On sunday, October 28, 2007, NBA teams were all trying their best to complete early contract extensions with their planned players.
The New York Knicks still showed no movement.
General Manager Donnie Walsh even subtly stated to the New York Media that official extensions would happen in July of next year.
The Washington Wizards, however, had been stirring recently, frequently releasing rumors that they wanted to trade for Kobe Bryant.
However, the Lakers preferred Luol Deng, and as long as the Chicago Bulls didn't budge, this three-team trade wouldn't happen.
More importantly, Kobe had a trade veto, and amidst the rumors, the special Black Mamba officially stated through his team after the preseason:
"We only consider championship teams."
Such a demand was clearly difficult to meet.
Current championship teams in the league had no interest in paying a high price for Kobe, and the Dallas Mavericks, with the second-highest preseason odds, had already stated their position on the trade:
"Dirk is our 'untouchable,' we will not ruin the existing chemistry for an All-Star."
The response came from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who even joked about the Lakers on his blog.
"No one creates opponents for themselves" was the consensus of most teams, making it impossible for Kobe to team up with other strong Western Conference teams.
Compared to the defending champions and high-profile teams, San Antonio was the most anxious.
Tim Duncan's reputation plummeted during the offseason, but there was no reaction.
Coupled with the fact that contract extensions had been pushed back for the past two months, the San Antonio Spurs management and coaching staff realized the situation was grim— Tim Duncan truly might opt out of his contract early, and their star player might be leaving!
With only a few days left until the early extension deadline, Gregg Popovich couldn't sit still and proactively leaked information to a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News, attempting to gain sympathy by playing the victim.
On Monday, the 29th, an article in the San Antonio Express-News left local fans wide-eyed:
"58-year-old Gregg Popovich is considering retirement."
Although ESPN had reported similar gossip earlier, this time the news was revealed by Gregg Popovich himself to a reporter, meaning the old man had already developed thoughts of retirement, and the next three years would be his last push!
At 58, Gregg Popovich was not old for an NBA Head Coach.
Having reached the Finals four times during his coaching career, his coaching ability was beyond doubt.
However, everything needs a contrast.
Mike D'Antoni, two years younger than Gregg Popovich, was winning big, completely dominating in championship count and team performance, leading many critics to make sarcastic remarks:
"Perhaps Gregg Popovich's departure is also a good thing for the San Antonio Spurs. They need a new tactical system."
Facing the entire city's "emotional appeal," Duncan still gave no response.
The "deep master-disciple bond" act seemed to be unplayable, and now no one knew the former MVP's true thoughts.
Veteran Bruce Bowen, who had completely integrated into San Antonio, had recovered from his concussion, and seeing the team on the verge of splitting, he also proactively played the emotional card.
Tomorrow was the opening game, and after finishing practice in the afternoon, Bruce Bowen proactively accepted an interview, not caring about the reporters' gazes, and made a request with a choked voice:
"San Antonio has embraced me, and everyone in the San Antonio Spurs is my family!"
"I want to fight for one more year. I don't want to end my career with regrets. Even if I ultimately don't win a championship, I think it will still be a beautiful memory."
"When I retire, I will tell my sons that their father gave his all for a championship, and the process of pursuing a championship is even more important."
Bruce Bowen started it, and all the San Antonio Spurs players transformed into Duncan's affectionate family members.
Although no one explicitly stated their request, the calls for him to stay were obvious.
Veterans are still worthy of respect.
After all, Bruce Bowen had shed blood and tears for the team.
After an entire offseason of silence, Duncan finally made a statement on the morning of the opening game:
"I haven't thought that far ahead. This might be the last contract of my career, so I will be more cautious."
"At 31, I don't know how long I can maintain my condition, so please give me some time and let us focus on the upcoming games."
Tonight, the San Antonio Spurs' opponent was the Portland Trail Blazers, originally a showdown between Tim Duncan and Greg Oden, but Greg Oden suffered an injury and is unlikely to play this year.
With one protagonist missing, fans were even more concerned about Duncan's contract.
On the last day, San Antonio Spurs fans hoped that their star player would sign an early extension with the team!
On the afternoon of the 30th, Chicago Tribune columnist Sam Smith broke another piece of news: the Chicago Bulls confirmed they would not trade Luol Deng.
The reason was that management did not believe Kobe Bryant could lead a team to defeat the current Celtics and New York Knicks.
Although the Celtics' preseason odds were ranked 4th, in terms of strength, four All-Stars were enough to "sweep" most teams in the Eastern Conference.
The trade completely fell through, and the Pacers also failed to move Jermaine O'Neal.
The Lakers would continue with last season's core roster, and Kobe would have to fight alongside his old teammates tonight.
Also participating in the opening game, Lakers fans had already planned protests on Reddit.
Everyone was angry about Kobe's "disloyalty."
The Houston Rockets, upon arriving in Los Angeles, noticed this situation.
Some fans even protested outside the Staples Center.
During the early warm-up, Tracy McGrady couldn't help but speak up for his friend during an interview:
"I don't understand why Lakers fans are reacting this way. Kobe Bryant has given everything to this city!"
"He brought championships to Los Angeles. Fans shouldn't treat their hero this way."
Tracy McGrady, who frequently suffered injuries, had gained some weight, but this was common in the NBA.
ESPN reporters preferred to stir up trouble, and hearing this rhetoric, they continued to provoke:
"Shaquille O'Neal has said more than once that the Lakers' championships were all his doing. He doesn't seem to acknowledge Kobe Bryant."
Completely shaking off his groggy state, Tracy McGrady's expression turned serious, and he earnestly retorted:
"Without Kobe, Shaq would never have won a championship. Don't forget his team's performance with the Orlando Magic."
"If I had a star teammate like Anfernee Hardaway back then, maybe I would have won a championship already!"
"…"
Such "Ifs" left many reporters puzzled.
Why was Tracy McGrady, who had never made it past the first round in his career, so mysteriously confident?
(A/N: Trashy McGrady 😂)
Yao Ming, who had diligently practiced his free throws and finished his warm-up, was unaware of his partner's big mouth.
The Houston Rockets' offseason moves made him very happy.
Luis Scola was strong and could help the team on both offense and Defense.
Rafer Alston had no chance to participate in gossip news.
He had stabbed someone with a knife in Manhattan during the offseason.
The faded streetball king had a lot of trouble on his hands and looked dispirited.
Adelman frequently communicated with his players and did not continue the team's previous tactical system.
He decided to bring the Princeton offense to Houston.
"How to defend Kobe? Shane Battier can solve this problem. The team's situation is very good, and I think the Houston Rockets have a chance to contend for the championship this season!"
The Head Coach's words did not surprise reporters.
The Houston Rockets and the Lakers were no different, both were first-round exit level teams, and their participation in the opening game was not due to their strength.
As the protagonists of the night, when Kobe Bryant appeared at Staples Center later, sports reporters had already gathered around him.
They wanted to interview Kobe about his feelings on being forced to stay with the team again, but the special Black Mamba gave them no chance, breaking through the blockade with his head held high and a disdainful expression, ignoring the shouts as he quickly entered the player tunnel.
Andrew Bynum, as a victim of the "video incident," naturally had no respect for Kobe.
He was eager to see him suffer.
His mouth didn't stop after getting out of the car.
Andrew Bynum knew he would be a substitute again tonight and made no secret of his dissatisfaction, sneering sarcastically with a wide grin:
"I understand Los Angeles fans. They have been betrayed. Some people abuse their privileges, and no one wants to see that."
"It's obvious who the best big man on the team is, but I don't mind coming off the bench."
"Truly capable players only speak with their basketball. I don't train at midnight, but I can still dominate the paint."
Even though the boss told him not to accept interviews, Andrew Bynum didn't listen.
He even revealed to reporters that the Lakers' locker room was still a mess, and Kobe Bryant had isolated them, humiliating them as "toilet paper."
It wasn't until Derek Fisher discovered Andrew Bynum was being interviewed in the player tunnel and proactively pulled his teammate away that the mole's behavior ended.
"Listen, you shouldn't talk about what happens in the locker room."
Old Fish frowned and warned Andrew Bynum, but the latter didn't care.
Kobe had demanded to trade him in front of Kupchak, and the two had already fallen out:
"No one can humiliate me without paying a price. Who does he think he is? Publicly trading, only to slink back in the end."
"I'm only 20 years old. By the time he retires, I'll be reaching the peak of my career. I just want to tell you old guys, I'm not to be trifled with!"
Bynum, emboldened, ultimately left Derek Fisher with his back to him, head held high.
He could play elsewhere just the same.
The old guy cared about championships, but he didn't.
At 7:00 PM, an hour before the New York Knicks' new season opener, large crowds of New York fans were already lining up outside Madison Square Garden to enter.
They would sweep through the team store upon entry, then take the elevator to buy some food for dinner, and finally find their seats, all while complaining about how Wall Street was laying off people again.
The high ticket prices meant that those who could afford to watch the game were financially well-off, and season tickets were also a significant expense.
Fortunately, the home team won every day, so at least it wasn't disheartening to watch, and the emotional value was maximized.
The TNT broadcast team arrived even earlier.
Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins were currently in the middle of the court, facing the camera, analyzing the New York Knicks' contract extension situation:
"We've received news from the scene that General Manager Donnie Walsh insists on postponing contract extensions until July of next year. Overall, the team has shown a very strong stance."
"Considering the $48 million contract Boris Diaw received, Ron Artest and Raja Bell are very likely to pursue similar contracts."
"JR Smith is still unable to play tonight. The team believes he will return before the Christmas War."
As Kevin Harlan shared the first-hand news, Doug Collins, standing beside him, confidently offered his opinion:
"No one will choose to leave New York. Playing alongside Clay Lee will garner more attention, and he can make his teammates better."
"Contracts are indeed an issue, but the New York Knicks are challenging for an 8th consecutive championship. For the sake of this record, I believe they will not easily change their roster structure."
"Short-term contracts are a good option, and this also means that other teams wanting to acquire these players must take greater risks."
Professional basketball commentators could all see Donnie Walsh's plan: even if large contracts were offered, they wouldn't be long-term, as consecutive Finals appearances meant significant physical wear and tear.
While not ideal, for some veterans, getting a long-term contract in New York was virtually impossible.
"Clay Lee is in excellent form in the preseason. Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol have also shown signs of fatigue in recent games, with neither fully recovering from last month's European Championship."
"What are your thoughts on Michael Finley's return? This veteran is back in Dallas. What kind of help can he bring to the team?"
When Kevin Harlan brought up this topic, Doug Collins had a peculiar smile on his face.
He didn't answer directly, but instead hinted:
"I think this is a very good addition. Not just Finley, but the Dallas Mavericks also signed Trenton Hassell during the offseason."
"This former New York Knicks player also brings championship experience to the team. I believe the Dallas Mavericks have a chance to reach the Finals again this season."
At this moment, in the home team's locker room, veterans Michael Finley and Trenton Hassell were both present.
There was also an awards ceremony tonight, and Michael Finley could wear his Dallas Mavericks jersey to receive his ring, indirectly fulfilling a long-held wish.
"Kevin Garnett is an old dog! That guy forgot how we helped him."
Trenton Hassell, who had shaved his head bald, was looking even more muscular.
As he recounted his argument with Kevin Garnett during the offseason, he widened his eyes and exaggerated Kevin Garnett's faults.
Ron Artest, who had already gotten out of his wheelchair, loved listening to such gossip, and when he heard about the two exchanging punches, he burst into laughter:
"Good job! Bro! That guy is the biggest softy in the league; he should get a few punches to his big mouth!"
Kevin Garnett retreating while fighting at Madison Square Garden was a famous scene, and the New York Knicks players internally loved to tease the former MVP.
Trenton Hassell clearly inherited this glorious tradition, and conflict was not surprising.
After all, Kevin Garnett was known for his aggressive behavior within his team, so it was considered peaceful that the two didn't arrange a fight.
Without reporters, player communication was more direct.
Hearing that Michael Finley didn't receive a full mid-level contract, Grant Hill immediately looked surprised:
"I thought Dallas would welcome you very much. This contract doesn't show much sincerity!"
"I'll leave the league in two years. I just want to have no regrets, you know, I spent most of my career there."
Speaking of the contract issue, Michael Finley's dark face showed no sign of dissatisfaction.
When he was bought out by the team, he got the opportunity to pursue a championship.
Although being optimized was not very dignified, the outcome was good.
Pau Gasol, however, didn't feel the same way.
He came to New York upon entering the league and received a max contract.
Hearing the two discuss salary issues, he curiously asked:
"I saw the news, it's said that Mark Cuban is very generous, he is willing to invest for a championship."
"Bro, think about the New York Knicks' luxury tax, over $30 million, while the Dallas Mavericks are less than $10 million. Most teams aren't that rich!"
After saying this, Raja Bell had a money-grubbing look on his face.
Although he had a good relationship with Boris Diaw and a few others, this year's $48 million contract still shocked him.
Gadzuric, who also received an inflated contract, joined the conversation, sharing his agent's bold moves and how appropriately raising the price was also a skilled art.
As the scent of money grew stronger in the locker room, David Lee and the atmosphere-setting crew showed envious expressions, while Rajon Rondo, unable to interject, quietly frowned.
He had won the championship somewhat haphazardly, without much sense of accomplishment, but rather a feeling that his basketball dream had been shattered.
Rajon Rondo couldn't sit still when he heard JR Smith asking how to pad stats and wanted to go into the tunnel to cool down.
About half an hour before the game started, as the Dallas Mavericks quietly entered the arena, the lights in Madison Square Garden dimmed, and then the entire crowd began to cheer loudly.
The annual awards ceremony had become a tradition for New York fans.
Over 11 years, the continuous raising of championship banners above the Madison Square Garden had transformed it into a veritable basketball mecca.
New York's basketball commentators were all there.
Stephen A. Smith and his small team sat behind Spike Lee.
Sports fans wouldn't miss such a moment and cheered along with everyone else.
The New York Knicks finally changed their opening video for the new season, which had been used for many years.
Instead of showcasing city culture, it was a compilation of award ceremonies and highlight reels from the Finals.
The 1970 Finals, Willis Reed's triumphant return, and the 1973 revenge victory over the Lakers to win another championship—these scenes were considered "normal."
Then came the footage of Clay Lee's overwhelming victories in the Finals.
The Chicago Bulls were the only exception in this opening video.
There were shots from the 1998 Conference Finals, with Michael Jordan standing with his hands on his hips after being defeated by a buzzer-beater, marking the beginning of a new era.
As the home team players entered, the ancient Madison Square Garden grew even more fervent.
When Lee appeared, the live DJ screamed at the top of his lungs, and the atmosphere reached its climax:
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome!"
"The owner of 9 championships, the MVP, the greatest player in University of Connecticut history, the New York King, GOD — Clay Lee!"
Perhaps the opening animation was too dazzling.
Even before Clay Lee reached the center of the court, shouts of "GOAT" erupted throughout the Madison Square Garden.
As Lee, dressed in a white training uniform, came to the end of the line, smiling and waving to the New York fans, the shouts grew louder and louder.
On the Dallas Mavericks' away team bench, Dirk Nowitzki stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the ceiling of the Madison Square Garden, then glancing at the covered championship banners in the center of the court, a look of envy in his eyes.
Especially when he saw his old teammate smiling brightly as he received his championship ring, Dirk Nowitzki sighed and lowered his head in resignation.
Fortunately, the New York fans weren't aggressive tonight.
He really didn't want to hear the term "softie" again.
"I know everyone is concerned about the team's situation, but the New York Knicks are a united team, we are family!"
"Although I'm about to turn 30, I feel I can still play for another 8 years. So, let's keep winning until we completely surpass our opponents!"
"..."
Lee's words brought Nowitzki back to his senses.
The German felt a chill in his heart, and an inexplicable emotion welled up:
"8 years?"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)