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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 April 30, 2006, the NBA announced the winner of the 2005-06 Sportsmanship Award:

Clay Lee of the Knicks won this award for the first time in his career.

The news was announced in the morning, and in the afternoon, TNT reported on Tawana, Allen Iverson’s wife, tearfully recounting her interview after losing Game 3.

Perhaps not wanting to leave Philadelphia, Tawana voluntarily stepped forward, shedding tears in front of the media with her eldest daughter, speaking well of her husband:

“People don’t know what a good father and husband he is!”

“He loves his family and friends, is extremely loyal to them, he deeply loves Philadelphia, and he has given everything for this city.”

“He does make mistakes, but he also learns from them. We want to stay here, and he’s even willing to accept a sixth man role.”

His eldest daughter, Teiora, adored her father.

The little girl, only eight years old this year, also had cornrows.

Seeing her mother cry, she too began to shed tears.

Not only did family members speak out, but unnamed hangers-on, in interviews with the Philadelphia Inquirer, also accused Clay Lee of ruining Allen Iverson:

“Lee ruined Allen. His appearance made the NBA mercenary. This is not the basketball we expected.”

“Before, no one cared about statistics, and no one was keen on discussing championships. Now everything has changed.”

“Allen could have had a better career. Philadelphia is his home, he shouldn’t be traded!”

No one commented on last night’s game.

Allen Iverson also did not attend the press conference after Game 3.

The 76ers have never denied trade rumors, and Philadelphia newspapers were all filled with lamentations.

128:89. Last night’s crucial Game 3 saw more than half the fans leave the Wachovia Center before the game even ended.

The front-row spectators who remained witnessed a “slaughter.”

Out of respect, Lee played for 38 minutes.

After the game, the arena was as quiet as a library.

17 of 22 from the field, 9 of 13 from three-point range, 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, 51 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and no turnovers.

Clay Lee’s unremarkable 51 points silenced the Philadelphia sports media.

Besides lamenting, no one predicted Game 4, and no one discussed the series anymore.

Off the court, Lee never spoke ill of Allen Iverson and even often praised his old opponent.

And on the court, Lee also greatly respected Allen Iverson, giving his all every time he encountered him.

The 40:0 regular season record is the best proof!

In TNT’s pre-game show that afternoon, on one side was Lee, elegantly dressed in a blue suit, smiling and raising a toast while receiving the award.

On the other side were Allen Iverson’s crying family and friends making accusations.

The director spliced the two scenes together, and the three-person studio panel also fell silent for a moment in front of the camera.

It was truly too tragic.

They couldn’t bear to comment.

Charles Barkley, who had been clamoring to trade Allen Iverson for years, did not kick him while he was down this time. Facing the camera, he sighed and said:

“I remember a player telling me that Clay Lee is not easy to get along with, and he holds grudges. Now I believe that statement.”

“In front of the media, he is impeccable, but on the court, Clay Lee shows another side of himself. He shouldn’t humiliate Allen Iverson. He didn’t need to play 38 minutes.”

Playing 42 minutes, Allen Iverson gave his all in Game 3: 11 of 29 from the field, 2 of 7 from three-point range, 12 of 14 from the free-throw line, 36 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 turnovers.

Even after going 3 for 9 at a crucial moment in the third quarter, Allen Iverson didn’t give up and continued to play in the fourth quarter.

Kenny Smith found it difficult to comment because the 76ers did not pull their starters in the final moments, and Lee playing a few minutes in the fourth quarter was nothing to criticize:

“Should we blame him for shooting too accurately?”

The thought flashed through his mind, and ultimately Kenny Smith maintained a serious and earnest expression, tactfully commenting:

“There’s nothing to summarize about the game. A team with 39 wins, this is their true strength. We should have known this before the game.”

“Allen Iverson played very well, 36 points. His performance is worthy of a leader. Philadelphia fans shouldn’t blame him.”

Ernie Johnson also didn’t expect the 76ers to lose so badly after three games.

Even double-teaming Lee was useless.

Thinking of the tearful scenes, he could only lament:

“Leaving the Eastern Conference is not a bad thing. No longer being the focus of the media, perhaps Allen Iverson can prove himself again.”

“Don’t forget he ranked second in the league in points per game this season. He is still one of the best scorers in the league!”

This kind of talk might fool Allen Iverson’s fans, but Charles Barkley, who was beside him, instinctively retorted:

“There’s no ‘after this.’ Allen Iverson has proven he cannot be the team’s core. After this series, who will put his name alongside Clay Lee’s?”

“The fact is he led his team to tie the largest point differential in playoff history, and his individual stats were completely overshadowed by Lee. Don’t tell me they’re both All-Stars. We all know that’s a fan vote.”

After saying this, Barkley regretted it a bit. Allen Iverson was already so miserable.

He really shouldn’t hit him while he’s down.

Kenny Smith glanced at his partner, then proactively changed the subject, no longer discussing this series without suspense:

“Currently, the Cavaliers lead 3-1. If they can win tonight, they will face the Knicks in the semifinals.”

“During the regular season, the Cavaliers limited opponents to 90.2 points, ranking third in the league. Their defensive performance is even better than the Knicks.”

“Head Coach Van Gundy has spent three years building the Cavaliers into a team that excels in both offense and Defense. Perhaps the next round will be a clash of spear and shield.”

The Knicks averaged 114.2 points per game in the regular season, a terrifying offensive performance that made people despair.

If it weren’t for Kurt Thomas’s injury, perhaps no one would question the championship.

Not giving his partner a chance to ramble, Ernie Johnson immediately took over, and also previewed tonight’s game:

“The Spurs have also reached match point. Perhaps this year they will be the first team to advance to the semifinals!”

“Although Mike Miller won the Best Sixth Man award, the Grizzlies still have a long way to go to catch up with championship contenders.”

“Tim Duncan has proven himself again. He is the best big man in the league. Perhaps in a few days, he will lift his first MVP trophy at home.”

In the four games that night, the Spurs swept the Grizzlies 104-86, easily advancing to the semifinals on the road.

The Suns surprisingly lost, making the series 3-1, and the Kings seemed to still have a chance.

86:94, the Chicago Bulls won another game, and the Pistons will face a crucial Game 5 at home.

The Heat gave the Wizards no more chances, easily securing match point with a 106-90 victory.

Playing 45 minutes, 12 of 23 from the field, 1 of 3 from three-point range, 8 of 11 from the free-throw line, 33 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 turnovers.

Dwyane Wade’s completely “Lee-esque” style of play produced a perfect stat line.

After the game, there were still boos.

Pat Riley once again put on his Champion Coach demeanor, boasting again in a post-game interview:

“Everyone played great tonight, but we can do even better!”

“During the regular season, we suffered injuries. In fact, as the season progresses, the players are getting better and better, and they are full of desire for the championship!”

The slick-haired boss finally experienced the feeling of being in the spotlight again, feeling ecstatic amidst a chorus of compliments:

“This team should be coached by me!”

On Monday, May 1, as Game 4 was about to begin tonight, the New York Times continued its heavy-handed attack, showing no regard for the opponent’s feelings:

“The Clown of Philadelphia — Allen Iverson.”

Several op-eds mocked the “ugly behavior” of Allen Iverson’s family and friends over the past few days, directly labeling their tearful complaints as “clownish.”

The New York Post also took the opportunity to educate fans on how Allen Iverson “stole” the scoring title back then.

The label of “bust” further stripped Allen Iverson of his remaining honors.

His image as a “good husband” was also shattered, as the New York Media dug up old news of Allen Iverson kicking his wife out of the house naked years ago.

They also explained how Allen Iverson used his financial power to escape various lawsuits and create the persona of an “unyielding fighter.”

Mainstream newspapers also didn’t miss this opportunity, joining in to explain how many times Allen Iverson had lost over the years.

Currently, Allen Iverson only has the undisputed “Crossed Over Michael Jordan Award” and the “Clay Lee Recognition Award” left.

Perhaps his reputation will improve once he leaves the Eastern Conference.

After a few years of silence, Allen Iverson is once again popular across the United States.

It is expected that when he is traded, the old accusations will resurface.

This series completely broke Allen Iverson’s die-hard fans.

For the past two days, some radical fans have been protesting Lee outside the hotel, unable to accept such a result.

In the afternoon, when the New York Knicks team took the bus to the Wachovia Center for warm-ups, die-hard fans surrounded them, and local police had to intervene to maintain order.

Over the years, Lee has indeed offended many fan groups.

The first to break were Michael Jordan’s fans.

Ever since Lee’s last-second game-winner against the Chicago Bulls that year, Chicago has not welcomed the New York Knicks.

Closely following were the Pacers fans.

Although Stephen Jackson brought championship experience, fans still couldn’t forgive Lee for beating up Old Miller.

Detroit Pistons fans, ever since Ron Artest punched them, have also become part of the “Anti-Lee Alliance.”

Now, Philadelphia fans are completely numb.

As for Los Angeles and San Antonio, they haven’t said good things about Lee either.

The group of “victims” is growing, but Lee has also gained the most loyal win-chasers over the years!

Sitting on the bus, Lee smiled and waved out the window.

Philadelphia also has “traitors”.

Fans holding “GOAT” signs would also appear around the hotel.

Win-chasers don’t care about Allen Iverson.

They like whoever wins more.

Previously with the Atlanta Hawks, Boris Diaw was used to losing, but coming to the New York Knicks, this season he has been winning big.

The sudden reversal still makes him a bit unaccustomed:

“It’s crazy. Before the playoffs started, Allen Iverson was still a city hero. In just three games, everything changed.”

As the bus drove towards the arena, Boris Diaw sighed, and everyone discussed, while Ron Artest, jealous, said sourly:

“Even so, there are still many fans who like Allen Iverson. It’s hard to understand why this guy is so popular!”

Kurt Thomas, sitting in front, turned to look at Ron Artest, then at Grant Hill, who was quietly reading a magazine, and then joked in a low voice:

“Ron, you should know that some people are born with a superstar face. You just don’t look like a good person. Maybe you’d gain more fans if you went into boxing.”

Ron Artest was a bit unconvinced.

He didn’t indeed look great, but according to black aesthetics, Lee also looked “plain and unremarkable”:

“Damn it! We are basketball players. Who cares about that? If you like pretty faces, why don’t you go watch those Hollywood actors?”

“Why does no one judge Lee by his looks?”

“Because I am very rich!”

Hearing Lee’s joke, everyone burst into laughter.

Everyone knew that Ron Artest, who often took care of his family and friends, was extremely poor, and his salary would be spent within a few months.

Derek Fisher seized the opportunity to flatter wildly.

Old Fish had clearly read many newspapers, combining current events to naturally boast:

“Lee is the true quality idol. Allen Iverson should thank Lee. If it weren’t for playing against us, who would pay attention to a 39-win team?”

“Think about it, if it weren’t for Lee, even if the 76ers traded him, who would care?”

“Although he lost badly, at least he became the focus again.”

Pau Gasol looked bewildered, thinking Allen Iverson would rather not have such attention.

Anderson Varejão and David Lee looked at Old Fish, who was talking eloquently, and both felt they had gained new insights:

“Learned, learned!”

Before Game 4 began, many Philadelphia fans were selling their tickets, which led to a large gathering of casual fans and win-chasers at the Wachovia Center that night.

It turned out that the Philadelphia fans who resold their tickets made the correct choice.

That night was another “Allen Iverson-style loss.”

126:90, the New York Knicks’ atmosphere group struck hard.

Clay Lee delivered 15 assists in three quarters, and the game lost its suspense early.

Playing 38 minutes, 10 of 25 from the field, 1 of 3 from three-point range, and 17 of 19 from the free-throw line, Allen Iverson scored a game-high 38 points, along with 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 4 turnovers, ending his playoff journey this year.

As Lee, wearing the New York Knicks’ away blue practice uniform, walked towards the player tunnel, a happy cheer quickly erupted in the Wachovia Center:

“MVP! MVP! MVP!”

Clay Lee smiled and waved as he left the court.

On the other side, Allen Iverson sat on the bench, covering his face with his hands, not getting up for a long time.

Tawana, sitting in the front row, silently shed tears while holding her eldest daughter.

Coach Cheeks did not blame his players.

The gap between the core players was insurmountable, and they never responded to their opponent’s offense in the series.

Although Andre Iguodala was a beneficiary of the trade, seeing his former boss silently shedding tears, he couldn’t help but go over and comfort him:

“No one will blame you, Allen! Many fans still support us tonight.”

His eyes red from crying, Allen Iverson stood up and noticed the mother and daughter crying in the front row, and his emotions became even more agitated:

“I messed up everything.”

Andre Iguodala and the atmosphere group escorted a tearful Allen Iverson, who was bowing his head, towards the player tunnel.

The 76ers fans in the arena silently watched everyone leave.

Everyone knew that Allen Iverson’s career in Philadelphia was over.

After the game, Derek Fisher and Michael Finley represented the New York Knicks at the press conference.

Tonight, they once again struck hard, frequently firing from beyond the arc.

TNT, as the broadcaster, did not consider Allen Iverson’s feelings and directly asked:

“Michael, tell us about your feelings on the first-round series. In all four games, you dominated your opponents. What was the reason for such an outstanding offensive performance?”

Michael Finley’s dark face broke into a smile.

Although he felt some sympathy for Allen Iverson, he still proactively boasted:

“Lee’s performance motivated us. He completely suppressed their core on both offense and Defense. Many times, all we had to do was make those open jump shots.”

“By leading his teammates in different ways every game, Lee makes the game simple. He is a selfless leader!”

Old Fish continued to boast explicitly, which made the Philadelphia media attending the press conference very uncomfortable.

When Allen Iverson appeared later, head bowed, the atmosphere became even more oppressive.

Allen Iverson, with reddened eyes, looked at the sports media below with clear eyes, no longer showing his rebellious expression.

His voice hoarsely apologized to everyone:

“I’m sorry to my fans who supported me. I messed up everything.”

“I’ve been here for 10 years. I love Philadelphia. If a trade happens, it’s not what I want. I want to stay here.”

Some Philadelphia sports reporters felt a mix of emotions.

This was the first time Allen Iverson formally bowed his head to them.

The “Rebel Kid” was finally completely softened by Clay Lee.

In the games played concurrently that night, 92:102, the Cavaliers also didn’t waste the opportunity, sweeping the Nets with a 4:1 series score.

Suddenly, Champion Coach Van Gundy and the The Chosen One LeBron James once again became the focus of sports media.

Making it to the Conference Semifinals for two consecutive years, LeBron James was naturally very happy.

Dwight Howard, after the game, was even jumping and cheering loudly with the fans.

“Our work is not over yet. The semifinals are not our destination. Our talent can support the team to a higher stage!”

LeBron James said this with confidence during his post-game interview on the sidelines with ESPN.

He believed Van Gundy’s words that the playoffs are also a battle of momentum.

The jubilant Dwight Howard was already doing a stiff dance on the sidelines.

Finally, he rushed to the camera, smiled, and shouted loudly:

“Our era is coming soon!”

On tuesday, May 2nd, the NBA announced the 2005-06 Most Improved Player (MIP) award:

Boris Diaw of the New York Knicks narrowly defeated David West of the Hornets in the voting to win the award.

After the news was announced, New York fans were happy again.

Although Boris Diaw’s stats were mediocre, he left a deep impression during his time as a starter after Kurt Thomas’s injury.

Boris Diaw, who flew back to New York overnight, was just in time to receive the award.

From being a misfit disliked by the Atlanta Hawks to a championship puzzle piece for the New York Knicks, his reputation changed dramatically in just one season!

Perhaps influenced by the team’s atmosphere, Boris Diaw, upon receiving the award, uncharacteristically made a grand statement:

“I’m very happy to win this award, but we will achieve even more this season. For the first time, I feel so close to a championship.”

The highly anticipated Battle of the Peaks that night saw the Pistons easily defeat the Chicago Bulls 82:98, successfully securing a match point.

The Heat also gave the Washington Wizards no further chances, easily advancing to the semifinals with a 4:1 series lead.

The situation in the Eastern Conference was already clear.

The upper-bracket teams held a significant advantage, and no upsets occurred.

In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns also gentleman-swept the Sacramento Kings 116:102, and their semifinal opponent would be the Clippers, who had completed an upset.

Due to a locker room explosion that led to Kenyon Martin’s suspension, coupled with Carmelo Anthony’s injury and poor performance (shooting just over 30% in the series), the Denver Nuggets were once again eliminated in the first round.

On April 3rd, there was only one game, with the Lakers protecting their home court, bringing the series to 1:3.

Tonight was a do-or-die game.

Before the series, many commentators were still expecting Kobe to explode, but unfortunately, the Dallas Mavericks’ double-team Defense and Dirk Nowitzki’s stellar performance largely removed any suspense from the game.

Kwame Brown, the recipient of the “Michael Jordan Recognition Award,” performed extremely poorly in this series, with some missed layups even making Phil Jackson shake his head.

A Champion Coach falling to a rookie coach was not a new occurrence.

The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man’s prestige had long since vanished.

For the do-or-die game, during the afternoon warm-up, Kobe, interviewed by the Dallas Morning News, looked serious.

Besides expressing his full commitment, he also spoke out again for Allen Iverson:

“Yes, I saw the news. Philadelphia fans shouldn’t blame Allen.”

“A championship isn’t simple. Not every team has excellent complementary pieces. Look at how much luxury tax the New York Knicks paid for their roster.”

“In fact, we shouldn’t compare Allen and Lee. Clay Lee is very successful, but he has always been surrounded by excellent players.”

The Fox Sports reporter nearby naturally caught the underlying meaning—Kobe was dissatisfied with the Lakers’ roster.

Realizing this, he continued to stir the pot, asking:

“Kobe, was the Lakers’ championship also built on an excellent roster? You had Shaquille O’Neal, the league’s top center, at the time.”

Frowning, Kobe interrupted the reporter before he could finish, knowing what he was about to say:

“I’ve never denied any of that. Our roster back then was excellent, but I didn’t win the championship solely because of Shaquille O’Neal.”

“You can judge me however you want, but I will prove myself again. If you’ve watched my games this year, you should know my performance is no less than Clay Lee’s. We are both championship-level guards.”

The ESPN reporter seemed to hear the biggest joke and couldn’t hold back, quipping:

“Do you also have MVP or Finals MVP trophies?”

Noticing the mocking glances from everyone, Kobe’s face fell, and for a moment, he could only reiterate his strength:

“Basketball speaks on the court. You haven’t watched my games completely. I never play for honors. I only pursue victory.”

Before the game that evening began, the Fox Sports reporter took the lead in fabricating news, quickly updating the internet with the headline:

“Kobe Bryant: If I were in New York, I would achieve more than Clay Lee!”

That night, Jerry Stackhouse exploded off the Dallas Mavericks’ bench, and the Lakers lost on the road 100:110, resulting in a 4:1 series defeat and a gentleman’s sweep.

Despite being frequently double-teamed, Kobe Bryant shot 9-of-18 from the field, 3-of-7 from three, and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, efficiently scoring 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 5 turnovers.

However, he became a laughingstock after the game.

Nobody cared what Kobe actually said.

Fans only remembered his big-mouthed bragging.

On April 4th, New York fans chuckled again as they read the newspaper.

Since the semifinals were scheduled for Sunday, April 7th, everyone had to find entertainment in the news recently.

The team next door lost again, and Vince Carter’s bricklaying performance had fans laughing for days.

Kobe’s bragging was equally amusing to fans—a 44-win bottom-feeder claiming to pursue victory?

With the NBA about to announce the Regular Season Most Valuable Player award, New York commentators recently resumed mocking Tim Duncan’s supposedly non-dominant statistics.

As for Allen Iverson, he had already been forgotten by fans.

Fans even disdained the idea of a “stat-padder” coming to New York to play off the bench.

That afternoon, the Knicks finished practice early.

By just before 4 PM, Lee was back at his Tarrytown home.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, who had been waiting in the study for a long time, proudly shared his news:

“Lee, guess who James Dolan finally chose?”

Various sports media outlets had already speculated about the general manager’s choice.

Seeing Mark Bartelstein’s expression, Lee knew there had to be some unexpected development.

Without thinking, he simply teased:

“Don’t tell me it’s Isiah Thomas? Did he get the job through personal friendship?”

Mark Bartelstein immediately burst into laughter.

That was the most unreliable answer.

Even if James Dolan agreed, the management would object.

A rookie manager trying to lead a championship team?

“The news I got is that Donnie Walsh got the job. You know, he’s a New Yorker. Although he worked for the Pacers for many years, his resume is very convincing.”

Hearing this news, Lee was indeed surprised.

Donnie Walsh was doing well with the Pacers, and he hadn’t expected him to suddenly resign.

Previously, Grunfeld had recommended Steve Mills of the Knicks, a Black executive who had worked for the NBA.

He joined the Knicks in 2003 as MSG’s Chief Operating Officer and President of Sports Business.

An internal selection would have helped stabilize the team, but the curly-haired owner ultimately chose an outsider.

“Perhaps this is also a good thing. After all, an outsider has no reservations. You should understand that!”

Looking at his agent’s meaningful expression, Lee shrugged and didn’t deny it.

He sat down in the chair behind his desk and casually asked:

“It seems there’s more than just that news. What’s your new move?”

Having recently signed Rudy Gay from the University of Connecticut, Mark Bartelstein had made another fortune.

Thinking of the planned trade, he immediately lowered his voice and explained:

“Schwartz contacted me before the playoffs started. The Chicago Bulls want to trade Tyson Chandler, and they’re interested in PJ Brown.”

“You know, Chris Paul is just a rookie, and the Hornets have no hope for the next few years, so Schwartz wants to bring Chandler to New York.”

Hearing this news, Lee was somewhat surprised.

Ever since the Chicago Bulls acquired Champion Guard Sprewell, the relationship between the two teams had gradually deteriorated.

Chandler and Amare Stoudemire belonged to the same agency.

Helping a competitor, Mark Bartelstein clearly had greater ambitions.

“Besides PJ Brown, are there any other conditions?”

Lee got to the point, and Mark Bartelstein didn’t deny it, very frankly explaining:

“I signed JR Smith. If possible, I’d like to bring him to New York. Although he has some personality issues, his talent is outstanding.”

Rubbing his chin, Lee pondered for a moment and didn’t immediately agree, simply responding:

“Let’s discuss this after the Finals.”

No refusal meant there was a chance.

Mark Bartelstein smiled and immediately got up.

He had to continue working on this trade:

“Lee, trust me, these trades will help you keep winning!”

Scarlett, dressed lightly, had just returned home and saw Mark Bartelstein leaving in high spirits.

The latter saw the young woman and smiled, complimenting her:

“Miss Scarlett, you’re looking more beautiful than ever!”

Noticing his good mood, Scarlett smiled in response and quickly went to the study, snuggling into Lee’s arms and curiously asking:

“Did Mark make money again? He’s always in Manhattan lately.”

Wrapping his arm around the young woman’s slender waist, Lee shook his head and murmured into her embrace:

“Make money? Sometimes power is more enjoyable.”

….

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

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep