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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
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***
On tuesday, March 14, 2006, ESPN's SportsCenter program once again reviewed the performance of the "quasi-DPOY."
Marcus Camby's defensive stats this season were impressive, but when facing the New York Knicks, he always had problems with double screens on the perimeter.
The editor was clearly a prankster, as in three quarters, Camby was beaten by Clay Lee in one-on-one situations 10 times.
After repeatedly breaking through to the paint in the first half, by the 3rd quarter, Lee scored with two consecutive face-up jump shots, single-handedly refreshing the fans' perception:
"Many blocks do not equal a great defender!"
Before the games started in the afternoon, ESPN2's NBA Nation program also jumped on the bandwagon, predicting tonight's games while also mocking the unfortunate Denver Nuggets.
This program was launched by ABC, and its invited guests mainly included Scottie Pippen, Steve Jones, and Bill Walton.
The two old guys were responsible for emotional output, while Pippen was responsible for pre-game tactical analysis.
The show's effect wasn't great, as the conversation often drifted back to the past, with their most famous quote being:
"Players nowadays are too soft. If Clay Lee played in our era, he wouldn't have won so many championships."
Pippen had been busy making babies with Larsa these past few years and didn't understand the changes in tactics at all.
His daily analysis was "lack of ability," and when discussing losing championships, it was always because he was injured.
There were also several key games that day, with the Cavaliers challenging the Dallas Mavericks on the road, and the Los Angeles Lakers once again facing the Sacramento Kings.
After briefly criticizing LeBron James and Kobe, the four quickly turned to mocking Anthony and Marcus Camby.
80:120. Last night, the New York Knicks won by 40 points.
If the New York Knicks' bench hadn't relaxed, the point differential would have been even larger.
Bill Walton watched the highlights and burst into laughter in the studio, criticizing Camby's Defense without mercy:
"Camby seems to have forgotten he's a big man. He should be tougher, not just watch Clay Lee break into the paint every time!"
"Grab, block, make the little guy look bad! I don't see any energy from him. He seems to only care about his stats. Congratulations to him, he delivered 2 more blocks last night."
Steve Jones was almost 70 years old.
He won an MVP when he played in the ABA and could be considered a legendary shooting guard.
However, the old black man didn't seem to like the current NBA, as he consistently belittled today's games and denied the New York Knicks' performance of scoring 120 points again:
"Modern basketball is like this. Look at the New York Knicks. They took 30 three-pointers in one game."
"Big men have become strange. Everyone is waiting for the ball, watching Lee perform alone. Basketball shouldn't be like this. The Denver Nuggets on the other side played even worse. They seemed intimidated."
"No matter how good the stats look, it's useless. Getting angry when you don't touch the ball is why Carmelo Anthony wasn't selected for the All-Star team."
The old man kept up with the times, clearly having read the recent news.
The two of them went on a rant, almost leaving the host, Mike Tirico, speechless, who could only change the subject and ask:
"Scottie, what do you think is the reason for the New York Knicks' scoring explosion this year? You know Clay Lee's scoring stats have dropped a bit compared to last season."
Dressed in a black suit, Pippen looked like a professional basketball analyst, but as soon as he spoke, he almost made Mike Tirico cover his face:
"The league's Defense is getting softer and softer! New rules restrict hand checks. The league seems to want to turn basketball into a pure exhibition game."
"Look at the scorers on the scoring list. Teams with over 30 points don't have good records. They play for individual stats. They don't understand the true meaning of basketball."
"When I was with the Chicago Bulls, I played against Clay Lee for two consecutive years. In fact, Harper could limit him. If we were both healthy in the last year, the Chicago Bulls would have completed a three-peat."
Perhaps he was drained by Larsa, but Pippen was only tough in his mouth now.
Whenever he had a chance, he would talk about how brave he was back in the day and how his opponents were just pushovers!
The three guests began to proudly talk about the iron-blooded basketball of the past, laughing from time to time and throwing out a round of "IFs."
