Chapter 1 The Start

After the rings were distributed, the championship banner unveiling ceremony followed.

When the championship banner representing the 2018-2019 season was unveiled, the cheers at the scene reached a climax.

From 2015-2016 to the current 2018-2019, four consecutive banners, four consecutive championships!

The Pelicans are undoubtedly the hottest team in the league right now!

After the award ceremony, the warm-up was followed by the player introduction ceremony.

The starting lineups of the two teams were gradually revealed.

For the Lakers, it was Simmons and Middleton on the outside, James and Randle on the frontcourt, and Horford at center.

This lineup was balanced offensively and defensively in the paint, and its strength was not much worse than last season.

For the Pelicans, it was Alexander and Brogdon on the outside, Durant and Davis on the frontcourt, and Gasol at center.

This lineup, not to mention the outside, was the most luxurious in the entire league in the frontcourt and paint.

Before the game, the camera showed Tang Tian, Olsen, and their two sons on the sidelines.

The two children were already over two years old, and they were especially good-looking thanks to their parents' genes.

When they appeared on the LED screen, it also drew cheers from the crowd.

Successful retirement, the peak of life, Tang Tian is now one of the most envied people by fans.

Tang Tian also smiled and waved to the fans.

Now, home games have become a way for him to spend time with his family.

The game was about to begin, and the starters of both teams entered the court one after another.

Gasol tapped the ball back to his own half at center court, giving the Pelicans the opportunity to attack first.

Alexander came up and ran a pick-and-roll with Gasol, and after breaking through, he passed the ball back to Gasol, who took a three-pointer in front of Simmons.

The timing of this shot was good, and Simmons' interference was limited.

"Clang!"

But unfortunately, the ball didn't go in.

Horford retreated to the basket, boxed out, and secured the defensive rebound.

Simmons dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, and James organized at the arc.

The Pelicans' defense was very good. Although they lost Tang Tian, who came with his own system, Stevens was a coach who was very good at defense.

James saw that the play wasn't working, so he ran a pick-and-roll with Horford and broke towards the inside.

It was also a pass back after the breakthrough, but the Pelicans' help defense rotation was faster, and Horford was interfered with by Alexander before he could even shoot.

Horford chose to pass the ball to Simmons on the outside, who got an open three-point opportunity.

There was a burst of booing from the crowd.

Simmons doesn't have a three-pointer, so the defense was already half successful.

But to their surprise, Simmons didn't hesitate on the outside and shot a three-pointer directly!

"Swish!"

The key was that the ball went in!

There was a stir on the sidelines.

The result was too unexpected.

Tang Tian on the stands also showed a look of surprise.

Simmons didn't shoot many three-pointers in the World Cup, but judging from his posture, he must have been practicing in private.

Hard work pays off, and after two years of practice, there were finally results.

But this was obviously not good news for the Pelicans.

Simmons, who can shoot three-pointers, is a big boost to the Lakers' strength.

It's not an exaggeration to say that with such a Simmons, the Lakers' strength is no less than last season.

Davis' low post fadeaway in the frontcourt was also interfered with by Horford and didn't go in.

James retreated and grabbed the rebound.

Compared to Lopez, Horford's role on the defensive end is obviously greater.

The Lakers pushed a fast break, James was very fast, and he went all the way to the frontcourt, scoring the ball over Alexander.

He was indeed like he said before the game, he had become lighter and faster after losing weight.

5 to 0!

The Lakers gave the Pelicans a warning on the road, which also caused a stir at the scene.

Durant didn't receive the ball on a run in the frontcourt, and Brogdon's three-pointer after receiving the ball was also a bit off and didn't go in.

Back on the other end, in the Lakers' set offense, the Pelicans didn't dare to leave Simmons open, which gave James a chance, and he quickly broke into the paint and scored a layup.

James after losing weight looked a little unstoppable.

7 to 0!

This was no longer just a warning, but a complete dominance!

There was a stir at the scene.

Many people began to turn their attention to Tang Tian in the stands.

In the past, Tang Tian would come out to help the Pelicans take the initiative, and even unfavorable situations were broken by Tang Tian.

But now that Tang Tian was gone, the Pelicans suddenly lost their backbone!

They were now all looking at Tang Tian, as if expecting the latter to take off his clothes and go directly into the game.

But Tang Tian was now looking at Durant on the court.

The Lakers' frontcourt and paint strength was second only to the Pelicans. It was difficult for Davis to score in the paint. The most suitable person to open up the situation now was Durant.

Stevens also stood up from the bench and made new tactical gestures.

The Pelicans attacked to the frontcourt, and after spreading out, Durant called for the ball on the right high post.

James was defending him one-on-one.

Durant posted up a few times and couldn't find a good opportunity. After turning around, he chose a face-up, pull-up jump shot.

James' reaction speed was very fast after losing weight, and he completely blocked Durant's shooting vision.

"Swish!"

But Durant shot the ball in over James' defense!

He had the experience of shooting key shots over Tang Tian's defense in the World Cup final.

Just like Tang Tian said, after this World Cup, he really became more mature and stronger!

There was a burst of cheers at the scene.

Durant helped the Pelicans break the scoring drought!

This goal also greatly boosted the Pelicans' morale. Davis helped defend and disrupted Simmons' layup and secured the defensive rebound.

Back on the other end, Durant continued to hold the ball and attack. This time he chose to break through, squeezed past James, and scored another strong layup!

His competitive state looked very hot!

A large number of fans at the scene began to cheer for Durant.

A superstar is someone who stands up at a crucial moment!

James broke through and passed to Middleton, whose corner three-pointer went in, but the referee called him for stepping on the line.

There was a burst of cheers and whistles at the scene.

One good shot leads to another, and after Durant scored two consecutive goals, luck began to favor the Pelicans.

Durant continued to attack one-on-one in the frontcourt, and this time Randle directly helped defend.

Durant turned around and leaned back in the double team.

"Clang!"

This time his shot failed to hit.

However, after Randle came out to help defend, the Lakers' paint was empty, and Davis grabbed the offensive rebound while Horford and Gasol were boxing out.

At this moment, he noticed that Durant had moved to the three-point line.

Because his offensive rebound had attracted the Lakers' defense to shrink, no one noticed when Durant moved to the three-point line.

He noticed it and threw the pass directly.

Durant caught the ball and shot another three-pointer from the outside.

"Swish!"

With a crisp sound, Durant's three-pointer went in again!

He was 3 of 4 from the field after the start and had scored 7 consecutive points!

7 to 7, the Pelicans also responded with a 7-0 run to tie the score!

The cheers at the scene exploded.

The excitement on the fans' faces was hard to hide.

Tang Tian couldn't play, but now they had Durant!

Based on his performance of scoring 7 consecutive points after the team was passive at the start, Durant's title of "Tang Tian's Successor" that he earned during the World Cup was confirmed!