The Fifth Point Guard

After the Eastern and Western Conference champions were announced one after another, the media gradually calmed down.

Regarding the prospects of the two teams to win the championship, experts and the Internet began to analyze and take sides.

According to ESPN statistics, more than 70% of people are optimistic about the San Antonio Spurs, and less than 30% of people think that the Cleveland Cavaliers can win the championship.

Barkley also expressed his "support" for the Cavaliers.

"I am more optimistic about the Spurs. They have the cornerstone Tim Duncan. Man, I can guarantee that when he retires, he will definitely be a top five superstar in the league. In addition, they have enough championship experience, so speaking of the whole , the Spurs are undoubtedly one position ahead of the Cavaliers."

When asked the question "Didn't you always support STO before?", Barkley responded this way.

"I love Shentong, I am his fan, but liking and winning are two different things. To be honest, I was much more handsome than Michael Jordan when I was playing. Many people became fans of Michael and started to like him because Michael kept winning. When the ball started, it was different for me, they liked me from the beginning and expected me to win.”

5:30 in the morning.

Shentong got up from the bed with the rising sun and a touch of fish-belly white.

As the team leader, this is the first time he has led the Cavaliers to the finals.

To be honest, I was a little nervous.

Can't sleep.

Even when he and Nina Dobrev were dribbling to break the press, they were occasionally distracted.

Therefore, before the start of the finals, Shentong wanted to decompress and relax through a morning run.

Starting from his villa in the suburbs, Shentong put on running shoes sponsored by Adidas and began his morning run along the suburban track.

The villa in Shentong is surrounded by greenery, and the air in the morning is very fresh.

Taking a deep breath in the natural oxygen bar, I immediately felt refreshed.

After running along the suburbs for a while, I soon arrived in downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland is not big, with a population of only about 450,000, but the streets here are surrounded by green.

From Lake Erie to the downtown area, there are tree-lined roads.

Shen Tong was running with his headphones on. Suddenly he felt someone beside him. He turned his head and saw that it was a high school student. The other person showed a surprised expression and said, "Wow, I thought I got the wrong person. It's really you! Shen, I'm Your biggest fan!”

"Hello."

After saying hello to the fans, Shentong continued to run, and the excited fan quickly took a picture of Shentong's running back with his mobile phone and called his friends.

Euclid Street is the center of the downtown area. There is a memorial park called the Public Square, located near the downtown area.

When Shen Tong passed through the park, the crowd began to boil.

Along the road, many fans began to join the team running with Shentong.

With STO as the center, the number of fans continues to increase, forming a snowball-like communication effect.

"Hey, guess who I saw? Shentong! Yes, that's the star of the Cleveland Cavaliers."

"Come on, come with us, there are already dozens of people!"

"Hey, I heard that Shen is jogging on the street? Are you there too? Wait for me and tell me where you are. I'm at home. Just put on your shoes and go!"

At 8 o'clock in the morning, when Shentong took off his headphones after finishing his run, he was shocked by the scene next to him.

He always thought that there were a few or at most a dozen fans running beside him, but he didn't expect that when he turned around, he saw a crowd of people in darkness.

At a quick glance, there were at least two hundred people.

When Shentong stopped running and turned around, these guys happily greeted Shentong.

I have been running with my idol for so long just for this moment.

"Shen, you must bring us a championship trophy!"

"You're the best, Shin, and we all support you!"

To be honest, Shentong was a little moved at this moment. Looking at the group of young people in front of him who were also young, with excited faces and bright eyes, Shentong raised his right hand high and shouted loudly: "Cleveland, come on!"

Under the leadership of Shentong, everyone at the scene raised their right hands and shouted in unison: "Cleveland, come on!"

At this moment, Shentong felt a sense of satisfaction that he had never experienced before.

Of course, there is also an extra burden on the shoulders.

It is really difficult for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have reached the Finals for the first time, to win the championship.

Because their opponent is the San Antonio Spurs, known as the "Victorious Team", referred to as the "Saint Spurs".

Since the merger of the NBA and ABA in 1976 to form the new NBA League, the Spurs have won 3 NBA championships, 5 Western Conference championships, and 21 division championships.

In history, they have only failed to enter the playoffs 4 times, and the Spurs used these four lottery picks to select Ervin Robertson (the 7th overall pick in 1984) and David Robinson (the No. 1 pick in 1987). Draft), Sean Elliott (No. 3 overall pick in 1989) and Tim Duncan (No. 1 overall pick in 1997).

Look, the Spurs are exactly that kind of team that once promoted will never look back. You always think that the Spurs are on their last legs and need to be rebuilt, but then they pull back for a year and immediately start again, leaving only those who are waiting. Staring at the Spurs' callback, I stared blankly, lamenting that I missed the Bulls.

Tim Duncan, the team's absolute core player, was at his peak when he debuted and has remained at his peak ever since. His efficiency is comparable to that of a highly intelligent robot.

As early as the 2001-02 season, Duncan won the regular season MVP and proved his worth.

In the 2003-04 season, the Spurs, who lost David Robinson, were not favored by experts. They only achieved a record of 9 wins and 10 losses at the beginning. However, at the end of the year, they won 13 games in a row, and another one at the end of the regular season. The Pops had 11 consecutive victories. Unfortunately, they lost the series by 0.4 seconds to Fisher in the Western Conference semifinals. But this season, Manu Ginobili began to become the focus of Popovich. object of training.

This season, the Spurs first acquired outside sharpshooter Brent Barry from the Seattle SuperSonics, then introduced "black and tough" Nazr Mohammed from the New York Knicks, and signed veteran "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson aims to become a championship team again.

In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, the Spurs have always performed very calmly from the beginning of the season to the end of the regular season.

The GDP combination took shape this season and began to show the power of the trio.

After finishing first in the Southwest Division and second in the Western Conference, the Spurs are in even better shape in the playoffs.

They defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the first round, eliminated the Seattle SuperSonics 4-2 in the semifinals, and even beat the Phoenix Suns 4-1 in the Western Conference finals, which had been arrogant throughout the regular season. They entered with a very strong attitude. finals.

Such a team has almost everything it takes to win the championship.

Core, iron triangle, high-quality substitutes, excellent head coach, rich experience

It is very difficult for any team to defeat the Spurs.

On June 9, 2005, the much-anticipated NBA Finals finally began!

The Cavaliers' Gund Arena was bustling with people inside and outside.

Looking from a high position, almost the entire Cleveland is filled with fans wearing STO and James jerseys.

Almost all Cavaliers red and white jerseys, mixed with a few blue retro jerseys.

The fans who came to watch the game came in small and large groups.

The small town of Cleveland hasn't been this lively in a long time.

Before the game started, Shentong was doing pre-game mobilization in the locker room.

Talking about things is what STO is best at.

"Brothers! We finally got here!"

When Shentong said these words arrogantly, everyone present had extremely proud expressions on their faces.

"This season is historic for us, and it is the result of the hard work of each of us!"

"We have gone through very hard training. Now, let us close our eyes and review the scenes of training this season."

Everyone closed their eyes.

Gradually, various expressions of horror, surprise, patience, etc. began to appear on everyone's faces.

Including STO.

"Training has been hell this season, and I think everyone feels that way."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wagner couldn't help it anymore, opened his eyes and said, "I can't do it anymore, it's too hard! I really admire myself for surviving this season's training."

Following Wagner's precedent, everyone opened their eyes one after another, and their expressions finally eased.

Shentong continued: "I said before the start of the season that we have only one goal this season, and that is the championship! If you want to win the championship, you must keep training hard. If you feel tired, don't practice. No one forces you. As you progress, just don’t be rude when you lose! Fortunately, all of us helped each other and persisted! Therefore, no one works harder than us, not even the Spurs. Now, it is time for us to win the fruits of victory. Now, it’s time for us to achieve our goal!”

Following Shentong's words, everyone's emotions were aroused, and excited and excited expressions gradually appeared on everyone's faces.

Shentong raised his right hand and shouted: "We stand together now, let us put our hands together, unite, give ourselves to this team, and put the team on our shoulders! Now, shout out Our slogan!”

"Who is supporting us on the pitch?!"

"brother!"

"Who gives us confidence on the court?!"

"brother!"

"Who gives us courage on the court?!"

"brother!"

"Having a brother."

"Absolutely invincible!"

"Roar--!!!"

Paul Silas was sitting in his office talking with his assistant team about the final details of the game.

At this time, passionate roars came from the locker room.

