After several consecutive years of declining NBA Finals viewership, 2008 finally saw a strong rebound, and ESPN/ABC were beaming with joy after Game 2.
As broadcasters, while outwardly they firmly supported the NBA's explanation regarding the betting scandal, behind the scenes, related practitioners were all 'cursing'.
If a brand collapses, it's incredibly difficult to rebuild it.
Fortunately, data showed they had passed through the difficult times, and many genuinely thanked Kobe!
Without Kobe's antics and Los Angeles' cooperation, Lee and New York, playing a solo act, wouldn't have garnered so much attention!
As there was only one day of rest before Game 3, the remote studio moved to Los Angeles early.
Scott served as the on-site reporter for Game 2, and Grant Hill took over the hosting duties.
To bring joy to the fans in front of their televisions, Shaq, a familiar face to fans, was invited as a guest for Game 2.
Shaquille O'Neal slapped his thigh in the studio, having missed Kobe's embarrassing moment.
From a game content perspective, Game 2 was not exciting.
Kobe's finger was severely injured early in the game, and coupled with him receiving a technical foul at the end of the first quarter and returning to the locker room, the Lakers collapsed early.
By the end of the game, the Lakers were unable to fill the huge hole they had dug.
Both teams used a 10-man rotation, and the final score was 92:120, with the Knicks winning by a small margin!
As the press conference still needed some time, when the camera returned to the Los Angeles studio, Shaquille O'Neal, dressed in a black suit, was beaming with joy.
Visibly happy, if it weren't for the show's requirements, Shaquille O'Neal would probably have celebrated on the spot.
Without waiting for Grant Hill to find a topic, he eagerly said in a deep voice:
"Kobe and I have no grudges whatsoever! In my opinion, he will always be my little brother!"
"Basketball doesn't lie. As a player who has won MVP and FMVP, I must honestly express my opinion."
Shaquille O'Neal's smile was uncontrollable.
Holding the box score, he grinned and spoke to the two people beside him.
He was about to go on a rant again!
Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon didn't expect Shaquille O'Neal to be so thick-skinned.
They barely managed to maintain serious expressions and waved their hands solemnly, saying:
"Shaq, you can express any opinion!"
"Yes, we respect your achievements, and I believe the fans watching at home also want to hear a superstar's thoughts on tonight's game."
Controlling the smile on his face, Shaquille O'Neal didn't talk about tactics or the two teams' personnel choices, directly pointing the finger at Kobe's statistics:
"1 for 4, 2 for 6, 3 for 7, 2 for 3. After the conflict in the first quarter, Kobe Bryant never found his offensive rhythm."
"8 for 20. Kobe played well in the second half, but the inability of the core player to respond in time was the fundamental reason for the Lakers' loss."
"In my opinion, the role players have completed their work. Tonight, the Lakers took 83 shots. If Kobe had been more efficient, they wouldn't have been down double digits in the first quarter."
"You all think I'm mocking him, but I understand my little brother. He's not Clay Lee. He's not Michael Jordan. He can't organize the offense. He can't even be a qualified leader!"
The more Shaquille O'Neal spoke, the happier he became.
He shook his head and beamed with joy.
He hadn't expected Kobe to cooperate so well with his performance, playing aggressively during garbage time.
Before the game, Michael Wilbon, like many other commentators, confidently guaranteed that Kobe would bounce back.
From a statistical perspective, his shooting percentage did recover to 40%, but the game content was a complete mess:
"I agree with some of Shaq's points, but the biggest reason for the Lakers' loss should be Defense."
"Perhaps Tim Duncan's help Defense can solve most of the problems, but after encountering Clay Lee, he needs more help."
"If we look at it from this structure, although the San Antonio Spurs lost again last year, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili didn't perform poorly. They lost due to roster depth."
"The Lakers have great roster depth, but the core players must step up. I believe Kobe Bryant knows what Game 3 means, and I still believe he will have a better performance when he returns home!"
