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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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***
The 40/40 Club has been open in Manhattan's Flatiron District for two years and has always had a good reputation.
Thanks to Jay-Z's fame, it's almost the first choice for Black sports fans to watch games and party, and just like the club's name, baseball fans can even find some out-of-print merchandise here.
On sunday, from 5 PM to 4 AM was designated party time, and guests were required to wear smart casual attire.
Although there had recently been rumors that Clay Lee and Michael Jordan would appear at the club on sunday, New York fans thought the news was fake.
It is well known that after the Golden Club incident, Lee rarely appeared in public entertainment venues, and in the past two years, he has focused even more on his family, having a bunch of children.
On sunday, the 17th, the club announced that it would not accept same-day reservations.
When security personnel gathered at the entrance around 8 PM, the gossip-loving fans realized that the rumors seemed to be true.
Affected by Christmas, Manhattan's recent foot traffic was overflowing.
Although it was a very short distance, it took more than 10 minutes to drive to Midtown Manhattan.
Sitting in the extended version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Michael Jordan kept looking at the custom decorations, and some of the gleaming gold trim made him grin uncontrollably:
"When I was your age, my home was full of sports cars. This isn't your style. I thought you'd drive a Porsche."
The partition was not raised.
Old Mike, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at Michael behind him and raised an eyebrow at the rearview mirror.
Michael guessed correctly.
This current car was Ivanka's birthday gift this year, and the added parts were influenced by Donald.
Lee, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, was nestled in the back seat, glancing at the old man who was only wearing a black T-shirt, and casually said:
"To accommodate old guys like you, I specifically brought out the commercial vehicle. I heard you also want to invest in a car team? This stuff doesn't make money."
"The team also loses money, and the divorce made me lose a lot of money, but when you make money, you should spend it. I like to try new things."
Thinking of the Bobcats' current situation, where they are struggling to win and constantly losing, Michael felt a bit uncomfortable.
His investment had depreciated again.
"Sometimes I don't like to cooperate deeply with those compatriots. David told me a long time ago that business is business. I'm very grateful for that, at least the people around me haven't held me back."
"You know, when Nike was first founded, Phil Knight once brought shoes to Magic Johnson, and they even wrote 'Magic' on the heel."
"80,000 US dollars a year plus stock, at that time the stock price was less than 1 US dollar. In the end, this offer came to nothing. The person who helped Magic manage his business at that time was a fellow countryman, the father of the girl next to him."
Michael Jordan had a schadenfreude when talking about old stories, and this was also a source of his pride.
He made the right choice and was now making a killing.
"Black people are sometimes like this. In your team, Ron Artest supports a bunch of people. He will be dragged down sooner or later."
"I've seen too many Black people like that, but Jay-Z is different. At least he hasn't squandered himself. He's the CEO of Def Jam. I thought you guys would get along."
Lee heard these words and knew that Michael appreciated this compatriot who had made it to the owner level, but he remained uninterested:
"Getting along doesn't mean we have to make money together, but his club idea is good. Maybe in the future, I should also consider investing in this direction."
Someone had already invested real money in this business model, and all Lee had to do was optimize it.
Michael Jordan, who was beside him, smiled and shook his head, thinking that tonight's matter was a lost cause:
"In short, I'm just here to spend money. As for whether you two want to cooperate, it's none of my business."
It took a full 20 minutes to arrive at the 40/40 Club.
The entrance design was very simple, with only a wooden door frame in addition to the 40/40 logo.
There was also a red carpet laid out at the entrance.
A group of Black strong men, who prioritized style over warmth, hissed and hawed, raising their walkie-talkies to notify.
Soon, Jay-Z, dressed in fur and a white suit, appeared before everyone.
"Hey! Michael, it's great to see you!"
"Clay, it's been two years, and this is your first time here! Ron is already my Diamond Member, and I swear, you'll love it here."
Jay-Z stepped forward and hugged the two men who had just gotten out of the car.
The security personnel did not check the accompanying individuals, and everyone quickly walked into the club.
The reporters who were staking out only had time to press the shutter twice before Lee and the others disappeared.
The few people who tried to sneak in were stopped by the security personnel at the door.
The main floor could accommodate 300 people.
