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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 sunday, April 2, 2006, the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia was still filled with boos after the game.
Nearly 19,000 Philadelphia fans were once again frustrated, with some angrily shouting "Trade!" from the garbage time of the fourth quarter.
Coach Cheeks got into a heated argument with Iverson and Webber after entering the player tunnel.
Both were late for pre-game practice tonight.
They were completely out of form during the game and were even humiliated by the opposing bench, which Coach Cheeks found unacceptable.
He roared, disregarding the staff's attempts to calm him:
"Do I look like an idiot? Damn it! Don't play the victim in front of the fans. What right do you have to skip practice?!"
The 76ers staff looked at the disheveled, red-faced Maurice Cheeks and dared not speak.
He stormed directly into the locker room, shouting at the players:
"You should thank me for not being traded! Every night, you play like shit!"
"You haven't changed at all, except for playing the victim and letting the media speak for you."
"..."
Andre Iguodala sat in his seat, head bowed, silent even as he heard the Head Coach's roar.
He just wanted to play well and had no interest in participating in team conflict.
92:114. Including the game at the end of March, the 76ers lost to the New York Knicks for two consecutive games.
Webber looked impatient and didn't even glance at Iverson.
He had only missed today's warm-up.
The core player was the one who missed practice.
Ever since he publicly criticized his teammates, Webber had been attacked by Iverson's fans.
Coupled with Stephen A. Smith defending his younger brother, the media had labeled him as "problematic."
Iverson threw his headband aside and sat in his seat, hands covering his face, propping himself up on his knees.
A hint of regret appeared in his expression.
This year, he ranked second in scoring, arguably his best individual offensive season.
Iverson was very proud of this.
He was still a top scorer in the league.
The trade rumors after the All-Star Weekend put him in a bad mood.
Iverson began to resist the team and repeatedly spoke to the media, expressing his desire to stay.
Thankfully, the Philadelphia fans supported him, and everything passed.
The 76ers had a winning streak at the end of the regular season, but after relaxing, they suffered two crushing defeats.
"It's my fault, but we will make the playoffsâŠ"
Iverson reluctantly apologized to everyone and spoke up.
Coach Cheeks, hearing this, nearly exploded with rage, kicking over the whiteboard and continuing to shout:
"Now we have to rely on our opponents' performance! Why the hell can't you guys get serious?!"
No one responded to the Head Coach.
Andre Iguodala sat up straight, and as he thought about this problem, an idea suddenly popped into his mind:
"Maybe we never thought we could beat New York."
At a critical moment for playoff seeding, Iverson, facing an old rival, was reportedly at a nightclub after returning home.
This news was unacceptable to Philadelphia fans.
Lee, attending the press conference, was not interested in the opponent's locker room issues.
The 76ers, Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks were all weak teams.
No matter who ranked 8th, the outcome would be the same.
Reporters from the Philadelphia Inquirer had lost interest in asking questions.
Many shared the same sentiment as the fans: they looked forward to the playoffs but didn't want to face the New York Knicks.
As the regular season neared its end, more and more people began to bury their heads in the sand like ostriches, continuing to sing praises for Iverson's scoring.
The TNT reporters clearly preferred to watch the drama.
Before the press conference began, several of them were already discussing the Philadelphia locker room issues.
Noticing Lee's lack of interest in that topic, they changed the subject when asking a question:
"Clay, it's rumored you paid Coach D'Antoni's $25,000 fine. Does this mean you're dissatisfied with the refereeing?"
In the game lost to the Heat a few days prior, Wade alone shot 22 free throws.
The New York Knicks' interior players faced foul trouble, and D'Antoni said sarcastically after the game:
"Maybe we should study the defensive rules. There are two standards in one game."
Lee had no strong feelings about the new rules.
In most games, he also benefited from star calls, but at certain specific times, the calls would instead go against the opponent:
"I've never studied officiating issues. I paid the fine simply because I earn more. Although the coach also has a big contract, he doesn't get many endorsements."
Hearing Lee tease D'Antoni, some Philadelphia sports media felt a bit envious.
Why were there so many problems with their home team?
ESPN reporters were more focused on records.
After winning this game, the New York Knicks were 62-10, firmly ranked first in the league, and still had a chance to reach 70 wins this season:
"We noticed that several teams have a chance to reach 60 wins this year, Lee. Will the New York Knicks challenge for 70 wins? Your remaining schedule doesn't seem difficult."
