basketball never sleeps

Chapter 244 The Tragic Hero's Script

The atmosphere in the Wachovia Center tonight was not as warm as expected but rather dull. The atmosphere in the arena was as depressing as a cloudy day with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.

Even the cheerleaders who were dancing passionately during the halftime show had lost their appeal, and their shiny, reflective white legs seemed a bit redundant.

There were so many fans that the rare standing tickets were sold out. The camera swept towards the stands and the huge crowd seemed to be squeezing out all the air.

They saw the Iverson they expected, but it was not enough.

Iverson scored 27 points, but the Supersonics were still in the lead.

I have to say, this game was very 76ers and very Iverson, just like many times in the past 10 years.

In the home locker room, Coach Cheeks did not review or preach seriously as usual. Instead, like a priest, he led the players to enjoy a moment of peace until the door of the locker room was pushed open again by the staff.

"Let's continue with the second half. I hope everyone can enjoy the game, that's all."

Some things don't need to be said, and are difficult to say.

Cheeks and Iverson looked at each other, nodded slightly to each other in their final tacit understanding, and said nothing more.

To put it bluntly, Cheeks was not willing to be as sad as the fans outside about Iverson's departure, and even wanted to blow the whistle. This was not only because he and Iverson did not have a good relationship, but also because this was the reality.

Iverson has been plagued by trade rumors, and so has the team.

Cheeks' playing career also began with the 76ers, where he was traded after playing for 11 seasons.

Farewell is a compulsory course for players. Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Dr. J, Barkley, all of these people left the 76ers after achieving brilliant results, but their achievements are still remembered by the fans, and their jerseys are still flying high in the stadium.

Loyalty is not everything, although it is worth mentioning.

After the half-time break, Mo Wen returned to the field and was undoubtedly warmly "greeted" by the fans around him.

As the largest city in the past but now a run-down city, the insults used by Philadelphians are somewhat similar to those in the urban-rural fringe area.

Quite layered and full of flavor.

76ers fans certainly have reason to hate Mo Wen.

A brief comparison will reveal that Mo Wen is almost the opposite of Iverson.

Mo Wen's efficiency, rationality, selflessness, luck and success not only make Iverson look worthless, but also make his previous "lone hero" personality pale in comparison.

What was the original level of the competition with Iverson?
Aimi: I laugh at Marbury’s recklessness, Kobe’s lack of intelligence, McGrady’s bad luck, and Carter’s betrayal…

But when Mo Wen appeared, no matter what else, every time Ai Mi wanted to belittle Mo Wen, she would be overwhelmed by Mo Wen's terrifying honor column.

No matter how much he talks about currying favor with others, having good luck and the help of the league, the three championships and two FMVPs are still there.

As for questioning the value of a championship, only those who have won the championship can question and compare.

If someone who has not won the championship questions it, he will only be laughed at as a "sour dog".

Back in the second half, Ray Allen was replaced by Earl Watson.

Iverson created space between his two hips in the frontcourt, and then decisively used his classic jump shot. Earl Watson, who is also a small man, did not lose his position and served as a sight firmly.

The basketball goes through the net, the answer is correct.

But the fans on the sidelines did not cheer as loudly as in the first half, or the noise was much quieter.

"Not enough, not enough, one more, one more goal!"

"Win it and take us to win again, Allen!"

“Do you remember the invincible answer at Staples Center that year?”

There were sporadic, chaotic but powerful shouts coming from the sidelines.

Iverson's ears twitched slightly, and he nodded as if they were having a conversation across the air.

"Your fans seem to be very hungry." Mo Wen said slowly while advancing with the ball.

"Yeah, 11 losses in a row, how can I not be hungry." Iverson laughed at himself, "I don't want to leave with a losing streak, so... bring it to you."

As he spoke, Iverson's long arms were about to touch the basketball flying in Mo Wen's hands.

He slowed down and dodged the despicable attack easily with his preparedness. Then Mo Wen glanced to both sides, and immediately all the enemy and friendly forces caught in the light were in a state of high alert.

Iguodala was about to step forward to replace Iverson, but Mo Wen seized the defensive gap between the two men, started from the 0th frame, and made a seamless pull-up shot without any unnecessary movements.

The moment he saw Mo Wen holding the ball, Iguodala lost even the desire to reach out.

Having had rich experience in failure, Yige knew very well that if he could not interfere in time when Mo Wen raised his hand, reaching out again would only be a way to report to the fans and the coach.

Swah——

Mo Wen's shot seemed to make the arena two points more depressing.

