Check out my new fanfics.
Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go 😊
***
On March 1, 2006, the NBA announced the Players of the Month for the previous month:
Dwyane Wade of the Eastern Conference and Shawn Marion of the Western Conference successfully won the awards.
The Heat performed well in February, suffering a crushing defeat to the Mavericks before the All-Star Game and losing to the New York Knicks after the All-Star Game, ultimately achieving a record of 8 wins and 2 losses.
Wade performed poorly in individual games, but in most games, he was the best player on the team!
He averaged 38.9 minutes per game, putting up 29.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.9 turnovers.
He averaged 19.2 field goal attempts per game, with a 55.7% field goal percentage, and averaged 10.6 free throws per game, with a 78.3% free throw percentage.
Although Wade rarely shot from beyond the arc, his excellent driving ability still allowed him to produce "Lee-esque" statistics.
The Suns also made a push in February, going 9 wins and 1 loss.
With all their injured players back, they once again played fluidly, and their record improved to 26 wins and 19 losses.
In the Pacific Division, both the Suns and the Clippers wanted to climb into the upper half of the standings, so they had to continue to push hard in the remaining schedule!
He averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers, with a 53.8% field goal percentage, 42.2% three-point percentage, and 90.7% free throw percentage.
Marion also delivered an incredibly impressive stat line.
It was thanks to his efficient double-doubles that Nash's position in the MVP rankings recently began to rise.
The Heat continued their road trip, facing the Boston Celtics that evening.
Although Pat Riley's coaching results did not meet the expectations of basketball critics, they were still widely recognized.
The Boston Celtics' legend Auerbach experienced health issues, and the Champion Coach came to Boston to offer his blessings, while also taking the opportunity to badmouth the New York Knicks:
"Mr. Auerbach will get better, and the Boston Celtics will rise again!"
"No one can dominate the league forever. This is what I always emphasize to my players. We just need to wait for the right moment, and God will give opportunities to those who are prepared."
Pat Riley seemed still dissatisfied with the previous loss, and recently, whenever he had an interview opportunity, he would "criticize" the New York Knicks.
Although Wade won the award, the Heat's loudmouth was Gary Payton.
His playing time in some key games drastically decreased, but with the Champion Coach suppressing him, Payton no longer complained about the coaching staff's personnel choices as he had before:
"Coach Riley has been encouraging the team, and I know everyone can do it! We have a chance to win the championship this year."
"The Pistons have a great record, but we won't be afraid of them. We will move forward according to our established goals."
Payton actively accepted an interview during warm-ups, and also revealed some of the team's plans.
Third in the Eastern Conference, they liked that ranking!
In the Southeast Division, the Washington Wizards began to fall behind, and the Heat were already secure.
With the other two teams having significantly better records, their current priority was to stay healthy.
The main reason Payton was in a good mood was that the New York Knicks officially announced that Kurt Thomas had suffered a stress fracture in his right foot and would miss the remainder of the regular season.
After this news was announced, coupled with the New York Knicks' losses to the Nets and the San Antonio Spurs in late February, many basketball critics became fickle, and the Heat became the favorites to win the championship!
The Heat players felt a sudden reduction in pressure.
During warm-ups, Wade and O'Neal continued to joke around.
God seemed to have truly answered their prayers.
In that night's game, Wade and O'Neal once again demonstrated their ability to dominate weaker opponents, winning 103-96 after a strong second-half performance.
After the game, the SBC Center once again erupted in boos.
Pierce was not selected for the All-Star Game, and with a record of 23 wins and 34 losses, Boston Celtics fans had had enough!
Wade, who was being interviewed, didn't pay attention to the struggling opponent.
Even though Pierce shot 17 free throws in the second half, he still won the game:
"37 wins, I'm very satisfied with our current record. I believe what the coach says, health is the most important thing!"
When the reporter praised his efficient performance in February, Wade smiled brightly.
Although he was a fake fan of Lee, he would not deny that he imitated the corresponding playing style:
"The training staff gave me a lot of advice, and as everyone can see, I've reduced a lot of inefficient long-range jump shots."
