Chapter 1 The Sky is Azure

The sky is azure.

Outside the window is Kobe Bryant.

The American West Arena.

In the first quarter, watching that "bastard" who had been chatting and laughing with him before the game about whether they should give Su Feng's team a little leeway, but who never passed the ball back after receiving it...

James, feeling bitter in his heart, just wanted to ask...

Why did he and Su Feng both wear No. 23...

But why was there such a big difference in how this No. 24 played when collaborating with them?

Bro!

Stop friggin' bricking those shots!

If you keep bricking them, tonight we're both going to be nailed to the pillar of shame!

James felt bitter, but he didn't want to say it.

On the court, in the first quarter, against the fluid offense of Su Feng's team...

James' team, which had thought "I have the advantage" before the game, was like "Young Master Yin" taking on "YJJ's wife," getting slaughtered and scrambling all over the place. (Note 1)

Kobe was the only bright spot for James' team in the first quarter.

Although his repeated bricking of shots, with 5 of 12 made, in this kind of exhibition game was truly painful for allies and delightful for enemies...

But, look at the starting lineup of James' team...

If Kobe didn't shoot, who would?

On the court, Yao and Duncan, who only wanted to slack off, not to mention showcasing their power in the paint...

Even when they occasionally had a chance to perform, Little Yao, who had become more and more crafty in recent years, was only concerned with his own enjoyment.

What?

Go to the paint and bang against Jefferson?

Are you kidding me? I'm a tough guy who's 226 centimeters tall!

Have you ever seen a self-proclaimed iron-blooded tough guy go into the paint to fight in the flesh?

And so it was.

In the first quarter, when James and Kobe thought that Yao Ming, who was actively calling for the ball, was finally going to settle scores with his unlucky Feng-ge...

On the court, Little Yao immediately used an unexpected "hook-shot three-pointer" that scared James and Kobe into a cold sweat and drew bursts of applause from the fans.

In the All-Star Game, fans love to see this.

And aside...

Seeing that Little Yao had shown off a bit...

How could "Young General" Duncan allow him to steal the show?

Isn't it just a "hook-shot three-pointer"?

I can do it too!

James, Kobe: "..."

Well...

In the starting lineup of James' team, Little Yao and Little Duncan were just playing around, so you ask why Kobe had to turn off the passing button and attack himself?

Because if he didn't attack...

Then you can't expect Lewis, who was voted into the starting lineup by the Magic fans, to attack, right?

To be honest, over the years, Su Feng has really couldn't understand why these guys who chose horses with him were so superstitious about the Yao-Duncan combination.

Didn't they know that these two were a "Bp trap" in the All-Star Weekend horse selection process?

On the surface.

This year, James' team's hard power overwhelmed Su Feng's team.

However, James' team, which treated the All-Star Game purely as an entertainment game, was doomed from the start to be no match for the iron-blooded Su Feng's team.

Paul, Wade, and Anthony all wanted to win this year's All-Star Game MVP.

Therefore, on the court, whenever they had a chance, these three tried their best to make their stats look better.

And Jefferson was even more needless to say.

In order to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start in the All-Star Game, rebounds, defense, second-chance points...

In the first quarter alone, Jefferson, who treated the All-Star Game as if it were the Finals, contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds for Su Feng's team.

And on the other side...

James, who had finally waited for Kobe to get tired...

Discovered in a daze...

That tonight, his banana boat brothers not only wanted to mess with his mentality...

They simply wanted to beat him to death and then dance on his "grave"!

The American West Arena.

At the end of the first quarter, James' team trailed 29-49.

In the second quarter, both teams made personnel adjustments.

After all, in the All-Star Game, no matter how anxious James and Kobe were, they couldn't dominate the ball for the entire game.

However, before the start of the second quarter...

Whether it was the commentators or James and Kobe, they all firmly believed that James' team's substitutes would definitely be able to help the team close the gap.

