The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 241 - 145: You Must Be Cheating!_2

Chapter 241: Chapter 145: You Must Be Cheating!_2

"You were right about this team," O’Neal picked up his drink as a token of thanks to Hansen. "They display qualities I’ve never seen in my entire career."

"It’s rare for you to give such high praise," Hansen was slightly surprised.

In fact, his impression of the Mavericks that year was limited to the Finals and their games against the Heat, because those games gave rise to memorable memes like the ’eight point disarmament’.

As for the rest, he hadn’t paid much attention, otherwise he wouldn’t have overlooked such a classic playoff series as the 5-4 comeback.

"Thanks to Kobe and his Lakers for causing this team to undergo a wonderful transformation," O’Neal said with a laugh.

He still loved to diss Kobe.

But that statement sounded so familiar, didn’t it?

According to O’Neal, the Mavericks actually didn’t play as well as expected in the first round, leading 2-0 at the outset.

But by the third game, they faced a reversal after leading by as much as 25 points in the third quarter, nearly breaking their morale.

In the end, it was Head Coach Carlisle who readjusted tactics, starting with defense, and pushed through to the next round.

At that time, not to mention the outsiders, even Mavericks players like O’Neal didn’t think they could achieve much.

Then came the second round Game 1 against the Lakers, trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, a familiar scene, a familiar score, only the roles with the opponent had switched.

"Do you want to get eliminated just like this, or would you fight to the end like we did against the Denver people?" That was Carlisle’s exact words back then.

The Mavericks had no next year. Leaving aside Nowitzki’s age, Chandler and Jide’s contracts were all expiring that summer; this was their "last chance".

And then the Bloodthirst Mavericks toppled the defending champions.

"It was after that game ended that I saw what you were talking about, they showed the heart of champions," O’Neal still knew how to tell a story.

But a comeback game, indeed, did wonders for team confidence, especially such a large-margin comeback.

Speaking of which, the Mavericks were actually always strong. Since the year 2000, they never had fewer than 50 wins a season.

And they were always one of the teams at the top of the league in terms of paying luxury tax.

But they always seemed to be lacking something. Now it seemed, they had found that something this year.

"Oddly enough, after our Game 7 with the Thunders, we felt we had found that same thing," Hansen said with a smile.

"I really didn’t think you’d get this far; I thought we would be facing the Thunders in the Western Conference Finals," O’Neal admitted candidly,

"But to think about it, you, me, Delonthe, and of course LeBron, we’re all in the conference finals now. It’s somewhat nostalgic."

Gathered as a heap of excrement, dispersed as stars across the sky?

This wasn’t at all surprising, because teams that James had been part of often ended up that way.

It was no mystique; on James’ teams, you couldn’t get much control of the ball, so naturally you wouldn’t have great stats. But since you’d always have to carry the burden and play defense, you’d develop all your skills, so branching out would seem to make you better.

"I won’t hold anything back," Hansen said, raising his glass, as their conversation drew to a close.

"I feel the same way, this is my ’last chance’, too," O’Neal also raised his glass.

"Clink~"

...

At the American Airlines Center, Dallas fans were fiery with passion.

The scene was a sea of blue.

O’Neal hadn’t told the complete story last night, because the Mavericks hadn’t just come from behind to beat the Lakers once in the second round; they also won Game 3 through a comeback.

So, that inexplicable confidence in the 5-4 comeback which was mostly because by being overturned in 2 out of 3 games, the Lakers’ morale had already broken.

The result was evident in the final game, with them losing by 36 points to the Mavericks.

That was why Dallas fans knew just how different their team was this year; their passion was genuinely heartfelt.

Nowitzki had come to Dallas in 1998, and from 2000 onwards had made them a powerhouse in The West. Twelve years had flown by, and it wasn’t just him who had aged—the Mavericks’ fans had grown older with him.

So, the atmosphere in the arena was truly unique. If one had to describe it with a single word, it would be: veterans never die.

After warm-ups, the venue went into the opening ceremony, and the starting lineups for both teams were announced:

Grizzlies: Conley, Hansen, Battier, Randolph, Little Gasol

Mavericks: Jide, West, Marion, Nowitzki, Chandler

There were the final 3 minutes of prep time after the opening ceremony.

After Hollins outlined the opening tactics, Hansen called everyone together one more time for some encouraging words:

"They’re just a bunch of old guys; let’s show them our youthful energy!"

Nowitzki was 32, Marion 33, Jide 38—three old guys in the starting lineup; no truer words.

Once out on court, Hansen and West hugged.

West had joined the Mavericks after being bought out, and now he had surprisingly made it into the Mavericks’ starting lineup.

Amidst the cheers of Dallas fans, Chandler won the jump ball against Little Gasol, earning the Mavericks the first offensive opportunity.

The Mavericks started by setting up in their half, with Nowitzki receiving the ball in the low post on the right side, guarded by Little Gasol.

Although Little Gasol wasn’t exactly fast, he had both height and reach over Nowitzki, enough to disturb his shot.

Nowitzki took the ball, turned around and threatened a dribble to drive, but then suddenly pulled up for the shot.

Little Gasol was a beat slow in reacting, but still managed to contest the shot with his height and reach.