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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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***
On Thursday, May 10, 2007, there was only one game that day.
TNT reported extensively before the game, but the studio in the back was silent afterward.
The excuse of injuries was no longer effective.
Even though Pat Riley had vowed before the game that the Heat would be in better shape after two days of rest, they still lost by a large margin.
The discussion about the new MVP continued, with ESPN's New York radio station clamoring daily for "return the trophy" under Stephen A. Smith's urging.
TNT originally didn't plan to continue the hype, but after tonight's game, the trio couldn't hold back either.
The intensity of the regular season shouldn't appear in the semifinals.
The interview at Madison Square Garden had just concluded.
Pau Gasol had a low-key, economical triple-double tonight:
34 minutes played, 6-of-10 shooting, 4-of-4 free throws, 16 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 1 turnover.
Tyson Chandler played 30 minutes, shooting 5-of-8, 2-of-4 free throws, for 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, and 2 turnovers.
The New York Knicks' twin towers limited Old Shaq to 6-of-15 shooting, 3-of-7 free throws, and only 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 7 turnovers.
"I feel great. This is the playoffs I've been looking forward to. Last year, I could only sit on the bench, but now I'm challenging for a championship."
"Screens, Defense, catching passes and putting the ball in the basket—that's how I play!"
"Playing alongside Lee has made me better. We will secure the match point as soon as possible. Thank you very much, New York fans, for your support."
Chandler, being interviewed courtside, couldn't control the smile on his face.
The fans in the back were still cheering loudly.
This was the last home game.
They would have to wait over a week to watch another game.
Compared to his time with the Chicago Bulls, Chandler looked a bit stronger, with more beard, and had a short haircut for the playoffs, making him look like a defensive stalwart.
The "skin" was still useful, and being ranked second in DPOY this season was the best proof.
If it weren't for his stats not matching up to Camby's, Chandler would most likely have won the award.
Greg Craig Sager, interviewing courtside, watched Chandler turn and high-five Lee in celebration, then congratulated him again, and seriously commented to the camera:
"The New York Knicks' interior duo completely suppressed their opponents on Defense, leading significantly in rebounds at 43:30."
"I cannot evaluate tonight's game. Clay Lee was as consistent as ever, completely overwhelming Dwyane Wade on both ends of the court."
"Considering Dwyane Wade's injury, I find it hard to favor the Heat for Saturday's game. The New York Knicks will most likely reach the conference finals for the 11th consecutive season!"
The joyful atmosphere in the Madison Square Garden did not carry over to the studio in the back.
Ernie Johnson, looking at his silent partners, could only continue to summarize according to the prepared script:
"19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 turnovers. Although Dwyane Wade played 38 minutes, he seemed to lack vitality."
"Considering that the third game will be on Saturday, Head Coach Pat Riley will find it difficult to make more effective adjustments."
Dwyane Wade shot 8-of-19, 3-of-6 free throws.
After going 2-of-7 in the first quarter, he performed better in garbage time in the second half.
The silent Charles Barkley had already reviewed the statistics.
Perhaps dissatisfied with the intensity of tonight's game, he suddenly launched an attack on the Heat:
"This is the worst semifinal I have ever witnessed. I only saw fear in Dwyane Wade's eyes. Most of his points came from jump shots."
"Shaq is old. His and Haslem's interior combination can't even protect the rebounds."
86:118. The game had no suspense after the first quarter.
Thinking of this, Charles Barkley quickened his pace again, seriously complaining:
"Clay Lee did not ruin the NBA. His presence makes more fans watch the New York Knicks' games, and teams like the Heat are the reason for the decline in NBA viewership."
"I can't imagine this is a semifinal, just as I can't believe a 68-win team led by the reigning MVP was eliminated by a 40-win team."
"It is these overrated stars who have ruined the NBA."
Kenny Smith, on the far right, had to interrupt his partner.
Fans nowadays are different from the past.
Excessive criticism would lead to online abuse:
"I must remind you that Dwyane Wade's shoulder injury is not fully recovered, and he also has knee issues. Basketball is a five-person game... "
"I'm not asking him to win the game; I just expect the Heat to last until the fourth quarter!"
