On sunday, May 25, 2008, ESPN's programs started gossiping about last night's Western Conference Finals early in the morning, and the war of words between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant showed signs of escalating!
With a 3-0 lead, Shaq was destined to be eliminated, leading him to speak sarcastically about his old partner after the game, only to be refuted by Kobe:
"Without me, he wouldn't have won a single championship!"
Unlike Shaq's lengthy diatribe, Kobe displayed his winner's demeanor at the post-game press conference.
A simple, understated sentence once again broke Shaq's composure.
Some sports reporters even found it amusing, as the two were like children arguing.
Shaq emphasized his MVP and FMVP awards, while Kobe stressed that without him, the Lakers could not have won a championship.
After their war of words escalated, Shaq openly mocked his old teammate on his Twitter:
"I once treated him like my little brother, but he betrayed me, and he even caused me family crises!"
As an old-school player, Kobe, to this day, has not registered for any social media platforms other than his personal blog.
This led to ESPN's morning program being completely dominated by Shaq's remarks.
Back when Kobe publicly stated "Shaq did it too" on an ESPN program, some younger fans were unaware of this incident, and it has now been dug up again.
With the added push from sports media, the feud between the two was magnified, and their relationship, which had somewhat eased in recent years, reverted to a state of "mutual animosity."
Starting at 7 AM, the Sports Center program continuously fueled the fire.
It proved that onlookers enjoy a good show, and this year's program ratings significantly increased compared to the same period last year.
It wasn't just onlookers watching TV.
Due to an important game tonight, Marbury, who had returned to Boston, woke up early.
The coaching staff required early warm-ups to adjust his physical condition.
From Atlanta to Boston, Marbury's income dropped significantly, but fortunately, he earned a lot in the early part of his career, so his quality of life didn't decline.
After moving to the Needham area, the family chose a quiet neighborhood, close to parks and schools, and not far from Rivers's family.
His wife, Tasha, felt a surge of resentment when she saw her husband's disheveled appearance.
His income had been cut in half, and apart from gaining some good reputation, his life hadn't changed at all.
There were more black people in Atlanta, and the living experience there was actually better than in Boston.
After the Christmas War, Boston fans didn't respect Marbury as much, and she was very dissatisfied with this:
"From TV shows to newspapers, everyone is praising Kevin Garnett! Why do you have to put yourself through this? Your salary is less than three million!"
"And your shoe brand, it loses money every year, and no one appreciates you doing that. "
"Those little niggas only like Jordan and Lee's shoes. They'd rather spend all their savings than buy ours! Now the stock market has lost another chunk of money. If you stayed in Atlanta, wouldn't you still be playing in the playoffs?"
After becoming a mother of three, Tasha showed signs of becoming a stereotypical black mother, not only gaining some weight but also developing a worse temper.
The two little ones were silent at the dinner table.
They had seen this situation too many times.
Marbury smiled at his daughters, then interrupted somewhat helplessly:
"Don't talk about these things in front of the children! Basketball is about respect. I need everyone to respect me again."
"What are you worrying about?! As long as I win a championship in Boston, I'll definitely get a big contract, the last big contract of my career!"
"The money lost will come back double, and I can even take them to the championship parade."
His eldest daughter, Stephen, the fruit of his love with his high school girlfriend, was already 13 years old this year and seemed to be entering her rebellious phase.
A look of indifference appeared on her small face, and upon hearing these words, she quietly complained:
"Everyone is laughing at you. No one believes Boston can win a championship. We can go to New York for the parade, it's not far anyway."
"…"
Marbury's smile stiffened.
No matter where he played, he would return to New York every offseason.
After his daughter grew up, he also took the little one to the championship parade to join the fun.
Time, after all, changed everything.
When New York's championship parade became an annual event, New York sports fans became increasingly arrogant, and Stephen showed a tendency to be "assimilated."
Realizing they had said something wrong, the two little ones exchanged glances and fell silent again.
Only Tasha continued to nag occasionally.
Marbury had indeed lost a lot in the past, but he also earned a lot. This season, he won even more, but his income plummeted.
"Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 will begin tonight at 8:30 PM. Lee has the chance to further extend his Finals record!"
"Leading his team into the Finals for 11 consecutive years, it is rumored that the New York Knicks have already begun producing a related documentary…"
The Sports Center host on TV was still talking about the New York Knicks.
Hearing the sound, Marbury grew even more silent.
Since childhood, he had dreamed of playing in New York, and now that dream was shattered:
"We will win!"
