NBA: I have 3, no D, and I can't dribble

Chapter 178 [178] The eternal classic cow-horse battle, the Eastern and Western finals begin!
Although the Heat eliminated the Cavaliers 4:1, the team's overall dominance was far behind last season.

Murphy, who was acquired from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Haslem and Tony Allen, failed to integrate well into the Heat's offensive and defensive system. He also retired due to injury in the second round, and his return date has not yet been determined.

It turned out that this was a relatively failed transaction, and Pat Riley, as the general manager of the Heat, also made a profound review.

At the same time, Pat Riley also knows very well that if the Heat wants to defend their title, Lin Fei and Wade are the two most important weights.
O'Neal's decline is inevitable, but Lin Fei and Wade must remain healthy and in good condition to reach the finals. At the same time, General, Battier and Williams must also continue to be the team's main rotation.

In an interview with media reporters, Pat Riley also personally expressed regret that Lin Fei failed to win the regular season MVP, and commented that Lin Fei is already the best shooting guard in the active league.

When asked by reporters about Lin Fei’s offseason decision, Pat Riley always focused on the overall situation.

He said that the Heat's only goal is to defend the championship and respect every decision Lin Fei makes during the offseason.

In another group of semifinals in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons eliminated the New Jersey Nets led by Vince Carter and Jason Kidd with a score of 4:2.
Meet the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although the Nets are more united this season than last season, they still lack a system in terms of overall tactics. As the new boss of the team, Carter obviously does not have enough leadership ability.

Coupled with the ups and downs of Jason Kidd, the Nets could only fail in the face of the powerful Pistons.

As one of the four shooting guards, Vince Carter averaged 31 points per game in the first round of the Nets vs. Bulls game, and his shooting percentage exceeded 52%. It can be said that his performance was quite explosive.

But in the second round, facing the Pistons' strong defense, Carter's scoring average quickly dropped to 22 points per game, with a shooting percentage of less than 45%...

Facts have proved that Vince Carter's true strength makes it difficult to lead the team to make suggestions in high-end games. It is always a problem to get a foothold in the Eastern Conference Finals.

As a loyal fan of Uncle Carter in the past, 18-year-old Stephen Curry also feels quite regretful.
Comparing Lin Fei's explosive results in the league now, Curry understands the importance of shooting itself even more.

Lin Fei's influence on Curry is huge. With his outstanding performance in this year's senior league, especially his potential in three-point shooting,

Curry also received invitations and full scholarships from at least five NCAA universities, but because of his poor physical fitness, Curry still failed to win the favor of Duke University.

However, judging from the current situation, Curry should not go to the unknown Davidson University in the NCAA. He has better choices.

As Vince Carter's Nets were eliminated, the league's four top shooting guards this season also ended their season ahead of schedule and went home to fish.

Iverson's 76ers and Tracy McGrady's Rockets missed the playoffs. Kobe's Lakers were also eliminated by the Suns 4:3 in the first round.

Compared with Lin Fei, who is also a shooting guard, the performance of the four major shooting guards in the past two seasons is indeed difficult to describe.

On ESPN's latest list of the league's top three stars at each position selected through fan voting,

Because it is a ranking of existing personal strengths and does not involve personal qualifications and honors,

Therefore, in the shooting guard position, the Heat's Lin Fei was ranked the undisputed No. 1, Kobe Bryant ranked second, and Iverson could only be ranked No. 3.

A double team for two consecutive years, and also ranked second in the MVP voting for two consecutive years.

This is a height that neither Kobe nor Iverson could reach.
It turns out that

Lin Fei is quickly replacing the four major shooting guards in terms of strength and influence. The only one who is still capable of competing with Lin Fei is the 27-year-old Kobe.

Although the Lakers led by Kobe Bryant were eliminated in the first round this season, they still reached the tiebreaker with the Suns. In the regular season, they averaged 35.6 points per game and were invincible, performing consecutive scoring feasts of personal heroism.

Coupled with the miracle of 81 points in a single game, Kobe's reputation among the four major shooting guards continues to rise.

