NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 876 The Veteran's Time Officially Ends (Chapter without Main Character)

On Friday, February 14, 2014, the 63rd NBA All-Star Game was held as scheduled at the Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Hornets.

TNT, as the broadcaster, has been hyping up this year's All-Star Game early on. In last month's fan vote for a two-guard, three-forward starting lineup, the All-Star starting lineup has changed from previous years.

The starting five for the Eastern Conference All-Stars are:

Li You, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony.

The five starters for the Western Conference All-Stars are:

Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard.

Li You remains the All-Star vote leader with 269 million votes, while LeBron James is second with only 136 million votes. The gap is even wider among other star players. In terms of popularity, the younger players still cannot compare to the veteran James.

Fan votes resulted in the Eastern Conference All-Star starting lineup losing its center, and the "Four Small Forwards" all gathered for this All-Star Game.

Paul George was the most excited. The young player has been giving frequent interviews recently, and after defeating the Mavericks at home before the holidays, he confidently stated:
“We have the opportunity to achieve even more! Being selected for the All-Star team means a lot to me, and I will give my all in the game to repay everyone’s support.”

"The AMVP trophy might be a nice gift, and I hope I can bring this honor back to Indiana."

"."

The young players' usual boasting went unnoticed because the Pacers had secured the best record in the league thanks to their superior strength, and Frank Vogel had been selected as the Eastern Conference All-Star head coach.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have finally overtaken the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference. The duo of James Harden and Kevin Durant exploded in January, going on a winning streak to take the top spot in the West.

With such outstanding results, Scott Brooks was selected as the Western Conference All-Star head coach. The two young head coaches and the young roster seem to indicate that the league has entered a new chapter.

Among the All-Star starters, only Li You is over 30 years old, and at 36, he is already considered "advanced age." The generational change is complete, and even the bench lineup no longer features the former veteran, James Harden.

The seven Eastern Conference All-Star reserves selected by the coaches are:

John Wall, Dwyane Wade, DeMar DeRozan, David Lee, Chris Bosh, Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert.

The seven Western Conference All-Star reserves are:

Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Damian Lillard, Andre Iguodala, Anthony Davis, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge.

The list was announced at the beginning of the month, which caused dissatisfaction among many fans. What some die-hard fans found unacceptable was that Kobe Bryant was not selected!

The coaches' reasoning was that the Raptors had a better record, David Lee and DeRozan led the team better than Kobe, and after Mamba's suspension, the 76ers plummeted to the top of the draft in just half a month.

David Lee, who was "exiled to the frontier," has finally made a name for himself. In the past two years, he has not only gained a beautiful model girlfriend, but has also spread his championship experience to Toronto!
With DeRozan, Tristan Thompson, and others breaking out this season, the Raptors' record has improved significantly. David Lee, the team's leader, expressed his excitement in an interview:
"I enjoy growing alongside the team; it helps us build a true championship culture!"

“I share Lee’s videos during every practice session, and honestly, many of the younger players on the team have benefited from it. Kyle Lowry is better than people think. We’re a great family, let’s keep playing for each other!”

"."

After successfully spreading his championship experience, DeRozan also started to try three-pointers more often. Although his accuracy was a bit low, his advanced stats improved significantly thanks to more free throws.

DeRozan, who was selected to the All-Star team for the first time, was naturally very happy. Before the weekend holiday began, when asked by a Toronto sports reporter about taking Kobe's spot, the young man shrugged and joked:
"The Raptors have a better record. I know my stats aren't as good as Kobe's, but I'm more efficient and play better on defense."

"I respect veterans, but Kobe's exclusion is not my fault. If fans really support him, they should vote in time."

"68 votes? I think this result speaks volumes. Kobe isn't as popular as the commentators imagine."

"Salute to the veteran! I'll be fully committed to All-Star Weekend. Honestly, it feels amazing to be Lee's teammate; it's been my dream all along!"

Almost every young person mentioned Li You in an interview. The current All-Star starters are indeed young, and many of them grew up watching the Knicks captain.

