NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 650 "Loyalty" and "Shortcuts" (Daily Chapter)

On Wednesday, May 2009, 5, the Eastern Conference Finals was over. In the battle of honor, the Cavaliers fought tenaciously but were still suppressed throughout.

Faced with a sweep, LeBron James did not retreat to the player tunnel like he did in Game 3 when he faced a buzzer-beater. Instead, he actively interacted after the game, which managed to save a little face.

In the morning ESPN program, the important news announced by James in the post-game press conference was reviewed again, which also caused a lot of heated discussion:
"Losing the conference finals will not affect my decision to stay in Cleveland!"

"I'm an Akron kid, I'm not leaving my team, 67 wins, this is a great season, we'll discuss it in the offseason and make a decision."

When a TNT reporter asked about the Cavaliers' next move, James' answer was trade. Obviously, the Chosen One needs stronger teammates.

As one of the core players of the team, Howard gave a different answer. He seemed to be very satisfied with the team's current lineup depth. Howard mentioned more about the tactical position:

"I can dominate the paint! In the Eastern Conference Finals, everyone saw my influence on the game."

"Next season I will continue to hone my low-post skills. You know, I can't attack from outside the three-point line. I hope to get more support!"

"."

James wanted to change the lineup, but Howard wanted to be the absolute tactical core. The two had different opinions, and the commentators naturally gossiped actively after the game.

The Cavaliers have also paid a lot of luxury taxes this year, and it is not easy to further strengthen the team during the offseason. Gilbert, who was active a few days ago, did not make any relevant commitments.

Although they missed the championship, the Cavaliers' attendance this season has set a historical record. In terms of ticket sales, Cleveland is among the top three in the league.

It is difficult to just increase revenue. Knicks fans can ignore ticket prices, but Cavaliers fans are not so "noble" and firmly oppose price increases.

In addition, James only has one year left on his contract and there is no news about early renewal. The Chosen One called for reinforcements, but the result was that the management remained silent.

Another player who was equally low-key was Mike Brown. After seeing his opponent lift the division championship trophy at his home court, he reluctantly sent his blessings and left early.

When interviewed, the best coach was not as arrogant as before, but encouraged his opponents:
"We had a chance to change the game but Lee was so good, I can't even describe his performance!"

"Losing to the champions shows that the team still has room for improvement. We will come back. Failure is also a valuable asset."

One round of series created cracks in the Cavaliers locker room. Mo Williams performed mediocrely in four games. James wanted to change the lineup, especially the backcourt.

Delonte West also has a tendency to be put on the shelf. In Game 4, he shot 5 of 0 from beyond the three-point line and was "called in a meeting" by Cavaliers fans after the game.

Although the Cavaliers lost the game, there were many voices saying "James didn't lose"!
After all, there are really not many players who can have outstanding performances in all four games against the defending champions. Looking at Kobe's data in the finals, in terms of Excel, James is obviously stronger.

While a group of basketball commentators were discussing the future of the Cavaliers, New York newspapers once again showed a group photo of the division champions, and some of the headlines were very interesting:

"New York fans are looking forward to witnessing this moment at home."

The division championship is nothing new to New York fans. The team has been winning so many times over the years. Unfortunately, they have always won the trophy on the road.

On social media, many fans called out to Li You after the game, and most of the content was the same:

"God-Lee, we really need to witness the awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden."

New York began to celebrate the arrival of the finals again, getting closer and closer to the 8th consecutive championship, and everyone believed that the team could achieve this achievement.

The sports media in Los Angeles are also promoting the home team. Just like last year, as the finals approach, it has become a showdown between the East Coast and the West Coast.

This also made fans from other regions even more dissatisfied. They bought season tickets to support the home team, but in the end the home team was just there to serve as a foil?

As the Lakers face Game 5 tonight, a large number of people have begun to dig up old issues on social media, with more and more people criticizing Duncan for abandoning the Spurs.

As the broadcaster, ESPN also invited Garnett to warm up for the game in the afternoon. Garnett is the best player in the current team and is more suitable to discuss hot topics.

In the studio, Stuart Scott, as the host, was not polite. After talking about the preparations of the two teams, he immediately took the initiative to ask a question:

"Kevin, we all know how much you've done for the Timberwolves, but after joining the Celtics, you still failed to make it to the conference finals."

"Now that Tim Duncan has a chance to reach the finals again, looking back at last year's trade, what would you say now?"

