Chapter 158 Kings and Mavericks

Although there's "youngster" Su Feng holding the line with an average of nearly 42 minutes of playing time per game...

But at the end of March, in the back-to-back games against the Kings, the Lakers still suffered their fourth defeat of the season.

In that game, Cousins repeatedly toyed with DeAndre Jordan and Whiteside in the paint.

In addition, the Kings' backup duo, Lin Shuhao and Isaiah Thomas, also scored 19 and 21 points respectively.

In the new season, under D'Antoni's guidance, the Kings have become a team that no expert or seasoned fan can understand.

They've beaten almost every team with a reputation in the league during the regular season.

But as the lifelong nemesis of the Spurs, Rockets, and Timberwolves...

In the 10 games played against the bottom three teams in the West this season, the Kings have lost 9 of them.

They're truly "robbing the rich to give to the poor."

However...

The Spurs, Rockets, and Timberwolves aren't just ungrateful for the Kings' "robbing the rich to give to the poor"...

They even wish the Kings would beat them to death.

Because for the Western Conference's bottom three teams, who are currently competing in reverse for the "top seed"...

They simply can't afford the price of winning one more game at this moment.

...

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye, it's April.

On April 4th, on his 35th birthday night, Su Feng couldn't escape Stern's arrangement to work overtime.

Although, in the past seventeen years, Stern hasn't always made Su Feng "work" on his birthday...

But whenever Stern thinks about the fact that the current NBA is still in a state of "reconstruction"...

When arranging the schedule, he can only "tearfully" write the name of Su Feng's team on that day's schedule.

Go on, Su Feng!

The NBA needs you!

The basketball world needs you!

Sitting at home in the Staples Center, on this night, witnessed by friends and family at courtside, Su Feng, turning grief into strength, took a total of 44 shots.

On the court...

While shooting opposing Nets' forwards into tears...

Su Feng also successfully enabled the Lakers' inside group to rediscover the joy of playing on the court.

In this game, Mark Gasol grabbed 4 offensive rebounds for the Lakers in the first three quarters alone.

In addition, DeAndre Jordan and Whiteside also had 5 and 6 offensive rebounds, respectively.

Two days ago, Dwight Howard, who had just been lectured by Yao Ming on this road trip, wore the mask of pain again.

Because in the game, according to the Nets' tactical arrangements, Blake Griffin was the bridgehead for the Nets' fast breaks, so even if Dwight Howard had maxed out his defensive talents...

He always had to carry two big men to grab defensive rebounds...

What could he do?

However, the Nets' poor defensive rebounding performance in this game can't be blamed entirely on Dwight Howard.

Because in this game, he was constantly battling foul trouble...

He only played for 15 minutes.

It's just that because Nets fans have become accustomed to blaming Dwight Howard this season...

So after the Nets lost another tough game on this night...

Like Rondo last year.

Online, many Nets fans called Dwight Howard the "worst All-Star player in history."

So far this season, the Nets, who are ranked third in the East, have a decent record at first glance.

But in the 21 games they've played against the top four teams in the West and the top four teams in the East, they've only won 2 of them.

As the "Nets Prince," Blake Griffin, with his explosive playing style, naturally can't be blamed.

After all, if it weren't for this "silly dog," how would the Nets attract New York's tycoons to come to Brooklyn to watch games?

And Chris Paul, the league's top point guard, is now famous for refusing to hold meetings.

Because even when they were惨败 by 58 points to the Warriors last year, the slogan given by the local media in Brooklyn after the game was:

"The Nets lost, but Chris can still leave with his head held high."

Therefore, Dwight Howard, who was determined to slap the Orlando management in the face with his actions when he left Orlando last summer, never imagined that...

After changing to a new team...

Not only did he have fewer shots than before...

Moreover, under Kidd's system, he had to frequently set screens for his teammates on the court.

In addition, even when they couldn't break the deadlock...

The Nets wouldn't pass the ball to him.

