NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 827 A Battle of Champion Experience (Daily Chapter)
On Friday, May 25, 2012, Tim Duncan made his first appearance at a press conference after the game between the Spurs and the Mavericks that night.

Having been eliminated in the semifinals, the Spurs seem to be back on the "right track" compared to last year. The San Antonio regional media are relatively satisfied with this, and the questions they asked were naturally very friendly.

Perhaps genuinely satisfied with the results, Duncan rarely smiled, and when talking about rookie Leonard, he praised him:

"Kawhi doesn't seem like a young player; he's more mature than you expect!"

"He has the potential to become a star player, and we are very happy to see that the Spurs have selected him. This is our biggest gain this season."

Although they lost to the Mavericks, the Spurs' roster looks better than in previous years, and George Hill off the bench was a pleasant surprise. What the team currently lacks is playoff experience.

While everyone was still bragging to each other, an ESPN reporter asked another pointed question, bringing up the painful memories of that time in Los Angeles once again:

"Tim, Shannon Brown, and many other former Lakers players believe that the failure back then was caused by you and Kobe."

"Furthermore, there are now reports from Lakers insiders that losing the Time Warner contract was also due to you and Kobe. What do you have to say about these accusations?"

Before Game 6 began, Dallas local media reported on recent gossip, clearly indicating that some reporters were trying to disrupt Duncan's performance.

Of course, this wasn't something made up by the media. With the offseason approaching, unemployed Shannon Brown is desperate for money, so naturally he had to go on a show and talk his way out of it.

When asked about his "romantic affairs," Shannon Brown no longer admitted his mistakes as he had in the previous two years. Instead, he insisted that it was all Duncan's fault, and he even made sacrifices for the sake of harmony in the locker room.
This episode of The Dan Patrick Show has generated explosive viewership, with the clips uploaded to YouTube seeing a surge in views and the comment section being "inundated" by humorists.

Duncan, of course, wouldn't pay attention to this kind of information. Upon hearing the question, his smile vanished instantly, replaced by a curt and simple response:
"We did lose the finals, but that doesn't mean we've failed!"

"You can comment as you please, but basketball is a team sport involving five players. There are many factors that affect a team besides their performance on the court."

"I'm willing to take responsibility for the loss, but as for the rest, that's not something I'm interested in."

The Spurs' press officer also felt that the reporters were trying to make things difficult for Duncan, so he ended the interview early. Many people in the audience complained, but in the end they could only watch Duncan turn around and walk away quickly.

Despite reaching the conference finals again, the Mavericks are not complacent. Their salary cap exploded this season, and like the Knicks, they will have to pay multiple levels of luxury tax in the offseason.

Mark Cuban is determined to keep the roster intact in order to make another run for the championship; only reaching the Finals counts as a success!
Artest, along with Kidd and Nowitzki, whose form improved in the following games, attended the press conference, where all the Dallas reporters praised them, and no one questioned the coaching staff's choices anymore.

When asked about his opponent in the regional finals, the in high spirits German joked around, once again teasing the trophy:
"You know, I've never liked this trophy; it always reminds me of a terrible first-round match!"

"I agree with some of Tim's points. The MVP award is a curse for our generation of players. After winning the trophy, there is always a long period of failure."

"Fortunately, Durant is still young. He has more time than us. I look forward to facing this young team in the conference finals."

Many commentators believe that Jason Kidd will become the team's biggest weakness in the upcoming series. When asked about this, the veteran didn't argue; instead, he joked about his situation.
"Guys, I'm 39 years old! In fact, my physical condition started to decline a long time ago."

"This is normal aging, the Li you see is an exception! Only VC and I can truly represent some veterans."

Artest, who is almost 33, has actually declined significantly, but as he gets older, the championship striker's flattery skills have only improved. He chuckled and continued to praise Artest:
"Li is special; you don't need to raise the bar for veterans!"

"Honestly, when we face the Knicks in the Finals, it's hard to have much of a chance. Tyson's DPOY award is actually thanks to the whole team, and we won't deny that."

These words made everyone in the room burst into laughter. This was a reference to Chandler's acceptance speech, where he joked that the team was too old, which gave him more opportunities to showcase his defensive skills.
At the end of the press conference, Nowitzki also smiled and offered some promises, the German saying with considerable confidence:
"The team does have some minor issues, but don't underestimate our championship experience; that's the Mavericks' biggest advantage in the upcoming games!"

"."

The Spurs, who resisted the experience of winning a championship, were eliminated, while the Mavericks, who embraced the experience, made a comeback and made it to the conference finals again.

The game results once again proved the value of championship experience, and during the offseason, the Knicks' role players are destined to become targets for many teams.