Magic Johnson, who was also a guest, kept speaking well of the Lakers. He looked at Garnett, who was wearing a black suit, and said with an encouraging smile:
"You know, we can speak freely here, and fans want to hear real voices."

The Celtics were beaten badly by young players in the playoffs, and Garnett, who was troubled by a knee injury, had no way to deal with it.

In addition, the management wanted to trade his old teammate. Garnett, who was in a bad mood, attended the show partly to put pressure on the team:
"I think Tim Duncan made the right choice. I know him, and his desire for the championship is far beyond people's imagination!"

"Fans should sometimes understand us. Basketball is a game for five people. You can't pursue a championship with just one person."

Garnett couldn't help but raise his voice when talking about the team's lineup problems. Thinking of his own experience, the tough guy stared and talked about the players' difficulties again:

"Every team has its own championship window, and most players won't have many finals experiences throughout their careers."

"Injuries, locker room issues and luxury taxes will all affect the team's status. Winning the championship is more difficult than many people think."

With a look of approval on his face, Magic Johnson gave an expression that said "You're absolutely right" and continued:
"Some fans are too harsh on the stars! Looking back at history, every team that wins the championship has gathered a lot of outstanding talents!"

"I respect teams that strive for a championship, but there is nothing wrong with Kevin's opinion. Players have the right to make their own choices."

“Maybe some people will talk about Li, but it is because of Li’s appearance that Kevin and others made the current decision!”

To increase his persuasiveness, Magic Johnson cited the example of this year's conference finals, showed his signature smile in front of the camera, raised his voice and said:

“42.5分5.5篮板12.3助攻2.3抢断0.5盖帽2.0失误，李完全统治了分区决赛！”

"63.6% shooting and 52.0% three-point shooting are amazing."

"If you want to defeat him, there is only one choice."

Compared with the semifinals, Li You's finishing at the basket and mid-range shooting percentage have declined, but Howard's defense still played a role.

But in Garnett's view, such performance is simply outrageous. With such an opponent, fans call for "one man, one city" to pursue the championship, and no one in the league can do it.

Stuart Scott once again talked about the changes that happened with Duncan joining the Lakers, and Magic Johnson was full of praise.

Garnett also affirmed the strength of the Lakers this year. When talking about health issues, Garnett felt a little sad, as injuries cost him a season.

When discussing the upcoming finals, Magic Johnson also gave his own predictions, talking about the key to the Lakers' victory, and commented seriously:

"Kobe should share the ball more, whether it's tonight's game or the following games, if you want to win, you have to play team basketball."

"."

Although Garnett has never experienced the finals, he also gave Duncan sincere advice at this time and took this opportunity to express his attitude towards teamwork:

"My advice to Duncan is, don't care about the outside world's evaluation, and don't let loyalty hurt you!"

In the studio, the two people who heard this had different expressions. Stuart Scott pushed his glasses subconsciously. It was really hard to evaluate him.

Magic Johnson seemed to be trying to hold back his laughter. He holds the highest honor of the "One Man, One City Award". Seeing Garnett seriously making excuses, he couldn't shake off the sense of disobedience in his heart.

The outside public opinion did not affect Duncan. He warmed up actively as usual. Although he was not the first to arrive at the stadium, he was not always the last to appear like Li You.

Young people call for more talent, but Duncan doesn't care about that. He just wants to win the championship and then return to San Antonio, where he can live the life he likes.

The sports reporters watching the game all noticed Duncan's condition. The MVP had been practicing free throws and it seemed that the only thing he had in his eyes was the basket.

His focused performance is admirable. The finals are coming and we can't stop writing. Many reporters have updated their information. Duncan deserves recognition this year.

Kobe started training at 4 a.m., and although Duncan was not so extreme, he also reduced the company of his family and focused on the game throughout the season.

The sports reporters surrounding him rushed over after Duncan finished warming up, and the latter did not refuse. As they were about to enter the finals, Duncan was in a good mood.

"Tim, what do you think of Garnett's advice to you? You have been competing with each other in the past. Do you agree with his point of view?"

The TNT reporter asked a question, and someone was acting as a megaphone. Duncan lowered his head and listened carefully, then shook his head slightly and said calmly:

"I failed to fulfill my original promise, and leaving the Spurs also set a bad example for young people."