Charles Barkley immediately retorted, giving no chance for his two partners to speak, and again expanded the scope of his criticism, attacking fake stars:
"Look at our All-NBA players. Some can't make the playoffs, some are eliminated in the first round. What do fans watch?"
"After a season of promotion, in the end, you're nowhere to be seen. I'd rather give the MVP to Clay Lee every year. At least it would make us look professional enough."
This morning, the NBA announced this season's All-NBA teams:
The five players on the All-NBA First Team were:
Clay Lee, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Amar'e Stoudemire.
The five players on the All-NBA Second Team were:
Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and Yao Ming.
The five players on the All-NBA Third Team were:
Gilbert Arenas, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh, and Dwight Howard.
His old partner's broadside offended most of the players, as quite a few All-NBA players were eliminated in the first round.
Kenny Smith sighed inwardly.
The semifinals indeed had lower viewership than the first round:
"I still believe the Heat can make adjustments once they return home. They will have an outburst when they are in a desperate situation."
"..."
TNT's brief post-game commentary further dampened the spirits of Heat fans.
After two consecutive large-margin losses, calls for Pat Riley's dismissal grew louder.
Even Miami's sports media began to question, and as expected, there would be another column article tomorrow morning advocating for Van Gundy.
On the morning of the 11th, Lee had to wake up early as he was flying with the team to Miami.
Every time he returned to Peninsula Manor, his sleep quality was good.
At night, it was so quiet that only Happy, the husky, could be heard barking...
With her due date approaching, Ivanka, who was resting peacefully, had been staying here recently.
The bedroom was still dim.
The half-awake girl held onto Lee until she was kissed, then she groggily fell back asleep.
When Lee appeared on the first floor, Happy excitedly brought him the newspaper, still as fond of his male owner taking him for walks as he was when he was a puppy.
"Good boy!"
After encouraging Happy, who was showing a happy face, Lee smiled and stroked the dog's head, then saw Melinda, dressed in a nightgown, already in the living room.
"I found some bad news. Robert Mercer also seems to have received an invitation from the Heritage Foundation, and he will most likely actively campaign for conservatives in the future."
Melinda, with her hair tied in a ponytail, handed over a folder.
Lee glanced at it casually.
The person worked at Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund, and was expected to take over as CEO in the future.
Renaissance, founded by mathematicians, focused more on quantitative trading.
Located in East Setauket, New York, it was not a good neighbor to Axe Capital, and the two sides had virtually no contact.
Noting that Robert Mercer, a well-known figure in the industry, was also from New Mexico and had attended college in Albuquerque, Lee pouted and whispered:
"Is this a hometown reunion? Does David Addington really have a soft spot for his hometown?"
Melinda was also a bit puzzled by the invitation from the White House Chief of Staff.
She didn't understand the Heritage Foundation, and the information she gathered wasn't very useful.
Lee put his arm around the busty woman, and then called Happy to the dining room.
He casually flipped through The New York Times, and after being pinched, he said:
"This isn't a one-person matter. Ask Bobby again, and give Griffin a call. Maybe he has more information in Chicago."
"If Dick Cheney can get rid of the Halliburton indictment, you could also ask the old man, but his heart should be failing. The Vice President has done his time without all these troubles."
They were clearly in cahoots.
Melinda naturally understood this.
She seemed somewhat displeased with Lee's lack of attention, and after bumping into him from behind, she whispered:
"We shouldn't associate with extremists. It will severely impact our profits."
He had the busty woman sit on his lap.
After a whispered conversation, Melinda nodded.
Looking at Happy, who was sitting obediently nearby, she finally twisted Lee again:
"Money is endless. Maybe we should stop and enjoy life."
"Playing basketball is the best pastime in life. You should also go to Madison Square Garden to relax."
Dwyane Wade, also awaiting the arrival of his child, had been having a difficult time recently.
The collapse of his "good man" persona led reporters to focus more on his family life than his on-court performance.
The Heat's team atmosphere this season had been consistently poor.
Too many old players, coupled with constant injuries, meant that Dwyane Wade, who wanted to train hard, never received support.
