Chapter 29: Anticlimactic
The moment Chamberlain gave Bowen caused an uproar in the NBA, although the three referees only gave him a warning of a first-degree malicious foul, but everyone knew that with Chamberlain's behavior, he was fully qualified to be rated as a second-degree malicious foul, because he was going for Bowen.
But no one will pursue this decision, because the three referees' decisions are absolutely fine, judging from the computer replay, there is no evidence that Chamberlain directly did it to Bowen, it was the latter who took the initiative to get to Chamberlain's side in order to grab the ball, and Chamberlain's action of holding the ball and waving his arms is normal among NBA players.
On the contrary, many people shouted for Chamberlain, yes, everyone knows that Chamberlain is clearly going to abolish Bowen, but didn't Bowen treat Davis like this before? And he hurt Davis, but he didn't even get a foul.
In one game, two generals were lost, especially the Warriors, and the loss was the backcourt commander, and for the rest of the fourth quarter, the two old coaches replaced the main lineup for the sake of harmony, and the bench players of the two teams came on the court.
Chamberlain was also replaced, and he was very unhappy about this, he played 40 minutes in this game, and has 18 points, 22 rebounds, 8 blocks and 5 assists, as long as he works a little harder in the fourth quarter, there is absolutely no problem with two more points and two blocks left in the remaining eight minutes, so that he can get two triple-doubles in a row and will become the first person in NBA history.
But even so, he was enough to explain to the team and the fans, and when he sat down on the bench, a bunch of young fans greeted him in the back, and some people couldn't wait to ask: "Hey, SUPER-Z, where are your jerseys or boots?" I'm going to buy your jersey, God knows, I'm your fan, your die-hard fan! ”
The praise of the fans made Chamberlain's depression quickly dissipate, he greeted the fans kindly, and Jackson said for him: "Z's jersey will soon enter our team's store, you pay attention to the news on our official website, there will not be many jerseys in the first batch, you have to seize the opportunity!" ”
The fans nodded like chickens pecking rice, and someone kept yelling in the back: "SUPER-Z, I'm your fan!" ANOTHER WOMAN SCREAMED, "SUPER-Z, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BABY!" ”
Chamberlain was so dazed by the enthusiastic fans that he couldn't greet him at the end, so he could only pretend that he couldn't hear the greeting and watch the game on the field.
It was supposed to be a spectacular game, with the Warriors showcasing a dominant small-ball game that had never been seen before in the history of the league, and the addition of Chamberlain was the icing on the cake for the team, which was supposed to be the most attractive game since the start of the season, with the Warriors and the Spurs in a big battle between the top teams in the West.
But everything was ruined by Bowen and Chamberlain, of course, Bowen was more responsible, he was the initiator, if he hadn't abolished Davis first, Chamberlain would not have found out later that Chamberlain broke the bridge of his nose with his elbow.
The bench players of the Warriors and Spurs also have grievances in their hearts, and after the two sides come on the court, you still pull me, you scold my mother and I scold my father, and the game scene is full of anger. The three referees were furious and strengthened the scale of blowing penalties, as long as there is physical contact between the two sides, it is definitely a foul, so that players on both sides enjoy the superstar treatment of 'body hair fouls', and the best ball game has become a free throw contest.
Relying on the advantage left by the previous main lineup, the Warriors had the last laugh and finally won 128-120 against the Spurs.
Popovich and Nelson Sr. shook hands after the game, and the latter could be regarded as the former's mentor, so Popovich showed a good demeanor and smiled: "You won this game, Don Sr., congratulations." But it won't be so simple in January next year, and you don't want to lose too ugly by then. ”
The Warriors and Spurs are rivals in the same region and play each other three times in a season, so there are tough battles to be fought in the future.
Old Nelson laughed and said in a loud voice, "I can't wait, boy, I'll see if your defensive shield is hard or my offensive spear is sharper!" ”
Popovich smiled slightly, and said casually: "That rookie under your command is short-tempered enough, how about it, how about leaving him to me to polish?" I'll give you a good luck, except for GDP, you can pick any other person. ”
"Even if you give me Tim Duncan, I won't change it, Z is not for sale, believe me, he is not for sale!" Nelson Sr. said proudly, who was the hero of the Warriors' victory in this game? The blind man knows the way, and it is definitely Chamberlain.
Popovich smiled weirdly and asked rhetorically, "Not for sale?" Are you sure he's not for sale? I heard that this rookie only signed a ten-day contract, and it seems that he is free in a few days, right? ”
The two top managers in the league battled openly and secretly, and finally let go of their hands and returned to the locker room with their teams.
This time Chamberlain had experience, and as soon as the whistle blew at the end of the game, he immediately walked back to the players' tunnel escorted by the bodyguards, surrounded by hundreds of reporters behind him, and Barnett on the commentary stage smiled: "There is no doubt that the new favorite of our Golden State Warriors was born." ”
The Warriors players didn't bother to wash up, and they were all waiting for Davis' diagnosis in the locker room, and he had already been sent directly to the MRI room to take a film, and it seems that this ankle sprain should not be easy.
