NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 860 "The Basketball Businessman" (Chapter without a main character)

2013年5月23号星期四，东部决赛G2结束后，时间已经来到23点。

TNT, as the broadcaster, gave this year's conference finals a "glamorous" presentation, but after the Heat lost two home games in a row, the four people in the back studio fell silent.

No one questions the Knicks' strength, but everyone feels that the Heat shouldn't have lost so easily, especially given LeBron James' performance. There are even betting rumors circulating on social media.

When the camera panned to the post-game press conference, James, wearing a black shaping suit, and Wade, wearing a black T-shirt, returned to the stage.

As the familiar life-or-death battle approaches, TNT reporters asked blunt questions, directly targeting the chosen one:
"LeBron, I think many fans want to hear your explanation for why you seemed to have lost your energy in tonight's game?"

"Your agent released information yesterday that you are currently suffering from a back injury, but the Heat's medical team did not give a definite answer. Everyone wants to know the real situation."

Adjusting the microphone, James shrugged, a helpless look on his dark face, and simply replied:

"I got back on the court quickly after getting a leg cramp during Game 1, and I'll give it my all in Game 2 tonight."

"I don't want to lie. I had some back problems towards the end of the regular season. My team is not lying. Even now, my back still feels uncomfortable."

"Our opponents played better tonight. New York's rotation was impressive, and those young guys could even start for some teams. That's one of the reasons we lost."

"Losing home court advantage is regrettable, but we haven't lost the series yet."

This response did not satisfy the sports reporters present. Tonight's game looked extremely boring. The Heat never took the lead throughout the game and lost in a lackluster fashion, which frustrated the fans.

The score was 116-101, indicating a decrease in intensity, unlike a regional final.

In Game 1, Wade went 3-for-7 for 10 points. Tonight, the Flash was still in poor form, going 3-for-10 and scoring 14 points from free throws.

Compared to James, Wade is more like an undercover agent.

Despite this situation occurring in the semifinals, most fans believed that Dwight Howard could bounce back. However, this trust vanished in the Eastern Conference Finals, and past experiences illustrate one point:

“If Wade defends Li You, his offense will inevitably suffer.”

ESPN's sports reporters also felt the Heat shouldn't have lost so unremarkably. Unable to ask any more pointed questions to a James playing with an injury, they instead turned their attention to Wade:
Does losing Game 2 signify the failure of the Heat's "super team" model? Wade, will the Heat retain their roster?

When they win, nobody talks about it; after a loss, commentators start to believe the recent gossip—that LeBron James plans to play in Los Angeles to pursue business ventures.

Wade felt a bit annoyed when he heard the question. He didn't really want to answer, but seeing everyone staring at him, he could only give a vague answer:
"If one Finals appearance and two Conference Finals appearances can be considered a failure, then I don't know which of the new generation of players in the league has achieved success."

"Right now, I'm only focused on the current match. As for the contract issue, that's not something I'm thinking about."

"."

Neither of the two key players gave a clear answer to the questions, and no one managed to get any crucial information out of them until the end of the press conference.

When the camera returned to the studio, Charles Barkley frowned and began to criticize:

"A team of three young All-Stars is a failure. I respect their efforts, but their performance in the crucial moments of the playoffs was really disappointing."

"The Knicks' young players are excellent, but most of them are rookies. That shouldn't be an excuse for the Heat's loss. The key issue is the core players."

Shaquille O'Neal wasn't as enthusiastic about the Heat as he had before the game. The old Shaq, hearing his partner's words, started to speak sarcastically:
“I think Wade’s words are correct. Even if we continue to lose this year, the ‘Big Three’ model cannot be said to be a failure.”

"Think about it carefully, what are people expecting? When the three of them teamed up, they had 'nothing,' and now, James has won the MVP."

"The Heat succeeded, just in a different way. I wouldn't be surprised if James ultimately chooses to leave."

This viewpoint sounds like it's saying that LeBron James is "leeching" off the Heat, but it's undeniable that, judging from the MVP voting results, the chosen one really did benefit.

"I suddenly thought of something terrible: if the Heat 'disintegrate' after the Celtics, which team in the Eastern Conference can compete with the Knicks?"

