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***
At the end of the 2004-05 NBA regular season, the NBA announced an exciting piece of news.
This season, the league's average attendance and total attendance both increased, surpassing the record set in the 1995-96 season.
The average attendance was 17,314 fans, exceeding the 95-96 season's record of 17,252 fans per game.
The data also showed that NBA arenas reached 90% capacity, which was the third-highest record of all time and the highest since the 97-98 season.
The new rules seemed to have a significant impact, though the above figures did not include data from the Charlotte Bobcats, who had just entered the league.
In response, David Stern also sang praises during interviews over the past two days:
"The league is getting better and better. Many teams have shown competitiveness this year, which is definitely what the fans expect!"
"Congratulations to the 16 teams that made it to the playoffs. The league assures fans that this year will definitely deliver exciting games!"
David Stern painted a grand picture for the fans in advance, but one thing the Commissioner was right about: from a record standpoint, the teams were closely matched in strength.
The eight teams that made it to the Eastern Conference playoffs were:
The Knicks with 63 wins, the Heat with 59 wins, the Detroit Pistons with 53 wins, the Cavaliers with 47 wins.
The Chicago Bulls with 46 wins, the Washington Wizards with 43 wins, the Pacers with 42 wins, and the Nets with 41 wins.
The eight teams that made it to the Western Conference playoffs were:
The San Antonio Spurs with 60 wins, the Phoenix Suns with 55 wins, the Seattle SuperSonics with 52 wins, the Dallas Mavericks with 57 wins.
The Houston Rockets with 50 wins, the Sacramento Kings with 50 wins, the Denver Nuggets with 46 wins, and the Timberwolves with 44 wins.
The 76ers, with 39 wins, ranked 9th in the Eastern Conference, while the Clippers, with 37 wins, ranked 9th in the Western Conference.
The highly anticipated Lakers ultimately only managed 34 wins, and Kobe's first year leading the team failed, turning them into a complete bottom-feeder.
Regarding this result, Shaquille O'Neal, who recently suffered a thigh contusion, was overjoyed and repeatedly mocked him:
"Without me, the Lakers are a second-rate team. They will never win a championship!"
"Phil is right, some players are uncoachable. He doesn't want to run plays. He just wants to show off on the court."
"He's not Michael Jordan. It's useless no matter how similar his moves are. Without my help, he can't even become an All-Star player!"
In the Eastern Conference, the Heat won the Southeast Division title, and the Detroit Pistons won the Central Division title, which didn't have much impact on the rankings.
In contrast, the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference's Southwest Division were the unluckiest, being suppressed by the Phoenix Suns, the Pacific Division champions, and the Seattle SuperSonics, the Northwest Division champions, only ranking fourth.
Regarding such rules, Mark Cuban has been frequently complaining to the media these past two days, while on the Seattle SuperSonics side, who benefited from it, Ray Allen once again spoke bluntly in an interview:
"The Dallas Mavericks might not want to face opponents like the Houston Rockets. I understand them!"
"But true strong teams should not fear challenges. In the playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics are willing to face any opponent."
"You should have been paying attention to us long ago, instead of discussing a team with 34 wins!"
"Kobe Bryant wants to prove he's better than Shaquille O'Neal. He's jealous of Clay Lee, but he's never recognized his own strength. Facts prove he's just an ordinary All-Star level player."
ESPN has been constantly reporting on the Lakers recently:
"Phil Jackson might return to Los Angeles next season to continue coaching the Lakers."
"Vanessa might lose her and Kobe's child!"
"Kobe believes management will make the right choice. The Lakers need a great coach."
Although the Lakers became a source of constant news, the buzz didn't die down after the regular season ended.
Ray Allen was very dissatisfied with this.
The Seattle SuperSonics achieved such good results, yet no one was discussing them!
On April 23rd, the NBA announced the statistical leaders for the season!
Kevin Garnett of the Timberwolves won the Rebounding King with an average of 13.5 rebounds per game.
Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns won his first career Assist King with an average of 11.0 assists per game.
Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz was elected Block King with an average of 3.3 blocks per game.
Larry Hughes of the Washington Wizards won the Steals King with an average of 2.9 steals per game.
Clay Lee of the Knicks led the scoring list by a significant margin, once again defending his Scoring King title with an average of 35.0 points per game!
After the awards were announced, Allen Iverson was particularly upset.