And that's not all!

Right now...

After doing all the dirty work for the team...

He even has to stand up and take the blame.

Otherwise, after the game, he would definitely be labeled as "passive" and "useless" by the always尖酸刻薄 New York media.

Look...

Right.

Obviously, there were many reasons why the Nets lost on the night of the 4th.

But as the final buzzer sounded...

The final score of the game was fixed at 94 to 128...

Before Dwight Howard could walk back to the players' tunnel, he was stopped by a reporter from New York.

"Dwight, can you share with us how you feel about playing worse than sh*t in this game?"

"Dwight, as the most overrated star player in NBA history, what do you want to say to the fans who burned your jersey out of anger?"

"Dwight, do you admit that you no longer have the ability to be the Nets' starting center?"

No cap.

When the happy beast in Su Feng's memory complained to the Los Angeles media that the Los Angeles reporters only created pressure and trouble for him all day long...

He probably didn't know...

In North America...

There's also a group of people called the New York media.

Back then, even Knicks' legend Patrick Ewing had his right to breathe taken away by the New York media for stepping into the arena with his left foot first.

So what about Dwight Howard, who isn't even a third option on this Nets team right now?

The praise in Brooklyn is destined to belong to Griffin and Paul.

On this night, as Dwight Howard walked back to the visiting team's locker room with a somewhat desolate expression...

There was no joy on his face.

There was no mischief or clowning around after returning to the locker room either.

There was only...

Endless loneliness.

On the other side...

In the Lakers' home locker room, under Kobe's leadership, Su Feng was receiving a cake shower from his teammates.

Because Jerry Buss had just passed away, at Su Feng's request, the Lakers didn't throw a big birthday party for Su Feng like they had in the past five years.

However, compared to that Lakers team from the same period in Su Feng's memory...

After entering the most critical final stage of the 12/13 season...

Without locker room mischief and clowning around, they were far more united than at any time in the past.

As everyone knows.

As an important part of an NBA team's fighting power.

A team's locker room atmosphere and culture are also key factors in determining the outcome of a game, or even an entire season.

Compared to the Lakers' dynasty era.

Recently, there has been less joy in the Lakers' locker room.

But that's never because these people are no longer happy playing together.

But...

In the locker room of this Lakers team...

There's no one who knows that some words and jokes aren't suitable to be said at this time, but still says them, still pursues their own happiness.

After tonight.

Su Feng, who will officially turn 35, is constantly reminding this Lakers team...

Right now, no matter how successful the Lakers have been in the 12/13 regular season.

Before ultimately winning the league...

They don't deserve, and it's impossible for them to celebrate their temporary success.

And for the Lakers players who held their breath this season after losing last season...

As well as Rondo, Billups, and Middleton, who joined the team in the new season...

They also know very well...

Right now, the more likely they are to create a new NBA regular season record this season...

The more they have to be on their toes.

This is a battle that was destined to have no retreat from the beginning.

Either.

Restore the glory of our Lakers.

Or.

Everyone invites Jordan to be the second, and lines up to commit seppuku after this season!

...

On the 7th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 15th, and 17th, after successively defeating the Grizzlies, Spurs, Timberwolves, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Rockets, and Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers officially broke the NBA regular season record of 76 wins and 6 losses set by Su Feng's Heat with a terrifying record of 78 wins and 4 losses.

On the evening of the 17th.

Major television broadcasters in North America all broadcasted the Lakers' home game against the Mavericks.

As the defending champions...

Dallas, with only Dirk Nowitzki and Barea remaining this season, is no longer a team on the same level as the Lakers.

However, before the game, because the Mavericks could only win the game against the Lakers to reach the tenth seed in the West and qualify for the play-in tournament...

In addition, after the Lakers had already created a new NBA regular season record one game early after the game against the Rockets on the 15th...

So before the game, many people still believed that the Mavericks would win this game.

However...

On the court.

When Su Feng, Kobe, and others frequently passed him and sent the ball into the basket in front of him...

