Chapter 1 A Rainy Night

What could make a tough guy like O'Neal shed tears?

What could make a stubborn person like Riley change his view of O'Neal in just a few days?

After the game, at the press conference, as Pat Riley told the world the story of what had happened within the Heat in the past few days...

Reporters from all over the world at the scene were moved to tears.

Well...

"All of this" has to start from a stormy night.

Although, some careful Miami reporters have noticed that it hasn't rained in Miami for a while.

However, considering the ridicule O'Neal has suffered from people during this period...

When has this fathead ever had a sunny day in Miami?

According to Riley, in order to resolve the "conflict" with Su Feng, O'Neal found Su Feng after the preseason and had a heart-to-heart talk with him.

"I'm not sure what they talked about at the time, but the next day, in training, Su started to suggest to me that Shaq join our full-court five-on-five drill.

But you all know what kind of person I am.

Before Shaq's weight is under control, I can't withdraw the requirements I made for him."

Riley said, patting O'Neal on the back at the press conference.

"But when I saw Su and Shaq become inseparable friends overnight, I thought, maybe this would be a good opportunity for them to put aside their previous 'grudges.'

So, that day, I made an exception.

And in the next few days of training, as Shaq showed me his abilities...

You see, I went back on my word.

After all, on this planet, I don't think any coach would refuse a player who has corrected his attitude and has the terrifying dominance of Shaq.

Moreover, what makes me happiest is that when Su and Shaq started working together towards a common goal...

In training, regarding their performance...

I would totally call them 'the best inside-outside combination in NBA history.'"

As a coach who is very good at telling stories, don't underestimate Riley's ordinary words. Almost instantly, the curiosity of everyone at the press conference was drawn to that "stormy" night.

And at this moment...

It was O'Neal's turn to perform.

"That night, at Su's house, I talked to him a lot.

From our respective growth experiences to the 'grudges' between us after entering the NBA.

In my opinion, in Los Angeles, it was precisely because of the lack of communication between Kobe and me that we gave people the impression that we had a bad relationship.

But in fact, I have never complained about Kobe for leaving Los Angeles.

Even now, I have to tell you that Kobe is a good person."

After taking a tissue from Su Feng to dry the 'eye drops'... ahem, tears, from his eyes, O'Neal said to the reporters.

"Shaq, can you tell us more about what Su said to you at the time that made such a big change in your mentality overnight?" A reporter from Los Angeles asked curiously.

Hearing this, after choking for a moment, O'Neal continued, "To be honest, in all the conversations that Su and I had that night, I will never forget what he said to me when I took the initiative to offer to assist him.

At that time, I only heard him say to me word by word:

Hey, Shaq, why do you think that you came to Miami to be my Scottie Pippen?

No, you won't be my Scottie Pippen, because...

You are my Shaq O'Neal."

At the press conference, when they heard O'Neal slowly say this in a low voice, some reporters who considered themselves to know Su Feng very well suddenly felt Su Feng's broad-mindedness like the sea.

"Before, I think you also saw that I did have some disputes with Shaq during training.

However, unlike what you imagined, I never complained that Shaq was too lazy.

Because I know very well that you can't ask him like you ask me.

Just like Shaq said, the disputes between me and him are just some small things.

And just like in life, you and your friends will occasionally quarrel.

Fortunately, Shaq didn't give up communicating with me because of my stinginess at the time.

I know that in the past few days, because of this, Shaq has endured a lot of difficulties and scolding that he shouldn't have had to endure.

So, I think I must stand up to help him at this time.

Just like the help Kobe and I got from Shaq when I was in high school.

Uh... to be honest, Kobe is indeed a good person.

Cough...

Maybe many fans don't know that when Kobe and I were very young, we were both fans of 'Penny.'

So, one day, after making an appointment, we planned to go to Orlando together to get an autograph from 'Penny.'

It's just a pity that maybe 'Penny' was too busy at the time...

When Kobe and I came to him, he ignored us.

And just when Kobe and I were greatly hit, Shaq, who noticed this scene, not only walked up to us with a smile, but also took a photo with Kobe and me.

And from that time on, I was thinking that if one day in the future, I can cooperate with a player like Shaq, it would be my lifelong honor."

Because in the past two years, Su Feng's "nitpicking" personality has deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, Su Feng knows that in this big play, he can't make himself too perfect.

In the future, whether it is a Marvel movie or a DC series of movies...

You can find that when designing the personality of superheroes, American screenwriters often design some flaws in their character.

Because the vast majority of Americans believe that flawed heroes are good heroes.

Therefore, when writing the script this time, although O'Neal felt that he would lose a lot, Su Feng thought...

At this time, he chose to suffer a little loss in order to continue this good show.

Look, isn't it...

After Riley, O'Neal and himself took turns performing, at the press conference, at this moment, where is anyone still caring about little James being hammered for 58... ah no, where are the reporters who wouldn't believe that they and O'Neal have reached a "reconciliation"?