At this time, a data comparison between the two people popped up on the big screen above.

艾弗森29分1助攻3篮板，莫闻16分7助攻5篮板。

It seemed that Iverson was better, but at this time the score between the two teams was 61:53, with the Supersonics leading by 8 points.

The gap made the fans at the scene feel a little desperate.

Even the referee rarely raised Iverson's treatment to Kobe's level.

This is Iverson's peak form, but the Sonics' performance is just their everyday routine.

Iverson, with a burning heart, became more and more courageous and continued his crazy scoring performance in the third quarter.

Nimble footsteps, light figure, silky shuttle, killer-like neat and decisive attacks, tumbling web flowers or the crisp and pleasant sound of iron hammering... cough cough.

Everything is so beautiful.

"Watson was called up, Mo went to help defend, and Iverson chose to step back and shoot directly, and he made it. You have to admit that Iverson is one of the few players in the league who can use his speed and flexibility to avoid Mo's defense. Of course, if there is anyone in the world who can defend Iverson now, I think he should be unanimously voted for DPOY!"

"The fifth three-pointer, Iverson's current state reminded me of the last game of last year's playoffs. This is Iverson's ability. He can always stand up when the team needs him, even if he uses methods he is not so good at."

"3 points in 40 quarters, Charles. I still remember when Iverson was selected by the 76ers, you commented that he would not be able to achieve great things. Come on, Sir Charles, how many points can Iverson score tonight?"

"Fuck you Kenny, I'm going to kill you. This is such an old joke that everyone will definitely forget it if you don't mention it!"

Earl Watson, the fastest and most flexible player on the Sonics, was completely helpless against Iverson, and it was useless even when the Sonics double-teamed him.

With rich experience in playing against Iverson, Mo Wen saw that he couldn't contain his opponent, so he let go and led the team to attack, stabbing each other in the back.

The score between the two teams was very close, and the cheers of the fans at the scene became louder and louder.

MVP! MVP! MVP!

MVP! MVP! MVP!

These three simple letters made this group of fans shout out such an earth-shaking effect.

Finally, before the end of the third quarter, when Iverson scored his 49th point and helped the 76ers tie the score, the suppressed emotions at the scene finally broke out.
There are three square parking lots outside the stadium. The sound waves spread out, lighting up the warning lights of a number of vehicles like waves.

On the court, old Hill rubbed his temple, he was a little panicked.

Iverson's condition was obviously out of control. Because he had a player of this level in his own team, old Hill also knew how terrible it was for a player of this level to enter the ZONE.

It would be really fun if a team on a winning streak was defeated by a team on a losing streak.

The Sonics players were a little uneasy under the thunderous cheers. They seemed to foresee that they were being made villains and that their fate would be forcibly defeated by the plot.

However, when they subconsciously looked at their leader who was not very tall, everyone felt relieved.

Mo Wen smiled lightly and talked to Old Hill and Payton about tactics. Although he couldn't hear their voices clearly, he and Payton were still joking from their expressions...

"You need to work on your defense. Just looking at those few balls, if it weren't for my weak feet recently, I would have held him down to the ground. Do you believe me?"

"Come on, Changxi passes by you like he's crossing the street. Not to mention now, even three years ago, I couldn't imagine whether you could turn around after he finished the layup." Mo Wen was amused. It would be a pity if this guy didn't become a commentator in the future.

"I'm not bragging to you. 10 years ago, I played against this guy and I never lost a game or lost any statistics. The record can be checked!" Payton said, patting his chest.

"You bullied a rookie 10 years ago, and you still have the nerve to bring it up?"

"What's wrong with rookies? Three years ago, you bullied us old guys in our 30s and 40s and won the championship, but we are still being praised. The NBA doesn't talk about respecting the elderly and loving the young."

"Indeed, if we compare the thickness of your skin, I may never be able to catch up with you in my lifetime..."

Looking at the two people poking and playing, the cameraman on the sidelines was a little speechless.

Is this the feeling of relaxation of the current top player?

Iverson is so excited that his blood is about to explode, but he is still talking and laughing here?
Mo Wen was indeed very relaxed.

It's just a tie. There is no such thing as a smooth game forever.

Don’t you see, no matter it is the main goat, the deputy goat, or the illusory goat in the heavens and all worlds, there are times when they are suppressed and beaten.

With a vast amount of game experience, even if he was 20 points behind, Mo Wen would still say something and smile.

Perhaps this will make people feel that he lacks attention to the game, lacks the dignity of a leader, and is too lax in commanding his troops.

