I was determined to be bad, but I went straight to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Chapter 511 You Are Too Brave

On May 2012, 5, the headline on the home page of China's domestic Goupu.com NBA column read, "Harden + Curry combined to score 13 points, pay tribute to Kobe, and win the battle of Tianwangshan!"

In this game, Harden and Curry scored 37 points in Staples, and the other scored 44 points. The two used superb shooting skills and unrivaled offense to completely penetrate the Spurs' defense.

In the end, the score between the two sides was 110:97. The Clippers won the Clippers by 13 points at home, and the biggest difference between the two sides during the game had reached 20 points.

From the very beginning, the Clippers didn't give the Spurs too many chances, because they were too accurate tonight.

Curry and Harden simply installed scopes, no matter how they shot from the outside, the Spurs were helpless to fight back.

Many tactical arrangements and arrangements before this Clippers game were not used, because Curry and Harden were too accurate, so many strategies were unnecessary.

Curry's 44 points created his own record for the highest scoring in the NBA playoffs, and he also successfully entered the NBA playoffs 40-point club.

Harden and Curry both scored more than 35 points at the same time, also creating a scoring record for the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs.

For the first time in the Clippers' long but tedious history, two players have scored 35 points in the playoffs at the same time -- which hardly needs to be specified, because the Clippers' playoff history is so scarce that it can be seen at a glance.

Since the Spurs merged into the NBA in the 70s, they have always been a strong team with strong defense. It is not easy to score two 35 points on them.

The last time the Spurs suffered such a double humiliation and blow dates back to 1990, when David Robinson was young, and they faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.

The Blazers' backcourt duo Terry Porter and Clyde Drexler scored 38 and 35 points respectively in Game [-] to help the Blazers win the game.

More than 20 years have passed, and the Spurs have almost never missed the playoffs. In the past 20 years, the Spurs have played against many Western Conference teams, including the Rockets, the Utah Shuang, the OK combination, and the Dallas troika. There are wins and losses, but there has never been a game that was shot through by two young outsiders.

The Spurs and Popovich got a taste of the power of talent tonight.

What is a real talent is to throw directly against your defense, one after another, leaving you with nothing to do.

It's okay to have one, and the Clippers will come directly to two. Who can stand it?

The Spurs' perimeter defense is not as strong as it used to be.

After Bowen retired, the Spurs have never been able to find a suitable defender at the third position.

Leonard, Popovich's favorite, is in the Clippers again, and this game is simply impossible to play.

Any strategies, tactics, and vengeance are meaningless in the face of overwhelming talent and touch.

Min Congda is quite satisfied with the performance of the players in this game, because if this game is won, the series will basically be in the bag.

This is definitely good for the Clippers' financing.

A day later, the Clippers headed to San Antonio to prepare for Game [-].

This round of the series is definitely a journey of sublimation for the young Clippers.

After losing the first battle, he was hit in the head, and the second battle was a natural victory.

After falling behind by 15 points in three quarters in the third game, they saw a pill, and in the fourth quarter, they made a shocking comeback to kill the opponent and regain the home court advantage.

In the fourth game, I thought I could make another victory, but I didn't expect that the opponent was extremely tenacious and evened the big score back to the same starting line.

In the fifth game of Tianwangshan, which tested the players' mentality, the outside double stars broke out, replacing the inside duo as the key to the decisive victory, and won the match point.

Returning to San Antonio in Game [-], the two teams have no secrets to speak of.

Although it is an away game, but[email protected]The noise of the away fans in the center has no effect on the young Clippers.

The Clippers quickly took the lead at the start of this game, and Curry and Harden were naturally targeted by the Spurs.

But they are all very smart players. They didn't work hard in the face of tough defense, but used passing and running to drive their teammates.

You must know that insider Randolph and Gasol Jr. only gave up their tactical core positions because Curry and Harden have grown too fast and are more talented, not because their strength has declined.

On the contrary, one of Randolph and Gasol Jr. is still at the peak, and the other is still growing, and they have switched to other teams with a proper inside dual-core.

That is to say, for a team like the Clippers with explosive talent, the two of them gradually became supporting roles.

Randolph and Gasol Jr. cooperated with Harden and Curry one after another, and they had a great time eating cakes.

After five games of beating, when the Spurs' outside line collapsed under the projection of the double stars, it was only a matter of time before the inside line collapsed.