Kenny Smith suddenly asked a question, and his teammates remained silent, only able to shake their heads and add after looking around:
"Although I've never liked 'Big Three' basketball, the Knicks need a rival."

"In two years at most, New York will have completed its generational change without anyone noticing. Lee's playing time will decrease, while Kyrie Irving will grow rapidly."

“Danny Green and Jimmy Butler are both excellent pieces right now, and Serge Ibaka has already lived up to his potential. They just need to stay healthy, and they will continue to dominate the Eastern Conference for the next 10 years.”

"Unless the Dolan family decides to stop running MSG, they can at least hold on until the young man's second contract expires, thanks to the championship Lee won."

If LeBron James really leaves, the landscape of the league will be completely changed. As someone in the industry, Ernie Johnson doesn't want to see this happen, and at this point, he can only offer a tactful comment:

"Maybe we should be more patient with the young guys. Like James said, they haven't lost the series yet."

"On Sunday, the youngsters will face off in the most important match of the season at Madison Square Garden. After a break, I believe they can give the fans a satisfactory result."

-

On Friday, May 24th, there were no games scheduled, but mainstream sports media outlets began releasing a barrage of news, with ESPN going so far as to publish a "bombshell" report:
"James' team rejected Pat Riley's proposal and will lose weight in the future to reduce the burden on his body."

"The two sides also had a huge disagreement on the contract extension, and perhaps we will see James at Staples Center next season."

"."

The news is partly true and partly false. It's true that he doesn't want to play the power forward position and is seeking to lose weight to avoid back injuries, but it's false that he'll be playing in Los Angeles next season, as the Lakers simply don't have the salary cap space.

The earliest source of the news was the Los Angeles Times, where Jeanie Buss gave her opinion in an interview, believing that the Lakers need a real superstar!

After the "new F4" group was eliminated in the first round, with Nash, Stoudemire and Howard all suffering from injuries, Los Angeles fans also felt that Jeanie Buss's words made sense.

The current news is a result of the fans' demands, coupled with James' previous flirtatious exchanges with the Lakers on social media.

The do-or-die game hasn't even started yet, but the Heat are already on the verge of "breaking up," leaving most fans speechless, while New York is already celebrating the championship ahead of schedule.

In this context, James' agent Rich Paul's statement on Twitter reignited the gossip's popularity and sparked considerable controversy:

"It's a foolish decision to overwork your body in pursuit of a championship. God has given us talent, and we should use it wisely."

"."

Even without commentators on the court, NBA legends have refuted this viewpoint, pointing out that many classic moments in league history were played while injured.

For many veteran players, a championship is far more important than young people imagine. As for why there are different voices now, it's mainly because the NBA hierarchy has become rigid.

With his victory over Ma, Lee Woo has become the undisputed GOAT. For the rest of his career, championships are no longer that important, and most commentators are more eager to see him break various statistical records.

Although Michael Jordan only has five championships, his three-peat and dominance in the 90s make him a solid secondary GOAT.

The new collective bargaining agreement introduced stricter luxury tax penalties, meaning that unless small-market teams win big like Oklahoma City, they have little chance of winning the championship without spending money.

With no predecessors to surpass, James chose another difficult path. The chosen one's team simply expanded their business empire, waiting for changes in the league before making their move.

The day's sports programs were filled with debate. Although the chosen one didn't pull off a "Decision 2" miracle, he was still ridiculed by many.

Skip Bayliss, on First Take, first lavishly praised Lee Yu's dedication to New York and his numerous championship wins, then compared him to Kobe Bryant, and finally bestowed a new title upon the "Chosen One":
"Basketball businessman"

-

On Saturday, May 25th, the AT&T Center in San Antonio hosted a do-or-die game. After the Thunder successfully defended their home court for two games, the Spurs were on the verge of elimination.

Popovich complained about the officiating after Game 2, saying that Durant and Harden got too many free throws, and the young players managed to regain their touch and turn the game around through free throws.

The veteran was ultimately fined $25,000. Compared to the past-his-prime Tim Duncan, Durant, the new MVP, clearly received preferential treatment from the league.