Mike Tirico listened with glazed eyes, but felt a bit relieved:
"One more week, and I can leave this boring show."
When the three discussed this season's statistical leaders, Pippen didn't forget to add drama for himself, as per usual, once again bragging about Michael Jordan:
"Clay Lee won't win the scoring title this year. In fact, compared to Michael Jordan, his stats have no impact."
"Michael Jordan is different, you know, he doesn't rely on three-pointers. His scoring is mainly to change the flow of the game."
"It would be easy for Michael Jordan to win the assist title, but we know how to play the game correctly. Clay Lee's stats are built on the foundation of other players."
"It won't have much impact when he's young, but after 32, when his body starts to decline, this style of play will backfire."
Both old men agreed.
According to the current trend, Lee could win the assist title and steals title this year.
This kind of stat-padding play made the few of them feel sour.
Pippen became more and more excited, completely abandoning tactics and turning entirely into an emotional outburst.
Mike Tirico was completely desperate and finally could only force a dry laugh at the camera:
"The regular season is coming to an end. We look forward to tonight's exciting games from all the teams!"
"..."
Still fighting for playoff seeding, the Cavaliers were on fire that night, 53:34.
When the first half ended, Jeff Van Gundy almost popped champagne.
During halftime, Howard was still clowning around in the locker room, imitating Dirk Nowitzki's shooting motion, who was 4-for-14 in the first half and clanking shots wildly.
With a fadeaway, he lay directly on the seat, and Howard loudly mocked his opponent:
"MVP? I think the league should give this award to me. It's also good for LeBron to win it. The opponents are too weak!"
Although James was secretly pleased, these recent games were very crucial.
They planned to surpass the Miami Heat and climb to third in the Eastern Conference, which would allow them to avoid the New York Knicks in the semifinals:
"Guys, keep pushing! We have to win this game!"
Loudly encouraging his teammates, James kept bumping fists with everyone, knowing that to secure their position, they had to keep pace with the Miami Heat.
When Van Gundy returned to the locker room, he saw James encouraging his teammates, and he was very satisfied, but the bald Head Coach still reminded them:
"Don't make careless mistakes. Don't relax even with a big lead. Besides zone Defense, we also need more pick-and-rolls."
After a simple reminder, the second half began, and Van Gundy was ready to AFK and claim victory.
The coaching staff didn't expect the Cavaliers to suddenly collapse in the 3rd quarter, scoring only 8:27 in a single quarter.
By the end of the three quarters, American Airlines Center erupted in cheers, and the Cavaliers players were completely stunned.
Although James drove and shot from outside in the 4th quarter, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Howard continuously fumbled easy shots.
Drew Gooden left the game due to injury in the third quarter, while Dirk Nowitzki had an explosion.
87:91, the Dallas Mavericks completed the comeback, with Dirk Nowitzki going 8-for-14 in the second half, completing his redemption!
Playing 45 minutes, James was 14-for-27 from the field, 0-for-2 from three-point range, and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, scoring 36 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 turnovers.
His face completely lost its smile.
After a forced greeting, James left through the player tunnel early.
Thinking about his two big men combining for 1-for-8 in the 4th quarter, and his other teammates going cold in the 3rd quarter, the The Chosen One felt a bit depressed:
"Sure enough, I still need more talent..."
On friday, the 17th, the New York Knicks continued to play at home, and after a big win against the Atlanta Hawks, they finally faced a strong opponent.
That night, the Detroit Pistons visited Madison Square Garden.
After the game started at 7:30 PM, the New York Knicks were a bit slow to start, frequently allowing their opponents to grab offensive rebounds, trailing by 6 points at halftime.
The 3rd quarter saw them exert more effort again, and by the end of the three quarters, the score was 73:73, with both teams tied.
In the final quarter, Head Coach Saunders brought back the starters early.
Billups, Morris Evans, and Hamilton continued to form the backcourt.
Billups was only rested for a while with just over 6 minutes left in the entire game, and he returned to the court in less than two minutes.