-

On Saturday, May 26th, the New York Times exclusively reported that Li You had welcomed his twelfth son. The public, after reading the report, was completely stunned; even the replacement roster had been drawn up.
It was still Lenox Hill Hospital. Natalie Dormer contributed to the Lee family's home last night, and Lee Yoo didn't immediately travel to Miami with the team to take care of his family.

Around noon, Natalie, still full of energy after giving birth, was sharing her feelings in the hospital room. In the luxury suite, the young women were chattering happily.

When the topic turned to their eldest son's name, a slightly plump Natalie glanced at her partner, who was still preparing lunch on the other side, and then asked in a low voice:

"Ashley, my father wants to name the child. Would you agree, honey?"

Gary Dormer doesn't particularly like his daughter's choice. Years ago, British media reported that Li Youshi wasn't so "reverent," and with various lengthy articles supporting him, most honest people wouldn't have much affection for him.

However, the tone changed drastically after the financial crisis. A group of mainstream media outlets collectively suffered from amnesia and began to praise Li You's success. Regardless of how many children he had, he was a devoted and good man who was not married!

Seemingly recalling their father's fawning manner when naming Evander, the Olsen sisters exchanged a glance and smiled reassuringly:
“Clay respects his family a lot; Evander is the name my father gave him.”

Unlike Tang Nade, who changed his surname out of spite with Li You, the Olson family couldn't wait to have Elizabeth take the surname Li. The divorced couple had subtly inquired about the matter more than once.

Natalie, who was not very familiar with the situation, breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't think too much about it. Her allowance and investment returns over the years had made her relatively financially independent, and now she wanted to ease the tension with her family.

Elizabeth recently cut her blonde hair short in order to distinguish herself from her sister, and at the suggestion of the succubus, she has returned to her girlish style from years ago.

Seeing Li You skillfully cut the fruit, the young woman smiled sweetly, and remembering the news she had seen, she asked with concern:

"Is it okay if I don't go to the SpaceX party? It's the first commercial spacecraft, and I got so many calls yesterday."

After the Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial spacecraft to dock at the International Space Station and achieved great success, the board of directors naturally wanted to celebrate. Musk planned to come to New York first, and then go to Atlantic City for some fun.

As for why this arrangement was made, it's because the business Li You has taken over over the years has been fully expanded. Since it's all about consumption anyway, and it just happens to be cheaper here, it's natural to want to support it.

Revel Casino just opened last month, and Governor Chris Christie has been in a hurry ever since Morgan Stanley sold its shares.

It's rare that Li You has invested some money in recent years, and now there's hope for a recovery, so a group of people can't wait to "leech off" him.

Li You, who had always wanted to obtain online gambling qualifications, naturally wouldn't miss out on the opportunity since he hadn't achieved his goal. As for the Atlantic City side getting "anxious," that was something to be happy about.

“Of course I’ll be by Natalie’s side these next few days, and it will be the same in the future. No matter what happens, family is the most important thing.” Li You whispered something in the young woman’s ear, feeling the warmth from her waist. Elizabeth glanced at the other end of the room before standing on tiptoe and smiling as she gave her a kiss.

Natalie was particularly happy to enjoy the attentive service, but she was somewhat troubled after hearing Elizabeth share that she hadn't chosen to breastfeed. However, after Li You whispered something in her ear, Natalie immediately blushed and whispered:

"I don't want to mess around with you guys!"

-

On Sunday, May 27th, the Miami Herald suddenly reported a piece of news that made Heat fans overjoyed:

“JR Smith took his talent to South Beach – he was arrested last night for not having a valid driver’s license.”

After arriving in Miami ahead of schedule, the Knicks had free time last night, and JR Smith let loose, forgetting his criminal record, and was caught red-handed.

In the morning, head coach Mike D'Antoni had to give an interview, and a local reporter photographed JR Smith's outfit, with his baggy pants standing out, a stark contrast to the usual Knicks player look.

Unlike other teams in the league, the Knicks have always insisted on formal attire, with dress codes even for everyday outings during games, virtually eliminating the fashion trends popular among Black people.

This is also a requirement of the sponsors. Although there is a lack of freedom, this tradition has been well maintained, and many old-school players in the league are very supportive of it.

When a reporter asked about JR Smith's situation, D'Antoni didn't blame him, but simply smiled and gave a brief response:
"Smith needs to become more professional. As a championship guard, he not only needs to work hard on the court, but also needs to cultivate a good image off the court."

"I've spoken with him a lot, and I will continue to coach the team until 2016. I will always welcome him!"

Soon to become a free agent, JR Smith not only hopes to get a big contract, but his father also wants to take this opportunity to send his younger brother to play for the Knicks.

New York media had previously reported on the matter, and JR Smith's change of image this time is seen as a sign that he is about to leave the team.

Faced with various speculations, D'Antoni has always tried to downplay them. The old man doesn't actually care about these things at all. The coaching staff didn't consider luxury tax or roster issues. With Lee Woo-dae's contract, it's simply impossible not to spend money.

