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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go š
***
On Monday, February 20, 2006, the Houston Chronicle once again brought the latest news to the public:
"Tracy McGrady is frustrated after the All-Star Weekend. The coaching staff has allowed him to miss tomorrow's practice due to personal family matters."
ESPN revisited Sunday's All-Star Game, praising the performances of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade:
"The rise of a new generation of players! In Houston, we witnessed the ambition of the young!"
Both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade played 30 minutes.
One scored 25 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 turnover, while the other had 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 turnovers.
At 114:124, the Eastern Conference All-Star team dominated the entire game, winning without suspense.
LeBron James also won his first significant award in his career, smiling as he lifted the AMVP crystal trophy last night, despite the boos from the Houston fans!
David Stern seemed to enjoy seeing such a scene.
Clay Lee, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant didn't steal the show, and the young players began to dominate the All-Star Game.
After the game, many sports reporters surrounded Tracy McGrady, who scored a game-high 32 points, for photos.
The host looked particularly grim, having lost the trophy on home turf.
"When a team has superstars like Lee and Shaq, I can't think of a reason to lose!"
LeBron James said this during an interview with TNT and was acknowledged by basketball commentators.
The opposing lineup was not weak, but they had too many turnovers.
Kevin Garnett's 1-for-9 shooting was practically handing over the trophy.
Kobe Bryant, focused on passing, seemed only to want his friend to win, but instead, they were crushed by the serious Detroit Pistons players.
Dwyane Wade was just shy of winning the award.
His status as a substitute limited him, and another reason was that LeBron James had publicly stated his desire to win the award before the game.
Although he felt a bit of regret, Dwyane Wade smiled after the game, seeing his friend lift the trophy, and offered his blessings:
"The All-Star Game is our gift to the fans. I know everyone doesn't want to watch a pure exhibition game, so we actively increased the intensity of the game."
"This is a deserved award for LeBron James. He was the most active player on the court, and I'm happy to see him receive this honor!"
Fans who watched the TNT broadcast last night, combined with ESPN's report, felt there was a hint of internal competition between Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
In contrast, the Western Conference All-Stars were truly harmonious, visibly trying to help Tracy McGrady win the award.
Unfortunately, their strength was insufficient, and 26 turnovers were the biggest reason for their loss.
The All-Star Game was broadcast during the day across the ocean.
When the game ended, Sina Sports updated the news immediately:
"5 points can hardly show the style of the Western Conference's top vote-getter!"
Playing 19 minutes, Yao Ming only managed 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
There was no "Shaq-Yao showdown," and within the limited time, running back and forth was the epitome of this game.
Yao Ming didn't mind these things after the game, but Tracy McGrady's strong reaction still surprised him.
Losing a small trophy, and even stopping practice?
On the afternoon of the 20th, the weather in New York warmed slightly.
Derek Fisher, back in Manhattan, was somewhat distracted.
He seemed to have met his "destiny."
He quietly married after last year's All-Star Weekend.
His wife, Candace, is a round-faced black woman, and they are very much in love, planning to have several children.
As a Champion Coach, Derek Fisher is very popular.
Not only does he serve as the Vice President of the Players Union, but after last year's Finals, he was also invited to participate in Season 25 of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
His dance partner at the time was Sharna Burgess.
Having withstood the test of the "wife-and-children-scattered dance," Derek Fisher believed he was a good family man!
Until this All-Star Weekend, he saw Matt Barnes' new girlfriend, Gloria Govan.
Gloria, who works in New York, is beautiful and fiery.
At the party hosted by LeBron James on Sunday night, Derek Fisher finally understood why Lee wouldn't get married.
Matt Barnes could be considered a winner in life.
Although his playing time was reduced this season, he never lacked women during his years in New York.
Previously, Derek Fisher hadn't paid much attention, preferring to spend time with his family.
Now he had a different idea: he wanted to help Matt Barnes achieve a better life!
Pau Gasol and Boris Diaw settled in the town of Tarrytown after coming to New York.
Besides the convenience for training, the rich "artistic atmosphere" of the environment was deeply loved by both of them.
Derek Fisher was different.
His wife, Candace, preferred the lively atmosphere of a big city.
After they got married, they bought a not-so-large apartment in Manhattan.
The home environment was dominated by warm colors.
Candace, who had finished lunch, didn't notice her husband staring blankly at a newspaper.
The TV was broadcasting Donald publicly shaming producer Martha Stewart in an open letter.
"That's why I love New York. We can always find happiness easily. Darling, are Clay Lee and Ivanka Trump still together? Donald Trump shouldn't complain, his show is terrible."
Candace giggled, curled up on the sofa, watching the TV report.
For their first wedding anniversary, she had recently received a beautiful necklace and was very satisfied with her current life.
Waking up from his fantasy of Gloria's fiery red lips, Derek Fisher collected his thoughts and casually gossiped, following his wife's words:
"Maybe they're already a family. I wouldn't be surprised if they had children!"
"How about we go back to Los Angeles next year? It's too cold here!"
Candace looked surprised.
After winning the championship last season, Derek Fisher had been shouting that this was his last stop in his career:
"Why? You have enough playing time here, just train on time every day, and no one is competing for your position. Most importantly, the team will offer you a big contract."
Derek Fisher naturally wouldn't speak his mind.
He sat next to his wife and seriously explained his plan:
"When I was in Houston, I talked to Kobe, and he wants me to help him. The Lakers can also offer me a 6-year long-term contract."
"Going back to Los Angeles, I'll be a starter. The fans there like me more, and I also want to share my experience with them."
"Haven't you always missed the Los Angeles weather? For our children, I'm willing to go back!"
Candace still had some fondness for life in New York, but when she heard about children, the round-faced girl smiled.
Family is most important!
Derek Fisher sensed his wife's mood and knew the matter was settled.
Thinking of his plan, he quietly plotted in his mind:
"Matt Barnes will like Los Angeles too."
Lee, back in Manhattan, naturally couldn't have imagined the chain reaction brought about by one woman.
On Valentine's Day, the girls all flew to the Netherlands to inspect the yacht.
Besides Kim, who had returned to work, and Scarlett, who had just finished "The Tonight Show," there were two little ones accompanying the three in the large Manhattan house.
Taking care of children is a troublesome matter, but fortunately, the power of money can solve some of the problems.
At 10 PM, Kim, in her pajamas, smiled as she looked at the little one sleeping soundly without crying or fussing.
This was easier than she had expected.
As a mother, she also had some worries.
The little one named Alvin seemed overly quiet.
He cried very few times in recent months, just eating and sleeping.
Scarlett, who had returned from Los Angeles, would occasionally pinch the little one's chubby face, seemingly not satisfied, and even wanted to lift him up and swing him around.
Lee quickly pulled her back.
The two children seemed to have completely opposite personalities.
The little one named Zell preferred to cry and fuss.
"Alright, we need to rest. Don't disturb the two little ones. I want to get a good night's sleep tonight."
Scarlett immediately snuggled into Lee's arms when she heard his call.
To take care of her body, she hadn't filmed any short videos for a long time, and with Kim as the protagonist tonight, a sense of novelty quickly filled her heart.
"Let's go to the third-floor bathroom and take a bath together first!"
Kim, who was being held, blushed as she looked at Scarlett hugging her.
The bold girl had openly admitted on a show two days ago that she liked her current life, and even subtly mentioned multi-person combat.
Not only did she not deny the gossip, but she even vowed that she had "considered having Lee's children since she was 17."
Lee patted Scarlett, who planned to be the director tonight.
The latter immediately tilted her head for a kiss, then chuckled and kissed Kim, quickly swaying her hips away, excitedly whispering:
"I'll go run the bathwater, darling, remember to bring the camera!"
When the three left the room, the housekeeper team quickly took over the little ones.
Lee slowly strolled with Kim, noticing her face getting redder and redder, and couldn't help but tease:
"It's not the first time we've tried this. The weather in New York is really bad. If time allowed, we should go to Florida for a few days."
Kim playfully twisted Lee, annoyed. Before, it was always drunken mischief.
In a completely sober state, she had never experienced it:
"Governor Pataki is destined not to be re-elected. Everyone is optimistic about Spitzer."
"The civil lawsuit against the former head of the New York Stock Exchange has dragged on for a long time, but it doesn't seem to have much impact on his November election."
This was good news for Axe Capital.
At least when acquiring their next-door neighbor, Amaranth, the other party wouldn't seize on their weaknesses.
"It seems we'll see the birth of a new governor by the end of the year. Many people will be happy to see him step down as Attorney General."
Lee wasn't lying.
The Wall Street sheriff even extended his reach to record companies.
If he wasn't so popular, someone would have wanted to teach him a lesson long ago.
Feeling the warmth of the large hand on her waist, Kim stopped talking about the news she had recently received, sharing the latest gossip.
As she walked into the third-floor bathroom, her face couldn't help but turn even redder.
Her fair, full breasts were exposed, and her voice became a little hoarse.
Scarlett quickly threw herself into Lee's arms with enthusiasm.
The water temperature was just right, and the young lady didn't seem shy at all, charmingly waving to Kim, who was watching the show.
With two beauties in his arms, Lee quickly succumbed to the tender embrace.
Where there are two, there will be three.
He still has to continue striving for a "soccer team" this year!
On tuesday, the 21st, after All-Star Weekend ended, teams aiming for the playoffs began their final sprint.
Bob Hill furiously blasted the San Antonio Spurs during All-Star Weekend, even mocking Head Coach Popovich for losing in the Finals.
The Seattle SuperSonics' record was poor, and as Head Coach, he had completely let himself go.
The backlash came faster than expected.
On tuesday evening, playing away in San Antonio, the Seattle SuperSonics suffered a crushing defeat.
78:103. The Seattle SuperSonics only scored 36 points in the first half.
The San Antonio Spurs surged again in the third quarter, taking the game early.
Perhaps Ivanka's extra training had an effect, as Parker was exceptionally brave that night, scoring an efficient 30 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers on 13 of 18 shooting from the field and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line.
Tim Duncan, who was far ahead in the MVP rankings, dominated the game with rebounds, scoring 13 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 1 turnover on 5 of 11 shooting from the field and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line.
The stats weren't flashy, but at the end of the game, in the SBC Center, San Antonio Spurs fans were chanting "MVP" for Duncan!
Ray Allen, who played 33 minutes, scored 20 points.
At the post-game press conference, facing difficult questions from the media, he was fuming:
"Ray, at 22 wins and 34 losses, it seems difficult for the Seattle SuperSonics to make the playoffs. We've heard that you plan to team up with Clay Lee. Does this mean you've already given up on this season?"
No one cared about the game's outcome.
Most sports reporters wanted to know when Ray Allen would join a powerhouse team and what assets the New York Knicks would offer.
This feeling of being underestimated was not new.
He tried to control his emotions, but when answering the questions, Ray Allen still seemed a bit irritable:
"I never said those words. I've always emphasized that I'm only focused on the Seattle SuperSonics!"
"Last year, we just made it to the Western Conference Finals. I know the potential of this team. Although our record is not good right now, everyone can overcome difficulties. No one wants to give up."
By avoiding trade rumors, Ray Allen's answer made everyone in the audience think he was feeling guilty.
Soon, more and more difficult questions came, and even local Seattle sports reporters began to suspect that Ray Allen was going to leave.
When the Seattle SuperSonics' press conference ended, Ray Allen's face was dark with anger.
No matter how many times he said it, no one would believe him!
In contrast, Duncan did not have these worries.
Although his statistics were not impressive, his record of 41 wins and 12 losses allowed him to stand tall.
Naturally, there was nothing to review from the game.
The San Antonio Spurs shot 9 of 18 from beyond the arc tonight, completely dominating their opponent both inside and outside.
"Duncan, let's talk about the team's expectations after the All-Star Game. Do we still have a chance to get the league's best record?"
San Antonio sports reporters hoped the home team could secure home-court advantage.
Many commentators summarized the reasons for losing in the Finals, concluding:
"The San Antonio Spurs are not good at playing on the road."
Duncan rarely spoke out proactively in previous seasons, but this year was different.
Facing such a question, he even boasted:
"Of course we have a chance to catch up with the New York Knicks. Head Coach Popovich told us that it's not time to relax yet, and I strongly agree with that view."
"In the upcoming schedule, the San Antonio Spurs will continue to sprint with full effort. Our goal is the championship, and for that, everyone will do their best to secure home-court advantage."
With wide eyes and a serious expression, Duncan's words were extremely convincing.
Everyone in the audience at that moment believed the San Antonio Spurs could achieve this!
After discussing the record, Duncan didn't forget to praise his teammates.
Before he could relax, someone quickly asked about the latest gossip:
"Tim, if Ray Allen chooses to join the New York Knicks for a championship, do you have similar plans for the future?"
The TNT reporter, enjoying the drama, had already hypothesized about Duncan joining a powerhouse team on the show.
Some reporters also looked at Duncan on stage, seemingly expecting an explosive answer.
"The San Antonio Spurs are first in the Western Conference. We make the playoffs every year. We have already completed our rebuilding."
"I will not leave San Antonio. I just want to fulfill my promise and bring a championship to this city!"
An expressionless Duncan reiterated his commitment, and many in the audience cheered.
An MVP must have some swagger.
Not considering the future, such an answer met their expectations.
Although Duncan had almost certainly secured the MVP award this season, after every game, Head Coach Popovich would routinely praise his star player:
"How to face failure is an important measure of greatness! Tim has proven his greatness with his actions."
With a proud look on his face, Gregg Popovich ignored Bob Hill.
After all, he was already a quasi-Champion Coach and shouldn't bother with minor characters:
"The San Antonio Spurs have indeed lost three times in the Finals, but we all know that no one can win forever."
"Under Tim's leadership, we will ultimately succeed!"
Gregg Popovich's prediction was widely recognized.
Four consecutive championships is the ultimate, and now the San Antonio Spurs are ready to win.
These words were not only to boost the San Antonio Spurs fans' morale, but Gregg Popovich was also using the media to remind the league that the era of single-team dominance should end.
On Wednesday, the 22nd, the Heat once again arrived in New York, marking the first game between the two teams after All-Star Weekend.
With a record of 33 wins and 20 losses, Pat Riley planned to continue pushing.
Fourth in the Eastern Conference was definitely not a good position!
Shaq had been coasting in the All-Star Game and only realized after the game that Dwyane Wade also seemed to desire a trophy.
Fortunately, this wouldn't affect their friendship.
They were still brothers.
Similar to the New York Knicks, the Heat had not made any significant reinforcements.
Jason Williams returned from injury, and Payton was back on the bench.
When they arrived at the American Airlines Arena for early warm-ups that afternoon, Pat Riley, during an interview, also gave his prediction, putting pressure on the league in the process:
"I love New York. We experienced the Finals together!"
"But in the world of basketball, no one can guarantee victory, and no one can keep winning forever."
"The Heat made huge adjustments in the offseason, and we're only now gradually finding our rhythm. Everyone is ready for the championship."
The slick-haired boss looked as if he had seen through everything.
Recalling his opportunistic behavior, some New York reporters couldn't help but inwardly exclaim, "Old fox."
His calculations were clearly audible.
Stan Van Gundy's decision not to attend the Heat's home games certainly had a reason!
Unlike the Heat, who were fully healthy, the New York Knicks' Pau Gasol suddenly came down with the flu after returning to Manhattan and would miss tonight's game.
Dan Gadzuric became the starting center tonight.
He had played a considerable amount of time this season, but his stats were unremarkable.
During the afternoon warm-up, the New York Media gathered around Little Beard early.
Coach DAntoni, took advantage of All-Star Weekend to leave cold Manhattan and enjoy a few days in Italy.
Recently, many contending teams have been putting pressure on the league.
Mike D'Antoni didn't care about this, instead, he joked in front of the media:
"I read the news, but they don't understand Lee!"
"Basketball isn't that complicated. Lee can not only score, but he can also make his teammates better. That's the key to our victory."
"As for other factors, they are not important. Lee has won 7 championships. Perhaps they haven't realized that this is what continuously winning looks like."
"Rules are meant to be broken. A game isn't an award selection. Whoever scores more wins. In that regard, no one can compare to Lee."
Coach DAntoni looked very pleased.
Shooting accurately is also a talent, and Lee's understanding of tactics far exceeded his expectations, which amplified the team's advantages.
Lee, who was warming up, continuously fed the ball to Gadzuric, who was starting tonight.
The latter received the ball under the basket and continuously attacked the rim despite interference from the trainer.
"I'm a bit nervous. If I can't contain Shaq, will the fans boo me?"
Gadzuric, who had just finished a dunk, patted the basketball in his hand and said this with a serious expression, then looked beyond the three-point line, seemingly anticipating encouragement from Lee.
"Unfortunately, Dan, no one can stop him one-on-one in the low post. You just need to control your fouls."
"The coaching staff should have reminded you during the morning film session. What you need to watch out for is Dwyane Wade's drives. Don't reach easily. They will constantly run pick-and-rolls to attack you."
Lee controlled the expression on his face.
He realized for the first time that the team's atmosphere was indeed getting a bit overconfident.
The Moustache had never mentioned defending Shaq one-on-one.
"I think I can do it. You know, my Defense was excellent at UCLA, and I've grown a lot these past few years!"
"If the coach allows, I can try. Alas! Sometimes the coaching staff is still too conservative."
Sighing, Gadzuric's face showed a look of regret, and he clapped his hands with a hint of pity.
This series of actions made the trainer behind him feel helpless to complain.
Hill was still communicating with the athletic trainer.
He would also return from injury tonight.
Many people noticed that the sycophant Derek Fisher wasn't circling Lee.
Instead, he was with Barnes, and the two were laughing and chatting, seemingly having a great time.
Ron Artest didn't mind any of this.
The family's expenses during All-Star Weekend were high, so after returning to Manhattan, he became much more well-behaved, as he was out of money.
The game at 7 PM that evening saw New York fans once again display their enthusiasm, with Madison Square Garden already buzzing.
However, as time passed, the cheers quickly turned into jeers:
"Referee suck!"
With 1 minute and 58 seconds left in the first half, Dwyane Wade stepped to the free-throw line again, his 13th free throw of the night.
The free throw went in steadily, and Pat Riley on the sidelines shouted to his players, signaling Jason Williams to pick up the Defense quickly, as this was no time to relax.
Dwyane Wade, who hadn't been given many defensive assignments tonight, retreated to half-court with a fierce expression on his face, clapping his hands next to Hill and loudly reminding Mourning, who had just entered the game:
"Help Defense! Just a little longer!"
Since Pau Gasol was out, Lee reduced the number of pick-and-rolls tonight.
Haslem and the Kidney Warrior seemed to be heavily stimulated by the pep talk.
They double-teamed every pick-and-roll tonight, and their movements were very quick.
"Let's go Knicks!"
On the right wing, James Posey, noticing that Lee had already crossed the half-court line, kept an eye on the top of the arc while pulling on Ron Artest next to him.
After extensive video study, the Heat did not mindlessly double-team, allowing the New York Knicks to easily find open shots.
Only when Lee dribbled behind his back to his right hand did James Posey start to move.
Ron Artest seized the opportunity and decisively moved towards the right sideline.
James Posey suddenly sped up, but Lee took the opportunity to turn his body sideways, and his right wrist suddenly twisted.
The fake bounce pass made James Posey freeze in place.
When the ball bounced back to Lee's left hand, he backed down his defender with a spin move, instantly shaking off Jason Williams beside him.
Amidst the cheers of the home crowd, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, lowered his shoulder and accelerated, successfully gaining more than half a step and instantly breaking through to the top of the arc.
"Damn it!"
Dwyane Wade on the left wing saw it clearly.
After a low curse, he immediately went up for help Defense.
At the same time, James Posey did not retreat but cooperated with his teammates to close off the paint.
The moment Lee approached the free-throw line, several Heat players on the court all converged on him.
While moving, Lee leaned into his defender and suddenly slowed down.
The trailing Jason Williams quickly controlled his body, stopping and starting abruptly, as Lee accelerated again with a push-dribble change of direction.
Inside the paint, Lee, with the ball in his right hand, was about to be surrounded by four defenders.
Fortunately, the ball was faster than the man, and it almost grazed Mourning's fingertips as it flew to the right corner.
Facing James Posey, who had rushed back to defend, Ron Artest, who caught the ball in the corner, faked a shot, sending his opponent flying out of bounds before calmly rising for a jump shot.
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
52:55. Ron Artest, who made the shot, cheered repeatedly, reigniting the atmosphere in the arena.
Tonight, the Heat occasionally deployed a stance similar to a 3-2 zone Defense.
When the New York Knicks' outside shooting was off, it would sometimes switch to a 2-3 zone, testing their shooting.
In some possessions, Dwyane Wade would act as a help defender, and relying on his excellent athleticism, he indeed achieved good results.
Lee looked at Hill, who shook his head slightly, indicating that he would still defend.
Raja Bell's early three fouls disrupted tonight's rotation plan.
"Defense!"
Seeing Dwyane Wade receive the ball again on the left wing, waves of defensive cheers erupted.
Haslem immediately came to the top of the arc, setting an early screen.
Dwyane Wade put the ball down, changed direction in front of his body, sharply lowered his center of gravity, used the screen to shake off Hill, and facing the help Defense of Kurt Thomas, he flew low to the ground, forcing his way through.
In the left restricted area, the two players collided.
Dwyane Wade couldn't squeeze through, so he simply gathered the ball early, drifted his body towards the baseline, and completed a floater while leaning sideways!
"And one!"
Shouting to alert the referee, Dwyane Wade tossed the ball up, then he himself fell out of bounds.
Kurt Thomas, trying to jump and block the shot, lost his balance in the air.
After landing, his body swayed, then he hopped repeatedly, falling to the baseline in some pain.
Gadzuric wrestled with Mourning under the basket, and finally, relying on his height advantage, he barely managed to secure the ball, and then the referee's whistle blew.
"Oh!"
Seeing Kurt Thomas clutching his right foot in pain, the home crowd also gasped.
The New York Knicks players quickly gathered around.
Seeing his head covered in sweat, everyone realized something was wrong.
Coach DAntoni on the sidelines also lost his relaxed smile.
After a preliminary examination, the team doctor began to shake his head, and ultimately Kurt Thomas was carried off on a stretcher.
In the MSG commentary booth, Walt Frazier showed a worried expression.
It was a right ankle injury that allowed the New York Knicks to pick up Kurt Thomas in free agency back then:
"I hope God blesses Kurt. An injury at this point is absolutely terrible news for us."
Mike Breen, seeing the referee signal to continue the game, also sighed:
"This should be the last thing Coach DAntoni wants to see. Diaw will have a hard time carrying Kurt's defensive responsibilities. Fortunately, our excellent record allows us to adjust calmly."
In the final minute of the first half, both teams either missed shots or shot free throws, and the shouts of frustration once again echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
55:57, the New York Knicks held only a slim lead.
Dwyane Wade was 2-for-7 from the field and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line in the first half, contributing a team-high 15 points.
More importantly, he forced both Bell and Prince to commit three fouls in the half.
Failing to achieve their tactical objective, the New York Knicks did not let their big men come off the court easily.
Tonight's inside rotation was Glen Rice, and the lying-flat center gave away points as soon as he entered the game.
Pat Riley felt a bit regretful.
The opponent had too many perimeter defensive resources.