Before the Rising Stars Challenge began that night, Matt Wenner, Grant Hill, and Chris Webber chatted about gossip in front of the camera at the TNT commentary booth.

The atmosphere at the Smoothie King Center was electric. Anthony Davis, the host, was mingling with his young teammates, while Curry and others sat in the front row, all sporting happy smiles.

"This is the first time I've truly felt the impact of young players. Fans are no longer voting for veteran stars. It seems like a new era has arrived!"

“Li at 36 is simply incredible. His efficiency has reached a level where his influence cannot be demonstrated by data. Perhaps we will soon launch a new data model. I think this is God’s favor.”

Matt Wenner, who hosted the Sports Center's evening programming in the early days, is no stranger to Li You. ESPN's rave reviews also owe some credit to him.

Grant Hill, who jumped ship with his colleague, looked on with obvious agreement in front of the camera, and took the opportunity to add:
"In NBA history, no 36-year-old guard has shown the kind of influence Lee has. I know that the statistics have lost much of their meaning for him, but I still want to continue to praise him."

“People might think of Stockton, but I would say it’s completely different. If needed, Lee can still easily score 60 points in a game, and that’s not even his limit.”

"Cherish such outstanding performances. There's not much time left for the fans in the last three seasons."

Dressed in a suit, Chris Webber nodded repeatedly. There were almost no more spots left in the "Li fan club," and the veteran was particularly eager to join the family. Even while praising Li, he couldn't resist making a comparison and a joke:
“Hill is right, but in my opinion, what makes Lee even greater is that he doesn’t mind giving up his core position.”

"Kyrie Irving, Danny Green, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Markieff Morris have all had outstanding performances in these three months."

"Isaiah Thomas and Chandler Parsons, who came into the rotation, also contributed. The Knicks' locker room is very united, and the young players all follow Lee's guidance."

His two partners nodded in agreement, while Chris Webber, with a "don't underestimate my opinion" look on his dark face, grinned and continued to emphasize:
"This is unbelievable! Guys, we all know what's going on in the locker room; young guys always want to show off."

"I don't mind revealing some inside information. Data is worth US dollars. Once you understand this, you should understand what I mean."

"The infighting within the 76ers is normal to me. Hey, don't laugh, I'm serious. I played in Philadelphia, I know their locker room culture."

Matt Wenner and Grant Hill couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. Kobe was beaten so badly that his nose was bleeding and his eyes were black. After the mole released the video, the fun in Philadelphia just wouldn't stop.

When Kobe was with the Lakers, a video of him yelling at Bynum and demanding a trade for young players was leaked by an insider. Later in his career, when he joined the 76ers, the insider reappeared, but this time it was the veterans who lost face.

On YouTube, the video of Kobe Bryant being knocked down by a left straight punch and a right side hook went viral, and Thaddeus Young earned the title of "Philadelphia Boxing Champion" thanks to his superb boxing skills!

The New York fan club even embellished the brawl with a video, and after it was released, all sorts of abstract fan art emerged, completely eroding Mamba's prestige this year.

At 21 PM, the Rising Star Challenge officially began. On Team Webber's side, Tim Hardaway Jr. was the standout performer, while on Team Hill's side, it was Dion Waiters.

The two young players frequently fired from beyond the three-point line, while Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond grabbed a lot of rebounds.

The inexperienced Giannis Antetokounmpo was not particularly noticeable on Hill's team. The big man was somewhat slender, and his English had an accent. Pacers assistant coach Nate McMillan did not give the young man much playing time.

Thunder assistant coach Rex Karamian showed respect to the host team, but Anthony Davis, the "Son of America," had a mediocre night, missing shots and being outrebounded by the opponent.

Fortunately, the Hornets fans at the scene didn't care about any of that, and the alley-oop that seized the opportunity quickly drew huge cheers.

During halftime, the energetic young players impressed all three commentators, with Grant Hill jokingly remarking:

"Maybe in a few years, fans will forget about basketball in the early 90s, and after watching old game footage, they might even laugh at why they didn't shoot three-pointers?"

In fact, this situation has already occurred. The NBA's peak was in the early 90s, but after reviewing the games, most fans felt that old-style basketball was incredibly weak.

The Knicks are an exception. Although Li You's playing style changed somewhat after entering the league, his basketball skills and game pace became more "modern." "This reminds me of the past admiration for Michael Jordan. I haven't heard any discussions about 'the next Michael Jordan' for many years!"

"It seems that only Kobe is still playing in the league in the style of Jordan."

Chris Webber sighed at the changes in the league, secretly hoping that the young players could end the Knicks' dominance.

Just like Li You ruined Michael Jordan's three-peat, an imperfect ending is what more people are looking forward to. Even among the huge number of fans who are happy to see the game win, there are quite a few who are just looking for fun.

Team Hill ultimately won the game thanks to Andre Drummond's explosive performance of 30 points and 25 rebounds.

"Oh!!"

The fans cheered loudly. Drummond has become a new generation of "monster" in the paint. The big man even showed off his three-point shooting. Although he only made 1 of 4 attempts, the shots he made were indeed impressive.

Raising the crystal trophy for Rising Stars Challenge MVP, Drummond cheered happily amidst the cheers of the crowd, and in the interview, he routinely boasted:
"I would like to dedicate this trophy to Lee, to thank the GOAT for their guidance and help during my college years!"

"."

Tim Hardaway Jr., who scored a game-high 36 points, couldn't resist teasing his father during an interview, bringing up old grievances in front of the camera:
“I was taught to practice three-pointers when I was a child. At that time, I didn’t understand why until I got my hands on the game footage of the Knicks and the Heat from that year.”

"My God! Lee is incredible! I've been fascinated by him ever since!"

"Perhaps my father still doesn't like my idol, but I still want to say that God-Lee is invincible! He is a god in the hearts of all young players!"

Victor Oladipo and a few others joined in the chanting and shouting. They didn't like James Harden criticizing the young players for taking too many three-pointers, and chanting "Lee" represented their attitude. No one would compromise with the media.

-

On Saturday, February 15th, All-Star Weekend continued, and many fans opted to buy extra tickets to watch tonight's individual challenges.

Although Li You did not participate in the individual challenge this year, the Meteor Shooting Contest still attracted the attention of onlookers.

On the Curry team's side, father and son both made an appearance, with the elder Curry accompanying his eldest son to the event. Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon was also present, and there's been a lot of gossip about Parker and her lately, suggesting that the two may have sparked a romance.
Kevin Durant is on fire this season, currently ranked first in the MVP race, and is very likely to win his second MVP award.

Team Durant also has Karl Malone and Skylar Deakins participating in the Meteor Shooting Contest.

Bosh's team also has some legends, with Dominique Wilkins making an appearance just like Karl Malone, and another women's basketball player being Swindella Canal, a member of the University of Connecticut championship team.

Li You's team members were even simpler: Alan Houston came in to make a cameo appearance, while Elena Dale Dorn, also from the University of Connecticut, got a chance to shine.

Whenever outstanding women's basketball players are mentioned, the dominant Husky team members are always indispensable. The University of Connecticut is very successful in women's basketball.
Before the individual challenge began, TNT broadcasters also invited legends Karl Malone and Wilkins.

Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller reminisced about their past rivalries, with Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith occasionally chiming in with jokes. The conversation was lively, and they soon drifted to recent hot gossip:

"Karl, you were teammates with Kobe and even faced off against Lee in the Finals. What are your thoughts after seeing the recent news about the 76ers' boxing incident?"

Upon hearing Kenny Smith's question, the white-bearded Karl Malone tilted his head and gave a simple reply:
"Honestly, I wasn't surprised at all. Both being players from the '96 draft class, Kobe and Lee are completely different!"

"I don't want to make pointless 'what ifs,' but part of the reason we lost the Finals that year was because Kobe wanted leadership and wanted to win the Finals MVP trophy."

“You know, Gary and I were recruited by Shaq. At that time, we were nearing the end of our careers and just wanted to be ‘passengers,’ while Kobe wanted to be the ‘driver.’ He wanted to beat Lee.”

