NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 804 Dancing Together! (Daily Chapter)
On Tuesday, August 2, 2011, the New York Federal District Court accepted the NBA's lawsuit, and the lockout controversy escalated further.

At the end of last month, after the unpleasant negotiations ended, the NBA accused the players of not negotiating in good faith and of "using unacceptable pressure tactics."

The allegations of unfair labor practices have been submitted to the National Labor Relations Board, effectively ending the relationship between the two parties.
The players did indeed issue “illegal” threats, attempting to dissolve their union and file an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA, a tactic the NFL had recently employed, which the NBA naturally strongly opposed.

With the two sides so divided, many lower-level players have already left. Not every player has a high market value. Basketball is often a job, and if you can't make money, you naturally have to find another way.

New York media also reported on the Knicks' rookie player's movements that day, with Nikola Vucevic signing a one-year contract with KK Buducnost Voli.

Chandler Parsons plans to play in Slovenia, and Lance Stephenson is also looking for opportunities to play overseas.

Compared to other teams, the Knicks are indeed too free. D'Antoni returned to Italy for vacation early, and Li You was participating in activities throughout July.

The team doesn't seem to be planning to organize a training camp. As for the exhibition game initiated by Anthony Davis, it felt more like a bragging party after the experience, with no systematic training whatsoever.

James Dolan is busy renovating Madison Square Garden, and the curly-haired owner plans to remove the midfield tunnel, which has recently drawn protests from veteran fans!

Minutes before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, Willis Reed limped onto the court, making the tunnel famous. Veteran fans believe this tradition should not be lost.

The two sides have been arguing since the middle of last month, and James Dolan has not paid any attention to the players' situation, spending his days arguing with fans on social media.

To show his sincerity, owner Jerry Smith even said that if the regular season could not be held as scheduled, he was willing to "refund" the money, including interest on the lost ticket revenue, but loyal New York fans still didn't buy it.

The midfield tunnel is crucial and cannot be lost; it's vital for the team's championship culture!
As for the newbies going overseas, nobody cared. As long as Li You was still there, everyone firmly believed that the championship would come as scheduled.
The New York fan club has been making a lot of noise lately, and it was they who started the boycott of excessive renovations. They just love the dilapidated Madison Square Garden.

Without the "sense of historical weight," how can the greatness of New York basketball be highlighted!
In short, the arena structure cannot be altered; any changes will result in refunds and a boycott. Renovations must also be done "in their original state." New Yorkers love this kind of place; they don't need luxurious boxes and seating.
Isaiah Thomas, now in Manhattan, finally understands why so many players hate the basketball environment here: New York lacks respect!
Isaiah Thomas, who was drafted 60th overall and was under 180cm tall by the Knicks, was largely ignored by fans and local media on the day he was selected.

His name was even omitted from the New York Times columnist's article; what was originally a list of 20 people ended up being 19.
If the Knicks hadn't had a brief conversation with him, Isaiah Thomas would have doubted whether he'd heard correctly. Nobody seemed to care about him; he had become a nobody.

Since its opening, Basketball Lee has become a popular spot for basketball enthusiasts. Although it is not cheap, reservations are always fully booked.

Within days of opening, it was hailed as the highest-level amateur golf course in the United States, and streetball players couldn't wait to show off their skills there every day.

NBA players often organize games here when they come to New York. Last week, Anthony Davis's exhibition game attracted more than 80 active players, and everyone who came praised the professional facilities here.

For an extra fee, one could even experience cutting-edge "technology," with facilities like cryogenic chambers readily available. In short, basketball enthusiasts went crazy, showering Li You with money every day.

Some well-known streetball players are regulars here. When Isaiah Thomas arrived at the arena in the afternoon, he was amazed by the enthusiastic atmosphere.

Even after the exhibition game ended, NBA players still showed up. Rondo has been active here for the past two days, and even the young Celtics players are here with him.

New York fans dislike Garnett, but they have no problem with Rondo.

As a member of the championship team, everyone hopes that Rondo can share his championship experience with others!

The friends following Isaiah Thomas seemed a bit intimidated by the atmosphere; these black guys looked intimidating, all sporting tattoos and chattering away.
Glen Davis drove to the basket for a layup, and the big guy started arguing with the defender again, with the cheers getting louder and louder. Rondo was also standing by, laughing and clapping to cheer him on.

Both sides were having a great time when Isaiah Thomas took the initiative to wave from the sidelines, the small guy smiling and shouting:
"Guys, count me in for the next round, I want to get some exercise."

The arena suddenly fell silent. The black player with a braid sized up the smaller player in front of him, seemingly recognizing him as a Knicks rookie. He chuckled, revealing his gold teeth, and said sarcastically:
"New York doesn't welcome players who aren't talented! What can you do for the team, buddy?"

He gestured to show his height, and almost everyone in the room was taller than Thomas. The short guy's smile disappeared when he heard this, it seemed that being an NBA player didn't work here.

"Listen, this is New York. We have the best basketball player in the world. Lee led us to 12 championships!"

"We're not country bumpkins who demand autographs from every NBA player we see. Look at Kobe, that softie was so scared he hid in China."

After the man with the braids started rapping and mentioned Li You, many people in the audience proudly puffed out their chests, as if everyone had contributed to this achievement.

Many Black people took the opportunity to criticize Kobe, fully demonstrating the spirit of the New York fan club and showing their disdain for the superstar.

Isaiah Thomas, who had been mocked, began to fight back, which energized everyone. Rondo didn't stop him, looking down on everyone and not even bothering to say a word.

The verbal battle eventually escalated into physical fights, and the group engaged in a passionate "interaction" after leaving the stadium, sparring in the parking lot!
-

On Thursday, August 4th, major sports media outlets continued to report on the "fun" in New York, with Knicks fans even making fun of their own rookie, a scene that truly amused onlookers.

In fact, New York is definitely a basketball mecca. Whenever you lose at Madison Square Garden, the fans never hesitate to applaud the visiting team, praising the great championship team.

But once they show any desire to win, or if a player's ability is lacking, loyal New York fans will not hesitate to ridicule them.

It's nothing new that New York fans look down on Isaiah Thomas because of his 60th overall pick and his small stature, welcoming the rookie with disdain; the city has long since evolved into this state.

Of course, the rookies getting involved in the brawl was a minor incident. While most teams were calculating their ticket and sponsorship losses, James Dolan inadvertently pulled off another major stunt:

"The New York Liberty plan to hire Isaiah Thomas, and Dolan hopes to get help from his friend."

B/R and Sports Illustrated just reported the news yesterday, and the NBA circle is in an uproar. The "Smiling Assassin" has been promoting for almost a year, and in the end, she got a women's basketball job?

This incident caused Isaiah Thomas to lose face, but the curly-haired owner did indeed keep his promise; the Liberty are the Knicks' "sister team" and are indeed very important.
Legends quickly sprang into action, with Magic Johnson immediately sending his best wishes to his friend on Twitter after the news broke yesterday:
"Without a doubt, Thomas will achieve great things with the Liberty!"

"."

McHale, who had just taken over the Rockets, also expressed his congratulations in an interview. The veterans were all gloating, saying that the "Smiling Assassin" had really lost face this time.

During the afternoon's First Take program, Isaiah Thomas, who was a guest, visibly smiled less. After waiting for a month, he was asked to join the women's basketball team.

Who watches the WNBA? Even if the Liberty teams do well, most people won't care.

Skip Bayliss didn't expect the Knicks to make such a choice. Currently, it seems highly likely that the general manager position will go to Li You's former teammate, Allan Houston.

Thinking of the infiltrated management, Bellis, unusually, sided with the "assassin" and actively fanned the flames:
"I think many fans, like you and me, have seen the drawbacks of a team lacking professionals. The Knicks haven't even started a training camp yet. Will this affect their performance in the new season?"

Isaiah Thomas, who was on the call, finally couldn't hold back. Dolan hadn't promised him that, despite their years of friendship, and for the first time on the show, he spoke ill of him.
"I think New York has fallen behind Miami. Obviously, the Heat players are training with anger and desire right now!"

"The Knicks seem to have forgotten how formidable these young players are. James, Wade, and Bosh are all on the rise. Losing the Finals has only fueled their fighting spirit."

"No one chose to leave, and General Manager Pat Riley played a crucial role in this. In terms of preparation, the Knicks have fallen behind."

"Li should send a text message to the rookies and tell them to focus on training now, instead of going around to commercial events or looking for opportunities to play overseas."

"Basketball is a team sport, and this time Li's opponents are three young All-Stars whose strength far surpasses the Celtics' star-studded lineup."

His partner nodded with a smile, but Stephen A. Smith showed no respect, tilting his head and taking over the conversation with a playful, exaggerated tone:

"I'd like to present a statistic: LeBron James has never beaten the Knicks since entering the league."

"Last season, the Heat, who won 60+ games, had a 0-4 record in the regular season."

“I don’t think they will be a strong opponent for Lee. Low post technique? I respect Olajuwon, he has two championships, but this skill is of no help in winning championships.”

"Li can use his superb three-point shooting to defeat any opponent. If he wants to, he can win everything, no matter who the opponent is!"

The routine boasting left Isaiah Thomas speechless. Li You clearly hadn't been paying attention to basketball and didn't care about the training camp at all, yet the big mouth turned it into "invincible posture".
Seeing that the two were silent, Stephen A. Smith sat up straight, completely energized, and continued to boast:
"Miami has always regarded New York as its hypothetical enemy. The articles in the newspapers are well-written, but they still cannot hide the unease and fear in their hearts!"

"James and Wade are afraid to face Lee. They know they will fail, and they can only comfort themselves through crazy training."

"But basketball isn't about performance on the training court. Otherwise, Kobe wouldn't have failed. The GOAT doesn't need to look up to the challengers because Lee is destined to be the winner."

"."

These words almost made the two of them roll their eyes on the spot. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Li You had turned into Superman and could take on eight people at once.
"Dude, Lee will be turning 34 at the end of the year. I've been through this, and I know how hard it is to maintain your form at this age!"

"He needs more help. Too many rookies will cause the Knicks to lose roster depth. Even without a trade, Lee should make the young players nervous."

Isaiah Thomas shook his head in rebuttal, Skip Bayliss was about to add something, but Stephen A. Smith tilted his head and said:
"What does age prove?!"

“Listen, Lee is different. Why do you always like to use past experience to judge the greatest players in basketball history? I think many people still don’t understand Lee’s dominance.”

"."

In the following minutes, no matter how the two retorted, Stephen A. Smith remained "different," even making a bold statement that once again refuted the Smiling Assassin:
"At this stage, the Knicks don't need an experienced general manager; Donnie has already done all the work!"

"Allan just needs to execute the plan around Lee, and winning the championship is only a matter of time."

Isaiah Thomas, whose defenses had been breached, angrily denied it loudly, even saying that Ray Allen's arrival was the beginning of the collapse and that the arrogant Knicks would pay the price.

The two argued fiercely, leaving Skip Bayliss speechless. When it came to praising Lee, he had to admit defeat. No wonder his partner was so successful; he was indeed very capable!
-

On Friday, August 5th, Li You, who had just returned to New York, appeared on the Good Morning America news program.

The morning session begins at 7 a.m. with a half-hour hard news segment, mainly consisting of headline briefings, recaps of major overnight events, and international focus.

After starting at 7:30, Li You, as a guest speaker, discussed the recent protests in New York with George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts.

Robin Roberts, a longtime ESPN sports news anchor, is also an old friend of Li You. The program didn't mention the specific content of the protests at the beginning, and some of the overweight female supporters even joked:
"The Washington Post should award you the trophy, Lee. Everyone in New York knows your contributions to the city."

For several consecutive years, Li You has been nominated for the "New York People Who Moved Us" award, but has never won. The reason is actually very simple: his wealth is so great that it is impossible for others to empathize with him.

Seeing Li You's smile, Stephanopoulos, wearing black glasses and with gray hair, didn't stand on ceremony and immediately got to the point:

“Li, many people believe that Ax Capital, like those well-known investment banks, has fooled everyone!”

"After the financial crisis broke out, Wall Street was bailed out, but many people lost their wealth. What are your thoughts on this protest?"

In fact, this statement still saved face for Li You, as some extremists have already been holding up signs against Li You and Ax Capital.

Forbes' annual wealth rankings don't inspire awe in everyone; those who have lost their wealth often feel resentment towards them.

"Our financial bill does have some problems, I think that's a consensus among everyone, and so far, Congress has still not been able to come up with any effective suggestions."

“Personally, I can understand the protests, and New York City should allow people to express their dissatisfaction and demands in this way.” Li You smiled sincerely and made eye contact with the two men, then continued to add to the camera:
"I know many people are concerned about the mayor's attitude, but believe me, the mayor will not oppose any marches or protests."

"The only thing to be careful about is ensuring safety. In this difficult time, family is the most important thing."

Tents have already been set up in Freedom Square Park during the protests, and crowds are gathering in increasing numbers near Broadway, indicating that the disillusioned protesters are prepared for a long-term struggle.

Stephanopoulos was surprised that Li You would be so supportive of the protests, and his questions became increasingly pointed:
"Some have accused Ax Capital of being involved in corrupt political transactions, just like Goldman Sachs, which is one of the reasons for this protest."

"Many people believe your wealth has grown too quickly, Li. Will you give a clear response to these controversies?"

As if oblivious to the unspoken message from the former Donald Party political advisor, Li You continued to answer the question with an air of nonchalance:
“I firmly believe that no one is above the law, a point I made at the hearing. Ax Capital passed the SEC’s review, which is why investors trust us.”

"As for personal wealth, I can only say that God has indeed been kind to me sometimes. My investment strategy is transparent in the industry, and the Wall Street Journal knows this better than I do."

“George, as you said, risk always goes hand in hand with opportunity. I understand everyone’s pain and welcome everyone to communicate with me through social media.”

Hearing these righteous words, Stephanopoulos's eye twitched slightly. Perhaps the viewers in front of the television couldn't feel Li You's aura at this moment, but he felt it deeply:

"We've made the money, so what can the judicial system do to us?"

Considering the increasingly close cooperation between Blackstone and Li You, Stephanopoulos eventually stopped making trouble for himself, compromised with the US dollar, and began to change the subject, criticizing the financial bill.

Robin Roberts maintained a neutral stance throughout, Stephanopoulos criticized the Elephant Party's lack of cooperation in the House of Representatives, and Li You tried to smooth things over by rarely mentioning Obama's views on taxing the wealthy.

During the program, Li You generously shared his investment strategies and directions derived from the analysis of the Ax Capital team.

He also revealed some "insider information," recounting details of his collaborations with Blackstone, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs.

During the half-hour in-depth news segment, Li You demonstrated great sincerity, and the two hosts smiled.

At 8 o'clock, Li You was still the main focus of the day's hot topics and celebrity interviews. When the conversation turned to sports, Robin Roberts completely relaxed and jokingly remarked:
"Lee, my friend at ESPN told me that you caused the rift between Mr. Dolan and Thomas. As for the Knicks' general manager, are you firmly supporting Allan?"

There were also jeers in the studio. Industry insiders know that after Kim became a member of Cablevision's board of directors, the Lee family's cooperation with the Dolan family has deepened.

James Dolan's lack of respect for his friend was somewhat expected, but the general public, unaware of the inside story, largely believed that Li You was manipulating the team.

“I do support Allan because he has done an excellent job working alongside Downey, and everyone at MSG recognizes his efforts.”

Li You responded simply with a smile, but after seeing Robin Roberts shrug and show distrust in front of the camera, he added:
"Knicks supporters should trust Mr. Dolan. He is willing to give everything for a championship. Trust his decisions. On the basketball level, he rarely lets personal emotions get in the way."

"We now have all the conditions to win the championship again, and time will tell."

Some people have doubts about the management skills of the owner of the Curly Hair team, given how badly the brother team, the Rangers, has fared in recent years.
But for the Knicks, Dolan was exceptionally successful, and his rejection of the "Smiling Assassin" earned him many praises from his supporters.

"Okay, I think New York sports fans will believe in you unconditionally! Lee, let's talk about the championship. You haven't even started training camp yet. Will this affect the team?"

Robin Roberts winked, no longer wanting to embarrass the "Smiling Assassin," and took the initiative to bring up the championship. Li You responded with even greater confidence:
"Championship members don't need supervision; basketball doesn't lie; hard work will eventually pay off!"

“I won’t make any demands on my teammates. Young people have their own choices, and I believe that as long as they do their jobs, the championship will return to New York.”

"."

In later episodes, Li You also began to share his life raising children, thanking the girls in his family, which drew boos from the audience in the studio.

During the final audience interaction segment, Li You didn't forget to show off his cooking skills, ending the day's Good Morning America amidst screams from fans.

As a news program for the whole nation, its influence is naturally enormous. Social media was abuzz by the morning, with die-hard fans starting to defend Li You.

Why would such a high-quality idol face protests? Even his flawed private life seems more devoted compared to Lee Yoo-seong, the "Mamba Queen."
The Knicks' rookies also took to Twitter to express their support. They've kept a low profile since being drafted, with Tobias Harris, dubbed the "second Prince," even posting a picture of a text message:
"Li has always cared about us rookies. Just because we haven't posted pictures doesn't mean we haven't been training hard!"

"The GOAT should not be questioned; we are ready to win the championship."

In the afternoon's MSG program, Danny Green, who was invited, also shared his thoughts on the team's situation.

Walter Frazier brought up Ray Allen's signing and JR Smith's decision to play overseas, to which Danny Green responded with excitement, displaying his "Curvy King" persona:

"Smith is my good brother, but I will see his departure as an opportunity!"

"I've already asked Ray a lot of questions about shooting. If I have the chance, I'd like to train with Ray. He's the best shooting master in the league besides Lee!"

"."

New York fans who watched the show were completely excited. The "Smiling Assassin" was indeed a sour grapes. The Knicks players remained closely united around Li You.

Overwhelmed by their newfound confidence, the fans started dredging up old grievances and launching a vicious attack on Isaiah Thomas. This familiar pattern has become a common occurrence, with the fans banding together to launch a fierce offensive.

The Reddit forums went wild, with people talking about taking out loans to build a championship streak, leaving the Heat in the dust, and even those who used to look down on old-school basketball started praising it.

After being mocked by Philadelphia and Boston fans for his sideways hopping, the die-hard supporters still argued:

"Can you compare it to 'old men's basketball' in New York?"

-

On Monday, August 8th, during the weekend, Kevin Durant, who was visiting New York, scored 66 points in the Recreational Basketball Classic at Rucker Park, igniting basketball passion in New York!
During the interview, Durant made no secret of his love for New York basketball culture, praising it openly:
"I've always wanted to showcase my talent at Rucker Park, where there are the best basketball fans in the world!"

ESPN's morning program also reported on Durant's upcoming schedule. In a few days, the young star will be starring in a movie. When asked about his role, the young man responded happily:
"I love Hollywood, and acting in a Warner Bros. movie was an experience for me. If possible, I'd like to pursue a career in film after I retire!"

When asked about his favorite movie, Durant, like any movie fan, praised the popcorn movie Iron Man.
The entire event was a great success, but some New York fans were unhappy when the topic of the championship came up at the end. Durant, unlike his usual self, showed a different attitude and displayed a strong desire for the title.

"I want to be a winner! You know, second place doesn't mean much to a great player!"

"We've been training hard for the new season, and I want to win every game, no matter who the opponent is."

"."

Not only did he make statements over the weekend, but before even arriving in New York, Durant had already been rambling on Twitter, leaving his fans completely bewildered.

This is actually related to the content of The New Yorker magazine. Not long ago, Scarlett Johansson, during her routine interview promoting the Ace of Spades, jokingly mentioned her championship attributes, saying:
"Li has never lost, and I've always admired winners since I was little! I believe that's why everyone loves this champagne."

Even after becoming a mother of two, Scarlett Johansson still maintains a slender figure. Although her voluptuous physique doesn't quite match Black Widow's image, many Marvel fans still support her continuing to play the succubus.

However, this matter is a bit difficult, as Scarlett is not very interested in boring popcorn movies.

After Disney acquired Marvel, and with the final Captain America movie completed, without Li You's investment, Succubus simply canceled the contract.
Durant was unable to meet Li You after arriving in New York. With the Premier League season about to start, the whole family had already flown to England, and even Ivana had put aside her work.

Another "host" Carmelo Anthony is also absent. This week, the Nets' star player and his wife Lala embarked on a tour of China. Young people also want to experience the treatment Kobe received!

On Wednesday, August 10th, the Guangzhou International Sports Arena was packed to capacity.

18,000 people gathered at this NBA-level arena, which was just built last year, to enjoy tonight's major charity exhibition game!

Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Sun Yue, Wang Shipeng, Zhu Fangyu and many other national team players made an appearance together;
Many NBA players, including Nash, Anthony, Billups, Evans, McGee, Holiday, and Brand, were also present to show their support.

As soon as Kobe, the main character, appeared, he was greeted with cheers that resounded throughout the arena. The Mamba grinned from ear to ear, in a great mood. This was the basketball atmosphere he longed for.

"Man!"

"I don't know what to say. When I suggested that I organize a charity match, everyone was supportive."

“This is truly incredible. I feel respected here. I don’t know how to repay those supporters, but I think the championship is the best gift.”

Kobe stood in the center of the court, holding a microphone, and gave an emotional speech. In an instant, the chants of "MVP" echoed throughout the arena once again.

Kobe patted his chest repeatedly, said nothing more, and embraced the players who came to support him with some excitement. At that moment, Kobe felt that he had made the right choice.

Amid the noisy atmosphere, Yao Ming, who was preparing to warm up, looked a little strange. He hadn't expected Kobe to actually play a full season. The Mamba was serious; he wasn't just trying to make money.

Wang Shipeng was also very excited at this moment. "China's Kobe" never expected that Mamba would actually become his teammate. When he leaned over to Yao Ming, he excitedly said:
"Should I go back to the CBA for a year? This season is sure to be incredibly exciting."

The Chinese men's basketball team has already begun preparations for the Asian Championships in mid-September. In order to qualify directly for the London Olympics, Yao Ming will naturally not miss it and has been training with the national team recently.

"I still want to go back to the Rockets. It would help me improve my physical condition, and it's my last Olympics. I want to give it my all one last time."

Yao Ming responded simply with his head down. Wang Shipeng, hearing this, calmed down, glanced at the Mamba still interacting with the fans, and lowered his voice to say:

Is the situation in the US really as Marbury described?

"."

Raising an eyebrow without speaking, Yao Ming let out a long sigh, patted his teammate, and turned to continue warming up. Wang Shipeng, knowing the answer, felt a little disappointed. Thinking of Kobe's performance over the past few days, he muttered to himself:

"If one champion is like this, what would it be like with 12 champions?"

-

On Saturday, August 13th, the lockout continued, but the Knicks' young players got moving.

Interesting young people gathered at Basketball Lee's, with Kyrie Irving, Danny Green, Tobias Harris, Markieff Morris, and Chandler Parsons arriving at the arena early.

Around 9 o'clock, Lance Stephenson, who had been clamoring to go out to sea to play basketball, Jimmy Butler, who was "secretly practicing," and Isaiah Thomas, the "invisible man," also appeared on the scene.

Witnessed by New York media, the training camp spontaneously formed by young people began. Before the training started, everyone took a group photo, and everyone had a smile on their face.

As a die-hard fan of Li You, Kyrie Irving immediately updated his Twitter, posting a photo of the two of them and proactively commenting:
"This is the awareness of a champion! No one can discredit the GOAT! Don't point fingers at us! #GOATRecognition #NewYorkGang #2012Champion"

"."

(End of this chapter)