Dirk Nowitzki, who was no longer as brave as last year...

Became the background for the Lakers to improve the NBA regular season record to 78 wins and 4 losses.

And so far...

The Dallas Mavericks have also become the third defending champion in NBA history to miss the playoffs.

In the 1969/1970 season, because "Lord of the Rings" Russell and many other star players retired, the Boston Celtics unfortunately became the first defending champion in NBA history to miss the playoffs.

And after that, in the 1998/1999 season, due to the lockout, the "Old Rogue," who had a bad relationship with the team's management, chose to go to the North to assist Su Feng, who was only 20 years old at the time, and the team's main lineup disintegrated. The Chicago Bulls became the second defending champion in NBA history to miss the playoffs.

In fact, last summer, when many main players in the Mavericks' lineup left and retired, many people predicted today.

But on this night, watching Dirk Nowitzki kneeling on one knee on the floor of the Staples Center after the game due to exhaustion...

The Mavericks' fans and Dirk Nowitzki's die-hard fans still felt heartache.

Last year's fairy tale seemed like yesterday.

When Dirk Nowitzki's German chariot can no longer become a German Gundam...

Until now...

Looking back, people realized that compared to most people in this league, Dirk Nowitzki's career was indeed a bit sad.

When he entered the league as a teenager with the title of "Larry Bird's successor," he was once considered a softie and a bust.

And in his prime, as one of the league's top scorers, he even personally participated in the major惨案 that everyone has heard of in the past ten years.

In his later years, that fairy tale was magnificent.

However, after the fairy tale...

He and his beloved Mavericks unfortunately became the third defending champion in NBA history to miss the playoffs.

This is Dirk Nowitzki.

If the NBA holds a "suffering contest"...

Then Dirk Nowitzki can definitely chat with you for a whole day.

But...

Compared to most people in this league, Dirk Nowitzki is also lucky.

Because while feeling heartache for him...

Whether in his past life or in this life.

The Mavericks' fans and Dirk Nowitzki's fans all have a fairy tale to remember.

Staples Center.

Witnessed by the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.

The Los Angeles Lakers...

Created history tonight!

However, just as the commentators of major television stations were telling the fans in front of the television about the miracle that the Lakers created this season...

On the court, no Lakers player looked very happy.

Just like Draymond Green in Su Feng's memory said...

After tonight, the players of this Lakers team have engraved their names one by one in NBA history.

But it's also a little different from what Draymond Green in Su Feng's memory said...

Because the real challenge of this season is still waiting for the Lakers...

So how could the Lakers players, who know that the "success" at this moment may turn into "disgrace" later, choose to open the champagne on this night?

Happy.

It doesn't necessarily have to be written on the face to be called happy.

For the NBA regular season with a long season...

Being able to achieve a record of 78 wins and 4 losses this season...

Not only fully proves that this Lakers team is still the best team in the league.

And the dominance they showed throughout the regular season can only be described as unparalleled.

It's no exaggeration to say.

Even Su Feng, who has always challenged various limits, believes that...

Such a record is already the limit that a team can achieve in the NBA.

But...

In the NBA, where the winner is king and the loser is a bandit...

No matter how brilliant you are in the regular season.

Only the team that wins the final championship...

Is the real winner.

Perhaps many years from now, people will still tirelessly talk about this 78-win and 4-loss Lakers team.

But...

If they don't ultimately win the championship...

Then the 78 wins and 4 losses at this moment...

No matter how brilliant, it will only become a thorn in the hearts of all Lakers fans in the future.

On April 17th, in addition to the game between the Lakers and the Mavericks, as all the remaining games ended, the NBA regular season of 12/13 also officially came to an end.

In the West.

The Lakers ranked first with 78 wins and 4 losses.

And closely following behind is the Golden State Warriors with 72 wins and 10 losses, tying the record created by the Chicago Bulls...which had briefly occupied the best record in NBA history.