Hearing the other party speak nonsense, Lee just chuckled softly.
In the final stretch, it was 5 games in 7 days, with two back-to-backs:
"We don't want to pursue that record. You know, the championship is the most important thing. But everyone will go all out at home, after all, our tickets aren't cheap."
If ticket prices continued to rise, the average ticket price would soon approach $100.
Since the 97-98 season, New York's ticket prices had led the entire league.
In contrast, the Golden State Warriors, with the lowest ticket prices this year, averaged less than $30, and the re-"emerging" Los Angeles Lakers hadn't even reached $80.
Having secured the regular season's top spot, most of the reporters present engaged in mutual flattery until a Philadelphia reporter finally asked a question:
"In the scoring list, your average points per game only rank fourth in the league. Is this a sign of declining physical condition?"
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Lee, sitting on the stage, hadn't expected the other party to truly "self-imagine."
He stroked his chin and finally said with a smile:
"Perhaps you should check the data carefully. I feel my physical condition is excellent, and maybe you'll witness it in the playoffs."
"..."
As the regular season approached its end, teams in the lower half of the standings began a chaotic scramble for playoff berths.
In the Eastern Conference, the 76ers, Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards all had 34 wins.
In the Western Conference, the Lakers, Clippers, and Sacramento Kings had similar records and were also striving for ranking.
Among the top-half teams, the New York Knicks were far ahead, followed closely by the Detroit Pistons.
The San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks were fighting tooth and nail!
Both teams belonged to the Southwest Division.
If one team won the division championship, the other team could only rank fourth in the Western Conference.
On tuesday, April 4, the New York Knicks continued their road trip.
Tonight they would challenge the Washington Wizards.
In the afternoon's ESPN show, Stephen A. Smith publicly apologized to the fans.
Not long ago, he had furiously blasted Webber on his sports talk show, only to be utterly contradicted by Iverson.
"I swear! I will no longer speak favorably of my little brother. I am very disappointed with these two games."
"Perhaps Webber isn't the problem, but no matter what, I will wish the 76ers well. I sincerely hope to see them return to the playoffs!"
In the studio, Stephen A. Smith apologized with a sincere expression, but when he offered his final blessing, Legler next to him chuckled, clearly unimpressed:
"Return to the playoffs? You want to see the 76ers face Clay Lee again! Philadelphia fans probably won't appreciate your blessing."
Host Saunders also joined in, teasing his co-host with a characteristic African accent:
"Stephen A. Smith took Clay Lee's money. I think the news is true. We all know you're a New York Knicks fan. You've been exposed for a long time!"
Lee's statistics were unremarkable this year, but this didn't stop Stephen A. Smith from overtly praising him in every episode.
If Charles Barkley next door was mindlessly negative, this one was mindlessly positive.
Humble when apologizing, Stephen A. Smith immediately shouted upon hearing the two question him:
"Listen, if you only look at the stats, Kobe Bryant is indeed a terrifying scorer this year, but what's the Lakers' record?"
"10 years, 10 conference finals, 9 NBA Finals appearances! Clay Lee has surpassed all players!"
This kind of speculative statement had appeared in the show more than once.
Legler was indeed unable to refute it, so he could only retort with a couple of sarcastic remarks:
"It's a different era, man. Clay Lee is great, but you can't deny that the New York Knicks have assembled a large number of excellent players."
"The Dolan Family is paying the highest luxury tax in the entire league, and New York's ticket prices are the most expensive. In comparison, many stars indeed lack help, so comparing them like this is unfair."
Saunders saw that the two still wanted to argue and quickly interjected to change the topic, also discussing tonight's game:
"The 76ers are on the road to challenge the Cavaliers. Dwight Howard at the end of the season is impressive. I have to say, Coach Van Gundy's choice back then was correct!"
With a record of 44-29, the Cavaliers have already secured a playoff spot.
To reach third in the Eastern Conference, they still need to see how the Heat perform.
"One inside, one outside. The Cavaliers' two core players are indeed outstanding. LeBron ranks second in scoring. Perhaps they can overturn the defending champions this year."
Due to the New York Knicks' interior player shortage, Legler believed that the Cavaliers, with three big men, had a superior interior presence.
Stephen A. Smith, however, immediately denied this viewpoint:
"Discard such ridiculous notions. Clay Lee isn't an ordinary player. As a pick-and-roll maestro, he can easily punish the opponent's Defense."
