On Thursday, May 22, 2008, there were no games due to the Celtics going to Game 7, so the veterans continued to rest.
From the schedule, the league was very considerate.
If they had to play again the next day, the The Big Four would likely have been completely wiped out in their road games.
In Game 1, facing the New York Knicks, who had 8 players scoring in double digits, the Celtics, with their nearly 7-man rotation, had no power to resist.
Fortunately, Boston newspapers found excuses, and on ESPN, the famous columnist Bill Simmons also cheered on the home team on his personal blog:
"After a tough Game 7, the Celtics have transformed. Now what they need is time."
"As long as they can temporarily get rid of physical fatigue, the veterans will launch a counterattack."
Many columnists shared the same view, believing that Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 was just a test, and some even thought that the first two road games were not important, and defending home court was the key.
However, these articles and reports were immediately topped by Clay Lee's personal news: Manchester United won the Champions League again through a penalty shootout, and Manchester United fans all over the world cheered!
The script for this Champions League final was incredibly exciting.
When Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and shed tears on the field, all Manchester United fans' hearts sank.
But as Terry slipped and missed a sure penalty, the joyous Chelsea fans were all dumbfounded.
The two key figures who shed tears on the field met different endings.
Manchester United ultimately didn't waste another chance, winning 6:5 against their opponent and lifting the Champions League trophy!
Photos of Lee and Ferguson embracing in celebration at the Luzhniki Stadium swept across sports media in many countries, and a group photo of Manchester United board members with the trophy went viral in the UK.
It wasn't public relations spending, but rather a group of reporters wanting to mock Abramovich.
In Manchester, some columnists even openly ridiculed him:
"No amount of rubles can turn Chelsea into a giant club. Corrupted by money, they lack a championship culture!"
"..."
The Champions League custom edition of armand de brignac was also very successful.
Sales of this champagne were already very stable.
Although Jay-Z and his Band of black brothers were still boycotting, Lee was still making money.
He also sponsored golf open tournaments, and related events had different color schemes, so the market had completely opened up.
No one in the NBA criticized Lee for traveling halfway across the globe to watch the game.
Although sports commentators have short memories, they couldn't ignore Lee constantly proving himself over so many years.
Time had already provided the answer: Clay Lee was the big winner.
Instead of criticizing him, it was better to cheer on the Celtics, at least so they wouldn't surrender by halftime in Game 2.
Last night, the Lakers easily defeated the Phoenix Suns again.
After winning two consecutive home games, calls for Los Angeles to return to the Finals grew louder and louder!
Most sports programs spent the morning reviewing this game, but by the afternoon, the Cavaliers had big news: they directly announced their Head Coach for next season:
"We are honored to invite Coach Mike Brown to coach the team. He will inject a brand new system into the team..."
At the simple press conference, Mike Brown, wearing round-rimmed glasses and a bright smile, looked very happy in front of the Cleveland sports reporters.
After leaving the Houston Rockets, he had found a new job!
Many sports commentators expressed confusion about the Cavaliers' decision.
Everyone originally thought that Avery Johnson, a young coach who had experienced the Finals, would get the job, but Mike Brown, whose resume was not impressive, ultimately won.
The Cavaliers' management's actions were baffling, but Gilbert, who attended the press conference, smiled and praised him:
"Mike designed over 50 tactics for LeBron and Dwight. His ability has been affirmed by everyone!"
Mike Brown suffered a big loss when he last applied for the Head Coach position with the New York Knicks.
This time, he brought a PPT and immediately impressed the Cavaliers' management, dazzling them with a colorful presentation!
The re-employed Band of black was very modest when praised, just showing his white teeth, smiling slightly at everyone, and then adjusting the microphone to state again:
"I have always followed the Cavaliers. You know, being able to coach two young First Team players is something many coaches dream of!"
"LeBron James and Dwight Howard have already begun to fulfill their potential. I am very honored to witness the growth of these two young men, and I believe the Cavaliers will definitely succeed."
This era was actually not very friendly to coaches.
Clay Lee's success dramatically increased the players' say, and with Mike D'Antoni always "AFK," coaches in the league changed their coaching styles.
Applying for a job with a PPT, Mike Brown not only didn't feel it was wrong, but he even felt a little secretly pleased after succeeding, completely losing the dignity a Head Coach should have.
The sports reporters below were not clear about how the management made such a decision.
They were actually more concerned about another issue, and a TNT reporter quickly began to ask:
"Mike, have you had any communication with LeBron James, and will the team continue its current tactical system next season?"
When LeBron James was mentioned, Mike Brown smiled even more brightly.
He believed he had mastered the "secret to success," so he was quite explicit in his boasting when answering the question:
"We've been communicating these past two days. Regarding the team, LeBron gave me a lot of advice. I have to say he's more mature than I imagined!"
"As for the tactical system, you can look forward to it. Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy built the Cavaliers into a disciplined team, and I plan to unleash some players' talent."
"..."
"Unleashing players' talent" basically means "giving the ball to the star player."
The New York Knicks had pushed this tactic to its extreme, and more and more teams began to imitate it.
Regarding this answer, some sports reporters secretly curled their lips, and the thought of "I can do it too" kept popping up.
They realized that Mike Brown was also part of the "AFK" style.
The press conference was a complete success.
Soon-to-be-puppet Coach hugged everyone he saw.
The Cavaliers were much better than the Houston Rockets.
Not only was the treatment better, but the roster depth also completely surpassed Houston.
For a "rookie coach," taking over the Cavaliers was already half a success.
Mike Brown just wanted to stabilize for a few years, and then the championship would "come naturally."
LeBron James was fully involved in the coach selection process.
At this time, he cordially embraced Mike Brown in front of the media, and also shouted to everyone:
"We must look forward. I believe in Coach Mike Brown. His tactics shocked me. I feel like I'm back in high school again, with more desire emerging in my body."
"MVP? Yes, as I said, I will challenge for this award. I am confident in competing with Clay Lee!"
This statement satisfied many sports reporters.
Young people should have "competitive spirit" like LeBron James.
Dwyane Wade, who was constantly in court with his wife, had clearly fallen behind.
Seeing everyone's reaction, LeBron James was in an even better mood.
After being reminded by his agent, he also discovered the "traffic code": as long as he "competed" with Lee, he would gain extra attention.
Among the young players, the last one to benefit was his good brother Dwyane Wade, and now it was his turn to enjoy the benefits.
Even if he didn't win the award, sports commentators wouldn't forget him!
When the press conference was completely over, Gilbert specifically pulled Mike Brown aside.
As the team owner, he was very satisfied with this Head Coach choice.
The other party only needed 3 million per year:
"Mike, when do you think we can win a championship? You know, the fans in Cleveland are all looking forward to the team breaking the curse."
With a troubled expression on his dark face, Mike Brown didn't want to make empty promises to the owner.
After a brief contemplation, he looked into the other party's eyes and said earnestly:
"Our chance is around 2010. By then, whether it's the Celtics or the Knicks, their rosters will have aged, and a new generation of players will officially emerge."
Noticing a hint of dissatisfaction on the owner's face, Mike Brown pushed his glasses up, changed the subject, and reminded him:
"We should try our best to extend LeBron's contract as soon as possible. His current short-term contract is a hidden danger, and once it expires, the team will lose its say."
Among the 2003 draft class, besides LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, most other well-known young players signed long-term contracts, with Carmelo Anthony being a prime example.
Upon hearing these words, Gilbert smiled and shook his head, looking very confident.
He patted the new coach on the shoulder and slowly paced as he said:
"I never worry about LeBron's contract. He grew up here. This is his hometown. He is Cleveland's 'The Chosen One.' He has no reason to leave!"
"…"
During that night's TNT program, the trio also discussed the Cavaliers' new Head Coach at the beginning of the show.
Charles Barkley bluntly commented:
"This is clearly a very capricious choice. In my opinion, the Cavaliers' management is just trying to appease LeBron James and Dwight Howard."
"I've received news that both of their agents have presented conditions to management. I don't like to see such things. Players should focus on the game."
"These young players may not realize that a demanding Head Coach would bring greater help to their careers. I'm not optimistic about this choice!"
It's almost an open secret that superstar agents manipulate trades and participate in coach selections.
This phenomenon is becoming more common, and some old-school players express disdain for it.
Kenny Smith had no interest in offending people and, as always, spoke favorably of the Cavaliers' management, also offering his prediction:
"I believe Head Coach Mike Brown's talent is underestimated. He always encountered injuries when coaching the Houston Rockets. Otherwise, he would have achieved greater success."
"Coaching the Cavaliers this time, I believe he can further unleash LeBron James's talent!"
