Chương 528: Chapter 528: The Wolf King Garnett's Retirement Game
The Suns had just arrived at the Target Center and were still changing in the visitors' locker room.
Wade Dong received a phone call from his mother, Qi Juan.
"Eh?"
Wade Dong was surprised to see the caller ID. Since getting married, his mom rarely contacted him directly; most communications were relayed through Li Jiajia.
"Mom..."
Wade Dong tried to keep his voice gentle, adding a hint of a whine.
Qi Juan clearly wasn't in the mood for that and shouted, "Do you know that Jiajia's due date is approaching?"
"Is Jiajia with you?"
Wade Dong asked quietly.
"No."
Qi Juan replied, "I just finished grocery shopping. If Jiajia were here, would I be talking this loudly?"
"I knew it..."
Wade Dong muttered, already guessing the purpose of Qi Juan's call. He sarcastically said, "I'll head back home right now; I'm not playing in the playoffs anymore, and I don't want this year's championship or next year's multi-million dollar contract..."
"Don't talk to me like that!"
Qi Juan huffed, "I heard people say that whoever the child sees first after being born will look like that person."
"Mom, do you really believe that? No matter who they see first, they'll look like me."
Wade Dong nearly stumbled; he thought his mom was calling to complain about his lack of concern for Jiajia.
"My beliefs are none of your business."
Qi Juan huffed again, "But after the baby is born, the first person they see must be you."
"Of course! After all, I'm the father."
Wade Dong was quite submissive when it came to his mom; he was very accommodating.
"It's not just for that reason; even though you're a bit of a mess, you still look pretty good."
"Uh..."
Wade Dong hesitated before saying, "It's all about good genes."
"I need you to come back home tomorrow!"
Qi Juan issued a firm command before hanging up.
Wade Dong knew that Jiajia was nearing her due date; he had been feeling restless during games lately. The previous loss to the Trail Blazers was partly due to this anxiety.
Though Qi Juan spoke sternly, she also cared about Wade Dong's work. This was partly because she had spoken with Li Pei before calling Wade. Li Pei told Qi Juan that given the Suns' strength, even if Wade Dong didn't participate in the first round of playoffs, they could still easily win their games.
With that understanding, Qi Juan insisted Wade return home to be with Jiajia before she entered labor—this was Wade's responsibility as a husband.
.....
In the final regular season game, despite being an away game, the arena was packed.
Not only was it because of the Suns' game but also because it marked Garnett's retirement match.
Garnett had won a championship with the Celtics and returned to the Timberwolves in his final year to retire where it all began for him.
This last regular season game would be Garnett's final battle; after this match, all Timberwolves players could go home and fish while Garnett had stated he would retire at season's end.
This season, the Timberwolves had a decent roster.
Love, LaVine, Rubio, Martin, Pekovic—even some role players like Hamilton and Bennett were noteworthy. In a season where many teams tanked for a chance at signing Wade Dong next summer, it was somewhat surprising that the Timberwolves ranked third from the bottom in the West.
Before the game started, players warmed up on the sidelines.
"Swish!!!"
"Swish!!!"
.....
"Swish!!!"
Warwick passed to Wade Dong as he stood beyond the three-point line. He alternated between hands while shooting and had already made several consecutive shots.
This display caught many people's attention.
Garnett walked over and said: "The biggest regret of my career is not meeting you at your peak!"
"Hehe~"
Wade Dong smiled and replied: "But I've watched you play since I was young; you're my idol."
"I can't accept being called an idol; please don't use that word."
Garnett waved his hands repeatedly. "Hearing those two words makes me feel like I might get destroyed by you tonight."
"I wouldn't bully an old man~"
Wade Dong chatted with Garnett for a bit before continuing his shooting warm-up.
Garnett: "???"
....
Starting Lineups for This Game:
- Suns: Curry, Wade Dong, Thompson, Green, Durant
- Timberwolves: Martin, LaVine, Rubio, Garnett, Love
After being traded back to the Timberwolves, Garnett played less than ten games. With no playoff hopes left and considering fan sentimentality during these games, Garnett started every match.
During this time there were many touching moments.
For instance, one fan—a loyal supporter of Garnett—had once been escorted away by security for tearing his shirt while dancing in the stands during his youth.
Now that King Garnett was back,
that once wild youth had transformed into an overweight uncle accompanied by two children. Yet when cameras focused on him again and he appeared on the big screen, the entire audience began cheering. The uncle hesitated for a moment but then pulled up his kids and started dancing down the aisle again.
Halfway through dancing he even took off his shirt to reveal a tattoo of "KG" on his chest.
This scene moved Garnett deeply as he stood on court paying tribute to this fan.
.....
"Beep!!!"
With the referee's whistle blowing, the game began.
Durant jumped against Love for tip-off and tapped it over to Curry.
In this game both teams had very different mindsets; while the Timberwolves were out of playoff contention and didn't care about winning or losing—the Suns needed this victory as it marked their eightieth win of their 2014-15 regular season campaign.
Curry dribbled up court easily breaking past Rubio's defense for a layup score.
2:0!!!
Next came Timberwolves' offense as Rubio brought up court and lobbed it to Garnett.
As Wade Dong switched defensive positions with Durant to guard Garnett closely; facing Wade Dong's defense Garnett backed him down before attempting a fadeaway jumper!
This was Garnett's signature move!
In his youth as 'The Big Ticket,' he made many interior defenders suffer with this shot; however now...
"Wah!!!"
Garnett's move failed against Wade Dong's defense as he stepped up just in time to block Garnett's shot attempt!
Audience: (;′⌒`)
This was Garnett's retirement game; Wade Dong showed no mercy toward him at all!
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