Watching the scores go back and forth, the New York fans in the arena started shouting enthusiastically.
There had been too few games this season that went down to the 4th quarter!
"Defense"
Amidst the cheers for Defense, Hamilton quickly slipped along the baseline, circled around again, and used Ben Wallace's screen to pop out to the left block area.
The shot clock was already halfway down. Billups, who wanted to distribute the ball from the top of the arc, was tightly guarded by Lee.
The opportunity was fleeting, and he couldn't pass the ball immediately.
Prince had already chased back to defend.
At the same time, Morris Evans still wanted to come up from the right wing for a screen.
Billups, shielding the ball with his side, quickly waved his hand.
The shot clock was almost out, and he had no interest in facing a double-team from Ron Artest.
Turning his back and switching to his left hand, Billups drove to the left wing, pushing against Lee's Defense.
Lowering his center of gravity, he lunged forward and accelerated, then stopped suddenly for a dribble at the three-point line, still unable to shake off Lee's Defense.
Stopping and starting quickly, he changed direction between his legs to his right hand.
With very little time left on the shot clock, Billups forcibly drove in from the left wing.
Clay Lee quickly slid with his opponent, not interfering.
As the two entangled and approached the elbow, Billups suddenly stopped again and, facing the block, forced a shot towards the rim.
The ball bounced off the rim. Although Gadzuric tipped the ball, he couldn't control it in time due to Ben Wallace's interference.
Instead, Rasheed Wallace seized the opportunity to snatch the offensive rebound.
Gasol didn't even have time to block before Rasheed Wallace controlled the ball and went up strong under the basket, prompting the referee to immediately blow the whistle.
"Boo!"
Watching Rasheed Wallace celebrate with a fist pump, another wave of boos erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
Gasol raised his hand in frustration, having given up too many rebounds tonight.
After calmly sinking both free throws, Rasheed Wallace retreated on Defense, shouting at the New York Knicks bench:
"Ball don't lie!"
Barnes and a few others also joined in the shouting.
It had been a long time since an opponent had provoked them at Madison Square Garden.
95:96, with 1 minute and 53 seconds left in the game, the intense competition made the New York fans in the arena shout in unison:
"Let's go Knicks!"
Billups continuously slid, trying to make Lee slow down, and quickly rushed past half-court under pressure.
Morris Evans on the wing immediately came over for a double-team.
Before his opponent could move in front of him, Lee dribbled a short pass to Ron Artest on the right wing.
As soon as Ron Artest received the ball, Ben Wallace rotated from the inside to help defend.
Controlling the defensive distance, Ben Wallace played off Ron Artest, preventing him from driving while also cutting off passing lanes, not giving Ron Artest a chance to lob the ball to the big man.
The excellent defensive rotation speed paid off.
In a crucial possession, Ron Artest didn't blindly shoot a three-pointer.
Seeing Morris Evans recover on Defense, Ron Artest decisively passed the ball back.
As Lee received the ball far from the three-point line, Prince immediately ran to the left corner, then accelerated past the baseline.
Gasol pinned Rasheed Wallace behind him and began to post up for the ball.
Approaching the left wing, Lee lobbed the ball into the paint.
Gasol, who received the ball, also played very aggressively, smoothly putting the ball down with his right hand, continuously backing down, trying to get to the basket.
Rasheed Wallace was dead-set on defending from behind, and Billups on the perimeter didn't dare to help defend, only able to watch Gasol suddenly turn towards the baseline.
Below the left side of the rim, Gasol faked a shot, deceiving his opponent's balance.
As the referee blew the whistle, he tossed the ball off the backboard!
"Ah!"
As the ball banked in, Gasol yelled at Rasheed Wallace beside him.
Having been scored on in response, Rasheed Wallace seemed to feel he had lost face and tried to push Gasol, but was bumped by Gadzuric.
By the time Ron Artest rushed into the paint, the referee and Ben Wallace had already separated the two sides, verbally warning the players who wanted to continue the scuffle, and Madison Square Garden began to erupt.