"The Cavaliers will support LeBron James's MVP bid this new season. If Head Coach Mike Brown can lead the team to 60 wins, I will definitely vote for them."
Hearing his partner's increasingly outlandish remarks, Ernie Johnson didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
It was as if LeBron James and Mike Brown had paid him to say such things:
"What do you think about tomorrow night's game? After losing G1, Head Coach Rivers didn't show much. The Celtics seem a bit subdued. They look lacking in confidence."
Charles Barkley began to speak against his true feelings.
Seeing the "superteam" fail, he was actually quite happy:
"I'd call G1 a probing effort. Having just finished a Game 7, and a Game 7 that went down to the wire, I don't think anyone would believe the Celtics could win the game."
"Head Coach Rivers made the right choice. At least in Game 2, they won't easily leave Rajon Rondo open again. The series has just begun, and they have enough time to adjust."
"…"
Looking at his talkative partner, Kenny Smith's expression was a bit strange.
He seemed to hear this kind of talk every year.
If he remembered correctly, all the teams that "probed" eventually failed.
In the studio, Ernie Johnson kept nodding.
He also didn't interrupt his partner's boasting.
Anyway, saying this, Boston fans would definitely like it.
They desperately needed encouragement.
However, thinking that this fixed drama seemed to happen every year, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith exchanged glances, and the same thought involuntarily emerged in their minds:
"Maybe Lindsey Hunter was right!"
On Friday, May 23rd, the Celtics arrived early at Madison Square Garden in the morning for warm-ups.
Everyone was a bit silent after the crushing defeat.
Lindsey Hunter, who had announced his official retirement to the outside world, expressed a viewpoint during an interview that broke many veterans:
"For so many years, the entire Eastern Conference has been playing basketball games with Clay Lee. Now I'm not playing anymore. I'm going back to my family. Basketball has only brought me harm!"
These words were a bit overly dramatic, after all, as long as an NBA player can enter the rotation, their salary is still very good.
For the sake of the money, there wouldn't be any harm.
Sports reporters didn't report much on these words.
In recent years, "Lee haters" have become fewer and fewer.
All past experiences have failed, while the careers of those sycophants have become increasingly prosperous.
In such a situation, no one goes against money.
You praise, I praise, everyone says good things, fans watch comfortably, and articles become easier.
Kevin Garnett spent most of his career in the Western Conference and didn't have any particular feelings about this, but Pierce was different.
He had indeed been beaten badly for many years.
In Game 1, Pierce was somewhat stifled when he encountered his old opponent, Ron Artest, at the start.
Even with staggered shifts, Tayshaun Prince also made it difficult for him.
Even in individual matchups, the increasingly "strong" Diaw could limit him.
The Knicks' frontcourt remained as stable as ever, so stable that Pierce felt fear.
There were many sports reporters courtside, and cameras were aimed at the players shooting hoops.
Being the center of attention was something Pierce had always dreamed of, but now there was no joy in his heart.
Nearing noon, practice ended, and Pierce returned to the locker room with a dejected mood, looking completely dispirited.
"Paul, I don't like your state! Listen, we already expected to lose G1. Getting one win on the road is the best outcome. The key to the series is at home."
"You must show fighting spirit. You've been with the Celtics since you entered the league. You are the true core of this team!"
"I don't mind focusing on Defense. I just want to win that damn championship!"
Kevin Garnett leaned close to Pierce, staring at him and muttering fiercely, finally slamming the seat twice to express his dissatisfaction to his teammate.
"Bang! Bang!"
The impact sounds brought Pierce back to his senses.
Seeing Kevin Garnett glaring at him, he immediately adjusted his emotions and said in a low voice:
"I have to admit, I might not be able to handle their Defense anymore! Guys, they know me too well. I think I need help…"
These words infuriated Kevin Garnett.
Marbury had somehow crept over and, without waiting for his old teammate to respond, immediately said fiercely:
"Damn it! Give them a taste of their own medicine. Basketball isn't a shooting game. We can lose, but they won't have an easy time either!"
The two became increasingly agitated, bringing up tactics like elbowing, kicking, grabbing waists, and pulling shorts.
If they couldn't keep up with the opponent's rhythm, then they would foul hard.
Pierce listened with wide eyes but didn't respond immediately.
Recalling the "lose-only game" of these past years, a sudden surge of malice rose within him, and he said bitterly:
"You're right, I'll make them pay, damn it!!"
"…"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)