Chapter 402: The End of an Era (End of the Book)
Date: June 8, 2011; Location: American Airlines Center Arena, Miami; Event: Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Clippers led 3-1 in the first four games.
The boos in the American Airlines Center could directly lift the roof, and the faint smile on the corner of Gu Fei's mouth sounded that the shrill boos in the audience were extremely happy cheers at this moment.
The format of the finals is 2-3-2, this is the third game in Miami, the last game against the water of the Heat burst out of unimaginable potential, James's triple-double and Wade's fire-like touch helped the Heat team defeat the cold Clippers by nearly 20 points, and also Miami people saw the hope of the Big Three, although this hope is small, this game The Heat continued the madness of the last game They have no way out, but the Clippers do not intend to give the Heat a chance, The game has reached the middle of the fourth quarter, just after Gu Fei shook off James's defense, he went directly to the inside and staged a dunk on Bosh's head to help the Clippers pull the difference back to 15, and the time is getting less and less, and it seems that every point is so difficult to recover for the Heat.
"Even though the Heat are on the home court, despite their enviable Big Three, it turns out that no good role player can succeed on the Big Boy alone, and they still have work to do compared to the Clippers, who are likely to watch their opponents celebrate two consecutive championships on their home court." Steve Cole said in a relaxed tone.
"Yes, there is no doubt that the simple giant model will not succeed, but Miami does not need to worry, I guarantee that there will be many players who are happy to go to Miami, but the Clippers are the opposite, I heard that Shaquille and Rashid will choose to retire after this Finals, and Atay and JR have not reached a contract extension agreement with the team, to be honest, the strength of the Clippers next season will decline to a certain extent, and next season is the best opportunity for teams in the league." Rejay Miller continued.
On the court, James dribbled directly in the backcourt and quickly passed through the halfway, Artest did not force it directly, compared with James's footsteps, his footsteps were undoubtedly at a disadvantage, and James's shooting was obviously weaker than other abilities, so Artest waited in the three-point line.
However, James caught Artest off guard, and when there was still one step away from the three-point line, James suddenly jumped out of the shot, such a sudden choice surprised everyone, after all, James was not Gu Fei, but in this case, James's three points were cleanly drilled into the basket, and the entire American Airlines Center immediately sent hoarse cheers.
"Unbelievable, LeBron put the ball in the basket with an unconventional choice, I just thought there was something wrong with my eyes, I thought it was Gu." The look on Steve-Cole's face told everyone how surprised he was by James' sudden move.
"Can I say that LeBron's shooting stance is ugly?" Rejay Miller's smile looks thiefy.
James glanced at Gu Fei not far away, then turned around and ran to the backcourt, without any celebration as if the three points just now had nothing to do with him.
The Clippers' offense soon unfolded, Gu Fei with the ball in his hand has become more and more terrifying, Gu Fei's performance in the eighty-two regular season games this season has already told everyone how terrifying he is, raising his thumb to indicate that he doesn't need to block and dismantle, Gu Fei looked at James in front of him, accompanied by a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.
In the face of James's defense, Gu Fei's dribbling rhythm was fast and slow, constantly testing James's defensive nerves.
"Moves?" James narrowed his eyes, he felt that Gu Fei's dribble changes were becoming more and more obvious, and his arms began to open even more.
Yikes!
After a screeching friction between the sneakers under his feet and the floor in front of James' left, the whole person made a change of direction with unimaginable speed.
James, who had already tensed his defensive nerves, subconsciously reacted defensively, but when he reacted tenaciously, Gu Fei slapped the basketball with his left hand lightly, and the accurate hit rebounded between his legs to Gu Fei's right hand, and at the same time, Gu Fei's left foot stepped out and stuck James, and slapped the whole person to complete the second acceleration in a short moment, and James was left behind by Gu Fei.
After getting rid of the difficult James, Gu Fei went straight to the inside line of the Heat, the biggest reliance on the inside line of the Heat team, Bosh has been fouled four times, although Bosh was conservatively criticized in the regular season, but for the Heat, which is already weak on the inside, Bosh is indispensable, but at this moment, in Gu Fei's eyes, Bosh is a tempting prey.