When the Celtics warmed up at the TD Garden in the morning, the team atmosphere was somewhat subdued.
After two games, everyone on the team had the same feeling:
"The gap is too big…"
The New York Knicks had a fiercer Defense, more skilled teamwork, stronger response capabilities, and deeper roster depth than them.
The Celtics had been absent from the playoffs for many years and hadn't experienced it firsthand before.
Videos were, after all, just videos. In the first year of the "The Big Four" combining, they currently seemed to be lagging in all aspects.
Danny Ainge also appeared at the TD Garden.
Not only the General Manager, but also some team legends were present.
All the old guys from the Celtics would come to cheer them on tonight.
There were cameras and sports reporters all around the court.
Head Coach Rivers still maintained a confident demeanor in front of everyone, occasionally giving passionate instructions, which helped break the somber atmosphere.
Once the assistant coaches took over, Rivers leaned next to Danny Ainge, the smile gone from his face, his voice growing deeper, and he muttered dejectedly with his hands on his hips:
"How did they do it? Damn it? Why didn't the league stop them?"
Danny Ainge understood Rivers's confusion.
The New York Knicks could maintain a 9-man rotation even in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In the first two games, Clay Lee's individual playing time was less than 35 minutes, and his stats were "mediocre."
In the Eastern Conference Finals, multiple players on the New York Knicks were able to score in double digits, and even the Rookie Thaddeus Young had playing time…
This meant that the opponent hadn't exerted full effort, and it also indicated that the Celtics' tactics were completely ineffective.
"Draft, we all know, it's the draft. The Chicago Bulls gave them several big gifts! I've said it before, don't make any trades with New York!"
At the mention of the Chicago Bulls' foolish operations, Danny Ainge's expression became somewhat distorted.
The fact that an agent could ride roughshod over management was, in his opinion, an utter disgrace.
"If we lose again tonight, we must prepare in advance. Everyone needs to make sacrifices, otherwise it will be difficult for the team to make many moves in the free market."
Rivers looked at Danny Ainge's serious expression, suppressing the urge to refute him, and finally nodded helplessly, casually responding that he understood, then couldn't help but ask:
"How much time do I have left? I know management is losing patience."
Forming the The Big Four meant that anything less than a championship would be a failure.
Both men understood this, but Danny Ainge still smiled and painted a grand picture for him:
"Doc, you are the soul of this team! We all know your coaching ability, and no one in the league is more suitable for this position than you!"
"..."
Rivers forced a smile on his dark face, cursing inwardly.
He had a premonition that if they continued to lose, he would have to start looking for his next job within two years.
In the somber atmosphere, the Celtics finished their warm-up at 11:30 AM.
No one gave many interviews.
After returning to the locker room, Kevin Garnett once again encouraged his teammates:
"I don't want to say we still have a chance after losing the game. Even a Rookie knows the outcome of losing tonight!"
"Everyone must fight..."
The familiar encouragement made Pierce look up, subconsciously glancing at Marbury, who was still icing his ribs.
They had fought in the last game, but the result was a rather brutal beating.
Marbury didn't refute his old partner's words.
Instead, he was the first to respond, stating that he would definitely give his all tonight and continue to hound Lee.
Perkins, who had been invisible in the first two games, also readily agreed.
He didn't have many jobs to do besides screening and rebounding.
An angry expression appeared on his dark face as he loudly declared:
"If we win both home games, we can turn this series around in one go! Kevin is right, we have to stick together!"
Although Ray Allen didn't believe his teammates' words, he wouldn't make sarcastic remarks in the locker room at this moment.
Instead, he quickly responded and even offered his own suggestions:
"We have to seize those three-point opportunities! 4-for-17 won't win us the game. Once the shooting percentage drops, I hope everyone attacks the basket more. We need to practice free throws more this afternoon."
"..."
Tony Allen, Glen Davis, and other Rookies also spoke up.
Veteran Sam Cassell noticed that Pierce hadn't expressed himself and couldn't help but turn to him and ask:
"Paul, what kind of support do you need? We will provide you with the greatest help. You know, in some possessions, someone has to step up and take responsibility."
This scene felt familiar to Pierce. Before the last game, Kevin Garnett was also motivating them, but it was Marbury who took the "beating" during the game.
The latter was almost elbowed into doubting his life, while Kevin Garnett suffered no "harm" because he was matched up against the gentle Pau Gasol.
In the Eastern Conference, if one were to list which players understood Ron Artest best, Pierce would definitely be in the top 5.