In addition, when acting this time, Su Feng also suggested that O'Neal not be yin and yang about Kobe like he did before when he was yin and yang about Hardaway.

Because Su Feng knew very well that in his original timeline, O'Neal was precisely because every time after breaking up with his predecessor, he would step on his predecessor by praising his current one, so after he retired, he ended up with a "nitpicking" personality.

And...

Choosing to yin and yang Kobe at this time...

In Su Feng's opinion, isn't that just waiting for Kobe to slap you in the face?

Just...

Now the question is.

Why did Su Feng go to great lengths to act in this play with O'Neal this time?

The next day, after the media successively disclosed the story of what happened between Su Feng and O'Neal in the past few days...

Online, those fans who had previously spoken ill of O'Neal suddenly felt that they had wronged O'Neal.

"I don't need people to apologize to me, because in my opinion, they are all paying attention to me because they like me."

According to the plan with Su Feng, O'Neal said through the media the next day.

And now...

In Su Feng's mind, people's recognition of O'Neal also began a wave of rebound from the bottom.

If Su Feng remembered correctly, before the game against the Cavaliers, in the system, O'Neal's recognition value was even close to negative 15 million at its lowest.

But now...

Overnight, O'Neal's recognition value came to positive two million.

As a person who has experienced the era of traffic, Su Feng is very clear...

If you want to quickly help O'Neal reshape his personality, the best way is to let him attract a wave of haters first.

And then, with the reversal of the script, after this part of the haters turn into passers-by, and after the passers-by turn into fans, O'Neal can regain people's recognition as quickly as possible.

In addition, just as Su Feng had predicted before, because the old folks in the rice country love the "prodigal son returning" script, this time, O'Neal's way of completing his self-redemption in this "redeemed" way is simply too good.

You must know that because O'Neal in this life has been hammered to the point of being humble, Su Feng was very desperate when he received the task issued by the system.

"You are really a genius... Su, if it weren't for you, I really couldn't imagine how many games I would have to score 20+ or 30+ in a row to get people to take back their prejudices against me."

This day, before leaving for Philadelphia, O'Neal looked at Su Feng and said gratefully.

Hearing this, Su Feng suddenly smiled.

Because he knew very well that after he distracted the world's attention to O'Neal's "prodigal son returning" focus by shifting his attention...

As long as O'Neal can continue to deliver satisfactory answers next, his fragmented personality will be slowly reunited.

……

On the 31st, Philadelphia, the First Union Center.

Looking at the 76ers players who successively walked onto the center of the stage to receive their championship rings...

At this moment, Su Feng's mood was quite complicated.

On the one hand, when it was AI and Little Yao's turn to receive their championship rings, Su Feng was sincerely happy for them.

After all, when entering the Hall of Fame in the future, Yao Ming and Iverson no longer have to worry about being called the "uncrowned kings."

But...

Thinking of last season, this little Yao said that he was his mascot.

And Iverson said to himself after the Finals that if it wasn't for himself, he wouldn't have met Yao Ming...

You simply don't know how angry Su Feng is at this moment!

What the f*ck O'Neal's grandma is joking!

So you two are now "in love" and started sending me good person cards?

On the court, after being a background board for a full half an hour with a sense of being pricked, Su Feng, who was out of breath, secretly vowed...

He must let Iverson and Little Yao know tonight what "nitpicking" is!

Go, Pi Pi Shark!

It's time to let the "Ai Yao" combination see the power of the "Sha Feng" combination after they go crazy!

On the court, after the 76ers' championship ring awarding ceremony, the big screen immediately gave the starting lineups of the two teams.

Heat: O'Neal, Su Feng, Ariza, Butler, Payton.

76ers: Yao Ming, Ratliff, Christie, Iverson, Snow.

In the center of the court, in the jump ball, Yao Ming took the lead for the 76ers.

Su Feng: "......"

And then, after Snow dribbled the ball past halftime, Iverson pulled up and made a three-pointer from the outside as soon as he came up.

Su Feng: "......"

Although in the "Shark Eastward Journey" transaction, Riley's purpose of getting Payton was to prevent the Heat from having no one to match Iverson when facing the 76ers.

But to be honest...

Even Payton in his prime couldn't do anything about Iverson.

However, after having Payton, the Heat no longer have to let Su Feng get beaten.

After all, with Iverson's center of gravity...

Even if you switch Su Feng to defend, Su Feng can't guarantee that he can defend Iverson.

On the court, it was the Heat's turn to attack.

And at this time, the 76ers also showed their strength level far above the Cavaliers.

Unlike the Cavaliers, who could only choose zone defense when playing against the Heat...

The defensive strategy chosen by this 76ers tonight...

It was man-to-man defense.

Under Carlisle's governance, Yao Ming's weight has been controlled at around 135 kilograms in the past two years.

