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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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After the new season began, the New York Knicks had 16 games in November, with both the second and third weeks featuring four games each.
Despite the relatively packed schedule, overall, the team did not fall into a slow start.
Compared to other Eastern Conference teams, they had a perfect start to the first week.
In last Saturday's game, a conflict arose between Pacers' Stephen Jackson and Rick Carlisle, and the sharing of championship experience failed.
The conflict between the two stemmed from shot attempts.
Jermaine ONeal was also out due to injury, and Jackson believed he should be the team's core, but Rick Carlisle did not agree.
On Sunday, ESPN vividly reported on the situation in the Pacers' locker room, but whether the news was true remained unconfirmed by Monday.
However, the San Antonio Spurs took the opportunity to get involved.
San Antonio sports media broke the news that Gregg Popovich was interested in trading for Stephen Jackson.
Robert Horry's championship experience was clearly not enough, and San Antonio Spurs fans also began to look forward to this trade.
Considering that the San Antonio Spurs were interested in everyone during the offseason but ultimately focused on the buyout market, many fans were ready to watch a joke unfold.
The San Antonio Spurs strengthening?
That's basically non-existent.
Upon arriving in Manhattan, Gregg Popovich saw newspapers heavily praising Lee's stop-and-pop jumper this year.
Although all three games were against weak opponents, no one in New York cared about these details.
Just praise him!
When he arrived at the Madison Square Garden in the afternoon for warm-ups, Gregg Popovich felt disgusted thinking about ESPN's plan to promote Clay Lee by conducting a "Night Jumper Test" on SportsCenter.
Since the start of the season, the San Antonio Spurs' best-performing player has been Tony Parker.
Not only has he been nourished by Eva's love, but he has also officially recovered from his fractured finger injury.
Due to the fracture, Parker missed the French national team games during the offseason and entered training camp early.
The Frenchman stated more than once in interviews:
"I am now filled with desire for basketball!"
Although critics believed the San Antonio Spurs only added scraps, the San Antonio Spurs are 2-1 since the start of the season, losing a back-to-back to the Cavaliers, and fans are generally satisfied.
The only complaint San Antonio Spurs fans have had since the start of the season is the schedule, first a home back-to-back, then an away back-to-back.
Although Canadian and New York are close, back-to-backs still cause significant fatigue, and Duncan's fans have already found an excuse for their idol's potential losses:
"Duncan is too tired."
This year, there aren't many national TV games.
ABC has officially rebranded and further partnered with ESPN, even the pre-game show names no longer feature the ABC Sports label.
This Saturday, when the New York Knicks challenge the San Antonio Spurs on the road again, that will be the San Antonio Spurs' first national TV game.
Matt Bonner, who just joined the team in the offseason, has adapted very well to the San Antonio Spurs' team culture and has already become close with his teammates.
Bonner himself is very satisfied with this signing.
Since losing in the semifinals last season, Duncan has been somewhat silent.
He was talked about for a long time during the offseason, but he didn't respond.
The San Antonio Spurs are still a championship contending team.
They still have strong dominance in the Western Conference, but whenever he thinks of a championship, Tim Duncan involuntarily feels a sense of powerlessness.
Since it was not a nationally televised game, when interviewed by the New York Media before the game, Duncan's expression was calm when discussing championships.
He no longer made grand statements nor did he pressure management:
"I'm just focused on every game, as for the championship, that's still my goal."
"..."
At 7:30 PM, Madison Square Garden was still packed.
Since the New York Knicks would embark on a Western road trip for their next three games, this was the only opportunity to watch a live game this week.
After the game began, the San Antonio Spurs quickly subbed out big man Fabricio Oberto, and Matt Bonner played nearly 6 minutes in the first quarter.
Gregg Popovich, as a Head Coach who is good at learning, had already followed the New York Knicks' pace, using more spacing lineups.
During the rotation, Udrih also showed good form against Rajon Rondo, continuously firing from beyond the arc with his teammates.
The 6-for-11 three-point shooting at halftime did not give the San Antonio Spurs the lead; 54:56, the New York Knicks lost points during the rotation, but ultimately still held a slight advantage.
Lee's condition was unaffected after only one day of rest back in New York.
