Chapter 1 The Ominous Prelude

It was a classic case of building anticipation through suppression.

In late September, with the pre-season approaching, while NBA teams were busy reorganizing their forces...

In Miami, almost every other day, Heat fans were hearing negative news about Shaquille O'Neal from the media.

For instance, during one of the Heat's public training sessions, the media caught a glimpse of O'Neal and Su Feng nearly coming to blows.

As a result, reporters, through "investigations," learned that...

This ordinary O'Neal felt his tactical importance in the Heat was too low.

"T-Tactical importance?"

Online, after seeing the media reports, Heat fans, had O'Neal not been so heavy, might have rushed into the Heat's training facility to kick him into the sea.

Seriously...

Shaq, where did you get the courage to compete with Su Feng for tactical importance?

Was that courage given to you by Fish Leong?

What troubled Heat fans even more than O'Neal's attempt to compete with Su Feng for tactical importance was...

During a routine press conference on September 28th, Riley officially announced that O'Neal would miss the team's entire pre-season.

"Unfortunately, because Shaq hasn't controlled his weight as I requested, we won't be playing him in the pre-season."

Online, after the news of O'Neal's absence from the Heat's pre-season spread, in Los Angeles, Lakers fans felt sorry for Heat fans.

Because in the Lakers fans' eyes, the Heat were the Lakers' most loyal brothers in the league.

After all, if the Heat hadn't taken him in, wouldn't this "tumor shark" have ruined the Lakers?

As for the Lakers fans' consolation, Heat fans believed...

"Godfather" Riley was definitely going to fall into O'Neal's pit this time.

In October, in the latest announced team power rankings for the new season, considering the constant "negative news" coming from O'Neal, American experts ranked the Heat only eleventh.

Quoting ESPN columnist Barbas, "If it weren't for Su Feng's sake, I'd even think this Heat team would die from internal strife soon after the new season starts."

"Many older fans should know that when Shaq left Orlando, he had unpleasant news with Anfernee and the team's management.

And now, the same script is being played out in Miami.

However, compared to the strong "Big Shark" at the time, Shaq, who will be 33 years old next March, now only has his mouth left."

Although, Americans have always preferred confident players.

However, that doesn't mean they like players like O'Neal, who are ordinary but exceptionally arrogant.

"How was it? Was my acting convincing enough?"

However, little did these people who were mocking O'Neal online know that all of this was just the beginning of Su Feng helping O'Neal reshape his fish-persona.

"It was convincing enough... It's just that I wish you'd let me punch you a few times that day."

That day, in his mansion, while supervising O'Neal to eat the nutritious meal he had prepared for him, Su Feng said.

Hearing that...

O'Neal almost choked on the Kobe beef he had just cut.

Are you...

Are you kidding me!

Let you punch me a few times?

No cap, with Su Feng's current strength, even O'Neal couldn't withstand Su Feng's "Hokuto Shinken"!

"By the way, what did Kobe say about me in his texts recently?"

After taking a tactical sip of water, O'Neal asked curiously, turning his head to the other side.

At this moment...

Su Feng truly felt that both O'Neal and Kobe...

Were typical "tsundere" types.

Because just before O'Neal asked him, coincidentally, Kobe had also asked a similar question yesterday.

"Kobe told me not to go against you after seeing the news.

Because he said you actually don't have any bad intentions, you just want more possessions to prove yourself." After deliberately looking at his phone, Su Feng said to O'Neal.

Hearing that, O'Neal snorted and muttered, "Then why wasn't he as understanding when I was on the Lakers?"

Su Feng: "..."

How would I know about the breakdown of your own relationship?

"Actually... I've also been reflecting on myself recently.

Su, do you think I'm sometimes too serious with Kobe?

After all, I'm always older than him.

I shouldn't argue with him about some things." After a few seconds of silence, O'Neal continued to say to Su Feng.

In Su Feng's memory, if he remembered correctly...

O'Neal wouldn't have such insights until the end of his career, after he started his wandering mode.

However...

For some reason, Su Feng always felt like he was Kobe and O'Neal's "spare tire."

