NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 724 "Can you still brag like this?" (No protagonist chapter)
On Sunday, May 2010, 5, when the Lakers boarded the bus to the Rose Garden in the afternoon, the media reporters who did not see Tim Duncan began to update the news simultaneously:
"Tim Duncan still hasn't shown up"

Twitter is indeed a good platform. The spectators have been laughing out loud when seeing the fancy reports recently. Rumors are more exciting than the truth!

On Saturday, a reporter broke the news on social media that Amy had left Los Angeles with her children. Duncan now seems to be planning to forgive this marriage.

There is no definite news that the former MVP is planning to divorce. Considering the "Green Light Incident", if they separate, Duncan may lose some "gold coins".
However, this view is malicious speculation by the media. Many fans believe that Duncan will choose to forgive for the sake of his children. There are even some female opinion leaders who loudly appeal on social platforms:

"Everyone makes mistakes! Tim Duncan should reflect on why this happened and pay more attention to his family!"

"."

Duncan is almost turning into the "Hulk". Some loyal fans were almost furious when they saw that there were still people who agreed with this view. The two sides have been in a high-intensity confrontation recently, and related discussions have even appeared on talk shows.

The Oprah Winfrey Show has never missed such a hot topic. In recent episodes, not only did the host Oprah call for calm, but the invited guests also said that "logging down is the most important thing."

Amy was just tempted, and for the sake of the children, Duncan should understand his wife.

This outrageous view angered many NBA players, and even retired stars spoke out. Magic Johnson supported Duncan, but was ridiculed by some media.

You have to know that Magic Johnson was an old scumbag back then, but his wife chose to forgive him in the end. Now he actually supports Duncan. This is totally double standards. Women should stand up!
The social media has been in chaos for the past few days. No one is even discussing the Eastern Conference Finals. After all, Li You always wins.
The spectators all wanted to have fun, but the New York media had no interest in reporting in depth. In the morning, several media outlets, led by the New York Times, praised the Knicks' Game 3 last night:

"The New York Knicks - the greatest team in history!"

The titles are almost all the same, and the content is all praising the team's explosion in the second half. After the Cavaliers scored 32 points in the second quarter, they gradually lost momentum in the second half, and both the inside and outside cores were suppressed.

113:101. Although the Cavaliers fought back in the final stages, the score difference was never narrowed and they ultimately lost the game.

There is actually nothing wrong with the content of most column articles. After all, it has been 14 years and most fans have become accustomed to such reports.

However, there are always people who can come up with some different "big things" and stand out from the crowd of media!

The Oregonian is the largest daily newspaper in Oregon. The newspaper not only has special reports on the Trail Blazers, but also has full-time reporters covering every game and practice of the team.

ESPN likes to cite this newspaper as its source, and its column this morning mentioned "high".

"Lee only scored 4 points in the crucial fourth quarter, but the Knicks played their most dominant game of the season through his control!"

"Even if Lee stood in the left or right corner to direct the team, the Cavaliers would send two players to guard him. There has never been such a superstar in NBA history. Lee explained why he is the GOAT."

"."

When a number of sports media began to pursue advanced data, the columnist in Portland suddenly brought out "Li Youying"!
At the end of the article, the author did not forget to belittle tonight's opponent. By "looking back at Kobe", the author once again explained to the fans what the "real cancer" is.

Combined with Kobe's poor high-level statistics, the content of the article can be said to be well-reasoned and convincing!

Kobe, who was sitting on the bus, has been paying attention to the media's movements recently. He needs to speak up for his partner at all times and investigate the team's internal traitors.
The more reports Mamba read, the angrier he got. The angrier he got, the more he wanted to read. He wanted to find a media outlet that told the truth, but from last night until this afternoon, he couldn't find any media outlet that criticized Li You's performance in the fourth quarter.

17中10，三分线外7中4，罚球12中11，35分7篮板10助攻2抢断2盖帽2失误，出场41分钟，李佑得分集中在前三节。

Scoring 4 points in the crucial fourth quarter was praised like this. Kobe thought of the expressions of the commentators when he had similar performances, and for a moment he was annoyed and threw the newspaper to Fisher beside him.

"Pau performed really well, he really suppressed Dwight Howard, these few games were really tough!"

Fisher glanced at the contents of the newspaper and said with admiration, without even looking at his old partner's expression, and then added:
"In such a big game, Lee, like in the past, still trusts his teammates. As long as someone performs well, he is willing to be the 'Robin'."