"But for the championship, I am willing to sacrifice these. Loyalty is still worth praising. Lee did it. As an opponent, I still want to praise him for the winning culture he created for New York."

"I hope young people don't take shortcuts, because I know what I have lost. We will all grow old, and the future belongs to them."

The surrounding sports reporters couldn't help but widen their eyes when they heard Duncan actually deny himself. This was completely opposite to Garnett's behavior of covering up the group.

After briefly answering a few questions, Duncan turned and left, leaving sports reporters with different expressions.

It takes courage to deny yourself. When thinking of the finals that Duncan lost, an ESPN reporter sighed:
"Without Lee, maybe Tim Duncan would have won the championship a long time ago."

"."

After the game started at 20 p.m., Billups had to leave the court in less than 6 minutes due to a groin injury.

Anthony Carter, who came off the bench, also failed to complete his task well. Lacking the championship experience, the Nuggets fell into one-on-one play early on.

As time passed, the game became one-sided. Kobe calmed down after returning to his home court, transformed into a reasonable Mamba, made frequent mistakes, and failed to lead the Nuggets to counterattack.

On the Lakers team, Lamar Odom performed extremely well, and "Kardashian's encouragement" seemed to have worked.

At the end of the first half, the score was 38:56. The Staples Center was already boiling with excitement. The Lakers fans at the scene couldn't wait to witness the division championship!
Anthony, who clocked out in the third quarter, was replaced early. When he returned to the bench, he couldn't help but throw the towel in anger. The gap in the lineup was too big.

"Damn game!"

The Lakers fans were laughing at Anthony at this point, and the latter yelled in anger, then started to sulk again.

Kenyon Martin performed well in the first half, but he was unable to limit Duncan at all. The latter was almost making fun of him and always blocked him in the next few games.

“Why did they lose so much last year?”

Hearing Kenyon Martin's whisper, no one on the bench said anything. The opponent they were mocking was actually ridiculously strong.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

The Lakers fans at the scene cheered for Duncan who completed the free throw. Phil Jackson on the sidelines also patted the core player with a satisfied smile on his face.

13中7，罚球7中6，20分11篮板4助攻2抢断3盖帽，邓肯的数据平平无奇，却完美完成了自己的任务。

After the fourth quarter began, on the ESPN commentary booth, Van Gundy saw that the Nuggets still could not launch an effective counterattack, and a look of approval appeared on his face:

"Compared to last season, the Lakers have the temperament of a champion. In this year's playoffs, they almost crushed all opponents."

"I noticed the Knicks' state, they have declined on the defensive end, which is good news for the Lakers."

This season, the Knicks' defensive performance is no longer as dominant as in the past, and many offensive battles have masked this.

Mark Jackson agreed, and then added his concerns that he still doesn't like the Lakers:
"I was impressed by JR Smith's performance. Lee trusted him very much. The two of them even took 20 shots from beyond the three-point line."

"The Nuggets' rotation lacks such a role. In the offseason, they can work towards this direction. Anthony needs more support."

"."

The game officially ended with cheers resounding throughout the stadium, 90:110. The Lakers gentlemanly swept their opponents and entered the finals again.

Kobe, wearing a white training suit, had a determined expression on his face, clenched his fist to celebrate, kept hugging his teammates, and did not forget to wave to his family.

The camera was always focused on Mamba. In his sixth finals in his career, Kobe proved his strength.

Anthony didn't say much. He greeted loudly and quickly walked into the player tunnel. When he saw the league staff had already pushed out the trophy, he felt even more sad.

A division championship is beyond the reach of many players, but for the two core players of the Lakers, it is just a small trophy.

In the center of the venue, as the spherical trophy was pushed up, cheers came one after another. Neither Kobe nor Duncan smiled, but Shannon Brown and several members of the atmosphere group were laughing happily.

After old Buss simply lifted the trophy, the atmosphere on the scene reached a climax. This is the advantage of winning at home, and the fans can also participate deeply.

"Come, Tim! Come say something, this is your team!"

Ignoring Kobe's dark face, old Buss greeted Duncan warmly, and without giving the other party a chance to refuse, he directly handed the microphone to him, and the players behind him followed suit.

"67 wins, the finals, this is a great season, now I just want to say thank you, thank you for supporting the team!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Duncan took the microphone and expressed his gratitude, and there were waves of cheers.

Kobe in the back was also clapping, but there was no smile on his face. When he took the microphone, he immediately said:

"We still have unfinished work. I don't want to lose anymore. I will do everything I can to win back the respect of the Lakers."

