Chapter 381 February

In late February, before the trade deadline, several major events occurred in the NBA.

First, the Cavaliers acquired Ron Artest from Indy in exchange for Joe Johnson.

Since the "Auburn Hills Palace brawl," at least on the surface, Artest had toned down his temper considerably.

In this life, however, neither Silas nor Brown could figure out how to use "Iso Joe"…

Therefore, to ease LeBron James's offensive and defensive burden when facing Su Feng in the upcoming playoffs, Brown agreed to the team management's proposed trade without hesitation.

This season, the Cavaliers had already shown the potential to contend for the championship in the regular season.

As a result, the Cavaliers' management didn't want to miss the opportunity.

This trade also showed that the Cavaliers were truly ambitious this season.

Because the regular season wasn't even over yet…

They were already thinking about how to play against Su Feng and his Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In addition, the Lakers also gifted "Death" Parker to Milwaukee.

However, with Kobe sidelined for at least 10 months due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right foot, many Lakers fans believed that the Lakers should have kept Parker around to fill in.

Alright...

Although, in this life, Kobe didn't have Fisher taped to his right foot…

Facts proved that Scott could still rely on Kobe.

In the past two years, in order to compete with Su Feng for the scoring title, Kobe's average playing time had been much higher than in Su Feng's previous life.

And this season, due to the Lakers' poor record, Kobe's average playing time had reached a staggering 45 minutes.

In the NBA, what does an average of 45 minutes per game mean?

Generally speaking, we would call such a person an "Iron Man."

In Su Feng's original timeline, many people said that Phil Jackson's constant overuse of Kobe led to his major injuries later in his career.

But in reality...

The way Jackson used Kobe was nothing compared to Scott's godly methods.

Originally, Kobe, who was growing stronger every day under the nourishment of Su Feng's nutritional fluids except on game days, should have had a durability second only to Su Feng, who had "injury immunity," and "Little Iron Man" James.

However, no matter how durable a player is, they couldn't withstand Scott's abuse.

Especially after 2007…

To increase his offensive efficiency, Kobe increased his drives to the basket.

As a result, driven by his competitive spirit, Kobe, who was desperate to lead the Lakers into the playoffs… finally couldn't hold on with his right Achilles tendon.

In February, half a month before the All-Star Game in Las Vegas, in a game against the Suns, Kobe collapsed after a layup, tugging at the hearts of countless Kobe fans in front of their televisions.

Because he knew Kobe very well, even Tracy McGrady was shocked at the time.

"I hope he gets better soon.

He's a strong man, he definitely won't fall."

After the game, although he didn't know the extent of Kobe's injury, Tracy McGrady knew…

He would temporarily lose the joy of trash-talking Kobe when playing against the Lakers in the short term.

In Miami, after hearing the news of Kobe's injury, Su Feng immediately called Kobe.

In fact, with the advancement and development of modern sports medicine…

Many major injuries that would have ended a player's career prematurely in the 1990s could basically be repaired in the 21st century.

But Su Feng, who knew Kobe even better than Tracy McGrady, was very clear that if Kobe forced himself so much after recovering from this injury…

Then a second injury would be inevitable.

In the NBA, many stars who return from major injuries are ultimately defeated not by the part of their body that was injured the first time…

But by secondary injuries, and frequent third and fourth injuries.

In February, before Su Feng and Kevin Garnett, who was replacing Kobe in selecting All-Star players, started their mock draft, the Lakers officially announced that Kobe's surgery was successful and his expected return date was 10 months away.

In other words, if all went well, Kobe would return to the court in January of next year.

But knowing Kobe as Su Feng did…

In this era that belonged to him…

How could Kobe obediently rest for 10 months?

…

Let's put aside Kobe's injury, which concerned countless Kobe fans, for now.

In February, after the All-Star Weekend, the Heat swept the Trail Blazers, who had been spending money like crazy this season, in two home-and-away games.

Rajon Rondo, who had won the Skills Challenge title at this year's All-Star Weekend, almost got into a conflict with Chris Paul in this game.

It was quite something…

As the favorite to win the Las Vegas All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge…

In the final against Rajon Rondo, can you believe that Chris Paul took seven shots to make that damn three-pointer?

And Rajon Rondo, who usually wouldn't make a three-pointer even if you left him wide open, actually made it in the final.

As a result, Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul also developed a grudge during this game.

Because Rajon Rondo, who was good at everything except opening his mouth, casually said after winning the championship:

"Now, you can't criticize my shooting anymore, right?"

And originally, Rajon Rondo's words weren't necessarily aimed at Chris Paul.

But as "Su Feng's successor"...

How could Chris Paul lack the attribute of "nitpicking"?

