The Godfather of Basketball

With the promotion of the Magic, the opponents of the finals will also be announced.

Magic and Rockets, the first game between the two sides will start on June 3, US time.

The competition system is the same as last year, still 2-3-2, and the Rockets have home court advantage.

After the two sides were announced, the major media also became active.

The annual forecast is their favorite thing to do.

It's just that this year's atmosphere seems to be a little different from previous years.

On TNT's latest episode, Barkley and Smith, along with special guest Jeff Van Gundy, talk about the Finals.

"Once a year, the most anticipated NBA Finals is about to take place. Which of the two most powerful teams in the East and West will finally win the O'Brien Cup, which belongs to the glory of the championship. Charles, Jeff, said What do you think?" Smith raised the topic, then turned to look at Barkley and Van Gundy.

"It's a no-brainer, man, do you think there's a team that can play a series with the Rockets?"

Barkley's wide-mouthed style drew a burst of laughter from Van Gundy.

"Spurs? 4 to 1, Lakers? 4 to 1, man, these are two of the best teams in the league, 4 to 1, I haven't seen this score in a long time, it's not two bad teams That’s the team led by Kobe and Duncan, and the Lakers won 64 wins!” Barkley said in the end with a hoarse voice, full marks for his performance.

"Okay, well, Charles, we already know what you think, Jeff, what do you think?" Smith turned his head and looked at Van Gundy.

Van Gundy and Tang Tian had a relationship in the past, but after becoming a commentator, he supported Tang Tian most of the time.

"Before Kevin Garnett got hurt, the Celtics and the Rockets were going to have a big fight, but right now, if there are no injury issues..."

"Yes, injuries, we have to have this premise, that's how the Magic got rid of the Celtics." Barkley added.

"Yes, without injuries, I think the Rockets will end the series within 5 games." Van Gundy continued.

"Boom! So we're on the same page." Barkley raised his hand to Van Gundy, who gave them a high-five.

"So what's your prediction Kenny?" Barkley smiled and looked at Smith.

Smith shook his head, and when Barkley and Van Gundy were puzzled, he said, "The score will be 4-0."

Barkley thought that Smith would have a different opinion, but he didn't expect it to be an even more disparate score prediction. He was stunned for a moment and burst out laughing.

TNT's shows exploded.

But this is where this year is different from previous years. Except for FOX Sports, a professional rocket black, almost no one thinks that the Magic and the Rockets have the power to fight.

The Big Four plus Tang Tian, ​​the regular season plus the playoffs, are completely invincible.

The start of the finals is getting closer and closer, and the media and fans are getting more and more lively.

Fans of the Magic expressed their dissatisfaction with the predictions of TNT and major media, but they were counterattacked by other fans on social media, and the two sides quarreled.

Players also have social media, and core players like Howard know about it.

Unhappy mood is also contagious within the Magic team.

Coach Stan Van Gundy found this out and addressed the players to calm the mood for now.

On June 2, US time, there was only one day left before the start of the finals. The entire Magic team resisted Houston and conducted the final warm-up training before the game in the local training hall.

Although the situation seemed to be one-sided, it was the finals after all, and nearly ten sports media came to the venue, including reporters from such large media as TNT and ESPN.

After the training, the reporters swarmed up.

Howard, the core of the Magic, was their main target, and they were surrounded in the middle after a while.

"Dwight, does the team have any tactics against the Rockets?"

"Dwight, do you have confidence in Bit Yao?"

"Dwight, are the Magic confident they can take a win from Toyota Center?"

...

The reporters asked questions one after another, but what they didn't expect was that "Warcraft" didn't answer any of them, and his face was always cold.

"Dwight, are you confident in the game against the Rockets tomorrow night? We know it won't be an easy game." He only spoke when a reporter from FOX Sports asked a question.

"Of course, I, all of us are ready. The whole world doesn't think we have a chance to win, but we will prove them, everyone is wrong." Howard said confidently.

At this moment, he feels that he is the protagonist in the novel, and the underestimation of the media and fans will eventually become a foil. He will lead the team to counterattack and achieve the most classic history in the NBA.

"What makes you so confident?" A TNT reporter interjected.

"Our three-pointers have never been taken seriously. I am the number one center in the league. I will lead the team to do it. Also, it is very rude to interrupt when others are chatting." Howard was very upset Said.

After finishing speaking, he pushed the reporter away and left the training hall, leaving behind a bunch of reporters who were there in a daze.

It is said that although Howard led the team to the finals, he still has a childish temper. It seems that this is true.

Howard's words naturally reached the Rockets' ears, but during training, Tang Tian refused to answer the media's question, and prohibited the players from commenting on this matter in front of the media.

He didn't want to provoke a war of words between the two sides. He reached the finals, and it was enough to win the championship steadily.

The Rockets chose to respond in silence, but some fans were a little upset about Howard's words.

Three points? The Rockets used the Magic's four-and-three-point shooter tactic two years ago, and it is much more mature than them.

As for the No. 1 center forward, no one is blind. Howard performed well this year, but everyone can see that he beat Yao Ming once, and was deflated once.

To sum it up in one sentence: Whether you have the strength to fight, as an opponent, you should have the most B number in your heart.

The time came to June 3, and the first game of the finals was about to start.

The Toyota Center was packed. After a long season and a full playoffs, they are finally only one step away from the dynasty.

In the locker room before the game, Tang Tian also made the final mobilization for the players in the locker room.

"It is better to win a game than to win a hundred wars of words. Our goal is the championship. This means that we must defeat all opponents, no matter who they are or where they come from. If someone refuses to accept it, we must defeat them. If someone is upset, just eliminate them, the championship, the dynasty, all belong to you, Rockets, go! Go! Go!"