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***
On the evening of February 5, 2006, delusional Chinese sports media, accompanying Yao Ming, witnessed the fragile side of a "superstar" at the post-game press conference.
Perhaps having lost too many games, Tracy McGrady, who had just been selected as a starter for the Houston All-Star team, completely broke down after the game.
In the press conference room, New York reporters sitting below were already grinning, feeling delighted to see the bigmouth suffer, and even had the urge to applaud.
Yao Ming, who was also attending the press conference, looked bewildered.
His partner beside him was rambling incoherently, and he had never imagined that Tracy McGrady carried such immense pressure.
"During the game, I couldn't relax most of the time. Before the game, I even rolled off the bed in the hotel because my back hurt so much."
"I was worried about being carried off the court on a stretcher again. Back tension has become a constant, and no one cares about my injury."
Wearing a loose, black suit, Tracy McGrady's eyes welled up with tears as he spoke about his injury.
He was truly having a difficult time.
Noticing that the New York reporters below seemed to want to ask more questions, Tracy McGrady rubbed his eyes and continued to speak emotionally:
"My fiancée, Harris, just gave birth to our second child a while ago, a beautiful boy. For the sake of the game, I couldn't even be with my family."
"You have no idea how worried my family was when I was carried out on a stretcher not long ago!"
"More than once, I wanted to leave the basketball court. I wanted to disappear from the public eye and return to my family, but in the end, I chose to persevere."
Family is very important in the United States.
After Tracy McGrady said these words, many sports reporters fell silent.
The atmosphere on site also became somewhat heavy, and Yao Ming on the stage didn't know what to say.
He hadn't expected Tracy McGrady to have even thought about giving up.
New York sports reporters showed expressions of disdain.
They would not empathize with a millionaire.
The public pressure was all Tracy McGrady's own doing!
If it weren't for seeking attention and just playing basketball honestly, who would care about the 17-30 Houston Rockets?
If he hadn't consistently sought hot topics in every interview and "redefined greatness" with those struggling teammates, who would care about Tracy McGrady's individual performance?
The Houston Chronicle reporter was a bit fed up.
Although they were on his side, where did all the drama for playing basketball come from?
"We understand your pressure, but the Houston Rockets lost by 43 points in this game. Who should be held responsible for such a defeat?"
Tracy McGrady was somewhat annoyed that his tragic situation didn't elicit sympathy from his own people.
Fortunately, Yao Ming quickly took over, answering with a serious expression:
"It's my problem. I always let the team concede points on pick-and-rolls. Head Coach Brown is very supportive of me, but I hope to get more playing time in the upcoming games."
"I want to apologize to the Houston fans and Chinese fans. Such a defeat is unacceptable."
75:118. Although Clay Lee checked out in the third quarter, the atmosphere squad relentlessly bullied the weak, completely crushing the Houston Rockets.
With Yao Ming's statement, the Houston reporters reluctantly nodded and then remained silent.
Tonight's game had truly angered them, and many even cursed the team as soft after the game.
Playing 39 minutes, 9-for-26 from the field, 0-for-3 from three-point range, 5-for-7 from the free-throw line, for 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.
Although he played hard in garbage time, Tracy McGrady's stats were still very inefficient, and he failed to display his dominance against Prince.
Yao Ming, who played only 24 minutes, was 4-for-8 from the field, 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 2 turnovers.
The "Yao-Mac combination" performed mediocrely, and the delusional Chinese sports media were very disappointed.
No one was gloating. Seeing the two stand up and leave, the New York sports media quietly pursed their lips.
They still had to go to Houston before the All-Star Game.
The fun wasn't over, they just needed to wait patiently.
When Lee and Gasol appeared on stage, everyone's spirits lifted again.
Unlike Tracy McGrady's bitter expression, both of them had smiles on their faces.
"It's a pity we couldn't tie the historical record. I'm quite satisfied with this game. Pau should be in the All-Star starting lineup. You all saw how good his form is."
Before anyone could ask a question, Lee joked about the game and continued to praise his teammate.
Playing 31 minutes, 7-for-12 from the field, 1-for-3 from three-point range, 5-for-6 from the free-throw line, for 20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 2 turnovers;
Thanks to the opponent's missed shots, Gasol achieved a double-double in three quarters.
