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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
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***
On the night of November 1, 2005, as the New York Knicks' opening game concluded, ESPN hosts Flip Saunders and Legler fell silent.
Amar'e Stoudemire, who had just joined the Phoenix Suns, left the game with an injury after only 2 minutes and did not return.
100:92, the re-launched Dallas Mavericks successfully defeated their opponent.
In the game between the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan's performance was mediocre, and Manu Ginobili shot 2-for-9, almost breaking his own basket.
89:98, thanks to Parker's excellent performance, the San Antonio Spurs ultimately won at home.
The Sacramento Kings, who made a major trade, did not achieve the expected results.
Perhaps due to too little time to gel, they suffered a crushing defeat in Oklahoma City tonight.
67:93, the Oklahoma City Hornets celebrated their first win of the season in their new home!
Chris Paul, who had high expectations, shot 3-for-7, 1-for-3 from beyond the arc, and finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 4 turnovers.
This game could be described as a battle of weak teams, with the Hornets committing 20 turnovers, yet the Sacramento Kings failed to capitalize.
As for the game between the 76ers and the New York Knicks, it was equally unexciting.
After the third quarter, which ended 19:36, Allen Iverson could only play hard during garbage time.
94:108, Allen Iverson lost again, bringing his regular season record to 37-0.
Of the four opening games, aside from the referees' strict whistles, the content of the games was not well-received.
Many players were too rested, some international players were overly fatigued, and some players simply lacked skill.
In short, after watching the games, the commentators were not satisfied.
The lack of explosive statistics made everyone quite uncomfortable.
Plagued by foul trouble, Clay Lee ultimately played only 28 minutes in the opening game, shooting 8-for-17, 4-for-10 from three-point range, and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, tallying 26 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover.
In the fourth quarter, Michael Finley struck hard, shooting 5-for-6 in the single quarter, contributing 10 points and rendering the 76ers' comeback attempt futile.
As the last game to finish, ESPN also gave face to the past All-Star after the game, proactively interviewing the New York Knicks' new acquisition.
Compared to Diaw, who only played 8 minutes, Finley, who had already entered the rotation, seemed more accustomed to the New York Knicks' system.
The post-game interview also proved this point, and the director provided the corresponding interview footage:
"This is no different from my role with the Dallas Mavericks. Here, I also feel freedom!"
"All I need to do is seize opportunities to score and trust my instincts. This is what the coaching staff has arranged for me!"
When answering questions, Finley appeared very confident.
The New York Knicks sometimes played chaotically, not much different from the Dallas Mavericks.
In the studio, host Flip Saunders looked at a silent Stephen A. Smith and proactively spoke, saying:
"It's a shame the 76ers played a good half. Considering that Webber just joined the team, losing to the defending champions is understandable."
Allen Iverson, like Clay Lee, did not participate in the preseason with the team in October.
This was the first game with new players joining the team, and being able to hold on until the third quarter was already a great success.
Legler understood his partner's feelings.
His younger brother was utterly defeated, shooting 1-for-6 in the crucial third quarter.
Such a performance was impossible to praise:
"It's clear that after four months without playing, Clay Lee's form still needs adjustment."
"Not only was he plagued by foul trouble, but his offensive efficiency, which he previously displayed, also dropped."
Stephen A. Smith fully recovered upon hearing their words, no longer dwelling on his younger brother's statistics, and proactively changed the topic, saying,
"Every year, the New York Knicks are very strong at the beginning of the season. A slow start to the new season is an opportunity for other teams."
"I won't worry about Lee's individual form. Considering the team's roster depth, he can warm up at his leisure in the early season."
As if remembering something else, Stephen A. Smith suddenly raised his voice, gossiping pointedly:
"Compared to the New York Knicks, I'm more concerned about the Phoenix Suns. Amar'e Stoudemire seems to have a knee injury."
"Considering the Phoenix Suns' management's expectations for the team this season, I think this is definitely not good news!"