His main role had completely become a messenger for these two to probe each other's news.

"Don't worry, Su, in the last part of my career, I will do my best to assist you.

Now, I just want those who look down on me to know...

Even I, Michael Jordan is only worthy of shining my shoes!" Looking at Su Feng, O'Neal said seriously that day.

Hearing that, before Su Feng could feel sorry for "Boss Jordan" in his heart, his mind heard a long-lost but familiar "Ding"!

"Ding!

'Help Shaq Return to His Peak' series of quests has been activated.

In this past summer, you and the 'Big Shark' Shaquille O’Neal have successfully turned enemies into friends.

However, at this moment, he is facing criticism from the outside world.

And as his only reliance in his current heart, you, who have always liked to help others, are planning to help him reshape his 'fish-persona.'

'Shaq Returns' quest one, quest requirements: In the 04/05 season, help Shaq regain people's recognition.

Current recognition value: -9978512/10000000.

Quest completion reward: \[Natural Divine Power] badge.

Note: After completing the 'Help Shaq Return to His Peak' series of quests, the host can obtain a 'Destiny Bond Stone' fragment."

Su Feng: "..."

As a reading comprehension monster, Su Feng extracted the following keywords from the new mission released by the system in just a few seconds.

He is O'Neal's only reliance at the moment.

O'Neal's current recognition value, which is as high as negative 9 million.

And...

\[Natural Divine Power] badge.

In Su Feng's opinion, how miserable must O'Neal be to see him as his only reliance?

And that recognition value of over negative 9 million...

Seriously, even when Little Zhan Zhan was being hated the most, it wasn't this terrifying, right?

As for the \[Natural Divine Power] badge...

"\[Natural Divine Power] badge: When the host initiates a post-up or physical confrontation on the court, this badge will allow the host to more fully mobilize his own limit strength."

"Shaq, don't worry! From now on, I guarantee that no one will ever be able to talk loudly to you again!"

That day, patting O'Neal's sturdy back, in Su Feng's eyes, he was determined to befriend O'Neal no matter what!

Looking at Su Feng, who treated him like a "younger brother," at this moment, how could O'Neal remember that his actual age was 6 years older than Su Feng?

At this moment, in O'Neal's words...

From this second on, Su Feng was his older brother!

……

October 6th, before the start of the pre-season, as usual, the Heat held a media open day at the American Airlines Arena.

In the morning of the open day, before leaving home, Su Feng also followed the "ancient method" to check the progress he had made in the past year.

First, due to obtaining a large amount of national war forging points in this year's Olympic Games, Su Feng's current forging points had reached 8.8 billion. (Note 1)

Apart from some forging points that need to be maintained for normal consumption, Su Feng estimated that after the 04/05 season ends, he would be able to upgrade the forging system to version 3.0.

In addition, although he didn't know what the fragments of the 'Destiny Bond Stone' were for...

But as the final rewards for the "Miami Glory" and "Help O'Neal Return to His Peak" series of quests...

Su Feng believed that this thing would be very important to his future.

Secondly, judging from the current progress of the 'Maple Dance Steps', at the beginning of the season, Su Feng would be able to successfully transform the 'Serpentine Dance Steps' (Ginobili version) he had obtained before into his exclusive skill.

Unfortunately, because Su Feng's ability value had basically evolved to the bottleneck period...

So from the ability panel, Su Feng had made small progress in shooting and defense...

That passing and vision ability that had improved by only 10 points, in Su Feng's opinion, he had simply been standing still in the past year.

There was no way.

This summer, in order to win the gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games, Su Feng's summer special training time was less than before.

However...

As the branches of the \[Evergreen] badge skill tree became more and more abundant, now...

After completing various difficult requirements of the \[Evergreen] badge that you couldn't describe in words, Su Feng only needed to win an NBA assist title to completely light up the area where the \[Evergreen] badge was located.

According to the corresponding effect of the \[Evergreen] badge, as a passive badge that didn't need to occupy the badge equipment bar...

It could not only delay the decline in state brought about by aging after reaching a certain age, but also allow Su Feng to maintain relatively energetic physical functions after entering old age.

