Tang Tian, sitting to the side, couldn't help but laugh when he heard Popovich's words.

Basketball games didn't have three-pointers at the start, but those games weren't really that entertaining.

The closer you were to the basket, the easier it was to score, which used to be a truth. Basketball games, like football games, were all close-range battles under the basket.

Introducing the three-pointer gave basketball a sense of space and added more tactics, which was actually beneficial to the development of basketball.

However, he knew that what Popovich was complaining about wasn't the three-pointer, but small-ball, and the rules that were constantly being modified to cater to small-ball.

Just like games, where each version has its own dominant strategy, basketball games also have different dominant strategies based on the rules of the era.

Or, as the Weapon Master said: the strongest weapon is the patch.

From the appearance of the three-second zone, to the expansion of the three-second zone, and then to the emergence of the three-second violation rule in the key.

From George Mikan to Chamberlain, and then to O'Neal.

Introducing the 5-second back-to-the-basket violation rule; to abolishing the illegal defense that only allowed one hand to be placed on the opponent's torso during defense; and then to completely abolishing hand-checking, not allowing defensive players to use their hands.

From Jordan to Kobe, and then to Durant.

Of course, there will be Curry in the future.

These are all determined by the league rules.

What Popovich was complaining about, or worried about, was actually this.

He was worried that basketball games would one day become games with only three-pointers and dunks left, which would greatly reduce the entertainment value.

Of course, such voices might cause some discussion, but they wouldn't bring about any change.

The league couldn't predict the future, and they felt that the current booming scene was pretty good.

However, Tang Tian had some thoughts after listening to these things.

After transmigrating, he could do a lot of things, but he still chose basketball. One of the most important reasons was because of his love for it.

He loved this sport, so he naturally cared about its future.

Of course, these ideas were just the initial seeds.

After the press conference ended, he put them aside for the time being.

For him, Popovich, and the Spurs, winning this year's finals was more crucial.

After resting for two days, the fourth game of the series continued in San Antonio.

This game was very important for both sides.

If the Spurs won, they would have a 3-1 lead and get the match point. If the Heat won, the two sides would enter a pivotal Game 5 showdown.

The two teams' play styles hadn't changed much from before.

The two teams had already faced each other in the finals last year, and they already understood each other's tactical systems very well.

Although there had been reinforcements this season, the core lineup and coaching staff hadn't changed, and they had basically adapted after playing three games.

The Spurs were working hard to create three-point opportunities for Tang Tian, and also using the effect of this tactic to contain the Heat, allowing Duncan to attack the basket as much as possible.

While defending against the Spurs' tactics, the Heat were also working hard to create the fast break opportunities they were good at.

Both sides showed their strengths and were evenly matched.

But what was different about this game from the previous ones was that after being silent for three games, Bosh and Wade of the Big Three both regained their form.

Bosh had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, and Wade had 22 points and 4 assists, plus James's 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The Heat's Big Three scored 70 points to help the Heat win the crucial fourth game.

The total score of the series was also tied at 2-2!

The two sides would usher in a pivotal Game 5 that would determine the direction of the series!

The fans were already screaming that their hearts couldn't take it anymore as the finals reached this point.

The back-and-forth between the two sides was heading towards a Game 7!

The last time the NBA Finals went to a Game 7 was back in 2010.

At that time, Kobe battled Pierce, and the Lakers defeated the Celtics' Big Three to defend their championship.

The crucial Game 5 was highly anticipated.

The two teams went all out from the start, but as the series progressed to this point, the Spurs' disadvantage in terms of physical fitness became apparent.

Duncan and Ginobili, and even Diop, didn't perform as well as in the previous four games.

By the second half of the fourth quarter, the Spurs were already trailing the Heat by as many as 12 points, 81-93.

In one of the Spurs' possessions, Duncan made a strong attack under the basket against Bosh, turning around and shooting off the backboard.

Bosh's defense was very tough on this play, and Duncan's shot didn't go in.

But he immediately grabbed the offensive rebound and then shot again.

It was a good scoring opportunity, but the ball circled around the rim and still slipped out, and the rebound was taken down by Bosh.

The always calm Duncan seemed annoyed at this time.

While retreating to the Spurs' half, he couldn't control his emotions, suddenly bent over, and slapped the floor hard with both hands.

This scene was captured by reporters and media on the sidelines.

The Spurs fans on the hotline couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Perhaps only at this time would fans remember that the Stone Buddha running on the court at this moment was already 37 years old.

Duncan's action inspired the whole team, and the Spurs defended with all their might, and they once tied the score before the end of the game.

But at the last moment, Ray Allen caught a pass from James on the outside and made a difficult three-pointer, directly killing the Spurs.

103 to 100, the Heat won two games in a row after being 1 to 2 behind, rewriting the score to 3 to 2, taking the lead to get the match point.

After the game, the Heat's home court was in an uproar, and James hugged Ray Allen and shouted like a child.

Pat Riley looked like a genius on the stand.

In these few games, Ray Allen played the performance that Tang Tian had left for the Spurs last year, saving the entire Heat team.

James could fulfill his bold words, Riley could continue his brilliant image, and the Heat could reproduce the glory!

The Heat had the match point in hand, and the game would be played at the AT&T Center in San Antonio two days later.

If the Spurs wanted to win, dragging the game into a Game 7 was their only way.

The AT&T Center had a packed house, even a small market had a crazy side.

However, such a home atmosphere still couldn't save the Spurs' decline.

After playing half the game, they were behind the Heat by a full 15 points, 35 to 50.

The two sides returned to the locker room to rest after playing half the game, but at this time the Heat fans on the hotline were completely excited.

"Let us celebrate the championship in advance! Miami!"

"The grievances of last year are finally understood this year, LeBron's first championship of his career!"

"Wade 12 points, LeBron 10 points, Bosh 8 points, the Big Three used their excellent performance to win the championship for themselves!"

"Tonight is really destined to be a historical moment, LeBron, as the league's number one player, has finally won his championship!"

"This will be as great as Tomjanovich's 'Don't underestimate the heart of a champion', LeBron has fulfilled his promise!"

"Commentator Barkley, are you ready? I can't wait to see you perform in your pink dress on the live broadcast!"

"Let's go Heat!"

……

ps: Special thanks to Xiaoxiaozilongv5 for the ten thousand reward! I took Xia茄子 to take a bath, sorry for the late update