turned to see a small crowd clad in Carolina blue jerseys, waving a banner that read:

**"Go Wolfpack! Wang Song—New Bee!"**

Wang Song smiled and waved back at his supporters, visibly touched.

But the moment was quickly interrupted by Hodge's puzzled voice.

"Wang, what does 'new bee' mean? Are your fans calling you a rookie or something?"

The team burst into laughter, waiting for Wang's explanation.

Scratching his head, Wang couldn't come up with a clear answer. Instead, he gave them a thumbs-up and said, "Let's just take it as a compliment!"

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