Once the gossip subsided, an ESPN reporter, as the broadcaster of the Eastern Conference Finals, asked questions related to the game:
"Mike, when exactly will Lee join the team? Chris Bosh's availability for tomorrow night's game is still uncertain. Will you make any tactical adjustments because of this?"

Mentioning Li You, D'Antoni's lips curled into a smile; the old man couldn't help but exude confidence, responding with a hearty laugh:
"Family is the most important thing! Li should be back with the team by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Trust me, there's no need to worry about Lee's form. Wade scored 41 points in Game 6, he was in excellent form, and Lee is prepared for that. We're all excited about tomorrow night's direct confrontation!"

"."

In the crucial Game 6, Wade exploded, shooting 17-for-25 and scoring an incredibly efficient 41 points, sending Heat fans into a frenzy. Even local media began hyping up the "Flash vs. Li You" showdown.
Wade's form is visibly improving, and commentators are looking forward to a thrilling matchup between the two in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, Wade, who has been battered and bruised for years, has not provoke anyone at this time and has not given any interviews in the past two days.

The Yahoo Sports reporter stopped gossiping and started asking about the matchups for tomorrow night:
"Mike, if James returns to the power forward position and the Heat lower their height, will the Knicks stick to their regular season matchup?"

Although he hasn't won a single game this season, James has consistently put up impressive numbers against the Knicks during the regular season.

The chosen one, who moved to position 4, gained numerous mismatch opportunities, which was truly impressive.

"I haven't confirmed these things yet, but I believe they won't cause too much trouble for the team!"

"As long as Lee stays healthy, the Knicks' system will function perfectly. As for how tomorrow night's game will unfold, let's wait and see."

The man with the mustache chuckled and said a few polite words before striding away. Just as many commentators have said, the Knicks were very confident, and James and Wade's outbursts in the semifinals did not cause them any trouble.

Of the four teams that made it to the conference finals, only the Heat lacked championship experience, which was indeed Wade's request, and the local Miami media also fully supported it.

In stark contrast to the Heat's situation, the Western Conference Finals that night became a contest of championship experience. Both teams struggled to score at the start of the game until the end of the first quarter when the "former New York player" broke the deadlock.

Fisher's open three-pointer and Barea's pick-and-roll jumper from beyond the arc drew loud cheers from the Oklahoma City fans, while Artest's elbow drive drew boos from the crowd.

After the Mavericks switched from man-to-man defense to zone defense, the game gradually shifted in favor of the away team.

Westbrook shifted gears and accelerated down the middle, driving hard. After Kidd was breached, the Mavericks' defense began to collapse. Faced with the young player's attack, Chandler's interference played a significant role, forcing the opponent to miss another shot.

"What the hell!"

Westbrook, who missed a layup, was still trying to get back on defense. After grabbing the rebound, Kidd immediately made a long pass to his teammate, Jason Terry, who didn't disappoint and hit a three-pointer from the right wing!

Upon seeing this, Kevin Harlan, in the TNT commentary booth, instinctively exclaimed in praise:

"The Thunder seem to have underestimated the veterans' hunger for victory! With an excellent game rhythm, Kidd has been dominating the opponent since the start!"

Westbrook's 1-for-5 shooting performance was indeed disappointing, but fortunately, Oklahoma City fans firmly believed that their player would eventually have a breakout performance, and the cheers in the arena grew louder and louder.

Durant seemed to have been overwhelmed by the veteran, missing shots in the last minute or so. Coach Brooks was almost jumping up and down in frustration, repeatedly shouting for the ball to be given to Durant.

At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks, with their championship experience, easily took a double-digit lead at 28-18!

The rest of the game basically became a 10-point battle, when James Harden, who was not in good form, suddenly broke out and hit three-pointers one after another.
On the Mavericks' side, someone stepped up. After Artest missed several shots, Barea played the key role, responding repeatedly to help the team stabilize the point difference.

In the end, amidst the sighs of Oklahoma City fans, the game ended 106-99, with the Mavericks taking the lead and seizing control of the series.

Durant's performance in the second half was lackluster, especially in the fourth quarter where he went 0-for-2 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, failing to respond in time.

Despite the loss, the Oklahoma City fans still cheered. Durant, who was interviewed, seemed a bit frustrated, as Artest's aggressive defense prevented him from finding his rhythm.

When discussing the loss, Durant took the blame for the defeat in front of the camera, his face showing regret and a hint of emotion as he remarked:
"Our opponents were the better team tonight! Their championship experience has truly transformed this team!"

"As a young team, losing home advantage is not a problem. Derrick also has a wealth of championship experience. Everyone will work hard to summarize when we get back, and focusing on the next game is what I want to do more!"

"."

(End of this chapter)