"If the opponent chooses to double-team, and we have enough ball-handlers, most opponents can only pray that the New York Knicks miss their open shots."
"But unfortunately, we have quality shooters on our bench. The veteran Finley has been getting better and better since March. There are no weaknesses. This is dominance!"
The other two partners were unable to refute, and for a moment, the studio was filled only with Stephen A. Smith's triumphant bragging:
"I can't wait. I know Clay Lee will respond in the playoffs, and all we have to do is quietly enjoy the great performance!"
"âŠ"
The highly anticipated Cavaliers also lived up to their fans' expectations.
At Gund Arena, thanks to LeBron James's excellent performance, the game lost its suspense by halftime.
50:69. In the first half, the Cavaliers shot 7 for 13 from beyond the arc, hitting 60%.
During halftime, Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy, with a gentle smile on his face, confidently introduced to the media:
"Ronald Murray has integrated well into the team. We are getting closer and closer to the championship!"
"I am proud of the boys. We have shown the best Defense in the league, and Dwight Howard's growth has far exceeded our expectations."
Since his beloved player Charlie Ward had retired, the Cavaliers traded for the Seattle SuperSonics' backup point guard during All-Star Weekend with atmosphere players.
50 wins were within reach, and Howard could even compete for the rebounding title.
Naturally, Head Coach Van Gundy was very satisfied with this.
In the second half, the Cavaliers did not relax.
LeBron James continued his efficient performance, and Larry Hughes, who had just returned from injury, also played well.
91:124. The 76ers were routed again.
Allen Iverson, who played 38 minutes, gave his all, scoring a game-high 38 points on 10-of-25 shooting, while LeBron James, who almost clocked out in the third quarter, contributed 37 points.
Gund Arena erupted again after the game. James laughed and high-fived his teammates in celebration.
Although Howard had a smile on his face, he felt a bit dejected.
He didn't get much playing time in a blowout game, only serving as a rebounder.
Howard was not very satisfied with his role and stated with a chuckle during an interview:
"I'm not a big guy like Shaq who can just hold people down. Sometimes, away from the basket, I can do more!"
"In some games, I'd rather play like Garnett, hit some mid-range shots, and participate more in help Defense. You know, I can do those things."
The sports reporters in Cleveland didn't think much of it.
Howard was only in his second year, and a Rookie's wishes deserved respect!
James embraced Head Coach Van Gundy and then turned to look at the voluble Howard, shaking his head inwardly.
The other party's rebounding was undeniable, but his offense was too rough:
"Coach, maybe we can squeeze into third place in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat lost their game."
Head Coach Van Gundy was still waving to the enthusiastic fans.
Only after entering the player tunnel did he smile and encourage James:
"We have a huge advantage in the paint. In terms of roster configuration, New York has a loophole."
"LeBron, be more confident. You should believe in your teammates. Remember, the playoffs are about momentum. Don't say these things in front of reporters. We cannot show our weakness!"
James, following behind Head Coach Van Gundy, nodded repeatedly, exclaiming in his heart, "He truly is a Champion Coach."
The defeated 76ers continued to make excuses and complain.
James and Howard, who attended the press conference, however, followed Head Coach Van Gundy's advice and started bragging:
"Fourth place is fine. You know, I like this ranking. We can meet the defending champions in the semifinals, and then you'll see our strength."
"Dwight Howard can dominate the boards. No one in the league can match our interior strength. In this matchup, we are the advantageous side!"
Hearing James's praise, Howard was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling.
Without waiting for reporters to ask, he loudly said into the microphone:
"Yee! LeBron is right. Why fear the defending champions? We are the advantageous side!"
"I know you want to talk about Lee's pick-and-roll again, but I'm not those clumsy big guys. I'm faster, more agile, and very strong! I can shut down the league's scorers!"
Some sports reporters, watching Howard flex his muscles, followed suit and cheered.
This was what they wanted to hear!
On tuseday, May 5th, the Cavaliers, who had crushed a weak team, flew to Manhattan.
Both teams would have back-to-back games that night.
Compared to the 76ers, the New York Knicks' locker room was more harmonious.
The closer it got to the end of the season, the more playing time role players received, and their roles on the court began to increase.
Although New York fans didn't like to see Ron Artest's stiff drives, in recent games, the quasi-DPOY would always show off his dribbling, occasionally even hitting a transition three-pointer.
Hill also fulfilled his promise.
