Chapter 837
leaves behind countless legends! The final battle before retirement!
Looking back on Lin Tian's 13-year career, he debuted in the second round of the playoffs with the Chicago Bulls. Although he mostly came off the bench in his rookie season, he still managed to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. To this day, he and Ben Gordon are the only two players in NBA history to win the Sixth Man of the Year award in their rookie season.
Then he started every game of his career until the end of this season!
Throughout his career, Lin Tian played a total of 968 games, starting 898 and coming off the bench 70. He scored a total of 26082 points, 10571 assists, 6802 rebounds, 2470 steals, and 1011 blocks.
Throughout his career, he averaged 26.9 points, 10.9 assists, 7 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game!
All-around ability! Lin Tian's data perfectly demonstrates his all-around ability.
In addition, his total points rank tenth in history, his assists rank second, and his steals rank third!
Lin Tian ranks in the top ten all-time in all three statistics, making him the only player in NBA history to do so!
Of course, as time goes on, and as players like Kobe, Shaq, and James accumulate experience, Lin Tian's ranking in these statistics will most likely drop.
But at least as of now, he is the only person in history to rank in the top ten in three statistical categories!
另外，如果要算那些相当定制的数据的话，林天也是NBA历史上唯一25000+10000+6000+2000+1000的人。
More importantly, he accomplished all of this in just 13 years!
The rest of the guys on the list have all had incredibly long careers!
Well, with the exception of a few of the most terrifying monsters, such as Jordan, Johnson, and Chamberlain, their careers weren't particularly long either.
In addition to these basic statistics, Lin Tian has also won countless honors, including but not limited to 11 championships, 9 Finals MVPs, 8 MVPs, including two three-time MVPs and one two-time MVP.
In addition to these top honors, Lin Tian also won a Sixth Man of the Year award and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
In addition, he won 8 assists titles, 4 scoring titles, and 6 steals titles in his relatively short career!
And the incredible statistics he created during the regular season are countless!
Achieving a 40-point average per game in a single season, scoring 50 points in eight consecutive games, scoring over 70 points in multiple games, the highest single-game score in the playoffs, and the highest average points per game in a single series...
Averaging 14.8 assists per game in a single season, 1184 assists in a single season, 30 assists in a single game...
Averaging a triple-double per game in a single season, recording 41 triple-doubles in a single season, and a total of 203 triple-doubles in his career...
A quadruple-double in a single game, the fastest triple-double in NBA history, and a perfect 681 free throws made in a single season...
Leading the team to 70+ wins multiple times in a single season, including 76, 75, and 74 wins...
Two consecutive championships with the Bulls, five consecutive championships with the Pacers and six championships in seven years, three consecutive championships with the Knicks...
Unanimous MVP, 16-game playoff winning streak...
Nine consecutive All-Star vote leader, eleven consecutive All-Star starters (excluding the 1998-99 season when no All-Star Game was held)...
It has broken and created countless so-called 'most difficult records to break in history'.
It has created countless terrifying statistics for single games, single seasons, single months, and other similar events.
This guy is a complete data king!
And all of the above are the highest-ranking statistics in Lin Tian's career. The data that is shared with others and highly customized is simply not worth mentioning in his long career!
In addition, he was selected to the All-NBA First Team 11 times, the All-NBA Third Team once, the All-NBA First Team 11 times, and the All-NBA First Team once!
Throughout Lin Tian's entire career, except for his two years with the Bulls, he has always been one of the best players in the league!
This is an incredibly powerful and omnipotent monster!
Everyone knows that Lin Tian's decision to retire was not because he couldn't play anymore, he was no longer good enough, or he was too old.
He doesn't want to play anymore! He no longer feels any challenge.
No one dared to question this!
After all, who would dare to question a monster who just led his team to the highest winning percentage in regular season history, won the championship with a perfect record in the playoffs, won the MVP and Finals MVP, was selected to the All-NBA First Team, and didn't miss a single free throw all year?
Lin Tian's retirement was met with no one's courage or willingness to question it.
Regardless of whether they had a grudge against Lin Tian or not, and regardless of whether they liked him or not, no one dared to say a harsh word to him. Instead, everyone chose to send Lin Tian their heartfelt blessings.
Everyone was afraid that if they said something wrong or too harsh, Lin Tian might suddenly become reckless and refuse to retire.
Who can withstand that?
Everyone's had enough of this monster. If you want to leave, then leave now!
Hurry up, go as far away as possible, and preferably never come back. It would be best if we could part ways and never see each other again.
Amidst the 'blessings' and 'farewells' from players from all walks of life, Lin Tian's professional career has finally come to an end.
However, it was clearly not time for him to rest yet.
This year is 2008!
China is about to host the Olympic Games for the first time in its history!
This is the first time in China's 5000-year history that such an important sporting event has been held. The entire nation of 14 billion people is looking forward to this quadrennial event, and everyone is proud of it and full of anticipation.
As for the Chinese men's basketball team, as the most popular, best-performing, and most influential team in Chinese sports today, and with a strong global influence, they naturally attract countless eyes!
