Chapter 411: The First in History, Two Consecutive MVPs and DPOYs

Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley were broadcasting from the US Airways Center, and they almost got beaten up for their big mouths.

In the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, the Suns completely took control of the game's rhythm.

Barkley said, "Wade Dong has changed the league. I suggest he follows Jordan's example and wins three consecutive championships before going to play baseball for two years, giving other players a chance to breathe."

"I agree with your suggestion," O'Neal said, surprisingly not arguing with Barkley on this issue.

They actually wanted the league's top player to go play baseball.

As a result, they angered the home crowd. If it weren't for the Suns fans' high-quality behaviour, they would have been hit by beverage bottles in the broadcast booth.

After the game, the two were only able to leave the US Airways Center safely under the protection of security guards.

...

The Suns were already leading the Trail Blazers 2-0, and all the first-round playoff games had ended.

Western Conference:

Suns 4:0 Mavericks

Lakers 4:1 Thunder

Spurs 4:3 Grizzlies

Trail Blazers 4:1 Warriors

Eastern Conference:

Heat 4:0 Cavaliers

Pacers 4:1 Hornets

Bulls 4:3 Nets

Raptors 4:3 Wizards

The first round of the playoffs was extremely intense, with six teams going to a Game 7. The most dramatic series was between the Bulls and the Nets, who had already won the pivotal Game 5, giving Guo Zifeng hope that his team would advance to the second round of the playoffs.

However, before Guo Zifeng could even enjoy the victory for two days, the Bulls won the next two games, ultimately eliminating the Nets.

Guo Zifeng was also very straightforward.

After losing the series, Guo Zifeng directly declared that he would rebuild the team this summer! Head coach Jason Kidd was fired, players whose contracts were expiring were not renewed, and he even made a statement to the free agents in the off-season, saying, "I'm a rich fool, come quickly!"

His arrogance was evident!

The second-round playoff matchups were also decided.

Western Conference:

Suns vs. Trail Blazers, Lakers vs. Spurs

Eastern Conference:

Heat vs. Raptors, Pacers vs. Bulls

The Suns had already played two games, while the other three second-round series were just beginning.

On the day the Suns took a 2-0 lead, the Heat and Raptors also had a game, and two more games were played the next day.

Lakers 0:1 Spurs

Heat 1:0 Raptors

Pacers 1:0 Bulls

...

At the same time, the regular season awards were also announced one after another.

Most Valuable Player: Wade Dong

Best Defensive Player: Wade Dong

Best Coach: Alvin Gentry

Most Improved Player (MIP): Khris Middleton

Best Sixth Man: Jamal Crawford

All-Star Game MVP: Wade Dong

Only three players in history have won both the MVP and DPOY awards in the same season: Michael Jordan in the 1987-88 season and Hakeem Olajuwon in the 1993-94 season. Wade Dong is the only player in history to win both awards in consecutive seasons.

Even before the playoffs ended, many media outlets had already ranked Wade Dong ahead of Jordan as the first person in NBA history.

There were also several other important awards announced...

Best Defensive Team:

First Team: Joakim Noah, Serge Ibaka, Paul George, Chris Paul, Wade Dong

Second Team: LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Roy Hibbert, Patrick Beverley

Best Team:

First Team: Joakim Noah, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Wade Dong, Russell Westbrook

Second Team: Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, James Harden, Chris Paul

Third Team: Al Jefferson, Paul George, LaMarcus Aldridge, Stephen Curry, Huang Yu

The Best Team is selected by a vote of some journalists and commentators. Wade Dong once again led the First Team with a perfect score of 125 votes, a year after he last received a perfect score for the First Team.

It's pretty cool to have two teammates on the First Team.

Of course, there have also been times in history when three teammates were selected to the First Team. This happened in the 1950s during the Boston Celtics' eight-year championship run, when Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and Bill Sharman were all selected to the First Team.

After the 21st century, there have only been three instances of two teammates being selected to the First Team.

The first was the OK combination of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who were both selected to the First Team for three consecutive years. The second instance was in the 2006-07 season, when the Suns' Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire were both selected to the First Team.

This year is the first time since the 1998-99 season that Kobe has not been selected to the Best Team, which is also related to his frequent injuries and declining performance! In today's league, when discussing players, James is still compared to Wade Dong, just like how James was compared to Kobe a few years ago.

There were also various statistical leaders:

Scoring Champion: Wade Dong

Rebounding Champion: DeAndre Jordan

Assists Champion: Wade Dong

Steals Champion: Wade Dong

Blocks Champion: Wade Dong

Every year at this time, it's the 'Wade Dong is everywhere' moment, and of course, Alvin Gentry is also very happy, as he sat and received the Best Coach award.

This year's Best Team is undoubtedly the most dazzling for the Suns.

Many players' non-selection was also surprising, such as the Heat's Big Five, where only James and Paul were selected, while Wade, Anthony, and Bosh didn't even make the Third Team.

It's unclear who gave these voting journalists and commentators their discerning eyes.

While the Suns had both Wade Dong and Kevin Durant, Curry averaged only 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists this season, yet he still managed to surpass Tony Parker, Goran Dragic, and Damian Lillard, who are all excellent guards, to make the Third Team.

It was after the second game between the Suns and the Trail Blazers that the Best Team list was announced.

After seeing the list, Lillard was the first to disagree, saying, "Maybe I'm not as good as a top-level guard like Wade Dong, but I think I deserve to be on the Best Team. I don't understand the basis for these people's votes."

Aldridge was relieved to be on the Second Team.

Fortunately, Wade Dong was placed in the guard voting, otherwise, he might have been pushed to the Third Team if he were in the forward voting.

...

The third game between the Suns and the Trail Blazers was played at the Trail Blazers' home court.

Lillard was filled with resentment and was not satisfied! If Curry, the Suns' third-best player, could make the Best Team, why couldn't he? He wanted to outplay Curry that night.

There were no changes to the starting lineups.

"Beep!!!"

As the referee blew the whistle, the game began.

Durant and Gortat jumped for the tip-off, and Gortat tapped the ball to Lillard, who dribbled straight to the frontcourt. He took a jump shot from two steps beyond the three-point line.

"Swish!!!"

The ball swished through the net.

3:0!!!

"Ah!"

Lillard punched the air in anger as he made a super long three-pointer at the start of the game.

The Suns inbounded the ball from the baseline.

Wade Dong dribbled straight to the frontcourt, defended by Batum, who stuck close to him. Aldridge and Gortat were ready to provide help defence if Wade Dong got past Batum.