Constantly adjusting his breathing, as Gasol shot from the free-throw line, Rasheed Wallace let out a loud shout, and the ball bounced off the rim, prompting cheers from the Detroit Pistons bench.
95:98, with 1 minute and 34 seconds left in the game, the difference was still within one possession.
Amidst the cheers for Defense, Billups, who dribbled past half-court with 8 seconds left, immediately initiated a pick-and-roll on the left wing.
Rasheed Wallace immediately came up to screen.
Billups dribbled behind his back, switched to his right hand, and accelerated horizontally.
Clat Lee quickly squeezed through the screen, and Gasol also cooperated with a hard hedge.
As Lee chased him on Defense, Rasheed Wallace quickly popped out.
Billups immediately stopped near the top of the arc, turned to protect the ball, and immediately passed it back to his teammate.
Facing the recovering Gasol, Rasheed Wallace faked a shot with the ball, failing to deceive the Defense.
After a quick right-foot jab step, he suddenly pulled up for a jump shot!
"Oh!"
The three-pointer swished through the net, and the fans in the arena gasped in unison.
Watching Rasheed Wallace pump his fists in celebration, Mike Breen on the commentary desk couldn't help but exclaim loudly:
"Rasheed Wallace, the Detroit Pistons' clutch player tonight!"
With 1 minute and 18 seconds remaining, the two sides were tied again.
Mike D'Antoni still didn't call a timeout, continuing to sit on the bench with a smiling expression.
On the other side, Head Coach Saunders wished he could go on the court to defend.
He continuously shouted loudly from the sidelines.
Hamilton, who received the instructions, immediately initiated an early double-team.
Lee continued to pass the ball.
On the left wing, Prince, who received the ball, faced Rasheed Wallace's close-out Defense and drove forward with his left hand.
It seemed Rasheed Wallace didn't expect his opponent to be so determined.
He was instantly blown by.
As he tried to chase back on Defense, Prince had already passed the ball to Gadzuric under the right side of the rim.
Ben Wallace, who had just rotated to Gasol's side, reacted extremely quickly, moving again and simultaneously swatting the ball away.
The referee made no call, and Hamilton, who received the ball, immediately initiated a fast break.
Too late to complain to the referee, the New York Knicks players quickly retreated on Defense.
Ron Artest's timely delay played a role, and Billups completely lost the fast break opportunity when he received the ball.
Another pick-and-roll was initiated on the left wing, creating a two-on-two situation.
Ben Wallace's screen successfully delayed Clay Lee, who was trying to squeeze through the Defense.
Billups, dribbling with his right hand and accelerating horizontally, didn't wait for Gadzuric to come over for help Defense.
He suddenly stopped a distance from the three-point line and, near the top of the arc, launched a long-range three-point jump shot!
The ball swished through the net, and the Detroit Pistons bench erupted in cheers and jumps.
They were leading again!
101:98, with only 52.6 seconds left in the game, many fans began to stand up to watch.
Amidst the roaring cheers, Lee didn't rush to speed up.
Instead, he dribbled past half-court with 8 seconds on the clock, while also raising his ball-stopping position.
Hamilton, having received a tip from his coach, decisively moved from the left wing, trying to force Lee to pass the ball early.
Protecting the ball with his side, Lee leaned into the Defense the moment his opponent moved, swayed his shoulder backward, then lowered his center of gravity and quickly twisted his body, leading the ball forward with his left hand.
Billups instinctively slid to the left.
When he realized something was wrong, Hamilton could only watch the ball fly past him.
Almost squeezing through the two defenders, when Lee regained the ball with his right hand, facing Ben Wallace who came over for help Defense, he paused slightly at the three-point line, then accelerated a second time.
Ben Wallace, having been faked out and stopped, was still sliding when Lee had already rushed past him.
The moment their bodies collided, Lee leaned into Ben Wallace and quickly spun like a top.
