Chapter 180 The Meaning of Sufu

After the mid-game break, at the American Airlines Center, Davis was the first to make adjustments.

In the third quarter, the Mavericks attacked first. After Finley's mid-range pull-up shot missed the basket, "The Clown" Howard replaced Kidd to mainly defend Su Feng.

Su Feng hadn't rested since Game 1.

But at the same time, neither had Kidd.

Therefore, in order for Kidd to survive this series, Davis knew that more Mavericks players had to step up to share the defensive pressure.

On the court, the Heat attacked.

In order to prevent Su Feng from easily receiving the ball on the court, Howard, with his height and long arms, not only gave Su Feng physical contact during defense but also constantly tested the referee's bottom line.

Like this ball.

From the beginning of keeping his hands behind his back to almost hanging his entire body on Su Feng when Su Feng ran, Howard was practically Su Feng's "second jersey" tonight.

Howard, knowing his own limitations, knew he didn't have Kidd's rich experience in taking hits, so at this moment, playing desperately was the only contribution he could make to the Mavericks.

As for the Mavericks' frantic "trading behavior," Riley on the sidelines couldn't help but start cursing.

Unfortunately...

The referees wouldn't waver in their completely different standards for judging Su Feng because of Riley's complaints.

Because back then, if Michael Jordan had received half the treatment of future outside stars, how could "Old Rogue" have left behind only that trash data of averaging "30+" points per game for consecutive seasons in the NBA?

Since the Bulls first won the championship...

After Jordan, like Su Feng today, displayed his monstrous ability to 1v5 on the court, Jordan's average free throw attempts became the NBA's "eternal mystery."

Because if it were Jordan after his first retirement comeback, you could perhaps say that it was because he changed his style of play, relying more on jump shots to finish, which led to a decrease in his free throw attempts.

But considering the way Jordan attacked the basket before his first retirement...

Can you believe that his average free throw attempts for two consecutive regular seasons never exceeded 8 times?

And it was even more ridiculous in the playoffs.

Because anyone with a little common sense should know that a ruthless person like Jordan only played around in the regular season, and only started working seriously in the playoffs.

However, apart from a few times late in his career when the NBA referees felt sorry for Jordan...

In those years when Jordan was attacking the basket most fiercely, his average free throw attempts in the playoffs consistently hovered around 8.

In Su Feng's previous life, after LeBron James angered Stern due to "Brothers Basketball," many James fans felt sorry for James because his free throw attempts visibly declined during his time with the Heat.

But in fact...

Even James, who was targeted in this way, had roughly the same average free throw attempts as Jordan back then.

Admittedly, as an unprecedented outside tank in this league, James would charge the basket once or twice more per game than Su Feng and Jordan.

But...

Conversely, the kind of behavior where opposing defensive players could blatantly employ a "strengthened version of the HC rule" against Su Feng on the court was something James had never experienced in Su Feng's memory.

On TNT, watching Howard's fencing-style defense against Su Feng, which was a punch-to-punch, flesh-to-flesh affair, Barkley said with emotion, "Tonight, the other eight players are living in the 21st century.

Only Su and his defender are still living in the 90s."

New York, NBA headquarters.

At this moment, Mark, Stern's future successor, was once again confused.

Because, with his limited knowledge, he couldn't understand...

Since Stern was so set on making Su Feng the god of this era.

Then why would he ask the referees to "take care" of Su Feng so especially in the games?

Perhaps sensing the confusion in Mark's heart, Stern smiled slightly at Mark and said, "There can be no absolute fairness in this world, Mark.

Because life is inherently unfair."

In short.

In Stern's eyes, promoting Su Feng and targeting him on the court were two completely different things.

In Su Feng's original timeline, if it weren't for the world-famous paintings left by the referees and Pistons players, how could Jordan have ascended to the throne of the first person so naturally?

Just like when James went to Miami, Stern was never angry about James leaving Cleveland after the end of his child labor contract and bundled contract. (Note 1)

As the man with the most tricks in this league.

Stern, who was good at manipulating public opinion, knew public opinion best.

Therefore, if Stern had really had the opportunity to confide in James back then...

Then he would definitely have told James this:

Silly child, even if you want to assemble a galactic battleship, don't take two other brothers with you to take a pay cut!

And now...

If Stern had the opportunity to confide in Su Feng...

Then he would definitely tell Su Feng this:

Good brother, do you see the crown and divine throne I have prepared for you?