自从2000年林天加入以来，华夏篮球队已经连续两次在奥运会（00悉尼、04雅典）两次世锦赛（02年印第安纳、06年日本）之中拿到冠军。
Over the past eight years, they have won four consecutive world championships, making them the undisputed champions and true dream team in the world of basketball!
This year, the entire nation of China is hoping that the Chinese basketball team will win its fifth consecutive world championship and stand on the Olympic podium for the third consecutive time!
With this kind of event, this level of attention, and this level of expectation, even someone like Lin Tian, who loves to stir up trouble and is always unserious, would never miss it, much less say something like 'My professional career is over' to cause trouble.
My buddy knows which jokes are off-limits.
As for the fact that the Chinese men's basketball team suddenly announced in May this year that it had signed a sponsorship contract with AND1, allowing AND1 to provide them with a full range of sports equipment...
It has nothing to do with Lin Tian!
Lin Tian swore that he really didn't know beforehand and had no intention of taking advantage of the situation.
Chun Chun was delivered to their doorstep by the Chinese team.
This time, I'm not kidding!
Since they've come to him for help, Lin Tian can't just turn them away, can he?
After being forced to earn such a large sum of money, Lin Tian was not in a hurry to return to China to participate in the team's training.
The national team has granted Lin Tian special permission to rest for about 20 days. He can report to the team on July 1st.
The Olympics will open on August 8th, which means that even if he joins the team in July, he can still train with the team for a month.
For Lin Tian, this is more than enough!
The reason why Lin Tian was able to skip the team's long training camp and some warm-up matches is quite simple: First, the national team is confident! As four-time world champions, they have the confidence to let Lin Tian rest.
Secondly, considering that Lin Tian has played so many matches in a row, if he is not allowed to rest and directly throw himself into training, it will be difficult for him to maintain his condition. Rather than letting him return early for the sake of so-called face, it is better to let him rest properly so that we can have the strongest Lin Tian at the Olympics!
Winning the championship is the most important thing.
As for the third one...
Whether it's the Basketball Association or the teams, the Chinese Basketball Association is somewhat afraid of Lin Tian.
After all, who would dare to mess with someone who is always ready to tear things apart, flip tables at any time, yet also has top-notch influence, a supreme status, and is arguably the number one person in the entire Chinese and even world sports circle, with countless fans and supporters around the world?
It's better to coax and pamper them!
As for Lin Tian, he didn't have time to fully rest during this rare holiday; in fact, his time was quite tight.
The day after the finals ended, Lin Tiancai had just returned to New York when someone knocked on his front door.
Outside the door stood two rather tall Chinese men.
Sun Yue and Xu Yong.
Sun Yue was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 07 NBA draft. However, due to some contractual issues, he was unable to join the Lakers last season. But now his situation has been settled, and he will join the Lakers in the new season!
As for Xu Yong, this lucky guy was spared the ravages of osteosarcoma, the disease that had caused him so much pain, thanks to the injury immunity card Lin Tian used on him. He was able to continue playing basketball healthy. In the 07-08 CBA season, playing for the Shanghai Sharks, Xu Yong averaged an impressive 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game! In the CBA, where foreign players dominated, domestic players achieving these numbers were extremely rare.
In the last five regular season games, when the Shanghai team's foreign players were injured and he had to carry the team on his own, Xu Yong averaged an all-around performance of 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game!
This guy in the CBA is practically a mini-Via Carter; he can do everything: drive, break through, fast break, dunk, and pass!
He only turned 19 this March!
He has been coming to the United States for special training during the off-season for the past few years, and many legends who have had contact with him have spoken highly of him.
Celtics legend Bill Russell said that Xu Yong is sure to become a lottery-level rookie.
West also had high hopes for this Chinese forward. Because of Lin Tian, Xu Yong actually spent the longest time in Indiana, and the legends in Indiana gave him a lot of extra help and trained with him.
Players like Bird and Miller trained with him, and Carlisle even brought the Pacers' trainers to give him special training, providing him with a lot of guidance and improvement on playing habits and details.
Now that Xu Yong has confirmed his participation in this year's NBA draft, he is about to begin his tryout journey!
His target is the teams with top-ten picks in this year's draft, and the general prediction for his draft position is between 5 and 15.
Keep in mind, this was 08, a year widely recognized as a banner year for talent shows!
Rose and Beasley, the two unparalleled stars, need no introduction. OJ Mayo, hailed as the strongest high school player in history, will also be running this year. Many people see these three as the next generation of James, Anthony, and Wade!
In addition, top rookies such as Love, Westbrook, and Gordon, who are highly anticipated and regarded as top prospects, will also participate in this year's draft!
This year is definitely a big year!
In those relatively minor years, May 15th of that year would definitely be in the top five!
It can be said that Xu Yong's talent has been seen and recognized by everyone, and he has a very promising future!
As for his draft comparison, those who are optimistic about him believe that he can become another Vince Carter, or at the very least, a new generation of Jason Richardson.
Those who don't think highly of him believe he's just another physically gifted guy who can only run and jump.