Unable to stand his old partner receiving praise, Shaquille O'Neal didn't even look at Jon Barry, who was about to take over, and confidently reiterated his opinion:
"I understand Kobe, and I understand Lee. For so many years, I've been competing against Lee!"
"Lee is a born winner, but he also has his own persistence. Heading to Los Angeles, he will give Kobe a lesson he'll never forget."
"Defeating 'the best player' in front of the Los Angeles fans, I believe Lee is ready. I will be there to witness this moment!"
Shaquille O'Neal said these words gruffly, almost bursting into laughter on the spot.
Just thinking about Kobe losing filled his heart with joy, and he was so eager to see his old partner in trouble.
In the studio, Grant Hill and Jon Barry almost laughed too.
Shaquille O'Neal, who claimed "no grudges," was practically waving a "Kobe Must Lose" flag.
After being reminded by the director, Grant Hill didn't delay any longer.
Maintaining a smile in front of the camera, he reintroduced the fans watching at home:
"Kobe's finger injury has flared up again, but he still appeared at the press conference. We can hear his thoughts on the series. Game 3 will be held in Los Angeles the day after tomorrow, and time is running out!"
"..."
The media studio on the top floor of Madison Square Garden hasn't changed much over the years, giving it an old-fashioned feel.
Entering the room felt like stepping back into the 90s.
As Tim Duncan, dressed in a loose black suit, took his seat, a familiar feeling resurfaced.
Last year, they also suffered two crushing defeats and were interviewed here.
Kobe, in a white shirt and black suit beside him, exuded a "don't come near" signal, and his drawn, dark face clearly expressed "unhappiness."
However, none of the reporters below cared about his mood.
They had been holding it in all day and finally found some fun.
A TNT reporter eagerly asked a question, and after identifying himself, he bluntly commented:
"Kobe, it's regrettable that the Lakers lost again. In two games, you've gone 0 for 8 from beyond the arc. We want to know why your shooting has declined so much compared to the Western Conference Finals?"
8 for 20, 0 for 5 from three-point range, 6 for 8 from the free-throw line, 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers.
Kobe's stats improved, but media who watched the game found it hard to respect these numbers.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with my offensive choices! I just couldn't get that damn basketball into the hoop!"
"Stats don't matter. What I need to do now is have a few drinks, forget the road trip experience, and go back to Los Angeles to play my style of game."
"You'll see my response. You can come interview me then!"
Looking at Kobe, who was still incredibly confident on stage, many sports reporters were shocked.
Such a strong ability to self-regulate is something most players in the NBA simply cannot do.
ESPN just wanted to see a joke.
They had been tracking Kobe's data for years and were considered the sports media group that best understood the unique Mamba:
"Many commentators have noticed a set of data: your usage rate in the regular season was 31.4%, and it continued to rise in the playoffs!"
"Did this affect Tim Duncan's performance? Do you think an excessively high usage rate is the reason for the Lakers' loss?"
In the regular season this year, LeBron James had the highest usage rate at 33.5%, followed by Dwyane Wade at 33.1%, with Kobe Bryant ranking third.
From these statistics, Duncan's performance would certainly be affected to some extent, especially since Kobe's playoff usage rate even increased slightly.
In contrast, Clay Lee's 28.7% usage rate was surprisingly low for a primary ball-handler.
When advanced statistics were brought up, Kobe felt even more displeased.
In terms of Excel, he was even comprehensively behind LeBron James.
The other party wanted to use data to express a "cancerous playstyle," so he naturally had to refute:
"What are you trying to express? What's the use of these statistics? All I know is that the Lakers made it to the Finals!"
"I never pay attention to these boring numbers. I just train hard and give my all on the court. These numbers cannot evaluate me, and basketball is not a math problem."
Tim Duncan also began to speak up for his new partner.
After losing Game 2, the locker room atmosphere was extremely bad, so he also had to express himself positively:
"We are basketball players. Few people care about these data models that have been introduced over the years. Basketball is only about winning or losing; nothing else matters."