Therefore, in terms of tonnage, Little Yao is indeed not as able to withstand as Su Feng remembered.

But looking at the current league, the only center who dares to face O'Neal alone in the low post...

It is only Yao Ming.

In Su Feng's original timeline, after Little Yao gradually entered his peak period, coupled with O'Neal's increasing age, in the two people's "Yao Shark showdown", the competition scene was mostly dominated by mutual explosions.

And Carlisle doesn't plan to double-team O'Neal tonight, because he knows that choosing to double-team O'Neal will only make the 76ers pay a greater price.

Therefore, let Little Yao and O'Neal play by themselves in the low post.

In Carlisle's view, the real key to the 76ers' victory in this game lies in whether they can limit Su Feng.

Dang——!

As a result, under Christie's crazy entanglement, Su Feng's first shot tonight went wide of the rim.

Su Feng: "......"

In the restricted area, Ratliff turned around to take position, and Yao Ming protected the backcourt rebound for the 76ers.

The game continued, and it was the 76ers' turn to attack.

At the high post, after asking for the ball from Snow, Iverson immediately launched the "Ai Yao" pick-and-roll.

And although Su Feng and Payton successfully protected O'Neal in this defense...

However, Little Yao, whose level is far above Da Z, showed off his skills to Payton, who was switched to his front after getting the ball.

After dribbling past Payton behind his back, Little Yao hit a slow three-step layup!

In the low post, O'Neal didn't expect Yao Ming to have such skills, and aside, Su Feng always felt that the script the Heat were taking tonight seemed a bit wrong...

On TNT TV, Barkley said with emotion: "I have never seen a player taller than 220 centimeters who has the agility of Yao."

And aside, Smith said: "Unlike playing against weak teams like the Cavaliers, if the Heat still treat their opponents as the Cavaliers tonight, the defending champions will make them pay the price."

Last season, after the Lakers were eliminated sadly, O'Neal firmly believed at the time that if Kobe and him had not had a conflict, as long as the Lakers could enter the Finals, the 76ers would not be the Lakers' opponents at all.

But tonight, after only two rounds, O'Neal felt that he was too naive at the time.

Because whether it is the lineup framework, or the state of the superstar in the team, and the chemical reaction...

In O'Neal's opinion, this 76ers team is even more terrifying than the Raptors back then.

"Su... how did he manage to lead last season's Heat to win two games against this 76ers team?"

On the court, looking at Su Feng's back, O'Neal faintly had a bit more respect for Su Feng.

Heat attack.

At the high post, Su Feng also called O'Neal and launched the "Sha Feng" pick-and-roll.

As the saying goes, taking too big a step can easily pull your balls.

This ball, after calming down, with O'Neal's cover, Su Feng successfully broke into the hinterland of the 76ers' defense.

However, almost in an instant, Ratliff helped defend in front of Su Feng.

And at this time, paying attention to Ariza's opportunity at the bottom corner, Su Feng also decisively passed the ball to him.

It's just...

Dang——!

Su Feng: "......"

To be reasonable, if Su Feng can't get the assist king as he expected this season...

Then Ariza and Payton must take the blame.

On the court, after Yao Ming returned to protect the rebound for the 76ers again, the black flash of Philadelphia instantly crossed over to the Heat's half!

New FMVP Allen Iverson caught a long pass from quarterback Yao Ming and scored a touchdown!

0 to 7!

On the Heat's bench, Riley, who realized that something was wrong, called a timeout in time.

If the opening attack was because Su Feng played too anxiously...

Then in the next attack...

Riley knew very well that Carlisle had definitely come prepared tonight.

"Deliberately choosing to let go of Gary and Trevor...

Only concentrating the defensive attention on Su?" In the Heat's half, looking at Carlisle's confident face, Riley frowned.

"Yao doesn't need to be able to defend Shaq, as long as his stats can be on par with Shaq, then he can offset Shaq's role on the court.

And as for our remaining 4 players?

Sorry, facing a monster like Su, I won't be as stupid as the Cavaliers' coach." On the 76ers' bench, looking at his assistant coach, Carlisle smiled.

One-on-one?

One-on-two?

One-on-three?

Wake up...

This is the strongest outside player in the NBA today, in the past, and in the future.

Carlisle, who has his own unique understanding of Su Feng's terror, knows that even sending four players to defend Su Feng is not necessarily safe.

After all, even if it is said to be a four-on-one, in fact, in a local area, the 76ers will still leave Su Feng with a lot of one-on-one opportunities.

Therefore, in Carlisle's eyes, even if the 76ers take care of Su Feng so much on the court, the purpose he wants to achieve is only to consume Su Feng.

So now...

How should the Heat respond to the "Immortal Execution Formation" that the 76ers have set up against Su Feng?

On the court, after the timeout, Riley called up Ginobili and Korver.

……