NBA: Start by torturing Jordan and add points to upgrade

At this moment, Howard was bearing the expectations of the entire Boston community and the gaze of basketball fans worldwide. He felt immense pressure, and his poor free throw percentage, especially that missed shot, made his hands tremble.

He took several deep breaths, but he couldn't calm himself down. He was very nervous, and he was even very scared.

He looked at the basket, constantly telling himself to stay calm, stay calm, and stay calm again.

But obviously, if he could calm down so easily, he wouldn't be so stubborn.

Finally, feeling that all the muscles in his body were tense, Howard forced himself to raise his hand and shoot the ball.

"Shh!"

Then, it was another case of "not getting any of the three things" (referring to a situation where one doesn't get any of the three things).

This guy was too nervous and didn't put any force into it. The basketball started falling when it was still a considerable distance from the rim.

He airballed his second free throw of the day.

The basketball flew directly out of bounds, giving Duncan and others who were desperately trying to grab the rebound any chance, and possession had already changed hands.

"Pfft." Boozer, who was about to get off Howard, cleverly let out a snicker as he passed by. His mocking smile and expression caused Howard, who was already furious and had been holding back his anger, to completely explode.

"What the hell are you laughing at!" Howard shoved Boozer on the shoulder, knocking him to the ground. He then took a step forward, looking down at Boozer and threatening, "I'm asking you a question, what the hell are you looking at!"

“I was watching your mother take a shower!” Boozer was no pushover who would just sit back and wait for the referee to step in after being wronged. He quickly got up and shoved Howard in the neck.

This time, he pushed Howard back several steps before he could barely stand.

Just as Boozer raised his finger, ready to give Howard a good dressing down and teach him a lesson, the referee rushed onto the court again, completely separating the two groups.

Boozer continued to sneer, but he seemed quite relaxed, not taking the minor conflict to heart at all, and instead reassured his teammates.

"No need to be impulsive. I didn't suffer any losses. At most, I'll get a technical foul. That big oaf, that idiot, has probably already played his last game for the Celtics."

"Did you hear that, you burden! You idiot, you're not fit to be the absolute core and number one leader of a team at all!"

"You're a sore loser! Boston will trade you! Unless they don't want to win the championship anymore, you'll definitely be traded, trash!"

"FUXX!" Howard was completely devastated at this point, and he also knew very well what his push just now meant.

He wasn't sure if he would be traded by the team, but he knew that all his games for the season were over.

His actions just now, even in a home game, wouldn't be resolved with just a technical foul; he would definitely be ejected. Not to mention, Howard already has one technical foul on him. Even if the referee wanted to give him a break and show some leniency to the home team.

A technical foul would be enough to eject him.

So Howard didn't talk to his teammates at all. He didn't talk to anyone. Instead, he took off his jersey, slammed it to the floor, and then turned and left.

Ignoring his teammates, fans, referees, opponents, and everything else on the field, this guy walked toward the players' tunnel while cursing under his breath.

"You can't leave." Just as Howard had reached the player tunnel and was about to leave the court, Duncan stood in front of him, blocking his way.

"You haven't apologized yet!"

"Apologize? Who the hell should I apologize to? To those bastards on the other side?" Howard found Duncan's words hilarious. He actually wanted him to apologize? Was this big guy really brainless?

"It's an apology to us! To our teammates, to the fans, to everyone who worked hard all season, hoping to win another championship!"

"You ruined our season! Your willfulness and arrogance ruined our season!" Duncan stood firm, staring intently at Howard. Clearly, Howard wasn't the only one who was devastated and unhappy tonight!
"What if I don't?"

"Then I think I'll do everything in my power to make what that bastard Boozer just said a fact! I'll do everything I can to make sure you've really played your last game for the Celtics!"

"If I can't do it, then I'll leave. Either you or me, only one of us will be able to stay here next season."

"Dwight, this is your last chance. Turn around, apologize, admit your mistake, and then we'll train together this summer, get stronger together, and come back next year. What if you don't?"

Duncan then stepped aside to make way for Howard, leaving him to figure out what to do.

"Trash! Get out of Boston!"

"Boston doesn't need a coward like you!"

"Losing the game and losing face!"

"Shameful! Shameful!"

"We don't want someone like you as our leader!"

Before Howard could even begin to hesitate about whether to go back and apologize, the boos from the fans had already reached his ears, and then the guy stopped hesitating.

I fought the whole game, and all I made was this tiny mistake, and you want me to get out of here?
Get out!
Howard shoved Duncan in the chest, turned around and left the court without looking back.

They've completely given up.

Watching Howard's departing figure, Duncan's emotions became complex and difficult to understand. He sighed, no longer paying attention to Howard who had voluntarily requested to leave the court, and instead turned back to the court.

Even though we're down by 8 points, the game isn't over yet, is it?
There's only 1 minute and 40 seconds left!

With Duncan returning to the court, the referees also issued their rulings on the altercation during that play.

Howard was ejected for a flagrant foul, and he will likely face an additional 1-2 game suspension, but that's for next season.

Boozer received a technical foul and a verbal warning; the referee gave him a stern warning and told him to calm down.

After Parker and Boozer each made their technical free throws, the Bobcats took another throw-in.

This time, the Bobcats weren't in a hurry. Rose held onto the ball and controlled it until there were only 6 seconds left on the shot clock before suddenly accelerating. He then easily beat Parker in one step. His speed was truly impressive, and even Parker was helpless against his pure speed and aggressive drives.

Rose dribbled forward for only one step before suddenly stopping, then pulled up for a jump shot with determination.

"Shh!"

A crisp sound!
Rose made the shot almost at the buzzer, completely squandering the 24-second time limit. His control over such details as timing is becoming increasingly perfect, and the Bobcats have successfully extended their lead to 10 points!
With only 1 minute and 17 seconds left in the game, the time was up.

This shot basically sealed the Celtics' fate. This game was over, this series was over, and their season was over!

The Celtics' only hope now is to gamble on three-pointers, and it has to be a barrage of them, one after another, to have any chance of catching up.

Ginobili immediately received the ball on the baseline, then dribbled forward with all his might. After stabilizing himself slightly in the frontcourt, he passed the ball to Jackson with a handoff. After a quick exchange, Ginobili screened Hayward for Jackson, creating an open shot for him.

Jackson didn't hesitate and immediately launched a three-pointer!
This shot took less than 7 seconds, and if it had gone in, the Celtics could have really given the game a second chance.

Unfortunately, neither luck nor skill was on their side tonight.

With a loud thud, Yao Ming grabbed the rebound, effectively ending the Celtics' chances of winning.

They didn't commit any more fouls, nor did they apply full-court press.

This missed shot means they have no chance tonight.

The Celtics players quickly retreated back to their own half of the court, each standing there mechanically, knowing that their season had once again ended prematurely.

The Bobcats were kind enough to let him have his way. Rose dribbled until the last 3 seconds, then suddenly passed the ball to Hayward. Hayward received the ball beyond the three-point line, pulled up and casually threw it up, preventing the team from committing another 24-second violation.

Then, without even checking whether the ball went in or not, the entire Bobcats team immediately scrambled back on defense.

The game continued in this rhythm for the last few dozen seconds. After the Celtics took another shot and missed, DeRozan took control of the ball and controlled it until the end of the game.

"Buzz!"

As the final whistle blew, the Bobcats, unable to contain their excitement and fervor, rushed onto the court, hugging each other. Most of them were shouting incoherently, celebrating their joy at escaping defeat.

"Congratulations to the Charlotte Bobcats! They've pulled off an incredible comeback from a 1-3 deficit! They've won Game 7, and they've won the series!" Miller shouted excitedly. "They're in the Eastern Conference Finals!"

"This is the Bobcats' first time reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Of course, it's also their first time making the playoffs, their first time winning a series, and their first time coming back from a 1-3 deficit!"

"The Bobcats are still making history this year; every step they take from here on will be history!"

"Waiting for them in the Eastern Conference Finals is the league's top team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have already advanced to the conference finals! Let's look forward to an even more exciting Eastern Conference Finals!"

Jackson added, "It was an amazing series, or really, this is the first time I've ever felt like the head coach changed the course of the game, that the head coach completely controlled the game! Lin's energy is just too strong."

"His changes, his responses, his ability to turn the game around in dire situations, and his calmness and wisdom are truly impressive. This is the first time I have ever seen a head coach with such strong control over the game."

"I want to say that I've had the illusion many times that Lin is still on the court, still playing basketball. His influence is truly terrifying!"

After both of them praised and congratulated the Bobcats, Miller, as a qualified commentator, also had to save face for the Celtics and offer some words of comfort for their loss.

"The Celtics had a great season. They were on a roll until the first four games of this series. They looked like the best team to win the championship. I even thought they were the top favorites this year and had a chance to win the championship for the second time in three years."

"Unfortunately, they fell short of their goal. Due to various reasons, they lost the game despite leading 3-1 and failed to advance to the division finals again."

"They actually performed quite well in this series, but there are some details that need improvement. If they can improve on these details during the offseason, they will definitely be even more terrifying next year!"

"In this series, five of their players averaged double figures, with no single player averaging more than 20 points per game. Considering their team averages only 93 points per game, this demonstrates their strong cohesion. They remain the most balanced team in the league."

"They weren't entirely without a chance in Game 40. If Howard could have improved his shooting, they might have won today! 40 free throws! Howard only made 16. What if he had made 26?"

"Honestly, Howard really needs to practice his free throws this summer."

Jackson continued, "Tonight was an absolutely terrible experience for Duncan. He lost to Lin again! From the Magic to the Celtics, from player to head coach, he has faced Lin many times in the playoffs, but he has never won against him!"

"Well... of course, Lin has only lost two series in his entire career."

"But Duncan can definitely leave with his head held high tonight. He gave it his all, scoring 20+ points in the third quarter and delivering an amazing all-around performance in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with a perfect stat line of 39 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks!"

"Tonight, Duncan is still a hero in Boston!"

"So, with the last three minutes, how about we do a quick preview of the Eastern Conference Finals?" Jackson said. "Reggie, who do you think will win between the Cavaliers and the Bobcats?"

"From a roster perspective, the Cavaliers are clearly more balanced, with stronger strengths and no weak points, giving them a better chance to win the game."

"If the Bobcats or the Cavaliers had a different coach, I would say the Cavaliers would most likely finish the series in six games."

"But the Bobcats' head coach is Lin, and the Cavaliers' head coach is Mike Brown! After this series, Lin has accumulated more experience. He is more confident and stronger. He can be called the coach in the league who is most willing to change lineups and is most good at changing them."

"But Mike Brown of the Cavaliers, no disrespect intended, led the team to the best record in franchise history, but I really can't say much about his level."

"He is better suited to be a lead assistant coach who specializes in building defensive systems and guiding players to run tactics and familiarize themselves with the system than a head coach. The defensive system he has built is top-notch in the league, and his hands-on approach, love of working overtime, and hard-working spirit are also admirable."

"But as a head coach, he may only be at a passing level. If Rivers is completely outmatched by Lin and unable to cope with Lin's various changes, then Brown can only do worse."

Jackson said, "But I don't think so, because Brown has another advantage over Rivers."

"Rivers is a dogmatist, he makes substitutions on the clock and is unwilling to be flexible, but Brown's advantage is that he knows which lineup he has the strongest, and he also knows who on the team is reliable and can be relied upon."

"If the team is in trouble, he will let Wade and Anthony play the full 48 minutes. At least the situation like tonight, where the Celtics were clearly being dominated but Duncan was only allowed to come on in the last 8 minutes and they couldn't turn the tide, will not happen."

"And of course, most importantly, the Cavaliers don't have a Howard for Lin to score against!"

As the two commentators gave their final summary of the series and analyzed the next series, the players on the court also ended their initial celebrations and sentimentality.

Most of the Celtics players have recovered from their injuries and went out of their way to shake hands and hug their Bobcats teammates, maintaining their composure.

"Boss, you have to crush the Cavaliers! Otherwise, Melo will laugh at me." Jackson, his former Knicks teammate, hugged Lin Tian and said helplessly, "It would be best if we could pull off a 0-3 comeback, otherwise they'll laugh at me for years to come."

"Especially Amaré, this guy was clearly crushed by you guys in the first round, but he insisted on saying that losing isn't shameful, and being reversed is laughable. Boss, we're counting on you!"

"You, a role player like Karami, who couldn't even get 5 votes in the All-Star voting, are doing so well now? You can even eat at the same table as Messi, Ronaldo, and Amare?" Lin Tiancai was too lazy to respond to Jackson's words and directly checkmated him, leaving Jackson completely speechless.

Nothing's changed, my Boss Lin, still the same annoying guy.

Then Parker and Ginobili came up to Lin Tian. The two of them got straight to the point. Parker said directly, "Can you find a way to get rid of Dwight? We really can't stand him anymore. This bastard is really no positive influence on the team."

"Then you should get the Celtics to pay me a salary first. Give me an annual salary of 2-3000 million, and I'll fire that idiot Danny and become the general manager in no time."

"Can you make an offer! Buy him in Charlotte, then keep him on the bench for the whole season! FUXX! I asked him to set screens for me, and he never came out. He's always acting like the team's big brother in front of me." Ginobili was equally indignant.

"When I made it to the All-Star team, he was probably somewhere learning linear equations in one variable, something he'd never be able to learn in his entire life!"

It's clear that Howard is unpopular within the team, especially among the veterans, who make no attempt to hide their dislike for him. Although they know Lin Tian has no chance of getting rid of him, these two are eager to get rid of Howard as soon as possible.

Ginobili even stated bluntly: "If the team doesn't trade him this summer, I definitely won't renew my contract next season when it expires. If he doesn't leave, I will!"

"You're so disloyal!" Parker immediately wailed. "I still have four years left on my contract!"

"What are you saying?" Duncan, having finished exchanging pleasantries with Yao Ming and the others, walked up to the three men.

"They begged me to help dismantle your team and bring Howard to us, otherwise these two guys are considering leaving on their own."

numb!

Parker and Ginobili were completely stunned.

What kind of bastard dares to talk like that? (End of Chapter)