After hearing this, strength coach Steve Spiro smiled and said: "These guys are full of energy, and their physical fitness and strength are much stronger than last season."

Strength and conditioning coach Derek Miranda also laughed and responded: "Yes, that's right!"

Silas laughed loudly and said, "Thank you for your hard work this season. This group of boys does not need us to mobilize at all. It seems that they are already full of fighting spirit."

Chief assistant coach Mark Osos said: "We are lucky to be able to coach this group of young men who are constantly striving for improvement, aren't we?"

Everyone nodded.

The game was broadcast live by TNT, and both Barkley and Smith came to the scene.

A large number of Chinese sports media and reporters also came to the game.

Before the game, some Chinese media were conducting random interviews in the auditorium.

A female fan wearing STO's No. 25 jersey said excitedly: "Wow, are you Chinese media? Great, my favorite is STO. For him, I even taught myself Chinese, hoping to be able to One day I can say hello to him in Chinese.”

Reporter: "Can you say a few words? I believe he can see your greeting through our lens."

"Wow, of course."

Then, the beauty said a few words in Chinese in a somewhat lame way: "Hello, thank you, come on, ya sell me silly."

reporter:"."

The next interview with a male fan wearing a Cavaliers limited edition retro jersey No. 25 gave a much better speech.

"I specially bought this limited edition retro jersey because I am a loyal fan of STO."

Reporter: "But there were so many people at the scene. Even if you were wearing this jersey, you would be drowned in the sea of ​​people and he would not be able to find you at all."

The reporter's somewhat frustrated words did not hit the fan, and his tone was full of determination.

"Yes, he can't see my face, but if I wear his jersey, he will know that I am here for him, and I think all the fans think so."

The fan's words won applause from the fans around him.

The starting lineups of the Cavaliers and Spurs for this game are announced as follows:

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.

san antonio spurs

Center: Rasu Nesterovich, 2.13 meters;

Power forward: Tim Duncan, 2.11 meters;

Small forward: Bruce Bowen, 2.01 meters;

Shooting guard: Manu Ginobili, 1,98 meters;

Point guard: Tony Parker, 1,88 meters.

After the players from both sides came on the stage, they hugged each other and greeted each other, then took their respective positions and waited for the start of the game.

In the center circle, Big Z and Duncan are preparing to jump the ball.

The game hasn't even started yet, but the cheers from the audience are already overwhelming.

The referee throws the ball out and the game officially begins!

Big Z changed from his usual slow start to half a beat, and took off very quickly at the pressure point. The moment before Duncan touched the ball, he swatted the ball towards his own team's player.

Wagner caught the ball, with a ferocious expression on his face and a "shoo" sound.

When everyone was puzzled, a figure emerged from the Spurs half court.

With the same grim look on his face, he let out a "boo" sound, leaped high, received Wagner's pass in the air, and dunked with both hands!

Wagner and Shentong's alley-oop dunk gave the Cavaliers the lead!

The Spurs organize their first attack.

The sound at the scene was completely drowned out by the unified chants of "defend" and "defend" from the home fans.

The first attack started with Duncan.

Hitting Gooden from behind, this guy used all his strength to resist Duncan.

As a lanky inside man, Gooden would rather face Duncan than a stocky and powerful inside man like Reggie Evans.

Although Duncan's strength had the upper hand, Gooden held his position firmly and did not allow Duncan to get into a comfortable position to shoot.

Turning around and preparing to shoot, Big Z also came up to help defend.

Duncan did not attack hard, but sent a pass to Nesterovich inside.

The Spurs center was in an open position after taking the ball, and was about to easily wipe the board under the basket.

As soon as the ball left his hand, James slapped it on the backboard.

James landed on the ground without stopping for a second and immediately threw the ball to Wagner.

Shentong turned forward at the same time!

In the Spurs backcourt, only Bowen and Parker returned to defense in time.

Dribbling to the frontcourt, Wagner looked at Shentong but threw the ball to James' side.

Parker was originally ready to take off, but when he saw that James, who was like a heavy tank, had already put on his wings and was flying, he hurriedly hid aside.

"boom!"

James, who has become very strong, caught the ball and dunked in the air. He grabbed the basket with both hands and raised his feet high!

At the beginning of the game, the Cavaliers scored two consecutive air slam dunks, giving the Spurs a kick.