Because the second unit composed of Howard, Nowitzki, Pierce, Ray Allen, and Iverson not only had speed, defense, and spacing...

But also, in terms of hard power, completely crushed Chandler, Stoudemire, Roy, Ginobili, and Little Fatty on Su Feng's team's side.

But...

Less than 5 minutes into the second quarter, James and Kobe couldn't sit still on the sidelines.

Speed?

Now that Iverson only wanted to assist Yao-di in winning another championship...

Did you expect him to be serious in this kind of game?

Defense?

Howard really wanted to show himself.

But how could one Howard defend the guards on Su Feng's team who were determined to prove themselves?

Nowitzki, Pierce, and Ray Allen didn't want to waste their precious energy in this kind of entertainment event.

So, why should they use their hands and feet when they could defend with their eyes?

As for spacing...

Howard, who had just transformed into Batman and won the dunk contest championship last night, was dumbfounded.

Because he never dreamed that with a group of shooters around him, he would not only have to shoulder the team's offensive burden on his own...

And, these people watched him being surrounded...

As if it had nothing to do with them!

No!

Guys!

Shoot a few!

Uh...

Actually, Howard had really misunderstood Nowitzki, Pierce, Ray Allen, and others.

Because the reason everyone gave him the right to shoot was to let him show off his offensive skills learned from Olajuwon and Ewing in front of the world, right?

It's a pity...

Facing Chandler, who also wanted to seize his only opportunity to play in the All-Star Game...

Howard's discus throwing performance that night was really hard to describe in a word.

In the middle of the second quarter, in order to stop the widening gap, James' team's coach Carlisle quickly replaced Garnett and Billups.

As a result...

Just as Howard was about to have a mental breakdown because of Chandler's real defense and real attacks...

Looking back, seeing Garnett repeatedly watching Chandler cooperate with Little Fatty under the basket to complete alley-oops...

Howard was completely dumbfounded!

No!

Brother Kevin!

Didn't you see that I was being bullied?

Garnett: I saw it, but isn't this the All-Star Game?

Howard: But our opponents are not treating this game as the All-Star Game!

Garnett: Although but... what does it have to do with me?

If it had been a few years ago, Garnett might have played seriously in the All-Star Game for a while...

But look at the Western Conference landscape this year...

Why should he, Garnett, waste his precious energy on saving Howard's smile?

And vice versa...

Exactly as Su Feng had predicted before the game.

The members of Su Feng's team, all of whom were try-hards, were treating the All-Star Game as if it were the Finals.

In the last 4 minutes of the second quarter, when James and Kobe returned to the court, James' team was already trailing by 35 points.

…

The American West Arena.

At the end of the first half, James' team trailed 59-89.

And the experts and commentators in the commentary booth, who had all confidently predicted that James' team would win this year, were also dumbfounded.

Because of the viewing experience that the two teams brought tonight...

You could probably say that Su Feng's team was a level higher than James' team, and they would believe it.

During the halftime break, in order to keep some suspense for the last quarter...

Su Feng gave these young people, who didn't know how to hold back, a good lesson.

However, in the third quarter...

Although Paul, Wade, and Melo all wanted to give Su Feng face...

But...

With a large lead, when Paul and Anthony, who were playing more and more relaxed, successively hit multiple ultra-long three-pointers on the court...

On James' team's side, James and Kobe's eyes gradually lost their luster.

At this point in the game, James and Kobe were well aware that everyone could no longer play happily together.

And TNT, which has always liked to stir things up, took the opportunity to raise a question that was both cruel and heartless.

Just asking.

Was "23+24" more powerful, or was Su Feng's "23" more powerful?

Without a doubt.

This was a question that trashed both of them.

Because Wade, who was on the same team as Su Feng tonight, had scored 30 points in the first three quarters alone.

Therefore, for the audience, when they heard this question, they would definitely subconsciously feel that Su Feng was more powerful.

But in reality...

Looking at the process of this game...

