Although he had previously told his teammates that he wouldn't pay attention to any basketball-related news before the start of the new season after the Celtics were eliminated...

But that night, at the thought that the detestable fellow was about to establish the second dynasty of his career...

Duncan couldn't help but turn on the TV.

Teacher.

You once told me that for NBA players, a single game or season cannot determine how great they are.

Because this is a long "marathon."

Only when you reach the finish line can you know who will cross it first.

But...

Now it seems that the detestable King of the North, the Miami Dictator, the Los Angeles Tyrant...

Seems to have left everyone else far behind in this "marathon."

Regret.

Unwillingness.

Envy.

Jealousy.

As a psychology expert.

At this moment, as various emotions surged into his heart, beneath Duncan's expressionless face, the blood in his body had already begun to churn uncontrollably.

More than 700 days had passed since that summer of '09.

It is said that time can heal all wounds.

But Duncan knew better than anyone...

That the pain that loss in the Finals brought to the Celtics had not healed to this day.

Last summer, Stackhouse, who had made great contributions to the Celtics' championship win in the 07/08 season, chose to retire due to injury.

And this summer, Rasheed Wallace, who had partnered with him for many years, also bid farewell to the basketball court.

Moreover, unable to bear the crazy abuse from Celtics fans in recent years for his poor performance in the Finals...

Not long ago, Ray Allen also stated on his personal Twitter that he would consider taking a year off.

And himself, who had firmly occupied another forward spot on the All-NBA First Team since entering the league...

Was also unable to make the All-NBA Team selection in the 09/10 and 10/11 seasons.

So...

If time could be turned back.

If he could have blocked Su Feng's game-winning layup in Game 4 of the 09 Finals.

If he hadn't fallen for Kobe's trick in the final Game 7, receiving his sixth personal foul of the game due to momentary impatience...

Then the story...

Might have had a different ending.

However...

Life has no "ifs."

Nor can time be turned back.

In front of the TV.

Watching Su Feng and his Lakers, who had won three consecutive championships in the 08/09 season, the 09/10 season, and the soon-to-end 10/11 season...

While rubbing his knees.

Duncan couldn't help but recall what Su Feng had said in an interview back then.

These years.

In Boston.

At the North Shore Garden Arena.

Duncan had bid farewell to many old rivals.

And had also outlasted many partners who had once fought alongside him.

And this...

Isn't this a perfect example of that saying...

"Friends come and go, but only the championship banner flies in the wind?"

That night.

Duncan ultimately didn't finish watching this Finals series, which had lost its suspense in the first half.

Because even if the future no longer belonged to old men like him.

He wanted to try again...

To board this ship to the future.

June.

The clear sky in Los Angeles was in stark contrast to the continuous rain in Boston.

Due to recent rumors that the NBA would face a lockout after the 10/11 season due to failed labor negotiations...

Therefore, compared to previous years...

In order to reshape the Celtics' glory before Duncan and Parker became unable to play, Bird and Karl's work was far more burdensome than in previous years.

Although in the NBA, there are various strict regulations on teams contacting players privately before the free agency market opens...

But if these regulations were really followed, how could Stern often feel exhausted because of this?

Having failed to persuade Ray Allen to continue playing for the Celtics.

So Bird knew very well that, in any case, the Celtics had to strengthen their shooting guard position next season.

It's just that, compared to the summer of 2010...

Not only were the big fish in the 2011 free agency market not heavy enough, but also, in order to keep Tony Allen...

The Celtics' current salary space couldn't allow them to attract these big fish to join.

Therefore...

Having to consider those whose annual salaries were below the million-dollar contract level...

Bird immediately had the idea of targeting the Heat, who had to start a clearance sale mode in order to keep Horford and Rondo.

"What do you think of Manu Ginobili?" Bird asked, looking at Karl that day.

"Age is his only problem." After thinking for a while, Karl replied.

"Then it's him.

I don't think the age of 34 will be an obstacle."

Since Stackhouse, at the age of 34, could contribute to the Celtics on the court back then...

Then why couldn't this former assistant to Feng Huang (Su Feng), also 34, become an important piece in reshaping the Celtics' glory?

"But I must remind you, Larry.

International players generally prefer to renew with their parent team after staying in one place for a long time." Looking at Bird, who had already circled Ginobili's name, Karl said.

"I must also remind you, Miller...

As far as I know, Pat Riley has never liked to renew long-term contracts with these older veterans." Putting down the marker in his hand, Bird smiled slightly.

However...

For the Celtics, whose two core players, Duncan and Parker, were no longer what they used to be...

Although Bird and Karl had exchanged promises with Ginobili in private when they contacted him...

