Check out my new fanfic.
12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
Please give it a go đ
***
On September 1, 2006, the Greek Men's National Basketball Team shattered the United States Mens National Basketball Team's championship dream, and the United States' star players left through the player tunnel.
One hour after the game, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade officially accepted interviews.
Their "happy basketball" mood was gone.
This year, they could only contend for the bronze medal.
Coach Krzyzewski reluctantly took the blame.
In this crucial game, the backcourt was invisible, LeBron James scored 17 points, Dwyane Wade had 19 points, and only Carmelo Anthony managed to score 27 points.
This loss allowed the Greek Men's National Basketball Team to advance to the finals, where they would face Spain.
Even better news was that Pau Gasol suffered a left metatarsal fracture in the previous game and was now confirmed to miss the final.
That night, major sports media outlets began their output.
ESPN's headline was the most amusing, delighting the onlookers:
"Our big stars have contracted Lee-phobia. They were defeated by Greece's Clay Lee."
Spanoulis scored 22 points, and his miraculous performance repeatedly extinguished the United States Mens National Basketball Team's comeback momentum.
The young Chris Paul failed to contain him.
However, for New York fans, Pau Gasol's injury was utterly bad news.
Although they had been somewhat prepared, many fans were still disappointed after the Knicks' official announcement that morning confirming the injury and estimating a recovery period of "4 to 5 months."
Upon seeing this news, Lee's fans were once again unhappy.
Having made bold pronouncements during the offseason, they would be ridiculed for half a year if proven wrong.
Pau Gasol himself was quite optimistic.
He had been dominant and performed exceptionally well in the World Championship this year, and was about to win a gold medal, so he was naturally overjoyed:
"I am proud of the Spain team. We are just one game away from the championship!"
A bronze medal held little meaning for the United States Mens National Basketball Team.
The number of people following the honor game suddenly decreased significantly.
In fact, it was the same worldwide.
Fair-weather fans who only cared about winning were the most numerous.
On Saturday, September 2nd, Good Morning America on ABC aired promptly at 7 AM.
The show's well-known host, Charles Gibson, was leaving.
After the show's logo changed next week, Robin Roberts would become the new host.
Saturday's program was still 2 hours long.
In the current era, before the complete advent of mobile internet, this "news broadcast" was the preferred morning choice for many families.
There was also plenty of local New York news.
After Sports Illustrated was published a while ago, the show's production team even conducted a public opinion poll in New York:
The final survey results showed that from teenagers to old men, 100% of New York City residents believed in Clay Lee's promise that they would continue to win until they surpassed the neighboring Celtics.
Of course, the show also had entertainment value.
If one were to ask in neighboring New Jersey, and nearby Philadelphia and Boston, the results would most likely be the exact opposite.
These three cities were the closest and the most unfortunate, having been constantly mocked by New York for 10 years.
It was impossible to expect locals to say anything good.
Unfortunately, the studio was located in Times Square, and this show had no internal moles and was biased.
After winning for so many years, they had all become staunch Knicks fans.
The team's previous "harassment case" had been suppressed.
In New York, there was no room for an "Anti-Lee Alliance."
Clay Lee, who had just returned from the United Kingdom, was currently preparing for next week's Wheelchair Charity All-Star Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Last year there was a hurricane, but this year the event would proceed as usual.
At 8 o'clock, Lee, dressed in a black suit, also appeared in the studio.
After being renovated in the past two years, the studio was much brighter, and one could also see the street view outside the window.
Charles Gibson, with his short gray-black hair, stood up and hugged Lee.
Compared to a few years ago, he was now a 53-year-old man.
Diane Sawyer, wearing a bright yellow suit and with golden medium-length hair, also embraced him in greeting.
Meeting again on the show, the 54-year-old famous female host couldn't help but tease after sitting down:
"The last time I saw you in this studio, you were still a 20-year-old young man, but God still favors you so much. Only we have aged over the years."
Charles Gibson, who had recently become a grandfather, also chuckled.
In fact, they interviewed Kimberly Wexler more often.
After her promotion, she frequently appeared in the news.
Both of them had children.
ABC automatically ignored Lee's complicated family relationships.
"Thanks to today's makeup artist, in fact, I am no longer young either. To be as elegant as you in the future, that would truly be God's grace."
Lee rarely appeared on relatively serious news programs, but this time, to promote the team, he voluntarily accepted the interview.
Charles Gibson loved to hear people praise his youth.
The internal competition at ABC was also fierce, and he didn't want to lose World News Tonight, ABC's flagship program:
"Tell us about your trip to the UK this year. Our reporter told me that you and Nike hosted a Youth World Cup. That's truly incredible!"
"But I'm more curious: why was the security at Carrington Training Centre so tight? Our reporter was almost arrested for being a peeping tom."
