NABC Chapter 387 Is this what it feels like to be NTR'd?
Chapter 387 Is this what it feels like to be NTR'd?
109: 90!
In Game 4 of the series, the Nets suffered another crushing defeat to the Pacers by a whopping 19 points!
Yes, the fourth game!
在两天前的那个晚上，篮网队面对火力全开，35分钟就狂砍56分11篮板9助攻4抢断的林天和步行者队，惨败了足足41分之多。
If the Pacers hadn't conceded defeat early in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, they would most likely have broken the NBA playoff record for the biggest point deficit!
Two days later, on this night, even though Kidd's "destiny" finally came, even though he swept away the embarrassment and painful memories of scoring only 7 points on 3-of-18 shooting in the previous game, and scored a luxurious triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists on 11-of-22 shooting, there was obviously not much he could do.
Who could have imagined that Lin Tian, who seemed half-asleep at home, could explode for 100 points in two away games?
Where can I find justice?!
Kidd really did his best to turn a game where he was down by 40 points into a game where he was down by only 19 points!
After all, apart from him, the team's rookie twin towers were still completely unresponsive. The Pacers had really found their Achilles' heel and completely shut them down!
Although Yao Ming is tall, he lacks strength; although Pau Gasol is versatile, he is too soft-hearted.
These two players' weaknesses, at least for this season, will not have a chance to be improved.
But Kidd wasn't in a hurry.
This is only the first season that these guys have teamed up. Yao Ming and Pau Gasol are still rookies, and they've already made it to the third seed in the East and into the Eastern Conference semifinals!
They have plenty of time to improve and change their situation!
They'll definitely be better next season!
Moreover, the Nets have a lot of salary cap space during the offseason!
The Nets' current contract structure is quite healthy!
Van Horn's big contract has expired, and he will become a free agent. The team's worst contract in history, the four-year, $60 million contract given to Jason Williams, which the team spent a lot of money on a few years ago, has also finally expired!
要知道，威廉士自从98-99赛季开始领取这份合同之后，整整4年，总共就打了30场比赛！还全都是98-99赛季的！
In other words, this guy signed a four-year contract, played for six months, and then his career was over due to injury.
Three and a half years! For a full three and a half years, the Nets' payroll has been occupied by a guy who earns over 10 million.
too difficult!
Thankfully, it's all over now!
Its daybreak!
The current Nets' star player, Kidd, will only earn $900 million next season. The team's second-highest paid player is Kittles at $800 million. Apart from these two, no other player on the team has a contract higher than $300 million!
Including the team's hopes, Yao Ming and Pau Gasol both still have 3 years of rookie benefits to exploit. If the salary cap is around $5000 million next season, then the Nets will be able to free up at least $2000 million in salary cap space to sign players!
If they're lucky and willing to invest, the Nets could bring in two All-Star players with salaries in the tens of millions next season!
The team can immediately complete another major reinforcement!
No wonder, many people have long believed that the Nets will have the opportunity to grow rapidly into a true top team in the league within 1-3 years!
Of course, this is on the condition that they don't make any more wrong bets and don't spend all their money on players like Jason Williams.
As for the Nets' goals?
Of course they had already found someone!
With Game 4 of the series just over, Kidd forced out as many friendly smiles as possible and strolled into the Pacers' circle.
"Vince, I've organized a get-together tonight. How about we have some fun? Just the two of us this time, no one else! I've always thought of you as my best buddy, we're going to have to get intimate tonight!"
Kidd immediately put his arm around Carter's shoulder, acting as if the two were brothers who had been together for 20 years.
"Your schemes are written all over your face." Lin Tian impatiently waved his hand and said, "Get the hell out of here! Don't let me see you. You think I don't know what you're up to with Vince?"
"4 years, $5000 million!" Kidd blurted out a number without hesitation when Lin Tian exposed him. "Unfortunately, all contracts in the league are standardized now, so you can't just give whoever you want."
