Chapter 2 The Showdown Begins

On the evening of the 9th, the second game of the Finals between the Heat and the Mavericks continued at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Trailing 0-1 in the series, if the Mavericks couldn't win this game, they would be at a significant disadvantage in the Finals, as their next three games would be on the road in Miami.

After the players finished warming up, the starting lineups for both teams were displayed on the big screen.

Heat: O'Neal, Haslem, Kapono, Su Feng, Ginobili.

Mavericks: Dampier, Nowitzki, Howard, Posey, Kidd.

Both teams made adjustments to their starting lineups for tonight's game.

For the Heat, Iwa, who had 11 points and 5 rebounds in the first game, was left on the bench by Coach Spoelstra.

For the Mavericks, Dampier, who was more effective at defending O'Neal than Chandler, appeared in the starting lineup.

Because the offensively strong but defensively weak Iwa was an easy target for the opponent on the court, Coach Spoelstra simply put him into the Heat's "anything goes second unit" knowing that the Mavericks would definitely make an issue of it.

At center court, Dampier and O'Neal began the game with the jump ball.

As a result, O'Neal disgraced the "Fat Tiger Family" in this battle of the big men.

Dampier won the tip-off for the Mavericks, and Kidd was responsible for dribbling the ball across the half-court line.

Dampier set a screen for Kidd at the high post, while Nowitzki took advantage of the space created by Howard and Posey on the left and right wings to post up Haslem at a 45-degree angle.

This was one of the Mavericks' signature offensive plays this season.

After receiving Kidd's pass, the Little Driver first felt Haslem's defensive center of gravity with his butt, and then, after taking two probing steps with his right foot, the Little Driver suddenly turned toward the inside, that is, the baseline.

Haslem slid over to follow, but at this moment, the Little Driver, who looked like he was dribbling clumsily, suddenly completed a beautiful, seemingly disjointed, fadeaway jumper in the opposite direction.

Swish!

0-2.

In his previous life, as a high-post post-up expert, the reason why Nowitzki was difficult to defend was because his mid-to-long range shooting percentage was very impressive.

If the area beyond the three-point line was Curry's shooting hotspot.

Then, inside the three-point line, it was Nowitzki's domain.

In the "Four Great Forwards" that ESPN rated this year...

There was no doubt that Nowitzki was absolutely on par with Su Feng in terms of offensive ability at this moment.

If Haslem had rushed up when Nowitzki chose to shoot, Su Feng believed that Nowitzki would have broken through to the baseline and slipped into the restricted area.

Back on the court, the Heat had possession.

The Heat also created an opportunity for Su Feng to go one-on-one against Posey on the left side in the same way.

In the first game between the two teams, Howard's defense against Su Feng was not effective, so Davis assigned the responsibility of defending Su Feng to Posey and Kidd in this game.

And although Posey's reputation wasn't as great as Howard's.

But compared to "Dopey Howard," Su Feng clearly felt a higher level of defensive intensity than in Game 1.

In his previous life, in addition to the decline in his condition due to injuries, the reason why Howard, who had excellent athletic and static talent, was abandoned by the Mavericks was because this guy was repeatedly exposed by reporters for smoking marijuana.

He even took the initiative to confess to the media during an interview and said the classic line: "They smoked it too."

Then, in the future, no team dared to use this guy again.

Because once you recruited this guy, even if you were innocent, the media and fans would never believe it.

On the wing, after catching Rondo's pass with one hand, Su Feng first leaned with his shoulder, and then unleashed a "teleport-style fadeaway" that left Posey dumbfounded.

In the early 1990s, when Jordan's athletic ability was still at its peak, this kind of scene was not uncommon.

And the principle of this "teleport-style fadeaway" is also very simple.

As long as you can use your kidneys to quickly complete a turnaround at the moment you bump into an NBA player weighing 90 to 100 kilograms, and drift backward two to three meters by kicking your legs, while ensuring that the defensive player in front of you lands before you before you shoot with a fadeaway, then you can play as smoothly as Su Feng on the court.