So, at the end of February, after losing the first game in Portland, Chris Paul used his newly strengthened elbow in the second game against the Heat in Miami to show Rajon Rondo what it meant to...

"Wait and see." (Elbow see)

Last summer, after being bullied by those European heavyweight point guards in FIBA games, Chris Paul started his weight gain plan as soon as he returned to Portland.

And Rajon Rondo, who was still a rookie at this time, couldn't possibly withstand Chris Paul's "spinning crusher cannon" in terms of physique.

Fortunately, just as these two were about to fight…

Su Feng stood between them, smiled slightly, and the two returned to their respective camps.

Although…

Su Feng also wanted to know who would have the last laugh in this lightweight boxing match between Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul…

But considering that he hadn't passed on the "Pirate Boxing" to Rajon Rondo, Su Feng, knowing that Rajon Rondo would most likely suffer, rubbed Rajon Rondo's head and said, "Where did Chris elbow you just now?"

Looking up at Su Feng, Rajon Rondo said aggrievedly, "He just hit my lungs."

Hearing this, Su Feng smiled and said, "Then remember to set more screens with me later."

Rajon Rondo understood and nodded immediately.

Eh~!

Who said that eating, sleeping, and beating Chris Paul was Deron Williams's patent?

Did the person who said this ask Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Su Feng, or LeBron James?

It has to be said…

Chris Paul's living environment in this life is indeed a bit of a disaster.

Because the lightest of these four weighs more than 90 kilograms.

And like Su Feng and LeBron James…

They are heavyweight players weighing more than 105 kilograms.

Plus, in the past few years, in order to deal with a certain Philadelphia "183," various teams in the league have accumulated a lot of experience…

So on the court, when forced to switch defense to Su Feng…

At the moment when he saw Su Feng's big butt sitting towards him…

Do you know how broken Chris Paul's mentality was?

No!

You don't know!

You only care about when Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul will have a final showdown!

However, it must be mentioned here that the key to the Heat's victory over the Trail Blazers in these two games was that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Chris Paul hadn't found a way to coexist.

In addition, because this Trail Blazers team is used to using "unlimited switching" to prevent opponents from running pick-and-rolls, they need to prepare an extra set of contingency plans when they encounter a crazy team like the Heat.

After all, no matter how good Chris Paul is at defense…

You can't just let him keep getting beaten up by Su Feng on the court, right?

"Let's try to trade for Su…"

After these two games, Paul Allen became even more determined to use Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul to trade for Su Feng.

…

In March, the Heat's regular season journey continued.

At the beginning of the month, in two games against the 76ers, the Heat and the 76ers each won one game.

Andre Iguodala, who defended his Slam Dunk Contest title this year, defended the honor of the "Philadelphia Water-Paddling Team" in Philadelphia.

Conversely, Daequan Cook, who won the Three-Point Contest at the All-Star Weekend this year, also guarded the glory of the "Miami Swim Team" in Miami with a career-high seven three-pointers.

There's nothing to mention about the process of these two games.

Because this year, during the regular season, the Heat and the 76ers have their own strategic goals…

So compared to when they played against the Trail Blazers before…

The intensity and level of these four games are clearly not on the same level.

This season, the Cavaliers' emergence has completely disrupted the pattern of the "Eastern Conference Big Three" from previous years, where whoever takes the first seed in the East has a better chance of breaking through the East.

Under the leadership of Mike Brown, who has learned from Davis…

The Cavaliers have repeatedly defeated strong enemies in the middle of this season.

Plus, Artest is at his peak right now…

Therefore, his arrival has also instantly raised the Cavaliers' wing defense to a new level.

Without a doubt, this Cavaliers team now has the strength to challenge the Celtics, the 76ers, and the Heat.

And in a sense…

LeBron James and his Cavaliers have also given the Heat, who have been in constant trouble this season, a reassurance.

Because after the Celtics painstakingly take the first seed in the East…

They will find that…

No one in the East this year is easy to deal with.

On the 15th of this month, the Heat hosted a crucial battle against the Pistons at home.

Since the Heat are very likely to face the Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, in order to gain home court advantage and try to solve Doc Rivers and his team within 5 games, Coach Spoelstra rarely let Shaquille O'Neal play for 30 minutes in this game.

However…

I don't know why…

On this night, Su Feng always felt that this Pistons team and the Pistons team that had beaten the Trail Blazers on the road not long ago were two different teams.

Anyway, Rivers' team is just so outrageous when it comes to playing in crucial battles.

In the end, after defeating the Pistons 118-84 at home, the Heat, relying on the winning streak they had in late February and early March, also pulled the gap between them and the Pistons to 3.5 games.

…

In late March, Heat fans received good news and bad news.