"I have the ability to tear apart Defenses, and most importantly, my teammates are better at three-point shooting. We trust each other!"
While the two were exchanging compliments, O'Neal, whose free throws were terrible tonight, was in a great mood.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, he put his arm around Wade and shouted into the camera:
"The playoffs are coming! The great Shaq will lift the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy again!"
The ESPN sports reporter looked at the two happily laughing and suddenly realized how much pressure the New York Knicks had put on their Eastern Conference opponents.
Without injuries, these bold statements would not have appeared.
After flying to Memphis, the New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Grizzlies 111-98, getting off to a good start in March.
With a record of 28 wins and 30 losses, Jerry West's record has improved this season after sending away the team's veteran Sheriff.
Mike Fratello could only smile bitterly after the game.
Since taking over the team, he has rarely been able to lead his team to victory against the New York Knicks, and he still has to struggle for the playoffs every year.
The interior composed of Jake Tsakalidis and Hakim Warrick gained no advantage at all, and instead was exploited by simple pick-and-rolls.
The FedExForum's attendance was noticeably higher tonight.
At the end of the game, as the players from both sides were still shaking hands, the shouts grew louder and louder.
The sound of "Clay-Lee" was particularly clear, which made Jerry West, who was sitting under the basket, look a bit displeased.
Sports media always like to be wise after the event.
If West had drafted Clay Lee in '96, perhaps Los Angeles would have been the one winning big.
Fortunately, local reporters were more concerned about the playoffs.
Mike Fratello saw Lee wave goodbye and then cheered up, painting a rosy picture for the fans:
"I promise everyone that the Grizzlies will make it to the playoffs. The young men won't give up, and now we need more energy!"
"..."
Many basketball critics believed that Chuckie Atkins, Eddie Jones, and Shane Battier could not become the core of the team, and even if the Grizzlies made the playoffs, they would most likely just be participating.
Jerry West was no longer magical.
He was merely putting this team back on track, but as for a championship, it was still a long way off.
At the post-game press conference, Lee was mostly asked about injuries.
Kurt Thomas, who was almost 34, suffered a stress fracture, and would likely decline after his return.
There was no need for national television coverage.
A large number of sports reporters were "self-starters," appearing wherever Lee was during the regular season.
The Fox Sports reporter's question was very tricky, combining recent sports programs to make an early prediction about a trade:
"Considering the recent injuries, it seems difficult for the New York Knicks to trade Kurt Thomas for Ray Allen from the Seattle SuperSonics."
"Lee, is this the reason why the New York Knicks didn't make any moves before the trade deadline?"
After years of experience, Lee had become completely accustomed to brainless questions.
Often, they even became a source of amusement for him:
"Last season we achieved another three-peat, and we are currently making another push for the championship."
"I agree with Reggie Miller's view: if a car isn't broken, don't fix it. Basketball is the same. Our chemistry is getting better and better, so naturally, we don't need to make any trades."
Actually, in a TNT program two days ago, Old Miller had changed his mind again, saying that Lee lacked the desire to win and that the New York Knicks would ultimately lose the championship without making a trade.
Flipping back and forth like someone with amnesia is a common tactic for many basketball critics.
Grant was still listening to the joke beside him, and soon a Yahoo Sports reporter turned the attention to him:
"Hill, after experiencing injuries again, we noticed that your athleticism has started to decline. Is this a sign that you are leaving New York?"
Hill, also nearing 34, had heard this question more than once, but he had a good attitude and even joked about his own skill level:
"No one can fly forever! I've been in the league for many years, and decline is inevitable."
"Playing 25 minutes in a game and scoring 10 points, I'm still confident I can maintain that level. I can get 40+ with Lee every game, and that feels pretty good."
One outrageous question followed another.
It seemed everyone wanted to see infighting within the New York Knicks.
Even on the road, some people started shouting "Clay Lee is going to trade you"—such is the power of the media.
After the press conference, it was already 10 PM.
The next game would be back in New York, so everyone boarded the bus early to fly home tonight.
Recent news indeed affected the team atmosphere.
Being traded for not playing well had happened before.