During halftime, when interviewed, Walt Frazier, dressed in a plaid suit, didn't pay attention to the score:
"Lee, let's talk about your jumper. Everyone has noticed you've reduced your drives to the basket. Is this a deliberate adjustment?"
Most of the fans in the Madison Square Garden were swaying to the music at this time, the atmosphere was lively, and Lee, looking at the smiling team legend beside him, jokingly teased his offensive choices:
"There's no complicated reason. Finishing a jumper from mid-range is just more energy-efficient. Approaching 29, my body isn't as young anymore, I need to conserve energy for the playoffs!"
Walt Frazier laughed heartily.
29 is still the prime for guard players.
After a simple hug, when he returned to the commentary booth, Mike Breen was still boasting:
"Three games, Clay Lee's two-point field goal percentage has reached 77.5%. This statistic cannot fully reflect Lee's dominance on the court."
"His jumper is as accurate as a layup, and defenders have no answer for Clay Lee. His offense from all angles leaves the San Antonio Spurs with nothing but prayer!"
The content of the game was not as exaggerated as described.
After all, the New York Knicks had rotated early tonight.
Walt Frazier stopped boasting about statistics and instead commented seriously:
"Lee's progress is definitely a nightmare for the league's big men."
"As long as Chandler can set high-quality screens, the switching big men simply cannot anticipate Lee's offensive choices."
"Three-pointers, mid-range stop-and-pop jumpers, quick attacks to the rim, and clever assists to teammates on the moveâI think the San Antonio Spurs have already felt the pressure."
While the two were praising them profusely in the commentary booth, in the New York Knicks' locker room, Coach Mike D'Antoni was quite dissatisfied with the first half's performance and loudly called out to everyone:
"Don't hesitate, their big men have a hard time limiting our corner. When you get the pass, shoot decisively."
"What we need to do is change their Defense strategy, completely open up the offensive space on the court, be quick, don't let them easily establish their Defense positions."
Rajon Rondo lowered his head in frustration.
His jumper had a big problem.
When initiating a fast break, if teammates couldn't shoot immediately and it turned into a half-court offense, they would be met with zone Defense.
Deliberately controlling turnovers would affect the team's rhythm.
The only time they trailed in the half was during his 5 minutes on the court.
Ron Artest, continuously taking deep breaths, now deeply felt the doctor's warning.
It didn't affect him against weaker opponents, but with the game deadlocked tonight, he indeed tired more easily.
"Tayshaun Prince, Boris, you two will start the second half. Ron needs rest. We need to re-establish the lead in the third quarter!"
The Moustache looked at everyone and called out names directly.
Ron Artest opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
With consecutive road games ahead, this was the correct choice.
JR Smith, who had transformed into a towel expert, looked at Coach D'Antoni with disappointment on his face.
Wven with his teammates struggling, he still didn't get a chance.
Lee didn't look at the Rookies.
He stood up, clapped his hands, and called Chandler over, simply instructing him:
"Pay attention to the timing of your roll and the angle of the screen. Duncan can't be distracted. Be confident!"
The Chicago Bulls had only recently started winning more consistently in the last two years, but unfortunately, Chandler's playing time was also affected after his injury.
Continuous tanking before that had led to some bad game habits.
Pau Gasol noticed his new teammate's predicament and, as everyone walked towards the player tunnel, lingered behind and quietly suggested:
"If you're still unsure about the timing to roll after a screen, then just set your feet on every possession. Don't try to be clever. Even at home, if the game is tight, the referees will call illegal screens."
Chandler nodded.
If he couldn't manage offense and Defense simultaneously, focusing on the basics first was indeed a better option.
When both teams' players returned to the court, Chandler stood next to Fabricio Oberto, clapping his hands repeatedly to encourage himself.
The San Antonio Spurs had switched back to their starting lineup for the second half.
"Defense!"
Amidst the cheers for Defense, Parker, who received the ball on the baseline, quickly passed it to Manu Ginobili on the left wing after crossing half-court.
Manu Ginobili immediately passed the ball back to Duncan.
Receiving the ball in the left block, Duncan ignored the post-up Defense from Diaw behind him, gripped the ball with one hand, leaned into the defender, and observed the movements on the perimeter.