This season, he played 75 games and averaged 30.7 points.
Compared to his extremely inefficient performance in the 01-02 season, his field goal percentage also rose to 42.4%, and his efficiency improved, but he still couldn't win an award.
The Philadelphia Inquirer also reported related news, while not forgetting to mock the 76ers this season:
"We don't know how much time Allen Iverson has left in Philadelphia, but it's clear he can't lead the team to a championship!"
The disappointment of Philadelphia fans deeply hurt Allen Iverson.
Without an All-Star selection, without the playoffs, and without the support of the fans, Allen Iverson fell silent again during an interview.
In previous years, he explained his disputes with Larry Brown at press conferences, but now, Allen Iverson only murmured:
"I want to stay in Philadelphia. This is my home. I love this city!"
"..."
On the evening of the 23rd, the first round of the playoffs was about to begin.
The Knicks continued to receive significant attention, with their G1 against the Nets scheduled to be broadcast by ABC tomorrow night.
G2 and G3 will be handled by TNT, and G4 will again be ABC.
Both broadcasters do not believe there will be a G5, and TNT is very satisfied with this.
One home game and one away game will determine the series' momentum.
Tomorrow night's game hasn't even started, but the hype has already begun.
Every year when the statistical leaders are announced, ESPN's data experts provide commentary.
However, the simple advanced statistic of PER no longer holds much reference value, as Clay Lee has once again blown it out of the water.
Clay Lee played the full regular season, averaging 36.4 minutes per game, with 35.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.9 turnovers per game.
He averaged 22.1 field goal attempts per game, with a 52.6% field goal percentage, 9.5 three-point attempts per game from beyond the arc, with a 46.0% three-point percentage.
He averaged 8.0 free throws per game, with a 93.2% free throw percentage.
He scored 2872 points in a single season, with an effective field goal percentage of 62.5%, a true shooting percentage of 68.5%, and an efficiency rating of 40.5.
With a usage rate as high as 38.6%, Clay Lee delivered superhuman statistics.
In addition to reporting on Lee's Scoring King title, New York mainstream media also didn't forget to boast about his records:
"GOAT â The first player in NBA history to achieve 35+5+10!"
"361 three-pointers in a single season, breaking Clay Lee's own record!"
"The best player on Earth is dominating the NBA!"
Since Lee's Excel sheet was released, no basketball commentator has discussed the MVP award.
The gap was too wide.
Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan were simply not on the same level.
Shaquille O'Neal suffered another injury towards the end of the season, ultimately playing only 73 games, averaging 22.9 points and 10.4 rebounds, with a 60.1% field goal percentage and a 46.1% free throw percentage.
Tim Duncan, also suffering from injuries, ultimately played only 66 games, averaging 20.3 points and 11.1 rebounds, with a 49.6% field goal percentage and a 67.0% free throw percentage.
Although both MVP candidates achieved double-doubles, commentators found it difficult to vote.
In TNT's program, in addition to discussing the four games of the day, they also didn't forget Clay Lee's new record.
Ernie Johnson chuckled as he talked about Lee's recent gossip:
"In a few days, Clay Lee will be on the cover of People magazine. This is his second time as a cover person."
"It's said that Clay Lee was also selected among the 50 Most Beautiful/Sexiest Men in the World, and only four athletes were included in this issue."
"Football star David Beckham, tennis prodigy Maria Sharapova, and former NFL player Tim Green."
"No longer limited to basketball, Clay Lee's influence is growing!"
Kenny Smith also ignored his silent partner next to him and joined in the bragging:
"Our colleagues are still sorting out the win shares. Perhaps soon we will be able to understand Lee's impact on the game from another perspective."
"However, the last time Clay Lee scored high, the Knicks lost the championship, which is indeed an opportunity for other teams."
"Chuck, don't you like this news? Or are you jealous of Lee's achievements?"
Charles Barkley immediately said indignantly when he heard the question:
"I'm not blind, I saw the Merrill Lynch news, an acquisition of over 700 million pounds!"
"Damn it! If I had that much money when I was playing, I'd also be selected for this list of the world's most beautiful faces!"
"The Knicks will still make it to the Conference Finals this year, just look at their opponents in the playoffs."
"They'll face the injured Nets in the first round, and an inexperienced rookie team in the semifinals."
"There's almost no suspense in such a game. Nets fans won't believe a word from Jason Kidd and Vince Carter!"
The director then cut to a TNT interview, where Kidd, frowning, stated to reporters:
"We beat the Knicks during the regular season. I don't care how many times we lost in the past. I've long forgotten those experiences."
"I hope Nets fans can come to the Continental Airlines Arena to support us!"
"We've been through a lot this season. Richard Jefferson's left wrist injury hasn't fully recovered, but for the sake of victory, he's willing to return early."
"We won't be easily knocked down. I'll stay with the Nets until I win a championship for the team."
Carter also didn't smile during his interview, speaking with a solemn expression:
"I'm very happy to be in the playoffs. I don't want to talk about my Raptors experience. Everyone is completely focused on tomorrow night's game."
"Clay Lee is excellent, but basketball is a five-person game!"
After showing this interview clip, Charles Barkley laughed and loudly said to the camera:
"It's okay, Kidd! Let me remind you, ever since you joined the Nets, you've been swept by Lee in the playoffs."
"Just like in the past, you have no chance this year. Stop talking about staying with the Nets. We all know you want to team up with Kevin Garnett."
"As for Carter, he's performed well from beyond the arc this year, but that can't help the team. Yes, you're doomed to lose!"
"âŠ"
Regardless of the final outcome, online ticket sales for the Continental Airlines Arena have already begun for these two days, with "Screaming Seats" starting at $15.
If the series goes to Game 6, ticket prices will increase even further.
New York fans actively bought tickets.
As in previous years, this was everyone's favorite schedule.
After all, home game ticket prices were too expensive, and the second team was not far away, so going to an away game was also very cost-effective.
The Nets, who had already arrived in Manhattan, found that their team's popularity was even less than that of the Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls.
These two rising new teams attracted more fan attention, and New York fans had already tacitly assumed a first-round sweep.
Not wanting the media to damage his players' morale, Frank proactively relieved pressure on his players during the afternoon interview:
"Richard Jefferson is a true warrior. You should know that his left wrist injury in January still hasn't fully recovered."
"His return has encouraged everyone, and this is the Nets' spirit of pursuing victory and never giving up!"
The words of this young Head Coach did not resonate with sports media.
The Nets' record was simply not good enough.
Although Richard Jefferson was on the team's roster, he was unlikely to start in tomorrow night's game.
In an interview with reporters, Richard Jefferson did not deny this news, candidly stating:
"My wrist is indeed not 100% recovered. It's probably only about 70%."
"This is the Nets' most difficult season, but I believe my teammates will burst with energy in the game."
After checking in, the Nets were no longer the focus of attention.
No one wanted to hear their bold declarations.
At the Tarrytown Training Center, Mike D'Antoni made no special arrangements.
He just needed to limit the opponent's two scorers.
Training continued as usual.
Clay Lee had been busy with photoshoots for the past two days, and after receiving his trophy this morning, he was also free.
He was very satisfied with this year's schedule.
It was always better to play against weaker teams than to chew on hard bones.
Ewing, as an assistant coach, was still helping Pau Gasol recover.
At the end of the afternoon training session, the players could go home, but the coaching staff had to continue watching game footage.
From a work-hour perspective, players were more relaxed.
Ewing had been an assistant coach for several years and had recently started to worry.
While Lee was still around, the Gorilla, whose figure had grown stout in his training uniform, quietly complained:
"The opponent is so weak, yet we still have to keep working. That's why I don't like being a coach."
Players left one after another, leaving only assistant coaches and staff on the training ground.
Lee had only done a simple warm-up today, and upon hearing the complaint, he said with a smile:
"Perhaps you should submit a resume to Georgetown University. College basketball might be easier."
"How's Pau doing? He only played 60 games this year. Plantar fasciitis is indeed a terrible injury."
When the topic of injuries came up, Ewing looked somewhat helpless.
It was something no team could avoid:
"It will still affect his athletic ability, most likely due to fatigue. Duncan also participated in the Olympics. We can refer to his condition given the same injury."
"The medical team doesn't recommend him gaining weight, but Pau himself is quite optimistic. You know, to perform better in international competitions, this is the right choice."
There was also the World Championship for men's basketball in 2006, and Pau Gasol was very enthusiastic about it.
The Knicks, however, did not like him participating in the game.
Lee had no objection to this choice.
When he thought about the attendance issue, he could only simply state:
"Playing around 70 games in a season is enough. Management doesn't need to interfere with personal choices!"