Artest, sitting in the back of the bus, rubbed his knee.
He also had some nagging injuries.
Prince could often fill in for him, but he didn't want to give up his spot.
While everyone was chatting casually, athletic trainer Heinz received a reminder from the medical team and quickly leaned over to D'Antoni to whisper.
Mike D'Antoni nodded, then clapped his hands and said loudly:
"We only have 5 games in the first half of the month. The Pistons lost today. Taking this opportunity, the team needs to continue to increase the rotation."
"We just need to ensure home-court advantage. Remember, if you feel unwell, communicate with the medical team promptly."
With a record of 50 wins and 7 losses, after defeating the Grizzlies, the New York Knicks once again solidified their lead in wins.
After losing to the Nuggets, the Pistons' record stood at 47 wins and 10 losses.
Considering the recent easy schedule, D'Antoni could continue to experiment with rotations.
Upon hearing this news, Barnes and Anderson Varejão were the happiest.
Ever since Finley joined the team, getting into the active roster had become difficult.
Fisher looked ahead, noticing Lee quietly conversing with assistant Coach Malone and a few others, and immediately turned to Barnes, whispering:
"Don't worry, Bro! I'll pass you the ball. Govan is here to watch the game, so you can put on a good performance!"
Barnes, who was at the end of the bench, rarely got to play with Lee this season.
Hearing Old Fish's words, his heart warmed.
The two exchanged a complex set of hand gestures:
"Thanks, Bro! You know, we just started dating, and I don't like to pad stats, but I certainly don't want Gloria to look down on me."
Old Fish's face showed an expression of "I understand completely."
After a pleasant exchange, Fisher smiled slightly and secretly made up his mind again:
"I'm definitely helping with this!"
On Thursday, March 2nd, there were two games that day, and the direct confrontation between the MVP candidates attracted more attention.
With a 45-11 record, the Mavericks continued their excellent form after the All-Star Weekend, successfully climbing to the top of the Western Conference!
The Spurs, with a 44-12 record, were only one win behind.
To win the award, Tim Duncan, whose individual stats were unremarkable, had to surpass his opponent in terms of team record.
Since both teams belonged to the Southwest Division, the division champion would get a better ranking, which greatly displeased Mark Cuban.
He really didn't want to see the weak teams from the Northwest and Pacific Divisions surpass the Mavericks, as being ranked 4th would mean facing the 1st seed in the semifinals, something everyone desperately wanted to avoid.
Cuban, who specifically flew with the team to San Antonio, once again unleashed his big mouth, criticizing his opponent during an interview with TNT in the afternoon:
"I don't know why Tim Duncan is always ranked ahead of Dirk!"
"Their records are similar, but you really should check Dirk's stats. His performance is much better than Duncan's."
This season, Dirk increased his three-point shooting, and the effect was excellent!
According to the current trend, Dirk's efficiency rating and win shares will both reach career highs.
Without a doubt, this is his peak season.
Cuban's takeover of the team did involve some questionable moves that affected management, but he also clearly understood that an athlete's peak only lasts a few years.
If he didn't win an award now, it would be even harder later.
Avery Johnson had been hailed as a legendary coach by the Dallas local media, even shouting, "The Little General will save the team."
With the owner loudly promoting him, Avery Johnson had also been speaking highly of Dirk recently, making sure his star player felt comfortable, which is also a Head Coach's job:
"Dirk deserves the award. His impact on the game is greater than you imagine. This season, he deserves the MVP award."
Before the game, fueled by media hype, both sides were full of gunpowder.
Popovich routinely talked trash, and for this important honor, even David Robinson came to the arena to cheer them on.
When the game started at 7 PM, the SBC Center erupted.
Spurs fans especially hoped to see Duncan lift the trophy this year, as they were actually worried about their star player leaving.
As the game progressed, what was expected to be a fierce battle turned out to be a sloppy affair at the end of the first quarter, 22:14, with both teams playing poorly!
Throughout the first half, the most impressive performers were Jason Terry and Tony Parker, while both MVP candidates were quite disappointing.
At halftime, with the score 38:36, even the atmosphere in the arena was affected.
