Chapter 552: The Competition for FMVP, Game 3 Begins
The outside world had practically written Orlando off, but the local media refused to give up. In their eyes, the Magic were not dead yet, only standing on the edge with the faintest sliver of hope left.
Some Orlando outlets even pulled out historical trends, pointing out that from 2004 through 2008, at least 1 team each year had come back after falling behind 0 to 2 in a series. Since no team had pulled that off yet this year, they insisted the Magic were destined to be the lucky one.
It was the kind of logic built more on superstition than basketball, and outside Orlando, almost nobody bought it.
On June 8, the Suns flew to Orlando to prepare for Game 3.
Before the trip, D'Antoni gave the team a strict order. No female companions in the hotel. No nightclubs. No exceptions.
Even with Phoenix holding a clear advantage, D'Antoni refused to relax. The closer they got to the trophy, the more careful they had to be. Years earlier, the Mavericks had blown a 2 to 0 lead, and part of the reason was simple. Miami's beaches were too tempting, the nightlife too seductive, and the players lost their edge.
That night, Stoudemire showed up at Chen Yan's room carrying 2 controllers. Since they were stuck inside, he decided to kill time with video games.
They loaded up NBA Live. Stoudemire was as narcissistic as ever. He loved using himself and piling up ridiculous scoring totals. Chen Yan, on the other hand, preferred controlling real life rivals like Kobe and LeBron. He had already exploded for enough points on an actual court. He had no need to daydream about it in a game.
"Oh, man. Can't you let me win just once?" Stoudemire complained after losing 4 straight.
"I can teach you how to win," Chen Yan said with a sly grin. "Pick me and shoot."
Chen Yan's overall rating in NBA Live was absurdly high, a 97. That was partly because of his actual skill, and partly because he was one of the faces of NBA Live 08.
Stoudemire stubbornly kept using himself anyway. Even though he lost all night, he enjoyed every second of it. Under his control, he averaged more than 70 points a game and even dropped 100 in one matchup. Every shot on the team belonged to him, like Wilt Chamberlain had been reborn with a controller in his hands.
"If I score like that tomorrow, the FMVP is mine," Stoudemire said, laughing.
The first 2 wins, combined with the praise from the media, had clearly made him a little too confident. In his mind, beating Orlando was already a formality. All he was thinking about now was Finals MVP.
That was normal. No player was ever indifferent to individual honors. Through the first 2 Finals games, Stoudemire's scoring average ranked second on the Suns behind Chen Yan. He really did have a shot.
"If you take that many shots tomorrow, you won't need an opponent," Chen Yan said with a laugh. "You'll die from exhaustion by the 3rd quarter."
In the game, Stoudemire had unlimited stamina turned on. In real life, he definitely did not.
"Haha, then just feed me a few more good passes," Stoudemire said.
"You want the FMVP that badly? Fine. Let's compete fairly."
Chen Yan had already won an FMVP, so his hunger for the award was not overwhelming. Still, he was no saint. He was not about to hand over a trophy like that to a teammate out of kindness.
Besides, healthy competition made a team better.
Stoudemire stood up and slapped hands with Chen Yan. He liked that feeling. Every professional athlete liked that feeling. Competition was the purest part of being one.
…
June 9, Amway Center, Orlando.
Even with the Magic down 0 to 2, the building was packed early. The arena, which held 17,461 fans, filled up well before tipoff.
The Finals were not only boosting Phoenix's economy. They were doing the same for Orlando.
Luxury seats and VIP suites for Game 3 had climbed past $20,000. Mid tier tickets reached $1,000. Even the cheapest seats in the upper deck cost $300. When the Suns walked onto the floor, the Magic crowd unleashed a wall of boos, curses, and threats at full volume.
It was Orlando's first Finals appearance in 14 years. The atmosphere was naturally feverish.
"Don't be nervous. Just play your game. Don't treat this place like something terrifying. It's only a home court with more noise," Chen Yan said, patting Jordan on the shoulder.
He could tell the rookie was tense.
Jordan was a first year player, and one of the few Suns without Finals experience. Feeling nervous under these lights was completely normal.
Jordan nodded, but the nerves were still written all over his face. That kind of tension came from deep inside. It could not be erased with a few words. Chen Yan himself had been incredibly nervous the first time he stepped onto the Finals stage. He only settled down after playing a few minutes.
Both teams took the floor with their starting lineups.
Orlando kept the same group from the first 2 games. Phoenix made 1 change. Barnes entered the starting lineup, and Grant Hill moved back to the bench.
The reasoning was obvious. D'Antoni valued Barnes's height and mobility. In Game 2, Orlando's shooters had nearly burned Phoenix alive, and he wanted more range on the perimeter.
Howard won the tip again.
Alston slowly brought the ball up and initiated Orlando's first possession. The Magic crowd rose to its feet as one, desperate to see their team grab control early on home court.
Alston stood at the top of the arc while Lewis cut out from the baseline, a simple action, but an effective one.
Diaw stayed sharp and did not lose him.
Lewis caught the ball high at the elbow and waited for the next action. Turkoglu looped around and popped out, almost mirroring the same pattern Lewis had just run.
Turkoglu caught it, but had no clean look, so he bounced it inside to Howard.
Howard had deep position. After receiving the ball, he lowered his shoulder and started backing down with all his strength.
Barnes immediately left Turkoglu and doubled.
That was exactly what Van Gundy wanted.
Before the game, Van Gundy had specifically told Howard that if the double came, he had to pass immediately. No forcing bad shots.
The moment Turkoglu received the kickout, Barnes flew back out at him.
Clang.
The ball hit the rim and bounced straight out of bounds.
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
The crowd roared as the Suns began their first possession.
Phoenix did not score either.
Stoudemire probed with 1 step, then attacked the rim hard, but Howard's contest forced the shot long.
Maybe it was the FMVP talk getting to him, but from the opening tip, Stoudemire's scoring urge was obvious.
Howard secured the rebound and immediately sent it ahead to Alston.
Alston pushed the ball over half court and gave it to Courtney Lee in the corner. Lee jabbed once, then swung it back to Lewis at the top. Lewis kept the action moving, handing it back to Alston while cutting into the lane.
Alston took 1 dribble and fired it to Turkoglu in the opposite corner. At last, Orlando's patient ball movement created an opening.
Turkoglu caught it and instantly fed the ball into the paint.
Lewis spun as he received the return pass and buried the jumper.
It was a perfect sequence. The pass was crisp, the timing was right, and Lewis's high release made it impossible for Diaw to contest.
.....
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