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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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(2/2)

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On the evening of May 22, 2003, Nets fans once again witnessed their home team’s collapse.

At the ABC commentary table, before the game ended, Tolbert talked more about how the Nets should strengthen their roster:

“They need to add an outside scorer or an inside defensive anchor.”

“An excellent scorer can unleash Kidd’s playmaking talent, while an inside anchor can better protect the rim.”

“Richard Jefferson and Martin are excellent, but they are not enough to carry the team’s offense.”

“Perhaps they can compete in Defense with the Detroit Pistons, but when facing a superstar like Clay Lee, the more important thing is to respond on the offensive end.”

Although the series was not over, Tolbert would not be commentating G4, so he continuously expressed his views at this time.

In the final minutes of the 4th quarter, as the rotation players came on and the defensive intensity dropped, the Nets’ offense finally returned to normal.

The commentator Nessler looked at the situation on the court and then took over the conversation:

“It’s hard for any player to approach Lee’s impact on offense. He only needs to stand on the perimeter, and the opponent has to send their best perimeter defender to guard him.”

“Big men with declining lateral quickness are even less able to keep up with his offensive rhythm. Dikembe Mutombo’s performance tonight was just mediocre. He can no longer undertake help Defense duties.”

“The rule changes also favor outside scorers like Clay Lee!”

“After adding the defensive three-second rule, although the NBA allows zone Defense, for a player like Lee who is good at seizing opportunities, this is also a good thing.”

“The Nets really need to strengthen their roster during the offseason. For Eastern Conference teams, it’s too difficult to defeat the Knicks and reach the Finals.”

Nessler’s words would likely resonate with Nets fans watching on TV, as the live director frequently focused the camera on Kidd’s right hand.

The price of angrily pounding the wall was a visibly swollen right hand, but Kidd in the camera seemed not to care about the injury to his hand, appearing extremely frustrated, constantly looking down at the floor.

At Continental Airlines Arena, New York fans who bought tickets to watch the game cheered happily.

Some troublemakers didn’t forget to continue mocking the eliminated Los Angeles Lakers, with many still holding up posters and whiteboards.

As the game ended, Kidd quickly walked towards the player tunnel again.

Tonight’s game felt like a nightmare.

107:84, the Knicks successfully won the match point, and the series score came to 3:0.

Throughout this series, reporter Stuart Scott had been reporting on the Nets.

At this time, no one from the Nets wanted to be interviewed.

Even Head Coach Scott secretly waved his hand, indicating he needed some time.

Since the usual routine wasn’t working, the African American reporter had no choice but to interview the Knicks.

After three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Kidd had always rushed to the player tunnel.

He hadn’t even been able to interview the “NBA’s best point guard” on the sidelines.

In tonight’s game, Lee actually performed generally, and his shooting touch from beyond the arc was somewhat poor:

Playing 39 minutes, he shot 12-of-22 from the field, 3-of-7 from three-point range, and 9-of-10 from the free throw line, finishing with 36 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers.

He shot more mid-range jumpers, and thanks to Lee’s assists, Pau Gasol performed very well, with particularly impressive stats:

Playing 37 minutes, he shot 10-of-17 from the field, 6-of-8 from the free throw line, finishing with 26 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover, with 4 of his rebounds being offensive rebounds.

When Pau Gasol was interviewed, some New York fans in the arena were still cheering and celebrating.

Despite the large margin of defeat, there were no boos in the arena.

This away game atmosphere also made Pau Gasol smile brightly.

In 7 home games, Stewart experienced such a conference final for the first time:

“Pau, tell us about your performance tonight. 26 points and 15 rebounds—you completely dominated the paint!”

Hearing the reporter’s question, Pau Gasol just scratched his head and simply said:

“I missed some jump shot opportunities, but fortunately, my rebounding was good. I just maintained my focus.”

Stuart then abandoned concern for the Nets fans’ feelings and asked seriously again:

“Let’s talk about the secret to your big win. In the 2nd quarter, you only allowed the Nets to score 12 points. What adjustments did the team make for that?”

