Chapter 243 The Christmas Night That Exploded

On the scene and in front of televisions, the fans who watched this game were stunned beyond words.

40 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks.

On Christmas Eve of 2003, Su Feng officially surpassed the former president of the "5x5 Club," "The Dream" Hakeem Olajuwon.

On the other side, the newly arrived LeBron James also showed the fans what it meant to be a hero from a young age.

Even though James' overall shooting percentage hadn't even exceeded 40% under Su Feng's defense tonight,

He still managed to score 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, achieving a triple-double on the NBA stage at the age of just under 19.

This was also an unprecedented record.

And from Su Feng's perspective, this record was basically impossible for anyone to surpass in the future.

Because in two years...

The NBA would no longer allow high school players to be directly drafted after graduation.

At the American Airlines Center, after Su Feng scored his 40th point of the game...

Near the scorer's table, Cavaliers coach Paul Silas requested a timeout with a helpless wry smile.

On the scene, with the Heat's bench players lining up in two rows to welcome him, the atmosphere at the American Airlines Center reached its climax as Su Feng took step after step!

Tonight, the home staff did not skimp on their praise for the visiting team's star.

Because in addition to Su Feng's stats being displayed on the big screen, James' stats were also posted shortly after.

At CCTV, Zhang said with a smile, "This is what we often call reciprocity.

Look, after Cavaliers coach Silas gentlemanly requested a timeout to allow Su Feng to enjoy the cheers of the fans, the Heat's big screen also posted James' stats."

Uh...

Alright!

This time, Zhang was definitely on another level.

Because even Silas himself probably didn't realize he was such a gentleman.

Actually...

With about three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Silas requested a timeout simply to disrupt the Heat's offensive rhythm and Su Feng's potentially explosive touch.

As for what happened later?

Silas couldn't think that much in such a short amount of time.

On the court, after the timeout, the game continued.

Unfortunately for Cavaliers fans...

In the last three minutes, the Cavaliers were unable to perform a miracle that night.

In the end, both teams had many opportunities.

But after Su Feng's Logo.show exhausted the primeval energy of the American Airlines Center's hoop, it was as if some kind of seal had been placed on both hoops for the rest of the game.

In the end, the Heat, playing at home, secured the victory with Su Feng's 4 free throws in the final moments.

The final score was 117-108.

Su Feng, who had 44 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks, was deservedly named the best player of the game.

On the other side, James, who had 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, accepted the outcome of being schooled by Su Feng again with equanimity under the comfort of his good friend Stephen Curry.

"Big Head, you've already done very well.

You have to know, at your age, Uncle Su Feng was still riding Uncle Allen's coattails!" Curry said to James, blinking his cute, innocent eyes.

Hearing this, James, an "NBA Human Su Feng Encyclopedia," was immediately amused.

"Stephen, you can't say that in front of Su in the future, or he'll definitely hold a grudge," James said, deciding to impart some "Emotional Intelligence" while patting Curry's head.

"Yeah, I know. Uncle Su Feng is the stingiest adult in this league," Curry said, nodding, equally knowledgeable about Su Feng.

Nearby, Su Feng, who was discussing that NFL-style long pass with Brady after the game...

After sneezing a few times...

He felt like someone was talking about him behind his back.

"Kobe must be secretly watching my game live again!"

Su Feng thought to himself, rubbing his nose.

At the American Airlines Center, even after the game ended, many fans were reluctant to leave for a long time.

After all, after watching such an adrenaline-pumping game...

Who could calm down so quickly?

As one of the games he had carefully selected for the fans on this Christmas night...

In New York, after listening to Mark's report, Stern immediately felt the love that his good brother, Su Feng, had for him.

Look!

What does it mean that if you don't push Su Feng, you won't know where his limits are?

If it weren't for such a shrewd president like himself, how could the fans have witnessed such a great performance in an ordinary regular season game?

Moreover, James' performance that night far exceeded Stern's expectations.

