Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Please give it a go 😊
***
On August 15, 2000, something the New York Knicks fans loved happened again:
The Pacers disbanded!
The Toronto Raptors signed Mark Jackson, and with Rik Smits announcing his retirement, the Pacers were basically out of contention for the championship.
The trades weren't over yet.
The Pacers then sent Dale Davis to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Joe Kleine and Jermaine O'Neal.
This trade didn't attract any attention.
Jermaine O'Neal, who averaged 3.9 points in the regular season last year, was just a foul magnet.
And veteran Joe Kleine was just a filler, about to leave the NBA. Neither of them was an immediate impact player.
Considering Reggie Miller was already 35, the Pacers giving up their main player Dale Davis meant they would likely spend the new season developing Rookies.
With their old rival falling, the New York Media was overjoyed.
After the freeze period ended, it seemed only the Knicks had effectively strengthened their roster!
After half a month of back-and-forth, the Knicks sent away Quentin Richardson (from the Toronto Raptors' 2000 first round pick) and Chris Dudley, who they drafted this year.
They acquired Luc Longley and a 2001 second-round draft pick from the Phoenix Suns in a trade.
Longley had a stable performance with the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 6.3 points and getting 20 minutes of playing time per game, while Dudley completely fell out of the rotation.
This trade was a bit of mortgaging the future for the Knicks, but to contend for a championship, their perimeter players were not in the team's plans.
New York fans' long-awaited height was bolstered.
Although Luc Longley was just a blue-collar center, he could still be somewhat effective by just standing in the paint.
Adding Jack Voskuhl, a 2.11-meter player from the University of Connecticut, drafted 28th overall this year, and Todd MacCulloch, drafted in the second round last year, the Knicks now had four big men over 2.10 meters tall.
All the reinforcements were geared towards the championship.
After all, the Knicks' perimeter core was too young.
Instead of wasting time, they might as well go all-in.
The Portland Trail Blazers were also charging towards the championship.
They broke up their interior group and acquired Shawn Kemp from the Cavaliers through a three-team trade.
Similar to the Knicks' situation, regardless of how effective Shawn Kemp + Dale Davis would be, the Portland Trail Blazers' management had done their best.
With the Knicks making frequent moves, the Lakers, as a competitor, couldn't hold back either.
On August 20, the Lakers traded Travis Nate, Glen Rice, and a 2001 first-round draft pick to the Seattle SuperSonics.
They ultimately acquired Greg Foster, Horace Grant, and Chuck Person.
A.C. Green could no longer play in high-intensity Finals and was let go by the Lakers, and Glen Rice, who constantly clanked shots, also failed to win Phil Jackson's trust.
Horace Grant, as an old Chicago Bulls player, fully understood the Triangle Offense and was exactly what the Lakers needed.
After this trade, critics also gave high praise, stating that by tapping into the team's potential while continuing to refine the Triangle Offense, the new season looked promising!
The significant personnel changes in the Knicks led to a ripple effect: Ewing suddenly felt unusually "lonely."
His old buddies were gone, and most of his familiar teammates had left.
Grant Hill, who joined, was out of sync with the team culture, and most of the Rookies were busy sucking up to Clay Lee.
In the final season of his career, Ewing suddenly felt a bit bland.
Lee had never expressed an attitude about a retirement tour, but it didn't need to be said.
The "ruthless" reality had already given the answer:
"No tour!"
There were no more old players in the team who wanted to slack off or whose performance was declining.
Even if the Rookies weren't fighting for a championship, they had to fight for their contracts.
Everything was planned out.
The position left for the Gorilla in the new era of the Knicks was:
"Defensive Core!"
Clay Lee, who had won three consecutive championships, no longer hung out with the players.
With no old guys left on the team, he completely stopped pretending and was busy with sponsor events every day.
For over two months, Ewing hadn't received any text messages or calls.
As the core center of three consecutive championships, Ewing also gave many interviews during the offseason, but as August arrived, with his teammates leaving, the Gorilla fell silent.
On Thursday, August 24, Ewing, dressed in a proper black suit and wearing a reserved smile, appeared in the TNT studio.
Charles Barkley, who retired from the Houston Rockets in April, had officially joined TNT by this time as a regular guest.
Facing the camera, Ewing, sitting on the studio sofa, first waved and then quickly smiled and greeted Barkley opposite him:
"Chuck, it's good to see you didn't choose to leave basketball!"
Charles Barkley, wearing a light gray suit, sat with Kenny Smith.
Hearing the greeting, he immediately extended his hand for a fist bump:
"TNT gave me a big contract. I have to earn money to support my family!"
The four laughed, and soon Ernie Johnson, sitting to Ewing's right, smiled and started the conversation:
"Pat, we noticed the Knicks sent away many old players during the offseason. What are your thoughts on this?"
Hearing this question, Ewing didn't hold back and insisted on his view, saying:
"Grant is indeed excellent, but with the original roster, we also maintained competitiveness. Most importantly, there would be no need for adjustment in the new season."
"I respect General Manager Grunfeld's choice. You know, after winning the championship for three consecutive years, our motivation was indeed affected somewhat."
"But as long as we make it to the playoffs, everyone will rally again!"
"In the current situation, the new season will require readjustment. I will fully cooperate with the coaching staff, but our record will likely fluctuate."
"The good news is that we don't have too many opponents in the Eastern Conference. As long as we adjust successfully, I believe the team can still make it to the Finals."
Kenny Smith quickly picked up on some issues and continued to ask with a smile:
"We all know the Knicks have a tough team culture. Do you think Grant will succeed in New York?"
Ewing immediately gave a diplomatic answer upon hearing this question:
"Grant is a good person. Everyone loves to watch him play. Times are different. He will adapt to the Knicks."
"If winning a championship counts as success, I believe Grant will achieve that in the future."
Ernie Johnson could tell Ewing was emotional, so he changed the subject again:
"Chuck, why didn't you choose to join the New York Knicks back then? You could have won a championship too!"
Charles Barkley got depressed as soon as he heard this question.
For the past month, Kenny Smith in the studio always brought up championships:
"Lee did invite me. You know, we played golf together in Chicago, at Michael's charity event."
"But I refused at the time because I didn't like the New York Knicks. Yes, you heard me right, I hated them."
"I also didn't like the New York Media environment, so I decisively refused. Of course, I think Lee was just being polite. I could tell he was very confident in his own abilities."
"It's like playing blackjack, he beat all of us. At 22 years old, he's a true genius. Even if he didn't play basketball, he would definitely make a name for himself!"
The three people on the side started praising him again, and Ewing almost couldn't hold back.
He couldn't believe he was still hearing Clay Lee's praises on a show.
Ewing felt lonely.
Lee had no one to practice with him this offseason.
Allan Houston and Ray Allen entered national team training in early August, and most of the New York Knicks' Rookies also started their vacation mode during the offseason.
This year, the New York Knicks' training camp started very late, waiting for the Sydney Olympics to end.
Therefore, by late August, only trainer Tim Grover and a few others were practicing with Lee.
There was no "brotherhood".
Lee hadn't made any true friends since entering the league.
Becoming famous too early, coupled with the difficulty for most players to find common ground with him, meant that, apart from a few teammates, most were just colleagues.
After a simple recovery training session, on the 28th, Lee returned to Hartford, for the first day of the fall semester at Connecticut Law School, which was perfect for registration.
On Friday, September 15th, Clay Lee returned to Manhattan to prepare for the second wave of sponsor marketing.
The Saturday Night Live event was also about to begin.
Taking advantage of the fans' half-month relaxation, they used advertisements to bombard them again before the new season started, continuing to maintain the buzz.
Tim Grover's training camp gained a great reputation, and the high fees could not stop some players' desire to become stronger!
The "white-hot space" had become a hot topic this offseason.
Although it was a bit mystical, many people still firmly believed in this theory.
On Saturday morning, Lee arrived at the Tarrytown Training Center and only saw Rashad Lewis warming up, realizing that most of the Rookies were still on vacation.
Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff were also not there.
Only equipment manager Old Mike and the staff clocked in daily.
With the Sydney Olympics starting, most sports media turned their attention to the national team.
Tim Grover also noticed the somewhat empty training gym and, seeing Clay Lee change into his training clothes, joked, "It seems most players no longer crave championships, Lee. Do you still want to keep winning?"
"Of course! At least I saw Rashad, which is a good thing. He just signed his contract and doesn't need to train so hard. This is the desire for a championship!"
As soon as Lee finished speaking, Lewis caught the ball, scratched his head awkwardly, and then blurted out the truth:
"Uh, actually, I want to get a starting position more. You know, Lee, playing with you can get better stats. I hope to sign a bigger contract after two seasons!"
Tim Grover and the several trainers behind him first looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
Without media reporters, the communication between players was so simple and direct.
Lee didn't mind.
He wasn't a child either.
It was normal for players to have their own little thoughts.
Seeing the slightly embarrassed Lewis, he continued to comfort him:
"Money and stats are also motivation. Having aspirations is a good thing. Believe me, Bro, players who just coast won't last long with the New York Knicks!"
Thinking that the "big brothers" had all been sent away, Rashad Lewis's smile instantly vanished.
Looking at Clay Lee's smiling face, Lewis suddenly realized that the New York Knicks' locker room culture was about to change.
Different leaders will create different locker room cultures.
Ewing, Oakley, Starks, and Anthony Mason promoted tough, gritty basketball.
As for what it will become in the future, only Lee has the final say.
Tim Grover didn't gossip too much about the New York Knicks' internal situation.
He looked around the empty training gym again and asked with a smile:
"Lee, what do you plan to focus on training? With your current physical condition, it's hard to improve further. Staying healthy is the most important thing!"
Lee patted his chest.
Although he hadn't touched a ball for more than two months, he felt his strength increasing.
"Lying at home, skills improve every day!"
Although this statement was a bit exaggerated, the talent panel doesn't lie!
"Shaquille O'Neal's Extraordinary Strength" was about to turn bronze.
Lee had a premonition that strength training would once again boost his attributes, which had been stagnant for two seasons.
"Prioritize strength training. I feel like I haven't reached my limit yet. For the next month and a half, I'm going to increase my training volume to fully activate my body!"
Tim Grover shook his head helplessly and, after exchanging glances with his training team behind him, advised:
"Lee, you need to realize that everyone has limits. Our bodies are not machines. We can't replace parts."
"Many times, excessive training can also cause potential injuries. That's why I've been letting you relax this offseason."
"You've played many more games than most players in recent years. Two months of rest isn't enough."
Rashad Lewis on the other side also subconsciously nodded.
If the boss was working so hard, it wouldn't be easy for role players either.
"I know my body. Don't worry, if I feel uncomfortable, I promise to communicate it promptly."
"Honing my body is a very interesting thing. I'm ready!"
Having specifically gotten another haircut, Lee returned to a clean and refreshing look, appearing full of vitality.
Rashad Lewis looked at Lee enjoying his training, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind:
"If I don't perform well, will I be traded?"
....
https://discord.gg/mjcCSyu7Yr
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)