The bad news was that after the Heat had just shown signs of momentum, they were swept by the Mavericks and the Warriors this season.

The good news was that the Pistons, who had been trailing behind them, had also recently lost to the Rockets and the Spurs, the "Texas Double Bears."

Online, the Su Feng haters and Heat haters have been getting more and more active lately.

Because the 06/07 regular season is almost over, and the Heat have not shown any signs of rising…

So you say, what are they worried about being slapped in the face for?

On March 21, in the latest power rankings released by ESPN, even they, as die-hard Heat fans, ranked the Heat eighth.

And Charles Barkley of TNT, who had confidently said that the Heat had no rivals before the start of this season, also announced his identity as a fifty-year Cavaliers fan two days ago.

"Stop insisting, Kenny…

The Heat are most likely going to fall on the road to a three-peat this season."

That day, looking at Kenny Smith, who was still loyally devoted to the Heat like an idiot, Barkley couldn't help but complain.

In Barkley's view…

This season's Heat is very similar to the Raptors he had just joined back then.

On the surface, their championship frame is still there, but the condition of Shaquille O'Neal and others has dragged down Su Feng.

Therefore, looking at Smith, who didn't even get to attend Su Feng's wedding…

Barkley didn't know what this guy was still insisting on…

No way.

It's not that he Barkley doesn't love Su Feng.

It's because he thinks he knows Su Feng too well, so at this moment, as a die-hard honey, he hopes people can recognize the fact that the Heat have lost their dominance this season.

The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Barkley doesn't want people to criticize Su Feng and this Heat team after the Heat lose this year.

Because back then…

That's how he came through it.

For Barkley, if this Heat team can't win consistently under Su Feng's excellent performance, it proves that this Heat team is even worse than he was back then.

So now the question is.

What is Kenny Smith still insisting on?

"You'll never understand, Charles.

Because what you guys like is just that Su who dominates the league.

And what I like is that Su who made the impossible possible back then."

Yes…

Su Feng forgot to invite him to his wedding.

But so what?

Whether it's five or ten years from now.

He Smith will never forget that summer ten years ago.

"We will definitely eliminate the Bulls tonight!

Yes, tonight!"

Just…

Barkley and Smith might not believe it if they were told…

Contrary to what outsiders believe, that the Heat have lost their dominance…

In Su Feng's view, the Heat's performance in March exceeded his expectations once again.

Are you kidding me?

In March, they finally bit off a few tough bones, and then they had to immediately challenge the Warriors and the Mavericks back-to-back…

With such a schedule, plus the Heat have to insist on rotation, does losing mean the end of the world?

To be fair.

Those winning fans who think the Heat can't lose a single game are even more terrifying than haters in Su Feng's eyes.

Because if Su Feng wasn't good at giving his teammates psychological massages…

Then the high-pressure public opinion that the Heat has never broken this season would have crushed most of the players on this Heat team long ago.

"Sigh! Fortunately, we're playing the Lakers soon."

That day, opening the Heat's schedule, Su Feng sighed silently.

…

On the 24th, on the private plane flying to Miami with the Lakers, Jim Buss, who was feeling apprehensive, and Kupchak, who had specially consulted Jerry West before coming to Miami, went to Pat Riley to discuss a trade before visiting Su Feng with Kobe.

Although in the NBA, there are many regulations regarding meetings between teams and teams, and teams and players during the regular season…

But in fact, if these regulations were really followed, then probably more than 80% of the trades in this league would not happen.

"Mitch, do you think we'll succeed this time?" Before getting off the plane, Buss asked Kupchak.

"I think the key to whether we can succeed this time is not in persuading Pat, but…

Whether we can show Su our sincerity."

Kupchak, recalling the teachings of the Logo man before his departure, said to Buss.

As Kupchak's former mentor, and Buss's close friend…

Although the Logo man had already left the Lakers because he didn't want to get involved in the Buss family's internal strife, Jerry West, who had a different kind of feeling for the Lakers, knew…

If Buss could really succeed this time, then perhaps the internal strife that was about to break out in the near future would disappear without a trace.

However, because the Logo man's identity at this time meant that he couldn't directly answer Kupchak's questions.

Therefore, rather than saying that Jerry West provided him with advice before Kupchak's departure, it was better to say that Kupchak was stumped by the three questions that Jerry West pointed out.

The first question was.

How can the Lakers guarantee that they have enough salary cap space to sign Su Feng in the summer?

You need to know that as early as last summer, the Lakers had completed an early extension with Darko Miličić.

And once Miličić's salary starts counting towards the Lakers' salary cap, then you can't possibly let the Lakers offer Su Feng a mid-level exception, right?

The second question was.

