Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Please give it a go đ
***
On September 29, 2000, at BIDMC (Medical Center) in Boston, Grant Hill looked nervously at the New York Knicks' veteran team doctor, Norman Scott.
After the X-ray examination, Norman Scott began discussing with his colleagues nearby and did not immediately express his opinion.
Clay Lee noticed that everyone in the room was a bit tense, so he proactively asked:
"Mr. Scott, could you briefly introduce the recovery progress first? Otherwise, I don't think anyone will be in the mood for lunch."
The consultation room not only had doctors but also many New York Knicks staff members, all eagerly looking at the veteran team doctor.
Taking off his glasses, Norman Scott shook his head and then softly sighed:
"The recovery is very good, but with the surgery in April, it should be impossible to get back into games by the end of the year."
"You shouldn't have played with an injury after the fracture. For your ankle, you should also be mentally prepared. After recovery, your explosiveness will definitely be affected."
"Injuries come with a cost, just like Ewing's knee. I warned him long ago. If he had listened to me earlier, perhaps his athletic ability wouldn't have declined so quickly."
Norman Scott has been the New York Knicks' head team doctor since 1978 and has also served the New York Rangers, New York Mets, New York Liberty, and the 1992 Dream Team.
Most injured athletes in New York are handled by Norman Scott.
Although he specializes in knee joint replacement, he also has extensive experience with sports injuries.
On the other side, Ewing, wearing a brown suit, heard his long-time team doctor complaining.
He didn't feel embarrassed.
Instead, he righteously said:
"Facts prove my choice was correct. I also won the championship. God always favors diligent people, and I got what I wanted."
Norman Scott shook his head helplessly.
As he got older, he believed in God more.
Watching the New York Knicks complete their three-peat, he could only sigh at Ewing's good fortune.
Otherwise, given his current physical condition, Ewing would most likely have to retire quietly.
Grant Hill's face instantly changed when he heard about the decline in athletic ability, and he sighed helplessly, recalling the Detroit Pistons' diagnosis.
Poor team performance, constant questioning, he had wanted to show his "tough" attitude, but it resulted in another first-round exit.
Facts prove that basketball players playing with injuries usually don't have good outcomes.
Besides self-move, fans might only talk about it for a year, and then it will join the "what if" brigade.
Perhaps some fans will miss that so-called "peak" and that attitude of giving everything for the game, but as time passes, cold Excel sheets and glory will tell athletes how cruel competitive sports are.
Clay Lee patted Grant Hill's shoulder and calmly assured him:
"Even if you don't play a single regular season game, the New York Knicks can still make the playoffs. Perhaps we'll encounter some resistance in the semifinals, but the first round will never trouble us."
"The truth is a bit harsh, but I think most Eastern Conference teams have declined significantly. So, watching the games from the sidelines next season is actually a good option!"
"Trust me, New York fans really like you!"
Grant Hill could only smile bitterly.
He had originally planned to return early to help the team improve its record, but upon hearing Lee's words, he realized that the New York Knicks' rotation was not weak either.
Jeff Van Gundy had remained silent, but he breathed a sigh of relief when Norman Scott confirmed that Grant Hill could make it back for the playoffs.
The situation within the New York Knicks was a bit off.
James Dolan seemed to want to replace the Head Coach and play more offensive basketball.
Firing a Champion Coach is something most teams wouldn't do, but for James Dolan, the Bald Young Coach was really unsure.
"It's enough to keep the regular season record in the upper half. Having won championships for three consecutive seasons, there's no need to pursue regular season achievements anymore."
"Don't worry, Grant! Just as Lee said, we no longer need to prove ourselves in the regular season."
Jeff Van Gundy also gave his assurance, alleviating the burden in Grant Hill's heart.
Sensing everyone's confidence, Grant Hill was suddenly somewhat speechless, and an idea even popped into his mind:
"Perhaps I should order a few more suits."
On October 1, 2000, Clay Lee watched the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics at his home on 82nd Street.
The new house had too many rooms.
Often, it was empty and not fully occupied.
In the entertainment room on the fifth floor, everyone gathered around the TV.
Lee massaged Kim's shoulders, who was wearing pajamas.
Seeing her comfortable expression, he immediately teased:
"It seems the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District is not an easy job. Do you also have to manage the mailroom? You seem tired every day."
It was a rare Sunday, and Melinda was no longer reading or doing practice questions.
Looking at the tired Kim, she also curiously leaned over and whispered:
"Are there many cases? The Southern District is responsible for Wall Street. Do those financial bigwigs have criminal records?"
"That's not something I can access at the moment. Gang crime in the Bronx is increasing. I'm only responsible for a small part of the material work. In some corners of New York, it seems not much different from New Mexico."
Hearing Kim's words, Melinda was a bit disappointed.
She had wanted to hear more juicy gossip.
Turning her head to look at Krysten Ritter, who was sulking on the other side, she teased again:
"Alyce, you should go act in movies and become a big star. You wouldn't be as tired as a model."
"I'm too tall. It seems I'm not suitable for acting either."
In September, New York Fashion Week, she was just an extra again.
The modeling industry is fiercely competitive.
Hugging her knees and watching Kim whispering with Lee, the little follower felt a bit envious.
Reading more books is indeed useful.
The girls went to bed early and woke up early.
They still had to work tomorrow.