Before the interview, there was only a general direction.
Upon hearing the question, Lee also loudly introduced it with the exaggerated tone that American audiences enjoyed:
"Yes, children under 15 from all over the world chased the championship in Manchester. Sports are globalizing, and it was great to see the little guys from Mexico lift the trophy."
"As for our training center, youth training and the academy are undergoing reforms. This year, I also plan to invest in the sports science department. The specific details still need to be kept confidential. This is also Sir Alex Ferguson's style."
Diane Sawyer nodded.
As soon as Lee finished speaking, she instinctively asked:
"Lee, how much do you plan to invest? It is said that many British fans are crazy about it."
"It should exceed 50 million pounds. Of course, a part of that is sponsorship. This money can indeed buy the club big-name players, but the future belongs to the young people."
Upon hearing Lee's answer, Diane Sawyer couldn't help but gasp, and Charles Gibson's face also showed a surprised expression.
This was the first time they had heard such news:
"In our limited interviews, we noticed that Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to have conflicts with his teammates. He performed well in the World Cup. Will this affect the team?"
Through the tireless efforts of the British media, the news of Rooney "tearing into" Cristiano Ronaldo successfully broke through, and this gossip even reached the United States.
Although it couldn't compare to the "shoe-throwing incident" of yesteryear, everyone still wanted to gossip, but unfortunately, they couldn't interview the parties involved.
Ferguson simply did not allow reporters into the training center for filming.
"They are all excellent players. Sir Alex Ferguson will handle everything. Don't forget, Manchester United was once a treble winner. Everyone knows how to win."
Lee's answer didn't reveal too much information.
Afterwards, the three began to chat casually about gossip.
The differences between British and American fans, how to manage a club with over 500 people, and whether the American professional sports business model would work in the UK.
Towards the end of the exclusive interview, Diane Sawyer still brought up the recently defeated United States Mens National Basketball Team, and Charles Gibson even sarcastically mocked:
"Even now, I can't accept losing to Greece. Coach Krzyzewski believes the loss is his responsibility, but I'm still disappointed in these young men."
"Lee, what do you think was the biggest reason for losing this game?"
Although he hadn't watched the game, Lee still gave his answer after a simple deduction using Excel:
"Inconsistent shooting was the biggest hidden danger. Kirk Hinrich and Chris Paul lacked experience and failed to control the game's tempo, and the big men also failed to connect with the perimeter. The Defense could have been better."
"If you want the team to change, I recommend Jason Kidd. I know my old opponent very well. He has never lost on the international stage and can activate his teammates."
"Of course, most importantly, Kidd will likely miss the playoffs for the next few years, so he can focus more energy on the national team."
The New York Media would ridicule the Nets every now and then.
When it was confirmed that the Nets planned to move to Brooklyn in 2009, they were even more amused these past few days.
Although Diane Sawyer was older, she was well aware that these news stories were a source of entertainment for New York City residents.
She cooperated with a smile on her face, saying:
"I believe in the vision of the greatest player in history, and I also wish Jason Kidd well. I hope he can bring us back a gold medal in the future!"
Lee wasn't the first player to train with a football team.
Recently, Steve Nash also embarked on his "happy football" journey.
This sport continued to sweep across the United States, riding the wave of the World Cup.
After hearing the news that Manchester United would be relisted in the United States in the future, some people also began to pay attention to related developments.
Fans who liked Lee could see all sorts of exaggerated news on mainstream American media, while members of the "Anti-Lee Alliance" could entertain themselves on several ESPN programs.
SportsCenter would frequently boast about Lee's stats and championships, while Cold Pizza would occasionally contradict them, turning to praise Kobe's leadership and continuing to create a "rivalry."
After Allen Iverson left the Eastern Conference, the only famous guards left in the East were Black Mamba Vince Carter and Flash Dwyane Wade.
Regrettably, Carter was a good-natured person.
Although his marriage was in trouble recently, there was never any explosive news.
While Wade performed well last season, Shaquille O'Neal was the main draw.
In contrast, the lone hero, the championship guard Kobe Bryant, who lacked help, was more topical.
ESPN showed its dominance during the offseason.
They wanted both fans and haters! As long as you followed sports, you could always find a sense of belonging there.
On Monday, September 4th, tens of thousands of Spaniards cheered and waved banners, welcoming their basketball World Champions home.
The Associated Press reported on the celebration, with approximately 50,000 people filling Madrid's city center at Plaza de Castilla.
The celebration caused a fire that damaged an office building a kilometer away, but the fire did not endanger any revelers.
Spanish players, dressed in red, arrived in the city center on an open-top double-decker bus, waving to the crowd.