Jay-Z introduced his proud creation, pointing to the 18-foot-tall glowing champagne tower and saying loudly:
"Here you have the best viewing experience. Look at the screens and walnut products all around. Every member raves about it."
The crystal chandeliers emitted a dreamy light, and top-notch sound systems played upbeat music on a loop.
Tonight, no reservations were accepted, but the first floor was filled with a large number of tall, scantily clad Black girls.
They swayed their bodies to the music, cheering towards the group.
Some bold girls sitting at the bar even pulled off their shoulder straps, raised their glasses for a flying kiss, followed by an endless chorus of screams and music.
Most of Michael's entourage were Black, and they were pulled in by the enthusiastic girls, quickly engaging in bold interactions.
Old Mike frowned slightly.
This club wasn't as proper as he had imagined.
Nacho and the security personnel, who were following behind, were unaffected and continued to stare at the few grim-faced Jay-Z's entourage.
"They want to interfere with our business?!"
Nacho, who had just returned from Manchester, was still unclear about the specific situation.
He asked in a low voice with a displeased expression.
Old Mike kept walking, merely raising an eyebrow and whispering in a deep voice:
"No, they want to give us money."
Hearing this, Nacho was full of questions.
He tugged at his black suit and muttered a low curse, still unclear about the exact conflict between the two parties.
The Jay-Z Lounge is the largest and most luxurious VIP lounge in the club.
In addition to excellent privacy, it can easily accommodate 80 people, and the room is exceptionally spacious.
Luxurious custom seating surrounded a custom pool table, while oak paneling with silver foil details and dignified wooden floors enhanced the decor, making the entire room look exceptionally lavish.
After introducing the treasured sports memorabilia in the room, a group of Black girls soon arrived.
With snacks, drinks, and soothing music, everyone chatted casually and played games freely.
When they had drunk enough, the reluctant girls left.
Jay-Z leaned back in the huge leather seat, his tongue thick, pointing at the champagne on the table:
"I can make the club only sell armand de brignac. I can even redecorate and customize a lounge for this champagne."
"Black people in New York will all come here to spend. Believe me, Clay, this is a win-win!"
Michael Jordan, with hazy eyes, was puffing on a cigar.
Perhaps due to being drunk, he rolled up his sleeves, tilted his head back, and slumped on the sofa, adopting an expression of watching a show.
"That's a good suggestion. I guarantee you'll get the best price from Sovereign Brands."
Alcohol had no effect on Lee's body.
At this moment, he casually responded, then lit a cigar, a gesture that made the Black entourage on the other side stare wide-eyed.
"No, you know what I'm talking about. I don't like to beat around the bush. I need at least 40% of the shares!"
"For this cooperation, I can forget all the past disrespect!"
After saying this, Jay-Z tore off his white tie, raised the golden champagne, and at the same time, tilted his head and stared directly at Lee:
"Walter! You're drunk! Why would I sell you 40%? Disrespect? You and Beyoncé receive complimentary tickets from me every year."
Seeing Lee staring back at him, Jay-Z became furious.
After putting down the champagne, he unbuttoned his collar and then began to rap continuously, complaining:
"Respect? In '99, Amadou Diallo was killed by the New York Police Department. I was actively speaking out, and you said nothing!"
"When I was competing with Nas, that son of a bitch went to watch a game, and you were still chatting and laughing with him."
"In '03, Madison Square Garden, my retirement party concert! This is your territory, shit! You didn't even show up. Do you know how they mocked me?!"
"Last month, Sean Bell was killed in Queens, and you still did nothing. Black people support you, but you've never given back!"
"Damn respect! You could have been friends with Allen Iverson, but now you've made him into a clown that people mock."
Watching Jay-Z stand up, becoming more and more agitated as he spoke, constantly bringing up old grievances, Michael Jordan, who was watching the show, couldn't hold back.
He couldn't help but wave his hand and interjected:
"Sit down and speak slowly, okay? I have to say something for Lee: athletes shouldn't get involved in those civil rights topics. His foundation has helped young Black people who are struggling with tuition fees."
"I'm not clear about other issues, but at the University of Chicago, many young people have benefited from this."
"It's not about showing off in front of the media to truly help, and business is business."
Lee, who was puffing on a cigar, almost laughed at this point.
He had long since forgotten about some of the trivial matters.
