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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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***
Since the All-NBA Teams were announced, LeBron James, who was not selected for the All-NBA First Team, publicly stated that he and the Cavaliers did not receive the respect they deserved.
Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs also expressed his dissatisfaction.
Tim Duncan rarely commented on award selections, but the Head Coach was not so polite:
"Even if there are only two forward spots, Tim is still the best candidate."
On Saturday, May 12th, in the evening's Semifinals, both the Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs secured victories, and after the games, they coincidentally brought up the issue of awards.
This situation mainly occurred because the new MVP was eliminated too early.
Although Dirk Nowitzki buried his head in the sand after the loss and refused interviews, sports media never stopped ridiculing him.
85:82, the Cavaliers regained the initiative tonight, leading the series 2:1.
At Auburn Hills Palace, Detroit Pistons fans protested outside the arena after the game.
They had only scored over 80 points tonight in three games, and many fans couldn't bear the ugly loss.
LeBron James and Dwight Howard, who attended the press conference, didn't have these worries.
Although their offense was constipated, winning allowed them to stand tall!
If Clay Lee and the New York Knicks were a 'three-pronged attack' in the playoffs, then the Cavaliers were a pure 'charge and grab' team, truly savage basketball.
Although heavily criticized by commentators, the Cavaliers were on track to reach the Conference Finals, and praise began to overshadow other voices.
LeBron James and Dwight Howard, sitting on the stage, were naturally pleased, until an ESPN reporter started the ball rolling by asking about the news that had been receiving much attention these past two days:
"We received news from the Timberwolves that the team owner intends to trade Kevin Garnett."
"Everyone knows Kevin Garnett is very loyal to Minnesota, but now he might leave the city for a championship. Will this situation occur with the Cavaliers in the future?"
Ever since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh successively signed short-term contracts, some commentators believed that these Rookies from the 2003 draft intended to team up.
The current highest honor, the 'One Person, One City Award,' can greatly boost a star's image.
Sports media had mixed opinions on the trio's little schemes.
"Leave? No, I love Cleveland. The fans here have always supported me, and I will stay here to achieve something great."
Dwight Howard, in his contract year, expressed his loyalty with a smile.
This wasn't the first time.
The happy big boy would speak out whenever he had the chance.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, others would be.
LeBron James was preempted by his teammate.
Noticing that reporters below the stage were more concerned about his attitude, he felt a bit smug, but his face showed a serious expression as he solemnly promised:
"I am a child of Akron! Bringing a championship to Cleveland has always been my dream!"
"Look at our current achievements. We've made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for three consecutive years, and this year the team is hoping to go even further."
"Everything is developing in a better direction. I will not leave my hometown. Although I feel that the Cavaliers have not received the respect they deserve, basketball does not lie. We are a championship-caliber team."
Cleveland sports reporters were naturally very satisfied with this answer.
The The Chosen One was their hope.
Reaching the Conference Finals in his fourth year as a Rookie meant a promising future.
Dwight Howard and LeBron James subsequently received more praise.
They carried the name of loyalty!
On the other side, the San Antonio Spurs also led 2:1.
Although Amare Stoudemire made the First Team and could carry the Phoenix Suns offensively, his Defense struggled in the playoffs against opponents' coordinated play.
98:108, the Phoenix Suns were completely suppressed in the second half, surrendering the initiative.
The San Antonio Spurs seemed to have thoroughly completed their probing.
The players from both teams who attended the press conference didn't say much, but Gregg Popovich, who later spoke to San Antonio local media, again boasted:
"I don't like to hear comments about Tim stopping at the Semifinals. The San Antonio Spurs have the purest basketball in the league, and Tim has taken on too much responsibility."
"When praising Kevin Garnett, don't forget that the Timberwolves also paid a large luxury tax for that MVP."
"The San Antonio Spurs are different. Tim silently bears everything. He is loyal to this city and has never complained about these things. He is a hero of San Antonio."
Perhaps worried that Duncan might also leave, since the Lakers were always interested in their core player, Gregg Popovich would boast whenever he had the chance.
San Antonio media also didn't stingy praise.
After ESPN released the news, they also bestowed the name of loyalty upon Tim Duncan.
No one wanted to lose their star player.
On sunday, May 13th, the Palm Beach Post reported Lee's whereabouts first thing in the morning.
He should have been preparing for Game 4 with the Knicks, but instead appeared in West Palm Beach.
The Donald International Golf Club gathered a large number of reporters today.
Mayor Giuliani was participating in the presidential election, and his visit to Florida naturally attracted much attention.
