NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 825 Another Year of "New Script" (Daily Life Chapter)

On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the NBA announced its Executive of the Year award for this season:

Larry Bird of the Indiana Pacers won the award with 12 first-place votes from the executive panel!

Although a record of 42 wins is not exactly impressive, most commentators believe that Bird deserved the award, considering the strength of the four teams in the top half of the bracket.

Like the Knicks, the Pacers built their team through the draft. While David West, who was acquired this season, has the talent of an All-Star, the Pacers' success is largely due to a group of young players realizing their potential.

Bird remained very low-key when he won the award that night, while the Bankers Life Arena in Indianapolis was unusually enthusiastic, with Pacers fans firmly believing that their chance had come!

After the game started at 19 PM, Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller in the TNT broadcast booth didn't hold back their praise. After Roy Hibbert grabbed another offensive rebound and put the ball in the basket, they loudly praised him:

"Roy Hibbert completely dominated the paint! Chris Bosh's abdominal injury may be the turning point of the series!"

Miller was thrilled, and Kevin Harlan also saw that the Heat were at a disadvantage. After a hard-fought victory in Game 2, injuries did indeed change the course of the series.

"I want to give more credit to Darren Collison's performance. He's been getting better and better in this year's playoffs, which is probably why Larry Bird won the Executive of the Year award. The Pacers have transformed!"

"."

After eliminating the Cavaliers in the first round, the Pacers faced difficulties in their away game against the Heat, but this changed in Game 2. With Bosh injured, the Pacers almost pulled off a comeback.

The opponents' injuries have clearly boosted the young players' confidence. Hibbert is a prime example. He didn't have a good way to deal with Bosh, who could "fire" from beyond the three-point line, but Joel Anthony has helped him regain his confidence!

After scoring on the putback, Hibbert, who was retreating on defense, clenched his fist in celebration, his dark face showing a determined expression. The injuries had given them an opportunity.

The conference finals are something many players never get to experience in their entire lives. The young players are all giving it their all. Regardless of the final result, as long as they can reach the Eastern Conference Finals, that's a success!
Paul George's move to the shooting guard position made the Pacers' lineup taller, and the young players, back at home, unleashed tremendous energy on the defensive end, relentlessly chasing Wade.

Despite trailing by only 5 points, Flash got impatient and quickly attacked the basket after a crossover dribble at the top of the key. However, under George's interference, his layup off the backboard missed the rim.

"Oh!!"

Amidst the cheers that echoed throughout the arena, Hibbert once again secured the defensive rebound, ignoring Joel Anthony who was still struggling, and firmly held the ball in his arms.

In the following minutes, although the Pacers' shooting percentage was not high, their hustle was extremely fierce, and they repeatedly lost defensive rebounds. Coach Spoelstra shouted in frustration, but his reminders could not solve the problem.

Tyler Hansbrough, who came on late in the first quarter, also wreaked havoc in the paint, grabbing the rebound and putting it in after George missed a jump shot.

At 18:26, thanks to James' efficient 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, the Heat haven't collapsed yet.

"15 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive rebounds. The guys made the opponent pay. This is the Pacers' best performance in recent years!"

A beaming Reggie Miller launched into another round of praise, saying that the towering Pacers gave him hope, and that if they could protect both home games, the series would be completely different.

Noting that Wade went 0-for-3 and scored no points, Kevin Harlan had to praise Paul George's defense:
"George's performance reminded me of Sprewell and Mehta-World Peace when they played for the Knicks."

"Not only his defense, but his ball-handling skills are also better than in the past three seasons. The Pacers are indeed underrated, and they are strong contenders for the championship."

While the two were praising him enthusiastically, they also made sure to flatter Larry Bird, saying that Bird was indeed more reliable than Michael Jordan in terms of player selection!

Wade didn't score a single point in the entire first half, but fortunately, McGrady, who came off the bench, performed exceptionally well tonight, making several "soulful pull-up jumpers" in rotation to help the team stay close in the score.

During halftime, Coach Spoelstra offered a pep talk, but an embarrassing moment occurred in the third quarter. As the opponent began to collapse their defense and implement zone defense for several consecutive possessions, the Heat struggled to score from the outside.
Although James could find open teammates, Battier just couldn't make the shots. When the Chosen One and Wade also started missing their three-pointers, the game completely collapsed.