But there is nothing he can do about it, because there are really not many games that can make him feel nervous and stressed.

As you date more girls, you will find that you don’t even have the ability to blush. This is the unique sorrow of Aquaman.

To be honest, Iguodala was fouled 4 times by him, Webber almost used up his playing time, and Iverson didn't even have a minute of rest today.

On the other hand, the Sonics' players had basically no troubles except that their touch was slightly below average.

Of course, there are some minor problems. We discovered this when Mo Wen made an assist against the Raptors. His 32 assists in the previous game gave his teammates some illusions and misjudgments, which led to their teammates either shooting hastily and sloppily or showing insufficient respect for the opponent's defense in the two games after receiving the pass from him.

This issue is not difficult to resolve. Just let Hill talk about it when he reviews the game after the game. And although missing the shot will cause Mo Wen to lose assists, the biggest impact will be on their own data, and no one will not care about it.

After returning to the fourth quarter, encouraged by the fans, although Iverson was very tired, he attacked the Supersonics line like a fearless warrior.

Old Hill is not just a bunch of idiots. He directed the players to double-team Iverson just like they did when the Pistons double-teamed Mo Wen before.

Iverson also chose a completely different approach from Mo Wen. Unless he was forced into a desperate situation, he would still choose to swing the ball himself when he had it in his hands.

He took up too much of the ball in the early stages, and his teammates did not get many chances to find their touch. With the score tied in the final quarter, the pressure was very high. Unless there was an opportunity for an easy layup, passing the ball at this time was actually no different from passing the ball on.

Correspondingly, his scoring momentum slowed down.

After all, his height is still a fatal flaw. If he is not tall enough and encounters the same interference, in order to avoid being blocked, he either has to speed up his shooting or adjust the shooting angle, and even his hot shooting touch will be affected.

On the Sonics side, after Mo Wen took over and scored two goals himself, widening the gap to 4 points, the Sonics players gradually came out of their nervous state, slowly got into the game, and widened the gap again little by little.

Just when the 76ers fans were about to shout themselves hoarse, the second savior finally appeared.

Iguodala scored in two consecutive fast breaks and assisted Iverson, narrowing the gap to 3 points again.

The 76ers have high expectations for Iguodala. The reason why Billy King dared to trade Iverson is actually because he saw the potential of Iguodala.

Unfortunately, the most suitable position for the top player is actually the second in command.

His skills, mentality and even talent cannot support a team's main attack. Instead, he should be relegated to the second line so that he can fully exert his deterrence on both offense and defense.

With 90 seconds left in the game, thunderous cheers broke out in the stadium again. After scoring 60 points last year, Iverson once again pushed his personal score to 59 points.

The Supersonics are still leading by 5 points, but the outcome is uncertain and anything is possible.

Iverson gritted his teeth. His stamina bar was empty, or even had been empty for a while.

The rise and fall of his breath seemed greater than the rise and fall of the basketball in his hands.

The camera swept across the audience, and many fans had tears in their eyes.

"Seeing this scene, I really want to know if Billy King regrets trading Iverson. Although we know that Iverson has many problems, he is still one of the top 10 or even top five players in the league."

"For a long time to come, the 76ers may not find a star like him again, unless one day they can invite Iverson back."

The camera turned to Billy King on the sidelines.

Unfortunately, the fans did not see any regret on his face.

Regret, Billy King has asked himself this question several times, and the result is clear every time, the answer is not "the answer".

Apart from his somewhat toxic playing style, low efficiency, poor defense, arrogant personality, and laziness in training, Iverson doesn't have any major problems.

But, since he took office until now, Iverson has always been Iverson, and those problems have never changed.

Because of these problems, his hopes of winning the championship are becoming increasingly slim as he gets older.

Coupled with practical reasons such as the large luxury tax, sending Iverson to a place to compete for the championship may seem like a lose-lose situation at the moment, but it will be a win-win situation in the long run.

Amidst the boos, Mo Wen made both free throws, widening the gap to 2 points in the last 15 seconds.

Iverson, who has already scored a career-high 62 points, wants to emulate McGrady and change his fate.

But Mo Wen stood in front of him.

The free throw was a penalty.

Tragic hero, please take the tragic script.

Although it is a bit cruel, reality is cruel.

Fairy tales are told to children, and adults should understand them more profoundly.

When the red light comes on, the game is over.

Iverson couldn't help but raise his head to the sky.

In the end, he still failed to bring a flag here, and in the end he still left here.

(End of this chapter)