The dazzling passing of the San Antonio Spurs and the whirlwind fast breaks of the Phoenix Suns were a feast for the fans' eyes.
The scores of the two teams rose alternately.
Neither team could launch a dominant personal scoring run, keeping the game close and allowing the fans an immersive experience.
In the blink of an eye.
Only the last three minutes remained on the clock.
The Phoenix Suns' strongest core player, "Little Tyrant" Stoudemire, possessed explosive physical talent, overpowering everything with his body to score unreasonably.
Aided by the brilliant passes of "son of the wind" Nash, Stoudemire played even more vigorously and was difficult to contain.
This was the core strength for the Phoenix Suns to win.
However... in front of "The Stone Buddha" Duncan, Stoudemire could not display his expected dominance, and his efficiency declined.
Conversely, Duncan.
He was too reliable.
His core strength was his sheer skill, and right now, the Phoenix Suns... simply had no one who could stop Duncan, not even Stoudemire.
This was also why the team spent a lot of money last year to bring in "The Big Shark" O'Neal, who was past his prime.
The goal was simple: to make O'Neal trade blows equally with Duncan.
The truth was, even the current O'Neal couldn't stop Duncan.
When it came down to fighting for clutch shots, the San Antonio Spurs consistently held the advantage and were better at exploiting the Phoenix Suns' weaknesses.
Establishing a winning position.
"Bang!"
Duncan first used a Blocking move to reject Stoudemire's reckless layup, and then... during the transition offense.
Duncan utilized his excellent help defense ability to clear a path for Parker, who successfully made the layup.
Back and forth.
The score difference emerged.
The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the Christmas Day Game against the Phoenix Suns by a narrow 2-point margin!!!
...5:30 PM.
Madison Square Garden.
The New York Knicks versus Chicago Bulls game was set to begin in half an hour, and both teams were performing their final warm-ups!
The arena was packed.
The noise was deafening.
Driven by the live DJ, the thunderous cheers sounded like... the noise generated by a Boeing 747 taking off!
At the commentary booth.
Mike Breen excitedly said: "Su Yan's Three-point Shot accuracy is godly, with one super long-range Three-point Shot after another, making everyone gasp in amazement.
The basketball traces beautiful arcs through the air, sinking through the net repeatedly, accompanied by the wonderful sound of the net swishing!
Allowing an immersive enjoyment of the charm of the Three-point Shot.
And Derrick Rose's playing style is incredibly flashy; his small body contains the energy of a fierce tiger.
Changing direction without slowing down, dunking without hanging on the rim.
Watching Rose play is undoubtedly also a pleasure.
Su Yan might lead the small ball era in the future, and Derrick Rose is also known as "jordans successor."
If these two develop normally, they will definitely be superstars in the future, perhaps even becoming the face of the league.
Now, it's a matchup of a rookie against a sophomore.
The contest between these two supernovas is truly exciting!"
"Yes, absolutely!"
Kenny Smith nodded, pointed toward the front row of the stands, and chuckled: "Tonight, the 'Old Rogue' has specifically come to watch the game, presumably... to see his own successor play."
As he spoke.
The director wisely focused the camera on Jordan.
Sitting next to Jordan was "The Big Worm" Rodman. If "The Batman" Pippen were also present.
The "Chicago Bulls Iron Triangle" would be complete, which would surely boost the morale of the home Chicago Bulls players...
Unfortunately.
Pippen was unlikely to come, or rather... unlikely to watch the game alongside Jordan.
DDDD.
Fifteen minutes before the game.
Woj, the famous ESPN reporter, approached Jordan and asked with a smile: "Mr. Michael, who do you favor more tonight, Su Yan or Derrick?"
"Derrick!"
Jordan answered almost without hesitation, then shrugged and said in a humblebragging tone: "I haven't watched Derrick play much.
But... to earn the title of my successor, he must be very strong.
As for Su Yan, a Shooter who primarily shoots from the perimeter?
I'm not familiar.
I only know that in our era, the Three-point Shot wasn't popular. You know... the mid-range shot is the 'God's Weapon'!
Three-point Shots and the like are simply unnecessary."
Jordan firmly chose Rose.
"Ah, thank you for the analysis, Michael!"
Woj thanked him politely, then turned to the camera: "Will the outcome be exactly as the 'god of basketball' predicts? Let's find out in the main game."
But what he was thinking internally was:
Given Jordan's track record for evaluating talent, tonight... Su Yan would likely defeat Derrick Rose and dominate the entire court!!!
Five minutes before the game.
The players returned to the bench.
Marcia was also sitting in the front row. She came alone tonight; the butler did not accompany her.
As Su Yan walked past her, she grabbed his arm and pumped her little fist at him: "Good luck~"
"Got it!"
Su Yan smiled.
Coincidentally, this scene was captured by the director and immediately displayed on the big screen.
Instantly.
Marcia's heavenly looks were seen by the public.
The weather in New York around Christmas had turned cool; Marcia was not wearing a white princess dress today.
Sea-blue shirt + pleated skirt + heavenly looks.
Although she wasn't Snow White, she was certainly a lively, bright, graceful, and adorable girl.
???
???
Who is this cute and lovely girl?!
She's so beautiful, like a rich young lady from an anime. Wait, she... she seems very affectionate with Su Yan!
Are they close?
What is their relationship!
She can't be Su Yan's girlfriend, right? That... that would be worse than killing me!!!
She looks so young, she might be his sister!
That makes sense. Su Yan has very high looks, and his sister also has very high looks, so this is perfectly logical!
Right, right, right!
Tsk tsk... if I had such a beautiful sister, I'd spoil her rotten!!!
...
Amidst the heated and envious discussion, the fans, seemingly engaging in self-deception, mostly concluded that Marcia was Su Yan's sister.
Warm-ups concluded, and the main game approached; the starting lineups for both sides began to take the court.
New York Knicks Starters: Point Guard: Curry, Shooting Guard: McGrady, Small Forward: Su Yan, Power Forward: David Lee, Center: Tyson Chandler.
Chicago Bulls Starters: Point Guard: Rose, Shooting Guard: Kirk Hinrich, Small Forward: Luol Deng, Power Forward: Taj Gibson, Center: Joakim Noah.
"Jump ball!"
The jump ball between Tyson and Noah.
Noah tipped the ball first, Luol Deng caught it and passed it to Rose to advance, setting up the Chicago Bulls' first offensive possession.
He arrived at the top of the arc on the right side.
Facing Curry, he slowly changed direction in front of his body, seemingly looking for rhythm, and also searching for the moment to break through.
Three seconds later.
"Swoosh!"
Rose suddenly lowered his Center of gravity, pushed off the ground moving left, and burst out—just one step... fast as lightning.
"So fast!"
Curry was startled. By the time he reacted, Rose had already blown past him.
"I'm rotating to help!"
McGrady roared from behind Curry. Rose, charging forward, met McGrady, feigned a drive to the left, and suddenly executed a crossover dribble in front of his body.
It wasn't a simple change of direction.
It was... Changing direction without slowing down.
Let alone the current McGrady, even peak McGrady might not have reacted in time.
Changing direction without slowing down.
"Whoosh~"
Rose took another step, blew past McGrady, drove into the paint on the right wing, executed a Silky Smooth Reverse Layup, evaded Tyson's Blocking attempt, and banked it in!
The entire offensive sequence was indescribably magnificent.
"the rose of chicago"... is blooming!!!
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