In the morning, the air is full of restlessness, which has something to do with the weather in Phoenix, but it also has something to do with people's hearts.
The big-hearted Lin Yu never gets nervous because certain competitions are too important, because there is always a saying in his dictionary: There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain.
Just look forward and move forward in everything. No matter how difficult the problem is, there will be a solution.
But today, he was a little nervous.
There are too many games, and none of them are guaranteed to win. Lin Yu is also afraid of failure. After all, in more than a month after announcing his participation, he received the most praise among all players participating in the All-Star Weekend.
As a result, he is currently in a difficult position. If he loses all three competitions, it will be overwhelming and the whole network will be black. There is no need to predict, he has thought of it all.
Early in the morning, Lin Yu, who was under great pressure, had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, surrounded by a group of colleagues.
Lin Yu was sitting at a table with James, Bosh and Paul. He didn't see Wade and Anthony and was a little confused.
James immediately told Lin Yu: "Those two guys didn't come back at all last night."
Lin Yu shook his head secretly, these two people are really capable of wandering.
However, Wade and Anthony have the capital to waste, because on the second day of the All-Star Game, they still did not play. But James and the others, who also did not play, were much more at ease in comparison.
Lin Yu raised his hand and glanced at his watch. Time was running out. He quickly finished the tortillas in his hands and stood up to leave.
Then I saw Kobe getting up in a hurry and getting ready to leave.
Lin Yu stood at the door, stopped a step, and stretched out his right hand towards Kobe. Kobe glanced at Lin Yu, slowed down, stretched out his right hand, and shook hands with Lin Yu.
"You're participating in the Shooting Stars contest today, right, Kobe?"
"Didn't you see the list of contestants?"
Kobe tilted his head and asked.
Lin Yu actually watched it, but facing Kobe, he still shook his head, acting as if he didn't care at all about the Shooting Stars Competition.
"You actually don't look at the list of contestants?"
Kobe was very direct, so direct that it was beyond Lin Yu's expectation.
"But you guessed it right, I will participate in today's shooting star competition. You are very good at shooting, but I will beat you in the areas you are good at."
The corners of Lin Yu's mouth curled up. Is this Kobe? Why does it feel so familiar yet strange at the same time?
Kobe wouldn't admit that someone else is better in a certain skill, right? This time, he admitted that Lin Yu's shooting was better.
However, the harsh words that followed still smelled like Kobe, which was right.
Lin Yu shook his head: "This is just a shooting star game, Kobe."
Kobe frowned, feeling bored for a moment.
Indeed, competitions like Shooting Star are still too lacking in gold content, but they just don’t look very competitive.
#
Arriving at the Mercure Arena in Phoenix, it was media opening time in the morning. Lin Yu warmed up his hands and was surrounded by a group of reporters.
The core issue has not changed, it is still——
For the upcoming Shooting Star Contest, is there anyone who can win the crown? For the upcoming Skills Competition, is there any confidence that I can win the crown? For the upcoming Slam Dunk Contest, what unique ideas does Lin Yu have, and the same
, are you sure you can win the crown...
Finally, I asked Lin Yu whether he has set his sights on the achievement of a personal honor Grand Slam.
Regarding the above series of similar questions, Lin Yu's answer is very unified: "I will try my best to win all the championships I can get. As for the personal honor Grand Slam, it is too rare to come by. I can only say,
I'm working hard in this direction."
This is basically equivalent to admitting that he is aiming for a personal grand slam.
Immediately, the reporters interviewing Lin Yu began to make an uproar.
There are many players who express their ambitions in front of the public, but there are really not many players who are as ambitious as Lin Yu.
Personal Honor Grand Slam?
Not counting the Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year awards that Lin Yu cannot win, Lin Yu will win almost all the remaining awards that can be won.
This may be an achievement that even Michael Jordan has not been able to achieve.
"With a phenomenal personal season performance, Lin Yuzhi is making history!"
“Beyond Jordan’s season? Not impossible!”
"..."
For a while, the reporters had already thought about what kind of title, or theme, to choose after the interview.
Lin Yu also knew that his answer would definitely heat up the topic of this Grand Slam.
But it doesn't matter to him. Anyway, he will strive for the final victory in every subsequent competition. Regardless of whether he succeeds or not, he has already set himself on the fire.
This actually made him feel like he was fighting against the odds, and he had more motivation and decision-making.
#
Around four o'clock in the afternoon, America West Arena was gradually filled with enthusiastic fans.
Although it was a less competitive Shooting Stars contest, there were quite a few spectators on the sidelines, and every one of them was very enthusiastic.