As Duncan slowly put the ball down and began to post up forcefully, Hill suddenly came over to double-team in the paint.
At the same time, Chandler on the other side also converged towards the basket.
Duncan immediately passed the ball back to Manu Ginobili, who received it, put it down with his right hand, and drove forward, shaking off Hill with his speed, and driving straight to the basket, drawing a foul from the double-teaming Diaw.
The referee immediately pointed to the free-throw line.
"Boo!"
The Argentinian gestured a shot at the free-throw line, and boos echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
Manu Ginobili had shot many free throws tonight.
Lee, however, noticed Duncan's change.
His stats had gradually declined since the start of the season.
From the game footage, it was evident that he had more ball-handling possessions, and the San Antonio Spurs lost to the Cavaliers because they were outrebounded.
56:56, both free throws went in, and Manu Ginobili loudly called for his teammates to retreat on Defense.
Receiving the ball on the baseline, Lee's advance speed was not fast.
Diaw, who came off the bench in the second half, was hovering in front and to the right.
After crossing half-court, he proactively stepped forward to complete a hand-off.
When Grant Hill and Tayshaun Prince also started to come up and take turns touching the ball, the Knicks continuously passed the ball on the perimeter, while also using Chandler's high-post screen to constantly cut off-ball towards the basket.
The San Antonio Spurs continued their first-half Defense strategy, immediately switching on screens with their forwards.
As Clay Lee dribbled from right to left along the baseline and returned to the left wing, with Diaw initiating the play at the top of the arc, Hill on the right wing again cut diagonally.
He went around Chandler near the free-throw line, but couldn't shake off Manu Ginobili behind him.
Hill accelerated and ran towards the left corner.
Diaw, who had completed the pass, began to deliberately shift to the right.
When Chandler stepped up to set a screen for Lee, the San Antonio Spurs' paint was empty.
Duncan stopped in the right elbow area, occasionally looking at Lee.
As a white big man, Fabricio Oberto bravely followed on Defense at this moment.
He had expected Gregg Popovich to DNP him at halftime, but he didn't expect the Head Coach to give him another chance to prove himself.
When Chandler stood to the right of Lee, Parker quickly squeezed in front.
The moment the opponent moved, Lee quickly took a jab step with his left foot, put the ball down with his right hand, feigning a drive.
Parker, squeezed between the two, quickly adjusted his center of gravity, but Lee suddenly turned, just managing to shake off the defender.
The stationary Chandler still played a delaying role.
Parker, who was diligently chasing on Defense, was a step slow, watching Lee effortlessly touch the ball with his left hand as he approached the three-point line.
Fabricio Oberto, flailing his arms, quickly slid over.
Lee took the ball forward with the momentum, and while the big man was bending over, he quickly pulled the ball back with his right hand.
"Woah!"
The large crossover dribble made the New York fans cheer.
Fabricio Oberto quickly slid back to his left.
Facing the big man who had retreated inside the three-point line, Lee again changed direction with a body dribble.
Fabricio Oberto, dancing in place, finally froze.
Parker, coming from the side to defend, stepped back and drifted to his right.
Lee, who had just jumped into the air, could only watch the basketball fly towards the rim!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
Watching Lee pose for the New York fans on the left sideline, Parker, after landing, couldn't help but curse in French.
Fabricio Oberto was dumbfounded again.
This was why he had been pulled from the game after only a few minutes at the start.
56:59, Duncan's face showed a determined expression as he clapped his hands to encourage his teammates.
The Knicks suddenly changed their Defense strategy.
At Lee's call, Hill began to tightly guard Manu Ginobili from receiving the ball.
Ultimately, Duncan came to the left elbow area to initiate the offense.
Parker, who had completed the pass, wanted to immediately go for a hand-off, but his back cut failed to shake off Lee.
Duncan, turning sideways, quickly gathered the ball, but Diaw from behind poked it away.
The moment the ball was dropped, Lee got in front of Parker and immediately picked up the ball.
Gregg Popovich on the sideline was still complaining about a foul, but Parker, who was chasing on Defense, had already given up, watching Lee grab the ball with his right hand and glide in for a dunk!
56:61, taking the lead again, the roar in Madison Square Garden grew a few decibels louder.
"Defense!"
