Sunday, September 16, 2007, the final of the European Men's Basketball Championship also concluded that evening.
At 60:59, Russia defeated host Spain in the Finals, winning their first European basketball championship since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
To everyone's surprise, Pau Gasol's performance tonight was extremely sluggish, shooting 4-of-13 from the field, including 1-of-1 from three-point range and 5-of-12 from the free-throw line, scoring only 14 points.
Facing the Russian interior combination led by Andrei Kirilenko, Gasol's team collapsed in the second half, with the entire team scoring only 10 points in the 4th quarter.
Ultimately, with his outstanding performance in the Finals, Kirilenko was successfully elected the MVP of the event.
In this EuroBasket, Dirk Nowitzki claimed the scoring title.
The German, who had been particularly low-key during the off-season, couldn't avoid interviews this time, but fortunately, his mood had calmed down considerably, and he ultimately faced the reporters with composure.
Germany finished in 5th place and still had hopes of advancing to the Olympics.
Nowitzki was ambivalent about this:
"It's a bit of a shame to miss out on a medal, but being able to play in the Olympic qualifiers isn't bad!"
"Yes, I'm still frustrated about the playoffs before, but I have to look forward. We are still one of the strongest teams in the league."
"As for the opening game, I think it's great. A lot has happened in the NBA during the off-season. I hope fans can focus more on basketball itself. I'm happy to see Michael return to the team."
Nowitzki's face showed regret as he answered questions, but when talking about the opening game at the end of October, he was quite candid, and Michael Finley's return made him even happier.
The Finals were held at Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid (now known as the WiZink Center) in Madrid.
Spain lost the championship, and the fans on site were unhappy, with some already starting to curse.
When Nowitzki bid farewell to reporters and left with his teammates, although he wasn't entirely clear what the fans were cursing about, it was evident that they were extremely dissatisfied with Gasol's performance.
Some people from the France Team also came to watch the Finals, but their performance in this EuroBasket was somewhat disappointing, ultimately only securing 8th place and completely missing out on the Olympics.
Tony Parker averaged 20.1 points, ranking 2nd on the scoring list, and even had a high-scoring performance of 36 points in a single game.
It was a pity that at this time he could only watch others receive awards.
This summer, Parker was also a winner in life.
Although he lost in the Finals, he successfully married Eva.
The two weddings in France were considered a highlight of his life.
Most sports reporters went to interview Kirilenko, and others surrounded Gasol and others.
Parker, who lost the ranking game, was ignored for a while and could only complain quietly to his teammates:
"Last year my finger was injured, and this year you have a back injury."
Last year, the France Team had a dispute with the San Antonio Spurs, and this year they had a big battle with the New York Knicks.
The results were not very good, and now they have completely lost their Olympic qualification.
Next, they will have to play qualifiers for the 2009 EuroBasket.
Parker signed a $51 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
This year, seeing Boris Diaw's $48 million, even his old teammates from the youth team were a bit envious.
This money was too easy to earn!
Boris Diaw, who only played two games, looked at his chattering teammates and could only show a helpless expression.
This money was not that easy to get:
"The team trainer gave me many requirements, and the contract also includes bonuses. Training camp will start in a few days, and my rest period is less than 2 months."
"."
His teammates who came to watch the game were all cheering him on.
Parker had been an All-Star, and Boris Diaw played more garbage time in the playoffs last season.
Yet, their contracts only differed by $3 million.
Anyone would be envious.
By 2008, several New York Knicks players would have player options.
Boris Diaw naturally knew that his contract might have a negative impact, but the Frenchman was too lazy to think about such trivial matters.
Hearing Parker still complaining about the San Antonio Spurs' stinginess, Boris Diaw shook his head without a sound, joining in the teasing.
Now he was in a state of "got the money, what's there to fear?"
Friday, September 21, White House Chief of Staff David Addington and his entourage visited Sandia High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
David Addington, whose hair was mostly white, quietly gave back to his alma mater, declining Governor Bill Richardson's invitation and taking Clay Lee and a few others to visit the former Republican Party chairman of New Mexico.
In last year's gubernatorial election, Donkey Party Bill Richardson defeated John Dendahl with a record-breaking number of votes.
After the Old Man lost, he left the sad place.
As a former chairman, John Dendahl was also a University of Colorado Sports Hall of Fame member before entering politics, having won three NCAA skiing championships and was a member of the 1960 Winter Olympics Team USA.
