On tuesday, November 18th, Clay Lee was finally absent from NBC's Today show in the morning.
His consecutive appearances on Sunday and Monday had infuriated some "arch-rivals."
On Sunday, co-host Willie Geist discussed the "10 billion" fortune reported by the Washington Post with Lee on the show.
On Monday, NBC White House correspondent Savannah Guthrie chatted about Lee's experience at the congressional hearing on the show.
The married blonde reporter was "full of laughter" and even joked about her birthday being only four days apart from Lee's, conveniently ignoring that she was seven years older.
The Lakers, preparing for their home game against the Chicago Bulls, noticed that Kobe's mood was off.
However, considering the recent public opinion stirred up by fans, they could understand the Mamba's dark expression.
"Kobe Bryant forced Shaquille O'Neal out for more salary. He only cares about money and doesn't genuinely love basketball."
"Clay Lee never minds teammates getting high salaries. He even fights for contracts for role players, while Kobe suppresses his partners. He only cares about his status on the team."
Adding to that, O'Neal recently fanned the flames, saying, "I don't know what role my little brother played in that."
Kobe, who didn't want to argue, found himself in a situation where he was being unfairly maligned, and more and more reporters started to gossip about the "persona" of the Mamba, whose reputation had recently taken a sharp turn for the worse.
Lee missed four games.
The New York Knicks lost to the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Friday, but after his return on Sunday, they easily defeated the Washington Wizards that night.
With an 8-1 record, the New York Knicks were still first in the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers were currently 7-1, trailing temporarily, but strangely, no critics favored Kobe.
When he arrived at Staples Center for an early warm-up in the afternoon, Kobe, with the help of staff, again refused interviews.
He was fed up with these reporters.
They never had anything good to say about him.
ESPN ranked Kobe 20th in the league. In the 2K9 game, Kobe's rating was only 89, compared to Lee's 99, making him seem like a second-rate star in the game.
All of this was because he was thoroughly dominated face-to-face in the NBA Finals, and the sports reporters and critics, taking advantage of his misfortune, were fiercely demeaning the Mamba.
With excellent performance and good play from the bench, Phil Jackson was initially satisfied with the team's state, but seeing the core player with a long face at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a headache.
After lighting some sage, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man began to smoke the locker room again.
Kobe was already used to this.
Perhaps these fumes really had an effect.
Wearing his practice uniform, Kobe sat in his seat and suddenly spoke, a confused and unwilling expression on his face, asking in a low voice:
"Why is this happening? Why do they never talk about me when discussing the MVP?"
"Why do they still praise him when he doesn't play for a week? He enjoys the highest salary in the league, and he even signs 1+1 contracts to get more money."
"Everyone knows these things, so why doesn't anyone criticize him!"
A few years ago, during the four-peat, there were still a bunch of reporters who harshly criticized him, but over time, all those voices disappeared.
Kobe witnessed the shift in public opinion, and he felt very confused.
Phil Jackson knew Kobe was referring to the fact that his hard training only brought him ridicule.
To this, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man could only offer another dose of spiritual chicken soup:
"Because Clay Lee completely defeated you in this year's NBA Finals!"
"Kobe, sometimes how many times you win isn't that important. If you had won the game this year, no one would be pointing fingers at you."
"He can win 10 times, and you only need to win once more to defeat him. It's simple, isn't it? Then everyone will only praise you for ending the New York Knicks' consecutive championships."
With a benevolent expression, the white-haired, white-bearded Phil Jackson gently counseled, attempting to persuade Kobe with the idea of "2 being greater than 10."
Although these words could only serve as self-deception, Kobe needed such encouragement, and coupled with his desire for the trophy, he ultimately cast his frustration aside:
"You're right, I just need to end him."
Phil Jackson secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He was very worried that Kobe would become like Iverson, who was completely finished.
Without that "spirit," the Son of Philadelphia had become increasingly mediocre.
Kobe, whose competitive spirit was reignited, quickly returned to the court, warming up with a serious expression.
The atmosphere group exchanged glances, and in the end, everyone chose to gather around Duncan.
Matt Barnes had already gotten used to life in Los Angeles.