Since March, his playing time has fluctuated around 25 minutes, and he is substituted out after scoring 10 points in each game.
If you look at the New York Knicks' statistics, usually all 5 starters score in double digits, with Diaw and Finley erupting off the bench.
Fisher attempts 7 three-pointers every game, and Raja Bell does the same.
Plus Lee's three-pointers, the New York Knicks will attempt at least 25 three-pointers in a game.
For the back-to-back game, the team canceled the afternoon practice.
Everyone only needed to arrive at Madison Square Garden three hours early for warm-ups.
With the top spot in the league secured, New York reporters had already started predicting the playoffs, with most questions revolving around the first-round opponent.
"The 76ers are a joke. You know, everyone likes to read news about Iverson. He has no leadership. Maybe playing in the Western Conference is the right choice."
Ron Artest, holding the ball, ranted in front of the reporters, even grinning mockingly when he got excited, clearly not taking the opponent seriously:
"Compared to the 76ers, maybe the Indiana Pacers should enter the playoffs more. We all love Stephen. He is a Champion Forward, and he brought championship experience to the Indiana Pacers."
"Reggie Miller should play one more season. He should ask Phil Jackson how to win a championship!"
The New York reporters all laughed.
Although they applauded Old Miller when he came to New York in his retirement season, ever since he became a sour grape and constantly criticized Clay Lee, their respect disappeared.
On the other side, Fisher, who was being interviewed, was sending his blessings, as the Lakers returned to the playoffs:
"It's great to see Kobe's growth. From a pure scorer to a team leader, that's a huge change!"
Perhaps to pave the way for his return to his old team, Old Fish stood with his hands on his hips, a confident expression on his face, and naturally boasted:
"I've learned a lot from Lee these past two years, and I've deeply understood the meaning of leadership. We've been communicating recently, and I'll share the experiences I've learned with him."
"If he encounters difficulties in the playoffs, he can call me anytime, and I'm willing to resolve the grudge between him and Kobe."
It was well-known that ever since Lee crossed over Kobe in the NBA Finals that year, stepping over him, the two became "mortal enemies."
Fisher was clearly bragging about his connections.
As for Kobe and Lee shaking hands and making up, it was simply impossible, unless the Lakers stepped on the New York Knicks to complete a four-peat.
Lee entered the Madison Square Garden right on time, as usual, neither late nor early.
After finishing his warm-up and greeting his teammates, Lee then accepted the interview.
The team had already entered the preparation phase, and the remaining regular season only required staying healthy.
"Head Coach Van Gundy believes the Cavaliers' interior strength leads the entire league, Lee. If we meet in the playoffs, will they cause us trouble?"
The New York Post reporter hadn't forgotten the Champion Coach.
Lee hadn't read the news, but after the morning's film session, he had a new impression of the Cavaliers:
"They've indeed done well this season, but we have rich experience in dealing with super centers."
"Basketball belongs to 5 people. Don't forget Gasol is also an All-Star. Compared to overall strength, no team can match the New York Knicks."
A Washington Post reporter had received some inside information and took the opportunity to suddenly ask Lee:
"The pharmaceutical company Biovail claims to have monitored two stock analysts from Axe Capital for a year."
"They believe you and David Maris of Bank of America Securities sabotaged the company, profiting short sellers by distorting analysis and driving down stock prices."
The sports reporters were somewhat surprised to hear this news, but Lee remained very calm.
He let the reporter finish speaking before saying indifferently:
"You know, I'm just an ordinary athlete, but the information I received is that the other party is seeking $4.6 billion in compensation!"
"So, leave this matter to the judicial department. Our legal team will uncover the truth, and by the way, no one can monitor our traders. Our security measures are very comprehensive."
The figure of 4.6 billion stunned many people.
The game was no longer the focus.
In the game that night at 7:30 PM, LeBron James remained very active, decisively attacking from mid-range against the New York Knicks' drop Defense.
Perhaps due to his explosive performance in the last game, LeBron's shooting was off tonight, and he stubbornly went 1-for-6 in the first quarter, leaving the Cavaliers' bench disheartened.
At 14:30, digging themselves into a hole from the start, the New York Knicks' unexceptional offense easily overwhelmed their opponents.
Towards the end of the second quarter, Ronald Murray continued to strictly follow the coaching staff's instructions, still applying early double teams against pick-and-rolls.