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, wearing glasses and with brown hair, was the first to appear before reporters.
He was the Florida chairman of the presidential campaign.
Palm Beach Mayor Jack McDonald soon appeared on the scene.
Mayor Giuliani warmly greeted his old friend and did not refuse interviews, even having the mood to joke about the Donkey Party's gossip:
"I will not deliberately distort facts for the election. Perhaps my speeches are not as meticulously designed as theirs, but I believe sincerity is what truly moves people."
"…"
Mayor Giuliani, who was completely bald, had lost a lot of weight.
When the old fellow revealed his "sincere smile," his wrinkled face made him look more like a cunning old politician.
Aside from arranging for supportive media to sing his praises, most reporters didn't react much.
Being Shameless and little handsome was very important.
Obama looked sincere and was more likable.
Two days prior, Senator Obama criticized the Kansas tornado for causing ten thousand deaths, and through "Kansas: A True Disgrace," he garnered coverage from CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC.
Media from the Republican Party believed that blaming the current president for the chaos caused by the severe tornado in Kansas was a distortion of facts, and both sides had already had several clashes.
Donald organized the event for his old friend and was currently calling out to friends at the venue.
Although he was still a Democrat, it did not affect his friendship with his old friend.
In addition to municipal officials, famous tennis star Jennifer Capriati, and hockey veterans Guy Charron and Pierre Glouckx, among other sports stars, also arrived.
When Lee and Ivanka appeared discreetly in white golf attire, the media reporters, ready for gossip, all excitedly gathered around them.
Political affiliation is private, and this topic attracts far fewer people than sports.
As for why everyone rushed to interview them, one reason was that Ivanka was about to give birth.
Ivanka, wearing a white hat, had her blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
Although she was dressed in long pants, her good figure was evident.
In front of the reporters, Ivanka actively kissed Lee, and then whispered mischievously:
"I'm going over to Mayor Giuliani's side. Don't get kicked out by Donald!"
Leaving gracefully in front of the reporters, Ivanka quickly moved to the other side.
The former Mayor had helped a lot back then, so naturally, she had to actively respond to his election now.
"Lee, will you miss the Finals because of the baby?"
"Do you support Mayor Giuliani's views on Medicaid?"
"…"
Upon hearing the "marriage" question, Donald's eye twitched slightly, then he forced a smile, stepped forward generously, put his arm around Lee's shoulder, and greeted him proudly:
"We are family! You will see a grand wedding in the future. Now the game is about to begin, everyone can't wait to play against the GOAT!"
"No rush, I promise to attend the cocktail party later. Now is Mr. Mayor Giuliani's time."
Lee also put his arm around Donald and responded simply.
He naturally wouldn't steal the show.
Today was a preview of the campaign event.
The number of people participating in the golf event exceeded 500, and even the atmosphere team was arranged in advance.
The atmosphere on site became increasingly lively, and Mayor Giuliani, surrounded, was beaming.
Blue sky, white clouds, green grass.
Sitting in the golf cart with the breeze blowing, everyone praised the professional golf course.
The cart drove slowly.
Lee was driving, and Donald, frowning, gesticulated and grumbled:
"I don't know why Ivana supports you, and I don't want to know. Ivana is my darling, and now you've made me lose face."
"She's worshipped me since she was little, but in recent years she's started to question me. You've made her break away from my arrangements."
"…"
Seemingly emerging from the joy of welcoming his young son, Donald began to care about his beloved daughter again.
Lee did not refute, smiling and agreeing.
After talking for a long time, Donald finally changed the subject, suddenly whispering with a hint of meaning:
"I have some minor issues with my hotel financing in Las Vegas. I'm not interested in dealing with banks anymore. As family, I'll give this opportunity to you."
Lee listened to the other party describe his grand plans, secretly complaining that the old man didn't even want to pay interest.
His face remained expressionless, and upon reaching their destination, he extended his right hand in a friendly gesture:
"No problem, family should help each other. I will also invest in some real estate in New York later."
Thinking of Lee's earnings, Donald felt a little sour.
Plus, Ivanka was about to have another baby.
While forcing a smile, he put all his strength into the handshake.
After a struggle between the two, Donald, his face flushed, noticed that reporters seemed to be gathering around again.
He let go, secretly shook his hand vigorously, then got out of the car and put his arm around Lee again, whispering:
"You two must get married before she turns 10, and you must remain loyal after marriage!"
Lee's expression was a bit odd, but he still nodded in agreement.
Lee's Football Team still needed to work harder to reach the 18-man roster.
On Monday, May 14th, the Miami Herald sensationally reported on Lee's participation in a golf event.
