hotmtlnovel Chapter 171 You tell him, I'll fucking go to hell!
Chapter 171 You tell him, I'll fucking go to hell!
Chapter 171 You tell him, I'll fucking go to hell!
Around 10 a.m., after spending several days lingering there and nearly passing out several times, Julie could no longer withstand her agent's relentless calls. No matter how insignificant she was in the entertainment industry, after disappearing for so many days, it was time for her to go back to work.
Two hours after saying goodbye to Lin Tian, Julie picked up her suitcase and left the hotel. Lin Tian was alone again, waiting for the team to announce the assembly and leave Salt Lake City to return to Chicago... Lin Tian received a call from Su Qun in China.
"Xiaolin, are you awake now? There's something I need to tell you. Someone here asked me to pass on this to you. It's very important, so I didn't wait until the season ended. I'm calling you ahead of time to let you know. Be prepared, they need you to provide a written apology!"
"Apology letter? What the hell? And who are they?" Lin Tian couldn't understand. Could it be that one of the people he beat up had a distant relative in a high position in China?
"I don't know what it is, but the thing is, the person above clearly stated that if you want to join the national team to compete in the Asian Championships this year, then you should quickly write a tearful and heartfelt apology letter, stating that you shouldn't have fought on the court and that you have deeply realized your mistake."
"Of course, you also have to guarantee that you will never do it again, that you will never use violence to solve problems on the court again, that you will accept the rectification with a willing heart, and finally, you have to read this guarantee aloud at a formal meeting of the Basketball Association, in front of all the staff of the Basketball Association and some player and coach representatives!"
Su Qun's voice grew softer and softer.
Later on, even he probably found it ridiculous and couldn't continue speaking.
"They wouldn't ask me to pay a fine to support the development of domestic basketball and jointly resist on-court violence before I can join the national team, would they?" Lin Tian couldn't help but laugh.
"Actually... there really is such a thing." Su Qun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he said, "I really couldn't say it just now, but thankfully you said it yourself."
"No way, is that really true?" Lin Tian was so angry he laughed. "Are they crazy? Have they lost their minds or are they just desperate for money? They're just asking for it like that? Do they think my money grows on trees? They're just asking me to hand over money? And with such a ridiculous reason? I assaulted someone in the NBA, and now I have to go back to China to pay a fine?"
"Maybe he thinks that if you pay the fine in the US, you have to pay the fine in China too." Su Qun couldn't help but chuckle along with Lin Tian.
"Does he even want me to join the team?" Lin Tian couldn't help but ask directly, "Is his goal to completely disgust me and get rid of me, or is he simply trying to squeeze money out of me?"
"The basketball environment in our country is actually not very good. You know, our professionalization is just starting out, and it's worlds apart from that in the United States. Players' salaries are low, and they don't even get enough nutrition allowance. And then there's..."
"Stop, stop, stop, Editor-in-Chief Su, stop." Lin Tian interrupted Su Qun's long-winded speech and said simply, "I'm not in a good position to listen to the story right now, so I'll just get to the conclusion."
Lin Tian really wasn't in the mood to listen to Su Qun's long-winded explanation, especially since Su Qun hadn't called him today to ask him to invest or donate money. It was better not to listen to such meaningless parts.
"To put it simply, the current situation in our country is that, first of all, whether you want to get into the national team or the first team, you either have to give a token of appreciation or you have to have connections that you can't refuse. Xiao Lin, you don't have any connections or benefits to give him. If he lets you into the team, then there will be one less person who has connections to him who will join the team, so he is unwilling to accept it."
"Secondly, it's not just about profit, but also about face. Right now, everyone in the basketball world in China is incredibly respectful to this new leader of the basketball industry. They all treat him like a big brother. No matter how arrogant someone is normally, they've all paid their respects to him. As for you, Xiao Lin..."
"Forget about paying respects, you haven't even exchanged a single word with him yet, have you? He feels his authority has been challenged, and that you're completely disregarding him."
"Finally, and precisely for this reason, that guy has an innate aversion to overseas players, feeling that they are unruly, arrogant, too corrupted, and too self-centered!"
