Chapter 80

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On November 25, 1993, at the Delta Center in Utah, USA, the first Thanksgiving Day game in NBA history was about to begin. As the NBA's first challenge to the NFL under David Stern's leadership, the league commissioner himself appeared here today.

Moreover, he gave a very enthusiastic speech before the game. If it weren't for the Jordan situation, Stern would naturally be in Utah, and should have been at the game between the Bulls and the Lakers. Now, due to Lin Han's sudden rise and Jordan's departure, things have changed significantly.

"Really, I can't bear to do it. Should I do it? He's just a rookie who just entered the NBA. I'm not like Michael, who likes to bully young players. I don't like bullying young players. What should I do in this game?"

After David Stern finished his speech to the applause of the Jazz fans, the players from both teams also came out one by one. As the visiting team, the Suns, led by their leader Charles Barkley, walked out of the tunnel amidst the boos of the fans.

However, in the face of the torrent of boos from the Jazz fans, this big fat man seemed to pay no attention. Instead, he was muttering to himself, making decisions, and occasionally showing a troubled look to his teammates.

At this moment, none of his Suns teammates spoke up about their leader's dilemma. They didn't even look at their team's top player, acting as if Barkley didn't exist.

"Ah, it seems you all support me doing this, all tacitly agreeing. You are all so bad, making me do such a thing. I am a very kind person, really can't bear to ruin a promising young player."

After Barkley sighed with a pained expression, the group of Suns players who came to the bench all felt nauseated by his words.

Brother, the one who said he would face the rookie is you. You said you would take revenge on the rookie for Chris Webber. How can you say you don't want to?

Also, Michael Jordan does like to bully young players, but brother, you don't have the right to say that about Jordan. You also like to bully new players, it's just that you always end up being bullied by them.

Moreover, didn't you say this Jazz rookie has been arrogant lately, stealing all your thunder, and that you were going to teach him how to be a good rookie in the NBA? How can you forget so quickly and act so pained, as if we were forcing you?

At this moment, facing Barkley's 'Oscar-worthy performance,' the Suns players all felt like criticizing him. Their leader is great in every way, except for one thing: he is too silly, and not just a little.

"Kevin, tell me, how many points should I score in this game? Should I play a lot of drives, or shoot a lot, or play a lot of post-up offense? Should I show off my versatility? There should be a lot of people watching this game, it's really a dilemma," Barkley said, looking around at the crazy Jazz fans.

At this moment, Kevin Johnson could only say, "......".

......

In this game, Lin Han was targeted by the most popular big fat man in the NBA, Charles Barkley, who said he would play the perimeter to face Lin Han. This left Lin Han speechless, feeling a deep dislike for the current NBA's superstars, who had no integrity as interior players. How could an interior player just come to the perimeter, and not let others live?

However, despite his frustration, the start of the home game brought Lin Han a huge surprise. For the first time, his entry order was third, meaning the team had officially recognized him as the third star. The two players who followed him were Stockton and Malone.

So when Lin Han came out, feeling the deafening cheers of the Jazz fans, he was in high spirits. As one of the most important holidays in the United States, Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays, along with Christmas and the Super Bowl. On this day, most Americans choose to stay home, eat turkey, and watch the annual NFL Thanksgiving Day game. Even most NBA fans do this.

However, it was quite difficult to fill the entire Delta Center on such a day. But unexpectedly, the Delta Center was indeed full today, even surprising David Stern. It must be said that the Jazz's recent performance has been outstanding, and their fans have no reason not to support their beloved team.

Of course, Lin Han's three sisters were also at the game today. When Lin Han came out, these three beautiful girls were almost in tears, seeing the Jazz fans' cheers for Lin Han. They really didn't expect Lin Han to achieve such success in such a short time.

......

"Mr. Sun, Xiao Su, the starting lineups for both teams are out, take a look."

At this moment, Lin Han was happy to be officially recognized as the team's third star and moved by the fans' enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in the commentary booth, a group of people, including Su Qun and Sun Zhengping, were so excited that their hearts felt like they were about to jump out of their throats. This game would be broadcast live in China, marking the first live NBA broadcast. They were making history, and this game was very important, a battle between the second and fourth teams in the West.

Moreover, before the game, the two teams had been engaging in verbal sparring. Barkley said he would establish his advantage as the reigning regular-season MVP in front of Malone, while Malone expressed disdain for Barkley's MVP. Seeing Malone's lack of interest, Barkley found it boring and then targeted Lin Han, saying he would personally deal with him. This statement by Barkley directly ignited the entire American media. After all, Lin Han's explosive start to the season, his steady position as the leading scorer, and the fact that his opponents were not top-tier stars, made his success hard to believe.

Hardaway is not a top-tier star, neither is John Starks, and as for Mashburn and Laettner, they are even less so. As for finally facing the Hawks' Dominique Wilkins, this veteran star showed no interest in Lin Han. Lin Han's opponent in the game against the Hawks was a role player, even though he was quite good.

Lin Han's current popularity is indeed high, but he needs a breakthrough to elevate it further. Undoubtedly, Barkley is that breakthrough. He is the league's second-best player, just behind Jordan. After Jordan's departure, he became the top player. Although his primary position is power forward, he can also play small forward and shooting guard, and even point guard, at a high level.

Therefore, this is one of the reasons why the game is so highly anticipated by the American media. Given the media's attention and excitement, how could Su Qun and Sun Zhengping be any different? In their minds, both Lin Han and Barkley are superstars, and a matchup between two superstars is bound to be exciting. They even believe that if the broadcast is successful, the entire country of China will go crazy, and they will become household names, especially Su Qun, who has had such an opportunity just two years after graduation, which is simply mind-blowing.

"The Jazz's starting lineup remains unchanged: center is Spencer, power forward is Malone, small forward is Brian Russell, shooting guard is Lin Han, and point guard is Stockton. The Suns' starting lineup has changed: center is Mark West, power forward is AC Green, small forward is Dan Majerle, shooting guard is Barkley, and point guard is Kevin Johnson."

"Shooting guard is Barkley, shooting guard is Barkley, shooting guard, is, Barkley! It's really happening, I can't believe it!"

When Sun Zhengping told Su Qun the starting lineups of both teams, Su Qun's voice trembled. Lin Han was really facing Barkley in this game!

When the two commentators looked at the Jazz's No. 8 player warming up on the court, they exchanged another glance, their hearts burning with excitement.

......

"Mr. Miller, congratulations. The Jazz is an excellent team, Lin Han is an outstanding rookie, and this game will be a very exciting one. The Jazz will be one of the most promising teams in the NBA."

At this moment, as all the commentators were excited by the matchup between Lin Han and Barkley, and all the journalists were already drafting the headline "NBA's Best Rookie Faces Best Player, Suffers Crushing Defeat" for the next day's front page, David Stern, the initiator of the game, sitting with Jazz owner Miller, looked relaxed.

For him, any NBA game is just a tool for profit. Such a tool cannot bring him any excitement or pleasure. He only shows satisfaction and a smile when the value created by the tool appears before him. Now, the value has not yet appeared, and if this game really creates significant value, the person next to him will be the biggest beneficiary.

"Ha ha ha, thank you for your support, Mr. President."

David Stern's words were not lost on Miller, who, after a hearty laugh, continued, "Don't worry, Mr. Stern, I will do my best to cultivate him and won't let you down."

After Miller spoke, David Stern squinted and nodded lightly, thinking to himself, "Not bad, he's on the right track, a capable person."

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