On Saturday afternoon, May 12, the Heat players arrived early at the American Airlines Center to warm up.
When Dwyane Wade appeared in the locker room with a long face, Gary Payton saw his junior and continued to complain:
"What right does Charles Barkley have to comment on us? Does he think he's so great?"
"He used to criticize Lee, but now he's like those softies who only lick ass. I just feel disgusted hearing all those praises."
The veteran, sitting in his seat and chattering in a high-pitched voice, left many Heat players speechless.
They had heard too much of this sour talk.
Payton would turn into a jealous guy every now and then.
Everyone knew that Gary Payton wanted to go to New York to get a ring, but after several years, he still hadn't succeeded.
Although it was understandable, most players had their own thoughts:
"The old man is really desperate."
Alonzo Mourning did not participate in this topic.
The Kidney Fighter had been constantly recalling his original choice these past few days.
Due to his relationship with Ewing, he had the opportunity to play in New York back then.
When he was with the Nets, he was infatuated with the idea of returning to Miami.
Pat Riley's call seemed to have a magical power, but after losing so much these past few years, Mourning also sobered up.
"Alright, Gary! Just win one game. I don't want to say goodbye to the game like this."
Hearing Mourning speak, the locker room quieted down again.
Dwyane Wade, who had silently changed into his jersey, noticed Shaq had his head down and was not speaking.
Finally, he looked around at everyone and said seriously, "Think about the fans who support us."
Wade's moving speech didn't have much effect, as Heat fans always leave early.
Everyone knew that many of those who came to watch the game were fair-weather fans.
At 8:00 PM that night, after the game began, the cheers from 20,000 Heat fans at American Airlines Center grew louder and louder.
After falling behind in the first quarter, during the rotation phase of the second quarter, Jason Kapono, who had won the Three-Point Contest, suddenly erupted, and James Posey also suddenly found his touch from beyond the arc.
Thanks to the excellent performance of the bench, the score was 56-52 at halftime, with the Heat only trailing by 4 points.
This was the Heat's best half in this series, and their 31 points in the second quarter was the only quarter they won against the Knicks.
The Heat fans on site cheered excitedly for Jason Kapono's performance of 5-of-6 shooting, 1-of-1 from three-point range, and 11 points in a single quarter, making the halftime atmosphere even more enthusiastic.
At the ESPN commentary table, Hubie Brown also breathed a sigh of relief.
There was still suspense in the second half, which was much better than he had expected:
"We must praise Head Coach Pat Riley's bold adjustments. The Heat, back on their home court, showed more vitality."
"As long as Shaq can find his rhythm in the second half, they have a chance to win tonight."
Mike Breen was not worried about the Knicks.
Individual games would always have shooting slumps.
Rajon Rondo played too much time tonight, and it was clear Lee hadn't exerted himself yet:
"I saw the veterans' desire for victory. Mourning scored a valuable 4 points in limited playing time. His performance was excellent!"
"..."
During halftime, the two commentators began to continuously praise the Heat.
They had lost too badly in the first two games, so they didn't have a chance to boast.
When the second half began, the atmosphere at American Airlines Center remained high, and the Heat fans on site shouted loudly after the baseline inbound pass:
"Let's go Heat!"
Amidst the shouts echoing through the arena, Jason Williams looked at Hill in front of him and started to frown again.
Ever since it was confirmed that he had lost his explosiveness, the Knicks had frequently switched defenders.
Relying on his physical advantage, Hill, who was leading the Defense, constantly used his long arms to disrupt his opponent's dribbling rhythm.
Eddie Jones and Dwyane Wade completed a cross-screen along the baseline at this time, and both popped out simultaneously.
Near the baseline on the right side, Old Shark tried to use his large frame to help Dwyane Wade delay Clay Lee, who was still chasing, but Lee squeezed past him.
Accelerating and popping out, nearing the right elbow area, Lee immediately caught up to Dwyane Wade the moment he received the ball.
Turning with the momentum and lowering his center of gravity, Dwyane Wade tried to create space by pushing his head forward, firmly protecting the ball on his right side.
After a sweep dribble, his left foot continuously probed, and taking advantage of Lee turning his body sideways, he quickly put the ball down with his right hand.
Lowering his shoulder and accelerating, Dwyane Wade's drive made the cheers a few decibels louder, but Flash seemed to have lost his usual speed, failing to gain a step on the first move.
Lee nimbly slid backward to his left, giving physical contact while instantly blocking the opponent's driving lane.
The pressure from his side made Dwyane Wade accelerate towards the baseline.
When he reached the right baseline area, he decisively exploded the ball to create contact, then stepped back horizontally and drifted backward to his right for a jump shot.
As Dwyane Wade flew into the air, he saw Lee's left arm extend in front of him.
He instinctively raised the arc to avoid the block, but the shot clanked off the rim again.
"Oh!"
Amidst sighs, Dwyane Wade fell out of bounds.
Most of his shots tonight were difficult jump shots, and he was 4-of-10 in the first half; his drives had almost disappeared.
O'Neal continuously pulled and tried to push Chandler behind him to grab the rebound.
While the two were still entangled, Pau Gasol, below the right side of the rim, easily grabbed the board in front of Haslem.
Pat Riley shouted loudly from the sideline.
Unable to pull his teammates up, the Heat players all turned their heads and retreated on Defense with all their might.
"Defense!"
Amidst the cheers for Defense, Wade gritted his teeth and got up, immediately chasing to Lee's side.
The two quickly tangled and rushed past half-court.
The timely retreat on Defense forced the Knicks into a half-court offense again.
Ron Artest, who had run past half-court, turned his head to look at the situation up top, noticed Pau Gasol raising the screen position, and immediately moved towards the left sideline.
On the right wing, Jason Williams, who was trailing Hill, nervously stopped and observed the Defense, helplessly watching Dwyane Wade get blown by again.
Near the top of the arc, before Pau Gasol could set his feet, Lee, who had rushed past half-court, first slowed down slightly.
Taking advantage of Dwyane Wade adjusting his defensive position, he suddenly pushed the ball and changed direction.
The moment he switched to his left hand, Lee lowered his shoulder and accelerated.
Dwyane Wade hurriedly slid to keep up but still lost his defensive position at the three-point line.
Haslem, who had come out to defend, still wanted to slide and chase.
While moving, Lee quickly went in and out, pushing the ball outward without slowing down, and in the blink of an eye, he rushed into the paint amidst the fans' exclamations.
The perimeter Defense had no effect.
Clay Lee, who had charged up with three big steps, grabbed the ball with his left hand and soared into the air to face Shaq, who was helping out in the paint.
Shaq symbolically reached out, and then the rim roared.
Lee swung his arm and slammed the ball in again with a powerful dunk!
"Boo!"
The boos weren't very loud.
A dunk as if no one was there wasn't the first time it had happened.
After landing, Lee glanced at the silent Shaq and quickly retreated on Defense with a smile.
Aside from slamming the ball in anger, Shaq had no other response.
The cheers started again, and Williams again passed the ball early after crossing half-court.
Coming off a screen and popping out to the top of the arc, Dwyane Wade couldn't smoothly put the ball down.
Under Clay Lee's tight Defense, he had to cautiously protect the ball, and Haslem hurriedly came up to set a screen.
Faking right, driving left, Dwyane Wade's fake move had no effect.
Instead, because his initiation speed was too slow, Lee squeezed past the screen and chased him down again.
As Pau Gasol dropped back on Defense, he didn't forget to raise his right arm.
With their synchronized Defense, Dwyane Wade, who stopped and started abruptly, ran headfirst into a double-team.
He didn't force the shot again, throwing the ball towards the free-throw line before landing, and then Dwyane Wade stumbled and fell to the floor again.
The moment Haslem received the ball, Ron Artest on the right wing immediately swiped to help on Defense.
Eddie Jones, who was left open, didn't get a chance, watching his teammate clank a jump shot.
The slightly rushed shot ultimately hit the front of the backboard.
Lee smoothly picked up the ball, and a low gasp erupted in the arena as the Knicks launched another fast break.
Lee's pushing speed was extremely fast.
He dribbled behind his back to shake off Haslem, then accelerated and charged, crossing the half-court line in the blink of an eye.
