NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 887 True Greatness (Chapter without Main Character)

On Thursday, June 19, 2014, after the NBA Finals, the buzz surrounding Tim Duncan's retirement grew louder.

Interestingly, some fair voices only emerged after the veteran announced his retirement from the NBA. Looking back on Duncan's career, it's easy to see that this MVP almost dominated the Western Conference.

While his regular individual statistics weren't particularly impressive, Duncan dominated most players in advanced statistics during his younger years.

ESPN refrained from its usual mockery, and data expert Hollinger's column offered high praise:

"Tim Duncan's pure ability ranks him in the top 20 of all time, and his nine NBA Finals appearances are enough to prove his greatness."

Not only Duncan retired, but after a crushing 94-128 defeat to his old rival in Game 4, Ginobili also expressed his intention to retire at the post-game press conference. The Argentine responded to the retirement rumors with some disappointment:

"I might talk to my family about it; retiring might be a better option for me."

In just over a month, Ginobili will turn 37. The veteran is still in good physical condition, but Duncan's departure has devastated the entire Spurs team, and the GDP trio will most likely come to an end this year.

During the afternoon's TNT program, the four didn't make any sarcastic remarks. Duncan's decision was heartbreaking, and many veterans could empathize with it.

When Charles Barkley discussed Duncan's retirement decision, he stopped his usual sarcastic remarks. Perhaps thinking of his own experience back then, the outspoken Barkley spoke emotionally about the topic:

“I can understand Duncan’s choice. Some people think it’s a sign of weakness, but in my opinion, it’s the right decision.”

“Every player ages. When I got injured with the Rockets, I knew it was time to end my career.”

"I have no interest in continuing to work for a few million dollars because I know I can't do anything. Since I can't win a championship, I choose to leave."

When talking about his experiences, Barkley unconsciously raised his voice, and remembering that some people had mocked Duncan, he couldn't help but add loudly again:
"Only Lee can make fun of Duncan because he's the winner. Those guys who haven't experienced the Finals, those who just look at the stats and comment on the game, should shut up."

"No one can understand Duncan's feelings after nine Finals losses. Great players crave victory, and I really can't imagine what it's like to experience those defeats."

"I wish Duncan all the best. He has lived up to his potential and reached the pinnacle. It's time for him to rest. His life shouldn't be surrounded by failures."

In the studio, the three partners didn't joke around as usual. Duncan was able to lead the team to the Finals at the age of 38, and no amount of praise was too much.

"Chuck is right, those guys who were ruled by Duncan have no right to point fingers."

Shaquille O'Neal also chimed in in support. The old Shaq had also been defeated by Duncan, and seeing his old rival end up like this, he felt a pang of sadness. After a moment of contemplation, he added:

“I respect every ‘driver,’ and Duncan’s achievement of leading the team to nine NBA Finals appearances far surpasses that of some ‘passengers’ who just coasted on the championship.”

“It takes courage to quit. In my opinion, as long as Li can maintain this level of performance, Duncan, who is 39 years old, has no chance.”

"Winning a championship in his 40s would mean nothing to Duncan, because he would no longer be a core player by then."

After Game 4 of the Finals, Duncan did not appear at the press conference or greet his opponents. He left the court alone amidst the laughter of the New York fans.

To this day, no reporter has been able to interview this MVP, and Duncan has left everyone with only a lonely silhouette.

When the director played the footage again, Kenny Smith sighed, spread his hands in front of the camera, and said with a regretful expression:

"That's competitive sports. There can only be one winner. I think Duncan is a legendary player. He's better than people think."

"Without Lee, Duncan's career might have been completely different."

Upon hearing his partner's "IF," O'Neal shook his head and took over the conversation, replying:
"Without Lee? I can still lead Kobe to a three-peat! Teaming up with Karl, maybe we can eventually win the championship too."

“Great players don’t make ‘ifs.’ The fact is that Lee beat everyone. Any guy who’s been in the league and watched the game knows that there was no luck involved in Lee’s victory.”

"To be able to turn the game around when the opponent had 71 points in the first half, I don't want to say much. Just watch the video and you'll find that Lee is like God."

Shaquille O'Neal was being sarcastic about the refereeing again. The referees did their best, but sometimes the game can't be too ugly. The Spurs were up by 16 points but were overturned. They can only blame their own lack of strength.

After the three men defended Duncan, Ernie Johnson finally brought up a topic that had been hotly debated by netizens:

"Li expressed his hope at the awards ceremony that the team could achieve an eighth consecutive championship. What are your thoughts on this?"

"Can Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler continue their championship run in New York?"

The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the studio suddenly became incredibly joyful, as if they had heard the funniest joke. Charles Barkley grinned widely and replied:
"Championship? The Knicks will become the second Celtics. Some teams are ready, and the young players will soon experience normal games."

