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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
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On July 14, 2005, with the Summer League about to begin, basketball fans could go to Minneapolis to witness the DPOY's splendor!
The New York Knicks started their training camp last Wednesday, and the New York Media had already hyped up Ron Artest.
Although true basketball fans know that missing high-quality games for a season will lead to a decline in a player's competitive state, most onlookers still abandoned rational thinking and went directly to watch the fun if they had time.
Perhaps the psychiatrist really worked, as Ron Artest at the Tarrytown Training Center seemed very amiable.
Not only was his previous inflated ego gone, but he also gained a leadership aura.
This was the firsthand news recently reported by the New York Times.
While fans of other teams might still be skeptical, die-hard New York Knicks fans had already started predicting a championship:
"DPOY helps New York achieve four consecutive championships!"
"âŠ"
Teams started flying to their destinations, but Lee flew to Los Angeles at this time.
He also had to attend the ESPY Awards on sunday and pick up Scarlett to return to Manhattan.
Mark Bartelstein hitched a ride with Lee.
Besides accompanying him to the event, he also had to deliver Kwame Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The journey was long. After boarding the plane, Kwame Brown, who was accompanying them, was a bit reserved.
While examining the interior decorations of the plane, he also tried to bridge the gap with Lee.
Gathering the accompanying staff, everyone started playing Texas Hold'em together.
Kwame Brown, dressed in hip-hop attire, took off the thick chain around his neck and, feigning a "fanboy" look, gossiped:
"Dwyane Wade seems to have also received a nomination, Lee, can he win an award?"
Lee had attended many award ceremonies and had long lost his novelty.
He tried to observe everyone's expressions and casually replied:
"Nominations were in late June, and this period is all about fan voting. ESPN's selection is just for fun. Dwyane Wade should win an award. He's very popular with fans."
Kwame Brown, with his dreadlocks, felt a pang of sadness.
He also wanted to go to the ESPY Awards.
This year, there was a TV broadcast, and Destiny's Child would even perform during the show.
Beyoncé was his goddess, but unfortunately, his performance this season was really poor.
Thinking of his meager stats, Kwame Brown worried about the upcoming trade.
Old Mike didn't care about this at all, and the accompanying staff on the plane were also engrossed in playing cards.
Finally, Mark Bartelstein noticed his player's uneasy mood and spoke favorably of the Los Angeles Lakers:
"Although the Los Angeles Lakers won't have a chance to reach the Finals in the next few years, playing in Los Angeles will bring extra attention."
"Don't worry about the Los Angeles Lakers' team environment. Don't forget, you were also a number one pick. That's a rebuilding team, and you are fully capable of becoming a starting player."
"While Kobe doesn't have the best reputation, he is incredibly dedicated to basketball. You two should get along."
"This is a win-win trade. Go to Los Angeles and play with peace of mind!"
Mark Bartelstein spoke lightly and showed a confident expression, but Kwame Brown was still a bit uneasy.
He worried about encountering bullying from "old guys."
Lee re-confirmed his hole cards.
His luck was as good as ever.
Seeing the potential Rookie remain silent, he also chimed in to comfort him:
"Respect is earned through performance on the court. If you are better than Kobe, the coach will also increase your tactical role."
"There's no need to constantly please others. You know, most players in the league don't like softies."
"If you can defeat Kobe in training camp, then the Los Angeles Lakers will become your team in the future!"
Kwame Brown's heart surged with emotion, and an excited expression appeared on his dark face.
Following Lee's words, he said excitedly:
"You're right, I need to let my basketball do the talking! The Los Angeles Lakers might soon become my team!"
Looking at the magnificent scenery outside the window, Kwame Brown felt even more relaxed:
"Los Angeles must be better than Washington!"
On friday, July 17, before the ESPY Awards, Upper Deck announced that it had completed its contract renewal with Clay Lee.
For the next five years, they would still be granted the exclusive right to produce autographed commemorative cards featuring Lee, and would also be the sole retailer for all merchandise bearing Lee's name and image.
For 5 years and $25 million, Lee also received a $1.5 million signing bonus, which had already been deposited.
Upper Deck had truly won big.
Clay Lee's Rookie cards were soaring in price, and with the championship endorsement, they could exploit the market in various ways.
