Pick Westbrook

Chapter 231 The Last 76 People

There was a deafening dunk sound.

Cousins ​​blasted the frame with both hands, hanging on the basket like O'Neal once, and refused to get off.

The basket also tilted at this time, and the basketball hoop even swayed in front of all the fans.

"It's a shark kick!"

Marris Speights, who was given high hopes by everyone, failed to put any pressure on the opponent in the single defense against Cousins. Instead, Cousins ​​turned his back very easily and easily passed by.

That's how he got this stunning dunk.

"Cousins ​​has good back-and-forth skills."

Barkley affirmed.

Compared to Jeremy Lin who didn't even learn half of Iverson's offensive skills, Cousins ​​has learned all the inside offensive skills of Shaquille O'Neal.

If he can master it for another season or two, Cousins ​​will definitely become the league's top center player.

At this moment, Kenny Smith suddenly remembered something.

First, O'Neal and Iverson played the game, and then Jeremy Lin and Cousins ​​​​who got the true biography of the two played the game.

Kenny Smith finally understood that this is not a simple Iverson and O'Neal retirement night, this is a night of inheritance!

A legacy of one of the league's greatest stars.

Although Iverson and O'Neal have retired, their shadows will continue to exist on the basketball court.

For the two of them, this is the real retirement.

Kenny Smith couldn't help but look at the Bucks coaching bench at this moment, looking at the extremely young head coach.

"Li Lai gave O'Neal and Iverson the most precious retirement gift."

75ers coaching bench.

Doug Collins didn't even think that the Bucks could rely on such a lineup to kill the 75ers inextricably.

You must know that the 75ers have not released water, and even played according to the intensity of the playoffs, but the Bucks can always bite the score and never let the 75ers open the score.

More importantly, the Bucks are really a team with a full firepower offensive system, so they can rely on a bunch of rotation players to score points on the league's first-line defensive team, the 75ers.

Final game.

Iverson and O'Neal played the entire quarter.

In the last minute, the Bucks were still 1 points behind.

In the coaching bench of the 75ers, Coach Doug Collins walked back and forth near the center line of the court very nervously, and excitedly shouted reminders at the players on the court.

"If the Bucks lose, they will lose. After all, they are all on the bench, but for the 75ers, they have a reason to win."

"After all, they are playing with full firepower in this game tonight, and they are even playing in front of a playoff-level game. If they lose like this, they will be really embarrassed."

Barkley has been impressed by the state of the Bucks in tonight's game.

Although the 75ers have various problems, such as lack of an offensive core, and there are also great shortcomings in the team organization. Coach Doug Collins is good at training defense, but there are great problems in the formation of the offensive end. deficiency.
Even if the 75ers have so many problems, they are still a team that can reach the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks can fight them to this point with only a bunch of substitute players. It is really a bit exaggerated .

"Probably because Iverson and O'Neal retired tonight, and all the Bucks players played extremely excitedly, so they can have such a good performance."

Barkley can only have such speculation.

It is absolutely impossible for him to believe that the Bucks' bench players really have the strength to beat the 75ers.

"Fortunately, the 75ers did not let us down. They proved that they are a playoff-level team and now maintain the lead against the Bucks."

"If they can maintain this lead until the end of the game, they can also accept the victory of tonight's game."

Kenny Smith said with a smile on his face.

Although the Bucks still have to lose the game, he is very satisfied with being able to make the 75ers like this with a bunch of substitute players.

As a Brainless Bucks fan, Kenny Smith, who has seen the status of the Bucks players tonight, also believes that this team will continue to perform strongly in the next playoffs.

Bucks coaching bench.

Tyronn Lue and Marshall felt a little regretful in their hearts.

After all, the Bucks' bench lineup can force the full-strength 75ers into such a situation, but now they have to accept the defeat, which is indeed a pity.

More importantly, tonight's game is the night of Iverson and O'Neal's retirement, and it is also the last game of the two.

If they can't accept the victory of this game, then when the two of them recall their entire career in the future, they will definitely regret it when they recall this point.

"It would be great if we could win the last game of our career."

McGrady, who was sitting on the bench, couldn't help sighing. He knew that the day when he retired was not far away.

"pause!"

Just when all kinds of thoughts arose in everyone's mind, Li Lai walked to the technical platform and made a palm with his left hand, and gently pushed his right hand towards the palm of his hand.

The Bucks called a timeout!

Tyronn Lue and Marshall couldn't help looking at each other at this moment.

They know very well that the coach is preparing to accept tonight's game.

On-site commentator Kenny Smith smiled evilly and said: "It seems that the 75ers want to win the game tonight, I am afraid it is not so easy."

Barkley nodded in agreement, but he was very supportive of Li Lai's approach.

As a player, he dreams of a retirement night that he can remember in his heart, so he can empathize with him. Iverson and O'Neal on the court must really want to win tonight's game.

"Every player's career should have a happy ending."

