On tuesday, January 29, 2008, at the Staples Center, the director frequently focused the camera on Kobe Bryant on the bench.
Ever since his right pinky finger tear was confirmed, the Lakers had been discussing whether Kobe should undergo surgery.
Currently, Kobe's health not only affects the team's performance but also impacts future trades.
After all, they couldn't just get Tim Duncan and then have him lead the team alone.
After a day of deliberation, Kobe himself finally stepped forward.
Before tonight's game, he announced his treatment plan to the media:
"I will choose to undergo surgery after the season ends. A finger injury won't deter me. I promise the fans that we will return to the Finals this year."
Kobe made bold statements before the game, but the game itself left the Los Angeles Lakers fans feeling disheartened. The gap was too large.
The Knicks were absolutely crushing them!
By now, the third quarter was more than halfway over, and JR Smith's performance continued.
Sasha Vujacic was helping on Defense from the right wing.
As Lee passed the ball horizontally, gasps of surprise erupted once again.
There was still a short distance to the three-point line, but JR Smith caught the ball and immediately shot it.
By the time the basketball swished through the net, he even had the presence of mind to shrug at the opposing team's bench.
"The Los Angeles Lakers' defensive system has collapsed again! As long as they can hit these open three-pointers, the Knicks are simply unstoppable!"
At the TNT commentary desk, Doug Collins sighed again.
It was just too brutal.
New York's three-pointers were raining down tonight.
"Boo!"
Boos erupted in the Staples Center again.
78:58. With 4 minutes and 48 seconds left in the third quarter, the game had already lost its suspense.
Since the Knicks were facing two consecutive back-to-back road games in the Western Conference this week, Coach DAntoni rotated his players early, but the Los Angeles Lakers were still no match, looking like a weak team.
Watching the Los Angeles Lakers' offensive possession once again involve ineffective outside passing and probing, Kevin Harlan at the commentary desk couldn't help but lose his composure and instinctively changed the subject:
"It's clear Kobe Bryant wants to play, but his health affects the team's ceiling. I respect the Los Angeles Lakers' decision. In a few more days, the situation might be completely different."
The Los Angeles Lakers' offense ultimately ended with Lamar Odom driving aggressively from the right elbow, stepping into the paint, and clanking another shot.
Kwame Brown had retreated early, and Luke Walton didn't actively fight for the rebound.
At Old Fish's signal, everyone quickly retreated again, leaving only chaotic noise in the Staples Center.
Phil Jackson, sitting on the bench, didn't react much.
The old man had white hair and a white beard.
Despite being behind, he had a smile on his face.
Maintaining the Champion Coach's swagger, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man was clearly ready to welcome the All-Star.
As for the outcome of the game, it wasn't that important.
Andrew Bynum, who was out with a knee contusion, was also a bit down.
It was clear the team had given up on him, and they hadn't managed to trade Kobe in the end.
The camera frequently panned over the quiet Los Angeles Lakers bench.
Whether this powerhouse team could rise again would depend on the trades in the coming days.
With the lead at 20 points, Lee also slightly slowed down the pace of the game.
This week would be spent on a plane, and playing too aggressively would exhaust the team's enthusiasm too early.
"Defense!"
Only the DJ was still playing music energetically.
Some fans in the front row, seeing Lee suddenly push the ball and change direction at the top of the arc, instinctively booed along.
Derek Fisher, having set his stance, displayed his defensive prowess, but he was almost beaten in one step.
As he chased back, he saw Lee dip his shoulder and accelerate, then pull the ball back between his legs.
His mind reacted, but his body remained rooted.
Near the free-throw line, as the basketball returned to Lee's left hand, before the two inside defenders could react, he accelerated again, breaking through.
Facing their double-team, he took a step-through directly in front of the basket and laid it in with his right hand!
Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom didn't even have time to raise their hands before the basketball swished through the net.
Two changes of direction, effortlessly changing rhythm to score.
Seeing Lee already retreating on Defense, Kwame Brown, who was about to inbound the ball, couldn't help but complain in frustration:
"Damn it, this is my last game in Los Angeles!"
Derek Fisher, who received the ball, didn't say anything.
He didn't know how to comfort the other party.
Kwame Brown wasn't like Bynum, who clashed with Kobe.
He was simply bad, not meeting the team's championship aspirations.
With a mix of emotions, Old Fish crossed half-court without facing tight Defense.