The New York fans in the Madison Square Garden were very displeased with this defensive choice, booing and shouting at the same time:
"Put away your damn Defense, let Lee blow past you!"
"."
The noisy Madison square garden atmosphere did not affect the Cavaliers' defensive strategy.
Howard, following Gasol's high screen, moved early, cooperating with Ronald Murray to double-team Lee at the top of the arc.
Dribbling with his left hand and using the screen, Lee accelerated laterally.
As he moved closer to the left wing, Ron Artest had already run to the left corner.
After briefly stretching the Defense, as Lee lobbed the ball to the cutting Gasol, the latter received the ball at the free-throw line.
Drew Gooden immediately moved towards the paint from the right baseline.
Howard also timely ran to the right wing, attempting to cut off the passing lane.
The few of them cooperated closely, yet they still missed Diaw in the right corner.
Before the Defense could get in position, Gasol directly threw the ball to the open Diaw.
When Howard rotated to help defend and tried to close out, Diaw, faking a shot, suddenly put the ball down with his left hand and drove with a crossover step.
Drew Gooden again collapsed towards the basket, and at the same time, Howard was chasing him from the side.
Before the two could form a trap, the basketball had already flown into the hands of the cutting Gasol in the middle.
After being continuously pulled around by the Defense, as Gasol attacked the paint, LeBron in the left corner also helped defend.
Seeing the basketball fly towards the left corner, he completely gave up on the Defense.
Completely unguarded, Ron Artest caught the ball and shot it.
As the three-pointer swished through the net, Madison Square Garden erupted again.
32:50, with 3 minutes and 28 seconds left in the first half, the point differential was still widening.
"You should double-team me!"
Ron Artest bounced back to half-court, not forgetting to taunt as he ran.
LeBron, who had just made a three-pointer, ignored his opponent.
Without waiting for his teammates to cross half-court, he called for the ball early, then initiated another pick-and-roll on the left wing.
Although Howard's screen quality was good, Ron Artest defended by going under.
LeBron decisively stopped the ball and changed direction.
On the left wing, observing the opponent's collapsing Defense, LeBron gathered the ball outside the three-point line and immediately shot an air ball.
"Oh!"
The basketball bounced off the top of the backboard and finally flew out of bounds.
The Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers, and in the commentary booth, Mike Breen chuckled softly:
"It seems LeBron's shooting still needs work. Although Head Coach Van Gundy has coached the Cavaliers' defensive rotations very well, they still have a gap compared to the defending champions."
Walt Frazier, however, saw the shadow of the former New York Knicks team, the opponent's rotating double-teams reminded him of the 1996-97 season:
"Compared to that Chicago Bulls team, our core is in his prime. Head Coach Van Gundy should be a bit troubled right now."
"In fact, he hasn't led a team to victory against the New York Knicks since leaving New York!"
Head Coach Van Gundy on the sidelines didn't hear their banter, but at this moment he was frowning, seemingly unable to comprehend the changes in Clay Lee.
After continuous double-teams were easily countered, the Head Coach didn't make any demands, and for a while, the Cavaliers reverted to a 3-2 zone Defense, with LeBron and Larry Hughes in an in-between position on both wings, ready to collapse at any time.
With continuous back turns, Lee dribbled past half-court, guarded by Ronald Murray, who constantly interfered with his hands, switching to another defensive method.
Dribbling with his left hand, Lee, protecting the ball with his body, leaned into the defender Ronald Murray while suddenly lunging forward to accelerate.
Taking advantage of his opponent sliding backward to the right, he immediately stopped short and completed a change of direction with a behind-the-back dribble.
The moment his right hand touched the ball, Lee made no fakes, actively increased his stride, and accelerated with a lowered shoulder against the Defense.
Despite making the correct defensive read, Ronald Murray, who was in the middle of a slide, seemed to be hit by a car.
His body exaggeratedly tilted backward, and he stumbled, falling directly onto the three-point line.
"Oh!"
Amidst the cheers of the fans, Lee, who had easily broken through to directly in front of the basket, performed a pull-up jumper, slowing down and somewhat casually tossing the ball towards the rim.
With a deliberately high arc, the basketball flew high, passing over Howard's fingertips and swishing through the net.
Looking at Lee, who was shaking his shoulders and smiling, Head Coach Van Gundy on the sidelines finally realized a terrifying truth:
"He's gotten stronger and faster?"
Howard frowned and looked at his teammates, shrugging his shoulders, as if questioning why his Defense was so easily broken.