"The team controlled turnovers very well in both games, which is a good thing for us!"
"I want to commend New York's home court. The fans here are full of energy, but it's our turn to perform in the next three games!"
Kobe slightly raised his head, still glaring fiercely at the ESPN reporters below after hearing Duncan's words.
The network had been disparaging him for so many years, and the animosity between them was irreconcilable.
Perhaps Duncan's confidence infected the crowd below, as many reporters also reined in their schadenfreude, and the subsequent questions became friendlier, with no one further badgering the two.
Kobe, who had been continuously speaking diplomatic pleasantries, also let out a sigh of relief.
He disliked dealing with these reporters.
"Are there any more questions? Thank you for your cooperation."
The Lakers staff seized the opportunity to quickly end the press conference.
They had to fly back to Los Angeles overnight, and after two consecutive games of large-margin losses, it was now a "do-or-die" situation.
Opening game, crucial battle, do-or-die…
Such experiences made Duncan, who had stood up, frown slightly.
Remembering the San Antonio Spurs' past experiences, an ominous premonition continuously arose in his heart.
"I'm fed up with New York! The people here don't even like basketball! We're going to win all our home games and get the championship as soon as possible!"
Thinking of the jokers who kept mocking him during the game, Kobe complained somewhat irritably to his partner, while also showing his absolute confidence to appease the silent Duncan.
"Listen to what the Head Coach says! We have enough time to turn the game around."
Patting Kobe's shoulder, Duncan brought up Phil Jackson, clearly hoping Kobe would play according to the plan.
The slightly old-fashioned atmosphere of Madison Square Garden quickly silenced the group.
This Madison Square Garden swallowed the dreams of many players.
The basketball mecca was actually a nightmare for many.
Around 11:30 PM, Clay Lee and Pau Gasol also appeared in the media studio.
The Lakers were rushing to catch a flight overnight, and sports reporters also had no time to rest.
Everyone had to stay up late to meet deadlines.
More and more fans began to surf the internet, and sports news also required immediacy, which forced mainstream media to compromise on working hours.
New York reporters applauded and whispered their welcome, which had almost become a fixed ritual, as the Knicks had never lost a Finals in so many years.
Unlike Kobe, who wore a long face, Lee, who was accustomed to winning, always smiled and answered all questions in a relaxed tone.
"Lee, congratulations on winning the game again. I think the fans and I share the same opinion: you can try to take more shots!"
Everyone present had the box score: 12-of-18 shooting, 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, 9-of-9 from the free-throw line, for 38 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
Clay Lee, who played 31 minutes, delivered stats that many reporters found "unsatisfactory."
"Lee, you really should shoot as much as Kobe!"
"…"
Yahoo Sports seemed to strike a chord, and some reporters joined in the commotion.
For them, entertainment was sometimes more important than the outcome.
"I like to share victories. The Knicks are a united family, and playing in the Finals is a dream for many players. Everyone should have a chance to show what they can do!"
"After all, we have the most loyal fans, and it's hard to encounter difficulties at home. This is a reward for everyone's hard work!"
Lee's simple answer put the New York reporters in a great mood.
The most loyal fans—that was universally recognized across America!
First in attendance for many consecutive years, highest ticket revenue for many consecutive years—New York's basketball environment far surpassed other regions.
New York fans could proudly declare that Madison Square Garden was the mecca of basketball.
"Will you increase your shots on the road? Lee, you have a chance to achieve an average of 40 points again in this year's Finals!"
A New York Times reporter proactively reminded Lee, and suddenly many others chimed in.
It wasn't that everyone wanted to see 40+ points per game.
Many just wanted to mock Kobe at the end of the series and make a big show of it!
Lee had a pretty good guess about everyone's little schemes, but sometimes he also needed to cooperate with the performance.
Years of NBA career had also made him a qualified "actor":
"I can't quite remember, how many times have I achieved 40 points per game in the Finals!"
