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On Thursday, February 16, 2006, the Javits Convention Center in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, was packed with media reporters.

With All-Star Weekend approaching, Nike took the opportunity to officially launch Clay Lee’s first-generation signature shoe.

The delay from October until now was mainly to maximize profits, as Nike promoted new products while also showcasing new “technology.”

Eric Avar, who was presenting the PPT, introduced the application of Nike Air Max 360 in basketball shoes, then quickly changed the subject:

“Extremely lightweight, Lee’s signature shoe will be the lightest basketball shoe in the history of basketball shoes!”

The ad copy was just for show, as every new product launch was accompanied by such exaggerated claims, but the combination of Max and Zoom indeed attracted a lot of attention.

When Lee appeared on stage in a black casual suit, the atmosphere group at the scene cooperatively began to applaud and cheer.

Media outlets, led by Sports Illustrated, had already received large sums of money, and Nike had also bought a lot of internet ads from Google.

As for offline physical advertisements, the flagship stores in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Broadway had already updated their new posters on Monday, and the updates were simultaneously made outside Madison Square Garden.

The one who spends the money is the boss.

Nike, with its huge annual advertising budget, has immense influence in the industry.

Eric Avar, wearing jeans and a black Nike sports jacket, smiled brightly.

The new shoe was a proud achievement of recent years, and his shiny bald head showed the effort he had put in.

As the two on stage jointly showcased the new shoe to the crowd, many reporters gasped in admiration while taking photos—it was a pure low-top shoe.

The toe cap continued to use the previous patent leather material, with added ventilation holes, and the upper was woven with a large amount of improved Tech-Flex technology, with orange and blue threads resembling cloud patterns.

The midsole consisted of a separated Zoom embedded within the Max air cushion, with Max visible at the heel.

The shoe body was primarily white, accented with orange on the sole.

The logo on the tongue transformed into Lee’s personal image of a “ClayGod” dribbling, and the TPU at the back of the heel featured the calligraphic “Lee.”

Support and anti-torsion were enhanced due to the material stacking, and compared to Lee’s previous mid-to-low-top models, the pure low-top design was extremely bold.

In Lee’s view, this lightweight basketball shoe was a combination of the Kobe 4 and Jordan 23 from his memory, while the sole technology was more tailor-made for him, suitable for heavy-set guards.

Flywire technology was not yet fully mature, and when Eric Avar announced that the side patterns of the shoe were hand-stitched, many gasped again, as it sounded very high-end!

In fact, the price of this shoe was not expensive.

The Air Jordan 21, which had just been released, was $175, while Lee’s new model was $185.

The shoebox was also custom-designed; this year marked Clay Lee’s 10th All-Star selection in his career, so the outer packaging naturally incorporated personal elements.

In short, the first generation of his personal brand signature shoe had a lot of flashy elements, all aimed at making purchasers feel they were getting their money’s worth.

On the large screen behind the two, the New York Knicks’ basic shoe colorway quickly appeared, along with a University of Connecticut commemorative edition, which featured elements of the husky Happy.

After posing for the reporters below, the fixed segment ended, and the two quickly sat in front of everyone. Eric Avar, relieved, said with emotion:

“In just 10 seasons, we have witnessed the greatest player in history, Clay Lee. Congratulations again on your 10th All-Star selection in your career.”

“Tell us about your feelings about the new shoe. You know, this shoe embodies all of Nike’s current technology, and it will accompany you through 2006!”

Lee’s carefully styled black short hair was messy yet chic, and the stubble intentionally left on his face made him look a bit more mature.

In fact, if he completely shaved his beard, Lee’s appearance would be no different from when he was 20, and this appearance was also proof that he hadn’t used technology, as using medicine tends to make one look older.

“It’s hard to describe how much I love these shoes. I’ve been wanting to wear them for training for a long time!”

“In my 10th season, I have indeed achieved some minor accomplishments, 10 All-Star selections, and I thank everyone for their recognition.”

Upon hearing “minor accomplishments,” everyone chuckled kindly.

Lee smiled and waited for the scene to quiet down again before speaking:

“When designing this shoe, I made many capricious demands. The low-top design freed up the ankle, allowing me to perform technical moves better.”

