Chapter 58: Battle of Teammates—Inside the No-Fly Zone? Sorry, I Prefer Airborne!
While the rookies are taking their time preparing for the summer league, the veterans of the league are also striving for their own best interests.
Michael Jordan's test of the market has undoubtedly disrupted the plans of all teams.
No matter who the players they needed before, in the presence of Jordan, in the presence of a god, they are not worth mentioning at all.
With many teams pursuing him, the management of the Bulls is facing increasing headaches.
Although they have Jordan's bird rights and can match any offer made by another team, this consumes a significant amount of money.
The contract problem that was thought to be solvable with 25 million yuan now seems completely hopeless...
No one knows how terrifying the situation will be now!
Jordan seems very satisfied with the market's response but has not yet given a clear attitude. He has asked his broker, David Fakaur, to increase his efforts to see how much he could be worth.
Finally, under David Facall's promotion, some people still couldn't sit still.
Knicks owner James Dolan waved his hand and made an offer that people couldn't refuse: a check with no amount written, allowing Michael Jordan to fill in whatever amount he wanted!
This move completely pushed Michael Jordan's value to the top!
Some say that James Dolan is playing with fire. If Jordan writes down an amount of 100 million, he will cry without tears!
But after careful analysis, even if it were truly 100 million yuan, it seems Jordan could match such a value.
After all, he is Michael Jordan, a man worshipped as a god!
However, Jordan did not directly agree to the offer and remained on the sidelines.
This has made all fans very anxious, wondering where this basketball god will go this year.
In the midst of Jordan's uproar, some people began to quietly make a fortune!
Alonzo Mourning signed a super contract worth more than 100 million yuan with his old club, the Heat, and was successfully elected as Mr. 100 million yuan!
Uncle Mu, Olajuwon, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton, and others also took advantage of this time to complete their respective signings. They all found their most satisfied teams and secured matching contracts!
Regardless of where Jordan ends up, the value of this year's signings is astounding.
It seems the league has truly entered a new salary era!
As long as you have the ability, big contracts are not a problem!
While Jordan continued to manipulate free agency, Lin Tianhui and Kidd also began to devote themselves to the upcoming summer league.
The summer league has a long history and is a self-organized game created by some teams to better connect their rookies, select the so-called leftovers, and adapt their lineup to the game.
This type of competition is beneficial to any team. After continuous development, more and more teams have begun to accept and recognize such competitions.
This year, the Suns, where Lin Tianhui and Kidd are, are participating in the Rocky Mountain Summer League, which has a history of over ten years!
The league began in 1984 and ended in 2008.
Its original purpose was to promote the Jazz in the Utah area.
The participating teams were originally formed by alumni from various universities.
Since 1990, the Jazz invited the Blazers, the Suns, and the Kings to participate in this event together.
In 1998, a grand occasion saw 16 teams participating!
This year has been a booming year for the Rocky Mountain League!
In addition to the host Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns where Lin Tianhui is located, there are also the Philadelphia 76ers with Allen Iverson, the Toronto Raptors led by Marcus Camby, and Ray Allen participating this year.
Led by the Milwaukee Bucks, Sharif represents the Vancouver Grizzlies, Stephen Marbury joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kobe Bryant is with the Lakers!
It can be said that although this Rocky Mountain League is not large in scale, it includes all outstanding rookies.
Accordingly, this place has become the focus of attention for all fans. Everyone wants to see the dazzling performance of these high-spirited young players on the field!
The 8 teams participating in the league are divided into upper and lower halves. Each half needs to play three games, and the teams that perform well in their respective halves will compete for the final championship!
The Suns, Raptors, Grizzlies, and Jazz are in the top half.
The Lakers, 76ers, Bucks, and Timberwolves are in the bottom half.
In the first half, it can be said to be a stage for inside confrontations, with only Lin Tianhui as a rookie forward.
In the second half, it is a situation where guards contend, with Iverson, Kobe, Ray Allen, and Marbury competing for glory!
Every game is full of anticipation and highlights!
Lin Tianhui's Suns faced the host Jazz in the first game.
The Jazz, however, did not seem to be able to take the shot.
Under the leadership of Lin Tianhui and Kidd, the Suns easily defeated the Jazz with a huge score difference of 85-62, a 23-point victory, and made a good start to the summer league!
Lin Tianhui's 28 points and Kidd's 9 assists became the focus of post-game discussions.
In another game, Lin Tianhui's college teammate Marcus Camby dominated his opponent in a duel with another top insider, Sharif.
He recorded 6 blocks during the game, highlighting why he was selected second overall and why he could outshine Sharif.
On the second day of the game, Lin Tianhui and Kidd once again demonstrated what a seamless connection looks like. The two, working together seamlessly, defeated the Grizzlies without breaking a sweat, continuing the team's undefeated streak.
Marcus Camby, not to be outdone, also led the Raptors to victory over the Jazz, bringing their record to 2 wins and 0 losses!
The upcoming game between the Suns and the Raptors will directly determine the final qualifying situation.
