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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 July 14, 2005, with the Sumr League about to begin, basketball fans could go to Minneapolis to witness the DPOY's splendor!
The New York Knicks started their training camp last Wednesday, and the New York dia had already hyped up Ron Artest.
Although true basketball fans know that missing high-quality gas for a season will lead to a decline in a player's competitive state, most onlookers still abandoned rational thinking and went directly to watch the fun if they had ti.
Perhaps the psychiatrist really worked, as Ron Artest at the Tarrytown Training Center seed very amiable.
Not only was his previous inflated ego gone, but he also gained a leadership aura.
This was the firsthand news recently reported by the New York Tis.
While fans of other teams might still be skeptical, die-hard New York Knicks fans had already started predicting a championship:
"DPOY helps New York achieve four consecutive championships!"
"…"
Teams started flying to their destinations, but Lee flew to Los Angeles at this ti.
He also had to attend the ESPY Awards on sunday and pick up Scarlett to return to Manhattan.
Mark Bartelstein hitched a ride with Lee.
Besides accompanying him to the event, he also had to deliver Kwa Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The journey was long. After boarding the plane, Kwa Brown, who was accompanying them, was a bit reserved.
While examining the interior decorations of the plane, he also tried to bridge the gap with Lee.
Gathering the accompanying staff, everyone started playing Texas Hold'em together.
Kwa Brown, dressed in hip-hop attire, took off the thick chain around his neck and, feigning a "fanboy" look, gossiped:
"Dwyane Wade seems to have also received a nomination, Lee, can he win an award?"
Lee had attended many award ceremonies and had long lost his novelty.
He tried to observe everyone's expressions and casually replied:
"Nominations were in late June, and this period is all about fan voting. ESPN's selection is just for fun. Dwyane Wade should win an award. He's very popular with fans."
Kwa Brown, with his dreadlocks, felt a pang of sadness.
He also wanted to go to the ESPY Awards.
This year, there was a TV broadcast, and Destiny's Child would even perform during the show.
Beyoncé was his goddess, but unfortunately, his performance this season was really poor.
Thinking of his ager stats, Kwa Brown worried about the upcoming trade.
Old Mike didn't care about this at all, and the accompanying staff on the plane were also engrossed in playing cards.
Finally, Mark Bartelstein noticed his player's uneasy mood and spoke favorably of the Los Angeles Lakers:
"Although the Los Angeles Lakers won't have a chance to reach the Finals in the next few years, playing in Los Angeles will bring extra attention."
"Don't worry about the Los Angeles Lakers' team environnt. Don't forget, you were also a number one pick. That's a rebuilding team, and you are fully capable of becoming a starting player."
"While Kobe doesn't have the best reputation, he is incredibly dedicated to basketball. You two should get along."
"This is a win-win trade. Go to Los Angeles and play with peace of mind!"
Mark Bartelstein spoke lightly and showed a confident expression, but Kwa Brown was still a bit uneasy.
He worried about encountering bullying from "old guys."
Lee re-confird his hole cards.
His luck was as good as ever.
Seeing the potential Rookie remain silent, he also chid in to comfort him:
"Respect is earned through performance on the court. If you are better than Kobe, the coach will also increase your tactical role."
"There's no need to constantly please others. You know, most players in the league don't like softies."
"If you can defeat Kobe in training camp, then the Los Angeles Lakers will beco your team in the future!"
Kwa Brown's heart surged with emotion, and an excited expression appeared on his dark face.
Following Lee's words, he said excitedly:
"You're right, I need to let my basketball do the talking! The Los Angeles Lakers might soon beco my team!"
Looking at the magnificent scenery outside the window, Kwa Brown felt even more relaxed:
"Los Angeles must be better than Washington!"
On friday, July 17, before the ESPY Awards, Upper Deck announced that it had completed its contract renewal with Clay Lee.
For the next five years, they would still be granted the exclusive right to produce autographed commorative cards featuring Lee, and would also be the sole retailer for all rchandise bearing Lee's na and image.
For 5 years and $25 million, Lee also received a $1.5 million signing bonus, which had already been deposited.
Upper Deck had truly won big.
Clay Lee's Rookie cards were soaring in price, and with the championship endorsent, they could exploit the market in various ways.
If they weren't worried about the devaluation of signatures, as a card company, they would eagerly unleash their full production capacity for autographed cards.
As soon as this news was released, ESPN reported it imdiately, even finding a "shill" to continue hyping up Clay Lee:
"The new rchandise will be very popular. We all know that, in terms of basketball, Clay Lee has surpassed Michael Jordan. He is the greatest basketball player of the new century!"
"As long as it's related to Clay Lee, collectors won't miss out. So limited-edition products often cause a rush to buy."
"My book 'My Tribute' is about to be released and will be available in major bookstores in the future."
This interview, an article by the Beckett Basketball editor, a sports collectibles publisher, made many players envious.
So signed replicas made of special materials sold for $150 to $300, while signed basketballs ranged from $200 to $400.
Many people resold them on eBay.
Lee gave out many autographs during his Rookie season.
So sneakers and basketballs were even more expensive, even priceless.
The price of products is actually related to the player's performance on the court.
In contrast to Lee, Kobe's card prices have been continuously falling.
LeBron Jas also recently signed a 5-year long-term contract with Upper Deck.
Among all the Rookie players, the annual price of $1.5 million was definitely far ahead, but LeBron Jas desired more.
Failing to make the playoffs in his Rookie season affected the contract amount.
For LeBron Jas, the playoffs were not the end.
He needed a bigger stage.
LeBron Jas, who ca to Minneapolis with the Cavaliers, was in a good mood.
In this year's draft, the Cavaliers selected Jarrett Jackson with the 21st pick.
This was a targeted draft, as the managent tried to strengthen the backcourt.
In the Sumr League, the Cavaliers' Rookies were led by the workaholic Thibodeau.
Dwight Howard would also play.
This highly anticipated big man was honing his skills and applying technology to make his body stronger!
In the afternoon ga, the Cavaliers' opponent was the Portland Trail Blazers.
When LeBron Jas appeared at the arena, many fans cheered.
Although the Cavaliers were swept by the New York Knicks in this year's playoffs, LeBron Jas's stats were still good.
Being a background character could also increase his popularity.
After greeting the coaching staff, LeBron Jas, sitting in the front row, began to enjoy this chicken-pecking-at-each-other ga.
Dwight Howard didn't play for long.
When he returned to the bench, he imdiately exchanged a set of flashy gestures with LeBron Jas, then sat down and happily shared his discoveries from the Sumr League:
"Chris Paul of the Hornets is too good. He doesn't look like a Rookie. When we played against him, he always delivered beautiful passes."
"Jackson isn't bad either. He's much stronger than I imagined. He rarely makes mistakes in gas, so it seems we can make the playoffs again next season."
Dwight Howard chattered away with a wide grin.
He was very satisfied with his performance this year.
Making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in his Rookie season was already a better achievent than most players.
Listening to his teammate's news, LeBron Jas also smiled, and rembering the news he saw in the morning, he whispered:
"Next season, we should at least make it to the Conference Finals!"
"?"
Dwight Howard was a bit surprised, his expression seeming to say, "Are you kidding?"
The Heat had Shaquille O'Neal, and Dwyane Wade had recently received an ESPY nomination.
In Dwight Howard's view, their opponent was stronger:
"Making the playoffs every year is enough. When players like Clay Lee get old, we'll be able to win a championship."
"Do you also want to start training at 4 AM? We've made so much money. We should enjoy life more."
After saying this, Dwight Howard blew a kiss to the young won on the sidelines, and getting a reaction, he let out another strange cry.
LeBron Jas was a bit helpless, and also a little relieved, at least this guy next to him definitely wouldn't compete with him:
"Perhaps the Cavaliers still need to accumulate more talent."
On sunday, July 17, the ESPY Awards would be held at 9 PM.
Even before 7 PM, the Kodak Theatre was already swarming with dia reporters.
After the 2002 Academy Awards were held there, the Kodak Theatre beca the preferred venue for many television and theatrical performances.
Recently, the Arican Idol finale was held here.
Perhaps for better broadcasting effects, the theater was elaborately decorated before the awards ceremony.
Different signs hung on the outer walls, and the stairs leading up to the theater entrance were also covered with a red carpet.
The Arican sports awards were naturally a niche affair.
Reggie Miller had already confird his retirent and was nominated for Best Mont this ti.
The "Jordan Buzzer-Beater Award," "Ending Lee's Winning Streak Award," and "8 Points in 8.9 Seconds Award" were all important honors in Reggie Miller's career.
However, this ti he was nominated primarily because of the "One Man, One City Award"!
As the owner of the highest honor in the NBA, fans would not let Old Miller's dedication go unrewarded.
His award tonight was already set.
ESPN reporters, seeing Reggie Miller, rushed forward to surround the respected veteran.
Old Miller, in a dark blue suit, smiled and proactively joked with the reporters:
"I thought you were all waiting to interview Clay Lee, the greatest in history, with seven championships."
"Compared to him, I'm a loser. The Eastern Conference Finals was my limit."
Most sports reporters were very considerate, no longer bringing up Old Miller's sad past, and changed the subject by asking:
"Reggie, do you think Clay Lee has surpassed Michael Jordan? You played against both of them. In your opinion, who is the most dominant player?"
With the offseason running out of news, sports comntators brought up their annual fixed topic.
Reggie Miller didn't want to answer the question and imdiately retorted:
"Why not Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? He has six championships and is also the all-ti leading scorer. Maybe you should ask a different question."
An Associated Press reporter nearby, clearly not used to interviewing sports stars, imdiately followed up with a challenge:
"Clay Lee seems to have a chance to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record. Who do you think is better?"
Almost laughing in exasperation, Reggie Miller composed himself and simply replied:
"Championships and statistics cannot represent the NBA. These have never been the standard for judging whether a player is successful."
"As the world's best basketball event, we should show sportsmanship to fans worldwide."
"Championships don't represent everything. For many fans, what they want to see more is the process of chasing the championship."
After saying this, Reggie Miller turned and left.
He didn't like these reporters who constantly talked about championships.
"Damn it, did they conspire? Always saying such boring things!"
An ESPN reporter complained in a low voice.
Not long ago, Kobe Bryant also "trusted the process."
A Yahoo Sports reporter was about to make a sarcastic remark, but seeing Dwyane Wade in a red suit, he quickly joined the crowd in greeting him.
With his wife Siohvaughn, Dwyane Wade was all smiles.
This was his first ti attending such an awards ceremony in his professional career.
He chose a red suit because of his "Flash" nickna.
After joking with reporters about his attire, Dwyane Wade was soon asked the sa question.
Dwyane Wade, with his arm around his wife, did not equivocate like Reggie Miller but answered directly:
"Without a doubt, after Michael Jordan, Clay Lee is the most dominant player in the league."
"From a basketball perspective, with seven championships, no one is more successful than Clay Lee."
"But I grew up in Chicago, and Michael Jordan ant more to kids like us. He was our spiritual pillar, which far surpassed basketball."
Having received a relatively clear answer, the ESPN reporter was in a great mood.
The crowd surrounding Dwyane Wade no longer pressed him and took the opportunity to flatter him:
"Wade, next season will be your second year playing with Shaq. Can you replicate Kobe's experience and ultimately win a championship?"
Dwyane Wade didn't like how comntators always compared him to Kobe.
In his second professional year, he reached the Eastern Conference Finals, a far better achievent than Kobe's:
"Of course, we will win the championship. The difference is, I will win it as the team leader."
"Just like Shaq said, the Heat are my team. He taught
championship experience, and what I need to do is realize my talent."
"When I was a child, I longed to be the next Michael Jordan, but Clay Lee's experience told
that being myself would be more successful. Perhaps in the future, I might even win eight championships."
Watching Dwyane Wade laugh and brag, all the sports dia were delighted.
They loved confident Rookies like him!
Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova were also subjects of interest for sports dia.
Both had a high probability of winning Best Tennis Player.
Lance Armstrong and Michael Phelps would also receive awards.
When these two Arican heroes appeared, sports reporters imdiately surrounded them.
Clay Lee arrived late.
When he appeared in front of the Kodak Theatre, arm in arm with Scarlett Johansson in a black gown, Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren had also just arrived.
Scarlett Johansson, with her blonde hair tied up, had a slight blush on her face.
Before leaving, she insisted on showing affection with Lee, kissing him freely in public.
Noticing the two in front, Scarlett Johansson, clinging to Lee's arm, snuggled into his embrace and whispered:
"Those sports dia must have sothing wrong with their eyes!"
Scarlett Johansson, almost 21, sotis still had a girlish personality.