Pau Gasol’s ability for commercial mutual praise was not yet developed, and he spoke candidly in front of the camera:

“Coach told us to stay focused. In the 2nd quarter, we had a big lead, perhaps because Lee played longer. He played the entire first half tonight.”

“Once we’re on the court, all we have to do is follow Lee’s instructions. He reminds us on both offense and Defense. When everyone knows what strategy the opponent is going to play, the game becomes very simple.”

Stuart subconsciously adjusted his glasses, forced a smile, and felt this answer was particularly hurtful.

He quickly changed the subject, muttering to himself:

“The Nets fans won’t think I did it on purpose, will they?”

Due to his right hand injury, Kidd did not attend the post-game press conference.

Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin were not harassed by the sports media.

Many seemed to have already anticipated this outcome.

Lee, who attended the press conference, was rarely asked about tonight’s game.

An ESPN reporter seemed to want to stir up trouble and suddenly brought up old scores:

“Clay, did you follow the Western Conference Finals? How would you evaluate the San Antonio Spurs’ home court?”

“Compared to the Los Angeles Lakers’ home court in last year’s Finals, which do you think would be more challenging?”

Lee had also read the news these past two days, but he really wasn’t interested in looking at the box scores.

He roughly understood that the San Antonio Spurs had won by 20+ free throws:

“Actually, every team’s home court has a big advantage. This is a good thing. It means our regular season record played a role.”

“As for the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers, based on my experience playing against them, the Los Angeles home court is still harder to play in.”

“The reason is simple: when we played against the San Antonio Spurs in the lockout season, the Knicks won the championship, but last year we lost.”

The TNT reporter was not concerned with this question.

They wanted to know Lee’s prediction.

The direction of this year’s playoffs was completely consistent with Lee’s previous predictions:

“Lee, who do you think will ultimately win the Western Conference Finals?”

Still no questions about the current game, Lee was happy to see this situation.

He put on a thoughtful expression before answering seriously:

“If both sides stay healthy, perhaps the Western Conference Finals will go to a Game Seven.”

“Nick Van Exel has strengthened the Dallas Mavericks’ bench. I really like Steve Nash’s game. I suggest he increase his shot attempts.”

“As for the San Antonio Spurs, as long as Tim Duncan can perform consistently, they are a team with championship-contending strength.”

“Both teams might be excellent, but they won’t cause too much trouble for the 73-win Knicks. Basketball is a five-man game, and our strength is superior.”

Although Lee was boasting, all the sports media present could not find a reason to refute him.

The best historical record should indeed demonstrate dominance!

On May 23rd, as the NBA draft lottery concluded, LeBron James’s popularity was once again overtaken by the Conference Finals.

Jason Kidd performed generally in G3, playing 40 minutes, shooting 5-of-18 from the field, 0-of-5 from three-point range, and 7-of-10 from the free throw line, finishing with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers.

During the TNT show, besides warming up for tonight’s Western Conference Finals broadcast, the trio also discussed the performance of “League’s Best Point Guard” Jason Kidd in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Charles Barkley didn’t care about Kidd’s feelings at all, and he let out a torrent of words with a wide grin:

“If the Nets had a dominant big man, maybe Kidd could beat the Knicks.”

“When Kidd becomes the team’s primary scorer, the Nets can only be completely dominated by the Knicks, just like other teams.”

“I don’t think Lee has put in much effort in this series. When he realizes his shooting from beyond the arc isn’t good, he’ll continuously drive to the paint.”

“Kidd couldn’t contain Lee. In this direct matchup, he completely lost!”

In the Nets’ do-or-die Game 3, although Kidd recorded a double-double, his post-game reputation plummeted.

Kenny Smith, as always, understood the player:

“It’s not Kidd’s fault. He couldn’t do better. Among the Nets’ big men, Collins and Dikembe Mutombo are too slow laterally, which is a fatal weakness.”

“Every time they defend a pick-and-roll, it’s a huge test for the Nets.”

“Look at the performances of Pau Gasol and Hill. They always score easily, while Kenyon Martin can’t play like he did in the regular season, finding it difficult to receive Kidd’s passes in his preferred spots.”

“In the offseason, if Eastern Conference teams want to contend for the championship, besides strengthening their perimeter defenders, they should also abandon big men with slow lateral movement in the paint.”

Ernie Johnson suddenly became very interested in this topic and gossiped:

“Kenny, do you think those more traditional big men won’t get contracts in the Eastern Conference?”

Charles Barkley immediately answered the question, boasting proudly:

“Those tall, clumsy players are indeed not suited for today’s basketball, but they can still get a contract because Western Conference teams will sign them to counter Shaq.”

“Future big men should play like me: agile, with excellent shooting ability, capable of both low-post offense and firing from mid-range or beyond the arc.”

“If I were in this era, I’d be even more dominant. I could switch onto Lee and at least provide some interference, instead of being faked out like a wooden dummy, only providing material for our show.”

Kenny Smith saw his partner looking like he was “born 10 years too early” and immediately teased:

“If you played for the 76ers in this era, even if you partnered with Allen Iverson, Clag Lee could still sweep you guys!”

“No perimeter player can contain him. Clay Lee is physically very strong, and although he’s not tall, this is actually an advantage when he faces double teams.”

“In the end, you still wouldn’t win a championship!”

When the championship issue was brought up, Charles Barkley glared at his partner, then said with a chuckle:

“I’d have the 76ers trade Allen Iverson. Having me on the team is enough. I’m not Shaq. I only need obedient subordinates!”

Laughter erupted from the studio as the trio repeatedly mocked Shaq for saying he didn’t get enough touches.

On the evening of the 23rd, in Western Conference Finals Game 3, the Dallas Mavericks, returning to their home court, successfully suppressed the San Antonio Spurs in the first half thanks to Nick Van Exel’s excellent performance.

36:46, the Dallas Mavericks’ offense was average, but the San Antonio Spurs committed 10 turnovers in the half, which was a big gift.

In the second half, Dallas Mavericks fans were stunned as Duncan and Parker went into a frenzied mode, helping their team continuously rack up points!

Nick Van Exel, who was 5-for-8 and hit 3 three-pointers in the first half, completely went cold in the second half, going 1-for-7 and scoring only 3 points.

Ultimately, the San Antonio Spurs made a comeback, winning 90:83 and successfully securing a road victory!

Playing 42 minutes, Tim Duncan filled the stat sheet, going 12-for-19 from the field and 10-for-14 from the free-throw line, recording a massive double-double of 34 points, 24 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 6 blocks, and 7 turnovers!

Playing 37 minutes, Parker went 13-for-23 from the field, scoring 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers.

The Dallas Mavericks’ trio performed poorly and were completely outplayed by the two.

With a rebounding advantage of 59:33, the San Antonio Spurs grabbed 19 offensive rebounds.

Losing the rebound battle by 26, the Dallas Mavericks naturally couldn’t win the game.

The dominant performance also made Gregg Popovich ecstatic, and he praised him repeatedly after the game:

“Tim is so outstanding. I can’t even describe his performance. He completely dominated the game on both ends of the court!”

“Trailing by 10 points at halftime, it was Tim who motivated everyone. I’m proud of him. He should get more attention!”

The Dallas Mavericks shot 9-for-19 from three-point range, nearly 50% accuracy.

They still lost because their shooting percentage in the paint was terrible.

The pace of the game for both teams was fast, and the Dallas Mavericks also had 87 possessions.

Head Coach Don Nelson didn’t make excuses after the game but continued to encourage his players:

“We need to play tougher. We must protect our defensive rebounds.”

“I’m not worried about the players’ shooting touch. One bad game doesn’t mean much.”

“The San Antonio Spurs responded. It’s our turn to show our game attitude in the next game. We will protect our home court!”

With the San Antonio Spurs regaining the initiative, sports media in San Antonio also erupted.

Although the series wasn’t over, sports reporters on local sports shows were already shouting slogans:

“Get revenge! Win the championship for David Robinson!”

On May 24th, the Eastern Conference Finals welcomed Game 4.

Since the Knicks had already reached match point, the attention for this game decreased somewhat.

ESPN, as the broadcaster, still had to prepare for the upcoming conference championship trophy presentation.

In the studio in the back, host Mike Tirico’s invited guest, Sean Elliott, was warming up for tonight’s game.

After retiring from the San Antonio Spurs, Elliot transitioned to broadcasting.

He had also faced Lee in the Finals, and coupled with the San Antonio Spurs’ excellent record this year, he got this job.

Elliot suddenly sighed after talking about facing Clay Lee back then:

“Compared to his Rookie season, Clay Lee has made significant progress!”

“The body doesn’t lie, and the stats also show how excellent he is.”

“I remember Lee wasn’t as strong during his Rookie year as he is now. His ball-handling skills left a deep impression on me back then.”

“But the current Lee is completely different. No team will let him frequently go one-on-one on the wing, nor will he get opportunities to showcase fancy dribbling in the playoffs.”

“Under a large amount of physical contact, Lee’s output and efficiency are both increasing, which is simply incredible!”

“I believe he must have put in tremendous effort behind the scenes. I read the book ‘Win’ that he published with Tim Grover. ‘Manhattan at four in the morning’ made me realize that success isn’t by chance!”

The San Antonio Spurs legend’s physique hadn’t changed, and he showed a sincere expression after saying this, making anyone who heard him believe him.

Host Mike Tirico also nodded repeatedly, having read that book:

“Clay Lee is indeed an excellent role model; his dedication to physical conditioning is absolutely worth learning for all players!”

“It’s a pity that Jason Kidd hasn’t been able to find his shooting touch throughout this series, perhaps it’s also related to Clay Lee’s Defense.”

“Both of their defensive efficiency ratings are in the top 20 in the NBA. I believe that after this year’s Conference Finals, Kidd will work hard to improve his shooting.”

“The Nets still have a chance; the team is still on the rise.”

“Sean, you’ve played against Lee. Which do you think is more important: skill or physique?”

Elliot didn’t hesitate after hearing the question and immediately replied,

“Obviously, an excellent physique. To establish yourself in the NBA and make a name for yourself, your body is incredibly important.”

“Many fans haven’t noticed a detail: the New York Knicks’ regular season schedule this season wasn’t favorable. They experienced several stretches of five games in one week.”

“Leaving aside the opponents’ strength, just such a packed schedule can wear many people down physically.”

“Even professional players will experience muscle soreness and a series of other issues the day after a game.”

“What’s most terrifying about Lee is that no matter the schedule, he can always display excellent form.”

“Perhaps his shooting percentage might drop in some games, but he can still lead the team to victory through Defense.”

“Young players should learn from Lee how to hone their bodies, and then improve their skills on that foundation. That’s the reason for Lee’s success.”

Mike Tirico nodded again, then chuckled as he recommended,

“It’s just as Sean said, the book ‘Win’ allowed me to understand a different Lee!”

“…”

The pre-game warm-up had clearly turned into a bragging session.

As for the books, they were, of course, paid promotions!

The 24th happened to be Saturday, and the number of New York Knicks fans attending tonight increased slightly.

People came to watch the game mainly to witness the New York Knicks lift the Division Championship trophy.

Before the game started, New York fans regained the initiative.

Fans wearing New York Knicks number 1 jerseys were shouting and yelling chaotically.

The fun-seekers didn’t miss this opportunity either, continuing to hold up the missing persons poster of the OK Combo, trying to attract the attention of the live director.

During warm-ups, Lee was naturally in a great mood.

Winning the Division Championship meant a new talent would emerge.

Kidd only felt that this year’s Division Finals were like a nightmare.

He even suspected he had fallen into a time loop.

The Nets always collapsed unexpectedly.

Coach D’Antoni wore a new style tonight.

His hair and beard were meticulously groomed.

In a sharp black suit, white shirt, and “red scarf,” before the game even started, Mike D’Antoni, breaking from his usual habit of leaning back with tactics, was pacing back and forth on the sidelines.

About to welcome his first championship trophy as Head Coach, Mike D’Antoni was also a bit excited.

He had some pressure before, but after these few rounds of the playoffs, Mike D’Antoni completely relaxed.

After the game began, Mike D’Antoni remained standing on the sidelines, unlike Head Coach Scott on the other side.

All he needed to do was clap and cheer:

“Excellent, Lee! Keep this rhythm!”

“It’s okay, Lee! Keep shooting!”