On the morning of the 2nd, the Philadelphia Daily News, for the first time in a while, praised Allen Iverson's performance:
"Strongly suppressing a long-time rival, Philadelphia's indomitable fighter is back!"
Perhaps due to a lack of other hot news, a photo of Allen Iverson striking a listening pose at Madison Square Garden became the front-page headline.
Playing 43 minutes, he shot 7-for-23, 2-for-6 from three-point range, and 11-for-14 from the free-throw line, finishing with 27 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers.
Allen Iverson scored the game-high in the opening game, surpassing Clay Lee, which naturally delighted Philadelphia fans!
Although his performance faltered at crucial moments and he ultimately failed to turn the tide, Allen Iverson, who fought until the end, still garnered support from the fans.
When he appeared at the post-game press conference, Allen Iverson, for the first time in a while, once again spoke boldly:
"Losing is not terrible. No one can keep winning forever."
"Please give us some time. We will return to the playoffs and contend for the championship again."
Many column articles began to tout Allen Iverson's spirit of fighting despite repeated defeats.
For Philadelphia fans, they could accept losing but did not want to see their core player lose his fighting spirit.
New York sports media did not report much on last night's game.
Aside from their usual boasting, their main focus was "whitewashing" their own team.
Last night, after Amar'e Stoudemire's injury, the Phoenix Suns' management immediately fired shots, complaining in an interview:
"The league should allow teams to raise their physical examination standards. Amar'e's knee injury is more serious than people imagine."
"If he undergoes surgery, he will conservatively miss at least four months of games."
"We don't like the New York Knicks' method of overworking players. He could have received treatment earlier instead of dragging it out until now after micro-surgery."
These remarks led to multiple sports media outlets competing to report, and they unanimously began to criticize the New York Knicks' high-pressure training.
Commentators who enjoyed stirring up trouble even proactively spoke out, adding fuel to the fire:
"Seven championships in nine years, the New York Knicks will fall rapidly. The championship has already exacted its price!"
Sports reporters in Chicago and Orlando were the most active.
Both teams had suffered "persecution" from the championship guard, so it was natural for them to kick a man when he was down.
Column articles in newspapers seemed to have witnessed the New York Knicks' "sweatshop" training camp firsthand, accusing New York of exploiting players' physical health.
Although such a view was extremely absurd, bystanders found it reasonable.
For a time, the buzz surrounding other teams' opening games was drawn away by this news.
Since Lee still had to go to Lenox Hill Hospital to take care of the two girls, he did not stay at the Tarrytown Training Center at noon.
Familiar New York Times reporters were already staked out near the hospital.
During lunchtime, they did not swarm him but rather a few individuals gathered around Lee as he exited the car.
The weather in Manhattan was turning cold in November, and Lee's black casual attire concealed his muscular physique.
Every year after the new season began, Lee would cut his hair short.
Compared to previous years, aside from a bit more stubble on his face, he showed no signs of aging.
When the New York Knicks were exposed for injury issues, sports media would always suspect Lee of using "technology."
The articles from this morning caused the entire NBA circle to resume its usual gossip.
Noticing a few familiar reporters in front of him, Lee couldn't help but quip:
"Injury issues have been circulating for several years. You should change the topic!"
Seeing Lee carrying a small bag, seemingly containing a meal box, the few reporters could only offer an awkward smile and simply asked:
"Clay, we certainly believe in the New York Knicks, but over the years, players who have been traded away always seem to develop injury problems."
"This is what everyone is concerned about. Fans also want to know if there's a problem with the training."
Before the crowd of onlookers could gather, Lee smiled and simply replied:
"No player can guarantee constant health. Think about our medical team!"
"Pat's attendance rate when he played in New York was among the top in the league until the end of his career."
"Grant suffered an ankle injury in Detroit, but after coming to New York, his body recovered significantly."
"Many times, we shouldn't make excuses for failure. Basketball is not that complicated. Lack of skill is the root cause."
"As for Amar'e, he will get better. We respected the player's opinion regarding his conservative treatment back then. He is a tough guy and won't be defeated by injury."
