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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go đ
***
November 24, 2002, as Thanksgiving approached, Manhattan became increasingly lively.
Towards the end of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas were times for shopping and festivities, which even boosted the attendance of the nearby Nets.
Last night, the Nets challenged the Timberwolves on the road.
Led by Kidd, they led their opponent by 15 points at halftime.
Ultimately, at 96:82, the Nets easily defeated their opponent, bringing their record to 10 wins and 4 losses.
After the win, Kidd did not forget to urge fans to support the home team more in the upcoming Christmas War.
Although the Christmas War was an away game, the two cities were very close, and Kidd hoped to see Nets fans at Madison Square Garden.
However, such a request was likely a pipe dream.
As the Knicks' second team, New Jersey fans had been defecting for several years.
Inheriting Marbury's "basketball legacy," the Nets had a weak fan base:
"I hope to hear cheers on the road. I promise New Jersey fans that the Nets will still make the playoffs this season!"
Taking advantage of the win over the Timberwolves, Kidd spoke out proactively after the game, but this request seemed unreliable, as tourists likely bought more tickets than Nets season ticket holders.
After losing, the Timberwolves had to fly to New York the next day for a back-to-back game against the Knicks.
Although Kevin Garnett received a high salary and was selected for the All-NBA team, his personal honors were still a bit lacking:
All-NBA Team, All-Defensive Team, Player of the Month, and the teammate-punching award.
These awards seemed a bit lackluster compared to Kevin Garnett's popularity.
Coupled with playoff losses and forfeited draft picks, although the Timberwolves had high salaries, the team could not bring Kevin Garnett more support.
Although critics consistently gave him high praise, Kevin Garnett, with empty hands, was not satisfied.
This season, Kevin Garnett also saw an opportunity.
Clay Lee had won MVP for two consecutive years, and it was highly probable he wouldn't win it this year.
Coupled with the Lakers' poor record, Kevin Garnett felt that this season's MVP should be his.
After the loss, Kevin Garnett didn't mind.
Instead, he showed a leader-like demeanor in front of the media:
"I don't care about the outcome of one game. I like the team's current state."
"Every game we have to fight, and every game we have to give our all!"
During the interview, Kevin Garnett's expression was vivid, and he occasionally widened his eyes and waved his hands, showing his complete immersion in the game.
Most sports media liked players like Kevin Garnett, who played with passion and provided good topics during interviews.
Considering the back-to-back game against the Knicks, an ESPN reporter finally asked:
"Kevin, what are your expectations for tomorrow night's game? The Knicks are currently on an 11-game winning streak, and their form seems unstoppable!"
"I don't care about the opponent's state. I will only do my best to help the team win."
"Perhaps tomorrow night, the Knicks' winning streak will end. I am confident we will win the game!"
Watching Kevin Garnett confidently pound his chest, many sports media began to look forward to tomorrow night's game.
Before Thanksgiving, the Knicks easily defeated the Hornets, with two more games to play afterward.
There were no back-to-back games, so the schedule pressure was not high, and the players were already preparing for the holiday.
On sunday morning, November 24, the Knicks also kicked off their Thanksgiving activities.
Starting this sunday, the Knicks would deliver Thanksgiving gifts to low-income families in Manhattan.
And on Thanksgiving Day, the team would also partner with Macy's to distribute Thanksgiving dinners to low-income families.
In the morning, the Knicks visited a community in the Lower East Side to deliver warmth and distribute clothing to low-income families.
The weather in Manhattan had recently dropped below freezing.
It was slightly better during the day, but the real feel temperature was only around 5 degrees Celsius.
In the African-American community, besides a few Black girls who prioritized style over warmth, most had put on thick clothes.
Most of the gifts distributed were Knicks hoodies.
Pau Gasol was also pulled in for photos.
Although there were still some language issues, after more than a year of living there, he could communicate simply.
Ewing, like Lee, was dressed in athletic wear, wearing a blue Knicks hoodie.
After distributing gifts to the children, Gorilla couldn't help but mutter in a low voice:
"This community hasn't changed at all from when we came a few years ago!"
Seeing his compatriots become lazy, Ewing was somewhat frustrated.
Lee patted the girls surrounding them and, seeing Gorilla in a bad mood, simply comforted him:
"At least they didn't join gangs. Professional sports require talent. Your expectations are too high."
In contrast, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson didn't have as many thoughts.
They simply enjoyed their celebrity treatment.
A respected Black woman in the community smiled and thanked the team.
The clothes were new, definitely more presentable than the second-hand clothes from the relief station.
The coaching staff also received a warm welcome, and finally, many young Black people followed suit, shouting:
"Lee, if we win the championship this year, can we change the parade route?"
The Lower East Side was too chaotic.
The New York Police Department would never agree to let the team parade there.
They lacked sufficient police force, and once any criminal incidents occurred, the parade could turn into a joke.
Seeing the expectant eyes of many people, Lee still told a white lie:
"That's a great idea. The Knicks also love the basketball atmosphere here!"
Before the game that evening, Kevin Garnett, who had arrived in New York, didn't forget to continue promoting himself.
Despite it being a back-to-back game, Kevin Garnett showed a vibrant appearance during his pre-game warm-up.
When interviewed by an ESPN reporter, Kevin Garnett even shook his head and loudly declared:
"I love Madison Square Garden. This is a basketball mecca, and I want to show myself on such a stage!"
"Back-to-back game? Don't worry about my stamina, the new season has just begun!"
The MVP selection is determined by media votes, and Kevin Garnett actively accepted interviews to get along with sports reporters.
Although Kevin Garnett tried hard to perform, the Timberwolves suffered injuries after the new season began.
Szczerbiak would likely be out for two months, and Head Coach Flip Saunders was already worrying about the roster.
Although his beloved disciple was hyping himself up, Saunders, as Head Coach, still remained very cautious in his statement:
"The Knicks are in great form. Tonight, we will try our best to limit their transition offense."
"âŚ"
The game officially tipped off at 7 PM.
As it was a sunday, most New York fans arrived early.
The cheerleaders performed energetically, and before the game, they threw gifts into the stands, making the atmosphere even livelier.
At the MSG commentary booth, during their home broadcast, Marv Albert and Walt Frazier were letting loose a bit.
They started discussing last year's playoffs:
"Perhaps it was a defensive strategy issue, but when we faced the Dallas Mavericks last year, Dirk Nowitzki performed too well!"
"Not only did Dirk Nowitzki lead in total points in the series, but he also had fewer turnovers."
"Many people believe Kevin Garnett is qualified to win DPOY, but I still prefer Ron's performance."
Walt Frazier spoke bluntly, reigniting the "soft vs. tough" debate.
Last year's sweep of the Timberwolves by the Dallas Mavericks was still a popular topic among critics.
Marv Albert, as the Knicks' home commentator, naturally praised the home team's players:
"Although Ron's offense was average in the Finals, his Defense was very good."
"It's indeed difficult for perimeter players to win DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year), but if he maintains this defensive state, I will definitely vote for him."
The two chatted happily in the commentary booth.
Kevin Garnett was also actively showing off, dunking frequently during the final warm-up.
Being swept in the first round last year indeed caused Kevin Garnett's reputation to hit rock bottom.
This season, he desperately needed an award to prove himself.
Clay Lee also took off his training uniform and warmed up again.
Seeing Kevin Garnett's energetic appearance, he was a bit confused:
"This guy is being overly enthusiastic, isn't he?"
Mike D'Antoni, as usual, sat motionless on the bench, while Ewing pulled Pau Gasol aside for repeated instructions.
It was just a regular season game, and with ample rest time, the Knicks players actually didn't take it too seriously.
As the game was about to begin, Marv Albert briefly introduced the Timberwolves' starting lineup for the night:
"The backcourt duo is Troy Hudson and Kendall Gill, and the frontcourt trio consists of Gary Trent, Kevin Garnett, and Rasho NesteroviÄ."
"Szczerbiak's injury has indeed caused some trouble for the Timberwolves. Currently, they have a record of 7 wins and 7 losses."
When the referee called both teams to center court, Kevin Garnett held his head high, adopting the posture of a big star, and simply bumped fists with everyone.
Ron Artest, seeing this All-Star power forward who only greeted Lee warmly, felt a bit annoyed:
"What's so arrogant about a guy who got swept in the first round?!"
Ron Artest, with his short hair, first glared at Kevin Garnett, then stared intently at his matchup, Trent.
Pau Gasol was also a bit bewildered.
He found that Kevin Garnett seemed to dislike him, but considering that Kevin Garnett had been eliminated by Dirk Nowitzki in the playoffs last year, he didn't care about his attitude.
As Pau Gasol leaped high and successfully tipped the basketball, Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers:
"Let's go Knicks!."
On the first offensive possession, Lee noticed that the opponents were clustered in the paint, setting up a zone Defense, seemingly wanting to test the Knicks' shooting touch early in the game.