“…”

Amidst Coach D’Antoni’s cheers, the New York Knicks players delivered heavy blows, and the Nets’ defensive half collapsed again.

57:40, halftime.

Continental Airlines Arena had already become the New York Knicks’ home court.

After the second half began, Mike D’Antoni didn’t sit down, continuing to smile and applaud.

On the other hand, Head Coach Scott was already numb, returning to the bench with his arms crossed, staring blankly at the players on the court.

It was no different from the first three games.

After three quarters, it was 85:64, the point difference again reaching 21 points.

Although the Nets launched a strong attack in the fourth quarter, their belated performance couldn’t affect the game’s outcome.

109:93, the game ended.

Continental Airlines Arena erupted again, with New York Knicks fans cheering and celebrating.

Mike D’Antoni gently patted his jacket, straightened his clothes, and then walked happily to the scorer’s table, looking at a wryly smiling Scott, and humbly said,

“This was truly an exciting series. The Nets were the strongest opponent we’ve faced!”

Although he knew Mike D’Antoni was trying to say some polite words, Scott felt it was mocking him.

Fortunately, his face was dark, so his emotions weren’t visible:

“Congratulations, New York Knicks! You are the better team!”

The two shook hands.

After Head Coach Scott greeted Lee, he immediately turned and left, heading straight for the player tunnel.

Kidd, with a long face, tried to remain expressionless, continuously embracing and greeting the New York Knicks players.

Lee had just comforted Richard Jefferson and Kidd, and after patting Kenyon Martin, he moved to stand before his ‘surface brother’.

Sports reporters surrounded the two, watching the two most outstanding backcourt players in the Eastern Conference embrace and greet each other.

Everyone pressed the shutter buttons on their cameras.

“Before achieving success, there will always be failures. This is also the charm of competitive sports!”

“I enjoy playing against the Nets, you know, Kidd, the clash of tactics is sometimes more interesting than a boring one-on-one.”

“I believe you can also experience that feeling. I truly hope we can continue to play against each other next season!”

Lee, holding Kidd, smiled and spoke his true feelings, showing a look that implied ‘you understand me’.

Kidd, however, no longer wanted to encounter Lee.

He forced a smile and said,

“Lee, go win the Finals! Next season, I’ll win it back.”

After saying this, Kidd could no longer maintain his composure.

He quickly turned and walked away, completely ignoring the calls from the surrounding sports media trying to keep him.

Although he lost the Division Finals for two consecutive years, Kidd also gained something: the “Clay Lee’s Recognition Award” was now in his hands.

The award ceremony for the Division Finals was a bit simple.

Lee no longer felt anything for this award.

Coach D’Antoni and several Rookies stood at the very front, while Lee and Ewing, wearing Division Champion hats, remained at the back.

Stewart was the host of the award ceremony.

When interviewing Mike D’Antoni, Mike D’Antoni excitedly said again,

“The playoffs are a completely different stage. I’m very happy to see the team achieve such results!”

“73 wins actually brought us a lot of pressure, but the guys all withstood it.”

“I want to thank Lee. He is an excellent leader. It’s my honor to coach such a player.”

“I also want to thank everyone in the New York Knicks and the New York fans. This is the best away game experience I’ve ever had!”

“Wow!”

After saying this, Mike D’Antoni took the trophy, raised it high, and the cheers in the Continental Airlines Arena were non-stop for a while.

Lee cheered and clapped from the back.

While his teammates were being interviewed, he had a thought, and feedback appeared in his mind:

“Jason Kidd’s Excellent Rebounding Awareness”

Ewing saw Lee’s brilliant smile beside him and chuckled along.

Thinking about the upcoming Finals, he suddenly reminisced,

“It’s the San Antonio Spurs again. Our opponents are always these people these past few years!”

“David Robinson is retiring at the end of this season. It’s a shame, he’s very likely not going to win a Finals!”

Gorilla began to gloat.

Lee also nodded, looking at his teammates being interviewed in front, and confidently said:

“He definitely won’t win a Finals. 73 wins, I don’t want to be mocked for years after losing!”

“…”

…..

By the way, don’t forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me 🙂

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep