NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 822 He's not human (Daily life chapter)
On Sunday, April 29, 2012, after the first day of the playoffs, all major media outlets across the United States reported the same news:

"Derrick Rose has a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and surgery will be postponed for two weeks."

Yahoo Sports' front page featured a photo of Rose clutching his knee and collapsing in pain in the fourth quarter, suggesting that the MVP, who had just signed a big contract with Adidas this season, might be facing his downfall.

ESPN is mainly reporting on the relationship between this season's packed schedule and injuries. Not only Rose, but Dwight Howard also had to leave the game due to a back injury.

With injuries far exceeding those of last season, many commentators believe there's a problem with the league's arrangements. Despite being on his day off, David Stern still gave an interview and answered related questions:
"There is no scientific evidence to suggest that a tight schedule causes significant wear and tear on the body."

“Derrick Rose only played 39 games in the regular season, and Dwight Howard’s back injury occurred last season. We feel sorry for the players.”

"."

Howard's injury is more serious than anyone expected. The "Happy Beast" has already departed for Los Angeles today, and the Cavaliers have also announced that their core player will undergo back surgery.

In terms of attendance, Rose has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. His inability to surpass the Heat at the end of the season was also related to the Bulls' injury crisis.

Despite winning Game 1, Tom Thibodeau looked gloomy during an interview last night. When asked about the upcoming games, he could only manage a wry smile.
"That's the NBA. Even the greatest players can face injuries. Derrick will pull through, and we will carry his full effort into the upcoming games."

Despite injuries, the Bulls, as the second seed in the East, are still a very strong team overall. However, while the Hawks have a poor record, they have a lot of talent.

In the playoffs, talent often comes in handy, Hawks head coach Larry Drew responded confidently after offering his congratulations:
"We will not let our guard down. As a young team, no matter what happens, everyone will give it their all!"

"As for Joe's performance, I'm not worried at all; he'll bounce back strongly."

"."

The Hawks' loss was largely due to Joe Johnson's poor performance, shooting 3-for-15 from the field, 0-for-9 from three-point range, and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line, scoring only 11 points.

If judged by the standards of a team leader, this performance is definitely unacceptable. After the game, championship-winning center Jason Collins shared his championship experience and spoke highly of his teammates:
"Joe is the team leader, and we believe he can step up in Game 2!"

"My experience in New York made me understand the true meaning of a championship. As a member of the team, what we need to do next is to do our job well, and Joe will lead everyone to move forward."

These words sound reasonable at first glance, but upon closer examination, it seems that Jason Collins is shifting the blame. What if Joe Johnson hadn't stepped up? Relying solely on role players wouldn't have been enough!

Influenced by Li You, Joe Johnson didn't realize anything was wrong. Despite his poor performance, he felt extremely guilty and apologized to a group of sports reporters.

"My teammates did a great job, and I will give it my all in the next few games!"

"We also hope that Rose can recover his health as soon as possible."

Compared to the "Hawk King" who readily accepted his poor performance, Carmelo Anthony, who got lost at Madison Square Garden last night, was still making excuses for himself.

In ESPN's recap of last night's game, many clips showed Anthony repeatedly missing shots and committing turnovers under the pressure of fronting defense and being surrounded in the paint.

In one possession during the third quarter, a comical scene unfolded when both Mike Bibby and Kevin Garnett signaled to Anthony to move to the left wing to receive the pass, but he simply wouldn't listen.

Taking advantage of Marion's lack of aggressive fronting, Anthony proactively called for the ball with his back to the basket in the left-side blocking area.

Even in the sweet spot, it was still difficult to pass the ball. Under Li You's interference, Mike Bibby deliberately increased the arc of the pass, making the pass slower.

He jumped to catch the ball, landed, and turned towards the baseline. Anthony then used his left hand to force his way through the crowd.

While trying to use the time difference to complete the offense by opening up the defense, Anthony was about to make a layup, but as soon as the ball left his hand, it was blocked by Li You, who rushed to the inside to help defend!

This happened multiple times in the game, with the sudden increase in defensive intensity in the third quarter completely silencing Anthony.

Carmelo Anthony went 0-for-7 in the quarter, scoring zero points, and the Nets managed only 13 points as a team under his leadership.
Although Li You played aggressively for a few minutes during garbage time, he did teach his neighbors a lesson. At the end of the game, Garnett angrily slammed his fist on the glass door of the fire extinguisher in the players' tunnel!

At 66:132, Madison Square Garden became a "paradise" for people looking for fun last night, as a group of people frantically chased after the Nets' team bus after the game, just to be able to laugh at their neighbors.

After missing the playoffs last season, Li You has just returned this year and led his team to break his own record for the biggest point difference in playoff history.

The huge point difference was due to the efforts of the whole team. Baron Davis's offensive surge during garbage time was the key to the record, and the Beard successfully demonstrated his value in the game.

Because Garnett was so emotionally agitated, he cut his hand, and the wound was quite large, requiring stitches. ESPN showed footage of the incident on their program, and the obvious bloodstains were enough to prove just how angry Garnett was.

The Nets players declined all interviews, and host Grant Hill, not wanting to rub salt in the wound, could only offer a tactful comment when discussing tomorrow night's game:

"If the hand injury affects his shooting, Anthony must find his rhythm at the start of Game 2."

"The first and third quarters remain crucial; the Nets must address their scoring issues."

"."

-

On Monday, April 30th, in the four playoff games that concluded last night, one of the teams from the upper bracket finally dropped out.

During the Clippers vs. Rockets game, Caron Butler suffered a fractured left hand in the crucial third quarter and was forced to leave the game.

Kevin Martin seized the opportunity and suddenly erupted in the fourth quarter, getting to the free-throw line repeatedly and regaining his touch from beyond the three-point line, ultimately helping the Rockets complete the comeback.

100-103, the rebuilt Clippers lost their home-court advantage, and after the game, Los Angeles media collectively criticized head coach Denagro.

The Heat, who were expected to perform well, did not disappoint the commentators. James once again dominated Pierce, making the game one-sided, to the point that Rondo angrily clashed with the referee in the third quarter.
After being suspended, Game 2 was almost a foregone conclusion. The team's morale collapsed, and the Celtics' "super team" model officially ended this season.

At 19 p.m. that evening, Madison Square Garden was as lively as ever. The crushing victory in Game 1 brought back familiar feelings for many veteran fans, and some New York fans even held up a whiteboard to commemorate the 66 points.

Half an hour before the game started, Van Gundy and Mike Breen were still discussing Garnett's hand injury on the ESPN commentary desk:

"I know Garnett is very angry with himself, but the series has only just begun, and I hope he can stay calm."

"Losing by 66 points or losing by 1 point makes no difference in the result; the Nets just need to start afresh."

Back when Van Gundy was coaching, he crushed the aging Jazz team in the Finals. Speaking of point differentials, the championship-winning coach certainly has a lot of experience. Mike Breen simply nodded, not refuting, and then added with a smile:

"The Nets made a bold decision to start Marshon Brooks tonight. Coach Avery Johnson is obviously looking to solve their offensive problems."

"Jeff, what changes do you think the Nets will make tonight?"

This question stumped Van Gundy, who could only offer a few polite words. After thinking for a while, he finally revealed some real insights:
"Anthony held the ball for too long. This isn't the Western Conference playoffs. The Nets need more players to step up; they can't play individually."

The Nets were dominated by the Knicks in Game 1, with only 12 assists throughout the game, 5 of which came in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers' various inefficient isolation plays almost made the commentators laugh. This retro style of play has long been abandoned by most teams in the past two years, and the Lakers' failure proves that this approach is simply not feasible.

Garnett, who had protective gear on his hands, had a long face during warm-up. After Game 1 ended, he didn't say a word. With 66 points, Garnett felt humiliated!

Unlike his teammate, Anthony, as the team leader, didn't seem to be "down on his luck." He even flashed his signature smile when facing the camera, seemingly having shaken off his slump.

Marshon Brooks, now in the starting lineup, seemed a bit nervous. The atmosphere was too intense, and the rookie, thinking about his defensive duties, couldn't help but worry about his performance.
At 19:30 p.m., the players from both sides came to the center of the field. Veteran Mike Bibby, who could be considered Li You's old rival, showed a determined look and kept taking deep breaths to encourage himself.

Humphries seemed a little uncomfortable; Kanye West was sitting in the front row that night, and as a fellow traveler, it was hard not to think about his brief marriage. When the referee tossed the ball, Humphries, reacting a beat too slow, practically gave it to Gasol, and the arena erupted in cheers.

As Li You received the ball and advanced, he took advantage of the moment when the two players had just settled into their positions and suddenly made a quick in-and-out move at the top of the arc, lowering his center of gravity and immediately completing a crossover dribble.

Seeing that Li You had switched to his right hand and seemed to be about to accelerate his breakthrough, Mike Bibby hurriedly moved his feet, but was directly faked out by the behind-the-back dribble the moment he shifted his center of gravity.

"Oh!!"

Amidst excited shouts, Li You seemed to anticipate his opponent's reaction. When Mike Bibby pulled him and attempted a physical collision, he suddenly stopped, then lowered his center of gravity, accelerated a second time, and instantly overwhelmed the defense.

Bibby, who was rushing to defend, tried to disrupt the attack, but Li You suddenly stepped into the paint and launched a shot. His body drifted to the left and back, and when he threw the ball with his left hand, he was completely undisturbed.
"Easy score! Mike Bibby looks helpless, the difference in this matchup is just too great!"

Mike Breen spoke casually, knowing the ball would go in as soon as he saw Li You accelerate twice; various "irregular" shots had become a regular weapon.

During the Nets' offense, Van Gundy was still praising the ball movement. Anthony didn't box out for the ball like he did in Game 1, but instead used a screen to get to the top of the key to receive the ball and face up to attack.

With the ball placed on his right hand, Anthony made a quick step forward, trying to lower his center of gravity as he spun around, almost getting past Marion, and then attacked the basket with a half-body advantage.

Facing Ibaka's help defense, Anthony attempted to create a time difference, using his left arm to pull back after hanging in the air. Anthony attempted a layup with his body tilted to the side, but it was blocked again.
Seeing his teammate lose his balance and fall out of bounds, Garnett cursed under his breath and quickly retreated on defense.

Cheers erupted again as Li You sprinted across half the court. Marshon Brooks, retreating to defend, quickly turned his body to slow down. Before he could even make a tackle, a behind-the-back pass found Ray Allen on the left wing.

The latter received the ball and made no adjustments, arriving just outside the three-point line. With no one guarding him, he easily took a jump shot!

0-5, the cheers couldn't stop, the New York fans were overjoyed, their opponents were indeed no match for them.
Garnett, making a back-and-forth run, proactively moved to the three-point line during the offensive possession, raising his screen position to signal his teammates to get away as quickly as possible.

However, when Bibby accelerated laterally, Li You skillfully squeezed past him. After Garnett broke up the defense, he once again loudly commanded Anthony to step forward and screen. The latter symbolically stood still and then immediately followed up.

Bibi, who controlled the ball at the edge of the penalty area, intended to send a through ball, but his intention was too obvious and was immediately intercepted by Li You.

The veteran tried to initiate a chase, but Li Youqian received the ball and accelerated past the defense. As he crossed half-court, he looked back and, finding no one from the Nets chasing him, continued to accelerate.
Li You calmly took off from near the free-throw line, caught the ball with his right hand, and glided down the dunk!
"what!!"

Baron Davis, the new leader of the Knicks' atmosphere team, waved a towel and led the rookies in shouting at the top of their lungs.

Spike Lee, fully equipped with protective gear, sensed the familiar rhythm of the game and grinned broadly, pointing at the Nets players and joining the fans in cheering.
"Go home, guys! 66 points isn't the Knicks' limit!"

Garnett's reputation in New York has never been good, partly due to his "fighting and retreating" mentality, but largely because of his time with the Celtics.

At this moment, all the "firepower" was focused on Garnett. The fans behind the basket even jumped and shouted loudly. Many people even imitated him by punching fire extinguishers, which almost broke Garnett's defense on the spot.

After a pick-and-roll, Garnett received the ball in the left elbow area and took a jump shot. Garnett never expected Ibaka to bounce so fast, and the shot, which had been set high, fell directly into Gasol's arms.

When the Knicks launched another fast break, Anthony, who hadn't touched the ball in two possessions, was caught off guard and watched as Marion slotted home from the right corner.
A 10-0 run to start the game forced the Nets to call a timeout. Head coach Avery Johnson seemed a bit flustered; the game was already showing signs of collapse before the opponent even had a chance to run their plays.

Holding the tactics board, Avery Johnson shouted instructions, his dark face showing impatience.

"This is a chain reaction caused by the point guard position. Mike Bibby is working hard, but he can't help the team. The Nets could consider bringing in Farmar earlier."

Van Gundy started offering suggestions again, but at the end of the timeout, he added one last sentence:
"The best way is to find an All-Star guard in free agency. If the Nets can make the playoffs this season, they have already achieved their goal."

"."

Without any complicated tactical adjustments, Anthony started to bend over and call for the ball near the right side of the defensive zone. Facing Marion's fronting interference, he made a decisive and agile cut inside.

Mike Bibby successfully found his teammate, and despite interference from two big men, Anthony rose up strong under the basket, folded in the air, and forced a layup off the backboard!

"what!!"

After scoring, Anthony yelled and pounded his chest, clearly in high spirits.

The Nets double-teamed early and worked hard on defense. An angry Garnett even moved laterally faster, but Ibaka received a pass from Li You at the free-throw line and made a solid mid-range shot.

On the other hand, after a fake screen, Anthony received the ball in the elbow area, dribbled a step with his left hand, pushed Marion aside, and made a step-back jump shot!

As Anthony retreated on defense, he celebrated passionately. After getting into position, he looked towards the top of the key and saw that Ray Allen had easily gotten an open shot on the left wing after a fake screen. Seeing the ball bounce off the rim, he rushed into the paint.

Marion reacted faster, the veteran grabbing the ball first. By the time the basketball reached Li You's hands outside the three-point line, Mike Bibby had already adjusted his position.

Bibby casually pulled up his shorts and watched helplessly as his opponent decisively took a jump shot near the logo. By the time he turned to look at the basket, Li You had already turned and stepped back to defend.
Seeing the basketball arc wildly through the net, Mike Breen was just as excited as the New York fans, shouting along with them:

"Lee from the logo! Bang! Unlimited range!"

"."

Anthony, firing on all cylinders, kept "working" in the mid-range. When double-teamed, Li You always managed to find teammates and seize transition opportunities in some possessions, turning Mike Bibby into a sitting duck.

When Gasol easily completed the alley-oop, Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers. The opponent's score was useless, and the point difference continued to widen.

In the final moments of the first quarter, Anthony missed a free throw and muttered a curse in frustration, while Garnett remained silent with a long face, clearly annoyed by the noise from the arena.

With Danny Green's long-range three-pointer missing, the score was now 20-37, and the game seemed to have lost its suspense once again.

Carmelo Anthony scored 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, carrying the Nets' offense.

With 9 out of 10 field goals, 2 out of 2 three-pointers, and 2 out of 2 free throws, Li You scored 22 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and made 1 steal. He played the entire first quarter, leading the Nets to a narrow victory. His performance was even better than in Game 1.

At 22 PM, a large number of sports reporters gathered in the media room. The match ended in less than two hours, and the gap between the two sides was simply too large.

The Nets lost by only 35 points, 88-123, thanks to Carmelo Anthony's explosive performance. This is a huge improvement compared to the previous game!
Many people were whispering among themselves until the Knicks' press officer reminded them that Li Youyi had appeared on stage in a blue suit, at which point everyone stopped talking.

The ESPN reporter sitting in the front row carefully observed Li You and, seeing his relaxed demeanor without breaking a sweat, couldn't help but recall the recent opinions of some basketball commentators:
He's not human!

Skip Bayliss stated on First Take that Lee Woo was not human, and many industry insiders agreed. If it weren't for the GOAT's enormous influence, some people would have even wanted to "slice him up."

"Li, before this year's playoffs, your playoff scoring had already reached 7677 points, which is an incredible number!"

"At 34 years old, we believe you will surpass 8000 points after this year's playoffs! What would you like to say to future players about this record?"

The Sports Illustrated reporter started explaining the data again. Although everyone present knew Li You's Excel, some people still exclaimed "God!" when they heard the score of 8000.

"I haven't thought about that yet, after all, I plan to end my professional career in 2016!"

After smiling and reminding everyone again, Li You changed his tone and added in a relaxed manner:

"8000 points sounds amazing, but I prefer 1! Basketball is constantly evolving, and I hope that future generations of young players can break this record. I believe the league will only get better and better!"

"."

Upon hearing the score of 1, many journalists involuntarily widened their eyes. It was an unimaginable number, and at that moment, many felt that Skip Bayliss had indeed made the right assessment.
He's not human.

(End of this chapter)