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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
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***
On June 4, 2001, the Knicks departed for Los Angeles, where the next three games would be held at Staples Center.
Game 3 was scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM tomorrow, leaving little rest time for both teams.
Most of the Knicks players appearing at JFK International Airport were carrying a lot of luggage, and with all the staff also present, a large crowd was once again surrounded by media reporters.
Clay Lee only carried a small bag, wearing classic canvas shoes, light-colored jeans, and a white graphic T-shirt.
If it weren't for his striking physique, someone with face blindness would likely mistake him for a tourist student.
Lee accepted all interviews from reporters.
A New York Post reporter took the opportunity to badmouth the Lakers again:
"Once we're on the road, the referees will definitely help them. Lee, we all support you. The NBA will definitely not over-officiate. The championship belongs to New York."
There were also many New York Times reporters accompanying the team.
Most of the legwork was done by new recruits, who perhaps still believed the NBA wasn't scripted.
Several Rookie reporters also echoed:
"The league will likely give the other side some face, but the Lakers are no match for us at all. If Grant could play the whole game, we could even sweep them!"
"..."
The reporters surrounding Lee were all beaming.
While four consecutive championships had been achieved before, no team had accomplished this feat in modern basketball since 1985.
The closest was the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan.
If Michael Jordan hadn't retired, he might have achieved this feat.
The "If" argument has never stopped, but after this year, the topic might be concluded.
The Knicks also had hidden dangers.
With three max contracts filling up their salary cap, they couldn't recruit any more All-Star players.
The young players on the team whose contracts expired would likely choose other options.
With a championship in hand, it was time for other pursuits.
Who would be willing to sacrifice stats and be a role player when they could be the leader?
The New York Media also understood that the championship window was shrinking.
Once Clay Lee's next max contract took effect, it would be difficult to sustain three max contracts.
A pay cut was out of the question.
Given Lee's achievements with the Knicks so far, he would basically be on a max contract until retirement.
Regardless of the future, everyone felt it was better to enjoy the present.
After all, there were too many uncertainties, and maintaining a high attendance rate for these past few years was already a blessing from God.
"Go! Bro! Don't worry about the game. Even if we lose on the road, we can still return to Madison Square Garden."
Spike Lee came up to Lee and hugged him.
Having watched so many years of basketball, this old fan had already anticipated that the away games would be incredibly tough.
Clay Lee smiled and patted him, not discussing the game but instead jokingly saying:
"If we win the championship on the road, you'll definitely regret not coming with the team to watch."
Everyone laughed again.
Regardless of the away game results, winning two home games was the biggest guarantee, and everyone was in a very good mood.
During boarding, the cameras didn't stop.
Even a casual report would spark fan discussion.
Game 2 viewership exceeded 20 million, and the Finals were a grand feast for sports media.
After Jeff Van Gundy boarded the plane, he immediately began discussing the upcoming game plan in a low voice with the coaching staff.
The Bald Young Coach had been feeling a bit euphoric lately, with numerous sports media outlets calling him the greatest Head Coach in modern basketball.
Surpassing previous thousand-win coaches seemed only a matter of time.
No one questioned him anymore.
Everyone was singing his praises!
In Game 2, the Knicks shot 8-for-25 from beyond the arc, just over 30% from three-point range, which was mediocre.
Clay Lee alone contributed half of those makes.
Putting in effort on Defense inevitably affected offense.
The Lakers' outside shooting was even worse.
The Knicks led by a wide margin in both volume and makes.
Assistant Coach Thibodeau noticed that Jeff Van Gundy was somewhat distracted and quietly reminded him again:
"I need to make sure the players pay attention to fouls, especially inside fouls. We must control the number of fouls."
"Ben's rebounding is still very important. We need to prepare more interior rotations in advance."
Jeff Van Gundy came back to his senses and nodded.
In fact, he was already prepared to lose:
"There's no need to put too much pressure on the players. As long as we can win one game, we have a very high chance of ending the series."
On the other side, Assistant Coach Don Chaney heard the Bald Young Coach's confident tone and was somewhat surprised.
Three consecutive road games, the later the schedule dragged on, the harder it would be.
The coaching staff was afraid the league would add drama, yet this coach didn't seem to care.