No matter how strong Duncan is, he is already old after all. He has maintained a very high level of competition in the previous few games, and he really can't defend him now.

In the first half, Randolph and Gasol both scored 15 points, and this is another pair aiming for 30 points.

Duncan has no choice but to focus on one thing and lose another in the paint.

He has to help defend Harden, hinder Curry, and stare at Gasol to make up for Randolph...

Without a good third position to assist, Duncan is really exhausted.

Seeing Duncan like this, Popovich thought to himself, if he wants to find a way to beg Smart during the offseason, there are so many young people in the third position in his hand, let's give him one!

You are occupying the latrine and not shitting, wasting high-quality young people's resources.

Seeing Leonard's excellent performance in the series, Popovich was so greedy.

George is actually not bad, Butler is not bad, even Ricky Davis, under the guidance of the Clippers, also has a certain effect!

In short, Popovich's saliva was about to flow down.

And Min Congda didn't realize how profound talent he had hoarded in the third position.

He just felt that Leonard and others performed well.

But Curry and Harden, these two third-year students are really powerful.

In the third quarter of the game, the Clippers' offense can already be described as "unimpeded".

The Spurs have no new tricks, and their defensive and offensive routines have been explored.

At this point in the series, it's a pure hard power match, and the Spurs are obviously no longer able to beat the Clippers.

The point difference soon reached 15 points and up, and the Spurs gradually lost their will to resist.

The flames of vengeance were blazing, but in the end they were unable to defeat time and youth.

The history of the NBA has always been rolling forward like this, and the waves of the past push forward the waves of the past.

The Spurs once also defeated the Utah Shuangsha, who had been struggling for 1999 years, in 20.

Duncan was only in the second grade that year, and he was at the peak when he first entered the league. He shortened the season and went straight to the championship.

Now that he has been in the league for more than ten years, it can be said that there has been no progress in more than ten years, only decline.

After all, his starting point is the end point that many players will never reach.

Even such a player will age and be eliminated one day.

Of course, Duncan and the Spurs are not completely over. Even if they lose this series, they will still make a comeback next season.

Veterans don't die, they just fade away, and that's the perfect phrase to describe the San Antonio Spurs.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Clippers easily defeated the Spurs by 108:97 and 11 points.

From the beginning of the first quarter, the Clippers did not give the Spurs too many opportunities and won quite easily.

In this arm-wrestling contest between old and new forces, the Spurs were ultimately defeated.

But their tenacious resistance means a lot to the Clippers as a whole.

This kind of fierce confrontation and suspenseful series is definitely a valuable asset for young players.

And winning is a habit. When players get used to winning, they will have the confidence to win the game when it comes to a critical game that is evenly matched.

This Clippers is undoubtedly a confident team.

As a dog in the low position, they passed with a black eight, and they fell behind 3:0 to pull back two games.

In the underdog semi-finals, they strangled talented opponents.

Now that he has reversed the experienced veteran, it can be said that he has roughly encountered various scenarios.

Once some teams always lose in various adversity games, losing in the end will become a kind of inertia or even a curse.

Losing is no longer a lack of strength, but a psychological shadow that cannot be happy. When it comes to key games, you will be timid when you encounter an opponent who restrains you.

A typical example is the Baltimore Bullets in the 70s. As long as they meet the New York Knicks, no matter whether the opponent is at the peak or not, they will be beaten fatly, and they will definitely not be able to beat them.

It wasn't until Willis Reed retired and the Knicks' titans left that the bullets gradually picked up.

A team with strong confidence and strength will always be a winner.

Always a winner.

After the Clippers won the Spurs, they successfully entered the second round of the semifinals.

And the opponent waiting for them in the semifinals is none other than the Oklahoma City Thunder!
It can be said that the first two rounds of the Clippers' playoffs are all grievances, and the opponents have a strong will to revenge.

Last year, the two sides fought seven bloody games in the semifinals. In the end, the Clippers were superior and won tickets to the Western Conference Finals.

The two sides are full of topics because of the Harden-Gordon deal and the confrontation of talented young players such as Durant, Westbrook, and Curry.

The Thunder encountered the Utah Jazz in the first round, and they sent their opponent home 4:1.

Westbrook and Durant are not weaker than Curry and Harden on the offensive end.

Their rushing strategy, tough defense, and their performance in the playoffs are stronger than in the regular season.

Before the start of the series, the two teams were quite quiet and there was no verbal battle.

