Chapter 427: 2013-14 Season Finals

As the DJ introduced the players, the starting lineups were announced.

Phoenix Suns: Wade Dong, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green

Miami Heat: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony

Since it was the Suns' home court, the Heat players were introduced without much fanfare. From last summer, fans had been eagerly anticipating the "Mars-Earth Collision" Finals between the Heat and the Suns, and both teams did not disappoint, advancing to the Finals together.

Alvin Gentry ultimately did not put Durant or Curry in the reserve lineup, as he had already convinced Dong Ge.

Wade Dong also agreed to play the entire game for Gentry, as it was the Finals and he should contribute his all.

For the third consecutive year, the Heat and the Suns met in the Finals.

The Heat got stronger each year. Last year, they acquired Ray Allen, and this year, they added Anthony and Paul, two top-ten players in the league.

The only constant was Wade Dong, who remained as strong as ever.

The Heat had a certain psychological advantage over the Suns this year. In the regular season, they met the Suns twice. The first game went into overtime, and the Suns eventually won due to fatigue, with Wade Dong scoring the winning basket. The second game, however, was a Heat victory, stopping the Suns' winning streak.

This year, the Suns added Durant, but the Heat were significantly stronger than last year.

Before the game, the players did not greet each other. As the referee's whistle sounded, the game began.

Durant and Bosh jumped for the tip-off.

Durant tapped the ball to Curry, who dribbled into the frontcourt.

In this game, Wade Dong directly took the small forward position, matching up against James.

On paper, the matchups looked like this:

Curry vs. Paul

Thompson vs. Wade

Wade Dong vs. James

Green vs. Anthony

Durant vs. Bosh

Both teams' starting lineups had no clear positional definitions, and based on these matchups, the Suns had a slight advantage if all players were in their prime.

...

In the Huaxia live broadcast room, commentator Yu Jia and coach Zhang were at the game venue, providing live commentary for Huaxia fans.

Yu Jia: "The Heat's starting lineup is almost flawless."

Coach Zhang: "Yes, a team composed of five all-around stars, let's see how the Suns respond."

Yu Jia: "Coach Zhang, how do you think the Suns should play this game?"

Coach Zhang: "Just like the Pacers and the Bulls, the Suns must have someone step up to score and protect the ball."

...

Curry dribbled into the frontcourt, faked a Buddha's Palm move to shake off Paul, and drove to the basket for a layup.

"Curry~~~"

The arena's DJ's passionate voice echoed through the US Airways Center.

Paul thought Curry would pass, but Curry chose to go for the layup, catching the Heat off guard.

The Heat's offense.

Paul passed to Wade, who faked a pass to deceive Thompson, then used his elusive moves to drive to the basket.

As Wade was about to go up for a layup against Green, he saw Wade Dong coming to help defend, so he pulled the ball back in mid-air and turned the layup into a behind-the-back pass, delivering the ball to Anthony.

"Clang!!!"

Anthony received Wade Dong's pass, jumped from his spot, and dunked the ball with both hands!

2:2!!!

During Wade's drive, Anthony appeared under the basket, and from this play, it was evident that the Heat's Big Five had developed strong chemistry after a season of playing together.

Moreover, these five players had also been teammates on the M Country men's national team...

Curry's three-point attempt was blocked, and he clanged the iron. Fortunately, Wade Dong grabbed the offensive rebound, and as Bosh came to defend, Wade Dong used his dream-like footwork to shake off Bosh and score a layup.

4:2!!!

For the next six minutes, the two teams traded baskets, with the score going back and forth.

Erik Spoelstra sat on the sidelines, feeling a bit anxious. If the starting lineup couldn't extend the lead, the Heat would struggle when the reserves came in.

Spoelstra didn't dare to overuse the starters. The first regular-season game was a perfect example. Due to the starters playing too many minutes, they had fatigue issues in overtime, and Wade Dong single-handedly blew them out.

With seven minutes left in the first quarter, Gentry subbed out Thompson for Hassan Whiteside.

With Wade Dong, Durant, and Curry on the court, the offense was already potent. Adding Thompson to the mix, Wade Dong started playing a blue-collar role, focusing on protecting the ball.

By bringing in Whiteside for Thompson, Whiteside could handle the defensive duties in the paint, freeing up Wade Dong's offensive responsibilities.

So, as soon as Whiteside entered the game, Curry passed the ball to Wade Dong, who caught the ball in the mid-range and posted up against James.

"I hope your offense is as sharp as a knife and fork!"

James taunted.

Two minutes earlier, James had attempted two layups, both of which were disrupted by Wade Dong, who had said, "If you can't even use chopsticks, how do you expect to score against my defense with those hands?"

This was why James said, "I hope your offense is as sharp as a knife and fork."

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

"MVP!"

The entire arena stood up.

"Wade Dong is isolating against James!"

Coach Zhang and Yu Jia's voices rose in excitement.

The two stars were going one-on-one. Up until now, Wade Dong had been defending James, but he hadn't attacked. Now, Wade Dong was finally responding.

The Suns players spread out, giving Wade Dong space to isolate against James.

"Bang!!!"

Wade Dong collided with James, choosing the most aggressive post-up move, backing down James towards the basket!

...

Yu Jia: "What kind of strength is this? James is backing up!"

Coach Zhang: "Wade Dong possesses the strength of a top-tier big man!"

Yu Jia: "I feel like I'm watching Shaquille O'Neal isolate against James."

...

Wade Dong kept pushing James all the way to the basket, and James' face turned red.

Every time Wade Dong was hit, it was like a gorilla was slamming into him.

Fans often joked that if James and a gorilla were locked in a cage, who would come out alive? After seeing this play, fans probably understood that it would depend on whether the gorilla was hungry and wanted to eat meat...

"Bang!!!"

On the final play, Wade Dong flipped James over, jumped from his spot, and slammed home a one-handed dunk!

"Ah!!!"

After scoring, Wade Dong even pounded his chest twice towards James.

Then... Wade Dong helped James up, who looked dazed. Even a power center couldn't flip him over, but Wade Dong had done it!

What does it feel like to be completely dominated by another player?

Perhaps this was it...

James suddenly understood why the man who once said the future was his wanted to retire. It was truly hopeless.