Jordan: I thought he was there to help me!

Chapter 607 The Pistons are going to be dismantled? That's something for my Lord Lin!

Even the Pistons, even though they are known as the toughest, most spirited, and most resilient team in the league, even though their defense, unity, and balance are among the best in the entire history of the league.

Despite the team being down 3-0 and playing all-out defense, the Pistons still collapsed after Lin Tian scored 40 points on 15-of-15 shooting in Game 3.

Their mentality couldn't hold up, and their fighting spirit couldn't hold up either.

Even though Brown repeatedly used phrases like defending the title, the dignity of Motor City, and never giving up to motivate them, and even though Dumars brought in two big enforcers, Laimbeer and Mahone, to teach the team a lesson, hoping to help them regain their confidence and strength.

But it was completely useless!

In Game 4 of the series, when the team faced the Knicks again, the Pistons players still couldn't mount any effective resistance.

Morale is something that, once it's gone, it's gone.

Finding it back is definitely not something that can be done overnight.

It's even possible that the Pistons will struggle to regain their confidence by next season, and they might tremble at the sight of the Knicks for a long time to come.

That's absolutely terrifying!

99: 90!

Game 4 of the series became the final game of this series. Although neither side scored high, the Pistons still controlled the pace of the game, and the point difference between the two sides was within 10 points for most of the time.

However, if you watched this game, and watched it from the perspective of a Pistons fan, you definitely wouldn't feel sorry or that it was a close loss.

All Pistons fans who watched this game felt nothing but despair.

Utter despair!

Although the game was slow-paced, and both teams had low shooting percentages, everything was exactly what the Pistons wanted.

Throughout the game, the Pistons only led once, at the start of the game when they were up 2-0!

Since then, they have never been in the lead for even a second! Although it seems like everything is theirs, and they want it, the Knicks are able to hold onto their advantage and make it impossible for the Pistons to catch up, no matter how hard they try.

The Pistons came closest to victory with 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, when they narrowed the gap to just 3 points!

But in the next 3 minutes, the Knicks suddenly erupted, going on a 14-0 run!

Led by Lin Tian, ​​and assisted by Stoudemire and Anthony, the three of them took turns shooting, hitting every shot during this period. They easily shattered the Pistons' hard-won hope!

This almost terrifying suppression, this cat-and-mouse style of play, this way of almost toying with, teasing, and playing with you, the way of quickly pulling away as soon as you get close, is far more devastating to a team than winning a game by 30 points.

This is a feeling of being completely controlled and unable to escape, which is why all the Pistons players are desperate and may cast a shadow over the Knicks.

We really can't beat them.

As expected, Lin Tian achieved a triple-double for the 12th consecutive game. Although he only scored 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists that night, all of his points came at the most crucial moments. The feeling Lin Tian gave people in this game was that he had just exerted his strength when Lin Tian collapsed.

He led his team to victory in the game with almost effortless ease, almost like he was just paddling!

After this night, the Knicks officially became the Eastern Conference champions this season! Now, they just have to wait for the winner between the Suns and the Lakers!

One of these two teams will become the Knicks' opponent in the NBA Finals!

But before that, the Knicks have one last press conference in the Eastern Conference!

"Larry, your contract expires this summer, but you haven't signed a new one with the team. We're curious, will you stay here and continue to fight for a championship with your players?"

The Pistons' press conference started first, and the first question from the reporters was quite pointed!

"I will try my best to stay. I love this team, I consider this place my home, and I hope to continue coaching here. I believe we can still compete for the championship."

"So, have you received an offer from the team?"

"..."

After a long silence, Brown sighed and said, "Not yet, but I believe it will be achieved."

"As we all know, Detroit's economy is in terrible shape, and there are even rumors that the city could go bankrupt at any time. The team owners are considering reducing the team's expenses in hopes of saving money. So, if the team wants you to take a pay cut, a significant pay cut, would you agree?"

"I hope we can reach an agreement." Faced with the reporter's extremely pointed question, Brown gave another ambiguous answer before quickly saying, "Tonight, I don't want to discuss my future anymore. We're eliminated tonight. You can ask questions related to the game."

"So, Ben, your contract expires this summer. Would you consider taking a pay cut to stay with the team? Although you won Defensive Player of the Year this season, I heard that Dumars' offer to you is quite low, even less than $800 million per annum. Would you accept such an offer?"

"No." Compared to Brown, Ben was much more direct. He stated bluntly, "But I believe Joe wouldn't offer me that kind of price. We're buddies, brothers, we've fought side by side. I don't think he'd offer me a contract far below market value."

"But considering your age, a player like you can experience a significant decline in form at any time. If your team offers you a long-term contract, will you feel guilty about your declining performance?"

"I train hard, I play with all my might, I give everything to the game, why should I feel guilty?" Ben Wallace looked at the reporter with an expression that said, "Are you asking for it?" and was about to continue lashing out at the reporter when the Pistons' press officer finally couldn't stand it anymore.

"Okay, I hope you can ask some questions related to the game. We will no longer answer any questions unrelated to the game. If you want to continue this press conference, you know which questions you cannot ask."

"Chauncey, we heard the team is planning to trade you. Are you aware of this? If you were traded, where would you like to be sent?"

"I want to be sent to your mother's bed! FUXX!" This question completely pushed the hot-tempered Pistons players to their breaking point. They were already in a bad mood because of the loss, and this question caused them to explode. Brown was the first to stand up with a gloomy face and casually threw the microphone on the floor.

He then turned and left, with Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and others following closely behind. The press conference ended abruptly.

"They flipped the table?" Meanwhile, at the Knicks' press conference, Lin Tian perked up at this, leaning on the table and demanding, "Tell me more about it!"

After hearing the whole story, Lin Tian stroked his chin and said, "If they disband this season, it has nothing to do with me!"

As soon as Lin Tian said this, the reporters who hadn't yet connected the dots immediately understood.

Good heavens! Absolutely good heavens!

You mean you scattered them, huh?

"Lin, you mean they disbanded because the team felt that even if they maintained their original roster, they wouldn't be a match for you?"

"I didn't say that," Lin Tian quickly waved his hand and said, "You guys said it."

However, although Lin Tian verbally refused, his expression betrayed him.

It was all smiles.

Every move and expression of this guy tells the story: Yes, that's it! I'm too strong, I drove them to despair, and that's why they disintegrated.

That's how it is!

Lin Tian's performance immediately ignited the reporters' enthusiasm, and all sorts of headlines and articles were already bursting forth from their minds!

Tonight is destined to be another night of massive online traffic!

The Pistons didn't offer Brown or Ben any contracts; the reason? They were afraid!

"Paying the luxury tax isn't enough to get the Pistons out of New York; they'd rather break up than stay with their roster because they're desperate!"

The Consequences of a 4-0 Crushing Defeat? The Pistons, the Greatest Defensive Team in History, May Be a Thing of the Past!

At least six teams have submitted offers to Ben, and more than ten teams are interested in Larry Brown!

Chauncey Billups may have already played his last game for the Pistons; more than five teams have expressed interest in him!

The Pistons are poised for a major summer overhaul! A look back at their championship run last year!

"At least he was glorious once! Dumas says frankly: No regrets!"

The media frenzy and the emergence of various articles and speculations made this inexplicable incident the hottest topic in the American basketball world that night.

Lin Tian, ​​break the piston apart!

Of course, the most important reason why this topic is so popular is that Lin Tian's performance in this series was indeed a bit brutal, which fully met the conditions and possibilities of breaking up the opponent.

In response to these speculations from the media, reporters, and fans, Pistons CEO Dumars could only offer a helpless, wry smile.

He simply couldn't respond.

Because as early as the start of the playoffs, he received instructions from the team owner: if they win the championship this year, let the team persevere and see if they can achieve a three-peat.

If they can't win the championship, then no matter where or how the Pistons fall, they will have to be dismantled this season!

If you don't want to break up the team, there's only one way! Drastically reduce salaries!

For example, Brown's annual salary is $800 million, which ranks third in the entire league! Only behind Don Nelson and Phil Jackson.

But if he wanted to stay with the Pistons, the owner offered Dumars $500 million for a 2+2 contract.

That is, there is protection for the first two years, but no protection or compensation for the next two years.

Giving Brown this kind of contract is nothing short of insulting! It's an absolute insult to the old man!

Dumars, who knew Brown's temperament very well, knew very well that the day he handed over this contract would be the day the Pistons' head coach announced his resignation.

This is why Brown never received an offer.

Let's delay it for as long as we can.

As for Ben Affleck's situation, it's pretty much the same.

如今大本的市场价大概在1000万左右，5年5000或者5年5500之类的合同，相当适合他。

The problem is that the Pistons owner only gave Dumars a four-year, $32 million contract.

This price is far from what I'm willing to pay!

If someone can earn 5500 million over 5 years, and you give them 5000 million over 5 years, Dumas will grit his teeth and stomp his feet, saying he'll do anything to persuade Ben Wallace to come back.

No, given Ben Affleck's temperament, if it were just a matter of a hair's breadth, he would have turned back without a second thought and returned without Dumas having to say a word.

But if you offer someone a price like 3200 for 4 years, that's really insulting them; nobody would stay!