Yes, right there.

As long as you can pass through that thicket of thorns ahead...

Then no one will dare to question your godhood.

Miami.

When the camera returned to the American Airlines Center, this "battle of the century" in Barkley's words had already reached a critical moment.

On the court, when Su Feng failed to receive the ball smoothly in the first instance, O'Neal was also subjected to a joint "shark capture" by Mavericks players in the low post.

In the restricted area, just as O'Neal received the ball, Chandler, Kidd, and Nowitzki abandoned their nearby defenders and went straight for O'Neal.

Unable to prepare for a pass in the first instance, O'Neal wanted to forcefully push Chandler away and put the ball in the basket like he did when he was younger.

But...

Time and age can't defeat the current Su Feng.

It doesn't mean that O'Neal can resist the erosion of his athletic ability by time and age.

If he could be just one or two years younger...

Then how could this level of defense possibly restrain this shark with the ability to stir up the seas?

Forced to do so.

In the Mavericks' restricted area, after failing to get a direct chance to attack the basket after turning around, O'Neal had to throw the ball to the outside.

On the court, Finley also grabbed O'Neal's soft pass from the air.

Dallas.

After withstanding the Heat's counterattack jointly launched by Su Feng and O'Neal in the second quarter, tonight, the door to victory had once again opened a crack for the Mavericks!

Just like how the Bulls fans couldn't understand why those 76ers could never be defeated!

The Dallas Mavericks also told the world with their actions tonight...

What it means to bet everything.

What it means to give everything!

Michael Finley, touchdown!

60 to 58!

On the sidelines, taking advantage of Brown's inattention, Davis secretly wiped away the sweat that suddenly flowed from his eyes.

Did you see it, Allen?

Did you see it, Su?

Did you see it, Ben?

That spirit of ours that overturned the Chicago Bulls back then has never disappeared.

At this time.

At the American Airlines Center.

On this Mavericks team.

That "I'm doing what's strongest" spirit...

Has not only been passed down.

And Davis believed that it would be remembered by the world until the end of the world.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

On the Mavericks' bench, led by Nájera, the Mavericks' reserve players had all come to the sidelines and were frantically waving the towels in their hands.

And in front of the TV...

After the game reached this point...

More and more neutral fans had begun to hope in their hearts...

That the Dallas Mavericks could create a miracle tonight!

"So, this is what it feels like to be the villain?" On the court, looking at the hope and fighting spirit in the eyes of all the Mavericks players...

Su Feng had roughly felt the helplessness that Jordan had felt when facing him back then.

Su Feng knew...

With the changes in the mentality of the two teams' players...

The Mavericks' chances of defeating the Heat in this Game 2 were constantly increasing.

On the court, the Heat attacked. With Su Feng and O'Neal's deterrence, Butler got an open look in the right corner.

Clang!

Unfortunately, Butler missed this great opportunity again.

And right after coming back, Nowitzki hit a three-pointer for the Mavericks on the outside.

Before this Finals even started, Nowitzki knew that he was far behind Su Feng.

But so what?

If you can't beat them, then don't play.

Then what are you playing basketball for?

Along the way this season, Nowitzki was very fortunate to have a group of like-minded teammates.

Therefore, even if he broke his legs, broke his arms, and could only sit in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Nowitzki didn't want to miss every second of the present.

Los Angeles, in front of the TV.

At this moment, Kobe admitted that he was jealous.

Because in Kobe's opinion...

Not being able to participate in such a great game...

Was simply the biggest regret of his life.

On the timer, time was passing by second by second.

And inside the arena, the air was becoming more and more stagnant.

In the third quarter, no one could have imagined that the Mavericks would be the first to make a move after the mid-game break.

Because in the eyes of the fans who had God's perspective...

Hadn't this Mavericks team already reached its limit in the second quarter?

In the second quarter, as Su Feng began to connect with O'Neal again...

Almost no one would doubt that the Heat would defeat the Mavericks in the second half with overwhelming force.

But as they played, people realized...

That they had far underestimated the Mavericks' fighting power.

Only Su Feng realized the seriousness of the problem during the mid-game break.

In basketball games, since you can have your moment, then your opponent will definitely have their moment too.

Because real basketball is ultimately not a novel.

You can't just lower the opponent's overall strength by casually talking badly about them.

Under the strong stimulation of the desire to win...

In the third quarter, the Mavericks not only accomplished many tasks that they would not have been able to accomplish under normal circumstances, but the Heat were also affected in their performance because of their desperate attitude on the court.

And with each other's ups and downs.

That's exactly what's happening at this moment.

But...

Even though the situation on the court was getting worse and worse.

Su Feng's expression, on the contrary, became more and more excited.

In the third quarter, as time passed...

Howard, who was responsible for guarding Su Feng, found it difficult to describe his current feelings in words.

Because for the young Howard...

This was also the first time in his life that he had encountered such an opponent.

He...

He seemed like a bottomless pit.

You can never see where his limit is.

American Airlines Center, with 2 minutes and 12 seconds left in the third quarter, because the Mavericks were leading 86-71 at this time, the Mavericks' supporters couldn't feel the...

The fear from the heart that Howard was feeling.

On the court, the Heat attacked.

Almost in an instant.

Su Feng disappeared from Howard's sight.

On the Mavericks' bench...

Before John Davis could shout a reminder...

Payton passed the basketball in his hand to Su Feng.

On the wing, O'Neal's screen was completed at the same time.

"When shooting, just gently support the basketball with your left hand."

On the court, after aiming at the basket, Su Feng shot this three-pointer as if from a textbook.

Swish!

86 to 74.

Perhaps, in the eyes of the fans, this was just a spot-up shooting opportunity that the Heat created for Su Feng through tactical movement.

But for Howard, who had been closely guarding Su Feng throughout the entire third quarter...

This ball greatly shocked his heart.

Because...

Just now, he was almost hugging Su Feng...

But Su Feng was able to break free from his defense.

What is the ebb and flow?

In the third quarter, as Howard desperately tried to prevent Su Feng from receiving the ball time and time again, his own physical strength was also rapidly depleting.

In the first 10 minutes of the third quarter, Su Feng only scored 6 points in this quarter.

Therefore, even the two "Feng fans" on TNT believed that Howard's performance on the defensive end today was comparable to Pippen's back then.

But Howard, who was responsible for guarding Su Feng, knew very well...

Although he did make it difficult for Su Feng to receive the ball to a certain extent, because Su Feng had an overwhelming strength advantage in this duel with him...

So rather than saying that he defended Su Feng...

It was better to say that Su Feng's own desire to attack was not strong in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter.

"Is this your true strength?"

On the court, watching Su Feng's back as he retreated, Howard had already become Su Feng's shape.

In the Heat's half, looking at O'Neal, who still dared to joke with him, Su Feng slapped his fat butt hard.

"Shaq, besides that screen just now, tell me what you did in the third quarter?" Looking up at O'Neal, Su Feng asked with a serious face.

As a veteran who had fought in the NBA for 9 years, Su Feng knew very well that no matter how good his stamina was, if he didn't allocate it reasonably, then he was very likely to experience physical exhaustion in a game like tonight.

However, the Mavericks tonight...

Played a little more unexpectedly than Su Feng had thought.

Even a few times when Su Feng wanted to exert his strength in advance, Howard successfully cut off Payton's passing line to him through his tenacious defense.

No way.

The old Payton was not Nash after all.

So if you want to blame...

Just blame Su Feng for never considering that he would not be able to receive passes from his teammates when he was in Toronto.

Therefore, compared to Howard's overly humble "self-perception"...

Su Feng agreed with Barkley and Smith's views.

At least in the third quarter tonight, Howard, who gave everything, did briefly reach the same height as Pippen back then in an intangible way.

And in this case...

Generally speaking, O'Neal's side must get a great one-on-one opportunity.

However, Davis, who was betting everything, chose to leave the rest of the Heat players open.

For the Heat fans on the scene and in front of the TV, Su Feng knew that they must have been blaming his second-in-command teammates in their hearts at that time.

But in Su Feng's eyes...

Even if they didn't make those sure shots, they shouldn't be blamed like this.

Because in basketball games...

Is it really that difficult to admit that the opponent is playing better than you?

Regardless of how the two teams performed before the game and in Game 1...

In Su Feng's opinion, the Mavericks' overall performance in this game tonight was above the Heat's.

Wasn't it also because they were working too hard on the defensive end that the Heat's second-in-command teammates' hands were affected?

And in this case, the Mavericks' players could still seize those opportunities...

Then you have to admit that they played well.

But...

If you choose to shoot 20 times just because the opponent is playing better than you...

Then in Su Feng's eyes...

He might as well go discuss opening a truck with Jordan.

So on the surface, Su Feng was "blaming" O'Neal.