It didn't have any reference value at all.

Because you say Su Feng is powerful?

Wake up...

In this game, Su Feng, who only played 19 minutes, only had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists when he was substituted.

The American West Arena.

In the end, after Kobe and James both shut down in the fourth quarter, Su Feng's team smoothly won this year's All-Star Game.

The final score of the two teams was 127-159.

After the game, Wade, who scored a total of 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists for Su Feng's team, happily took away this year's All-Star Game MVP.

But...

If we really want to compare stats, then in Su Feng's opinion, Jefferson, who had 24 points and 21 rebounds in this game, was obviously more deserving of the MVP honor.

It's a pity...

Due to his appearance, the judges didn't consider Jefferson at all when they were selecting.

And in an interview, Wade also said excitedly that the reason he played so hard in this game was mainly because he wanted to repay Su Feng for using his priority pick to select him in the selection process.

"Shortly after selecting me, Su called me and told me on the phone that in his mind, I was the number one player in the league besides him."

"Therefore, I think there is no better way to repay Su's trust in me than with action."

Then, Wade also thanked his teammates who fought alongside him this year.

And then...

It was time for the popular segment where Kobe glared at Su Feng and asked if, in his mind, Wade was stronger than him.

"Isn't that obvious?

Dwyane is definitely the strongest shooting guard in this league now!" Patting Kobe on the shoulder, Su Feng said unceremoniously.

Kobe: "..."

Goodbye, Su dog!

From today on, if I say another word to you, then I will... I will...

"Didn't I say before that you and I are players of the same level?

So, excluding me, doesn't that mean excluding you and me?" Patting Kobe on the shoulder, Su Feng pretended to be speechless.

Kobe: "..."

Good... you...

Good you, Su Feng!

I...

Where am I as strong as you said?

But...

Since even you think so, then I can accept it.

On the sidelines, with his arm around Su Feng's shoulder, at this moment, Kobe had forgotten how many shots he had bricked that night and shut down with James for an entire game.

And now...

Looking at the huge stadium...

James discovered...

That tonight, he seemed to be the only one who was sad about losing to Su Feng's team by a large margin.

Especially when Wade said that in Su Feng's mind, he was the number one player in the league besides Su Feng...

James, trembling with anger, felt as if he had suddenly arrived in Antarctica.

Unhappy.

Not happy.

In that moment...

Everyone's face was smiling...

But only James couldn't smile no matter what.

Fortunately...

Kobe had Su Feng to comfort him.

James also had his Akron brothers to give him a little warmth at this time.

"LeBron, even if the whole world is against you.

In my heart, you are still the best player in this league!" After the game, Curry, who had come to watch the game tonight, said while handing James a bucket of popcorn.

And hearing this...

Looking at this little cutie who was born in the same hospital as him...

James immediately felt...

That his chest didn't hurt so much anymore.

Rubbing Curry's head, James, whose eyes regained their luster, smiled and said, "Thank you, Stephen."

Curry spread his hands and said, "Why are you thanking me? Aren't we the best brothers?"

James nodded and grabbed a handful of popcorn with his big hand.

Then...

Whether it was pain or troubles...

The sweet, greasy popcorn immediately cheered James up again.

…

The All-Star Weekend ended, and the NBA's 08/09 season arrived at the annual closing moment.

As a result...

Just after returning to Los Angeles with Kobe, Su Feng and the team were hit hard by the Celtics in late February.

On February 19th, in an away game, the Celtics first defeated the Lakers 119-112.

And then, on February 25th...

In the second game between the two teams, in Boston, Su Feng's former beloved general, Stackhouse, staged a good show of "warming wine and beheading Su-Kobe."

Until 18.8 seconds before the end of this game, the Lakers were still leading 107-105.

But who would have thought that Stackhouse, who was brought up by Karl at the last moment, hadn't even had time to drink the health tea that his teammates had just brewed for him, would score a key three-pointer to overtake the score for the Celtics.