You know, recently, when many experts were criticizing James for not being able to lead the Cavaliers to victory, Stern was probably the most annoyed person in the league.

Because even if Stern didn't understand basketball, he knew what the Cavaliers' situation had been like before.

Now, after James successfully achieved the first historical record of his career, Stern knew very well that this little James had initially possessed the capital to rise to the top.

"Continue to increase publicity for Su and LeBron!

Also, aren't they on good terms?

So, in our reports, we must try to report more anecdotes about their training together before." That night, Stern smiled, patting the shoulder of his successor, Mark.

"David, I don't understand why we should focus on reporting their past stories...

Shouldn't we praise their performance tonight more?" Hearing this, Mark looked curiously at Stern's wise eyes,

Hoping that he could be as brilliant as Stern when he became president in the future.

"Mark, in this league, even the greatest records will eventually fade away.

But good stories will last forever.

Based on my understanding of the fans, they would definitely prefer to see the little stories between Su and James, rather than boring data," Stern said to Mark.

"I understand. I'll arrange for people to interview their friends right away."

After receiving Stern's explanation, Mark felt that he had learned another little trick to becoming president that night.

But...

Young David Stern...

Did you think that was all there was to December 25, 2003?

On Christmas night.

Not long after the Heat's game against the Cavaliers ended, in Toronto, Carter also engaged in a scoring duel with Iverson.

In that game, the new king of the North, Carter, who was ridiculed by Chinese fans as a simplified version of Su Feng, made 16 of 31 shots, scoring a total of 48 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, including three-pointers and free throws.

On the other side, Iverson, the boss in Yao's heart, scored 51 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds.

At the crucial moment, with 4.3 seconds left in the game, Carter first hit a go-ahead three-pointer for the Raptors.

And in the 76ers' last offensive play, what the Raptors players, who had adopted a strategy of double-teaming Iverson on the court, did not expect was that...

Iverson actually chose to pass the ball!

Because in this game, Iverson's touch was scorching hot, so in the eyes of the Raptors players, with Iverson's personality, he shouldn't have passed the ball to his teammates at this time.

However, it was not until after the game that people realized that this was a premeditated arrangement.

In the 76ers' last offensive play, Iverson patted Yao Ming's back and asked, "Big guy, do you want to be a hero?"

Hearing this, the young Yao Ming immediately turned into an emoji.

"They will definitely double-team me! So you must stand in that position and be ready to catch the ball at any time!"

That night, Iverson's shining eyes seemed to have returned to 1997.

A lone hero, Allen Iverson?

No...

He is now Allen Iverson with teammates.

So, just like he had discussed with Iverson during the timeout.

In the 76ers' last offensive play, in the left corner, while the Raptors players' attention was all drawn to Iverson...

Yao Ming, like Sakuragi Hanamichi in a manga, was ready to catch the ball at any time.

And then...

On the scene and in front of the television...

The moment that broke the hearts of both Raptors and 76ers fans arrived inadvertently!

Yao Ming, in the left corner, hit a three-pointer to reverse the score and defeat the Raptors!

Inside the arena, for Toronto fans, at this moment, they all missed the time when Su Feng was still around.

Because if Su Feng was here, how could the Raptors have given the 76ers a chance to reach the crucial moment?

And in front of the television, for 76ers fans, at this moment, thanks to Yao Ming's buzzer-beater, they also recalled the golden double guns of Philadelphia in the past.

Look...

Even though this game had nothing to do with Su Feng.

But in the martial world, his legend was everywhere.

In the post-match interview, Iverson said that because Yao Ming's three-point shooting percentage in the left corner was very high during training, he believed that passing the ball to Yao Ming when he was double-teamed was the best choice he could make at that time.

But...

After Iverson praised Yao Ming, a Philadelphia reporter who was very familiar with Su Feng's early shooting habits instantly shed tears of sadness on the scene.

Because if he remembered correctly...

