In Los Angeles, O'Neal was sitting alone at home, watching the game.
"Honey……"
His wife, Shanni, was hiding in the room and didn't know who she was talking to on the phone. Her words and expression were very ambiguous.
The speaker in the room played "Going Alone to Have Fun". Although she didn't understand it, she liked the song very much and became addicted after trying it.
"Damn old K, why is he still in such good condition?"
After watching the first verse, O'Neal sighed in frustration, leaned over and took out a small chicken drumstick from the family bucket on the coffee table and started to chew on it.
Now his weight has returned to the tonnage of 160 kilograms, and his condition has dropped a lot compared to last season. Injury problems have been bothering him. Members, now that I see old K playing such a performance, I feel very depressed.
"Why is Lao K still in such good condition?"
Kobe was very shocked. If this continues, when will he surpass Old K?
"When will I be able to score 30 in a single quarter?" Cleveland, James was extremely shocked.
He used to admire Old K a lot, but not so much now, because he has grown up and is now stronger, and because Old K's violent behavior disgusted him, but for Old K's performance in the first quarter, he can only express his admiration.
, at present, he is not qualified to challenge Lao K’s status.
"This guy is still as powerful as before!"
Jordan was very emotional. Fortunately, he did not come back last season, otherwise Old K would definitely target him.
Based on Old K's performance in the first quarter, he realized that this guy should be like him, with super strong physical endurance and able to maintain his peak condition for many years.
He himself is now 41 years old. He has maintained his figure well and has done some training. He is confident that he can perform at 20%. At the age of 37 and 38, he can even maintain a performance of 30%. He believes that Old K should be able to do the same.
Even when Old K's physical fitness begins to decline, as his skills and game experience further mature, he will remain at his peak for many years.
"At least 5 years, maybe even 7 to 8 years."
Old K is 30 years old this year. This is his estimated peak period for Old K, which is five to eight years. He believes that Old K will play until he is 38 years old, or even close to 40 years old. As long as there is no serious injury, it is possible to maintain his peak condition.
.
"Sad!"
Now he can only pray for Lao K's opponent.
"You should talk to David Stern. His attitude towards Lao K is wrong."
From the perspective of a team manager, he thinks it should be like this. If Old K can really have such a long peak period, then the league should support Old K instead of suppressing him.
At least, the league can help Lao K's opponents in the championship competition, but in terms of publicity and personal honors, Lao K should still be chosen as the face of the league, rather than the so-called four shooting guards, who have no relationship with Lao K at all.
k’s qualifications to compete are not at the same level at all.
At the same time, across the United States, countless fans witnessed Old K's powerful performance and were amazed by it.
These fans don't have as much thought as the media and the league. They will support whoever performs well. Now that Old K has come back and performed such a violent and brutal performance, it has directly made them proud.
"Congratulations to the league, tonight's ratings continue to rise and have now exceeded 30 million." Barkley said happily at this time.
"This is the influence of Old K! He is the well-deserved face of our NBA league." Kenny Smith said excitedly.
"Thirty million? Alas!"
David Stern couldn't help but sigh when he heard this data.
In the 2001/02 season when Old K retired, the highest ratings in the league's regular season were only 11 million, and the finals that year did not exceed 20 million. In last year's finals, without Old K's participation, the ratings dropped wildly, and the average was only 11 million.
16 million. So far this season, the highest ratings have not exceeded 12 million. The league is firmly in the third position among the four major sports leagues, getting further and further away from the second place. But as soon as the old K came out, the ratings
Immediately launched a powerful impact on the second child.
In Madison Square Garden, the game continued, and the Knicks did not give up the game because it was only one quarter.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Wang Tiejun was still invincible offensively and defensively, but he did not take any crazy shots like in the first quarter.
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
One hat after another, this loud slapping sound continued throughout the entire subsection.
Wang Tiejun played the entire quarter again, making 6 of 8 shots in a single quarter, 3 of which were secondary attacks after grabbing offensive rebounds, and 7 of 8 free throws. He scored 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5 blocks and 1 shot in a single quarter.
With the data of 1 turnover and 1 foul, he defeated the Knicks with a strong offensive and defensive performance.
In 24 minutes in the half, he made 19 of 23 shots, 15 of 17 free throws, and scored 53 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 7 blocks, 1 turnover, and 1 foul. He scored 50 in the half.
At halftime, 72:36, the Knicks only scored 16 points in the second quarter, which was not as good as their performance in the first quarter. The Suns still maintained a strong advantage of doubling the score, leading by as much as 36 points.
Kenny Smith couldn't bear to advise: "The Knicks should give up. If you don't give up, Old K will definitely blow Chamberlain's single-game 100-point record in Madison Square Garden today."
Barkley smiled and said: "No, the Knicks have always been very stubborn. I think they will persevere and never give up. This is their iron-blooded spirit."
"Pfft, haha, that's it!"
Kenny Smith couldn't help but collapse in laughter.