Amidst the cheers for Defense, Duncan clapped his hands somewhat annoyedly.
After Parker dribbled past half-court again, he proactively stepped up to set a screen.
Pushing the ball and changing direction to his left hand, the moment Lee squeezed past the screen, Parker immediately stopped short, then quickly turned.
Facing Diaw at the three-point line, he held the ball, dropped his shoulder, and accelerated.
With a change of pace while moving, Parker gained half a step, successfully broke into the paint, then suddenly slowed down, took a hop step, and shot a floater!
Under the interference of both Chandler and Diaw, the basketball ultimately hit the rim and bounced out.
Fabricio Oberto also failed to secure the rebound, which was snatched by a twisting Chandler.
When Lee received the ball and initiated another fast break, the San Antonio Spurs failed to match up in time.
Duncan diligently chased on Defense but was still left behind.
Bruce Bowen chased Lee to the left wing and then directly rushed towards him.
Before he could reach him, Lee, who had already entered the paint, passed the ball behind his back with the momentum.
The basketball flew across, and Tayshaun Prince, following up, ignored Bruce Bowen's twisting pull, took three big steps, and, enduring the pull, extended his left hand with the ball for a scoop layup!
"Whistle!"
The whistle blew, and the shot went in.
The New York fans cheered happily.
Tayshaun Prince, upon landing, also smiled, turned, and high-fived Lee in celebration.
"Clay Lee's speed is too fast, and the young men's counterattacks are even more seamless! The San Antonio Spurs can't keep up with our rhythm!"
Mike Breen on the commentary desk exclaimed loudly.
Only by watching the game live could one truly appreciate Lee's lightning-fast speed, shaking off defenders with the ball, allowing his teammates to easily score.
56:64, Tayshaun Prince made the free throw, and the lead extended to 8 points.
The San Antonio Spurs proactively sped up their offense.
Tim Duncan faced a double-team.
Manu Ginobili, who received the pass, broke through again on the left wing, drawing Chandler from the paint, and immediately dished the ball to Fabricio Oberto.
The Argentinian big man failed to finish the offense, missing an open jump shot from close range.
After Diaw grabbed the rebound, he immediately initiated a fast break.
Seeing the Knicks players all rushing towards the opponent's half, Gregg Popovich on the sideline fell silent again.
Slowing down near the top of the arc, Diaw, undisturbed, directly passed the ball towards the right sideline after Lee's secondary back cut.
The lead pass allowed Lee to shake off Parker just as he received the ball.
The moment he faked a shot, Parker was directly faked into the air.
Parker, who had flown out of bounds, still wanted to rush back on Defense, but Lee no longer adjusted.
After slightly lowering the ball, he quickly jumped and shot!
Fabricio Oberto, who had just returned to the basket, helplessly watched the basketball swish through the net, hearing the excited shouts of the New York fans again, then walked dejectedly towards the sideline.
Gregg Popovich called a timeout, walked up expressionlessly, and patted his players.
He witnessed this situation a few times every season.
56:67, just a few minutes into the second half, the lead had become double digits.
Lee went up and high-fived his teammates one by one in celebration, all smiling as they walked towards the bench.
JR Smith, waving a towel, looked at Coach D'Antoni, who was smiling and clapping.
This time, he didn't join the atmosphere group to high-five and celebrate, instead sitting back in his seat early and sighing secretly.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was arguably the best in the league.
JR Smith, who was still a starter for the Hornets, strongly desired to play during regular game time.
The Knicks made no adjustments during the long timeout.
Ron Artest, who was forced to sit on the bench in the second half, could only watch everyone re-enter the game.
Unable to play, the game was a bit boring. Ron Artest looked at JR Smith, who was no longer waving his towel, bumped him, and said with a serious face:
"Shit! Go cheer them on! Even if you're a Rookie, you have to integrate into the team!"
Waving the towel at least 20 times per game, and having to carry bags for away games, JR Smith wanted to complain a bit, but seeing Ron Artest staring intently at him, he finally forced a smile and said ingratiatingly:
"I know, I know, Bro! How do I earn trust?"
Ron Artest surveyed the Rookie with the flashy tattoos, said nothing more, raised his right fist, vigorously waved it twice, then a triumphant smile appeared on his face.
"?"
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