Lee did not explain too much about the old topic and quickly entered the hospital with a few members of his butler team.
They would have to work hard for another two weeks.
Although the reporters agreed with Lee's answer, thinking about the trades over the years, they still found it too coincidental.
When the veterans were sent to other teams to impart championship experience, many people hadn't reacted yet.
Looking back now, the New York Knicks were also beneficiaries:
"Is this God's favor?"
As the New York reporters exchanged glances, some sports media also began digging up old dirt, accusing the New York Knicks of being a complete "black shop."
Fortunately, the regular season continued in the afternoon, and the onlookers' attention quickly shifted back to the games.
The highly anticipated Heat vs. the completely rebuilt Grizzlies was expected to be a landslide victory, but the outcome wasn't decided until the 4th quarter.
The score was 97:86.
Newcomer Antoine Walker performed exceptionally, shooting 10 of 17 from the field, 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, and 1 of 1 from the free-throw line, tallying 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 turnover.
Dwayne Wade also showed excellent game form, shooting 9 of 18 and contributing 23 points, but he also had 7 turnovers.
O'Neal seemed not to have recovered from the offseason, shooting 2 of 9 in the first half and 6 of 14 for the entire game, with only 12 points.
Although they won, Head Coach Stan Van Gundy's job security remained precarious.
With 18 turnovers throughout the game, the Heat essentially continued their preseason form.
O'Neal, who only played 30 minutes, spoke favorably of the Head Coach after the game:
"The new season has just begun, and everyone's bodies haven't fully recovered. We will solve the turnover problem."
"Williams and Payton will integrate into the team very quickly. We have excellent point guards."
Looking at O'Neal's physique, the sports media naturally knew that the Big Guy probably hadn't practiced much in the offseason.
A reporter from the Miami Herald suddenly felt that having Pat Riley coach the team might be a good thing.
At least this Champion Coach could rein in the disobedient O'Neal.
In the game that night, the Lakers once again became the focus of commentators, fighting through an overtime period, with Kobe ultimately hitting a game-winner against the Denver Nuggets.
Shooting 7 of 13 in the first half and 3 of 12 in the second half, Kobe Bryant finally found redemption in overtime, shooting 3 of 3 and scoring 8 points, almost single-handedly accounting for the Lakers' scoring.
With Odom playing extremely poorly, Smush Parker became Kobe's most effective helper, with this newcomer scoring the second-highest 20 points of the game!
After the game, the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man once again boomerang-ed, as if suffering from amnesia, praising Kobe's shot selection:
"Kobe Bryant is a killer. He's just like Michael Jordan, always stepping up in crucial moments!"
"I admire his confidence. An excellent scorer should always believe in his next shot, and Kobe did that."
During the preseason, Phil Jackson, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, sarcastically pointed out that Kobe took too many shots and made poor offensive choices, leading to the Lakers losing 4 games.
Sports reporters, however, hoped the Lakers would lose, so the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man would surely criticize them again.
Despite hitting the game-winner, Kobe did not earn the respect of media reporters, with many still flaunting the previous rankings:
"Kobe, we noticed that your win shares last season were only 8.1, ranking 31st in the league."
"Phil believes you have a chance to be elected MVP. Do you think you have a chance to win this award?"
Kobe, who was in a good mood, immediately lost his smile upon hearing the question, staring at the ESPN reporter and answering expressionlessly:
"I just play basketball. Who cares about those numbers?"
On November 4th, two days prior in the opening game, Antawn Jamison hit a near game-winner, helping his team defeat the Toronto Raptors on the road.
After flying to Manhattan, the Washington Wizards found that the newspapers were still embroiled in a dispute, with several mainstream media outlets not even mentioning tonight's game.
Gilbert Arenas immediately became unhappy.
He had enjoyed superstar treatment in the offseason, and through his intense training, he had attracted more attention!
The Washington Post highly praised his training methods:
"Gilbert will defeat those geniuses with his hard work!"
