With the Pistons’ defensive capabilities, cutting off these "tactical focal points" is not a difficult task.
Dior made three consecutive passing turnovers.
Rick Carlisle also realized that his "surprise soldier buff" was gone.
In the second half, the Pacers’ situation became increasingly unfavorable, with frequent losses of backcourt rebounds, which made the Pistons’ perimeter players even more willing to shoot, Hamilton’s shooting became hotter, scoring 14 points in a single quarter.
The live camera immediately turned to Reggie Miller, who had successfully limited Hamilton in last season’s playoffs.
Had he been wearing a Pacers jersey today, would the burst from Hamilton have been avoided?
The suspense of the game disappeared with Hamilton’s explosion, and the Pistons ultimately defeated the Pacers by 98 to 87, a margin of 11 points, putting a damper on Indiana’s "championship ring collection night."
After the game, Rick Carlisle gave an interview, "Jeff Foster and Su Wan’s importance was reflected tonight, especially Su Wan!"
He felt that this game had highlighted the importance of Su Wan.
But he quickly discovered that he had spoken too soon.
An opening game defeat, and in the second game of the new season, the Pacers were away against the Washington Wizards, and both the young O’Neal and Artest had stated before the game that they would definitely win this game.
However, led by Arenas, with Caron Butler and Antoine Jamison both powering forth, the three scored a combined total of 71 points, blowing the Pacers away, with the Wizards securing a victory with a score of 93 to 85.
Without Larry Hughes competing for ball-handling duties in the backcourt, Arenas fully demonstrated his "dual-purpose guard" characteristics.
Under his passes, Butler and Jamison opened fire early.
By the time Artest and the young O’Neal managed to defend these two "gunmen," "Special Agent Zero" switched to "offensive form" at this point, making unreasonable shots, scoring 14 points in the final quarter alone, and racking up a total of 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists for the night, becoming the brightest star in Washington’s night sky.
The "Three Musketeers of Washington" were officially recognized.
Washington: Thanks for the "Straw Boy" sent by the Los Angeles buddy!
The defending champions start with an 0-2 record.
In the third game, the Pacers continued their "road trip," facing the Los Angeles Clippers.
Last season, the Clippers were just ranked eleventh in the Western Conference, a true weak team.
Indiana media: Shouldn’t we win this time?
Both Artest and the young O’Neal were still confident before the game, stating that this match would definitely be the Pacers’ first win of the new season.
The result...
to 98!
The Pacers walked away defeated from Los Angeles, suffering a three-game losing streak.
"Captain" Elton Brand slashed 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Chris Kaman, the 6th overall pick of the ’03 draft, once a point of contention for Pat Riley, grabbed 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The two wreaked havoc in the Pacers’ interior.
The young O’Neal’s confident eyes before the game were now full of doubt.
Questions formed in his mind:
Should I not have lost weight?
He found that after losing weight, the interior stars he faced had basically overpowered him.
It can only be said that without a "pick-and-roll ball handler" and an "interior positioning partner," it’s indeed difficult for an interior player like the young O’Neal to perform.
After the game, Artest began to grumble to the media, "Our interior was blown up. Nobody can win with that kind of game."
When these words reached the young O’Neal’s ears, the sensitive big boy felt discontented on the spot.
On the way back in the team bus, he glanced at the seat beside Artest and then went to sit at the very back of the bus.
Tinsley looked slightly stunned; although he did not enjoy the "lovey-dovey" behavior of the two men, he also did not want to see this coldness.
Su Wan slapped Artest on the back of the head as he got on the bus last, cursing, "You motherfucker, focus on playing your own damn game before you talk about others!"
Losing to the Clippers wasn’t beyond Su Wan’s expectations.
In the 2000s, the only time the Clippers made it into the top eight of the Western Conference and even ranked above the Lakers was this season.
With Elton Brand having the best season of his career, coupled with Chris Kaman’s breakout, the Clippers’ front line this season was second to none in the League.
Even Jeff Foster paired with young O’Neal couldn’t necessarily gain much advantage.
Especially since it was just young O’Neal alone now.
What was more important was that Artest himself had also played poorly this game, making only 3 out of 10 shots and scoring just 8 points.
But then Artest turned against Su Wan, "Isn’t it all your fault? If you weren’t suspended, would we be in this situation?"
The whole car went silent, including young O’Neal at the back, who was sulking silently, his eyes went wide.
Actually, immediately after saying that, Artest regretted it and shrank his head, knowing from his demeanor that no matter what Su Wan said next, he wouldn’t talk back.
Su Wan laughed angrily, "Fine, you’re right, Ron. Since I’m the damn boss of this team! Then keep losing, wait for me to fish you out of the depths again, and by the way, I’m going to take this season’s regular-season MVP!"
Sure enough, Artest didn’t dare to continue.
He knew he misspoke.
Su Wan’s suspension was not an impulsive act like his.
He didn’t drag the whole team down with him.
Blaming the loss on Su Wan was unreasonable.
He had just been hot-headed.
What Su Wan didn’t expect was that as soon as Artest fell silent, young O’Neal came forward to plead for him, "Actually, Ron is under a lot of pressure; many in the media are ridiculing him, saying the Pacers won the championship without him, and with him, they’ve faced three consecutive losses. It’s normal for him to have some temper."
Normal now?
Then what was with the attitude just now?
Or is this a new play between you two, and I’m just part of this play?
Seeing that everyone was on the bus, Su Wan stood up and clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention. Artest also turned his head to look at him.
"I know the Pacers are going through tough times right now, with all sorts of stuff being said by the media outside, but this is the NBA. The losers only get questioned, mocked, and laughed at mercilessly, that’s why we have to strive to be the winners. But the more we are in such times, the more we need to stand united, to believe in our teammates, and to believe in yourselves. Of course, if you don’t believe in yourselves, that’s fine, just believe in me!"
"Even if you really end up with a six-game losing streak to start, it’s okay. When I get back, everything will get better!"
"If anyone makes fun of you, fight back fiercely and tell them, we’re missing a Finals MVP, and if you still can’t beat us, then you might as well disband early, or go play in the NCAA!"
"Remember, defeat on the court is not the real failure. With such a long regular season of 82 games, losing is normal. Giving up the fight is the real defeat. We, the people of Indiana, will never stop fighting!"
With Su Wan’s words and Foster’s comeback, the Pacers, back at their home court, united and won against the New York Knicks who were there for a challenge.
The "defending champions" finally got their first victory of the new season.
Even Erin felt relieved for them.
Unfortunately, the feeling of victory did not last, as the Pacers subsequently lost to the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks.
There was no way around it, the Phoenix Suns were the eventual second in the West, and the Dallas Mavericks were the team that made it to the finals from the West. Without Su Wan, the Pacers truly couldn’t resist.
And so, the first half-month of the new season ended.
No one expected that the Pacers, who had been at the top of the power rankings before the season started, would end up 1-5, ranking twelfth in the Eastern Conference.
Four words could describe the entire state of Indiana’s attitude towards Su Wan:
In peril, return quickly!