Check out my new fanfic.
12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
Please give it a go 😊
***
On sunday, May 27, 2007, in Western Conference Finals Game 3, the Utah Jazz, returning to their home court, successfully pulled one back.
The San Antonio Spurs' performance was disappointing.
After easily winning the first two games, they suffered a crushing defeat on the road, a stark contrast to the Knicks' winning momentum.
Most basketball commentators had already determined that this year's Finals would once again be the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Knicks, and everyone was looking forward to Tim Duncan making further progress, but after watching this game, they all fell silent.
Although Delta Center was renamed EnergySolutions Arena this season, the home court atmosphere here hasn't changed much, and reaching the Conference Finals has instead ignited the fans' enthusiasm.
80:109, the Utah Jazz soundly defeated the San Antonio Spurs, and nearly 20,000 Utah Jazz fans continued to cheer for their home team after the game.
The game started at 8:30 PM, and more than two hours later, the San Antonio Spurs players could only walk with their heads down towards the player tunnel.
Gregg Popovich, who lost the game, and Jerry Sloan exchanged a few brief pleasantries before leaving with furrowed brows.
The team's 20 turnovers were far from satisfactory, and Duncan alone contributed 8 of them.
20 points in the 3rd quarter and 16 points in the fourth quarter, a 36-point deficit in the second half made the San Antonio Spurs look less like a championship contending team.
Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, who attended the post-game press conference, did not show much joy, as maintaining such an efficient performance was not an easy task.
10-for-19 shooting, 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-for-8 from the free-throw line, Deron efficiently scored 31 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists, 5 steals, 1 block, and 2 turnovers.
12-for-19 shooting, Boozer also had an efficient double-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 turnover.
Despite the win, most sports reporters still favored the San Antonio Spurs, and after offering congratulations, Yahoo Sports' questions began to deviate from the main topic:
"Will the Utah Jazz recruit Kobe? Many believe this could take the team further…"
The young white reporter's question made Deron on stage frown.
Although he was a Rookie, he was also an All-Star, and he had no interest in discussing such boring gossip in the Conference Finals:
"I don't know why you always want to discuss questions related to Kobe Bryant. He's no different from those players who went home in the first round."
"I'm also not interested in teaming up with him. The Utah Jazz are on the rise, and the Conference Finals are just the beginning!"
Noticing the young man's impatient expression, Boozer, who was beside him, laughed and eased the atmosphere.
He knew what the public cared about, so he decisively played along:
"Deron is right, we are only focused on the current game, and we need a home victory."
"As for trades, you should ask Mr. Kevin O'Connor. He has built a championship roster for the Utah Jazz, and perhaps there will be big moves in the offseason."
The two sang in harmony, quickly bringing the questions back to the game, until the TNT reporter asked again:
"Williams, I wonder if you paid attention to last night's Eastern Conference Finals. Rajon Rondo had a near triple-double in the game. Will you two become rivals in the future?"
6-for-10 shooting, 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, 16 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, Rondo, who played 26 minutes, performed exceptionally well in Game 3.
After a day of fermentation, this Rookie was heavily praised by basketball commentators, seemingly becoming a super Rookie after Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
"I did pay attention to this game, and I'm very happy to see a Rookie player showcasing himself in the Conference Finals."
Deron Williams complimented him with a smile, and thinking of the highlight clips he watched, he added two more sentences:
"It's fortunate to be able to play alongside Clay Lee. Clay Lee is a true GOAT and a role model for all small players."
"His basketball skills are worth everyone repeatedly learning. I see Lee's shadow in Rondo, and I look forward to us competing on a higher stage."
The reporters below seemed very satisfied with this answer.
Currently, top point guards are all Lee's "apprentices," and if Rondo puts up numbers, it's naturally due to the GOAT's guidance!
On the San Antonio Spurs side, Duncan and Parker attended the press conference.
Regarding tonight's loss, neither of them offered much explanation.
"Too many turnovers" was the best answer.
Although the San Antonio Spurs' regular season record was not ideal this season, Parker was the biggest winner on the team, engaged to Eva, and now with the Finals in sight, the Frenchman felt a bit smug.
Unlike his silent partner beside him, Parker proactively spoke, with a smile on his face, boasting:
"I want to praise the Utah Jazz's home court atmosphere, but in the next game, we will secure match point."
"I know my own strength very well. I am a big-game player, and when I face my old rivals again, I will perform even better!"
As the San Antonio Spurs advanced, Parker was the team's leading scorer.
Many times when the offense stalled, Duncan had to give him the ball.
The Good Brother of yesteryear looked down on him, but now Parker has become the absolute core of the team, completely achieving a comeback!
Duncan still didn't speak, just looking at his smug partner with a bit of helplessness in his heart.
He was always being outshone by the Rookie on the opposing team, and even if they reached the Finals, he would still have to help with the Defense.
After the press conference, the San Antonio Spurs quickly returned to the team bus.
Parker, who was secretly pleased, was once again subjected to Gregg Popovich's tirade:
"I don't want to see you being schooled by those Rookies again. Don't make excuses, you know what you'll face in the Finals."