The left corner was exactly Su Feng's...

Most accurate shooting spot on the court in Philadelphia.

And in New York, Stern, who was also watching this game, instantly felt that there were too many people he wanted to support this year.

Ah, this!

Is this what it feels like when a hundred flowers bloom?

It feels like any time you turn on the TV, it will be a classic game!

Uh...

Alright!

As everyone knows, due to the vastness of the United States, coupled with the time difference between the East and West Coasts, Western games usually start one or two hours later than Eastern games.

And among them, Chinese fans who have watched NBA games should know that the Los Angeles Lakers' games, which are located in California, usually take place around 11:00 AM Beijing time.

However, because Christmas games are all played earlier, the Lakers' game against the Suns on this Christmas night was also moved forward by two hours.

But, as the finale of this Christmas night...

After this game entered the fourth quarter, you might not believe it...

As a spectator, the thing Stern wanted to do most at the time was to smash the TV!

Before the game, after studying the Suns' recent games...

In order to win this highly anticipated Christmas game, Jackson decisively adopted a strategy of preventing the Suns from launching an attack by committing fouls early in this game.

Moreover, after giving the Lakers players a death order, the Lakers also took the initiative to slow down their game pace in this game.

As a result, a rare slow and torturous game in today's league was played out by the Lakers on this Christmas night.

And after being dragged into a slow half-court wrestling match by the Lakers, the Suns players, who had been unable to find their touch, also turned into blacksmiths that night.

As a result, according to incomplete statistics...

In the fourth quarter, after the Lakers extended their lead to 15 points, at least three-quarters of the viewers chose to change channels.

But...

As the land where miracles happen, in the NBA, changing channels early is definitely not a good habit.

Because he was stimulated by someone at the last moment of the game...

With 52 seconds left in the game, the Suns tenaciously narrowed the score to 81-87 that night.

However...

Kobe, the "only accurate bro" in Staples that night, brought the score difference back to 8 points again with a fadeaway jumper in the next round.

At this time, Kobe, who had already scored 33 points, did not notice that...

Tracy McGrady had quietly opened his sleepy eyes.

At the Staples Center, feeling that the Lakers had already secured the victory in advance...

In order to avoid being blocked when they left the parking lot later, many Lakers fans had already begun to leave in an orderly manner.

And just at this moment, after calmly dribbling the ball through half court, McGrady suddenly made a three-pointer in front of Kobe!

84 to 89.

Subsequently, the Suns decisively adopted a foul strategy.

On the court, after Kobe made two free throws, 84 to 91, the Lakers still maintained a 7-point lead.

The Suns had possession of the ball.

McGrady quickly dribbled the ball through half court.

"Big White Bear" Ostertag moved to the high post to screen for McGrady.

And because he wanted to win too much, and in order to help O'Neal, who couldn't defend out to the perimeter, Malone didn't control his center of gravity well during this forward rush.

As a result, after making physical contact with Malone, McGrady miraculously made another three-pointer from outside the arc, and had a free throw to make!

On the court, as McGrady made the free throw, the situation of the game suddenly became tense.

Because 88 to 91, now the Suns were only 3 points behind the Lakers!

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Kobe's free throws were trustworthy.

Because there was not much time left, after the Suns continued to adopt a foul strategy against the Lakers, Kobe made two more free throws, 88 to 93.

On the sidelines, D'Antoni requested a timeout after Kobe made two free throws.

And after this timeout, the Suns almost made a mistake when inbounding the ball.

Fortunately, because McGrady also had big hands and long arms...

On the court, after Hill yelled at Marion, who was responsible for inbounding the ball, to lob it high, McGrady struggled to catch the ball under Kobe's entanglement.

However, even though Kobe's defense was in place...

But in Staples, McGrady's magic continued!

Swish!

On the court, after McGrady made his third consecutive three-pointer, the score between the two teams had reached 91 to 93!

At this time, the controversial scene occurred.

That is...