Gilbert Arenas, who always believed that hard work pays off, did not like the New York Media's attitude.
Last season, he was a player who went toe-to-toe with Kobe Bryant, proclaiming himself the league's second-best point guard.
Since that night's game was not broadcast nationally, with half an hour left before tip-off, Mike Breen was still blatantly boasting at the MSG commentary table:
"No team in the league can match our roster depth."
"Tayshaun Prince and Raja Bell were still our starters last season, and Michael Finley was also a starter for the Dallas Mavericks before."
"Boris Diaw is also a promising rookie. He also had a good performance for the Atlanta Hawks before."
"We completed a roster upgrade in the offseason, and perhaps we can continue to create miracles."
Walt Frazier, wearing a flashy New York Knicks-colored tie, saw that the team hadn't fully entered game mode yet and subtly commented:
"Our starting lineup has played too many games, and Ron Artest got into foul trouble again in the second half of the opening game."
"Considering the recent schedule, the upcoming six-game road trip out West will be a huge test."
For the first week of the new season, only tonight's game and Sunday's game remained.
For over a week after that, New York fans would only be able to watch games on TV, so those who bought tickets were particularly enthusiastic.
Amidst the noise, the time reached 7:30 PM.
As Gasol tipped the ball back to half-court, the game officially began.
The New York Knicks' training intensity these past two days had been very low, focusing mainly on recovery training and continuing to allow new players to adapt to the team's rhythm.
Under systematic training, Lee's physical condition had noticeably improved.
He dribbled the ball across half-court with his left hand, noticing that Gilbert Arenas had been staring at him, which he found a bit inexplicable.
The two teams had no animosity whatsoever.
After all, the Washington Wizards had been a weak team in previous years, and the atmosphere group had made more impactful appearances.
Amidst cheers, Gasol quickly received the ball in the right elbow area.
Brendan Haywood naturally followed him out to defend, and Head Coach Eddie Jordan loudly reminded from the sideline:
"Stay with him, Gilbert!"
The highly motivated Gilbert Arenas was not fooled by Clay Lee's fake cut to the top of the key, always keeping his back to the passer and sticking tightly to his side.
Unable to receive the ball immediately, Lee quickly ran to the right baseline corner.
After a simple cross-screen, Hill came to the top of the key to receive the ball.
Antonio Daniels, his matchup, was also an old opponent.
He had faced the New York Knicks when he was with the San Antonio Spurs.
Realizing that Hill wanted to drive left, Antonio Daniels quickly squeezed through.
Hill, who put the ball down with his left hand, did not force an attack but instead passed the ball to Ron Artest on the left wing.
Antawn Jamison consciously sagged off to defend the drive, maintaining defensive distance while also observing the New York Knicks' positioning.
Holding the basketball above his head to briefly attract the opponent's attention, Ron Artest immediately passed the ball to Lee in the left baseline corner.
As the pass was completed, the New York Knicks players rotated in sequence.
Kurt Thomas moved from near the left baseline, faking a screen, and Gasol had already squeezed to the lower right side of the basket.
Jared Jeffries followed behind Kurt Thomas and subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Gilbert Arenas recover in time.
The moment he received the ball, Lee faked right and drove left.
Before his teammates could set up, he quickly swept the ball and put it down with his left hand, driving with a crossover step.
Although he made the correct defensive read, Gilbert Arenas' slide step to the right-rear did not have much effect.
Clay Lee, accelerating with a lowered shoulder, almost blew past the defender in one step.
Flying along the baseline, amidst the cheers of the home fans, Lee squeezed past Gilbert Arenas, who was defending strenuously and almost lost his balance, stumbling and losing his defensive position.
In a blink of an eye, he broke through to directly in front of the basket, turned his body in the air, cradled the ball with his right hand, and gently laid it in!
Brendan Haywood, who was preparing to help defend, subconsciously blinked, looked at Lee, who was already running towards half-court, and complained in a low voice, annoyed:
"Damn it! He doesn't give you any time to react."
