NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 536: The Reward of "Loyalty" (Daily Chapter)
On the second day of the New Year in 2008, the NBA announced the Player of the Month for December:
Dwight Howard of the Eastern Conference and Chris Paul of the Western Conference won Player of the Month awards for the first time in their careers.

In the Cavaliers, most of the commentators are more concerned about the performance of LeBron James. Coupled with the limited tactical position, Howard has only successfully shown himself this year.
In recent years, it has been difficult for Hornets players to win awards, and the reason is simple: they lose more than they win.

Although the arrival of Kurt Thomas brings rich championship experience to the team, the core guard is the key to head coach Byron Scott's tactical system.

Chris Paul lived up to the coach's trust and showed great talent in organizing the team while also scoring a lot, and finally reaped the rewards this season.

12月骑士队凭借霍华德的出色表现拿到11胜5负的战绩，场均21.7分16.1篮板1.7助攻1.1抢断2.9盖帽3.7失误；

With a shooting percentage of 59.8% and a free throw percentage of 58.3%, Howard almost delivered the data of a "big boss" with an average of 11.9 shots per game.

黄蜂队在12月9胜5负，克里斯-保罗场均24.5分4.0篮板10.4助攻3.0抢断0.1盖帽2.2失误；

In an average of 39.2 minutes per game, his shooting percentage was 48.1%, his three-point shooting percentage was 38.5%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 86.9%.

Although this efficient data is still far from Li You, the newbie's performance has been recognized. Compared with Dwyane Wade, Paul is more like Li You, and the future is promising!

When the Hornets flew to Los Angeles for an away game that day, Paul, who received the award, was all smiles. When he was interviewed in the locker room, he was very humble:

"Winning the Player of the Month award was an encouragement to me and I was very satisfied with myself, but when I saw the statistics, I realized the gap in our ability."

"Lee's statistics are better. He has taken the role of a guard to another level. Even some statistics cannot reflect his true strength."

"Kurt has been a great help to me. He brings championship experience to New Orleans. We just returned here this season, and the experience of veterans is very important."

"You know, Kurt has been working hard in New York for many years. He is one of the players in the league who knows Lee best. With his help, I can further realize my talent."

A former MVP was fed up with the championship experience and even had a fight with his teammates over it. However, Chris Paul liked to communicate with veterans, and some of the pick-and-roll tricks were taught to him by Kurt.

The baby-faced Paul smiled sincerely when he said this, which made Kurt Thomas very pleased. The veteran is actually having a good time here.

Although the injury took away some of his explosive power, his body shape has not changed much. Relying on his rich game experience, he can still contribute to the team.

"Chris may become the next Lee in the future. I don't like the comments made by the critics about him. His lack of raw talent can be helped by his teammates."

"I'm glad to be able to help him at the end of his career. I want to build a championship culture here."

Kurt Thomas, whose beard had grown a little more, also chimed in. Varejao, who had gained a foothold on the bench by catching dribbles and had also received a contract, also praised:
"Chris reminds me of Lee, his technical style has been affected, but I don't think it's a bad thing, we have a chance to get back to the playoffs this year thanks to his performance!"

"."

In addition to their good personal relationship, Chris Paul always likes to talk about Li You because it can attract more fans' votes.

After a long period of accumulation, Li You has gained a large number of loyal fans. In the annual voting, anyone who has a bad relationship with the idol will be boycotted. The "fan circle" tendency has become more and more serious in recent years.

The unlucky one this year is Garnett. Since the beginning of the season, a large number of fans have attacked "traitor" on Reddit and called on people not to vote for Garnett.

A rookie like Paul originally had no chance to compete with the veteran stars, but the power of "family" is infinite. In the second round of voting, the rookie has a tendency to surpass Iverson.

Paul's heart was burning with excitement at the thought of his chance to make it into the All-Star starting lineup. He just wanted to prove that he was not inferior to Deron Williams. He had to seize this opportunity!

In the game that night, the score was 95:81. The Hornets secured victory early and won another away game. Paul contributed several beautiful singles against Zach Randolph, which impressed the Los Angeles fans.

At the end of the game, some people even called for Paul to come to Los Angeles to play, but the latter smiled and refused when interviewed:

"Whether it's Oklahoma City or New Orleans, the fans support me unconditionally, and I will always stay with the team!"

“I want to play for one team my entire career like Lee did.”

On Thursday, January 1rd, Li You's big house in Manhattan became empty early in the morning. The girls went to work on time, and the succubi returned to Greenwich to enjoy the manor life.

Compared to bustling Manhattan, the air there may be better and it can be considered a paradise for children.

When Li You appeared in the restaurant, the butler had already prepared breakfast. Catherine, wearing a nightgown, had a rosy complexion. She sat at the table and was hugged. She chuckled softly before turning her head to kiss him.