Barkley received the latest ratings and cheered: "Congratulations to the league, the ratings have now exceeded 35 million."
"35 million?"
The corners of David Stern's eyes trembled.
"Ding ding..."
At this time, the landline rang. He reached out and picked up the phone, and Jordan's voice sounded over there.
"Hey David, it's Michael."
"Michael, I'm glad to receive your call."
"David, there is something I need to talk to you about, about Old K."
"Oh, you said."
"That's right, I think..."
After Jordan expressed his inference about the peak period of Old K, David Stern said in shock: "Are you really sure that Old K can maintain his peak period for at least 5 years?"
Jordan said: "I analyzed Old K based on my own state after the age of thirty. I think my guess is basically correct and there will be no major deviation.
Judging from some of Lao K's public remarks, he is also confident that he can maintain his dominance over the alliance in the next few years.
For example, he personally said in an interview at the New York Airport yesterday that he will continue to dominate the league for many years, and based on his history, what he has said, many of which seem to be bragging, has generally come true."
David Stern fell silent and began to consider Jordan's words.
There is no doubt that these words had a great impact on him, and he needs to treat them carefully and even rethink the overall situation.
…
At Madison Square Garden, the second half began, but the Knicks had already given up on the game and were on the bench from the beginning, with all the main players sitting on the bench.
Lao Wang will naturally not go up to score points on the bench. This completely meaningless behavior will only lower the value of his data.
It's no different now than in ancient times. There were no game videos at that time, and people brushed them as soon as they brushed them. A few years later, people only remember the data and don't even know that they were brushed. But now there are videos. A hundred years from now, brushing will still be brushing.
Many reporters at the scene had already sent out the press release during the halftime break. Through the increasingly developed network, at the beginning of the second half, the news that Old K scored 53 points in the half had spread all over the world.
"Old K, the NBA's number one active player, made a strong return, scoring 50 in halftime and leading the Suns to a bloodbath at Madison Square Garden!" Phoenix Sports News.
"With 53 points at halftime, the great King of East Asia completely conquered Madison Square Garden, the holy land of basketball!" Tokyo Daily News.
Even the New York media outlets targeting Lao Wang posted relevant news on their websites in a timely manner.
After the game, the media swarmed in and surrounded Lao Wang.
However, Lao Wang only accepted an interview with TNT and answered three questions.
"Old K, you said you could continue to rule the league for many more years, can you give me a deadline?" a reporter from TNT asked.
"Ten thousand years?" he said.
"Haha..." Then he and all the reporters laughed.
"Okay, no joke, I can give you a time limit of twenty years." After putting away his smile, Lao Wang said seriously.
"Twenty years?"
The female reporter from TNT looked shocked, as did the other reporters who were watching. They then smiled because they all thought that Mr. K was continuing to joke.
Lao Wang curled his lips, I told the truth, but you don’t believe me?
"Old K, how big a chance do you think the Suns have for winning the championship this season?" the female reporter asked the second question.
"We will remain 100% enthusiastic and 100% committed to the championship. Any team that tries to stop us will be crushed by us." Lao Wang said very seriously.
"..."
Faced with such a serious answer, coupled with Lao K's current and historical status as the first player in history, and his strong performance of 50 points in the half just now, the reporters at the scene felt a great pressure.
At the same time, through TNT's live broadcast, all team management and players who are interested in winning the championship, such as Duncan, Kidd, Dayao, Nowitzki, Kobe, O'Neal, Karl Malone, David Spencer, etc.
, the pressure they felt was stronger than the pressure felt by the reporters on the scene, the huge and invisible sense of oppression coming from the screen.
In the end, the Suns won a wild victory in Madison Square Garden, the holy land of basketball. Wang didn't play a minute in the second half. D'Antoni once again used running and gunning, scoring 72 points in the first half and 52 points in the second half.
The game scored 124 points, while the Knicks scored 81 points, winning by 43 points.
After playing the last regular season game in January, with 34 wins and 15 losses, the Suns were one game behind the Timberwolves and five games behind the Trail Blazers, ranking third in the Western Conference.
On February 1st, the Suns returned to Phoenix.
On the 2nd, they defeated the visiting Mosaic team at home. Lao Wang played 42 minutes and scored 51 points, scoring 50 for the second consecutive game.
On the 4th, the Suns will meet the challenge of the Trail Blazers, who currently have the league's first record, at home.
The two teams have played two regular season games before, and this is the third game. The Suns lost the first two games. This time, when Pharaoh returns, victory is the only thing on the team's mind.
At one o'clock on the 3rd, the Trail Blazers arrived in Phoenix and held a press conference in the hotel at three o'clock.
"Tim, what do you think of Old K's status after his comeback?" the reporter asked.
"Shocking! He is still so powerful, enough to intimidate any player. It will be very difficult to defeat his team. We will have to put in all our efforts to have any hope of defeating this Suns team." Duncan said with a serious face.