"So, money is only part of it. The more important part is that he feels that if he doesn't give you a hard time and let you know how powerful he is, you won't respect him anymore. So, this matter doesn't necessarily require you to apologize or spend money. If you sincerely go and talk to him, flatter him a bit, and things might actually work out."
"Anyway, that's the gist of it. You either need to make him save face, or make him have money, or have someone else come to him and owe him a favor. If you can do any of these things, getting you into the team shouldn't be a problem."
"Editor-in-Chief Su, if it's convenient for you, please tell him: Go to hell, I'm not buying it! If you're too polite to say that directly, then tell him: If you can't reach me, have him call me himself."
After Lin Tian finished speaking, he stopped talking about this person with Su Qun, which was a killjoy. He quickly changed the subject and started chatting with Su Qun about interesting things from the finals.
From beginning to end, neither Lin Tian nor Su Qun revealed who "he" was, because they both knew who this person was.
The director of the Basketball Management Center, which was established not long ago, is Director Xin!
This top basketball player in China, who loves track and field and table tennis but not basketball, went from refusing to recruit Lin Tian to the team for the Olympics a year ago, to having to promise this year, due to the strong demands from domestic fans, that he would do his best to bring Lin Tian to the team and let him represent China in the Asian Championships.
But if someone recruits someone into the national team in a way that's almost like forcing someone out of their position, who knows what kind of curses he might have for Lin Tian in his heart!
Anyway, I'm just unwilling and unhappy!
Losing face is the most important thing for me. As for the national team's performance, that's not something Director Xin needs to worry about right now.
Anyway, the Chinese men's basketball team broke historical records last year and achieved its best result in the Olympics. He has already enjoyed the honor and praise. With a top-eight ranking in the world, Director Xin has plenty of confidence!
Even if we can't bring in Lin Tian this year, the men's basketball team is still unbeatable in Asia. Whether or not Lin Tian is there, it really doesn't make much difference!
It's the difference between winning by 20 points or 15 points per game.
Anyway, Lin Tian, you can come this year if you want, or not? Forget it! Don't expect me to beg you!
As for next year's World Championships...
Let's talk about it next year.
Anyway, if you, Lin Tian, don't back down this year, don't even think about returning to serve the country!
We don't need you!
Lin Tian's attitude towards Director Xin's attitude was actually very clear.
I don't need you, you need me!
Do you think you can manipulate me like you manipulate other domestic players?
Daydreaming!
If I, Lord Lin, could be controlled by some lousy director like you, I might as well give up my career!
Moreover, according to Lin Tian's memory, in the 1997 Asian Championships in Riyadh, the Chinese team suffered a crushing defeat, being brutally beaten by their old rival, the South Korean team, in the semi-finals!
This unexpected defeat prevented the Chinese team from reaching the Asian Championship finals and from securing a ticket to the 1998 World Championships.
This is an absolute blow to Chinese basketball, which was thriving and seemingly on the rise! It marks the biggest low point for the Chinese men's basketball team at the end of the century!
Director Xin was criticized by his superiors and put in a lot of awkward situations because of this!
However, none of this has anything to do with Lin Tian, and it will be another two months before it happens.
Anyway, Lin Tian himself wasn't in a hurry; it was Director Xin and the staff of the Huaxia team who should be worried.
When the time comes, it will definitely be Director Xin who will be anxious!
The one who's in such a distressed state begged me to come to his door must be Director Xin!
As for now, hehe, let your old man be as smug as he wants, it's nothing.
My good days are yet to come, Mr. Lin!
After confirming that the Chinese men's basketball team would not actively recruit him or even come looking for him, Lin Tian simply put the matter of the Chinese men's basketball team out of his mind completely.
Anyway, it has nothing to do with him, so there's no rush.
What Lin Tian needs to worry about now is the sixth game of the finals!
This time, the two teams finally moved to the United Center in Chicago, where they will play their sixth and seventh games. Both of these final games will be played at the Bulls' home court.
Lin Tian no longer had to stay far away and watch the game on TV. Well, no, he still had to watch TV.
He could enter the United Center and go to the locker room, but because the previous fight was so brutal, Lin Tian still couldn't enter the stadium and watch the game live.
