The Fifth Point Guard

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals again, the entire Cavaliers team can feel that the atmosphere is different.

The news was all about them and the other three teams making it to the conference finals.

Tactics, personnel and even private lives are all exposed to the spotlight.

At this stage, there is almost no possibility of an upset.

The reason why the Lakers, who owned F4 back then, lost to the Pistons in the Finals was of course due to the strength of the Pistons, but the more reason was that they themselves had problems.

Conflicts in the locker room tore the Lakers apart, leaving the team simply not motivated enough to compete with the iron-blooded Pistons who were united.

Therefore, strictly speaking, that round of the finals was not a real upset. It can only be said that the Lakers failed to live up to their expectations and committed suicide.

Regarding the Eastern Conference finals between the Cavaliers and Heat, some media commented on them this way.

"The combination of STO and James is like Jordan and Pippen, and Reggie Miller plays the role of Steve Kerr. They are very similar to the team configuration of the Bulls during the championship period. Although they are missing A Dennis Rodman, but the Bulls also didn’t have a center like Ilgauskas during the Jordan era.”

"The Miami Heat have Shaquille O'Neal as the core, with two All-Star perimeter players in Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones, plus blue-collar power forwards Udonis Haslem and Damon Jones. The configuration is similar to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 'OK Combination' era, but Damon is a little weak at the point guard position."

"In short, the configuration of these two teams is a bit like Jordan's Bulls and O'Neal's Lakers, which can be regarded as satisfying people's expectations for the meeting between Jordan and O'Neal in the finals."

The above are comments from the American media, and the following are comments from the Chinese media.

"Great Chinese Derby! Shentong and Wang Zhizhi meet in the Eastern Conference Finals!"

"At this moment of creating history, the Chinese men's basketball team has entered a new stage and embarked on a new journey!"

Wang Zhizhi played for the Heat this season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals with the team.

In the team, Wang Zhizhi's playing time is very limited because of the presence of Alonzo Mourning.

His performance of 2.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game is completely different from that of STO.

However, many Chinese fans are still looking forward to seeing two Chinese players representing different teams appearing in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals.

For the league, viewership from China will be a huge boost.

On May 22, 2005, the Eastern and Western Conference finals played one game first.

The Cleveland Cavaliers sit at home to meet the challenge of the Miami Heat.

Six hours before the start of the game, many media and fans came near the Gund Stadium.

At the entrance of the arena, staff began to install a large screen.

Obviously, tickets for tonight's game are tight again. The Cavaliers management knows that they cannot satisfy all the fans, but they also want to feel the atmosphere at home, so they set up a large screen outside the stadium in advance, just for these people to cheer for the home team outside the arena. Die-hard fans who don’t have tickets.

There were still three hours before the start of the game. The Miami bus slowly drove in and was greeted by the collective greetings of Cleveland fans.

"Hey, old shark, Shen Tong and James will make you into fresh sashimi tonight."

"Dwyane, you are still far from STO!"

"LeBron is the strongest rookie of your generation."

A big-breasted female fan held up a large white board with the words "Cavaliers 2-0 Heat" written on it.

Wade didn't think anything when he saw the poster. The female fan holding the poster was shaking and bouncing the sign, which made Wade feel a little dizzy.

"Guys, don't worry about their tricks, just do our own thing." O'Neal closed his eyes and rested his mind, saying with a relaxed expression.

At this time, experienced veterans like O'Neill are needed to stabilize the morale of the army.

Although Wade has played very well this season, he is still far behind his big brother in terms of leading the team.

Inside the stadium, with half an hour left before the game, players from both teams were warming up on the court.

"Big Z, your opponent tonight is not easy." Shen Tong looked at the opposite court and said to Big Z beside him.

Big Z touched his bald head and said, "Damn it, I hope I won't be hit by his big elbow again tonight."

Varejao came over with the ball in his hands and said with a smile: "Hey, Big Z, don't worry, I'm ready to play at any time."

Wagner scored a three-pointer, shook his wrist and said: "Shen, LeBron, you have to pay attention to your opponents. Eddie Jones is very strong in his own right. He also played next to Shaquille. Dwayne The performance this season is also good, be careful if they suddenly go crazy in the game.”