Noticing everyone's expressions, Jeff Van Gundy adjusted his tone and said seriously:
"When necessary, we can also increase Lee's playing time. Playing the entire game is not a problem. This year's playoffs, we've expended very little!"
The coaching staff looked at each other.
They had expected some brilliant strategy, but it turned out to be relying on their star player.
Assistant Coach Thibodeau found it very reasonable and subconsciously nodded, starting to praise in his heart:
"Indeed, this is the Champion Coach's strongest tactic!"
"..."
Although TNT couldn't broadcast the Finals, they didn't miss this hot topic in their recent shows.
The three commentators had been discussing why Shaquille O'Neal was always swept.
After losing two consecutive games, Charles Barkley had become a flip-flopper, throwing out a shocking opinion on the show:
"I still maintain that my view is correct: the era of the super center is over!"
"Michael Jordan defeated those big men, and Clay Lee has done it too. Modern basketball is progressing, and old tactics can no longer win."
"Shaq is very difficult to defend in pick-and-rolls, unless he slims down to his Orlando Magic era physique. Lee can attack and wear him down through pick-and-rolls. As the series deepens, he won't maintain a 60% field goal percentage."
Kenny Smith, however, didn't perform a face-changing act.
Hearing this theory, he retorted again:
"Perhaps you have a point, but there was only one Michael Jordan in the league, and now, there's only one Clay Lee!"
"Compared to big men, there are fewer excellent perimeter players. I'm referring to perimeter core players who can lead their team to victory."
"I have great respect for players who strive in the NBA, but throughout the entire league, no one can achieve Lee's efficiency."
"Clay entered the 180 Club this year. If that's your theoretical basis, then it's simply not convincing."
"Imagine, if he were replaced by another perimeter All-Star player, could the Knicks still defeat the Lakers? The answer would definitely be no."
The three had discussed this issue many times in the past two days.
Kenny Smith's so-called perimeter All-Star players referred to those All-Stars with field goal percentages just over 40%.
Deep discussions could easily offend fans, so host Ernie Johnson could only change the topic again, saying:
"The basketball is round, and anything is possible. That's why we love watching the NBA. If the Knicks achieve four consecutive championships, will Clay Lee become the greatest player in history?"
Charles Barkley still wanted to continue discussing the previous topic, but at this point, he could only say with lingering dissatisfaction:
"I would still rank Lee second in history. He's only 23 years old. As long as he plays a few more years and accumulates more accolades, surpassing Michael Jordan is only a matter of time."
"However, it's difficult for the Knicks to maintain their current roster. They have indeed accumulated good talent, but ball possession and statistics are limited."
"New York doesn't care about the luxury tax, but they can't solve the issue of tactical status. This is Lee's team, and it won't change for many years to come."
Kenny Smith chuckled, then fanned the flames by asking:
"Will Clay Lee become an obstacle to the Knicks' roster? I think many people like playing with him!"
Charles Barkley wasn't afraid to offend anyone.
He grinned at the camera, put on a serious expression, and continued:
"Lee's success is built on the compromises of others. I don't like collaborating with dominant players. I prefer to be the one calling the shots in the locker room!"
"There's only one leader on the team, so why shouldn't it be me?"
"..."
The Lakers, who flew back to Los Angeles overnight, naturally weren't in the mood to watch TNT's gossip show.
Phil Jackson had a headache.
It was indeed for "basketball reasons" that Kobe wanted a higher tactical status.
What Lee said jokingly during the game wasn't idle talk.
The team's core players wouldn't become defensive role players.
Coaching staffs usually lighten the load for superstars.
Even if a core player performs well on Defense, at most, they take over Defense in critical moments.
Kobe didn't speak during the game, but he had already had opinions in his heart.
He hoped to get the same shot attempts he had in the Western Conference playoffs.
And for the Lakers coaching staff, most of the Western Conference perimeter players were terrible.
The San Antonio Spurs' perimeter players were a typical example.
Derek Fisher had been dominant in the Western Conference Finals, even setting a career playoff high, but in the Finals, he immediately faltered.
Phil Jackson preferred to see O'Neal consistently dominate weaker opponents, and Kobe could have explosive performances when needed.
If the tactical roles of the two changed, the coaching staff would question whether they could still win.
After the morning film session, Phil Jackson gave Kobe some more "chicken soup," trying to appease his perimeter core:
"A championship means sacrifice. We all know that ball possession is limited. If someone focuses on offense, naturally someone else has to focus on Defense."