Such performances have been frequent recently, and he has completely shaken off the fatigue from the beginning of the season.
"This isn't our limit. The coach is right, we can play better. In some possessions, everyone relaxed and handled the ball a bit carelessly."
Gasol seemed a bit embarrassed after sitting down and quickly summarized the game.
As soon as the Houston reporters heard this, they couldn't hold back.
They felt humiliated!
Wang Meng, a reporter from Titan Sports, also felt uncomfortable listening.
They usually selectively reported news to keep domestic fans entertained, but tonight, the lie was exposed:
"Clay, can you give Yao Ming some advice? This is his first game back from injury, and his performance didn't meet fans' expectations."
Wang Meng's expression was not good.
He knew the domestic public opinion environment.
With such a big loss, voices blaming Yao Ming for dragging down the team would surely emerge.
Some Houston Rockets fans were inexplicably confident, and Clay Lee was aware of this.
However, he didn't want to be a "villain," so naturally, he spoke positively:
"We've always been in touch. After Dikembe Mutombo joined the Houston Rockets, he also gave Yao some advice."
"I agree with him. There's no need to overexert himself. He needs to become more agile. This toe injury might be an opportunity. The era of heavy centers is long gone."
Most players gain weight after entering the NBA.
Yao Ming is still okay for now.
Mike Brown can't control the players, and Dikembe Mutombo has said more than once that Houston is suitable for retirement.
The New York Media hadn't forgotten Tracy McGrady's emotional speech, and taking this opportunity, they asked Lee another question:
"Lee, how do you balance family and basketball? We all know you just became a father of two."
Not yet knowing that Tracy McGrady had complained to the media, Lee simply responded based on his own life:
"The mother of the children will give more. You know, many times I have to fly for consecutive road games, but fortunately, my salary is considerable, which can make things easier for them."
"Scarlett recently got a role, you can follow her. Don't talk about weight, she's still working hard to recover, give young mothers some encouragement."
Soon, the New York reporters all let out good-natured laughter.
The little one wasn't exposed, but many reporters had photographed the well-rounded young woman.
Many looked at the Houston sports reporters.
Lee never complained to the media about his situation.
In comparison, Tracy McGrady had completely lost his composure.
China, did not broadcast the Houston Rockets' disastrous loss.
CCTV Sports happened to miss this sunday's matchup on tuesday, Wednesday, and sunday.
However, after the sports news reported the game results on Monday noon, a group of Houston Rockets fans collectively broke down, and voices of "Yao Ming dragging down the team" also appeared on the internet.
After all, Tracy McGrady scored 20+ points with an all-around performance, so of course, Yao Ming took the blame for the loss!
American media quickly started to criticize, as Clay Lee was absent from practice the next day.
Axe Capital hosted former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan at Daniel French Restaurant, and Lee also attended this private exchange with Melinda and Ivanka.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to get the news.
Axe Capital, as a hedge fund that had recently made huge profits, sought guidance from the former Fed chairman, spending at least $250,000 that night.
Of that, $150,000 was for consulting fees, and the rest was for meals.
This public act of giving money to former Chairman Greenspan was the first time since his departure.
Lehman Brothers quickly followed suit, and several other hedge funds in the industry also expressed a need for guidance.
That night, the Houston Rockets continued their Eastern Conference road trip, finally securing a victory against the returning Allen Iverson.
89:81. Although Tracy McGrady remained inefficient, Yao Ming and Rafer Alston both had breakout performances, leading the Houston Rockets to a hard-fought win.
Playing 35 minutes, 5-for-19 from the field, 0-for-4 from three-point range, 3-for-4 from the free-throw line, for 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers, Tracy McGrady continued his poor performance.
Smiling widely after the win, Tracy McGrady no longer complained but instead praised Allen Iverson from the opposing team:
"It's great to see Allen back in the All-Star starting lineup. He deserves it. He has inspired many young players, and statistics cannot reflect his impact!"
"."
The win was entirely due to the opponent's poor performance.
Iverson played consistently, appearing for 46 minutes, shooting 6-for-22 from the field, 0-for-5 from three-point range, and 20-for-24 from the free-throw line, scoring 32 points, 2 steals, and committing 3 turnovers.