Eddie Jones, retreating on Defense, hurriedly returned to the middle, forcing Lee to push the ball and change direction again.
Haslem, gritting his teeth and chasing, caught up to the paint and jumped with him, trying to cooperate with his teammate to complete the block.
Lee, holding the ball with his right hand, suddenly swung his arm to the side in the air.
Although the two defenders blocked his view of the situation behind him, he still confidently passed the ball behind his back.
As the three of them rushed out of bounds together, Ron Artest, who had followed up, easily received the ball, grabbed it with his right hand, and completed a gliding, powerful dunk!
"Ah!"
Ron Artest, who had completed the dunk, pounded his chest and shouted.
The fast break left the Heat's atmosphere group wide-eyed.
This was how they had been overwhelmed in the first two games.
60-54.
It seemed they had fallen into a predicament after the start of the second half, and the Heat fans' emotions were also affected.
On the next possession, Dwyane Wade finally used Shaq's screen to pop out to the left block, receiving the ball in his sweet spot.
Facing Lee, who was chasing, he immediately completed a front-of-the-body change of direction the moment he put the ball down with his right hand.
Wade, holding the ball with his left hand, lowered his shoulder and accelerated straight to the basket.
The fans had just started to cheer when Lee, who was chasing and jumping, suddenly exploded.
Dwyane Wade, gripping the ball with his left hand in the air, felt a strong force hit the basketball.
Clay Lee swung his right arm, exerting force in the air.
The two briefly hovered, and then Dwyane Wade lost his balance.
Fans in the front row gasped.
Dwyane Wade landed on one foot and then fell sideways onto the floor.
As the basketball was about to fly out of bounds, Lee cleverly reached out and tipped the ball back.
Pau Gasol successfully secured possession, and boos erupted again for a moment.
Head Coach Pat Riley angrily pressured the sideline referee.
The Heat reluctantly retreated on Defense again, and Dwyane Wade, getting up, showed a pained expression but continued to grit his teeth and chase hard.
In the transition offense, Lee's pushing speed wasn't fast this time.
By the time he reached the right wing, Dwyane Wade had already established his defensive position.
As Lee suddenly stopped with a behind-the-back dribble, cheers for Defense erupted in the arena again.
"Defense!"
Wade tried to lower his center of gravity.
Seeing Lee change direction through his legs to his right hand and lean in to accelerate, he quickly turned his body to prepare to slide.
The moment his opponent changed his center of gravity, Lee changed direction through his legs again.
Still half a step away from the three-point line, he tricked the Defense and suddenly gathered the ball.
Dwyane Wade, whose front support foot was attacked on Defense, watched Clay Lee turn his body and raise the ball from beyond the three-point line, his right arm instinctively swiping at the ball and missing.
Ultimately, Dwyane Wade froze in place, watching Lee launch a contested long-range three-pointer!
"Bang! What a shot!"
Mike Breen shouted excitedly from the commentary table.
American Airlines Center suddenly fell silent at this moment.
Everyone watched Lee retreat on Defense, making a gun gesture with his fingers, and then gradually started to boo.
63-54.
Watching the deficit widen with no way to stop it, Dwyane Wade angrily punched the air, trying to motivate his teammates.
The cheers diminished a bit more.
When Wade, dribbling with his left hand, drove to the left baseline and was bumped out of bounds by Lee, angry shouts once again echoed through the arena.
As if on cue, the Knicks suddenly intensified their Defense.
Shaq, facing fronting Defense, found it difficult to receive the ball.
Dwyane Wade, trying to use screens and receive the ball in his sweet spot, was constantly double-teamed.
The Knicks' fast breaks always scored.
Watching the deficit gradually reach double digits, Dwyane Wade, anxious, was again bumped out of bounds by Ron Artest during an offensive possession.
Clutching his knee and falling painfully to the ground, Dwyane Wade didn't get up this time.
All the Heat players surrounded him.
Hearing his teammates loudly curse, Dwyane Wade, lying on the floor, had red eyes and couldn't help but recall past memories:
"Is this how Allen Iverson was eliminated back then?"
....
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