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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 April 21, 2004, the NBA announced this season's Executive of the Year:
Grunfeld of the New York Knicks successfully won the award.
After the results were announced, so critics found it preposterous.
What acquisitions did Grunwald make during the offseason?
Due to his ball-handling responsibilities, Raja Bell had so impressive performances during the regular season, but overall, he was no different from a regular rotation player.
The biggest impression this new acquisition left on fans was his tenacious Defense.
Whenever he was on the court, regardless of his offensive performance, his defensive attitude was impeccable.
The veteran Dikembe Mutombo, signed with a mid-level exception, indeed suppressed the overweight big man Wright, but during the regular season, he played a maximum of 20 minutes per ga.
His impressive performance was that he could deliver blocks in every ga, but often he would also miss easy shots.
This signing was considered to have increased the team's roster depth.
If these two players were the reason the Knicks achieved another 70
wins, no critics would believe it!
When the award was given to the Knicks, the Los Angeles Tis sarcastically comnted:
"Perhaps this is compensation for Clay Lee, after all, Kevin Garnett stole his MVP!"
In Ga 2, the Lakers easily defeated the Denver Nuggets 100-85, and after demonstrating their dominance, the Los Angeles sports dia beca active again.
This statent was ant to needle future opponent Kevin Garnett.
The Los Angeles dia had already started before the Western Conference Finals even began!
New York fans, on the other hand, felt that Grunfeld should have received this award long ago.
Last season's 73 wins and this year's 72 wins were a shared achievent.
While the Los Angeles sports dia mocked their opponents to ss with their ntality, New York fans took it seriously.
After last night's ga against the Celtics, so fans did not leave the Madison Square Garden but continued to hold up whiteboards to express their indignation:
"Kevin Garnett!"
"Win a Real Trophy!"
A new twist on an old trick: after the Knicks took a significant lead in the second half, these fans, wearing Lee's ho jerseys, held up whiteboards and shouted continuously.
The live broadcast director even allowed these fervent fans to be "on TV," which further stimulated the emotions of the fans present!
New York fans demonstrated with whiteboards because this was the Knicks' last ho ga of the first round.
If they didn't do sothing now, Kevin Garnett would receive his award in early May.
The ignored Celtics did not explode with energy throughout the ga, repeating the performance of Ga 1 and quietly losing.
As the Knicks prepared to fly to the road for their next ga, General Manager Grunfeld accepted an interview with a smile after receiving his award.
For the past few seasons, the managent has done almost nothing, just like Jas Dolan indulging himself by holding concerts.
Everyone, besides making money, has begun to enjoy life.
The now-overweight Grunfeld was very humble in his interview with the sports dia:
"72 wins, that's all Lee's credit. In comparison, we just did so minor work!"
"…"
After entering the playoffs, the Knicks' managent was still on autopilot because this year's draft was again the 29th pick.
At most, they would symbolically invite so players to participate in tryouts.
As for other work, it was to ensure assets did not depreciate and to resolve Amar'e Stoudemire's knee issues.
Regardless of whether it was a compensatory issue, Grunfeld's award still offended so people.
After Jerry West left the Lakers and ca to mphis, the team has indeed improved significantly in these two seasons.
Relying on his connections, he even invited the veteran coach Hubie Brown to be the Head Coach.
This seemingly reliable configuration, however, still could not get the Grizzlies into the playoffs.
After the award was announced, Jerry West publicly criticized the NBA's unhealthy developnt:
"When winners take all, fans naturally don't buy it. For small-market teams, it has beco increasingly difficult in recent years, and players all want to play in big cities."
"The Knicks filter through players in the offseason, and then it's the small-market teams' turn. We all know what that ans!"
Players who believe in their talent would rather compete internally with the Knicks than play in mphis.
On one side, excellent young players can be signed at relatively low prices, while on the other, contracts higher than market value are needed to attract players to join the team.
After being reported, Jerry West's words resonated with many teams, and so tanking teams also spoke eloquently about it:
"We don't want to lose either, but the team lacks true talent!"
On April 22, the NBA announced this season's Coach of the Year (COY):
Mike D'Antoni of the Knicks won the award without suspense.
Achieving 70
wins for two consecutive seasons, a historical first, Mike D'Antoni seems even more dominant compared to Jeff Van Gundy!
Before the end of the regular season, Kevin Garnett still supported Head Coach Saunders, but with the Knicks achieving 72 wins, the future MVP also fell silent.
Receiving this award for the second ti since taking over the Knicks, Mike D'Antoni appeared very pleased when interviewed after the afternoon training session.
Perhaps the schedule was even easier than expected, and Mike D'Antoni also beca sowhat overconfident, proactively stating:
"Actually, I don't care about this award. After taking over the team, I want to create our own dynasty with the Knicks again."
"The Celtics completed an 8-peat back then, and I believe the Knicks have that kind of strength too!"
"Don't forget Lee is only 26 years old. As long as he stays healthy, anything is possible!"