"Defense!"
Amidst defensive cheers, as Gilbert Arenas dribbled across half-court and cut horizontally from the right wing, Antawn Jamison briefly shook off Ron Artest's entanglement and successfully received the pass on the left wing.
More and more teams began to learn from the New York Knicks.
The Washington Wizards' two big men screening in the left and right elbow areas worked this time.
Putting the ball down with his left hand and driving with a step, Antawn Jamison ignored Ron Artest, who was recovering on his side, and tried to break through with speed.
Noticing that Gasol had already collapsed towards the basket, Antawn Jamison ultimately chose to stop short in the left restricted area and, facing the Defense, shot a mid-range jump shot that clanked off the rim.
Learning from the previous game's lessons, he diligently reined in his defensive movements, defending calmly, allowing Ron Artest to twist and secure the defensive rebound after landing.
Cheers erupted in the Arena again.
Seeing Lee wave his hand, Ron Artest slowly advanced the ball.
Not initiating a fast break as usual, the Washington Wizards players could naturally match up easily.
Gilbert Arenas followed Clay Lee as he ran to the left baseline corner, always keeping his attention on his side.
Suddenly seeing fans in the front row stand up and cheer, Gilbert Arenas then noticed Ron Artest launching a surprise attack from the right wing after crossing half-court.
After a simple screen, Ron Artest shot a fadeaway jump shot.
As the basketball swished through the net, Antawn Jamison, his matchup, subconsciously frowned.
Head Coach Eddie Jordan on the sideline continued to urge his players to speed up.
Tonight, they would wear down their opponents with speed.
Speeding up the ball movement, a baseline cross-screen, Brendan Haywood came to the left low post, and as he arrived, the ball arrived.
Gilbert Arenas' high lob pass allowed his teammate to lay it in directly.
Kurt Thomas, who switched on Defense, was a step slow, and Brendan Haywood scored for his team.
Gilbert Arenas expected Lee to speed up the pace, but he quickly realized that the New York Knicks' offensive rhythm was incredibly slow.
Still passing the ball after crossing half-court, Lee and Ron Artest cross-screened on the left wing, then Lee again drifted to the left baseline corner.
Kurt Thomas at the free-throw line did not risk a handoff but instead turned around and directly lobbed the ball to Gasol in the left low post.
The latter, after receiving the ball, didn't rush to attack.
He leaned his back against the defender, forcing Brendan Haywood behind him to divide his attention, glancing towards the baseline from time to time.
Gilbert Arenas, who was usually very active on Defense, was again with his back to the ball handler, practically hanging on Lee, nervously moving with him towards the top of the key.
With no one to help on Defense, Gasol put the ball down with his right hand, backed down a couple of times, then quickly turned towards the baseline, and as he gathered the ball, he tossed it off the backboard with his left hand.
2-7. The big man's low-post offense once again helped the New York Knicks score.
Completely different from their pre-game preparations, the New York Knicks didn't press on Defense.
Everyone quickly ran back to their half-court, watching Gilbert Arenas frantically rush past the half-court line.
Noticing Brendan Haywood was again at the left elbow, Gilbert Arenas passed the ball and moved towards the top of the arc.
Lee didn't choose to follow him anymore but instead rushed towards the opponent, following the ball.
The moment he received the ball, Brendan Haywood's attention was entirely on Antawn Jamison, who was about to come to the top of the key.
He intended to make a hand-off pass, but as the basketball reached his chest, Lee swatted it away.
Gilbert Arenas didn't even have time to warn his teammate.
Clay Lee, who had completed the steal, was already sprinting.
Gilbert Arenas, who rushed to defend immediately, intending to commit a tactical foul, was directly shaken off by Lee's slightly flashy, wide-ranging spin move.
As the basketball was thrown across the half-court line, Lee's right arm smoothly knocked away the opponent who was trying to continue pulling him.
Completely losing his defensive position, Gilbert Arenas, who re-accelerated and gritted his teeth to chase back, quickly realized it was too late.
