Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Please give it a go đ
***
On October 26, 2000, after the preseason game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls ended, Grunfeld, the General Manager who accompanied the team to Chicago, was completely relieved:
"Sprewell will always be our champion guard!"
A team's resurgence is never a simple matter.
General Manager Krause was still envisioning the Chicago Bulls, with enough accumulated talent, making it to the playoffs in the new season, but after a few preseason games, Chicago fans could no longer bear to watch.
108:81, they couldn't even pad their stats!
Watching Sprewell clank shots throughout the entire game, then smiling and hugging Clay Lee in a post-game greeting, boos suddenly erupted in the United Center.
Leading a team full of Rookies, Sprewell was completely comfortable.
All the ball possession was his, he could shoot bricks as much as he wanted, and passing was nonexistent.
He just wanted to shoot to his heart's content first!
The Chicago Bulls still played their familiar BGM at the start of the game, but the classic melody, which used to bring pressure to opponents, now became a joke.
Jeff Van Gundy looked at the completely flailing Chicago Bulls, a mix of emotions in his heart.
During the post-game interview, he suddenly spoke a few kind words for his opponent:
"We shouldn't mock players who are trying their best. Every team has its low points, and I eagerly await the Chicago Bulls' resurgence."
...
The New York Media reporters felt that the Bald Young Coach was mocking the incompetent Chicago Bulls.
Both teams were undergoing a transition of old and new, yet the New York Knicks won all 8 preseason games by large margins!
After all the preseason games concluded, upon returning to New York, the New York Knicks also began preparing for the opening night game on Halloween.
Compared to last season's arduous preparations, this year the New York Knicks simply announced a holiday, allowing everyone to enjoy the Halloween break together.
On the last weekend before the regular season began, the New York Media quickly discovered that Lee and his group had gone on a self-driving trip to Vermont to enjoy the scenery.
The New York fans didn't pay much attention to this.
Everyone was busy preparing for this year's Halloween, with the parade starting at 7 PM on the 31st.
For fans who bought tickets to the game, they also had to dress up that night, enjoying both the awards ceremony and the party at Madison Square Garden without missing a beat.
Most of the Rookie players who stayed at the Tarrytown Training Center to practice were not thinking about championships.
They longed for more playing time and impressive stats.
On the morning of the 30th, at the Tarrytown Training Center, in the training gym, Chauncey Billups watched Lewis continuously sink shots and suddenly asked curiously:
"Rashad, don't you consider adding some low-post offense?"
Still maintaining his shooting practice, Lewis calmly responded while shooting three-pointers:
"Sinking three three-pointers per game, getting to the free-throw line a few times, plus one or two fast breaks, and scoring easily gets into double digits."
"Low-post offense? Too inefficient. Maybe it'll be useful in the playoffs, but that's not my job. I just need to put the ball in the basket."
...
Chauncey Billups suddenly realized that Lewis made a lot of sense and thoroughly understood why he found it difficult to adapt to the New York Knicks' offensive rhythm.
Without low-post offense, for most of the time, the point guard must control the ball, pick-and-roll passing, drive-and-kick passing.
All offense relies on the guards.
Guards who wait for easy scores after passing the ball can only be tools for the New York Knicks.
If you want stats, go train.
You can also enjoy life by lying flat.
The New York Knicks' pace is around 81 possessions, and players have a clear understanding of what it takes to get stats.
If you can shoot, you start. If you clank, you sit on the bench.
There's no chance to flatter the boss and talk about "brotherhood."
"Black people should help black people" also doesn't apply to the New York Knicks.
Chauncey Billups also completely realized how harsh the New York Knicks' locker room environment was:
"If you don't play well, will you be traded?"
On October 31st, the 2000-2001 regular season officially began.
On the eve of Halloween, there were 13 games.
At 8 PM that night, the New York Knicks would host the Pacers.
The Eastern Conference Finals would be replayed, which was also the highlight of the day.
The game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Lakers also garnered much attention.
The two teams that made it to the Western Conference Finals last season faced off again, and fans were eagerly anticipating whether the Portland Trail Blazers could make a comeback with their "money power."
As usual, the Los Angeles Lakers Media entered their regular season "bold statements" phase, hyping up the "OK Combination" again before the new season even began.