"A guy like you who just finished his rookie contract can only sign this big of a contract at most. But if the guys on your original team are willing to cooperate, we can do a sign-and-trade! 5 years, $6500 million!"
"You can use your Bird rights to get a longer contract, a higher starting salary, and a better deal! Then come to New Jersey, but that depends on whether those jerks and petty guys on your previous team are willing to cooperate. Anyway, we're definitely willing!"
"Are you fucking done talking?" Lin Tian raised his foot and kicked Kidd in the butt. "Aren't you finished? If you don't get out of here, I guarantee you won't be leaving tonight."
"Don't be so petty, Lin! Didn't you come to Indiana in the same way?" To be honest, Kidd's heart was really dirty. He tried to win over Carter while sowing discord, and finally he even showed his shamelessness.
"Come to New Jersey, and you'll be the team's leading scorer and number one offensive weapon! No one will take your shots away; you'll become a hero in New Jersey, and you'll have the power to close out every game!"
"You're the one who makes every game-winning shot, you're the one who handles every crucial play, and even when we go out together every night, you're the first one to choose a girl!"
Kidd's speech became faster and faster, as if he was afraid Lin Tian wouldn't let him finish. He also quietly walked backwards while speaking, clearly intending to run away as soon as he finished.
"Isn't that obvious? Besides Vince, who else on your team has that level of skill and ability? If he doesn't shoot, are you, the bricklayer, supposed to shoot?" Lin Tian gave Kidd the middle finger. At that moment, he finally understood how Jordan felt back then.
Is this what NTR is?
Is this what it feels like to be violated to your face?
Danzi! I'm sorry, brother!
Back then, I, Lord Lin, was young and didn't consider your feelings!
If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would definitely conspire with people secretly instead of talking to them in front of you!
"Achoo!" Jordan, who was at home in Washington contemplating his next move, suddenly let out a huge sneeze!
Comfortable! Refreshing! Great!
Jordan instantly felt refreshed!
Then he stood up and decided to do something big!
With such a great mood and feeling, of course I have to take advantage of this momentum and get things done!
"Ben!" Lin Tian called out, and then Kidd, who was just about to slip away, felt a huge figure behind him, and then two hands directly entered under his armpits and grabbed him.
"Ben, we're buddies! I've bought you tons of drinks, you're not really going to attack me, are you?" Even Kidd was starting to feel a bit nervous.
Who knows if those Pacers bastards will actually beat me up?
Anyway, just look at these guys' appearances and their impressive past record.
Okay, that's actually possible!
So he's a little panicked right now.
"Grab him and drag him into our locker room! Not leaving, huh? Then don't fucking leave! Tell our equipment manager to book an extra plane ticket back to Indiana tonight! I'll pay for it, let this bastard come with us to Indiana!"
"No problem!" Ben released Kidd, then put one arm around Kidd's neck from the side, and started walking towards the locker room.
"Really?" Kidd's eyes lit up immediately. "Can I sit next to Vince? I can tell him about all the fun things to do in New Jersey, and I can even analyze how we can work together next season!"
"Get lost!" Lin Tian kicked Kidd in the butt again, sending him away!
That bastard, how come I never noticed how shameless he was before?
Their shamelessness is comparable to the corner of a city wall!
If Lin Tian was only slightly annoyed and not really angry when he cursed Kidd a few times, then Kidd's next move made Lin Tian's eyes narrow.
Instead of leaving, the guy went around in a circle, then put his arm around Harrington's neck.
"El, what a pity! What a pity! Such a waste of talent, such a waste of talent!"
"You shouldn't have wasted your time in Indiana! Come to New Jersey. I can't promise you'll be a leader or the number one scorer, but I guarantee you'll be the best sixth man!"
"How about it? In New Jersey, you can continue to fight alongside Vince and try your luck at this prestigious honor! And I guarantee you'll get a good salary! If you have even bigger ambitions, I can get our boss to sign you to a short-term contract, or offer you more player options!"