After completely rejecting the invitation from the Law & Order crew, Catherine has been living here since returning from Canada. She has become visibly rounder and her complexion has become better.

Noticing the changes in the other person's body, Li You sat aside and took the New York Post. Seeing the report praising Catherine's winter outfit, he couldn't help but teased:
"I hope readers won't be jealous of me, you are more beautiful now than in the photos"

Rolling her eyes at Li You beside her, the 30-year-old Catherine blushed slightly when she thought about the fact that she had unlocked more new knowledge without any protective equipment recently, and then pointed to the news in the newspaper and reminded:
"Aren't you always following the governor's reports? There was one today."

One article attacked Spitzer for staying in New York, arguing that the governor should stay in Albany. The report also interviewed the Attorney General, who told the public that "work is the most important thing."

The seemingly ordinary reports actually had different tendencies. Many of the contents detailed the Governor's mansion on Fifth Avenue, and mentioned in passing that the developer of this high-end apartment was the Governor's father.

When problems arose on Wall Street, Spitzer lived a wealthy life. The New York Post knew very well how the onlookers would react.

Li You nodded slightly. This was a positive signal. He did not believe in polls, but he could see clues from the media trends.

As long as it seizes the opportunity and gives it a push, Ax Capital will be able to completely get rid of the other party's entanglement and develop steadily for a few more years.

"I like this article. I should meet this columnist if I get a chance!"

Noticing that the girl next to him didn't seem to have a good appetite, Li You hugged Catherine again, stared into her blue eyes and whispered:

"How about I go with you to get a physical checkup in the morning? I think there will be a surprise."

As if thinking of the extremely intense competition these days, the blonde girl elbowed Li You unhappily, then raised her head and whispered:
"Next time, let's go back to Canada together."

The breathy whisper made the smile on Li You's face widen. The blonde girl was kissed again and didn't resist even after being hit twice. After knowing each other for many years, their passion remained unabated, and their relationship officially took a step forward.

There were only three games on Thursday, and TNT focused on warming up the game between the Spurs and the Nuggets. The result was beyond the expectations of the commentators. Duncan was in a slump and had to lose.

77:80, the score shows that this was a defensive battle, and both teams went against the trend and rarely shot from beyond the three-point line.

The Pepsi Center was completely boiling. Kenyon Martin's block and Iverson's free throws in the final moments helped the team secure the victory. It was a perfect night for Denver fans!

Iverson, who played for 45 minutes, was still full of energy. He put his right hand to his ear, tilted his head and walked to the sideline to listen.

Sadly, there were no MVP shouts, in fact many fans felt that Iverson was a "poor imitation".
21 wins and 9 losses. The Spurs were still in the lead after the loss, but Duncan was in a bad mood when he left the court. Fans on both sides laughed at him:

“Let’s go to Los Angeles!”

"You are the biggest wimp in the league! Overrated asshole"

"."

Duncan walked towards the player tunnel with his head down without any response. He was loyal to the team, but the Spurs' reward to him was to fill the salary cap without actively strengthening the team every year.

Pursuing a championship at the end of his career can also allow the team to gain young talents. Although Duncan felt that he did not let San Antonio down, the shouting still hurt him:
"Fake!"

After returning to the locker room, Duncan cursed and put his head in his hands without looking at his teammates. He looked very depressed.

On the other side, Iverson, who had shown off a lot, was being interviewed with his hands on his hips. With this rare victory, the outdated "Son of Philadelphia" once again expressed his loyalty to the fans:

"It was the fans at the scene who inspired us. This was a perfect victory!"

"I said a long time ago that basketball is not just about championships. Maybe you think the league is a business sometimes, but in such an environment, I also want to show my loyalty."

"I am loyal to my fans and my city! After coming to Denver, I have never thought about leaving. I hope to pursue the championship here again!"

Shaking his head and rapping rhythmically, Iverson's statement made the reporters of the Denver Post very happy. This was the NBA they had been expecting.

When the Knicks flew to San Antonio on January 1, there was a "howl of grief" in the local newspaper sports sections.

Although some media reported that Duncan's departure would bring Andrew Bynum and others back to the Spurs, San Antonio fans still hope that Duncan can stay with the team because they need a strong player.

During breakfast, Rajon Rondo frowned slightly when he saw the content in the newspaper. The atmosphere in the league was getting worse and worse, and even veteran "superstars" like Duncan were joining forces.

Rondo has been unhappy since Chris Paul won the Player of the Month Award. The New York media has always been fond of this little guy, and some even called for Paul to come to New York to play in the future.

If we only look at the statistics, Rondo is not as good as his opponent. As long as D'Antoni "increases the intensity" for Li You, the playing time of the new player will be compressed. The rookie players' experience in playing in New York is not good. Thaddeus Young has no chance to start and may not see his "day of success" in the next few years.