"Shaq can't do it, everyone can only rely on you, Kobe, trust me, once you win the championship, all external doubts will disappear."
"Now what we need to do is play for each other. After reviewing the tape, I believe you've also realized that we are capable of winning."
"âŠ"
The Champion Coach rambled on for a while, even citing Michael Jordan's example.
Although Kobe was somewhat placated and felt much better, he eventually put forward his condition:
"I hope to take over the game in the second and fourth quarters. I'm not worried about the opponent fouling; as long as I step to the free throw line, I guarantee I'll make all my free throws."
Looking at Kobe's serious expression, Phil Jackson finally nodded slightly.
Arranging the game this way wasn't bad.
It could indeed compensate for Shaq's shortcomings.
The big man was frequently targeted by opponents on the court, leading the team to continuous losses.
After Shaq returned to Los Angeles, he naturally faced scrutiny.
Coupled with his history of often being swept in the early years of his career, ESPN, in conjunction with Lakers legends, fanned the flames these past two days.
After Magic Johnson joined ESPN, he also showed a knack for big-mouthed commentary, and Shaq, repeatedly teased, was starting to lose his composure.
The Lakers' afternoon practice session primarily focused on stretching and recovery.
Afterward, Kobe didn't accept interviews.
He disliked these fair-weather fans who didn't understand basketball constantly evaluating him.
Numerous sports media surrounded Shaq, and the ESPN reporter didn't hold back, immediately asking about tomorrow night's game:
"Shaq, if you lose Game 3 at home, the Lakers' Finals journey will also endâŠ"
The question was only half-spoken when Shaq impatiently interrupted:
"We will win three home games, and then get to match point. Although I don't like to receive the award on the road, the championship definitely belongs to the Lakers."
The question from the Los Angeles Times reporter was much friendlier:
"What adjustments will the team make for the upcoming home games? Shaq, can you talk about the morning's film session?"
Hearing this question, Shaq remembered Phil Jackson's instructions, and thinking about having to share the ball with the younger players made him feel a bit uncomfortable:
"That's Phil's job, you can ask him. I give my all in every game, and for the sake of victory, I accept any arrangements from the coaching staff."
Before the onlookers could ask more questions, Lakers staff pulled Shaq away.
The Yahoo Sports reporter was a bit unhappy and couldn't help but complain to his colleagues nearby:
"Clay would never refuse our interviews. The Lakers always like to put on airs!"
"âŠ"
On the afternoon of June 5th, the Knicks began their warm-up early at Staples Center.
The Los Angeles media didn't miss this opportunity, following everyone to watch Clay Lee's warm-up activities.
While they might say they have Kobe, the Los Angeles media also really liked Clay Lee, whose playing style was relatively flashy.
Even during warm-ups, Lee always managed to come up with new tricks, occasionally showing off a Logo three-pointer.
Watching Lee toss the ball into the hoop near the player tunnel, the media reporters present gasped in amazement, then chattered incessantly.
Grant Hill, who was being interviewed courtside, was already accustomed to Lee's super long-range shooting and, at this moment, chuckled as he teased:
"If one day I see long-range three-pointers become Lee's regular offensive move, I won't be surprised at all!"
"In practice, Lee's shooting like that also has a nearly 40% accuracy rate."
Hearing everyone gasp, Grant Hill then seriously added:
"I'm not exaggerating, Lee is a transcendent athlete. He provides another way of playing for future smaller players."
Grant Hill, with his sharp insight was still deeply beloved by the media.
Even with limited playing time, everyone still preferred to interview him.
Although Ron Artest performed well on Defense, most sports reporters, except for the New York Media, didn't pay much attention to this Rookie.
Ben Wallace received similar treatment.
There was no criticism, nor any praise.
Ben was displeased by this but powerless to change the ingrained impression.
Undrafted, undersized big man, and role player were still his labels.
After arriving in Los Angeles, Ewing didn't forget to continue showing off.
During warm-ups, he acted as an assistant coach, shouting loudly in the Staples Center and incidentally sharing his low-post footwork with the young big men of the hype squad.