Fortunately, in the next possession, Drew Gooden drew a foul while driving strong against Diaw in the left low post, and the Cavaliers finally responded.
"Be tougher, Bro! You need to give me some time to prepare!"
While at the free-throw line, Howard pulled over the perimeter players and quietly instructed them.
As the team's defensive anchor, he was also a leader.
LeBron's face showed little emotion.
While encouraging his teammates, he was also a bit annoyed.
If they could play one-on-one Defense, they wouldn't have given up so many three-pointers tonight.
As Drew Gooden missed his second free throw, Gasol secured the rebound.
Clay Lee, receiving the ball, suddenly accelerated, driving past Larry Hughes's Defense and bursting to the left wing.
Larry Hughes had just returned from injury, and his physical condition had not yet fully recovered.
Seeing Lee begin to slow down, he decisively stepped on the three-point line to establish a defensive position early.
Just as Larry Hughes turned his body, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, suddenly lowered his center of gravity, faking a drive while quickly performing a front-of-the-body crossover.
The moment his front support foot was attacked, Larry Hughes didn't have time to twist his body, nor did he force a slide.
He remained rooted to the spot, watching Lee accelerate and squeeze past him.
"Ah!"
The fans in the front row seemed to anticipate what was about to happen, all standing up and cheering excitedly.
Howard, who had recovered to the basket, looked at Lee charging towards him and immediately jumped to block.
To the left front of the basket, near the paint, Lee jumped high after taking off with both feet.
With the ball in his right hand, he pulled his arm back, towering over Howard in front of him, and slammed the ball fiercely into the basket!
"OHâ!"
Watching Howard fly out of bounds, the two commentators in the booth shouted along with the fans in the Madison Square Garden.
Howard, who fell under the basket,'s mind went blank until the camera was right in his face, and he realized he had been posterized.
Under the basket, several New York Knicks players all rushed to Lee's side, cheering excitedly.
The sudden explosive dunk completely ignited the atmosphere in the Arena.
Clay Lee, standing at the free-throw line, looked at Howard, who had been pulled up by his teammates and returned to the side of the paint.
He bounced the ball and teased him:
"When the train is going full speed, remember to get off the tracks!"
"."
The extra free throw was made, and chants of MVP once again filled the Madison Square Garden.
LeBron, receiving the ball from the baseline, looked at Lee's back with an envious gaze.
He also wanted to show off like that!
After exerting himself for two consecutive possessions, Lee suddenly returned to his usual state for the rest of the game, which left Head Coach Van Gundy on the sidelines somewhat puzzled.
He passed out of double-teams, called for Gasol to post up, fed the ball to Hill in semi-transition, and Ron Artest made stiff tank-like drives on the wing.
It wasn't until Diaw scored on two consecutive hand-offs and then hit an outside shot that Head Coach Van Gundy, coming back to his senses, realized the deficit had already surpassed 20 points.
Thanks to Donnell Marshall's catch-and-shoot and continuous free throws, the Cavaliers prevented the deficit from widening further.
In the final moments of the first half, LeBron seized an opportunity in semi-transition, completing a 2+1 against the recovering Ron Artest, finally saving face.
41:62, the game was essentially over.
Howard, walking towards the player tunnel with his teammates, was still bewildered.
He had watched countless New York Knicks game tapes, but facing them felt completely different.
Back in the locker room, as soon as he sat down, Howard couldn't help but exclaim loudly:
"All those media outlets are talking nonsense! Clay Lee seems even stronger, he hasn't declined at all!"
Howard, who enjoyed watching TNT shows, was probably fooled by the senseless criticism from Charles Barkley, truly believing that Lee's statistical decline meant he was no longer effective.
Hearing his teammate's words, LeBron subconsciously looked at Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was out with an injury tonight, then secretly sighed:
"Sure enough, there's still a gap."
On Thursday, April 6th, when TNT reviewed last night's game, the moment Howard was posterized was repeatedly replayed.
92:120, the Cavaliers, whose shooting was off, suffered a crushing defeat.
LeBron James, who had been on a hot streak recently, also performed unremarkably.
Perhaps affected by the back-to-back game, he went 1-for-6 from beyond the arc.
His shooting seemed to have suddenly vanished.
In the studio, Charles Barkley was laughing happily.
He loved to see the fun:
"If I were Dwight Howard, I would have just knocked Clay Lee out of the air instead of letting him easily dunk on me!"