"Let me tell you, my passing skills are top-notch."
Kidd was only halfway through his sentence when he completely lost the ability to continue.
Big Ben is back again.
And this time it wasn't a joke. He grabbed Kidd and, without saying a word, dragged him toward the away team's tunnel.
struggle?
What are you struggling for?!
Come on, Brad, give me a hand, let's pull him together!
Seeing his boss being dragged into a dark room, where he might be beaten up with a sack over his head, Yao Ming couldn't help but walk over and say, "Brother Lin."
"It's alright, don't worry about it! Kids shouldn't concern themselves with this, he's definitely not going to die." Lin Tian patted Yao Ming on the shoulder and said, "At least I guarantee you won't have to go to the Hudson River to retrieve his body tomorrow."
"What about the day after tomorrow?" Yao Ming asked with a bitter face. He really wanted to save Kidd, but what could he do? Kidd was the eldest brother, and so was Lin Tian!
"Let's talk about it the day after tomorrow." Lin Tian waved his hand, turned around, and walked towards the locker room. "We'll see what fate has in store for him."
"Lin." Just as Lin Tian was walking towards the locker room, Carter came over and called out to him, "What do you think of what Jason said?"
"He's right." Lin Tian nodded without hesitation. "Going to New Jersey is a good choice. They don't have a reliable outside scorer. You could average 25 points per game there! More importantly, while you're putting up stats, Jason will be there to cover for you if things go wrong."
"He is the leader of New Jersey, at least everyone would think he is the leader! And Jason's passing is only slightly worse than mine. When you cut to the basket or break down the fast break, you are not afraid of missing the ball. Plus, those two big men, although I destroyed them with pick-and-rolls, if your offensive power is enough."
"They can also use screens to smash others for you!"
"Simply put, you have someone to rebound and set screens for you inside, someone to pass you the ball on the perimeter, you collect the stats, and you're the one who gets the clutch shots and game-winners, but Jason shoulders the responsibility. To be honest, there's no place more suitable for you than New Jersey!"
"But...can't I really stay?" Carter couldn't help but ask after Lin Tian finished speaking, "Actually, taking a little less isn't so bad. 1200 million and 800 million really don't make much difference to me."
"It's a third less." Lin Tian rolled his eyes and said, "Did you never attend classes in North Carolina? It's more than just a tiny bit less."
"However, let's not talk about that now; it's not the right time yet."
"After we win this championship trophy and become a true dynasty team, we'll talk about things in the summer. No matter what you choose then, I will definitely support you, Vince."
"If necessary, I'll talk to Larry. We'll think of some ways, and maybe you can stay with the team while still earning a $1200 million annual salary? The same goes for you, Al!"
"If it's just a difference of a million or so, then it's really nothing. Stay, brothers, let's keep fighting together. But if it's a lot more, then you don't need to hesitate at all. In our line of work, it's all about youth! When it's time to make money, you shouldn't miss out on a single penny!"
At this point, Lin Tian suddenly turned to Harrington behind him and said, "You and Vince are both my good buddies. I hope you have the best development and earn the most money! If you need anything, you can contact me anytime."
"I'll offer you advice; after all, I have a lot of experience in this area!"
The three men walked towards the locker room, talking as they went. From a distance, they could hear Kidd screaming, "No! No! Don't throw me in there! Please, I'm sorry! FUXX! I'm sorry! I'll leave right now, no! No, Larry, we're guys, aren't we?"
"You fucking poached my man right in front of me, and you still call yourself my buddy? Go to hell! Ben, Brad, throw him in there! You think I'm some nobody in hell just because Satan doesn't get angry?"
"Ben, hold his head down, don't let him stick his head up!"
"No, Ben, you're really pressing it! Quick, quick, quick, let go! FUXX! Can't you take a joke... glug glug glug. Let me out, you fucking glug glug glug."