With 12:26 left in the quarter, Danny Granger's outburst ignited the passion of the more than 18000 fans in attendance.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

LeBron James, who had just lost the MVP award a couple of days ago, looked furious when he heard the cheers. Dwyane Wade, who scored only 2 points in three quarters, was even more enraged. Hearing the coach still emphasizing basketball, he broke through the defense and yelled:

"This isn't a defensive problem! Damn it! We have to make those shots, or they'll all be crowding the paint."

"You blind old woman!"

When Spoelstra was publicly questioned, he immediately glared and shouted. The argument between the two left the Heat players dumbfounded, and the director noticed the situation and frequently focused the camera on the bench.

The argument finally ended after intervention from Haslem, Juwan Howard, and others. McGrady remained silent, his lips pursed, clearly not expecting the game to turn out this way.

The fourth quarter was almost garbage time, and McGrady had just managed to get to the free-throw line;

Turning back, Paul George also had a stroke of luck. Facing the aging "Old James" James Harden, he pulled back from the left wing and made a step-back jumper!
"You should retire, buddy! Stop chasing rings."

Paul George, shaking his head and joking, offered McGrady a suggestion, which immediately enraged McGrady, who glared at him and retorted:

"Who do you think you are? Shut your filthy mouth!"

"."

During garbage time, the young Paul George, showing no fear or hesitation, launched a fierce attack on James Harden in the following minutes. McGrady was unable to score and was eventually pulled by James Harden in a fit of anger during a defensive play.

Pacers fans at the scene started shouting and cursing when they saw this. Both sides were afraid of further injuries and decided to rotate their players again.

The camera focused on James and Wade on the Heat's bench. Having failed to capitalize on their momentum and take a 3-1 lead, another loss in this manner looks like the Heat are about to be eliminated.
Amid cheers from the fans, the score was finally set at 78-97. The Pacers, back at home, secured a decisive victory and successfully leveled the series!
Paul George was all smiles after the win, hugging everyone he met. Roy Hibbert, who had a dark complexion, was also all smiles during the interview. The big man scored a team-high 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

When the reporter praised his dominance, Hibbert's smile grew even brighter, and when talking about his six offensive rebounds, he responded with great confidence:
"Coach Vogel repeatedly reminded us of the team's strengths. The Pacers are the taller side, and the fact that they out-rebounded their opponents by 16 points is the best proof of that."

"You know, everyone favored the Heat before the game, but James and Wade aren't Lee, and we won't hype up their abilities like the fans do."

"In fact, these guys are just like us; nobody in the league is afraid of the Heat!"

"."

At the post-game press conference, James and Wade didn't bury their heads in the sand like their good friend Anthony. Sitting in front of the reporters, the chosen ones calmly accepted the defeat.
"This is the NBA. The Indiana fans are amazing, and the away atmosphere puts a lot of pressure on everyone."

"Although our perimeter players failed to step up, I will still make the same choice in the later games. The basketball will eventually fall into the basket."

Miami Herald reporters were also surprised by the team's loss in this manner; a score of 78 was simply too poor, leading to a meeting among reporters on the spot.
“Wade, your scoring average dropped to 22.1 points per game in the regular season, and your performance in the playoffs still seems to be sluggish. Is this related to your change in role?”

When they win, nobody mentions these things, but once they lose, sports reporters automatically start writing lengthy explanations. Tonight, Wade, who went 2-for-13, didn't want to elaborate, responding calmly:

“Everyone on the team made corresponding sacrifices. LeBron is a huge drain on him because he has to play the power forward position.”

"I don't care about the stats. The Heat are the best in the league, and everyone has done a great job this season."

"Coach Riley has said more than once that I am the best player, but we all know that is impossible. I have no interest in deceiving myself. To achieve that, we have to wait until Lee leaves the league."

The reporters at the scene laughed good-naturedly; Wade was clearly teasing Kobe about his "big mouth" from a few years ago.
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Wade shrugged and then returned to the game:
"The Heat need to address their rebounding issues, and I can't keep scoring 5 points at a time. We lost our rhythm tonight, but I think that's a good thing!"

"Identify problems early, then work together to solve them. When we figure everything out, the Heat will be unstoppable."

The two men, who accepted defeat with composure, ultimately won the approval of most reporters. When the press conference ended, Wade and James, who had left the public eye, both pursed their lips and remained silent.