The two had a conflict when competing for All-Star positions back then, and they would fight every year.
Although he didn't want to admit Ron Artest's Defense ability, with the current large deficit, Pierce stopped pretending.
He no longer tried to be strong, but instead slightly lowered his head and said in a muffled voice:
"I might need more screens. During the game, I might also be slow to start, and I might need more shot attempts!"
"..."
Pierce explained many game details, which should have been the coaching staff's job.
Unfortunately, Rivers had been busy dishing out motivational speeches lately, only setting tactical strategies but not providing specific execution methods.
Sam Cassell nodded.
He wouldn't mock his teammates.
As a veteran, his job was to solve the team's difficulties:
"Ray, Stephen, you can also participate in screens. Opponents like to switch Defenses, which can allow Pau to receive the ball more in the post. He has a weight advantage and will definitely get more free throws tonight."
Mismatched isolation, drawing fouls for free throws—Sam Cassell spoke about the officiating without any emotional fluctuations.
It was precisely by relying on such a home court advantage that they eliminated the Cavaliers.
Eddie House, who was DNPed, also got excited.
While clapping and encouraging, he also loudly suggested to Pierce:
"Let Clay Lee get into foul trouble early! That Rookie on the bench will definitely be intimidated by our home court!"
"..."
Kevin Garnett, with his beard bristling and eyes wide, Ray Allen, smiling encouragingly, and Marbury, excitedly pumping his fists—Pierce saw his teammates' reactions and quickly responded with a smile, though he still felt a little uneasy:
"Will the game go so smoothly?"
Since Boston is not far from New York, Lee had completely shaken off his "fatigue" after arriving at the away game.
The intense exercise on the plane had indeed consumed a considerable amount of his energy.
During the team's warm-up in the afternoon, a loose screw on the basket delayed them for a long time, infuriating Mike D'Antoni, who complained to the sports reporters on the sidelines before the training even ended:
"Did you record that? Damn it! I guarantee you, a few hours ago, there was definitely nothing wrong with the basket!"
"..."
Most of the reporters, who enjoyed watching the show, smiled and agreed.
They also received news that the Celtics planned to set off more indoor fireworks before the game tonight.
Boston's reason was perfectly legitimate:
After a long absence, they were back in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they had to celebrate properly.
As for the indoor air quality, that wasn't important.
Mike D'Antoni was dissatisfied with the league's attitude.
He firmly believed that the Celtics were not their opponents, but he didn't want to lose players in the Conference Finals, as this would affect the subsequent Finals.
Ultimately, the New York Knicks' warm-up ended hastily on one half of the court, as staff members continuously worked on repairing the basket stand under the guise of ensuring the game's integrity.
Upon returning to the locker room, the atmosphere group cursed loudly.
The prestigious team's demeanor was too low.
They resorted to such boring petty tricks.
The last time they came to Boston for the playoffs was back in early 2000.
After that series ended, Lee lost two superficial brothers, and Antoine Walker still hasn't contacted him to this day.
The New York Knicks don't believe in motivational speeches.
It's already late May, and in another month, the free market will open.
Most players are already 'fishing,' and agents have also begun to become active.
Returning to his seat, Lee noticed Raja Bell cursing enthusiastically with the atmosphere group.
When the few of them were rehydrating, he casually said:
"Mark told me the team will definitely offer a big contract, Raja. Don't listen to those boring commentators writing about 'mid-level traps.' 5 million is Rookie salary!"
"We'll be playing together for the next few years, and as for what happens after that, I'm not sure. In a few more years, I might retire."
"God won't always look after me. One injury could cause me to decline, so I won't make promises about five years from now."
As a player in a contract year, Raja Bell's statistics this season weren't great.
JR Smith had reduced his playing time.
Hearing Lee's veiled promise, his heart immediately rejoiced:
"Lee, God will always take care of you! We will all pray to God!"
"..."
Flattery poured out, and the locker room atmosphere grew even more enthusiastic for a while.
Everyone seemed to want some kind of promise, and Ron Artest even mocked their opponent:
"Stephon Marbury is an idiot! He voluntarily took a pay cut for a mid-level contract and still gets ridiculed!"
The laughter in the locker room made Rajon Rondo a little uncomfortable.
He actually admired Marbury, who played with all his might, and he didn't feel strongly about contracts.
Watching the sycophants, he couldn't help but secretly curl his lips:
"The media should really record a scene like this!"
....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)