"But everyone in the Lakers knows Kobe's abilities. Coach Phil Jackson has also talked about the issue, but no one has been able to change his mind."

As if lost in memories of the past, Karl Malone sighed deeply as he spoke, adding in an envious tone:

"Ewing was a lucky guy! If Lee had been on the Jazz, we could have beaten Michael Jordan's Bulls in '97!"

“I don’t care about the FMVP trophy. Lee is also all about winning, and the league will change because of that.”

Old James's sudden "IF" immediately prompted Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller to jokingly retort, while Charles Barkley, grinning widely and shouting loudly:
"My grandpa and Lee could win a championship together! I don't like your excuses. Don't underestimate that jerk Michael Jordan; he wouldn't give rookies a chance!"

After a pleasant chat, Dominique Wilkins, as a senior player, began to share her experiences of "failure":
"I understand how Kobe feels. When I was traded to the Clippers, every time I returned to the court, I was filled with anger!"

"Being rejected is never a pleasant thing. I suggest that Kobe should learn to control his emotions instead of letting them dictate his behavior."

“Leading young players in the locker room is not an easy task. Young players cannot empathize with the topics discussed by the veterans. Young players are more likely to make mistakes on the field, and they need patient guidance.”

"Give up your shot attempts, read the game, and do the same in practice. Kobe needs to recognize his own abilities and stop comparing himself to Lee."

Steve Kerr nodded repeatedly, clearly agreeing with the viewpoint, and added with a smile in front of the camera:
"Kobe reminds me of Michael Jordan's performance on the practice court, but unlike with the Bulls, he couldn't lead the team to any success."

"This way of motivating teammates is not advisable. You know, in the league, you need to speak with your strength. Yang knows better than Kobe how to win a championship. Young people don't need Kobe's championship experience."

"."

The old guard has barely had a chance to speak their minds these past few years. When they finally do get the chance, Kobe is relentlessly criticized, with Karl Malone practically calling Kobe a cancer.

Before the shooting contest began, the atmosphere at the scene became increasingly heated. Everyone was greeting Li You, who was wearing a Knicks training uniform. Fans shouted, and young people took the opportunity to take photos with him.

Unlike the Platinum Generation of 03, the young players from around 09 didn't have much competition with Li You after entering the league; the GOAT was more of a childhood idol for them.

Anthony and his wife Lala sat at the far end. As the "victim," he simply couldn't bring himself to smile and fawn over the young man.
Wade, dressed in a red suit, stood to the side, his brow still furrowed amidst the cheerful atmosphere, his dark face devoid of a smile. The Flash realized that his good friend had "gone further and further away."

As the second and third options for the hook, James and Durant naturally flocked to him and made a show of themselves. With Chris Paul also greeting them with a smile, Anthony felt even more uncomfortable!

"Damn! I almost thought I'd stumbled into Madison Square Garden! These guys are insane!"

The fervent atmosphere left Anthony speechless, while Li You, in the center of the court, was exchanging pleasantries with two alumni, while a large group of reporters surrounding them watched with envy.

"Wade, what do you think about recruiting Kobe? There are no more spots available in Los Angeles."

Lost in his own thoughts, Wade snapped out of it and couldn't help but show a strange expression when he heard his friend's whisper.

This expression made Anthony stop talking. After a moment of silence, Wade shrugged and said in a low voice:

"Believe me, Kobe will only make a mess of the locker room. Although I don't like the reports from those lousy reporters, China is definitely a better fit for him. At least he can get respect there."

"As for the offseason, you might be disappointed. LeBron told me that the Lakers have huge plans."

Before the All-Star Weekend, Wade had an open and honest talk with his good friend, and after confirming that James had "run away," he completely gave up hope.

He has been trying to persuade Pat Riley that Wade knows his physical condition and just wants to make one last push, but the management doesn't seem to be willing to let the "asset" slip away.

The heated atmosphere in the arena had nothing to do with the two of them. Anthony stopped talking, put on his sunglasses, and quietly put on a cool act. Thinking of the disheartened Garnett, he couldn't help but make a plan in his mind:
"Maybe I should win another scoring title?!"

"."

(End of this chapter)