NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 872 Basketball Needs "Double Standards" (Chapter without main character)

On Tuesday, October 1, 2013, the NBA held its media open day for the new season, and San Antonio fans finally got to see Tim Duncan.

As the current "uncrowned king," Duncan disappeared during the offseason. Media reporters couldn't find this former MVP at all, and he locked himself in his home for more than three months.
Fortunately, Yu Yu's condition did not worsen. That morning, Duncan appeared before the media reporters with his usual expressionless face. After taking the official photos, he turned and left without answering any questions.

Since returning to his former team, David Robinson has forgiven his younger teammate and has spoken out whenever he has the chance. After another loss, he also strongly supported Duncan.

In a recent interview with the San Antonio Express-News, David Robinson spoke some rare candid truths:

"The Spurs should have performed better, but the extreme comments from the media ultimately hurt the team."

"Many people have forgotten that Tim Duncan, like Lee, made it to the NBA Finals in his second season. At that time, all the commentators in the league were praising him and discussing his career."

"The situation has completely changed now. I can't stop the criticism, but please be more lenient with a 37-year-old veteran,"

"."

When he first entered the league, he was mostly covered by traditional media. Duncan was highly anticipated and had a great reputation. Almost everyone thought the big man had a bright future.

But after losing the finals in a row, a sense of restlessness began to emerge, and no one looked forward to the future anymore.

The media landscape has also completely changed. Under the influence of the "winning culture," traditional media professionals have been rapidly replaced, with winners like Stephen A. Smith rising to prominence.

The MVP suddenly became "The Clown," a situation that persisted even until the end of his career. Even after Duncan passed away, he was still ridiculed by the media.

On media day, Popovich also spoke highly of his "star player," and when the topic of the Finals loss came up again, the veteran responded with a helpless expression:
"I don't want to deny that the experience of the Finals still flashes through my mind. A few nights ago, I even dreamed that the New York fans were celebrating the championship in our home arena again."

"Honestly, it felt awful, but losing is obviously not one person's fault, and we should have performed better."

"Don't blame Tim. He has given everything for the team and for the city. Those guys who like to criticize players should stop paying attention to us. The Spurs just want to show the fans pure basketball."

"."

After Kobe, Duncan also became more straightforward. Parker, during an interview, didn't want to talk much about it, and the Frenchman, upon hearing the question, offered some polite words:
"We have already succeeded in reaching the finals multiple times, and this achievement surpasses that of most teams in the league."

"I also dislike criticism, but I won't explain it. I believe time will ultimately give a fair evaluation."

-

On Thursday, October 3rd, ESPN continued its antics. Even though Duncan didn't say a word, Stephen A. Smith once again blasted the past MVP on First Take.

In front of the camera, Stephen A. Smith once again struck a serious pose, staring wide-eyed as he delivered his statement:
"Man, you can complain about the media, and we also have the right to criticize the players' poor performance."

"Back when I was working in Philadelphia, I criticized Lee and, like those ignorant guys, was excited about Duncan's arrival."

"But I soon realized I was wrong. Lee is the greatest of all time, and Tim Duncan is just an ordinary All-Star who is seriously overrated."

Seeing his partner unconsciously raise his voice, Skip Bayliss didn't interrupt, and Stephen A. Smith remained the only one performing in the studio.
"The basketball culture in San Antonio disgusts me! You heard me right, this is what I've been saying all along."

"Leaving aside those actions that hurt the players, as an MVP, abandoning your own team to team up with another star player is a choice I simply cannot condone."

"Stop defining 'pure,' accept defeat gracefully, and shut your mouths. As long as I don't hear these disgusting remarks anymore, I will no longer pay attention to anyone from the Spurs."

"."

Stephen A. Smith's emotional outburst left his two studio co-hosts speechless, and Skip Bayliss's attempts to signal him were futile. Today, the big mouth was on fire, going all out.
"If Tim Duncan isn't Lee's opponent, who would pay attention to him?"

"His average points per game is high? He has won many honors? His advanced stats dominate the league? He has done nothing."

“Go thank Lee, otherwise nobody would care about a guy like that! One of the reasons I admire LeBron James and Kevin Durant is that they are better able to recognize the gap than the old guys.”

"Young MVPs at least know how to be grateful. They know in their hearts who the trophy truly belongs to, and they know how to pay tribute to the GOAT!"

"If you insist on 'pure basketball,' then leave the US and go to the CBA. If you can't do that, then shut up and quietly enjoy the performance of the greatest player in history in his last three seasons!"