In a 1-on-0 fast break, Lee sprinted into the paint, jumped off both feet, stretched his body in the air, put the ball between his legs, briefly hovered, grabbed the ball with his right hand, and slammed it down with a wind-up dunk!
"Ah!"
Lee's first dunk of the new season, with its beautiful form, instantly ignited Madison Square Garden.
"The new tactic doesn't seem very successful!"
Seeing Brendan Haywood come to the top of the key to facilitate the offense after the tip-off, Lee couldn't help but jokingly say.
"No one said only you guys can play like this!"
Gilbert Arenas, who received the ball on the baseline, noticed the mocking smile on Lee's face.
After retorting, he accelerated again and rushed past half-court.
This time, Jared Jeffries was at the top of the arc to receive the ball.
Gilbert Arenas, after failing to create an opportunity with a back-cut, decisively brought Clay Lee to the vicinity of the free-throw line.
Spotting Antawn Jamison starting to move on the right wing, Lee called for Ron Artest to switch early.
The "copycat" quickly discovered that the tactic had failed again.
Gilbert Arenas, popping out from beyond the free-throw line, attempted to receive a hand-off pass at the top of the arc, but Ron Artest, who had switched in time, aggressively interfered.
Not daring to risk a pass, Jared Jeffries eventually turned around and tried to lob the ball to Brendan Haywood in the paint.
The high and slow pass was naturally easily anticipated.
Gasol almost completed a steal with his long arms.
Brendan Haywood, who barely managed to receive the ball, eventually leaned against the defender and missed a strong shot at the rim.
The basketball missed wildly, and after hitting the backboard, Gasol easily collected it.
A burst of laughter erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
The New York fans present had realized that their opponents were imitating their tactics, and the clumsy performance only aroused more interest.
The customized tactic failed to achieve the desired effect at the start of the game, and coupled with being ridiculed by the fans, Gilbert Arenas, whose mentality was unbalanced, began to constantly foul when defending.
The officiating in the new season had some issues, and the trailing team always seemed to get favorable treatment.
D'Antoni, who had been watching the game with a smile, now stood up and began to complain to the referee.
In the previous game, the New York Knicks had four players with five fouls due to similar aggressive Defense.
The enraged Gilbert Arenas didn't realize he was too close until he reached the three-point line.
At the top of the arc, as Lee suddenly stopped with a behind-the-back dribble, creating space, he again changed direction with a crossover.
Watching Lee, who had the ball in his right hand, attempt to drop his shoulder and accelerate, Gilbert Arenas quickly shuffled his feet.
He had barely moved back a step when he saw the basketball slide past him.
Feigning a drive, he again dribbled the ball between his legs.
The basketball, as if stuck to his hand, returned to Lee's side, completely shaking off the defender.
He then gathered the ball at the top of the arc.
"Woah!"
Gilbert Arenas, lunging to defend, lost his balance and tumbled to the top of the arc.
Amidst the excited cheers of the fans, Clay Lee, with a slight bow of his head, calmly shot a jump shot.
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
2-12. The New York Knicks were already up by double digits so early in the game.
Cheers echoed throughout the Madison Square Garden.
"A magical performance, incredible! How did Clay Lee do that?!"
Mike Breen on the broadcast booth was stunned.
From his perspective, after the sudden stop, it was just two extremely quick between-the-legs dribbles in place, and the opponent fell.
Walt Frazier, however, could see some of what happened.
Gilbert Arenas's lead foot on Defense was continuously attacked:
"A perfect combination of experience and skill, that's Clay Lee. He's a cut above all current players!"
Watching Lee shake his head and retreat on Defense, Gilbert Arenas, pulled up by his teammates, felt humiliated.
His face was dark with anger, and he furiously dribbled the ball hard after receiving it on the baseline.
It was Antonio Daniels who scored again for the Washington Wizards.
After a curl cut, he received the ball at the right elbow and hit a jump shot, timely stopping the bleeding for his team.
