NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 493 The Grand Finals Are Here

The Warriors players left the court dejectedly; such a defeat is extremely difficult to accept. The myth of the Warriors' invincibility has finally come to an end.

This perfect start to the game did not lead to a happy ending. They were completely defeated, and the person who made them swallow this damn defeat was Jia Fei.

贾飞本场比赛出战了44分54秒，砍下全场最高的55分，外加17个篮板8次助攻6个抢断3个盖帽的恐怖数据。

His 55 points is his highest single-game score in the NBA playoffs (his previous highest was 54 points). Not only is his highest single-game score in the playoffs, but it is also the highest single-game score in the playoffs in Clippers history.

除了单场55分，贾飞本场比赛抢到了17个篮板！这是他连续第2场比赛抢到15+篮板，继续刷新他个人的季后赛单场篮板记录。本场比赛他的6次抢断，也创造了他季后赛单场抢断记录（之前最高是5次）。

Considering the importance and practical significance of this game, Jia Fei's statistics become even more valuable. He delivered a flawless performance, sending the Warriors home and allowing the Clippers to set a new franchise record.

"I'm in the Finals! Ja, I'm in the Finals!" Paul George was so excited he was almost incoherent. He was truly thrilled; this would be his first Finals appearance. Previously in the Eastern Conference, his best team result was the Eastern Conference Finals. It was the Miami Heat, the team he played for at the time, that ended his Finals journey. Unexpectedly, in his first season with a new team, he broke through to the Finals; happiness truly came too suddenly.

Wearing Western Conference champion T-shirts and baseball caps, Jia Fei and his teammates returned from the locker room to the center of the arena to receive the division champion award.

Boss Ballmer was just as excited as they were; he hugged Jia Fei warmly, repeatedly saying "Thank you!"

Jia Fei said he wanted to thank him, saying that it was his trust that allowed him to work freely and that the team's current achievements were largely due to his efforts.

This isn't just flattery of Ballmer; very few owners would entrust the team's power to players and consultants. It's an absolute sign of trust and a very smart move.

In contrast to Ballmer was the basketball god, who held onto power tightly until his death. Not only major team decisions, but even draft picks and trades required his approval. He probably even had to approve what underwear the cheerleaders wore at home games!

Some Lakers fans are genuinely envious. Bringing up the idea of ​​their team having more accolades now just seems like sophistry. The reality is, this once-great team hasn't even made the playoffs for several seasons, let alone the Finals. But the Clippers have truly built their success step by step! Last season, they reached the Western Conference Finals; this season, the NBA Finals! And the Clippers' Finals journey this time was incredibly impressive, facing the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals! What a formidable opponent!

The Western Conference Finals trophy, unlike the glittering NBA championship trophy, appeared rather understated and ordinary. But when Jia Fei raised it, the crowd erupted. This was the team's first divisional championship since its inception, making it incredibly significant.

This is similar to how men always find it hard to forget their first love. It's not that their first love was so wonderful or perfect, but simply because it was the first one, that it's so unforgettable.

Jia Fei handed the trophy to owner Steve Ballmer, then turned and hugged head coach Steve Budenholzer.

The two men's reunion has propelled them back into the finals. Last time, they won the championship, and their chances of winning again are high.

"Jia, thank you for letting me come here! Thank you!" Coach Buden was very grateful to Jia Fei, who gave him a chance to prove himself again and have another opportunity to reach the top of the league.

"Coach, I should thank you. Your trust allowed us to win the series!" Jia Fei wasn't just being polite. The Clippers' version of the small-ball lineup was Jia Fei's idea, but Coach Buden made the decision to start with this lineup.

If it were Coach Li, he would never have dared to start such a lineup that he hadn't used in the regular season in such a crucial game. That's the biggest difference between Budenholzer and Coach Li.

Ultimately, Budden trusted Jia Fei far more than Lao Li did. Lao Li relied on Jia Fei, while Budden trusted him completely—100% trust!

Clippers fans were happy that night, especially those who witnessed the new franchise record being set at Staples Center; it was a truly memorable experience.

In the West, the Clippers have already qualified, while the situation in the East is still unclear. The Cavaliers are down 2-3 in the series and are on the verge of elimination.

But Jia Fei knew that the Cavaliers had advanced in Game 7 in his previous life, and this time would likely be no different. The Running Man player was indeed incredibly reliable; even if it meant committing a traveling violation, he was determined to drag the team into the Finals.

In the post-game news, Jia Fei was naturally lauded as being comparable to Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a perfect star. He certainly has many merits to be praised, especially considering the strength of his opponents, which makes his Finals appearance all the more impressive.

Jia Fei didn't get carried away. He knew that the season's mission wasn't over yet, and they would have to wait until after the big battle in June to celebrate.

There's still a lot of work to be done. While neither of the two Eastern Conference teams is a match for the Clippers in terms of raw talent, nothing in a game is absolute, and upsets are not uncommon. And sometimes, things like injuries are beyond your complete control.

On May 28th, the Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 took place.

Before the game, Coach Buden asked Jia Fei which of the two teams would win Game 7.

Jia Fei only said one word, "Run," and Coach Buden understood immediately.

That night, the Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Celtics, making it to the NBA Finals to face the Clippers. These two teams will meet in the Finals for the first time!

Jia Fei and Running Man also met again in the playoffs after the 2014-15 season!

Even though many people think the biggest suspense of the season was over in the Western Conference Finals, the NBA Finals are still full of talking points. Jia Fei and Running Man, Clippers and Cavaliers, these are the most popular stars and two high-profile teams this season.

The NBA is a business league. As long as there's buzz and viewership, even if the game itself lacks appeal, it can still make a fortune. A Finals series like the Pistons vs. Spurs series, with its rock-bottom ratings, is what the league really wants to see.

The media has already begun predicting the outcome and result of the Finals. Major media outlets across the US, numerous journalists, and many NBA legends almost universally believe the Clippers will win their first NBA championship.

The reason is quite simple: the Clippers' roster is much, much stronger than the Cavaliers'.