Chapter 1 The News of Fagan's Death

The news of Fagan's death spread quickly the next day, causing a shock in the league.

As a well-known NBA agent, he had many players under his management, or had represented in the past.

In addition to Tang Tian, Howard, Parsons, Cousins, and Nurkic were all currently his players.

Arenas, Yi Jianlian, and Rubio had also sought his representation.

After his death, many players, including teams and even the NBA official, sent tweets of condolence.

Tang Tian: We have worked together for 7 years. I can't believe you're gone like this, but rest assured, I will do my best to help your family. Rest in peace, Dan R.I.P.

Parsons: This is so unfair, but I know you must have gone to a better place. One day we will taste good wine together.

Nurkic: You are a great person, and even more so my good teacher and friend. I knew I liked you the first time we met. When I saw you wearing a bathrobe and slippers, I thought I liked this guy. Thank you for everything you have done for me.

Yi Jianlian: It all came too suddenly. You have always been my best mentor, friend, and family in the United States. When I opened my eyes this morning, I saw the news that you left due to a car accident. The sadness in my heart is indescribable. Rest well, my friend.

Billy King: This is really bad news. Dan Fagan and I were very good friends. I still remember when he told me he was going to be a father. He was really a good father.

NBA Official: The NBA family has lost an outstanding agent. Pray that Fagan's family can get through this difficult time smoothly.

……

Tang Tian's tweet was sent late at night. The next morning, he returned to New Orleans, and Gayle Benson even called to comfort him.

For the Pelicans, this was their glorious and peak season, but for Tang Tian, his recent experiences were a bit bad.

First, the team owner died, and then the agent who had worked with him for 7 years.

Benson was concerned, and also worried that these things would affect Tang Tian's game status.

Such worries were not only Benson's, but also those of the media and fans.

That night, the first game of the series between the Pelicans and the Trail Blazers kicked off at the New Orleans Arena.

The venue was packed, and the TV ratings were also high.

It's very satisfying to bring yourself into the protagonist of a Long Aotian-style novel (protagonist is overpowered/invincible).

You know, the Pelicans are now the team with the most fans.

In the locker room before the game, the two team coaches were making final preparations for the game.

"Kemba, AD, after the start, you guys play more pick-and-roll coordination. Let's play tactic number 23 first."

Stevens glanced at Tang Tian specifically when he said this.

He wanted Tang Tian to adjust his mood.

Tang Tian just nodded and said nothing.

Fagan's death did make him feel not very good, but it wasn't enough to affect his condition.

There was no problem with Stevens considering him, and it just so happened that he could take the opportunity to test the Trail Blazers' condition first.

Half an hour before the game started, the players from both sides entered the court one after another to warm up.

During the warm-up, the camera kept focusing on Tang Tian.

Tang Tian's mood was much worse than usual, but he seemed calm.

The fans were also a little relieved to see this.

In the later stages of the warm-up, some fans noticed Lillard going to the Pelicans' half to chat with Tang Tian.

Judging from the gestures of the two people, Lillard should be here to comfort Tang Tian.

Although he is an opponent, Lillard is worthy of respect.

The venue entered the opening ceremony, and the starting lineups of the two teams were also released one after another.

The Pelicans side still had all their players, the "Four Brothers of Hard Training" plus Dedmon.

On the Trail Blazers side, the outside line was the double guns of Lillard and CJ McCollum, the forwards were Aminu and Anthony, and the center was Nurkic.

Davis won the jump ball against Nurkic, giving the Pelicans the opportunity to attack first, and also kicked off the semi-finals of the two teams' division.

After Walker held the ball to the frontcourt, he observed the Trail Blazers' defense.

The Trail Blazers had undergone a lot of lineup changes after the trade deadline.

But for a long time after the trade was completed, their lineup was still constantly changing.

Stotts found the most suitable lineup for them after a long period of adjustment.

Originally, for a while, they had Turner and Anthony play as forwards, so as to maximize Turner's organizational ability.

But the result was not ideal, and the main problem was on the defensive end.

Turner is a swingman, thin, and can't hold up against a normal small forward.

Anthony's movement speed has declined significantly after his knee injury, and he can't defend the small forward, or even the flexible or strong power forward.

During that period, the Trail Blazers struggled a lot, and even experienced a five-game losing streak after being defeated by the Pelicans.

