George Goes Head-to-Head with Bosh!

7 p.m.

Madison Square Garden.

There was still an hour before the Knicks and Heat's season opener, but the arena was already boiling over.

The passion of the "Big Apple" had reached its peak after the team won back-to-back championships.

The cheers here surged like earth-shaking waves, as if they could blow the entire arena's roof off.

This was the popularity of "New York."

Back then.

The "Heat Big Three" had entered the league as its "greatest villains," making the entire league tremble.

They made every team and fan in the league feel deeply uneasy.

They were the leaders of three different teams.

All of them were at the peaks of their careers.

They never should have played together, yet they had forcibly formed a "Big Three." It was terrifying!

But in the end...

They had fallen at the feet of the Knicks on the Eastern Conference Finals stage.

The young "New York Three" were the stronger players.

So much so that... even with the addition of the "Polish Hammer" and a peak Gortat this year,

the Heat's "Four giants" lineup had failed to make much of a splash.

They were no longer the league's greatest villains.

The Knicks, who were gunning for a dynasty, had nothing to fear.

The improved Lakers, Thunder, and other teams also had what it took to go head-to-head with the Heat.

Which team would be the strongest this year?!

Who would ultimately win the championship?

There were still many unknowns and suspense surrounding that question.

They filled the new season with anticipation!

Half an hour before the game.

"The Ring King," Bill Russell, arrived at the arena and presented championship rings to all the Knicks players who had won the title last year, led by Su Yan.

"Boom!"

The arena grew even more raucous.