Summer, after O'Neal used his "big py skills" to recruit Malone and Payton to the Lakers...

In the streets, many fans believed that the Lakers of the 03/04 season would be the most luxurious team in NBA history.

Only...

In the first game of the new season, before the Lakers fans could shout "We are the champions"...

At the Staples Center, they, with their four superstars, were torn to pieces by the disbanded Raptors.

Just like in Su Feng's memory...

In terms of lineup, this Lakers team was indeed very strong.

But in the game...

Their performance could only be described as disappointing.

Payton, whose form had declined sharply, had not yet adapted to the new position of point guard.

And Malone simply transformed into a spot-up shooter in this opening game.

In Su Feng's previous life, when reviewing the failure of this Lakers team, many people believed that it was because Kobe took too many shots on the court that led to the team's failure.

However, judging from Jackson's inner thoughts when he wrote his autobiography in the future...

He was already a little unhappy with Kobe at this time, but if it wasn't because the Lakers could only rely on Kobe to complete the offensive, how could he have allowed Kobe to take unlimited shots on the court?

In fact, compared to the O'Neal of the past, the O'Neal at this time...

Happened to be at the time node in his career when he needed offensive space the most.

Because with the decline of his physical functions, even if O'Neal still had the power to cut down the heavens, he couldn't roam as freely as he used to.

When his energy was abundant, O'Neal was still that fat-headed fish that killed gods and Buddhas alike.

Even if the other four Lakers players jointly blocked his offensive space, he could still score the ball despite the defense of several opponents.

But...

This style of play was not only more tiring than before, but also, to a large extent, O'Neal couldn't fully exert his corresponding power on the court.

In Su Feng's previous life, in the 05/06 season, even if Antoine Walker, who partnered with O'Neal at the time, was as bad as a dog on the court, Riley had to arrange for Walker to take at least 6 three-pointers per game.

You must know that Riley is the person in this league who dislikes three-pointers the most.

However, no matter how bad Walker was, and no matter how much Riley hated it, he could only make such a choice.

Because only in this way could O'Neal get a relatively comfortable offensive environment when the opponent played zone defense.

So now the question is.

Isn't Malone a mid-range shooter?

Can he play a role in opening up space for O'Neal on the court?

The answer is:

No.

In this game, Malone, who was at the peak of his career and was supposed to be able to shoot, was completely lost.

And Payton, who was supposed to be able to organize the offense, played like he was possessed by Kidd...

Kidd was also very confused.

Because even he wouldn't pass the ball so frequently to players he couldn't trust...

Of course, the most uncomfortable person in this game was none other than O'Neal.

Because in Su Feng's view, the Lakers in this period had already begun to be a bit unkind to O'Neal.

In this game, O'Neal only took 13 shots in the whole game.

And what's even more outrageous is that except for Kobe, the other three Lakers players only took a total of 17 shots...

Compared to the Lakers, the Raptors, who were led by Vince Carter, played much more reasonably.

Because knowing that they could not beat O'Neal inside, the Raptors directly chose to play outside.

In this game, Carter shot 31 times, scoring 39 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

Although he could not lead the team to victory, Carter also showed his determination to become the boss of the Raptors.

On October 30th, after defeating the Lakers, the Raptors came to Miami.

Before the start of the game, the Heat officially held a press conference to welcome the arrival of their new boss, Su Feng.

In this press conference, Riley stated that the Heat will be built around Su Feng in the future.

And Su Feng also promised to lead the Heat to win the championship within three years.

On October 31st, the Heat challenged the Wizards away.

In this game, Su Feng ushered in his Heat debut.

In Washington, Su Feng, who was in excellent form, scored a game-high 37 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

And under Su Feng's leadership, the Heat also defeated the Wizards 98-91, achieving a good start to the new season.

It is worth mentioning that Arenas, who was still playing for the Wizards at this time...

Suddenly transformed into the chief agent of the Heat in Washington.

This season, Arenas, who chose to wear the number zero jersey, shot 0-for-11 in this game, scoring only 9 points and 7 assists from free throws.

Due to the serious loss of public image in the previous "kicking Jordan out of the game incident"...

This game in Washington was completely played with the flavor of Ke Lun Ma Ding's law enforcement.

In the whole game, Su Feng went to the free throw line a total of 19 times, hitting 17 of them.