Bosh looked at Gu Fei who was rushing to the inside line, and immediately adjusted his pace, and when he saw Gu Fei rushing to his left, he quickly moved his steps, and a beautiful lateral move blocked Gu Fei's way.
Gu Fei, who already had an idea, leaned on Bosh's left foot as the axis, pulled up and turned the ball to Gu Fei's left hand, Bosh staggered a little to adjust his defensive steps, but Gu Fei couldn't make a shooting action after Bosh pulled back, and subconsciously Bosh jumped up.
The moment Bosh jumped, Pat Riley shook his head in disappointment in the box above the American Airlines Center.
As before, he jumped out and waited for the whistle to blow and tossed the ball out.
The basketball went into the hoop amid boos from 20,000 people.
Gu Fei swung his fist and walked to the free throw line!
For Gu Fei, a guy who has created a new season with a free throw shooting rate of 99.3%, free throws are points away.
He slapped the ball lightly and threw it out with a boo.
The point difference came to fifteen points again, the offensive and defensive conversion Clippers insisted on their stable and orderly defensive formation, Wade received a pass from James, Gu Fei immediately forced up without hesitation, not letting Wade feel a little relaxed, Gu Fei, who was much taller than Wade, opened his arms and almost completely enveloped Wade, Wade did not dribble at will, Wade grabbed the ball with both hands and then observed the situation of his teammates.
James on the other side used Bosh's cover to shake off Artest, Wade immediately passed the ball, James immediately took a step towards the basket after receiving the ball to adjust, and then jumped up and went straight to the basket!
"LeBron moments?" Steve Kerr said as he looked at James as he flew to the basket.
"Steve, you should ask Gu if you agree!" With Rejay. As soon as Miller's words fell, Gu Fei, who had just forced Wade to pass the ball, had already appeared beside James, and now the two people in the league who are recognized as the strongest in the air have started the most direct conversation.
Gu Fei stretched his arm as much as he could, and his fingers were getting closer and closer to the ball in James' hand.
Syllable!
When the palm of his hand was slapped against the side of the basketball, a tremendous force made James feel hopeless.
How James wished this moment was not the end but the beginning, but the glaring bright red numbers told him that he had lost, and most directly defeated.
The cheers at the American Airlines Center seemed so empty, and nearly 20,000 Heat fans watched the handful of Clippers fans celebrate wildly on their home court.
"We're just getting started, and the next year will be us."
Gu Fei didn't say anything, but listened carefully to James's words, "I hope so." As he spoke, Gu Fei stretched out his hands.
A simple hug between the two men brought the 2010-2011 season to a close.
"Shaq, where do you think Gu's future is?" Rasheed Wallace isn't as excited as he used to be, and maybe it's time to leave.
"Future?" An elusive smile appeared on O'Neill's big face, and the wrinkles on his forehead seemed to be thinking.
"I only know that he is unique, as for the rest? I think it's better for us to take our time to witness it, it must be beautiful. After O'Neill finished speaking, he picked up a large bucket of Gatorade and ran to Gu Fei in the center of the field.
"Shaq, and me!" Wallace said as he ran over with a bucket.
When: June 18, 2024, location: Gu Fei's villa in Los Angeles.
"Gu, can't you really stay for another year?"
"We need you, we need you always!"
"Don't go, this is not the last!"
Today's Staples Center is not what it was eighteen years ago, the upgraded Staples can accommodate nearly 40,000 people, and there is almost no place to stand today, too many fans have tears on their faces, and the sound of the whole stadium continues to impact Gu Fei's eardrums.
"Gu, or you ......" Rosen-Forder's words were interrupted by Gu Fei before he could finish speaking.
"Thank you, Rosen, but it's time for me to start a new journey." Gu Fei felt that the atmosphere in the entire locker room was a little depressed, and all eyes were looking at him, "Guys, today is the seventh game, my last battle, do you want an old guy like me to leave with regrets?" Well, I'll tell you the real reason why I'm leaving. Gu Fei shrugged his shoulders with helplessness on his face.