If he were to meticulously recount all the gossip, perhaps his experiences over the years could fill a 3-million-word novel:
"Yeah, maybe you're right. I don't want to explain. Just give me a sincere number. You know, the revenue from this champagne can last for many years."
Jay-Z, who had sat back down on the sofa, regained his composure.
For him, face was everything.
Although there had been "long-standing grievances" before, he genuinely liked the golden armand de brignac champagne:
"35%"
"No, 10% at most!"
Hearing Lee interrupt, the other side's entourage seemed to be indignant and all stood up.
Before they could even make a sound, Nacho held back the leading strong man.
Old Mike shook his head and then said:
"Sit down, no one wants to see tonight's events in tomorrow's newspaper."
Sensing the thing behind him, the black strong man instinctively raised his hands, completely losing his previous fierce demeanor.
Realizing this was his territory and seeing his boss's gaze, the black strong man again feigned a glare, but a hint of fear still showed in his eyes after he sat down.
Michael Jordan didn't quite like this behavior.
He had thought that the 30-something Jay-Z had become a true businessman, but he didn't expect him to still be stuck in his old ways:
"How about 25%? I think you two can earn more money together."
Feeling humiliated again, Jay-Z was enraged.
He glared fiercely at Lee, who was puffing on a cigar, then turned his head and said:
"35% is my bottom line. Have fun, Michael, don't be polite with me!"
"Clay, if you respect me, remember to have your lawyer email me. I don't think we have anything more to discuss."
Lee, with a cigar in his mouth, smiled and made an "Ok" gesture, then leaned back on the sofa, watching Jay-Z and his entourage leave.
When the black girls returned to the room, the atmosphere became lively again.
Lee didn't think much of these groupies.
When the two men had almost finished their cigars, he self-deprecatingly said:
"So my success was all thanks to black people's support. I thought it was all my own hard work."
Michael Jordan also tossed the dice aside, looked around the room, and seemed to recall his youthful experiences, also sighing:
"Winners have the right to mock their opponents. Do you know how they treated me when I lost?"
"For winners, it's competition. For losers, only entertainment awaits them. That's why I don't like to lose. I don't want them to point fingers at me."
Recently, TNT had been constantly exploiting Michael Jordan, and as soon as Lee heard this, he knew that the petty Vice GOAT couldn't hold back anymore.
To prevent their friendship from breaking, he decided to give a heads-up:
"Times are different now. I really like those sports programs. They save me a lot of advertising fees."
The two didn't linger.
The club chef's cooking was truly subpar.
When they left, a large group of reporters had already gathered at the entrance.
The cold weather did not dampen the gossip-loving crowd's enthusiasm.
Earlier, seeing Jay-Z leave with a long face, everyone was delighted.
Now, seeing Lee's smiling face, they all shouted loudly:
"Lee, are you two at odds because of Beyoncé?"
"A man's duel! Did you two punch each other?"
"..."
While holding cameras, they also talked incessantly.
Compared to sports journalists, these music reporters had wilder imaginations, and they could link anything to women.
Lee got into the Rolls-Royce, gave a simple wave to the crowd, and closed the car door.
Michael Jordan's nightlife had to continue.
He had already been picked up by his driver.
As the car started, Nacho, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at the rearview mirror, frowning and grumbling fiercely:
"What does that bastard want? Damn it! Why does he think he can meddle in our business?"
Old Mike, sitting in the back, shrugged his shoulders, pointed to his own eyes, and said in a deep voice, teasing about tonight's mess:
"Dollars! You saw his club. He needs a new drink. As for why he wants shares, you'll have to ask armand de brignac. Perhaps they're not content."
Lee acquired armand de brignac from Sovereign Brands for $12 million.
This deal was still at a premium a few months ago, as armand de brignac was not well-known.
However, in just 3 months, starting from the Rome Film Festival, this champagne spread from Hollywood.
The golden armand de brignac could always be seen at parties and nightclubs.
"Don't worry about these small matters. How's the training camp at the club?"
Lee didn't bother to think about Jay-Z's attitude.
The other party's respect was too expensive, he couldn't afford it.
He was more concerned about Manchester United's youth training situation.
If Neymar was sold off, that would be a huge loss:
"That Brazilian vampire is still trustworthy. No one in the club has objected. Everyone is discussing the schedule."
Hearing Nacho's words, Lee breathed a sigh of relief.