But at least it's much closer than before. I can listen to the tactics and cheer along with the team. After the team wins the championship, Lin Tian can also rush onto the court and touch the trophy.
The level of participation is so much higher than in Salt Lake City!
On the afternoon of the match, Lin Tian went straight into the locker room. This time, he didn't even bring his sneakers. He just wore shorts and slippers and strolled to the stadium. He didn't look like a player at all, but rather like a passerby who just happened to be walking around.
"What are you wearing?" Jordan was furious the moment he saw Lin Tian. Do you know how I've been these past three days? Do you know how many media outlets and reporters have been chasing me around asking questions, and how many ridiculous articles I've been tormented by?
You have no idea! All you know is that you come to the stadium in slippers to watch the game, you have no idea how I've been these past few days!
"Michael Jordan's emotions have fluctuated, resulting in a loss of 10 experience points!"
Wow, you're angry already?
Lin Tian looked at Jordan and felt that the guy's hairline seemed to have receded a few inches.
Well, I need to mention here that Jordan isn't bald, at least not now. If you get close, you can still see some spiky hair on his head!
Lin Tian now feels that the number of those burrs seems to have decreased significantly.
It seems Jordan really hasn't been sleeping well these past few days!
Seeing that Lin Tian was completely ignoring him, Jordan angrily slammed his fist on the table and said:
"Quiet! Everyone, quiet! All of you, quiet!"
When Jordan got angry, the Bulls players weren't like those reporters who were just looking for trouble and hoping Jordan would get even angrier. When Jordan got angry, the players immediately became as quiet as mice seeing a cat.
"I think you've all seen those reports, right? Those people said that without Lin, we're nothing! Without Lin, we're no match for the Jazz. They said without Lin, we're like headless flies!"
Jordan looked at the players in the locker room and said, "But I have to say, they're wrong! They don't know anything! Lin isn't that important! He's just a part of the team, just an ordinary player! With him or without him, we'll still be champions!"
"We don't really need this guy, he's completely unimportant! Right?"
Hey, hey, hey, that's going too far!
Lin Tian couldn't help but interrupt Jordan as he got more and more excited!
If you're going to boost morale, then boost morale; if you're going to give a speech, then give a speech. Why are you criticizing me?
What's it to me?
But Jordan clearly wasn't going to pay any attention to Lin Tian and continued giving his speech.
Lin Tian realized that Jordan's speech was not intended to boost morale or unite the team.
It's just a personal grudge!
A purely personal grudge!
Every single word was aimed at Lin Tian!
However, Lin Tian wasn't in a hurry. He sat there calmly, waiting for Jordan to finish speaking. Then he stood up and said to Jordan, "Michael, are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Jealous? What nonsense are you talking about! I'm just stating the facts, telling the truth of the matter!" Jordan snorted, looking arrogant.
"Michael Jordan's emotions have fluctuated, resulting in a loss of 20 experience points!"
Okay, I was jealous, absolutely jealous!
The system's announcements are absolutely truthful!
Lin Tian looked at Jordan and said, "Don't listen to the reporter about Michael. Whether I'm there or not, or even with Michael, we're still very strong. We're a historically great team! Whether I'm there or not, we're invincible!"
"I believe that even without me, we are one of the strongest teams in NBA history! At most, only one team can beat us in a series! Other teams shouldn't even think about it! The first two games were just a bit of a struggle to adjust to suddenly having one less player!"
"Now, after a few days of training, I believe everyone has adapted to playing without me! We can play at our usual level! Tonight, we will definitely beat the Jazz and lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy!"
"Lift the trophy! Tonight! Take down the Jazz!" Lin Tian raised his arm and shouted, igniting the atmosphere in the entire locker room, causing everyone to roar!
Then, Lin Tian sat back down in his seat and said to Jordan beside him, "My work is done! It's your turn tonight!"
"You said there's only one team that can beat us? Who is it? Which team do you have such a high opinion of?" Jordan looked at Lin Tian, his competitive nature clearly focused more on the aspects related to victory.
"Huh? It's still us. The only team that can beat the Bulls without me is the Bulls with me! Do you even need to think about that, you idiot?"