Hearing both names, O'Neal laughed heartily, then gave a disdainful look and quipped:

“These young men lack ‘killer instincts.’ Kyrie Irving is excellent, his ball handling skills are outstanding, but he can’t influence the game like Lee does.”

"I wish I were a few years younger, so I could immediately put on shorts after Lee retires and tear those bastards to shreds at Madison Square Garden!"

"Those guys mocked me like crazy in the Finals back then. I couldn't sleep for two weeks after losing. After winning the championship, they only showed a little respect."

"I want to see those bastards in New York suffer, to see them go crazy after losing a game."

Kenny Smith was both amused and exasperated. Back then, there was no social media, but the New York newspapers were certainly scathing, mocking O'Neal for a full six years.

Even now, "Where did Shaq go?" remains one of the sources of amusement for New York fans, and Duncan's "Hulk skit" is so ridiculous that even the most humorous viewers find it absurd.
Leaving aside the players' individual abilities, Kenny Smith didn't directly tease them like his two teammates did; instead, he responded seriously:
"An eight-time champion is impossible to replicate, but as long as the roster structure is maintained and young players like Irving develop, the Knicks have a high probability of winning another championship."

"Championship experience can help them defeat their opponents."

-

On Monday, June 23, the Knicks held their usual championship parade, and the frenzied atmosphere at Hero Canyon got the newcomers in New York all fired up.

With the draft approaching, ESPN, sponsored by State Farm, has been hyping up this year's rookies, giving many players massive exposure, and NBA scouts and executives have also been praising them.

Players who quickly came into the public eye included Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, Allen Gordon, Julius Randle, and Zach LaVine.
In recent months, TJ Warren, Gary Harris, Australia's Exum, and Croatia's Saric have also become the focus of attention for many sports commentators.

In a strong draft year, the Milwaukee Bucks, who secured the number one pick, were overjoyed. To welcome Andrew Wiggins, the team even fired head coach Larry Drew.

The new head coach has been chosen, and Jason Kidd, who has fallen out with Carmelo Anthony and others, will most likely get the position.

The Bucks officially claim that their championship-winning guard is skilled at developing players, but the main reason Kidd got the job was because of his good relationship with the team owner.
With a rookie head coach and rookie players, there's definitely no pressure to achieve results in the new season. Old Kidd is "winning like crazy"!
While Milwaukee and New York were gossiping about Kidd and the number one draft pick, Carmelo Anthony's team officially announced that he had opted out of his contract and become a free agent that morning, and Anthony once again grabbed the spotlight.

Not only Anthony, but LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh also quickly announced they would opt out of their contracts. The "Platinum Generation" will begin its "tour" this week, meeting with various teams over the next period to select the most suitable destination.

Carmelo Anthony is a man of action. That afternoon, he brought his family, friends, and team to Chicago. Local media gathered at the United Center to accompany the star on a tour.

The main reason for choosing Chicago as the first stop is because the Chicago basketball market is huge. As the second largest after New York and Los Angeles, Anthony naturally wouldn't miss the Bulls, a team with a glorious history.

Carmelo Anthony beamed as he accepted the jersey presented by the Chicago Bulls, posing for numerous photos with his wife, Lala, in front of the media. The couple seemed very pleased with the hospitality.

With Thibodeau's conflict with management, the championship assistant coach is likely to lose his job, so the task of recruiting Anthony has fallen to Derrick Rose.

Unlike his previous indifference towards players like LeBron James, the MVP, plagued by injuries and years of hardship, is no longer the spirited figure he once was.

Rose maintained a smile throughout, seemingly looking forward to teaming up with Anthony. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, the young MVP didn't forget to rave about it:
"No one would refuse to team up with Melo. You know, he's an excellent scorer, and when the team needs points, Anthony is one of the best options in the league."

"My knee is recovering quite well. I will participate in the national team's training camp next month. I believe the doubts will completely disappear after the World Cup."

After a season of rest, Rose looked somewhat "sloppy," perhaps due to his longer hair. Chicago media reporters felt that the Bulls' leader had suddenly lost his charisma.

In front of everyone, Anthony once again acted like a big shot, briefly chatting with Rose before immediately taking photos with the young people.

During the interview, Anthony didn't forget to show off his Bulls jersey, launching into a friendly banter and praising the team profusely:
"You know, I've always been a Bulls fan, and nobody would refuse the opportunity to follow Michael Jordan!"

"I felt respected when I came to Chicago; the basketball environment here is fantastic."

"."

Some reporters looked puzzled when they heard Anthony's words. During his time with the Nuggets, Anthony had repeatedly claimed to be a huge fan of Allen Iverson, and even got into a fight with the Knicks for his idol.

Several years have passed, and Anthony has "returned to his roots," yearning for Chicago again and wanting to make the Bulls "great again."

Despite the dwindling "loyalty" in the league, many lost interest when they saw Carmelo Anthony's sarcastic remarks about his former team.

Perhaps sensing the shift in everyone's mood, Anthony quickly ended the topic, and General Manager Gar Forman chuckled and started chatting casually, with both sides showing a satisfied attitude.