Neither side is the kind of team that likes to bluster.

Conquering opponents with performance on the court is what they want to do.

May 5, the day before the semifinals.

The Los Angeles Times published a message on the sports section: Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his wife Shelley Sterling filed for divorce in court.

Their 50-year marriage is officially over.

In fact, this marriage existed in name only 30 years ago.

Their emotional bond was broken after their son died of drugs.

After that, they became purely interest partners, maintaining a superficial and legal marriage for the huge real estate business and team management.

But this time, it was also for business and for the experience of the team, they chose to end their marriage.

Once the court approves the divorce filing, Shelley Sterling will get half of the Clippers.

At the same time, Shelly will also pay to acquire a small part of the Clippers' equity to ensure that she becomes the team's number one controlling shareholder.

In this way, the big owner of the Clippers will change from Donald Sterling to his wife—no, ex-wife, Shelley Sterling.

In this way, the NBA will also usher in another female boss.

Shelley Sterling got in touch with Min Congda as soon as she filed for divorce.

She is smart and knows that to secure her position as the owner of the Clippers, making good use of Min Congda is definitely the most effective.

Although she didn't know Min Congda well before, and she didn't know why her husband handed over the position of general manager to this young man.

But after three years, his achievements are obvious to all. Now that the Clippers have reached the semifinals, at least this year's results can be regarded as an explanation.

Being hacked seven in the first round is really ugly, to be able to enter the semi-finals, playing against the Thunder is a [-]-[-] chance.

After all, the Clippers have improved compared to last season, while the Thunder seem to be standing still.

In the regular season matchup, the Thunder was severely restrained by the Clippers, and they were not opponents at all.

Brooks also seems to be struggling to find a way to plug the Thunder's big hole against the Clippers.

Therefore, this year the Clippers can enter the Western Conference Finals with a guarantee, and have another Los Angeles derby with the Lakers.

Regardless of winning or losing, the topic and attention are absolutely full. Xie Li became the team owner at this time, which can be said to be a high-level enthronement, picking up a ready-made bargain.

After contacting Min Congda, that night, Xie Li invited Min Congda to a party in the Los Angeles financial circle.

At the party, Shelley Sterling introduced to Min Congda the giant in the Los Angeles financial circle and Krakow, which is good at investing in sports.

This financial investor also started in real estate. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, he aimed at business opportunities and raised funds to build a large stadium. earn a fortune.

Of course, what seems to be an ordinary thing on the surface covers many problems and events behind it. It is not at all simpler than Min Congda winning the Great Western Forum and building a new arena.

Krakow has been paying attention to the sports and entertainment business in Los Angeles since 84. He has naturally noticed many of Min Congda's actions in the Clippers, and he agrees with his idea of ​​building a super arena.

"Real estate is always the best investment. You have a good vision in this regard, but the investment of 12 billion US dollars is indeed too large and terrifying. I can only say that young people, your confidence is beyond my imagination."

Krakow didn't know whether to praise Min Tsungda or hurt him.

Min Congda didn't care at all. What he thought was beyond my imagination was not my confidence, but my determination to complete the bankruptcy task!

He laughed and said, "12 billion is too little for me. If you can raise 20 billion for me, I can build a 20 billion super arena."

Krakow laughed loudly and said, "If you really have such confidence in the future development of the Clippers, why don't you sign a gambling agreement and use the future development of the Clippers to raise this amount of construction funds? What do you think?" ?”

After Krakow finished speaking, there was a sly light in his eyes. He was digging a hole for Min Congda, and this kid was too ignorant.

20 billion to build a basketball stadium, do you know what the concept is?

Now there is only one team in the NBA with a market value of more than $10 billion, and that is the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers didn't dare to build their own arena and have always rented arenas. You dare to spend a lot of money to build a new arena.

Unexpectedly, Min Congda was not afraid at all, he chuckled and said, "As long as you can raise enough money, I'm not afraid of any kind of gambling agreement. Of course, I need Boss Sterling to support me."

As he spoke, he looked at Shelley Sterling.

Shelley Sterling looked embarrassed. She thought to herself that I was just bringing you here for initial contact. How did you make it so easy to bet against each other?Are you too brave?
Min Congda's wild audacity, on the contrary, bluffed old fritters like Krakow.

Thinking of the changes he brought to the Clippers in the past three years, he thought, Is this really another Bruce Kovner?
(End of this chapter)