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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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***
On Wednesday, January 10, 2007, the Knicks, after a four-day rest following their Western road trip, once again faced the 76ers.
Just before this game, the 76ers announced they were buying out Chris Webber, for which the team would pay $36 million.
Webber also made a sacrifice, losing nearly $7 million after the buyout.
The veteran, who would turn 34 in March, spoke to the outside world through his agent, Aaron Goodwin:
"To pursue a championship, Webber wants to play for a more competitive team!"
Goodwin didn't close the door on possibilities.
As an agent, he understood his client's capabilities.
A 34-year-old Webber was mostly out of gas, and a multi-year contract was indeed a veteran's goal.
The news broke in the morning, and by the afternoon, sports reporters were responding, with the Lakers reportedly interested in Webber, and Kobe willing to play with the veteran.
However, anyone familiar with salary structures knew that to sign Webber, the Lakers' salary cap wasn't enough.
They would have to release a player, and both sides would also need to negotiate his salary.
To directly sign this past All-Star big man, the management still needed to work harder, as for a 34-year-old veteran, money might be the most important thing.
Still with the team in Manhattan, Webber advertised himself through the New York Times, complaining about his Philadelphia experience during an interview:
"Since going to Philadelphia, my father said I haven't smiled on the court in a long time."
"Yes, I wasn't happy here. Maybe Allen Iverson is a good player, but I stand by my opinion: sometimes his dribbling is too much, and it affects the game's rhythm."
"Now everything is in the past. I need to look forward. I want to play with a team that can truly contend for a championship."
"I'm not too old to play. I want to be an indispensable part of a championship team."
Wearing a striped suit, Webber hoped to return to play on Monday, but his options were limited.
He most wanted to go to the Western Conference to completely avoid the Knicks.
With an 8-26 record, the 76ers were already losing badly.
The team's goal was clear: aim directly for the first pick, and getting rid of Webber was a firm commitment to tanking.
Andre Iguodala was currently the team leader, already confirmed as the 76ers' next core, but after the new season began, they lost too badly and were continuously criticized by Philadelphia fans.
In that night's game, Coach Cheeks numbly watched from the bench as his team was quickly defeated.
Not long ago, Allen Iverson personally experienced a 0-42 record.
Tonight, the 76ers would share this record.
New York fans, having been cooped up for nearly two weeks, were very enthusiastic.
Every time Lee scored, it triggered cheers that echoed throughout the Madison Square Garden.
Although Allen Iverson was gone, some fans still held up 0-42 signs.
Philadelphia, the neighboring city, was the New York fans' source of amusement.
They could freely mock their opponents.
In the VIP box on the top floor of the Madison Square Garden, Ivana unbuttoned her coat and watched her daughter clapping along, saying with a hint of exasperation:
"Flirtatious men are unreliable. I thought you would be careful. What are you two going to do in the future?"
Ivanka, with her golden hair tied up, wore a loose black sweater, but her expanding waistline was still noticeable.
Noticing her mother's reproachful gaze, she said in a spoiled tone:
"We're doing great now. You see how much he cares about me!"
Besides annual birthday gifts, whenever Lee had time, he would pick up and drop off Ivanka from work.
They had lived together for over two years, had few conflicts, and had unlocked more positions.
Originally, she wanted to light a cigarette to vent her frustration, but looking at her plump daughter, Ivana sighed helplessly.
The older woman found a bottle of wine from the liquor cabinet and continued to complain about her precious daughter:
"What's the use of caring? Donald almost gave me all his hotels back then, and in the end, he still found a bunch of bitches!"
"These flirtatious men are born liars. He said he wouldn't have any more children! But now there's a little son, and you see his change."
"How do you usually live? Three people? Four people? OMG! Be careful, God will punish you!"
Ivanka's face flushed slightly at her mother's words, and she remained silent.
In fact, even more exaggerated things had happened.
Lee was very good at breaking double teams.
Even in a one-on-five situation, he could still put up spectacular numbers.
"You're only 25. Remember, if you two get married in the future, you must be the last one by his side."
"Look at my experience. I gave everything for Donald, and in the end, that bitch stole him away. Be smarter!"