Directly in front of the rim, he leaned forward, cupped the ball with his left hand, completely evaded the Defense, and smoothly tossed the ball towards the basket.
Rasheed Wallace under the basket didn't dare to come up for help Defense and could only watch the ball swish through the net.
101:100, Head Coach Saunders called a timeout.
With 39.2 seconds left, there was enough time, but they had to make a shot to be safe.
Clay Lee smiled and high-fived everyone who rushed onto the court.
D'Antoni, holding his tactical board, sat smiling in front of everyone and loudly instructed:
"Don't foul! Don't give them easy looks from beyond the arc!"
The Detroit Pistons would most likely go for a quick two-pointer, which would give them another possession.
There were no special arrangements.
D'Antoni chose to trust his players.
Before going on court, Lee briefly reminded everyone that Hamilton was very likely to be the first option for a quick attack:
"Defend his drive, just raise your hands to contest!"
The two players guarding him immediately nodded and were ready to switch.
The atmosphere in the arena grew even more heated, and New York fans began to enjoy the final moments.
Billups was responsible for the sideline inbound.
As Hamilton cut horizontally on the right wing, he came to the left wing via a double screen on the perimeter.
Upon receiving the pass, he immediately drove forward with his left hand.
Gasol, who was prepared, switched in time and slid quickly.
Facing Hamilton's pull-up jump shot, he immediately raised his right arm to contest.
Rasheed Wallace popped out to create space.
Although Ben Wallace fought hard to get under the basket, under Gadzuric's entanglement, the rebound was ultimately secured by Prince, who had returned to the paint early.
Ron Artest had long since pinned Morris Evans behind him, successfully securing the rebound, and the fans cheered in unison.
D'Antoni then called a timeout, smiling as he brought in Raja Bell, Finley, and Diaw, keeping Gasol in while actively switching to a spacing lineup.
With 34.4 seconds left, Head Coach Saunders, watching Lee receive the ball and slowly dribble past half-court, no longer signaled his players to double-team early.
Sensing that his opponent seemed to be playing more conservatively, Lee, protecting the ball with his side, simply ran down the clock near the logo.
Half of the shot clock had expired, and the Detroit Pistons players were somewhat hesitant.
Diaw continued to squat in the left corner, Raja Bell had started to move to the right corner, and only Finley remained near the left sideline.
"Let's go Knicks!"
As game time continued to tick away, the cheers grew louder.
Spotting Hamilton starting to move, Lee, dribbling with his right hand, suddenly lowered his center of gravity, faked a drive, then quickly dribbled behind his back.
The moment he switched to his left hand, he created defensive distance.
Billups quickly closed in, and Lee smoothly went between his legs for a change of direction, then forcefully accelerated and drove with the ball in his right hand.
Billups, sliding backward and to the left at the top of the arc, putting in all his effort, hadn't reacted yet when Lee, stepping on the three-point line, suddenly stopped short and pulled the ball back between his legs.
Looking up at the rim, while faking a shot with his right hand, Lee's realistic fake made Billups lunge upwards.
"Oh!"
With no time to adjust his body's balance, as Lee quickly pushed the ball and changed direction, Billups instantly lost his defensive position, and a huge cheer erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
In a flash, Lee shook off the Defense and drove into the paint.
Directly in front of the rim, facing Ben Wallace who came over for help Defense, Lee swayed his body forward and to the right while in motion, then took a large step in the opposite direction.
Lee gathered the ball and jumped with his left foot simultaneously, leaning his body to evade the Defense, and tossed the ball towards the rim with his left hand!
The breakthrough was lightning-fast.
Ben Wallace didn't even have time to make an effective block before the basketball swished through the net.
101:102, the New York Knicks led again.
"Good!"
"The Detroit Pistons have 13.2 seconds left; they still have a chance to make a game-winning shot. In clutch moments, we can always trust Clay Lee!"
Mike Breen was delighted.
He hadn't expected Lee to so easily deceive the Defense.
He looked up, and Billups was gone.