See, doesn't it sound simple just by listening to it?

Then...

Kids in front of the TV, have you learned it?

Swish!

2-2.

On CCTV, after Su Feng scored the first point for the Heat, Zhang Guiding couldn't help but sigh, "The progress that modern basketball players have made in the sport of basketball is really incredible...

If Su Feng had made this shot when I was still playing, I would have thought he was from Mars."

And on the side, Yu Jia said, "Human beings are always challenging themselves to be higher, faster, and stronger, and this is the so-called Olympic spirit."

Back on the court, the Mavericks were on the attack.

Sure enough, it was a very wise decision for the Heat to put Iwa on the bench tonight.

Because after Kidd directed the offense and the rest of the Mavericks players created space for Nowitzki...

Tonight, the Mavericks were clearly determined to defend their home court to the death.

The German Blitz Gundam, he's here!

On the left high post, under Haslem's relentless harassment, Nowitzki managed to create a shooting opportunity.

Moreover, even with his center of gravity completely disrupted, Nowitzki was still able to maintain his shooting form.

Beep!

And on the baseline, accompanied by the referee's whistle closest to Nowitzki and Haslem...

Swish!

The Little Driver's off-balance mid-range shot also went in cleanly.

The shot was good and a foul was called.

It was a two-plus-one.

In Dallas, the blue wave in the arena began to surge.

"MVP, MVP, MVP!!"

This was Nowitzki's response to Su Feng, who was also 29 years old.

At this moment, Su Feng vaguely felt that Nowitzki's figure overlapped with the old driver in his memory who fought valiantly against the Miami Big Three in the Finals.

But the difference was...

This Nowitzki was younger now.

In addition, under the daily oppression of himself, who was two months older than him...

He was definitely not comparable to his historical counterpart at this moment.

You know, in Su Feng's original timeline, whenever someone asked him how unsolvable Nowitzki was, Su Feng would reply:

Do you know that Nowitzki has missed a total of 12,565 shots in the NBA?

A career total of 30,000+ points and 12,000+ missed shots...

These are the best interpretations of how unsolvable Nowitzki is on the court.

Because in the NBA, a league full of supermen...

How many people can shoot as freely as Nowitzki and consistently have a mid-to-long range two-point percentage of over 50%?

In a basketball game, after all, you have to shoot first before you have a chance to score.

And at this moment, compared to those players who are usually fierce, but can't even make a move at critical moments, Nowitzki was already the most brutal and iron-blooded power forward in the league in Su Feng's eyes.

Huh?

You said Duncan has something to say?

Bah!

This Little Dunhead registers as a power forward to compete for personal honors, but in reality, he always plays center...

What's the difference between that and Su Feng?

On the free throw line, Nowitzki made the extra free throw.

2-5.

In front of the TV, at this moment, looking at Haslem being beaten and abused on the court, Da Ben felt that this guy was very similar to himself back then...

Look, don't he and I look like dogs?

But I don't know why...

Ever since arriving in Detroit these years...

Da Ben always felt...

That he preferred to be Su Feng's shadow rather than the light of Detroit.

On the court, in the first quarter, the duel between Su Feng and Nowitzki on the court became the biggest highlight.

You have your fadeaway jumper.

I also have my divine pull-up jumper.

"I'm drunk, I'm really drunk!"

And in front of the TV, watching Su Feng and Nowitzki's textbook-like one-on-one moves...

At this moment, how many fans' knees could withstand such a game?

In the first quarter, when the Heat were executing their last attack, nearly 20,000 Mavericks fans in the arena were already standing up.

Well...

They weren't standing up for anything else.

It was just because they wanted to interfere with the Heat's offense with more noise.

Because in the previous attack, Nowitzki had just scored his 16th point of the game and helped the Mavericks take the lead.

So...

The last defense of the first quarter...

As long as they could defend against the Heat and Su Feng, who had already scored 15 points in the first quarter in the statistics...

In the eyes of the Mavericks fans, they could at least suppress the Heat in terms of momentum in this game.

Thump, thump, thump.

On the court, Ginobili personally dribbled the ball across the half-court line for Feng Huang.

And Stackhouse and Iwa, who came off the bench in the second half of the first quarter, were creating space for Feng Huang through active interweaving runs.

In addition, O'Neal, who played the entire first quarter, also moved up to the high post according to Ginobili's instructions.

On the left, at this moment, Posey was walking on thin ice, watching Su Feng who might bypass him at any time to receive the ball.

In this world, there is probably nothing more exciting than matching up against Su Feng.

If there is...

Then it must be...

Matching up against Ginobili.

American Airlines Center.

Without any preparation.

On the court, just as Kidd's attention and the attention of the entire arena were being drawn to Su Feng, who had started to run, Ginobili suddenly dribbled the ball back a step.

And at the same time...

Su Feng also stopped his forward steps, turned around, opened his hands in advance, and made a three-point gesture.

In front of the TV.

Carter was in tears.

Because if he remembered correctly, in those years when he was Su Feng's co-driver...

If Su Feng had ever doted on him like he doted on Ginobili, then he wouldn't have had to provoke Su Feng every time to get attention from Su Feng.

On the other side, Iverson was also in tears.

Because in those years of "You guard Philadelphia, I guard you"...

When he excitedly looked up at Su Feng three times and said to Su Feng, "We will definitely win a championship together," Su Feng coldly snubbed him three times.

"We will definitely win a three-peat together, Su!"

On the court, after hitting this ultra-long buzzer-beating three-pointer for the Heat, Ginobili's left hand collided with Su Feng's right hand.

This was the tacit understanding of the Miami International Duo.

Because he knew that Ginobili had been holding back for an entire quarter and had reached his limit.

So, whether it was Su Feng's run or the actions of other Heat players, they were all just a cover to let Ginobili have a good time.

What is trust?

This is absolute trust.

As long as Manu wants to play.

Then even Su Feng, as the boss, can temporarily be Ginobili's co-driver.

"The future is really beautiful and bright!"

And unlike Carter and Iverson, who were hiding in the corner and crying...

At this moment, the only thing on Kobe's face was a "happy" smile.

Well...

The kind of smile that a "pervert" has.

As for McGrady...

"Manu, he's really like me back then!" McGrady said silently in front of the TV.

At the end of the first quarter, the Heat led 36-34.

Although Su Feng was temporarily trailing by 1 point in his duel with Little Driver...

In terms of morale, it was the Heat who suppressed the Mavericks.

At this time, on the Mavericks' bench, Davis also said with emotion, "If it were the Su from back then, he would have taken this shot himself no matter what."

You've changed, Su.

The current you...

Do not compete with others.

Do not care about the gains and losses of a single city or pool.

Do not become arrogant because of a temporary victory, and do not become depressed because of a temporary defeat.

American Airlines Center, looking at Spoelstra, who was wearing a suit, sunglasses, and a slicked-back hairstyle standing on the sidelines, Davis admitted...

That he was jealous.

Because even if he was Su Feng's mentor...

He had never coached such a terrifying Su Feng.

"It seems that it's time for me to retire."

And in front of the TV, touching his useless right leg, Tyronn Lue, who had been suffering from "injury torment" recently, also made up his mind at this moment.

On the court, in the second quarter, Su Feng still did not rest.

The Heat's starting lineup for the second quarter was Mourning, Hayes, Su Feng, Ariza, and Rondo.

The Mavericks' lineup was Chandler, Nowitzki, Jones, Terry, and Barea.

This season, because the Grizzlies' original plan was to rebuild, the team bought out Eddie Jones's contract before the trade deadline.

And although the 36-year-old Jones was not as good as he used to be...

Even Su Feng didn't dare to underestimate this guy in his limited playing time.

However, after the start of the second quarter, Rondo and Barea took the lead in becoming the protagonists.

Because on the court, as soon as Rondo dribbled the ball across the half-court line, Barea imitated Parker, made a please gesture to Rondo, and retreated three steps.

So, Rondo, not wanting to be outdone, dribbled the ball with his left hand while comparing his height with Barea in the air.

As everyone knows...

Barea, whose listed height is "183" centimeters, is a player who can even use his height to bully Paul on the court...

So don't mention how much water there is in this guy's height.

Anyway, based on visual estimation...

If this guy could have 177 centimeters, it would have to be thanks to his shoes.

In his previous life, before he crossed over, Barea, who had been playing on the court with a height of "183" centimeters for many years, finally confessed his real height to people.

However, because he confessed to people too late, Barea also missed the nickname of "Strongest 175 on Earth."

And on the court, looking at Rondo, who was mocking his height, Barea, relying on his strong body, continued to hook his finger at Rondo without fear.

As a result, this made Rondo angry.

On the side, after obtaining permission from Su Feng, Rondo directly sat down in the low post.

And looking at Rondo, who was still slightly slender at this time, Barea was also amused.

Meaning, you, a "small point guard," still want to go one-on-one against me, a "183" giant?

No...

You don't think I'm as easy to bully as Paul, do you?

Fun fact.

In this year's Western Conference Finals, under the back-and-forth torture of Kidd and Barea, Paul's overall shooting percentage was suppressed below 40%.

And in the game, Paul was also blocked by Barea during a layup.

And originally, in the basketball court, being blocked is commonplace for point guards.

But...

Regarding the matter of being blocked by Barea, even Paul's best banana boat brothers didn't dare to use this matter to ridicule him.

Because Paul...

Will really get anxious because of this.

So, in Barea's opinion...

Even Paul can't do anything to him...

So how much more Rondo?

It's just...

How would Barea know?

That "center" is the position that Rondo is best at playing.

On the court, after receiving Su Feng's pass, Rondo kept his pivot foot still and first turned to the right.

Then, after pulling the ball back and faking to the left once, Rondo faked to the right again.

Finally, in the case that Barea couldn't figure out which side Rondo wanted to turn to, Rondo turned beautifully to the inside and hooked the ball into the basket.

And on TNT TV, at the first moment, Barkley sprayed out the ice cola he had just drunk.

Holy crap!

Isn't this the Dream Shake?

No cap.

If Rondo's height could be another ten centimeters taller, then he would definitely be a killer.

Because if he said it out loud, that Howard in Orlando might not believe it...

Rondo's Dream Shake was learned from one-on-one with Su Feng.

What is inside talent?

This is inside talent!

"Although I don't like Chris Paul either.

But I still have to emphasize one thing...

The one who really gives Chris a headache when you play the Trail Blazers has never been you, but...

That man named Jason Kidd." On the court, pointing to Kidd, who was putting goji berries in his thermos on the Mavericks' bench, Rondo looked down at Barea and said.

"Oh, by the way, in China...

There's a saying that's very suitable to describe you right now.

It seems to be called 'a dog relying on its master's power'?" Before retreating, Rondo said the idiom "a dog relying on its master's power" to Barea in standard Mandarin.

And now...

Because he couldn't understand Rondo's idiom...

Barea was broken.

Because he had been playing in the NBA for many years, he always felt that Rondo must have been scolding him with swear words in a language he didn't know.

"Your Chinese is pretty good, where did you learn it?" And on the side, while retreating, Su Feng looked at Rondo curiously and asked.

Hearing this, after pondering for two seconds, Rondo answered very seriously, "Xinhua Dictionary." (Chinese dictionary)

Su Feng: "..."

Good lord!