Currently, there weren't enough moles planted.
If Ferguson was determined to go against him, most people would applaud:
"It seems the old man who is diligently paying off his debts is doing pretty well!"
On Monday, December 18th, New York fans quickly saw related reports.
Clay Lee, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé all appeared in the newspapers.
The New York Times led the way, with multiple mainstream media outlets tirelessly promoting gossip, and the frequently protested Sean Bell murder incident was drowned out by entertainment news.
At the same time, ESPN reported on last night's game, with Gilbert Arenas's taunting of Kobe making it onto Sports Center.
147:141, after a hard-fought overtime, the Washington Wizards successfully defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing their record to 10 wins and 12 losses.
Playing 49 minutes, Gilbert Arenas shot 17-of-32 from the field, 5-of-12 from three-point range, and 21-of-27 from the free-throw line, scoring 60 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers.
Playing 47 minutes, Kobe Bryant shot 15-of-24 from the field, 7-of-11 from three-point range, and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line, getting 45 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and 4 turnovers for a near triple-double.
In overtime, Gilbert Arenas shot 4-of-6, exploding for 16 points.
With Kobe only getting 4 points in overtime, he was mocked after the game:
"I don't know why people are talking about Kobe and comparing him to Lee!"
"The Washington Wizards have gotten more national broadcast opportunities this season, which allows fans to get to know me. In fact, the only difference between him and me is that I didn't encounter Shaquille O'Neal after entering the league."
"Go check my stats. My average scoring isn't a fluke. As for playoff results, Kobe and I are the same. We both stopped in the first round."
"60 points is easy for me. Clay Lee scored 53 points in the Finals, and that's my goal."
"As for Kobe, he shouldn't be on the Christmas War stage. He'll be slaughtered by Lee, even if the league takes care of him, it won't help."
"All players know the difference between Kobe and Lee. We don't want to see any more news about him. He's just a Michael Jordan imitator. He's overrated!"
Having been scored on for 60 points by his opponent and then taunted, Kobe's face turned terrifyingly dark when he heard the words from the mouthpiece.
At the press conference, he responded almost through gritted teeth:
"Gilbert Arenas should count his honors. If he's forgotten, I want to remind him again, I've won a championship! I have a ring on my hand!"
"If he wants attention, winning a championship would do it, but he can't. I won't care what he says."
ESPN reviewed last night's exciting matchup.
Gilbert Arenas's 60 points were also the highest score at Staples Center.
The two scorers' shootout was indeed very exciting.
As for Lamar Odom's absence due to injury for the Los Angeles Lakers, the commentators automatically ignored it.
Instead, after the game, they continued to mock Phil Jackson's personnel decisions with sarcastic remarks:
"If Andrew Bynum could get more playing time, the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn't have lost at all. The Rookie tore apart the Washington Wizards' interior."
"Bias has caused the Los Angeles Lakers' record to decline. Phil Jackson should be responsible for his willfulness."
Ever since Bynum failed to put on his jersey on time in a game in early December, Phil Jackson publicly criticized the Rookie and, incidentally, stripped him of his starting position.
Regarding this, Kupchak within the Los Angeles Lakers also had reservations, and coupled with Jerry Buss selling the Sparks, Los Angeles fans have been enjoying gossip every day recently.
Many players in the league are dissatisfied with the treatment Kobe receives.
Despite both leading their teams to the first round, the Los Angeles Lakers have more national TV broadcasts, and also receive favorable calls.
After entering December, the frequent promotion of the Kobe and Lee matchup provoked widespread anger.
Jealousy made people unrecognizable, and many players began to sarcastically comment on Kobe's high scoring.
81 points was no longer a respected achievement.
After public opinion reversed, Kobe once again became a stat-padder who only performed well against weaker teams.
This situation had played out in previous years as well.
At that time, the league constantly promoted Allen Iverson, who had won the scoring title, frequently hyping up the playoff matchups of that year, and everyone knew the final result.
Now that the Lakers have a good record, Kobe Bryant has become the league's favorite, and the haters can't stand it.
If we look back at history, this situation actually appeared in the early NBA, when the conflict between Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was fueled for many years.
It started because Wilt Chamberlain supported the conservative Nixon, and civil rights fighter Kareem Abdul-Jabbar couldn't stand it, so the two sides started a war of words.