Regardless, Xu Yong has a very good chance of being selected at a very high ranking this year.
Speaking of the draft, this year's draft lottery actually took place during the finals.
The Bobcats, who have been flops since entering the league and have never turned things around, have once again won the number one draft pick! It's as if even God couldn't stand it anymore, and this time God couldn't wait to make the Bobcats rise again.
In a weak year for talent shows, you always pick the weak, the bad, and always help others avoid pitfalls.
With such a strong draft year this year, Jordan has to make the right pick at least once!
Ok……
Anyway, if you ask Lin Tian, he can only shake his head and say: Some things, if you don't have the talent, you just don't have the talent, and you can't force it.
For example, Jordan really couldn't judge people well. After the draft lottery, Jordan called Lin Tian during the break of the Finals. Then, under Lin Tian's questioning, Jordan praised OJ Mayo, the genius boy who had dominated his training camp two years ago, to the skies.
Anyway, as long as Lin Tian doesn't object, this guy will ignore Beasley and Ross and choose Mayo!
"If you're calling to ask for my opinion, I suggest you choose Ross." Lin Tian really couldn't take it anymore this time. After all, Ross was his best friend, and he couldn't just watch him make the same mistake again and again, not even once.
After all, we've played together for so many years, and I've taken so much money from him, so let's help him out this once.
“But we have Felton.”
"Why can't we just let Felton play center? He's all fat anyway."
"But we have Okafor at the center position."
"If you're not going to listen to me, then why are you calling me? Just to humiliate me?"
"Anyway, if you ask me, I'll tell you to pick Rose!"
"What about the head coach?"
“Choose a younger one.” Lin Tian took a deep breath, constantly telling himself in his mind, ‘Hold on, stay calm, think about the benefits you got from Michael.’
Then he calmly said, "When developing new talent, don't worry about tactics, systems, team culture, or winning. Choose a coach who is willing to give young people opportunities, can watch them make mistakes, and then gives them affirmation and praise."
"Someone like Rivers will do."
"But Rivers is an idiot..."
"Do you think you deserve to be a famous coach? Find an idiot, at least that will help your players grow rapidly!"
"In short, either listen to me, or don't ever call me again!"
Lin Tian's patience and advice to Jordan ended there. As for who Jordan would choose next, or whether he would stubbornly choose Liaoning legend Mayo, Lin Tian couldn't be bothered to care.
That's more than enough, my friend, I've absolutely done everything I could!
Before the draft begins and the mystery is revealed, Lin Tian will train Xu Yong and Sun Yue for 10 days. Of course, Lin Tian's main role is to remind and urge these two young men and provide them with a top-notch training team.
The time he personally participates in the game is certainly quite limited.
As for ten days later, Lin Tian will attend the team's championship parade, and then he will completely relax and rest, and go to Los Angeles to spend some quality time with Theron and his little angel Claire.
Although it was only ten days, after this separation, Lin Tian would have countless hours to spend with Claire in the future. Thinking about the days ahead, Lin Tian was quite looking forward to it.
Then, he would have to return to China to prepare for this year's Olympics.
Sun Yue will depart earlier than Lin Tian to return to China and join the team. He has also been selected for this year's Olympic team. After training with Lin Tian for ten days, he will not have any extra vacation.
Although Xu Yong had almost secured a lottery spot, the Basketball Association, considering Lin Tian's impending retirement and the team's need for a new perimeter core, did not sign Xu Yong this time!
Xu Yong was excluded from the list of 12. Li Yuanwei gave Xu Yong absolute freedom and autonomy, allowing him to pursue his own dreams.
Special training, tryouts, participating in the draft, playing in the Summer League with the new team, and establishing oneself in the team.
This is all the tasks the Basketball Association has assigned to Xu Yong this year.
Xu Yong was so moved by this kind of leader that he was almost moved to tears. He was just short of clasping his hands in a fist and shouting to Li Yuanwei, "You treat me like a national hero, and I will repay you with the same honor!" or "I would rather die than not do my duty!" to express his feelings.
In short, after Lin Tian joined, the atmosphere of the entire Chinese team, and even the entire Chinese Basketball Association, was in a thriving and positive cycle.
After all, the story of the two old men storming into the Basketball Association and slapping Rupert Hoop has gradually become an urban legend over time.
There are even rumors now that someone parachuted in by helicopter back then, bringing an entire army and dozens of submachine guns, pointing them at Director Xin's head...
As for Director Xin's later involvement with abstract concepts like the "flat Earth theory," it was because someone high up secretly gave him a hint, allowing him to make his own choice.
Simply put, if Director Xin wants to maintain a respectable image, then we will do so; if Director Xin doesn't appreciate the goodwill, then we'll have to help him maintain his respectable image.
Anyway, it's getting more and more outrageous, and Lin Tian's background is becoming more and more frightening.
Anyway, when Lin Tian had free time, he would often be terrified when he read those articles that dug up his background!
It's that kind of feeling: "Wow, my dad and grandpa were really that awesome?" (End of Chapter)