Finally, overwhelmed by his frustration, Wade muttered a complaint under his breath:
"I'm only 30! God is so unfair!"

Knowing his friend had a knee problem, and that the packed schedule had taken a huge toll on the Heat, James, seemingly understanding his friend's thoughts, whispered encouragingly: "No one can stop time. Lee is lucky this year, but we have a bigger advantage!"

30-year-old Wade has struggled to score in double figures in the playoffs, while 34-year-old Li You has dominated every game, including last night's Game 2 where he scored 50 points in 36 minutes.

Joe Johnson, who had a rare breakout performance, led his team to hold on for three quarters before being eliminated in the end. After the game, jubilant New York fans began counting down to the championship.
It was still unclear how Bosh was recovering in Miami. Wade sighed and replied in a low voice:

"I just hope to stay healthy for the regional finals!"

"."

-

On Thursday, May 17, TNT's pre-game program featured Mike Bibby, who had announced his retirement on Twitter just two days prior.

The veteran Shaq showed great respect for his former rival, giving him a warm hug in front of the camera. Barkley also praised Bibby's career, creating a harmonious atmosphere in the studio.

Before discussing tonight's game, Kenny Smith, with a smile on his face, asked the question that the onlookers were curious about:

"Bib, many people think that it was because you faced off against Lee in this year's playoffs that you retired. We would like to hear your thoughts on this program."

Dressed in a black suit, Bibi laughed heartily, and just when the four thought he was about to retort, he sincerely replied:

"That's true. Only someone who has faced off against Li in the playoffs can understand my sense of powerlessness!"

"After losing three games in a row, I started to feel desperate! Speed, strength, agility, etc., Li showed no signs of decline. There was nothing I could do but watch him score on the court."

"Some commentators like to use 34-year-old Michael Jordan as a reference, but I think that's completely wrong. This year's playoffs made it clear to me that Lee is still dominating the league."

The old shark nodded repeatedly, not giving his partner a chance to argue, and added:
“I know what kind of condition Michael Jordan is in at 34. He is very strong, but compared with the past, there has been a clear decline.”

“Li is completely different. He can easily score 50 points in the playoffs. What’s even more frightening is that after all this happened, everyone got used to it because we were used to such performances.”

"Now I'd like to add something: Li will improve further if he makes it to the finals. That's a different level of basketball. If young players are lucky enough to make it to the finals, they will understand what I'm saying now."

Ernie Johnson, worried that O'Neal would start bragging about his performance in the Finals again, quickly interjected and asked again:
"We have witnessed the changes in the Nets this year. Although they were eliminated in the first round, the team still has great potential."

"Have you and Garnett discussed the future? Many fans are worried that Garnett might also leave basketball."

Recalling the moment Garnett silently shed tears, Mike Bibby also felt a pang of sadness; that sense of helplessness is something fans can't truly understand.
"Kevin isn't at his best this year, you know. The packed schedule has exhausted the veterans, and the Nets could have performed better."

“We haven’t talked about specifics yet, but Kevin probably won’t choose to retire. Unlike guards, he can still make a huge contribution on the defensive end.”

"The Nets also need him to reshape the locker room culture. You've seen the atmosphere at Barclays Center, and the team must change that in the future."

Charles Barkley, known for his argumentative nature, was hesitant to say the Nets were beyond saving, but when discussing the game, he once again contradicted himself:
"Lee's 50 points against the Hawks perfectly demonstrate that the Knicks have problems!"

"Basketball is a team sport, and the Knicks' past success was inseparable from their excellent roster depth, but now most of their bench players are rookies."

"Kyrie Irving won Rookie of the Year, but in crucial moments, he struggles to shoulder more responsibility."

"Ibaka is a huge surprise, but what I see is the aging of the rest of the Knicks players. I believe the younger players have seen their opportunity."

Kevin Durant delivered a moving speech when he received his first MVP award on Monday, and his statement about his mother, "You are the real MVP," won unanimous praise from the media.

With Oklahoma City lacking a sports league, Durant, representing a small market, has become a city hero, and more and more onlookers are beginning to expect the young man to defeat the veteran and successfully reach the top.

The "script" has been arranged: in 98, Li You defeated Michael Jordan to usher in a new era; now, the new MVP has defeated the GOAT, officially announcing the start of another era, which echoes the past.