Meaning that the competition for my co-driver has become so fierce now?

Back then, in Toronto, Nash and them could also say a few words in Chinese.

And now...

In order to protect his position as Rondo the Second, Rondo even started reading the "Xinhua Dictionary," can you believe it?

On the court, the Mavericks were on the attack.

Stimulated by Rondo, Barea successfully fell into the trap.

After the pick-and-roll, instead of passing the ball to Terry in time, he chose to break into the basket himself.

Then...

There was no then.

Because in the NBA's jungle of muscles, how could Barea, who was shorter than Iverson and Paul, avoid the fate that they couldn't avoid?

Bang—!

Inside the restricted area, Su Feng, who had retreated in place, solidly nailed Barea's layup to the backboard.

"I probably only know three or five Chinese idioms, but there's one that's especially suitable to describe you just now.

Oh, I remember, it seems to be 'furious'?" Looking down at Barea again, Rondo smiled.

Barea: "..."

You're enough!

Don't use swear words that I don't understand to scold me anymore, okay?

"Look, it's such a sad thing to be uncultured.

Because if I guessed correctly, you must think I was scolding you, right?

But actually, I was praising you." In addition, while running to the frontcourt, Rondo didn't forget to add while watching Barea, who kept trying to elbow his waist.

Barea: "..."

Tsk!

To be reasonable...

Just based on Rondo's mouth...

No wonder Paul was broken down again and again when he matched up against him.

Because compared to Carter's mindless random confrontation...

Rondo's way of arguing is clearly an art.

Bang, swish!

In the frontcourt, through a transition offense, Su Feng scored another point for the Heat.

At this time, Kidd, who had just put two goji berries in his thermos, couldn't sit still anymore.

"Send me on, coach." Looking at Davis with a look of affection, Kidd said word by word.

Davis: "..."

And although Davis always felt that there was something strange about this script...

Davis would not question Coach Kidd's judgment.

On the court, after Barea almost made a mistake and Rondo slapped the ball out of bounds, the Mavericks applied for a substitution.

"Goodbye, dear Hobbit, I hope you can return as a king after finding the One Ring." And before Barea left the court, Rondo once again confused this guy.

"Alas, people these days don't even know John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, do you think this is the tragedy of the times, or the fall of humanity?" Turning his head to look at Su Feng, Rondo asked curiously.

Hearing this, Su Feng smiled and rubbed Rondo's proud little head.

Look how smug this kid is getting!

American Airlines Center, the game continued after the Mavericks substituted.

After Kidd came on, the Mavericks' offense clearly became smoother.

On the outside, Terry ran out through movement to catch the ball and hit a three-pointer.

40-37.

Coming back, the unguarded Ariza received a wonderful pass from Coach Rondo and successfully assisted the board.

"Trevor, playing with you is really a very special experience." On the court, looking at Ariza, Rondo smiled while retreating.

Seeing this, Ariza also responded to Rondo with a "shy" look in his eyes:

I'm not as good as you say?

Alright!

Su Feng thought that Ariza's poor kid was completely hopeless.

Because if Su Feng guessed correctly...

The meaning that Rondo clearly wanted to express just now was...

Playing with Ariza...

You can fully experience what a heart attack is like.

However, although the offense didn't go in...

But coming back, Ariza filled the gap on the Heat's wing at the first moment after switching defense with Su Feng.

The "Jet" failed to take off as planned.

And as Kidd's three-pointer bounced out of the rim, inside, under Rondo's screen, Su Feng successfully grabbed his 6th rebound of the game.

On the court, the Heat pushed the transition again...

As a result, just as "The Champ" who retreated the fastest wanted to turn his head...

A dark figure appeared on top of his head!

……

ps: The golden elixir in my kidneys hurt for a while this afternoon, which made it impossible for me to code words. Fortunately, it got better after taking painkillers at night, and I'm bringing the late 6k small chapter!