But in reality...

Wasn't he also praising O'Neal?

On the basketball court, every player will have their moment.

Especially after reaching O'Neal's level.

Once they get caught up in it, no matter how others try to persuade them, you can't stop them.

But through that screen just now...

Su Feng knew.

O'Neal had found a way to reconnect with him.

For basketball players, growth is an endless topic.

Because in addition to the growth in strength, even many veterans who are nearing retirement still have room for growth in their mentality.

And what is obvious is...

In this Game 2 tonight, it was not just the Mavericks players who were growing.

Perhaps, the current Shaquille O'Neal can't resist the erosion of his physical functions by time and age.

But don't forget...

His innate size is still there!

In *Slam Dunk*, after constantly facing his height advantage, Uozumi finally understood that Ryonan didn't need him to defeat Akagi to win.

And at this moment...

After falling into the Mavericks' "shark-trapping formation" in the third quarter, O'Neal also understood that on this night, the Heat didn't need him to stir up the seas to win.

"You say, if I was willing to set a few more screens for Kobe back then, then would there be nothing for you to do?"

On the court, looking down at Su Feng, O'Neal, who was recalling the happy times he had with Kobe, said to Su Feng.

On the court...

Just when O'Neal thought Su Feng would retort, at this moment...

What he never expected was that Su Feng nodded!

"Although I only need one hand to suppress Kobe, if it was you back then...

Then even if Ben and Jermaine cheated on the court, it would be difficult for them to stop you." Su Feng nodded.

Alright...

In O'Neal's opinion, perhaps Su Feng was coaxing him.

But he didn't know why...

At this moment...

He really... really... really... wanted to set a screen for Kobe on the court again.

That year's "OK," this year's "Killing Frenzy."

Many people thought that it was the person next to O'Neal who changed.

But in fact...

O'Neal's change in mentality was the real reason why the "Killing Frenzy" combination was far superior to "OK."

Because you never know how disgusting a team-oriented fathead fish can be.

On the court, the Mavericks attacked. Nowitzki, who turned around and cut into the inside, was blocked mercilessly by O'Neal!

"Feel free to interfere with Dirk's shot, buddy!

As long as he scores after entering the three-point line, it's on me!"

Patting Haslem on the shoulder, O'Neal said.

And at that moment, Haslem always felt that the person standing next to him was no longer the O'Neal in his memory who liked to slack off on the court...

But...

A wall of sighs!

American Airlines Center, the Heat attacked.

O'Neal first set a screen for Payton on the wing, then pulled to the other side to screen for Butler.

Then in the high post...

As Su Feng's figure appeared.

O'Neal also blocked Kidd and Butler, who were chasing him, at the first moment for Su Feng!

This was not the kind of screen made to get a chance to cut to the basket.

Nor was it the screen that O'Neal usually made to help Su Feng score points.

That screen on the left side.

What O'Neal wanted was to let Payton take Kidd away.

And that screen on the right side was to allow Butler to smoothly enter his intended attack range under Finley's guard.

Obviously.

This was a pre-planned series of screens.

Because when Su Feng ran around the Mavericks' half like a sickle for a full circle...

Under O'Neal's several screens.

The entire Heat's offensive tactics were as clear as Riley's drawings on the tactical board!

On the Mavericks' bench, Davis was stunned.

Because this was...

What he knew best, and was most skilled at...

Four-protect-one!

When every Heat player regarded themselves as Su Feng's tool man...

When every Heat player's movement on the court was creating opportunities for Su Feng...

Miami.

The long-dormant white wave instantly rolled up.

Swish!

86 to 77.

"I am me, Su is Su, Gary is Gary, but when we are combined...

It's this...

Miami Heat!"

On the court, looking at Tyson Chandler, O'Neal raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said.

On the court, as Su Feng's three-pointer went in, Davis requested a timeout in front of the technical table.

Logically speaking, at this moment when the third quarter was about to end, Davis should have saved this timeout for the fourth quarter.

But Davis, who always had his own unique insights into the situation, knew...

Tonight...

The Dallas Mavericks had unknowingly awakened the most terrifying team in NBA history!

After the timeout, the Mavericks attacked.

Nowitzki posted up Haslem on the left side.

However, just as Little Dirk was preparing to use his golden rooster independence...

To use his tried-and-true trick to stabilize the situation for the Mavericks...

A big hand quietly appeared from the side and rear of his body!

Blocking Nowitzki from the front, even Su Feng wouldn't say such a stupid thing.

But that doesn't mean you can't stop Nowitzki's shot from the side.

It's just that Nowitzki couldn't understand...

When did Su Feng help defend him?

And he couldn't understand...

Why was Su Feng so sure that he would choose golden rooster independence instead of passing the ball?

It's right that Nowitzki couldn't understand.

Because this was something that only Su Feng and Haslem could understand at this moment.

It's very simple to say.

Because Su Feng knew that Haslem couldn't defend Nowitzki, and Haslem himself knew that he couldn't defend Nowitzki, so Haslem deliberately induced Nowitzki to complete this shot in front of him.

And the purpose...

Was to allow Su Feng, who happened to be nearby, to complete this block.

As for why he induced Nowitzki to shoot in front of him instead of trying to force Nowitzki to pass the ball?

Because of Su Feng's help defense ability.

Haslem had that kind of confidence.

On the court, after grabbing the second landing point under Su Feng's block, Haslem threw the ball to the Mavericks' half without even thinking.

Here!

In addition to having absolute trust in Su Feng's help defense ability...

Haslem also had no doubt about Su Feng's fast-break ability.

Just like Haslem knew that Su Feng would most likely choose a transition three-pointer instead of a long drive straight to the basket with this ball.

So after throwing the ball to the Mavericks' half, Haslem also decisively rushed to the frontcourt.

Because in case Su Feng didn't make the shot, he could still grab the rebound for the Heat.

And in front of the TV, at this moment, I don't know if Ben was crying, but Little O'Neal had already started crying.

Because if Carter had Su Feng's temper...

Then why wouldn't he, Little O'Neal, be willing to be Carter's dog?

Swish——!

American Airlines Center, Su Feng shot a transition three-pointer as Haslem had expected.

86 to 80.

With 49 seconds left in the third quarter, the Heat successfully forced the gap between them and the Mavericks to 6 points!

Dallas on the scene.

The Mavericks fans, who had originally started to fantasize that the Mavericks could return to Dallas with a 1-1 tie, suddenly couldn't hold back.

Because...

What did they have to do...

To defeat this Heat team?

The camera returned to the American Airlines Center.

Kidd missed a three-pointer, and O'Neal protected the backcourt rebound for the Heat.

The Heat attacked.

In order to seize two offensive opportunities in the final moments of the third quarter, on the court, just after passing halftime, stepping on the Heat's center circle logo, Su Feng completed the shot without hesitation!

Swish!

86 to 83!

Inside the arena, the Heat fans, who had felt hopeless about 2 or 3 minutes ago, were now completely immersed in the joy brought to them by the climax that Su Feng had suddenly set off.

And the pressure...

Had already returned to the Mavericks' side at this moment.

Clang!

Unfortunately...

Finley couldn't withstand this kind of pressure.

In the third quarter, after Su Feng ended his rampage at the end of the quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer...

86 to 86.

American Airlines Center, the cheers of MVP, MVP instantly enveloped the entire arena!

Without great opponents, there can be no great games.

Tonight, in the back-and-forth battle between the two teams...

The blood in the chests of basketball enthusiasts from all over the world had already been ignited.

Charlotte, looking out the window, holding his fist, this year, Stephen Curry was seventeen.

In Maryland, swallowing his saliva, trembling all over, Kevin Durant, who was about to turn seventeen, was also seventeen this year.

Los Angeles, looking at his Su Feng poster taped to the head of his bed, this year, Klay Thompson was fifteen.

And James Harden, who was also studying in Los Angeles and had not yet grown his big beard, was sixteen.

"You never understand what Su Feng means to the basketball world."

Many years in the future, this was a sentence that young people would often say.

However, as early as this summer of 2005...

The entire basketball world had already felt Su Feng's unparalleled influence on the sport of basketball.

And when the camera returned to Miami, back to the American Airlines Center.

It was a pity...

That the Dallas Mavericks ultimately failed to create a miracle on this night.

In the final quarter, after all the players of the two teams had used up their ammunition...

On the sidelines, Davis said with emotion, "You never know how many bullets are in Su Feng's ammunition box."

In the end, 105 to 114.

In Miami, the Heat successfully defended their second home game.

And Su Feng, who scored 55 points alone on this night...

Also made the Dallas Mavericks fans feel the despair that the Lakers fans had experienced in the past.

No miracle happened.

Because Su Feng...

Was that miracle.

...