His girlfriend loved it here, and with his old teammates helping him integrate into the team, he was very happy right now:
"Kobe should face reality. His talent can't support him in defeating Lee. You know, Bro, Lee often doesn't participate in training. This gap can't be made up by effort."
Fisher, dribbling the ball, heard Barnes's whispered comment beside him and nodded slightly.
He looked around to confirm there were no moles, then quietly said:
"I think the Head Coach knows this too, which is why Duncan is the first option in many plays now."
"Maybe in a few more years, when Lee retires, Kobe might find a chance."
Old Fish admired Kobe. As an old teammate, he had witnessed that kind of almost self-torturing insane training.
But after two years with Lee, he had a different understanding of how to win championships.
The atmosphere group occasionally discussed in low voices, while Duncan quietly practiced free throws, never participating in such conversations.
Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis fed the ball to the star, intending to say something, but waited until the warm-up ended.
Only then did he walk over to Duncan, offering him a water bottle while comforting him:
"Tim, thank you for understanding Kobe. He just wants to prove himself too much. You know, he hasn't won any significant awards in his career so far."
"Don't worry, I don't care about the MVP. I just want to win a championship, even if it's just once!"
Duncan, gripping his water cup, finished speaking and then started glaring.
He was so eager for a championship.
Although he didn't like life in Los Angeles, he would persevere as long as he could win.
Kurt Rambis also had a headache regarding the players' mental state.
This year's Christmas War was at home, and the NBA was very accommodating, allowing the New York Knicks to play in Los Angeles.
Recalling how the Los Angeles Lakers nearly collapsed after last season's Christmas War, Kurt Rambis was a bit worried.
Seeing Duncan calm down, he couldn't help but comfort him again:
"This year is our excellent opportunity. The opponent is no longer focused on basketball, Tim, you can do it! Those media will realize how excellent you truly are!"
"..."
In that night's game, Derrick Rose shined at Staples Center!
On the court, Derek Fisher, though putting on a serious "let me see what you've got" face against the Rookie, was repeatedly beaten off the dribble in multiple possessions, relying solely on Duncan's help Defense.
Champion center Lorenzen Wright, as Duncan's partner, performed mediocrely, but considering his salary, fans couldn't really criticize him.
Ultimately, Duncan still dominated the interior duo of Tyrus Thomas and Ben Wallace, efficiently scoring a massive double-double of 35 points and 14 rebounds on 14-of-21 shooting and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line!
106:116, the Los Angeles Lakers successfully defeated the Chicago Bulls, tying the New York Knicks' record.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
At the end of the game, at Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers fans loudly cheered for Duncan's outstanding performance, as he dominated the paint on both ends, successfully showcasing MVP caliber play.
Although happy about the win, Kobe, at the press conference, still pursed his lips.
When asked about awards, he didn't directly answer, but instead re-emphasized:
"I don't care about your reports! 20th? A rating of 89? These are all boring tricks."
"I am the best perimeter player in the league! I am qualified to win any award."
In a simultaneous game, the New York Knicks challenged the Miami Heat on the road.
At American Airlines Arena, the Miami fans were very quiet, with only the DJ still shouting vigorously.
Lee, possessed by a blacksmith, rarely appeared in the fourth quarter.
Coach DAntoni seemed to want the star to find his shooting touch, which resulted in the Rookie's playing time being completely compressed.
Erik Spoelstra was still shouting loudly from the sidelines.
Compared to Mike D'Antoni, he appeared particularly green, even getting red-faced in some possessions due to frustration.
To this day, he has not been able to fully control the team.
With 5 minutes and 46 seconds left in the game, the Miami Heat still hadn't taken out their starting lineup.
Dwyane Wade was breathing heavily, once again wrapping around Lee past half-court.
Shaun Livingston, who had just joined the team this season, was performing poorly and couldn't keep up with Lee's pace, which led to Wade expending a huge amount of energy on Defense throughout the game.
Michael Beasley heard Haslem's instructions and initially intended to abandon his matchup with Prince on the right wing, but he couldn't get there in time for an early double-team.
Lee, dribbling with his right hand, suddenly stopped short, bumped past the sliding Wade, and immediately pulled the ball back between his legs.
"Defense!"
The defensive cheers quickly turned into gasps.
Clay Lee suddenly accelerated his dribbling speed.
