basketball kingdom

Chapter 515 Goodbye in Jianghu
The wheel of history rolls forward, and no one can always lead the trend.When all the prosperity fades away, everything will return to its original state.

Xu Tian looked at Duncan who was a little tired due to playing for too long, and he felt a kind of emotion spontaneously.His career has just begun, but he can only play for more than a dozen years at full capacity. If he suffers an injury midway, he may not be able to play for that long.From another perspective, the 19-year career is also a huge success.

The Lakers' bench lineup was indeed unable to withstand the Spurs' invasion, but the outcome of the game had already been determined as early as the third quarter, and the final chasing points could not change the doomed ending.

When the final whistle sounded, the Lakers 109-92 the Spurs. After falling behind 0-2 in the series, they pulled four games in a row, eliminated the Spurs by a big score of 4-2, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Xu Tian changed his previous attitude of not paying tribute to his opponent, walked into the court, and hugged and greeted Duncan who had finished the last second of the game.

Duncan had already figured out some things, and said to Xu Tian: "Xu, you were right at the time, the future is yours, and now it is yours, go and win your championship trophy!"

Xu Tian didn't expect that Duncan still remembered the trash talk he had spammed back then, and said, "Since you've already said that, how can I be ashamed not to compete for the championship?"

Duncan smiled lightly, then gave Kobe a high-five as he walked over.

Kobe asked in a low voice: "Next season, can I still see you on the court?"

"Can I still see you?" Duncan asked instead of answering.

Kobe knew his answer, and naturally he also knew Duncan's answer.

Popovich deliberately came over to hug Xu Tian, ​​praised his performance in this round of the series, and wished him better play in the next series.

"I hope to mention this year's playoffs in the future, I can say that we lost to the final championship, don't let me down." Popovich did not forget to make a joke.

Xu Tian smiled, but did not answer.He didn't want to talk too much, but this was indeed his innermost thoughts.

Stephen Curry sat in front of the TV, looking at Xu Tian with a calm face, knowing that the game between the two of them would come soon.The media recently praised Xu Tian as the most dominant player in the playoffs this season. He has a strong desire to win in his heart and wants to defeat this strong opponent in a round of series.

Klay Thompson also watched the game, knowing that the upcoming Western Conference Finals may be even more tragic than the semifinals.

After Duncan finished hugging and greeting the Lakers players, he looked around at the fans in the arena. After a while, he stretched out his right hand and waved briefly, and then walked into the player tunnel without looking back.He knew that this time would be the last time.

Ginobili and Tony Parker have returned to the locker room, the two exchanged ideas, more or less guessed the decision that Duncan may make.

Duncan opened the door of the locker room and saw Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker sitting inside. He didn't know what to say, but after all, he wanted to tell them, so he simply said it directly: "This game is my last game. After one game, the Spurs will leave it to you."

Tony Parker and Ginobili looked at Duncan, not knowing what to say for a while.They didn't know whether to express their blessings or to do something else, and they were just a little overwhelmed.

Duncan didn't break the quiet atmosphere, walked to the wall where the team training was posted, and read the words printed deep in his mind over and over again.

Popovich's voice came from outside the door, "Messina, you better get ready, because soon you will learn something you never want to hear."

Duncan heard Popovich's words, knew he had guessed his thoughts, and turned to look at the locker room door, waiting for it to be pushed open.

Popovich turned the doorknob and walked slowly into the locker room. The first thing he saw was Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker sitting with their heads bowed, followed by Duncan standing on the other side of the locker room.He walked over slowly and asked in a low voice, "Have you decided?"

"Yes, I'm going to retire." Duncan thought he would be afraid to face Popovich, but that's not the case. He was calm.

Popovich said: "Congratulations, you have had an unparalleled journey." After finishing speaking, he opened his arms and hugged Duncan with a dull expression.

Duncan didn't know what to say next.

Popovich said: "Tim, don't do this, this is a good thing. I once said that I would retire with you, but the Spurs still need me. I'm afraid I can't be as free and easy as you. Seriously, I admire you."

Duncan said: "The current lineup is very good, you can lead them to compete for the championship. You always have the ability..."

Popovich interrupted Duncan, saying: "Tim, this is not my era, it's hard."

In Duncan's mind, the figure of Xu Tian turning over and throwing a jumper appeared, and he was a little silent. Is a new era really coming?

The Lakers players had a simple celebration in the visiting team's locker room.

Xu Tian learned from Kobe that Duncan was indeed going to retire, and it was a bit uncomfortable. After a brief celebration with his teammates, he sat back in his chair and stared at the floor in a daze.

Kobe seemed to see through Xu Tian's mind, walked over and pulled a chair to sit next to him, and said: "Time flies, always before you have time to react, many years have passed. But our career has already been brilliant enough , nothing to be sad about."

Xu Tian said: "I'm not sentimental, but I thought I would be happy to win the series, but I always feel that there are still important missions to be completed, so I can't be happy anyway."

Kobe patted Xu Tian on the shoulder and said, "Your goal is the championship. Before you achieve this achievement, it's a good thing not to be happy."

Xu Tian nodded, thinking that this might be the reason.He looked at his teammates celebrating excitedly, and realized that his desire to win was indeed much stronger than theirs.

After Duncan hugged the equipment manager, he thanked the team reporter Jabari Yang by the way, then walked to the front of the locker and put everything inside into the large backpack prepared in advance.

Popovich looked at the empty locker with only the name tag left, feeling a little lost, and said: "Tim, go to the season summary conference and say goodbye to the fans."

Duncan shook his head and said, "Bobo, you know. Those don't suit me at all." After speaking, he looked at the very familiar locker, which became strange at this time, put his right hand on the sign above, and paused After a while, he resolutely took it off.

Since then, the Spurs have no more Duncan!
(End of this chapter)