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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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***

Every June, sports media and cloud fans get excited.

Even if they don’t usually follow the NBA, they’ll still watch the Finals.

However, for many old fans, the games in recent years always have a sense of déjà vu.

Since 1998, the New York Knicks have never missed the Finals.

Aside from the outdated Utah Jazz, their only remaining opponents have been the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

On one hand, this suggests these three teams are highly successful.

On the other, it indicates a perceived lack of competitiveness in the NBA.

However, how commentators evaluate the games doesn’t affect ordinary fans.

After watching ESPN programs, most people will exclaim:

“What a beautiful game!”

Clay Lee’s presence is always seen in Sport Center’s daily Top 10 Plays during the playoffs.

After so many years, highlight reel fans have become loyal supporters.

Perhaps these fans don’t analyze games or bother checking statistics, but as long as the moves are beautiful enough, they are the main source of votes for Lee’s All-Star selections.

After Game 1 of the Finals last night, most commentators made an excuse for the San Antonio Spurs:

“Consecutive road games have drained this team’s vitality. The San Antonio Spurs still have a chance to win on the road!”

Due to the schedule, the San Antonio Spurs will have over two days of rest before Game 2.

If they want to win, Gregg Popovich must adjust in time.

If they start slow again, they’ll have to return to San Antonio with a 0-2 deficit.

There’s nothing to analyze about the game.

The fundamental problem is that the San Antonio Spurs can’t defend Lee.

No matter how they change their formations, it ultimately proves futile.

The Heat have already started fishing at this point, but Shaquille O’Neal’s personal show “Shaquille” on ESPN is still ongoing.

The first few episodes were about daily life, while the last episode was unscripted and fully open, discussing team gossip in addition to analyzing games.

Last night, Shaquille O’Neal invited his teammate Damon Jones, and the show played 20 of Clay Lee’s spectacular crossovers against Jones.

The two have been teammates for some time, and Damon Jones laughed heartily when he saw his own clumsy appearance on the show.

This season, Damon Jones shot 43.2% from three-point range, which is his career-best performance with a large sample size.

On the show, the two bragged together, and when discussing the concluded Finals Game 1, Damon Jones confidently stated:

“They simply don’t understand Clay Lee’s strength. On the three-point shooting list, Joe Johnson’s percentage is as high as 47.8%, and Clay Lee is only second.”

“But everyone knows there’s no comparison. Clay Lee can continuously attack anyone one-on-one from beyond the arc, while most players on the leaderboard are like me. Most of our possessions are just catch-and-shoot.”

“The San Antonio Spurs have no chance. In fact, if we could have beaten the New York Knicks, the Heat would have been champions this year.”

“No one in the NBA cares about the San Antonio Spurs’ three All-Stars. I’m just stating facts.”

The show was filmed at Shaquille O’Neal’s home.

Shaq, wearing a loose black T-shirt, nodded solemnly, showing a regretful expression as if he had just barely missed winning the championship.

“I completely agree with this point. In fact, Tim Duncan should not be compared to Clay Lee.”

“Does he have a championship? Has he won an MVP? Are his statistics leading everyone?”

“Since entering the NBA, other than being named to the All-NBA team, Duncan hasn’t received any individual accolades.”

Shaquille O’Neal showed a proud expression when talking about championships.

Perhaps because it was the last episode, he then completely let loose and added:

“Now the NBA has become very strange. People who lose still get praised.”

“They always talk about boring sportsmanship but never about the impact of a championship.”

“I respect Reggie Miller, but he will never enter the discussion of the greatest of all time.”

“This is reality. Perhaps those media reporters will still praise the losers now, but after their careers end, only champions are worthy of respect.”

“Charles Barkley has no championship, and many people have forgotten how great he was.”

“If I hadn’t led the Lakers to defeat the New York Knicks back then, maybe I would have become the next Barkley.”

Talking about this bigmouth, Shaquille O’Neal laughed even more.

At the end of the show, Shaq once again made a prediction for the Finals:

“If the San Antonio Spurs fail to win on the road, it will ultimately be 4-1, and the New York Knicks will win the championship.”

“San Antonio newspapers are ready. During the offseason, they will report news of San Antonio Spurs players training at 4 AM.”

“.”