As his partner, who was unleashing a barrage of attacks, became teary-eyed and routinely praised Li You, Skip-Belis was stunned again. He was unsure how much to charge for his sweeping generalization.
-

On Monday, October 8th, after a weekend of development, the voices advocating "pure basketball," led by Stephen A. Smith, all disappeared.

Although San Antonio protested, it quickly compromised under ridicule from the New York media. As for Philadelphia, the topic was changed early on, and no one supported Kobe anymore.

Thanks to intense media coverage, Kevin Durant emerged as the biggest winner. Among the new generation of MVPs, only he and Derrick Rose have the "one-city-one-player" award. In this race, LeBron James can only be third.
The 76ers set off quietly, and on Sunday they will join the Rockets in Taiwan Province, before heading to Shanghai to play two games against BJ.

Fans across the ocean are eagerly anticipating this China game, which will not only allow them to see Kobe Bryant but also meet Yao Ming's new partner Russell Westbrook, along with Jeremy Lin. Fans are absolutely thrilled.

As the preseason unfolded, a "strange" situation arose in the United States: the teams that had previously voiced their support for Jason Collins ultimately failed to sign the championship-winning center.

The players who had been strongly supported on social media have fallen silent. The loud slogans they shouted back then didn't have much effect. The fact is that most NBA players don't want to talk about "butts" in the locker room.

According to several unnamed team general managers, the reason why championship centers can't find jobs is actually quite simple:
"All teams are worried about getting caught up in 'media frenzy,' and nobody wants to be asked boring questions after the game."

"Colins may still be in good physical condition, but he's not good enough for the team to ignore the risks."

"."

No one is dwelling on why Li You didn't support his former teammates back then. Compared to those supporters who just talked big, GOAT seems much more sincere.

On Tuesday night, the Knicks also played their first preseason game, which was warmly welcomed by Boston fans who started sending out young players even before the game began.

With Li You absent, head coach D'Antoni immediately started the rotation players that night.

Kyrie Irving and Danny Green will partner in the backcourt, while the frontcourt trio will consist of Jimmy Butler, Markieff Morris, and Nikola Vucevic.

To compete for playing time tonight, the young players have been training intensively this week. Chandler Parsons and Isaiah Thomas, who insisted on staying with the team, have also joined the competition, leaving Tobias Harris exhausted. As the team's new general manager, Allan Houston actually wants to streamline the roster, but the agents haven't given up, and everyone has expressed their willingness to "fight" for New York.

Only Mozgov didn't stick with it; the Russian big man wasn't very interested in settling down in New York and was eventually signed by the Cavaliers.

New Celtics head coach Bradley didn't expect the preseason to be so intense, and called a timeout less than three minutes into the game. Starting point guard Avery Bradley's performance was disastrous.
Back in his seat, Anthony Morrow looked helplessly at the young head coach who was throwing a tantrum. New signing Ariza and Lopez remained silent, while only Brandon Bass responded actively.

"Don't let me see you huddled inside the three-point line after a pick-and-roll again. That's not Celtics basketball! I want to see you match their physicality."

Before going on the court, Stevens was clapping and shouting instructions. Although it was just a preseason game, for a rookie coach, he needed a "good start" to shut up the Boston media.

In the noisy arena, New York and Boston fans started arguing again. Ever since they mocked the Celtics for trading their original leader two months ago, the war of words between the two sides has not stopped.

Perhaps they weren't really ready, as Bradley and Lopez hesitated again after completing the pick-and-roll at the top of the key.

The young man stopped abruptly in the right elbow area, trying to use his body to block Irving, missing a passing opportunity, and his step-back jump shot was ultimately blocked by Irving from the side.
"Oh!!"

The jeers and shouts started again. Irving, who had control of the ball, moved with lightning speed, shaking off Bradley and immediately finding Danny Green who was cutting down the court.

When Danny Green received the ball on the right wing, before Morrow could close in, he quickly jumped and shot. As the ball swished through the net, cheers erupted.

Ariza's dribble drive was blocked by Butler. He tried to turn and get past the defense on the right side of the paint, but he was too slow. His shot inside the paint was interfered with by Vucevic and missed again.

Bass couldn't out-rebound Morris, and the Knicks quickly launched another fast break.

The scene was too ugly, and Stevens shouted loudly, but Irving slowed down at the top of the arc and then accelerated again, easily getting rid of the defense.