However...

The failed experience of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler's "Three Old Men Make Trouble in the NBA" was also constantly reminding Bird and Karl.

A team aiming for the championship must have some vitality.

In Su Feng's original timeline, even the Mavericks, who realized their dream in the 10/11 season, had Tyson Chandler, Deshaun Stevenson, and others who were in their prime.

Therefore, for this draft year, which was once again collectively labeled as a "small year" by scouts after 2009...

Bird and Karl also conducted a patient screening.

As a result, after many rookies who had received invitations from the Celtics finished their tryouts...

Bird and Karl despairingly discovered...

The level of this year's rookies was indeed a bit unbearable to complain about.

Jan Vesely.

Because his nickname was "Czech Bird," and before the start of the draft, this guy had always been ranked in the top six on major draft websites...

So Bird and Karl originally thought that if this guy really had talent, then the Celtics might as well trade up draft picks to choose him as Duncan's successor.

However...

"My God!

I was also a three-time NBA regular season MVP back then..."

The whole arena had already turned into a sea of joy.

"Can't you be happier?

How come you never have any expression every time you win the championship?" Kobe, who had already opened eight bottles of champagne on the sidelines in a short period of 3 minutes and sprayed each bottle at Su Feng, said, hugging Su Feng's shoulder, who was covered in champagne.

Upon hearing this.

After sighing deeply.

Su Feng said, "You haven't known me for a day or two.

Don't you know that I turn into a stone face when I'm overly excited?"

Kobe laughed and said, "But even if you're a stone face, you should join us in celebrating!"

Su Feng shook his head and said, "Including this year, I've already won the championship for the ninth time.

So please spare me...

Because I'm getting tired of winning championships."

Kobe: "......"

Good heavens!

So that's what you were waiting for!

Damn you, Su Feng!

Nine championships...

Is nine championships so amazing?

Uh...

It seems to be a little bit amazing.

In the end, the final score of this Game 6 of the Finals was 81 to 125.

On the court, after receiving his ninth Finals MVP trophy from the Lord of the Rings, Russell himself...

That night, 33-year-old Su Feng...

Felt tired for the first time in his life.

Emmm...

Not mental fatigue.

But purely physical.

Because in the past three years, the Lakers had to play about a hundred games every year...

So who knew how much he, Su Feng, had paid for this league under Stern's "phenomenon award" squeeze?

Fortunately, this year's holiday was long enough.

Therefore...

After glancing at Kobe and using the line "Thank you Kobe for teaching me how to play basketball back then" to complete the final kill of his acceptance speech...

Su Feng knew.

Rather than celebrating today's achievements.

He needed to rest and recuperate during this long holiday.

"You... you... you..."

And now...

Kobe, who was so speechless by Su Feng, couldn't say anything but cry at this moment.

Damn it, Su Dog!

You always trick me into crying like this, you渣男 (scumbag)!

At this moment.

Kobe made up his mind in his heart.

That was, he must beat Su Feng so badly that he wouldn't even recognize Britney later!

In the VIP box of the Staples Center, after congratulating old Buss...

The Logo Man, who immediately took a plane back to Oakland, issued his combat mission to the Warriors' forward operations team, who were preparing to go to the draft site.

"Please use our lucky lottery pick at the draft.

Select Klay Thompson, the son of Michael Thompson from Washington University."

"What about our own first-round pick?" The Warriors' forward operations team asked before they were about to leave.

"Please use our own first-round pick to select...

Jimmy Butler from Marquette University."

"Do we need to make trades at the draft?" The Warriors' forward operations team continued to ask.

"No, we don't need to make any trades." West smiled.

"But next, there's a high probability that the NBA will be locked out...

What if LeBron gets angry if we only select two rookies?" The Warriors' operations team added.

"He won't be angry.

Because the gifts given by fate have already secretly marked his price."

To be honest.

In the upcoming 11/12 season.

West had only one task.

That was to find a way to get rid of David Lee, who had renewed his contract with the Warriors under Nelson's rule.

West had already prepared helpers for James and Curry on the perimeter.

But besides waiting for time to defeat Su and Kobe...

He also needed a strong inside player.

And coincidentally...

West noticed.

There was an inside player.

His contract was about to expire with his parent team in the summer of 2012.

Now.

At this moment.

The Lakers dynasty had been established.

And under a wave of undercurrents...

The NBA officially announced the arrival of the second decade of the 21st century...

Los Angeles Lakers.

If you want to defend your lofty throne...

Then next.

You have to be careful!

…

ps: A 10,000-word chapter is here! Continue to roll around shamelessly begging for double monthly tickets!