June 19, 2000, after the awards ceremony.
Boston's New Garden home team locker room.
The moment the door was pushed open, the smell of champagne mixed with sweat wafted out.
"Aaaaaah!!!"
Kevin Garnett held up a giant bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne, pressing his thumb against the neck of the bottle. The golden liquid turned into a mist under the pressure, spraying it onto everyone who entered.
"Champions! Undisputed champions!" Garnett's voice was already hoarse from shouting, but he was still roaring.
Chris Paul Pierce, wearing oversized ski goggles and clutching two bottles of champagne, squeezed through the crowd. He poured the icy liquid over Garnett's head, then grabbed Garnett's waist, laughing and shouting, "Two-peat! Long live Boston!"
Ron Artest, soaking wet, crashed in and started joking around with Pierce and Garnett. Unrestrained laughter filled the locker room.
However, outside the heart of the revelry, the corner of the locker room was unusually quiet.
Dikembe Mutombo sat in front of his wardrobe, holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy with extreme care in both hands.
He stroked the smooth surface of the trophy again and again with his rough fingertips, without saying a word.
This is his second championship trophy.
Last year, in 1999, during the shortened 50-game regular season due to a labor dispute, when they first lifted the trophy, they were met with a barrage of skepticism. The media called it a championship with an asterisk, and experts said Boston only benefited from the shorter season.
But this year, everything is different.
In the full 82-game regular season, they had a record of 65 wins and 17 losses. In the long playoffs, they had a record of 15 wins and 3 losses. And on the final stage, they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, who possessed historically great talent, with a 44-point blowout.
Gary Payton pushed through the jubilant crowd and sat down next to Mutombo, gazing quietly at the trophy in Mutombo's arms.
"Hey, big guy." Gary Payton's voice was a little hoarse as he reached out and patted Mutombo's broad shoulder heavily. "This time, let's see who dares to say our championship was in vain."
Mutombo looked up, and the two veterans exchanged a smile in this corner.
" Gary! Dikembe! Stop hiding in the corner pretending to be profound!"
Chauncey Billups Billups walked over with two opened bottles of champagne, grinning as he shoved the bottles into their hands.
"Come on, for those bastards who called us the Asterisk Champions!"
Gary Payton wiped his face and stood up. He raised the champagne glass high and sprayed the liquid directly onto the ceiling of the locker room.
"Fuck the asterisks!!" Gary Payton yelled.
Mutombo also stood up, letting out his signature deep voice. "Anyone want some champagne?"
On the other side of the locker room, Eddie Jones leaned against the metal door of a wardrobe, a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes seemed to be deep in thought.
In the center of the locker room, head coach Doc Rivers was surrounded by several players.
Garnett shoved the heavy Finals MVP trophy he was holding into Doc Rivers ' hands.
" Doc, this belongs to you too," Garnett said earnestly.
Doc Rivers looked down at the gleaming gold trophy in his hand and cleared his throat.
"I am proud of you, you are true legends."
Doc Rivers took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart.
"Three!!!"
Doc Rivers shouted.
"Two!!!"
"One!!!"
" The Celtics!!!"
The unified shouts echoed in the locker room.
At this very moment, outside the slightly ajar door of the locker room.
Lin Qi leaned quietly against the wall in the corridor. He listened to the cheers coming from inside the door, and a relaxed smile finally appeared on his face.
David Blatt walked in from the other end of the corridor.
"Aren't you going in to celebrate with them, Lin?" Blatt asked with a smile, glancing at the closed door.
Lin Qi shook his head.
"No, they'd be more reserved if I were inside."
Blatt nodded, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the crack in the locker room door.
"Lin..." Blatt lowered his voice, "The atmosphere in the locker room is a little too perfect. Do you think this lineup can be retained intact next season?"
Lin Qi turned his head and glanced at Blatt.
" David, in this league, honor can breed desire, but it can also amplify ambition."
"Tonight, let them revel in this glory that belongs to Boston. As for tomorrow..."
We'll see.