“The combination of Max and Zoom has an amazing chemical reaction. Strong guards will love it.”

“I hope everyone can give a round of applause to Eric. He is the best shoe designer in the world!”

The crowd below applauded again, and the two began to engage in mutual commercial flattery, praising the shoes to the heavens, and finally labeling them as for “winners.”

In the final segment of the press conference, Nike’s CEO Mark Parker also came on stage to boast and make a preview:

“If all goes well, after the Finals in June, we will also engage in in-depth cooperation with Apple, and the worlds of sports and music will merge in an unprecedented way!”

“…”

Nike + iPod was also one of this year’s plans.

Fans wouldn’t miss trendy tech products, making it a win-win choice.

After the press conference, there was a celebratory dinner.

Sports Illustrated and New York reporters quickly surrounded Lee.

With All-Star Weekend about to begin, they wouldn’t miss such an exclusive interview opportunity:

“Clay, it’s rumored you have another shoe. Why don’t you tell us about it?”

It continued the design of the previous generation shoe, retaining the midfoot carbon fiber plate plus rearfoot Zoom Air cushion configuration, with a large area of breathable mesh on the upper, and increased durability on the sole.

An updated version of the Air Zoom Huarache, featuring both Lee’s personal logo and Nike’s logo, designed for outdoor courts, affordable and great value.

“That’s a small gift for the fans. We chose to release it directly. You’ll see it on store shelves tomorrow.”

Lee said it casually, but many reporters were still curious.

Nike wouldn’t do business at a loss.

Soon, Mark Parker came over and interrupted their conversation.

As the reporters left, Lee, with a hint of helplessness, quipped:

“How did you convince Kobe’s agent? That was a design he’d coveted for a long time.”

Mark Parker, however, showed an indifferent expression, even having the mood to joke:

“Back in ’04, the Air Jordan 19 was inspired by Africa’s deadliest and most ferocious venomous snake. The Black Mamba isn’t a new element. Didn’t you help us promote it too?”

To facilitate easy profit-making, Lee indeed helped promote the Black Mamba, but the Air Jordan 19 didn’t achieve the expected sales.

Lee’s outdoor shoe’s mesh structure and upper texture both incorporated Mamba elements, which was definitely not good news for Kobe.

“Maybe Rob Pelinka will come knocking this weekend. It seems my relationship with Kobe will continue to deteriorate.”

Even though he spoke of their worsening relationship, Lee had a slight smile on his face.

He preferred to see the other party exasperated rather than getting along amicably.

Before the All-Star Weekend, the New York Knicks remained undefeated, crushing the Dallas Mavericks in a back-to-back game, then easily defeating the Toronto Raptors at home.

With a record of 47 wins and 5 losses, and considering the competitive environment of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks have essentially secured a playoff spot.

The Detroit Pistons recently started losing, with a record of 42 wins and 9 losses, ranking second in the league, while the San Antonio Spurs ranked third with 40 wins and 12 losses, and the Dallas Mavericks were fourth with the same record.

On the MVP leaderboard, Duncan still held the top spot.

It seemed that as long as a team was ranked first in the Western Conference, the commentators were determined to give that player another trophy.

Clay Lee’s shoe advertisements began to sweep across the United States, and Kobe, who flew to Houston, was almost fuming.

On Friday the 17th, Kobe had a long face in his hotel since seeing the advertisement that morning.

He felt he had been humiliated by Nike!

The young Rob Pelinka saw Kobe’s expression and knew his important client was in a bad mood.

He pushed up his glasses, proactively handed Kobe a cup of coffee, and turned off the TV.

“Kobe, face reality! Don’t forget you just turned around public opinion with your excellent performance. There’s no need to expose your emotions to the media right now.”

“Clay Lee can bring huge profits to Nike, which is the key to him signing a lifetime contract. Now, what we need to consider is how to expand our influence in the future.”

“Venturing emotions won’t bring any benefits. We must re-establish a perfect image!”

As an agent, Rob Pelinka helped Kobe resolve the sexual assault incident and also took on the heavy responsibility of rebuilding his image.

Becoming the godfather of Kobe’s second daughter was enough to show the close relationship between Rob Pelinka and Kobe.