Wade had just adjusted his center of gravity and twisted his body when, after a second collision, he lost another half-step.
Marion on the left wing wanted to help defend, but Raja Bell had already started moving towards the left corner.
After only a slight hesitation, Lee at the top of the arc stopped short again.
Wade, seeing Lee explode the ball and step back, immediately gritted his teeth, jumped up, and lunged to defend, but he was still a step slow.
He tried to fully extend his right arm, but the basketball still flew over him.
"Bang! Clay Lee does it again!"
From the TNT commentary booth, Kevin Harlan shouted excitedly.
The earlier missed shots had made him uncomfortable, but after Lee hit consecutive three-pointers, he found that familiar feeling again.
99:86, the Miami Heat still couldn't seize the opportunity, and the lead returned to 13 points.
Seeing Wade clap his hands in frustration, Doug Collins, his partner, felt a bit confused and ultimately commented tactfully:
"Wade looks a bit tired. This isn't the first time he's directly lost his defensive position."
The fast and strong Wade took a lot of shots tonight, but unfortunately, his efficiency was a bit low.
In his matchup with Lee, he still relied on pick-and-rolls as before.
But Haslem's screen quality was really not good, which led to Wade being chased down by Lee in most possessions, and his speed and strength advantages were not utilized at all.
"Boo!"
The listless boos seemed to indicate that the fans in attendance were already worn out by this back-and-forth battle.
The New York Knicks' bench, however, was cheering loudly, with JR Smith even kneeling on one knee, making a gun gesture with his right hand in a flashy celebration.
"Dude, you gotta work harder! Where's the D-Wade Show?"
"Damn you..."
Wade, catching the ball on the baseline, heard Lee's taunt and completely lost his initial aggressive demeanor.
At this moment, he could only yell in annoyance and then charge forward with his head down.
Livingston saw his teammate getting "heated" again and could only look at the coach on the sidelines, but Erik Spoelstra was also helpless.
This was "superstar privilege."
When Pat Riley was on the sidelines, Wade wouldn't have done this.
But now that his emotions were running high, he completely ignored the shouting Head Coach, sticking out his butt at the Logo and calling for a teammate.
Moving horizontally from left to right, Marion reluctantly created space, running towards the right wing.
As for the Rookie Michael Beasley, he could only try to squeeze to the bottom right of the basket, leaving the corner for Livingston.
Haslem had intended to take the opportunity to give Lee a solid hit, but he didn't expect his opponent to be even more confident, actually cleanly defending by going under.
Wade, dribbling with his left hand, seized this momentary opportunity and immediately flew from the left wing, cutting forcefully.
While in motion, he paused slightly, actively changed his rhythm, and instantly increased his stride.
Taking advantage of Lee slowing down, Wade burst forward with three steps and leaped into the air.
While airborne, he attempted to bump off the defender, gripping the ball with his left hand, pulling his arm to the side, preparing for a bank shot.
Their speed was extremely fast.
Lee seemed to be half a step behind, but after colliding in the air, he was still ascending. In the blink of an eye, his raised right arm came down like a thunderbolt.
"Oh!"
Amidst the gasps, Wade, suspended in the air trying to evade the block, ultimately took a solid rejection, falling with both himself and the ball out of bounds.
Chandler, who had returned under the basket, rushed over and hugged Lee, shouting at the top of his lungs.
In an instant, all the New York Knicks players on the court gathered around.
Diaw saw Beasley's wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression and immediately turned to tease:
"Dude! I think you've seen this kind of scene before!"
Every time Lee blocked Wade, it would most likely appear on Sports Center.
The Rookie Beasley had naturally seen it, but watching it on TV and experiencing it live were completely different feelings.
Wade, emotionally charged, didn't even need a teammate to help him up.
He flipped over and stood up, then charged forward.
The baseline referee was waiting for him, and the Miami Heat players also rushed to surround him.
"This was a reckless offensive choice. Wade needs to play smarter. He can score through free throws."
Doug Collins criticized him with some disappointment.
He saw clearly that Wade, having lost his composure, had fallen into a "trap."
At 13 points, the Miami Heat had enough time to tie the score.
"I'm only 26!!"
"26.."
Wade, completely losing his composure, started shouting about "his advantage."
This "childish boasting" made Lee smile and spread his hands towards the Miami Heat players.