The commentary booth for the live broadcast was also highly equipped today, directly equipped with a commentary team of up to five people, Mike Breen, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Reggie Miller who was preparing for the subsequent three-point contest.
, and Dominic Wilkins, the human film essence prepared for the subsequent dunk contest.
Before the game even started, Charles Barkley started to play Lin Yu.
"On the second day of the All-Star Weekend, many competitions will compete for the championship. The protagonist today will undoubtedly be Lin Yu, because he will participate in the championship competition in three of the competitions. The only one he did not participate in is the three-point contest, and he still holds the record.
The holder, the absolute king..."
There was nothing wrong with his bragging, so much so that even those in the commentary box who disagreed with him were unable to refute.
Regardless of the result, Lin Yu will be the protagonist on the second day of the All-Star Game.
Everyone is looking forward to what kind of performance Lin Yu, who is participating in the three-event championship competition, can perform.
Winning all the championships is naturally a big boast. If you lose one of the more important championships, such as the slam dunk contest, or even three competitions, and fail to win a single championship, then it will be a big shame. Some people will also be excited.
.
No matter how it ends, Lin Yu will always be the focus and focus of people's discussion.
As the time reaches six o'clock in the evening, the first game of the second day of the All-Star Game is about to take place.
"The Shooting Star Competition is about to begin. The four participating teams are New York, Los Angeles, San Antonio and Phoenix..."
As the host, Mike Breen introduced the general situation of the competition.
Afterwards, Charles Barkley immediately announced eagerly: "The focus of this Shooting Star Competition will be Lin Ke's battle. The New York team led by Lin Yu will face the Los Angeles team led by Kobe Bryant!"
"This season's 23vs24 will be staged again in another way on the All-Star Arena!"
All the participating players from the four teams have already appeared on the stage, and Lin Yu and Kobe each received roaring cheers from the audience.
Reggie Miller expressed some emotion: "Since the Shooting Star Competition was established in 2004, it has never had the momentum of this All-Star Game. The participation of Lin and Kobe is so important."
The Shooting Star Competition, to put it simply, is a shooting competition. Each team has three players, one active, one retired, and one women's basketball player.
They all need to complete six shooting points, namely 45 degrees 3 meters on the right, 45 degrees 3 meters on the left, top three-pointer, bottom line 3-pointer on the right, 45-degree three-pointer on the left and center.
A long three-pointer from the field.
If all the previous shots are successful, the next one can continue on the stage. The team with the least time will be the final winner.
The rules are simple and the competition is rough.
After the draw, the four participating teams soon decided their order of appearance. The host Phoenix team appeared first, followed closely by the San Antonio team, then the New York team, and finally the Los Angeles team.
The three players participating in the Phoenix team are active Leandro Barbosa, retired Dan Marley, and the hottest star player in the WNBA this season, Diana Taurasi.
As an opponent, Lin Yu, who was competing for the first time, was a little curious about what kind of performance his opponents could perform.
As a result, the Phoenix team's performance was somewhat poor, at least, in Lin Yu's opinion.
Lin Yu didn't know much about retired Dan Marley and Taurasi of the women's basketball team. However, in Lin Yu's opinion, Barbosa, who was currently in service, seemed to have stretched his hips. He made five long-range three-pointers in the midfield.
Just successfully hit.
In the end, the Phoenix team's finishing time was extended to 42.8 seconds.
But America West Arena erupted in cheers, as if the Phoenix team had done well.
Lin Yu tilted his head, a little puzzled: "Are their grades very good?"
Alan Houston on the side nodded solemnly: "It's a pretty good result. In previous years, this result could guarantee a spot in the finals."
"Are you guaranteed a spot in the finals?"
Lin Yu was surprised. In his opinion, Barbosa's midfielder made as many as five long-distance three-pointers, which was considered a good result.
Then when he comes on stage, won't he be going against the will of heaven?
However, before he could take the field, the San Antonio team, who came on the field for the second time, immediately used practical actions to tell Lin Yu how outstanding the Phoenix team's results were.
"Both David Robinson and Tim Duncan's long-range shots were not very good. They both tried more than five times, and the final time was 1 minute and 13 seconds. Last season's winning lineup may be defeated in the first round this time.
Got it!"
Lin Yu's focus was not on performance, nor on the Admiral and Duncan teaming up again, but on the San Antonio women's basketball player, Becky Harmon.
"Becky Hammon? The only female coach in the NBA in the future? She is still playing. I don't know when she will retire. I can dig someone after she retires..."
His thoughts were quickly interrupted.
"Lin, it's our turn."