Lee didn't immediately agree, but instead showed some confusion. Soon, someone eagerly responded:
"3 times, Lee! The most recent was in the 04-05 season, averaging 40.6 points. In the 2002 Finals, 42.6 points per game was an NBA Finals historical record, and in 2001, there was also 40.8 points per game!"
An ESPN reporter cooperated with the "performance."
Upon hearing these statistics, many young reporters exclaimed how outrageous it was.
In comparison, Kobe's statement "I am the best player" was simply a huge joke.
As early as 2001, Clay Lee's stats were on par with Michael Jordan, while Kobe Bryant had yet to achieve these feats.
There was a sub-GOAT separating the two.
In these two games for the Knicks, among all players, only Clay Lee and Pau Gasol consistently had double-digit shot attempts.
In both games, usually only three players had 10 or more shot attempts.
The Spaniard, who was being taken care of, now strongly supported his boss.
When the audience was quiet, Pau Gasol adjusted the microphone and said earnestly:
"Lee has always looked after us. He never cares about stats. If we encounter difficulties, he will be the first to step up and solve the problem!"
"Perhaps we will encounter some difficulties on the road, and the Head Coach has already made arrangements. I believe that after this Finals concludes, no one will discuss the topic of 'the best player' anymore."
Upon hearing Pau Gasol's answer, the Fox Sports reporter immediately perked up and promptly asked:
"Pau, do you think Kobe doesn't deserve to be called the best player?"
"Undoubtedly, he might be a good scorer, but he's not a qualified leader. In my opinion, he's not even the best player on the Lakers."
"I know Tim Duncan. We've faced each other many times in the Finals. He's better than reported, and it's a pity his career overlapped with Lee's, but I respect his choice!"
Pau Gasol's affirmative answer made everyone even more excited.
Unlike Kevin Garnett's subtle comments, the big Spaniard clearly stated his opinion.
For a moment, everyone joined in the fun, trying to get Pau Gasol to continue speaking.
Lee didn't intervene, which made the atmosphere even more joyful.
"Lee, we noticed your tweet on Twitter. What's the prize?"
A TNT reporter once again asked a question that everyone had overlooked.
Lee nodded slightly in satisfaction, and then promoted:
"This fall, 2K Sports will release a basketball game. You know, I'll be on the cover. For those who guess 22 points correctly, I'll give away a commemorative edition of the game!"
"In addition, there will be a series of merchandise, including my authentic signature shoes from this year and next year's Finals tickets."
"Of course, if we don't make it to the Finals, there will be no tickets. I hope everyone continues to support New York!"
Many reporters grinned, and some younger reporters began to regret not participating in the comments.
New York tickets were too expensive!
No one at the scene questioned Lee's "loan" behavior.
After so many years, most professionals had become accustomed to New York appearing in the Finals.
The rest of the time completely turned into an advertisement.
Some reporters cooperated by discussing Lee's player ratings, while others teased about what rating "the best player" would have in the game after the Finals ended.
In EA Sports' games, Clay Lee's personal exclusive moves had never been well-executed.
As players reported, they "lacked aesthetics" and "lacked power."
After tonight, 2K would undoubtedly become a topic of discussion among the onlookers, as Lee had rarely recommended games before this.
After the harmonious press conference, the Knicks staff also began to get busy.
Although it was unlikely the Finals would return to New York, everyone still had to be prepared.
As they headed to the parking lot, Pau Gasol couldn't help but sigh, remembering the coaching staff's personnel arrangements:
"David is a good person, but unfortunately, he won't get many opportunities!"
A Rookie who was good at flattery didn't necessarily gain a firm footing in the Knicks.
Every Head Coach had his preferences, and coupled with the fierce internal competition within the Knicks, David Lee, who was in a contract year, was out.
"Leaving New York isn't a bad thing. He has a championship and knows how to win."
"Getting a good contract and sharing his championship experience, that might be a better choice!"