It wasn't until Stotts brought Aminu into the starting lineup and let Nurkic organize the offense like his old opponent Jokic that the situation changed qualitatively.

Aminu's talent is relatively mediocre, belonging to a player who is strong in defense and weak in offense, but he has a characteristic, which is that he is dark, thick, and hard.

He can defend the small forward and also the power forward.

And his open three-pointer is good. When he was a substitute, his three-point shooting percentage was only a little over 30%, but after starting, it soared to 39%.

With the distraction of three musketeers, he has more and better opportunities.

And Nurkic's organizational ability has also been liberated. Before and after the team adjusted its starting lineup, his average number of assists increased from 1.9 times to 3.9 times.

Now the Trail Blazers' defensive method is that Anthony relies on the inner side to defend Butler, mainly defending Butler's cut, and Aminu tops Davis in the low post.

After Walker took a look, he called Butler to the high post for a pick-and-roll.

He has a strong ability to read the game. No matter how Stotts arranges his troops, Anthony is the breakthrough point for the Pelicans' offense.

However, Stotts' tactical level is indeed good. Butler screens, but the Trail Blazers don't switch.

Butler screens a second time after one pick-and-roll fails, but the Trail Blazers still don't switch.

Walker seized the gap and chose a step-back three-pointer.

His certainty of making this kind of three-pointer is not very high, and the ball finally hit the front edge and bounced out of the basket.

Nurkic protects the defensive rebound.

After Lillard advanced to the frontcourt, he passed the ball to Nurkic, who organized and coordinated on the free throw line.

Lillard, McCollum, and Anthony screen and run with each other. After Anthony screened out, he went straight to the basket, driving the Pelicans' defense.

At this moment, Lillard got a chance by borrowing Aminu's run.

Nurkic's pass was delivered quickly, but the Pelicans' switch was also very fast, and Davis had already pounced out.

Lillard feinted a three-pointer, shook Davis away, and broke through to the free throw line for a sudden stop jump shot.

"Swish!"

The basketball went into the net hollow, and his condition was as hot as in the first round.

In the first round series against the Rockets, he averaged 29.6 points!

Walker attacks again, this time looking for Davis to play a pick-and-roll, and after the screen, he returns the ball to Davis.

Davis backed over Lillard, but Aminu's help defense came in time and interfered with his shot.

"Clang!"

Davis's shot hit the rim and bounced out. The Pelicans' first two offenses were in vain.

Aminu protects the defensive rebound.

The Trail Blazers launched a counterattack. Lillard attacked to the frontcourt under Walker's defense. Without waiting for anyone else, after a crossover, he directly stopped for a three-pointer.

This choice was very sudden and unreasonable.

"Bang!"

The ball hit the backboard and then bounced into the net!

5 to 0!

Lillard launched a wave of personal attacks at the beginning of the game.

After he scored a goal, he reached out and pointed his right index finger at his left wrist.

This is his signature move, reminding everyone that he is wearing a watch tonight!

Lillard Time!

There was a commotion at the scene.

Leaving aside his strength, Lillard's game is actually on the same level as Kobe and Tang Tian.

Butler cut in and scored a layup after receiving a pass from Walker, finally scoring the first point for the Pelicans.

But in return, Lillard held the ball and attacked, attracting the defense, and passed the ball to Anthony, whose mid-range fadeaway shot also went in.

Not only did Lillard show his excellent form, but he also drove the Trail Blazers' form.

After the first quarter, the score on the field was 36 to 31, and the Trail Blazers led the Pelicans by 5 points to end the first quarter!

Lillard scored 15 points and 2 assists in a single quarter!

No one expected this score.

Fans also sighed on social media.

"Lillard Time! The Trail Blazers' ability to eliminate the Rockets is definitely not luck!"

"I like this kind of superstar. He is upright and doesn't BB or play petty tricks. If you have the ability, kill me, and if you can't kill me, I will kill you!"

"Lillard is really tough, and he is really attracting fans this year! This is the rhythm of going black to the end!"

"If this breaks the Pelicans' playoff undefeated gold medal, Lillard will definitely be deified. This is the 80-win Pelicans!"

"Speaking of which, why didn't Tang play much in the first quarter tonight? Is it because of Fagan's death?"

……