In the 2002-03 season, Jordan, who was over 30, told everyone that this would be his last season and he would not come back. Even if such a decision is reasonable, many people are still surprised. Jordan belongs not only to Chicago or Washington, but to the whole league and all basketball fans. In order to thank him for his contribution to the NBA, the league decided to hold a retirement ceremony for him on his last all-star trip.
The 2003 All-Star uniform perfectly reproduces the style of 1988. That year, the young Jordan dunked Wilkins from the free throw line, which was also the all-star game that year. Jordan made 23 shots 17, and made 6 free throws. The audience scored 40 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks, leading the East to defeat the West and becoming the well-deserved AMVP. That was 15. Yao Ming, who was selected as an All-Star for the first time at that time, once said with emotion that when Jordan was selected as an All-Star for the first time, I was still in kindergarten, and the flying trapeze with infinite scenery in that year also reached the twilight of being photographed on the beach by the waves.
In addition to Jordan, who is about to leave the stadium, the All-Star Game lineup was also full of a generation of memories of youth. Carter, the ticket king for three consecutive years, still stayed in Toronto Raptors, and McGrady, who became the scoring champion, was still magical. Iverson, who was looking for answers in Philadelphia, also put Jordan on the bench with their explosive power and strong strength. The two greatest power forwards in NBA history, 2 1, are at their peak. Yao Ming, who entered the league for the first time, shouldered the expectation of the East, and joined hands with teammate Francis to become an all-star starter. Kobe Peter Pan completed his transformation in the baptism of three consecutive championships and became the most famous imperial superstar at that time.
On February 10, 2003, Philips Basketball Stadium was packed with surging fans, and Atlanta became the most attractive place in the world that day. We all know who they're after: Michael Jordan. In order to make Jordan have a perfect retirement performance, Iverson and McGrady both expressed their willingness to give up the starting position of all-star to their idols, but Jordan refused. When the good news media asked Carter if he planned to give Jordan a starting position, Carter directly refused. The popular star who won the All-Star Ticket for three years in a row was criticized by major media and fans because it was considered disrespectful to Jordan, but Carter was still unmoved, but everyone didn't know that Carter had already made his own arrangements.
Carter waited until the official start of the All-Star Game. He came to the bench in a warm-up suit and obeyed the sidelines. He solemnly told Jordan, "I won't fight." I want you to start. You deserve it. " Then he motioned for Jordan to warm up, and Carter's sincerity in inviting him in person touched Jordan. Finally, under the expectation of many people, Jordan became the eastern starter of all-star at the last moment before the game began. There are no giants in the Eastern lineup who can match Yao Ming and Shaq, and they can't stop the dream connection of two legendary power forwards (No.265438 +0). The west occupied the initiative from the beginning. But in order to make Jordan have a happy ending at the retirement ceremony and bring home the last MVP trophy of his career, the young players in the East have tried their best to score points.
At halftime, the stadium returned to the theme of this year's All-Star Game, paying tribute to Jordan. Mariah Carey, the American pop diva, dressed in the wizard's No.23 dress, sang a song "Hero", and four small screens around her played back Jordan's classic moments. But now it's time to go. Jordan has fallen into deep memories and can't extricate himself for a long time. Tears gradually fill the eyes of the god of basketball.
After singing, Jordan came to the center of the audience, and the cheers and applause of the audience could not stop for a long time. He first thanked the fans for their support for so many years, but Michael Jordan is not the only one in the basketball world. Looking at the ambitious young players off the court, it's time to give them a future. He went among the young stars and gave them a high five. The warm moment of the night is over, and now there is only the battle on basketball.
Players in the west will not surrender directly because Jordan retired. They have the OK group and the Stone Buddha Duncan, all of which have made great achievements. If they can inherit Jordan's brilliance in the All-Star Game, it will naturally be an extremely precious honor. The two sides played the first overtime from the regular time, but neither of them told each other. Perhaps because of his hasty starting, Jordan didn't feel good in this farewell performance. Although he had a game-high 27 shots, he only hit 9 goals and scored 20 points.
Ten seconds before the end of overtime, the score between the two sides was 136. Jordan took the ball and the others tacitly opened the space. They all know who it is. Even if Jordan is over 40, no one will doubt the ability of the god of lore. Marion's close-fitting defense blocked almost all Jordan's offensive routes, but at that moment, the classic back jumper seemed to be still at this moment. Jordan created the only chance to score. The East leads the West by 2 points with 138- 136, with only 5 seconds left in the game. The announcer at the scene shouted excitedly, "Michael Jordan controls the game again." All the fans are crazy. Jordan is a great legend. Marion, who is defending, is also deeply powerless. He can only say with emotion: "This is really amazing. I have tried my best to defend, but God is God after all. "
Jordan waved his fist, and the familiar god of basketball appeared in front of everyone again. He explained the meaning of his name with his own actions. Maybe someone will take the stick, but no one will replace it. Michael Jordan's heroic epic should draw a perfect sentence briefly at this moment. But another young man has been eager to continue writing his own legend. At the last moment of the game, Kobe got rid of Kidd's defense and prepared to complete a difficult backward three-pointer without balance. But O 'Neill came out of the restricted area and hit Kobe Bryant, and the referee's whistle finally sounded. Kobe made three free throws, two points behind the West. A second ago, the atmosphere of the stadium, which was extremely fanatical and exciting, fell to the bottom. As Coach Thomas said, "Kobe scored is his skill, but sending him to the free throw line is the stupidest move tonight. I really can't believe my eyes. " Little O 'Neill also unfairly explained: "Who said that Kobe lost his center of gravity and missed the shot?" I saw him throw too many such balls in the regular season. " But perhaps the most difficult thing at present is Kobe Bryant. Whether he is punished or not, he seems to be unable to satisfy everyone.
He knows that it is popular to let Jordan win the MVP. He is Jordan's number one fan, but he can't decide the team's victory or defeat privately, and his big brother Jordan will never allow himself to miss the shot on purpose. But when I think of Jordan's brilliant career, Kobe has strengthened his belief after a short hesitation. As long as he is still on the court, he is sure to win. This is the belief that Jordan brought to him. Kobe missed the next goal under high pressure, and the two sides tied 138, and the game entered the second overtime.
In the second overtime, Kobe Bryant and Garnett let go of their hands and feet, and jointly played a wave of offensive climax. They didn't give Jordan and Dongfang any chance to beat their opponents with 155: 145. Garnett, who scored 37 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals 1 block, became AMVP and got a trophy that might be customized for Jordan. Jordan's last All-Star Tour was not perfect in the eyes of many fans, but it may be the most perfect way for two scorers who are equally competitive and paranoid. When Kobe threw the three-pointer that decided the game in front of Jordan, the torch handed down by Jordan at that moment had already been handed over to Kobe.