For Su Feng, who would turn 27 next year, the acquisition of this badge, in his opinion, was even more valuable than the NBA championship.

After all, the NBA is held every year.

But, after entering a certain age, even if you are a superstar, you will be arranged clearly by time.

Back then, it was with the help of time that Su Feng completed his reversal of Jordan.

Therefore, judging from the current situation where the rookies in the league wished he were dead...

The \[Evergreen] badge, in Su Feng's mind, was no less than six championship rings.

"Ding!

'Miami Glory' quest two has been activated!

Quest requirement one: Lead the Heat to 60 wins in the 04/05 season regular season.

Quest requirement two: Lead the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 04/05 season playoffs.

Quest requirement three: Lead the Heat to win the championship in the 04/05 season.

Reward for completing quest requirement one: 50 million forging points.

Reward for completing quest requirement one and quest requirement two at the same time: Unlock Miami Glory series quest three.

Reward for completing three quest requirements at the same time: A special moment card (golden legend).

Note: After completing the Miami series quests, the host will receive a fragment of the 'Destiny Bond Stone.'"

It is worth mentioning that, this day before going out...

The forging system also officially opened the second stage of the "Miami Glory" series quests for Su Feng.

As the series of quests that Su Feng opened after arriving in Miami, perhaps because he had even taken on the "Dragon Slaying" quest in his early years...

So Su Feng always felt that this quest had too low requirements for him before.

But this time...

Regardless of the current NBA landscape or the Heat's current strength...

Even Su Feng, who always liked to Versailles, didn't dare to guarantee that he would be able to complete all the requirements in this quest.

"Special moment card? What's this thing for?"

Because Su Feng could only check the specific uses of the special moment card after completing the third requirement of this quest...

So looking at this quest that was labeled "golden legend" by the system, Su Feng's curiosity was aroused.

……

On the 6th, according to the plan with Su Feng, at the Heat's media open day, O'Neal, who had a sullen face throughout the process, became the target of public criticism.

Looking at O'Neal, who was still "acting up," the reporters from Miami were so angry that their lungs were about to explode.

Fortunately, when taking the core team photo, after noticing that the Heat only arranged for Su Feng to take the photo alone, these reporters immediately felt extremely relieved.

However...

While they felt good about it...

In the eyes of discerning people, these small details that happened on the day of the media open day...

Were enough to prove that irreconcilable contradictions had arisen within the Heat.

Especially after Riley confirmed again that O'Neal would miss all of the Heat's pre-season games on this day.

For some reporters who came specifically to watch the drama, they smelled the gunpowder immediately.

Because O'Neal was watching from the sidelines at the performance match on the day of the media open day, the next day, many American media launched their speculation about the discord between O'Neal and Su Feng.

As more and more signs pointed out that Riley's idea of ​​countering Yao Ming and Duncan by trading for O'Neal had gone bankrupt, some pessimistic Heat fans even suggested to the team online:

Why don't we just tank next season and let Su Feng rack up the stats?

You know, now Su Feng is only 2676 points away from becoming the youngest 20,000-point scorer in NBA history.

Therefore, in the opinion of these fans, since the Heat's new season has been ruined by O'Neal, why not let Su Feng step on the gas and strive to create an unprecedented record after the end of the 04/05 season?

To date, the youngest 20,000-point record holder in the NBA is Wilt Chamberlain, who became a 20,000-point scorer at the age of 29 years and 134 days.

After him, Jordan was 29 years and 326 days old when he became a 20,000-point scorer.

In Su Feng's original timeline, in the future, Little Zhan Zhan was 28 years and 17 days old when he became a 20,000-point scorer.

And Durant and Kobe were 29 years and 103 days and 29 years and 122 days old, respectively.

Because high school players have a natural age advantage when hitting this record, so don't say...

The suggestions of these fans have really gained the approval of most people online.

After all, as the most direct embodiment of a player's dominance, even if data cannot represent everything, you cannot deny the importance of these records to Su Feng when he is being ranked in the future.

It's a pity...