Without star referees, it will be even more difficult for the Spurs to defend their home court. Before the game, on the ESPN commentary desk, Jeff Van Gundy once again praised Harden's outstanding performance in the playoffs:
"After the Finals, James Harden has transformed, showing significant improvement not only on offense but also on defense." "In the first two games, Harden was even able to switch to guard the small forward position, which made the Thunder's defense much more flexible."

Harden, who replaced Westbrook in the starting lineup, not only performed his playmaking duties excellently, but also contributed significantly in scoring and demonstrated amazing potential on the defensive end.

The more he plays, the bigger his contract gets; Harden is full of energy and even showed off his dunks during warm-ups.

"I want to pay tribute to Jeff Green more. It's amazing that he came back to the court after heart surgery and delivered such a performance!"

"As a stretch four, he is also excellent at rebounding and makes up for Perkins' lack of speed."

Mike Breen echoed this sentiment, and like most basketball commentators, he also lacked a fondness for the Spurs. Although some were looking forward to an eighth game, more people wanted to see the young players get their revenge.

As the game was about to begin at 19 p.m., cheers erupted from the AT&T Center.

The Spurs' starting five formed a circle. Before they went on the court, Duncan solemnly gave them some instructions:

"I will create more opportunities, believe in myself, there is no time to hesitate, we must win this game."

"."

Duncan hadn't made such a statement all season. Gary Neal, who had just entered the starting lineup, glanced at the team leader with some surprise, then nodded in agreement. Before going onto the court, he didn't forget to pat him twice to reassure him.

"Don't worry, buddy! We have more championship experience, I guarantee we'll make those shots!"

Upon hearing the sensitive words, Duncan's eye twitched slightly, but he didn't respond. He didn't really like Popovich's adjustments, and in crucial moments, he still trusted his old partner Ginobili more.

The Thunder's young players had no time to consider what James Harden was thinking. They only needed one more win to take the series lead, and Durant quickly got into the game after it started.

Facing Kawhi Leonard's pursuit defense, Durant bounced to the left wing, received the ball, and immediately called for Perkins to set a screen.

Coach Brooks planned to wear down Duncan on both ends of the court, with Harden and Durant taking turns attacking, which proved very effective at home.

Tonight was no different. Perhaps fearing an early foul, Duncan chose to retreat. Leonard was a step too slow in his pursuit and was caught behind by Durant, who made a sudden stop.

Near the free-throw line, Durant initiated contact, took a step back laterally, and hit a mid-range drifting jump shot. As he retreated on defense, a smug smile appeared on his dark face.

On the defensive possession, Duncan and Parker continued to initiate pick-and-rolls near the right elbow area. Harden, who was chasing the defense, saw the opponent pass the ball out early and immediately reminded his teammates to pay attention to the rebound.

On the lower left side of the basket, Jeff Green was still grappling with Diaw, while Duncan had already banked in a jump shot.

"Oh!!"

Cheers instantly filled the arena; the long-awaited conference finals ignited the passion of San Antonio fans tonight.

In this do-or-die game, the Spurs did not play it safe and slow down the pace. Instead, they took the initiative to speed up their offensive rhythm. As the game progressed, the two sides traded blows, making the fans in the arena increasingly excited.

Duncan seemed to have truly returned to his peak form, executing pick-and-roll jump shots, receiving the ball and driving to the basket, and attacking strongly in the low post.

Perkins was enraged by the consecutive baskets, but the big man's trash talk had no effect. His opponents attacked him with a blank expression until the Thunder started to help defend.

Gary Neal, who started the game, seized the opportunity. The championship guard did not falter in the crucial moment. When he hit a three-pointer, even Duncan took the initiative to come over and pat him on the head to encourage him.

Contrary to many basketball fans' expectations, the crucial Game 3 turned into a high-scoring shootout in the first quarter, with the Spurs leading 29-30.

ESPN also showed the teams watching on TV Tim Duncan's first-quarter stats:
7中6，12分3篮板1助攻1盖帽1失误。

Harden displayed his dominance tonight, leading by example and charging forward in this do-or-die game.