The crowd held Spanish flags and banners that read "gracias" (thank you).
Pau Gasol, who was named the World Championship MVP, was extremely excited.
His dream had come true, and this was also a highlight of his career.
In contrast, the Team USA would now be forced to participate in the 2008 Olympics qualifier, the FIBA Americas Championship, to be held in Venezuela next summer.
Fans who saw the news were particularly furious.
During an interview with local Spanish media, a limping Pau Gasol expressed his gratitude to the New York Knicks, while also not forgetting to praise Lee:
"In my years with the New York Knicks, Lee taught me how to win and how to be a qualified leader."
"I'm glad these championship experiences paid off. This year, I'm proud of my teammates. We united and showcased the spirit of Spanish basketball!"
For the local sports media, their main concern was whether the injured Pau Gasol would still participate in next year's EuroBasket.
To this question, Pau Gasol did not disappoint, a confident smile reappearing on his face as he said with full assurance:
"The New York Knicks know how important it is for me to play for my country, and I don't think they will try to stop me."
"I read Sports Illustrated. This year, I will continue to help Lee win the championship. Injuries will not prevent us from lifting the franchise's 11th championship trophy!"
"..."
After winning the championship, Pau Gasol planned to stay in Spain for the next two weeks to travel, only returning to New York at the end of the month to begin his rehabilitation.
New York fans who read the related reports, although somewhat dissatisfied, understood Pau Gasol's choice.
A World Championship was indeed worth celebrating.
Within the New York Knicks organization, Pau Gasol's injury brought more opportunities.
Mike D'Antoni had been traveling all over the world during the offseason.
After the World Championship, he flew to France to visit Boris Diaw.
The Moustache planned to set up a training camp on the spot to prevent Boris Diaw from relaxing and indulging in "French bread."
On Saturday, September 9th, Madison Square Garden was once again bustling that evening, as a host of famous basketball stars arrived for the Wheelchair Charity All-Star Classic.
The charity game was held to provide assistance to inpatients and outpatients of the Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island.
In the past, it had never been so grand.
Jason Kidd, who had received "Clay Lee's praise," arrived at the stadium early and shared family experiences with Vince Carter, chatting and laughing.
Although his wife Joumana often "abused" him mentally and physically, after the domestic violence incident, Jason Kidd continued to project the image of a good man to the public, often blowing kisses before free throws.
"Women need a sense of security. They are all very sensitive, so in daily communication, being honest with each other is the best way to communicate."
"If you don't want to break up, consider her opinion. Playing in Orlando isn't so bad anyway. In recent years, no one has been very competitive."
Jason Kidd, dressed like a "big boy" in a Nets hoodie, spoke words that made Vince Carter feel that his teammate had given up and completely resigned himself to his fate.
Vince Carter found it difficult to comment on Jason Kidd's views and could only smile, praising his partner by following his words:
"Joumana must be proud of you!"
Jason Kidd nodded.
Glancing at the New York Knicks players gathered together, he felt only pressure.
It wasn't that he had given up, but that their roster depth simply couldn't compare.
Grant Hill was introducing his singer wife to the celebrities and stars present.
Ron Artest also showed no signs of injury, shouting and interacting with his family and friends.
Tayshaun Prince, Raja Bell, and Michael Finley were chatting with the patients from the organizing committee, while Tyson Chandler, with short black hair, was holding up children to help them fulfill their dreams.
Gadzuric and David Lee were running errands with Rookies Rajon Rondo and Jose Barea.
The thought of the New York Knicks winning the Summer League championship made Jason Kidd feel desperate.
Even their cheering squad was no match for them.
Was there any justice left?
Ben Wallace and Lewis were reminiscing nearby.
One had just signed a big contract, and the other was preparing to work hard for one.
They could just exchange tips on raising their value.
Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison were also present.
When they noticed Chris Paul, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Chris Bosh gathered together, their hearts once again turned sour.
Ever since he was eliminated from the Team USA, Gilbert Arenas had been consumed by envy, constantly spouting off.
Taking advantage of the fact that the media reporters hadn't noticed them yet, he whispered to his teammate:
"These losers still dare to show up in front of everyone. A bronze medal. I knew they would lose."
Antawn Jamison felt his teammate's mindset was twisted, but looking at the group chatting and laughing, he couldn't help but follow up with a sarcastic remark:
"Even Rookies can be selected. Maybe they never even thought about a gold medal."
The only stars from the Western Conference were Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash.
Amare Stoudemire, who had just become a father and returned to New York, was extremely happy, sharing his joy with familiar friends he met.
When Clay Lee, Ray Allen, Hamilton, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor, Rudy Gay, and a host of other University of Connecticut players appeared in the arena, the atmosphere quickly reached a climax.
Everyone gathered in the center of the court, wearing loose white T-shirts and sweatpants, with a New York Knicks jersey over them.
Clay Lee put his arm around the charity game's organizer, Hank Carter, and said loudly:
"It's great that sports can connect us so closely!"
"All proceeds tonight will go to the inpatients and outpatients of Goldwater Memorial Hospital..."
"..."
Lee only sent a few text messages, and more than half of the league's stars appeared here.
The previous 14 events had never seen such a grand occasion.
Hank Carter's face was flushed with excitement, and he clapped continuously.
In the eyes of different players, Lee's image varied.
Chris Paul, who was also clapping, thought of the event he held in Oklahoma City and felt a bit envious of Lee's influence.
Jason Kidd and Vince Carter understood Lee's situation in New York.
They had been ridiculed every day for years and were numb to it, so they didn't find this charity game particularly special.
LeBron James, also dressed in athletic wear and wearing a white headband, quietly paid attention to the seats on the sidelines.
Stephen A. Smith, Bill Simmons, and other basketball commentators were all there.
A bunch of famous hosts from Saturday Night Live and ABC also came, and the editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated and his family were also on the sidelines, clapping along.
Some Wall Street and Republican Party figures were occasionally seen on television.
He was most familiar with Nike's executives.
Seeing these people in person, LeBron James, though maintaining a polite smile on his face, felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
The triumphant mood he had felt after having dinner with Warren Buffett upon returning to the United States vanished without a trace:
"One day, I will achieve all of this too!"
On sunday, September 10th, the New York Times dubbed last night's charity game the "2006 New York All-Star Game."
The New York fans felt proud; "noble New York fans" should enjoy the best treatment!
Under the leading promotion of the New York Media, everyone joined in singing praises, except for a certain forgotten New York star player who completely lost his composure.
As a true New Yorker, Stephon Marbury was almost fuming that his hometown event hadn't invited him.
What made him feel even worse was that he had been on the list a week before the event, but New York fans had protested and excluded him from "New York citizenship."
Ever since he had brazenly tried to challenge Clay Lee, claiming he was the best active point guard, Stephon Marbury had been boycotted by New York fans.
How could a "loser who leads his team to fish every year" be called "New Yorks Son"?
On Monday morning, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's exclusive interview with Lorenzen Wright made Stephon Marbury's lungs ache with anger.
He had never seen such a thick-skinned guy.
"I want to be a leader on the team!"
"After entering the league, I spent a few years in Atlanta, and now returning to the starting point makes me feel at home again."
"There are many young talents on the team. I will use my championship experience to help everyone solve problems, and we will return to the playoffs."
"..."
A benchwarmer who had just joined the team received recognition, and then unexpectedly rode on his head.
Stephon Marbury, who had been jumping around all offseason, could no longer hold back.
Tasha, who was eating breakfast, watched her husband's face contort, then suddenly tore the magazine in her hand to shreds, startled for a moment, before angry shouts erupted in her ears:
"Fuck! Fuck you!"
On the 13th, a slightly rough video clip of a commercial shoot suddenly went viral on YouTube, spreading wildly across the internet.
Spike Lee kept saying "No" and shaking his head at the camera, while Clay Lee, wearing a training suit, took a new pair of sneakers.
With a clearly meaningful close-up, Clay Lee was fully equipped, and then Spike Lee was pulled back by the crowd.
Gasps began to be heard in the camera, and then Lee, who was warming up, in the blink of an eye performed a front flip over a rapidly approaching Lamborghini sports car, and the scene instantly erupted.
Clay Lee, who had front-flipped over the sports car, stood in place, bouncing up and down, and was quickly swamped by staff.
Spike Lee even yelled in disbelief.
The end of the video featured Lee's personal logo and "Anything is possible."
The immersive advertising atmosphere made the viewers of the video unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, leading to a heated debate that began to attract more attention.
Kobe Bryant, who had received the "Lee Generation II" sneakers, had also been participating in events with Nike recently.
After flying to Taiwan Province, Kobe Bryant was in a very good mood.
The fans there were exceptionally enthusiastic.
The 81-point scorer had gained him a large number of fans.
It wasn't until the afternoon meet-and-greet that a child asked:
"Kobe, can you also jump over a Lamborghini?"
With the translation and explanation from the staff, Kobe Bryant only then discovered Lee's performance on YouTube.
Before he could even answer, more than half of the fans at the scene had defected.
Although he couldn't understand what everyone was saying, seeing their excited expressions, they were clearly all talking about this "incredible" commercial.
Forcing a smile, Kobe Bryant was filled with envy for a moment, his expression somewhat distorted.
He had thought Nike was finally taking him seriously, but it was still the same old story:
"Damn commercial! Shit!!"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)