Shentong and James looked at each other and smiled.

Seeing the two of them looking at him with smiles on their faces at the same time, Wagner shrugged and said, "My opponent is Damon Jones. He is an undrafted player. I am very relaxed."

"Don't be careless." James reminded.

"The last one to appear is the 2.16-meter-tall center, Shaquille O'Neal!"

As the last player of the Heat team came out, the DJ of the Gund Arena introduced the players of the visiting team Heat team one by one.

When Wade and O'Neal appeared in the finale, some sporadic cheers could still be heard at the scene, but they were quickly annihilated in a sea of ​​boos.

After introducing Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy, the lights suddenly dimmed!

As Sirius' music gradually sounded, deafening cheers came from the scene!

Like a roaring tsunami, it detonated the Gund Arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here are the players from the Cleveland Cavaliers, a professional basketball team in Cleveland, Ohio, which is affiliated with the National Basketball Association and joined the NBA in 1970!"

"Roar!!!"

"Wow!!!"

"oh!!!"

The DJ’s excitement and excited voice infected everyone present, including the fans watching on the big screen outside the venue.

Countless hands were raised high and shaking in the air, and countless posters of STO, James and other Cavaliers players filled the entire arena.

"Let us welcome Anderson Varejao, a 2.11-meter-tall rookie center from Santa Teresa, Brazil!"

The Brazilian was the first to play for the team.

Varejao, who had an afro on his head, came to the field with his right hand raised high and waved to the cheering fans around him.

There was unanimous applause.

"Next, let us welcome the 2.03-meter-tall forward Robert Traylor!"

The scene burst into applause again.

Traylor slowly ran onto the court, high-fived Varejao and then stood on Varejao's right side with his hands behind his back, looking confident.

With DJ's introduction, the Cavaliers are left with only the starting five yet to be introduced.

"Now let us solemnly invite tonight's starting players to take the stage!"

Screams, shouts, and whistles filled the stadium.

The atmosphere was intense and terrifying.

"Tall 2.08 meters, drafted into the NBA with the fourth overall pick in the first round of 2002, Drew Gooden serves as the starting power forward!"

Amid deafening cheers, Gooden stretched out his hands, high-fived his teammates one by one as he ran, and stood at the end of the team.

Noise decibel: 70%.

"The next guest is from Kaunas, Lithuania. He is 2.21 meters tall. He joined the NBA with the 20th pick in the first round of 1996. He has played for Cleveland all his career. It is now his seventh season. He is an All-Star player and serves as the starting center. Nas—Ilgauskas!”

Big Z, who is very tall, put his hand on his chest and high-fived his teammates one by one.

The center from Lithuania has been playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and has long established a relationship with the fans, so the cheers he received were very enthusiastic.

Big Z, standing at the end of the team, felt a little shy in the face of such fierce cheers.

Such lively scenes are quite rare for Cavaliers players who have been weak in recent years.

Noise decibel: 100%.

"Let us welcome Dajuan, who joined the Cavaliers with the 6th pick in the first round in 2002 and has played for the Cavaliers ever since. He is a talented guard who set a 100-point record in high school. He is 1.88 meters tall and serves as the starting point guard - Wagner Nana Nana!! !”

As the team's living treasure and mascot, Wagner's appearance is quite joyful.

Unlike his teammates who played before, Wagner came out with a hunched body.

He bent down and high-fived his teammates one by one, but when he got to Big Z, he jumped up and gave Big Z a high-five in the air.

Needless to say, Wagner's contrasting appearance brought joy to the scene, and the air was filled with a happy atmosphere.

As one of the "Little Big Three", Wagner naturally received enthusiastic support from fans.

Noise decibel: 90%.

"The 2003 No. 1 pick, the 2003 Rookie of the Year, an All-Star player, 2.03 meters tall, and the starting small forward LeBron - James James James!!!"

The sound was like a shock wave, almost tearing off the roof of the stadium.

James came on the stage with a domineering step.

He high-fived his teammates with his right hand, and kept patting his chest with his left hand. He didn't know what he was saying, but it seemed that he never stopped.

He also jumped up and high-fived Big Z, then bumped chests with Wagner, then raised his hands with his index pointing to the sky, as if to say, the chosen one has arrived.

Noise decibel: 120%.

The last person to appear was naturally the team's boss, Cleveland's ace, and the most popular player in the NBA.

"at last---"

The DJ's drag sounds were drowned out by the enthusiastic shouts of the fans.

"The best rookie player, four-time All-Star player, two-time NBA scoring champion, one-time NBA champion, 2.01 meters tall, working as a shooting guard, Shen from China - Tong Tong Tong Tong Tong!!!"

"Wow!" Nina Dobrev, who had been sitting very quietly on the sidelines, could no longer hold back at this moment. She put her hands to her mouth, stood up and screamed loudly for her fiancé.

Standing with Nina at the same time, there was also her brother Alexander who was invited to cheer for his idol and future brother-in-law. Alexander also raised his voice and cheered for STO with his sister.

In fact, this is the first time that these brothers and sisters have acted so unanimously on one thing.

The DJ seemed to say something else next, but even after being amplified by the speakers, it was completely covered up by the noise from the fans.

Wade even covered his ears.

O'Neal looked at Shentong who was loved by everyone in Cleveland with envy, thinking that he did not receive such support when he was in Los Angeles.

Noise decibel: 200%!

The Cavaliers are all about it.

Shentong stood in the center, with others surrounding him.

“The climb may be long, but the view at the top is worth it.

When a person has a higher mountain to climb in his heart, he will not care about the quagmire at his feet.

Only then could he face the unbearable pain in the calmest way possible.

Our journey is to the top of the mountains!

There is no other direction to go but up.

Defeat the Heat and advance to the finals! "

"Beat the Heat and advance to the finals!"

"Roar!!!"

Encouraged by Shentong's passion, the Cavaliers players are full of passion and high morale!

No matter who their opponent is now, this group of young guys seems to be able to tear them to pieces.

Paul Silas stood aside, smiling.

I originally thought of a few words of motivation before the game, but I couldn't use them at this moment.

"Which university did this guy Shentong graduate from? He is so eloquent." Silas couldn't help but ask the assistant team.

"China, Chinese people, it's normal." Someone reminded.

"Oh, right." Silas suddenly understood.

The starting lineups of both sides for this game are as follows:

miami heat

Center: Shaquille O'Neal, 2.16 meters;

Power forward: Udonis Haslem, 2.03 meters;

Small forward: Eddie Jones, 1.98 meters;

Shooting guard: Dwyane Wade, 1.93 meters;

Point guard: Damon Jones, 1.91 meters.

——

cleveland cavaliers

Center: Zarjunas Ilgauskas, 2.21 meters;

Power forward: Drew Gooden, 2.08 meters;

Small forward: LeBron James, 2.03 meters;

Shooting guard: Shentong, 2.01 meters;

Point guard: DaJuan Wagner, 1.88 meters.

There were quite a few big names watching the game today.

As business partners, Ivanka, Jobs and others were present at the scene.

In addition to these people from the business circle, there are also many celebrities from the sports and entertainment circles.

David Beckham, Victoria and his wife, Grant Hill, Tamia and his wife, etc.

In addition, STO’s die-hard female fan Anne Hathaway, advertising partner Jessica Alba and others also appeared at the scene.

This is not playing ball, it is simply a grand event.

People who didn't know it thought this was an All-Star Game.

In fact, this is just an Eastern Conference finals.

But this Eastern Conference Finals brings together powerful and popular players such as STO, James, O'Neal, Wade, etc., which is naturally very eye-catching.

Big Z and O'Neal stood in the center circle, posed, and waited for the ball.

In the live broadcast room, TNT's "Humph Two Generals" Barkley and Smith were already seated.

The Eastern Conference Finals are about to begin!

The basketball in the hands of the referee at this time: It has never been paid attention to by so many people in this life.

As the basketball was thrown into the air, Big Z and O'Neal took off almost at the same time.

The ball was first dialed by O'Neal and reached the hands of Damon Jones.

The Heat struck first.

The game had just started, and there were loud chants.

"Defend!"

"Defend!"