Having played in New York for two seasons and won a championship with the team, Fish knew that the Knicks locker room was in a state of infighting, but Li You gave role players a taste of the "sweetness" from time to time, and everyone was willing to participate.

On the ESPN website, the photo of Howard spreading his hands with a helpless look on his face and Gasol sitting on the floor beating his chest and roaring was on the front page today.

The comparison photos include James with his hands on his hips, looking up at the sky, and Li You who was interviewed after the game and "winked" at the camera.
The attitudes of the core players of both teams were completely different. The Cavaliers fans were also in a state of panic. The home team was actually beaten by the opposing role players.

Many fans would rather see Li You explode and win the game, at least this way they can find an excuse. After G3, no one mentioned the "promising future".

"Why is no one discussing the defense? Four points in a quarter, I don't know what's commendable about that."

Kobe complained in a low voice with a sullen face, and Mamba looked unhappy. This was a new trick. He found it difficult to understand the train of thought of these sycophants.

Barnes, who was sitting in the back, heard the conversation between the two. He saw Odom shrugged his shoulders and took the initiative to take over the conversation and said:
"Because everyone knows that as long as Lee wants to score, the Cavaliers have no way to stop him. Facing Lee, LeBron can't get any advantage even in a one-on-one breakthrough. In the end, this guy can only make a jump shot outside the three-point line!"

"While Raja Bell brought championship experience to the Cavaliers, he, like Coach Van Gundy, failed to achieve success."

"."

As he was talking, Barnes couldn't help but start sharing his championship experience, which made Kobe stare. When talking about the strength of the core players, he always felt that this guy was laughing at him!

Phil Jackson, who was sitting in the front row, was no longer interested in following the Eastern Conference Finals. The old man just felt physically and mentally exhausted recently. Without Duncan, it would not be easy for the Lakers to get the match point.

On the contrary, Rambis and his team calmed down, and Duncan chose to remain silent. This was what they expected, and the big man had not given up the game:

"Phil, what do you think of the Cavaliers' defensive strategy? Maybe we can learn from it."

Hearing Rambis's whispered question, the old man from KFC shook his head. The Lakers didn't have the conditions. Howard's rim protection and defense were very oppressive, so switching defense would not be a problem.

Under Van Gundy's training, the defensive level of "Happy Beast" and James is far superior to most players, but the Lakers are inferior. Although Duncan is strong, his knee injury makes him more dependent on defensive positioning.

"That's a question of raw talent. The biggest question for us right now is how do we get Tim back."

Phil Jackson looked at the assistant coaches and when they heard the question, they all shook their heads, saying that it was still the same as before. Duncan was autistic and didn't answer the phone or communicate with others.

He sighed secretly in his heart. When he thought about Odom and veteran Joe Smith partnering up in the interior tonight, the old man from KFC felt a headache.

As the broadcaster of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals tonight, TNT did not give Duncan any more attention. From the pre-match session to the on-site commentators, no one mentioned Duncan's absence.

At 20:30, after the game started, Odom missed shots one after another, not only failed to show the style of a left-handed magician, but was restricted by Marcus Camby on the opposite side. Aldridge and Andre Miller also stood up and watched the Lakers make several turnaround jumpers. The latter broke through the frame and attacked with his back, and also found confidence in the old fish.

As Kobe gradually began to take over the game, the Rose Garden Arena was filled with boos. In the commentary booth, Reggie Miller saw Mamba's long two-point jumper and criticized it with his partner:
"The Lakers rely too much on singles. Kobe should pay attention. For several consecutive rounds, his teammates didn't touch the ball!"

"As a team leader, he should save this kind of performance for the fourth quarter."

Kobe was criticized again for scoring points in consecutive one-on-one matches. Doug Collins also followed suit and commented:
"The Lakers seem to lack an absolute leader. Their patience seems to be running out. Kobe needs to find a way to integrate his teammates into the system."

"."

The players on the scene naturally couldn't hear the comments from the commentary booth, but with the Lakers trailing, Kobe had already imagined what those unscrupulous commentators were going to say.

Mamba quickly entered a "bloodthirsty" state. After knocking down defender Batum during the offensive round, Kobe, who was called for a foul, rushed up, spread his hands, and complained loudly.

The noise in the boiling Rose Garden was getting louder and louder. The Lakers' brief silence allowed the point difference to widen to 5 points, and the Trail Blazers fans at the scene saw hope of victory.

At 23:29, at the end of the first quarter, the Trail Blazers had already taken a 6-point lead.

"9:13, the Trail Blazers grabbed 4 more offensive rebounds than their opponents tonight. The young people performed really well!"