However, no Lakers players responded.
The "big-mouthed" Shaq had been silent during the offseason, having been swept by the gentlemanly Lee, which was a huge embarrassment.
As for Kobe, he was busy lifting weights and building muscle during the offseason and had no time to deal with the Los Angeles Lakers Media.
Players these days value their reputation.
If they don't win it back, they can't hold their heads high.
For Halloween, Lee's new home was adorned with pumpkin decorations, and he began distributing candy early in the morning, with many children in the community.
Oakley and Larry Johnson had recently returned to New York and were scheduled to receive their rings that evening, so they stopped by Lee's place.
"Detroit is truly a boring place. No need to play in the playoffs either!"
"Stackhouse might put up some decent stats, but that guy is too inefficient."
Dressed in a black suit, looking like a big shot, Larry Johnson handed out candy to the children while complaining about the Detroit Pistons' environment.
Affected by a back injury, "Grandmama" had already taken a leave of absence at the start of the new season.
Oakley was still dressed in a black trench coat, looking much more energetic.
Michael Jordan was very generous, offering his old friend a $7 million contract.
This salary wasn't much different from last season, and with the added money, Oakley was naturally in high spirits:
"Washington isn't a good place either. A bunch of softies playing together. Michael still dreams of improving their record. He's simply dreaming."
Lee listened as the two critiqued everything, belittling the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards, and was speechless for a moment, after all, the New York Knicks had also softened up quite a bit.
"John actually joined the Utah Jazz. Is this guy going to teach Karl Malone championship experience?"
"But making money isn't bad. Our salaries were too low back then. Lee is making $10 million this season. Damn the collective bargaining agreement, this is absolutely oppression of the players!"
Oakley shared some news and then complained about the salary issue.
After handing a bag of candy to a little one, Lee gave a head pat and could only shrug his shoulders helplessly regarding his salary:
"To increase salaries, unless the league can sign a huge broadcasting contract, otherwise, under the current salary cap, it's difficult to see salaries like Michael Jordan's again."
$30 million a year, Lee also wanted to experience such a max salary.
It seemed that Lee's candy was more abundant and of better quality, so more and more children gathered around.
After a busy morning, while the three were eating breakfast, Larry Johnson suddenly shared his insights:
"Lee, be careful. Sometimes too many children can be a burden, and child support can accumulate."
Oakley and Lee both grinned, despite not sharing much about their lives, the New York Media's gossip about Larry Johnson having at least four illegitimate children was reliable.
Before leaving New York for Detroit, Larry Johnson was highly likely to become a heartless scoundrel again.
On the afternoon of the 31st, the New York Media also reported on the Knicks' gathering, documenting a group photo of Clay Lee, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, Oakley, and Ewing:
"Dynasty Team!"
In mid-October, MSG continued to promote The Last Dance documentary.
Interestingly, during the Finals, facing the Lakers, everyone on the Knicks shared their insights on defending Shaquille O'Neal on camera:
"Let Shaq attack, no one can stop him from scoring, but victory belongs to us!"
This documentary did not mock the Lakers, and it faithfully recorded Shaquille O'Neal's dominance in the paint.
Most fans who watched the documentary had one feeling:
"Shaquille O'Neal's teammates are dragging him down!"
The camera wouldn't show the impact of physical confrontation on shooting.
All people saw was the Lakers' perimeter players clanking shots.
Most fans also wouldn't notice that the efficiency of perimeter players across the entire league was very low at the moment, with Clay Lee being the only exception.
Unconsciously, fans and the media simultaneously raised the standard for perimeter players:
"Superstars must join the 180 Club!"
At 7 PM that evening, Clay Lee, appearing at Madison Square Garden, cosplayed as Green Arrow, and facing the camera, he solemnly uttered:
"You have failed this city!"
The New York Media immediately burst into laughter upon hearing this, and of course, many reporters over-interpreted it:
"If players don't play well, they'll be 'shot' dead."
David Stern, who arrived at Madison Square Garden, loved the atmosphere there.
Halloween, Ewing's "tour," and the championship trophy presentation ceremony, these three factors combined turned the evening's game into a party.
While warming up, Ewing continued to hug and greet old friends who bought tickets to watch the game.
Tonight, Jennifer Connelly appeared in Lee's exclusive front-row seat.
