The Way of the Center

After leaving the court on the day of the championship, the Blazers players bought a lot of wine to take back to the hotel where they were staying.

In the room of Anjie and Morris, the Trail Blazers players gathered together, drank wine, chatted, and kept taking photos with the "fake" O'Brien Cup.

Although this trophy is just a counterfeit, the players all know that the real one must have been put into the showroom of the Moda Center by the Trail Blazers staff at this moment. Originally, the league moved the O'Brien Cup to prepare for the tiebreaker, but unexpectedly, the Trail Blazers directly accepted it.

Everyone who was drunk still had a video chat with George and Lillard in the middle of the night. Although it was already two o'clock in the morning, George and Lillard, who were recuperating at home, were just like the Anjie group who were celebrating. I was so excited that I couldn't sleep at all.

These two guys celebrated the victory with their teammates through mobile phones. Of course, they hoped that they were really there at this moment.

After drinking, everyone in the Trail Blazers fell asleep. They don't have to worry about whether they need to train tomorrow, don't worry about whether they need a game tomorrow, and don't worry about whether the Cavaliers' small lineup will suddenly explode collectively outside the three-point line.

It's over, this long and short season is all over. And they became the winners who survived to the end...

Last summer, the Trail Blazers' operation in the free agent market caused a big explosion in the entire public opinion circle. With a gorgeous lineup, the performance of the Trail Blazers in the regular season did not disappoint.

Although the Trail Blazers have experienced the ravages of injuries, they have turned from favorites to underdogs that even bookmakers are not optimistic about. But in the end, with the efforts of everyone else, the Trail Blazers won the final victory.

They did not disappoint anyone, this O'Brien Cup is definitely worthy of that sensational summer. This O'Brien Cup definitely taught those who underestimated the Blazers a lesson. Never, never underestimate the heart of a champion.

Despite the twists and turns, the Trail Blazers' 2017-2018 season was undoubtedly a success. They beat superteams one after another and finally climbed to the top. The biggest winners are none other than them.

The Trail Blazers players just fell asleep in the messy room. At least tonight, they can sleep peacefully.

※※※

The next day, the Trail Blazers players did not wake up slowly until noon. All of them were recalling the various experiences of last night, and some guys even giggled involuntarily.

As soon as An Jie woke up, he received a comprehensive examination by the team doctor.

But fortunately, this guy's knee is only sprained, and the structure is all intact.

After getting this news, everyone in the Trail Blazers also let out a sigh of relief. Although the season is over, the Trail Blazers have won the championship. But if Anjie's knee is hit hard again, it will definitely affect his career.

Although it was only a sprain, An Jie still couldn't walk the next day because of the delayed treatment and excessive fatigue.

The team doctor couldn't help but joked with An Jie. "It seems that our mvp has to go back on crutches to accept the worship of the fans."

The same is true. When the reporters surrounded the Trail Blazers preparing to return at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, they were all taken aback by Anjie who was holding a walking stick. Looking at An Jie struggling to even walk, it's really hard to imagine that this guy is the same guy who blocked James consecutively yesterday.

The reporters were concerned about the inquiries. Of course, under the obstruction of the airport security, only a few people could get close to the players and coaches of the Trail Blazers.

Ricard was stopped by a local reporter in Portland, and the question was naturally about An Jie's injury.

In front of the camera, Ricard first shook his head with a very disappointed expression. This reporter, who is also a Trail Blazers fan, was so frightened by his expression that his face turned livid.

"Ann's injury...it's a pity..." Ricard touched his nose and continued. "It's a pity to tell the other 29 teams in the league that Ann's injury is not serious. Next season, he will continue to be your nightmare!"

Seeing the reporter's expression, Ricard laughed heartily.

Ricard's humorous remarks made the reporters feel like they were on a roller coaster. But after learning that An Jie was fine, most people were still relieved.

Also, if An Jie had suffered major injuries, he would not have staged such a wonderful return of the hero yesterday. This Portland hero is not so easy to fall now.

The cheerful Trail Blazers boarded the plane with the O'Brien Cup and the Bill Russell fmvp trophy, left Cleveland, a place of right and wrong, and flew towards their hometown of Portland.

Seeing Cleveland gradually disappearing under the clouds, An Jie smiled and closed his eyes. Home, it's time to go home.

※※※

The sun in mid-June was already very hot, but at Portland International Airport, Wu Hua and other reporters could only wait under the scorching sun.

Since the Trail Blazers won the championship, the reporters also had the privilege of going to the tarmac today, reporting the scenes of the heroes returning home for the whole world.

In addition to reporters, the families of George, Lillard, and Anjie were also waiting on the tarmac. Catherine took An Xiang's little hand and looked at the sky expectantly.

In hot summer, the color of the sky is very beautiful. In addition to this group of people on the tarmac, Portland International Airport has been occupied by Trail Blazers fans. This, perhaps, is the most popular flight in Portland history.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the huge roar of the plane finally sounded. Through the broadcast at the airport, people have learned that the plane that is about to land now is the plane that the Blazers returned in triumph.

The reporters set up their guns and short cannons one after another, the fans shouted excitedly, while Catherine and An Xiang couldn't help laughing. The man in their hearts is coming back!

The plane landed slowly, and the sound of the camera "clicking" surrounded Catherine's ears.

"Is Dad back?" An Xiang pulled Catherine's hand.

"That's right, Dad is back!"

The plane came to a slow stop, the door of the cabin was opened, and the stairs had already been set up. Everyone was looking forward to it, waiting for the first person to come out of the cabin.

The next second, a big man with a cane, wearing a Trail Blazers championship baseball cap and a commemorative T-shirt, holding an O'Brien Cup between his hands, was the first to walk out of the plane gate.

"It's Ann! It's Ann!"

"Welcome back!"

"Well done guys! Well done!"

As soon as An Jie got out, the crowd at the scene was boiling. At this moment, the group of people on the tarmac had already put down their work. At the moment, they are all die-hard Trail Blazers fans!

An Jie laughed and raised the O'Brien Cup in his hand, and other people also poured out from behind An Jie. This group of glorious sons of Portland finally appeared in front of people.

After that, An Jie walked down the stairs slowly. He stuffed the O'Brien Cup into Morris' arms behind him, and then went straight to the two people he cared about most in the crowd.

An Jie didn't speak, he threw away the crutch, put Catherine in his arms with one hand, and hugged An Xiang tightly with the other.

Afterwards, more and more people got off the plane, and they hugged their family members and friends respectively. The scene was full of jubilation, as perfect as Wu Hua imagined.

What happened after that was no longer important to An Jie. He is always satisfied with fans' autographs, and he does not refuse invitations for group photos. As long as he can be with his family, An Jie is happy. What's more, this time, with the company of the O'Brien Cup?

The championship has finally returned to their territory. At the end of the day, the Trail Blazers team once again gathered in the showroom of the Moda Center. The real, spotless O'Brien mug, sitting in the display case. Next to it, there are three other golden trophies.

In just a few years, the originally empty showroom has been decorated with four championship trophies.

"Amazing achievement, guys, I'm so proud of you." Ricard looked at the four trophies in the glass case and felt that they were simply the most beautiful things in the world.

"It's not enough, such a big showroom can hold more!" An Jie's words made everyone smile. This group of guys gathered together, they just want to win a championship trophy!

"Happy holidays, guys." An Jie put his arms around his family, turned around and smiled at everyone. This smile is as full of sunshine as when he was twenty years old.

Yep, the holidays are here. After the O'Brien Cup? Let's talk next season. Now, Angie just wants to enjoy the time with his family.

Another destined perfect summer, another day to celebrate.

Happy holidays, Angie.