Chapter 197: City hero, history's number one

When Fan Xi returns to the bench, Kupchak personally puts the championship cap on him and puts the championship T-shirt on Fan Xi himself. His eyes are full of tears, and he tells Fan Xi: "Jack, this is the greatest championship in Los Angeles in my mind; no championship trophy can compare to it."

"The past game, for me, was as long as a century. We held the last line of defense, we broke through Normandy!"

Kupchak is very excited, his voice choking. This championship is of great significance to both Fan Xi and him.

Los Angeles won a three-peat in an incredible way, establishing a new dynasty in this era of heroes. Moreover, the establishment of this dynasty was strongly supported by a rookie, an undrafted player.

This significance is too great. For Kupchak, who signed Fan Xi, it is a dream-like achievement.

It can be said that Fan Xi sublimated Kupchak's career.

And at this time, all the fans in the arena are still excitedly shouting: "MVP! MVP! MVP!"

The shock Fan Xi left in this game lingers in the hearts of all fans.

Just as Charles Barkley said, Fan Xi's performance in the Finals is epic and in a class of its own. Never in history has a superstar completed three buzzer-beaters in the Finals, and never has a superstar led a remnant army to kill the opponent for three consecutive games in the absence of the three major interior and exterior cores.

What's more, Fan Xi is just an undrafted player who has only played his first season.

This is why Magic Johnson "worships" Fan Xi; Magic is a proud player, and he wasn't even that convinced by Michael Jordan. But tonight, Fan Xi firmly convinced him.

In fact, looking at the entire basketball world, who isn't convinced by Fan Xi's performance tonight?

Admittedly, Fan Xi's absolute strength is currently difficult to enter the league's top ten, or even top fifteen; you can count many superstars who are better and stronger than him. However, strength is one thing, and the game is another. Fan Xi's performance in the Finals is enough to make a group of superstars die of shame, such as a certain league-leading point guard who still hasn't touched the Western Conference Finals floor, while Fan Xi, this latecomer, has already killed the league's signature in the Finals and left with the crown.

The MVP no longer has any suspense.

David Stern hasn't announced Fan Xi's name yet, but more than 20,000 fans in the arena are already shouting: "Fan! Fan! Fan!"

David Stern is full of smiles; although this year's Finals, in his and everyone's expectations, should have been a battle between the old and new kings Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Fan Xi suddenly emerged, took over Kobe's banner, and knocked the "Chosen One" James off his horse, which is also one of the best results he could think of.

Because Fan Xi is the only one in the league today who has the opportunity to comprehensively surpass Kobe and James in commercial value.

Just as Charles Barkley said in the commentary booth: "Since Jordan retired, the whole world has been looking for the next Jordan, the next God of Basketball, but everyone, including Kobe, including LeBron James, I don't see hope. But tonight, this hope appeared. I can't guarantee he will definitely surpass Jordan in the future."

"But at least, his starting point is something even Jordan didn't have. There has never been a rookie in history who was so violent and legendary in his first season. Even if the rookie Jordan stood in front of Jack, I think Jack has more energy."

Fan Xi walks to the center of the court, supported by Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom.

His right shoe has already been cut off with scissors on the bench, and the team doctor quickly puts a protective device on Fan Xi, fixing his swollen ankle.

When Fan Xi raises the MVP trophy, the entire Staples, the entire City of Angels, and even the entire basketball world boil over.

This is a result without any suspense.

The will of the people.

When Fan Xi takes the microphone from the host, he reveals the most relaxed smile of the night. He looks around; all around are excited and emotional teammates, and further away are the overjoyed fans.

Fan Xi's emotions are surging; he takes a deep breath and says slowly and firmly: "The Iron Armor Still Remains, we are the champions!"

"Yeah!!!"

The entire Staples Center boils over, and more than 20,000 people follow and shout in unison: "We are the champions! We are the champions! We are the champions!"

At this moment, no words are more surging and exciting than these.

Kobe Bryant hugs Fan Xi tightly afterward; this is the sixth championship trophy of his career, although he only played one game in the Finals. However, regardless, his championship ring is the same as his idol Michael Jordan's.

Although this championship ring has limited addition to his historical status, a championship is a championship.

"Jack, I am proud of you."

Kobe Bryant says very emotionally.

LeBron James sits in the locker room, decadent and frustrated; this is the biggest setback of his career. He never dreamed the team would lose to the Lakers; even in the most terrifying nightmare, he couldn't have expected that the rookie would lead the team to kill them.

