The rest is just noise

May 30, 1988

Whether the league's structure will change and whether a new era will come depends on tonight's game.

In the West, the Magician failed to defend his throne.

Although the influence of his scepter was limited to the West, this influence has continued since its birth in 1980. When the scepter finally disappeared, fans found that they were not ready to say goodbye.

Jordan's Trail Blazers eliminated Magic's Lakers 4-1, and now, the Celtics are facing the same situation.

They dominated the league for four years, which was a serious drain on themselves.

Whether Bird's back injury will affect his return in Game 7 will determine the final direction of the series.

When Louis and his players arrived in Boston, reporters and fans were anything but friendly.

There was anger in their eyes, and Louis could understand what they were thinking.

"Coach Lu, will you still play games in a way that violates professional ethics?" a tabloid reporter asked.

Louis responded sharply: "Whether our game is unprofessional ethics will be judged by history. As for you, I am very sure you just asked a question that is unprofessional ethics. It seems that journalists in the Boston area are indeed different from other places. New York

The reporters at most just spread rumors, and in most cases behave as if they lack IQ, while the reporters in Boston are all 'geniuses' who catch wind of rumors, take dark positions, and take quotes out of context."

Louis sarcastically replied.

He was like a hedgehog, attacking the Boston reporters who once treated him like a treasure without mercy.

Louis' relationship with Boston, and the changing stance of local reporters, is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic events in the history of professional basketball.

Some say he is like a reverse Babe Ruth.

Ruth cursed the Holy Child because he was abandoned by the Red Sox and regarded as a traitor by Boston fans; but Louis changed the city's view of him little by little from the day he left Boston.

At noon, the TV news said that Bird felt good about himself and would definitely come back tonight.

Within the Knicks, Louis is trying his best to prevent Dale Ellis from applying for a comeback.

"Coach, I've recovered enough to play the game."

Ellis repeatedly asked Louis to put him in the squad.

Louis shook his head and said, "Unless there is a guarantee from the team doctor or the hospital's examination results, otherwise, don't even think about it!"

Ellis said excitedly: "The team needs me, and I also want to play. You can't ban me from playing in the most important game of the season!"

"Why are you yelling?" Louis shouted, "If you are not injured, do you think I don't want you to play?"

"I can play with injuries... It's not a big deal at all. Everyone does it, why can't we?" Ellis said matter-of-factly.

His words made Louis grind his teeth in anger.

What kind of world is this? Decades later, the NBA has become a garbage league where the entire team uses public opinion to force players to come back. But now, a man from the future has the most advanced concepts and knows that playing with injuries is a bad idea.

The biggest bad habit in professional sports, but every time he wants to pursue his own ideas, he always makes the players unhappy.

Last time it was McHale, this time it's Ellis.

If I remember correctly, the opponents were both Celtics.

"Coach, my injury is not that serious, at least not as serious as Larry's. If I feel uncomfortable, I will tell you."

"What can you do on the field in your current situation?" Louis said heartily, "It's not that I don't believe you, but you are very likely to be a hindrance to everyone."

Ellis said bluntly: "I don't deny this, but since the start of the Eastern Conference finals, I am the second scorer on the team. As long as I stand on the outside, the Celtics will be nervous. As long as I have something in my hand,

If I hit the ball, they'll let the guy closest to me cover it. They don't dare leave me open."

"Coach, even if I can't score, I'm the best bait!"

What makes Louis sad is that he really wants to exercise his power as a coach and force Ellis to a truce.

But reason tells him that Bird will definitely come back in Game 7, and the Celtics will play a thrilling game with unprecedented intensity because they want to defend their throne.

Facing such a strong enemy, they need a big-hearted shooter on the outside.

Hornacek is better at shooting three-pointers from the corner. Miller is not strong enough and needs experience... Ellis is the only candidate.

If he doesn't play, the Knicks' second position will be in huge danger.

"Coach!" Ellis said firmly, "I don't want to escape. Coach, without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. This is the closest we are to the championship. Give me a chance. Coach, this is what I owe you."

.”

Louis sighed: "Dale, what you have given me in return has far exceeded what I have given you."

"It's not enough!" Ellis was so determined that he couldn't be stopped, "Coach, I'm ready to wake up."