Wade's agitated state reignited the arena's atmosphere, but after the baseline inbound, the moment Beasley received the hand-off pass on the perimeter, he was screened off, and Prince's long arm poked the ball away first.
Wade reacted quickly, but Lee, who had chased out to defend, was right beside him.
Both started simultaneously, and the ball was poked over half-court in the scramble.
Lee, accelerating a second time, ultimately bumped past Wade, who was trying to bend down and scoop up the ball again.
The latter stumbled and tried to pull, but he missed the jersey and instead fell onto the floor.
American Airlines Arena became quiet again.
Clay Lee, having successfully retrieved the ball, first glanced back, saw his opponent had fallen, and then, while in motion, tossed the ball towards the backboard.
"Ah!"
Amidst a sudden cheer, Lee leaped high in the paint, scooped the ball in the air, swung it around, extended his body, briefly hovered, gripped the ball with his right hand, and slammed it down with a wind-up dunk!
Reporters sitting on the floor behind the basket frantically pressed their shutters.
After landing, Lee strutted with his chest out, repeatedly pounding his chest in front of the cameras, displaying a tough-guy demeanor.
"I'm only 26!"
Head Coach Erik Spoelstra completely lost his composure and called another timeout.
As he walked towards his players, he was bumped by an enraged Wade.
Sports reporters who witnessed this scene became even more excited.
The Miami Heat had started 6-5, and the young coach seemed not to have earned the superstar's approval.
101:86, with three minutes left, the deficit was still catchable.
Spoelstra, having been bumped, no longer cared about appearances.
He sat in front of everyone, quickly drawing on the whiteboard:
"We need to score quickly, Wade, pay attention to your teammates, Shaun, if a screen creates an opportunity, shoot from the top of the arc."
"Cook, be ready to receive the ball at any time."
Livingston, who had been substituted out, listened to the coach's anxious instructions and then glanced at the fuming Wade.
For a moment, he felt the game was over.
He could tell that Lee had regained his shooting touch.
There were no unified cheers.
After the timeout, the Miami Heat fans in attendance seemed even more dejected than the players on the court, and those screaming in the back rows had already begun to leave.
Dwayne Wade, who received the ball at the top of the arc, was severely fatigued.
Although Marion's strong screen delayed Lee, he failed to pick up speed in time when he crashed into Diaw.
Not fully executing the Head Coach's tactical arrangements, Wade once again drove hard with the ball, trying to force a shot while shouldering the Defense.
Discovering that Diaw jumped too high, he then threw the ball in mid-air.
The basketball flew towards the top of the arc, but its speed was too slow.
Marion helplessly watched Lee intercept it in mid-air in front of him, and in the end, could only commit a tactical foul.
"Shit!"
The whistle blew, and Marion cursed in frustration, looking at Wade and shouting a couple of times, extremely dissatisfied with this possession.
Erik Spoelstra on the sideline was also red-faced with anger.
For a moment, he didn't remind them about the Defense, and Rookie Michael Beasley on the left wing forgot to help defend.
Chandler's solid screen made Wade "hit a wall."
Haslem, sliding quickly, watched Lee briefly dribble with his left hand while moving, then dramatically pulled the ball with his right hand, and the basketball vanished in front of him.
Cheers erupted again as Lee weaved through the gap, easily breaking into the paint.
He then faked a pass to the right corner, causing Marion, who was preparing to help defend, to stop in his tracks.
"Clay Lee with the crossover, the drive, and the bucket!"
On the commentary stand, Kevin Harlan shouted excitedly.
Wade, unable to chase back, could only stare as Lee cradled the ball with his left hand, took a step, and scooped it up.
The basketball, thrown high, went cleanly through the net!
"Clay Lee has ended the game in the final quarter. With a 17-point difference, the Miami Heat don't have enough time left."
Doug Collins gave his conclusion.
He didn't immediately interpret the scene of Wade bumping the Head Coach, indicating that there were clearly some issues in the Miami Heat's locker room.
In the remaining two-plus minutes, the New York Knicks still missed shots from time to time, but Chandler and Diaw's aggressive offensive rebounds effectively suppressed the opponent's fast breaks.
By the time Wade and Daequan Cook's consecutive three-point misses sent Lee to the free-throw line, more and more fans began to leave.
If they didn't go now, they would be stuck in traffic!
As the game was about to end, American Airlines Arena was half-empty.
Wade, who had been substituted, angrily kicked over a chair.
His pre-game boasts had come back to haunt him.
12 of 29 from the field, 2 of 7 from three-point range, 6 of 9 from the free-throw line, 32 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 5 turnovers.
Dwayne Wade was very dissatisfied with his own performance.
The Olympic Games had given him extreme confidence.
The regular season had just begun, and Wade had continuously scored 30+ points, further boosting his confidence.
However, in their first encounter of the new season, it felt as if he had returned to the past.
As the game time expired, cheers erupted in American Airlines Arena again.
Clay Lee casually tossed the ball to the referee, and as sports reporters surrounded him, he shook his head and sighed:
"I performed a bit poorly tonight and need to adjust my form as soon as possible!"
"..."
For a moment, the TNT reporters were speechless.
It was difficult to comment on Lee's self-criticism.
If they remembered correctly, he had scored 40 points again tonight.
Playing 42 minutes, shooting 13 of 26 from the field, 6 of 15 from three-point range, and 8 of 10 from the free-throw line, he had 40 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.
After his return, Lee's efficiency had dropped a notch.
114:93, the Miami Heat suddenly went cold in the fourth quarter, scoring only 17 points in a single quarter, ultimately suffering a crushing defeat.
In front of the scorer's table, Erik Spoelstra forced a smile and shook hands with D'Antoni.
He somewhat envied the New York Knicks' coaching environment.
Clay Lee seemed easier to get along with.
Noticing the young coach's awkwardness, being confronted by a player was definitely a loss of face.
D'Antoni smiled and proactively offered comfort:
"Erik, try to give the game to the players. I, too, was once stuck in a tactical dilemma."
"This is the NBA. Tactics serve superstars. You will succeed!"
Erik Spoelstra's heart ached, and he thanked him in a low voice.
"True friendship is seen in adversity."
He hadn't expected his opponent to comfort him, and finally, somewhat awkwardly, he whispered:
"I failed to build the team's tactical system."
D'Antoni chuckled and patted the young coach's shoulder, showcasing his demeanor as a Champion Coach, and said in a relaxed tone:
"In critical moments, give the ball to your core players. That is the most effective tactical system!"
"..."
On Friday, the 21st, the New York Knicks continued their road trip, facing the Milwaukee Bucks again.
In the second match-up, the opponent successfully prevented Lee from scoring 40 points consecutively, but their aggressive double-teaming ultimately resulted in 16 assists in three quarters.
With only 87 points scored in the entire game, the Milwaukee Bucks suffered another 30-point crushing defeat.
On Saturday, returning home for a back-to-back game, the New York fans were even more enthusiastic, which made the Thunder, who also had a back-to-back game, feel a bitter hardship.
1 win and 12 losses.
The new season had just begun, and the Thunder were already plummeting towards the first pick.
In last night's national broadcast, they were completely outplayed by Chris Paul.
They arrived in New York dejected, only to suffer another "beating."
Perhaps the intense schedule made his body overly fatigued, Durant was soft from the start of the game.
When he encountered Lee's switch Defense in the right elbow area, he directly lost the ball after continuous jab steps.
Earl Watson seemed to be in a daze. Facing Lee, who accelerated after the steal, he only focused on running along, completely giving way and watching the dunk, which made the live fans burst into laughter.
By the time this guard committed a foot-smashing turnover under Lee's sudden pressure, P.J. Carlesimo on the sideline couldn't help but turn his head, finally waving to Rookie Russell Westbrook on the bench.
In the latter half of the first quarter, Russell Westbrook's appearance also failed to change the course of the game.
French center Johan Petro missed a layup under the basket.
In the transition offense, the Thunder players were still retreating on Defense.
Lee pushed the ball, changed direction, and suddenly accelerated, instantly shaking off the Rookie.
Russell Westbrook only managed to let out a shout.
Just as he passed the free-throw line, Lee soared into the air, ignoring Nick Collison shuffling under the basket, and, facing the Defense, grabbed the ball with his right hand and slammed it down with a one-handed dunk!
"Boom!"
The rim roared.