"Fuck you! You damn narcissist!" Jordan cursed angrily, stood up, ignored Lin Tian, and went to chat with Pippen.
Unfortunately... this time no more experience points were gained.
Could it be that this guy has gained too much experience these past two days and has developed an immunity to it?
That would be such a shame!
Jordan is Lin Tian's biggest source of experience! At least a third of his experience comes from Jordan, and Lin Tian doesn't want this big spender to suddenly develop immunity and hinder his progress!
"Michael, you need to learn a lot from me. This kind of morale-boosting work is very important. I suspect that in the last game, you didn't motivate the team properly beforehand and failed to get everyone's initiative going, which is why we were defeated by the Jazz!"
"Let me tell you a secret: the trick is that you can't lecture, you have to inspire. You can't use a superior's way to teach everyone how to do things; instead, you have to do things together with everyone, like I do. Understand?"
"Fuck you! Can you shut up? Do I need you to teach me? I've led the team to four championships, do I need you to teach me?" Jordan looked at Lin Tian impatiently, and that look made Lin Tian very certain that Jordan really wanted to beat him up right now!
Unfortunately, I couldn't win, so I had to endure!
If you endure it, you'll feel wronged; if you feel wronged, you'll have to gain some experience.
If I don't spill the beans now, then I'll have to drop some more bombshells on you!
"Michael, it's three and a half!" Lin Tian corrected Jordan seriously, "Do you understand three and a half? Last year's team was at most one we led together."
"Michael Jordan's emotions have fluctuated, resulting in a loss of 30 experience points!"
Ah! It's here! That feels so good!
Jordan's eyes widened as he yelled, "Say that again? Who led the team to the championship last year?"
"us!"
Lin Tian said, "Since you can't beat me anyway, I'm not courting death. I'm just bullying you!"
We're bullying you, Jordan!
"Then tell me, who is the final FMVP?"
"Then tell me, who scored 48 points in Game 4 of the Finals?"
"Who scored 55 points in the first game?" Jordan was adamant.
"You have the nerve to calculate the stats when the game was completely blown out?"
"What, you're only watching one game of the finals?"
"You were completely crushed in the first three games, what happened?"
"Just because we lost doesn't mean I led the team to victory? Your stats in the first three games were half of mine, okay?"
"It's true that beating someone out of the game can be considered leading the team forward, but a normal person would be embarrassed to mention it. After all, my grandma can also lead a team to victory by beating weaker teams. But leading a team forward in crucial battles and close games is what you call leading the team forward!" Lin Tian looked at Jordan and continued to provoke him.
"You shameless person!"
"You're being unreasonable!"
"I scored 55 points in the finals!"
"I blew Payton apart in the crucial game! I gave him the nickname 'Fingerless Glove'!"
"I turned Schramf into a German cannon wreck!"
"My neighbor, that 320-pound fat guy, can beat Schramf. What's there to be proud of?"
……
Neither of them would back down, and they launched into a tirade of insults at each other.
The two finally stopped arguing when Jackson went into the locker room.
Yes, Lin Tian felt very comfortable.
After this barrage of criticism, Jordan lost another 200 experience points, feeling quite pleased with himself!
As for Jordan, his eyes were already blazing with anger. Needless to say, the Jazz guys would be the ones to suffer later, since he couldn't beat Lin Tian and wouldn't fight him.
Wait... it seems Russell is also making a comeback and playing today?
Kill him!
Jackson looked at the passionate and determined people in the locker room, and at Jordan's eyes, which were blazing with fire and exuded a murderous aura that seemed capable of killing three tigers at any moment!
"Looks like the pre-game pep talk went very well." Jackson nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent! I told you, we have the best leader and the best team in the league. There are some things you can do perfectly on your own! I'm proud of you!"
"Look, even Phil says I'm a leader," Lin Tian said smugly, leaning back in his chair and looking at Jordan. "And the best leader at that!"
"Shut the hell up!" Jordan said, his face darkening. He stood up abruptly and said, "Let's go, everyone, let's go, time to warm up! Leave this bastard alone in the locker room! Let him get bored to death!"