Kevin Harlan praised the Trail Blazers' rebounding. Doug Collins raised his eyebrows after seeing the technical statistics. Odom made 5 of 0 shots and 2 of 0 free throws in the first quarter, and did not score a single point:
"The point difference is not that big. I hope to see the Lakers adjust in time. Without an MVP, everyone has to step up."

Reggie Miller also agreed, but Deng chose to save face for the Lakers and said tactfully:
"To win this game, the Lakers need to match their opponent's physical confrontation!"

"I didn't like the way the Knicks played in the second quarter last night, but what I hated even more was seeing the Cavaliers get 'scared' in the second half."

"The Lakers have to make changes, and I don't think they will waste the match point opportunity."

首节9中6，三分线外3中1，罚球2中2，科比拿到15分，其他人合计8分。

At this time, Kobe stood up from the bench with an even darker face and took the initiative to apply to play. He only hoped to get the match point as soon as possible. The Lakers needed to give a response!
After the start of the second quarter, the confrontation between the two sides escalated again. Jordan Farmar, who came off the bench, became the dribbling guard and Kobe took over the game again.

Both sides missed shots, and the Lakers requested a timeout only after Marcus Camby made a jump shot from the free throw line.

Odom returned to the bench and took deep breaths, sweating profusely. He was not used to the lack of Duncan's defense. After hearing the old man from KFC arrange the low-post tactics, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

Kobe, who was double-teamed, also began to look for his teammates. Unfortunately, Fisher and Barnes failed to seize the opportunity for an open three-pointer.

Contrary to the expectations of most basketball commentators, Duncan was sidelined due to a family accident, and the first thing to be exposed was the inside defense.

Aldridge was like a fish in water on the offensive end, making consecutive turnaround jump shots from near the baseline on both sides to continue to widen the score gap.

Before the end of the first half, Kevin Harlan had to praise coach McMillan:

"Great defense made this Trail Blazers team!"

"Coach McMillan's seven-man rotation tonight paid off."

"."

47:55, the Trail Blazers still led by 8 points. The old man from KFC was a little dissatisfied with the performance in the first half. During the halftime break, he stayed behind to communicate with the referee.

"Bro, I swear, I gave it my all in tonight's game."

Odom's poor performance was unbearable even for himself. Although Kobe had a sullen face, he chose to "turn the page" after seeing Odom's sincere attitude:
"We have to make those rookies realize they don't stand a chance!"

After hearing the boss' instructions, everyone responded. When the second half of the game started, Kobe entered the "Mamba" mode again.

Kobe made free throws, missed shots, and faced two blocks, completing a difficult fadeaway jump shot. He kept asking for the ball and continued to support the team's offense.

In the third quarter, the score difference was successfully narrowed to 3 points. When Kobe returned to the bench, he was sweating profusely. He had only rested for 4 minutes from the start of the game to now.

Seeing his teammates being suppressed again, Aldridge and Camby rushed to grab offensive rebounds in the paint. Kobe could not sit still, and stood up with a towel on his back and reminded loudly:

"rebound"

During the transition offense, Andre Miller suddenly stopped and accelerated again on the right wing. Farmar lost most of his body position and finally jumped up to block the shot according to his body instinct.

"squeak!"

The referee blew the whistle and cheers suddenly filled the arena. Aldridge and others rushed over and roared loudly, celebrating passionately. Kobe walked quickly to the technical table with a sullen face.

Mamba's appearance failed to change the course of the game. Instead, the referee seized the opportunity and added 2 points to the Trail Blazers.

With 1 minute and 03 seconds left in the game, Kobe missed a three-pointer. Doug Collins criticized the TNT commentary:
"I only saw the singles. Kobe seemed to only have the basket in his eyes. As a team leader, he failed to make his teammates better."

"."

The Trail Blazers managed to protect their home court without any danger due to the consecutive missed shots. When the buzzer sounded, the Rose Garden was completely boiling, 97:104, the score was 1:2, and the Portland fans celebrated to their heart's content.

Kobe Bryant walked quickly towards the player tunnel with a dark complexion. On the sidelines, Marcus Camby, who was silent in the fourth quarter and relied entirely on his teammates, smiled happily during the interview and even boasted about himself at the end:

"Like Lee, I can influence the game even if I don't score! As a veteran, I'm glad to help the young guys get their first win in the Western Conference Finals!"

"Basketball games are not just about scoring. Kobe scored 37 points? This is our strategy. He can play one-on-one as much as he wants. The Trail Blazers will win the game in the end!"

"."

(End of this chapter)