Walt Frazier, however, understood:
"This is the shooting threat of Lee. Billups played great Defense, but unfortunately, he was facing the strongest scorer in history!"
This time, it was the New York Knicks' bench jumping and cheering.
Everyone came forward to high-five Lee in celebration.
This round was an easy score!
On the other side, Head Coach Saunders looked serious.
In the end, he still drew up the play for Billups:
"Be patient. We have enough time to complete this offense!"
The play wasn't complicated: Rasheed Wallace would inbound the ball, and Billups just needed to receive it at the top of the arc.
The others were responsible for rebounding.
No one on the bench spoke.
Everyone quietly listened to the coach's instructions.
Finally, Ben Wallace clapped continuously before going onto the court, loudly encouraging:
"It doesn't matter if you miss. I can get you the rebound! Go for it!"
Billups punched himself twice, secretly steeling his resolve.
The cheers for Defense in the Madison Square Garden came in waves, making him a bit nervous.
The New York Knicks switched back to their defensive lineup.
As the opponent inbounded the ball, Lee didn't immediately stick to his man.
When Billups, holding the ball in his right hand, began to move towards the three-point line, the game time quickly entered the last 10 seconds.
The moment his opponent stepped on the three-point line, Lee suddenly closed in.
Billups immediately dribbled behind his back.
As his left hand touched the ball, it was almost disrupted by Lee's quick slide and reach.
Billups quickly pulled the ball back, protected it with his side, and immediately spun around while leaning into the Defense.
Driving forward with his right hand and dropping his shoulder, Billups collided with Lee again, but couldn't get past him.
Instead, his body tilted slightly backward.
When Lee aggressively moved forward to steal the ball again, Billups still tried to pull the ball back, realizing he was about to lose control of the ball.
He stumbled and tried to embrace the basketball.
"Oh!"
Amidst the excited shouts of the New York fans, Lee forcefully stole the ball.
The Detroit Pistons players on the court were stunned, several of them standing still, watching Billups reluctantly chase after him.
Shaking off the Defense instantly, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, charged faster and faster, soaring into the air inside the paint.
His head almost level with the rim, he swung the ball around horizontally.
Clay Lee stretched his body in the air, grabbed the ball with his right hand, and slammed it fiercely into the basket!
101:104. The Detroit Pistons had no timeouts left, and only 2.8 seconds remained in the game.
The New York Knicks immediately set up a full-court press.
As Billups's ultra-long three-pointer missed, cheers echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
Billups, squatting at mid-court, buried his head in his hands in frustration, but Lee smiled and patted his old teammate:
"You're not suited for too much dribbling. Trust me, accelerating and stopping quickly, then taking a decisive jump shot, suits you better."
The New York Knicks players rushed onto the court, laughing and celebrating.
On the other side, Rasheed Wallace pulled at his jersey in frustration, quickly leaving the court after a brief greeting.
Hill only played 22 minutes tonight.
In a high-intensity physical game, the coaching staff hadn't fully lifted his restrictions yet:
"Maybe we should play every game until the very end. Look at the fans here; everyone is cheering for you!"
Seemingly infected by the atmosphere, Hill was also very excited.
The cheers in the Madison Square Garden quickly turned into a unified chant:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Lee stepped forward to high-five, a smile on his face.
He noticed D'Antoni smiling happily while shaking hands with Flip Saunders, but felt a slight regret in his heart:
"The opponent still didn't last until the end."
This game wasn't nationally televised, but the post-game press conference was crowded with reporters.
Ben Wallace and Billups, who attended the press conference, no longer showed signs of dejection.
After all, despite the loss, they were still second in the Eastern Conference.
"Ben, after losing this game, your record is 51 wins and 13 losses. According to the current standings, you will most likely face the Miami Heat in the playoffs."
Ben Wallace interrupted the ESPN reporter, a relaxed expression on his face, and confidently gave his answer:
"This is exactly what we're looking forward to. We're going to get our revenge this year. I like this matchup!"