Gilbert Arenas, eager to prove himself on Defense, soon found Lee again crouching in the corner.
After several consecutive empty possessions for both teams, a frustrated Arenas's pull-up jumper was disrupted by Lee, and his driving layup was almost blocked by help Defense.
Antawn Jamison, who took over the offense, also couldn't break through Ron Artest's chase-down Defense.
Every successful defensive play brought a burst of cheers from the fans.
The New York Knicks broke their scoring drought again with a free throw from Hill, and the score slowly started to climb again.
For the Washington Wizards, only Jared Jeffries scored in the paint.
The feeling of being unable to exert his strength made Gilbert Arenas increasingly irritable.
Following Lee to the right corner, he forgot to observe his positioning.
Gasol, who came to the right block, received the ball with his back to the basket.
Hill, who had passed the ball, remained stationary on the right wing.
As Lee's body swayed upwards and he accelerated into a back-cut, Gasol completed a no-look pass from his side.
Arenas failed to stop Lee, who quickly rushed across the baseline.
His defensive lapse made him watch again as Lee grabbed the ball with his right hand and reverse-dunked it.
Head Coach Eddie Jordan helplessly called a timeout.
In half a quarter, the Washington Wizards had only scored 6 points.
They clearly had good opportunities, but Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison repeatedly missed shots.
Not being able to make shots was an unsolvable problem.
The Washington Wizards didn't slow down after the timeout, still executing their pre-game plan.
The continuous misses made the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden even more joyful.
Ron Artest, who was a crowd-pleaser, pounded his chest and yelled excitedly after blocking Antawn Jamison's three-pointer.
What made Gilbert Arenas uncomfortable was that Clay Lee would "sneak attack" him from time to time.
With 3 minutes and 20 seconds left in the first quarter, in a semi-transition offense, Lee, holding the ball with his left hand at the top of the arc, suddenly stopped, swayed his body to the front-left, then quickly changed direction with a front-crossover.
The extremely simple move caused Gilbert Arenas to stumble.
To save face, he ultimately committed his second personal foul, sending Lee to the free-throw line.
Being faked out every time he was matched up, Gilbert Arenas, back on the bench, couldn't suppress his frustration and pushed away the staff member offering him water.
"Shit!"
He had clearly trained hard all offseason, clearly put in enormous effort, but the gap felt even wider.
Gilbert Arenas, seething with anger, watched Clay Lee make both free throws.
For the remaining few minutes, he stared intently at the situation on the court.
Atkins, who came off the bench, had a hard time.
Every time he faced Lee, it ended badly.
The New York Knicks, who began to rotate players, had even more firepower.
The Washington Wizards started to double-team, and Lee's two simple drive-and-kick assists helped Raja Bell score from beyond the arc.
As Michael Ruffin's long-range three-pointer missed on the Washington Wizards' last possession, laughter once again echoed throughout the Madison Square Garden.
11-32. The Washington Wizards were outmatched and blown out in the first quarter.
Playing the entire first quarter, Clay Lee, relying on "sneak attacks," was 6-for-6 from the field, 1-for-1 from three-point range, and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, quietly contributing 17 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
On the bench, Ron Artest continuously high-fived his teammates who were about to enter the game, occasionally shouting encouragement:
"Fuck! They're stealing our tactics, let them know what despair is!"
Gilbert Arenas, focused on Defense, was 0-for-2 and had a goose egg in the first quarter.
The absence of Ewing on the bench made Lee a bit unaccustomed.
Coach DAntoni didn't set up any tactics.
With such a huge point differential, tonight's game had already turned into a practice session.
Little Beard, leaning back in his seat, was a bit smug.
His opponent's imitation was an acknowledgment of him:
"Lee, lowering your usage rate won't affect your stats. You know, we have more ball handlers this season."
Lee also didn't mind discussing tactical ideas during the game, nodding along and saying:
"We really should change tactics. After using them for a few years, opponents must have figured out our routines."
...
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)