Chamberlain was anxiously waiting, Samael suddenly walked in, beckoned to him, "Z, you hurry up and wash up, and then change your clothes, Don will take you to the press conference." ”
Hearing this, Chamberlain was shocked, the NBA will hold a press conference after every game, but it has always been the head coach who takes the core of the team to participate, he is a rookie, and he has only played two games, and the old Nelson is doing this to declare an attitude to the outside world: the Warriors are going to train him as the core.
But now that Chamberlain is concerned about Davis's physical condition, where is he in the mood to attend a press conference? So he simply refused: "I don't want to deal with those reporters, and I'm a rookie, so I won't go to the press conference." ”
Chamberlain's words were categorical, and it was by no means a hypocritical prevarication, he thought very clearly that today's moment he would definitely be classified as a bad boy and a villain by reporters on Bowen today, so he went to the press conference to find abuse himself.
But Samael always dealt a fatal blow to Chamberlain, and he said leisurely: "You can increase your value by half a million dollars by attending the press conference today, because you are being groomed as the core of a team, not a damn sixth man or a fringe role." ”
Chamberlain did not hesitate, threw off his clothes and walked into the dressing room, leaving only one sentence: "Wait for me for two minutes." ”
Seeing this, the players in the locker room immediately burst into laughter, and Chamberlain was about to speak after coming out of the shower, but Jackson preemptively said: "You go to the press conference, I will call you after Lao Dai's injury report comes out." ”
The Warriors' press conference was held in a large conference room at the Oracle Arena, and when Chamberlain followed Nelson Sr. to open the door and walk in, it was full of dense heads, no less than 200 reporters were waiting for them, Li Qun and her fellow photographer were in the front row.
"Thank you, Don." Chamberlain grinned, of course he knew who arranged Li Qun's position.
After two consecutive victories in the opening game, and also won the disciple Popovich, who was still famous above him, Old Nelson was in a good mood, and waved his hand and smiled indifferently: "You have a saying in the East, how do you say it?" The soapy water has to flow to her own bed, Li is your girlfriend, of course we have to arrange a good place for her. ”
Chamberlain smiled bitterly, he didn't explain the relationship between him and Li Qun, he knew that it was useless to explain, and it seemed too hypocritical and hypocritical, did he really have no feelings for a woman like Li Qun? He was now thinking about the old Nelson's Chinese proverb that 'soapy water flows to his bed', and with his half-baked Chinese culture, he really didn't understand what he meant by it.
The Spurs are the league's best boys, and even if they lost, they still came to the press conference early in the morning, Popovich and Duncan were biting their ears with their heads down, not knowing what to say, and when they saw Chamberlain and Nelson Sr. arriving, they closed their mouths and raised their heads.
There are ghosts, Chamberlain's subconscious reaction is whether the two are discussing how to clean themselves up later.
Let the storm come more violently, Chamberlain is not afraid of rejoicing, he likes to talk about it, with his knowledge of Duncan, he does not believe that this stone Buddha will compare with him in terms of bickering.
The Warriors' press officer counted some statistics of the game and sent them to these reporters, and the people who could attend the press conference were basically from large media backgrounds, and the team had a cooperative relationship with them, so they were treated more politely.
At the beginning of the press conference, the head coaches of the two teams began to invite reporters to ask questions by name, the Spurs were away, and according to the rules, they first chose to ask reporters, and Popovich was familiar with the road and chose an elegant middle-aged white man wearing gold wire glasses at the front.
The white man has a good image, gives people a clean and tidy feeling, and the suit is meticulously cared for, and at first glance he is a very cultured gentleman: "Hello, I'm Frye Gleeman, a reporter for the Omaha Evening Post, what do you think about the violence on the court today?" ”
This issue is the most concerned issue for all reporters, and even Chamberlain's historic 20+20+8+5 super-comprehensive record today is not as good as two small violence on the court.
Popovich touched the beard on his chin and said slowly: "I think this is a misunderstanding, young people are always strong, Mr. Chamberlain may be the first time to contact the NBA, I don't know that this is a professional league, it is full of men's confrontation, players need to protect themselves, so I hope that whether he is injured by teammates or himself in the future, first review his own reasons." ”
After Popovich's words, Duncan continued: "Of course, if the Warriors players think Bowen hurt Davis, then I'm willing to apologize for him." ”
Fuck, Chamberlain almost blew up his lungs when he heard what the two of them said, can you be even more shameless? According to you, is there someone who has been shot dead and can only complain that his body is not as hard as a bullet?
Old Nelson could sit still, he pressed Chamberlain, who wanted to sneer at him, pointed at Li Qun and said, "Please ask this young lady to ask questions." ”
Li Qunluo stood up generously, but instead of looking at Chamberlain and Old Nelson, he faced Duncan, with a pure and elegant smile on his face, and asked: "Hello Mr. Duncan, I am Li Qun, the Asia-Pacific NBA reporter of Sports Weekly, I want to ask you, do you know who Chamberlain is now?" ”
Hearing this question, Duncan, who had been expressionless, suddenly twitched the corners of his mouth, and he muttered: "Damn, this rookie cut 18 points, 22 rebounds and 8 blocks above my head, can I not know who he is?" ”