The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 427 - 205 The Birth of the Indiana Dynasty_3

Chapter 427: Chapter 205 The Birth of the Indiana Dynasty_3

The Pacers continued their defensive strategy from the previous game, putting pressure on Yao in the paint and Kobe on the perimeter right from the start.

The Lakers...

There weren’t any significant changes!

Bill Walton felt that the Lakers must have made more detailed adjustments, but as long as their overall strategy still relied on Yao in the early stages and on Kobe later on, then the Pacers’ defense was basically clamping down on their "Achilles’ heel."

The role players for the Lakers had a slight resurgence compared to the previous game tonight.

Therefore, in the first quarter, the Pacers couldn’t quickly establish a 10-point lead like in the previous game.

However, Rick Carlisle didn’t abandon this defensive strategy just because the Lakers’ role players had more successful shots.

If you Lakers can knock us out with Odom and Fisher, then prove it!

As it turned out...

They really couldn’t!

Odom and Fisher performed well in the first quarter, but by the second, their performance started to struggle.

This is the norm for role players.

If role players could consistently perform throughout a game, they wouldn’t be earning such salaries.

Of course, there could be an "X factor" among role players.

But to become an X factor, one must fit seamlessly within the offensive and defensive system.

If you’re already being countered, forget about being an "X factor"—maintaining regular-season performance would be good enough.

Wan, just like in the previous game, began to exert his strength in the second quarter.

And this time, he frequently called for pick-and-rolls, continuously mismatching and going one-on-one against Fisher.

The effect was quite apparent, causing Kobe to become increasingly impatient—the "Iron Head Wolf" reemerged on the court.

By the end of the first half, the Pacers had essentially controlled the game.

Then, another piece of bad news struck the Lakers:

After the exhaustion of several consecutive games, Yao’s performance in the first half of this game was lukewarm, deteriorating in the second half due to physical fitness issues, suffering from fatigue. Kobe was utterly unable to carry the team on his own.

Facing the Pacers’ relentless blockading, he too started to flounder more and more.

Ultimately, with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the point difference once again reached 20.

The die was cast!

The Dynasty was forming!

The cheers of the entire stadium submerged everything at this moment.

All the Pacers fans in attendance stood up; they could no longer sit calmly, waiting for the final whistle to blow.

This included the Simon brothers, who also stood up, supporting each other.

Their excitement was evident for all to see.

Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird were standing at the entrance to the home team’s tunnel; as time slowly ticked away, Walsh suddenly turned to Larry Bird and said, "Congratulations, Larry, you’ve made a trade that will go down in NBA history—one that won’t be forgotten even fifty years from now!"

To make such a trade—two first-round picks plus a second-round pick for a rookie—appeared to be a crazy decision at the time.

Yet, the crazy decision led to an even crazier outcome...

With Wan’s arrival, this city rapidly achieved "three consecutive championships" after the Auburn Palace incident, becoming the fourth team in NBA history on the verge of creating a Dynasty.

Whichever way you looked at the trade, it was astonishing.

In response to Donnie Walsh’s words, Larry Bird merely smiled faintly, watching Wan’s close-up on the big screen with an unruffled demeanor.

It was just a trade I made following my heart!

Just so so!

Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning!

In the final minute, Phil Jackson had already pulled Kobe and Yao out of the game; on the other side, Rick Carlisle didn’t immediately sub out Wan.

Clearly, at this moment, Wan was better suited on the court to absorb all the cheering from the Indiana natives.

And just then, the fans in the stands, as if possessed, began to frenziedly shriek Wan’s name, tearing at their vocal cords.

For male fans, that was one thing, but even the female fans were doing it.

Suddenly, it was like thousands of Sharapovas were competing together.

Wan raised his hands high, acknowledging the cheers, and then...

"Doot!"

The buzzer sounded, and a historic moment arrived amidst a roar of cheers.

The NBA’s fourth Dynasty was born, something no one expected:

The Indiana Pacers!

"Let’s congratulate the Pacers for becoming the fourth team in NBA history to achieve three consecutive championships. At this moment, the world’s attention is on Indiana!" Bill Walton’s eyes held a touch of envy.

Not just him, any basketball player at this moment would show a hint of envy.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of a "three consecutive championships" Dynasty?

Even as a "Water Dispenser" player, it would mean a great deal.

That’s why there are so many Bartels in the world.

Hmm...

Okay!

To strut about as a "Water Dispenser" like Bartel is still rare.

The envy in Barkley’s eyes was even more...

Unmistakable!

Players like Barkley, who had won a regular-season MVP, craved a championship even more.

After all, it’s a recognition of their personal strength as well as their ability to lead a team!

Which regular-season MVP would enjoy being called a "king without a crown"?

They’d rather be like Wan, becoming the brightest star under the finals’ spotlight.

Saying that’s the "dream of tens of millions of basketball boys" is not an exaggeration at all!

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