"Zen Master" Jackson did not call a timeout at the last moment to arrange the Lakers' tactics.

Because the Suns had already used up their timeouts at this time, in Jackson's view, he didn't need to call this timeout for the opponent.

On the court, Fisher, who had been brought on by Jackson at the last moment to chase and defend the Suns' shooters, also "repaid" Jackson's trust in him.

Because Kobe was unable to catch the baseline ball passed by his teammate in the first place, according to the Lakers players' free throw percentage on the court, Malone, who was responsible for inbounding the ball, passed the ball to Fisher's hands.

However, at the moment of catching the ball, Fisher never expected that...

The Suns players would not adopt a foul strategy against him.

Because the Suns had no timeouts left at this time, Hill, as the actual leader of this Suns team on the court, immediately signaled to his teammates to try to steal the ball.

And under the Suns players' interception, just as Fisher dribbled the ball to half court, the basketball in his hand was slapped away by Marion, who was still full of energy!

"Quick! Give the ball to Tracy!"

On the court, after noticing that his teammate had controlled the second landing point, Hill yelled at Jamison.

Hearing this, Jamison hurriedly turned around and handed the ball to McGrady.

At this time, the remaining Lakers fans at the Staples Center were extremely nervous.

No way, no way...

We can be overturned in this situation?

Swish!

A few seconds later, Tracy McGrady, with his fourth three-pointer in the last 35 seconds, gave all Lakers fans the answer in the left arc.

The Suns, overturned it!

McGrady, shot down the Los Angeles Lakers!

94 to 93!

In front of the television, when Su Feng, who had just arrived home and was about to take a shower before going to study English with Britney, turned on the TV...

Even though he had witnessed McGrady's miracle in his original timeline...

But...

In Su Feng's view, even if he watched such a miracle a hundred times, the shock in his heart could not be described in words!

And at Staples...

After McGrady's buzzer-beater against the Lakers, O'Neal's expression at the time was much more exciting than Duncan's expression in Su Feng's memory.

Because he himself was a master of performance art...

At this moment, on the court, O'Neal was stunned at first, then dazed, and then sighed with his head in his hands and showed an incredible expression to the close-up lens.

As for Kobe...

On the other side...

After staring at the scoreboard with the jersey in his mouth for a full ten seconds, Kobe's expression was still dazed.

And in New York, when Stern learned of McGrady's magical performance of scoring 13 consecutive points in the last 35 seconds...

This Jewish old man almost performed a flat fall for his assistant, Mark.

Holy crap!

What kind of monsters are these Christmas games this year!

First, in Miami, Su Feng and James both created historical records!

Then, in Toronto, after Carter and Iverson dueled all night, Yao Ming stood up and became Philadelphia's last hero.

And then...

In Los Angeles...

McGrady unexpectedly used such an incredible way to instantly turn this originally boring game into a classic.

Without a doubt, after this night, the舆论 on the second day will definitely explode.

Although Stern officially adopted the slogan "The Land Where Miracles Happen" this year.

But...

Even if he dared to imagine it, Stern couldn't believe that miracles would happen one after another on this Christmas night!

"Is this reality?"

That night, feeling this reality that was far more magical than novels and anime, Stern silently sighed.

...

The next day, the most "painful" moment for all American media arrived.

Because for a while, even the most experienced newspaper editors did not know which game to use as their headline.

And online, fans also said that although there were still many shady things in the NBA, the NBA of this era was much better than the NBA of the 90s.

Especially in the number of stars.

Many fans believed that compared to the NBA in Jordan's era, there were not only more perimeter stars in this era, but also each person's style and characteristics were almost unique.

"Stop hyping up Michael Jordan, playing against Steve Smith every day, and still have the nerve to say he's the number one basketball player?

Take a good look at what kind of monsters Su Feng is facing in this era!

In my opinion, if it weren't for Su Feng's skin color, those narrow-minded racists would have already hyped Su Feng to the sky!"