On the contrary, second-round picks and undrafted players can get the most out of their experience, train with the team, and have a low-salary but guaranteed contract. If they work on their skills and improve steadily, they may get a chance during the offseason.

JR Smith greeted everyone he met with a friendly smile on his face. He will return from injury tonight, and being involved in trade rumors made him particularly humble.

Last year, he looked down on the rookie, but now he had to say a few good words. After JR Smith sat down next to Rondo, he said enthusiastically:

"Hey, Bro! You're the best rookie in recent years, and Paul just gets the media's attention!"

"You know man, I have to perform tonight. The coaching staff lacks trust in me right now, and families have to help each other."

Rondo had a feeling that things were changing. Last year he was still a rookie with a bag, but now the "big brother" had to beg him. He felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart, nodded slightly, and said reservedly:

"Just play according to the playbook and I'll find you!"

Seeing the rookie's attitude, JR Smith was a little annoyed, but the game was more important, so he finally put on a smile and continued to speak well of him.
The news in the newspaper clearly revealed that Duncan was leaving. Apparently, the trade had entered the countdown. Gasol did not expect that his old rival would take a "difficult road":
"It's incredible. I thought he would stay with the Spurs. It is said that Popovich and Duncan have a very good relationship!"

Chandler didn't feel much when he heard his partner's words. When they met in the finals, he saw a miserable Duncan. The only respect he had in his heart disappeared with the trade:

"He may lose his All-Star starting spot. The second round of voting has Nowitzki in the lead. The fans like the German's loyalty."

Talking about the All-Star Game next month, Chandler is very excited. This time he is no longer a spectator. Although he has no hope of starting, the probability of being a substitute is very high. Once selected, it will be the peak of his career.

Raja Bell also saw the article, but he was not interested in it. It would be difficult for him to be selected as an All-Star with his playing style. At this time, he tilted his head and said sarcastically:
"I thought Nowitzki's popularity would be affected after losing the finals, but Duncan helped him. What a lucky guy!"

"It's hard for them to succeed, and it's a stupid choice to only run in half a season."

Hearing his friend's sour words, Dio added nonchalantly. Prince, who usually doesn't talk much, suddenly interrupted and said the core of the problem:
"If he stays in the Spurs, he won't have many opportunities. It's likely that he will just waste another year."

"I sympathize with Duncan. This is a very courageous choice."

Artest had no sympathy. He just wanted to perform well tonight. He had no good feelings towards the Spurs. He ate his pancakes and laughed at them:

"Sympathy, I'm not interested in sympathizing with him, Tim Duncan is the next clown!"

"Go ask Carter, that guy still hasn't forgiven Bruce Bowen. If the league hadn't issued a rule, the Spurs wouldn't have restricted their special defense."

"If the Lakers can make it to the finals, I will definitely beat this guy and Kobe. Two clowns together will definitely end in a funny way."

As if he saw his opponent shedding tears on the court, Artest was in high spirits and couldn't wait to have a game right now. He couldn't get over the loss to the Lakers that year, and he just wanted to prove himself again.

David Lee and several members of the atmosphere group were also discussing in a low voice that whether the Lakers would break through after eliminating the traitor has become a hot topic recently.

Li You sat together with several members of the coaching staff. D'Antoni was also paying attention to the movements of his opponents. However, once a trade took place, it would be difficult for him to predict what kind of chemical reaction would occur on the Lakers.

"What do you think, Lee? Do you think Duncan has a chance to return to the finals? The triangle offense, everyone is talking about it again recently."

Well-known championship coaches all have their own tactical systems, and D'Antoni also has one. He has infinitely improved the abilities of core guards and was called "Give the ball to Lee" by some basketball commentators.

D'Antoni doesn't care about outside comments. Instead, in several interviews, he publicly stated that the Knicks' core tactics are just as they said, which shocked many basketball critics.

"I like playing against Derek, and if they choose to switch, I don't mind the challenge."

"Times have long changed. Three points are one point more than two points. It's about the matchup. It's hard for any team to cause trouble for us."

Li You spoke these words slowly, which made the man with a mustache nod repeatedly. Assistant coach Mike Malone thought of his own work and was too powerless to complain for a moment.

It was hard not to have the illusion that winning or losing depended entirely on the "big shot". Thinking of the invitation he had received, Mike Malone could not help but change his mind again:
"Without the players who carry the dream, I should have stayed here."

"."

During the game at 19:30 that night, a large number of Spurs fans held up white boards with the words "Stay" and shouted Duncan's name from time to time.

Due to the back-to-back games, Popovich was still "saving" as usual. When Duncan was not in good shape and had emotional problems, he finally chose to "rest him during the game."