After the meeting concluded in the afternoon, Chicago sports media outlets updated their Twitter feeds, though opinions differed somewhat. The Tribune reporter's viewpoint garnered more support from fans:

"Carmelo Anthony is unable to lead the Bulls back to the Finals in the next two seasons. Perhaps we should remain calm and not have too high expectations."

-

On Tuesday, June 24th, LeBron James and his entourage chose Los Angeles as their first stop. However, unlike his high-profile friends, James met quietly with Jeanie Buss and others.

Los Angeles sports media naturally paid close attention to the Chosen One's activities, but that morning, Kobe Bryant's appearance on the First Take program attracted more attention.

Despite ESPN's early announcement, no one expected Kobe to "criticize" his former partner on the show.

The first topic was Duncan's retirement. Stephen A. Smith was just adding fuel to the fire as usual, while Skip Bayliss simply offered a dissenting opinion. Neither of them expected Kobe to suddenly "explode":
"I respect Tim, I know him very well, but retiring early is, in my opinion, the most foolish decision!"

Kobe's face darkened, and ignoring the shocked expressions of the three people in the studio, he continued:
"Stats and honors are not important to me at all. What matters is the desire to win! I can accept defeat, but I will never choose to retire because of defeat."

"If a player loses confidence in himself, he is destined to never achieve greatness."

"Tim lacks some of the Mamba Mentality. Our careers shouldn't be defined by statistics, accolades, and championships. I'm very disappointed with his choice."

Skip-Bellis listened with wide eyes. If they don't compare statistics, honors, and championships, what do these sports commentators rely on to argue?
But Kobe's words also make a lot of sense; great players really shouldn't admit defeat.
Stephen A. Smith, however, dismissed Kobe's views, stating that the Mamba Mentality was a joke in New York, and that members of the New York fan club would only retort with:

How many championships do you have?

"Don't come here and tell us what to do, clown."

Seeing that Kobe wanted to continue scoring, Stephen A. Smith had to interrupt, tilting his head and simply replying:

“You’re right, Kobe, but Tim Duncan is 38 years old. We’ve all seen his performance in the Finals. He’s still unable to respond, just like when he was younger.”

“It’s not just a scoring problem; time is taking its toll on his body, and I don’t think he has a chance to win a championship in the next two years.”

"There's no point in persisting until 40. Sorry, I forgot he could earn more US dollars."

Kobe's face darkened upon hearing this. These unscrupulous media outlets were corrupting the spirit of basketball. Ignoring the host Carrie's glare, the Mamba continued his furious outburst:
"When did winning championships become the sole measure of greatness? Listen, how a player handles defeat is the true standard for judging a great player!"

"The championship is influenced by many factors, and what the players have to do is to do their best."

"You can continue to distort basketball, but I will prove my point with my actions. 36 years old? I don't care about age at all. I'm healthy and I will continue to chase championships."

"Don't try to make me leave basketball. I still believe I'm the best shooting guard in the league, and I'm capable of doing anything."

Stephen A. Smith immediately burst out laughing, and Skip Bayliss, regaining his composure, shook his head and said sarcastically:
"Kobe, the 76ers have a 0-72 record against the Knicks and failed to make the playoffs this year. It seems like you can't do anything. Of course, we respect your confidence."

In the subsequent episode, Kobe became increasingly angry. He didn't want to see Duncan's career end like this, and he didn't want to hear these guys hypocritically bestow upon him the title of "uncrowned king."

Mamba knew that these people had never respected Duncan, and their so-called "fair evaluation" was utter bullshit!
-

On Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m., the 2014 NBA Draft was held as scheduled at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Adam Silver made his official debut, appearing in the main seat.

In the past two years, New York fans' enthusiasm for the draft has plummeted. Two consecutive first-round picks have failed to make a name for themselves in the G League. In a draft year with a lot of potential, no one had any expectations.

Not only have fans stopped paying attention, but General Manager Allan Houston and the rest of the management team have also stopped focusing their efforts on the draft.

With Li You's retirement approaching, everyone is preparing for his "last dance," which is the Knicks' top priority, and naturally no one cares about the final round picks.

Before the game officially started, ESPN, as usual, gave a brief analysis. When Adam Silver came to the front of the stage at 19 p.m. and announced the Bucks' decision with a smile, the fans and family in the audience immediately erupted in cheers.
The Milwaukee Bucks have selected Andrew Wiggins from the University of Kansas!

The broadcast director also made a special note for fans watching on TV: Andrew Wiggins is Canada's first number one draft pick, and everyone should witness history together tonight.

Wearing a Bucks hat, he went on stage to shake hands and greet everyone. When the rookie was interviewed, he showed an innocent smile and excitedly told the ESPN reporter:
"God! I can't wait to compete against Li! You know, I'm a huge fan of Li!"

"."

(End of this chapter)