While Americans enjoy hearing stories, Shaquille O'Neal wasn't buying it. The young man's victory over Li You was something the veteran Shaq was quick to object to.

"You haven't experienced Lee's dominance in the Finals, so you can't possibly understand what I'm saying!"

"Listen, the Thunder have no chance this year. Durant might not win a championship until 16 years from now."

"Li represents the Knicks' tactical system. He's not like Kobe, who scores with isolation plays outside the system. It won't be long before my words are proven true!"

These remarks turned the pre-game show into another routine argument. Gasol was indeed in poor form, and Ray Allen's bone spurs were also a significant concern.

No matter how logical and well-reasoned Barkley's analysis was, the response he received was always, "The GOAT is invincible."

When the debate ended, Mike Bibby chose to side with Shaq, refraining from further analyzing the tactical system and matchup issues, and instead remarked with considerable emotion:
"I used to question Lynch Hunter, but now I'm starting to understand this guy! He's the first player in the league to speak the truth!"

"."

At 19 p.m. that evening, the Philips Arena was packed to capacity. Contrary to what the commentators had imagined, after Li You scored 50 points, the Atlanta fans erupted with 120% enthusiasm.

More than 19,000 fans cheered for Li You's goal as soon as the game started, and no one booed when the home team gradually fell behind, leaving many reporters puzzled by the atmosphere.

ABC, as the broadcaster, also showed footage of fans during timeouts, and most people cheered and shouted happily when they saw the camera, making the game seem like a basketball party.
In the first possession after the timeout, Joe Johnson once again came to the right wing to receive the ball, and Marvin Williams, who started tonight, immediately stepped up to set a fake screen.

The Hawks' height decreased, but their offensive space improved significantly. At this point, Gasol had to move away from the basket and occasionally glance at Al Horford in the left corner.

"Let's go Hawks!"

Amid cheers, Joe Johnson, who had a matchup advantage, drove to the basket with his right hand without waiting for a screen. Serge Ibaka immediately abandoned his man and quickly slid in to help defend.

Unable to penetrate directly to the basket using his speed, Joe Johnson immediately passed the ball back to his teammate, Marvin Williams, who then quickly handed it to Jeff Teague at the top of the key.

Accelerating laterally, Teague noticed that Li You had been pushed away by his teammate this time. He decisively stopped at the three-point line and then confidently attempted a jump shot, which missed.
Joe Johnson, who wanted the ball again, was frustrated by his teammates' offensive choices. Seeing that the long rebound was just picked up by Li You, he could only retreat and defend hard.

While Al Horford was still directing the play after rushing back to the basket, Ray Allen moved laterally again on the perimeter, faked a screen, and then accelerated.

Joe Johnson, who opted to double-team, watched as Li You passed the ball to Ray Allen, who was unguarded and easily made a jump shot from the right wing.

With the score at 16-5, cheers erupted in the arena again, and an exasperated Josh Smith ripped off his headband.

On offense, Josh Smith, who actively demanded the ball, forced his way past Marion for a layup but missed. Horford, who grabbed the rebound, attempted a putback but was blocked.
The paint was crowded, and in the end, Gasol used his height advantage to secure possession of the ball. Larry Drew on the sidelines watched this scene helplessly and crossed his arms. The more anxious he became, the more difficult it was to score.

Immediately after the pick-and-roll, a double team was formed. While Marvin Williams was still moving, Li You, holding the ball with his left hand, suddenly lowered his center of gravity, and the basketball passed through the three defenders. He then skillfully got rid of the defense.

Jeff Teague, who collided with his teammate, was unable to catch up. Horford, under the basket, reacted quickly, but after moving to help defend, he could only watch helplessly as the basketball flew past his fingertips.

Gasol, unguarded on the lower right side of the basket, easily retrieved the ball and slammed it down with both hands!

The game once again became one-sided. When the Hawks broke their scoring drought, no one on the bench celebrated; everyone knew the game was lost.

The first quarter ended 35-15, and the arena erupted in cheers. Head coach Larry Drew, looking at his players with glazed eyes, sighed inwardly, stopped drawing up plays, and looked at the crowd to encourage them:
"Basketball is not just about winning and losing. As a young team, we performed very well. Don't let the fans down, and enjoy the game!"

"."

(End of this chapter)