"âŠ"
The Knicks had no secrets.
News about Pau Gasol wanting to gain more weight and participate in the 2006 World Championship had recently been revealed.
James Dolan was busy feuding with City Hall, and regarding this matter, only General Manager Grunfeld commented:
"Too many games may affect the player's health, but we support Pau's choice."
The four playoff games played yesterday sparked heated discussions among basketball commentators.
LeBron James achieved his first playoff victory in his career.
91:99, relying on excellent Defense, the Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls in a rookie showdown.
The Detroit Pistons also easily defeated the Washington Wizards with their tough Defense.
In the Western Conference, 98:86, the Houston Rockets snatched an away victory!
Yao Ming performed poorly due to foul trouble, shooting just 3-of-8 for only 11 points.
Tracy McGrady had a huge breakout game, shooting 14-of-27 for a game-high 34 points.
The Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Sacramento Kings.
Ray Allen shot 8-of-23, 3-of-7 from three-point range, and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, scoring a game-high 28 points, along with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 turnover.
Aside from the Dallas Mavericks' upset loss, most predictions aligned with the commentators' expectations.
On sunday, April 24th, at 2:40 PM, Madison Square Garden was already filled with New York fans.
With 20 minutes left until the game, Al Michaels, with short brown hair, frowned subtly at the ABC commentary table, looking at the starting lineup and complaining:
"Brian Scalabrine, who has entered the starting lineup, is 6 feet 9 inches tall. I'm not optimistic about his performance on the defensive end."
"Perhaps Frank wants to use height advantage to suppress the opponent, but how to defend the pick-and-roll becomes the biggest problem."
Hubie Brown, beside him, also found it difficult to comment on the Nets' starting lineup, only tactfully saying:
"Perhaps Frank wants to test the opponent's shooting. I believe they have a greater rebound advantage, but the prerequisite is that the Knicks must miss their outside shots."
After both teams' players completed their introductions, the Madison Square Garden became lively.
Mike D'Antoni, seeing the opponent surprisingly field a twin-tower lineup, smiled and sat on the bench, waiting for the game to begin.
Kidd and Carter formed the backcourt, while the three frontcourt players were Brian Scalabrine, Kostic, and Jason Collins.
A white forward, plus two 2.10-meter big men, this lineup's scoring relied entirely on the backcourt.
During warm-ups, both Kidd and Carter were somewhat silent.
Playing in the playoffs was a good thing, but facing the Knicks always felt like they were going to be swept.
As the game was about to begin, the head referee signaled both teams' players to the center circle.
The New York fans in the Madison Square Garden stood up, waving their orange handkerchiefs, and the cheers grew louder and louder.
Clay Lee, "fully armed," smiled and greeted the Nets.
Collins forced a smile.
He really didn't want to play against his old team again.
Kidd watched Lee stop at the very back, instinctively frowning.
Carter adjusted the headband on his head, his expression equally serious.
As the basketball was tipped to midcourt by Pau Gasol, the Nets quickly retreated to defend.
In the first offensive possession, when Lee dribbled past midcourt, the opponent did not aggressively double-team him.
Both of their big men were deep near the baseline.
Kidd, leading the Defense, saw Raja Bell and Tayshaun Prince starting to move towards the corner.
Behind him, Pau Gasol came up for a screen, and Kidd immediately stepped up to defend closely.
Kurt Thomas and Pau Gasol simultaneously moved up, and as Lee stepped to the left wing, Raja Bell quickly slipped along the baseline.
Pau Gasol turned a corner and settled on the wing, creating a local two-on-two, faking a screen and immediately rolling down.
Jason Kidd was still directing Jason Collins for a big hedge, and at this point, he had to switch Defenses, trying to cut off Lee's passing lane.
At the same time, Jason Collins also raised his left arm, waving to interfere, preventing Lee from getting the ball to the basket in time.
Facing the switched big man, Lee seemed to be back in his usual training, dribbling the ball between his legs with his left hand before raising his center of gravity.
He paused slightly at the three-point line, and as his opponent moved up again to interfere, Lee sped up his dribble and suddenly dribbled behind his back.
With his left hand, he naturally led the ball forward, and Lee lowered his center of gravity, feigning a breakthrough.
Jason Collins had just slid backward to the right and didn't have time to adjust his body when he saw Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, quickly explode dribble and step back to the three-point line.
Facing the familiar offensive move, Jason Collins instinctively jumped to block but was still half a beat late, watching Lee drift backward to the left and shoot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
The cheers erupting in the Madison Square Garden made Frank on the sidelines depressed.
No matter how many times they watched the tape, the coaching staff couldn't solve the problem of defending the pick-and-roll.
Jason Kidd under the basket saw Clay Lee retreating on Defense and could only remind his teammates to stay calm.
"Defense!"
Amidst the defensive cheers, Jason Kidd made a tactical hand gesture early.
Jason Kidd dribbled past the half-court line, and the big man Kostic directly posted up on the left low block, asking for the ball.
Lee actively provided body contact, not letting Jason Kidd easily get the ball to the inside, and at the same time, Kurt Thomas also started to front, not letting the opponent easily receive the ball.
At this moment, Vince Carter quickly started, slipping along the baseline from left to right, using Jason Collins' screen near the left baseline, and immediately popped out to the left elbow area.
Raja Bell had been chasing on Defense behind him, lost his defensive position briefly after being delayed, and by the time he caught up to Vince Carter's side, Jason Kidd had just delivered a cross-court pass.
Vince Carter, who received the ball near the free-throw line, didn't make any adjustments, drifting to the left and quickly shooting a mid-range jump shot.
Kidd wanted to rush in for the rebound but was squeezed behind by Lee.
The two stopped in the paint, the ball bounced off the rim, and Pau Gasol easily secured the defensive rebound.
Lee stepped up to receive, and the New York Knicks players accelerated towards half-court.
Jason Kidd led the Defense early, attempting to delay their advance.
Facing the Defense, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, sprinted in a straight line, forcing Jason Kidd to only slide.
At the top of the arc, Lee suddenly stopped, dribbled behind his back, slowed down the rhythm, and waited again for the opponent to double-team.
Amidst the fans' cheers, as the two New York Knicks wings moved to the corners again, Clay Lee, with no one to help on Defense, simply waved his hand.
Jason Kidd, with a lowered center of gravity, had just placed his arm by Lee's side and immediately slid backward to the left.
Lee, leaning in to accelerate, suddenly stopped again, pulled back with a cross-step, returned to the three-point line, and then performed two extremely quick in-and-out dribbles in place.
Jason Kidd had to stick close again, no longer using his arm to feel the Defense, but staring intently at the basketball in Lee's hands.
Feinting to the left front, and taking advantage of Jason Kidd sliding to the right, Lee naturally changed direction in front of his body.
His left hand instinctively went down to steal the ball, and Jason Kidd almost completed the steal, but the basketball just cleared his fingertips, rebounded, and returned to Lee's hands.
Accelerating with the ball in his right hand to break through, Lee instantly shook off the Defense.
Noticing Jason Kidd chasing from behind again, he suddenly stopped at the free-throw line.
Jason Kidd was bumped by Lee's hip and lost his balance, unable to make a defensive move, watching Clay Lee accelerate a second time and shoot a floater.
"Swish!" The two-pointer went in steadily.
"Guys, you should double-team me!"
Lee patted the grim-faced Kidd beside him.
The latter was in no mood to talk.
He knew the Nets had to score quickly.
Soon, Jason Kidd, who received the ball on the baseline, began to direct his teammates to their positions.
He dribbled past half-court and quickly passed the ball to Jason Collins in the right elbow area.
The high-low cooperation failed.
The switched Pau Gasol battled for position with Kostic under the basket, disrupting the opponent's pass.
As Jason Kidd brought Lee to the left wing, Vince Carter received a handoff from his opponent on the other side.
Unable to shake off Tayshaun Prince's Defense, Vince Carter, on the right wing, drove with the ball in his right hand.
In the elbow area, after slowing down, Vince Carter turned his body to protect the ball.
Observing Kurt Thomas retreating to the paint, he immediately passed the ball back to Jason Collins at the free-throw line.
Without interference, Jason Collins decisively shot an air ball.
At the same time, the referee called a foul on Kostic for pulling Pau Gasol under the basket.
"Wow!"
Seeing the opponent fail to score a single point after the start, the New York fans on site became even more excited, and the cheers grew louder.
When he received the ball on the baseline and dribbled past half-court again, Lee saw that the defender in front of him had become Vince Carter.
"Let's go Knicks!"
Amidst the increasingly loud cheers, observing that Jason Kidd had moved to guard Raja Bell, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, slowed his steps and moved sideways to the left wing.
The same tactic: as Raja Bell slipped along the baseline from left to right, Jason Kidd hesitated for a moment but still chose to continue chasing on Defense.
Jason Collins initially thought Pau Gasol was going to set a high screen but realized it was an isolation play.
Vince Carter also glanced behind him, slightly distracted, and Lee seized the opportunity to suddenly change direction between his legs.
The moment he switched to his right hand, his center of gravity dropped.
Vince Carter instinctively slid backward to the left, and Clay Lee naturally dribbled behind his back.
Suddenly speeding up his dribble, after switching to his left hand, Lee feigned a breakthrough again.
Carter, whose right foot was attacked, had no time to adjust, watching Lee explode dribble and step back.
On the left wing outside the three-point line, Lee ignored Carter jumping to contest, leaned back slightly, and quickly shot a jump shot!
"Swish!" Another three-pointer went in!
Vince Carter, after landing, twitched the corner of his mouth, seeing Clay Lee raise his left arm, holding up three fingers, and the painful memories of previous years resurfaced.
0:8, trailing from the start, Frank on the sidelines could only loudly remind his players to "stay calm."
Subconsciously speeding up the advance, Jason Kidd directed Kostic to post up on the left low block.
Coming to the left wing, Jason Kidd immediately passed the ball to the big man inside.
The moment Kostic received the ball, Lee followed the ball to the paint, cooperating with Kurt Thomas to complete the double-team.
The big man was so scared he didn't dare to release the ball, hastily passing it to the unguarded Jason Kidd on the perimeter.
The pass quality wasn't high, but after adjusting, Kidd found that Lee hadn't retreated on Defense.
Undefended, Jason Kidd decisively shot an air ball on a wide-open three-pointer from the left wing.
The long rebound bounced out, and Jason Kidd still wanted to get the rebound, but as he moved his feet, Lee was a step ahead, securing the rebound at the left elbow area.
Dribbling behind his back to evade the Defense, Lee, with the ball in his right hand, accelerated in a straight line.
For a moment, Jason Kidd could only slide desperately, the two entangled as they rushed past half-court.
Both players quickly rushed towards half-court at this point.
Vince Carter was still calling for teammates to match up, and on the right wing, Lee suddenly stopped after crossing the three-point line.
With a large behind-the-back dribble, he shook off Jason Kidd, and Lee naturally stepped back, returning to outside the three-point line.
As both players had just stopped, Lee, on the right wing, shot a decisive pull-up three-pointer over Jason Kidd's contest!
"OH--! Clay Lee! Unbelievable!"
At the commentary table, watching the three-pointer swish through the net, Michaels couldn't hold back and shouted along.
Hubie Brown was also stunned.
The old coach blinked, subconsciously sighing:
"Facing Clay Lee's hot streak, the Nets have no chance!"
0:11, on the bench, Mike D'Antoni stood up and came to the sidelines, smiling and applauding.
Compared to Frank on the other side, who had already started scratching his head, Mike D'Antoni seemed confident.
Madison Square Garden was already boiling at this point, and as Clay Lee waved, the cheers almost broke through the Madison Square Garden.
Back on the bench, Mike D'Antoni even had the leisure to joke with the coaching staff:
"Victory is that simple, we're up by double digits!"
"..."
It was Kostic who broke the deadlock for the Nets.
Vince Carter drove hard to the basket, drawing Kurt Thomas's help Defense, and passed the ball to his trailing teammate, who laid the ball in amidst the crowd.
Having just retreated to half-court, Jason Collins saw Pau Gasol stop on the left wing and heard Jason Kidd's reminder, so he quickly hedged early.
Lee, with the ball in his left hand, accelerated horizontally using the screen.
As the opposing big man stepped up to stick to him, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity and led the ball forward with his left hand.
Jason Collins hadn't had time to bend down when Clay Lee had already subtly squeezed past by brushing his leg.
Regaining control of the ball, Lee, with the ball in his left hand, broke through to the basket in the blink of an eye.
After three big steps, he took off near the paint.
Switching to his right hand in the air, Lee briefly hung in the air, swung his arm, and slammed it down!
"Boom!"
The rim rattled, and the cheers erupting again in the Madison Square Garden made Kostic, who had returned to the basket, feel dizzy.
He even had the illusion of a practice game.
Jason Kidd completely lost his composure, gesturing a tactical hand signal to his teammates, indicating an early double-team on Defense.
Trailing by double digits from the start disrupted the Nets' offensive rhythm.
Carter failed to step up.
Raja Bell and Prince took turns defending him, and several of his catch-and-shoot jumpers missed badly.
Turning back, they double-teamed Lee early.
Raja Bell seized the opportunity after missing his shot and made a three-pointer from the left wing.
Every time Kostic received the ball in the low post, he could only pass when Lee double-teamed him.
Despite the ball going in and out, Kidd's pull-up jumper from the left block still clanked off the rim.
Suddenly, everyone on the Knicks' bench burst into laughter, as if their opponents were possessed by a blacksmith.
Kostic, seemingly unaccustomed to such defensive treatment, failed to make an impact in the low post.
While defending a pick-and-roll, he was even fouled by Lee's simple and brute force drive to the basket.
Frank on the sidelines grew increasingly anxious, but whenever he looked at the bench, a sense of powerlessness would surge within him.
With low-post tactics failing, the Nets' two big men eventually relied on tough jumpers after pick-and-rolls to score for the team.
Kostic had just hit a long two-pointer from the left wing.
On the Knicks' semi-transition offense, Gasol faked a screen, rolled down, received a pass from Lee, and made down a powerful dunk!
Collins received a pass from Carter in the right elbow area and made a shot.
From the left wing, Lee forcefully drove into the paint, assisting Prince, who cut to the basket, for an alley-oop.
Kostic, attacking the rim forcefully, drew a foul from Kurt Thomas and made one of two free throws.
On a semi-transition offense, Lee used Kurt Thomas's screen to drive straight to the basket from the right wing, drawing a double-team, and then delivered a behind-the-back bounce pass to assist Kurt Thomas for a layup.
The New York fans at the arena found it absurd.
The anticipated battle of the star duo against Lee didn't materialize.
Instead, the Nets were scoring through their role players.
During the timeout, fans in the front row loudly mocked Carter and Kidd, who had yet to score:
"The Raptors made the right choice!"
"Go team up with that thief! Kevin Garnett needs you!"
Time elapsed until there was 1 minute and 02 seconds left in the first quarter when Carter finally made a three-pointer from the right wing.
Kidd, taking advantage of Lee's missed three-pointer, grabbed the long rebound and completed his first field goal of the game on a fast break.
The scoring didn't change the situation on the court.
Brian Scalabrine suddenly launched a three-pointer from the right wing.
On the defensive end, Kidd, caught off guard, was delayed by Gasol's hand-off and watched as Lee received the ball and made a long-range three-pointer from the top of the arc.
On the Nets' last possession, Carter faced Prince on the left wing, used a jab step, and then shot a contested jumper that missed.
With 8.3 seconds left, Lee grabbed the rebound near the free-throw line.
Kidd didn't foul again, attempting to slide and delay.
The two quickly rushed past mid-court.
Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, continuously accelerated, leaned into the defender at the free-throw line, initiated contact, and then drifted backward to the left.
Lee, gripping the ball with his left hand, casually tossed it before the buzzer sounded!
Kidd barely managed a block attempt, but it had no effect.
The basketball bounced off the backboard and into the hoop.
"Oh!"
Seeing Lee raise both hands at the baseline, the cheers in the Madison Square Garden wouldn't stop:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
18:35, the first quarter ended, and the New York fans at the arena began to celebrate the victory prematurely.
In a single quarter, Clay Lee was 8 of 9 from the field, 4 of 5 from beyond the arc, and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, accumulating 24 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Lee's individual scoring surpassed the total of the Nets' five players.
As Lee walked towards the bench, many fans began to stand and applaud, cheering loudly.
Spike Lee, who had spent a large sum of money to watch the game again this year, even made a bowing gesture, while not forgetting to loudly mock the opponents:
"Hey! We have 4 home games! Moving to Brooklyn won't change that!"
"..."
Carter was 1 of 6 from the field, scoring only 3 points.
When he returned to the bench, he stared intently at the floor, seemingly unable to believe the fact that the entire team's score was less than Lee's alone.
Kidd was 1 of 5, also contributing 2 points.
He didn't hear a word Frank said, completely lost in his defeat.
After the second quarter began, the Nets substituted Collins for Clifford Robinson.
Brian Scalabrine was also replaced by Richard Jefferson.
With the huge point difference, the Nets stuck with their starters.
The Knicks brought in Derek Fisher to partner with Lee in the backcourt.
Prince and Kurt Thomas were also in, and Amar'e Stoudemire played at the 5 spot.
Rarely encountering such a soft target, in the first possession, taking advantage of Derek Fisher going under the screen, Kidd again missed a shot near the left elbow area.
In a semi-transition offense, Derek Fisher passed the ball early.
Clay Lee received the ball on the left wing, feinted to the right, then dropped the ball and executed a quick in-and-out dribble.
Just as Carter found his footing, he was shouldered through and forcefully squeezed past by Lee, who was holding the ball in his left hand.
Chasing to the basket, Carter could only commit a foul, sending Lee to the free-throw line early.
Seeing the point difference still widening, the referees had no choice but to call some balancing fouls. Carter, who was charging to the basket with the ball, also started shooting free throws.
The Defense seemed to have completely vanished, and both sides played at an increasingly fast pace.
Derek Fisher became a defensive stalwart, forcing Kidd to miss shot after shot.
Lee and Carter continuously scored, intensifying the atmosphere at the arena.
Frank on the sidelines was already powerless to change the game's rhythm.
In the back-and-forth scoring, the point difference continued to widen.
From the left wing, Amar'e Stoudemire, faking a screen and rolling down, received a bounce pass from Lee's left hand and completed a tomahawk dunk directly in front of the basket!
Brian Scalabrine, re-entering the game, backed down to the basket against the Defense, drew a foul from Amar'e Stoudemire, and made both free throws.
In the final few minutes of the half, Lee and Carter again started shooting free throws.
The referees' continuous whistles drew dissatisfaction from the fans.
On the Nets' last possession, Kidd, left wide open, finally made a shot from beyond the arc.
42:68, the half ended, and the game was essentially decided.
Kidd played the entire first half, going 2 of 11 from the field, 1 of 4 from beyond the arc, for a meager 5 points.
This made Derek Fisher smile broadly.
In his limited playing time, he had held his opponent scoreless.
After the second half began, from the commentary booth, Hubie Brown once again sighed as he looked at the statistics:
"No matter how many times I see it, I still find it unbelievable!"
"Nobody plays like Clay Lee. He seems to be able to score from anywhere on the court. He's practically omnipotent."
With the game decided, Michaels also gossiped:
"What's your take on advanced metrics? From what I understand, efficiency ratings are already obsolete. Clay Lee has set a new record again this year."
Watching Lee still scoring on the court, Hubie Brown chuckled and said:
"I don't know. I'm already very old, and it's difficult for me to comment on current data models."
"But I know that in the next game, the Nets will definitely double-team Clay Lee from the start of the game!"
"As the playoffs progress, it's time for the Knicks' role players to be tested."
Halfway through the third quarter, the Nets began to make substitutions.
The defensive intensity of both sides further decreased, and the referees no longer controlled the game, allowing both teams to engage in an offensive shootout.
The single quarter score was 28:33, and after three quarters, it was 70:101, turning the fourth quarter into a performance.
The New York fans at the arena felt a bit regretful.
On the large screen in the center of the court, seeing the exaggerated individual statistics, many began to call out Lee's name again.
In 33 minutes of play, Clay Lee delivered a double-double with 48 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover, shooting 16 of 22 from the field, 7 of 10 from beyond the arc, and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.
Jason Kidd played almost the entire three quarters, going 5 of 16 from the field, 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, for 13 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal.
During garbage time, watching his teammates play with courage and determination on the court, Kidd sat silently in his seat, not communicating with anyone.
Carter was 6 of 16 from the field, 1 of 2 from beyond the arc, and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line, getting 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
With his own poor performance, Carter was in no mood to encourage his teammates.
A dejected expression on his face, he quietly awaited the end of the game.
Ultimately, 95:124, the Knicks easily defeated their opponents, and cheers once again echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
In the losing team's player tunnel, the Nets' players left early.
Lee continuously waved to the fans, and everyone chatted and laughed as they prepared to return to the locker room.
After days of preparation, the game resulted in another overwhelming victory.
Feeling it was too easy, Ewing, following behind Hill, quietly grumbled:
"Frank is just like Kidd, only his mouth is tough!"
"..."
.....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)