The last episode had very good ratings, even surpassing ABC’s regular post-game analysis.

Shaquille O’Neal clearly changed tracks, adopting the “if you can’t beat them, brag” approach, incidentally elevating the value of his championships.

Towards the end of his career, Shaq also showed a tendency to be a bigmouth, just like Reggie Miller.

Perhaps in a few years, both will appear on television programs.

On tuesday, the 7th, TNT was still reviewing last night’s game.

86:114, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs by a large margin.

With such a huge point difference, the trio’s conversation went off-topic and soon turned to Shaquille O’Neal’s remarks from last night.

Charles Barkley was particularly displeased.

He often disparaged Shaquille O’Neal’s championships on the show, and this time was no exception:

“The NBA has never been solely about championships. What fans want to see is the process of chasing a championship!”

“Just like Shaquille O’Neal’s championships, he failed for several years and finally got his chance.”

“In fact, he never beat that stronger New York Knicks team in the Finals.”

In the studio, Barkley’s words made the two people beside him laugh.

Kenny Smith didn’t pick up the conversation but suddenly asked:

“If Tim Duncan ultimately fails to win a championship and an MVP, would his career be considered successful?”

Charles Barkley remained silent.

He had won an MVP.

Tim Duncan had no “hard honors.”

Ernie Johnson felt this topic was a bit unfriendly and proactively answered:

“Honors will not affect Tim Duncan’s standing in the hearts of San Antonio fans.”

“I believe everyone will continue to support Tim Duncan as always. Without a doubt, this is also a form of success.”

“.”

The New York Knicks rested for nearly a week before the Finals, well-rested, and performed very well in the first game.

In the afternoon, at the Tarrytown Training Center, after today’s training session, reporters quickly surrounded Lee.

During the regular season, the New York Knicks only allowed New York local media to enter, but during the Finals each year, the Tarrytown Training Center would be completely open.

James Dolan disliked seeing sports media disparage the team.

Most of the time, the media had to undergo “auditing,” and only during the Finals could sports reporters’ questions be more free.

A reporter from the Miami Herald, who was there to join the fun, immediately asked gossipy questions:

“Clay, Shaq believes Tim Duncan and you are not on the same level of players.”

“If Tim Duncan never wins a championship in his career, do you think he can be included in the discussion of the greatest of all time?”

Many reporters present seemed to agree with Shaquille O’Neal’s view, but Clay Lee still had to say something diplomatic:

“A championship is only one part of evaluating a player. Of course, one can still be part of the discussion for the greatest of all time without a championship.”

“This is a very subjective matter. For San Antonio Spurs fans, they should remember every player who contributed to the team.”

The ESPN reporter clearly understood Lee’s implied meaning: every player can be discussed, but being ranked 100th is completely different from being ranked 10th.

“Lee, why do many players in the NBA lack respect for the San Antonio Spurs? Do you also agree with Shaq’s view?”

O’Neal’s show effect was widely discussed.

Lee had only seen related news.

Hearing the question deviate from the topic, he continued to equivocate:

“In the NBA, every team respects its opponents, and of course, everyone respects the San Antonio Spurs.”

“However, everyone has a different understanding of basketball. The San Antonio Spurs’ play style is more team-oriented, perhaps Shaquille O’Neal values individual statistics.”

Noticing that everyone still wanted to gossip, Lee had to interrupt:

“Doesn’t anyone want to talk about the Finals? Game 2 is the day after tomorrow. You all seem to prefer Shaquille O’Neal’s show?”

The Yahoo Sports reporter shrugged and retorted:

“Lee, will you lose Game 2?”

“No, we have to protect our home court.”

Lee answered honestly, and everyone chuckled, still wanting to continue gossiping.

On June 9th, a Bloomberg News article delighted the spectators:

“Bloomberg faces a humiliating political defeat.”

The West Side Stadium project ultimately fell through, and New York also lost its bid for the 2012 Olympics.

The Dolan Family’s financial power settled everything, completely reversing public opinion and the public committee vote.

For over half a year, Bloomberg’s stadium project efforts were in vain, and the New York Knicks continued to monopolize regional sports.

James Dolan completely extricated himself from this matter.

Although there was still controversy within the family regarding the sale of satellite businesses, the conflict between father and son was an internal matter.

Before Game 2 of the Finals, James Dolan, in an interview, once again made a promise to New York fans:

“The Super Bowl cannot come to New York every year. As long as Clay Lee stays healthy, the New York Knicks can appear in the Finals every year.”

“I don’t like to lie, which is why I opposed the stadium project.”

The curly-haired owner didn’t hide his emotions, wearing a New York Knicks blue T-shirt, grinning widely, his smile exceptionally bright.

After the big win against the San Antonio Spurs, Mike D’Antoni was also very busy.

His book hadn’t been published yet but was already receiving rave reviews.

Sports media all wanted to see the tactical master’s analysis of the game.

These past two days, whenever interviewed, Mike D’Antoni would talk about his tactical system, explaining to everyone the “secret” behind the New York Knicks scoring over 110 points for several consecutive seasons.

A crushing defeat caused Gregg Popovich’s reputation to plummet.

Although he received the Coach of the Year (COY) award, many believed it was Mike D’Antoni’s charity.

However, individual honors were not important at this time.

To keep his star player happy, Gregg Popovich spent these two days constantly telling everyone about Tim Duncan’s sacrifices for the team.

His resolute gaze might fool fans, but it wouldn’t dramatically increase the San Antonio Spurs’ strength.

Tim Duncan performed well in Game 1.

During warm-ups in the afternoon, he reverted to his usual poker face.

“I know what you want to ask. Tonight, we will resolutely execute double teams,” Gregg Popovich said, trying to appear confident and humorously introducing himself to the media reporters.

“No one stipulates that only winning the championship counts as success, and no one sets rules that players must achieve beautiful statistics.”

“We will show the New York fans the purest basketball. Every player is the protagonist in the game. This is the charm of basketball.”

Gregg Popovich had been saying this for a season.

Ever since “selfish basketball” appeared, anti-honor and anti-data situations have become more and more common.

The game started at 8 PM that night.

Just as Gregg Popovich said, every player was a protagonist when the San Antonio Spurs took the court.

While striving to reduce the number of possessions, led by Manu Ginobili and Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs finally played a fluid offense.

58:58. At halftime, the San Antonio Spurs withstood the pressure with active Defense rotations and efficient scoring.

Tim Duncan did not take many shots, going 4 for 5 from the field and 6 for 8 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points.

Manu Ginobili went 4 for 5 from the field, 2 for 3 from beyond the arc, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, contributing 12 points.

Aside from Tony Parker’s struggles, the role players who entered the game all performed.

Six turnovers at halftime indicated that the San Antonio Spurs had returned to normal.

During halftime, Madison Square Garden was still lively.

The New York fans present did not care about the score.

Everyone knew that the third quarter was the key to the game.

The New York fans swayed wildly to the music, and the halftime show and sponsor activities kept the cheers constant.

Mike D’Antoni, who was being interviewed, showed no signs of pressure on his face.

Instead, he praised his opponent’s performance:

“Both sides played a perfect game. The San Antonio Spurs’ adjustments were timely.”

“Physical fitness is crucial. They are more energetic tonight, getting 17 free throws in the first half and shooting 4 for 12 from beyond the arc. We can only show respect for such a performance.”

“I doubt whether the San Antonio Spurs can maintain such defensive intensity. Fast rotations and help Defense will consume their physical fitness.”

“We all know that Clay Lee will exert his strength in the third quarter. The game has just begun, and everything is under control!”

“…”

Before the start of the second half, Derek Fisher kept bumping fists with everyone, occasionally adding to the drama by loudly encouraging:

“They are about to collapse! The opponent cannot maintain such efficiency!”

“…”

Anderson Varejão, by the water cooler, jumped and cheered loudly.

The two sang in harmony, and the atmosphere group was laughing and betting on what minute the San Antonio Spurs would struggle.

Unlike the serious Derek Fisher, Amar’e Stoudemire was a bit uncomfortable.

He picked up three fouls in the first half, which severely affected his playing time.

After the third quarter began, Lee continued to lead the Defense.

Tony Parker, who received the ball on the baseline, cautiously dribbled past half-court.

“Defense!”

The noise quickly turned into unified defensive cheers.

In the first possession, the San Antonio Spurs again quickly passed the ball to Duncan in the right block.