A direct MVP showdown, and this was the result?
In the second half, both teams frequently went to the free-throw line, and ultimately, thanks to Parker and an excellent performance from the bench, the Spurs had the last laugh.
89:98. Tim Duncan played 39 minutes, shooting 4 for 11 from the field, 7 for 10 from the free-throw line, for 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers.
With a field goal percentage under 40%, Duncan, who was heavily guarded by his opponents, won the game, but many fans were disappointed.
Tonight, he relied entirely on his opponent's poor play.
Dirk played 38 minutes, shooting 6 for 15 from the field, 1 for 5 from three-point range, and 10 for 10 from the free-throw line, scoring a team-high 23 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, and 2 turnovers.
After the game, in the broadcast studio, Charles Barkley suddenly fell silent, unable to keep up the praise!
The performances of the two candidates were a slap in the face.
There were no flashy stats, no exhilarating offense.
The Spurs shot 36 free throws, making the game feel disjointed.
"I've said it before, no one can come close to Clay Lee!"
"For the past two years, we haven't discussed efficiency ratings, but in fact, most players' career efficiency ratings have never reached 30."
"As for win shares, the players at the top of this advanced metric are all historical legends: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Clay Lee."
Kenny Smith smiled after saying this, and seeing his partner not respond, Ernie Johnson picked up the conversation and reminded him again:
"Kenny is right. The top 10 single-season win shares in history belong to the four individuals mentioned above: Clay Lee, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain are all dominant presences."
"These are historical legends. In fact, we witness great moments every season, and there's a reason why everyone likes Clay Lee."
"What were you expecting from tonight's game? Were you expecting them to put on a dominant performance like Lee's?"
Although this was the truth, Charles Barkley was still somewhat disappointed.
The thought that Lee still had a great chance of winning the championship this year made him feel a bit sour:
"I know! But the performance of both teams was terrible! The New York Knicks have already shown all their tactics, so why can no one still come close to them?"
"Back then, you all knew Phil Jackson would give the ball to Michael Jordan, but he still kept scoring constantly."
Hearing Kenny Smith's words, many in the studio laughed out loud, and Ernie Johnson was also grinning widely.
For a moment, Barkley was triggered again:
"I will witness Clay Lee's failure. He will also grow old, and young players will end his reign just as he defeated Michael Jordan!"
"..."
On Friday, March 3rd, the Pistons easily defeated the Seattle SuperSonics on the road, and the New York Knicks also won big against the Chicago Bulls at home.
On Saturday, both teams had back-to-back games and both ended up losing.
Kobe Bryant shot 13 for 26 from the field, 1 for 3 from three-point range, and 13 for 13 from the free-throw line at home, efficiently scoring 40 points.
The Lakers' record also reached 29 wins and 31 losses.
Head Coach Saunders was very dissatisfied with this game, as it was a golden opportunity for them to narrow the win-loss gap with the New York Knicks.
The Bucks' bench erupted, and Old Fish witnessed Mo Williams's skill.
The New York Knicks lost on the road, 106:114, due to extensive rotation in their back-to-back game.
Spectators hoping to see a fierce battle between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference were disappointed.
Next week, the New York Knicks only have two games, and after adjusting, they are likely to start another winning streak.
Just as the commentators predicted, with two games a week, both on the road, the Pacers and the Bobcats suffered crushing defeats.
The injuries to O'Neal and Emeka Okafor did affect the team's strength, but the main reason for the losses was the New York Knicks' accurate three-point shooting, with veteran Finley getting better and better.
On Monday, the 13th, the Denver Nuggets, who flew to Manhattan, began preparing for tonight's game.
Thanks to the weak competition in the Northwest Division, the Denver Nuggets could be ranked third in the Western Conference after winning the division title!
Head Coach George Karl was naturally very satisfied with this.
Being able to easily secure home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs already far exceeded his expectations.
This season, Marcus Camby became a favorite of the Denver media, contributing spectacular blocks in many games, and the blocks title seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
A single award could not satisfy Camby.
He seemed to have found the secret to attracting attention, and with the regular season nearing its end, he recently launched a bid for DPOY!
The game officially started at 7:30 PM. An hour before the game, in the visiting team's locker room, Camby proactively spoke to reporters:
"I don't know why everyone is discussing Ron Artest and Ben Wallace as Defensive Player of the Year candidates. In fact, I'm underrated!"
"Every game I deliver blocks to protect the rim. On the defensive end, I'm virtually unstoppable."
"The Denver Nuggets have too few national TV broadcasts. Perhaps you should shift your attention away from those two."
Sitting in his seat, Camby confidently stated with a wide grin, getting more and more excited.
Kenyon Martin and Anthony also started to chime in:
"Marcus is the best defensive big man in the league. No one can compare to him."
"You really should pay more attention to the Denver Nuggets. I don't understand why I wasn't selected for the All-Star Game. Marcus and I deserve more attention."
Anthony, who had adjusted his headband, leaned on his knees in his seat and boasted wildly.
He was still unable to get over not being selected for the All-Star Game this year, and he didn't think he was worse than Wade and James.
Before the trade deadline, the Denver Nuggets acquired Reggie Evans from the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team trade.
After a winning streak, their record reached 35 wins and 29 losses.
Before the game, in the home team's locker room, Denver sports reporters were also gathered around Lee.
Hearing everyone discussing whether Kurt Thomas could return from injury, they seized the opportunity and quickly asked:
"Clay, what do you think of Anthony's recent strong performance?"
Starting their Eastern Conference road trip, the Denver Nuggets lost to the Boston Celtics in their last game, but Anthony scored an efficient 36 points on 14 of 21 shooting.
The New York Knicks were thought to be very familiar with their opponent's form, but to their surprise, upon hearing this question, Lee paused slightly:
"Anthony? He's playing well. Perhaps the Denver Nuggets can break through the first round of the playoffs this year. He's a strong scorer."
Since the medical team recommended Kurt Thomas miss the remainder of the season, Lee had been busy integrating the roster and hadn't paid attention to the Denver Nuggets, whom they wouldn't encounter in the playoffs anyway.
Ron Artest had clearly watched the previous game.
He didn't get along well with Pierce, so he was happy to see his opponent struggle, but he also looked down on Anthony and immediately blurted out:
"Who is he? Just an ordinary rookie. Who cares about his performance?"
Kurt Thomas, whose right foot was already wrapped, was in a good mood.
Hearing Ron Artest start bragging again, he almost burst out laughing:
"It's a pity, maybe I'll have to wait until the NBA Finals to recover from my injury, but Lee will handle everything. Our schedule this year is pretty good!"
The New York sports media, however, had been a bit worried, but seeing Kurt Thomas casually bragging, they felt a bit more at ease.
Their first-round opponent would either be the Bucks or the 76ers.
Facing these two weak teams wouldn't consume too much energy.
The second round might see them face the Heat, which would be the worst-case scenario.
The Denver reporter, who had been completely ignored, was depressed.
With the New York Knicks holding the best record in the NBA, they were already thinking about the playoffs.
No matter how much Anthony was hyped, no one would believe that the Nuggets could make it out of the Western Conference and reach the NBA Finals.
At 7:30 PM, as the game began, Madison Square Garden was already buzzing.
Tonight, the New York Knicks deployed a twin-towers lineup, with Gasol moving to the power forward position.
In the first possession, Marcus Camby received a pass from Andre Miller after a pick-and-roll and scored with a jump shot near the free-throw line, giving his team 2 points.
In the next few minutes, under Ron Artest's relentless, suffocating Defense, Anthony's strong drive to the basket missed, and his step-back jump shot from the right block ironed out.
Coupled with Andre Miller also going cold, the Nuggets failed to score a single point for over three minutes, and the jeers in the Madison Square Garden grew louder.
Ruben Patterson completely disappeared.
Aside from disrupting a Grant Hill drive on Defense, he only handled ball distribution on offense, watching the lead continuously expand.
"Let's go Knicks!"
When Lee brought the ball past half-court, the cheers came in waves.
Andre Miller couldn't hold back anymore, constantly interfering with Lee while guarding him closely.
Before Lee even approached the top of the arc, Gadzuric and Gasol moved up from the left and right elbow areas.
Grant Hill, who had run to the right baseline, quickly cut to the basket.
The double screen at the top and the baseline cut happened almost simultaneously.
Lee accelerated horizontally after a behind-the-back dribble with his left hand, and the solid screens from the two big men allowed him to easily shake off his defender.
After years of being beaten, teams with defensive resources would choose to have their big men switch in time.
Gasol saw Marcus Camby slide over to help on Defense and immediately cut to the basket.
Having been repeatedly beaten on Defense, Andre Miller quickly shifted to cut off the passing lane and called for his teammates to collapse the Defense.
Marcus Camby, whose desire to perform was too strong, didn't learn his lesson and was still trying to use his agile footwork to pressure Claty Lee.
As he neared the right wing, Marcus Camby, sliding, spread his arms and leaned into Lee.
The moment their bodies collided, Lee suddenly lowered his center of gravity and pushed the ball with his right hand.
The basketball suddenly flew in front of him.
Marcus Camby instinctively leaned forward, bending at the waist while his left arm tried to poke the ball away.
With his ball-handling hand, Lee moved his feet quickly, getting in front of his opponent to touch the ball and execute a cross-step pull-back.
With a simple fake, Marcus Camby was gone.
Watching the basketball disappear in front of him, Lee, holding the ball with his left hand, lowered his shoulder and accelerated, blowing past him in one step.
"Oh!"
The slightly flashy crossover once again ignited the Madison Square Garden.
Clay Lee, with the ball in his left hand, broke into the paint in a blink of an eye.
Kenyon Martin, who had collapsed back to the basket, was still battling with Gadzuric behind him.
He looked up to see Lee take a step and toss the ball with his left hand!
It was a pass disguised as a shot, and none of the players under the basket moved their feet, watching the basketball swish through the net!
2:12, the New York Knicks scored +2 consecutively, extending the lead to double digits.
The game was easier than expected, and Lee couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
Martin and Marcus Camby were two of his favorite opponents.
Head Coach George Karl was furious, so much so that he was beside himself.
Burning with anger, he clapped his hands repeatedly and shouted at his players:
"Maintain your defensive positions! Keep your hands to yourselves!"
Andre Miller didn't force an attack anymore.
When he brought the ball past half-court, he immediately passed it to Martin in the left elbow area.
Anthony and Ruben Patterson's cross-screen on the baseline didn't have much effect.
When Anthony slipped along the baseline to the left block area, Ron Artest was still relentlessly hounding him from behind.
Accelerating outwards, Anthony approached the elbow area and immediately completed a handoff with his opponent.
Before he could put the ball down, as Martin cut to the basket, Gadzuric immediately teamed up with Ron Artest to double-team him.
Seemingly surprised to receive such treatment, Anthony, in a panic, tried to jump and pass the ball, but it was intercepted face-to-face by Gadzuric.
Anthony, quick-eyed and quick-handed, regained control of the ball.
Before he could even secure it, Ron Artest, seizing the opportunity, swiped the ball away.
Watching Ron Artest about to gain possession, Anthony reluctantly committed a foul.
The overly obvious pulling motion caused the referee to blow his whistle again.
"Ah!"
Excited screams once again erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
Anthony was still complaining to the referee, but the New York Knicks had already inbounded the ball from the baseline.
Andre Miller didn't have time to loudly remind his teammates to switch, as Lee had already relied on his defender to rush past half-court.
At the top of the arc, near the three-point line, Lee, who was accelerating with the ball in his left hand, suddenly stopped abruptly, dribbled behind his back to his right hand, lowered his center of gravity, and performed a small in-and-out move.
Faking left and driving right, Lee stopped and started abruptly, accelerating a second time.
Observing that his opponent was sliding to the left in time, he immediately pulled the ball back between his legs at the three-point line, while quickly stepping back.
Jumping vigorously to block, Andre Miller, flying in the air, realized he seemed to have jumped too early.
His body began to descend, and he watched as Lee leaned back slightly, drifting into a jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
2:15, George Karl called another timeout, seemingly unable to accept such a game, his face flushed with excitement.
With 7 minutes and 8 seconds left in the 1st quarter, the joyous atmosphere at Madison Square Garden made Anthony, who had returned to the bench, curse under his breath.
He angrily ripped off his headband and threw it on the floor.
"It seems the twin-towers lineup hasn't affected our offense. Recently, Lee's form has returned, and I hope Kurt Thomas can overcome his injury as soon as possible."
At the MSG commentary table, Mike Breen didn't pay much attention to tonight's opponent.
After seeing the news this morning, he was more concerned about the team's lineup.
"The opponents in the last few games haven't been strong, which is a good thing for D'Antoni!"
Noticing the New York Knicks' bench was in high spirits, Walt Frazier smiled, then added:
"Clay Lee is too outstanding. He can seamlessly integrate into any tactic, perhaps just as Coach DAntoni said, Lee represents the system!"
After the timeout, Miller delivered a penetrating bounce pass, and Kenyon Martin, receiving the ball in the middle, accelerated and cut to the basket.
He crashed into Gadzuric, who was dropping back on Defense, and his strong attempt at the basket was rejected by a big block from Gasol.
Trying to crash the boards, Martin landed awkwardly after his second jump and fell to the ground in pain.
George Karl looked helpless.
With Martin limping off the court, the big man Francisco Elson was called upon in a crisis.
In his first possession after entering the game, Elson seemed to still be reacting.
At the top of the arc, Lee used Gadzuric's screen to shake off his defender and then suddenly stopped short.
He was still a step away from the three-point line, and the big man Elson sagged back, watching Lee unleash a sudden long-range shot.
As the basketball swished cleanly through the net, the Madison Square Garden erupted again.
Head Coach George Karl on the sideline angrily waved his hand and directly sat back down on the bench.
It was Marcus Camby who broke the scoring drought for his team.
After a pick-and-roll, he popped out to the left block, received a pass from Miller, and hit a mid-range jump shot.
4:18, the defensive intensity began to drop, and in the following few minutes, the scores of both sides started to rise.
Anthony was still battling Ron Artest, attempting to receive the ball with his back to the basket several times, but was ultimately pushed far away from the hoop, and his step-back jump shot still ironed out.
Facing the New York Knicks' collapsed Defense, the Nuggets also failed to respond from beyond the three-point line, scoring in bits and pieces, which only widened the lead.
With 20.8 seconds left in the 1st quarter, the substitute Earl Boykins' forced three-point attempt was directly blocked by Lee.
The basketball fell into Boris Diaw's arms, who, after gaining control, immediately passed the ball to half-court.
After landing, Lee accelerated fiercely.
Although Earl Boykins caught up behind him in time, he didn't have a good defensive solution.
Seeing Lee get in front of him to receive the ball, Earl Boykins simply sped up and directly hugged him, trying to disrupt the offense.
Suddenly realizing he was still moving, Boykins' eyes widened, and he heard the fans' exclamations.
Lee, with a player hanging on him, made a left-handed underhand layup.
"Squeak!"
The whistle blew, and the ball went in.
Boykins was flung out of bounds, stumbling, barely stopping, and looking up at Lee, who was casually stretching his shoulders with a relaxed expression.
The small guard instinctively gasped:
"God!"
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Amidst the shouts echoing through the Madison Square Garden, Lee calmly made the free throw.
On the Nuggets' bench, Anthony stared blankly as Marcus Camby's final shot of the possession missed, and he was completely devoid of emotion.
15:36, undoubtedly, tonight the Nuggets would suffer another crushing defeat.
Playing the entire 1st quarter, Clay Lee delivered a good stat line: 6-of-7 from the field, 2-of-3 from three-point range, 3-of-3 from the free-throw line, for 17 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block.
At Madison Square Garden, the New York fans began to celebrate the victory early.
At the commentary table, Mike Breen, after looking at the box score, chuckled and bragged:
"It seems Clay Lee has completely shaken off his slump!"
...
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)