NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 562: A game where you can only lose but not win? (Giant Chapter)
On Thursday, May 2008, 5, the Celtics had a Game 22 and there was no game that day, so the veterans continued to rest.

Judging from the schedule, the league is still very considerate. If the game is played the next day, the "Big Four" will most likely be wiped out on the road.

In Game 1, facing the Knicks, whose 8 players scored in double figures, the Celtics, who rotated nearly 7 players, had no power to resist.

Fortunately, Boston newspapers will find excuses. On the ESPN side, famous columnist Bill Simmons also cheered the home team on his personal blog:

"After a tough Game 7, the Celtics have transformed. Now they need time."

"As long as they can temporarily shake off their physical fatigue, the veterans will surely fight back."

Many columnists hold the same view, believing that Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is just a test. Some even believe that the first two away games are not important and that defending the home court is the key.

However, these articles and reports were immediately overshadowed by Li You’s personal news. Manchester United won the Champions League again through a penalty shootout, and the Red Devils all over the world were excited!

The script of this Champions League final was very exciting. When Ronaldo missed the penalty kick and burst into tears, all Manchester United fans were heartbroken.

But when Terry slipped and missed the penalty, the delighted Chelsea fans were all dumbfounded.

The two key figures who shed tears on the court had different endings. Manchester United did not waste any more opportunities in the end. They defeated their opponents 6:5 and lifted the Champions League trophy!
The photo of Li You and Ferguson hugging and celebrating at the Luzhniki Stadium swept the sports media in many countries, and the photo of Manchester United board members with the trophy went viral in the UK.

It wasn’t a PR campaign, but a group of journalists trying to be sarcastic about Roman Abramovich. A columnist in Manchester even openly mocked him:

"No amount of rubles can turn Chelsea into a top club. They are corrupted by money and lack championship culture!"

"."

The customized UEFA Champions League edition of Ace of Spades was also very successful and the sales of this champagne have been very stable.

Although Jay-Z and his black brothers are still boycotting, Li You is still making money. He also sponsored the Golf Open, and related events have different color schemes. The market has been completely opened up.

No one in the NBA blamed Li You for traveling halfway around the world to watch the game. Although the commentators all have amnesia, they can't stop Li You from proving himself over the years.
Time has given the answer. Li You is the big winner. Instead of blaming him, it is better to cheer for the Celtics. At least they should not surrender at halftime in Game 2.

Last night, the Lakers once again easily defeated the Suns. After winning two home games in a row, the calls for Los Angeles to return to the finals are getting louder and louder!

Most sports programs were reviewing the game in the morning, but in the afternoon, the Cavaliers had another big news. They directly announced the head coach for next season:

"We are honored to have Coach Mike Brown coach the team. He will inject a brand new system into the team."

At the simple press conference, Mike Brown, wearing round-frame glasses and with a bright smile, looked very happy in front of Cleveland sports reporters. After leaving the Rockets, he found a job again!

Many basketball commentators expressed their confusion about the Cavaliers' decision.

Everyone thought that Avery Johnson, a young coach who had experienced the finals, would get the job, but Mike Brown, who did not have a good resume, won in the end.

The Cavaliers management's actions were incomprehensible, but Gilbert, who attended the press conference, smiled and praised:

"Mike has designed more than 50 plays for LeBron and Dwight, and his ability has been recognized by everyone!"

Mike Brown suffered a great loss when he applied for the head coach position at the Knicks last time. This time he brought a PPT and stunned the Cavaliers management at once. The colorful pie made the other party dizzy!
When the re-employed Black Bread was praised, he behaved very reservedly, just showing his white teeth, smiling at everyone, and straightened the microphone, and expressed his position again:

"I have been following the Cavaliers. You know, being able to coach two young first-team players is something many coaches dream of!"

"James and Howard have begun to realize their talents. It is a great honor to witness the growth of these two young men. I believe the Cavaliers will be successful."

This era is actually not very friendly to coaches. Li You's success has dramatically increased the players' voice. Coupled with the fact that D'Antoni is always "off", coaches in the league have changed their coaching methods.

Mike Brown not only didn't think it was wrong to apply for a job with a PPT, but he was actually a little secretly delighted after his success, completely lacking the airs of a head coach.

