Chapter 897

The fans were absolutely delighted.

And rightly so.

When a single day of games consists entirely of conference finals or even finals-preview-level matchups, how could one not be excited?

Fans across the entire league couldn't wait.

Soon.

8:00 PM.

The preseason arrived.

Heat vs. Mavericks, Celtics vs. Cavaliers, 76ers vs. Lakers—three games... arriving simultaneously, played simultaneously.

Heat vs. Mavericks.

Wade + Bosh + O'Neal vs. Kidd + Terry + Josh Howard + Nowitzki.

An All-Star brawl-level clash of titans.

Although they only played about half the game and neither side went all out, the brilliance of the contest went without saying.

It was exhilarating and unforgettable.

The less serious the two teams played, the more the fans looked forward to them meeting again in the regular season, and then... a full-force chaotic war.

76ers vs. Lakers.

Carter + Iverson + McGrady vs. Kobe.

Three of the Four Great Shooting Guards vs. the one holding three championships.

The Four Great Shooting Guards on the same stage, brawling.

My God.

You wouldn't believe how spectacular such a matchup could be; you wouldn't even believe such a matchup could happen outside of an All-Star Game.

It was too mystical.

It was too incredible.

It was too unbelievable.

But such a matchup was also too good to watch.

The Four Great Shooting Guards duel.

Kobe fought the three of them alone, and the entire first quarter became a moment for the Four Great Shooting Guards to show off their unique skills.

Kobe went 7-of-13 from the field in the single quarter, 1-of-3 from three-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, dropping 19 points alone.

The other three shooting guards combined for 24 points.

This duel, this clash of skills... it was too fiery.

It was just a pity it only lasted one quarter; Kobe only played a little in the second, and the 76ers' three shooting guards never took the court together again.

The fans all felt it was a pity, feeling they hadn't seen enough.

So what to do?

They could only look forward to the arrival of the new season even more.

Spurs vs. Suns.

GDP + Ray Allen vs. Nash + Richard Jefferson + Marion + Lewis + Stoudemire.

Another clash of titans, a fierce battle serving as a Western Conference Finals preview.

This was a battle that featured both offense and defense.

It was hard for it not to be good.

With three major battles, the fans didn't know which one to watch for a moment, frantically switching between streaming platforms until their eyes were dizzy.

However.

There were still good games, and they were still ongoing.

Bulls vs. Nuggets, Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Pistons vs. Grizzlies—three more matchups were unfolding in full swing.

First, Bulls vs. Nuggets.

Su Yan + Yao + Iguodala vs. Anthony + Andre Miller + Camby.

Third-year Anthony was gradually growing, with a flashy style and powerful individual isolation ability, making the game highly watchable.

Camby was a rebounding king and block king, a "DPOY"-level player.

The Nuggets' strength this year was not to be underestimated.

The Bulls were the defending champions.

"Emperor Yan" Su Yan was the target of the entire league, and his strength went without saying.

8:00 PM.

United Center.

This matchup arrived—the matchup countless fans had been longing for had finally arrived.

"Jump ball!"

The duel between Yao and Camby.

Who would win?

"Slap!"

Camby, the second overall pick of the "Golden Class of '96," got there first, tipping the basketball away and winning the first possession of the game for the Nuggets.

Anthony brought the ball up.

At the left arc, facing... Su Yan's defense. After another season of growth, did Anthony now have the ability to score on Su Yan?

People waited to see.

With his signature triple-threat move, Anthony kept reading Su Yan's defensive footwork, seeing his center of gravity shift slightly to the left.

"This is it."

Anthony's gaze sharpened, he put the ball down on the right and accelerated, but Su Yan, possessing 【Intermediate Swift Steps】, was faster.

Three steps in two.

He caught up.

Anthony also knew how fast Su Yan was now; he wouldn't be foolish enough to just drive, so he initiated contact with Su Yan during the sprint.

He followed up with a spin.

Drive, stop, contact, spin—a set of silky-smooth moves; an average player would definitely have been shaken off.

But it didn't work on Su Yan at all.

While keeping up with the speed, Su Yan also had the 【Eye of the Heavenly Emperor】.

"Yes, right now!"

Su Yan was unhurried; the moment Anthony spun, he reached down and swiped the ball away just as Anthony was about to carry it through the turn.

A steal by Su Yan.

"What?!"

Anthony was startled.

Su Yan had already charged out, grabbed the basketball, and launched a fast break; point guard Andre Miller and Martin were running like crazy.

They blocked Su Yan.

On the other side... Iguodala, who was trailing, cut into the paint at lightning speed, ready to take the ball and attack the rim.

Su Yan looked at him.

"Iguodala!"

Anthony, who had chased back, roared. Everyone's attention was on the cutting Iguodala, and they all thought Su Yan was going to pass to him.

Pass?

He passed.

But... Su Yan only feigned looking at Iguodala on the right, then threw a straight pass, finding Yao, who was trailing and charging in on the left.

A slow three-step.

"Boom!"

A ground-hugging dunk was successful.

Anthony:???

Everyone:???

"Holy shit!"