NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 626 "The last grudge game in my career?" (Daily chapter)

On Wednesday, April 2009, 4, the Pistons visited New York for the last time this season, and whether Allen Iverson could extend his losing record became a major concern for fans!

34 wins and 43 losses. Although the team's record is not good, Iverson is expected to lead the team into the playoffs with the help of his peers.

The good news is that they can still play in the first round even if they lose like this. The bad news is that once the Pistons rank 8th, they will face the Knicks again.

The chain reaction brought about by this embarrassing situation is that Detroit fans are not buying it. Some people even launched an appeal on social media, resolutely not going to watch the game on site. The reason is also very simple:
"I never want to see the Knicks at the Palace of Auburn Hills again!"

As the regular season drew to a close, Iverson had a hard time. After playing as a substitute several times, he began to complain publicly, directly dividing the Pistons locker room.

He has criticized the referees after the game more than once, and has paid $7 in fines this season alone. In addition, his ankle and back injuries have affected his appearances, making it difficult for fans to support him.

Hamilton had some complaints about this, but he only spoke within the team. However, rookie Wilson Chandler had no respect for Iverson and became an insider, revealing the internal situation to the media reporters:

"Iverson doesn't want to play team basketball at all, he just wants to be in the spotlight himself!"

"He missed training sessions a few times, was late sometimes, and he doesn't love the sport as much as you think he does."

In early April, Rasheed Wallace had just recovered from a left calf strain, but he accumulated 4 technical fouls after his debut. As a result, he was immediately suspended for one game after returning from injury.

The Pistons lost the game and Rasheed Wallace took the initiative to take responsibility, but many players couldn't hold it anymore. They didn't want to rank 8th and play in the playoffs at all.

Wilson Chandler is one of them. In the past, he didn't react so much to losing, but after Iverson came, everything changed. The extra attention made them collectively become "clowns."

Whenever they lose to the Knicks, a group of winning fans will laugh wildly after the game, the commentators will point fingers, and the Detroit fans will also complain, and the conflicts in the locker room will begin to deepen.

Seeing that the Pistons had a chance to get the 8th place, the team was completely divided internally. Only Iverson was "full of energy" and gave a moving speech in the locker room before the game. Naturally, the response was mediocre.

At 19:30 p.m. that evening, Madison Square Garden was packed with more than fans showing great enthusiasm for tonight's game!
Many people held up whiteboards without any insulting words, just bold numbers in orange and blue:
"48."

After the All-Star Weekend, Raja Bell had to rest due to right knee inflammation and back spasms. He only played four games in March and then sprained his ankle.

The frequent injuries are partly related to the relatively dense schedule, but a large number of games still consumed Raja Bell's body. He returned to the starting lineup tonight, but his condition was obviously not as good as the unstable JR Smith.

Halfway through the first quarter, Hamilton slipped across the baseline from right to left, and with the help of Rasheed Wallace's screen, he successfully made a jump shot in the left blocking area.

In the MSG commentary booth, seeing Raja Bell being easily thrown away, Walter Frazier could only sigh:

"Bell obviously hasn't recovered to his best form, I'm starting to worry about Pau Gasol!"

"Maybe Coach D'Antoni should consider letting his big men return to the game sooner rather than later. We're definitely going to have a hard time in the playoffs."

Although the Pistons completed an attack quickly, the players who retreated did not communicate. Antonio McDyess shouted loudly on the court, but only Hamilton responded simply among those who were reminded.

"I agree to let the players find their game form. We are relieved that the Cavaliers lost to the Wizards."

"Lee has broken his own three-point record, but I think everyone is used to such magical performances. I hope he can continue to expand his record tonight and in the remaining three games!"

Mike Breen called for more rotations and started to brag about it. In fact, most fans have become numb to this record because the single-season three-pointer list is all Li You's name.
Last month, Lee You broke his own record of 361 three-pointers, which excited fans of the game and New York fans, and this is also the reason for the increase in ticket prices;

For those old rivals, this record is simply a nightmare. Philadelphia and Boston next door have begun to "deceive themselves":
“There’s no difference between 361 and 400.”

The same goes for Detroit fans. No one has ever thought about a surprise elimination match. Many even hoped that the team would go fishing. In their view, some games were simply a "humiliation" on the spot.

"Oh!!"

Shouts echoed throughout the arena. At the top of the arc, Iverson tried hard to control the defensive distance and lower his center of gravity. Without his signature furrowed hair, he looked more like a "good boy."

Seeing Li You slowing down with the ball in his left hand, Iverson raised his hand tentatively, trying to interfere.

As soon as his opponent took a step, Li You immediately lowered his center of gravity, pulled the ball back with his left hand, and then suddenly changed direction drastically. The basketball passed in front of him in an instant, and Iverson had no time to slide.