Close to midnight, Lee saw Mike Ehrmantraut return on the first floor.
Although the old man was already 60 years old, it didn't show from his appearance.
Being a police officer in Philadelphia for over thirty years seemed to make him more accustomed to nightlife.
"Perhaps you should trust Bobby Axelrod more. At least he's a good man loyal to his family."
Mike, who had taken off his jacket, couldn't help but whisper, but Lee shook his head and said in a deep voice:
"I don't believe in coincidences. He profits every time he shorts.that's almost impossible. Although it's a good thing for me, he's hiding a lot of things, and I have to be responsible for my money."
Looking at Mike, who had stopped talking, Lee smiled again, then whispered:
"If it were 3 million, I probably wouldn't care about any of this, but nearly 400 million, enough to pave half a bedroom, as a partner, it's never a bad thing to be cautious!"
"..."
On October 9th, the New York Knicks' training camp officially began at the Tarrytown Training Center.
Compared to other teams, the New York Knicks' training camp started much later this year.
After Allan Houston returned to New York with his gold medal, media reporters became ecstatic againâthe New York Knicks had another two-time champion!
At the Sydney Olympics, the most famous moment in basketball was undoubtedly Vince Carter's "Dunk of Death," but for sports media, the group stage almost ended in an upset.
Starting in late September, everyone was criticizing the "Dream Team IV."
Upon returning to New York, Allan Houston looked somewhat tired.
He had played too many games and had too little rest in recent years.
The Rookie players talked and laughed in low voices after arriving at the training center.
Chauncey Billups, who had just joined the team, was a bit nervous, constantly looking around, seemingly trying to find someone to talk to.
"We almost lost. If the opponent had really made that shot, I even suspect these media outlets would have torn us apart upon our return to America!"
"Coach Thompso was also very nervous at the time. It seemed like a situation he had never encountered before!"
Allan Houston, who had changed into his training uniform, was still sharing his feelings about the previous game against Lithuania.
Ewing pouted after hearing it:
"We really played poorly. The Olympics weren't difficult at all. Michael Jordan played cards all night back then, and we didn't even play seriously, yet we still won every game by a large margin."
"I keep saying the league is too soft now. The referees restrict our play, which prevents young players from feeling pressure when they play."
Old-school stars always hold such views.
Allan Houston shrugged his shoulders.
He didn't argue that the league's officiating standards were becoming stricter and that on-court violence had been strictly prohibited.
"Lee, if you participated in the Olympics, you could easily be the scoring champion!"
Hearing Allan Houston's words, Lee, who was warming up, tilted his head and responded with a smile:
"I'm not interested in the Olympics. I've already played enough games."
Ron Artest didn't participate in the trio's conversation.
At this moment, he was competing with Ben Wallace:
"Why do I still have to carry bags? There's a Rookie who joined the team this year!"
Having won a championship in his hometown in his first professional year, Ron Artest completely let loose during the offseason, having a blast in Miami.
Ben Wallace didn't even look at him, just poked Ron Artest's chest and said in a low voice:
"Every Rookie has to carry bags for two years, and you're no exception! As for whether you can convince other Rookie to carry bags for you, that's your job."
"Rookie should serve the team, and you are still a Rookie!"
Ron Artest, feeling annoyed, quickly exchanged friendly greetings with Ben Wallace, but such a scene was already commonplace for everyone.
Rashard Lewis and Kurt Thomas also didn't participate in the two's bickering but greeted the newly joined players.
"Relax, Chauncey, the New York Knicks are absolutely nothing like you imagine!"
Thomas's comfort didn't have much effect.
Chauncey Billups, who had been a journeyman in the league for several years, was still very sensitive, only giving an awkward smile.
Kukoc and Luc Longley were playing on the same team again, and both felt a strange sense of emotion:
"If we can reach the Finals again, we have a great chance of meeting our old teammates!"
"Harper seems to be doing well with the Lakers."
As soon as Kukoc finished speaking, Luc Longley asked again:
"Does the team have any requirements regarding physical condition?"
Noticing that his old teammate seemed concerned about his weight, Kukoc lowered his voice and, taking advantage of the few people around, quietly complained:
"Heavy weight is useful, you know, the team still wants to win the championship this season."
After everyone had chatted enough, Jeff Van Gundy called everyone to gather in the center of the court and, facing their gazes, said confidently:
"I want everyone to first understand one thing: in basketball, the ultimate goal is to pursue victory!"
"Perhaps many people are already satisfied with three consecutive championships, but I must remind everyone that, apart from the absolute core, no one else can guarantee a starting position."
"The teams in the Eastern Conference didn't make many moves during the offseason, so this is our opportunity. We must go all out for victory!"
Looking at the Bald Young Coach's endless motivational speech, Lee was very satisfied.
He wasn't in the mood to consider the relationship between the Head Coach and the team.
Grant Hill, also in a New York Knicks training uniform, listened to the motivational speech with a serious expression, wishing he could be on the court playing right now.
"Our opponents haven't made many reinforcements. In fact, their team strength has even weakened. The future belongs to the young people, and as long as they perform well, I don't mind promoting them to a starting position!"
Jeff Van Gundy looked at Lewis and continued his motivational speech.
Clay Lee scanned the room again, noticed Ewing, who was in a great mood, and suddenly remembered something else:
"The tour is about to begin!?"
....
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