After Jordan finished speaking, he took the lead and walked out of the locker room. The murderous aura emanating from him could be clearly felt by people ten meters away. Jordan's entire body seemed to be emblazoned with the words "Beware of vicious dogs... well, keep out of the way!"
Looking at Jordan's back, Lin Tian knew that the NBA season would definitely end tonight. In this state, Jordan would be a pushover for anyone, let alone the Jazz!
Jordan will definitely crush all his opponents tonight!
What a pity! If they could lose another game and force a Game 7, Lin Tian would definitely be able to gain more experience points at home, but unfortunately... that's definitely not possible now.
Soon, Lin Tian was the only one left in the Bulls' locker room. He comfortably turned on the TV, found a bottle of champagne in the corner of the locker room that he had prepared for the celebration, opened it, and took some fried chicken, pizza and other things prepared by the staff and placed them next to him.
Watching the game while drinking and eating fried chicken.
Go celebrate after the game ends.
I'm so happy!
Game 6 of the finals has officially begun!
Just as Lin Tian had expected, Jordan went all out from the start of the game. He not only ravaged Russell, who had just returned from suspension, on the offensive end, turning this defensive stalwart into a defensive dummy, but also went all out on the defensive end, completely shutting down Hornacek, who had delivered a brilliant performance in the past two games and saved the Jazz!
In the first quarter, Russell fouled out after playing only 7 minutes. He not only failed to contain Jordan's firepower, but Jordan also scored 15 points in the quarter!
As for Hornacek, he was heavily guarded by Jordan. He missed all four of his shots in the first quarter, scoring only 1 point and also committing two turnovers!
With the Jazz's two main offensive and defensive pillars on the perimeter being completely outplayed in the first quarter, it's no wonder they were utterly crushed by the Bulls!
Although Malone returned to the court tonight after serving his suspension, and although he scored 11 points in a single quarter with his still swollen face, his output was simply not enough compared to Jordan's firepower and destructive power!
28: 19!
The Bulls led by 9 points in the first quarter!
In the second quarter, Jackson and Scala came to the same conclusion again, and neither of them made any substitutions, with Jordan and Malone continuing to play!
Judging from their appearance, neither of them needs a rest for at least the first half!
Jackson wanted to end the game quickly to avoid any unforeseen complications, while Scala hoped to maintain the gap as much as possible and not let it widen, so as to find opportunities in the game to extend the series.
It's worth mentioning that Scala is the Jazz's lead assistant coach. With Sloan unable to coach, he served as the interim head coach and won two games!
This guy now feels that he might not be much worse than Sloan. If he wins today and achieves a three-game winning streak in the Finals, he might not have to be an assistant coach this summer.
Surely some teams will come to me asking me to be their head coach?
Even if we lose tonight, with the victories of the previous two games, I might still be able to get a job as a head coach!
If your Bulls win the championship, I, Scala, will get the head coach job.
We all have a bright future!
Tsk tsk tsk... Promotion and salary increase, becoming head coach, general manager, marrying a beautiful and rich woman, and reaching the pinnacle of life!
Beautiful!
Just as Scala was envisioning the pinnacle of his future career, another change occurred on the field!
With Hornacek out, the Bulls began to change their defense. They stopped letting Rodman and Malone go one-on-one and instead started a tactic of surrounding and swarming Malone!
Whenever Malone gets the ball, at least two or even three Bulls players immediately surround him, preventing him from attacking properly.
When Malone chooses to pass the ball, neither Hornacek nor Stockton are available. Who do you pass it to?
Does your Jazz team have a fourth reliable scoring option?
The Bulls made this change in the second quarter, which completely stunned the Jazz!
With insufficient scoring options and too many players injured, they were simply unable to match the intensity of the Bulls. The role players who were brought up tonight, without the support of the home crowd, faced the crazy boos from 20,000 fans at the United Center. None of them were able to perform normally, and everyone's performance was extremely poor!
Their hands were trembling when they shot!
So, less than three minutes into the second quarter, the Bulls took an 8-2 lead over the Jazz with a sudden increase in defensive intensity and targeted defense!
Ma Long is really struggling to carry the team alone!
Scala was a bit slow to react, and it wasn't until this moment that he remembered to adjust and bring Hornacek back onto the field.