On the sidelines, seeing this, Coach Lu immediately requested a timeout to arrange the final attack.

It's a pity...

After the timeout, Dragic made a fatal mistake when passing the sideline ball.

This guard, who hadn't made many mistakes throughout the entire season, chose to pass the ball with a bounce pass when serving.

And then...

It was still Stackhouse.

He intercepted the sideline ball that Dragic was preparing to pass to Kobe.

And at the same time, he pulled Su Feng and Kobe's thoughts back to thirteen years ago.

Thirteen years ago...

On that sunny Philadelphia afternoon...

Su Feng and Kobe, who had not yet entered the NBA, had "warmed wine and beheaded Stackhouse" in a one-on-one game...

They had initially established their confidence that they would definitely be able to do great things in the NBA in the future.

And thirteen years later...

At this moment...

It was almost like...

That time!

On the court, Stackhouse's fast break after stealing the ball completely ended the suspense of this game.

And after he celebrated with his teammates, he picked up the health tea that his teammate had just handed him...

In a daze, Stackhouse found that the tea was still warm!

Online, after the Lakers were swept by the Celtics, in the season series...

Many fans who had previously thought that the Lakers were invincible suddenly felt their faces hurting like they had applied a chili-made mask.

And the group of fans who were good at jumping back and forth all sprayed Coach Lu and Van Gundy for their poor on-the-spot response in these two games, as well as the state of Su and Kobe.

But the group of fans might not believe it...

After these two games against the Celtics, Su Feng thought that the Lakers had indeed become much stronger than last season.

In the relatively long NBA season, winning or losing was just commonplace.

Therefore, more than losing, Su Feng was more gratified that through nearly half a year of running together, the Lakers, around him and Kobe, had basically "run" out a set of tactics that could allow everyone to achieve balance with each other.

And...

Don't forget, because the Lakers' rotation strategy started very early this season...

Therefore, when the playoffs arrived, Su Feng still believed that this Lakers team had room for improvement.

So, more than how people viewed this Lakers team...

At the end of the month, after returning to Los Angeles from Boston, Su Feng was obviously more concerned about Kobe's mental state after these two losses.

"No, if you lose, you lose. Why are you always glaring at people, Goran (Dragic)?" This day, on the training ground, looking at Kobe, Su Feng asked speechlessly.

Kobe glared at Su Feng angrily, "I can accept losing, but I can't accept losing this way!"

Su Feng sighed, "But... you've been glaring at him for almost two days, don't your eyes get dry?"

Kobe: "..."

"And compared to the last mistake...

Don't you think that if you had bricked a few less shots in the fourth quarter, we would have won?" Looking at Kobe, Su Feng said.

Kobe became anxious, "What do you mean I bricked a few less shots...

I also... only bricked a few."

Su Feng laughed, "In my opinion, it's because you were stimulated by Ray (Allen) again after the game, so you're so angry."

Kobe said angrily, "Where am I angry? Which eye saw me angry?"

Su Feng shook his head and said, "Don't worry, if we really get to the Finals, then I will definitely let you defend Ray."

Kobe glared at Su Feng, "Did I need you to say that? When the Finals arrive, if our opponent is the Celtics, even if I die, I will let that damn bastard know the price of angering me!"

Su Feng smiled and said, "I'm very curious, what exactly did Ray say to you at the time."

Kobe became more and more angry, "Why do you care about this?"

Su Feng put his arm around Kobe's shoulder and said, "Isn't it because I'm curious?"

Kobe shook his head helplessly and said, "Anyway, when the Finals arrive, Ray will die."

Su Feng reminded Kobe, "What if our opponent in the Finals is Little Yao and them?"

Kobe: "..."

Okay...

In fact, Ray Allen didn't say anything too excessive to Kobe at the time.

He just casually insinuated...

"Miller was right.

As long as we keep letting you attack, we can win."

…

ps: The first update of the 20th is here! 5000/15000!