Amidst laughter, Bird's curses, and Kidd's screams from the locker room, Lin Tian and his two companions pushed open the locker room door.
Good heavens! Lin Tian was immediately impressed by the scene.
In the middle of the locker room was a huge ice bucket filled with ice, where Kidd was struggling frantically, and Ben Affleck was actually slamming his head into the water.
That's ruthless!
Lin Tian couldn't help but mutter something.
That Bird is so petty!
"Alright, that's enough." Bird crossed his arms and had someone pull the disheveled Kidd out.
"Do you know how to resolve this matter today?" Bird looked at Kidd with an eagle-like gaze.
"I'll recruit secretly from now on, not in front of you guys." Kidd grabbed two bath towels and quickly wrapped himself up tightly.
He had expected to be scolded for recruiting in person, but he didn't expect these bastards to actually do it!
"Bullshit! Who asked you to do this behind our backs?" Bird spat. "Didn't you just say you had plans for Vince to go out tonight?"
"No more arrangements, no more arrangements." When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Kidd was no longer the arrogant guy he was outside; he was incredibly cowardly.
"Bullshit! If you don't make arrangements, where are we going to go tonight? Keep making arrangements! And the whole team is coming!" Bird snorted and then addressed everyone, "The Eastern Conference Finals aren't starting for at least several more days, let's have some fun tonight!"
"Jason's on the bill tonight! Any questions?"
"No problem! Of course, no problem!" Kidd's eyes lit up immediately!
Want to keep partying tonight? Of course, no problem! He still has so much to say to Carter and Harrington!
These two are both highly sought-after players in this year's free agency market!
At the same time, Kidd quickly realized that while Bird was punishing him, he was still giving him a chance!
He's clearly trying to get Kidd to continue his chat with Carter and Harrington tonight!
That's why I say that management with players' backgrounds are knowledgeable and know how to think from the players' perspective.
If it were a professional manager, they wouldn't allow you to contact their players until the contract expired!
At the same time, Bird's very broad vision also impressed Kidd!
What kind of person could be so selfless, so considerate of the players, and allow their players to freely contact other teams at a time like this?
This magnanimity absolutely deserves a thumbs up from Kiddby!
So, Kidd forgot his unpleasant experience in the blink of an eye, wrapped himself in a Pacers towel, solemnly promised to have a great time tonight, and left the locker room!
"Let's go out and have some fun!" Kidd had just stepped out the door when Ben cheered, opened his locker, and prepared to take a shower, change clothes, and then experience the joys of New Jersey.
"What's the point of playing? Still playing?" Lin Tian rolled his eyes and said, "Back to Indiana! Leaving tonight."
"But Larry just said," Ben felt his brain capacity was insufficient.
"You've only known Larry for a day? Is he the kind of person who's truly selfless? Charles just grabbed his shoulder and caused him to get punched twice, and he's held a grudge for 20 years! Do you really expect him to forgive Jason for recruiting his players to his face?"
"He's clearly playing us! Let's go."
"I never said I wouldn't go, you said it." Bird shrugged, stood up, and said, "Besides, Lin, those adjectives you just used against me are defamatory, fabricated, and malicious. I reserve the right to sue you."
"As for the rest of you, pack your things, we're heading back to Indiana tonight! Kidd? Let that bastard wait for him in the nightclub!"
"Damn it, do you think I'm dead? You dare to dig up my people to my face? You've really gone too far!"
Bird cursed and turned to leave the locker room.
What does "old schemer" mean? What does "petty" mean?
The textbook is right in front of me!
Lin Tian once again felt that compared to these cunning old bastards, he was truly a shining example of righteousness, as clean as a blank sheet of paper and as pure as a child!
Since Bird had spoken, the others naturally didn't say anything more, especially since everyone obviously felt that it would be much more fun to let Kidd wait alone in the nightclub all night than to go out and have fun together!