The former Massachusetts golden duo must now prove themselves, and their match-up, which is like fire and water, has everyone looking forward to it!
"I know now why the Raptors would rather give up Lin and choose Marcus Camby. His strength seems to be underestimated. After these two games, his dominance in the interior is truly overwhelming. He won the NCAA championship and contributed significantly!"
"That's right. Camby's strength has always been impressive, but Lin's strong performance somewhat overshadowed his consistent dominance. Maybe this game will introduce us to a brand new Marcus Camby!"
After two rounds of showdowns, the match between the Raptors and the Suns is inevitable.
The core players who excelled in their respective teams before the game will undoubtedly be compared.
Now, we will see who is stronger between this pair of former Massachusetts teammates!
"Lin, the opponent is Marcus. Are you sure you will go all out?"
During the warm-up session before the game, Kidd looked at Lin Tianhui with a serious expression.
"Of course, he is my best friend, so I will definitely show my strongest side. We have long agreed that in this kind of competition, we won't hold back!"
Kidd nodded, "In that case, I'll be more worried!"
Although many understand this principle, it is still somewhat hard to let go when on the field.
Kidd knew that Lin Tianhui is a very emotional person who values his friends highly.
And the current match with Camby clearly pits him against his best friend, so he must ensure nothing is lost!
"Guys, the opponent is my best friend Lin, but I will never go easy on him. I hope you will also show your strongest side; victory can only belong to us!"
At this time, Marcus Camby had taken on the responsibility of the team leader.
In the two games he won, Camby's passion and appeal on the court had undoubtedly provided his teammates with plenty of confidence.
Now, everyone has become accustomed to this kind of encouragement and is gearing up for a big fight in this game!
After a short warm-up, all players from both sides took the stage.
"Lin, let's have a good head-to-head confrontation. Today's restricted area, I will turn it into a no-fly zone!"
"It's okay, I've always liked airborne!"
In response to Camby's challenge, Lin Tianhui also gave a strong reply.
Since the situation is already like this, it would be a bit disingenuous to say otherwise.
If you say do it, we will do it!
What else is there to say!
"Dudu!"
As the referee's whistle sounded, the matchup between the Suns and the Raptors officially began!
"Boom!"
Camby still demonstrated his absolute dominance in the interior. In the jump ball stage, he easily defeated the Suns' center and secured the first offense for the Raptors.
Raptors point guard Jimmy King took over the ball and slowly advanced past half court.
Kidd stepped up to press, and Jimmy quickly moved the ball around. After a few passes, Camby controlled the ball.
Facing a marginal center like Joe Klein, Camby showed strong physical qualities even as a rookie.
"Boom!"
After the confrontation between the two, Joe Klein retreated, and Camby seized the half-step advantage to complete a powerful dunk.
"Boom!"
Camby set the tone for today with an emphatic dunk!
In the transition to defense, the Suns attacked.
Jason Kidd, now fully adapted to the NBA rhythm, advanced the ball. Playing in the summer league was practically child's play for him.
If it weren't for better coordination with Lin Tianhui, he wouldn't have had much interest in participating in such a game.
However, to maintain fairness and involve the rest of the team, Kidd mostly just passed the ball, as he always does!
After dribbling past half court, Kidd decisively handed the ball to Lin Tianhui.
At this level of competition, what tactics are needed?
Just give the ball to the most reliable player!
"Boom!"
After receiving the ball, Lin Tianhui wasted no time. He faked a move, then charged forward!
"Whoosh!"
The summer league participants are all marginal figures, and facing a talent like Lin Tianhui, they are on a different level entirely.
With just one step, Lin Tianhui left his defender behind.
Now, only Marcus Camby remains in front of him.
The two locked eyes, filled with determination. Lin Tianhui gripped the basketball with both hands, gathered his legs, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and took off into the air.
Camby, not intimidated, also leaped at the same time.
Two college teammates were now engaged in a powerful duel!
"Ugh!"
This scene made the audience's eyes widen.
Oh my gosh!
Everyone couldn't help but swallow and stare in disbelief at the spectacle before them.
The bodies of the two players continued to rise, reaching for the basket.
Lin Tianhui moved forward with his left hand and held the ball backward with his right hand. He extended his entire body, made a bow, and went up against Camby.
Camby, keeping his body as vertical as possible, tried to touch the basketball in Lin's hand.
However, there was still a significant gap in their take-off heights and airborne times.
While Lin Tianhui continued to rise, Camby's body had already started to descend.
Despite his efforts, he was falling rapidly.
"Boom!"
As Lin Tianhui completed the dunk using the force of his fall, Camby's feet were already on the floor.
"Airborne dunk?"
"God, I don't know how to describe it. This dunk is outrageous!"
"Without comparison, there is no harm. I can't believe that Camby, with such outstanding physical talent, is completely overshadowed by Lin!"
"The talent gap is overwhelming... there's no solution!"
Everyone was chatting in amazement, overwhelmed by this dunk.
"I'm sorry, brother. I said I like airborne, and at this height, flying is not enough!"
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