I'm really strong in basketball

Chapter 7 Opener

2003 10 Month 28 Day.

The first match day of the new season has finally arrived.

The league arranged three games for the fans, one of which was the Lakers' home challenge against the Mavericks.

Why is the home of the Lakers, of course, because Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States.

The Mavericks had arrived in Los Angeles the day before.

As a landlord, Liu He warmly entertained his college teammate, Josh Howard.

Howard complained about the fierce competition within the Mavericks, and his situation was much more difficult than that of Liu He.

Liu He comforted me a lot.

On the morning of the game day, the team general manager Kupchak suddenly brought a Chinese to find Liu He.

"Mr. Su Qunsu?"

Liu He blurted out.

"you know me?"

Su Qun was very surprised.

Of course Liu He would not tell Su Qun that he was time-traveling, he could only explain: "I like your articles."

Su Qun was very happy, already intoxicated by Liu He's words.

Kupchak smiled: "It seems that I don't need to introduce you, let's talk."

Su Qun made a serious look and said seriously: "You know that the current Lakers team is too hot. Today's game will not only be broadcast live across the United States, but will also be broadcast in real time in China. I am here to interview this game. I also wish you a wonderful performance in the first game of your career."

"Thank you!"

Liu He said.

"So now, can I conduct an interview with you?"

Su Qun asked again.

"Of course no problem." Liu He replied.

……

In the opening game of the new season, the fans of the Lakers have already started singing and dancing, and those who have the ability have bought tickets to watch the game.

But before the game started, there was a news from the Lakers that Kobe Bryant will miss the opening game due to injury.

Later, O'Neal was asked in an interview, will Kobe's absence have any impact on this game?

O'Neal replied: "Of course there will be an impact. But, can you imagine a team with Shaq, Karl, and Gary losing?"

O'Neill answered while making funny faces.

The reporters were all amused.

On the other side, the Mavericks learned about O'Neal's interview.

The team's main players, Nowitzki, Nash, and Finley, are relatively moderate players and did not respond to any harsh words.

On the contrary, Antoine Walker, the all-star forward "Fat Toutuo" who just joined the Mavericks in the summer, was very unconvinced.

One of the former Green Army Gemini stars, Boston Hope, is known as the successor of "Big Bird" Bird.

It took Walker seven years to exhaust the Bostonians' last hope for him, and he was traded to the Mavericks.

Walker was very upset. He felt that he had been betrayed and his heart was greatly hurt.

Hearing O'Neill's declaration again, Walker exploded instantly.

"Of course they are strong, everyone knows that. But they are not invincible. I will prove it to everyone. What I can do! What I can bring to the team! Anyone who underestimates me will live in endless regret."

Look, that guy is on fire.

It's just that these words get more and more strange.

Rather than saying that Walker is responding to O'Neal's words, it is better to say that he is complaining about the unilateral abandonment of the Green Army.

Scumbag, go to hell!
Abandon me, I must make you regret it!

It's this taste.

But in any case, Walker ignited, which also made everyone look forward to this game.

Walker, after all, was once regarded as Bird's successor, and not everyone is qualified.

In his fifth year in the league, Walker averaged 23.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

He's a star with the ability to make a difference in a game.

7 pm.

Staples Center Arena.

There were no empty seats and the stars were shining brightly.

Here, you can experience what it means to be a celebrity walking all over the place, and Internet celebrities are not as good as dogs.

The world's top movie stars, directors, and singers can be seen everywhere on the sidelines... Those new stars are even more so.

Many familiar faces appeared in Liu He's eyes.

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of America.

The appearance ceremony of both sides.

Visiting team lineup:

Dirk Nowitzki, Antoine Walker, Danny Fortson, Michael Finley, Steve Nash.

Seeing this lineup, O'Neal almost laughed out loud.

So, are you guys counting on that European big man to guard dude?

That's embarrassing, buddy said the number: "50 points! Brother will score 50 points tonight!"

Then, the home team's appearance ceremony.

Shaq O'Neal, Karl Malone, Devin George, Derek Fisher, Gary Payton.

Payton played third, and cheers exploded the Staples Center.

Ma Long played fourth, and the cheers were even more exaggerated.

When O'Neal finally played, the cheers on the scene burst directly.

Although it is not a full-fledged Galaxy Battleship, this lineup is enough to drive Los Angeles fans crazy.

Naturally, this game was broadcast live across the United States, and the commentators were TNT's ace partners, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

Smith exclaimed: "I really can't imagine how the Mavericks can beat the Lakers. Antoine Walker is going to slap himself in the face."

Barkley shook his head confidently: "I don't think so. Walker is right. The Lakers are not invincible. Especially when Kobe is absent, the backcourt combination of Finley and Nash is obviously stronger than Payton and Fisher, and the gap is very obvious."

Smith immediately retorted: "Compared to the backcourt, the Lakers do suffer. But in the three-second zone, the Lakers are [-] times stronger than the Mavericks. I still insist that the Lakers are invincible."

The two immediately started arguing.

This is also the characteristic of this pair, creating contradictions and attracting attention.

On the other side of the ocean, a familiar voice sounded.

"Friends from the audience! Friends from the audience! This is CCTV-5, the sports channel. The opening game of the NBA will be brought to you soon, the Lakers will play against the Mavericks at home. The commentator will be Zhang Weiping (Sun Zhengping)."

"It is worth mentioning that there is a Chinese player in the Lakers team. He is the No. 25 rookie this year, Liu He. I hope to see more of his performance."

"Director Zhang is right!"

"In addition, the Lakers formed a super team of O'Neal, Kobe, Malone, and Payton this summer, which is extremely powerful. I don't know how the Mavericks led by Nelson will deal with it."

"Director Zhang is right!"

"But it's a pity that Kobe Bryant will miss today's game. Kobe is an excellent player and the best guard in the NBA today."

"Director Zhang is right!"

Compared with the many contradictions of the TNT group, the main focus of the Shuangping group is a husband and wife singing together... unity and friendship.

Immediately, the game began.

O'Neal gets the jump ball for the Lakers.

Payton advances with the ball.

Defending him was "Poor Man's Jordan" Michael Finley.

Being able to stick the word Jordan has already proved Finley's ability. Finley, who was playing in his prime, entangled the 35-year-old Payton.

O'Neal stuck Nowitzki and reached out for the ball. Nowitzki couldn't stop O'Neal's every move at all, and his existence seemed to not exist.

Payton immediately sent the ball to O'Neal.

Barkley immediately said: "Am I crazy, or is it that old Nelson is crazy, and he let Nowitzki guard O'Neal? I can fly that guy with one ass."

And O'Neal who got the ball was also excited, what a wonderful night!
Next, it's brother's hunting time.

Please start worshiping the King of Los Angeles... Shaquille O'Neal "The Shark".

O'Neal blushed, put his back against Nowitzki, raised the basketball, opened the defense, and prepared to shoot.

Snapped!
A crisp sound resounded through the audience.

O'Neill was dumbfounded.

Standing in front of him is the Mavericks' number three, Danny Fortson.

This guy just slapped O'Neal on the arm the moment O'Neal shot.

It is obvious that it is aimed at people, not at basketball.

Thugs, foul!
no……

O'Neal looked at Fortson suspiciously, brother, what is this for?

Fortson shrugged and spread his hands, his eyes signaled O'Neill to look to the sidelines.

O'Neal looked over.

On the bench of the Mavericks, coach Nelson Sr. looked at O'Neal with a kind smile.

O'Neal trembled all over, feeling the fear from the depths of his soul.

If there is anyone O'Neill is most afraid of in this league, it is undoubtedly the "mad scientist" old Nelson.

Because this guy also has a title, the inventor of the "shark hacking tactic".

O'Neal went to the free throw line and made one of two free throws.

Not bad, not bad.

The score is 1:0.

The Mavericks attacked, and Nash used his speed to tear through the Lakers' perimeter defense, attract help defenses, split the ball to assist Walker, and hit a three-pointer.

1: 3.

Lakers offense.

As soon as O'Neal got the ball, Fortson appeared in front of him.Wait until O'Neal pushes the defender away and prepares to shoot, and then slaps O'Neal on the arm.

Thugs, foul!
O'Neill ignored Fortson, but looked at the old Nelson on the sidelines.

He gestured with aggrieved eyes: "Master, do we really want to play like this? Don't mind."

Old Nelson's eyes were as kind as ever, as if to say: "This wonderful night has just begun, enjoy yourself, King of Los Angeles."

O'Neill was about to cry.

This king, whoever wants to be the king, I don't want to be the king anyway.

In the TNT live broadcast room, Barkley laughed wildly.

"Hahahahaha... It's really old Nelson. If I were Shaq, I would cry too. The most dominant player in NBA history, the only problem is free throws. Old Nelson took O'Neal to death."

Zhang Weiping also commented with a smile: "Hahaha, coach Nelson created a set of extremely interesting tactics to solve the problem of O'Neal's free throw difference. This game is so fun!"

"Director Zhang is right!"

"..."

O'Neal went to the free throw line again and still made one of two free throws.

The score is 2:3.

Looking back, it was still Nash's breakthrough, assisting Nowitzki to hit a mid-range jumper.

2: 5.

Lakers offense.

When Fortson hit for the third time, Staples Center erupted in boos.

Old Nelson put his hands in his pockets, smiled slightly, and watched O'Neal walk to the free throw line for the third time and missed both free throws.

Looking back, it was Nash who beat Payton and Fisher with speed and assisted Finley to make a successful mid-range shot.

2: 7.

The Mavericks led by 5 point.

No one could have imagined that the first attack of the Lakers Galaxy Battleship turned out to be such a scene.

O'Neal on the inside made no achievements, and Payton on the outside was blown away by Nash.

The Lakers collapsed across the board.

(End of this chapter)