At the CCTV commentary station, Su Qun couldn't help but take a deep breath and said.

He also hopes that Iverson and O'Neal can accept tonight's game, which is the glory that two NBA legends should enjoy.

But obviously, the 75ers don't want to give it.

"This is the charm of professional sports. The greatest respect for an opponent is always to show the strongest self, which can also force a stronger opponent."

"Isn't everyone who fell in love with basketball falling in love with this sport because of this?"

Yu Jia clenched his fists excitedly. He expected Iverson and O'Neal to stand up and win tonight's game with all their strength at this time.

Even if the two still failed to win the game in the end, this kind of expectation is his best support for his idol.

Bucks players bench.

Li Lai took the tactical board handed over by Tyronn Lue, drew an offensive tactic and a defensive tactic in a row, then looked at O'Neal and Iverson in front of him and said seriously.

"The opponent is preparing to end your legendary career, now is the time to draw a perfect ending to this story."

"Golden generation in 1996, NBA draft No. [-] Iverson!"

"The 1992 draft, the NBA No. [-] pick, Shaquille O'Neal!"

Seeing Li Lai's outstretched hand, Iverson and O'Neill took a deep breath at the same time, and then firmly put their hand on it.

All the players of the Bucks gathered around at this time, and countless hands were layered on top of each other.

Iverson: "The Bucks!"

O'Neill patted his chest and shouted: "let's go!"

The game continues.

The Bucks attack.

Iverson advances with the ball.

Jrue Holiday was very nervous. He looked behind him, and then tried to dig out the ball continuously, trying to force Iverson to make a dribble error.

Dragic sets an off-ball screen for Danny Green in the corner, then switches to Iguodala.

Danny Green mentioned the high pick-and-roll.

This is a small pick-and-roll tactic that the Bucks seldom tried before, because Danny Green's shooting efficiency in tonight's game is extremely high, so Jrue Holiday decisively switched defenses after the pick-and-roll, not giving Danny Green any Easy shooting opportunities.

At this time, the player defending Iverson became Judy Meeks.

Barkley thought of Judy Meeks who was trained by Iverson in the first quarter, so he can say with certainty at this time: "Judy Meeks can't guard Iverson."

Kenny Smith shouted excitedly into the microphone in front of him.

"The Bucks play this offensive tactic very beautifully. They are creating an excellent one-on-one offensive opportunity for Iverson."

Coach Doug Collins is also very clear about what the Bucks want to do at this time, isn't it just to let Iverson stage the scene of the hero coming into the world.

So after seeing this matchup on the court, he quickly shouted at the players on the court: "Teaming!"

Andre Iguodala had a premonition of the scene long before he was pulled away by Dragic's pick-and-roll, so he was already moving before Coach Doug Collins yelled.

Iguodala is going to destroy his big brother's last limelight, he is going to destroy Iverson's chance to be a hero, because he is Iguodala, because he is guarding Iverson now, because Iverson is his boss.

So Iguodala will desperately defend this round.

"The double team is coming!"

"Iverson didn't hit the ball!"

"The Bucks predicted it! O'Neal hung up to cover!"

"Iverson made a mid-range shot off the screen!"

call!
Iguodala made a pounce, but the basketball was already out of Iverson's fingers.

Iguodala looked at this basketball, just like when he was defending Iverson in his rookie season, he watched the scene of the boss singled out and then shot.

Swish!
"The ball is in!"

The score was tied.

94: 94.

Switch offense.

The 75ers, who are not good at attacking positions, decisively played counterattack tactics.

Spencer Hawes made a fast serve from the baseline and passed it to Jrue Holiday, who took the ball and ran all over the court.

But Dragic desperately stopped in front of Zhu Holiday.

Iguodala came out from the flank, and it was difficult for Iverson to keep up with him at his current speed, let alone limit his aerial work.

Iguodala is going to offer Iverson the crotch hand-changing dunk he used in the slam dunk contest that year. This is his gift to Big Brother in the last game of his career.

But at the moment Iguodala flew into the air, O'Neal appeared from nowhere, rushed to the frontcourt like a meat tank, and then smashed in front of Iguodala like a wall.

Iguodala passed the old shark's defense with consecutive European steps, and then made a sideways layup to end the game.

But O'Neal hugged Iguodala, and the opponent couldn't even move, let alone layup sideways.

beep!beep!
The referee whistled, O'Neal made a defensive foul, and Iguodala walked to the free throw line.

O'Neill waved his hands to the audience excitedly and said, "This is a shark slash tactic! I use it!"

Shaquille O'Neal, who has been cut off throughout his career, can finally taste the feeling of cutting others in the last game of his career.

Barkley covered his face and was speechless.

"The shark-slashing tactic has become a shark-slashing tactic, and that's what O'Neal did."

Kenny Smith was equally amused by O'Neill.

In his opinion, whether this shark-slashing tactic can become a shark-slashing tactic depends on whether Iguodala can complete free throws.