How can the Lakers guarantee that they can provide Su Feng with a stable environment to play in?

You need to know that judging from Su Feng's decision to leave Miami this season, it is obvious that he cares more about whether the team can provide him with a stable environment to play in than basketball philosophy.

But with the irreconcilable contradictions between Jeanie Buss and Jim Buss right now…

Once Old Buss passes away, how can the Lakers guarantee that Los Angeles will be Su Feng's home?

The last question was.

At the end of Kupchak's meeting with him, the Logo man gave Kupchak a photo of the Lower Merion twins that he had always treasured.

And behind this photo, there was a line of English:

"The path to redemption is within."

And before parting, the Logo man also handed Kupchak a box.

"If you're going to Miami, please help me pass it on to Pat.

Just say, this is a gift from Jerry to an old friend."

A gift from an old friend?

At Riley's home in Miami.

When Riley opened this box in front of Kupchak and Buss…

Kupchak finally understood the Logo man's good intentions.

There was only an old photo in this box.

But after seeing this photo, Riley was silent for a full half an hour.

"With this, we commemorate the history we created together.

May my teammate, Pat Riley, be healthy!"

35 years ago.

There was once such a tragic team.

They fought and lost repeatedly in the Finals.

And as a member of that team.

Pat Riley was lucky.

Because in the second season of joining that team, he won the championship that Los Angeles had dreamed of with Jerry West.

"Speak, what is the purpose of your trip?"

After collecting this precious photo, Riley said to Buss and Kupchak word by word.

And then…

As a disciple of the Logo man, Kupchak, who had already understood the answer to the first question that Jerry West had asked him, said straight to the point: "Pat, to be honest…

We hope to get Su Feng, who has decided to leave, from Miami through a sign-and-trade."

Because this season, after Su Feng announced that he would leave the Heat in the summer of 2007, it is now impossible and too late for the Lakers to free up salary cap space…

So Kupchak knew that the only way for the Lakers to bring Su Feng to Los Angeles this summer was through a sign-and-trade.

"Um… let me guess, you wouldn't want to use Darko plus Lamar…

And draft picks, plus some sweeteners to match Su's salary to complete this trade, right?" Hearing this, Riley was immediately amused.

Because judging from the sincerity of Buss and Kupchak's visit to him today…

Riley knew that the Lakers would definitely give enough sincerity in this sign-and-trade.

But the point is…

If this trade really goes through…

Then the careers of Miličić and Odom can also be called legendary.

"Uh… the general trade framework is indeed like this.

As for the specific details, we can still talk about them." Looking at Riley, who saw through his thoughts at a glance, Kupchak said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Very good, it just so happens that I have always regretted trading Darko.

And in the past two years, his growth progress has also been delayed by you in Los Angeles.

But…

You should know that because Su has the right to veto a trade, I have never asked him to leave anything for the Heat when he leaves when I discussed it with him…

So, are you sure you can convince Su?" Riley asked, looking at Kupchak.

At Riley's house, Kupchak and Jerry West never expected that their negotiations with Riley would be so simple and easy.

But as Riley said…

The right to decide where Su Feng wants to go this summer is not in the hands of the Heat.

And Miami would never use moral kidnapping to demand that Su Feng must leave something for Miami.

"That is the last promise I made to Su.

I won't break my promise."

At the end of the negotiation, Riley said to Kupchak and Buss.

Although Riley has always been cold-blooded in Su Feng's eyes.

But this time, he Riley is just going to play human with Su Feng.

Of course, apart from human…

Compared to the ideas that the Trail Blazers had proposed to him before, Riley also prefers the chips given by the Lakers.

After all, with Rajon Rondo having proven himself, the Heat don't particularly need Chris Paul.

As for the forward…

With the Heat's bloated forward line right now…

Please, does the Heat want a Garnett who is about to turn 31…

Or a Miličić who will only be 23 next year?

If Miličić is the flop in Su Feng's memory…

Then Riley would definitely choose the former without hesitation.

But after Miličić's fate deviated due to someone's influence…

Riley, knowing that the Heat will focus on rebuilding in the next few years after Su Feng leaves, prefers the latter.

And if you want to talk about human…

As for the Trail Blazers…

What do they have to compare with his Riley and the Lakers' connection?

"35 years…

Jerry, I didn't expect us to be so old already."

That day, after seeing off Kupchak and Buss…

Looking at the Miami sky…

Riley couldn't help but think of those things from his playing days.

…

ps: The first 6k big chapter that failed to grab the first floor is here! The second chapter is pretty gkd!

ps2: Starting from the next chapter, the series of foreshadowings will start to fire one by one! For example, the Stone of Destiny's Bond, which you have never guessed what it's for…