Clearly, not only was the timing a bit too late, but Hornacek alone was not enough!
The Bulls only needed to have the enraged Jordan guard Hornacek one-on-one, and Hornacek was almost unable to launch any impressive offensive plays. The rest of the Bulls continued to swarm Malone, making him play terribly in the second quarter and unable to carry the team at all!
With Stockton out, the Jazz had no one to organize their offense, making their offense incredibly chaotic. The Jazz's role players couldn't do much besides constantly passing the ball to Malone!
But Malone is an inside player after all, and sometimes he gets the ball in very out-of-place positions. Sometimes, his teammates can't wait to pass him the ball as soon as he steps into the three-point line.
He didn't even have a chance to get into position and make a strong attack!
Even if he gets into the low post and gets the ball, the Bulls' double-team defense will arrive immediately, making him afraid to dribble and make any further moves.
Under these circumstances, the Jazz really couldn't find any way to break the deadlock!
They were out of ammunition and supplies and could hardly continue. Even if Sloan came, he would be helpless, let alone the fact that the only person in command now was the chief assistant coach.
With such a huge inherent gap in roster strength, what can he do?
There's nothing the Jazz can do except accept defeat.
55: 40.
At the end of the first half, the Bulls were already leading by 15 points.
75: 55.
By the end of the third quarter, the Bulls had a 20-point lead.
Just four minutes into the fourth quarter, the Bulls pressed their advantage, extending their lead to 30 points, led by Pippen and Kukoc!
By this point in the game, there was no need for Jordan to continue playing in the fourth quarter, and Jackson quickly substituted all the key players.
Just kidding, who knows what kind of bastards the Jazz will do after losing like this.
I won't let my key players take any risks!
Even after the Bulls substituted all their starters, the Jazz clearly had no will to catch up. Even though they still had Hornacek and Malone on the court, the score difference between the two sides hovered around 25 points.
With four minutes remaining in the game, Scala knew things were hopeless, so he called a timeout, substituted Malone and others, and officially surrendered.
The moment the Jazz substituted all their key players, the entire United Center erupted in a deafening roar of cheers and shouts!
They knew the time had come!
We can celebrate now!
Although there are still 4 minutes left in the game, we can announce it now!
After a hard-fought six-game series, the Chicago Bulls won the 1996-1997 NBA championship!
Lin Tian, in the locker room, could clearly hear the cheers and shouts coming from the stadium. With a sigh of relief, Lin Tian finished the last two pieces of fried chicken, stood up, and changed into the championship T-shirt that he had prepared in advance.
I grabbed my gear and headed towards the stadium.
Although the league has banned him from being on the court during the game, now that the game is almost over, Lin Tian can rush out as soon as the game ends, which is not considered a violation of the rules!
When Lin Tian reached the player tunnel entrance, there were only 20 seconds left in the game. Hubble was dribbling the basketball in place, waiting for the game time to officially expire. Meanwhile, the Bulls' bench was in a frenzy of celebration, with everyone excitedly hugging each other and celebrating wildly!
So much so that no one noticed that Lin Tian had already moved from the stands to the back of the substitutes' bench.
"Beep beep!"
When the final whistle blew, all the Bulls players could no longer contain themselves and jumped up from the bench, celebrating and cheering loudly.
"Michael! Congratulations on winning the championship! This is a gift for you!" Lin Tian, who had been lurking behind the bench, shouted at this moment. The instant Jordan turned around and finally noticed him, he poured the large bucket of energy drink he had been holding directly onto Jordan.
In the blink of an eye, Jordan was soaked from head to toe!
"F*** you! Lin, what the hell are you doing?!" Jordan, who had been drenched in a cold shower, instantly bristled, but his roar only lasted halfway before it ended, because Lin Tian hadn't finished giving him the gift he had prepared!
Lin Tian casually opened a bottle of champagne that he had prepared beforehand and sprayed it all over the entire bench!
In an instant, Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Longley and others were all criticized and looked extremely embarrassed!
"Oh oh oh! Happy championship!" Lin Tian shouted excitedly, then sprayed the entire bottle of champagne and ran away! He didn't give Jordan and the others a chance to fight back!