When Iverson, Carter and Tracy McGrady all seemed to have begun to decline, only Kobe was still fighting tenaciously against fate and sticking to the promise he made to the Los Angeles fans.

Although Kobe has gone home early to go fishing, his explosive performance this season has also made the Lakers management more determined to build the team around Kobe.

Kupchak is also actively working in the offseason, hoping to find more suitable helpers for Kobe and rejuvenate Jackson's triangle offense.

The biggest free agent this offseason, apart from Lin Fei, who has not yet renewed his contract with the Heat, is Yao Yao, whose contract with the Rockets has expired.

Different from the original world, Dayao did not choose to renew his contract with the Rockets in advance. He listened to Lin Fei's advice and decided to test the free agent market.

However, as the No. 02 pick selected by the Rockets in [-], the Rockets have the priority to match Dayao with his home team.

Although the free trade market has not yet opened, Lakers general manager Kupchak has contacted Dayao and his agent Bill Duffy in advance.
Both the Lakers management and Kobe himself are interested in recruiting Dayao, hoping that he can become O'Neal's replacement.

Of course, the Lakers are not the only team that wants to sign Dayao. He averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, and shot nearly 52% from the field. Being selected to the third team of the season has given Dayao enough strength to get a maximum salary. .

In this era of declining centers, US media predicts that at least five or more NBA teams will be willing to sign Dayao with a maximum salary.

Compared with Kobe's wonderful turnaround this season, Allen Iverson in the same class was unlucky.

Although he also averaged an explosive output of 33 points per game this season, his 61 points in a single game also set a new career high.
But the Philadelphia 76ers failed to even make the playoffs, with a winning rate of less than 47% and a record of only ninth in the Eastern Conference.

This is something the 76ers management cannot tolerate, and it is inevitable to start Iverson's trade in the offseason.

Although Iverson proved to be a serious mismatch between his personal strength and team leadership ability in the 76ers, he was the former regular season MVP after all, and his popularity and influence have always been huge.
Therefore, there are still many teams in the league that want to acquire Iverson through trade. Even if there is no record, Iverson can definitely guarantee that the home team's tickets will be sold easily.

Many loyal AI fans feel sad that Iverson is now in the situation of being traded, but the NBA will always be a cruel business league.

In the face of fierce competition and the rapid rise of the 03 generation, Iverson no longer has enough confidence.

Compared with the Heat and Pistons in the East, who easily met in the Eastern Conference finals, the two rounds of semifinals in the Western Conference were much more intense and crazy.

The battle between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs really lived up to expectations, with many twists and turns, and finally reached the tiebreaker.

As an old NBA fan in the original world, Lin Fei is also familiar with the exciting battle between horses and bulls in the 06 playoffs. He has always regretted that he was not able to witness this powerful battle when he was young.

After all, in the entire NBA playoff history, the 06 Cow-Horse War can be regarded as a first-class classic.

Now in the parallel world, Lin Fei will naturally not miss it. Before and after the series with the Cavaliers, he has been paying attention to the battle between horses and cows in the West and will watch every live broadcast.

Although the variable Ginobili now gives the Mavericks a slight advantage in strength and record,

But the Spurs led by Tim Duncan are still terrifyingly powerful, especially in the playoffs.

After the first 6 games of the series, the points difference in three games was within 2 points. Two games went into overtime. Nowitzki missed the buzzer beater in G1 and completed redemption in G4.

Whether it’s the historical power forward battle between Duncan and Nowitzki, or the team-changing comparison between Ginobili and Stackhouse, or the controversy surrounding Michael Finley’s switch from the Mavericks to the Spurs in his later years,
All make this series full of spectacle, with constant stunts, excitement, and wonderfulness.

前六场比赛打下来，诺维斯基场均28.8分13.3篮板1.4封盖，邓肯更是打出了场均32分12篮板2.6封盖，和常规赛的摸鱼数据简直是翻天覆地。

Tim Duncan is a superstar who can really break out in the playoffs, and he is not at the same level as those pseudo-stars who are strong in the regular season but can't fight in the playoffs.

Nowitzki obviously has more helpers around him. Ginobili and Terry both averaged close to 20+ points per game, and Josh Howard and Devin Harris have also become surprise players.