Later, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the all-time leading scorer and was praised by the media, while the former leading scorer Wilt Chamberlain couldn't stand it and continued to trash talk even after retiring.
The two constantly belittled each other through autobiographies, which was one of the earliest sources of entertainment in the early 90s.
With old tricks made new, the league began to hype up the rivalry between Kobe and Lee.
Players who knew the routine, of course, didn't buy it.
Gilbert Arenas wasn't the first to speak out.
Ray Allen, who was out due to injury, had already started his output.
That night, playing at Madison Square Garden, the Utah Jazz players were also caught up in the storm before the game.
Although the Utah Jazz currently ranked second in the league with an 18-6 record, Deron Williams, when interviewed by the New York Media, showered praise:
"I think there's a huge gap between Kobe and Lee. 8 is greater than 1, we all know that!"
"Clay Lee can do anything on the court. He has no weaknesses. He can make the game simple, while Kobe Bryant can only score. He can't make his teammates better."
"A top scorer can't compare to an all-around leader. Clay Lee is a role model for all young people to learn from. He has changed modern basketball. Small players can also become the core."
Deron Williams, with his Little Beard, couldn't stop praising, and even though some Salt Lake City reporters looked displeased, it didn't change the Rookie's tone.
The praise did pay off.
After the game started at 7:30 PM, Coach Jerry Sloan noticed that the Knicks were frequently giving the ball to Pau Gasol, who had recently recovered from injury.
Lee suddenly lost his aggressiveness.
In the first quarter, both sides scored frequently on offense, and Carlos Boozer and Pau Gasol became the temporary protagonists.
34:36, during the quarter break, Madison Square Garden was in an uproar.
Deron Williams, back in his seat, let out a long breath.
This was much better than expected.
During the rotation, Dee Brown and Gordan GiriÄek partnered in the backcourt, while the three players on the court became Matt Harpring, Paul Millsap, and Jermaine Collins.
Jermaine Collins used to be a hype man for the Knicks and has now entered the Utah Jazz's rotation, steadily spreading championship experience.
After more than 3 minutes of play, the Utah Jazz had not scored a single point, while the Knicks only managed 2 points from Finley's transition offense.
Mike D'Antoni immediately called a timeout during the opponent's free throws.
Chandler, wrapped in a towel, stood up and high-fived his teammates, offering encouragement:
"Good job, Rajon! You didn't let them score easily!"
Rajon Rondo, who was off the court, was not happy.
He realized something: all teams in the league were studying the Knicks, and any minor flaws would be magnified.
His unstable shooting was already affecting his teammates.
"Damn it! I'll make them pay."
Rajon Rondo muttered under his breath but was still substituted by Mike D'Antoni.
The Knicks continued with one big and four small players, bringing in Lee and Chandler.
For the Utah Jazz, Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur came on.
Both sides chose the same rotation strategy.
Coach Jerry Sloan stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed, watching the Rookie enter the game.
"Let's go Knicks!"
The cheers and shouts rose again.
Watching Lee receive the ball at the baseline and slowly dribble past half-court, Deron Williams perked up again, while also constantly reminding his teammates behind him.
After more than a month of adjustment, Chandler had mastered the offensive rhythm.
He moved early to the top of the key, then immediately set a screen to the right of Lee's body.
Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, first performed a quick in-and-out, and as his body feigned a move to the left-front, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity and changed direction with a crossover.
Deron Williams, who was fooled, first slid to the right, then quickly squeezed through the screen, but was still delayed by Chandler.
Watching Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, approach the three-point line, Mehmet Okur, who had just come on, could only help defend.
As soon as he stepped on the three-point line, he was blown past by Lee, who pushed the ball and changed direction.
Amidst the cheers of the home fans, Mehmet Okur still tried to twist and pull, but Lee, flying low to the ground, switched to his left hand and in a blink of an eye broke through to the vicinity of the free-throw line.
The Utah Jazz's Defense couldn't collapse in time.
Lee, flying low to the ground, broke into the paint, took three big steps, and soared into the air.
With no one to help defend, he grabbed the ball with his right hand, pulled his arm to the side, and slammed it down!
"Boom!"
The rim exploded.
Watching Lee lightly pat his chest after landing, the cheers wouldn't stop for a moment.