Fisher and Barnes chattered again, and Ariza also showed an expectant look. The finals, they are coming.

On Thursday, May 5, the Knicks were still on vacation and the coaching staff had no special arrangements for the finals.

After Li You returned to New York, he came to the Peninsula Manor in Greenwich. The elderly dog ​​Happy was fed by the little ones and became twice as fat. He even went to the pet hospital because of his greed.

Li You sent the children directly back to Manhattan. He was busy dealing with emails and attending parties and practicing basketball these two days, and only relaxed when the weekend was approaching.

The plot of the short film shot by five people last night was too intense, and only Elizabeth Olsen woke up early. Noticing that it was almost 5 o'clock, the young girl let out a low cry.

Seeing her two sisters and Scarlett still sleeping naked, Elizabeth pulled her arms away and left the room quietly without noticing Li You.

After a quick shower, the young girl went to the study on the second floor. Seeing Li You was on the phone, she immediately slowed down.

"Help me turn down those boring interviews. Consider doing them after the finals."

"These guys never have anything new to say in every interview. I arranged an exclusive with Bleacher Report (B/R). Matt, you can arrange some rookies too."

Li You, who was sitting in front of the computer, smiled when talking about the new media he invested in. After expanding the business in the UK, the number of users increased rapidly. In another two years, he would be able to make some money again.

"I know. Damn it! I still have to help Shannon Brown deal with the lawsuit. The Los Angeles media is crazy. They actually want to expose this news at this time."

"."

Matt Bartelstein from the Chicago office cursed the boring reporters when he mentioned the trouble. Shannon Brown was sued by a girl and the two sides had a dispute over "contract issues."

"It won't be a problem even if the news comes out, but I still wish you good luck, Bro!" Li You just ended the video call when he was hugged by the young girl behind him. Elizabeth Olsen kissed him first, then looked at the schedule on the computer and asked curiously:

"Dear, why did you refuse interviews with CNN, Fox, the Associated Press and so many other media?"

Pulling the young girl in a thin nightgown into his arms, Li You hugged her and chuckled as he looked at the media names on the computer:
"Because I don't need this exposure, and I don't want the content of the interview to be misinterpreted by some people a few years later."

"Would you like more attention? Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, or some other media outlet? Your sister would love to see it."

Li You turned his head to look at the young girl and helped her tidy up her wet hair. Elizabeth Olsen blinked and did not follow the sisters' arrangement. Instead, she leaned over and whispered in her ear:

"I still want to continue my studies. I can help take care of the little ones and Happy."

After the twin sisters' movie flopped, they always wanted the younger sister to inherit some resources. Li You was also won over by the temptation and agreed to invest as soon as there was a script.

However, the young girl seemed to have her own plans. Li You wanted to continue persuading her, but when he saw her sincere eyes, his words were blocked in his mouth.

The two people's passionate kiss was soon interrupted by "whimpering sounds", and the elderly dog ​​also squeezed next to Li You and cried non-stop.

Olsen shyly lowered his head and pulled up the sling on his shoulders, then happily jumped in front of the elderly dog, smiled and stroked the dog's head while happily saying:

"Happy, did you miss me? Do you want me to take you to Central Park?"

Happy responded actively with a husky smile, and the young girl was very happy, but Li You knew that the old dog was missing his mistress again.
Thinking that Milinda was still in New Mexico, Li You also stood up and rubbed the dog's head, then hugged the young girl and whispered:

"You can choose the life you like. Remember to communicate with Ashley and the others."

Elizabeth Olsen was in a good mood. She felt that she was a special one. She couldn't help but stand on tiptoe again, and her clothes gradually slipped off.

Happy started to cry again after being pushed out of the door. Li You practiced hard early in the morning. The old dog missed his mistress more and more.

Unlocking new knowledge again, Li You, who showed his skillful ball control skills with one hand, subconsciously checked the talent panel. There was no new talent and the value did not change, which made him a little disappointed:

"Grow up quickly, young leeks!"

On Monday, June 2009, 6, as Thursday's finals were getting closer, ABC and ESPN also began new warm-up activities.

Since Li You is already the "old Duncan" in the finals and has won many games, the broadcasters will focus on Duncan this year, while also building momentum for Kobe.

By packaging the two as challengers and emphasizing hard work and "friendship," ESPN thinks fans will like this kind of characterization.

Hook also seized the opportunity to promote the product and filmed a "doll showdown" commercial between Li You and Kobe. Although the Mamba sneakers are only popular in the Eastern giant, it is enough.

The official NBA promotional video released by ESPN's morning show today was criticized by Los Angeles fans shortly after it was aired, and there was a constant quarrel on social media:

"Why does Lee have so many shots? The league is taking care of New York again."

In the short film, Li You can do everything, including fancy dribbling, powerful dunks, deflection passes, wild and passionate steals, and sudden blocks.

Coupled with the fact that the background features popular stars such as Iverson, Wade, James, and Howard, it is hard for the fans not to be impressed.

In comparison, the shots related to the Lakers are much inferior. Duncan's playing style is too simple, and although Kobe has beautiful posture, he takes too many jump shots.

Knicks fans burst into laughter after watching the promotional video. Instead of mocking it directly as they did in the past, they made sarcastic comments under related topics:

"What is this? The Los Angeles Spurs!"

The New York sports media has recently been digging into the news of the discord between Kobe and Duncan, constantly emphasizing how good and selfless Duncan is. Some articles even declared:

"Kobe is worried about his position in the Lakers, and Dr. Buss obviously prefers Duncan."

The related gossip has been circulating for more than two days, and many basketball commentators have participated in the discussion, but the Lakers are very united internally.

When Fisher was interviewed after finishing training early in the afternoon, he laughed when talking about this issue, and then took the initiative to explain:
"There are many leaders on a team. You know, I am the leader in the locker room. Tim is the MVP. Everyone respects him. He is the leader in the game."

"No one works harder than Kobe. He is always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave in practice. He is the leader of the team in practice."

"I learned a lot of championship experience from Lee when I played for the Knicks. Let everyone do what they do best. This is the secret to success!"

"."

The staff of ABC and ESPN did not expect that the Lakers had so many leaders. When they interviewed Ariza who was in hot form later, he did not deny it and confirmed this statement.

For players in their contract year, it is natural to ask about the offseason. I thought Ariza would show loyalty, but he did not play by the rules:
"I haven't thought about it yet. It's good to be in LA, but I need some respect too!"

"Matt told me that in New York, every player can pursue a big contract, business is business, and I don't want to be held hostage by loyalty."

"I was unable to play in last year's finals due to injury. This year we are on this stage again and I will cherish this opportunity."

"As for other things, I will consider them carefully after I win the championship."

Ariza's intention to pursue a big contract is very obvious. He doesn't even say polite words. Loyalty seems to have no meaning to him.

Fortunately, Shannon Brown and others gave the team enough face, saying that this time in Los Angeles was the best experience of their careers.
When Kobe, sweating profusely, appeared in front of everyone, the staff all looked at him with admiration. After the divisional finals, Mamba buried his head in the training hall.

Without discussing whether hard training is really useful, this spirit of trying one's best is worthy of praise!

Doris Burke was in charge of interviewing this year's finals. Seeing Kobe's appearance after training, she asked with some admiration:

"Kobe, this is your sixth Finals in your career! Compared to the previous experiences, does this bring you a new experience?"

The more mature Kobe did not clamor to lock up Li You to prove himself like he did last year. When talking about his new feelings, he smiled confidently and said:
"67 wins is a brand new experience. We have proven our strength. The current Lakers are a historically strong team."

“This year I noticed more details, I was more prepared, and I became more mature!”

"I will no longer pursue personal ability to solve problems. I will integrate into the team's defensive system."

Doris Burke was surprised again when Kobe Bryant tactfully said he would no longer play directly against Li You. Mamba seemed to be reasonable.
When talking about how to balance family and basketball, Kobe also showed his "vulnerability" and apologized to his wife and daughters:
"I gave everything for basketball, and you know, when I was down, basketball and my family were the only things that kept me company."

"If I can win the game, I want to give the championship to my family, but I will not stop until the end of my career, I want to be on the road to chasing the championship."

When the offseason issue was mentioned later, Kobe's face didn't look good. Old Buss became more and more "favored" and his say was gradually decreasing.

Duncan also expressed his apologies to his family in the interview. He met his wife Amy in college and they had a good relationship, but after coming to Los Angeles, he gave more to basketball.

Although this was Doris Burke's first time participating in the broadcast of the Finals, her experience working in New York in previous years did not make her nervous, and she asked many questions that fans were concerned about:
"Many people called your move to join the Lakers a shortcut. After the trade, you made the finals for two consecutive years. Do you agree with this view?"

There are more and more voices of taking shortcuts, and Duncan is naturally aware that his joining has even changed the landscape of the Western Conference:

"I won't deny it! At 33, I know my body well, and maybe this is my last chance."

When talking about his age, Duncan's eyes twitched slightly. He is older than Li You, and "The future is yours" really hurt him:

"Championship has always been my dream, I am willing to give everything!"

Duncan, who once again admitted that he took shortcuts, has made up his mind to return to the Spurs to end his career in the future, which is his real "home".

On Tuesday, June 6, the Lakers boarded the plane and will fly to New York again to make final preparations for the finals.

The Knicks have also resumed daily training, but Li You still lives his busy life as usual.

Yesterday's family meeting made him feel a little overwhelmed. Tang Nade boasted about his friendship in the Donkey Party and repeatedly stated that he could solve any problems in the future.

Since the 8th season of The Apprentice has ended, Ivana no longer has to participate in the filming, and recently began to take care of the baby with Li You.

At the end of last month, Ivana and Georgina attended the National Museum's ladies' event together. Seeing the little one from the Blomburg family again made her a little confused.

When it was almost 8 o'clock, the little ones had been dressed and were going to be sent to the childcare tutor. Ivana looked at Li You and said,

"Georgina told me that her father will withdraw part of the funds. It can be seen that she is very optimistic about you."

Li You was saying goodbye to the little ones at this time and helping Cyrus to put away his clothes. Seeing the little ones being quiet, he reminded them again:

"Be obedient and don't feed Happy."

They were too young, and except for Alvin who nodded seriously, the twins all rolled their eyes and responded with a few random "Papa".

Only after sending the children away did Li You heave a sigh of relief. He turned around and hugged Ivana, who was dressed casually. Seeing her inquiring eyes, he smiled and responded:
"The mayor is taking care of our business, and with his funds, Ax Capital will have the opportunity to manage more than $300 billion."

"This can help us gain more trust from investors and also protect against some risks."

The president's newly appointed federal prosecutor for the Southern District will not officially take office until mid-August, and many financial institutions, including Bank of America, have made preparations in advance.

Although Ivana felt that her friend's son looked a bit like Li You, she eventually put the matter behind her and was in a good mood after whispering:

"I understand. Come pick me up in the evening."

Without the little guy's interference, Li You was naturally willing to practice a few more times. Looking at Ivana who took the initiative to kiss him, he expressed his willingness with actions.

In the afternoon, the Tarrytown Training Center became lively, and Marion, who entered the finals for the first time in his career, was the most excited.

Stuart Scott naturally did his best during the interview and talked to Marion about the recent "shortcut" problem, and got a candid answer:

"All the players in the league know that playing alongside Lee gives them the best chance of winning a championship!"

"It was a 'shortcut' for sure and I won't deny that because I enjoyed my role in a championship team."

Seeing the surprised expression on the black reporter's face, Marion spread his hands slightly, a look of reminiscence also appeared on his face, and continued to add:
"Last season, I had a nightmare of a game, I kept losing, and I even felt tired of basketball."

"It was only after I came to New York that I rekindled my passion for basketball. I got back the feeling I had when I first entered the league. These are the changes Lee brought to me."

"."

Stuart Scott's eyes widened at the unprecedented new and strange angle of flattery, and Marion talked incessantly, taking pride in taking shortcuts!
Rajon Rondo's performance in the playoffs this year was mediocre, without many outstanding performances, but he was still very confident. When Stuart Scott asked about his loyalty, he responded calmly:
"The Knicks have never asked players to be loyal, and Lee taught us that basketball is also a job."

"I like the basketball environment in New York. There are the most loyal fans and the best home court here. Even if I leave the team, I will bring this winning culture to the next team."

"No matter where I play, my championship experience will not disappear! Giving my all within the contract period is what I understand as loyalty."

As the interview progressed, the Knicks players' honesty and flattery skills stunned Stuart Scott, and JR Smith was even more flattering:
"Lee and I are the best backcourt combination in the league. We can decide the game from beyond the three-point line!"

If he hadn't watched fewer games, Stuart Scott might have believed that JR Smith looked over-inflated when he occasionally shot 8 of 1.