If they weren't worried about the devaluation of signatures, as a card company, they would eagerly unleash their full production capacity for autographed cards.
As soon as this news was released, ESPN reported it immediately, even finding a "shill" to continue hyping up Clay Lee:
"The new merchandise will be very popular. We all know that, in terms of basketball, Clay Lee has surpassed Michael Jordan. He is the greatest basketball player of the new century!"
"As long as it's related to Clay Lee, collectors won't miss out. Some limited-edition products often cause a rush to buy."
"My book 'My Tribute' is about to be released and will be available in major bookstores in the future."
This interview, an article by the Beckett Basketball editor, a sports collectibles publisher, made many players envious.
Some signed replicas made of special materials sold for $150 to $300, while signed basketballs ranged from $200 to $400.
Many people resold them on eBay.
Lee gave out many autographs during his Rookie season.
Some sneakers and basketballs were even more expensive, even priceless.
The price of products is actually related to the player's performance on the court.
In contrast to Lee, Kobe's card prices have been continuously falling.
LeBron James also recently signed a 5-year long-term contract with Upper Deck.
Among all the Rookie players, the annual price of $1.5 million was definitely far ahead, but LeBron James desired more.
Failing to make the playoffs in his Rookie season affected the contract amount.
For LeBron James, the playoffs were not the end.
He needed a bigger stage.
LeBron James, who came to Minneapolis with the Cavaliers, was in a good mood.
In this year's draft, the Cavaliers selected Jarrett Jackson with the 21st pick.
This was a targeted draft, as the management tried to strengthen the backcourt.
In the Summer League, the Cavaliers' Rookies were led by the workaholic Thibodeau.
Dwight Howard would also play.
This highly anticipated big man was honing his skills and applying technology to make his body stronger!
In the afternoon game, the Cavaliers' opponent was the Portland Trail Blazers.
When LeBron James appeared at the arena, many fans cheered.
Although the Cavaliers were swept by the New York Knicks in this year's playoffs, LeBron James's stats were still good.
Being a background character could also increase his popularity.
After greeting the coaching staff, LeBron James, sitting in the front row, began to enjoy this chicken-pecking-at-each-other game.
Dwight Howard didn't play for long.
When he returned to the bench, he immediately exchanged a set of flashy gestures with LeBron James, then sat down and happily shared his discoveries from the Summer League:
"Chris Paul of the Hornets is too good. He doesn't look like a Rookie. When we played against him, he always delivered beautiful passes."
"Jackson isn't bad either. He's much stronger than I imagined. He rarely makes mistakes in games, so it seems we can make the playoffs again next season."
Dwight Howard chattered away with a wide grin.
He was very satisfied with his performance this year.
Making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in his Rookie season was already a better achievement than most players.
Listening to his teammate's news, LeBron James also smiled, and remembering the news he saw in the morning, he whispered:
"Next season, we should at least make it to the Conference Finals!"
"?"
Dwight Howard was a bit surprised, his expression seeming to say, "Are you kidding?"
The Heat had Shaquille O'Neal, and Dwyane Wade had recently received an ESPY nomination.
In Dwight Howard's view, their opponent was stronger:
"Making the playoffs every year is enough. When players like Clay Lee get old, we'll be able to win a championship."
"Do you also want to start training at 4 AM? We've made so much money. We should enjoy life more."
After saying this, Dwight Howard blew a kiss to the young women on the sidelines, and getting a reaction, he let out another strange cry.
LeBron James was a bit helpless, and also a little relieved, at least this guy next to him definitely wouldn't compete with him:
"Perhaps the Cavaliers still need to accumulate more talent."
On sunday, July 17, the ESPY Awards would be held at 9 PM.
Even before 7 PM, the Kodak Theatre was already swarming with media reporters.
After the 2002 Academy Awards were held there, the Kodak Theatre became the preferred venue for many television and theatrical performances.
Recently, the American Idol finale was held here.
Perhaps for better broadcasting effects, the theater was elaborately decorated before the awards ceremony.
Different signs hung on the outer walls, and the stairs leading up to the theater entrance were also covered with a red carpet.
The American sports awards were naturally a niche affair.
Reggie Miller had already confirmed his retirement and was nominated for Best Moment this time.