Back in the locker room, the slick-haired boss looked at everyone and simply reminded them:
"Be smarter. I want to see you continue to attack the rim. Shaq, you know what to do!"
The zone Defense and reduced playing time were all to take care of the big shark.
Shaquille O'Neal didn't dare to put on airs in front of the boss, and he responded in a low voice while rehydrating:
"Yes, it's my turn to perform!"
In the second half, Pat Riley once again displayed his Champion Coach demeanor, and watching Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal's continuous assaults, a smile began to appear on his face.
However, as the game progressed into the latter part of the quarter, the slick-haired boss grew furious again, involuntarily shouting repeatedly:
"Defense! Don't just stand there!"
Haslem was just hesitating.
In the previous possession, Diaw's fake screen and pop-out on the left wing easily led to a three-pointer.
In this semi-transition offense, after a series of high-line passes, there was another handoff, and Lee received the ball again from almost the same spot.
The moment he received the ball, Lee faked right and drove left.
Dwyane Wade, who had taken over the Defense in the second half, slid his feet in time.
At the three-point line, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, paused slightly, then smoothly crossed over and pulled back.
His teammates' hesitation prevented the double-team from forming in time.
The moment he touched the ball with his right hand again, Clay Lee drove hard against Dwyane Wade.
In the left elbow area, Dwyane Wade, making the correct defensive choice, used his strong body to slow Lee down.
Before he could even be happy, the ball flew past him.
Hill, who had cut in from the right wing in time, received the pass near the paint and immediately charged towards the basket with long strides.
Mourning had just moved his feet when Hill's short pass on the move instantly tore through the Defense.
Gadzuric received the ball below the right side of the basket, exploded vertically, and slammed the ball down with both hands!
"Oh!"
The New York Knicks' fluid teamwork kept the cheers in the Madison Square Garden going non-stop.
No matter what the opponent did, they still maintained their lead.
It was Dwyane Wade who first couldn't hold on.
As Lee also started to participate in Defense, his stamina declined, and some forced mid-range jump shots started to miss.
What frustrated the Heat the most was Shaquille O'Neal's inaccurate free throws.
Pat Riley's timeout also failed to stop the lead from growing.
Towards the end of the third quarter, when the opponent once again played zone Defense, Lee assisted Prince, who came off the bench, for two consecutive three-pointers from the left and right corners.
On the final possession, Dwyane Wade's hop-step floater in the paint once again helped his team score, but the score still reached 79:89.
Dwyane Wade was 3-for-7 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free-throw line in the quarter, contributing 7 points.
Shaquille O'Neal was 4-for-7 from the field and 2-for-6 from the free-throw line, scoring 10 points.
Their performances barely met expectations, but Pat Riley was not satisfied.
This game did not go according to his game plan.
The Heat showed their desire for victory.
In the fourth quarter, as the New York Knicks' shooting percentage dropped, the two sides started to pull back and forth again.
The opponent's constant double-teaming of Lee completely infuriated the New York fans in the arena.
They bought tickets to watch a game, not free throws!
It wasn't until 3 minutes and 23 seconds left in the game that, seeing Lee's fast break as fierce as a tiger, the exhausted Heat players no longer fouled, watching the lead return to 10 points.
"No team can sustain a double-team. Their rotation and stamina will eventually become a problem."
In the commentary booth, Walt Frazier chuckled as he gave his conclusion.
Watching Lee drive hard from the top of the arc and score with a floater in Dwyane Wade's paint, Mike Breen also agreed, saying:
"Clay Lee's not in great form tonight. The Heat's strategy was half successful. Perhaps this is a preview of the playoffs."
With 1 minute and 2 seconds left in the game, Lee was also substituted out, and the New York fans in the arena rose to their feet and applauded.
They hadn't seen such a scene in a long time.
Playing 40 minutes, he was 10-for-20 from the field, 2-for-5 from three-point range, and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, finishing with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.
Clay Lee was also somewhat dissatisfied with his own performance, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself as he returned to his seat:
"I really should have focused on preparing for the game."
...
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)