The sports reporters in the audience didn't know how the management made such a decision. They were more concerned about another question. TNT reporters quickly started asking questions:
"Mike, have you communicated with James? Will the team continue with the current tactical system next season?"

When talking about LeBron James, Mike Brown smiled even more brightly. He thought he had mastered the "secret to success", so he boasted quite blatantly when answering questions:

"We have been communicating these past two days. LeBron has given me a lot of advice about the team. I have to say that he is more mature than I thought!"

"As for the tactical system, you can look forward to it. Coach Van Gundy has made the Cavaliers a disciplined team, and I plan to unleash the talents of some players."

"."

"Unleashing players' talents" is basically equivalent to "giving the ball to the best player." The Knicks have pushed this tactic to the extreme, and more and more teams are following suit.

Some sports reporters secretly curled their lips at this answer, and couldn't help thinking, "I can do it too." They finally saw clearly that Mike Brown was also an "AFK player."

The press conference was a complete success. Brown hugged everyone he met. The Cavaliers are much better than the Rockets. Not only have the salaries been improved, but the depth of the lineup is also much better than Houston.

For a "rookie coach", being able to take over the Cavaliers is already half the battle. Mike Brown just wants to keep it stable for a few years, and then the championship will come naturally.

LeBron James participated in the coach selection process. He hugged Mike Brown warmly in front of the media and said to everyone:

"We have to look forward. I believe in Coach Mike Brown. His tactics shocked me. I felt like I was back in high school, with more desire in my body."

"MVP? Yes, like I said, I will challenge for this award. I am confident that I can compete with Lee!"

This statement satisfied many sports reporters. Young people should be as "competitive" as James. Wade, who is suing his wife every day, is obviously behind.

Seeing everyone's reactions, James felt better. After being reminded by his agent, he also discovered the "traffic code". As long as he "competed" with Li You, he could get extra attention.

Among the young people, the last one to reap the dividends was his good brother Wade. Now it is his turn to enjoy the dividends. Even if he does not win the award, the commentators will not forget him!

When the press conference was over, Gilbert pulled Mike Brown aside. As the team owner, he was very satisfied with the head coach, who only needed $300 million a year:
"Mike, when do you think we can win the championship? You know, the fans in Cleveland are looking forward to the team breaking the curse." Mike Brown showed an embarrassment on his black face. He didn't want to make big promises to his boss. After a little thought, he looked into his eyes and said seriously:
"Our chance will be around 2010, when both the Celtics and the Knicks will have aged their rosters and a new generation of players will make their debut."

Noticing a hint of dissatisfaction on his boss's face, Mike Brown pushed his glasses and changed the subject while reminding him:
"We should renew LeBron's contract as early as possible. His contract is a hidden danger. After this short contract expires, the team will lose its voice."

Among the players of the 03 class, except for James, Wade and Bosh, most of the other famous young players signed long-term contracts, and Carmelo Anthony is one of them.

Hearing this, Gilbert smiled and shook his head. He looked very confident. He patted the rookie coach on the shoulder, walked slowly and said:
"I never worry about LeBron's contract. He grew up here. This is his hometown. He is the 'chosen one' of Cleveland. There is no reason for him to leave!"

"."

On the TNT show that night, the trio also discussed the Cavaliers' new head coach at the beginning of the show. Charles Barkley commented bluntly:

"Obviously this is a very arbitrary choice, and in my opinion, the Cavaliers' management is just trying to please James and Howard."

"I got the news that the agents of both players put forward conditions to the management. I don't like to see this kind of thing. The players should focus on the game."

"These young people may not realize that a strict head coach will bring greater help to their careers. I am not optimistic about this choice!"

It's almost an open secret that superstar agents manipulate trades and participate in coaching selections, and this phenomenon is becoming more and more common, even to the disdain of some old-school players.

Kenny Smith has no interest in offending anyone. As always, he spoke well of the Cavaliers management and gave his own predictions:

"I think Mike Brown's talent is underestimated. He always suffered injuries when he coached the Rockets. Otherwise, he would have achieved greater success."

"I think he can further unleash the talent of LeBron James by coaching the Cavaliers this time!"

"In the new season, the Cavaliers support James to make an impact on the MVP. If head coach Mike Brown can lead the team to 60 wins, I will definitely vote for them."