The "Jordan Buzzer-Beater Award," "Ending Lee's Winning Streak Award," and "8 Points in 8.9 Seconds Award" were all important honors in Reggie Miller's career.
However, this time he was nominated primarily because of the "One Man, One City Award"!
As the owner of the highest honor in the NBA, fans would not let Old Miller's dedication go unrewarded.
His award tonight was already set.
ESPN reporters, seeing Reggie Miller, rushed forward to surround the respected veteran.
Old Miller, in a dark blue suit, smiled and proactively joked with the reporters:
"I thought you were all waiting to interview Clay Lee, the greatest in history, with seven championships."
"Compared to him, I'm a loser. The Eastern Conference Finals was my limit."
Most sports reporters were very considerate, no longer bringing up Old Miller's sad past, and changed the subject by asking:
"Reggie, do you think Clay Lee has surpassed Michael Jordan? You played against both of them. In your opinion, who is the most dominant player?"
With the offseason running out of news, sports commentators brought up their annual fixed topic.
Reggie Miller didn't want to answer the question and immediately retorted:
"Why not Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? He has six championships and is also the all-time leading scorer. Maybe you should ask a different question."
An Associated Press reporter nearby, clearly not used to interviewing sports stars, immediately followed up with a challenge:
"Clay Lee seems to have a chance to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record. Who do you think is better?"
Almost laughing in exasperation, Reggie Miller composed himself and simply replied:
"Championships and statistics cannot represent the NBA. These have never been the standard for judging whether a player is successful."
"As the world's best basketball event, we should show sportsmanship to fans worldwide."
"Championships don't represent everything. For many fans, what they want to see more is the process of chasing the championship."
After saying this, Reggie Miller turned and left.
He didn't like these reporters who constantly talked about championships.
"Damn it, did they conspire? Always saying such boring things!"
An ESPN reporter complained in a low voice.
Not long ago, Kobe Bryant also "trusted the process."
A Yahoo Sports reporter was about to make a sarcastic remark, but seeing Dwyane Wade in a red suit, he quickly joined the crowd in greeting him.
With his wife Siohvaughn, Dwyane Wade was all smiles.
This was his first time attending such an awards ceremony in his professional career.
He chose a red suit because of his "Flash" nickname.
After joking with reporters about his attire, Dwyane Wade was soon asked the same question.
Dwyane Wade, with his arm around his wife, did not equivocate like Reggie Miller but answered directly:
"Without a doubt, after Michael Jordan, Clay Lee is the most dominant player in the league."
"From a basketball perspective, with seven championships, no one is more successful than Clay Lee."
"But I grew up in Chicago, and Michael Jordan meant more to kids like us. He was our spiritual pillar, which far surpassed basketball."
Having received a relatively clear answer, the ESPN reporter was in a great mood.
The crowd surrounding Dwyane Wade no longer pressed him and took the opportunity to flatter him:
"Wade, next season will be your second year playing with Shaq. Can you replicate Kobe's experience and ultimately win a championship?"
Dwyane Wade didn't like how commentators always compared him to Kobe.
In his second professional year, he reached the Eastern Conference Finals, a far better achievement than Kobe's:
"Of course, we will win the championship. The difference is, I will win it as the team leader."
"Just like Shaq said, the Heat are my team. He taught me championship experience, and what I need to do is realize my talent."
"When I was a child, I longed to be the next Michael Jordan, but Clay Lee's experience told me that being myself would be more successful. Perhaps in the future, I might even win eight championships."
Watching Dwyane Wade laugh and brag, all the sports media were delighted.
They loved confident Rookies like him!
Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova were also subjects of interest for sports media.
Both had a high probability of winning Best Tennis Player.
Lance Armstrong and Michael Phelps would also receive awards.
When these two American heroes appeared, sports reporters immediately surrounded them.
Clay Lee arrived late.
When he appeared in front of the Kodak Theatre, arm in arm with Scarlett Johansson in a black gown, Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren had also just arrived.
Scarlett Johansson, with her blonde hair tied up, had a slight blush on her face.
Before leaving, she insisted on showing affection with Lee, kissing him freely in public.
Noticing the two in front, Scarlett Johansson, clinging to Lee's arm, snuggled into his embrace and whispered:
"Those sports media must have something wrong with their eyes!"
Scarlett Johansson, almost 21, sometimes still had a girlish personality.