The trophy was placed in the most prominent spot in the house, and it was clear to anyone that the Old Man was very proud of his championship, even placing the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame commemorative trophy on the other side.
Albuquerque in September had already entered autumn, and the temperature was no longer scorching hot.
It was no different from an ordinary home, except that the swimming pool in the yard was a bit larger.
John Dendahl, wearing a floral shirt, entertained them.
The Old Man looked at Addington, who seemed to have something to say but hesitated, and said self-deprecatingly:
"Being swept in all counties by a difference of 6 votes, now when elections are mentioned, everyone will laugh at me. Don't say comforting words, I'm already retired and won't care about these reputations anymore."
Lee, who was looking at the trophy with Kim, didn't interject.
David Addington subconsciously pushed up his glasses, then said seriously:
"We need help. There's a problem with election funding. I know this. The Heritage Foundation can help your son in the future."
Except for 2004, when New Mexico's votes went to the Republican Party, for most of the time, it had long been blue.
John Dendahl chuckled.
His grandfather was German, and his family had settled there, opening a family business.
He was no stranger to the conservative party and didn't take up the conversation, instead, he said enthusiastically:
"How about it, Clay! The older I get, the more I miss my college days. Winning the championship is the happiest thing in my life!"
"I remember you also won a championship at the University of Connecticut. You must understand how I feel. As for those Hall of Fame titles, they are all boring tricks."
Lee, who had taken off his suit jacket and was wearing a blue shirt, smiled and gave the Old Man a thumbs-up, then said empathetically:
"A group of young people fighting for a championship, that truly is the purest competition. No matter how many NBA championships I win, my college sports days will always be the best!"
Kim, dressed as a private lawyer, secretly pouted on the side.
Lee hadn't looked after those trophies at home for a long time.
These words were clearly not sincere, but John Dendahl was overjoyed to hear them.
David Addington sighed when he saw the two talking about college sports, and it wasn't until dinner was over that he found an opening again:
"The documentary in October is coming out, and Dick Cheney is finished, both his health and his reputation."
"He wants his children to become senators, but I don't think highly of her. You know, Cheney has always supported same-sex marriage, so I want to come back, come back here and start over."
The Old Man took out his treasured cigars to share, and hearing the other party's words, he shrugged and simply replied:
"The next term is your chance. Maybe my body won't see that day, who knows? Isn't four years enough?"
Shaking his head, David Addington said that he needed a more stable environment.
His reputation was also not very good, and returning to his hometown to develop was a forced choice.
"Kim, I know you're doing very well at the South District Federal Prosecutor's Office. If you want to come back here, first become a county prosecutor, and there will be more development in the future."
"In a few more years, you can run for governor. I think a female governor will become a trend, and Clay can also help you campaign. Don't forget he was born here."
John Dendahl ignored the Chief of Staff, who was like a "fair-weather friend," and said his choice with a smile, while also winking at Lee and joking in a low voice:
"Remember to complete the marriage procedures then. The Governor needs a happy family."
Lee glanced at David Addington, whose face was a bit grim.
The Old Man also rejected the Heritage Foundation, and Lee felt a sense of schadenfreude about it.
Nobody wanted to be manipulated:
"Hmm, it seems we need to have two more children, and we need a daughter!"
The Old Man laughed happily.
Kim, who was beside him, was a bit reserved.
She could naturally tell that someone was about to become a joke, so she could only smooth things over, speaking quickly:
"Uh, I haven't thought about those things. Being in this position now should be the limit. I haven't paid attention to the situation in the New Mexico legal community these past few years."
"Alvin will only be two years old next month, so I might stay in New York."
The topic shifted back to family matters.
Although John Dendar didn't explicitly refuse, the gathering ultimately ended on a somewhat sour note.
When they returned to their secret residence that night, it was almost midnight.
Old Mike, who was driving, got out of the car and checked around for a long time before finally giving Lee a safe signal.
Lee went to the kitchen, took out some juice from the refrigerator, drank a few glasses, and then, looking at the dazed Kim, he teased:
"Still thinking about the Governor? When we have more funds, it's nothing to refuse them."
Kim, coming back to her senses, began to take off her coat.
Seeing that Lee didn't seem to have any worries, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
New York's "Wall Street Sheriff" had been waiting for Axe Capital to make a mistake, and the lawsuits involved were increasing.