Where did these fans know that, as a mature MVP, Su Feng not only wanted to become the youngest 20,000-point scorer in the NBA at the end of the 04/05 season, but also wanted to join forces with O'Neal...

To launch another attack on "building a dynasty" in Miami?

In fact, judging from O'Neal's state after the end of the summer, even if he wanted to play in the pre-season, Su Feng would advise him to rest peacefully.

Because after experiencing a summer of devil training, with O'Neal's aging body...

You always have to give him some time to apply lubricating oil and replace parts.

As for team integration and competition status...

Based on the rich experience of this O'Neal, if missing a few pre-season games would lead to his poor state...

Then Su Feng might as well retire on the spot.

As the general director of this drama between Su Feng and O'Neal...

As early as when Riley learned of Su Feng's idea, he immediately raised his hands and feet to Su Feng.

As a coach and general manager who knows very well how to use public opinion to create exposure for the team, Riley knows that this big drama between Su Feng and O'Neal can not only put the Heat at the high point of public opinion from the beginning of the season.

And, once O'Neal slaps people in the face like crazy in the game...

Then, the attention and interest in this Heat team will only get higher and higher.

In short...

Now, Riley has built the stage for Su Feng and O'Neal.

And next, it's time to hand the stage over to the "actors" to "perform"!

……

In early October, before the start of the pre-season, the arms race for the new NBA season was still continuing.

And among them, the most eye-catching thing is probably the deal between Boozer and the Bucks that is in full swing.

The same as in Su Feng's memory, although the pit team has changed, the pit that should come will never be late.

This summer, in order to complete the contract renewal with Boozer, this potential rookie, the Bucks discussed with Boozer that they would give up Boozer's team option and release him as a free agent.

As a result, after the discussion between the two parties, Boozer also nodded and agreed that he would accept the offer of 6 years and 41 million that the Bucks gave him.

However...

Next, just when the Bucks were happily preparing to build the team around Boozer, an offer from Utah completely disrupted their plan.

Facing the 6 years and 68 million offered by the Jazz, Boozer didn't even think about it and turned to embrace the Jazz.

And now...

The Bucks management can be said to have exploded on the spot.

Because...

Trust between people, after this night, in the eyes of the Bucks management, will no longer exist.

Online, whether Chinese media or American media, when reporting this incident, they all used words such as rebellious and betrayal.

A person cannot stand in the world without trust.

Back then, the reason why Su Feng didn't suggest that the Raptors choose Boozer was because, in his opinion, even if Boozer didn't rebel today, he would rebel tomorrow.

In Su Feng's original timeline, as a power forward who could average "20+10" at his peak, the reason why Boozer had only entered the All-Star game once was because the Americans themselves didn't like him.

Online, after Boozer "rebelled" against the Bucks, angry Bucks fans even launched a crowdfunding campaign to ask a wizard to curse Boozer to break his leg.

In addition to Boozer, another "Jazz legend" Karl Malone officially announced his retirement before the start of the new season.

In Su Feng's memory, if he remembered correctly, after O'Neal and Payton left Los Angeles one after another, Malone still wanted to play for another year.

Because at this time, he was only 1400 points away from Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record.

Therefore, in Malone's view, after O'Neal and Payton left one after another, he, who could get more possessions in the game, was very likely to launch a challenge to this record.

However, later, due to the conflict with Kobe, Malone still chose to retire before the start of the 04/05 season.

And the reason for Malone's retirement in this life is not the same as in Su Feng's memory.

Because in this transaction with the Heat, there was more variable of Milicic...

So after learning from the Lakers that he would not get too much playing time in this new Lakers team, Malone, who felt that there was little hope, chose to retire after careful consideration.

"I was surprised, and I only learned today that Karl chose to retire." Kobe commented on this in an interview.

In Los Angeles, because there was no conflict with Malone, coupled with the constant negative news about O'Neal from the Heat, Kobe had become the "King of Kings" in Los Angeles.

Including before the start of the new season, ESPN also ranked Kobe second in the NBA's shooting guard rankings for the first time...

Therefore, although he still felt unhappy about ESPN's behavior of ranking him after Iverson...

