Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
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***
On June 16, 2000, at Madison Square Garden, David Stern looked at the lively scene in the Madison Square Garden with a smile.
After Michael Jordan's retirement, the NBA was greatly affected by a lockout-shortened season, and the viewership for the 1999 Finals plummeted.
According to surveys, apart from fans in New York and San Antonio, fans in other cities had little impression of last year's Finals:
"Did the NBA start a new season after the lockout?"
The shortened season resulted in no All-Star Game last year, and it was difficult for Eastern and Western Conference teams to play each other.
Coupled with San Antonio's lack of influence, many casual observers stopped paying attention to the NBA.
The 2000 Finals swept away the previous slump.
The clash between Los Angeles and New York reignited the fans' passion, and the entire New York City was fully invested in the Finals, bringing immense influence.
Although this year's script was not what he expected, David Stern still enthusiastically greeted the New York Media when he stood on the court.
In the New York Knicks locker room, James Dolan hugged everyone he saw.
His father truly left him with a god-tier start.
A three-peat was achieved in his hands!
After the exhausted Ewing changed into his championship T-shirt, he sat in his seat, covering his face and weeping.
Perhaps recalling the tragic early years of his career, Gorilla couldn't stop crying for a while.
The New York Knicks young players didn't have as many feelings as Ewing.
Ron Artest, Lewis, and a few others from the hype crew mostly just shouted in celebration, apart from posing for the cameras.
Clay Lee hugged each of the team staff members, thanking them for their support of the players.
Old Mike, the equipment manager, had some minor health issues in the past two years, but he never slacked off at work.
Having achieved a three-peat, Lee also hugged this good-natured Old Mike, jokingly saying with a smile:
"You were right! Now I feel like I've become a big star. Maybe you should also be the General Manager. Grunfeld certainly wouldn't mind an extra helper!"
Old Mike embraced Lee and laughed heartily.
Winning the championship at home meant the staff could celebrate to their heart's content:
"I knew you would succeed! You changed the New York Knicks, and that's truly amazing!"
"Hey! Come take more photos of me. I love taking pictures in my own locker room!"
The team staff all held cameras.
No one wanted to miss such a historic moment.
Lee accommodated everyone's request for photos.
The three-peat championship T-shirt was different from previous ones.
The basketball in the New York Knicks logo on the chest was gone, replaced by three championship trophies.
James Dolan even wanted to change the team logo directly to this, but it was ultimately met with unanimous opposition from the team's legends.
After Ewing composed himself, everyone returned from the locker room to the center of the court, where the awards platform had already been set up.
Unlike the awards ceremonies of the previous two years, there were two o'brien cups displayed in front of the platform, with two of Lee's FMVP trophies beside them.
Four trophies were lined up in the very front, with space also left for tonight's two trophies.
Jim Gray, who had been covering the New York Knicks news throughout the Finals, also had a smile on his face.
If the Lakers had won the championship, Rashad would have been the host.
Jim Gray felt a bit proud about this, as he was one of the earliest reporters to recognize Clay Lee's potential:
"Three years, three championships! This is an exciting moment. Let's welcome NBA Commissioner, Mr. David Stern!"
"Wow!"
Presenting the award at the champion team's home court, David Stern felt pleased as he heard the cheers from the crowd upon stepping onto the awards platform.
The past two years, he had been met with boos.
"Thank you! It's an honor to witness this historic moment with all of you!"
"Thank you to New York City Hall for their strong support of the NBA, and also thanks to the Lakers and Los Angeles City Hall. Both teams gave us a spectacular Finals!"
"I hereby announce that for the 1999-2000 season, the NBA champions are the New York Knicks!"
"At the beginning of the 21st century, it's a pleasure to once again witness the birth of a dynasty team. This is a great achievement!"
David Stern, holding the microphone, didn't ramble too much.
After saying these words, he handed the trophy to James Dolan, who was already eager to lift it.
Raising the trophy, with the cheers of the New York fans filling his ears, James Dolan couldn't help but let out a loud shout, and the New York Knicks behind him applauded vigorously.
Clay Lee, wearing a cap with the special three-peat emblem and a white championship T-shirt, watched the excited big boss with a smiling face.
Compared to Old Charles, James Dolan didn't show that kind of inscrutable expression.
David Stern also applauded from the side.
The Commissioner gestured for Lee to also lift the trophy, and only then did James Dolan reluctantly hand over the trophy he was holding.
Lee grabbed the trophy with one hand, symbolically lifted it once, which drew cheers from the fans, and quickly handed the golden o'brien cup to Ewing on the other side.
Gorilla took the trophy, lifted it high, and then couldn't help but start crying again.
At the end of his career, he had achieved the same accomplishment as Michael Jordan!
Jim Gray really liked James Dolan's reaction.
He pulled the New York Knicks' decision-maker aside and asked with a smile:
"In your first year officially taking over the team, the New York Knicks became a dynasty team. I hear many fans are shouting your name, James, what do you want to say to everyone?"
James Dolan felt the increasingly heated atmosphere on the court, took the microphone, and excitedly said:
"I just want to express my gratitude. Thank you to everyone in the New York Knicks, thank you to Clay for his unparalleled performance in the Finals, and thank you to Pat for his years of dedication."
"What I want to say is, the New York Knicks have the best basketball players in the world, and we also have the best fans in the world!"
"Next, I will also let everyone enjoy the most exciting basketball games in the world!"
"..."
James Dolan's grand promises were very popular.
At least New York fans loved that kind of talk.