The 76ers committed 24 turnovers in the entire game, and after the game, Coach Cheeks of the 76ers completely lost his composure.
Philadelphia sports reporters captured the scene of shouting and cursing in the locker room.
Yao Ming played 42 minutes, shooting 9-for-21, and scored a team-high 27 points.
Looking at his gloating partner, he suddenly felt that this contract renewal might not be a good thing after all.
As the trade deadline approached, corresponding trade rumors also increased.
The Nets next door seemed interested in everyone, but their roster hasn't changed much until now.
With a record of 24 wins and 22 losses, led by Kidd, the Nets have never fallen behind.
If they make a strong push after the All-Star Game, they will most likely secure a playoff spot.
Vince Carter only received 1.2 million votes in the All-Star ballot, and his popularity plummeted.
Although he constantly displayed his mamba mentality, unfortunately, the fans didn't buy it.
Stephen A. Smith's show whitewashed Iverson, but Carter didn't have such an opportunity.
Toronto Raptors fans were still boycotting him, and as for New Jersey, it had long since transformed into Lee's domain.
On tuesday, February 7th, the game started at 7:30 PM, and the Continental Airlines Arena was packed, with the fans fully engaged.
Tomorrow is the Grammy Awards, and the front-row seats were missing the couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé, which made the director frequently aim the camera at Frank.
The team's record was not ideal, and with the front office not making many moves and failing to bring Garnett to Kidd, Frank seemed to be taking the blame again, with rumors of his dismissal frequently surfacing.
As the New York Knicks took the lead, the home and away roles quickly reversed.
Halfway through the 3rd quarter, many fans in the American Airlines Arena were already booing Carter.
"Ah!"
A gliding dunk on the fast break, Carter, who completed the dunk, let out a frustrated yell under the basket, and the continuous boos made the "Dunk King" look particularly grim.
"Let's go Knicks!"
The cheers made Kidd, who was guarding him, curse under his breath.
The entire home crowd were traitors.
If they lost in the playoffs, the fans would also have to take the blame!
Receiving the ball on the baseline, Lee occasionally used his ball-handling hand to swat away Kidd's arm, slowly dribbling past half-court.
Although he missed one training session, his form was not significantly affected, and he continued to play efficiently in the first half, dishing out 8 assists.
The atmosphere on the court was lagging, and on the Nets' bench, the atmosphere crew stood up and shouted loudly, trying to inspire the team to play better.
The two wings spread out in sequence, Raja Bell moved towards the left corner, and Gasol at the free-throw line stepped up for a fake screen.
Carter noticed that after the pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, his teammate Nenad Kostic followed with a roll, and Lee switched to his left hand, immediately abandoning his defender to double-team early.
As his opponent moved, Lee leaned into Kidd and quickly turned his back, failing to completely shake off the Defense.
When he touched the ball with his right hand, he first performed a killer crossover stop, then lowered his shoulder and accelerated.
Stopping and starting abruptly, with a second burst of acceleration, Lee gained half a step, driving strongly to the basket, leaning into the sliding Kidd.
Carter quickly adjusted his direction, trying to cooperate with his teammate to preemptively block Lee's driving lane.
Just as the three were about to squeeze into the paint, the basketball flew towards the left corner.
Before the Defense could fully converge, Lee, driving through the middle, subtly delivered a behind-the-back pass.
An unguarded Raja Bell caught the ball in the left corner and calmly took a jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
75:52, with 4 minutes and 09 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Nets fans in the Continental Airlines Arena had already fallen silent.
Raja Bell, who scored the basket, enthusiastically pumped his fist in celebration.
This year, his performance from beyond the arc reached a career-best, and he was even invited to the Three-Point Contest by the NBA.
Signing a good contract, and seeing an increase in playing time and statistics, Raja Bell had truly entered his highlight moment.
While Kidd was receiving the ball on the baseline, Lee, while leading the Defense, began to tease his old rival again:
"You guys can keep double-teaming me, that way we can all rest earlier!"
The Nets were clearly well-prepared, with a lot of help Defense tonight, playing like a playoff game.
Kidd, frowning, said nothing, only accelerating the pace of the offense, signaling Carter to move before even crossing half-court.
