Chapter 425: Chapter 425: 0.7 Seconds to Win
Tracy McGrady stood on the sidelines, ready to inbound the ball.
Wade Dong, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson all huddled around McGrady, while the San Antonio Spurs players formed a circle on the court, creating a heartwarming scene.
The ten players were practically on top of each other.
"Beep!!!"
As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Durant, Curry, and Thompson followed Wade Dong's side movement, but Wade Dong ran towards the basket, while the other three ran around the three-point line.
Leonard, Bonner, and Ginobili chased after Wade Dong.
After reaching the basket, Wade Dong made a quick turnaround and sprinted towards midcourt, leaving the three defenders behind as he crossed the three-point line.
"Swoosh~"
McGrady reacted swiftly, passing the ball to the center circle.
Wade Dong received the pass and immediately threw the ball towards the basket without a moment's hesitation.
"Amen! Don't go in... Don't go in... Don't go in..."
The home crowd fell silent.
All the fans crossed their fingers, placed their fists under their noses, closed their eyes, and began praying.
Obviously.
Amen did not save the Spurs, and as a crisp swishing sound echoed, Wade Dong hit a game-winning three-pointer from midcourt.
"Beep!!!"
The referee's whistle signaled the end of the game.
Final score: 113-110!!!
Wade Dong's 0.7-second three-pointer eliminated the Spurs, sending them home fishing.
The 2013-14 Western Conference Finals came to a close, with the Suns sweeping the Spurs 4-0 and advancing to the Finals for the third consecutive year.
Game stats:
Wade Dong: 46 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks.
Duncan: 57 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks.
Other players: ...
In his final game before retirement, Duncan scored a career-high, and if not for Wade Dong's ruthless 0.7-second game-winner, this would have been one of Duncan's most memorable games.
"Wuuu..."
"Wuuu..."
"Wuuu..."
After being eliminated by Wade Dong's shot, more than half of the fans couldn't hold back their tears, and Parker and Ginobili had tears in their eyes.
However, they didn't blame the Spurs players, and not a single fan shouted, "Damn it, refund our money..."
The fans felt for the Spurs and understood their players, who had truly fought until the very end. But the Suns were simply too powerful, a team that transcended the league.
Duncan approached Wade Dong to offer his congratulations, saying, "Congratulations, this is your league now."
"Are you really retiring?"
"Yes!"
"Won't you play for another two years?"
"No... You've already left a psychological shadow on me."
"That's a bit much..."
Wade Dong and Duncan chatted for a while, and then Wade Dong spoke seriously, "If you're really retiring, I have some advice for you."
Duncan replied, "I'll listen to your advice."
Wade Dong said, "After retirement, you need to exercise more, don't drink soda, don't drink beer, and definitely no wine. Drink more water, avoid driving or taking taxis, use public transportation or walk instead. Try not to eat out, and stick to a vegetarian diet, reducing meat consumption, especially seafood!"
"Why?"
Duncan blinked, completely confused.
Wade Dong spoke sternly, "Because after retirement, you won't have a salary anymore."
"I don't need money, I have many investments..."
Duncan tried to explain, but Wade Dong patted his shoulder and said, "It's a joke."
"A joke???"
Duncan was left bewildered.
...
Post-game press conference.
Duncan, Parker, and Popovich attended the press conference together.
Just as a reporter was about to ask a question...
"Pffft~"
Duncan burst out laughing.
"Huh???"
"Huh???"
"Huh???"
Everyone in the room was taken aback, wondering why Duncan was laughing in such a somber setting, feeling a bit inappropriate.
Popovich, slightly annoyed, asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Duncan, realizing the inappropriateness of the moment, held back his laughter and explained, "Wade Dong told me a joke, and I just realized what it meant..."
Popovich, "???"
Reporter, "???"
Duncan's laughter lightened the somber atmosphere, and the rest of the post-game interview became more relaxed. When Duncan responded to the reporters, he remained firm in his decision to retire this summer.
"Duncan is one of the greatest players in Spurs history, and I respect his decision."
Popovich echoed this sentiment in his response to the reporters.
Duncan's retirement decision added a touch of tragedy to the Spurs' playoff journey this year.
...
The Suns returned to Phoenix the night of the game.
The fans in San Antonio weren't exactly known for their good manners, and it would have been a hassle if they were surrounded by fans at the hotel entrance.
Wade Dong's 0.7-second game-winner was truly heart-wrenching.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat had already played two games. In the first game, they relied on Chris Paul and LeBron James's steady performance to easily defeat the Indiana Pacers at home, 107-92.
In the second game, Paul George scored 47 points to lead the Pacers to a 113-106 victory over the Heat on the road.
This caused fans to question the Heat's strength. The combination of Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and James Harden wasn't invincible, proving that 1+1+1+1+1<5.
Compared to the Suns' dominance in the West, the Heat had already lost two playoff games.
They lost one game to the Chicago Bulls in the second round and another to the Pacers at home in the Eastern Conference Finals. With this level of performance, could they be a worthy opponent for the Suns in the Finals?
...
On the way back to Phoenix.
Stephen Curry shook Wade Dong, who was playing Snake on his phone, "Brother Dong, we haven't seen Sister-in-Law in a while."
"I miss her so much!"
Wade Dong raised an eyebrow, looking amused.
Curry smiled, "Sister-in-Law said that if you win the championship again this year, you two will get married, right?"
"Yes."
"Last time, when Lin Hao got married, I had to rush back for the playoffs, and I didn't get to enjoy my time in Huaxia. I'm thinking of taking advantage of your wedding with Sister-in-Law this summer to have some fun in Huaxia."
"Sure... I'll ask Luo Qingyan to arrange your itinerary, and you can also take on some commercial activities to make some money while you're there."
"Thank you, Brother Dong~"
Curry grinned, his smile quite endearing.
Luo Qingyan was Curry's agent, and Curry was also one of the brand ambassadors for Wade Dong's sports brand. In a sense, everything Curry did was connected to Wade Dong.
"By the way."
After being cheerful for a while, Curry asked, "Will Sister-in-Law come to watch us in the Finals?"
"Jiajia just graduated from graduate school, but she's already prepared to come to Phoenix, and she'll be here tomorrow."
"Yay~ I'll get to see Sister-in-Law!"
Curry was even happier when he heard that Li Jiajia was coming.
"Damn~"
This was typical of Curry, but if it were Du Xiaoshuai, a single man, showing such concern for his sister-in-law, Wade Dong might have opened the cabin door and thrown him out of the plane.
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