On February 7, 1997, there were no gas that day, and the All-Star Weekend was about to begin.
For ordinary players, the four-day rest period in the middle of the season is a natural ti to take a peaceful vacation.
The atmosphere group of the Knicks team chose to join in the fun. Patrick Ewing was selected as one of the 50 greatest NBA stars, and Clay Lee was selected as a substitute for the NBA All-Star Ga.
It was everyone's common choice to witness history together!
John Wallace was also selected for this year's Rookie Challenge. Being able to appear on TV and participate in the All-Star Weekend has made this rookie very talkative in the past two days:
"Lee, when you get to the Rookie Challenge, rember to pass the ball to
more. I want to complete a beautiful alley-oop dunk in front of my family and friends!"
"It's so cool! The 4th Rookie Challenge has an epic feel. I feel like I've beco a historic rookie!"
"How many points should I get? The nas of the first-year players in the West are unfamiliar. Have these guys ever played in the regular season? Why don't I have any impression of them at all!"
"God! Red Auerbach will still be our head coach. I'm already getting nervous. It would be really la to make a mistake in front of this legend!"
"Mr. Holtzman will also serve as the head coach of the Western Conference. In fact, I am more looking forward to him coaching us."
After getting on the plane, the newbie John Wallace kept talking beside Clay Lee, showing the unique rhythmic accent of black people to the fullest.
Lee held his forehead helplessly. After all, he was not a young man, and it was difficult for him to empathize with John Wallace's excitent:
"Okay, John, I'll make sure you get the points in the Rookie Challenge!"
"Relax! Just treat it as a normal exhibition match, a duel between rookies. There's nothing to be nervous about!"
Charles Oakley, who was standing by, was in a good mood and didn't pay any attention to the excited rookie. He just warned him,
"Lee, don't let him make a fool of himself in the Rookie Challenge. Rember to dress formally and don't dress like a street thug."
"Don't expect to get too much playing ti in the All-Star Ga, because that's the stage for the old guys."
After being selected as a substitute for the All-Star Ga, Lee has completely established his foothold in the Knicks.
Although Ewing is still the tactical core, everyone will also listen to his opinions.
So people think that Lee was selected because the NBA needed a gimmick and that he was a product of the "star-making movent".
But within the Knicks, everyone recognized Lee's status in the team. As an All-Star player, he could already enjoy so privileges.
Larry Johnson, who was jealous, did not follow the crowd. He decided to put this year's All-Star Weekend behind him and finally chose to take a vacation to "recover".
Alan Houston was not on the flight either. He planned to take his girlfriend to the All-Star Weekend, enjoy their ti together, and then go sightseeing in Cleveland.
Lee knew that Ewing didn't want to see him selected as an All-Star.
The team has only one boss. After playing in New York for so many years, Ewing will not give up his privileges even if his physical condition declines.
The Knicks have been circling around Ewing for so many years, and the gorilla has beco accustod to such treatnt:
20 10, priority shooting, and giving up the core style of play. This is impossible.
Similarly, Lee will not give up his privileges. Unless one of them compromises, the conflict will break out sooner or later.
"I'm a little curious, is Michael really not going to attend the press conference of the top 50 stars? This is a historical mont!"
Hearing Lee's whispered question and noticing the gloating expression on his face, Charles Oakley tugged at his tie and chuckled,
"I don't know. Anyway, he called to invite
to play golf. Press conference? Maybe he wanted to teach those old guys a lesson!"
"He's a jerk, but he should be respected. Four championships, a three-peat, and 46th place? I think these guys pissed him off."
With the All-Star Weekend approaching, Cleveland is packed with superstars, and the old guys have all co out to take a breath this year. The happiest ones are the sports dia.
There are so many stars. Basically all the well-known star players have co to Cleveland.
For fans, this is also a basketball feast. No matter what era you were born in, you can always find your youthful mories here.
On the morning of February 8, Lee brought John Wallace and t up with his good friends Ray Allen and Travis Knight.
In addition to the Rookie Challenge, Ray Allen will also participate in the Slam Dunk Contest.
Many fans gathered around the Cavaliers' ho stadium, Gund Arena, and the giant party officially began.
Big man Travis Knight looks like a tough guy with his short hair.
After joining the Lakers, he didn't have much playing ti, but recently O'Neal was injured, and Knight also got more opportunities:
"Lee, you are a big star now! I can see news about you every day in Los Angeles. You may not know that there are many fans who like you here too!"
"ClayGod, this move is so cool, how does it feel to dribble past Michael Jordan? I watch this goal every day!"
Big guy Knight talked non-stop excitedly after eting him. He also felt very proud that his friend had beco a big star.
Ray Allen just smiled and fist-bumped with Lee, still as quiet as before:
"Second in the Eastern Conference, a well-deserved All-Star, I know how hard it is for you to perform like this! Don't pay attention to those boring reports!"
Lee raised his eyebrows. He regarded those questioning articles and reports as fun.
Ordinary news could not attract him at all. Only the UC body's fabricated stories could make him smile knowingly.
It was just that it was hard for others to believe this situation, so Lee didn't explain.
He hugged and greeted the two friends in front of him, and then joked:
"I thought you would bring your girlfriends. It seems that everyone is focusing on basketball. This is great! I am relieved!"
Lee mainly wanted to comfort Ray Allen because long-distance relationships are really difficult.
After introducing John Wallace, the four of them also prepared to take a tour of Cleveland.
Everyone was dressed in sportswear and thought they wouldn't attract much attention, but soon, so enthusiastic fans surrounded them:
"Lee! I ca to Cleveland specially to support you. Can you take a photo with
first?"
"Too young, I couldn't confirm it just now, Lee, you are cooler than on TV! The sa arm guards as yours, God! I like your look so much!"
The fans began to chatter, realizing that this was an opportunity to get close to the All-Star players, and soon more and more people gathered around Clay Lee.
After Ray Allen, who is usually calm, realized that he was being ignored, he looked at Lee who was smiling and taking photos with fans, and he secretly felt jealous:
"If I could have gone to the Celtics as I wished"
On the afternoon of the 8th, before the start of the Rookie Challenge, the NBA held a press conference for the top 50 superstars.
It was a pre-set procedure for the event to appear in front of the dia, but Michael Jordan slapped them in the face right away.
Michael Jordan didn't attend the press conference at all, choosing to hang out with friends and play golf.
46th? Not valued?
Michael Jordan is not going to play anymore! If you don't participate in the event, you have money and you can be punished!
At the press conference, Chamberlain and Bill Russell were the undisputed protagonists.
The event held at the Gund Arena in the afternoon was also star-studded.
But without Michael Jordan, the dia present always felt that these 50 superstars were lacking sothing.
Michael Jordan once again demonstrated his huge influence. Fans were furious when they didn't see Jordan. They bought tickets to attend the event, not to see these old guys!
In the end, the event held at Gund Arena ended abruptly with a diocre response.
The NBA was furious and fined Michael Jordan before the Rookie Challenge began.
Other stars who did not attend included Jerry West and Shaquille O'Neal.
The NBA believed that Jerry West was recruited illegally after the Magic took Shark away from the team during the offseason, so it directly investigated Jerry West.
However, this behavior seed to have touched Jerry West's bottom line. The legendary superstar believed that the NBA lacked respect for him, so he simply said goodbye and left the 50 Greatest Stars event!
Jerry West declined to attend this year's event, citing ear surgery.
As for the Shark, he was really injured and never ca to Cleveland at all. His All-Star position was replaced by the second-year Kevin Garnett.
Sothing unexpected happened on the first day of the event, and the happiest people were the onlookers.
In the evening's Rookie Challenge, before the ga, the newbies were also discussing this matter:
"This is so damn cool! Michael Jordan should teach those old guys a lesson. 46th place, go to hell! I support him!"
In the Eastern Conference rookie locker room, Allen Iverson seed particularly excited and loudly praised Jordan's counterattack.
Antoine Walker seed very calm. After changing his jersey, he casually said:
"Michael Jordan also has to respect his predecessors. That's Bill Russell, a true legend. He shouldn't miss such an event."
Upon hearing this, Marcus Camby on the side imdiately mocked:
"Look at this guy, less than a year after joining the Celtics, his blood has turned green! This is what Michael Jordan should do, 46th? This is a sha!"
Iverson imdiately followed suit and fought back. Before the ga even started, the place was already in a ss.
Before the ga, Lee exchanged pleasantries with Knicks legend Holtzman, and when he returned to the locker room, he found that everyone was arguing non-stop:
"Hey, don't tell
we're going to have an internal conflict now? If you don't want to win, I won't pass the ball tonight!"
"With
& John, we are more than capable of dealing with the rookie on the other side!"
Returning to his seat, Lee teased the people who were still arguing. Upon hearing this, Iverson imdiately changed his tune:
"The youngest All-Star player in NBA history? If you weren't in New York, you wouldn't be treated like this."
"If I wasn't in New York, I would have averaged 24 10 per ga, and you wouldn't have booked
the best rookie."
Lee teased Iverson with a smile, but Antoine Walker's eyes twitched. He really did score points in the Celtics, but before he could say anything, Ray Allen, who was already annoyed by the noise said helplessly,
"There's no need to argue. Michael Jordan has his reasons for doing that, but that's too far from us. I just want to win tonight. I don't want to disappoint my family mbers who are here."
Ray Allen's words stopped everyone arguing. Being able to appear on TV and participate in the Rookie Challenge, everyone naturally wanted to perform well in front of their friends and family.
Everyone agreed on this point. Iverson straightened his jersey and said coolly:
"When I play, I will give it my all. No one can limit
in a one-on-one situation!"
Everyone in the locker room laughed when they heard Iverson's words. A basketball ga is not a one-on-one duel. Lee even said in a coaxing tone:
"Don't worry, we will take good care of you and try to create one-on-one opportunities for you!"
"."
The Rookie Challenge has only been held four tis, including this year's event, and it happens to coincide with the NBA's 50 Greatest Stars and Top 10 Coaches events.
This year, both rookie teams have legendary head coaches.
Red Auerbach was more approachable than expected. He was wearing a black suit and looked older. After arriving in the locker room, he greeted the newbies with a smile and didn't talk about the ga at all:
"It's great to be young. I can express myself freely on the field. I think the fans watching the ga don't want to see complicated and boring tactics anymore."
"Go enjoy the ga, guys!"
"Lee, when you co on the court, you will be responsible for controlling the rhythm of the ga. You are already an All-Star player, show your strength!"
Before going on stage, the old man simply took over the task and patted Lee on the shoulder with a smile. Among all the new players, he was the one with the highest achievent at the mont.
Lee, who had already changed his jersey, was not polite and responded confidently:
"Although the opponent is coached by Mr. Holtzman, I told him before the ga that we will definitely win tonight's ga."
When Auerbach heard what Lee said and looked at the serious expressions of the new players, he completely turned into a fun fan and laughed non-stop:
"It's great to be young!"
There was no complicated entrance ceremony at the Rookie Challenge.
Everyone changed into their team uniforms and sat quietly on the bench, waiting for the DJ to call out:
"Let's welco the 6-foot-3 All-Star guard from the University of Connecticut --
"Clay——Lee!"
At the Gund Arena, fans saw Clay Lee wearing the Knicks' white No. 1 jersey and standing up to wave, and imdiately burst into cheers.
In the eyes of fans, those who can often be included in the top 10 plays must have good abilities. In this regard, Iverson and Lee are the most well-known.
Lee used the "Sam Gold" fancy move to dribble past Michael Jordan and scored 2 points. This round has been played repeatedly recently, which has brought him a huge popularity bonus.
The starting five of the Eastern Conference's first-year rookies:
Clay Lee, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, and Marcus Camby.
On the other side, the starting five of the Western Conference first-year rookies are:
Matt Maloney, Kobe Bryant, Roy Rogers, Shareef Abdul-Rahim, and Travis Knight.
Compared to the Eastern Conference rookie starting lineup, 5 players co from 5 teams.
On the Western Conference rookie side, Maloney is currently the starting point guard of the Rockets, and the other 4 spots are taken by the Grizzlies and the Lakers.
The expression on Iverson's face said "You all can't do it
Reviews
All reviews (0)