So Dumas is really in a difficult position right now, not knowing what to do.

But he was certain of one thing: the team would almost certainly undergo significant changes this summer.

Moreover, these changes were not intended to strengthen the company, but were truly a last resort.

Even Dumas couldn't curse his boss as a scoundrel.

The boss was almost bankrupt, yet he still increased the budget to help the team win the championship. He must really love basketball!

That's why Dumas is currently unable to give interviews or speak out.

What could he say?

Saying they absolutely won't disband? That's just bullshit!

Saying the team will undergo some changes? What's the point? Besides getting more media reports, it's utterly useless.

Dumars will definitely be the most troublesome general manager among all teams this year.

But there was nothing that could be done; the entire city of Detroit simply couldn't hold on any longer.

As for the Knicks, after sweeping the Pistons to achieve a 12-game playoff winning streak, the entire team quickly returned to New York. They will wait and see which of the two teams, the Lakers and the Suns, will ultimately prevail!

Upon returning to New York, Lin Tian unsurprisingly received another call from Ben Affleck.

"Lin, what should I do? I'm so happy in Detroit! My buddies are all here, my family is all here! I'm so happy here, I don't want to leave." Ben Wallace asked Lin Tian the same question he had asked him before leaving the Pacers.

At this moment, just as at that moment.

Lin Tian gave the same answer to Da Ben's question without hesitation, just as he had before.

"Go get that damn money! Ben, my answer will never change." Since he had already persuaded Ben to leave last time, Lin Tian felt no burden whatsoever in persuading him to leave again this time.

"You have to think about your future, don't you? If it's only a difference of a million or so a year, then no problem. For friendship, loyalty, and livelihood, you can stay."

"But if the difference is several million a year, and the total difference is over ten million, then what's the point of staying in Detroit?"

"I understand, boss, I understand." Big Ben hung up the phone. He had actually guessed Lin Tian's answer before making the call, but he still wanted to ask one more question.

He doesn't want to leave Detroit, just as he didn't want to leave the Pacers back then.

The problem is that he didn't have much of a choice in either of these two situations.

Let's take a step by step.

……

After the Knicks easily defeated the Pistons and advanced to the Finals, the Western Conference is also about to be decided.

Although the Lakers and Suns didn't sweep each other in this matchup, it was still a close call.

The Lakers started strong with a decisive victory over the Suns in Game 6 of the series, taking an early lead and seizing home-court advantage. In this game, O'Neal exploded for a double-double of 41 points and 17 rebounds, forcing Martin to foul out early and looking disheveled.

In the second game, the Suns had a hot shooting night, sinking a total of 17 three-pointers. Thanks to their hot outside shooting, the Suns won the game, bringing the series to 1-1.

The two teams, who were evenly matched in the first two games, suddenly changed their tune after arriving in Los Angeles!

Back at home, the Lakers played with all their might, delivering a top-level performance from top to bottom!

Game 3 of the series was Kobe's show. He scored 50 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, single-handedly dismantling the Suns' entire defense and leading the Lakers to victory.

In the fourth game, it was O'Neal's turn to explode, scoring a near triple-double of 39 points, 21 rebounds, and 7 blocks. He not only tore apart the Suns' interior defense but also dominated the paint, leaving all the Suns players who tried to challenge him bewildered.

3: 1!

After four games, the Lakers have gained a very clear advantage! They have a match point.

Although the Suns successfully defended Phoenix in Game 5 of the series, that was all they could do.

系列赛第六战重回斯台普斯，奥尼尔41分17篮板5盖帽，科比40分5篮板6助攻！

The Lakers' star duo combined for 81 points! This output and destructive power was too much for the Suns to handle; they lost by 15 points and were eliminated.

The Suns have fallen short in the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years, unable to advance any further!

The Lakers, on the other hand, made it to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year!

This also marks the Lakers' fifth appearance in the NBA Finals since the 1999-2000 season!

They lost all four of their previous encounters!

They lost 3 times to the Pacers and 1 time to the Pistons.

The biggest loser and uncrowned king of the 21st century is undoubtedly this tragic Lakers team.

They really served as a backdrop for all the other teams.

Especially Lin Tian!

This time, when the Lakers face the Knicks!

This is also the fourth time that OK duo will face Lin Tian in the finals!

Will the OK duo be able to avenge their previous defeat and beat Lin Tian and his team this time?

What makes Stern even happier is that this round of matches is not only a revenge battle, but also a head-to-head confrontation between the two largest cities on the East and West coasts of the United States!

Los Angeles vs. New York!

These two megacities, ranking among the top two in the United States and even firmly among the top five in the world, are now facing off!

This time, it's the grand finals! (End of Chapter)