The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 140 Sweep
Tang Bei's plan failed. He wanted to draw fouls under the basket, but the referee was not lenient and didn't call any fouls against the Bulls.

The Heat's outside offense was also limited by the Bulls, and with one minute left in the first quarter, the Heat were down by 8 points at 17-25.

He scored 12 points by himself, while the other four players combined only scored 5 points.

"Attack the basket."

Phil Jackson, as if possessed, issued orders to the players on the court once again.

Under the head coach's repeated orders, the Bulls began a frantic assault on the paint. As long as Tang Bei was under the basket, the Bulls would attack regardless of who had the ball, displaying a do-or-die attitude.

Even Pippen, who was afraid of Tang Bei, began to muster the courage to charge in.

Of course, one person after another was knocked down by Tang Bei under the basket.

The new referee was furious, cursing Crawford as a complete idiot. With Tang Bei's crazy playing style, there was no need to make any biased calls. Now he didn't dare to call any fouls recklessly, otherwise Tang Bei would have fouled out long ago.

Tang Bei still didn't give up on the attack and continued to relentlessly attack the basket.

Unfortunately, the referee was uncooperative and gave very few whistles. The Bulls got two free throws, while the Heat only got one.

In the third minute of the second quarter, Jordan drove to the basket on the strong side, Pippen cut to the weak side, received the pass from Jordan, and drove into the paint, attempting a dunk.

"Oh!"

Tang Bei turned around and slapped the ball, sending it flying and hitting Pippen in the face. Pippen cried out in pain and fell to the ground with his back hitting the floor.

"Di!"

The new referee blew his whistle and pointed at Tang Bei.

“Tang Bei’s four criminals!” Sun Zhenping exclaimed in surprise.

"Pippen, Pippen is injured!" Xu Jicheng suddenly shouted excitedly.

On the floor under the basket, Pippen felt his back muscles cramping in waves, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Scottie!"

Jordan rushed over and glared angrily at Tang Bei.

On the sidelines, Phil Jackson looked pale and silently prayed that Pippen wouldn't get injured.

Unfortunately, after the team doctor examined him, Pippen was quickly carried off the court on a stretcher because he was in so much pain that he couldn't walk and was taken directly to the hospital.

The game continued, and the Bulls brought in a backup forward/guard to keep fighting.

Without Pippen, the Bulls' strength was halved again, the triangle offense was completely ineffective, and Jordan was left to fight alone.

Moreover, the Bulls' perimeter defense had collapsed by more than half, giving the Heat hope.

Tang Bei stopped playing such a fierce defense because he saw a chance to advance and wanted to finish the game.

The first half ended quickly.

Bill Russell said, "It's 42-50 now. The Heat are down by 8 points at halftime. When Pippen went to the bench, they were down by 15 points and had come back to win by 7."

加里·佩顿兴奋地道：“唐半场18投13中，命中率72.2%，但只有5罚3中，得到29分。”

Bill Walton said, "Glen Rice and his teammates had already lost their morale and were being shut down by Pippen and Jordan."

But things improved somewhat after Pippen's injury; however, their touch and form never returned, and the entire team combined for only 13 points.

Gary Payton said, "The Bulls' offense has become quite disorganized. The triangle offense is no longer working because Grant is missing and Pippen is gone."

But Michael Jordan went on a scoring spree in the first half, making 10 of 18 field goal attempts (55.6%), including no three-pointers, and adding 9 of 10 free throws, finishing with 29 points, the same as Tang.

Bill Russell sighed and said, "No matter who wins this game, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. This is Barkley and the Suns' best chance to win the championship."

"Ha ha……"

Barkley, watching TV, burst out laughing.

Soon, the third quarter began.

After resting for more than ten minutes, Tang Bei regained some of his strength, but he was still very tired, and his energy reserves were almost depleted.

The reason they were able to play so efficiently in the first half was twofold: firstly, the opponent was terrible, and secondly, they were squeezing out their last bit of energy reserves.

He reduced his offensive and defensive intensity, partly to continue recovering his physical strength and partly to avoid being disqualified by the new referee.

Fortunately, Glen Rice finally found his rhythm, hitting two consecutive three-pointers at the start of the third quarter, forcing Jordan to switch on defense.

But Steve Smith also slowly began to regain his touch, and the Heat's outside offense gradually improved.

After the third quarter, the two teams were tied at 25, with the score at 67-75, and the Heat were still down by 8 points.

Although Tang Bei played for 12 minutes in this quarter, he was just a bystander and only scored 4 points.

But with 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, his rebounding and defense were one of the key reasons why the Heat were able to tie the Bulls.

Michael Jordan, despite scoring 12 points in a single quarter and 41 points in three quarters, was unable to widen the gap.

Bill Walton said with a strange expression, "The Iron Triangle is missing two members. Now it's not Don fighting alone, it's Michael fighting alone."

The Bulls need to be careful not to get overturned in the fourth quarter. Tang didn't play much this quarter, so his stamina should have recovered somewhat, and he'll definitely step up his game in the final quarter.

Gary Payton laughed heartily and said, "Don only has four fouls, haha! Let's see when the referee blows the whistle."

Bill Russell said with a strange expression, "Even if the Bulls advance now, they still won't be a match for the Suns in the Finals. Tang committed two fouls at the end, ha..."

He didn't say what he was going to say next. In his view, the next game might return to normal, and Jordan's dream of a three-peat was basically shattered. The capital that supported him must have seen this as well.

On the bench, Michael Jordan was panting. He had driven to the basket too many times tonight and was so tired he could barely walk. His calves were cramping.

The team doctor and his assistant started massaging his legs to relax his muscles.

Phil Jackson said seriously, "Michael, now you can only rely on yourself. Nobody can help you."

Jordan didn't respond; he just kept panting and wiping away sweat.

Phil Jackson, with a stern expression, said to the three remaining big men, "Next, defend. There's only a little time left. Let's give it one more shot."

On the Heat's bench, seeing a chance to turn the game around, the atmosphere was actually better than on the Bulls' bench.

Kevin Longley said to Tang Bei, "The officiating seems to have returned to normal. Tang, I hope you will step up and decide the outcome of the game."

"it is good."

Tang Bei nodded.

Soon, the game started again.

The Heat fielded all their starters, while the Bulls' roster was depleted, with only Jordan and point guard Armstrong remaining from their five starters.

Tang Bei entered the paint, and Will Perdo changed his previous style and began to defend him head-on.

Although Tang Bei's stamina was running low, the difference in strength and weight was too great, and Perdo simply couldn't hold his position, quickly squeezing into the penalty area.

Without Pippen, the Bulls were unable to cut off the Heat's inside-outside connection, and the ball was immediately passed down.

Bulls power forward Scott Williams came along the baseline, but instead of double-teaming, he stopped on the left side of the basket, trying to draw a foul.

"boom!"

But Tang Bei had already noticed, and after receiving the ball, he did a Tai Chi spin and charged in for a powerful dunk.

"Great! Tang Bei is starting to exert his strength, and a comeback is possible," Sun Zhenping said excitedly.

"If he breaks through, double-team him!"

As the Bulls were on offense, Jordan received the ball just beyond the three-point line in the frontcourt, and Kevin Longley shouted loudly.

Jordan glanced at Lenglet, snorted inwardly, then looked at Tang Bei, who was eyeing him menacingly under the basket, and suddenly pulled up for a three-pointer.

He didn't shoot a single three-pointer today, and Steve Smith, a second-year student with average defensive skills, didn't even have time to react.

"Jordan's first three-pointer!" Xu Jicheng shouted.

"brush!"

Water splashes, and the hollow hits the target.

"boom!"

The Chicago stadium erupted in cheers, which pierced the roof and soared into the sky.

"Oops, Jordan hit us with a three-pointer," Xu Jicheng sighed.

During the Heat's offense, Tang Bei ran out to set a screen for Glen Rice. After the screen, Rice received the ball on the outside and took an open three-pointer.

"Can we hit it?" Sun Zhenping shouted.

"brush!"

The water splashes up, revealing a hollow sphere.

"ah!"

An excited Glenn Rice roared and raised his fist at Tang Bei.

"here you go!"

Tang Bei excitedly raised his fist.

"Ladies and gentlemen, at the crucial moment, Glen Rice has sank a three-pointer!" Han Qiaosheng excitedly announced.

"Bang!"

Jordan attempted another three-pointer, but missed.

Tang Bei grabbed the rebound, and the Heat launched an attack.

"boom!"

Fifteen seconds later, Tang Bei slammed home a powerful two-handed dunk, smashing the Bulls' basket.

"WOW!"

Hundreds of visiting fans and the Heat's bench erupted in cheers.

"Give it your all, Tang Bei, you have to turn this around!" Zhang Heli, his eyes red with emotion, clenched his fists and cheered for Tang Bei. 74:78, the Heat were still down by 4 points.

Two minutes later, the score was 76-78, with the Heat trailing by 2 points. The Bulls then took the initiative.

BJ Armstrong missed a three-pointer, Tang Bei grabbed the rebound, and the Heat went on offense.

"boom!"

Squeezing into the paint, Tang Bei received a pass from the outside amidst the crowd, rose up for a second dunk, and finally tied the score.

"It's tied! The Bulls missed four consecutive shots, and the Heat have finally tied the score!" Xu Jicheng shouted excitedly.

"Pooh!"

On the court, after being dunked on by Tang Bei, Bulls center Will Perdo got up and, in a fit of resentment, suddenly spat in Tang Bei's face.

"Fuck you!"

With a slap, Tang Bei knocked the other person to the ground.

"Di!"

The referee immediately blew his whistle, ran over, pointed at Will Perdo, and made a technical foul gesture.

The next second, the referee pointed at Tang Bei again, which was also a technical foul. Adding to the technical foul at the beginning of the game, he was penalized for two technical fouls in one game, resulting in his ejection.

"grass!"

Tang Bei was stunned.

They had already tied the score, were on the verge of a comeback, and were poised to eliminate the Bulls, advance to the Finals, defeat the Suns, and win the championship. But now, they've been dealt a blow.

"WOW!"

The home fans started cheering.

The sudden call left the Heat's bench in complete silence.

"Oh no... Impulsiveness is the devil!"

Zhang Heli, who was in the media section, was also stunned and didn't react for a long time.

In the CCTV live broadcast studio, Xu Jicheng and his two companions were also present.

Sun Zhenping opened his mouth and said, "Too impulsive, Tang Bei is too impulsive."

In the NBC studio, Gary Payton was also stunned, but he couldn't say anything yet because Tang Bei had indeed hit someone.

Bill Russell shook his head and chuckled, "Game 7 is over. Congratulations to Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns."

On June 12, at a pier in Miami, Tang Bei and Elena Garbo boarded the Carnival Liberty luxury cruise ship.

Garbo brought two personal maids and a female bodyguard.

After being ejected in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat were ultimately eliminated. He returned to Miami and signed five endorsement contracts, all for two or three years, unlike his previous short-term one-year contracts.

All five brands are top-tier and elite, including three high-end luxury watch and apparel brands, Red Bull, and Nokia mobile phones.

These brand endorsements earned him a total of $27 million in checks, and that was just for the first year.

This price is equivalent to the mid-range price range for Hollywood A-list celebrities endorsing similar brands.

Top Hollywood A-list celebrities can earn up to seven or eight million dollars a year for endorsing top brands, while others earn around three million.

He currently has $55 million in cash, and Garbo says she will help him with legal tax avoidance, such as through investments.

Because of Tang Bei, the Freedom cruise ship specially adjusted its route and cities of call, reducing the round-the-world trip from 275 days to 252 days.

The original travel time from Miami to Hong Kong was 114 days, with the 65th stopover city. After the adjustment, it is now 40 days, with Tianjing as the 16th stopover city.

It set sail on June 12 and arrived in Tianjing on July 21.

Next, Tang Bei and Jia Bao began their round-the-world trip.

"boom!"

Jia Bao stormed into Tang Bei's suite, sword in hand, startling the two bikini-clad beauties who screamed.

"Garbo, what are you doing in here again?"

Tang Bei was so annoyed. A girl with a sword kept barging into his room, making it impossible for him to find a romantic encounter.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

Jia Bao drew his sword and twirled it a few times, scaring the two beauties into screaming and running away. Then he said triumphantly, "Wet Tiger, I'm here to save you, otherwise you would have been ruined by these two flower thieves."

"Why are you using a sword today?"

Tang Bei felt a toothache; it had only been three days, and his romantic encounters had already been thwarted seventeen times.

A celebrity like him is very popular with beautiful women on the cruise ship. If he goes out for a stroll, beautiful women will automatically flock to him.

Jia Bao asked angrily, "Wet Tiger, with a beauty like me right next to you, you're not tempted at all. Why do you only go for those withered flowers and fallen women?"

"Nonsense, you're my apprentice now, I'm a generation older than you," Tang Bei said irritably.

Jia Bao's eyes lit up immediately, and she said excitedly, "I know, just like Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu, Nie Xiaofeng and Luo Xuan, Jin Shiyi and Li Shengnan?"

"Yes, that's right." Tang Bei nodded.

"Wow, wet tiger, forbidden love, that sounds so exciting! Why don't we give it a try?" Jia Bao said expectantly.

"What's wrong, Jia Bao? Are you feeling romantic? Want to start a relationship?" Tang Bei, who had ulterior motives from the beginning, was somewhat tempted.

Jia Bao's face immediately fell, and she said unhappily, "Mommy just informed me that my family has arranged a marriage for me with a drug addict, a lecherous slut who is also an alcoholic and bisexual."

Why choose this particular person?

Tang Bei was taken aback, and immediately understood why Jia Bao had drawn her sword today.

"It's necessary for marriage alliances, that's how it's always been for our ancestors, but I'm not as lucky as my parents," Jia Bao said dejectedly.

"You accept?" Tang Bei asked.

Jia Bao looked at Tang Bei and said quietly, "If I don't accept it, I will lose my family inheritance rights. All that money, and more importantly, my connections and social status, will be gone from my life."

"You can't inherit your parents' property either?" Tang Bei asked.

Garbo said, "Yes, they've already given it to me, but it's only three or four billion US dollars. The family assets they control cannot be inherited."

"It's already worth billions, how much more do you want?" Tang Bei said irritably.

"Wet Tiger, I'm so pitiful! You don't even comfort me. You're just messing around here all day. It's so annoying!" Jia Bao said angrily.

"How should we comfort them?" Tang Bei asked.

"Whee!"

Jia Bao stepped forward, grabbed Tang Bei's arm, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "Wet Tiger, shall we have a forbidden love affair now?"

"Is it wrong for a rabbit not to eat the grass near its burrow?"

"Hmph, don't even think about dating those women again. If one comes along, I'll kill them both."

"Why is there one more?"

"And you too, Wet Tiger."

"I want to kill too? Fine, you forced me to this. So how are we going to begin our forbidden love?"

Jia Bao looked up at Tang Bei with her little face, her eyes darting around a few times, and suddenly burst out laughing: "Wet Tiger, I have no experience, do you?"

"Uh, I don't have any either," Tang Bei said awkwardly.

"So how do we begin?" Jia Bao chuckled.

"How about we just go for a home run?"

"Pah, Wet Tiger, you're disgusting. You can only hit a home run after you get married."

"Garbo, you're too conservative."

"Our family has always been conservative!"

……

On the 17th, the Bulls were swept by the Suns in the NBA Finals.

Pippen missed the first two games, played 18 minutes in Game 3, and then got injured again and had to leave the game.

Jordan's individual efforts were insufficient to prevent a sweep, and despite his frantic offensive efforts, the team was on the verge of being swept.

Charles Barkley was overjoyed and burst into tears after winning the championship by sweeping Jordan and receiving the Finals MVP award.

Afterwards, he specifically called Jordan as he left and said, "Hey Michael, what did you say last time? Did you know who the Finals MVP was? Haha, I know now, it's me. I was the regular season MVP, and I was the Finals MVP. I was the one who swept you."

"..."

Michael Jordan was so angry that he didn't even want to argue with Barkley anymore. He decided to settle the score later and hung up the phone.

Jordan failed to win his third consecutive championship, but Barkley won his first NBA title. Both were Nike employees, but Nike didn't seem to like them.

Nike's stock fell 0.78% the day after the Suns won the championship.

After hearing the news, Barkley was somewhat bewildered: I won the championship, so why did Nike's stock price drop?

After failing to win the championship, Jordan canceled his vacation and returned to North Carolina to reunite with his family, where he began to soothe his wounded heart through training.

With the finals over, a new draft is about to begin.

On June 28, the NBA draft was held as scheduled in Auburn Hills.

Magic had previously drawn the number one draft pick again and used it to select Chris Webber.

Because they already had Shaquille O'Neal, the Magic didn't need Chris Webber. They made a trade with the Warriors before the draft, exchanging Webber for the third overall pick, Anfernee Hardaway, as well as three first-round draft picks in 96, 98, and 2000.

The Warriors wanted to acquire Chris Webber and then rebuild around him, for which they were willing to pay a huge price.

(End of this chapter)