Kim said with some concern:
"I'm thinking about the case Melinda is handling. You should look at the recent New York newspapers. The Governor's approval rating has started to rise again."
"..."
Before bed, the two brushed their teeth together in the bathroom.
Kim, with her blonde hair and loose pajamas, looked at her more refined self in the mirror, then at Lee, who, aside from a heavier beard, still looked young:
"Is the Governor not serious?"
Lee almost burst out laughing.
After being punched a few times, he quickly rinsed his mouth, threw away his toothbrush, and pulled her onto the counter, burying his head and muttering:
"Maybe it's true, but we're missing two children."
"Oh, not here."
On Thursday, the 27th, multiple NBA teams officially started their training camps.
Although it wasn't a public media day, most sports reporters actively participated in reporting on their local teams.
This year, during the preseason, the Phoenix Suns and the Grizzlies would return to Vancouver, the New York Knicks and the Seattle SuperSonics would head to New Mexico, and the Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic would fly to Shanghai for the China Games.
Some other teams would complete their warm-ups in Europe, but plans changed quickly.
The betting scandal damaged the NBA brand, and individual games might face a cold reception.
For fans who enjoyed the drama, the focus was now on the Lakers' training camp: would the publicly traded Kobe Bryant report back to the team on time?
In the morning, the Toyota Center in El Segundo was already crowded with sports reporters.
The Associated Press, the Washington Post, and other media outlets reported on Clay Lee's group returning home.
There was no gossip in this news.
Instead, the previously tough Kobe team was more worth paying attention to now.
The parking lot in front of the Lakers' training center usually gathered a large number of luxury cars.
At this time, Kobe's car was not seen, and many reporters began to discuss in low voices.
Unlike the gossip-loving public, reporters from the Los Angeles Times genuinely hoped Kobe would return to the team.
If this team lost the "special Black Mamba," they would most likely be fishing every year in the future.
They didn't have to wait too long.
Kobe's Ferrari appeared in everyone's sight.
This made those who wanted to see the drama even more excited: The Self-Proclaimed Mamba was no match for Kupchak!
After getting out of the car, Kobe was dressed in a gray suit.
He didn't take off his sunglasses and walked quickly towards the training center entrance with a cold face, not wanting to deal with reporters.
"Kobe! Smush Parker believes the Heat's locker room atmosphere is much better than the Lakers'. How would you comment on that?"
"Sacramento fans firmly believe they should have been in the Finals. Did the Lakers receive favorable treatment from the referees back then?"
"..."
The Lakers' staff blocked reporters who wanted to surround Kobe, loudly reminding them that there would be interview opportunities later, but many were still shouting, afraid Kobe wouldn't hear their questions.
Kobe arrived in the locker room with a grim face, looking at his familiar teammates, his eyes twitching slightly.
Andrew Bynum was still gloating at this moment:
"It's said our preseason odds are ranked 17th? Shit! It seems we won't win the championship again this year!"
Although he was expressing regret, Bynum said it with great joy.
Ever since the "video incident," he had completely broken with Kobe.
As long as the other party was unhappy, he felt comfortable.
Ronny Turiaf, who had completed heart surgery, was the first to notice his Boss's arrival and proactively went up to fist-bump and greet him:
"Your performance in the Americas Championship was amazing, Kobe! Now everyone knows you're the core of the Team USA!"
Derek Fisher had been in New York all offseason taking care of his daughter, who was undergoing surgery.
Old Fish hadn't deliberately paid attention to basketball news, but seeing Bynum's expression, he knew there were still problems in the locker room:
"How have you been resting these past few days? Kobe, everyone is eager to go to Hawaii to complete training. It feels great to see you back!"
Hearing his old teammate's words, Kobe finally managed to force a smile.
He didn't bother with the lazy guy, looking at everyone with a poker face and saying:
"Listen, I will demand a lot from you! This season, we must return to the Finals. If anyone has an objection, go talk to Kupchak now."
"I'm not interested in playing basketball games with you here. Most of you are as soft as Charmin!"
Charmin—a famous American toilet paper brand.
Hearing Kobe's words, the previously lively locker room immediately fell silent.
Loyal Kwame Brown showed a serious expression on his dark face.
After his agent analyzed that the Lakers were the best team for him, he decided to end his career there:
"That's right, I promise not to be lazy! Kobe, we believe you can do it!"