After breaking into the paint and weaving through the air, Irving finally managed a layup over Lopez's block, sending the cheers into even louder mode.
Despite Coach Stevens' thorough preparation with the help of his coaching staff before the game, he still got so angry as he saw Butler drive hard to the basket and repeatedly get to the free-throw line that he threw his hands up in frustration!

On the Celtics' bench, Rajon Rondo, dressed in a suit, was somewhat surprised by the situation on the court. His former team's rotation players were now starting for a bottom-tier team.

Both their individual abilities and their timing in handling the ball are outstanding. Perhaps their talent isn't quite at the point of being "blindingly obvious," but this lineup can certainly be described as excellent in both offense and defense.
At halftime, the shouting and cursing in the arena grew louder. The Celtics were down 56-40, with their shots hitting the rim repeatedly, showing no mercy to their own coach.

In the second half, head coach Stevens ignited the players' fighting spirit, but facing the Knicks' barrage of three-pointers, they ultimately suffered a crushing defeat.

Boston sports reporters felt a chill when they saw D'Antoni smiling and shaking hands with the young head coach; the starting lineup was no match for the opponent's rotation.

Thinking back to Lopez's clumsy performance in the game, my expectations for the new season gradually faded.

If he performs like this against a young player like Kyrie Irving, then big men are destined to remain Li You's "target" in the new season.

-

On Wednesday, October 17, the Knicks traveled to Baltimore for their third preseason game against the Washington Wizards.

In the afternoon, the Wizards players, who arrived early at the Baltimore Arena to warm up, also attracted media attention.

The Washington Post reporter also interviewed the Wizards' young core player, John Wall. When asked about his senior teammate Paul Pierce, the young man responded with respect and earnestness:
"Without a doubt, Pau's arrival has brought a wealth of game experience to the team. He knows how to win, and we will strive to make the playoffs in the new season."

Wall truly respects Pierce; to survive being stabbed 11 times shows that this veteran is a true tough guy!

Despite the Wizards welcoming him, Pierce, who was traded, was never happy. As a starter for the Fishing Team, the veteran felt bored; it wasn't the role he had hoped to play.

When asked in an interview whether he had contacted Ray Allen beforehand, Pierce immediately changed his expression and said sarcastically:
“You all know that Ray and I aren’t that close. Now that he’s the champion, he’s even less likely to pay attention to an old guy like me.”

“The winners always have the right to speak. Boston fans are attacking me and Kevin, but things are not as you think. Rondo and Ray Allen are the guys who are dividing the team.”

"They all have championships, nobody listens to our explanations, OK, that's the current state of basketball, and I completely accept it."

"."

After the Big Three broke up, his popularity plummeted. Pierce became increasingly unhappy to see Ray Allen succeed, and after being abandoned by his former team, he became even more sensitive. He really didn't want to see his former teammates smiling.

The "mouthpieces" were thrilled. When the Knicks were warming up, they couldn't wait to interview Ray Allen and embellished his story about Pierce's taunts, which made the veteran burst out laughing.

Garnett and his friends initially ostracized him simply because they couldn't get along. If it weren't for Rondo's arrival, he would most likely have been the one to suffer in the end.

“I understand Pierce’s feelings, but as a veteran, I have no interest in showing off my championships to him.”

"This disagreement clearly stems from our different understandings of basketball."

"In my opinion, it is unnecessary for everyone on the team to be together all the time. What we need to do is work hard, train seriously, and repay the fans who support us through our performance."

"That's how the Knicks are. Lee never forces anyone to train. Adults have their own lives. When young people have problems, we mostly offer advice."

"I want to share this championship experience with more people; modern basketball needs a complete overhaul."

The Washington Post reporter nodded repeatedly, seemingly able to empathize as a young person. Jimmy Butler, who has been performing exceptionally well recently, also shared his championship experience with a determined expression during his interview.
"Yee! This is the secret to our success!"

"As a young person, the longer I spend with Li, the more I can feel the pure love that the greatest player in history has for basketball!"

“This has inspired all of us, and we want to carry on the championship culture under Lee’s leadership.”

"This is a great undertaking! I'd give anything for it, and I truly hope Lee is still on the court at 40; that would be a blessing from God."

Butler, who was blatantly lying, became more and more excited as he spoke, and soon Artest joined in the boasting with a wide grin.

Chandler Parsons, witnessing such a scene for the first time, was stunned. He instinctively looked around, and after confirming that he didn't see Li You, the handsome white man couldn't help but whisper to Isaiah Thomas next to him:
"No wonder we can't start."

(End of this chapter)