Cheers rang out again. He almost passed his opponent in one step, and Li You, who held the ball in his right hand, lowered his shoulders and accelerated. The moment he crossed the three-point line, he stopped immediately.

Iverson, who was chasing him, tried hard to control his center of gravity and stopped. Before he could make any defensive moves, Li You threw the ball hard and gave him physical confrontation.

The quick collision made Iverson stumble. Seeing his old opponent dribbling the ball calmly behind his back and already outside the three-point line, he didn't care about his own embarrassing posture and immediately jumped up to defend.
"squeak!"

The basketball was already flying towards the basket, and the referee blew the whistle the moment it hit his arm. Iverson didn't even bother to complain. He turned his head immediately after landing, and then a huge cheer rang in his ears again.

"The 401st three-pointer! An incredible record. Li is in great shape!"

Mike Breen, like the New York fans at the scene, began to cheer for the new record. Just as MSG advertised, every game can create new history.

To witness history, you naturally have to spend more US dollars.

After being broken through continuously since the opening, and now being shot in the face, Iverson did not complain anymore, but walked silently to the three-point line, leaned on his knees, and stared at the floor with his head down.

Rasheed Wallace, who was standing next to the paint, also looked numb. The Pistons had almost lost their energy. The referee who served the ball almost sighed when he saw this situation. It was really miserable.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

As Li You made the free throw, the shouting in the stadium became louder and louder. Head coach Michael Curry requested a timeout. Looking at the dull bench, the former Pistons player cursed secretly.

After becoming a coach, Michael Curry still faced his former opponent. He did not blame his players. Seeing Iverson bowing his head and keeping silent after returning to his seat, he could only continue to encourage him:

"We performed very well! Pay attention to the opponent's transition offense, everyone help Allen with defense, and don't let me see you complaining to each other on the court!"

Seeing the head coach staring at him, Wilson Chandler nodded, while Antonio McDyess kept drinking from the water bottle. He was fed up with the atmosphere on the scene.

When the timeout ended and the game resumed, Kwame Brown, who served as the leader of the atmosphere group, made low calls from time to time and kept whispering with Jason Maxiell and others:

"It's all over! I even doubt that Iverson will choose to retire after losing this year's game."

Kwame Brown scowled and covered his mouth, muttering in a low voice. Although it sounded outrageous, several people nodded slightly.

Especially when he saw Li You once again use the transition offense to break through the middle and cause Iverson to foul, the newbie Will Bynum covered his face and immediately whispered:

"Maybe it would be better to let Starkey defend Lee. God! This is a complete crushing victory!"

"." On the other side, there was jubilation on the Knicks bench. JR Smith and Marion came on as substitutes during free throws. Prince and Raja Bell, who came off the bench, kept high-fiving their teammates.

Dio, who was standing next to the paint area, began to put his hands on his hips. The impact of the big man made him pay more attention to rebounds. The relatively intensive schedule recently consumed his energy.

Thaddeus Young hoped that he could play earlier, but D'Antoni on the sidelines did not greet him in advance, and the newbie was a little disappointed.

This month he started to play at the 3rd and 4th positions and felt that he was in very good shape.

"Bro, you'll get your chance!"

Chalmers, who was delivering water to his teammates, returned to his seat and comforted the newbie next to him. In fact, his playing time was even less, but Rondo had already confirmed his departure, and he would be able to enter the rotation next season, so he was in a better state of mind.

"I know, I just want to get some more numbers in the last few games. The GMSC has been declining recently."

When talking about data in a low voice, a depressed look appeared on Thaddeus Young's face. Data expert Hollinger not only writes for ESPN, but also writes for the New York Sun.

In order to promote his own data theory, Hollinger established connections with the Knicks, and this season GMSC was officially included in the coaching staff's reference system.

At the beginning of the season, I hadn't realized the power of Excel, but as the schedule progressed, various data tables began to help D'Antoni put the team together, and Thaddeus Young had to work harder and was almost overwhelmed.
As the two men whispered to each other, the competition had already entered another stage.

Rasheed Wallace just made a jump shot against Dio's defense in the left blocking area and quickly retreated back to half court. Before he could find his footing, Li You forced his way past Iverson at the top of the arc, forcing Wilson Chandler to move to help defend.

Wallace, who was guarding the right corner, had no time to assist in defending the basket, and Marion, who received the ball on the right wing and immediately broke through, had already cut into the paint area.

McDyess at the lower left side of the basket was concerned about Chandler behind him, and his teammates lost their position and failed to assist in defense in the first time. In the end, he watched Marion slam dunk with one hand to get two points.

Iverson finally hit a long two-pointer in the right blocking area with the help of a screen. Before he had time to celebrate, the Knicks, who were about to serve the ball from the baseline, had already launched a counterattack.