The powerful dunk left Russell Westbrook, who had stopped behind him, stunned.
This was much faster than in the videos.
He just hadn't controlled the defensive distance well, and as a result, he was completely bypassed.
With Durant missing shots and Jeff Green being invisible, Russell Westbrook continuously assisted, leading the New York Knicks to a counterattack, and the game lost its suspense in the first quarter.
17:37. At the end of the first quarter, the Rookie, who had been running back and forth, walked towards the bench with a bewildered expression.
On the MSG commentary stand, Walter Frazier saw Russell Westbrook's expression and immediately chuckled, taking advantage of the quarter break to tease the Rookie team's performance:
"The young men don't seem ready yet! Perhaps they possess excellent talent, but for now, it seems the Thunder cannot convert that talent into victories!"
"Russell Westbrook doesn't seem to understand the importance of rhythm yet, and his weak hand also has some issues. Defending pick-and-rolls is a huge problem for him."
"Clay Lee is going to teach the Rookie a lesson tonight!"
After going 0 for 3 in the first quarter, Russell Westbrook, who rarely got more playing time, also let loose, helping the team with breakthroughs during the rotation phase, but the Thunder's turnovers were simply too many.
Rajon Rondo could easily initiate a counterattack whenever he seized an opportunity, which caused the point difference to widen.
By the time Lee returned to the court, the panting Rookie was completely bewildered.
JR Smith always performs well at home, and tonight, he completely took over the game during garbage time!
Three-pointers, backdoor dunks, driving dunks, flashy assists—JR Smith dominated the opposing bench in the fourth quarter, completely igniting Madison Square Garden.
Russell Westbrook, back on the bench, stared blankly, seemingly unable to believe the game had turned out this way.
It wasn't until the buzzer sounded that the Rookie snapped back to reality, stood up to confirm the score, and then froze again:
76:134. In his first professional career visit to New York, Russell Westbrook suffered a 58-point crushing defeat.
4 of 14 from the field, 5 of 6 from the free-throw line, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers.
As a first-year Rookie, Russell Westbrook's stats coming off the bench were already very good.
On the other side, Durant, who had been completely zoned out for the entire game, didn't pay attention to the stats afterward.
He occasionally glanced at the sideline.
Tonight, Scarlett was spending time with Elizabeth Olsen, who was about to have her Thanksgiving holiday.
After the new season began, young Olsen initially attracted the attention of onlookers, but after the young woman came a few times, no one paid attention anymore.
Currently, she is just an "ordinary girl" at New York University.
Compared to her two older sisters, she doesn't receive much attention, and since she doesn't use social media, much of the fun is lost.
When attending the press conference, Durant finally snapped back to reality as he looked at the box score in his hand.
58 points, too big of a loss.
"Kevin, it's regrettable that the Thunder lost again tonight. As a young player, what are your thoughts on MVP?"
5 of 13 from the field, only 17 points in the entire game, playing 29 minutes.
Durant felt ignored, but he still answered the reporter's question seriously:
"I believe the trophy still belongs to Lee!"
"..."
Durant began to boast earnestly, which made Russell Westbrook, who rarely attended press conferences, somewhat unhappy.
Losing by 58 points made him feel particularly bad:
"In a few years, we will realize our talent, and we will make it to the NBA Finals!"
"I love pursuing honor. Why isn't the MVP mine? I will win this award in the future."
Russell Westbrook's sudden bold declaration made everyone present momentarily stunned, and then smiles appeared on their faces.
They didn't take these words seriously, after all, it wasn't yet time for the Rookies to take center stage.
Such remarks were not even worth reporting, as the Thunder's national broadcasts were too few.
Perhaps these Rookies had some fame, but most fans simply didn't pay attention to the last-place team.
Leaving the press conference, Russell Westbrook, who had been completely ignored, grew increasingly angry.
Especially seeing Durant's dazed look, he couldn't help but complain in a low voice:
"They look down on me! Guys, we were humiliated!"
"We'll win it back!"
Durant, wearing a beanie and carrying his backpack, casually responded and pulled out his phone.
He didn't say much until he boarded the bus, just constantly scrolling through social media.
By the time he returned to the hotel, it was almost midnight.