After the second quarter began, Van Gundy was stunned. The Spurs didn't slow down and continued to play aggressive offensive basketball. The Thunder didn't hold back either, and both sides started another scoring spree.
"A bold adjustment! Coach Popovich seems convinced that the Spurs can play a better offense."

"It looks like they've succeeded so far; this is Durant's second turnover of the game."

After a pick-and-roll on the right wing, the Spurs were suddenly met with help defense. Duncan actively helped to slow Durant down, and then Leonard stole the ball from behind. Ginobili was very fast, and the Spurs launched another transition offense.

Unlike before, Gary Neal didn't run towards the basket at all. He started slowing down when he reached the left wing. When he arrived, the ball arrived, and the championship guard caught the ball and shot it, then converted the three-pointer!
"Oh!"

The San Antonio fans cheered loudly, and Gary Neal smiled slightly as he looked at the bustling Spurs bench. At that moment, he had won Popovich's trust.

As time went by, Mike Breen started shouting excitedly. The Spurs were full of players, and their quick rotations always found open shots. The Thunder relied on their individual abilities to attack relentlessly and keep the score close.

At halftime, the score was 61-67, and the excited shouts in the arena couldn't stop. Tonight was an offensive feast.

Seeing that familiar score, Mike Breen had a feeling of playing for the Knicks. Gary Neal went 4-for-9 in the quarter, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, scoring 11 points in a very impressive performance.

"As expected of a championship-winning guard who has experienced the Finals, Gary Neal's performance tonight was outstanding!"

Van Gundy didn't hold back his praise, and after a string of compliments, he couldn't help but exclaim:
"Tonight, Gary Neal, with his clutch performance, helped the team with his championship experience!"

"."

The Thunder's young players didn't believe that the veteran Harden could maintain his efficient offense. In the second half, Durant and Harden both turned on their scoring mode, combining for 21 points, but the Spurs still managed to blow them out.

With the score at 23:33 in the quarter, the point difference reached double digits, and the AT&T Center erupted. Many veteran fans were flushed with excitement, as they hadn't seen such a thrilling game in a long time.

During the final quarter's rotation, Ginobili exploded, and on the Thunder's bench, Durant and Harden exchanged bewildered glances as the Argentine hit a three-pointer after a pick-and-roll.

"Damn it! How did they do that?"

Harden, covering his mouth, was unable to comment on tonight's game. It was clearly the Thunder's favorite rhythm, but they were the ones who first ran into trouble on offense, with their teammates missing shots in the third quarter.

Durant, draped in a towel, was annoyed by the shouts behind him, but the young man ignored them and responded in a low voice:
"In a series, there will always be a night that belongs to the opponent."

After both teams' starting lineups returned to the court and played for four minutes, Coach Brooks made a substitution, essentially "surrendering." The coaching staff hadn't done their job properly; no one expected the Spurs to pick up the pace.

As the buzzer sounded, the final score was 108-121, with the Spurs playing at the Knicks' offensive level tonight.

Popovich, who had been tense throughout the game, let out a long sigh of relief. The old man hugged everyone repeatedly, and finally clenched his fist in celebration. Tonight, they won the crucial game.

With 9 of 17 field goals and 6 of 10 three-pointers, starting player Gary Neal scored 24 points, the second-highest on the team. During the interview, Diaw and others joined in the cheering.

"Six three-pointers: those crucial responses you made tonight that helped the team hit from beyond the arc."

Before the ESPN reporter could even finish asking the question, a delighted Gary Neal loudly responded:

“You know, I’ve been through much bigger things. My experience in New York shaped who I am today, and I still want to thank Lee for his guidance.”

"Everyone has seen the transformation of the Spurs, and I'm glad that my and Boris's championship experience has helped the team!"

"As a championship-winning guard, I can't wait to get back to Madison Square Garden. I believe that playing against Lee will be a memorable experience."

"."

没接受采访的邓肯早早回到更衣室，19中11，砍下27分7篮板3助攻2盖帽2失误，今晚他“燃尽了”。

Despite disliking Gary Neal's style, Duncan had to admit that the other player was indeed capable. Sitting in his seat reflecting on the game, a question that had puzzled him for a long time came to mind:
Why has New York been able to consistently draft such talented players over the years?

"God's favor?"

"."

(End of this chapter)