They went through difficult times together, had a deep friendship, and were more candid in their communication.

Kobe was still fuming and silent.

He began to suspect that signing with Nike was a wrong choice, as he only enjoyed second-tier resources there.

For the next generation of shoes, Kobe still didn’t enjoy the highest “technology,” just as his generation was a “modified version” of Lee’s, and the future would continue this path.

In contrast, LeBron James received much better treatment.

Air Max was his iterative direction, and Kobe Bryant could not accept becoming “Nike’s third-in-command.”

The market doesn’t lie.

Although the illegal intrusion incident was over, some people still wouldn’t let go of Kobe, and the voices of boycott on the internet never disappeared.

“I don’t understand why this is happening! I also have championships, fuck! Why don’t they respect me?”

The shoe sequence level could indicate a star’s status.

Kobe could only enjoy Lee’s “second-tier resources,” and his fantasy of inheriting Michael Jordan’s Black Mamba design was completely shattered.

Rob Pelinka watched the enraged Kobe suddenly fall silent, and after a while, he said in a muffled voice:

“Unless Shaq one day acknowledges your status with the Lakers, or you lift the o’brien cup again, people will truly respect you.”

“We should pursue the MVP. This season, you’re leading everyone in scoring, and I’ll help you fight for this award.”

Kobe didn’t want to talk.

He knew how difficult it was to win the award.

He could only defeat the other candidates if his team’s record reached the top few spots.

For Lee, the All-Star Weekend was advertising time.

He had to cooperate with sponsors to attend events and also accept interviews as required by the NBA.

As for the All-Star Game MVP trophy, Lee didn’t even consider it, as he had already won this exhibition award.

As the host, Tracy McGrady actively moved around after the All-Star Weekend began.

The All-Star Game MVP was also an important award, and he needed this honor!

Considering the unwritten rules, Tracy McGrady felt confident about the All-Star Game held on his home court!

On the afternoon of the 17th, the carnival activities outside the Toyota Center had already begun, and a large number of fans poured in for the Rookie Challenge that night.

Although the Houston Rockets suffered a 35-point defeat to the Phoenix Suns before the All-Star Game, Tracy McGrady’s mood was unaffected when he appeared at the arena that night.

His hazy sleepy eyes were gone, replaced by a triumphant smile.

Amidst the cheers of the home fans, Tracy McGrady showed a confident smile and waved to the camera.

The Rookie Challenge would be broadcast live by Dick Stockton, John Thompson, and Reggie Miller.

Before the game, the three of them once again discussed Clay Lee:

“Clay Lee has been selected to the All-Star team for 10 consecutive years. He’s too outstanding. He’s only 28 years old, and I have reason to believe he will create an incredible record!”

Dick Stockton exclaimed loudly.

John Thompson, next to him, suddenly thought of his beloved player Patrick Ewing and subconsciously echoed the praise:

“Clay Lee has indeed changed modern basketball. Everyone seems to forget he’s a point guard.”

“Theoretically, as long as the New York Knicks continue to maintain a competitive roster, Lee can still maintain his dominance at the end of his career.”

Reggie Miller didn’t like to elevate Lee’s achievements, as the championship narrative would severely impact his historical status.

Hearing the two older commentators praise him loudly, he could only tactfully say:

“Clay Lee is excellent, but he’s not focused enough. Considering the competitive environment of the NBA, I think he should reduce some commercial activities.”

“Perhaps he hasn’t realized he’s about to face challenges from a new generation of players. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will contend for the championship in the coming years.”

“They have the ability to change the NBA landscape. Clay Lee shouldn’t be content with the status quo.”

When discussing the new generation of players, the other two quickly shifted the topic to tonight’s Rookie Challenge.

The quality of the Rookies in recent years has indeed been outstanding.

The first-year team was coached by Detroit Pistons assistant coach Sidney Lowe, and many of the selected players had already made their mark in the NBA:

Chris Paul of the Hornets, Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, Danny Granger of the Pacers, and Channing Frye of the Orlando Magic all had good statistics.

Charlie Villanueva of the Toronto Raptors and Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks also established themselves on their teams.

As for Nate Robinson of the Phoenix Suns and others, although they were still working hard for playing time, they could also be considered to have a promising future.

The second-year team was led by Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Silver Fox Harris.

Andre Iguodala, Emeka Okafor, and Luol Deng were all considered core players for their teams.

Dwight Howard, Ben Gordon, and Devin Harris also played important roles on their respective teams.

After the game started, Reggie Miller occasionally praised these Rookie players.

The second-year team quickly took the initiative, and when beautiful plays occurred, the home fans also cheered loudly.

Tracy McGrady, sitting in the front row, didn’t pay much attention to the situation on the court, occasionally whispering with Kobe and Kevin Garnett beside him.

“You know, Bro! In the game the night after tomorrow, we have to work harder.”

Although they had discussed this matter over the phone before, Tracy McGrady couldn’t help but bring it up again, which made Kevin Garnett next to him a bit speechless:

“This is your home court. What are you worried about? It’s an exhibition game. No one will make it difficult for you.”

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Kevin Garnett frowned slightly, responded simply, and then looked at the unhappy Kobe, who, noticing their gaze, also whispered:

“I’ve already won an All-Star award. In the game the day after tomorrow, everyone will help you.”

Kobe was still upset about the shoe contract.

Nike had slapped him in the face, interrupting his and Rob Pelinka’s plan.

Even 81 points couldn’t make him Nike’s number one.

Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett both belonged to the Adidas camp.

They weren’t yet aware of Kobe’s situation, but they could sense their friend’s mood at this moment:

“Still thinking about the playoffs? Everyone understands why our record is so bad.”

When Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett heard Tracy McGrady’s words, they knew he was referring to the “lack of help.”

With a 23-29 record, the Timberwolves had fallen behind.

At 24-28, before the All-Star Weekend, the Lakers also seemed destined to miss the playoffs after losing to the Atlanta Hawks.

The Houston Rockets were currently 22-31, making the three of them brothers in misfortune, all belonging to the ranks of bottom feeders.

The topic was too heavy, and the three of them fell silent for a moment.

Just thinking about the teams in the upper half of the standings filled their hearts with frustration.

After the second half of the game began, in the commentary box, Reggie Miller was in high spirits.

After seeing Dwight Howard complete an alley-oop dunk, he exclaimed loudly:

“Under the guidance of Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy, I’ve seen Dwight’s growth!”

“The Cavaliers will become a strong opponent for the Knicks in the future. Perhaps he can end Clay Lee’s dominance over the Eastern Conference.”

Dwight Howard, who was having fun, didn’t know that many people had placed high hopes on him.

At this moment, on the court, he laughed and shouted at Delonte West:

“Pass it again! You can throw it even higher! Everyone loves to see my dunks!”

“…”

Andre Iguodala, who scored the highest points for the Sophomore team, was focused on winning and frowned slightly at the laughing and joking Dwight Howard.

Fortunately, Head Coach Harris on the sidelines spoke up in time, which made the players on the court refocus and stop playing sloppily.

In the final few minutes of the game, the score difference fluctuated around 10 points, and the Rookie team failed to seize the opportunity.

106:96, the Sophomore team won the game, and Andre Iguodala successfully lifted the Rookie Challenge MVP trophy with a game-high 30 points.

Looking at the smiling Andre Iguodala, Kobe on the sidelines began to frown again.

In the 1997 Rookie Challenge, Lee also seemed to lift the trophy with a smile.

Connecting it to his treatment at Nike, Kobe became unhappy again.

He pursed his lips and clapped, staring at the trophy while secretly vowing:

“I will personally reclaim the treatment that belongs to me!”

On Saturday, February 18th, the All-Star Weekend media reception day officially opened.

At 9 AM, media from all over the world poured into the Toyota Center.

Since Carmelo Anthony failed to make the All-Star Game, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had accompanied their friend to Las Vegas yesterday to “relax.”

Having partied until late into the night, when they appeared at the Toyata Center in the morning, both looked a bit listless.

Fortunately, most reporters were gathered around Shaquille O’Neal at that time.

Compared to those bottom feeders in the Western Conference, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were somewhat proud.

At least their records were excellent, and their All-Star selections were purely based on skill!

“I don’t think you should have signed with Converse. Nike hasn’t done anything since acquiring that brand.”

While no one was paying attention to them yet, LeBron James, dressed in a gray tracksuit, pulled Dwyane Wade aside to whisper.

Their friendship was forged during the Olympics.

Dwyane Wade knew LeBron James coveted Clay Lee’s treatment at Nike, so he joked with a smile:

“At least I’m the biggest star at Converse! At Nike, you can only rank behind Clay Lee, and the best resources won’t be given to you.”

LeBron James disliked being “second place” and earnestly corrected his friend:

“Clay Lee is a personal sub-brand. Currently, I am the biggest star under Nike, and Kobe’s endorsement fee can’t compare to mine.”

Dwyane Wade pouted and smoothed out the wrinkles on his suit.

He disagreed with his friend’s view.

Compared to being treated as second-best, he enjoyed his status as Converse’s top star more.

Reporters quickly appeared around them.

The regular season was well underway, and both the Cavaliers and the Heat had a chance to move into the upper half of the standings.

As new-generation stars, they naturally received more attention.

Comparing salaries and endorsement contracts was also a common practice for All-Star players.

Money also represented a kind of status, which was especially important when most people didn’t have many championships.

This season, Yao Ming was again named the second most overrated player by Sports Illustrated.

Sports reporters wouldn’t miss this opportunity:

“Yao, you received so many votes for the All-Star, considering your injuries, do you think that’s fair?”

As the host, Yao Ming could only smile it off.

He was used to the media’s loose talk and would at most respond with a few sentences:

“I still have over ten years of basketball to play, and plenty of time to prove my strength.”

In contrast, Tracy McGrady’s treatment was better.

Although he had been struggling recently, he was, after all, once the “second best.”

Facing a crowd of sports reporters, a simple “if” was enough:

“If my back injury fully recovers, the Houston Rockets will make it to the Finals!”

It was almost 10 o’clock, and Tracy McGrady was in full swing with his boasts.

With Lee’s arrival, sports reporters quickly began to shift their positions.

Chinese sports media still surrounded Yao Ming.

Since their crushing defeat to the Knicks, everyone had a new understanding of Tracy McGrady’s abilities, and their respect for him had diminished somewhat.

Although the NBA had allocated time, seeing everyone flock to fawn over Lee still annoyed Tracy McGrady.

After all, he was supposed to be the main character of this year’s All-Star Game.

Having just flown from New York to Houston, Lee arrived on time.

He sat on the stage and hadn’t even had a chance to catch his breath when a British reporter with a Manchester accent asked in a muffled voice:

“Clay, there’s an FA Cup fifth-round match this afternoon. Will you be there to watch?”

Manchester United was once again facing Liverpool.

In previous Red Derbies, there was one draw and one narrow 1-0 defeat.

Clay Lee had previously predicted the matches on ESPN, and his image as a knowledgeable football fan was deeply ingrained.

“Perhaps I should consider buying a private jet. As for the FA Cup, we all know it has to make way for the league.”

Lee answered the question calmly.

He knew British reporters wanted to see some entertainment.

These Brits lacked reverence.

Ever since Manchester United was eliminated from the Champions League group stage, protests had resurfaced at Old Trafford.

Red Football Capital was once again taking the blame.

If the team performed poorly, it was all the owner’s fault!

TNT reporters weren’t concerned with that.

They had just received news that Knicks General Manager Grunfeld had submitted his resignation, and the team was looking for a new candidate.

As a championship team, the general manager’s position was very important.

Grunfeld’s departure, in the eyes of many sports media, would certainly affect the Knicks.

“Clay, we’ve received information that Isiah Thomas seems very interested in the general manager position!”

Interrupting the other party’s question, Lee didn’t want to be ambiguously linked with “the Assassin” for the next few months:

“Grunfeld has already provided us with the next candidate. Of course, I’m not at liberty to disclose that information yet.”

The surrounding sports media immediately erupted.

They hadn’t expected the Knicks’ general manager position to be already decided!

Having successfully steered the conversation, Lee, who held the initiative, secretly sighed.

Grunfeld’s departure had both gains and losses:

“A new official takes office with three fires. Perhaps in the future, I can effortlessly impart championship experience to the league…”

….

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep