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***
On tuesday, December 26, 2006, NBA fans welcomed a moment of revelry.
Besides the end of the first phase of the All-Star voting, the Los Angeles Lakers' performance in the Christmas War brought endless joy to the public.
ESPN's morning show reviewed three classic moments: "the snickering moment," "the infighting and cursing," and "the breaking Defense with 6 fouls."
The main character in these moments was the 81-point scorer.
Bynum watched Kobe's "one-against-four" play, while Smush Parker jawed at Kobe from the bench.
With a large deficit, Kobe fouled out in the third quarter.
These scenes truly brought endless joy to the fans, and Kobe's extremely poor performance couldn't even make a one-minute highlight reel.
What made it even harder for the Los Angeles Lakers to accept was that an ESPN reporter also captured Smush Parker's schadenfreude at the end of the game.
As the Los Angeles Lakers walked towards the player tunnel, not only were New York fans grinning, but Smush Parker also walked with his head held high, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Tell me, who the hell needs to prove himself more?!"
What's ridiculous is that in the footage captured by ESPN, the New York fans, who were enjoying the show, even cooperated with Smush Parker.
The latter shouted at the top of his lungs, and the fans on both sides followed suit, chanting:
"Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!"
Because there were so many lively moments in last night's Christmas War, Stewart Scott appeared on the morning show.
After the news related to the Los Angeles Lakers ended, he also joked with a smile:
"Perhaps Kobe Bryant should also see a psychiatrist after paying the fine."
"Clay Lee once again destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers fans' confidence. The Los Angeles Times was right. The Los Angeles Lakers' locker room is out of control, and they must make a trade."
74:136. After a crushing first quarter, Lee continued to deliver heavy blows.
After the game ended in the afternoon, Manhattan was boiling that night.
A 62-point difference tied the Christmas War's largest point difference record set by the Syracuse Nationals in 1960!
Interestingly, the New York Knicks lost by 62 points that year, with their opponents scoring 162 points against them.
Los Angeles Lakers fans would have to turn off their TVs after watching half the game, and those who liked Kobe might even lose their appetite.
Kobe only had 4 field goals in the entire game.
Considering that the outcome was decided after the first quarter, the 81-point scorer basically kept fighting hard during garbage time.
In 33 minutes, Kobe Bryant shot 4-of-17 from the field, 0-of-4 from three-point range, and 8-of-9 from the free throw line, finishing with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers.
He was completely lost in the Christmas War.
The flu has swept through many teams recently, and Kobe's poor form was also affected by his physical condition.
Kobe refused to attend the post-game press conference and was ultimately fined $25,000.
The joy the Los Angeles Lakers brought to American fans on Christmas was so great that other news media also reported on it.
ABC led the way in mocking last night's game on its Good Morning America news program:
"It's said that Clay Lee planned to win by 40 points. He clearly overestimated his opponent, but New York fans certainly prefer this gift!"
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepared to depart for Orlando to continue their East Coast road trip, they once again felt the malice of the city while having breakfast at the hotel.
Newspapers, televisions, and radios were all mocking them, and the New York Times even featured a photo of Lee blocking Kobe:
"Clay Lee Destroys the League's Imposter Scoring King!"
Aside from Smush Parker, who was planning to leave the team, other players steered clear of the dark-faced Kobe.
Only Derek Fisher sat at the table, reading the newspaper and quietly comforting him:
"It's okay, Kobe. We all know that losing by 1 point is the same as losing by 100 points."
"This is New York. They always like to belittle opponents. We..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Kobe tore the newspaper in his hand to shreds, his face even uglier.
Old Fish, who had stopped mid-sentence, also fell silent.
He felt that from then on, there would be no room for reconciliation in their relationship.
"I won't lose again, shit! Those lazy bums must get off the team!"
He didn't even look at the coaching staff who had come to the table.
Being openly mocked by his teammates made Kobe furious.
Phil Jackson also lost his appetite and, looking at his enraged core player, said in a deep voice:
"We will complete the trade during the All-Star Weekend. This year, we must at least make the playoffs!"
With declining attendance, Jerry Buss had given the management a strict order: at the very least, they had to make the first round.
If their record declined after the trade, the coaching staff would take the blame.
Clear dark circles were visible behind his glasses.
Phil Jackson was not only disheveled with a beard, but his sparse hair was also standing on end.
Losing by 62 points was the greatest humiliation for him.
"I know! I can do better!"
Kobe, eating a bagel, grudgingly agreed.
He wished he could elbow those lazy bums directly.
He swore to return this humiliation!
Smush Parker was already fearless.
Kobe hadn't liked him since he joined the team, and he couldn't be bothered to respect this boss.
Now, with a hearty appetite, he didn't forget to brag to Kwame Brown:
"That Rookie from the New York Knicks is no match for me. This is the NBA. There are always some lucky kids who stumble upon championships."
Kwame Brown's rebounding was abysmal last night, and although he efficiently scored 7 points, hearing the bigmouth show no signs of stopping, he couldn't help but quietly complain:
"WF! Keep it down, I still want to play in Los Angeles."
"..."
On the 26th, there were a total of 11 games.
Recently, Yao Ming suffered a knee injury, and Tracy McGrady, who returned from injury, received extra attention.
It was time for him to lead the team alone again.
The Houston Rockets were also on an East Coast road trip.
After arriving in Polis, they saw that the local news was also mocking Kobe.
After warm-up training in the afternoon, Tracy McGrady proactively spoke up for his good friend:
"I don't understand what's so funny about this. These media reporters shouldn't mock players who work hard!"
"Look at the Los Angeles Lakers' roster. They're missing Lamar Odom, and Kobe has no help in the game."
"The New York Knicks' payroll is the highest in the league, and they pay a large luxury tax. You always ignore Lee's teammates. Don't forget that basketball belongs to 5 people."
Still bothered by a back injury, Tracy McGrady seemed to recall his own struggles, and his sleepy-eyed appearance was gone.
Coach Mike Brown didn't pay attention to the players being interviewed.
Yao Ming's injury again caused great dissatisfaction among Chinese media.
During the offseason, the Chinese Basketball Association had protested to the Houston Rockets, and there was some unpleasantness between the two sides:
"Yao Ming is recovering very well. Trust our medical expertise. Whether it's conservative treatment or surgery, professional medical personnel will provide the best solution."
"Playing time? The coaching staff has always been protecting Yao Ming's health, and we have a reasonable game plan."
Facing questions from Chinese reporters, Mike Brown was also under great pressure.
This was a cash cow designated by the owner, and he didn't want to lose his job.
In Tracy McGrady's first game back from injury, the Houston Rockets suffered their second consecutive loss, 76:81.
Although the Pacers shot 3-of-20 from three-point range, they still won the game.
In 38 minutes, Tracy McGrady scored 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 7 turnovers, shooting 7-of-22 from the field, 1-of-5 from three-point range, and 4-of-7 from the free throw line.
Such a performance was far from satisfactory, leading many Chinese reporters to bring up old issues, and the calls for him to play in the CBA reappeared.
After the Houston Rockets lost, the Los Angeles Times spread rumors the next day that the Los Angeles Lakers were targeting the so-called best center in the West, Yao Ming.
As for the trade chips, everyone knew what they were.
On wednesday, the 27th, the Denver Nuggets had their revenge, as the two teams faced each other again after the suspension.
Arriving in Manhattan, the Denver Nuggets found themselves largely ignored, with reports still focusing on the Christmas War, as if they hadn't yet recovered from the big win.
With a 10-15 record, the Denver Nuggets had already fallen out of a playoff spot, and their record was even worse than the struggling Seattle SuperSonics.
The reason for so many losses was largely due to Allen Iverson's fluctuating form.
There were too few games for him to gel with the team, and as the team's core, he was still adapting to George Karl's tactical system.
Carmelo Anthony naturally noticed the news from the past few days.
Although the team's record was poor, the Rookie was inexplicably confident. When asked about it in an interview, he couldn't help but belittle the Lakers:
"We're not the Lakers. Lately, we've been on a winning streak, and everyone's in better shape."
"50 points? Allen and I can both easily get those numbers, but you've never reported it that way."
Playing 32 minutes, 15-of-20 from the field, 6-of-9 from three-point range, 14-of-14 from the free-throw line, Clay Lee delivered a perfect stat line in the Christmas War: 50 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, and 2 turnovers.
Allen Iverson was also in good spirits.
The winning streak was helping the team find its rhythm.
Although they still had a tough road ahead, the Denver Nuggets fans were very supportive of him, which was a long awaited trust:
"As a veteran, I don't care about flashy stats!"
"I said I could be a combo guard. As the team's brain, I prefer to facilitate scoring for my teammates."
Most sports media didn't react much to their boasting.
The Denver Nuggets lacked a championship aura, just as an ESPN commentator put it:
"Carmelo Anthony prefers to score 30 points rather than win."
Although their rough, alternating offensive style had improved somewhat, it only worked against weaker teams.
Against playoff contenders, it was hard to win, which was why their record hadn't caught up with the leading teams.
At 7:30 PM, Madison Square Garden was still packed.
Most New York fans were still reveling in the joy of the Christmas War, cheering loudly once the game began.
The Denver Nuggets' lineup remained unchanged.
Although Earl Boykins was involved in trade rumors, any trade might not be officially confirmed until the All-Star Weekend.
The Denver Nuggets started well, but after Nene made a jump shot at 8:48, everyone suddenly fell into a scoring drought again.
Nearly three minutes without scoring, George Karl's timeout had no effect.
As Allen Iverson continuously dribbled between his legs at the top of the arc, made a wide change of direction, and then missed another pull-up jumper from the right elbow, Carmelo Anthony on the court started to lose his composure.
Fighting to get into the paint, Ron Artest and Carmelo Anthony pulled at each other, and finally, the referee blew the whistle, calling a holding foul on Carmelo Anthony under the left side of the basket.
"It seems Coach George Karl hasn't found a solution to their co-existence problem."
"To contend for a championship, you must establish a core. The team needs clear division of labor, and the New York Knicks do that very well."
"Clay Lee is a selfless leader. It's hard to imagine the New York Knicks becoming a laughingstock like the Lakers."
Watching Lee receive the ball on the baseline, Walt Frazier in the MSG commentary box began to mock his old rivals again.
This Christmas, the Lakers had become everyone's source of amusement.
Carmelo Anthony was unhappy with the referee's call and continued to grumble as he retreated on Defense.
Ron Artest, running to the right baseline, also egged him on, smiling as he looked up the court and said:
"Do you know why no Eastern Conference team wants Allen Iverson? Because he'll be the team's biggest weakness."
"From now on, the referees won't favor you guys!"
Carmelo Anthony wanted to retort, but before he could speak, at the top of the arc, Lee, without waiting for the two big men to set a screen, suddenly executed a crossover dribble and instantly completed a change of direction.
The moment he switched to his left hand, Lee faked Allen Iverson's center of gravity, lowered his shoulder, accelerated, and immediately squeezed past the right side of his body.
Marcus Jordan, who was defending him, quickly adjusted his steps, trying to get back to the paint for help Defense.
Allen Iverson, trailing in Defense, still tried to reach out and pull, but Lee gathered the ball early.
As his left foot took off, his body leaned forward, and his left hand, holding the ball, casually tossed it towards the backboard.
Marcus Jordan jumped with him, only to realize the ball flew too high, and his block had no effect.
He watched helplessly as the ball hit high off the backboard and dropped cleanly through the net.
"The game is easier than we expected. Clay Lee has been in excellent form recently. In the last home game of 2006, he lived up to the fans' expectations!"
Mike Breen continued to boast, while the Denver Nuggets players on the court were in low spirits as the lead grew larger and larger.
8:18, with 5 minutes and 57 seconds left in the first quarter, the lead reached double digits.
The Denver Nuggets attacked again.
Allen Iverson, on the right wing, tried to lob the ball to Carmelo Anthony, who was posting up on the right block, but Ron Artest's frequent fronting Defense disrupted the passing opportunity.
Protecting the ball with his body, Allen Iverson tried to make a cross-court pass to Edoardo Nahura for a transition, but Hill seized the opportunity, directly stealing the ball the moment his opponent received it.
Watching Hill score an uncontested dunk in the frontcourt, Coach George Karl on the sideline frowned.
He hadn't expected the team's ball distribution to be an issue.
In the following minutes, Carmelo Anthony's isolation step-back jumper missed, and Marcus Jordan's strong drive to the basket after receiving the ball in the paint was blocked by Chandler.
Facing the New York Knicks' increasingly compact Defense, the Denver Nuggets had no answer.
This time, they watched Lee drive past Allen Iverson in transition and go to the free-throw line.
Mike D'Antoni on the sideline smiled.
Returning to his seat, he casually said to Mike Malone beside him:
"Free throws are also an effective scoring method. I didn't expect so many opponents are still insisting on jump shots from near the three-point line."
The New York Knicks' data analysis team had given advice early on.
Hill was the biggest beneficiary, as for Lee, he would only go all out in important games.
"I think more young players will adopt this style of play in the future."
"Allen Iverson, like many veterans, finds it hard to step out of his comfort zone. Those young teams are the challenge we face."
Mike Malone looked at Allen Iverson, who continued to miss shots, made a simple comment, and then focused on his own team's performance.
Relying on fast breaks and strong offensive rebounds, the New York Knicks' possessions gradually surpassed their opponents, until Edoardo Nahura made two consecutive three-pointers, which finally eased the Denver Nuggets' awkward situation.
Carmelo Anthony was getting frustrated by Ron Artest's persistent Defense.
No matter how much he complained, the referee just wouldn't blow the whistle.
In the final moments of the 1st quarter, on the Denver Nuggets' last possession, Carmelo Anthony finally drew a foul.
Tayshaun Prince, who came off the bench, leaned on his knee near the paint and quipped:
"Nobody's going to help you guys!"
"..."
16:36, the first quarter ended.
Allen Iverson had already fallen silent, contributing 4 points on 2-of-8 shooting. It was his familiar game rhythm.
Although the game had lost its suspense early, as the last home game of 2006, Clay Lee entered the game early in the second quarter, once again delivering a powerful performance to repay the fans.
During halftime, the cheers at Madison Square Garden were non-stop.
Lee, in good spirits during his interview, once again made a grand promise to the fans:
"This year, we will have six All-Stars. This is the New York Knicks' Show time era!"
"..."
....
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