Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

The Lakers were already stylistically restrained, without the help of referees' whistles, and with the added internal discord among core players, role players unanimously misfiring, it looked like they had no chance of winning at all.

Before halftime ended, Yu Fei had a one-on-one on the perimeter with Kobe and, after several dribbling feints, pulled back to sink a 3+1.

That shot gave the Bucks a 19-point lead over the Lakers at halftime.

Although there was still a second half to play, the Bucks were already holding the winning ticket.

The second half for the Bucks was a joyful time, a performance moment, an opportunity for some to settle scores with others.

Ray Allen had prepared a series of speeches, the core idea being that if he replaced Kobe, he too could have won three consecutive championships with the Lakers.

George Karl was about to complete his revenge against Phil Jackson.

He wouldn't mind if someone said he could win a championship because he had a player like Yu Fei on his team.

Just like he had always said, were Jackson's many championships not won with the help of Jordan and O'Neal? Did Riley's many championships not depend on Magic Johnson and Kareem? Going back further, weren't Auerbach's many championships reliant on Bill Russell?

Nobody should talk smack about anybody!

Without a superstar, you still want a championship? Go eat shit!

Of course, there was also Yu Fei's retaliation against Shaquille O'Neal.

How could he miss out on an opportunity to kick someone when they're down?

Calling out names, continuing to call them out, O'Neal quickly racked up five fouls and then gave up on defending entirely.

By the start of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were 30 points behind.

Kobe went into hero mode, not passing the ball once, as if he truly could save the world.

In the end, his inefficient solo plays were merely feeding shit to his teammates and all the spectators.

When the Lakers fell behind by 35 points, Jackson called for a timeout and the big screen in the arena captured Kobe's arrogant face.

He didn't think he did anything wrong at all.

That conceited face seemed to taunt every Lakers supporter: How's this pile of shit taste?

After this, Yu Fei, who racked up 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, was subbed out.

Watching the Lakers' F4 fall to this state, he felt not the slightest ripple in his heart.

It was a good story, full of educational meaning.

It was about how if the team leader can't manage the team well, if the head coach can't define the core, if the team is full of Gary Paytons who want a championship and status but have no shame, then you're bound not to succeed.

A minute before the game ended, spectators began to leave the stands.

Then the minute of garbage time swiftly passed by.

When the buzzer sounded, Yu Fei let out a light breath.

The final score was 113 to 83, with the Lakers devastatingly defeated by 30 points at home.

Karl, like a child receiving a Christmas present, dashed onto the court and hugged Yu Fei tightly: "Great job, Frye! After tonight, Shaq will shut up forever! He'll never be able to lift his head in front of you again!"
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"What about you, George?" Yu Fei asked. "Is your grudge with Coach Jackson settled?"

Karl actually said, "What are you talking about? There's no grudge between us. I only know my coaching career began in the summer of 2002, so, you better call me the young coach!"

The young coach? Yu Fei glanced at Karl's receding hairline.

Well, whatever he says goes. Why bother with the crazy words of a man who's just had his vengeance?

The Bucks' players, coaches, and associated staff began celebrating on the court.

The Lakers, on the other hand, presented a completely different scene.

The only person crying over the loss was Rick Fox, who could barely articulate a complete sentence.

Perhaps, he was the only Laker with any sense of honor left. He knew this game signaled the end of an era.

Karl Malone, dragging his injured leg and lost in thought, wondered why he had given up the glory of being the sole star of a city to come here.

Gary Payton, the NBA's most famous trash-talker, had his mouth sealed in the recent games.

Especially tonight, he was silent.

Phil Jackson accepted an interview, with reporters hoping he would talk about the internal situation of the team and why the Lakers suffered such a crushing defeat.

Jackson didn't want to talk about internal team affairs, but he had something to say about the defeat.

"This is not the way we wanted to end," Jackson said. "A great group can always beat a group of great individuals. We became a group of individuals at the wrong time, and that's why we failed."

In the Lakers' locker room, the atmosphere was as silent as a morgue.

Kobe showered and left with his bodyguards, and O'Neal also remained quiet. Their relationship had completely collapsed.

This was the reason for their utter defeat. They had no leader, no one to say "This is my team." If O'Neal was the leader, he should have received a team extension in advance, but he hadn't. If Kobe was the leader? No, Kobe was never the leader. Not in the past, not now. He wasn't just not a leader; he was a cancer to the team, a man whose tomorrow was not assured, how could someone who might end up in jail at any time possibly be the team leader?

Afterwards, the Bucks first returned to the locker room to change into championship T-shirts, then came back to the court.

They lifted the trophy at the Staples Center.

The FMVP voting was a foregone conclusion, with Yu Fei unanimously voted the Finals MVP for averaging 36.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Back in the locker room, they sprayed champagne just like last year.

Aside from the reveling players, many reporters were also present.

Ray Allen, rarely seen enjoying himself, was interviewed by the "New York Times" and asked how the Bucks overcame physical and mental fatigue to successfully defend their championship.