"The real reason?"
Gu Fei's words successfully attracted everyone's attention, they couldn't imagine what prompted Gu Fei to make the decision to leave, you must know that although he is 36 years old, Gu Fei is still the top existence in this league, and everyone believes that Gu Fei can continue his career.
"I don't want to lose to that stinky boy, he wrote in his diary from the day he started playing that I was going to beat my dad, oh my god I only found out when he won the championship and was interviewed, guys, you know the character of that stinky boy, okay I can't beat him, for the sake of my reputation I decided to leave."
Although everyone knew that Gu Fei's words were fake, Gu Fei's words enlivened the atmosphere in the locker room, and one by one they swore that they would use the championship to bid farewell to Gu Fei.
"Kenny, there's eight seconds left, the last eight seconds." In the camera, Barkley's face has aged too much, and his tone is full of reluctance.
"In the last eight seconds, Charles, are we too disrespectful." Kenny Smith also began the last journey of his life.
"Kenny, we're old guys, we deserve privileges, to hell with dedication, I just want to enjoy the last eight seconds." Barkley said as if he had gone back to more than a decade ago, "In the last eight seconds, the Clippers were one point behind, and Gu once said that he would not let the Celtics win a championship once in his entire career, and he has done it four times, so what about this time?" I'm sure he'll do it again. ”
Hearing Barkley's words, Kenny Smith seemed to have returned to the days when he was arguing with Barkley more than ten years ago, glanced at Barkley beside him and shook his head gently.
"Gu please stay, Gu please stay......"
The voices of more than 40,000 people filled the huge Staples Center, and Gu Fei, who was standing on the sidelines, felt that something was about to flow out of his eyes!
Ross. Furd stared at Gu Fei, "Gu, you must know what to do, come on!" ”
Gu Fei nodded, he had experienced this situation too many times, Gu Fei thought that he had already lost the mood he had at the beginning of his career, but now it seems that he has returned to the beginning of the years.
"Stinky boy, you're not going to smash your last eight seconds, are you?"
This was a voice that was once extremely familiar, and Gu Fei was surprised and surprised.
Wilt Chamberlain and Paul Arikin reappeared in his mind after a decade.
"Of course!"
Gu Fei's confident smile made Chamberlain and them see the eighteen-year-old Gu.
There are still eight seconds, these eight seconds determine the suspense of the final ownership of this year's championship, and also determine whether Gu Fei can draw a legendary end to his almost perfect career.
Luthor stood on the sideline and prepared to serve, this rookie who has only been in the league for three years has slowly grown from the 30th low pick in the first round to the future outside defensive backbone of the Clippers by Gu Fei's side, Luthor looked at Gu Fei's figure and thanked Gu Fei for his teachings, and he still remembered that Gu Fei broke mercilessly when he was in a downturn.
As the referee blew the whistle, everyone on the Clippers team moved as planned, but everyone knew who the ball would end up with, and the Clippers would always have only one answer - GU!
Clippers center: Mega Tes, a new generation of center, nudged the defender and ran to the perimeter.
Gu Fei also ran to the place where Mejettes was about to arrive, and Luthor sent the ball out.
Gu Fei made a mistake and did not catch the ball, but made a mistake with Mejettes, who received Luther's serve and did not let the ball stay in his hand and sent it directly.
Gu Fei, who was staggered with Mejettes, turned around and ran back to catch the pass.
"Gu, the only answer for the Clippers!" Barkley's voice also goes back more than a decade.
Forty-five degrees outside the three-point line, the last seven seconds!
Andre Davis, the leader of the Boston Celtics' new generation, opened his arms and pressed forward.
Davis has been in the league for ten years, he has faced Gu Fei countless times, he knows Gu Fei's strength, even if Gu Fei is about to retire, he does not dare to relax, Davis is 100% spirited.
"I'm going to hold on to the ball!" Davis said close to Gu Fei's ear.
Gu Fei's left shoulder pressed against Davis's chest, estimating the time.
With a sideways impact, Davis stepped back a little, and leaned his left foot on Davis to turn quickly.