However, looking at McGrady, who was being suppressed by him, Kobe had been sending McGrady mocking text messages a lot these two days.

There was no way.

Although McGrady successfully made it to the Finals with the Suns last season, due to his poor performance in the Finals, plus various signs afterwards all pointed out that McGrady was trying to compete for the FMVP, thereby affecting his state, so for ESPN, which has always valued "team," players like McGrady cannot get high scores.

However...

In fact, in the NBA, after reaching the Finals, how is it possible that the core players on your side don't care about the FMVP?

In Su Feng's opinion, except for Du Xiaoshuai, who is a truly temperamental stinky brother, most players would choose to do the same as McGrady.

It's just that this time, McGrady lost, so according to the law of the winner being the king, his various old accounts were turned out by ESPN.

For example, comparing McGrady's and Su Feng's high-level data, ESPN used various methods to popularize to people that McGrady's data was fake, while Su Feng's was real.

For example, comparing McGrady's and Su Feng's performances in key moments, ESPN kept popularizing to people that McGrady couldn't become the absolute leader who could carry a team.

As a result...

Obviously, it was something that had nothing to do with him, but Su Feng inadvertently became the final beneficiary.

"Sure enough, even if he doesn't play on the same team, McGrady is still thinking of me."

That day, looking at ESPN's various criticisms of McGrady, Su Feng was only one step away from running to Phoenix to kiss McGrady.

Look, what is the strongest second leader in history?

Even if he's not his teammate, McGrady is "assisting" him at all times!

……

In mid-October, with the official start of the new season's pre-season, the players of each team also ushered in a preliminary test of the cultivation they had carried out for the new season in the past summer.

In Miami, something that made the Heat fans feel heartbroken again happened in the pre-season.

That is, in the team's seven pre-season games in the new season, the Heat actually lost six of them.

And the only one they won...

The opponent was the Bucks, who are recognized by the world and will launch an attack on the top pick in the new season.

Online, for Heat fans who were still enjoying the joy of Su Feng leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, for a time, how could they accept the fact that the team had become "weaker" through reinforcement after a summer?

So...

During the period from mid-October to the eve of the new season's regular season opener...

Almost every day, Su Feng could see O'Neal's recognition value, which was growing rapidly, from the system interface.

Um...

In the "Help O'Neal Return to His Peak" mission interface, O'Neal's recognition value has now soared from the previous negative 9 million to negative 14 million.

With the rapid development of the Internet, some fans who are good at Photoshopping have even Photoshopped O'Neal into a picture of being flushed down the toilet.

Therefore, recently...

You can completely call it:

The NBA is holding a "eating fish conference."

And incompetent, short, and bullying the weak became O'Neal's synonyms indirectly.

In the TNT TV station's season preview program...

Barkley also publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with O'Neal.

"In my opinion, it is a disgrace to my life to be called one of the NBA's top 50 superstars with Shaq!"

As another Feng-supporter on TNT TV, Smith said, "Although Shaq is now exhausted, I don't think this is the professional attitude that a veteran who has played in the NBA for more than ten years should have."

Maybe through direct translation into English, you can't feel how angry Smith is about O'Neal's various behaviors.

But if you translate his words into meaning, the meaning is roughly as follows:

MD, you don't even know how to hug when you have the opportunity to hug, you are even more salty than a salted fish!

"Su, you know, unlike in the past when I saw people criticizing me, I couldn't wait to go up and smash their heads...

But at this moment, I actually want to laugh a little." On the eve of the regular season opener, after eating a nutritious meal at Su Feng's house, O'Neal said to Su Feng.

Hearing that, Su Feng smiled and said: "So...Shaq, are you ready to let the world see what is called 'dominance'?"

Opposite Su Feng, after nodding, O'Neal said solemnly: "Of course!"

"I will definitely use my strength to let those who look down on me know...

How terrifying is Shaq-O'Neal, who has transformed into the warhammer in the hands of His Majesty the King!"

……

In mid-October, with the official start of the new season's pre-season, the players of each team also ushered in a preliminary test of the cultivation they had carried out for the new season in the past summer.