The rest is just noise

Mind attack, but aimed at Barros

June 4, 1997

Today is the opening day of the Finals, and before the game started, people in Los Angeles began a massive wave of reflection.

Everyone has a different idea as to why they suffered so many defeats in the Finals.

Louis had no intention of accompanying them to recall the past of failure.

In the evening, Louis and his family had dinner and drove to the forum alone.

As soon as Louis arrived at the forum, he found that many players had come to the scene in advance to take shots.

Louis did not disturb them, and went straight to the office building, where he had a small meeting with the sales manager to discuss various preparations for tonight.

After another hour, almost all the players from both sides of the finals came to the scene.

And then there’s the audience…

Countless spectators filled every seat of the forum, and the VIP boxes, which are usually full of seats, also welcomed distinguished guests today.

Popular singers, well-known actors, various socialites, and wealthy businessmen all gathered here.

The appearance of these people convinced Jerry Buss that the Forum Arena, which had been in use for nearly half a century, could no longer meet the needs of the Lakers.

If they want to maximize the star value of the Lakers and achieve the grandeur of the early to mid-1980s, they not only need to revive the Lakers, but also need a better game arena.

"Jim, what do you think of our new arena plan?" Bass asked.

Jim rolled his eyes and said, "What does Coach Lu think?"

This question made Old Bass roll his eyes.

To give the Lakers a new arena, to put it bluntly, this is their own business. What does Coach Lu think about it? Does he want to participate in the investment or what?

Old Bass said: "I just want to know what you think."

Jim smiled and asked: "Dad, will there be a place like the Forum Club in the new arena?"

"It's part of the plan."

"Dad, you really know how to enjoy yourself."

The Bass father and his son said, and then they mentioned Jerry West.

Ever since the Lakers advanced to the Finals, West has become a ghostly presence, a dragon that never sees its end.

"Jerry has a mental trauma about Boston. It's not like you don't know. I think he must be hiding in a dark place listening to the radio..."

Just as they were talking about West, Louis appeared.

Louis heard about the old Bass's new arena plan, and he naturally knew that it would be the famous Staples Center in the future. The situation in this life was different from that in the previous life, and he wanted to make some suggestions.

For example, setting up statues for Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and George McCann, and posthumously recognizing the five championships won by the Minneapolis Lakers.

The Bass and his son were confused by Louis' advice.

First it was Jim, who asked in a serious tone: "Who is McCann?"

Bass asked again: "Five championships in Minneapolis? And this?"

It's understandable that Bass didn't know McCann. He didn't know much about basketball, let alone the basketball player who was active nearly half a century ago.

Old Buss didn't know that the predecessor of the Lakers, the Minneapolis Lakers, had won five championships, but it surprised him.

But when I think about it, it’s quite normal.

As one of the franchises in the history of professional basketball, the Lakers have only had two owners since they moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, which is very rare.

Take their rival Celtics as an example. After Walter Brown, the well-known good owner, passed away in 1964, he changed more than 10 owners in the next fifteen years.

You must have known through this article that professional basketball was basically a money-losing business before 1984, so the owners knew very little about the team's previous history, glory inheritance and other spiritually worthy rewards.

Therefore, after the owner of the Minneapolis Lakers, Bob Short, moved the team to Los Angeles, he had no intention of bringing the past glory with him, because at that time, the Lakers were a team that no one cared about in Los Angeles.

They need to hold various commercial performances and activities, and cooperate with Chick Hearn's passionate broadcasts to attract fans.

By the time Short sold the team, the history of the Minneapolis Lakers had been forgotten, so they were eager to win the 1969 championship, so they would have hangings hanging above the forum before Game 7 of the Finals.

balloon.

But today, after so many years, when Louis brought up the old story again and hoped that the Lakers would unveil three statues and inherit the history of the Minneapolis Lakers when they move into the new arena, the Buss and his son would be surprised.

Jim thought for a moment, isn't this a great thing?

The Lakers can win five more championships out of thin air!

"Dad, I agree with Coach Lu's suggestion." Jim said.

