The longest river

Chapter 160 The Battle Against Influenza

Paul was watching the game live and, in addition to congratulating him, also mentioned the matter of an early contract extension.

He hadn't discussed this with Paul, but Paul, being with Fisher, must have considered these things.

He felt that after this match, Yang Shuai would most likely win the Finals MVP, and his contract extension could start at 100 million yuan.

A 19-year-old Finals MVP is unprecedented in NBA history.

Even Magic Johnson was already 20 years old when he won the Finals MVP.

Yang Shuai hadn't thought about these things before, but now that Paul said it, it seems to be true.

At the post-game press conference, Yang Shuai and Miller accompanied Bird.

Also at the press conference, a Fox reporter asked Miller about the Finals MVP.

After three games in the finals, Yang Shuai averaged 24 points, while Miller only averaged 15 points. If they continue to play like this, Yang Shuai will definitely be the Finals MVP.

As the Pacers' star player and arguably the team's icon, it would be a huge regret for Miller to win the championship but not get the Finals MVP.

"Shouldn't Hansen have gotten that?"

However, Miller's answer surprised the reporters, including Yang Shuai.

"Without him, none of us could have beaten Michael, nor would we be standing on this stage. Don't you think he deserves this?"

Miller's statement emphasizes the importance of looking at problems and seeing their essence.

If they play the Bulls, and Miller plays like a god on every game, then gets injured and plays in the Finals, allowing Yang to "reap the rewards," even if he doesn't say it for the sake of the team, he'll still have some thoughts about it.

The problem now is that he got injured in Game 4. It's fair to say that without Yang Shuai stepping in to save the Pacers from the crisis, and with the Pacers' constant battle with Jordan throughout the series, the Pacers would never have made it to the Finals.

Moreover, Yang Shuai performed well in the finals. Just because he is the soul of the Pacers, does he have to make Yang Shuai give up his stats, or tank if he doesn't, so that he can win the FMVP?

Miller wouldn't do something so shameless.

Yang Shuai was also somewhat moved at this moment. As a time traveler, he knew that the FMVP competition had happened many times in history, and he could only say that Miller was indeed a respectable person.

Or rather, all Miller ever wanted was victory and a championship.

裹挟着G3的大胜之势，步行者队在G4又以96比84击败爵士队，把总决赛的大比分改写成了3比1，也成功拿到了赛点。

Before Game 5, Stern and league staff were present. If the Pacers could win, they would be able to lift the trophy at home.

The Pacers players were also incredibly excited before the game.

However, once the match actually started, the development of the game was somewhat beyond their expectations.

The most unexpected thing was that Ma Long had a breakout performance in this match.

他全场29投15中，罚球10罚7中，爆砍37分10板3助攻4抢断。

He played completely differently in this game compared to the previous few games. He no longer hesitated and was decisive when shooting or passing the ball, even when facing double teams.

This was unexpected, yet perfectly logical.

As someone who narrowly lost to Jordan in the regular season MVP voting, Malone's strength and form this season represent the peak of his career.

It would be truly bizarre if he didn't have a breakout performance in any of the finals games.

Or perhaps he was too focused on competing with Yang Shuai in the earlier matches, but when he was really on the edge of the cliff, he focused all his attention on the match itself.

The Jazz also had their only game with a 100-point score since the Finals began, defeating the Pacers 104-96.

Yang Shuai scored 27 points, Miller contributed 25 points, and even Smits had 16 points. The Pacers basically played to their potential, but this game belonged to them who couldn't contain the Jazz's offense.

The two sides will face off in the sixth game of the finals, and the suspense of the finals has been raised once again.

According to the competition format, the next two games of the finals will be held in Salt Lake City.

During their open practice session in Salt Lake City, the Pacers appeared to be in the same form as in their previous games.

They did not lose confidence or panic because of losing Game 5.

Because the Jazz had an exceptional offensive performance in their last game, it will be difficult for them to maintain that level of play.

Of course, the Pacers did not underestimate the Jazz because they thought the Jazz would not play like that again, after all, it was an away game.

After training, the team members boarded a bus and secretly left the training hall, then went to their hotel.

This time, Bird really used his connections to find a secluded hotel so that they wouldn't be disturbed by Salt Lake City fans that night.

Of course, Salt Lake City is indeed a boring place.

Bird forbade the players from going out, so Yang Shuai had to call Jermaine O'Neal to his room.

Jermaine O'Neal, still a playful guy, likes to carry a game console with him, which has now become one of his few forms of entertainment.

However, they started to get hungry halfway through the game.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

O'Neal turned to open the door and came in a moment later with a pizza.

"You ordered this?" Yang Shuai was a little surprised. Little O'Neal had suddenly become so sensible.