The more he hyped it up, the more everyone liked it!
After interviewing the owner, it was naturally time to interview the most successful young coach in the NBA.
Jeff Van Gundy had completely adjusted his emotions by then, a smile constantly on his face.
When he took the microphone, he also expressed his gratitude:
"I don't consider myself the most successful NBA coach, because I know that achieving these accomplishments would be impossible without the support of the New York Knicks family!"
"When you can coach a historical superstar, everything becomes simple.
I want to thank Clay Lee, thank my players, and thank the coaching staff!"
"This is definitely the highlight of my life.
Thank you, New York fans, for your continuous support."
Unlike James Dolan's grand promises, Van Gundy's gratitude made the surrounding New York Media burst into laughter.
Everyone thought the Bald Young Coach was mocking Phil Jackson.
There isn't much a Head Coach can do in the NBA.
Superstars are the true masters of the team, and any tactical system needs to be executed by the players.
Jeff Van Gundy, who had won three consecutive championships, had completely realized this point.
Pat Riley met Magic Johnson, and Phil Jackson met Michael Jordan.
Both of them were also young coaches back then, and now, Jeff Van Gundy has walked the same path.
History is always astonishingly similar.
"39.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.8 blocks!"
After David Stern took the microphone and read out these statistics, Madison Square Garden erupted again, cheers echoing throughout the stadium.
Seemingly pleased with the fans' reaction, David Stern continued to read loudly:
"Field goal percentage 50.4%, three-point percentage 42%, free throw percentage 90.6%!"
"Wow!"
Hearing these statistics, the cheers in the Madison Square Garden grew even louder.
David Stern turned to look at Clay Lee, who was pushed to the front by the New York Knicks players, and continued with a smile:
"Finals 180 Club, congratulations to Clay Lee! Becoming the first Finals MVP in NBA history to achieve this feat!"
Handing the golden star-shaped trophy to Clay Lee, David Stern chattered on.
With these statistics, sports media would certainly discuss them extensively during the offseason.
Clay Lee didn't lose out, and the NBA also made a huge profit.
The 180 Club statistics, nearly 40 points per game, stimulated the New York fans present to shout wildly:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Clay Lee smiled and raised the trophy, while the New York Knicks players behind him also joined in the shouting.
These statistics shocked everyone.
Jim Gray also applauded from the side.
He was startled when he saw these statistics.
In his impression, only Michael Jordan's Finals average of 40 points could rival these numbers:
"Clay, congratulations on setting another record.
Come and talk about your championship experience. I think everyone wants to hear how you did all this!"
Lee took the microphone and, by the way, handed the trophy to Ben Wallace for everyone to take pictures.
When the MVP chants stopped, he spoke seriously:
"I just want to thank all my opponents over the past few years. They are the ones who made me who I am today!"
"The statistics are beautiful, and of course, I'm happy, but what's more important is victory."
"When you pursue victory, you can achieve these things!"
"Thank you, New York Knicks family, and thank you to all the New York fans.
This award belongs to everyone. This is our shared victory."
"..."
Soon, the interview reached the inspirational segment.
After Clay Lee thanked his family and friends, everyone got a chance to be interviewed.
The young players continued to promise future championships, while the veterans began to reminisce about their difficult past.
Unlike receiving awards on the road, New York fans at home loved hearing the players express their true feelings.
No one cared about the duration of the award ceremony.
Everyone was enjoying the team's historic moment.
In the final part of the award ceremony, Lee placed the two trophies in the center of the four trophies already present.
Three o'brien cup trophies and three FMVP trophies appeared before the podium.
As Clay Lee laughed and raised his hands behind the six trophies, the New York Knicks players also embraced each other, shouting happily:
"Champion!"
A large amount of golden confetti fell from the Madison Square Garden ceiling, seemingly endless, turning the entire stadium into a golden ocean.
The camera recorded this moment.
The surrounding media reporters watched the golden confetti still falling from the Madison Square Garden ceiling, and balloons also began to ascend.
Infected by the atmosphere, they also raised their hands and celebrated to their heart's content.
Winning the championship at home and spraying champagne in your own locker room certainly felt different.
The New York Knicks staff also held champagne and sprayed it freely.
To celebrate the three consecutive championships, all the props were prepared in duplicate.
Oakley was savoring his treasured cigar, occasionally taking a sip of champagne, a contented expression on the old man's face.
Watching Ewing talk non-stop to Jeff Van Gundy, and the young players celebrating wildly in the locker room, Oakley looked at Clay Lee, who was puffing smoke nearby, and said with a laugh:
"Fuck! This is what three consecutive championships feel like! Even after leaving the Chicago Bulls, I've experienced it!"
"Lee, you will surpass Michael Jordan.
You are younger than him, 22 years old.
Michael didn't achieve such accomplishments!"
Lee smiled and fist-bumped Oakley, then looked at the two trophies in his arms and joked loudly:
"Five is greater than three, but time is indeed on my side.
Surpassing Michael Jordan is certainly an interesting goal!"
Ron Artest, shirtless, was already soaked, still chugging champagne.
Seeing Clay Lee still puffing smoke, he couldn't help but lean over and quietly requested:
"Lee, can I touch the trophies in your arms again? I want to spend some more time with them!"
The noisy locker room made it difficult for Lee, who was smoking a cigar, to barely hear Ron Artest's request.
With a somewhat strange expression, he handed the two trophies to the Rookie, then loudly encouraged him:
"Ron, go pursue more honors next season!"
"Yee!!"
...
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