Allan Houston, who was also being interviewed on the other side, suddenly turned into a straightforward boy, generously stating when asked how to defend Shaq:
"We've exhausted all our methods, but Shaq always manages to score. In this situation, we can only choose to do our best to defend the perimeter players."
The Yahoo Sports reporter heard this answer and suddenly asked again:
"In the upcoming series, how will the team limit Kobe? He scored 30 points in the last game!"
Allan Houston stroked his chin, seemingly pondering the answer, then casually replied:
"Kobe is excellent, but we don't have a special defensive plan. He can score, but he can't change the situation on the court."
"The Knicks are not the San Antonio Spurs; our perimeter Defense is even better!"
"Perhaps he can score 40 points in one game, but from the perspective of the series, such an outburst is within the team's acceptable range."
"We've played against Michael Jordan. With Kobe's current efficiency, it won't change our defensive strategy."
Allan Houston chuckled as he evaluated the Lakers' perimeter players, making the Los Angeles reporters furious:
"Too much!"
Commissioner David Stern also flew to Los Angeles. By 7 PM on game night, Staples Center was completely full.
David Stern had a constant smile on his face, sitting in the front row with Jerry Buss, chatting and laughing.
The NBA was naturally very satisfied with the viewership ratings of the first two games.
Although NBC seemed to be pulling out of the next broadcasting contract, as long as the current ratings were maintained, a new buyer would still offer a large contract.
High broadcasting contracts would also improve player salaries, which was a win-win situation.
Before the game even started, the noise in the Staples Center grew louder and louder.
As per usual, NBC, the broadcaster, would show outside city views before the game, but such shots were almost no different from last year, and viewers at home would only complain about too many commercials.
At the broadcast booth, Doug Collins spoke non-stop into the camera:
"The Lakers must defend this home court. In the pre-game warm-up, Lee's form is excellent. To win tonight's game, someone must step up on the response end!"
"In Game 2, the Knicks' perimeter shooting accuracy dropped, but they will still shoot decisively. How to defend the three-pointer is also a huge test for the Lakers."
Marv Albert noticed Lee greeting fans in the front row, showing no signs of tension, and immediately added:
"Rotation is also very important. With a 7-man rotation, Shaq always had some stamina issues in the fourth quarter."
"Returning home, Coach Phil Jackson might make new adjustments."
Nicholson, sitting in his exclusive seat, was exceptionally invested in the game.
After the player introductions, he loudly grumbled courtside:
"You won't be celebrating in Los Angeles! The Lakers will win three straight! Three straight!"
Clay Lee had just greeted Denzel Washington and turned his head to see this die-hard Lakers fan shouting at him.
"Don't worry, I don't like receiving the award on the road either. I prefer to hear the cheers of the fans!"
Lee joked and fist-bumped the Oscar winner.
Many Lakers fans were there tonight, and a whole group of chanting singers had also arrived.
Jeff Van Gundy, dressed in a proper black suit, posed courtside.
Although he anticipated that tonight's game might feature some home-court officiating, he still couldn't help but remind his players during the final warm-up phase:
"Guys, stay calm. As long as there's an opportunity, we'll shoot decisively!"
"Don't mind the referee's whistle. That's my job!"
Perhaps thinking that one more win would secure match point, the Bald Young Coach suddenly became talkative.
He was just one win away from being a legendary coach!
The Lakers players who came to center court all had grim expressions.
Shaq stood at the mid-court line early, waiting to jump ball with Ewing.
The fans in the Staples Center also rose and cheered, and for a moment, shouts of encouragement echoed throughout the stadium.
Shaq, who won the jump ball, quickly rushed across half-court.
Derek Fisher immediately passed the ball to Kobe, then ran with Clay Lee to the left baseline corner.
In the first possession, Shaq no longer demanded the ball for a low-post back-down.
Instead, he came to the right elbow area and actively came up for a pick-and-roll.
With a quick crossover dribble and a switch to his left hand, Kobe briefly shook off Allan Houston's pursuit, then pulled up for a jump shot near the free throw line, which clanked off the rim.
The rebound bounced out and was immediately secured by Ewing, who had retreated to the basket.
Lakers fans sighed as they watched the Knicks initiate a transition offense.
Lee, who received the ball, accelerated and charged, catching up to the retreating Lakers players.
Derek Fisher desperately put up physical resistance.
Noticing that the Lakers had set up their Defense, Lee finally slowed down at the top of the arc.