In response, Lee simply made a tactical hand gesture, and soon Ron Artest, who was in the left corner, quickly moved to the top of the arc.
At this point, the Timberwolves had two big men lined up near the baseline, while the top of the arc became a three-man front.
Besides Hudson, who was leading the Defense, the others continued to surround the paint.
As soon as the opponent's defensive formation changed, Lee immediately passed the ball to Grant Hill on the right wing.
Pau Gasol saw Lee pass the ball and began to slowly move up.
After Hill passed the ball to Ron Artest at the top of the arc, he feigned a cut inside and switched positions with Pau Gasol.
The Triangle Offense's positioning instantly became a mess.
The big man, NesteroviÄ, didn't choose to follow the Defense, but instead stood near the right baseline, directing his teammates' Defense and preparing to rush to defend Lee in the right corner.
On the other side, Kevin Garnett began to move under the basket, strictly guarding Hill, who was preparing to cut.
This defensive method heavily relied on his help Defense.
When Ron Artest passed the ball back to Pau Gasol on the right wing, Lee had already started to sneak along the baseline and cut inside.
The big man, NesteroviÄ, quickly retreated to the basket, while also remembering to remind Kevin Garnett to watch Lee receive the ball in the other corner.
The two yelled loudly on the court, but Grant Hill suddenly stopped.
As the opponent's big man came to the side of the paint, he immediately set a back screen.
NesteroviÄ then realized something was wrong.
The next second, he saw Lee accelerate and run back, returning to the right corner.
At the same time, Pau Gasol also completed the pass.
With a teammate out of position, the three defenders at the top of the arc for the Timberwolves had no time to warn.
Clay Lee caught the ball without any adjustment, lifted it, and shot!
"Swish!" The open three-pointer went in without touching the rim.
Although the players on the court were constantly yelling, this offensive possession actually only took less than 11 seconds.
Kevin Garnett felt that the pre-game deployment was wrong and loudly reminded his teammates to switch to man-to-man Defense later.
Even though the NBA allowed zone Defense, many times, when teams deployed such a Defense, problems would always arise.
In contrast, the Knicks' Defense was simple and direct.
Lee didn't retreat on Defense either, standing next to the smaller Hudson, leading the Defense from the moment he received the ball.
Ron Artest also relentlessly pursued Trent, occasionally getting close and tugging at him twice.
Grant Hill was the same, following his matchup Gill, not giving him an easy chance to receive the ball.
After the baseline inbound, Hudson, who was dribbling the ball up from the backcourt, was delayed by Lee.
After crossing the half-court line, his teammates on the left and right wings had difficulty receiving the ball.
He finally passed the ball to Kevin Garnett, who was waiting in the left elbow area.
The moment he received the ball, Kurt Thomas lowered his center of gravity, maintaining a small distance to prevent a strong drive.
Kevin Garnett noticed that everyone was having difficulty receiving the ball, so he simply faked a triple threat, then suddenly put the ball down with his right hand, dribbled one step horizontally, and then suddenly stopped short, drifting slightly to the right at the free-throw line, and quickly shot a jump shot!
"Swish!" The mid-range jump shot went in.
After quickly scoring a response, Kevin Garnett gave himself two pats, yelled twice, and quickly retreated on Defense.
New York fans loved Kevin Garnett's passionate performance and rarely booed him.
When the opponent's Defense reverted to man-to-man, Lee easily initiated a pick-and roll after crossing half-court.
In a "V" alignment, Pau Gasol on the left wing moved up, and Kurt Thomas moved down in the left elbow area.
His matchup, Hudson, couldn't squeeze through the screen in time, which forced the big man, NesteroviÄ, to step up for a large delay.
On the left wing, Lee delivered a bounce pass while in motion.
The undefended Pau Gasol easily received the ball at the free-throw line.
While Kevin Garnett was still hesitating, Pau Gasol, who had an open shot, already made the jump shot!
"Wow!"
Cheers echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
After watching a few games, New York fans also knew that as long as the big man could make shots after the pick-and-roll, the Knicks would be unstoppable.
The game quickly fell into the Knicks' rhythm: quick pick-and-rolls at the top, shooting when there was an opportunity, and passing when there wasn't.
The Timberwolves, however, were in a difficult situation.
Hudson's success rate in squeezing through screens was low, and the big man, NesteroviÄ, couldn't recover after delaying.
By the time Kevin Garnett started to help on Defense, Kurt Thomas under the basket would get an opportunity and calmly score an easy basket after receiving a pass from Pau Gasol.
With 8 minutes and 2 seconds left in the first quarter, the smaller Hudson finally managed to shake off Lee's pursuit with the help of a pick-and-roll.
Pau Gasol had always been camping under the basket.
Hudson had a chance to make a mid-range jump shot near the free-throw line, but the smaller player, in a moment of hot-headedness, drove directly to the basket with the ball in his right hand.
Although the breakthrough was fast, as he approached the rim, Hudson couldn't see the basket or find a passing lane as Pau Gasol raised his long arms.
Leaning into the defender, Hudson casually tossed the ball towards the backboard with his right hand, then cried out in pain and fell to the floor.
Pau Gasol jumped slightly and delivered a pin-block.
The basketball bounced and landed right in Lee's hands in the paint.
NesteroviÄ originally wanted to delay Lee's advance, but he couldn't bend down at all and was instantly completely shaken off by the large push-dribble change of direction.
Lee passed the ball to the frontcourt before crossing half-court.
Grant Hill, who had already run down earlier, scooped up the ball near the three-point line, ignored Gill, who was trailing him, leaned into his opponent, and then easily scored a layup after a three-step drive.
4:11. Seeing the Knicks execute a fast-break, Head Coach Saunders immediately called a timeout.
Besides Kevin Garnett and the big man NesteroviÄ, who each scored 2 points, everyone else on the Timberwolves was bricking their shots.
The smaller Hudson saw his boss glaring at him and could only awkwardly pat his chest, indicating that it was indeed his fault.
The atmosphere at the Madison Square Garden was cheerful.
At the commentary desk, Walt Frazier seemed to have long anticipated such a scene and now teased Kevin Garnett:
"The Timberwolves need to score. Kevin Garnett should increase his aggressiveness now."
"In last year's playoffs, his total points were also less than Dirk Nowitzki's."
Marv Albert was already accustomed to the opponents repeatedly changing their defensive methods, only to have them broken down one by one:
"Scoring is indeed important, but the Timberwolves' defensive strategy has completely failed."
"Hudson cannot defend Lee alone, and the double-teams at the top of the arc and the delays after pick-and-rolls haven't worked either."
"Head Coach Saunders must be having a headache right now, and this is the dilemma most teams face when playing against the Knicks."
After the timeout, the Timberwolves still couldn't solve their offensive problems.
With the role players struggling, the simplest solution was to give the ball to their star players.
In the following game, the New York fans at the stadium frequently saw Kevin Garnett receiving the ball in the left and right block areas, and the left and right elbow areas.
Kurt Thomas insisted on single Defense, and the Timberwolves were never able to move the ball around, watching their boss play one-on-one.
In the left block area, Kevin Garnett received the ball with his back to the basket, then put the ball down with his right hand and banged his way into a post-up.
Noticing that Pau Gasol near the right baseline began to move again, Kevin Garnett decisively turned towards the baseline, quickly gathered the ball, and then, with an extremely difficult fadeaway jump shot, he bricked another shot.
"Shit!"
Losing his balance and sitting down on the floor, Kevin Garnett cursed under his breath, watching the Knicks complete another fast break.
Pau Gasol, who grabbed the rebound, immediately passed the ball to the waiting Lee.
Before the Timberwolves' Defense could delay, Lee immediately passed the ball to the frontcourt from the middle.
Grant Hill, who had quickly run down, had already crossed the three-point line after scooping up the ball.
He couldn't shake off the Defense, drove to the basket with the ball in his right hand, and then instinctively tossed the ball to the left corner.
Undefended, Ron Artest caught the ball, aimed at the rim, and then shot a jump shot with his hands open!
12:25. With 2 minutes and 46 seconds left in the first quarter, the lead was once again extended.
Kevin Garnett had long lost his smile.
When he received the ball on offense, he no longer took tough jump shots but began to drive hard to the basket.
The referee finally blew the whistle.
Head Coach Saunders on the sideline helplessly looked at the bench, waved his hand, and signaled Joe Smith and Rod Strickland to prepare to enter the game.
Taking advantage of the inbound pass, Coach D'Antoni also waved to the Rookie Amar'e Stoudemire, while also signaling Stephen Jackson to prepare to enter the game.
The Timberwolves replaced their big man and starting point guard.
On the Knicks' side, Kurt Thomas and Grant Hill, who had two fouls, went to the bench to rest.
After making both free throws, Kevin Garnett saw the Rookie enter the game and thought his chance had come.
He immediately roared again, clapped passionately, and loudly encouraged his teammates.
When it was the Knicks' turn to offense again, Amar'e Stoudemire, who had just entered the game, came to a position near the left wing to set an active screen.
It was still the same tactic: after a fake screen, Amar'e Stoudemire quickly rolled down, and Kevin Garnett, who was following the Defense, reacted quickly and retreated on Defense immediately.
However, what he didn't expect was that just one step past the free-throw line, Amar'e Stoudemire received a bounce pass and, as if he had springs on his feet, exploded straight up.
Kevin Garnett, who had fallen back to his side, subconsciously jumped up to block, but only hit the shoulder in the air, watching Amar'e Stoudemire grab the ball with his right hand and slam it down!
"Ah!"
The basket rattled loudly, and Amar'e Stoudemire, after landing, shouted excitedly, and the referee immediately blew his whistle.
"Wow!"
With the cheers of the fans in his ears, Kevin Garnett stared, glaring at the excitedly shouting Rookie, but found that he wasn't looking at him at all.
Amar'e Stoudemire hopped and high-fived Clay Lee in celebration.
The impactful dunk also drew a loud exclamation from Marv Albert at the commentary table:
"What incredible physical talent! This beautiful offensive play should make it onto Sport Center."
With 1 minute and 36 seconds left in the first quarter, Lee was also substituted out, and the Timberwolves began to hit their response shots.
At 20:34, the first quarter ended, and Madison Square Garden erupted.
As the team's leader, Kevin Garnett didn't rest despite the large deficit, but continued to play!
In the first half of the second quarter, both sides went back and forth.
Facing the Rookie's Defense, Kevin Garnett finally regained some face, continuously helping the team score.
Clay Lee entered the game with 7 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first half, and soon Amar'e Stoudemire was activated again.
Seemingly forgetting the tactical requirements, Amar'e Stoudemire simply tangled with Kevin Garnett for position in the left block during the offense.
Coming to the left wing, Lee didn't pass the ball but waved his hand.
Amar'e Stoudemire was about to obediently move up when he saw Lee raise an eyebrow, and subconsciously made a nimble move.
Shaking off Kevin Garnett, Amar'e Stoudemire leaped high to the left of the basket, and just as he imagined, the basketball flew into his hands.
Catching the ball in the air, he slammed it into the basket with both hands.
Amar'e Stoudemire, hanging on the rim, shouted excitedly, glanced at Kevin Garnett, and then quickly retreated on Defense.
Kevin Garnett's face darkened as he watched the Rookie complete an alley-oop over his head.
He also lost his composure on offense, no longer using his footwork to shake off the Defense.
After receiving the ball in the right block, Kevin Garnett put the ball down with his left hand and drove straight to the basket.
His aggressive drive was ultimately disrupted by Amar'e Stoudemire and Knight, and the ball bounced off the rim.
The rebound was tipped out by Knight, and Tayshaun Prince, who was still on the court, quickly grabbed the ball and tossed it forward.
Lee shook off Rod Strickland, and after scooping the ball with his left hand, he accelerated.
Trent, behind him, also chased fiercely with his head down.
The three rushed into the paint.
Lee then tossed the ball off the backboard.
The two defenders subconsciously turned back, and Tayshaun Prince, following up, easily scooped the ball and slammed it down with both hands.
Watching Lee and Tayshaun Prince chest-bump in celebration, the cheers almost broke through the Madison Square Garden for a moment.
The Timberwolves called a timeout.
Head Coach Saunders naturally saw that Kevin Garnett's mentality was off.
Head Coach Saunders offered some encouraging words, trying to calm his core player down, and then put the starting lineup back in.
For the Knicks, the big man Knight was replaced, and Pau Gasol re-entered the game, still in a rotational state.
Kevin Garnett initially thought he could easily handle the Rookie player, but in the next few minutes, Amar'e Stoudemire fully displayed his talent.
Over-helping on Clay Lee, Kevin Garnett was slow to get back on Defense, and his teammates in the paint failed to rotate in time, once again watching Amar'e Stoudemire cut for a dunk.
Getting back on Defense too early after the pick-and-roll, Garnett watched Lee suddenly accelerate past his teammate Hudson, and subconsciously tried to help on Defense to the left of the basket, only to find the ball flying back, and the trailing Amar'e Stoudemire dunked again!
On the Timberwolves' offense, Amar'e Stoudemire was out of position.
The big man NesteroviÄ was posting up on the left low block, and Kevin Garnett cut down the middle, receiving the ball and dunking with both hands.