Davis moved his feet quickly, his outstretched arms trying to continue to block Gu Fei, and the time before the end of the game was getting less and less.
Gu Fei, who pulled the ball and turned around, did not turn around, but pulled the ball back, and the ball was handed over to his right hand and left arm waved to prepare for forced overtaking.
Davis gritted his teeth and stepped back, knowing that time was running out, just a little harder.
What Gu Fei was waiting for was at this time, Gu Fei, who cut one step into the three-point line, turned the ball through his crotch with his right wrist, and withdrew with his left foot, and instantly Gu Fei formed a big gap with Davis, who was defending him.
Jump, shoot!
Under Davis's gaze, Gu Fei was getting farther and farther away from Davis, Gu Fei's body was perfectly unfolded in the air, and the time beating on the timer had entered the last 2 seconds.
The basket is in the distance, and in 2 seconds he will be away from the NBA, the place he has struggled for 18 years.
With a slight flick of his fingers, the ball left the palm of his hand with confidence, and the orange basketball jumped right past Davis's fingers, and the basketball flew to the basket along the established trajectory under the watchful eyes of more than 40,000 fans at the Staples scene!
Looking at the rising ball in the air, Gu Fei's eyes were full of the epitome of eighteen years.
First goal, first start, first stunner, first championship......
Falling slowly, Gu Fei in the spotlight was the center of the whole world at this moment.
The moment he landed, Gu Fei closed his eyes, and the hand shape of the shot was slowly retracted.
As the basketball drilled over the net, it set off a white wave, which was still as white as it was eighteen years ago.
The red light came on, Davis lowered his head, he still lost, he hadn't won even once in ten years.
"Stay!"
"Please stay!"
"Gu, Staples, your eternal home!"
……
There wasn't much cheer in Staples, not much joy.
"Answer, Staples answer forever, he's legend, perfect legend!" Kenny Smith said in a deep voice.
The sound of the stadium penetrated into Gu Fei's ears, and Gu Fei, who was closing his eyes, felt tears flowing from the corners of his eyes, pursed his lips, Gu Fei opened his eyes, and looked at the fans in the stadium.
The Staples Center fell silent, for the first time in eighteen years, and the cheers here never stopped, the rows of familiar figures behind the bench.
Lift the jersey and kiss the Clippers logo on the chest affectionately.
Looking at the fans in the stadium, bending down and bowing, "Thank you!" ”
Gu Fei's teammates and coaches, none of them gathered around to celebrate, they all looked at Gu Fei quietly, this was the moment that belonged to Gu Fei alone.
Gu Fei lowered his head in the midst of the sound of the audience, and the tears in the corners of his eyes flowed out again, and he couldn't hold back any longer, step by step.
Tick!
Tick!
I don't know if it was sweat or tears falling on the floor of Staples, slowly Gu Fei's figure disappeared into the player's tunnel, and Gu Fei officially walked towards the end of his entire career.
The big screen above Staples replays Gu Fei's Clippers highlights over the past 18 years.
Gu Fei's shot, Gu Fei's dunk, Gu Fei's assist, Gu Fei's steal, Gu Fei's pass, Gu Fei's lore...... In the end, Gu Fei brought a replay of eleven championship moments to the Clippers, and finally the camera on the big screen stayed on Gu Fei's young face when he first came to the Clippers.
The once young face was completely far away from the battlefield he had fought for under the carving knife of eighteen years.
"This is the end of an era, eighteen years of madness Gu really entered history, the Clippers Gu era that began in 2009 is completely over, maybe you will be glad that the dark clouds overhead have dissipated, maybe you will regret his departure, maybe you will be nostalgic for the days with him, I have to say that the madness dissolved in his blood will disappear completely, the legend of madness begins here and ends here......" Kenny Smith's voice shook everyone.
Staples played the classic song HENYOUAREGONE that Avril sang twenty years ago!
Gu - he is the eternal captain of the Los Angeles aircraft carrier, the madness is gradually fading, and the era of the captain of the Los Angeles that once belonged to Gu Fei will not pass away with the years, but will only be remembered with the passing of the years. (To be continued.) )