"Defense!âŠ"
The defensive shouts grew louder and louder.
Sensing no double-team, Lee slightly lowered his center of gravity, dribbled between his legs, and then switched to his left hand, immediately accelerating.
Fisher timely blocked the driving lane, constantly sliding backward and to the right.
As the two arrived near the free throw line, Lee suddenly stopped short and pulled the ball back between his legs, his ball-handling hand swatting away the opponent's grab, creating space for a shot before immediately gathering the ball.
What Lee didn't expect was that Derek Fisher dramatically fell backward, sliding directly on the floor for two meters, then even did a backflip, landing next to O'Neal under the basket, crying out in pain:
"Ah!"
The referee immediately blew his whistle, signaling an offensive foul on Lee.
"Wow!"
The Lakers fans in the arena cheered loudly, but Lee was amused by Fisher's exaggerated acting; this "show of force" seemed to indicate the defensive intensity for this game.
Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines couldn't hold back and immediately complained loudly to the side referee about such an exaggerated flop:
"He flew two meters! Lee only swatted his arm away and didn't push him at all! That's definitely a flop!"
The referee naturally made no response, and the game quickly resumed.
It seemed no different from the previous two games.
After Kobe missed his opening shot, he dutifully fed the ball to Shaquille O'Neal.
The Lakers still focused on their inside game, scoring through Shaq.
On the Knicks' side, Lee was still heavily double-teamed, forcing him to pass the ball early to slow down their offensive rhythm.
The score alternated, and the game seemed unremarkable, but soon Ewing picked up his first personal foulâan illegal screen.
The referee's officiating was exceptionally strict, and the Gorilla was taken out of the game prematurely before even half a quarter had passed.
With 3 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first quarter, Clay Lee had just hit a three-pointer from the right wing in the previous possession.
On the defensive end, Fisher cut along the baseline from left to right and was blocked, resulting in Lee's second personal foul.
A frustrated Jeff Van Gundy substituted in Chauncey Billups.
Sespite the boos from the crowd, Lee walked calmly to the bench, unaffected by the referee's call.
The Bald Young Coach patted Lee's shoulder, and when he returned to his seat, Ewing beside him grumbled in a low voice:
"The foul came earlier than I expected. I knew the NBA would definitely favor the Lakers."
17:18.
Lee looked at the scoreboard, but his mood wasn't as bad as the Gorilla's.
He covered his mouth and responded in a low voice:
"Unless the opponent finds their rhythm from beyond the arc, with the current scoring efficiency, the deficit will still be within reach even until the last moment of the game."
In the do-or-die game, as the match progressed, O'Neal's free throws also became more accurate.
The Lakers initially expected to build a huge lead after Lee left the court, but as Chauncey Billups and Ron Artest, who came in, also sank three-pointers, the lead could never be extended.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was 24:25, with the Lakers leading by just one point.
O'Neal had the best performance, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, efficiently scoring 14 points in a single quarter.
In the second quarter, it was Kobe's turn to explode, as his "inefficient" long two-pointers continuously found the net, helping the Lakers rack up points!
Kobe executed a wide crossover dribble at the top of the arc, switched to his left hand, took another dribble, and then pulled up for a jump shot from a step inside the three-point line, hitting it again!
"Wow!"
Staples Center erupted completely.
Kobe, grinning after continuously making shots, pumped his fist vigorously, releasing his excitement.
While the Lakers played with fervor, the Knicks' response was not bad.
They seized opportunities and responded from beyond the arc.
At halftime, the score was set at 50:55, with only a 5-point difference, and the enthusiasm of the Lakers fans at the arena dwindled.
9-of-15, Kobe scored 22 points in the first half, and Phil Jackson also showed a relieved smile.
On the NBC commentary desk, Marv Albert subtly commented:
"Clay Lee needs to be careful with fouls. Unnecessary fouls will affect his playing time and, consequently, his game performance."
"In the first half, the Lakers showed their determination to win, and Phil Jackson made timely adjustments!"
Doug Collins didn't want to say too much; the officiating tonight was a bit flexible:
"A 5-point difference isn't safe. For the Knicks, it might only take two possessions to turn the score around."
"The most important thing is the response shots in the final stages of the game!"
The two discussed for a while, not mentioning the outcome of the game, only analyzing the players' conditions.