Lee had received definite news from Mark Bartelstein: David Lee wanted a starting position and more playing time.
Ultimately, this handsome guy would only be able to spread championship experience.
Pau Gasol nodded slightly.
Lee's words made sense.
He just missed the friendly locker room of the past few years.
Thinking that Barea and others would likely also leave, he could only sigh in his heart:
"A Rookie graveyard, huh…"
At midnight, several sports media outlets began updating their post-game reports, and the New York Knicks officially confirmed the news: the team would depart for Los Angeles tomorrow morning.
At the same time, news of several Rookies, including Russell Westbrook from UCLA, JaVale McGee from Nevada, and Joe Alexander from West Virginia, coming to New York for tryouts was also confirmed.
Although the Knicks once again had a late first-round pick, it did not deter Rookies from coming to New York for tryouts to experience the best basketball atmosphere in America.
As more and more championships were won, division championship banners would no longer hang in Madison Square Garden, but there were division championship banners at the Tarrytown Training Center.
The strong "championship atmosphere" attracted players from all over the world who aspired to join the NBA.
"If you don't do it, plenty of others will" had become the most apt description.
By the time the Lakers boarded their flight home, it was already past midnight, but Phil Jackson was still reviewing tonight's game with the video analyst, and Kobe was also participating in the review.
After two consecutive crushing defeats, the locker room was completely devoid of its cheerful atmosphere, and Old Fish's motivational speeches were useless.
The contrast was simply too stark.
Before the Finals began, everyone watched the video and thought Marbury was just too bad, but after playing against him, they realized that even the boss wasn't good enough, and besides Lamar Odom, who had given up, everyone else in the hype squad fell silent.
"Terrible offensive choices! You have to play smarter, don't let emotions affect your performance!"
"Reduce post-up offense! The opponent has already made targeted defensive arrangements, you need to participate in more pick-and-rolls, and your passing speed needs to be faster."
Phil Jackson tapped the spacebar on his laptop while offering advice to Kobe beside him.
The latter remained silent, lips pursed, as he watched his own performance.
Currently, they were watching a play from the second quarter where Kobe attempted a post-up offense in the right block.
Lee first disrupted the catch with his top Defense, then saw through the fake, easily blocking the turnaround.
Watching himself "lose his head" in the video, attempting to drive along the baseline and force his way to the basket, Kobe couldn't help but curse under his breath:
"Damn it!"
Catching the ball, faking, and turning, then getting double-teamed under the basket, and finally having the ball stripped by Lee—situations where he used to be able to squeeze past the Defense and make a reverse layup had never occurred in these two away games.
9-for-20 shooting, 5-for-8 from the free throw line, 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man specifically noted Duncan's stats, and noticing that Kobe recognized his mistake, he quietly added:
"Catch and shoot! Give more ball-handling opportunities to Tim, he can find you, and back at home, we must play simply and efficiently!"
"Make good use of our home-court advantage. You know how we beat them back then. Now all you need to do is strictly execute all tactical arrangements."
Recalling his own championships, Kobe involuntarily thought of his Old Fish, and a surge of anger quickly rose in his heart.
Shaquille O'Neal had always belittled him!
However, as the video continued, Kobe calmed down again, his furrowed brow relaxing on his dark face.
He had to admit, Phil Jackson was right: he needed more catch-and-shoot opportunities.
"I know, I can do it. Tomorrow, no, this morning, I'll find my catch-and-shoot rhythm!"
"Losing requires more help, we have to suppress them from the start of the game."
Kobe said, pausing the scene where a defensive rebound was lost.
Chandler charged fiercely, stirring up the Lakers' paint, and this was even during a rotation phase.
4 offensive rebounds in two games, Chandler even performed better than Duncan in rebounding, and Lamar Odom lacked protection for the rim.
Phil Jackson, nodding along, felt a bit helpless.
When reviewing the video, Kobe appeared mature and calm, clearly understanding the team's problems.
However, once back on the court, the situation became completely different.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man knew that this might be due to years of accumulated obsession.