Some column articles suggested that Lee's participation in an event during the Semifinals severely "humiliated" the Heat.
In Game 3, Dwyane Wade shed tears at the American Airlines Center after the third quarter due to a knee injury.
Heat fans, for once, didn't leave early and ultimately witnessed their home team's collapse.
At 113:88, after a 36:15 single quarter in the third, the game lost all suspense.
New York fans didn't care about Lee's personal actions.
Many young fans even called on Reddit for the game to return to their home court once more, feeling that this year's playoffs hadn't been exciting enough.
With opponents getting injured in two consecutive rounds, overwhelming victories were good, but seeing their old rivals break down in person was what New York fans looked forward to more.
Early in the morning, newspapers on both sides began trading barbs from afar.
It wasn't until the Heat officially announced in the afternoon that Dwyane Wade would miss Game 4 due to two recurring injuries that sports reporters shifted their attention.
Game 4 was again broadcast by TNT.
After receiving news of Dwyane Wade's absence, the pre-game warm-up became dull.
Facing the Knicks' interior combination, Old Shaq couldn't hold his ground.
Without Dwyane Wade as a tactical initiator, Old Shaq was even deprived of opportunities to score easy baskets.
When the two teams warmed up in the afternoon, Rajon Rondo noticed that Lee, after casually warming up his body on the other side of the court, was still accurate from beyond the three-point line, and he was once again filled with envy.
With a 3-0 lead in the series and the opponent's core player out, tonight's game was destined for extensive rotation.
David Lee, a member of the atmosphere-setting crew, was rubbing his hands, knowing it was his time to shine.
"That's Lee. Even if he partied all night, slept in the morning, he'd still easily get 40 points tonight."
"You shouldn't expect to reach that level just by working hard. This is the NBA, a stage for talented monsters."
David Lee approached Rajon Rondo and offered some "toxic chicken soup."
Seeing the Rookie's dejected expression, he felt even better.
Everyone should experience the feeling of shattered illusions.
"I just think basketball shouldn't be like this..."
Thinking of Dwyane Wade crying on the court, Rajon Rondo stopped dribbling and murmured.
Boris Diaw, who was watching nearby, noticed the Rookie's unwilling expression and teased him:
"What is playing basketball for? Here, you have a chance to get a contract worth more than market value."
"With a big contract, you can also win championships, get an extra bonus compared to other players, and all you have to do is play 20 minutes per game."
Seemingly recalling the enraged breakdown of veteran Gary Payton during a game, Boris Diaw didn't give the Rookie a chance to speak and added:
"I guarantee that 90% of the players in the league envy your situation. When I left the Atlanta Hawks, everyone envied me. You have no idea what it feels like to win only 20 games in a season."
Watching Boris Diaw laughingly turn around and actively join the ranks of flatterers, playing a three-point shooting game with Lee, Rajon Rondo fell silent again.
The Knicks were winning big, but he couldn't feel any sense of accomplishment.
Compared to Lee's casual attitude towards basketball, Rajon Rondo admired players who gave their all for the sport.
"Rookie! Go get my lucky bracelet! Don't just stand there!"
JR Smith, who had been promoted to the number one flatterer, turned and yelled at Rajon Rondo, then praised Lee by his side:
"A 29-foot three-pointer! That's amazing! Lee's long-range three-pointers are more accurate than those clowns' regular three-pointers."
"Some people only imitate. Now, 'the next Michael Jordan' isn't popular anymore."
JR Smith imitated the technical moves of a certain fishing star, drawing a burst of laughter.
Some basketball commentators recently criticized Lee's increasingly singular technical application, which was refuted by many players.
He'd drive with the ball, accelerate with a shoulder drop to shake off Defense, catch and shoot, or make a fading away shot against Defense.
Clay Lee, who was in excellent physical condition, had no flashy dribbling in the playoffs, which didn't suit the preferences of some armchair critics.
"Those people haven't played basketball. They praise Kobe Bryant's all-around skills, but they don't look at his team's performance in the playoffs."
"Los Angeles likes those boring performances. I experienced it when I was at UCLA. Lee should teach them a lesson again!"
Gadzuric took over and also started showering praise, and for a while, voices like "No chance, they only fish," "Triangle Offense is outdated," and "Stats padders aren't suitable for the playoffs" rose and fell.
Amidst the commotion, Lee calmly made a shot from the Logo, took the water bottle offered by Tayshaun Prince, and responded with a smile:
"I like different voices. This year's public opinion environment is so good that I'm a bit unaccustomed to it. I still prefer them blindly commenting nonsensically!"
"..."
Laughter once again filled the American Airlines Center.
With Dirk Nowitzki as a foil, even Charles Barkley actively went back on his word and started praising Clay Lee profusely.
Although basketball commentators' "amnesia" would recur next season, most sports media outlets in various regions were no longer singing a different tune.
The Knicks held the Pacers' draft pick this year and would definitely sign a high-ranking Rookie, but this was a bit of a concern for Pau Gasol because the team had traded away their late first-round pick.
Mark Gasol often stayed with his brother in Tarrytown.
As the draft lottery approached, Pau Gasol also began to inquire about the team's plans.
"If you get Mark to lose weight, I think he can be selected in the first round."
Hill spoke relatively tactfully.
The other party was still on the bench in Barcelona, and even if his performance in the World Championship was decent, no one in the United States was paying attention.
A late first-round pick could secure a guaranteed contract, but Finley also wasn't optimistic about this draft. Knowing Pau Gasol cared about his brother, he also subtly suggested:
"Perhaps it's better to let him make a name for himself in Spain before coming to the NBA. Getting a guaranteed contract is still very important."
Pau Gasol sighed inwardly.
It would be easy to manipulate the pick, as the Knicks still had a late second-round pick, but there was simply no room for Rookie development within the team:
"I know, I just hope he won't be too disappointed."
While the Knicks chatted casually during their warm-up, the Heat became increasingly silent.
Dwyane Wade's injury had severely dampened the team's morale, and even Gary Payton was no longer talkative.
In fact, after the first round, everyone had a sense of having completed their mission.
Pat Riley, uncharacteristically, did not motivate the team, which made many players realize that this season was coming to an end.
At 7:30 PM that evening, half an hour before the game began, after the entrance ceremony, the director repeatedly focused the camera on a serious-looking Shaquile O'Neal.
There were some issues with the American Airlines Center s attendance.
The front-row seats were not yet full, and compared to the previous game, most fans had lost their enthusiasm.
During the final pre-game warm-up, Lee dribbled the ball with both hands on the sidelines, the basketball occasionally passing between his legs with powerful thuds.
Lee, wearing a blue away training uniform, did not receive boos.
While surrounded by cameras, front-row fans also stood up and watched the warm-up with great interest.
When Lee started receiving the ball and shooting from beyond the three-point line, as the distance grew further and further, cheers began to erupt in the American Airlines Center.
Perhaps the fans who bought second-hand tickets were all fair-weather fans.
Before the game even started, some had already switched sides.
Dwyane Wade, sitting on the bench, occasionally pulled teammates aside to give instructions, constantly cheering them on.
On the other side of the court, Gary Payton, following Old Shaq, felt the atmosphere and couldn't help but speak sourly:
"I just can't stand this deliberate show. In the past, only softies shot three-pointers."
Old Shaq, who had been silent throughout the series, looked at his old friend.
Thinking that this was the other's last season, he finally said in a muffled voice:
"I'm sorry, Gary, I couldn't get you a ring."
"Don't say that, Bro! You know, if I wanted to just get a ring, it would be easy, but that wouldn't mean anything..."
The hardest thing left on Gary Payton's body was his mouth.
He would never admit that he couldn't join the Knicks.
After a string of bold words, he had a few more complaints about Lee.
Coach DAntoni, who was being interviewed, hadn't participated much in the game plan formulation these past two days, but at this moment, facing the camera, he confidently said:
"The playoffs are about the details. In the last game, Lee scored 40 points without a single turnover. In 3 games, his turnover count is 0!"
"Giving the ball to Lee is the most effective tactic. This game will be the same. We will still give our all."
"..."
After the game started at 8 PM, the American Airlines Center finally filled up.
The cheers grew fainter, and Ron Artest, who had undergone physical therapy all afternoon on the Knicks' side, was in surprisingly good form.
Breaking from his brick-laying performance in the previous game, Ron Artest, who didn't have to bear too many Defense responsibilities, exploded.
In the first two possessions after tip-off, James Posey transitioned to help Defense, and Ron Artest received a pass from Lee on the left and right wings and shot it right in!
Old Shaq, who was frequently double-teamed, returned to his Game 1 form.
The Heat barely scored early in the game, relying on free throws.
The continuous fast breaks caused the home fans to start switching sides.
Scattered cheers appeared for the away team, and by the end of the first quarter, the Heat's bench grew even more silent.
36:16. Dwyane Wade covered his face with his hands, propping himself up on his knees, appearing extremely frustrated:
"I don't want to lose like this."
....
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