The third to sixth places on the Western Conference standings are as follows:

Jazz, SuperSonics, Grizzlies, Kings.

In the final stage of the regular season, the SuperSonics, led by Rodrigue Beaubois, were very "honored" to become the most disappointing team this season.

As the team ranked second on the championship odds list in the 12/13 season, they won consecutive victories at the beginning of the season, but ultimately only ranked fourth in the West with 52 wins and 30 losses.

And according to veteran Derek Fisher, who joined the SuperSonics as a free agent last summer...

Compared to their recent poor record, there seems to be a little bit of unhappiness within the SuperSonics right now.

It is rumored that James Harden is ready to leave this summer because he is dissatisfied with his sixth man role on the team.

In Los Angeles, when Su Feng saw the Seattle media starting to frantically attack Harden...

Fisher, this "stirring stick," is outrageous in Su Feng's eyes.

Because if Fisher can stir Harden away even if the SuperSonics don't move...

Then it can only be said that...

In this life, his decision to refuse to let this guy come back to hug his thigh is definitely the wisest decision.

And compared to the SuperSonics...

The Grizzlies have become the most surprising team this season besides the Lakers.

Led by Mike Conley, who can compete with anyone, and Zach Randolph, who is getting more and more妖, in the final stage, they successfully surpassed the Kings and sat in fifth place in the West with their steady菜虐战 record.

In addition, because the NBA will still use the play-in tournament system this season...

Therefore, before the first round of the Western Conference playoffs officially begins, the Trail Blazers, Hornets, Clippers, and Suns, who are ranked seventh to tenth in the West, will determine the final two playoff spots in the West.

Last summer, Chris Paul's departure once despaired the people of Portland.

But this season, the Portland trio still proved themselves with their "hard power" that has been mentioned countless times.

And Anthony Davis, who can feel the atmosphere of the playoffs in his rookie season, is not because he has good luck in this life...

It's just because David West and other talented players chose to stay on the team last summer.

As for the Clippers and Suns...

With Damian Lillard, who has the motto "My life is in my own hands," sitting in town.

Even if the Clippers are determined to tank, they can't beat the Western Conference's bottom three, who are even worse than them.

And the Suns, who have a squad that everyone can contribute, are purely lying down and getting shot.

Because how could they have imagined that even the defending champion Mavericks are rushing for the championship this season?

Not surprisingly, the last two tickets in the West this year will be produced between the Trail Blazers, Hornets, and Clippers.

And in the East...

The Heat, who traded Goran Dragić and Mo Williams from the Lakers for Rondo, sat on the throne of the East with their strong overall strength.

Although the Heat released Manu Ginobili before.

But with Al Horford, Darko Miličić, Trevor Ariza, Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragić, and Mo Williams, they are still the team that everyone doesn't want to meet early in the playoffs.

And besides the Heat, the second to sixth places in the East in the 12/13 season are as follows:

Hawks, Nets, Celtics, Bobcats, Raptors.

Like the Warriors.

The Hawks, who have reached the Finals for two consecutive years, also chose to rest in the final stage.

After all, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol are no longer young at this time.

Mike Budenholzer needs them to save their energy for the playoffs.

And the Nets, who can only菜虐, although they can only菜虐...

But in the regular season, being able to菜虐 is also a skill.

Among the top six teams in the East this year...

It is worth mentioning that the Raptors have been slowly moving towards the road to复兴 in recent years.

In the regular season, the "Toronto Iron Bros" Danilo Gallinari and DeMar DeRozan, who averaged nearly 20 iron per game, staged a series of game-winning plays in the final stage.

Online, Raptors fans sighed:

Sure enough, the Raptors' stars are all about taking the high-difficulty shot!

And Austin Rivers, who was originally highly expected by people...

Used his skills to swell his father Doc Rivers' face.

In the first half of the season, Austin Rivers, who had been playing as a starter for the Raptors, was much better than Marco Belinelli, who was his substitute, in terms of both efficiency and shooting percentage...