The records of the top-seeded teams were far ahead, and the rankings held little suspense.
Soon, the TNT reporter turned his attention to Billups:
"Chauncey, on the last possession, why did you suddenly lose the ball? That was a golden opportunity."
Billups was a bit helpless.
In fact, he had underestimated Lee's agility.
Past games had deceived his perception:
"Lee's Defense is underestimated. He is very strong physically and possesses agility beyond comprehension."
"When you face the greatest player in history, that sense of pressure is hard to describe in words. Simply put, Lee saw through my moves."
"If I had another chance, perhaps I wouldn't continuously dribble in front of him. A catch-and-shoot jump shot would be the most correct choice."
Hearing Billups's description, some sports media members below the stage were puzzled.
What did "pressure" and "agility beyond comprehension" mean?
Ben Wallace looked at their bewildered faces and didn't bother to explain.
Being able to respond consecutively tonight, their performance had already surpassed many teams.
On Saturday the 18th, major sports media outlets once again began to praise Lee's extraordinary performance in the final moments of the game.
Playing 42 minutes, Clay Lee's double-double of 37 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers, on 13-of-23 shooting, 3-of-6 from three, and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, was unremarkable, but the game itself was spectacular.
The New York Times, early in the morning, published several columns that, in addition to praising Lee's clutch performance, began to criticize the MVP candidates:
"The San Antonio Spurs have no dominance. Tim Duncan stole the trophy that belongs to Clay Lee!"
If you read the New York newspapers, Duncan was an overrated All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki was pure soft, Wade was riding coattails, and Billups lacked leadership.
None of the top MVP candidates received good reviews in New York, and many fans had already labeled Duncan a "thief."
Having held off the Detroit Pistons' record, the New York Knicks began extensive rotations again in their sunday game on the 22nd.
This week, they had a back-to-back, playing a total of 4 games.
They gave a warm welcome to the Boston Celtics in their back-to-back, but when facing the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Grizzlies, the New York Knicks consistently dominated weaker teams.
On sunday the 26th, the Minnesota Timberwolves challenged the New York Knicks on the road.
With a record of 28 wins and 41 losses, the Minnesota Timberwolves had already secured a lottery pick this season, with a very slim chance of making a desperate comeback into the playoffs.
Many sports media outlets were criticizing Kevin Garnett for losing his usual vitality, but given such a dismal record, it was understandable that the Wolf King had given up.
In that night's game, the Minnesota Timberwolves were completely out of sorts, surrendering by halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, they were hit hard by veteran Finley.
Finley scored 13 points in just half a quarter, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc!
In the 3rd quarter, the New York Knicks again blew out their opponent with an 18:38 score.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, trying to catch up, failed to narrow the gap in the 4th quarter.
The live director frequently focused the camera on Garnett.
Trade rumors were increasing, and given that McHale came from the Boston Celtics, Boston had become an ideal destination.
Facing the camera with not much expression, he could at most win a rebounding title this season.
From the perspective of individual honors, Garnett had lost big again.
The opponent didn't put up much resistance, and the game time flew by.
93:114, the New York Knicks once again defeated their opponent by a large margin, sweeping the Minnesota Timberwolves for the season.
Madison Square Garden was still lively after the game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves players came forward to shake hands.
Noticing Garnett's long face, Lee immediately teased:
"Cheer up, Kevin. Preparing early for the new season isn't a bad thing. Are you planning to come to the Eastern Conference?"
The shouts and cheers irritated Garnett.
Seeing the smile on Lee's face, he denied it ungraciously:
"I won't leave the Minnesota Timberwolves. Don't read those boring news!"
Seeing him say this so earnestly, and recalling Garnett's repeated statements to the media, Lee couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and say in a playful tone:
"Kevin, don't let loyalty ruin you! You know what's most important!"
"?"
Garnett looked puzzled.
Clay Lee was clearly a representative of the "One Man, One City Award," yet now he was advising him to leave?
...
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)