Instead of anticipating when your next vacation will come, test an unpredictable possibility.

The string in Louis' heart broke.

He lost his principles for the first time: "Okay, you can play tonight, but the playing time is up to me. If you feel any discomfort, let me know immediately. If I see something wrong with your feet,

If there is a problem, I will replace you immediately, there is no need to discuss this matter!"

"Yes, coach."

Ellis left excitedly.

Louis became even more entangled, and it was certain that McHale would scold him behind his back.

Why can Ellis become a hero who fights despite injuries, but he can't? It's obviously biased!

This world makes Louis very puzzled. What kind of culture can make players think that playing injured is a heroic act?

Don't they know that once the injury worsens, the hero turns into a bear?

Since the 1970s, there have been too many players who have ruined their futures after being forced to play through injuries!

Bill Walton, Bernard King, Andrew Toney…

They all have one thing in common, which is that they choose to play with pain because the team needs it. Walton seems to be the smartest one. He has to take painkillers in advance every time before playing, which ultimately ruins the game.

his future.

Louis cannot understand this kind of culture.

Although he admires this kind of spirit, he doesn't want it to appear in his team.

He admitted that Bird playing injured would bring unimaginable motivation to his teammates, but if this is to risk the health of the rest of the career of the best player in history, it is not worth it at all.

To put it bluntly, compared with Bird's health, the end of the consecutive championships is nothing.

K.C. Jones could never think like Louie.

Because they are on different levels.

K.C is of course also worried about the legacy Bird has left behind, or that his career may be shortened as a result. However, if this is Bird's own decision, then he has no reason to interfere.

He comes from a tougher era, and he agrees with the value of players fighting for honor, even at the risk of their health.

In the afternoon, the Knicks trained briefly, mainly to prepare for the evening game.

tiebreaker night

Boston fans entered the Garden early.

Since they arrived too early, the fans who had nothing to do could only drink and enjoy themselves.

If you drink too much alcohol, you will easily become emotional.

When you get excited, you can do anything stupid.

Today is the hottest day in May again. In an old gymnasium that doesn’t even have air conditioning, it’s hard to breathe and the stifling heat reeks of alcohol, sweat and body odor.

When the three smells are put together, they evolve into a breath that is difficult to describe in words.

"Why can't these bastards just change to a better arena?" Louis scolded, "How can this damn place be worthy of a four-time fucking champion?!"

Tomjanovich said with a wry smile: "Rather than expecting them to change the arena, you might as well ask them to renovate this place and make some better vents."

"Damn it, if you have the money to renovate, wouldn't it be better to change the stadium? If I were Larry, I wouldn't work for these bastards!"

When Bird appeared in the crowd, Louis's words "I wish I were Larry" seemed ridiculous.

Look at how well Bird has adapted to this harsh environment, as if he was born for this.

Bird was shooting shots and warming up on the court, as if his injuries had been healed.

At this time, a heavyweight audience appeared in the front row of the garden.

The Lakers star "The Tragedian" Johnson, who was eliminated by the Trail Blazers six days ago, actually came to the Garden.

"Moji, who do you want to support today?" Louis asked.

The magician said principledly: "It's very simple, I will support whoever gives me the vote, you know. Such a good position is not available to ordinary people, so I will support Larry and them to win tonight."

"You thick-browed bastard! I gave you a front-court ticket? Are you a beggar? You have been bullied by the Celtics for so many years, and you don't want to see them lose once?"

Louis accidentally said what the magician had only dreamed of seeing.

"Of course I do!"

"Then support us, I promise you will get what you want tonight!"

"That's not okay! If I support you, Larry won't vote for me next time. You must be principled."

"You've only come here to watch a game in ten fucking years. What principles do you want?"

Louis tried his best, but it's a pity that the magician is obsessed with it and is determined to cheer for the Celtics.

Later, Louis felt that he might have mistakenly blamed the magician.

As someone who has lost in the finals for five years in a row.

As a person who accepts his nickname as "The Tragedian", how could he willingly cheer for the Celtics?

There is only one answer, and that is that he hopes to bring some bad luck to the Celtics through his own bad luck, thereby helping the Knicks, the young dragon-slayer, to successfully slay the dragon.

Well, the magician is standing in the atmosphere this time.