Seizing the opportunity, he suddenly accelerated in front of Lee, stopped short near the left elbow, and then shot the ball!
80:60. There was still no cheering in the Staples Center.
Clay Lee, instead, patted Derek Fisher as encouragement, reminding him that the game had entered garbage time.
As the game time elapsed, Kobe on the bench began to frown.
He disliked "mutual integrity" and found his teammates' lack of fighting spirit unacceptable:
"Defend! Don't defend like a 40-year-old guy!"
Kobe shouted a few times, glaring at Kwame Brown, who wasn't aggressively hedging on the pick-and-roll.
The latter paused slightly upon hearing the voice, then the Lee in front of him lowered his center of gravity and disappeared past him.
Lee's push-dribble and change of direction in motion allowed him to weave through the gap at the top of the arc.
Lamar Odom watched his opponent drive straight to the basket through the middle and reluctantly moved his feet.
The basketball swished past him.
Lamar Odom gave up on retreating.
Pau Gasol behind him received Lee's concealed pass and, unguarded, shot down another one-handed dunk!
The two high-fived to celebrate on the court.
For a moment, the Los Angeles Lakers players on the court completely lost their morale.
Even Kobe stopped shouting, continuing to glare at his teammates with a "displeased" expression.
At this moment, in the Los Angeles Lakers' locker room, a videographer was also recording the game.
Ever since the trade was confirmed, Phil Jackson had regained his spirits.
At the Champion Coach's request, the post-game analysis report had to be over 30 pages.
To win another championship, they had to dissect their opponents.
"We're doing useless work. Just attack the pick-and-roll. Most of the tactics originate from Clay Lee. Unless the referees allow some special hand movements, it's simply impossible to defend."
The staff member staring at the computer couldn't help but complain.
How was he supposed to write this kind of post-game report?
Padding 30 pages was meaningless.
No one responded to him.
In fact, most teams in the NBA watch the Knicks' game footage repeatedly every year.
It used to be somewhat useful, but the emergence of long-range three-pointers rendered their efforts futile.
No matter how they summarized, it always came back to the fundamental one-on-one matchup problem.
Phil Jackson was not yet aware of the complaints from behind.
The game had lost its suspense, which didn't affect his communication with his assistant coach:
"I hope Kobe can take on more defensive assignments. He'll do better than Dwyane Wade!"
The third quarter was about to end.
The assistant coach heard the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man's whisper and knew that he wanted him to do psychological work again, to persuade Kobe to sacrifice for the team.
92:68. During the quarter break, boos once again erupted at the Staples Center.
The "Anti-Lee Alliance" had many members in Los Angeles, and the proud Los Angeles Lakers fans had always disliked New York.
Whenever there was a continuous road trip in the Western Conference, the team staff would be exceptionally busy.
Fortunately, the game ended early, and some people had already begun quietly tidying up the tactical board and clothes.
As Lee took his blue road practice uniform, the medical staff also began their work, providing simple massages to help reduce body damage and fatigue in his thighs.
"Guys, don't be nervous. I know my body. You should have more confidence!"
Looking at the medical team, who were more serious than usual, Lee smiled and offered comfort, but they didn't stop their work, also explaining a couple of things:
"Thirty years old is indeed no longer young for a professional player."
Before the Knicks arrived, the Los Angeles Times had a columnist who wrote a prediction, which was well-reasoned and convincing!
The summary was that Clay Lee's performance would decline year by year, and he would be defeated by younger players, just like Michael Jordan was, in at most four more years.
The article also mentioned Kobe's injury and sarcastically implied that Lee would eventually get injured too, giving the reason that he played too many games and even God couldn't stop the body's wear and tear.
The newspaper was for the Los Angeles Lakers fans, so this kind of rhetoric naturally had a big market locally.
In another city, no one would even bring it up.
Old rivals like Philadelphia had already lost so much they were numb.
The fourth quarter entered garbage time, and Rajon Rondo didn't hold back.
He didn't play carelessly like the opposing team but continued to meticulously execute tactical plays.
The more they shot, the more they missed.
The more they lost, the more they fell behind.
Watching Rajon Rondo assist teammates for easy layups in transition several times, Kobe on the Los Angeles Lakers bench lowered his head, no longer watching the game, just waiting for it to end.
Barea also got a chance and scored for the team as soon as he came on.
The Staples Center grew quieter, and then a buzzing sound started, followed by boos once again.
124:89. The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another crushing defeat, being swept by the Knicks for the second time this season.
Kobe, who stood up from the bench, didn't greet his opponents and immediately walked towards the player tunnel.
Fans on both sides called out his name, and Kobe managed a forced smile, but as Bynum entered the tunnel a step faster than him, the smile completely vanished.
Although he was out due to injury, a large number of reporters surrounded Kobe after the game.
Many were optimistic about their ability to break through in the Western Conference with the All-Star.
"Kobe, we've received news that the Phoenix Suns have reached a preliminary agreement with the Miami Heat. Shaquille O'Neal will join Phoenix!"
"Will this affect the Western Conference landscape?"
For two consecutive seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers had lost to the Phoenix Suns.
The ESPN reporter's question clearly carried malice.
Kobe Bryant frowned at this, staring at the reporter and answering seriously:
"I respect Shaq, but it's hard for him to return to his former form."
"The Lakers' only goal is the championship. No one can influence me, and I'm not interested in news about other teams."
The TNT reporter, seeing Kobe still putting on airs, was momentarily displeased.
As soon as his words fell, he became a "contrarian" and asked a question that made Kobe uncomfortable:
"Both you and Tim Duncan actively sought trades. If you ultimately lose in the Finals, does this mean your individual strength is the biggest problem preventing you from winning a championship?"
For a competitive player, admitting a lack of strength is impossible.
The "81-point scorer" was angered at this point and retorted impolitely:
"Have you considered me winning the championship?"
"No."
This single word stunned the surrounding reporters.
Then, some began to stifle laughter, looking at Kobe with a different kind of meaning.
Lee, who was at the press conference, didn't have Kobe's troubles.
The reporters below were actually more concerned about other issues, as there was really nothing to summarize about this game:
"Clay, it's rumored that this year's All-Star reserve lineup has made the league's coaches difficult. Some players believe the votes lack fairness. Do you support the league in revising the relevant rules?"
The Yahoo Sports reporter asked about a hot topic in the league recently.
Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady, who did not wish to be named, proposed to the league to amend the voting.
Both believed that the All-Star starting lineup should also involve critics and players, not just rely on fan votes.
This proposal even received the approval of many players, but Lee did not participate in this boring topic and casually replied:
"All-Star Weekend is for the fans. Some people travel from all over the United States specifically to watch the games, and they certainly have the right to decide which stars they want to see."
"I will not forget my identity. The All-Star starters are earned through fan support. In my opinion, the current voting has no issues whatsoever."
"To be a starter, put on a better performance. Basketball isn't complicated. Fans can see who deserves to be voted for."
Some reporters chuckled upon hearing this.
Clearly, Lee looked down on the sour grapes like Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady.
They would surely concoct an article that night, and fans from both sides would definitely have a heated debate.
Soon, an ESPN reporter also asked about the Heat's trade.
Lee heard about the relevant news for the first time and finally simply offered his blessings:
"Shaq might want to prove himself again. Although I don't favor them, effort deserves respect."
"Shawn Marion is a talented player. It's a pity we didn't have the chance to work together."
Once this trade happened, Ron Artest became the beneficiary.
Marion had put considerable pressure on him, as the opponent was also an All-Star forward.
On Thursday, January 31st, that evening, TNT announced the reserve rosters for the New Orleans All-Star Game on its program:
The 7 Eastern Conference All-Star reserves are:
Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison, Kevin Garnett, Tyson Chandler.
The 7 Western Conference All-Star reserves are:
Steve Nash, Brandon Roy, Allen Iverson, Carlos Boozer, David West, Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemire.
After the list was announced, Allen Iverson's fans were ecstatic.
Their idol's return to the All-Star Game was undoubtedly a sign of his resurgence!
Sometimes, speaking out frequently does have benefits.
At least coaches will be deeply impressed. Tracy McGrady was once again not selected, and his fans also had something to say:
"Injuries hindered his votes. If Tracy were healthy, he would be an All-Star starter."
Another "fandom battle" erupted on Reddit.
Lee's fans angrily cursed the coaches.
They had finally managed to bring Allen Iverson down, only for him to be lifted back up again.
The debate lasted only one night, and then the long-awaited major trade happened right on time!
On February 1st, the NBA announced a trade, and Los Angeles erupted again:
The Lakers sent out Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Mark Gasol, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks.
And received MVP Tim Duncan from the San Antonio Spurs.
Aside from the two atmosphere builders, Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum were the main rotation players in the Lakers' paint.