36:40, the Knicks' offense became fluid again.
Utah Jazz offense, Deron Williams just crossed half court and passed the ball to Mehmet Okur at the top of the arc, then moved without the ball, accelerating from the right side of his teammate's body and cutting to the basket.
On the left side near the baseline, Paul Millsap tried to screen for his teammate, but Tayshaun Prince immediately switched Defense, following Deron Williams as he popped out to the left wing.
Facing Lee's Defense, Paul Millsap directly posted up on the left block, demanding the ball.
Deron Williams, who received the ball again, was interfered with by Tayshaun Prince's long arms, and his pass was also affected.
The ball speed was too slow.
Paul Millsap, realizing something was wrong, tried to box out Lee, but pulling and tugging not only pushed himself to the top of the key, but also allowed Lee to successfully get in front.
Both players went for the ball at the same time, and ultimately Lee poked the ball away over Paul Millsap's head, completing the steal, and immediately accelerated along the right sideline.
Deron Williams followed Tayshaun Prince to the right wing.
For a moment, Lee was undefended.
The Rookie hesitated but still chose to stop and try to delay, but the basketball flew directly towards the upper right of the hoop.
Lee's slightly casual pass while moving was just right.
Tayshaun Prince, cutting down, received the ball in stride, grabbed the ball with one hand in the air, and pressed it into the hoop!
"Oh!"
Another possession under 8 seconds.
Mike D'Antoni, on the sideline, clapped his hands with a smile, then turned to look at Rajon Rondo, who was resting his chin on his hand, and reminded him:
"Rajon! Learn how Lee handles the ball! You need to play like him, activate your teammates!"
Rajon Rondo immediately nodded obediently upon hearing his Head Coach's words.
Mike D'Antoni treated him very well, it's just that his demands were too high.
Utah Jazz offense.
This time, Matt Harpring's strong drive past Finley attracted the Defense.
Mehmet Okur, outside the three-point line, received the ball at the top of the arc, but his jump shot still hit the rim.
Lee, who picked up the long rebound, charged again, his visible acceleration drawing loud cheers from the New York fans.
Utah Jazz's Gordan GiriÄek and Matt Harpring both worked hard to get back on Defense, but after Lee pushed the ball and changed direction to get past Deron, he held the ball in his left hand and sped up even more.
Near the half-court line, Gordan GiriÄek, running hard, watched helplessly as Lee passed him by.
On the other side, when Matt Harpring chased back to the top of the arc, Lee had already rushed to the vicinity of the left elbow.
There was no one defending in front of him.
Amidst the cheers of the fans, he gathered the ball and soared into the air again.
Matt Harpring, who was rushing to defend, felt as if Lee had pressed the fast-forward button, and watched as Lee glided for a long-distance slam dunk!
When the Utah Jazz players stopped, Lee, who had completed the dunk, was already jogging back on Defense.
"Incredible! Maybe Clay Lee could win a championship in short-distance running too! His speed surpasses all players in the league!"
At the MSG commentary booth, Mike Breen praised loudly.
Walt Frazier, recalling Rajon Rondo during the rotation, also sighed:
"Our Rookie still has a lot to learn. I hope he can absorb championship experience from Lee."
"..."
Clapping along with the hype squad, Rajon Rondo once again saw Coach's gaze, and for a moment, he secretly complained in his heart.
He couldn't learn this kind of rocket-like speed.
With 24 seconds winding down, Deron Williams took a contested three-pointer that hit the rim, and Lee picked up the long rebound at the free-throw line again.
Rajon Rondo, who stood up cheering, watched Lee once again shake off everyone.
A single in-and-out move while on the run allowed him to squeeze past Paul Millsap, who had retreated to near the three-point line, leaving him helpless for a moment:
"How do you learn this?"
Lee's one-handed power dunk on the fast break ignited the Arena again.
Back in his seat, Rajon Rondo quickly heard Barea's flattery.
The small player was excitedly shouting:
"So cool! That's how you should play, like Clay Lee!"
On the bench, where flattery was rampant, Rajon Rondo was momentarily speechless.
The opponent missed a shot, and the Knicks launched continuous fast breaks.
Mike D'Antoni quickly sat back on the bench:
"How about it, Rajon! This is the offensive rhythm the Knicks need."
"..."
....
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