Speaking these words in the Celtics' ho sounded sowhat provocative.
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are true rivals.
The Celtics and the Knicks had no particular animosity.
However, the next morning, Dan Shaughnessy, an NBA columnist for the Boston Globe, furiously blasted the Knicks in his column and, incidentally, called out to the Celtics:
"As the star player, Paul Pierce must defend the honor of the Celtics!"
"…"
Under the instigation of the Boston Globe and Boston sports radio, Celtics fans arrived early at the Fleet Center that evening.
The ga tipped off at 7 PM, and the Fleet Center was already full more than 40 minutes before the start of the ga.
In Ga 2, the Knicks won by a large margin, 113-86.
Clay Lee played 33 minutes, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, tallying 30 points, 3 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, with no turnovers.
Clocking out after three quarters, Lee was very low-key after arriving on the road.
In his opinion, this was just a formality, as the opponent had already given up resisting!
However, after seeing the newspaper first thing in the morning, Lee couldn't help but feel a spark of interest.
As the Knicks entered the Madison Square Garden, they were t with a chorus of boos from the Celtics fans present.
During the final warm-up, Lee, wearing his practice uniform, casually shot hoops, and after greeting the "punching bag," he approached Paul Pierce:
"I heard you're going to score 40 points tonight to defend your ho court?"
Paul Pierce, who had always been particularly low-key, didn't know what to say when he heard this.
The newspaper interviews were all fake.
He had never said those words.
As a core player, Paul Pierce still maintained his composure.
After a slight pause, he lifted his head and responded confidently:
"I don't care how many points I score, but I will win the ga tonight!"
After saying this, Paul Pierce adjusted his green headband and walked away from Lee with his head held high.
As a long-standing NBA team, the Celtics have a deep fan base.
Before the ga even started, the boos in the Fleet Center were non-stop.
Both teams continued with their starting lineups.
As they ca to center court, Grant Hill friendly patted Paul Pierce on the shoulder.
With a significant lead, the Knicks players were all relaxed.
As the referee tossed the ball up, Pau Gasol reacted faster, tipping the ball to midcourt ahead of the big man Mark Blount.
"Defense!…"
As the fans' defensive cheers erupted, Paul Pierce also seed to perk up, and he began loudly calling out to his teammates for tily matchups.
Ron Artest quickly ran to the left corner.
Seeing Paul Pierce's boisterous deanor, he imdiately said dismissively:
"Do you really think you can win the ga?"
Near the left baseline, Paul Pierce saw Ron Artest showing off and imdiately retorted:
"Who do you think you are? This is between
and Lee!"
In front of the ho fans, Paul Pierce would not show a dejected expression, and he returned to his aggressive self.
The two exchanged words in front of the front-row fans, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The Knicks imdiately started with their most effective "V-cut offense." Pau Gasol and Kurt Thomas positioned themselves at the left and right elbow areas.
Travis Best did not fully follow Grant Hill to the right corner but, according to the defensive sche, stopped near the right block area, ready to help defend and interfere at any ti.
Seeing Lee arrive at the top of the arc, Atkins began to loudly remind his teammates.
Mark Blount noticed Pau Gasol moving and also quickened his pace to the three-point line.
Near the left wing, Pau Gasol stood his ground, and Clay Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, quickly dribbled it behind his back, switched it to his left hand, and then squeezed past his side.
Atkins, delayed, failed to chase back in ti, forcing Mark Blount to step up for a big delay.
Before he could bend down to interfere, Lee suddenly lowered his center of gravity and quickly changed direction between his legs.
The mont he switched the ball to his right hand, Lee quickly led it forward, instantly threading through the gap.
Mark Blount could only stand rooted to the spot and turn his head.
In the right elbow area, McCarty had intended to slide over to help defend, but in a blink of an eye, Lee had already broken through to the painted area directly in front of the basket.
Helpless, he could only stop his feet.
Paul Pierce, however, was very active, quickly helping to defend under the basket, but before he could jump up to block, Lee had already gathered the ball.
After a three-step run, Lee grabbed the ball with his right hand and threw down a one-handed dunk!
"Boom!"
The rim rattled loudly.
Paul Pierce helplessly stopped his feet, standing dejectedly to the lower left of the basket.
"Boo!"
Boos echoed throughout the arena.
Although Celtics fans knew their team's defensive discipline wasn't strong, seeing Lee complete such an easy dunk, so couldn't hold back.
Head Coach Carroll stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed.
Like the previous two gas, he didn't make any grand statents before the ga.
Even though the Boston Globe was clamoring for a ho win, Carroll remained calm.
When it was the Celtics' turn to attack, he rely gestured with tactical hand signals to remind his players.
The cheers from the crowd were almost drowned out by the fans' disgruntled shouts.
Atkins ca to the top of the arc and imdiately passed the ball to Paul Pierce on the right wing.
After his teammate received the ball, Atkins imdiately stepped up to screen.
The referee didn't call a screening foul on the short guard. Seeing the opponent pull, Lee actively switched Defense.
Paul Pierce clearly wanted to pick on the weaker opponent.
In the first two gas, his pick-and-rolls with big n were always disrupted by Ron Artest, so tonight he changed his approach.
Holding the ball in his left hand, Paul Pierce ca to the top of the arc, still shuffling sideways.
On the Celtics' side, McCarty quickly ca to the top of the arc to create space, and Travis Best also quickly slipped along the baseline from left to right.
Only Mark Blount remained near the right baseline, waiting for an easy layup or rebound.
Paul Pierce's dribbling speed wasn't fast.
After lowering his center of gravity, he first faced forward and switched to his left hand.
After nearing the three-point line, he imdiately leaned in and accelerated.
Wing players usually don't need fancy fakes when facing guards.
They protect the ball while moving and drive through.
Paul Pierce would choose such a simple and unadorned offense.
Easily anticipating the opponent's offensive intention, Lee, who chose to stick close, quickly slid backward to the right while constantly applying body contact.
The two collided, and Paul Pierce, driving to the restricted area, was forced to slow down.
He finally stopped dribbling and stepped back, quickly gathering the ball.
The mont the opponent stepped back, Paul Pierce put power into his shoulder, but Clay Lee was unaffected and sharply stepped forward to steal the ball.
Paul Pierce had just raised the ball to his chest and hadn't even reacted when Lee cleanly stripped the ball away, causing the opponent to shout.
"Ah!"
So fans in the front row were cheering, but in a blink of an eye, offense and Defense had switched, and gradually the cheers turned into boos.
Paul Pierce, who dropped the ball, didn't complain to the referee.
The steal was clean and crisp.
He had just been careless, thinking he could create shooting space through contact.
After completing the steal, Lee controlled possession.
Seeing Paul Pierce imdiately try to steal it back, he simply slowed his pace, motioned for his teammates to cross half-court and spread out, and then crossed half-court with 8 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
In front of the ho fans, Paul Pierce naturally wanted to perform.
He switched to defend Lee, always maintaining a certain distance, and occasionally stepping forward to try and steal the ball near his waist.
How to defend a speed-type guard: Paul Pierce displayed excellent defensive fundantals, and with the cheers of the fans, he beca more and more energetic on Defense.
Coming to the right wing, Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, occasionally used his non-dribbling hand to swat away the opponent's arm.
The two tangled outside the three-point line.
As he neared the three-point line, Clay Lee imdiately changed direction between his legs, his body swaying forward to the left.
Paul Pierce, who had maintained a certain distance, imdiately turned sideways and again reached down to bother him.
A quick cross-step retreat, dodging the opponent's steal, Lee, with the ball in his right hand, paused slightly, faking a gather.
In an instinctive reaction, Paul Pierce hurriedly moved forward.
Having deceived the opponent's center of gravity, Lee quickly released the ball, took a large dribble forward, and then powerfully pounded the ball in place.
Attacked on his defensive lead foot, Paul Pierce was forced to twist his body.
Seeing Lee stop suddenly, he instinctively lunged to defend again.
Before the opponent could get in front of him, Lee quickly executed an In-and-Out dribble, his body swaying forward to the left again.
Paul Pierce was completely bewildered.
He wanted to slide backward again, but his body and mind conflicted.
To the fans' exclamations, Paul Pierce plopped down onto the court.
Having completed the fake, Lee accelerated into a breakthrough, easily reaching the lower right of the basket.
Facing Mark Blount, who ca over to help defend, he scooped the ball with his right hand for a layup!
Watching the basketball arc high in the air, the big man under the basket could only look up at the rim, watching the ball swish through the net.
"Oh!"
The beautiful shot still drew gasps of admiration from many Celtics fans.
Clay Lee's fakes were clear and precise, and his speed wasn't overly fast, giving people the illusion that "I could do that too."
Paul Pierce, pulled up by his teammates, looked even darker.
He felt that Lee was doing it on purpose.
There were two opportunities where he could have driven directly to the basket, but instead, he chose to humiliate him.
Paul Pierce, his face a
of anger, couldn't help but glare at Lee, who was raising his hands and hyping up the crowd.
"Relax, man! Getting faked out just shows how committed you are on Defense! Fans love that kind of effort from you."
Paul Pierce looked at Clay Lee, who said these words with a serious expression, and felt a bit confused.
However, seeing the New York Knicks' bench, where everyone was holding their heads, jumping up and down, and making strange noises while pointing at him, Paul Pierce was imdiately enraged again:
"Damn it, I hate it!"
Grant Hill noticed that the Celtics seed to want to wear down Lee from the start.
He actively waved his hand, but Lee shook his head, signaling not to worry.
Coach D'Antoni and several mbers of the coaching staff remained seated steadily on the bench.
They weren't worried about the opponent relying on illegal screens to target their star player.
The advantage the Celtics gained upon returning ho was that even short guards could set high-quality screens.
Atkins, at 5'11
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