"Big men these days are just too soft. They seem to have forgotten their size advantage."
Kenny Smith could naturally see that Howard had jumped with effort.
He always felt that his partner had told so many lies that he started to believe them himself:
"Come on, Chuck! Look at Lee's physique. He's no longer the slightly slender guard he was before 2000."
"Lee's body has gotten better and better over the years. He must have put in a tremendous amount of effort behind the scenes. Muscles don't lie."
Ernie Johnson also didn't want to listen to his partner's nonsense anymore and proactively asked the director to play a clip of Ronald Murray's post-game interview:
"I wasn't acting! I tried my best to defend in every possession. You simply don't understand what I'm facing. Some collisions made me feel like I was hit by a truck."
Ronald Murray, who used to be a hype man for the Seattle SuperSonics and gained more attention after joining the Cavaliers, had a wronged expression on his face.
He worked very hard but was mocked by many.
After seeing the interview, Charles Barkley curled his lip, seemingly displeased with such a scene, and immediately interjected:
"Those aren't the words of a tough guy. He's showing weakness to his opponents. You should know that the Cavaliers might face the New York Knicks in the playoffs; he shouldn't be saying these things!"
Although he agreed with this view internally, Ernie Johnson still spoke from the player's perspective on the show:
"We shouldn't mock hardworking players. In fact, no one in the league can limit Clay Lee one-on-one."
"This season, more and more teams are starting to double-team early beyond the three-point line, and big men are also starting to participate in hedging after pick-and-rolls. Clay Lee has changed modern basketball!"
No longer giving Barkley a chance to argue, Kenny Smith simply changed the topic and proactively started discussing the rising Los Angeles Lakers:
"Kobe's performance continues. He has a chance to surpass Elgin Baylor, and he has already established a huge lead in the scoring race."
Since the teams in the Pacific Division were quite evenly matched, and the Phoenix Suns didn't have many more wins, everyone was working hard for ranking, and Kobe was shooting continuously.
"If the Los Angeles Lakers rank fifth, they are very likely to encounter the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs in the first round."
"Perhaps Coach Phil Jackson should make other plans. They can avoid that position."
Hearing Ernie Johnson's words, Barkley immediately disagreed, even directly calling out to Kobe on the show:
"A true superstar shouldn't shy away from challenges. Kobe Bryant should seize this opportunity to prove his leadership!"
"..."
That night, the Los Angeles Lakers challenged the Denver Nuggets on the road.
Compared to before, there were fewer boos from the Denver fans, and the two sides only decided the winner after an overtime period.
In the final moments of overtime, Kobe grabbed an offensive rebound but missed the put-back layup.
With 13.6 seconds left in the game, Carmelo Anthony hit a long two-pointer from 19 feet on the left wing, completing a near game-winner.
108:110, the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately lost in regret, bringing their record to 40 wins and 36 losses.
Kobe Bryant played 45 minutes, shooting 13-of-32 from the field, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 13-of-14 from the free-throw line, scoring a game-high 42 points.
After the game, watching the opponents celebrate wildly, Kobe's face was drawn.
Every game was very important now, and he didn't want to lose a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Parker shot 2-of-9 tonight, contributing only 6 points.
As they walked towards the player tunnel, everyone turned their backs to Kobe.
Losing in this way, Kobe missed his former teammate Fisher a bit.
Thinking of their recent communication, he breathed a sigh of relief:
"An old teammate is still better..."
If the outcome of the game was not considered, Kobe, who once again scored 40+, deserved praise.
At the post-game press conference, a Los Angeles Times reporter proactively praised him:
"Kobe, getting 40+ again, you have a chance to break Elgin Baylor's 40-point record. What are your thoughts on this?"
About to win the scoring title, Kobe was also a bit proud.
Suppressing Iverson, Lee, and James gave him a great sense of accomplishment:
"I never thought I could achieve such an accomplishment. It's an honor to stand alongside great players."
"But our work isn't finished. I don't want to calculate rankings. I'm confident I can defeat any opponent in the playoffs."
Kobe's answer made the Los Angeles sports media beam with joy.
A true superstar should rise to the challenge!
On sunday, April 9th, the New York Knicks arrived in Boston, beginning their final stretch of 5 games in 7 days.
According to league rules, star players are not allowed to miss games without reason.
Even though they had secured the top spot in the league, D'Antoni still had to let Lee play three quarters.