Ever since Lee "stepped over" Kobe years ago, the two became "mortal enemies."
As his old rival continuously won championships, Kobe's desire for trophies deepened.
A somewhat weary Phil Jackson didn't know if the situation would change back home.
Game 3 was so important that he whispered a reminder in a counseling tone:
"No one is perfect. Michael Jordan also went through these struggles, but he overcame difficulties because basketball is a five-person game, and everyone on the Chicago Bulls helped him back then!"
"I hope you can control your emotions. Think about the current locker room situation. Basketball is not a video game. You must take on the responsibility of a leader."
"Trust your teammates, we need to play the right basketball!"
"..."
The right basketball might cost him the trophy, Kobe knew this very well.
Thinking of Lee's "humiliation" of him in these two games, he finally made a promise:
"I won't lose again. I will play the game according to your requirements."
Both stopped talking, and for a moment, only breathing could be heard in the plane.
Kobe put the golden trophy out of his mind.
At this moment, he only wanted to go home and practice, to quickly find his game rhythm.
On Monday, June 9th, Lee woke up early in the penthouse.
As per custom, Monday was family dinner time with Donald, but this gathering had to be postponed this time.
Before 7 o'clock, Ivanka, still half-asleep, glanced at the time, then snuggled deeper into his embrace before murmuring,
"Honey, what gift do you want for Father's Day this year? Should we bring Cyrus back?"
The little one hadn't stayed in New York for long after he was born.
Donald insisted that the child grow up in Florida, citing that his beloved manor had a better environment than Peninsula Manor.
Lee, turning on his side and propping his head up, admired the fair skin in his hand while casually responding,
"An old man's holiday! After 30, I'm not really fond of birthdays and these holidays anymore."
Accustomed to being naked, Ivanka chuckled softly from being kneaded, then, fully awake, she adjusted her position to better display her figure:
"Do you want to have a special holiday?"
Hearing the whisper in his ear, Lee also laughed.
Ever since Axe Capital stabilized its basic earnings, Donald, who had been agitated, returned to his usual self, which also made life much easier for Ivanka and the others.
Amidst her soft laughter, Lee picked up his "eldest daughter."
With a flight in the morning, they had to make the most of their warm-up:
"I swear, I'm starting to like this holiday!"
"..."
New York fans spontaneously sent off the New York Knicks, while on the other side, Russell Westbrook and several other Rookies arrived at the Tarrytown Training Center, where they would be active for the next few days.
When everyone arrived at the training gym and saw championship banners on all the surrounding walls, everyone started exclaiming loudly, and JaVale McGee even covered his mouth and exaggeratedly jumped up and down:
"God! This is amazing! Clay Lee is simply incredible, Kobe Bryant should really think about how many championships he won for the Lakers, how dare he call himself the best player!"
McGee's words resonated with many of the Rookies, but only Russell Westbrook, a die-hard Kobe fan, pursed his lips and began to defend his idol:
"What's so surprising about this! UCLA also has many championship banners!"
"Kobe Bryant is the best player, I know the situation better in Los Angeles, he really works very hard, 4 AM is real!"
"Without Kobe, Shaquille O'Neal couldn't have won that championship at all. I don't like Clay Lee, he's no longer focused on basketball, he treats the NBA as a job, and I don't like that attitude."
Looking at his companion next to him with a look of surprise, McGee didn't expect that Russell Westbrook, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, was a "mole."
Taking advantage of the staff not paying attention, he quickly whispered:
"Damn it! This is the New York Knicks training facility, and I heard that people who badmouth Lee are not welcome here!"
Looking at McGee, who was winking and grimacing, the young Russell Westbrook displayed the same confidence as his idol, staring at the championship banners, and said seriously:
"It won't be long before I succeed in the NBA. I don't care about draft picks, and I'm not interested in playing in New York. Today is just my agent's arrangement!"
"Kobe is right, the NBA shouldn't be like this!"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)