So...

Even if Doc Rivers still wanted to give his unfortunate son a chance...

Under the threat of management, he had to put Austin Rivers on the bench.

In fact, in terms of style characteristics...

Austin Rivers is more suitable to play as a substitute奇兵.

It's just that...

Doc Rivers was too "openly" about giving his son a backdoor.

And other than the top six, the other two playoff tickets in the first round of the Eastern Conference in the 12/13 season will be produced between the Bulls, Knicks, Pacers, and Wizards.

In addition, the teams that冲 for the championship in the East and West in the 12/13 season are as follows:

Eleventh to fifteenth in the West: Mavericks, Nuggets, Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves.

Eleventh to fifteenth in the East: Bucks, Pistons, Magic, 76ers, Cavaliers.

Just like in Su Feng's memory, after Derrick Rose was ruled out for the season, the Bulls still managed to get a playoff spot with the joint efforts of the whole team.

And on the other side...

Phil Jackson, the "Fake Zen Master" who had enjoyed the worship of Knicks fans when he led the team back to the playoffs, felt what it was like to be more difficult to serve than the emperor this year.

Because at the beginning of the season, the noble Knicks fans believed that after the team returned to the playoffs, it was time to launch an attack on the championship...

So after the regular season ended, God knows how many meddling New York fans had already put up banners outside the Knicks' arena, demanding that Jackson be fired.

And after Yao Ming left...

The 76ers, who originally felt that they were bad enough, never expected that Kyrie Irving, this player, has no ability to score points on his own, but has the ability to lead the team to finish last on his own!

In Su Feng's previous life, before LeBron James returned to Cleveland, the team record of Kyrie Irving's three years leading the team was 17 wins and 34 losses, 19 wins and 40 losses, and 28 wins and 43 losses, respectively.

And in those two years after joining the Celtics, who had both potential stars and a bunch of high draft picks in hand...

Kyrie Irving's record with the team was 78 wins and 49 losses.

At first glance, such a record with the team is barely勉强.

But you know that when Kyrie Irving first joined the Celtics, the lineup he had at the time was Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Greg Monroe, Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier?

Admittedly, Hayward's injury dragged down his performance during his time with the Celtics.

But you need to know...

In Kyrie Irving's first year with the Celtics, because he was ruled out for the second half of the regular season, in the 17/18 season, the Celtics even successfully broke into the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, in the second year, when he was healthy in the playoffs...the Celtics were directly crushed by the Bucks 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

And after Su Feng time-traveled...

In order to stop Kevin Durant and James Harden from winning the championship, Kyrie Irving also sacrificed his eighteen martial arts skills.

In short.

On the journey to help the Cavaliers win the championship...

Kyrie Irving did make indelible contributions.

In addition, on Douyin, he is also the number one recognized by countless cloud fans.

But compared to this group of guards of the same era...

No cap.

When you use Kyrie Irving to compare with Russell Westbrook.

Even if you hate Westbrook, you will jump up and smash your knees.

According to the schedule.

The first round of the Eastern and Western Conference play-in tournament in the 12/13 season will be held on the 18th.

And the second round of the play-in tournament will be held on the 20th.

And with the end of the regular season...

While patiently waiting for their playoff opponents.

In these two days...

In the Lakers team, who has gained a lot in the 12/13 season, every corner can be said to be filled with an atmosphere of mutual "competition."

Since the regular season has ended.

Then the various statistical leaders of the regular season will naturally come out.

"Oh! Damn! How is he the scoring champion again?"

On this day, Su Feng, holding a Los Angeles newspaper, walked into the training hall, pointing to the headline on the cover, and said with a helpless face.

And Kobe, who walked into the training hall with another newspaper, said with "great pain": "What is going on in this world!

Why can he, who is only ranked sixth in ESPN's scoring guard rankings, become the assist leader?"

...

ps: Although it's late, here is the 6.5k mega chapter!