"Same here! In my opinion, this is definitely the era with the most stars and the highest quality of stars in NBA history!

Inside, there are Tim, Shaq, Dirk, and Yao, a group of top inside players with different styles, and outside, there are superstars like Su, Allen, Tracy, and Vince.

Moreover, with the growth of LeBron and others...

Can you believe that so many stars...

Will be competing on the same stage in our current era?"

"Hey, man, I have to remind you that if you count down, you can even find Paul (Pierce) and Kobe, these perimeter stars who are in the second tier."

"It's not that I'm bragging, if you put Kobe in the 90s, then at the very least, he could become the second best perimeter player in the league.

But in this era, to be honest, I suddenly began to understand why ESPN would rank Kobe fifth on the shooting guard list."

In Miami, when Su Feng woke up from Britney's arms, he just turned on his phone and found dozens of text messages sent to him by Kobe.

And after browsing the web on a vintage desktop computer...

In a trance, Su Feng also began to feel a little sorry for Kobe.

Because last night...

Even Carter, who lost to the 76ers, received a lot of praise today.

But among the four major shooting guards...

Kobe became the only one who was "injured" on Christmas night.

"Although Tracy did kill us at the last moment, after the game, I still scored two points more than him!"

"And his damn cousin...

No, everyone was killed, but why did he think of mocking me?"

In Los Angeles, Kobe said to Su Feng in his text messages, angrily.

Even though in this life, because of Su Feng's appearance, Jalen Rose's foot on Kobe in the Finals did not happen...

But Su Feng always felt that the Raptors team had been labeled with a big "danger" character!

Because watching Kobe's complaints in the text messages...

Su Feng knew that what made him most uncomfortable was not being killed by McGrady...

But that Carter ran over to mock him at the first time.

In Su Feng's view, as Kobe's best friend...

It's just that pizza is too far away for him to make for Kobe.

Otherwise, whenever Kobe encounters the Raptors in the future...

Su Feng would definitely prepare a delicious pizza for Kobe in advance.

"Alas! Have people finally discovered how difficult it is for me to dominate in this era?"

In front of the computer, after comforting Kobe, watching people's evaluation of this era, Su Feng felt that he had finally made it through the hard times.

Facts have proved that the people's eyes are sharp.

Online, after Chinese and American fans gradually realized the terrible nature of this era, it was obvious that Su Feng would definitely become the biggest beneficiary.

It is worth mentioning that, on the new MVP rankings, influenced by Christmas night...

This season's MVP battle can be described as unprecedentedly fierce.

Because in December, the 76ers had already reached the top of the Eastern Conference, so Iverson rightfully joined this year's MVP throne competition.

And Duncan, who has always performed steadily, goes without saying...

In the West, McGrady, who borrowed 35 seconds from God on Christmas night, is still Su Feng's biggest threat this season.

In addition, after leading the Timberwolves to surpass the Lakers in the standings, the all-around Garnett was also pounding his chest, shouting and launching an impact on the throne of the regular season MVP.

To quote ESPN's evaluation...

This year is definitely the most intense year for the NBA regular season MVP competition.

Because under Stern's whip, the stars of each team are "fighting" like they are playing in the playoffs in the regular season.

At this time, Su Feng suddenly realized a very serious problem.

That is...

If he can't find a way to create more "miracles" this season, then based on Stern's scoring standards for him, even if he gets a "30+ triple-double," he may still miss the regular season MVP.

And after this season is generally regarded as the most intense MVP competition in NBA history...

In Su Feng's eyes...

If you can't get the MVP this season, then you might as well kill him.

Because in Su Feng's view...

In the first five hundred years and the next five hundred years of the NBA...

Probably no individual honor is more valuable than this year's regular season MVP!

And for Su Feng, who is currently focused on establishing his dominance in the NBA...

He knows very well...

Given the current tense and dangerous situation.

It is very necessary for him in the next regular season...

To urgently start the "Finals Mode"!

...

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