223: Chapter 223 Defeat and Reflection

The second half of the game began.

D'Antoni didn't give up.

He was still shouting loudly from the sidelines, trying to reawaken his players' fighting spirit.

The Los Angeles Lakers also tried to launch a counterattack.

Lin Feng made a difficult three-pointer at the start of the second half.

However, it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, only creating a ripple that quickly subsided.

The Miami Heat immediately retaliated with an even smoother team play.

James drove and passed, Wade cut and received the ball, then passed it to Ray Allen in the corner.

Three-pointer made.

The point differential returned to 30 points.

The Los Angeles Lakers' glimmer of hope was instantly extinguished.

The game entered garbage time early.

With five minutes left in the third quarter.

D'Antoni benched all the starters.

Lin Feng, Kobe, Nash, Gasol, Howard.

The five of them sat side by side on the bench.

Their faces bore the same expression.

Silence and unwillingness.

Lin Feng watched the Miami Heat players wreaking havoc on the court.

He watched James and Wade chatting and laughing on the bench.

He watched the white ocean of the American Airlines Center, bustling with noise.

His heart felt as if it was blocked by a huge rock.

He felt no anger.

Nor did he feelFrustration.

His mind, at this moment, became exceptionally calm.

He was replaying the game.

Replaying every detail of this crushing defeat.

Why?

Why were we able to win such an epic showdown in Game 5?

But today, we lost so completely?

Was it because he was not in good form?

No.

He could feel that his physical condition was not bad.

Was it because of the opponent's home-court advantage?

Partially.

But it was definitely not the main reason.

Then why exactly?

Images of the game kept flashing through Lin Feng's mind.

Every Miami Heat offense, every defense.

James's passes.

Wade's drives.

Ray Allen's three-pointers.

They were like a precise machine, each person a perfect part.

Everyone's positioning, every pass, was just right.

That was, in the true sense, team basketball.

And the Los Angeles Lakers?

Lin Feng thought of his every offense.

Most of the time, it was him dribbling and playing one-on-one.

Or, it was Kobe's one-on-one.

When their individual plays worked, the Los Angeles Lakers could win.

Like in Game 5.

But when they were restricted by the opponent's overall defense.

The Los Angeles Lakers immediately became paralyzed.

Basketball...

After all, it is a team sport.

When the opponent's entire team explodes and plays perfect team basketball.

Individual strength is so insignificant.

Lin Feng, at this moment, seemed to understand something.

This crushing defeat was like a basin of icy cold water.

It completely woke up the Los Angeles Lakers, who were immersed in the joy of their Game 5 victory.

It also woke up Lin Feng, who believed he could overcome everything by himself.

The final buzzer sounded.

109:78.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a rout on the road.

The series score was stubbornly tied at 3-3!

The series was dragged into the final, most brutal, Game 7!

The entire American Airlines Center erupted!

Confetti rained down, and players embraced in the center of the court to celebrate.

They had turned the impossible into possible!

Meanwhile.

The Los Angeles Lakers players silently walked into the players' tunnel.

Their retreating figures were filled with desolation and loneliness.

The direction of sports media worldwide once again took a 180-degree turn.

Two days ago, they were still praising the 'rise of a new king'.

And now, all the headlines were dominated by 'the Emperor's comeback'.

ESPN: James Refuses to Relinquish the Throne! Game 7 Will Be His Coronation!

Sports Illustrated: The Miracle Ends! The Lakers' Cinderella Run Is About to Conclude!

Everyone believed that the Miami Heat, with their morale, stamina, and home-court advantage all at their peak, would undoubtedly win Game 7 two days later and defend their title.

No one favored the Los Angeles Lakers anymore.

...

On the bus back to the hotel.

The atmosphere was terribly oppressive.

No one spoke.

Only the hum of the vehicle and the heavy breathing of the players could be heard.

Everyone knew that they were about to face the most difficult and cruel challenge in the world of basketball.

Away game.

Game 7.

Win, or go home.

Heaven and hell were but a thin line apart.

...

The night before returning to Los Angeles.

Miami's night was humid and muggy.

Lin Feng couldn't sleep.

He lay on the hotel bed, tossing and turning, his mind filled with images of the game.

It was Bosh who blocked him.

It was Wade who flashed past him.

It was James who controlled the entire court.

He sat up from the bed, unable to sleep anymore.

He quietly left the hotel alone.

He arrived at Miami's South Beach.

The dark sea continuously crashed against the beach in the night, emitting dull sounds.

The sea breeze blew on his face, carrying a salty, damp scent.

He tried to calm his mind.

But he couldn't.

The pressure, like an invisible mountain, was crushing him, making it hard to breathe.

He took out his phone.

Subconsciously, he wanted to find someone to talk to.

To seek a little comfort.

He scrolled through his contacts to that familiar name.

Yoona.

The girl who held a special place in his heart.

He hesitated for a moment, then pressed the dial button.

The phone rang a few times before it was answered.

"Lin?"

Yoona's familiar and gentle voice came through the receiver.

Just hearing that voice instantly calmed Lin Feng's restless heart considerably.

"It's me."

His voice was a little hoarse.

"I..."

He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start.

To say he lost the game?

To say he was under a lot of pressure?

It all seemed a bit sentimental.

The other end of the phone seemed to sense his emotions.

After a moment of silence.

A clear voice, with a hint of lazy magnetism, suddenly spoke.

That wasn't Yoona's voice.

"What's wrong, my muse?"

"You sound like you're not very happy?"

Lin Feng was completely stunned.

This voice...

Taylor Swift?

How could she be with Yoona?

Before he could react.

A third voice immediately spoke up.

It was a voice full of intellect and elegance, like a Hollywood golden age actress.

"Do you need us to sing 'We Are The Champions' for you, our future champion, Mr.?

Scarlett Johansson!

Lin Feng was completely dumbfounded.

He remembered that he had only met this top Hollywood actress once at a business party.

Why would she...

"You all..."

Lin Feng's mind was struggling to process this.

"We're all here."

From the receiver came the simultaneous, laughing replies of the three women.