"Do you think the Suns will be an obstacle for the Trail Blazers on their way to the championship?" the next reporter asked.
"Of course, there have been 10 Western Conference Finals in 10 years and 6 championships in 10 years. No one has the right to ignore Old K's team," Duncan said.
"What do you think of Lao K's remarks that he will continue to rule the league for many years, even twenty years?" the next reporter asked.
Duncan suddenly laughed, disgusting a large group of reporters below, and then said: "I think this is a manifestation of self-confidence. We don't need to focus on how many years."
"Tim is a wise man, and he has a good relationship with his wife Amy. I hope he won't cuckold his wife like Kobe. Well, there is also that fat guy O'Neal."
When he saw Lao Wang's home, he was very satisfied with Duncan's attitude and couldn't help blessing Duncan.
At this time, the reporter on the scene asked Payton's head and asked: "Gary, you are still in good condition this season and have no injuries. You have been full attendance in the first 46 games and played 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals.
data, and the field goal percentage is as high as 47.1%. How confident are you that the Trail Blazers will win the championship this season?"
Payton shook his head excitedly and said: "100% confident, we are stronger than any team."
"Do you think the Trail Blazers are stronger than the Suns? I know the Suns lost the first two games, but now that Old K is back, do you still think the Trail Blazers are stronger?" a local reporter asked.
Payton's attitude became serious and said: "Even if Old K returns, I still maintain strong confidence in defeating the Suns."
"I heard that Old K recruited you, but you rejected him and chose the Trail Blazers. Is this true?" the next reporter asked.
"Bullshit solicitation, he just pushed me into the arms of the Trail Blazers."
Payton immediately cursed secretly in his mind, lowered his face and said, "No, that's not the case."
"Do you regret not choosing the Suns but choosing the Trail Blazers?" the reporter asked.
"No, not really." Payton said.
"In other words, the Suns were once one of your options?" the reporter asked.
"Fake Oil!"
Payton, who has had a bad mouth all his life, couldn't help but curse in his mind for actually trying to trick him, you damn Phoenix reporter, you deserve to be suppressed by the league! I will regret choosing you.
…
On the evening of the 4th, the American West Arena was packed with seats.
At eight o'clock, both sides announced the starting lineup.
Trail Blazers: Duncan, Zach Randolph, Darius Michaels, Derrick Anderson, Payton
Suns: Wang Tiejun, Amar'e Stoudemire, Marion, Joe Johnson, Nash
The game was broadcast live across the United States by ESPN, and the commentators were Winston Rollin and Carter Oldman.
Oldman said: "This year's Trail Blazers have a stronger lineup than last season, and their offensive ability ranks second in the league, averaging 104 points per game, second only to the Suns' 106.5 points.
Inside, Duncan and Randolph both scored 20-10 points. The defense line, Payton and Anderson, averaged 28 points per game. The forward line is weaker, but can also average about 10 points per game. The five starting positions average more than 10 points per game.
80 points, the bench lineup is equally strong, and the average contribution can reach 20 points per game."
Rollin said: "Although the Suns score better, their ability to concede points is also stronger than the Trail Blazers."
"Haha... Oldman laughed.
Luo Lin continued: "The Trail Blazers averaged 90.1 points per game and beat their opponents by 13.9 points per game, while the Suns averaged 102.2 points per game and only beat their opponents by 4.3 points per game. This is the difference between the Suns and the Trail Blazers.
The gap, the defense is too poor.
If the two sides meet in the playoffs, then I can say that the Trail Blazers will definitely win against the Suns, and the results of the two regular season games are the evidence.
Even based on the analysis of the Suns' scoring and points loss, I'm not optimistic about their playoff run. They won't be able to go far because their defense is too poor."
"But now that Old K is back, the situation will be completely different. In the two games when Old K came back, the team played good defense." Oldman said.
"Of course, I am only talking about the situation before Old K came back. When Old K returns, the Suns will become a truly super strong team in the playoffs. He alone is enough to raise the overall offensive and defensive quality of the Suns to a higher level.
Even two levels." Luo Lin laughed.
"Gloves, how does it feel to hold Tim's thigh? How does his thigh feel, is it soft?" Lao Wang joked loudly when he saw Payton in the player tunnel.
"Shut your stinky mouth!" Payton turned pale with anger.
Duncan also smiled awkwardly. As soon as he smiled, he suddenly thought that Lao K really hated his smile, so he quickly stopped smiling, causing a rather strange expression on his face.
"Hahaha……"
Seeing the appearance of the two of them, Lao Wang couldn't help laughing.
"boom!"
When Wang Tiejun appeared in the American West Arena for the first time, more than 1,890 Suns fans cheered wildly.
"Sun King! Sun King! Sun King..."
The huge and uniform shouts gathered into a torrent that swept through the entire city of Phoenix, expanded from the urban area to the suburbs, and then swept across the entire state of Arizona.
Lao Wang's violent comeback performance made his influence in this state even greater, and his half-season suspension did not weaken him in any way.