And after the game, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan also said helplessly in an interview: "Obviously, Su destroyed our inside defense with his own strength."

Eddie Jordan, who knew that the Wizards had become a target in the eyes of the league, didn't want the Wizards to become the target of public criticism.

After all, they had just kicked Jordan out of the game, and if the Wizards were to confront Su Feng again...

Tsk!

You must know that the Wizards' public relations department was already overwhelmed by the angry Jordan fans...

If they were to add the combative Honey fans...

Then the Wizards might as well disband on the spot.

...

On November 1st, after resting in Washington for one night, the Heat flew to Toronto to prepare for their away game against the Raptors.

Because this game was the Raptors' first home game of the season, according to the convention, the Raptors would hold a championship ring presentation and flag-raising ceremony at their home.

And from the league's schedule arrangement this time, you can see that there is somewhat Stern's intention to make up for the Raptors fans.

Because according to tradition, Su Feng will also receive his third championship ring in this game.

Only...

For the Raptors fans, when they watched Su Feng, wearing the Heat's number 23 jersey, appear in front of them...

This flag-raising ceremony with a special meaning was somewhat heartbreaking.

In Toronto, when DJ Martin, who had been working for the Raptors for five years, saw that familiar and unfamiliar name...

Tears welled up in his eyes uncontrollably...

Then he roared:

"Welcome home!

Three-time NBA regular season MVP!

Three-time Finals MVP!

Three-time NBA scoring champion!

Seven-time NBA All-NBA Team, seven-time NBA All-Defensive Team member...

Toronto's forever...

His Majesty the King!"

At the Air Canada Centre, when Su Feng stepped onto the center stage to receive his third championship ring in his career amidst the cheers of the fans, at that moment, Toronto had already been flooded with tears.

And on the Heat's bench...

The young Milicic and Ginobili also looked at the man with their admiring eyes at this moment, filled with longing.

Alonzo Mourning, who had fought all his life without winning a championship, clenched his fists tightly.

And Pat Riley, wearing a suit and with his signature slicked-back hair, crossed his arms and looked solemn.

In the past five years, Su Feng has won a total of three championships for the Raptors.

And at this moment...

When the third championship flag was raised above the dome of the Air Canada Centre...

Only Canadians knew what Su Feng meant to the Raptors.

No one deliberately incited it.

I don't know when it started.

"MVP————!!"

"MVP————!!"

"MVP————!!"

On the night of November 1st, 2003, nearly 20,000 Raptors fans at the scene paid their most formal farewell to Su Feng with their most supreme respect!

"He can lead us across mountains and seas!

The world calls him 'half man, half god'!

He is the new leader of the North!

He is also a UFO from outer space!

Now, ladies and gentlemen, please give us the warmest applause to invite...

Vince——————Carter!!"

On the court, after saying goodbye to Su Feng, it was time for Toronto's new king to take the stage.

Vince Carter.

One of the best shooting guards in the NBA today.

Su Feng's former second-in-command.

Or maybe the third-in-command.

"When you walked out of the player tunnel, I really wanted to say 'welcome' to you...

But Su, please forgive me for not being able to do it.

Because this is already my territory!"

On the court, looking at the Heat's half, after making eye contact with Su Feng, pointing at the floor of the Air Canada Centre, Carter was still that spirited Carter.

And although Carter may have just been excited for a moment and wanted to tease Su Feng...

But seeing that Carter was still so silly, Su Feng felt relieved.

Because, in that case, when he beat him later, he wouldn't have to save any face for him.

"Did you all hear that?

No one is allowed to come over and help me defend after the game starts!

Tonight, Vince is my prey!"

Looking at his teammates on the Heat's bench, Su Feng said word by word before the game started.

And on the court, after the players from both teams were ready, the big screen then gave the starting lineups for both teams tonight.

Heat: Milicic, Odom, Su Feng, Butler, Alston.

Raptors: O'Neal Jr., Diaw, Peterson, Carter, Parker.

...

ps: Happy New Year's Eve, all you handsome reader bosses!

I accidentally had insomnia again last night... I'm trying to hold on until the New Year's Eve dinner, so tonight, let's have a 4000-word filler chapter first!

I wish all you handsome reader masters a happy new year again! Congratulations on getting rich! Red envelopes... Well, forget about red envelopes, but monthly tickets and subscriptions, please, reader masters!