Chandler's emotional words "Lee saved my career" made the black reporters' scalps numb. Fortunately, Gasol, Prince, and Dio were relatively normal.
When Li You was interviewed at the end, Stuart Scott was completely numb. He felt that he had missed several "versions" as he had not been a reporter for the finals for a long time.

"Lee, this is your 12th finals in your career. Congratulations on tying the record set by Bill Russell. How do you feel about this?"

When talking about the record, the black reporter also showed admiration on his face. This record was hailed as unbreakable in the past, but now he has the opportunity to witness new history.

Li You, who was wearing a blue training T-shirt, was sitting in his seat with a look of nostalgia on his face. After he heaving a sigh, he sighed and said:
"I never thought I'd make it this far! You know, I was never considered a good prospect in high school or college."

"It has been an incredible experience for me, from Albuquerque to New York, to be able to chase after the all-time greats, and I am nothing but grateful for that!"

"I'm about to turn 32, and sometimes I feel nervous. I will cherish every experience in the finals."

Seeing Li You's melancholy look when he talked about his age, Stuart Scott's mouth twitched slightly. He didn't look like 32 at all. Being close, he could observe his strong muscles.

Perhaps it was his strong figure that reminded the black reporter of the recent trends of young players. When talking about the future, he suddenly mentioned next year's free market:

"Lee, if the young players decide to join forces next offseason, will that affect your future decisions?"

Li You also paid attention to the recent gossip. Wade and Bosh's "brother basketball" was severely criticized by basketball commentators.

Some even criticized the young players for losing their loyalty, with Reggie Miller being the most critical.
"Every era has a different basketball style. I don't mind young people joining forces. For me, this may be a good thing. New challenges can inspire more fighting spirit!"

After saying this, Li You showed an expectant look, as if to say that the current opponents could no longer put pressure on him.

"In the finals, will you face off against Kobe again? I think many fans are looking forward to your direct dialogue."

Stuart Scott knew that Kobe was no longer stubborn this year, but he wanted to use this opportunity to add fuel to the fire before the interview was aired, and Li You's answer did not disappoint him:

"Of course, as the team leader, I will guard the opponent's outside core, which can relieve some pressure for us."

Seeing Li You responding to the positional questions with a relaxed expression, the black reporter also showed a satisfied smile. The interview was released, and there was another good show to watch.

On Thursday, June 6th, Game 4 of the Finals will officially kick off tonight. As ABC and ESPN released promotional videos and interviews, basketball commentators began to follow suit.

Regarding the issues of loyalty and shortcuts, old-school basketball critics naturally expressed anger, believing that today's players are too soft, sticking together to find excuses, and have lost the good qualities that have been passed down.

Kobe's announcement that he would no longer be the main defender of Li You triggered a wave of public opinion. In the afternoon TNT pre-game show, Charles Barkley took the lead in criticizing Mamba.

As for why the trio did not discuss hot topics, it was naturally because Barkley was a "pioneer" in taking shortcuts, and the old guy wanted to save face, so naturally he couldn't say it.

The Lakers' crushing performance in the playoffs made many people optimistic about them, but after Kobe's remarks were released, public opinion became one-sided again.

After the TNT show ended, Charles Barkley, who has always disliked commenting on players on social media, fired back on Twitter, posting a simple message:
"Soft!"

Kobe doesn't use social media, but his fans felt uncomfortable when they saw this scene and started to criticize Kobe in the comment section!
Durant, the third oldest player in the Hook, also came to New York recently. In addition to participating in brand events, watching the finals to increase exposure was also arranged by the Hook.

Durant, who was still surfing the Internet in the bar, was particularly active on his second account. He ignored his temporary girlfriend and quickly joined in the fun by typing on his phone:
"Kobe and Wade are both afraid of Lee!"

"Young players are the future. Kevin Durant will dominate the next era. He never minds a challenge, even if his opponent is Lee!"

The black girl next to him handed Durant a drink and wanted to say a few sweet words, but Durant suddenly looked down at his phone again. The goddess updated her Facebook:

"Will Zell inherit his athletic talent? I'm really looking forward to what the baby will look like when he grows up!"

Durant didn't see Li You, and he was in a good mood for a while. Seeing that the goddess was living a happy life, he was also very relieved and typed a response again:

"In a few years, you can go to Kevin Durant's training camp. He is an excellent basketball player and is more suitable for teaching children than Lee."

"."

(End of this chapter)