"Ah!"
Having rarely completed such a spectacular dunk, Kevin Garnett pounded his chest, venting his frustration with a roar.
Still posing under the basket, he suddenly saw Lee inbound the ball from the baseline.
Kevin Garnett realized something was wrong, and the next second he saw the ball tossed out by Lee.
While he was pounding his chest and roaring, Amar'e Stoudemire had already sprinted to the frontcourt, received Lee's long pass in the paint, and then completed another one-handed slam dunk!
"Wow!"
Amar'e Stoudemire, completely hyped up, also pounded his chest and roared, causing the fans present to cheer excitedly.
Given the Rookie's excellent performance tonight, Lee wasn't stingy with the ball, repeatedly running pick-and-rolls for several possessions.
As long as he received the ball in the paint, Amar'e Stoudemire would take one step and charge towards the basket.
Either he would dunk, or he would draw a foul.
Even if he missed a layup, in two possessions, he still allowed Pau Gasol to grab offensive rebounds and complete tough put-backs.
The Rookie Amar'e Stoudemire and the All-Star power forward Kevin Garnett went back and forth, a sight that thrilled the New York fans.
With 4 minutes and 33 seconds left in the half, Lee changed direction, leaning on the defending Hudson.
Before he could drive to the right block, he flicked his right wrist, once again delivering a bounce pass.
Seeing Amar'e Stoudemire explode with the ball, the retreating Kevin Garnett could no longer stand it and directly collided with him from the side, disrupting the offense.
The foul was significant, and the referee immediately blew his whistle.
Kevin Garnett glared at Amar'e Stoudemire, who nearly fell, and yelled loudly:
"Fuck you! You're just a Rookie who can only dunk! Go home and drinkâ"
He was halfway through his curse when Kevin Garnett was pushed off balance by Stephen Jackson, who rushed up from behind him.
Before the Timberwolves' teammates could react, Kevin Garnett twisted around and tangled with Stephen Jackson.
He initially wanted to show his tough side, but Kevin Garnett quickly realized something was wrong.
First, Amar'e Stoudemire rushed up, and then from the Knicks' bench, Ron Artest and Matt Barnes also charged forward.
Just as the referee was about to separate them, Kevin Garnett, realizing the situation was getting out of hand, immediately retreated from the paint to the half-court line.
Such agile movement stunned Lee and the others.
The Timberwolves' teammates couldn't keep up with their leader's pace, watching the Knicks' players chase and hit them all the way.
"Wow!"
The playful fans immediately got excited at such a sight, and cheers and jeers filled the air.
In the end, the Timberwolves' coaching staff reacted faster.
The veteran coach Head Coach Saunders quickly hugged Kevin Garnett, and the coaching staff separated everyone.
Kevin Garnett, who had taken two punches, felt he had suffered a great loss.
Back on the bench, he became spirited again, and after being held by the hype team, he kept cursing loudly.
The three referees looked displeased and directly ejected the players who had thrown punches.
As Kevin Garnett walked towards the player tunnel, the New York fans on both sides were still jeering and shouting:
"Softie! A softie who only hides behind his mother!"
On the other side, the fans applauded Stephen Jackson.
With their leader gone, the Timberwolves' deficit gradually widened.
Head Coach Saunders frowned slightly and made no further adjustments, returning to the bench to idle.
Tayshaun Prince, who received more playing time, quietly displayed excellent Defense.
He also seized opportunities on offense, easily cutting to the basket for scores by exploiting mismatches after screens.
With 2 minutes and 1 second left in the third quarter, as Lee once again assisted Grant Hill for a layup, his assist count reached 20.
Head Coach Saunders stood up, shaking his head as he called a timeout.
At the commentary table, Marv Albert immediately sighed with regret:
"If he could play one more quarter, I believe Clay Lee could tie some assist records."
"The young men are in excellent form tonight!"
64:88.
The game had no suspense.
Walt Frazier also secretly lamented the huge point difference:
"Clay Lee only played 28 minutes tonight. If Kevin Garnett hadn't been ejected, perhaps we could have witnessed another record-breaking night."
Back on the bench, Lee high-fived everyone in celebration.
Coach Mike D'Antoni sat in front of them with a smile:
"Lee, do you need to play a few more minutes? I don't think the fans would mind!"
As Lee walked towards the bench, he saw that the Timberwolves' hype team had already taken off their practice jerseys.
The opponent had already called it a day, so he naturally shook his head and replied:
"Records aren't important. Let everyone else get some more stats!"
The hype team cheered.
There were still nearly 13 minutes left in the game.
Ultimately, both teams' hype teams had a blast padding their stats.
With a score of 92:118, the Knicks decisively defeated their opponent, extending their winning streak to 12 games.
9-of-12 shooting, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, 24 points, 3 rebounds, 20 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers.
Clay Lee delivered a super-sized double-double!
The Madison Square Garden was still lively after the game.
When asked about tonight's conflict during an MSG interview on the sidelines, Lee still gave a diplomatic answer:
"Kevin is incredibly talented. He can even defend from the point guard to the center position."
"He possesses formidable strength, and his defensive agility is truly outstanding!"
"The Knicks welcome any form of competition, but of course, I don't like tonight's conflict. As an All-Star player, Kevin should be calmer."
"."
Although he received the "Clay Lee Recognition Award," Kevin Garnett did not attend the post-game press conference, clearly realizing that he had lost face badly.
Aside from his agile Defense, the mere fact that he went back and forth with a Rookie player would cause his reputation to plummet.
Just as Kevin Garnett had anticipated, the next day, he became the laughingstock of TNT and ESPN.
Charles Barkley laughed widely and mockingly on the show:
"An MVP wouldn't get schooled by a Rookie player!"
"Also, the next time Kevin Garnett commits an intentional foul, he should think about the consequences. He won't get away with it so easily next time!"
Perhaps because the games this November were too uneventful, ESPN's programs also mocked Kevin Garnett's performance.
Fans who hadn't watched the game were delighted after seeing the news, and some New York fans even voluntarily stated in interviews:
"I like this Thanksgiving gift!"
On the 27th, the Knicks, with an incomplete roster, faced the injured Toronto Raptors.
Vince Carter sat on the bench in a formal suit, his expression solemn.
The home fans at the Air Canada Centre were not in high spirits.
Since the start of the season, the Toronto Raptors had only achieved a record of 4 wins and 9 losses. Without Carter's dazzling dunks, the Toronto Raptors' constipated offense was truly uninspiring.
The game tempo was slow, and players made many turnovers.
Head Coach Wilkens couldn't help but shake his head when he saw Alvin Williams get the ball stolen face-to-face by Clay Lee just after crossing half-court.
Voshon Lenard, the main offensive player, couldn't find his touch after the opening, and he was frequently overpowered on Defense.
Grant Hill's several low-post, near-basket turnaround jumpers easily found the mark.
The Toronto Raptors failed to organize effective offenses, while the Knicks didn't need to deliberately organize.
Their fast breaks alone quickly widened the gap.
31:17. At the end of the first quarter, the fans had already lost their enthusiasm.
Even a thousand-win Head Coach couldn't bridge the gap between the players.
Head Coach Wilkens glanced at Carter on the bench and sighed inwardly.
108:81. By the end of the game, some fans had already left early.
Many Asians fans remained, all shouting Lee's name.
Originally, the ESPN reporter was supposed to interview the home team's star, but after realizing the Toronto Raptors lacked star power, he quickly greeted the Knicks' staff.
During the interview, Lee noticed Carter leaving dejectedly and proactively offered encouragement:
"I believe Carter's body will recover very soon!"
"We all know his talent. In my opinion, a healthy Carter is one of the best forwards in the Eastern Conference."
"Now, all he needs to do is trust his teammates and take care of his body. I look forward to our next matchup!"
On November 27th, there were a total of 12 games.
The Knicks continued their winning streak, while the Los Angeles Lakers suffered back-to-back losses.
Playing on the road against the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers still lost despite Shaquille O'Neal's return from injury.
102:112. The Los Angeles Lakers were suppressed by the Orlando Magic throughout the game, and their record dropped to 5 wins and 11 losses after the loss.
Due to Allan Houston's injury absence, Tracy McGrady entered a state of 'unleashed' play.
12-for-28 shooting, scoring 38 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 3 turnovers, Tracy McGrady ultimately led his team to victory!
For the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe shot 14-for-31, scoring 38 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.
Although they lost, Kobe did not lose in his matchup!
After the game, two talented players who had received the "Clay Lee Recognition Award" engaged in some mutual praise:
"Tracy has mastered all the perimeter offensive skills. All the techniques I know, he can easily display in the game."
"Among the players I've guarded, he is the hardest to defend!"
At the post-game press conference, Kobe's words made Shaquille O'Neal, who was beside him, purse his lips.
He was not in the mood to praise an opponent.
