The Finals MVP trophy had been awarded, and the 11 media representatives at courtside were conducting the final selection for the FMVP.
Reporters took the opportunity to interview Holt, Popovich, and others.
"I'm very excited. This team is a great legend. I can't use more wonderful words to describe them, but they are the best. San Antonio, a three-peat, why not?"
Holt was full of pride. As a small-market team, the Spurs had really accomplished something that other teams of the same level wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Moreover, they had successfully kept their salary under the luxury tax line.
Tonight, they were a legendary team.
"I think all the applause should belong to Pete and the management, and also to the fans, but equally to this group of old guys and young guys behind me. They didn't give up when they were down 2-3."
Popovich's words were unusually sentimental this time, drawing whistles from the fans behind him.
"And it saved my head coaching position."
But he still had to be cheeky, and that last sentence instantly drew a burst of laughter.
Reporters interviewed Duncan.
"How do you feel about lifting the championship trophy at the age of 37?" the reporter asked Duncan.
Given Duncan's usual personality, he would basically answer with something like "not bad" or "great." For reporters, it was really just going through the motions.
"I think 38 will be good too."
But Duncan's words stunned the reporter and made the fans behind him explode.
The implication of that sentence was that they were going to win another championship next year!
So it turned out Duncan could be this playful!
A quiet flirt!
An awkward flirt!
Tang Tian was amused by Duncan's words.
None of the Spurs were normal.
But this was completely reasonable. Even the purest person would be influenced by this daily atmosphere of flirtatiousness!
"Tang, your performance this year has been very, very, very good, and you are very likely to win the FMVP. Do you have anything to say?"
This female reporter probably had a crush on Tang Tian. Following last year, she was campaigning for Tang Tian to win the FMVP again today, and she even used the word "very" three times in a row.
"I'm very happy, but the FMVP isn't important. What's important is that we finally completed the back-to-back championships, what's important is that we didn't let the fans who support us down, what's important is that the coach doesn't have to resign."
Tang Tian picked up on Popovich's earlier joke, immediately amusing the fans behind him again.
The atmosphere of this team was really good.
The interview was almost over, and the FMVP voting was also coming to a close.
This year for the Spurs, the two most likely to win the FMVP were Parker and Tang Tian.
Duncan averaged 10.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in these 7 games, with assists setting a new high in recent Finals. This year, he was playing more of a point forward role.
Ginobili's numbers were greatly reduced, averaging 11.5 points and 3.6 assists, the lowest in recent years.
Leonard averaged 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, with a shooting percentage of 49%. He had improved significantly compared to last year, but still needed time to grow.
Compared to them, Parker and Tang Tian's numbers were significantly more eye-catching.
Parker averaged 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Tang Tian averaged 18.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks, with a three-point shooting percentage as high as 62%.
It would be well-deserved for either of these two to win the FMVP.
Before long, the staff brought the envelope containing the final results to Stern.
Stern knew that this year's FMVP was suspenseful, and his movements were also unhurried, fully teasing the appetite of the fans at the scene.
The teammates behind him were now focusing more on Parker.
Similar to the All-Star Game, the Finals MVP generally goes to the player with the highest stats on the team.
If Parker got the FMVP, it would be the second of his career, the last time being in 2007.
"The winner of the 2012-2013 Bill Russell Award is..."
Stern's habitual pause made the fans behind him want to curse.
"Tang Tian!"
When he said the name, a burst of cheers and whistles erupted from the fans behind him.
Tang Tian had become the FMVP!
A somewhat unexpected result.
But the Spurs players behind him still gave Tang Tian cheers as soon as possible.
Duncan even hugged Tang Tian and rubbed his head frantically.
Tang Tian's explosion in the first game, his stable output in the third game, his locker room mobilization and game-winning shot in the sixth game, and his block in the seventh game.
Parker was the Spurs' most stable player with the best stats, but Tang Tian was the Spurs' best clutch player.
Parker deserved this honor, and so did Tang Tian.
Tang Tian came out of Duncan's arms and went up to hug Parker at the first opportunity.
"This is our shared honor."
He said as he hugged him.
Parker nodded and then patted Tang Tian on the back.
After hugging Parker, he turned and hugged Popovich, then Tang Tian turned and walked towards Stern.
Russell was already standing up with the support of Diaw and Duncan, took the trophy from the staff, and handed it to Tang Tian.
Tang Tian bowed slightly and accepted the trophy.
"You are so young, you will have a good future."
After handing over the trophy, Russell also gave Tang Tian a hug and a word of encouragement.
"Thank you."
Tang Tian thanked him.
Being able to receive the blessing of the Lord of the Rings was a very good thing.
After the hug, he walked to Parker's side and raised the FMVP trophy with Parker.
This scene was instantly captured by reporters, becoming a signature moment of this year's NBA season.
When the cheers died down, the reporter handed him the microphone, asking him to give his acceptance speech.
"In fact, I didn't think I would get this (FMVP). I think Tony was the best player in the Finals."
As soon as Tang Tian said the first sentence, the fans behind him cheered and whistled.
Although he won the FMVP, he was really humble, from hugging Parker before, to raising the trophy with Parker, and now mentioning Parker in his first sentence.
But Tang Tian's words were not entirely humble. Even if his 3&D style of play reached its peak, it was still easy to be targeted.
35 points in the first game, 26 points in the second game, but in the end, he didn't average over 20. This was proof, and it was also something he had to strengthen in the offseason.
"Thank you to all the fans who support the Spurs and me, including those in America, China, all over the world, all of you, you are my everything."
In the following speech, Tang Tian still put the fans first.
"Thank you Mr. Holt, thank you to the management, the coaches, Mike (Budenholzer), the coaching staff, my teammates, and my personal team, my family in China, my friends, thank you everyone, thank you all for your support."
"Finally, I have to thank one more person, my girlfriend Elizabeth."
Most people felt that the thank yous Tang Tian said before were just okay, but this last sentence directly exploded.
Before, Tang Tian and Olsen were just rumored, but this time, he directly announced it to the world!