CHAPTER 1254: CHAPTER 508: TAKE THE COURT AND WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

Done! Zhang Yang shouted a ’Oh yeah’ in his heart, and headed to the bathroom to shower; next up was therapy.

Between G4 and G5, there are two days of rest, so drinking tonight, as long as it’s not over the top, theoretically shouldn’t impact G5, but what if? Who knows if there’ll be a teammate with a brain in their thigh who goes overboard, a warning is still necessary.

Everyone follows the arrangements, he doesn’t dare guarantee, after all, bizarre and unbelievable situations do occur, but this time he trusts the 10 teammates in the 11-man rotation for the finals, saying it shouldn’t cause problems.

As for ’selling out’ their little fat boss tonight, it’s no big deal; if they win the championship, the three young stars and the acting vice-boss will surely host guests for a long period, taking turns to pick up the tab.

At 1 PM the next day, the entire Bobcats team gathers, heading to the Toyota Center practice court. A preparatory meeting at 1:30, and at 3 PM, a two-hour preparation training begins. The process is orderly, and everyone is very enthusiastic.

Although he trusts that his teammates won’t screw up at this point, seeing with his own eyes that no one looks hungover, maybe just ordered some late-night takeout, with two or three teammates a bit soft during training... Zhang Yang still breathes a sigh of relief.

After all, being up 3-1 is even more promising than when they led 2-0.

In finals history, only four times has a team leading 2-0 been overturned; the Miami Heat overturning the Mavericks was the latest. The odds are low, but still there.

And being overturned after leading 3-1 has never happened; public opinion already treats them as having won the championship... thankfully, his teammates aren’t getting carried away.

He knows he might be a bit sensitive, but if he’s sensitive, instead of adjusting on his own, it’s better to tackle it directly to ease the concern.

Moreover, the practice today shows his teammates are more enthusiastic and focused than he anticipated, including those few who seemed weak.

Veterans like Hill, Brad Miller, and Juwan Howard, who long for the championship, continually remind the team, and Zhang San’s emphasis on ’haven’t won yet’ last night likely helped too.

With worries gone, Zhang Yang no longer thinks about these inconsequential matters, fully immersing himself in the preparations.

After G4, Los Angeles becomes livelier; the NBA Finals are at match point, and with possibly one game left, the season might end there. The ticket market is extremely hot, with many coming to LA to experience the excitement, including many fans from the Carolina region.

The 2007 championship win began earning the Bobcats recognition in the Carolina region; this season, achieving 70 wins and entering the finals again with a 3-1 lead at match point... For many basketball fans in the Carolina region, the Bobcats are discussed alongside North Carolina and Duke, and some even began to worry.

Summer Town, just a sliver of a place, could it really hold on to people in the future?

A few years back it was fine, but this season, Charlotte struggles to accommodate the immense popularity Zhang Yang brings. Forget overseas tourists drawn in; just within the US, the popularity surpasses Charlotte’s capacity.

The city can’t grow, even when Zhang Yang retires; Summer Town likely won’t grow much. Retaining people depends solely on ’people’.

The Carolina region might not have much else to boast, but in terms of basketball enthusiasm, only New York, California, and Texas regions compare. The Hornets left due to lack of fan enthusiasm; Zhang Yang’s Bobcats are different, it’s about the ’local college genius’...

The two days of rest pass quickly, and June 16th, the fifth day of the finals, arrives.

Through these two days of preparation, Zhang Yang feels overall smooth, with only last-minute ad shoots, interviews, etc., being mild disruptions; fortunately, they haven’t affected the team’s normal preparation work.

At 7:30 PM, after warming up, and a two-minute locker room interview, Zhang Yang and teammates head to the visiting team player tunnel.

The on-site atmosphere is frenetic, mainly boos for the visiting team about to enter, yet mixed with uncontrollable cheers.

Zhang San: I don’t know why, but I feel a bit sorry for the Three Giants.

In the two matches at Tuhang Stadium, there really weren’t many opposing team fans, especially in G1, where a glance at the audience showed almost no one without a ’Bad Boys Birthday Special Edition T-shirt’.

But in the three games at Staples Center, quite a few fans who support him showed up, with cheers after G4 suggesting maybe one-third?

Yes, fans supporting him, not the Bobcats, that’s clearly felt.

Like how Kobe was confused last year about having so many fans in China, Zhang Yang is also perplexed by his high popularity in California, having never marketed himself there.

His popularity in California surpasses what’s explainable by the Chinese market, California Basketball Mr... and so on.

Though he doesn’t fully understand it yet, he doesn’t intend to ruminate. With so many supporting him, he can’t let fans down!

NBA Finals, match point, Angel City, he learned before the game that average ticket prices reach 1092 US dollars, and some fans might be spending all their savings hoping to see him win in person!

Immersed in the onsite atmosphere, Zhang Yang is unaffected by the excitement of nearing the trophy, concern over game outcome, pressure from Lakers’ Three Giants... or the strong confidence from his team’s prowess.

He just wants to step onto the court and win the game!

At 7:40 PM, the Bobcats and Lakers take the court one after another.

As the lights come on, Kobe immediately casts his gaze at Zhang Yang, having planned what expression and gaze to use for their first ’confrontation’ tonight, only to find Zhang Yang not even looking his way!

He follows Zhang Yang’s gaze... Bill Russell!

Since 1985, in the last 24 finals, Russell has been invited 15 times; people already associate him with the FMVP trophy.

Before the playoffs started, the NBA officially ’stamped’ the FMVP trophy, naming it the ’Bill Russell Cup’. Starting from this finals, Russell becomes the finals’ fixed award presenter.

Russell’s presence tonight speaks volumes without words needed!

...

Feeling under the weather today, unable to write much; couldn’t even manage the minimum update. I’ll turn in early tonight and rise early to write tomorrow since it’s a holiday, aiming to finish the rest of the finals content in one go.