Chapter 1320 Four-Peat Parade

Tatum handed the trophy to Russell, who was being helped up. Tang Tian took the initiative to meet him, taking the FMVP trophy from Russell's hands.

"You've created a new era that belongs to you."

Russell said sincerely as he handed the trophy to Tang Tian.

Among these younger players, Jordan was once his favorite, but now Tang Tian has taken that spot.

And being able to see two Mount Rushmore-level players in his lifetime, he had no regrets.

"Thank you."

After thanking Russell, Tang Tian hugged him, then turned and raised the trophy high above his head.

The cheers at the scene resounded through the arena.

That night, the entire city of New Orleans was sleepless.

After the award ceremony, the Pelicans went to the biggest bar to celebrate.

It's worth mentioning that the Saints' cheerleaders from the NFL were also invited to the bar.

This was destined to be a crazy night.

Kuzma and Ding Yanyuhang each put their arms around a cheerleader and went into a private room, specifically locking the door before they went in.

Tang Tian and Davis saw this scene from the second-floor railing.

"This Kyle, leading Xiao Ding astray."

Tang Tian couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

But you could tell that he was happy for Ding Yanyuhang.

Ding Yanyuhang had snuck peeks at cheerleader performances more than once or twice back in China, and now he finally had a chance to score.

"Young players, they all like this."

Davis said from the side.

Tang Tian turned to look at Davis, his eyes full of disdain.

The way he said it, like he was an experienced veteran. Davis was a naive and innocent boy back in the day.

Davis coughed twice when he saw Tang Tian's look, then quickly changed the subject.

"This year's four-peat isn't the end. The Lakers will break up this summer. Our only opponent next season is the Spurs. We'll get a five-peat."

Tang Tian nodded after hearing that.

"Maybe a six-peat, maybe a ten-peat. By the time we're both about to retire, I wonder if Bill Russell will still be around."

Davis was just trying to change the subject, but the more he talked, the more he got into it.

Tang Tian looked at the longing in Davis's eyes, hesitated, and pulled Davis into a small private room.

Brogdon and Alexander were inside, playing with cheerleaders.

Tang Tian waved when he came in, and the two of them immediately took the girls and left.

"AD, there's something I haven't announced yet, but I think I should tell you in advance."

Tang Tian said with a serious expression.

Davis was still lost in his beautiful fantasies, and when he heard Tang Tian suddenly become so serious, he snapped back to reality and looked at Tang Tian with a puzzled look.

"I'm going to announce my retirement from the NBA after the championship parade."

Tang Tian said calmly.

"What?!"

Davis never expected Tang Tian to say that.

"Why?"

After seeing Tang Tian nod, his eyes were full of confusion.

Tang Tian was only 27 years old and had just put up the best performance of his career.

To choose to retire at this time?! It was simply incomprehensible!

"Maybe like Jordan, this sport is no longer a challenge for me."

Tang Tian said with a smile when he saw Davis's expression.

Davis was stunned for a moment.

He didn't play at all against the Lakers in the entire series. Tang Tian almost single-handedly took down the James and Durant-led Lakers.

To be honest, it was like he said, basketball was no longer a challenge for him.

"Okay, I'm just kidding. I just want to spend more time with my family. I've had three kids in the last few years, but I haven't spent more than a few months with them combined. I just want to take a break. Maybe one day I'll feel like it and come back."

Tang Tian put away his smile and changed his tune.

This was perhaps a more acceptable reason for Davis, and it was also one of his reasons.

Davis's talk of a five-peat or even a ten-peat was wonderful, but if it really was a ten-peat, that would be five or six years from now, and he would miss his children's childhood.

Not to mention that to achieve this goal, he would need to put in even more effort, and he would spend even less time with his family.

So he made a choice.

A choice that seemed incredible to others, but relatively simple to him.

For him, the honor of a four-peat was already complete, and no one in the league could challenge him now.

As for the future, it was like he said, it wasn't like he couldn't come back.

With his strength, he could still dominate the league after his comeback.

After hearing the latter part of Tang Tian's words, Davis knew that Tang Tian's decision was well thought out.

His face couldn't hide his disappointment.

His fantasies might be shattered next season. Without Tang Tian, this Pelicans team would definitely not be able to do it with just him.

"I'm not leaving. After I retire, I'll be the team owner. I'll be in the team's management. We'll still be together. I just won't be playing on the court."

Tang Tian said as he stroked Davis's head, seeing the change in his expression.

Davis's expression eased slightly after hearing that.

Tang Tian's ability wasn't just on the court, but also off the court. In the past few years, the Pelicans' drafts and trades had all been planned by Tang Tian.

If Tang Tian stayed in the management after retiring, then the Pelicans would still be a favorite to win the championship.

"And I'll try to find you a new partner."

Tang Tian continued.

Davis's eyes flashed with doubt again, but when he saw that Tang Tian didn't continue, he didn't ask any further.

After all, the free agency market hadn't opened yet, and even if Tang Tian said it now, it wouldn't be of any use until it was successful.

"What about the World Cup?"

Davis remembered what he and Gasol had said after winning the championship. They both wanted to bring a world championship to their country.

"I'll play. I'm just temporarily retiring from the NBA stage."

Tang Tian replied affirmatively.

He would not only play in the World Cup, but also in the Tokyo Olympics next year.

He definitely wouldn't miss the opportunity to lift the Chinese championship trophy on Japanese soil.

Davis's expression had almost returned to normal after hearing this.

He understood Tang Tian's decision and accepted it.

Tang Tian had already made his decision, and he knew that nothing he said would change it.

And being able to be Tang Tian's opponent in other arenas was already pretty good for him.

"Don't tell anyone before I announce it."

Tang Tian finally instructed.

Davis nodded.

Two days later, the Pelicans' four-peat championship parade took place in New Orleans.

This year's parade was the largest, and both players and fans were immersed in an atmosphere of unbridled revelry.

Including Tang Tian.

He was wearing a big gold chain and a big watch, whistling at the beauties with a cigar in his hand, and spraying champagne.

On the bus, Davis's mood was a little complicated as he watched Tang Tian, who was putting his whole heart into it.

Perhaps he was the only one in the world who knew that this was Tang Tian's last championship parade.

And that was why Tang Tian was being so crazy.