Kwame Brown's flattery clearly missed the mark.
Kobe didn't think highly of him at all and didn't care what he said, sitting in his seat and muttering to himself:
"Don't let me hear you complain to reporters. Those who don't want to pursue championships don't deserve to be my teammates!"
"You must be prepared! Don't use injuries as an excuse."
Lamar Odom, who planned to recover from his injury during the regular season, shrugged awkwardly.
Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, and others exchanged glances and then stopped talking.
It wasn't until Phil Jackson arrived in the locker room with his assistant coaches that the awkward atmosphere was completely broken:
"Very good, it seems no one is relaxing their demands on themselves, at least no one showed up in a wheelchair in front of me."
"..."
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man was also very low-key during the offseason.
He didn't participate in the struggle between Kobe and the team, but he was relieved when the trade didn't go through.
After delivering some simple "chicken soup" advice, Phil Jackson realized that Kobe Bryant seemed to be emotional, thinking he was annoyed by the reporters, so he specifically encouraged him before training:
"Don't mind what others think. You have championships, you are a champion guard, Kobe, you just need to be yourself!"
Kobe, hearing the encouragement, only nodded, then quickly left with a poker face.
Nothing about the current Lakers satisfied him.
In the morning, the team completed their physical tests and then took their official photos.
Sports reporters wanted to interview Kobe, but what they saw was the superstar leaving early with a grim face.
Finally, Derek Fisher took on the responsibility of the locker room leader, facing the Los Angeles reporters and cheerfully speaking platitudes:
"Don't worry about us. My experience with the New York Knicks tells me that basketball should be separate from life."
"You saw Kobe's form in the Americas Championship. The special Black Mamba is about to start hunting!"
"..."
On Thursday night, TNT's preseason preview show also aired promptly at 8:30 PM.
The Lakers' media day started the earliest, and most other NBA teams were still on vacation.
The trio couldn't help but discuss the hot topic among fans, but Charles Barkley was clearly not in high spirits.
After the director finished playing the interview footage, he loudly criticized into the camera:
"Kobe Bryant doesn't seem to realize why he isn't respected!"
"He played well in the Americas Championship, but we all know the Team USA will never lose. It's like Clay Lee's current opponent is only the Celtics. That's everyone's consensus."
"Shaquille O'Neal won the FMVP that year, and he also won the MVP. Shaquille O'Neal was the best player on that Lakers."
"Stop being arrogant, accept interviews, answer questions. Don't forget, you asked to leave the team. Remember, respect is mutual."
Since the New York Knicks had players participating in the EuroBasket, the training camp wouldn't officially start until October 1st, the league's media day.
Ernie Johnson could only discuss personal topics at this time:
"Pau Gasol was completely suppressed by Andrei Kirilenko in the Finals! We have reason to believe his body is overly fatigued."
"This is a huge hidden danger for the New York Knicks. Boris Diaw's contract exceeded many people's expectations. Kenny, what kind of impact do you think this will have on the team?"
Hearing his partner change the subject, Kenny Smith responded with a chuckle and quickly gave his opinion:
"Ron Artest and Raja Bell will have their player options this season. You should know that their salaries are not even as high as Boris Diaw's."
"JR Smith will also have a team option. Although I sympathize with him, the New York Knicks haven't offered a contract in advance, so the general manager obviously plans to discuss this next July."
"This is an opportunity for other teams. New York will need to pay a large sum of money to complete these few contract renewals."
Considering the Dolan Family made a fortune, Kenny Smith didn't say the New York Knicks wouldn't pay, but his intention to stir up trouble was very obvious.
If you want to break up the championship roster, then talk with money.
"I respect every player, but from years of observation, New York Knicks players are very easily overestimated."
"I agree with the Chicago media on this point. The system Lee himself brings amplifies the strengths of those around him. Once they leave New York, many players start to fade out of the NBA."
"Think about Sprewell. Fans are still expressing dissatisfaction with his performance in Chicago, and although he helped Kevin Garnett reach the Western Conference Finals, everyone saw what happened afterward."
Charles Barkley started to undermine again, reminding his partner that not many teams are willing to spend money now.
Seeming to find it uninteresting, he added:
"From a pure basketball perspective, Clay Lee is the GOAT. His shooting ability is unique in history, so building a team around him is not difficult."