Kobe, who shot 8-of-11 in the single quarter, did not reduce his offensive desire after the start of the second half.
However, after several consecutive jump shots missed, and watching Lee pick up a long rebound and score on a one-man fast break, Phil Jackson on the sidelines couldn't help but loudly remind him:
"Pass the ball! Get the ball inside!"
But by this time, Kobe had already entered his zone.
Even a timeout wouldn't help, he just kept shooting, even driving strong to the basket against a double-team.
These unreasonable offensive choices suddenly put Lee into a "fast break like a tiger" state, easily scoring on fast breaks for several consecutive possessions.
The deficit gradually narrowed, and with 12.3 seconds left in the third quarter, as Lewis scored on a fast break with a two-handed dunk, the score reached 76:75.
As Fisher missed a three-pointer, Staples Center suddenly fell silent, with only the Knicks' bench cheering loudly.
Jeff Van Gundy excitedly pumped his fist, delivering a passionate pep talk during the break!
However, after the game resumed, the Bald Young Coach first angrily complained loudly, then stood silently with his arms crossed, and finally returned to the bench, helplessly waving Luc Longley and Kukoc onto the court.
The game was decided only in the final moments.
When the buzzer sounded, Staples Center erupted once again.
100:104, the Lakers successfully protected their home court, bringing the series score to 1:2.
"Yeah!!"
Kobe excitedly hugged Shaq.
His second-half performance was truly dismal, almost collapsing the game.
Derek Fisher also continuously pumped his fists, embracing his teammates, releasing his excitement.
Although Lee's playing time was fragmented, he didn't argue with the referees after the game.
Instead, he smilingly handed over the game ball and waved to the Knicks fans who were present.
In 37 minutes, he shot 12-of-25 from the field, 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line, tallying 35 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.
Despite the drop in efficiency, Clay Lee still delivered a double-double.
Jeff Van Gundy also had no interest in shaking hands with Phil Jackson after the game.
Embraced by Lee and others, he walked towards the player tunnel, still shouting excitedly:
"Ugly victory! You stole our victory! I'm going to report this to the NBA! The referee crew must give me an explanation!"
"..."
After the game, Jeff Van Gundy refused to be interviewed, clearly fuming.
When Lee and Ewing attended the press conference, the Gorilla also looked displeased, taking the opportunity to sarcastically remark:
"Close to Hollywood, that's Lakers basketball!"
The Los Angeles reporters didn't care.
Winning was all that mattered.
A TNT reporter noticed that Lee seemed to show little emotion and proactively asked:
"Clay, how would you evaluate tonight's game? The Knicks seemed to be affected by the officiating?"
Lee shook his head, not minding the gazes of the crowd below, and replied in a relaxed tone:
"Officiating and injuries are all part of the game. As the team leader, what I consider is how to secure a victory on the road."
"..."
After Game 3, commentators avoided discussing the officiating issues, sports media hailed "The Lakers begin their counterattack," and the NBA announced that viewership numbers had risen again, with Finals discussions also increasing.
After more than two days of rest, on the evening of the 8th, in Game 4 of the Finals, shortly after the game began, Jeff Van Gundy furiously blasted the referees.
Having seemingly found the correct defensive method, with 4 minutes and 1 second left in the first quarter, Derek Fisher drew an offensive foul, forcing Lee to exit the game early again.
"Wow!"
The cheers at Staples Center were endless, and from the commentary booth, Doug Collins watched Derek Fisher celebrate with a pumped fist and praised him with a smile:
"Excellent Defense, Derek Fisher has been playing too well these two games!"
"He always manages to appear in the right defensive position. It seems the Lakers have found the secret to winning."
Marv Albert felt a bit displeased and didn't elaborate much on this possession, subtly suggesting:
"The referees should loosen up the defensive intensity a bit. Since coming to Los Angeles, the officiating has been overly cautious, and the Knicks should also adjust in time."
Back on the bench, Lee briefly fist-bumped everyone.
Ewing felt that the past two days of film study were useless and muttered in a low voice, covering his mouth:
"The opponent has a few more players on the court than us. I knew the NBA wouldn't let the series end easily!"
Clay Lee patted the Gorilla, not responding aloud, and stroked his chin, watching the game in deep thought:
"Maybe playing blindly will work better?"
....
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