Considering Bynum's age, Duncan left a "future" for his former team.
Although the trade had been leaked early, San Antonio fans still couldn't accept it once it actually happened.
Videos of fans burning jerseys quickly appeared on YouTube.
Social media also erupted, with more and more fans cursing Duncan as a "traitor," and no small number criticizing the Lakers for "poaching."
Only Los Angeles fans were beaming.
The "slackers" traded for an MVP.
This trade was a huge win! As for Bynum's talent, it was not even worth mentioning compared to Duncan's.
Jerry Buss brought his family out, and the Lakers' management was also mobilized.
The next evening, a grand press conference was held for Tim Duncan, who had flown to Los Angeles.
When Tim Duncan appeared at Staples Center, looking serious and holding a yellow No. 21 jersey, the Los Angeles reporters erupted!
General Manager Kupchak was completely deified at this moment.
Some people recalled Kobe's humiliation of him during the offseason and began to feel indignant on his behalf.
Jerry Buss chattered beside Duncan, the old playboy smiling like a flower.
Before reporters could ask questions, he proactively picked up the microphone and said:
"Unbelievable, we got an MVP!"
"This season, the Lakers will return to the Finals at all costs. Our only goal is the championship!"
Next to him, Jeanie Buss, wearing a white shirt and jeans, also wore a graceful smile.
She openly whispered to the reporters, and quietly asked Phil Jackson beside her:
"Will we win the championship?"
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man, who was applauding the owner, glanced at her, then at the cheering reporters, and finally didn't say anything to spoil the mood:
"Of course, he's the best big man in the league. He'll fit the Triangle Offense perfectly. We'll win back everything!"
When Duncan took his seat, the press conference was still lively.
There were even many fans gathered outside the Staples Center, and the former MVP witnessed it all.
The Lakers still had an away game on Sunday, and soon the Los Angeles reporters asked the question everyone cared about:
"Tim, welcome to Los Angeles! I believe you've already felt the energy of the fans."
"Now we want to know when you will officially play for the Lakers. The team is currently experiencing some minor issues, and the record is also very unsatisfactory."
Perhaps remembering his bold words in San Antonio back then, Tim Duncan, upon hearing the question, didn't boast.
He simply expressed his determination:
"Joining the Lakers was a choice I made after much thought. I came here to do only one thing: pursue the championship."
"I can't wait to start playing. I don't mind starting on the road. Home-court advantage in the playoffs is very important, and the team needs to get serious."
Duncan, wearing a loose black suit with his shirt collar open, didn't look "neat and tidy."
This was a completely opposite personal style to Clay Lee.
However, the Los Angeles media now found him pleasing in every way, especially upon hearing Duncan's positive attitude.
For a time, everyone joined in praising him, and flattery flowed like a tide.
Watching Duncan calmly answer questions, Jerry Buss was very satisfied.
His health was not as good as before, but this trade made him feel happy from the inside out:
"Well done! I'm tired of that idiot James Dolan."
Hearing the owner's complaint, Kupchak didn't take up the conversation.
The Great Western Forum was acquired by the Dolan Family, and their display of wealth made the Buss family uncomfortable.
After the press conference, the next day, Los Angeles reporters captured images of Kobe and Duncan boarding a plane, chatting and laughing.
After the related news was reported, many San Antonio fans began burning jerseys again, and New York fans were "grinning" again, with the YouTube comments section being taken over by trolls.
The debate between "pure basketball" and "commercial basketball" also ended. With his flawless "One-Person-One-City Award," Clay Lee became the representative of "loyalty" among active players.
All past arguments seemed meaningless in the face of this trade.
Time provided the answer: Clay Lee was the true role model, loyal to the city, loyal to the fans!
The Knicks' Western road trip resulted in a 2-2 record, losing to the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Fortunately, Kevin Durant provided some warmth on the back-to-back, and the record met expectations.
On Wednesday, February 6th, New York fans were still preparing to watch the home game that night, when another major trade occurred in the afternoon:
The Miami Heat sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for All-Star forward Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
At the moment the trade happened, Shaq also accepted an interview with the Miami Herald, apologizing to the local fans while also speaking for himself:
"I am indeed old. Staying in the Eastern Conference, it's hard to contend with Lee, but that doesn't mean I can't beat some teams."
"Now I want to bring my championship experience to Phoenix. I will rise again in the Western Conference. This is the last choice of my career!"
"..."
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)