So a group of people whistled and happily packed their things, heading to the airport.
They've run away!
As for how much torment and anger Kidd will experience that night?
Who cares.
It's time to mention something again.
During the second round of the competition, in addition to announcing this year's MVP, the league also announced the winners of the All-NBA Team.
Shaquille O'Neal, who finally won his first MVP, Tim Duncan, who ranked second in the MVP rankings, Lin Tian, who ranked third, Jason Kidd, who ranked fourth, and Dirk Nowitzki were all selected to the All-NBA First Team!
The second-best lineup of the year consists of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, and Ben Wallace!
The third-best lineup of the year is Steve Nash, Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, Peja Stojakovic, and Dikembe Mutombo!
The biggest winner this year is definitely Ben Wallace! This guy not only made the All-Defensive First Team for the first time this year, but also made the All-Defensive Second Team, plus his Defensive Player of the Year award! Calling him the second-best center might be a bit of a stretch, but calling him the best role player of the year is absolutely justified!
After winning his first MVP award, Shaquille O'Neal made another bold statement! At the MVP presentation ceremony, he declared confidently: "This year belongs to the Lakers! This year belongs to Shaq! This MVP isn't the last MVP trophy Shaq will receive this year!"
"June! In June, I'll be back in Los Angeles with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, celebrating with everyone!"
With O'Neal's strong declaration, the Lakers once again united in the second round and played their best game of the season!
Facing the Trail Blazers, who were challenging them once again, the Lakers no longer fought as hard as they had in the Western Conference Finals to barely advance. They cleanly won four straight games, defeating the Trail Blazers once again and advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive year!
This time, the Lakers have completely shattered the championship dreams of this group of Trail Blazers players!
Sabonis retired after last season, Pippen is getting old and has been away from his peak for several years, and Kemp, whom the team acquired with a gamble, was already a useless player before he arrived. He can't jump or make shots and is no longer the "Rain Man" but the "Water Man".
As for Stoudemire, he has never played at an All-Star level since he came to Portland. Others, such as Kerr and Davis, are either too old to play well or are just role players who are not up to the task.
The team's advancement to the second round is thanks to Rashid's outstanding performance, the best of his career, and Bonzi Wells' continued improvement.
But clearly, with these two players, the Western Conference semifinals are already their limit!
Everyone could see that this gangster team, which had stirred up a storm of bloodshed at the beginning of the century, was not far from disbanding.
In contrast to the one-sided nature of this round of matches, the other matchup in the West was once again a thrilling spectacle!
The Mavericks and Kings, two offensively-minded shooting teams, met in the Western Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year, and for the second consecutive year, they engaged in a fierce offensive battle. This time, the Kings withstood the Mavericks' firepower.
Sacramento did not repeat the mistakes of the previous year. They first unleashed tremendous energy in the pivotal Game 5, winning this incredibly difficult away game.
Then they went on a winning streak, defeating the Mavericks by 21 points at home, avenging their defeat a year ago and advancing to the conference finals!
This was the first time this historic team had done so since relocating to Sacramento, and the entire city erupted in cheers! They couldn't wait to come to their home arena, cheer for their team, and watch them beat the Lakers and become champions!
Hmm... that confident!
As for where the Sacramentoans' confidence comes from? They'll tell you it's from Lin Tian!
Lin Tian dominated Yao Ming and Pau Gasol with his incredible shooting in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the team easily advanced. Sacramento fans also believe that Peja and Bibby can also dominate the Lakers' twin towers of Shaquille O'Neal and Shaquille O'Neal with their screens and shooting!
I'll shoot you all dead!
The final matchup in the league once again produced a minor upset!
The Miami Heat fought a grueling seven-game series and ultimately won Game 7 on the road, narrowly advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals!
This is considered an upset because the Heat are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, which is much lower than the 76ers' ranking.
This isn't considered an upset because everyone knows the Heat's strength. With head coach Riley and the trio of Mourning, Jones, and Payton, this team would definitely not be just the eighth seed in the East if it weren't for so many injuries during the regular season!
If they can beat the Magic, then beating a one-man team like the 76ers will be a piece of cake!
Throughout the series, Payton was like a leech stuck to Iverson. Although Payton focused almost all his attention on defense, averaging only 14 points and 6 assists per game with a field goal percentage of only 35%, 26%, and 70%, Iverson was still severely limited by him!
Throughout the series, the regular season scoring champion averaged only 24.4 points and 5.0 assists per game, while Iverson committed a staggering 2.9 turnovers and had a field goal percentage of only 37% and 21%!
Compared to his regular season average of 31 points per game and his first-round playoff average of 36 points per game, Iverson was completely shut down in this round.
He was completely pinned down by Payton!
Meanwhile, the 76ers' problem resurfaced: the Heat lack Payton's firepower, while they still have Mourning and Eddie Jones.
But when Iverson's offense is contained, who can the 76ers rely on? Mutombo or Aaron McGee?
Clearly, instead of relying on these two to score and break the deadlock, it would be better for Westphal to change his clothes and come on!
After all, Westphal was a formidable player who averaged 20+ points per game for five consecutive years when he was young. Even though he is 50 years old this year, his scoring ability might actually be stronger than Mutombo, Snow, and others.
Unfortunately, Westphal couldn't find his number 44 jersey, and the 76ers couldn't find a player to relieve Iverson's offensive pressure. As a result, after six hard-fought games, the 76ers still lost to the Heat!
The Heat, who finished only eighth in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, continued their Cinderella story, winning another round and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals!
This is the Heat's return to this position after two years. The difference is that the team's core players, Malone and Mashburn, have left, while Mourning and Payton's perseverance has finally given the city a glimmer of hope for victory again!
Heat vs. Pacers!
Lin Tian vs. Mourning, Riley, and Payton!
This is definitely a grudge match!
Lin Tian had even forgotten how many times he had encountered these guys in the playoffs, but he could clearly remember that in the 98-99 season, it was these guys who gave him the only defeat of his playoff career!
Kill them! Get revenge!
Mr. Lin, you're so petty!
As for whether a few lucky guys had run away beforehand and thus escaped death, Lin Tian obviously didn't care!
Whoever's there is doomed, whoever's there gets beaten up! It's that simple.
However, the way the two teams met this time was something Lin Tian really didn't expect.
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Lin Tian was stretching and getting a massage on the sidelines when he saw Payton, who had once again made a name for himself as "The Glove" in the previous series and clearly felt confident in his abilities, staggering towards Carter.
And then everything felt so familiar.
Payton put his arm around Carter's shoulder as if they were old buddies or brothers, then laughed and said, "Vince, Indiana can't offer you much money, right? New Jersey certainly can't promise you the top spot either, can they? Let me think, what other teams are there?"
"It doesn't matter! What matters is that if you come to Miami, you'll have all of these things!"
"Gary, you've really lost all shame!"
Lin Tian wouldn't give these bastards who openly NTR'd him face! Even though he had already accepted the fact that Carter would most likely leave during the offseason, acceptance is one thing, but the behavior of these bastards rushing to snatch him up before the game even started is absolutely unacceptable to Lin Tian!
That's going too far!
"What's wrong, Lin? I heard Jason had a good talk with Vince, why can't I?"
"But Jason paid the price by having a proper talk with him. So, you want a proper talk with us too?" Lin Tian looked at Payton threateningly. "And you bastard, you've lost all sense of decency, haven't you!"
"The leader? Did Alonzo agree?"
"I agree." Mourning walked over in a muffled voice, and said seriously, "You all know my health; I could collapse at any moment. Gary is also getting on in years. If Vince comes to Miami, if he's not the leader, who is?" (End of Chapter)