Some sports media had reported that Nordegren looked similar to her, and the young woman, having read the newspaper, was naturally displeased.
The other person was much uglier than her.
Lee, in a well-fitted black suit, smiled and greeted Woods:
"Congratulations on reclaiming the number one spot!"
After falling into a career slump for the past two years, and being surpassed by Vijay Singh in the world golf rankings last September, Woods only regained the number one position this month with a strong rebound.
Woods smiled happily.
Saying he didn't care about rankings was false.
No one liked to hear slander:
"Congratulations to you too on your seventh championship. Sometimes we invite Michael Jordan to play a few rounds of golf, and he'll definitely want to have an in-depth discussion with you."
Lee tightened his arm around Scarlett Johansson beside him and chuckled as they walked towards the Kodak Theatre.
Ever since he won six championships, the petty Michael Jordan stopped playing with him:
"Perhaps he can only defeat me in golf. On the way here, I was also undefeated at the card table. It's been a long time since I played cards with him."
Woods also laughed.
Both of them endorsed General Motors.
The difference was that Buick's SUV sold very well.
Lee's Cadillac had a lot of buzz but little impact in China, with somewhat weak sales, relying entirely on the North American and South Asian markets.
Before the media reporters came over, Woods congratulated him again:
"Congratulations in advance on your Nike lifetime contract!"
Also under Nike, Woods had earned a lot of money there.
His contract also expired this year, and he would soon become Nike Golf's "ultimate endorser."
As the two were halfway through their pleasantries, sports reporters surrounded them.
Ever since a magazine predicted that Woods' income would exceed $1 billion by 2010, the golf master had become the focus of public attention.
ESPN reporters were clearly more interested in Lee's upcoming lifetime contract:
"Lee, can you disclose the details of your next contract? There are rumors that you will receive the same treatment as Michael Jordan."
5% of the subsidiary brand's profitsâthis was Michael Jordan's stable cash flow source after selling his shares.
Clay Lee, of course, would not disclose the detailed terms to the media, only smiling and responding:
"You can go interview my agent. He also deserves credit for signing this contract."
"Perhaps he is willing to explain the detailed process to you. In short, this renewal is a win-win!"
Blinded by money, many sports reporters felt their eyes turn green, looking at Lee as if he were a walking bundle of cash.
For a moment, championships and statistics were forgotten.
Everyone just wanted to know exactly how much money Clay Lee would get from Nike in the future!
After a flurry of questions, all of which Lee deflected, Scarlett Johansson looked up as they entered the Kodak Theatre and whispered:
"Will such a contract bring in a large sum of money every year?"
Lee, who was looking for their seats with his arm around Scarlett Johansson, nodded slightly and kissed the excited young woman:
"In short, this contract will cover the children's milk money!"
"âŠ"
At 9 PM, Matthew Perry took the stage.
The actor, who rose to fame in "Friends," would host the 13th ESPY Awards.
The biggest difference from previous awards ceremonies was the invitation of Beyoncé, and the addition of Olympic awards.
Best Moment went to Reggie Miller's last playoff game.
Best Championship Performance went to Clay Lee for his 50+ points in the Finals.
Dwyane Wade received Best Breakthrough Athlete.
Best NBA Player, Clay Lee won again.
Lauren Jackson, who won Best WNBA Player, excitedly hugged Clay Lee and wouldn't let go during her acceptance speech, causing the audience to cheer.
Sitting below, Dwyane Wade and Reggie Miller both felt a little sad.
As NBA players, their level of attention was far less than Lee's.
This year's Best Male Athlete went to Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven consecutive times, a well-deserved doping GOAT!
As the awards ceremony ended, Dwyane Wade looked at Clay Lee and Scarlett Johansson, who were surrounded by media reporters, and suddenly felt that his childhood sweetheart seemed unworthy of him.
Siohvaughn was unaware of Dwyane Wade's change in mindset.
This was also her first time attending such a grand awards ceremony.
She hugged her beloved beside her and said happily:
"Perhaps next year when we come here again, you will win Best Male Athlete!"
"Darling, I am so proud of you!"
Looking at his childhood sweetheart, who had already borne him two children, Dwyane Wade said nothing, only nodded, secretly resolving in his heart:
"I should be standing there!"
.....
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