Facing the inside combination of Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto, the excited Chandler frequently grabbed offensive rebounds, once again proving his strength to the fans.

The Spurs only scored 41 points in the first half, and the game lost suspense early on.

In the end, the score was 124:85, and the Spurs suffered their second consecutive defeat, losing back-to-back games again.
There was no polite greeting as usual. Perhaps Duncan also felt that abandoning his own city was not a glorious thing, so the former MVP left the player tunnel early.

JR Smith was in no mood to pay attention to what happened to the Spurs. He just liked to be in a favorable situation. In his first game after returning from injury, he made 11 of 6 shots, 7 of 4 from beyond the three-point line, and 4 of 3 free throws, scoring 19 points!
Li You is always generous with his praise for his teammates who are in excellent form. After the game, he took the initiative to hug JR Smith and encouraged him as he walked towards the player tunnel:

"Good job, man! Keep it up and you'll have a chance to win the Sixth Man of the Year trophy!"

"As long as you feel good, you can take the initiative to ask for the ball, but if you don't score, remember to defend hard. You know, the coach likes players who try their best in every game."

After being tapped on the shoulder twice, JR Smith bent over with joy, a flattering smile appeared on his face again, and he agreed immediately:
"I know, I promise to kill those bastards. We are a family, and I want to play in New York."

Rondo, who was standing behind, curled his lips secretly when he saw this scene. There were too many flatterers in the team, and as long as Li You showed his goodwill, everyone would "lick him hard".

He performed mediocrely in tonight's game. In fact, sending out 8 assists is already very good, but when he thought of the comments from the New York media, Rondo was still a little depressed:

"Idiot who only watches highlights!"

Rondo felt much more comfortable after cursing in his heart. JR Smith is more popular than him in New York, not because the other party performs better, but because the highlights are better.

On Saturday, January 1th, the Knicks continued their away game, flying to Houston to complete a back-to-back away game.

The Rockets started the new season with a fierce momentum, but as McGrady was injured again, their record began to slip, with 16 wins and 17 losses, and they have fallen out of the top half.

In the game that night, although it was a back-to-back game, the Knicks were in better shape and quickly gained the advantage against the Rockets who were missing McGrady.

Alston made 6 of 1 shots in the first half and scored 2 points. The Rockets made 10 of 1 shots from beyond the three-point line, which made head coach Adelman frown.

Absolute height is no longer popular in the league. Although Yao Ming has lost some weight, he is still a disaster in defending pick-and-roll. The Rockets coaching staff has no way to deal with this.

118:83, when the game ended, many fans had left the Toyota Center. McGrady, dressed in a suit, looked furious, as if they should have won the game.

Mutombo did not have the same emotions as his teammates. The veteran has shared his championship experience and he has tried his best. As for the poor record, that is the problem of the core players.

In two consecutive away games, Li You made 13 assists, and Chandler was well fed. His outstanding performance can help him enter this year's All-Star reserve lineup.

McGrady looked unhappy during the interview. Iverson's "loyalty" was rewarded as he surpassed him in the second stage of fan voting.

What made him even more unacceptable was that even Paul was a little ahead of him. Faced with such a situation, McGrady finally pointed the finger at Duncan and said sarcastically with sleepy eyes:
"In the past, we were all loyal to our own team. This is the unspoken rule in the league. You have to carry your own territory."

"I don't understand the changes in the league now. I don't know why I am ranked fourth. If I am healthy, I have the ability to average 30 points per game, but the fans seem to have forgotten this."

"I don't like this situation. People are voting based on emotions. This is not how the All-Star Game should be!"

The ESPN reporter obviously looked down on the outdated "second person" who liked "IF". As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately asked:
"Based on the current results, will the Rockets be able to get past the first round after securing a playoff spot?"

McGrady became even more furious. "The referee has problems, the lineup depth is poor, and injuries ruin the team." After hearing these words, the locker room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

On Thursday, January 1, after a short break, the Knicks first defeated the Bulls on the road, and then won again against the Rockets in a back-to-back game.

The popularity of the New Year's undefeated team was taken away by more specific trade rumors on the same day. TNT's show that night revealed the Lakers' chips:
"Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Marc Gasol, and two first-round draft picks."

Although it cannot be confirmed yet, according to internal sources, the deal will be completed around February 2st, and the Lakers have also received a response from Duncan on his contract extension.

In the studio, when Kenny Smith announced the relevant news seriously, Charles Barkley on the other side kept shaking his head. As soon as his partner finished speaking, he immediately shouted to the camera:
"Los Angeles robbed San Antonio! They stole the MVP in front of the Spurs fans!"

"."

Ernie Johnson, who was sitting in the center, also felt that the league had become outrageous. However, when he thought about the Spurs' operations over the years, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart without commenting on the show:
“Maybe this is the reward for loyalty.”

(End of this chapter)