But in today's Spurs, only Tony Parker beside Shi Fo can provide enough help. If it weren't for Duncan's superb statistics, the team would not have been able to survive to the tiebreaker in front of the Mavericks.On the night of the tiebreaker between cows and horses,
Lin Fei also came to the general villa to visit, and it happened that Dayao and Ye Li also came over for a trip.

Three Chinese NBA stars also gathered to watch the game while talking about plans and prospects for the offseason.

Dayao and Ye Li's relationship has now stabilized, and they have initially decided to return to China to get married next summer.

At this time, Dayao, Su Yu and Lin Fei were sitting together on the sofa in the living room of the villa. On the screen of the huge TV, the tiebreaker between the Mavericks and the Spurs had already begun.

In the kitchen, the two sisters-in-law and nanny, Ye Li and Song Yang, were preparing dinner, including dumplings, fried steak, and several home-cooked dishes, a combination of Chinese and Western dishes.

During the game, Duncan turned around and made a steady shot at a 45-degree angle. He returned to the defensive end and assisted his old teammate Ginobili with a flying block.
Dayao, who was holding a warm tea cup in his hand, couldn't help but sigh:
"Duncan is really good. He is truly top-notch both offensively and defensively. As the number one power forward, Nowitzki and Garnett may not be able to catch up with him!"

Looking at Nowitzki's independent jumper and three-pointer, he also sighed:
"When I first joined the Mavericks, I was very high-spirited and was always competing with Dirk, but now I have to admit that his offensive ability is much better than mine!"

Dayao smiled and patted his shoulder, saying, "After all, Nowitzki stole the regular season MVP from Lin Fei!"

"Having said this, I still feel sorry for you Lin Fei. We can only blame us Asian players. We will inevitably receive unfair treatment in the NBA!"

"But to be honest, the past two years have been much better than when I first entered the league. After all, Asian players can also make a difference in the NBA. Apart from the three of us, Zhu Fangyu has also temporarily gained a foothold in the NBA! "

While he was talking, the TV screen also showed a close-up of the Mavericks bench. Zhu Fangyu was sitting on the bench communicating with his teammate Harris.

Lin Fei leaned back on the sofa, rested his head on his palms, and said with a smile:

"Brother Yao is right. To break doubts and prejudices in the NBA, we can only rely on more efforts and more eye-catching statistics than these black and white stars!"

“We must completely kick this brand of Sick Man of East Asia away!”

Song Yang and Ye Li quickly brought the delicious food to the coffee table, and they started chatting while eating.

"Brother Yao, how are you doing lately? Many teams must have contacted you and your agent, right?"

Dayao nodded and said: "The Lakers, Pacers and Hornets have all offered me a maximum salary, but the Rockets are also very interested in using a maximum salary to keep me!"

"It's good to stay in the Rockets and continue playing. After all, I have lived in Houston for four years, and Ye Li and I have adapted to life there!"

Lin Fei nodded slowly. He knew that even if Dayao wanted to get out of the Rockets mess, he was a restricted player after all, and his home team had limited matching rights, so he couldn't leave just because he wanted to.

In comparison, I feel much freer.

"Lin Fei, you are free to choose any team you want during the offseason. What, do you plan to go to the Phoenix Suns or the New York Knicks?"

Lin Fei smiled and said: "Both teams are okay. Nash has been recruiting me for the past two years. I also intend to cooperate with a top point guard. Cole's Suns management has also guaranteed that they can give me The identity of the team’s core boss!”

"Then there's the Knicks. After all, it's New York, an international metropolis. Who wouldn't want to go there?"

"And the Knicks in the past two years are different from the previous two years. Eddie Curry and Jamal Crawford were traded from the Bulls. They also have good draft vision, David Lee and Channing Frye. And that Trevor Ariza is a relatively promising rookie!"

Dayao smiled and said: "The Knicks management has also contacted Bill Duffy. Haha, Lin Fei, maybe we can become teammates in the new season!"

He also said excitedly: "It's not two, it's possible for three of us. It doesn't matter how much the salary is. I still hope to be teammates with Lin Fei as much as possible. The two of us have a perfect understanding of pick-and-roll!"

His wife Song Yang, who was sitting across from him, did not speak. As the real agent behind the scenes, Song Yang was still more inclined to let him stay with the Heat. After all, they were used to living in Miami.

Lin Fei put a meat dumpling into his mouth, nodded and said with a smile:
"It would be really fun if the three of us could really be on a team. You'd better bring Zhu Fangyu with you!"

"In addition to the Suns and Knicks, Dongmei is also secretly in contact with other teams. The Pacers, 76ers and Nets can also consider it! The Timberwolves are also looking forward to signing me back with the maximum salary! "

"But it's still a little early to consider these things. Going all out to win the championship is the most important goal for me and you right now!"

Dayao said enviously: "It seems that you are going to add another championship ring to your hands this year. I don't know when I will wait! I haven't even made it to the second round of the playoffs!"

"I will return to China early next month. Waiting for your good news in the finals, let's fight together again at the World Championships in August!"

He roughly nodded and said: "This year's World Championships is not going to be easy. I heard that the Dream Seven Club in the United States will field a very strong lineup. It seems that we are in the same group as the United States, right?"

Lin Fei is also looking forward to the Island World Championships in August: "Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, two years have passed since the 8 Yadian Olympics, and our own 04 Olympics are getting closer and closer!"

Dayao solemnly said: "Yes, the past few years have been the golden period for the development of our Chinese basketball. This World Championships is also the most important training for the 08 Olympics, so we must try our best to achieve good results and ensure the top four. Next, strive to reach the finals again and hit the championship!”

2006年篮球世锦赛将会在8月19日-9月3日在岛国的几大城市开打，
The U.S. national team also made a public statement in advance. In order to wash away the shame of losing the championship in the 04 Olympics and maintain the U.S.'s position as the world's basketball hegemon, a strong lineup will be sent out with only one goal, which is to win the championship.

But as we all know, the American basketball national team has always paid more attention to the Olympic Games and despised the World Championships.

Therefore, how gorgeous the American Dream Seven lineup will be is also a question that fans are very concerned about.

The tiebreaker between the Mavericks and the Spurs ended quickly. In the end, just as Lin Fei expected, led by Nowitzki's 37 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks,

小牛通过一个加时赛，119:112艰难的战胜马刺，成功杀入05-06赛季的西部决赛，让蒂姆·邓肯的44分16篮板沦为空砍。

In this series, Duncan and Nowitzki, the two top power forwards, really showed their own characteristics and styles.

The Timberwolves led by Kevin Garnett, another top power forward in the league, relied on their fierce defense to eliminate the Suns with a score of 4:2 and meet the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

After a season of ups and downs, the Timberwolves, led by Garnett, Artest, Szczerbiak and Gerrard, once again stood on the highest stage in the Western Conference.

This also made Lin Fei inevitably recall the classic moment when he emerged in the Western Conference finals between the Timberwolves and the Lakers two years ago.

It’s the start of the Eastern and Western Conference finals again, and hundreds of millions of fans are eagerly anticipating it.

The Heat, Pistons, Mavericks and Timberwolves are the four teams that ESPN has always predicted to have the highest probability of winning.

The majority of fans in China have gradually come out of their anger and unwillingness that Lin Fei missed out on the regular season MVP. They are fully expecting Lin Fei to lead the Heat to win another championship and win the finals MVP.

With Lin Fei's incredible performance in the Eastern Conference semifinals, averaging 39 points and 5 assists per game, he was ranked in the latest edition of ESPN's Finals MVP rankings.

Lin Fei also defeated the new MVP Dirk Nowitzki and ranked No. 1 on this list.

Many experts and commentators have stated that once the Heat win the championship again this year, Lin Fei's probability of winning FMVP will be significantly higher than that of teammate Wade.

As for O'Neal's declining performance, he has basically missed the chance to win the FMVP.

The Pistons and Heat meet in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. There are basically no secrets between the two teams. The battle between the Pistons' five tigers and the Heat's Big Three will ultimately focus on the quality of the superstars...

(End of this chapter)