On their first road trip, after warming up in the afternoon, Mike D'Antoni was interviewed and, instead of discussing their record, he praised Boris Diaw's performance over the past two months:
"Boris possesses excellent basketball IQ. He is indeed imperfect, but we have all seen his tremendous progress."
"His passing and handling are underrated. I'm willing to call him the French Magician!"
The New York Knicks' bench had many scorers, and Diaw was able to stand out due to his versatility.
When he played at the four position, no one competed with him, which gave Diaw more opportunities, while Prince had to compete with Finley for playing time.
Fortunately, the veteran Finley was easy to talk to.
Knowing that Prince was in a contract year, he would actively give way if the latter was in good form.
With a different player, the locker room might have already exploded.
Statistics equal money.
D'Antoni was also aware of the locker room situation, but his job was only to balance playing time.
He didn't care about anything else.
If someone continuously missed shots, they would be benched.
During warm-ups, David Lee would usually gravitate towards Lee.
He thought getting familiar with the star would lead to more opportunities, but he didn't expect Lee to be so "ruthless".
In some games, he couldn't even make it onto the active roster.
"Lee, you really should respond more to those media outlets. Averaging 30+10 and they say it's a decline, they're all crazy!"
David Lee, picking up the ball, showed a look of shared indignation.
Lee, who was continuously catching and shooting from beyond the arc, glanced at the Rookie and said in a light tone:
"Everyone else is improving, and only I'm standing still. Isn't that a decline? I think they have a point."
"The opponents are getting stronger, and that's a good thing!"
Philadelphia sports media called Iverson's performance this year "career-best."
Lee liked "strong-on-strong matchups."
If they met in the first round, he would have to hit hard and put on a show.
Due to the lack of big men, Varejao had also gotten opportunities recently.
He diligently studied Fisher's flattery techniques and summarized many insights:
"The playoffs are Lee's stage. The scoring champion might be eliminated in the first round!"
Fisher, who came to join the fun, couldn't get a word in for a moment.
The internal competition within the New York Knicks was truly fierce, and the art of flattery was becoming more and more competitive!
In that night's game, the Boston Celtics surrendered early, having already secured their fishing spot, and Pierce didn't even want to play.
110:86, with extensive rotation, the New York Knicks still won easily.
On April 19th, at Continental Airlines Arena, the Nets, still fighting for a playoff spot, came out strong, with their starting lineup playing until the fourth quarter.
The New York fans who came to celebrate the New York Knicks achieving the league's best record were unaffected.
As the game neared its end, they were already hyping themselves up in their seats!
As the final buzzer sounded, the score was fixed at 101:110, and the Nets secured a victory.
Lee, wearing the New York Knicks' away blue practice uniform, stood up and applauded, constantly high-fiving his teammates in celebration, and also waving to the fans present.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
The shouts grew louder and louder.
Lee smiled, patted his chest, and thanked the fans.
Craig Sager, a TNT reporter nearby, felt the lively away crowd and congratulated him with a laugh:
"68 wins and 14 losses, Lee, congratulations, that's truly an incredible record! I even think you have a chance to break the 73-win record."
Hearing the compliment, Lee bumped fists with everyone on the court while smiling and replying:
"The final schedule isn't easy, you know. Everyone is working hard for the playoffs. 68 wins, I'm proud of my teammates!"
Finley didn't expect the record to be so impressive.
Even while slacking off in April, they still achieved such a record.
After the game, he hugged everyone he met.
When he approached Lee, he even shouted at the camera:
"League's best! We're going to win the championship!"
Finley's dark face showed a happy smile as he stepped forward to hug Lee.
Sager naturally saw the joy in his heart.
After the two finished celebrating, he playfully asked again:
"Lee, you lost the scoring title this year. Is it true, as the commentators say, that your physical condition has issues?"
Lee nodded with a chuckle.
Thinking of the recent public opinion, he simply admitted:
"No one can keep improving forever. I'm very happy to see more excellent players emerging in the league. They've realized their potential!"
"I'm truly excited about this. I'm starting to look forward to playing against them!"
Sager was a bit surprised, but considering the surge in player statistics this season, he also felt that Lee's words made some sense.
After some polite banter, amidst the cheers of the fans, Lee waved continuously and slowly walked towards the player tunnel.
Thinking of the Atlantic Division title he had already secured, a thought immediately came to him:
[LeBron James' Extraordinary Physique]
(A/N: It's jover lol đ.)
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)