"He lost to the Lakers that year, and the next year he led a sophomore Rookie to reclaim the championship. The more you analyze, the more you will marvel at his performance!"
"Kobe Bryant should reflect on why he and Shaquille O'Neal, who was in his physical prime, only won one championship, and why he could only stop at the first round when leading the team himself."
"Clay Lee is loyal to his team. He is a hero in the eyes of New York fans. Look at the reaction of Los Angeles fans now. Kobe Bryant has made them a joke!"
Ernie Johnson almost sighed on the spot.
The Americas Championship had just ended, and Kobe's reputation was good.
Speaking against the tide, the show would likely receive complaints again.
Fortunately, Kenny Smith finally shifted the topic to the Celtics.
The news of the "Four Giants" made the few of them start another heated debate.
On Monday, October 1st, Media Day officially arrived, and the Tarrytown Training Center also became lively.
The New York Knicks also began promoting for the new season.
The MSG staff, being close to the water, got the moon first.
They entered the training facility early and, noticing James Dolan was also there, immediately interviewed the curly-haired boss.
Ever since he gave out a big contract, Dolan also felt that he seemed to have messed things up, but thinking about the profits brought by the championship, he immediately threw General Manager Donnie's advice out of his mind.
"48 million, I don't think there's any problem. The Phoenix Suns wanted to disrupt our roster structure, and I prevented that from happening."
"As long as they can maintain a stable rotation spot on the New York Knicks, I don't mind paying more. I will keep the team's roster depth excellent."
Regarding the salary inflation, James Dolan could only be stubborn when talking about this, after all, agents don't discuss contracts with him.
The specific details are the general manager's business.
James Dolan talked endlessly about his business plan and also advertised for his brother team, the Rangers.
This hockey team had poor results under his leadership, and some New York sports fans had already started complaining, as this city now only likes to win.
As the time approached 10 o'clock, players also arrived one after another.
Mike D'Antoni and the coaching staff were more concerned about physical condition.
With too many games played, the early season would likely be a case of training through games.
Rookie Thaddeus Young arrived at the Madison Square Garden early to warm up.
Following the advice of his Good Brother, he didn't rent a house in Manhattan and chose to settle in Tarrytown.
Rajon Rondo, who had been quietly practicing basketball during the offseason and occasionally appeared on streetball courts, had gotten darker.
Noticing the Rookie's curious gaze, he whispered:
"Seize those open opportunities. That's why I've been practicing my shooting."
Thaddeus Young didn't have the heart to refute, he just nodded.
He had observed for a while that Rajon Rondo's air balls were not few when he caught and shot on the move.
The two complete basketball courts quickly gathered a large number of people.
Ron Artest and JR Smith, still in wheelchairs, also greeted the staff with laughter.
David Lee and Gadzuric were still looking for Lee.
They had wanted to get ahead and flatter him first, but they hadn't found an opportunity.
At 10 o'clock, Lee appeared on time in the training facility.
Soon, the reporters' attention shifted from Boris Diaw, who had received a big contract, and they no longer asked why Pau Gasol was in a slump.
The New York Knicks' jerseys for the new season were still the same.
Although it was announced that new styles would be added on specific holidays, more promotion was needed to better exploit the fans.
Sports Illustrated reporters did not report much on Lee during the offseason.
The betting scandal had too great an impact, and many NBA promotional activities were halted.
Although they hadn't seen any news of him playing basketball for several months, when they spotted Lee wearing a shaping suit, with clear muscle lines and visible eight-pack abs, several reporters put their doubts aside.
After a round of shooting, the familiar reporters gathered around Lee.
Perhaps having just interviewed the Celtics, a Sports Illustrated reporter exclaimed:
"I almost forgot, Doug Rivers also won the Coach of the Year (COY) award! When we interviewed him yesterday, he reportedly had prepared over 100 tactical plays for the team."
Sports Illustrated had the privilege of an exclusive interview, but some reporters didn't have this opportunity.
At this moment, hearing the number 100 tactical plays, many people exclaimed:
"Perhaps the Celtics' past roster limited the coach's performance."
The New York Times sports reporter didn't care about these things, but when he heard the number 100, he couldn't help but ask Lee:
"Lee, how many main tactics do the New York Knicks have?"
Noticing everyone's curious gazes, Lee didn't mind revealing some inside information.
He smiled and held up one finger, answering seriously:
"Only one!"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)