Hearing his partner's increasingly outrageous words, Ernie Johnson was at a loss for words. He was so arrogant that people who didn't know would think James and Mike Brown had topped up their accounts:
"What do you think about tomorrow night's game? After losing Game 1, Coach Rivers didn't say much. The Celtics seemed to be a little dull and they seemed to lack confidence."

Charles Barkley began to speak against his will. Seeing the failure of the "groupers", he was actually very happy:
"I would like to call Game 1 a test. We just finished a tiebreaker, and it was a tiebreaker that went to the very last minute. I don't think anyone believed that the Celtics could win the game."

"Coach Rivers made the right choice. At least in the second game, they won't leave Rajon Rondo open easily. The series has just begun and they have enough time to adjust."

"."

Looking at his partner who was talking nonstop, Kenny Smith had a strange look on his face. He seemed to hear this statement every year. If he remembered correctly, all the teams that "tried" it ended up failing.

In the studio, Ernie Johnson kept nodding his head. He didn't interrupt his partner's boasting. Anyway, Boston fans would definitely like what he said, as they really needed encouragement.

Just thinking about this fixed drama that seems to happen every year, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith looked at each other and couldn't help but have the same thought in their minds:
"Maybe Lynch Hunt is right!"

On the morning of Friday, May 5, the Celtics arrived at Madison Square Garden early to warm up. After the crushing defeat, everyone was silent.

Lynch Hunter, who has officially announced his retirement to the outside world, expressed a point in an interview, which made many veterans break their defense:

"The entire Eastern Conference has been playing basketball games with Lee for so many years. Now I don't want to play anymore. I want to go back to my family. Basketball has only brought me harm!"

This is a bit hypocritical. After all, NBA players can get very good salaries as long as they can enter the rotation. For the sake of US dollars, it won't hurt.
Sports reporters did not report these words too much. In recent years, there are fewer and fewer "Lee Woo-hei". All past experience has become ineffective. Instead, the careers of those sycophants are becoming more and more prosperous.

In this situation, no one can resist money. You shoot and I shoot, everyone says good things, fans feel comfortable watching, and writing becomes easy.

Garnett spent most of his career in the Western Conference and didn't have any special feelings about it, but Pierce was different. He was indeed beaten for many years.

In the G1 game, Pierce lost his temper at the start when he met his old rival Artest. He traveled at a different time and Prince made it difficult for him to play.

Even in some individual matchups, the increasingly "strong" Dio was able to limit him. The Knicks' front line was as stable as ever, so stable that Pierce felt afraid.

There were a large number of sports reporters on the sidelines, and the cameras were all aimed at the players who were dribbling the ball and shooting. Being the focus was what Pierce had always dreamed of, but now he did not feel any joy in his heart.

Near noon, the training ended and Pierce returned to the locker room in frustration, looking completely devoid of fighting spirit.

"Pau, I don't like your form! Listen, we already expected to lose G1. The best result is to win an away game. The key to the game lies at home."

"You have to show fighting spirit. You have been playing for the Celtics since you entered the league. You are the real core of this team!"

"I don't mind focusing on defense, I just want to win the damn championship!"

Garnett moved closer to Pierce, stared at him and whispered hatefully, and finally slammed the chair twice to express his dissatisfaction to his teammates.

"Bang! Bang!"

The sound of the collision brought Pierce back to his senses. Seeing Garnett glaring at him, he immediately adjusted his mood and whispered:
"I have to admit, I may not be able to handle the defense! Man, they know me too well. I think I need help."

These words made Garnett very angry. Marbury came over at some point and without waiting for his old teammate to respond, he immediately said viciously:

"Damn it! Teach them a lesson. Basketball is not a shooting game. We can lose, but they won't have an easy time either!"

The two became more and more excited as they talked, and they used all kinds of moves such as swinging elbows, kicking legs, pinching waists, pulling pants, etc. If they couldn't keep up with the opponent's rhythm, they would just commit a foul.

Pierce opened his mouth wide, but did not respond immediately. Thinking of the "game of losing but not winning" over the years, he suddenly became angry and said in a hateful voice:
"You're right, I'm going to make them pay!"

"."

(End of this chapter)