If both free throws are scored, the foul will fail.

Duang!

Iguodala made one of two free throws.

94: 95.

O'Neal grabbed the rebound and Iverson advanced with the ball again.

Kenny Smith looked at the time on the court and said excitedly: "The Bucks made the last attack, and the 75ers will have to defend themselves!"

Doug Collins stood very nervously near the center line of the court, waving his hands repeatedly to signal the tactical positioning of the players on the court.

Iguodala and Jrue Holiday have also repeatedly reminded their teammates to be careful of the Bucks' off-ball screens and empty-handed runs.

After all, this team is the best team in the league in passing and cutting tactics.

Iverson landed.

Dragic wanted to pick and roll, Iverson shook his head decisively.

Danny Green also wanted to do an off-ball screen, and Iverson raised his hand to reject the opponent.

Iverson wants to end the game in his own way on this familiar court.

He wants to leave his memory in front of the team he loves and the fans.

"My name is Iverson. Everyone likes to call me AI. I am a short point guard of 183cm. I have my own legend in the NBA."

Iguodala defends Iverson alone.

The fans at the Wachovia Center all stood up and applauded.

Many fans couldn't help but fill their eyes with enthusiasm at this time, because this is Iverson's retirement night, this is the last game of his career, the last attack.

Amid thousands of applause, Iverson moved.

Dribble at the free throw line.

The left side changed direction sharply, and Iguodala blocked it.

The second change of direction to the left, Iguodala was startled, but still followed.

The whole world knows that defending Iverson should limit his right hand.

But Iverson's third dribble breakthrough was the third change of direction on the left side, and then he connected with his unique crossover.

This time Iguodala ate Akira.

Everyone knows that defending Iverson must be on the right side, but everyone just can't defend it.

Iverson got the space for a mid-range shot, took off, moved his wrist, and the basketball passed across the court steadily.

Everyone is staring at the basketball closely at this time, and they all hope that Iverson can score this goal to draw a perfect end to the end of his career.

But the reality is that the ball gradually deviated from the track after it was shot, and in the end it went farther and farther. It didn't look like it was aimed at the shot at all.

Barkley and Kenny Smith felt tense at the same time.

On the CCTV commentary station, both Su Qun and Yu Jia felt flustered for no reason.

"Is this ball going to be lost?"

call!
Just when everyone was thinking about why the ball was so outrageously deflected, O'Neal suddenly rushed to the basket from the sky on the left.

He carried his weight of more than 160kg and jumped into the sky with all his strength, but there was no picture of him flying into the air.

O'Neal is old and has gained enough weight that he can no longer dunk with a flat frame like he did when he was young.

"But O'Neill's jump was almost aimed at breaking his own legs."

He just wanted to dunk this ball!
Kenny Smith couldn't help but said at this time: "This season, Shaquille O'Neal didn't have a single dunk, and he seems to be unable to jump anymore."

Su Qun from the CCTV commentary station also said: "O'Neill is really old."

boom!
Amid the doubts from everyone on the scene, O'Neal caught the ball with both hands and poured it into the frame vigorously. When he landed, he even fell directly to the floor because of his excessive weight.

"Come in!"

"O'Neill dunks in!"

"It's a lob pass!"

"Iverson crossover! Shaquille O'Neal dunks with both hands!"

"Two NBA legends showed us their skills for the last time!"

96: 95.

The referee blows the whistle and the game is over.

O'Neal was still lying on the court and didn't get up. He looked at the fans in the arena above his head, the big screen, the surrounding light curtain, everything, and smiled happily with two rows of teeth.

As happy as he was when he first entered the NBA.

"Fool! Bastard! Shark is saying goodbye to you in his 19th season!"

"Lucille O'Neill, Philip Harrison, Dale Brown...all of you, thank you, there would be no Sharks without you."

Before O'Neal could say more words in the last time of his career, he was thrown on him by Dragic, Danny Green, Yi Jianlian and other teammates.

Iverson, who sent a key pass, yelled at the court with great excitement. Amid the shouts of the Philadelphia fans, Iverson raised the ball and put his right hand next to his ear.

He listens to the love that all the fans have for him.

The Philadelphia fans at the scene were already hoarse, and they always remembered Al from the beginning to the end.

Iverson walked from one end of the court to the other end of the court, and he couldn't bear to give up the shouts and cheers of every fan.

But as he walked, tears fell from the eyes of the strong Iverson. He bit his lip and didn't want his fans to see him like this at this time.

It's just that the more I think about it, the more Iverson's tears become more turbulent. He thinks of his entire career, trades, injuries, doubts, and abuse.
Iverson finally couldn't bear it anymore and burst into tears on the court.

Su Qun wiped his wet tears on the commentary stand, and said in a choked voice: "The league will never have the name of Iverson again."

"But the legend that he became the No. [-] pick with a short player and wrote in the NBA will continue to remain in the hearts of all fans."

"There are no more 76ers in the NBA."

(End of this chapter)