Chapter 138: This is Just Bullying

Although they lost the game, this match still became a breakthrough performance for Curry.

It also once again demonstrated Wade Dong's strength to the league. Nash was out due to a back injury, but Wade Dong still led the team to victory over the "fired-up" Warriors.

Of course, the other Suns players also performed well in this game.

Especially the two rookies who joined this year, Green and Middleton, who gradually began to show their potential under the guidance and encouragement of Wade Dong and Ginobili.

This game, Middleton came off the bench for 17 minutes, making 6 out of 11 shots and scoring 13 points, which was the third-highest score for the Suns. Green also contributed 3 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and a tackle!

When Bogut's fist was about to hit Wade Dong, it was Green who rushed over and tackled Bogut to the ground!

Green was definitely a qualified sidekick.

...

After defeating the Warriors, the Suns continued their winning streak.

In November, the Western Conference Player of the Month was Wade Dong, and the Eastern Conference Player of the Month was Rose.

By December 23rd, the Suns had achieved a record of 27-2, leading the league.

During this period, the Suns only lost two games.

In those two games, Wade Dong's shooting was off, scoring 27 and 23 points respectively.

23 points was Wade Dong's lowest score since entering the league.

The Bulls had a record of 24-5, ranking second in the Eastern Conference, while the Heat, with a record of 26-3, ranked first in the Eastern Conference. After consecutive losses to the Suns, the Heat only lost one game in their subsequent matches.

Next up was the Christmas Day game, with two matches scheduled: Suns vs. Bulls and Heat vs. Lakers.

The Bulls lost to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, while the Lakers lost to the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

These two games had very high viewership.

The Suns hosted the Bulls at the US Airways Center.

Rose had recruited Wade Dong last season and had multiple phone conversations with him. They often chatted casually, discussing basketball and celebrities...

However, Wade Dong had never met Rose in person.

It wasn't until the Bulls came to Phoenix that they finally met for the first time.

Before entering the league, Wade Dong didn't know any NBA players, but he had a good impression of Rose. Otherwise, he wouldn't have called Rose last season to warn him. Wade Dong was willing to befriend Rose, so when the Bulls arrived in Phoenix, Wade Dong treated Rose to a delicious and spicy Sichuan meal that night.

The two hit it off immediately, not only sharing a meal but also having a few drinks.

The next morning.

The Bulls and Suns players were warming up on the court. Wade Dong saw Rose sitting on the bench with a pained expression and went over to ask, "What's wrong?"

"I suspect you did this on purpose."

Rose glared at Wade Dong, "After dinner last night, my stomach started feeling uncomfortable. From midnight until now, I've barely left the toilet."

Wade Dong patted his stomach, "The food last night was fine, I ate it and I'm okay."

"We're not the same!"

Rose said with a pained expression, "I've never eaten such spicy food before, not only spicy but also numbing."

"Spicy and numbing is the authentic taste."

"I can't handle such delicacies~"

"Can you still play today?"

Wade Dong was quite concerned about this. If Rose couldn't play due to an upset stomach, it would feel like an unfair victory.

"Of course, I'll play!"

Rose finally stood up from the bench, "Not only will I play, but I'll also win this game."

"Good luck!"

Wade Dong patted Rose on the shoulder.

"Ouch~"

Rose stumbled and almost fell.

"Tsk tsk..."

Wade Dong clicked his tongue and left. Seeing Rose's condition, even if he could play, his legs would be weak, making it an unfair victory after all.

The Christmas Day game was held during the day. If it were a night game as usual, Rose's body would have had time to adjust. But now, Rose didn't have much time left, and he had to drag his weak legs onto the court.

This Bulls team, with players like Rose, Boozer, Deng, Hamilton, Noah, Thibodeau, and Gibson, was not much weaker than the Heat in terms of strength. Their roster depth was even better than the Heat's.

If Rose had been injured in the playoffs last season, this Bulls team would have been significantly weakened.

But perhaps in a parallel universe, or perhaps because of Wade Dong's warning, Rose avoided the career-ending injury.

On the other hand, the Suns no longer relied solely on Wade Dong to carry the team in every game, as they did at the start of the season. The growth of Green and Middleton brought many pleasant surprises to the team.

Now, with Nash, Wade Dong, Dragic, Bynum, Green, and Middleton, the Suns were a force to be reckoned with.

...

After the warm-up, the fans entered the arena.

The game was about to begin.

The US Airways Center was packed as usual. When Wade Dong ran out of the player tunnel to the cheers of the DJ, he was greeted with chants of "MVP" from the crowd.

Since the start of the season, Wade Dong had been leading the MVP rankings.

If there were no major surprises, the MVP award for this season would be his.

"Beep!!!"

With the referee's whistle, the game began.

Suns' starting lineup: Nash, Wade Dong, Middleton, Gortat, Bynum.

Bulls' starting lineup: Rose, Deng, Noah, Boozer, Hamilton.

Poor Dudley, who had only started in about twenty games this season, was replaced by Middleton.

Boozer won the jump ball, but Rose felt his legs were weak as he dribbled the ball.

Wade Dong noticed Rose's poor condition and said to Nash, "I'll guard Rose!"

"Okay!"

Nash agreed. Rose was the Bulls' strongest scoring threat, and Wade Dong was the perfect defender for him.

"This is just bullying!"

Rose glared at Wade Dong. His legs were already weak.

If Nash were guarding him, he would have an easier time, but with Wade Dong guarding him, how was he supposed to play?

"Don't eat such spicy food next time."

Wade Dong reminded Rose and then activated his steal packages:

Paul's steal package!

Stockton's steal package!

Payton's steal package!

Iverson's steal package!

With Jordan's complete skill set already at his disposal, Wade Dong's stealing ability was now at the top level in NBA history, truly a master thief!

"Swish!"

Wade Dong snatched the ball from Rose's hands just as he was about to make a move.

Wade Dong touched the ball and used some force to slap it towards the frontcourt.

"Let's race!"

Wade Dong smiled at Rose, "See who can catch up to the ball first..."

"Damn it..."

Rose just wanted to curse.

If he were in peak condition, he would never lose a pure speed contest!

But now, with his legs weak, and Wade Dong pulling this stunt, challenging him to a race was just bullying!