Chapter 23 23rd

Last night, after showing off a wave of "yin language" in New Jersey, the Raptors returned to Toronto and suffered their second defeat since the start of the new season.

It turns out that even the strongest teams find it difficult to survive a back-to-back-to-back schedule.

And it is worth mentioning that the team that defeated the Raptors this time was still...

...the Pacers.

Larry Bird, with his team well-rested, once again demonstrated his art of coaching.

In Toronto, the Pacers, playing as visitors, initially sent out the Antonio Davis and Dale Davis duo.

It wasn't until the second quarter that Bird, deliberately feigning weakness, suddenly replaced them with veterans Schrempf and Mullin.

Relying on multiple points of attack, the Pacers quickly established a lead of nearly 10 points by the end of the first half.

Then, in the second half, just when people thought the Pacers would engage in positional warfare and grind it out with the Raptors...

...Bird did the opposite.

He sent out substitute players Harrington, Rose, and Best to engage in a high-speed chase with the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre.

Limited by the fatigue of three games in three days, even the Raptors, with a tough and resilient core like Su Feng, couldn't handle it on this night.

So, in the third quarter, after the Pacers gradually widened the score, John Davis decisively called it quits in the fourth quarter for the Raptors.

In a shortened season, winning too many games wouldn't mean much for the Raptors, so in Davis's view, for some games that could be lost, the Raptors didn't need to pay unnecessary prices.

And just like that, the Pacers completed a season sweep of the Raptors.

For a time, Larry Bird, a legend who had made a name for himself in the NBA as a player, naturally became an object of study and emulation for many coaches whose mental states had been crushed by Davis...

...eager to learn and imitate.

But...

After the game, in an interview, Bird ruthlessly crushed the hearts of countless "Van Gundys" with the phrase, "Actually, I don't know how we won."

Moreover, to avoid people thinking he was showing off, the King of Showing Off, Bird, added, "If you don't believe me, you can watch the game tape.

Honestly, if you have to ask me the secret to defeating the Raptors, in my opinion, the most important thing is to pray before the game that luck will be on your side."

Well...

Bird, who was just telling the truth, couldn't have imagined that his statement that only luck could defeat the Raptors would be repeatedly mentioned countless times in the future...

...

On the 24th, the Raptors rested for a day.

On the 25th, the entire Raptors team traveled to Boston, preparing for their fourth game in nearly five days.

Before this game against the Celtics began, Davis, who had been getting along well with Jordan in the new season, had a dispute with the "Old Rogue."

The reason was that because the intensity of the games in the shortened season was too high, Davis hoped that Jordan could accept rest in the upcoming games.

However, the concept of "health basketball" was too ahead of its time in the 90s.

Just like his good buddy Barkley, who he hadn't fallen out with yet, do you think Jordan would agree to rest?

Not unless Su Feng broke his leg.

"I can't rest, John. Just carry me off the court after I die!" Jordan said firmly to Davis.

Helpless.

Looking at the stubborn Old Jordan, even if Davis flipped through *Emotional Intelligence* he wouldn't know how to persuade him to rest for a while.

You need to know that while Jordan was durable, no one could guarantee that the 36-year-old Jordan wouldn't have an accident in this shortened season.

Just when Davis and Jordan were arguing, at a critical moment, whether the sky in Toronto was clear...

...naturally depended on Su Feng.

Knowing that he couldn't persuade Jordan with *Emotional Intelligence* at this time, Su Feng decisively pulled out the masterpiece *Overall Situation* from his crotch.

"Michael, you know, in my eyes, even if you're 50, you can play 40 minutes per game in the NBA without any problem." Patting the "Old Rogue" on the shoulder, Su Feng said to him with an adoring look.

After a satisfied "Oh," Jordan was now willing to listen to Su Feng continue.

"But, Michael, have you forgotten our previous plan?" Su Feng winked at Jordan frantically.

Although he didn't react immediately, as a "smart person," to avoid being mistaken by the young people watching at this time for having the same IQ as Carter, Jordan decisively nodded.

"Michael, trust me, whether it's for the team to go further in the playoffs or for yourself, resting now will definitely only benefit you," Su Feng said with a smile.

After noticing Jordan's suspicious expression, which was already beginning to bite...

Su Feng quickly reeled in the net.

Next, Su Feng first analyzed the recent market and public opinion trends for Jordan;

Then, Su Feng analyzed his current physical condition for Jordan;

Finally, in the face of the championship, Jordan, whose emotional intelligence hadn't been returned to God yet, was completely moved by Su Feng.

In short...

For Jordan, who was already 36 years old, if he continued to act like a hero, it would be fine if he succeeded, but what if he failed?

At the beginning of the season, in addition to setting the general policy of "inheriting basketball" with Jordan, Su Feng wanted Jordan to maintain his senior persona as much as possible to cooperate with the subsequent script propaganda of "old soldiers never die."

In the field of competitive sports, no one can defeat time.

However, old soldiers never die is definitely the most tear-jerking script in competitive sports.

In his previous life, even though Su Feng wasn't a car fan, when the old boys of Chelsea were moving forward, he was willing to cheer for Chelsea at the time.

But...

It's also poisonous to talk about.

Because if you look at the history of modern soccer, you'll find that Bayern is simply a dream-come-true team in the soccer world.

Cough, I'm digressing again, let's get back to the point.

Under the flicker of Su Feng's perfect composition, Jordan quickly made his choice based on his own situation.

"No problem, I can accept rest in the regular season," Jordan said, touching Su Feng's head.

Looking at Su Feng, who had subdued Jordan so well, Davis felt for a moment that he had seen this scene somewhere before.

But whatever, as long as Boss Jordan is willing to rest, it would be great news for the Raptors.

Because the Raptors' position as the league's number one team is already rock solid, so it's still the same principle...

In a shortened season, as long as they can secure the league's top spot, winning a few more games or losing a few less games doesn't really matter in Davis's view.

So, on the 25th, just as the Raptors were heading towards Boston, as news spread that Jordan was injured in training, countless "50-year Raptors fans" began to express their concerns about the Raptors' future...

"Michael is definitely the most 'dedicated' player I've ever seen.

All the achievements he has made in the past are related to his hard work.

However, just like even the best sports car needs to stop occasionally to refuel and repair.

I think Michael needs to rest for a while."

Before the game against the Celtics began, when asked how long it would take for Jordan to return, Davis said with a "heavy" heart.

"If Michael were as young as I am now, if Michael were as strong as he was when he won three consecutive championships, then in my opinion, no injury could stop him.

However, he is now 36 years old. Although I also believe that Michael will not grow old, the reality is so cruel. Next, as the leader of this Raptors team, I will lead the Raptors to continue moving forward.

Huh? How long will Michael be out?

To be honest, I don't know either.

But I know that people's dreams will not stop." Su Feng, who attended the pre-game press conference with Davis, said in an interview.

In this way, under the deliberate guidance of Su Feng and Davis, the high-spiritedness of Jordan's youth;

And the invincibility when he reached his peak;

And the image of a hero in his later years who would not grow old...

Was established.

As the saying goes, even the best stars need packaging.

New York, after noticing the Raptors' publicity intentions, Stern immediately cooperated by having the media start reporting on Jordan's age, his fighting spirit, and his professionalism.

In his previous life, if Wizards Jordan could have appeared in front of people with a different persona, then even if the Wizards' record was terrible, Jordan's career would have been more glorious.

In this life, after fate was completely tied to Jordan, Su Feng knew very well that in the future, on the topic of "surpassing Jordan," he, who had already jumped the gun by 99 meters, was not afraid that Jordan's image would be taller and more glorious than in his previous life.

Because if Jordan's image wasn't tall enough, then was he, the God-slayer, slaying a nobody?

No one knew better than Su Feng, who sparred with Jordan every day in training, that the current 36-year-old Boss Jordan could no longer take on the persona of "God of Basketball"...

So, as early as the beginning of the season, Su Feng had planned everything for Jordan.

Instead of spending all his effort competing for who was the Raptors' boss, why not achieve each other and climb that unattainable peak together?

Boston, before the big battle between the Raptors and the Celtics began, public opinion had completely sided with the Raptors.

At the North Shore Garden Arena, the "aging" Auerbach also patted Duncan on the shoulder before the game and said, "Tim, I know you and Su have a good private relationship.

However, you must remember that once you're on the court, you two are enemies.

There's only one championship in the NBA, and in the era to come, Su will definitely be your number one enemy."

For the battle-hardened Auerbach, he knew very well that once Jordan stepped down, even if Su Feng was a "foreigner," based on his achievements of having defeated peak Jordan head-on, his reputation would definitely surpass those of the players of the same era.

Based on the recent trends in the NBA's publicity, Auerbach knew that Stern was intentionally promoting Su Feng as the leader of international players to promote the NBA's globalization.

So...

Auerbach, who hoped that Duncan would become the NBA's number one player in the future, didn't want Duncan to go easy on Su Feng.

Because in competitive sports...

Love and hate are the way to go.

However, this time, the "Red Bishop's" worries were a bit superfluous.

Because how could Duncan possibly go easy on Su Feng?

Look, during the pre-game warm-up, how enthusiastically did Duncan touch Su Feng's head?

"The current NBA is really run by young kids.

Tonight, let's see if the young player Duncan is better or if the young player Su Feng can lead the Raptors to bite down on this highly anticipated battle, which is known as a preview of this year's Eastern Conference Finals, in the absence of Michael Jordan," Zhang said jokingly during the pre-game preview on Great Celestial Dynasty TV.

Young player Duncan, young player Su Feng...

God knows if the barrage of comments 20 years from now will cry and laugh while reliving Zhang's commentary quotes.

At the Boston venue, after the two teams finished warming up, the starters of both sides stepped onto the court one after another.

Raptors: Big Ben, Smith, Su Feng, Carter, Nash.

Celtics: Duncan, Radja, Bowen, Ray Allen, Marbury.

In the new season, as in Su Feng's memory, to allow Duncan to avoid the monster O'Neal in the awards selection, Auerbach changed Duncan's registered position to power forward.

Of course...

In the actual game, Duncan was undoubtedly the true center of this Celtics team.

At the center of the court, after the jump ball, the Celtics took the first offensive.

In the new season, Marbury, who had been trained to be extremely well-behaved by Auerbach, averaged 18.9 points, 8.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.

From the perspective of his cooperation with Duncan, in this life, Marbury, wearing the Celtics jersey, was not only more efficient, but also able to unleash his offensive talent when he needed to score.

Nash couldn't stop Marbury's breakthrough, so Davis once again chose a defensive mismatch on defense tonight.

That is, Su Feng would guard Marbury, while Nash would guard Bowen.

No matter how Bowen changed, his offensive ability was limited.

Therefore, no matter how anxious Nash's defense was, Bowen couldn't blow him out.

However, just as Su Feng was entangled with Marbury, the solid young player Duncan came up with a smile and gave him an elbow.

Su Feng, who failed to get around Duncan's screen, didn't get angry and directly chose to switch defense with Smith.

However, although Su Feng's choice was decisive, the Celtics had already formed two mismatches on the court at this time.

There is a saying in the NBA:

...the best offensive routine is not as good as playing a good pick-and-roll.

Because as long as the pick-and-roll tactic can be played smoothly, even if it can't directly form an offensive, it can indirectly create a mismatch.

On the court, Marbury didn't give the ball to Duncan.

After dribbling between his legs continuously, the very individualistic Marbury went straight to Smith's defensive zone.

0 to 2.

Marbury shook off Smith and scored a layup to give the Celtics the first advantage.

Back on the other end, the Raptors quickly inbounded the ball from the baseline.

As Su Feng reminded before the game, Nash, who was responsible for dribbling the ball in transition, avoided all kinds of "minefields" along the way.

Honestly...

If it wasn't for Su Feng helping to clear the mines, even a dribbling master like Nash would have suffered in the North Shore Garden Arena.

However, to "avoid mines," Nash's speed in crossing the half-court line was definitely not as fast as usual.

So, taking advantage of the situation, the Celtics' retreat defense was also in place.

However, just when people thought the Raptors were going to switch to positional play, suddenly...

Nash pulled the trigger on his sniper rifle!

To prevent Nash from breaking through in the first place, Marbury, who retreated slightly further, was stunned...

Heh, did you really think that Nash, who mainly focused on assists, wouldn't score?

In Su Feng's previous life, it wasn't a joke to say that Nash could win the scoring title.

Because, strictly speaking, Nash wasn't a purely traditional point guard.

He was more like a combination of a traditional point guard like Stockton and an offensive point guard like Curry.

If Nash's physical fitness could be better, then theoretically...

In the 21st century, the "Sun King" would definitely have dominated the NBA.

Swish!

3 to 2.

On the court, after scoring, Nash touched the bottom of his shoe with his hand, and then after licking it, he took the initiative to extend his hand to Su Feng in preparation for a high-five while retreating on defense...

"..."

...

ps: I've been organizing my bedroom since I got home, I'm so tired. (My parents really didn't plan to leave me a bedroom...)