Such a game, even if replayed a hundred times, ten thousand times, the Miami Heat couldn't possibly lose.

But they just lost.

They have their problems—their interior, their ball distribution, including LeBron James's state, and his helplessness when defending back-to-the-basket play.

However, aren't the problems exposed by the Lakers even more?

They don't even have a tactical core; all established tactics are void, and the players play until there are only five people left. But even so, they still won...

The lively celebration and noise in Staples Center have nothing to do with the Miami Heat; the visiting locker room is silent as death, needles can be heard, and one can even hear the sound of mice peeing on cotton in the utility room next door.

They lost the Finals that couldn't be lost, just like a recognized top student in the college entrance examination who eventually didn't even get into a third-tier university.

Dwyane Wade lies on the stretcher, his eyes full of tears, flowing from the moment Fan Xi hit that buzzer-beater.

Undoubtedly, he is the person in this room who loves the Heat most and loves honor most.

He originally thought his injury could bring a team-wide reversal; he doesn't regret his sacrifice at all. But now, what he gets in return is such a scene.

Silent sorrow and sadness sweep through his entire heart.

After the locker room was silent for about 10 minutes, Dwyane Wade sat up and said firmly: "Now, the past season has been successful for us. But now we must determine one thing, and that is we must choose our true leader, the primary ball-handling core."

As soon as Wade said this, everyone looked up.

Everyone's emotions were very complex when hearing this.

Could it be that Dwyane wants to determine his leadership status at this time? After all, James didn't defend the final attack just now.

Over the past season, the ball distribution between Wade and James has been in a "strategic ambiguity" stage; it's hard to say which of them is the leader. In smooth sailing, they played very well. But once a strategic stalemate occurred, efficiency easily dropped.

Wade raising this question at this time has legitimacy and urgency.

People always need to learn from failure and draw lessons.

James's complexion changed; he didn't know what his good brother was thinking at this moment. Just as he was about to explain why he didn't defend the last attack, even associating it with Wade also failing to defend Fan Xi's buzzer-beater twice in the Finals.

Wade continued: "My age is older than LeBron's, and my body is repeatedly injured. Sometimes my control over the game isn't as strong as LeBron's. So, I support LeBron becoming the team leader and primary shooting option next. We must unite closely around a core; even if the outside world is talking about the Big Three, the Big Three also need a leader."

As soon as Wade said this.

Everyone was incredibly surprised.

Pat Riley took a deep breath, admiring in his heart: Wade is indeed Wade. He sacrificed salary, sacrificed ball distribution, exchanged for the gathering of the Big Three, and now he has pushed James to the throne in a justified way; he is worthy of being a man who has won the Finals MVP.

At this moment, Riley couldn't help but think, if the player injured in the fourth quarter tonight was James, not Wade, would the result be completely different?

When Wade expressed his stance, other players immediately supported and responded.

James delivered a speech about uniting the team, taking tonight as a lesson, and forging ahead.

Then, Wade proposed to Pat Riley: "Regardless, we must get a center this offseason. We must make our team strong. Management shouldn't waste our peak period; we came here for the championship, to release our talent and brilliance, not to act as a coolie in the paint..."

Wade said this toughly.

Pat Riley nodded repeatedly.

This is the biggest lesson they learned in this year's Finals.

If Miami's interior was stronger, Fan Xi couldn't have completed this epic miracle at all.

Is his ability really that strong? Perhaps, but if Miami didn't have internal problems, he couldn't have broken through.

Miami finally sent Spoelstra and Haslem to attend the post-game press conference.

Wade and James both went to the hospital; Wade was injured, and James also said his knee was painful, while Chris Bosh said he should stand on his brother's side, and they left the arena together.

Not everyone has the courage like Kobe; Kobe Bryant appeared at the post-game press conference on behalf of the Lakers after losing to the Boston Celtics in 2008, saying something calm and firm: "Second place is the biggest loser."

Fan Xi didn't attend the post-game press conference, although his name had already occupied the front page headlines of all media in the world.

Because his right ankle couldn't hold up anymore.

It was only after the awards ceremony that the media realized Fan Xi was injured.

However, Fan Xi told the accompanying reporters not to report this matter; he didn't want to add to the gloom when everyone was very happy.

He also didn't want to create a "tough guy who hits a buzzer-beater with an injury" persona; winning is winning.

When Fan Xi entered the player tunnel, he shook hands with Jeanie Buss, and when Jim Buss walked over, he opened his arms and hugged him.

Jeanie Buss praised Fan Xi, thanked Fan Xi for creating an unprecedented miracle, and made the greatest contribution to the Lakers' three-peat, stating that Fan Xi is already the most legendary rookie in Lakers history.

Fan Xi smiled and said this is what he should do.

Jim Buss hugged Fan Xi: "Good brother, you are simply too strong. My God, when you killed that bastard James with a buzzer-beater, I was so excited I almost peed; I am proud of you. If it weren't for your age, I would definitely take you to a bar to celebrate all night."

Yes, although Fan Xi killed the super Big Three, became the Finals MVP, and dated several female stars in the entertainment industry, he still couldn't enter certain specific nightclubs and bars to drink.

This is something stipulated by law.

Then, Jim Buss asked about Fan Xi's injury, and Fan Xi said very optimistically: "Maybe it's just a sprain, anyway, I feel good now."

Jim Buss emphasized that he must use the best medical technology to treat Fan Xi.

Both successors of the Buss family value Fan Xi very much, treating Fan Xi as a team hero.

But anyone with a discerning eye can see the difference: in Jim Buss's eyes, Fan Xi is a close confidant and a good brother. In Jeanie's eyes, Fan Xi is a championship hero and a basketball hero of Los Angeles.

"My suggestion is not to trade Jack; he has the opportunity to become a basketball totem like Kobe. Believe me, he is a fighting genius."

Magic Johnson told Jeanie very firmly after entering Jeanie Buss's office.

This sounds very absurd; Fan Xi just won the championship for Los Angeles, but in the blink of an eye, one of the team's successors started discussing trading him.

But it is indeed a part of the NBA's reality, although no team has ever done such an absurd thing. However, the Lakers' situation is too special.

After seeing Fan Xi, Jim Buss couldn't wait to run to Old Buss to claim credit. Everyone knows Old Buss doesn't have much time left. If he finally decides to hand over management to Jim, Jeanie will be marginalized in the entire family, becoming a "useless person" who takes living expenses from the family trust fund every month.

Her ambition makes her unable to accept this.

So, she must take action, no matter how absurd this action sounds.

"Yes, Jack conquered us tonight. He is the Lakers' best decision. Although Dwight Howard is good and powerful, Jack is irreplaceable."

West also advised Jeanie to change her decision, although that trade was initiated by him before.

But now, he has completely changed his mind; he was conquered by Fan Xi.

"Moreover, if Jack is traded at this time, the entire Lakers' reputation will be destroyed. The reputation established by the Lakers in history will no longer exist."

Jerry West told Jeanie the consequences very clearly: don't trample on the Lakers club's reputation at will; this is the biggest foundation of this giant team.

Because the Lakers have never treated meritorious officials badly in the past; they have always supported Kareem, Magic Johnson was even given shares, and many players were given retirement contracts beyond their ability in the last period of their careers.

Therefore, the Lakers' attraction to superstars is transcendent in the league.

This point forms a sharp contrast with another super-big-city team. The New York Knicks are not favored by agents and superstars because they dumped Ewing at the end of his career. Although they gave some contracts after Ewing retired, the image has collapsed.

Jeanie Buss falls into deep thought.

This is a difficult choice for her.

If just now, Jack had given her a hug, how good would that be? But instead, he only shook hands with her and hugged Jim.

Fan Xi doesn't like to hug women other than his girlfriend because he knows his charm too well.

He feels that as long as he has close contact with a beautiful woman, that woman will definitely fall madly in love with him, wanting to have him at all costs.

He is afraid.

So, he keeps a distance from all women.

Including the female doctor who checked him.

This female doctor named Laisi is the best sports rehabilitation doctor in Los Angeles. After checking Fan Xi's ankle, her expression became more and more solemn.

She is a Lakers fan; she just finished watching the game, celebrated crazily with her husband, and then received a call, and she and all her family rushed to the hospital.

They surrounded Fan Xi and shouted crazily; they couldn't wait for Fan Xi to take photos with them and give them autographs. Just like crazy fans meeting a superstar in their hearts.

Under the urging of the Lakers staff, Laisi started to check Fan Xi.

"So, Jack, you actually completed the final buzzer-beater while enduring such an injury?" Laisi's chin almost dropped.

Her surprised expression made everyone's expression become solemn.

"What exactly happened?" her husband asked cautiously.

... ===== CHAPTER 198 =====