Tracy McGrady, in a great mood after the win, also followed suit with praise after receiving a message from a "mouthpiece":
"Kobe is a championship guard. Last year, they defeated Lee! He is truly very talented, almost like another Michael Jordan."
"I enjoy playing against him!"
November 28th was Thanksgiving, and there were two more games that night.
Players from all four teams complained about the NBA's schedule, especially the Dallas Mavericks and Nets players, who had to celebrate the holiday on the road.
This Thanksgiving, Lee also hosted a dinner party, inviting the Knicks team to his home in Manhattan.
In the morning, everyone distributed free food to low-income families at Madison Square Garden, and in the afternoon, they gathered at Lee's for the dinner.
In addition to players and team staff, Lee also invited New York sports media.
Turkey is good to look at but not good to eat, so that night the main dishes were Spanish and Italian cuisine, which was considerate of Rookie Pau Gasol and Mike D'Antoni.
The players all brought their families, and so did several sports reporters.
Everyone was dressed in casual formal wear.
Clay Lee had just greeted his teammates when he turned around and saw New York sports reporters huddled in a circle, discussing awards.
Seeing Lee approach, they didn't stop their conversation; instead, they reminded him:
"Lee, if you want to win MVP again, a double-double isn't enough. You know, everyone is already used to your efficient performance."
Such a direct reminder, almost telling him to go all out and pad his stats, Lee casually patted the shoulder of a nearby reporter and simply replied:
"I'm not interested in taking my teammates' stats. Look at Jason Kidd next door. His triple-double numbers are even declining!"
The New York Post reporter chuckled, tilted his head at the others, and offered his opinion:
"How about 40 points per game? I think those numbers would definitely win MVP!"
Hearing such a suggestion, the others around him joined in the jeering and shaking their heads, while Lee shrugged, helplessly saying:
"Unless I can play 42 minutes every game, but our main opponents aren't that strong!"
In many games, they led by double digits in the first quarter, so padding stats wasn't an easy task.
Noticing that Lee wasn't stubbornly chasing the MVP, everyone secretly nodded.
He would only be 25 in another month, so looking at the long term, he still had opportunities in the future.
After Thanksgiving, the Knicks played their last game of November.
Baron Davis didn't like playing in New York at all.
After a 15:30 run in the third quarter, the Hornets collapsed again.
On the bench, Davis and Jamal Mashburn sat silently in their seats.
The former shot 1-for-5, scoring a measly 2 points, while the latter shot 1-for-6, getting 4 points.
Finally, to the cheers of New York fans, the Knicks defeated their opponent 80:106, ending their November schedule with a perfect winning record.
On December 1st, the NBA also announced the Player of the Month awards for the new season:
Clay Lee of the Knicks, and Steve Nash, Michael Finley, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks all received awards.
Compared to the Knicks' 14-0 record, the Dallas Mavericks also achieved a record of 15 wins and 1 loss!
Averaging 33.8 minutes per game, he scored 30.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 2.6 turnovers per game.
His field goal percentage was 55.4%, three-point percentage was 45.5%, and free throw percentage was 94.4%.
With an average of 17.9 shots per game, Clay Lee once again delivered an extreme stat line.
The Dallas Mavericks' trio also performed exceptionally well:
Steve Nash averaged 18.3 points, Michael Finley averaged 21.3 points, and Dirk Nowitzki averaged 21.6 points.
Considering that Steve Nash's average playing time was only 32.1 minutes, this core guard was highly praised for a while!
On the night of December 1st, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Timberwolves at home.
110:107.
Although it was a narrow loss, the trio on TNT's post-game commentary seemed somewhat disappointed.
6 wins and 12 losses. Although the regular season had just begun, the Los Angeles Lakers' slow start showed their decline.
Kenny Smith, unusually, criticized the players, commenting seriously after the game:
"Unbelievable. The Los Angeles Lakers took 95 shots as a team. Perhaps they played good offense, but where was the Defense?"
"Allowing the opponent to score 110 points, if they maintain this state, it will be very difficult for them to reach the Finals."
Charles Barkley was also looking at the box score.
Noticing that the Timberwolves shot 50% from the field, he also mocked them:
"Perhaps they're already satisfied. One championship is enough. Not only are the role players declining, but everyone lacks focus."
Ernie Johnson also didn't expect the defending champions to perform in such a state after the start of the season.
He glanced at his two partners and casually said:
"Perhaps we should shift our focus. The Los Angeles Lakers are in poor form, so who will dominate the Western Conference this season?"
"..."
.....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)