Jermaine O'Neal shook his head.

Yang Shuai was taken aback; it wasn't something he had ordered.

"The coach ordered the pizzas; he ordered one for everyone," Jermaine O'Neal explained.

Yang Shuai was stunned for a moment.

You know what, Bird was actually quite considerate this time; he'd never been this kind to his players before. In fact, Yang Shuai had a vague feeling that Bird secretly looked down on Black people.

It looks like they're about to win the championship; Bird has changed his ways.

As soon as O'Neal opened the pizza, he started eating; when you're hungry, it's really hard to resist that delicious smell.

"Wait a moment."

However, Yang Shuai had a moment of doubt at that moment.

Because he thought about it, and Bird's arrogant demeanor didn't seem like someone who could change his personality.

Moreover, looking at the familiar pizza in front of him, he suddenly remembered the flu battle that his classmate had told him.

My deskmate said that the "Flu Game" was just a story Jordan made up to add to the legend of the Finals, but he had indeed heard the story.

He got up and made a phone call to Bird.

Bird was discussing tactics with Carlisle on the other end of the phone, and immediately gave a negative answer after receiving Yang's call.

After hanging up the phone, the two of them looked at the pizza, and it no longer smelled delicious; instead, it looked terrifying.

"These people are really capable of doing this!"

O'Neal looked like he'd escaped a disaster; if it really was a poisoner, they might be meeting their maker tonight.

Yang Shuai thought it was unlikely. Even members of the Mormon Church wouldn't commit murder to support their home team. It would just be something like giving you diarrhea or the flu, as he knew.

"Do you remember what that person looked like?" Yang Shuai asked.

Because it's a relatively remote hotel, I didn't see any surveillance equipment in the area.

The other party probably knew this, which is why they dared to do this.

Jermaine O'Neal shook his head. Who would deliberately try to remember the face of a food delivery person unless they were a beautiful woman?

Moreover, after thinking about it for a moment, he realized that the other person seemed to be deliberately keeping their head down, which was indeed a bit strange.

"Should we notify the others?" O'Neal suddenly thought of something.

"The coach will definitely handle this," Yang Shuai said, having already packed the pizza into a garbage bag and then asked the front desk staff to come and take it away.

After a while, there was another knock on the door.

This time, it wasn't a delivery person who came; it was Bird.

He had Carlisle ask around, and no one else had encountered this situation.

In other words, this should only be directed at Yang Shuai.

As for finding Yang Shuai's room, it's not particularly difficult in a religious gathering place.

"They really think highly of me," Yang Shuai sneered, feeling like he was receiving the same treatment as Jordan.

But to be honest, it was his performance against Malone that made Jazz fans hate him.

“I have an idea,” Bird explained his purpose.

The following day, Yang Shuai did not attend the Pacers' open practice session, and Bird also remained silent on the matter.

Then Salt Lake City media received news that Yang Shuai ate a pizza last night, and vomited and had a fever after eating it.

When his trainer, DiFrancisco, arrived at his room, he found Yang Shuai curled up on the bed, exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and cold sweats—clearly signs of food poisoning.

The Pacers' medical staff immediately treated him, but his condition did not improve, and it is uncertain whether Yang Shuai will be able to play in Game 6.

This news thrilled Jazz fans.

They saw the light at the end of the tunnel in an instant.

During the pre-game warm-up for Game 6, Yang Shuai appeared on the sidelines. He simply took a few shots while wearing his training clothes and then sat down to rest.

This confirmed the earlier media reports to fans and even the Jazz team.

Even when Yang Shuai was still in the starting lineup during the opening ceremony, they firmly believed in that point.

Amid cheers from the fans, Ostertag flicked the ball back to the Jazz's half of the court, officially kicking off Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

The Jazz's first possession of the game went to Malone in the low post, who turned and made a mid-range jump shot against Schmitz.

This is clearly a test of his skills. Ma Long's playing style is more technical, and his feel for the game determines a lot of things.

"when!"

The basketball bounced off the rim, and as the Pacers had predicted, Malone was unlikely to replicate his incredible shooting touch from the previous game.

However, the Jazz are not discouraged. After all, the Pacers' star duo is currently injured, and they can win the game by relying on their defense.

The Pacers' offense was countered by the Jazz's defense, which focused on Miller on the strong side.

However, at that moment, Yang Shuai suddenly cut in from the weak side.

"Oh!"

After receiving a pass from Mark Jackson, Yang Shuai leaped high and delivered a signature tomahawk dunk.

This caught the Jazz completely off guard.

This is what people with food poisoning should look like.
Yang Shuai smiled after landing.

Of course I was just kidding you, you idiots!

(End of this chapter)