After a cross screen on the baseline, Pau Gasol guarded Duncan.

Without extra movements, Duncan turned to face the basket, put the ball down with his right hand, and drove hard to the basket.

When he neared the paint, he couldn’t squeeze past the Defense, immediately stopped the ball, switched to his left hand, and continuously posted up.

Pau Gasol always kept his right arm raised and made no unnecessary movements.

Tayshaun Prince on the perimeter saw Duncan post up and immediately collapsed to help Defense.

Taking advantage of the opponent’s slide step to the block area, Duncan smoothly passed the ball back to Bruce Bowen on the left wing.

Bruce Bowen immediately faked a shot upon receiving the ball, deceiving Tayshaun Prince’s Center of Gravity as he rushed to defend.

Bruce Bowen put the ball down with his left hand, drove with a step, and drove straight to the basket.

Perhaps the excellent performance in the first half gave Bruce Bowen confidence.

His sudden drive with the ball actually shook off the Defense immediately.

Not feeling the defensive pressure on his side, Bruce Bowen drove into the paint and wanted to complete a layup with a three-step run.

Directly in front of the basket, the moment the ball left Bruce Bowen’s hand, before he could even celebrate, Tayshaun Prince, who had chased back from behind, used his long arm to swat the ball onto the backboard.

After bouncing, the ball was eventually picked up by Clay Lee in the paint.

Tony Parker stepped forward to delay, and the San Antonio Spurs players quickly ran back to half-court.

With both sides pulling at each other, the San Antonio Spurs matched up in time.

Amidst cheers, Lee, who came to the right wing, signaled for a pick-and-roll.

Kurt Thomas moved up, and Duncan also followed to near the three-point line.

As Lee executed two extremely fast behind-the-back dribbles, using the screen, he drove hard with the ball in his right hand.

Duncan immediately slide-stepped to help Defense.

Before approaching the block, Lee suddenly stopped while moving, leaned on Tony Parker who was chasing him from behind, and performed a spin move with a explosive dribble.

The moment he scooped the ball with his left hand, taking advantage of Duncan stepping up to double-team, Lee immediately passed the ball to Kurt Thomas, who popped out to the elbow.

The latter received the ball completely unguarded, but his jump shot from the right elbow clanked off the rim.

Down low, Mohammed was still battling Pau Gasol, but his height disadvantage made it useless even if he managed to establish position.

To the lower right of the basket, Pau Gasol directly grabbed the rebound over his opponent’s head.

Seeing Manu Ginobili collapse to the interior for Defense, Pau Gasol did not pass the ball to the corner but instead twisted his body and threw the ball out to the top of the arc beyond the three-point line.

Kurt Thomas, who missed the shot, did not stand idly by.

Seeing Lee move, he immediately made an off-ball screen.

Tony Parker realized he was out of position defensively and tried to chase back but could only collide with Kurt Thomas.

From the top of the arc, still a step away from the three-point line, Lee received the pass and shot it without adjustment!

“Swish!” The long-range three-pointer went in.

58:61. Cheers once again echoed through the Madison Square Garden.

The game was still at the familiar pace for the New York fans.

Realizing the atmosphere on the court was off, Tim Duncan clapped his hands repeatedly, signaling his teammates to stay calm:

“Stay focused! The game has just begun!”

Tony Parker was tightly guarded, and Duncan no longer relied on him.

He received the ball at the left elbow and immediately called for Manu Ginobili.

Their pick-and-roll had been effective in the first half.

This time, after receiving a handoff pass, Manu Ginobili, with the ball in his left hand, failed to shake off Raja Bell.

Kurt Thomas adjusted calmly.

When Manu Ginobili passed the ball, he immediately slide-stepped to near the free-throw line.

Duncan, who received the ball again, only made a simple jab step against the Defense.

The moment his right foot retracted, his mid-range jump shot clanked off the rim.

Mohammed was boxed out by Pau Gasol and could only watch his opponent easily grab the defensive rebound.

Duncan, retreating on Defense, was somewhat annoyed.

He shook his arm, noticed that Lee was not pushing the ball too fast, and the two big men of the New York Knicks had already positioned themselves, so he immediately loudly reminded Tony Parker.

When Lee, with the ball in his left hand, arrived at the left wing, Pau Gasol stepped up to set a screen.

Duncan, who was prepared, naturally switched early, and Tony Parker, who received the instruction, was also ready to double-team.

Pau Gasol, faking a screen, symbolically stood still, then immediately broke off and moved horizontally.

Lee, lowering his center of gravity, faked a drive with the ball in his left hand.

The moment he made body contact with Duncan, who was delaying him, he smoothly turned.

Tony Parker on his side subconsciously bent down to try and steal the ball, but Lee’s speed was not affected much by their double-team.

Ignoring Tony Parker’s slap, he led the ball forward and accelerated towards the basket.

Although Duncan was very agile, he was still shaken off by Lee by two steps in the blink of an eye.

Tony Parker made a wrong defensive choice, attempting to chase back a second time, but could only watch Lee drive hard to the basket against Bruce Bowen, who came to help Defense.

Bruce Bowen, retreating from the baseline to the basket, ran a certain distance.

When he jumped into the air, Lee hit him in the chest, making him feel a dull pain.

He had no time to pull.

Under the huge impact, Bruce Bowen, leaning backward, watched Lee, with his body twisted, score a left-handed layup from the lower left of the basket!

58:63. Clay Lee, standing on the baseline, shook his head slightly, and Madison Square Garden erupted.

Scoring on a 1-on-3 play, Hubie Brown on the ABC commentary desk praised:

“What I find most incredible is Clay Lee’s stamina. In most cases, his performance in the second half is better than in the first half.”

“In his rookie season, you could still see the effects of declining stamina, but now Clay Lee is tireless.”

Michaels just felt that the San Antonio Spurs were in trouble.

He had witnessed such games too many times.

At a critical moment, the San Antonio Spurs naturally gave the ball to Tim Duncan again.

In the left block, Duncan, receiving the ball with his back to the basket, smoothly turned.

Facing the basket, he faked right and drove left, putting the ball down with his left hand and driving with a cross-step.

Kurt Thomas was half a step behind, watching Duncan go to the lower left of the basket.

Pau Gasol timely helped Defense to the basket.

Facing a double-team, Duncan, at the baseline, grabbed the ball with his left hand and single-handedly passed it to Mohammed, who cut to the basket.

The latter paused after receiving the ball.

When he tried to exert force again, he was rejected by a big block from Pau Gasol, who twisted his body.

“Wow!”

The spectacular block made the New York fans cheer.

Tayshaun Prince, collapsing from the corner, timely secured possession.

Seeing Lee already rushing to near the mid-court line, Tayshaun Prince immediately passed the ball to half-court.

The leading pass flew directly to near the three-point line.

Clay Lee at the top of the arc caught the ball in front of Tony Parker, and after landing, he smoothly wrapped the ball behind his back to change direction.

Tony Parker, trying hard to retreat on Defense, quickly twisted his body, but Lee, with the ball in his right hand, drove hard with his head down.

The two tangled and arrived in the paint.

While moving, Lee suddenly wrapped the ball behind his back, and when he took off for three steps, he stepped diagonally.

Tony Parker, unable to keep up with the rhythm in time, was squeezed past and could only watch Lee completely shake off the Defense, rush to the lower left of the basket, and perform a reverse dunk!

“Oh!”

The slightly flashy dunk move made the New York fans cheer excitedly again.

58:65. The third quarter had just begun, and Clay Lee had already put together another run.

Gregg Popovich did not call a timeout.

Tim Duncan looked serious and demanded the ball again on offense.

His low-post back-to-the-basket isolation on the left side attracted Tayshaun Prince’s help Defense.

Duncan timely passed the ball to Bruce Bowen on the left wing.

The latter received the ball without hesitation and made a three-point jump shot!

Bruce Bowen, who made the shot, repeatedly pumped his fists, but in the next few minutes, as Duncan repeatedly missed shots, the deficit widened again.

With 6 minutes and 42 seconds left in the third quarter, Gregg Popovich called a timeout.

66:76. The deficit had just reached 10 points.

With the main scorer suddenly going cold, only Gregg Popovich on the San Antonio Spurs bench was loudly shouting:

“Hold on! The opponent won’t be this efficient forever!”

“…”

…..

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep