Chapter 1 The Shortcomings

In Su Feng's previous life, Nick Collison, whose career average was only 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, dedicated his entire youth to the "Sonics/Thunder." Therefore, after his retirement, to commend his loyalty to the team, Collison became the first player in Thunder history to have his jersey retired.

Moreover, at his jersey retirement ceremony, the mayor of Oklahoma City also designated March 20th of each year as "Nick Collison Day."

It can be said that although his career was far less glamorous than those legendary centers, Collison etched his name in NBA history in another way.

But...

Regardless of how much Collison's willingness to take a pay cut late in his career to free up salary space for the team, and even after the NBA's salary cap rose sharply, still only taking a salary of about one skin a year, moved the Thunder fans of his previous life and the Sonics fans of this life...

He also couldn't change the fact that in this Sonics team, he was the weak link.

Previously, the reason why the Grizzlies' "Bear Big" and "Bear Two" could do whatever they wanted in the Sonics' paint...

Was precisely because Collison couldn't effectively protect the Sonics' restricted area.

Collison was definitely good at doing dirty work and heavy lifting on the court.

Because he, who had always been hard-working and complained, was a player who had maxed out his "work ethic talent."

However...

On the basketball court, some results are destined to be unchangeable by hard work alone.

Ever since the Lakers established their team around "Su Feng, Kobe, and Gasol," people in the streets had never stopped criticizing and discussing Little Gasol.

But so what?

From Su Feng's first season joining the Lakers to today, Su Feng and Kobe's teammates had been changing.

But Little Gasol's position had never been shaken.

In a sense, Little Gasol and Collison are the same kind of people.

Because the team's outside stars hold the ball for a long time, their focus in games is mostly on defense, positioning, and setting screens for teammates.

Even when the team's outside stars want to pad their rebound stats...

They will smile and give up the backcourt rebounds that are already in their hands.

In addition, when the team's outside stars occasionally slack off on the defensive end, they must use their bodies to meet and bear the defensive responsibilities that shouldn't be borne by them.

In this league, the great Celtic star, famous background board, and NBA spring monster's designated check-in spot, Tim Duncan, once said:

When defending, as the last line of defense for the team, there is no option to retreat on some balls.

And without a doubt...

Little Gasol and Collison, who had been opponents' background boards many times in games these years, are definitely Duncan's loyal supporters.

Although, due to the rise of "retreat while fighting," many inside players in today's league have gradually forgotten the warrior's faith of stacking armor and taking hits.

However, there are still a small number of inside players in this league who always remember the creed of "heaven to the left, warrior to the right."

On the court, it was the Lakers' turn to attack.

Little Gasol moved up to the high post to receive the ball.

As the third star of this Lakers team, choosing to give up the low post to Su Feng and Kobe was never because Marc Gasol was afraid of physical confrontation with opposing players.

Because whether he was beaten badly by Little Yao or teased by his own brother...

This big white bear from Spain had never complained.

But...

Times are changing.

Basketball is also changing.

If your teammate can finish at the basket with far greater efficiency than you...

Then why not choose to give him the low post?

Unlike Dwight Howard, who constantly took opposing players to double-team Chris Paul, or the "Brooklyn tragic beast" who would rather block his teammates' cuts to the basket than give up his position in the paint.

Or unlike the "NBA's worst All-Star center in history" in the eyes of Nets fans, who never sees how much he weighs.

Becoming a shield, standing up to be beaten, not being greedy for merit, not being obsessed with any data, and contributing all his strength to the team...

This is Marc Gasol's way of basketball as a dynasty center.

At the Staples Center, on the left low post of the Sonics' half, as Su Feng sat down in that area with Sefolosha, Little Gasol immediately passed the basketball in his hand to Su Feng.

And in this instant...

Looking at Su Feng, who had already moved past Sefolosha and cut inside...

Collison, knowing it was impossible to make it in time, also used his desperate retreat to perfectly illustrate why he could be honored with a jersey retirement by the Thunder in Su Feng's memory.

Bang, swish!

In the Sonics' restricted area, by the time Collison arrived, Su Feng had already sent the ball into the basket in front of Sefolosha and the belated Durant.

"This one's on me. Next time, I'll definitely make it in time." Raising his right hand, and looking at Durant and Sefolosha before preparing to inbound the ball, Collison took the blame.

As a player who knew his own limitations, Collison certainly knew that some things in this league couldn't be changed by hard work.

He knew his role on this Sonics team very well.

It was just that...

As the team's only reliable inside utility player...

He hoped to provide more help to the team in games.

This play, Collison took the blame on his own initiative, both maintaining Sefolosha's confidence, which was always on the verge of collapse in his confrontation with Su Feng, and preserving Durant's face, who hadn't helped Sefolosha in time in this defense.

Because he knew he could never be the one to change the course of the game, Collison hoped he could shoulder more for these geniuses, even if it wasn't his responsibility.

"The Sonics' inside is really awful."

"How can this kind of defense hold up against my Maple Emperor's butt?"

"Don't even mention the Maple Emperor, even Kobe's elbows are enough to give the Sonics' inside a hard time!"

In this league, it's not just Durant who has countless alt accounts who likes to read comments after games.

And whether in his past life or this life, the reason why Collison could endure the fans' accusations against him and turn them into motivation on the court...

Was precisely because, after doing everything he could, Collison had a group of talented teammates to look forward to!

On the court, Brandon Roy suddenly started from the wing.

Conserving energy in the regular season was only to slightly reduce the burden on his knees when he unsheathed his sword in the playoffs.

Without slowing down, the "Yellow Mamba," still accelerating in his sudden stops and turns, had already thrown the "Black Mamba" behind him after performing two consecutive crossovers!

Peach Blossom Shadow Falling Divine Sword!

At this moment, Roy was clearly the brightest star in Collison's eyes!

Six games against the Grizzlies...

Don't forget that in the most critical G3 and G4 games...

It was Roy who took the lead in sounding the horn of counterattack against Memphis!

Inside the three-point line, shaking off Kobe and passing Little Gasol!

Brandon Roy, who had been unimpeded all the way, drew the sharp sword from his waist and pointed it at the Lakers' basket!

In front of the TV, the Sonics' supporters had already raised their hands high.

But the next second...

It was the Los Angeles Lakers' fans who cheered!

Do you know who the player ranked nineteenth on the NBA's all-time blocks list is as of now?

The answer is the only perimeter player in the top fifty of this list:

Su Feng!

On the court, Su Feng made a quick decision the moment Roy broke through.

After abandoning Durant, who he had been blocking in the corner with a look of disgust, Su Feng's big hand pressed down on the basketball that Roy had just released as Roy jumped up to finish with a layup!

Granted, Collison had a group of talented teammates to look forward to.

But who told Collison that Little Gasol wouldn't be afraid of Little Yao and his older brother even if he was spineless, because he thought he could withstand those two on his own?

Ben Wallace.

Shaquille O'Neal.

Jermaine O'Neal.

At this moment, those inside players who had partnered with Su Feng in the past were collectively crying in the toilet!

Pa, bang!

In the Lakers' restricted area, as Su Feng nailed Roy's layup firmly on the backboard, in that instant, even through the screen, you could feel the 35-year-old veteran's desire for victory!

"Tsk! Not bad! Worthy of being my 'deputy'!" On the court, looking at Su Feng, who had grabbed the second rebound, Kobe, who had just retreated to the Lakers' restricted area, smiled.

And aside, looking at this pair of outside partners who were bickering as usual, Little Gasol, who didn't dare to interrupt, ran towards the Sonics' half without looking back.

Under the basket, looking at Kobe, who was reaching out his small hand to ask for the ball, Su Feng was furious.

Because if it hadn't been for his divine intervention, with a flying block on Roy...

Wouldn't Kobe have been dragged to a meeting by the Kobe haters after tonight?

But as a chef who was only good at playing basketball...

How could Su Feng dare to argue with the great Kobe Bryant?

Playing ball was just a matter of letting Kobe win a little bit.

Not embarrassing!

On the court, after smiling slightly at Kobe, Su Feng turned around and used Green's screen to switch Durant to face him.

And Su Feng, who had been submissive to Kobe the second before, also showed what it meant to strike with full force at this moment!

Bang!

Durant, huh?

Bang!

Kevin-Construction Foreman, huh?

Bang!

Likes to drink Scarlett Johansson's bathwater, huh?

In front of the TV, Leonard, who had chosen to come to Duncan's house to watch and learn from the Lakers because the Celtics didn't have a game tonight, instantly transformed into Loki, who had witnessed Thor being beaten violently by Hulk.

Nice!

That's the feeling!

And aside, looking at Leonard, who had suddenly jumped up from the sofa...

Duncan, who saw through his thoughts in seconds, also gave him a knowing smile.

How to quickly cultivate the Saiyan's pectoral muscles from the Dragon Ball manga in the NBA?

In the Sonics' half...

At this moment, Durant, who was like a hemp stalk in front of Su Feng...

Almost had his tears chiseled out by Su Feng!

Although Durant's physical confrontation and balance maintenance ability weren't as weak as his appearance suggested...

But at this moment, even if you replaced Malone and Barkley, they wouldn't dare to say they could withstand Su Feng, who was surrounded by burning special effects.

Low post, chiseling through Durant, moving into the paint, another restricted area score from Su Feng!

On the wing, I-Turtle and Sefolosha simply didn't have time to help Durant.

Because Durant's collapse speed in this defense was simply comparable to the French meeting the Germans.

Before you could liberate France...

Their German was already at level eight!

"This one's on me!" Under the basket, looking at Durant, who was constantly rubbing his chest with a wronged expression, Collison once again took the blame on his own initiative.

However...

Even with Collison comforting his pain, it was only a matter of time before Durant entered self-isolation tonight.

Because on the court, while retreating on defense, Kobe commented on Su Feng's attack this way: "This play, as my 'deputy,' you played decently.

But don't be proud just because I praised you.

Only by always remembering that you were miserably defeated by me in a one-on-one game by a score of 1 to 196 can you continue to make progress on the court!"

Good heavens!

A constant reminder, indeed!

On the court, in the first quarter of the game, Su Feng, who had rested for nearly a week before the game, was obviously not affected by the lack of game condition due to the excessive rest time.

And thanks to Su Feng's excellent state on both offense and defense, the Lakers also suppressed the Sonics, who had just finished a bloody six-game series with the Grizzlies, from the start of the game.

At the Staples Center, the score for the first quarter between the two teams was 24 to 37.

In the first quarter alone, Su Feng scored 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block for the Lakers.

In the second quarter, because the Lakers had a certain lead, Coach Lue decisively kept Su Feng on the bench for the first half of the second quarter.

And originally, the Sonics' second unit, led by Harden, had once narrowed the point difference between the two teams to 8 points in the first half of the second quarter.

But what was unbelievable was...

In the next few possessions...

Don't even mention receiving the ball, even if he ran a little slower, Harden would be scolded by Derek-"Shit-Stirrer"-Fisher.

In Su Feng's previous life, as one of the 'heroes' of the Thunder Three Youngsters' breakup, Fisher's various targeted actions on and off the court at the time could be said to be the key straw that prompted the Thunder management not to give Harden a few more skins a year.

And in the streets, there was also a conspiracy theory that Fisher wanted to help his beloved Lakers clear the way to winning the championship.

After all, before Kobe's repeated serious injuries, the Thunder had the highest talent in the West at the time.

But in this life...

Not to mention that as one of the chips in the trade for Kidd back then, Fisher didn't even get a championship in his Lakers career...

You should know that when Su Feng parachuted into Los Angeles back then, the Lakers directly ignored Fisher's desire to return to Los Angeles.

Therefore...

Instead of saying that Fisher was a spy sent to the Thunder by the Lakers...

It was better to say that this guy was born a "cheap bitch."

Whether it was his manipulation of the Jazz in Su Feng's memory, or his secret compromise with the capitalists when he was the chairman of the Players Association, or his secret flirting with teammate Barnes' wife, it was not difficult to see that Fisher was a refined egoist.

And as for why he was targeting Harden?

That was of course because as the backup guard of this Sonics team, if he didn't target Harden, how could he show his importance to this Sonics team, and how could he get the biggest piece of the cake besides Du, Roy, and Wei when it came time to divide the cake in the future?

Huh?

You said that the Sonics are still ten thousand miles away from the championship, and even if Fisher wanted to think about these things, it wouldn't be now?

Uh...

Sorry.

If you use ordinary people's values to judge Fisher, then it can only show that you are really a good person.

For example, the "inexperienced" Little Fatty Harden at this moment.

Scolding was scolding.

During the timeout in the second quarter, when Fisher immediately changed his face and turned to Harden and said, "The reason why I didn't pass the ball to you just now was because your offensive choice had problems. As an experienced veteran, I have no malice towards you."

The second before, Harden, who was still wondering where he had offended Fisher, was instantly moved by Fisher.

The professional basketball world is just like the workplace.

Not exaggerating or downplaying.

If you teamed up with a colleague like Fisher in the workplace, you would definitely be extremely unlucky.

Because in addition to not knowing when you would be betrayed by him, he would even stare at your wife.

In the first quarter, Collison, who had been working hard on the court, didn't see the Sonics' geniuses stand up.

And in the second quarter, when he was waving his towel like crazy for his teammates off the court, hoping that Harden could stand up again and be a savior like before...

What was sad was that what he was waiting for...

Was just someone saying, "We lost too many points inside in the first quarter. This game still needs to be played slowly and chased slowly."

Just like Fisher would often say those obvious nonsense to the media when he picked up the teaching whip in the future.

Maybe this was Fisher's so-called veteran experience!

In the second quarter, Chauncey Billups and Livingston once again won six minutes of rest time for Su Feng.

Billups, who rarely asked questions in games and often took the initiative to help the team solve problems, didn't panic when Harden scored consecutively.

After joining forces with Livingston to slow down the pace of the game, and creating the one-on-one space that Anthony had enjoyed in the past for Bogdanovic and Livingston...

Billups, who had a score of 0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in the first six minutes of the second quarter, seemed to have done nothing.

But...

He seemed to be everywhere.

On the basketball court, data has never been a rigid standard for measuring whether a player is excellent.

Because Billups knew that his and Livingston's mission was to delay time as much as possible and allow Su Feng and Kobe to get more rest time off the court.

Therefore, he never cared about the gains and losses of one offense and one defense.

In the second quarter, before Su Feng came back, the score on the court between the two teams was 33 to 46.

Affected by the previous six-game bloody battle with the Grizzlies, the Sonics players, who were eager to chase points in the second half of the second quarter, all turned into blacksmiths.

And under Kobe's stimulation, Su Feng, who became more and more courageous in battle, turned into the Lakers' battering ram that night.

At the end of the first half, the Lakers further expanded their lead to 19 points.

After the mid-game break...

The two teams changed sides and fought again.

You could never guess when he would erupt, Danny Green became the last straw that broke the Sonics' back that night.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

"Wow, Green is really amazing today!

He can make whatever he shoots!" CCTV, watching Green make four three-pointers in a row for the Lakers in the third quarter, Zhang指导 explained.

"The Lakers have gradually found the feeling of all the soldiers in the dynasty era!

Now no matter who is switched up, you feel that he can share the pressure for Su Feng and Kobe!" And aside, Yu Jia said so.

As a result, I don't know if it was to verify Yu Jia's words...

On the court, in the second half of the third quarter, after Seth Curry came on as a substitute...

This player from the Curry family also made two three-pointers in a row for the Lakers!

At the Staples Center, the Sonics, whose morale was getting more and more broken, had no chance of a comeback.

In the final quarter, seeing this, the Sonics' coach Brooks simply withdrew the main players.

In the end, the final score of this Western Conference Semifinals G1 game was 99 to 121.

Su Feng, who only played two and a half quarters for the Lakers, efficiently got 36 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.

And Kobe, who directed Su Feng the whole game, contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists for the Lakers.

On the Sonics' side, Durant, who was forcibly locked down by Su Feng, not only disappeared on the court this time, but also only got 11 points and 4 rebounds with only 3 of 13 shots in the whole game.

Among the Thunder Four Youngsters, besides Westbrook, who madly scored 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for the team, Roy and Little Brother Harden's performance also couldn't pose a threat to the Lakers.

Although he turned on the full power mode in the playoffs...

But because he almost teased Kobe in the game, the "Yellow Mamba" was also subjected to the former's "snake entanglement" this night.

And as for Little Brother Harden...

After the game, to quote Fisher's evaluation in the interview, some players on the Sonics simply didn't show the attitude of wanting to win this night.

"We must strengthen our defense, improve our offensive quality, and choose our shots more carefully on the court."

Look...

What a "professional" post-match comment!

At this moment, looking at the "glorious" and "great" Fisher, even though he only contributed 3 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound for the Sonics in this game...

The reporters from Seattle unanimously believed that he was the only player who could leave the Staples Center with his head held high this night.

Online.

Those Lake haters who were extremely eager for the Sonics to snipe the Lakers before this round of the Western Conference Semifinals were extremely disappointed.

However...

Considering that the Sonics were still in a bloody battle with the Grizzlies the day before, the Lake haters didn't give up hope after this night.

But one day later...

May 8th.

As the Sonics lost to the Lakers in the second Western Conference Semifinals game with a score of 104 to 119...

For a time, these Lake haters felt as uncomfortable as if the sky had fallen!

And after leading the Sonics 2-0 in the big score, after the game, in the Lakers' locker room, under Kobe's all-knowing gaze...

Su Feng finally unloaded the cautious and steady disguise he had before the start of this round of the series!

"In this round of the series, I hope you all understand that only a 4-0 score can allow us to have enough physical strength to face the challenge of the Warriors or the Jazz in the upcoming Western Conference Finals.

Therefore, before setting off for Seattle, I'm showing my hand to you.

We don't have a fifth game, or a sixth and seventh game in this round of the series.

4-0...

Is the only big score I can accept!"

What Durant.

Westbrook.

Harden.

Roy.

To be honest.

Su Feng had never regarded them as rivals to the Lakers.

Because...

These kids simply didn't understand at this moment...

This is an era without a future!

In the West.

What made Little Zhan Zhan not dare to shout the slogan "Warriors Championship" after owning the most luxurious championship team in history?

In the East.

What made the Heat and Celtics have a total of 7 players ejected from the court in the first two games?

Atlanta.

When Wade and Paul argued red-faced for a controversial penalty...

This was the tragic and cruel Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals of the 12/13 season.

It was a pity.

The experience of being miserably defeated 0-4 by the Mavericks last year...

Didn't become a lesson for this Sonics team.

"I knew it. You must have thought from the beginning that we could sweep the Sonics in this round of the series with a big score of 4-0." In the Lakers' locker room, after everyone left, Kobe suddenly put his arm around Su Feng's shoulder and said.

Hearing this, Su Feng, who had been played with by Kobe until he was unrecognizable recently, sighed deeply and gritted his teeth and said, "You really are the roundworm in my stomach!"

Kobe laughed and said, "No.

I'm just your Kobe Bryant."

Su Feng: "..."

Please!

Big brother!

With an support like you who uses AdC as a tool to steal kills all day long...

Do you know how I've been living these past few days?

"This season, I will definitely let you sit on that damn throne again." In the Lakers' locker room, just as Su Feng was filled with grief and indignation, Kobe suddenly said.

"I guarantee it." Looking at Su Feng with a look of affection, Kobe paused and then continued.

In the second half of the regular season.

Kobe obviously increased the frequency of his walking on the court.

In the first round of the playoffs.

Most of the time, Kobe would only compete with Su Feng verbally.

And by the time of the Western Conference Semifinals...

Even if Kobe could hardly control himself.

Before the upcoming Western Conference Finals...

He must also control himself.

Because Kobe knew that Su Feng still hadn't told the truth to the Lakers' teammates.

In fact...

'From the beginning, you have been preparing for that round of the Western Conference Finals with the Warriors, right, Su?

I don't mean to offend the Jazz.

But they are indeed difficult to stop that Warriors team that even you would feel your scalp tingling.'

Kobe knew very well that, barring any accidents, the regular season MVP this season would belong to him.

And as long as he thought of the figure who had been silently supporting him behind him ever since he recovered from his injury...

Kobe felt that he must do something for that guy.

Why was Kobe never jealous of Su Feng?

Because nineteen years ago, when Kobe was in charge of leading the team to charge, Su Feng had never been jealous of Kobe either.

You thought these two men, who were over thirty, were bickering on the court childishly.

But actually...

How would you know...

That was just the best proof that they were inseparable.

How could Su Feng care about a mere videotape?

It was precisely because Kobe had an incredibly special place in Su Feng's heart.

That was why Su Feng didn't mind letting Kobe take advantage of him.

But, after taking enough advantage...

Kobe also knew that in that upcoming Western Conference Finals...

Su Feng needed someone to share his pressure.

Accumulating power, waiting to be released.

If the road ahead was destined to be one where you couldn't succeed without going crazy...

Then let me accompany you to become demons together!

(Su Feng: Wait, Kobe, can you say those words again? I'll make a recording!)

…

ps: A 7k chapter, late but here!