Two big men stood at the left and right elbow areas for high screens.
Carter cut horizontally from the left wing to the top of the arc, and the rotating-in Boris Diaw switched Defenses in time.
Kidd quickly distributed the ball.
The moment Carter, who had run to the right wing, received the pass, Diaw had already shifted to help defend.
Although there was an opportunity for a mismatch inside, Jason Collins had Raja Bell sealed behind him and was already calling for the ball in the low post, but Carter still didn't pass.
Faking with the ball, he took a lateral jab step with his right foot.
As Diaw subtly shifted backward, Carter suddenly pulled up for a jump shot!
As the basketball swished through the hoop, Carter, who made the shot, roared again.
The game wasn't over, and he intended to keep shooting.
The point difference was still 20 points.
Lee caught the ball and gave Diaw a thumbs-up, indicating that his defensive choice on the previous possession was correct.
The scattered cheers quickly became uniform again.
Kidd no longer led the Defense but loudly reminded his teammates to get into position.
Gasol under the basket began to call Diaw to get into position at the top of the arc.
As Lee dribbled past half-court, Gasol received the ball early at the left elbow, and the two wings accelerated towards the corners.
Diaw, receiving the instruction, moved towards the top of the arc from the right elbow.
Just as he popped out to the three-point line, Gasol passed the ball horizontally.
In the direction of the right extended line, Diaw easily received the ball.
The big man, Jason Collins, felt a pang in his heart.
It was the same play, and the opponent had run it many times, and he could never defend it.
Lee, who passed the ball early, first cut off-ball through the middle, then ran towards the right corner, using Ron Artest's screen to accelerate his pop-out.
Richard Jefferson switched Defenses in time, sticking tightly behind Lee, trying to disrupt the catch.
Perhaps they were leading by too much, Diaw's passing became more artistic.
As Lee approached the three-point line, he suddenly made a fake pass, faking out Richard Jefferson, who rushed to steal.
Lee, however, was unaffected and continued to move, running to his teammate's side to complete a hand-off, while simultaneously swaying his body to the left-front.
Richard Jefferson, who had to readjust his center of gravity again, was once more fooled by the short passing combination of the two.
His body instinctively slid to the right, attempting to squeeze through the screen.
Faking left and driving right, the moment he put the ball down with his left hand, Lee increased his dribbling speed, seamlessly changed direction with a cross-over, touched the ball with his right hand, dribbled one step laterally, and immediately stopped with a killer crossover.
Richard Jefferson, desperately rushing to defend, still wanted to slide again, but his body wouldn't obey.
He stood frozen on the three-point line, watching as Lee gathered the ball and took a fadeaway jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in again.
The Continental Airlines Arena instantly erupted.
The New York Knicks were raining threes tonight, with offense coming in waves, simply unstoppable.
Coach DAntoni on the sidelines watched Lee and Diaw high-five in celebration, and for a moment, a proud expression appeared on his face.
All five players in the five-out lineup could shoot.
As long as they made their shots, the game would be over in three quarters!
"Good job!"
The Moustache chuckled and shouted twice, then quickly sat back on the bench, leaning back in a tactical pose.
Just a few more minutes, and the opponent would surrender.
The game continued, and to the surprise of the New York Knicks, Carter maintained his three-point shooting touch, making another contested shot from the left wing after a crossover dribble, despite Raja Bell's closeout.
On Defense, as soon as Lee dribbled past half-court, Richard Jefferson and Kidd double-teamed him at the three-point line.
On the right wing, Ron Artest received the pass.
Facing Jason Collins, who rotated and rushed to defend, Ron Artest responded with a slightly adjusted three-pointer.
81:58, the point difference did not shrink.
As Carter's pull-up jump shot after a cut from the right wing clanked off the rim, the Nets once again double-teamed Lee early.
Ron Artest drove strongly to the basket from the left wing, drawing a foul, and Frank began to make substitutions.
Both free throws went in, and the Nets were the first to enter their rotation, raising the white flag.
When Carter drove and drew a foul for free throws, the New York Knicks also began to rotate.
Ron Artest, who was substituted, was still full of energy, walking to the side and constantly yelling loudly:
"Too weak, I'm the real All-Star!"
Ron Artest was happiest that Carter wasn't selected as a starter.