After receiving the ball at the top of the arc, Dio immediately handed it back to Li You, then accelerated to the left corner, and provided a simple screen for JR Smith who was moving upwards.

Wilson Chandler, who was running towards the right corner, found that Li You immediately broke through after receiving the ball again. He was only focused on looking at the upper line until the basketball flew towards the basket, then he realized that he had missed someone.

He accelerated his cut and jumped high. McDyess's interference under the basket had no effect. Marion took the lead, scooped the ball with both hands and dunked it hard!
"what!!"

Marion gradually regained his good form in the Suns as he ran. After landing, he immediately gave a thumbs up and patted the rookie who was defending him.

"Shet!"

Wilson Chandler turned his head and cursed while serving. When he thought about the opponent he might face in the playoffs, he became even more dissatisfied with Iverson. This big star destroyed the team's system!
After a series of quick counterattacks, both teams were not there to request a timeout, and the game time went by very quickly.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was fixed at 25:38. The difference was not big, but the New York fans at the scene started celebrating the victory in advance.

Iverson became more and more silent after returning to the bench. He made 4 of 1 shots, 2 points, 2 assists and 2 turnovers. His performance was as stable as ever. When he heard the coach asking Stacky to take over the task, he did not object.

In subsequent games, the Son of Philadelphia completely became a background board, and even JR Smith began to provoke this outdated superstar.

"48!!"

After making a three-pointer over Iverson's head, JR Smith took the lead in shouting, his grinning face formed a sharp contrast with his opponent.

More and more New York fans began to join in mocking Iverson. In this atmosphere, halfway through the third quarter, the Son of Philadelphia broke down, raised his hand and was substituted off the court.

"Lee, congratulations on your continued record-breaking run! God, I'm so excited, this is incredible"

Will Bynum, who had just come on the court, took advantage of Li You's free throws and showed a look of admiration on his dark face. He immediately praised loudly.

Rasheed Wallace was annoyed when he saw the rookie's behavior and started to mutter.

"Thanks, man! Say hello to Allen for me, I'm looking forward to seeing you again in the playoffs! Relax, it's just a regular season game now"

Li You showed a gentle smile on his face and encouraged Will Bynum, who had turned into a flatterer. The latter looked delighted again, patted his chest repeatedly, and almost offered his "loyalty" on the spot.

The game was still going on, and Iverson, who returned to the bench, was still ridiculed by many New York fans. Amid the sympathetic gazes of his teammates, the Son of Philadelphia covered his head with a towel and said nothing.

After entering the garbage time, players on both sides worked very hard. Rajon Rondo hoped to find his form, so Chalmers only got more than 3 minutes of playing time.

The Pistons' atmosphere group just felt inexplicable. The opponent's enthusiasm for the game was far beyond their imagination. When Thaddeus Young missed a shot, he would punch himself twice in frustration.
With everyone's efforts, the score difference was widened. When the final buzzer sounded, the game was fixed at 92:118. The Knicks narrowly defeated their opponents and still maintained the lead.

Immediately after the game, in the player tunnel, Iverson walked very quickly amid shouts of "48", causing laughter from the New York fans on both sides. Everyone has begun to look forward to the playoffs!
"Li, congratulations on breaking the record again, 405 three-pointers, this is amazing!"

Tina Chelvasio, who serves as MSG's chief reporter this season, was wearing a blue professional suit. When she talked about the record, she looked up and smiled, and also secretly showed off her figure.

"This is an achievement we have made together. The record is inseparable from everyone's support. Playing here will improve my shooting percentage."

Li You ignored the other team's "efforts" and waved to the audience after saying this. The loyal New York fans started to shout at the top of their lungs again:

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

"Lee, if we meet the Pistons again in the playoffs, what would you like to say to our old rivals?"

Tina Chelvacio smiled happily when she mentioned Iverson. She was also influenced by New York fans and liked to watch the fun more than the results of the game.

With a look of reminiscence on his face, Li You seemed to be seriously recalling the confrontation between the two. After pondering for a moment, he said seriously:

"Enjoy the game. I think he is looking forward to this matchup just like me!"

"."

Almost laughing out loud on the spot, Tina Chelvasi patted Li You twice affectionately, but in the end she laughed so hard that she was shaking with laughter.

No one knows what happened in the Pistons locker room, but Iverson, who was being taunted by sports reporters during a press conference, suddenly rapped:
"Whatever you say, I will never accept being a substitute. I am the scoring champion and I know how to win!"

"If no one accepts my leadership, I would rather retire directly!"

After saying this, Iverson, who was wearing a baggy suit, turned around and left. His arch-rival broke the record, and he was in a very bad mood. Thinking of his experience with the Pistons, he was even more disheartened:
“I just want to win once.”

(End of this chapter)