Before the Frenchman could respond, everyone else joined in the teasing.
Bruce Bowen, however, didn't smile like his teammates.
Noticing Duncan's silence, he once again made a silent vow:
"We must not lose disgracefully again."
Robert Horry noticed his teammate's expression and also reined in his smile.
He didn't regret joining the San Antonio Spurs, but he felt very regretful that he hadn't achieved success here:
"It's our turn to perform, Bruce. This is my last chance to win a championship."
Bruce Bowen heard his teammate's whispered words and nodded.
The bus was somewhat dim, and the two veterans stopped talking but made the same decision: they didn't want to miss this opportunity again.
On Monday, May 28, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown Cleveland, the "big star" Rondo began his wake-up service bright and early.
After being verbally abused by a few "old guys," Rondo had no choice but to swallow his pride, squeezing orange juice in his room, and then obtaining a copy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer from the service staff.
This largest daily newspaper in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio extensively covered the Conference Finals news, but most of the column articles praised the performances of LeBron James and Clay Lee.
117:88, although Game 3 was over, more and more articles analyzed the future direction of the Cavaliers.
Dwight Howard's invisibility and Van Gundy's tactical system were cited as the main reasons for the loss.
As for LeBron James' shooting issues, most columnists believed the The Chosen One could improve.
After all, LeBron James was not yet 23 years old, and his shooting could still be refined.
Time was on his side.
He could even outlast Lee, and the future absolutely belonged to the Cavaliers.
"A late first-round Rookie, under Clay Lee's guidance, has surpassed all players in his draft class. Perhaps we can also learn from the Knicks' development direction."
"..."
Looking at the articles in the newspaper, Rondo felt a bit depressed.
A Rookie like him barely had any chance to communicate with the boss.
His unremarkable performances in the regular season and the first few rounds of the playoffs even led the New York Media to discuss the possibility of trading him.
Rondo wouldn't deny that high-quality training sessions helped, but his achievements were all thanks to himself!
Carrying juice and the newspaper, he knocked on Lee's hotel room door.
The moment the door opened, Rondo had no choice but to smile and greet him enthusiastically:
"Boss, here's today's newspaper."
Lee, bare-chested, took the orange juice and drank it in one gulp, gesturing for Rookie to come in while picking up the newspaper, and then praised him:
"You're doing great, the orange juice tastes better and better, it seems you've perfectly mastered the ratio of adding water!"
Rajon Rondo was speechless, he had been doing this for a season, practice makes perfect, but this kind of praise was not what he wanted to hear.
"Coach Malone showed me a lot of San Antonio Spurs game footage. I think we can change our Defense strategy then."
Hearing Rookie's words, Lee didn't care, looking at the news about the Donkey Party in the newspaper, he casually replied,
"Don't worry about the Finals, the San Antonio Spurs are weaker, Coach DAntoni will make the best arrangements, in fact, they can't match our offense at all."
"I'll handle that Frenchman, as for Duncan, Chris and Tyson will like this opponent."
"Just enjoy the attention that comes with the biggest stage. This year's national broadcasts have been too few, and the Finals will let more fans get to know you."
"As long as you perform well, you'll get a big contract after your four years as a Rookie are up. Mr. Dolan plans to continue raising ticket prices, and Donnie won't be stingy. He likes young people with potential."
Rajon Rondo opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
His excitement watching game footage and studying the opponent's tactics all seemed like a waste of effort.
Clearly, Lee was more concerned with national broadcasts.
The two seemed to be on different wavelengths.
At 8 o'clock, during breakfast, Rajon Rondo silently listened to his teammates bragging.
JR Smith had been in an excited state these past few days, and even scrambled eggs and hash browns couldn't shut him up:
"Look at the Cleveland newspaper, these guys are already talking about seven years from now. Seriously, I like their attitude!"
"I think Lee should average a triple-double in the Finals. The San Antonio Spurs have no chance. Tim Duncan doesn't deserve to win MVP."
"No one criticizes him no matter how badly he plays. Sports reporters are too lenient with him."
At the same table, Ron Artest didn't refute these words.
Instead, he joined in the bragging, continuing to belittle the opponent:
"If the San Antonio Spurs were in the Eastern Conference, they'd end up like the Heat, with no chance of making it to the Finals."
"Two-way player? Tim Duncan is just an overrated big man. He doesn't have Shaquille O'Neal's strength."
"He's just like Kobe, never a Finals-level player. He serves no purpose other than lowering viewership."
In his first career Finals appearance, Chandler was also very happy.
Hearing their words, he joined the low-voiced discussion, and also complained about the newspaper article:
"I think the San Antonio Spurs and the Cavaliers are about the same level. We should sweep them later!"
"Duncan is indeed stronger than that Rookie, but he shouldn't expect to dominate the paint. I watched the Western Conference Finals. The intensity was too low."
Dwight Howard in Game 3 shot 4-for-9 again, 3-for-6 from the free-throw line, scoring 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.
The Rookie, who was plagued by fouls at his home Quicken Loans Arena and couldn't even convert easy dunks, made Chandler grin widely.
Pau Gasol, Hill, Tayshaun Prince, Raja Bell, Diaw, and Finley were discussing where to go for vacation afterward.
Clay Lee and Mike D'Antoni sat together, and the coaching staff didn't even talk about the game.
David Lee buried his head in his food.
He still had to distribute jerseys and carry bags later.
Seeing Rajon Rondo looking like he had no appetite, he felt a pang of sympathy and teased:
"You'll definitely get more playing time tonight, big star. Don't forget to take care of me later. I'll be satisfied with a double-double."
Looking at the sycophant devouring his food, Rajon Rondo was speechless.
Most of the Knicks players only cared about stats, which was completely different from the championship team he had imagined, and he still hadn't adjusted to it.
At 8 PM that night, at Quicken Loans Arena, the 20,000 Cavaliers fans' emotions were unaffected, and they continued to cheer loudly for their home team after the game began.
The attention for this series wasn't high.
The matchup between a 73-win team and a Rookie was predicted to be one-sided, and three games had already proven this point.
However, for Cavaliers fans, this year's Conference Finals was just the beginning.
Considering there were no other opponents in the Eastern Conference, there would be many more opportunities to continue battling the Knicks in the future.
Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines could clearly feel Lee's aggressiveness decreasing.
In the previous game, Rajon Rondo and the rotation players performed excellently, and the Knicks' starters' playing time drastically decreased.
The situation tonight remained unchanged. Ron Artest, playing hard Defense, immediately hounded LeBron James from the start, and the Cavaliers' big men were still aggressively hedging on pick-and-rolls.
"Defense!"
Amidst the defensive cheers, Jeff Van Gundy yelled, reminding Larry Hughes to quickly fight over the screen, but Chandler's pick-and-roll at the top of the arc was very solid, forcing Zydrunas Ilgauskas to step up.
With a wide hedge, Lee, dribbling with his left hand, moved horizontally.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas desperately slid his feet. Seeing Chandler roll to the basket, he quickly began to retreat.
Larry Hughes, trailing on Defense, was a step slow and couldn't get to Lee's side in time.
Before he could make body contact, Lee paused slightly and drove hard to the basket, chasing the big man.
Although Dwight Howard, near the baseline on the right side, had already shifted his feet, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who had just retreated into the paint, was still in a dilemma.
Watching Lee, in motion, make a pass-like shot, throwing the ball up, the big man instinctively jumped with him.
The basketball had a high arc, successfully clearing his fingertips.
Chandler, with perfect timing, dashed near the rim before leaping high, grabbing the ball with one hand above the upper-right side of the rim, and slamming it down with a powerful arm swing!
14:10, with 8 minutes and 05 seconds left in the first quarter, both teams had played efficient offense.
LeBron James, who had scored 4 points from consecutive mid-range jump shots after the opening, continued to accelerate the offensive pace.
After crossing half-court, he immediately passed the ball, then quickly received it again on the right wing to initiate a pick-and-roll.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas's screen immediately broke open.
Facing Chandler's hedge and Ron Artest's trailing Defense, LeBron James, dribbling with his left hand, once again found a teammate with a bounce pass.
From the left block, Zydrunas Ilgauskas took a jump shot but couldn't maintain his previous touch.
The ball clanked off the rim.
"Oh!"
The Cavaliers fans in the Quicken Loans Arena sighed.
Dwight Howard, who tipped the rebound, failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and the second rebound was snatched by Pau Gasol.
Watching Lee calmly dribble past half-court, LeBron James, retreating on Defense, subconsciously reminded his Good Brother to stick close.
Larry Hughes still couldn't get through Pau Gasol's high pick-and-roll in time, and Dwight Howard, hedging out to the three-point line, had to temper his defensive actions.
In motion, Lee smoothly led the ball forward with his left hand, and with a large pull of the ball with his right hand, he instantly shook off the Defense.
Noticing Dwight Howard shift his weight and force a slide, Lee suddenly changed direction in front of his body.
The sudden acceleration of his dribble rhythm caught the big man off guard.
By the time he heard the exclamation, he had already lost his defensive position.
In the blink of an eye, Clay Lee switched the ball to his left hand, lowered his shoulder, accelerated, and cut into the basket.
Dwight Howard in the paint didn't have time to trail or jump, watching his opponent grab the ball with his left hand and throw down a one-handed dunk!
"Boo!"
Boos echoed throughout the Quicken Loans Arena.
Van Gundy expressionlessly called a timeout.
The opponent was gaining momentum again.
After the timeout, the Cavaliers' offense didn't improve much.
Although LeBron James changed his Defense in a few possessions, Pavlovic also failed to seize the opportunity.
The lead gradually widened, and by the end of the first quarter, it was 32:17, with the Cavaliers again trailing by double digits.
Rajon Rondo temporarily didn't get a chance to play.
The overwhelming game made the Rookie recall Lee's words from that morning:
"Basketball is so simple."
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)