2 to 4, the Pelicans ultimately fell in the Western Conference Finals.

The Pelicans missed out on their fifth consecutive championship, and Durant missed out on his first NBA championship.

It proved that in the Western Conference, full of strong teams, breaking through was not so easy.

Without Tang Tian, the Pelicans were a championship-contending team, but still had a gap to close to win the championship.

And a very cruel reality was that Leonard and Antetokounmpo had successively entered their peak, their overall strength was stronger than Durant's, and they were younger.

The time and opportunities left for Durant were not many.

Even more cruel was the reality that Davis's contract extension with the Pelicans before was 3+1, if the Pelicans consistently failed to win in the following two years.

Without Tang Tian, no one could guarantee whether Davis would continue to stay.

The NBA was a business league, reality was like this, Tang Tian was able to lead this team to constantly win championships, so the team atmosphere was harmonious and united.

But when the championship no longer belonged to this city, everyone would have their own ideas.

On every night when the Pelicans were eliminated, the most consistent voice on social media was: We need Tang Tian.

"Durant has done well enough, but we need Tang, it has been proven that only Tang can lead the Pelicans to win the championship."

"Just like when Jordan retired, the Bulls were unable to win the championship, the current situation is the same, we really need Tang."

"One year of rest is enough, Tang, come back soon! We need you @BaoBaTangTian."

"This year's playoffs, although intense, the ratings have declined significantly compared to previous years, not just Pelicans fans, the entire league needs you, Tang!"

"Stop being willful, Tang, come back quickly, you're only 26 years old! You're wasting your career by resting, come back quickly!"

……

Under Tang Tian's Twitter, the fans' voices had reached a peak.

Although the Pelicans had played respectably enough, the fans who had become accustomed to winning and championships, their first reaction was still to let Tang Tian come back.

Moreover, many Pelicans players' contracts were expiring next year, if Tang Tian wanted to come back, the team could easily clear out the space for a max contract.

The Big Three lineup of Tang Tian, Durant, and Davis, even if the West was ruthless, they plus a team of old grandmas could break through and win the championship.

Many fans were also looking forward to seeing Tang Tian and Durant playing together.

Faced with the fans' clamoring, Tang Tian's reaction was no reaction.

His plan wasn't to come back next year, and even if he wanted to come back, it would be announced in a surprise way, instead of being forced to come back.

That wasn't his style.

With the Pelicans eliminated, the Pelicans' coaching staff and management also began to enter their respective off-seasons.

The players began to welcome the long offseason, some wanted to practice hard to improve after the loss, some began to plan their next contract, and some began to enjoy this rare and pleasant life.

The coaching staff, together with the management, began to prepare for next season's draft and free agency.

Tang Tian also had his own summer plans, especially since this summer was an Olympic year.

On his schedule, the Tokyo Olympics were a must-play for him.

For this competition, he had to start training early and get back in shape to prepare.

But before that, his attention was still on the NBA championship.

Anyway, watching the games wouldn't delay his training.

This year's NBA Finals were between the Bucks and the Spurs.

Both teams had performed strongly in the playoffs.

The Bucks were invincible in the East, and the most surprising thing was that they took down their strong rival the Celtics 4-1 cleanly.

Antetokounmpo, whose shooting was becoming more stable, Irving and Hayward, who were in good shape, and further improved understanding.

For the Bucks, they already had the look of a champion this year.

Compared to the Bucks, the Spurs' journey to the West was more difficult.

They played the Clippers for 6 games in the semifinals, and were once forced to tie the score by the Clippers, and then the game against the Pelicans was also fraught with danger.

But the Spurs finally returned to the Finals after 6 years.

Being able to break out from the strong West was enough to prove their strength.

Before the game really started, no one knew who would win.

Of course, predicting the champion was also something that would be done every year.

This year, TNT specially invited Tang Tian as a guest to make a wave of popularity predictions.

When Tang Tian appeared on the show, the show's ratings exploded, and even set a TNT ratings record.

Not long after the show started, Barkley couldn't help but sigh.

"Tang, why don't you come and be our special guest, I guarantee the boss will pay you ten times the price."

Barkley's words caused everyone in the live broadcast room to laugh.

Tang Tian also laughed along.

But everyone knew that Barkley's words were a joke, with Tang Tian's worth, unless he wanted to, otherwise a hundred times the price would not move him.

"Let's get back to the topic, who do you think will be the NBA champion this year?"

"Wow, I found this question so interesting for the first time, because Tang is no longer on the Pelicans, he is sitting next to me now, we are finally discussing a question with suspense."

Barkley was worthy of being TNT's top card, a very ordinary question was made by him to make everyone laugh.

"So Tang, what do you think of this question, who do you think will be the guy who helps the team win the championship and win the MVP after you, is Giannis A...De...Tokunbo.

Sorry, this name is too difficult to read, I still call him Antetokounmpo, or Kawhi Leonard."

Tang Tian was a special guest, and also the biggest name in the live broadcast room, Barkley didn't do any finale, and directly asked him first.

"Kawhi Leonard."

Tang Tian didn't hesitate much, and directly gave his answer.

"You don't consider it?!"

Tang Tian's answer was too straightforward, completely without any program effect, causing Barkley to exclaim.

"You wouldn't be like me and the others before, thinking that this name is just easier to spell, right?!"

Barkley also made a serious joke.

"I think Tang is more because the Spurs eliminated the Pelicans, I know he was watching on the sidelines throughout the series."

Kenny Smith took over the conversation, his reason was much more reliable than Barkley's.

"You're all wrong, Leonard was Tang's little brother during his time with the Spurs, and they have had a lot of contact since then, let me give you an example, if I were to rate the historical shooting guards, I would definitely put Wade before Kobe."

O'Neal routinely blacked Kobe, causing the others to laugh.

But this wave was the most likely reason, Leonard was able to be where he was today was largely because of Tang Tian.

Not only the guidance and help during his rookie years, but also the factor that he persuaded Leonard to stay with the Spurs afterwards.

"So, Tang, what's your real thought? Why do you think Leonard can do it?"

The Big Three had all said their guesses, and Barkley also asked Tang Tian, the main person involved.

"Kenny guessed right, if the Bucks win the championship, wouldn't my team be very embarrassed?"

No one expected that Tang Tian was very serious before, but at this moment he directly became mischievous.