Right now, he has the equipment that others don't. But once everyone has the equipment, they won't be able to escape!
As Lin Tian went wild, the entire Joint Center could no longer contain its excitement!
Everyone started celebrating and went into a frenzy!
Celebrate! Celebrate wildly, celebrate wildly! The joy of winning the championship is enough to completely engulf everyone at the United Center, wholeheartedly celebrating this hard-won victory!
Despite the many twists and turns and unnecessary incidents in this Finals, the Bulls ultimately emerged victorious!
The championship belongs to the people of Chicago!
The championship belongs to the United Center and the Bulls!
The championship belongs to Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Lin Tian, and everyone on the Bulls!
In stark contrast to the Bulls' unrestrained celebration, the entire Jazz team appeared incredibly dejected. Due to the conflict in Game 3, not a single Jazz player went up to hug and celebrate with the Bulls players; instead, everyone lowered their heads and left the court immediately.
They have no desire to participate in the Bulls' celebration.
Speaking of which, perhaps the most interesting thing about this Finals series is that the Jazz lost all four games in which Malone played.
The Bulls lost a game when Jordan was playing.
If we only look at the win rate, then these two absolute core players and MVP-level players of the team have actually become the ones who dragged the team down. With them on the team, the win rate is even lower.
But no matter what, no matter what unexpected events or twists and turns occurred during the series, the series is finally over!
The Chicago Bulls won the NBA championship for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in seven years!
An undisputed dynasty team, and Jordan is undoubtedly the best player in the league!
In their face-to-face confrontation during the Finals, Jordan showed the world who the real MVP was and who was the strongest player in the league!
The entire Bulls team and more than 20,000 fans at the United Center celebrated wildly, with confetti and cannons that had been prepared going off all over the arena, and everyone was caught up in the festivities!
Players and coaches, champagne in hand, sprayed champagne everywhere, hugged their teammates, thanked their brothers, embraced family and friends who came to the event, and expressed their gratitude for everyone's support...
In stark contrast to the frenzied Bulls, on one side of the court, league staff were methodically setting up a temporary awards stage, where they would soon officially lift this year's Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Finals MVP trophy.
With Lin Tian suspended for fighting, the MVP of this year's finals is no longer in doubt.
It definitely belongs to Jordan!
While waiting for the awards ceremony to be set up, Jordan, who was already soaked to the bone and had a cigar in his mouth, excitedly hugged Lin Tian.
"Lin! I love this feeling! I love being a winner! I'll always be a winner! Lin, let's continue to work together, continue to be winners, and continue to lead the Bulls to championships!" Jordan said, staring intently at Lin Tian, waiting for his answer.
This was the first time Jordan had a direct conversation with Lin Tian about the issue after realizing that Lin Tian would leave in the summer, and it was also the first time Jordan expressed his true feelings.
Stay, Lin!
This is Jordan's true feeling.
"Even though you're a jerk, and even though I have at least 30 moments every hour when I want to kill you, I have to say, it's fun being with you. I love playing with you, I love working with you! Stay, Lin! Let's create something bigger together! Let's create a dynasty that's the greatest in history!"
"I'm sorry, Michael, I don't want to lie to you, so I won't stay." Faced with Jordan's rare display of genuine emotion and his almost pleading invitation, Lin Tian shook his head without hesitation.
"Playing with you, playing in Chicago, is so much fun. It's amazing here, but I'm sorry, Michael, you know what I want."
"What if I take a pay cut?" Jordan hesitated for a moment, then immediately revealed his trump card: "I'll sign a contract like Ewing's, freeing up cap space for Krause, and give you a super long-term contract worth tens of millions. How about that?"
"Michael, I'm sorry, but like I said, you know what I want. Money is important, but it's only part of the story. Chicago is great, and you're my friend, but this place can't give me what I want."
"I can gain a lot here, but MVP, Finals MVP—unless you retire, I'll never get those!" Lin Tian patted Jordan on the shoulder and said, "This place belongs to you. Now, I'm going to find a place that belongs to me and start my own story!"
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore tonight! Let's just enjoy the moment and appreciate everything the championship brings us!"
(End of this chapter)