Happiness needs comparison.
When the opponent is unlucky, he is happy.
The veteran Finley, who came off the bench, high-fived Ron Artest.
He felt the joy of winning without much effort.
Recently, the team's three-point shooting has exploded, and there are more and more games where they can punch out after three quarters.
A smile appeared on his dark face.
Finley looked at the serious-faced Kidd and felt somewhat fortunate in his heart.
Fortunately, he firmly clung to the strong leg; fighting for the Nets had no future.
Time elapsed in the game, and after three quarters, the score was fixed at 87:62.
Carter didn't give up in the final quarter either, playing for half a quarter before being substituted when the point difference was still 20 points.
At the Continental Airlines Arena, the New York fans who came to watch the game away began to celebrate freely.
Taking this opportunity, many people also shouted loudly at the Nets' bench:
"Where is Kevin Garnett?!"
There were trade rumors in the previous two seasons, and Kidd also said he wouldn't refuse to play with Garnett.
The instigators clearly remembered these news and started ridiculing the losing Nets.
Sitting back in his seat, Kidd's face was expressionless.
Jefferson rested his hands on his knees, staring intently at the court.
Carter covered his head with a towel, not letting the camera capture his expression.
The Nets' three core players looked utterly defeated, forming a stark contrast with the joyful laughter from the New York Knicks' side.
When the game ended, the score was 113:90, with the New York Knicks decisively defeating their opponent and continuing their winning streak.
In the losing team's player tunnel, Vince Carter, who played 38 minutes, shot 10 of 24 from the field, 5 of 10 from three-point range, and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line, scoring a game-high 29 points.
He quickly left after a brief greeting.
The cheers in the Continental Airlines Arena were all for the opponent.
Jason Kidd, in a bad mood, watched Clay Lee being interviewed courtside.
He said nothing and quickly walked towards the player tunnel.
New York Media didn't focus on tonight's game.
The World Championship roster was the main subject of attention:
"Clay Lee, Coach DAntoni has accepted an invitation to join the United States Mens National Basketball Team's coaching staff. Coach Krzyzewski reportedly extended an invitation to you quite early on."
"Do you plan to participate in this World Championship? We've lost many championships on the international stage."
Since Coach K will announce the 22-man roster on ABC at the end of the month, sports media have been discussing this matter recently.
"I'd rather focus on the league. You know, we're in excellent form this season and have a chance to achieve four consecutive championships."
"The players who have already accepted the invitation are all excellent. I have confidence in them. They will bring back the championship."
"Of course, another reason is that I want to dedicate more time to my family. I am very grateful for Coach Krzyzewski's trust."
This answer was not surprising, but looking at Lee, who hadn't even broken a sweat, several people felt that these regular season games didn't take much out of him:
"Even without Lee, they should still be able to win, right?"
On thursday, February 9th, after the New York Knicks' decisive back-to-back victory over the Clippers last night, everyone departed for Oklahoma City to prepare for the final game of the week.
Grant Hill, who remained in New York for rehabilitation training, also discussed the World Championship roster during an interview at the Tarrytown Training Center at noon:
"I understand Coach Krzyzewski. Recruiting Lee was indeed the most correct choice."
"On the international stage, Lee will become an opponent's nightmare. This is his ability, and I have no doubt about it."
Hill was cheerfully bragging, but the Yahoo Sports reporter beside him felt regret, as Lee had declined the recruitment:
"Hill, do you think Lee should accept the invitation? Many commentators believe the national team might lose again without him."
"Throughout his professional career, Lee has only missed the NBA Finals once. He's human too, and the physical toll over the years has been astonishing."
Seemingly recalling his own injuries, Hill's expression turned serious.
After a brief thought, he continued:
"Of course, I believe Lee can overcome difficulties, but I respect the medical team's opinion. If we reach the NBA Finals again this year, this is a health-conscious choice."
"We should believe that the selected young men can bring back the championship. They are all excellent!"
Many sports reporters nodded in agreement.
There are many talented basketball players in the United States.
The last time they lost the championship, it must have been Larry Brown's problem.
Hill breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, the main reason preventing Lee from participating was the New York Knicks' management.
Next season, the team's payroll will exceed 100 million dollars, and no one wants to spend money to lose.
The health of core players has become the most important thing.
Not just Lee, the New York Knicks are also preventing Gasol from participating in the World Championship, but the Spanish Basketball Federation won't budge, so there's no room for negotiation.
On thursday, TNT's program also discussed the 22-man roster.
Ever since the New York Media released the news that Lee had politely declined the World Championship, Charles Barkley had been overjoyed.
In the studio, Barkley brought back an old routine, once again emphasizing his viewpoint:
"Clay Lee hasn't proven himself on the international stage yet. He's won too much and is starting to fear failure!"
"You know, there are no referees protecting him in international games. I don't think he can play dominantly in that environment."
Kenny Smith was speechless.
Even if Lee's performance on the international stage was somewhat discounted, his shooting percentage would still be absurd.
He firmly opposed such nonsense:
"Clay Lee entered the NBA in '96. He's experienced rule changes. In fact, the international court would actually extend his shooting range."
"I respect his choice. I know what it takes to win a championship. Chuck, you should understand this. You've also played in the NBA Finals."
Charles Barkley's smile instantly vanished.
He had no interest in recalling how he was dominated by Michael Jordan.
Perhaps because there have been too many absurd opinions recently, Ernie Johnson didn't give Barkley another chance to interject and continued the serious discussion:
"Clay Lee recommended Chris Paul. He believes this Rookie has the ability to become a starting point guard."
"Do you think there's a better candidate? What about Allen Iverson? According to the information we've received, this All-Star guard has not declined the national team's call."
Although Iverson had returned to a starting All-Star position, Barkley still looked down on him.
Ignoring his co-host's gaze, he began to rant at the camera:
"I don't want to see his disastrous performance again. Maybe he can score 30 points, but we will definitely lose!"
"Just like he was with the 76ers, being second in scoring didn't help the team. Instead, the team was helping him pad his stats."
After his outburst, the two people next to him felt that the show was about to receive more complaints from fans.
Iverson was very popular this year, and his fans would not accept such humiliation.
Seemingly recalling some other news, Charles Barkley suddenly burst into laughter, adding gleefully:
"I think I forgot something: Coach Krzyzewski apparently didn't invite Allen Iverson!"
"."
On the evening of the 9th, the NBA announced the reserve rosters for the 2006 Houston All-Star Game:
The 7 Eastern Conference All-Star reserves are: Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Dwyane Wade, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Pau Gasol.
Rasheed Wallace was a replacement for the injured Jermaine ONeal.
The 7 Western Conference All-Star reserves are: Tony Parker, Ray Allen, Manu Ginobili, Shawn Marion, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Elton Brand.
After the announcement, it naturally sparked dissatisfaction among some players.
Washington Wizards fans complained for Gilbert Arenas.
Although the Toronto Raptors' record was poor, Chris Bosh's stats were excellent, so Toronto Raptors fans naturally grumbled as well.
On the other hand, Paul Pierce, who was once again overlooked, seemed to have grown accustomed to being ignored and did not speak out immediately.
On February 10th, Philadelphia sports media were angered by the famous Charles Barkley.
The morning newspaper criticized his remarks and re-emphasized that Iverson had received an invitation!
In reality, the United States Mens National Basketball Team's coaching staff had indeed excluded Iverson.
He was too old, his abilities were mediocre, he couldn't serve as captain, and he might disrupt the team atmosphere.
With the 76ers' struggling record, most commentators confirmed one fact: Allen Iverson had explosive mental fortitude, but his actual skill was lacking.
Kobe Bryant, who had just ended a six-game losing streak against the Houston Rockets, did not refuse the national team's request.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, he immediately stated:
"I am ready. The United States Mens National Basketball Team cannot continue to fail. I am confident I can lead the team to a championship."
Kobe, interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, appeared very confident.
Considering his excellent personal form this season, most reporters agreed with his leadership status.
In that day's game, the Boston Celtics decisively defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 115-83.
Paul Pierce had an explosive performance, shooting 13 of 20 from the field, 3 of 6 from three-point range, and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line, efficiently scoring 35 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 6 steals, and 4 turnovers.
Being overlooked for the All-Star team motivated Pierce.
Head Coach Rivers actively spoke out for his player during the post-game interview:
"I don't understand why team record is considered when selecting reserve rosters. I understand everyone's intentions, but Paul should get a spot."
"Individual stats are also very important, as we all know. Team record often tests overall strength, and not every team pays a large luxury tax."
With the team's poor record, Rivers started to make excuses again!
Not long ago, the Boston Celtics traded Ricky Davis and 3 other players, along with two second-round draft picks, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Wally Szczerbiak and two other players, plus a 2009 first-round draft pick.
This trade was favored by many, but the effect was disappointing, with a record of 19 wins and 31 losses, the Boston Celtics did not catch up, and were still some distance from the playoffs.
The New York Knicks made a trip to Oklahoma City, and due to Chris's sprained ankle, he could only sit on the bench tonight.
Oklahoma City fans called for the Hornets to stay, and at the same time, news broke that the Seattle SuperSonics planned to move, temporarily putting the local fans in a state of happy dilemma.
This game was broadcast by TNT, and before the game, when Chris Paul was connected to the studio, Charles Barkley's big mouth got the better of him, leaving the Rookie speechless:
"Do you want to stay in Oklahoma City? Be careful, there's no place for black people in Oklahoma!"
This statement, made on national television, spread throughout various regions by the afternoon.
The gubernatorial election was scheduled for late November this year, and Barkley's words were pointed.
Governor Brad Hunter, who was planning to come to Oklahoma City to watch the game that day, retorted before the game:
"Charles Barkley should come to Oklahoma to see our living environment. He should immediately apologize for making such irresponsible remarks."
"."
As a white Donkey Party governor, Brad Hunter certainly didn't want to be alienated by black people, nor did he believe these remarks were unintentional.
At 7 PM that night, nearly 20,000 fans poured into Ford Center. Oklahoma City was considered a sports desert, with no teams from the four major sports leagues.
Since Chris Paul joined the team, the Hornets have been plagued by incidents.
JR Smith has not yet recovered, and Birdman Andersen was recently suspended by the NBA for two years due to drug use.
With a record of 24 wins and 24 losses, if they continue to lose, the Hornets are very likely to fall out of the playoffs.
Governor Brad Hunter, wearing rimless glasses, with graying hair, and dressed in a proper black suit, sat in the front row, fully engrossed once the game began.
Despite the Hornets' valiant resistance, backup guard Speedy Claxton was still dominated by Clay Lee, and Rasual Butler, a former member of the New York Knicks' atmosphere-building squad, led the team in bricking shots.
Towards the end of the third quarter, as Delonte West picked up his fifth personal foul, Lee stepped to the free-throw line, and many fans in Ford Center began to switch allegiances, shouts echoing throughout the arena:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Wearing the New York Knicks' away blue jersey, fully armed, Lee reminded Head Coach Scott of his experience with the Nets.
It was also an away game, and the fans in New Jersey had also switched allegiances.
Scott for the first time felt that the enthusiastic Oklahoma City was not as good as New Orleans, at least the fans there were more loyal.
83:68, Lee made both free throws, maintaining the point difference.
In the fourth quarter, Coach DAntoni also showed respect to the Oklahoma City fans, allowing Lee to play for over four more minutes even with an 18-point lead.
On the Hornets' bench, Chris Paul looked on with envy.
Although the fans here were enthusiastic, they had never chanted MVP for him.
Head Coach Scott seemed to sense Chris Paul's thoughts and proactively comforted the team's future star:
"Don't be envious, you will surpass Clay Lee, just as you chose jersey number 3, you will achieve even greater accomplishments in the future!"
As a Rookie who came from Lee's training camp, Chris Paul understood the gap in strength better than other players.
Many of his skills were learned from the training camp:
"I know my weaknesses. It will be difficult for me to surpass Clay Lee, but I am confident I can be the best of my generation! Coach, we will succeed."
Seemingly surprised to be comforted himself, Scott looked at the sincere Chris Paul, his eyes twitching slightly.
He hadn't expected the other party to have lost the courage for bold declarations.
Time flew by in the latter half of the fourth quarter, and amidst the cheers of the fans, the score settled at 114:94, as the Hornets suffered a double-loss for the season.
After the game, Governor Brad Hunter came to center court to shake hands with the players.