So sports dia had reported that Nordegren looked similar to her, and the young woman, having read the newspaper, was naturally displeased.
The other person was much uglier than her.
Lee, in a well-fitted black suit, smiled and greeted Woods:
"Congratulations on reclaiming the number one spot!"
After falling into a career slump for the past two years, and being surpassed by Vijay Singh in the world golf rankings last September, Woods only regained the number one position this month with a strong rebound.
Woods smiled happily.
Saying he didn't care about rankings was false.
No one liked to hear slander:
"Congratulations to you too on your seventh championship. Sotis we invite Michael Jordan to play a few rounds of golf, and he'll definitely want to have an in-depth discussion with you."
Lee tightened his arm around Scarlett Johansson beside him and chuckled as they walked towards the Kodak Theatre.
Ever since he won six championships, the petty Michael Jordan stopped playing with him:
"Perhaps he can only defeat
in golf. On the way here, I was also undefeated at the card table. It's been a long ti since I played cards with him."
Woods also laughed.
Both of them endorsed General Motors.
The difference was that Buick's SUV sold very well.
Lee's Cadillac had a lot of buzz but little impact in China, with sowhat weak sales, relying entirely on the North Arican and South Asian markets.
Before the dia reporters ca over, Woods congratulated him again:
"Congratulations in advance on your Nike lifeti contract!"
Also under Nike, Woods had earned a lot of money there.
His contract also expired this year, and he would soon beco Nike Golf's "ultimate endorser."
As the two were halfway through their pleasantries, sports reporters surrounded them.
Ever since a magazine predicted that Woods' inco would exceed $1 billion by 2010, the golf master had beco the focus of public attention.
ESPN reporters were clearly more interested in Lee's upcoming lifeti contract:
"Lee, can you disclose the details of your next contract? There are rumors that you will receive the sa treatnt as Michael Jordan."
5% of the subsidiary brand's profits—this was Michael Jordan's stable cash flow source after selling his shares.
Clay Lee, of course, would not disclose the detailed terms to the dia, only smiling and responding:
"You can go interview my agent. He also deserves credit for signing this contract."
"Perhaps he is willing to explain the detailed process to you. In short, this renewal is a win-win!"
Blinded by money, many sports reporters felt their eyes turn green, looking at Lee as if he were a walking bundle of cash.
For a mont, championships and statistics were forgotten.
Everyone just wanted to know exactly how much money Clay Lee would get from Nike in the future!
After a flurry of questions, all of which Lee deflected, Scarlett Johansson looked up as they entered the Kodak Theatre and whispered:
"Will such a contract bring in a large sum of money every year?"
Lee, who was looking for their seats with his arm around Scarlett Johansson, nodded slightly and kissed the excited young woman:
"In short, this contract will cover the children's milk money!"
"…"
At 9 PM, Matthew Perry took the stage.
The actor, who rose to fa in "Friends," would host the 13th ESPY Awards.
The biggest difference from previous awards ceremonies was the invitation of Beyoncé, and the addition of Olympic awards.
Best Mont went to Reggie Miller's last playoff ga.
Best Championship Performance went to Clay Lee for his 50
points in the Finals.
Dwyane Wade received Best Breakthrough Athlete.
Best NBA Player, Clay Lee won again.
Lauren Jackson, who won Best WNBA Player, excitedly hugged Clay Lee and wouldn't let go during her acceptance speech, causing the audience to cheer.
Sitting below, Dwyane Wade and Reggie Miller both felt a little sad.
As NBA players, their level of attention was far less than Lee's.
This year's Best Male Athlete went to Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven consecutive tis, a well-deserved doping GOAT!
As the awards ceremony ended, Dwyane Wade looked at Clay Lee and Scarlett Johansson, who were surrounded by dia reporters, and suddenly felt that his childhood sweetheart seed unworthy of him.
Siohvaughn was unaware of Dwyane Wade's change in mindset.
This was also her first ti attending such a grand awards ceremony.
She hugged her beloved beside her and said happily:
"Perhaps next year when we co here again, you will win Best Male Athlete!"
"Darling, I am so proud of you!"
Looking at his childhood sweetheart, who had already borne him two children, Dwyane Wade said nothing, only nodded, secretly resolving in his heart:
"I should be standing there!"
.....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate
:)
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