Durant was intensely surfing the internet in his room, and finally found the information he wanted:
"Cabin bath! Tonight, let my hero relax!"
Scarlett and the young woman posed for a photo in what looked like a sauna room.
Both were wearing loose pajamas and seemed very happy.
After a long moment of stunned silence, Durant completely forgot that he had lost by 58 points.
His fingers clattered on his laptop keyboard, trying to get attention through a comment:
"Thanksgiving, what gifts do kids like?"
On tuesday, the 25th, before Thanksgiving, the New York Knicks flew to Detroit to challenge the Detroit Pistons.
This game received a lot of attention!
After joining the Detroit Pistons, Iverson's performance was mediocre, but the team's record reached 8 wins and 4 losses, so Detroit fans didn't criticize the Son of Philadelphia.
After being traded, the former superstar Iverson had completely faded.
More and more fans began to forget him, and sportswriters rarely discussed his performance.
Most players in the NBA no longer mentioned Iverson, and even his former fanboy Carmelo Anthony had forgotten his idol and started bonding with new teammate Billups.
When they arrived early at Auburn Hills Palace for warm-ups that afternoon, Iverson received long-awaited attention.
However, the reporters' questions were truly infuriating:
"Allen, facing Clay Lee tonight, will you achieve your first career victory?"
"..."
Hamilton felt these reporters were too much.
He led his teammates to escort Iverson back to the locker room.
Everyone looked at the silent Son of Philadelphia and couldn't help but encourage him:
"Guys, we'll all pass you the ball tonight!"
"Thanks, Bro, no need to take care of me. I'm used to these boring questions."
Iverson's big eyes revealed no emotion, and he responded numbly, which made the atmosphere group exchange glances, momentarily unsure what to say.
Rasheed Wallace, usually fiery, was also silent before the game, without any bold declarations.
The Detroit Pistons' record was decent, but the team no longer had the ambition to contend for a championship.
While everyone was looking down on Iverson and constantly belittling their old opponent, Lee, during a pre-game interview, proactively spoke out:
"I know Iverson. He is an indomitable fighter!"
"Why is everyone criticizing him? He has always been loyal to his team, giving his all in every game. He is a respectable opponent!"
Detroit sports reporters were a bit surprised, not expecting Lee to "stand up for" Iverson.
Currently, there aren't many players in the NBA speaking out for fading stars.
Some young reporters were even moved at this moment, recognizing this as true friendship forged through competition!
Among the reporters observing from the sideline, only the Philadelphia media who had come along "smelled" a familiar scent, and memories in their minds involuntarily began to churn...
The game, which started at 8 PM, saw Auburn Hills Palace unusually packed with fans.
The renewed clash between Iverson and Lee attracted the attention of many casual fans.
As time passed, the fans in the arena gradually realized something was wrong.
Lee was in excellent form, full of aggression.
Not only did he engage in physical contact, but he also actively ran when defending off-ball.
Wherever Iverson was, Lee's presence was there.
From the start of the second quarter, Iverson's ball-handling offense completely collapsed.
In the second half, he was even "stripped" face-to-face, and his layup attempts were rejected by big blocks.
When Iverson persisted until the 4th quarter and was finally bumped out of bounds on a baseline drive, some Philadelphia reporters covered their faces with their hands.
Everything had come back...
Finally, in a strange atmosphere, the game ended, with the score settling at 118:80.
The Detroit Pistons suffered a crushing defeat.
"Boo!"
Boos finally erupted in the arena, directed at Ron Artest, who was jumping around and waving a towel as if he were just a spectator.
Lee was still having a friendly conversation with Hamilton, while on the other side, Iverson had already left the court dejectedly.
3 of 13 from the field, 0 of 3 from three-point range, 3 of 6 from the free-throw line, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers.
Not only did Iverson fail to score in double digits, but he also allowed his old opponent to completely regain his form...
Perhaps thinking of Lee's super-efficient performance of 41 points on 15 of 20 shooting, Iverson removed his headband after entering the player tunnel, his eyes reddening.
When the Detroit Pistons players returned to the locker room, they found Iverson sitting alone in his seat, constantly shedding tears.
For a moment, they all exchanged bewildered glances.
The Son of Philadelphia had completely broken down, repeatedly mumbling:
"Why is this happening? I really tried my best..."
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)