The New York Media all knew that this Hollywood actress was looking for another father for her child.
Lee, as usual, continued to hug his superficial friends in the front row one by one.
A candid shot captured a relaxed and laughing Jennifer Connelly.
As expected, Lee would passively become a "father" the next day.
Isiah Thomas officially became the Pacers' Head Coach this season.
Before the game, Lee didn't forget this legendary player:
"I believe the Pacers will definitely rise again this season. An excellent Head Coach has a huge impact on a team!"
Isiah Thomas, dressed in a black suit, heard this, patted Lee firmly, smiled, and joked:
"Oh! You seem to have gotten stronger!"
"Lee, actually, I'd rather coach a superstar like you. You know, a Rookie coach needs help!"
"..."
Lee didn't want to play under him, so he could only offer a polite smile.
However, this legendary player's feeling was correct.
His attributes, which had been dormant for two seasons, had indeed increased:
Speed: 92, Defensive Agility: 93.
[Athleticism]: 93.
Driving Layup: 94, Driving Dunk: 90, Ball Handle Speed: 91, Drawing Foul: 92.
[Driving]: 92.
Offensive Rebound: 59, Defensive Rebound: 70.
[Rebounding]: 65.
[Close Shot]: 97, [Open Mid-Range]: 93, [Open Three-Point]: 95.
[Strength]: 79, [Vertical]: 86, [Help Defense IQ]: 90; [Acceleration]: 90.
Grant's talent hasn't been fully digested yet, some attributes will still increase!
Thinking that he hadn't reached his limit, Lee's smile didn't fade as he returned to the locker room, hugging everyone he met.
After the visiting team's players came out, Reggie Miller had a long face.
He was very dissatisfied with the team's current roster.
His backcourt partner was the small Travis Best, and the starting frontcourt trio consisted of Austin Croshere, Sam Perkins, and Jermaine O'Neal.
Reggie Miller didn't want to deceive himself.
This lineup would struggle to make the playoffs.
Playing in the Eastern Conference, everyone knew that small guards facing Clay Lee would most likely be an easy win.
Watching the venue suddenly dim, with lights shining on the Knicks players beneath the basketball hoop, Reggie Miller stood on the sidelines, sighing silently.
In the center of the court, gleaming championship rings were laid out.
Three consecutive championships.
The Knicks had put a lot of thought into this ring.
The big screen above the Madison Square Garden also began to display the ring's design, and the cheers grew louder instantly.
Three small trophies collectively formed a large trophy, with the orange letters "Knicks" in front of the trophy.
One side was marked with a 15:1 playoff record and Lee's name, while the other side was marked with the prominent "World Champion," "2000," and "3-PEAT."
Compared to the previous two rings, the three small trophies on the front and the "3-PEAT" on the side were particularly eye-catching.
This symbol, also present on the Chicago Bulls' championship ring in '93, is currently one of only two in the league.
The cheers were unstoppable, and David Stern also smiled.
After thanking everyone, he finally blessed them meaningfully:
"I am delighted to witness the birth of a dynasty team!"
"In the Knicks, I still see everyone's desire for a championship."
"..."
James Dolan didn't pay attention to what Mr. Commissioner said.
He smiled throughout, constantly applauding, and when it was time to present the rings, he didn't even need a DJ, personally calling out the players' names.
When Larry Johnson, Oakley, and Chris Childs put on their rings to display them, the cheers from all the New York fans grew louder.
When Clay Lee's name was called, James Dolan, after presenting the ring, happily put his arm around Lee's shoulder and continued to loudly say:
"This new season, we will continue to contend for the championship! The team will continue to build a championship roster for Lee!"
"We can play beautiful offense, and we can also show tight Defense. This is New York Knicks basketball!"
"We will present the most exciting basketball games in the world to the New York fans!"
"..."
The curly-haired owner once again painted a colorful picture for the New York fans.
The winner's guarantee was exceptionally persuasive, even the onlookers were stirred with excitement.
Standing in the center of the court, when Lee finally took the microphone, a huge roar erupted again:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Unlike the curly-haired owner's long, motivational speech, Clay Lee simply waved to the fans present, then smiled and loudly said:
"Guys, let's keep winning big!"
"..."
...
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