Lin Yu then turned his attention to the center of the court. This time, it was the New York team's turn.
He noticed the results of his first two opponents, 42.8 seconds and 1 minute and 13 seconds.
"So, we only need to get a time shorter than 42.8 seconds to ensure a spot in the finals, right?"
Alan Houston nodded: "That's right."
"Then come on, everyone!"
Lin Yu stretched out his right hand towards Alan Houston and Jesse Davenport. After high-fiving each, he patted Alan Houston on the butt.
Each team can decide the order of appearance by itself, so Lin Yu chose to let the mid-range shooter come on first. After laying the foundation, Jesse Davenport, who is relatively average in strength compared to Taurasi and Becky Harmon, can perform without pressure.
, and finally do the final work by yourself, checking for leaks and filling in the gaps.
The American West Arena began to make noises. In a game involving the host country, even though Lin Yu was very popular, he and his teammates received overwhelming boos and various disturbing whistles.
But Alan Houston, who came on first, played perfectly.
Two mid-range shots were hit once, and the three-pointers from the top of the arc, the bottom corner and the left side took only four opportunities to hit. In the end, Alan Houston made three shots from the midfield three-pointer and successfully hit them.
Lin Yu, who was ready to go off the court, clapped his hands. He was very satisfied with Alan Houston's performance. This performance, at least compared to their first two opponents, was not bad at all.
Next is Jesse Davenport. Although his strength and reputation cannot be compared with Taurasi and Becky Harmon, in terms of shooting, Jesse Davenport is still capable of fighting.
She also made one mid-range shot, and her normal-range three-pointers were even more perfect than Alan Houston's. She hit all three of her attempts, but she made four long three-pointers.
When he finally hit the ball, there was a "swish" sound and the clear sound of the net being wiped, and Lin Yu rushed straight to the court.
"It was Lin's turn. He first stood in the middle distance on the right side, caught the ball, and made a mid-range shot!"
Whoosh!
"In!"
Before Reggie Miller's voice could even finish in the commentary box, there was another swish sound, and he also hit the mid-range hit on the left side.
Then there were three three-pointers, all with a swish sound, followed by a crisp sound of the net being wiped, and a successful hit!
Finally, with a super-long three-pointer, when Lin Yu stood still, the time had just crossed the 35-second mark.
Lin Yu jumped up, raised his hand and threw the ball away.
Whoosh!
"It was still a hit, a perfect performance, just in terms of shooting, Lin is indeed the best in the league!"
There were exclamations everywhere in the American West Arena, and the final results have been released.
"37.8 seconds! A better result than the Phoenix team. We can already announce that the New York team has entered the final round!"
Lin Yu raised his arms high. Although he was playing away from Phoenix, he still received cheers and applause at the American West Arena.
After finishing the game, Lin Yu walked to the sidelines step by step. He passed by Kobe and in a few seconds, they completed a set of conversations.
"Didn't you say that the shooting star is not important?"
"It's not important, but who would dislike having too many trophies?"
Kobe's fighting spirit was instantly aroused.
"The finals are waiting for me!"
Lin Yu shook his head. He didn't think Kobe could lead Los Angeles to surpass Phoenix.
"The last team to play is the Los Angeles team, led by Kobe Bryant. His teammates are Lakers star Michael Cooper and WNBA superstar Lisa Leslie!"
The Los Angeles team came out, and their selection was exactly the same as the New York team. Cooper went first and made a perfect shot.
But Lisa Leslie stretched her hips, prolonging the time, so that in the end Kobe came on the scene. Although he tried his best, he still only shot a score of 58.5 seconds.
Lin Yu felt a little emotional: "What about the promised war with Lin Ke? Is this the end?"
Kobe left the field with a gloomy look. Before leaving the field, he admitted his failure: "I lost this game, but I will get back in the game tomorrow."
This is another atypical Kobe. He admitted defeat unexpectedly, but in the end he still had to add a twist and say something tough.
However, Lin Yu had to admit that there was a slight chance that Kobe would win in the main game. After all, the Western Conference All-Star team was more luxurious and the hearts of the people would be more unified.
In the finals, without Kobe, everything was boring.
Lin Yu and his teammates performed perfectly again, scoring a time of 32.7 seconds, defeating the Phoenix team that had an abnormal performance and did not finish shooting until 1 minute and 11 seconds, and successfully won the championship trophy.
"Congratulations to the New York team and Congratulations to Lin, he won his first trophy on the second day of the All-Star Game!"
"Although it's not that important, at least it's a good start!"
"More importantly, he defeated Kobe in a direct duel!"