Lee finally took the microphone, and after a brief hug with the white governor, he smiled and blessed the Oklahoma City fans:
"Don't mind that big mouth's remarks. This is my first time playing in Oklahoma City, and this city has made me feel friendly and enthusiastic!"
"I believe Oklahoma City will have its own team, and perhaps in the future, we will meet in the NBA Finals. I hope you will still cheer for me then."
Many fans joined in the cheers, taking Lee's words as a kind joke.
Brad Hunter seemed very satisfied with tonight's game, constantly applauding from the side.
When he took the microphone, he also joined in the boast:
"I finally understand why everyone loves Clay Lee! Only by watching his game live can one truly appreciate the charm of the greatest player in history!"
"Oklahoma will always welcome you! I sincerely hope to see Lee join a team in Oklahoma City."
The fans were very pleased with the governor's kind wishes, and cheers once again erupted in Ford Center.
After witnessing Lee's performance, the tickets for tonight were well worth it!
On the Hornets' bench, Chris Paul looked at Lee's figure in the center of the court, and couldn't help but show a look of longing again.
Scott secretly frowned, silently complaining to himself:
"If you keep losing, you'll be the second Allen Iverson."
On sunday, February 12th, the NBA announced the Players of the Week for the previous week:
Clay Lee of the Eastern Conference and Tony Parker of the Western Conference successfully won the awards.
The New York Knicks achieved a 4-0 record last week, winning every game by a large margin, showcasing the dominance of the defending champions.
Clay Lee averaged 32.5 minutes per game, with averages of 30.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.8 turnovers.
He averaged 17.0 field goal attempts, with a field goal percentage of 58.9%, averaged 7.8 three-point attempts, with a three-point percentage of 45.0%.
He averaged 7.0 free throw attempts, with a free throw percentage of 96.4%.
The San Antonio Spurs had a 2-0 record last week, and Tony Parker's stats were also impressive, averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 4.5 turnovers.
With the same number of attempts, Parker's field goal percentage reached 58.8%, with no three-point attempts, and a free throw percentage of 84.6%.
The somewhat exaggerated Excel sheets for both players led many commentators to criticize the new rules, as Clay Lee and Tony Parker's finishing efficiency at the rim was even better than many big men.
Houston fans were not concerned about the awards.
Everyone was looking forward to the home team avenging themselves and securing a victory at home!
The game, which started at 8 PM that night, saw the Toyota Center fall silent after the first quarter as Tracy McGrady led the New York Knicks in continuous fast breaks.
7-0 from the field, 1-2 from the free throw line, Tracy McGrady furiously scored 1 point, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 turnover.
32:19, the New York Knicks again took a large lead in the first quarter.
During the break, Mike Brown held the tactical board but didn't know what to arrange.
He opened his mouth and finally looked at Yao Ming:
"Yao, hang in there a little longer, we need to close the gap quickly."
Scattered boos had already begun to emerge in the Toyota Center.
Yao Ming had been playing 40 minutes frequently recently, and silently nodded upon hearing the Coach's request.
Tracy McGrady, who was already somewhat doubting life, completely broke the Houston Rockets' fans in the subsequent game, with one beautifully executed pull-up jump shot after another, constantly allowing the New York Knicks to launch counterattacks.
The game lost its suspense early, and it wasn't until the final quarter that Tracy McGrady regained his touch, but despite his efforts, his scoring still didn't reach double digits.
With 2 minutes and 22 seconds left in the game, the score was 108:84, and boos echoed throughout the Toyota Center, with fans in the back rows already starting to leave early.
Tracy McGrady, who had been substituted out, sat in his seat, dejectedly staring at the floor.
In 38 minutes of play, he shot 3-for-20 from the field, 0-for-4 from three-point range, and 1-for-2 from the free throw line;
7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, Tracy McGrady helped the New York Knicks continue their winning streak.
On the other side, on the New York Knicks' bench, as veteran Finley cut from the left wing to the basket for a successful dunk, Lee and the others stood up, wildly waving towels and cheering loudly.
No one on the Houston Rockets' bench spoke.
Dikembe Mutombo looked at Tracy McGrady's dejected expression and shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly:
"I told you before, Lee holds grudges!"
...
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)