Old Bass wanted to know the cost of doing this.

"What are we going to pay for this?"

Louis smiled and said: "Contact those old Lakers and see what their wishes are. Of course, in order to inherit those five championships, of course we have to do something special to recognize their achievements, such as...retiring a few jerseys."

These things are not considered a price. If you want to inherit the history of the Minneapolis Lakers, you must naturally show respect to those who created the glorious team history. How to show respect? In addition to some necessary compensation measures, give their

Hanging the jersey in the arena is the best way.

Of course, some Lakers fans may want to say, what kind of team is our Lakers? Why should the jersey numbers of semi-amateur players from half a century ago be displayed?

Indeed, if you insist on thinking this way, then the Lakers should not inherit the family's team history⑴. After all, if you don't even recognize your ancestors, how can you use their achievements to decorate your own appearance?

Time, 21:00 pm

Both the Lakers and Celtics have completed their pre-game warm-ups.

Although the competition has not started yet, the atmosphere between them is very strong.

Even if the players themselves don't care, as long as the media fan the flames, even trivial matters can be magnified infinitely.

There are many people in the Celtics who are old acquaintances of Louis, but today they only shook hands and did not say hello.

After the pre-match warm-up and introduction by DJ, the starting players of both sides came on stage.

The Celtics started with Mark Price, Shandon Anderson, Grant Hill, Karl Malone, and Ralph Sampson.

??The starting lineup for the Lakers is Dana Barros, Liu Yuqing, Benjamin Wilson, Charles Barkley, and Kevin Garnett.

At the beginning, Sampson used his height advantage to win the ball for the Celtics.

The Celtics obviously designed the rhythm for the opening of the game. The moment Price got the ball, he directly passed it to Hill.

Hill moved forward with the ball at full speed.

At this moment, the Celtics' main attacker was not the two superstars inside, but Hill. He brought the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to Anderson who was positioned outside the three-point line.

Anderson made a decisive three-pointer.

"Whoosh!"

3 to 0

This attack couldn't explain anything, but Louis still thought of the alley-oop that Miyagi sent to Sakuragi at the beginning of "Slam Dunk" in the Battle of the Mountain King.

That one goal didn't mean much to the entire game.

However, a good start is beneficial to the game.

Louis stood on the sidelines and said with a smile to Barros who was dribbling over.

"DB, give me back the ball right now!" Louis threatened, "If you mess up, I will ask Steve to replace you!"

Hearing this, Barros's body trembled.

A few days before the start of the finals, he had been preparing to be a substitute. He didn't know until today before the game that he was still the starter.

Louis said he decided to trust Barros.

And Barros is determined to perform at his best.

I just didn't expect that the test would come so soon.

Garnett stepped forward and was about to use high and low tactics inside, but saw Barros's gesture clearly instructing him to use roll call tactics.

But if a roll call is called, whose name is called?

Barrows pointed boldly at Sampson.

Name Mr. Only? How dare you?

Although Garnett had doubts, he still complied.

Barros is one of the most prestigious veterans in the Lakers team, and he is the one that Garnett and the first and second graders fear the most.

Burrows asked for Garnett's pick-and-roll. Sampson didn't expect the Lakers to come at him, and he was not decisive in defense. As a result, he was shot by the opponent.

"Whoosh!"

"Ohhh! DB is very motivated, look at Lead's expression, I dare say he is very satisfied with it!"

Chick Hearn's joyful voice instantly spread throughout the city.

⑴At the beginning of the new century, after OK's three consecutive games, the Lakers began to recognize the team history of the Minneapolis period. I won't say what it was about. They wanted to retire McCann's jersey at that time, but McCann did not agree because he

He has never played a day in Los Angeles. Of course, it is not impossible to adapt. If Guihu can lower his profile and retire the jerseys of several of his old teammates, then he will not be unable to accept that he is a famous star of the Los Angeles Lakers. The result

You know, things have been delayed until now, and the players and coaches of the Minneapolis Lakers have been buried. Guelph has done the work of McCann's family and retired McCann's jersey this season.