Worried that her daughter would be deceived by a scumbag and lose everything, Ivana had no choice but to hug her infatuated precious daughter, whispering instructions while also secretly pondering.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported many news, with Bobby Axelrod's and Kenneth Griffin's hedge funds officially entering the global top 6.
Just as Chicago media called Kenneth Griffin the "Miracle Boy" years ago, achieving such results in just over six years was unimaginable.
Once Amaranth was officially acquired, Lee's wealth as a major shareholder would continue to expand.
Forbes also recently announced that the Knicks were valued at $692 million, with revenue reaching $268 million last season.
Both figures were number one, far ahead of other teams.
The Lakers were ranked second, valued at $568 million.
The gap between them was significant, and as long as the Knicks continued to win, breaking $700 million was not an issue.
The rising market value did not quite align with the current situation of the NBA.
Clay Lee's personal endorsement was enormous.
His joining completely revitalized the New York market.
The Yankees, who had been winning big before, showed signs of being surpassed.
Knicks merchandise was becoming increasingly popular.
In the past, everyone wore Yankees hats.
Now, sports fans preferred the Knicks.
Clay Lee's No. 1 jersey had been the most popular jersey among fans since 1998, and every redesign attracted purchases from fans.
Nike had also recently started settling sneaker sales, which was also a significant income.
Although Forbes couldn't specifically estimate Lee's wealth, everyone had a good idea in their hearts that it would be a huge sum of money.
"Wait two more years, we plan to buy a beachfront estate in Florida. Greenwich is still too cold. The children will grow up in a warm environment."
Not listening to her mother's words, Ivanka instead snuggled into her embrace and talked about future plans.
Hearing that she wanted to have more children before turning 30, Ivana's eyes widened, and she playfully patted her infatuated daughter:
"If anything happens in the future, don't expect me to help you take care of these little ones!"
Hearing her mother's complaints, Ivanka just chuckled.
She believed she would ultimately be the winner.
She was still young, and as long as she took good care of herself, she could remain beautiful and radiant.
The game lost its suspense after the first half.
The 76ers stopped pretending.
They were going to tank, and Greg Oden was the goal of Philadelphia fans.
Ultimately, 84:114, both teams won.
There were no losers tonight!
In their first game of the week, the Knicks showed good form.
However, when interviewed after the game, Mike D'Antoni proactively brought up another topic, speaking into the air:
"Basketball philosophy is constantly advancing with development. We cannot be limited by the past!"
"With Pau Gasol's return, we are simplifying things for Clay Lee. He will complete his offense more easily. The game is simple: the team that scores more will win."
"I will not burden the core players. This is why the Knicks have been successful."
Phil Jackson recently expressed dissatisfaction in an interview, believing that the Knicks were helping Lee pad his stats, and also commented on the relevant tactics:
"Those illegal screens are ruining basketball!"
The Lakers needed Kobe to do more.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man emphasized sharing the ball more than once.
The tactical philosophies of the two teams were completely opposite, and the number of outside shots clearly showed the difference.
The MSG reporter, of course, knew that Mike D'Antoni was expressing his dissatisfaction.
As a Champion Coach, although he temporarily lagged behind his opponent in championships, Mike D'Antoni also had his own swagger.
"Mike, where do you think basketball will develop in the future? Will the Knicks always be the leader?"
Hearing this question, Mike smiled again and continued to brag without reservation:
"I believe we can keep winning. As for the most significant tactical change, it will undoubtedly be an even greater emphasis on court spacing."
"Basketball is constantly progressing. In my opinion, Lee represents the future. He will lead an era!"
"..."
Andre Iguodala played 32 minutes tonight, shooting 3-of-12 from the field, 1-of-4 from three-point range, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, putting up an all-around stat line of 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 turnovers.
Feeling the fervent atmosphere of the Madison Square Garden, Andre Iguodala, who had officially become the team leader, felt a bit lost.
But unlike before, this new season he finally got to familiarize himself with Lee:
"I never want to come here to play again. Now, like the fans, I'm more concerned about when you guys will lose."
Looking at Andre Iguodala, who approached with a bitter smile, Lee stepped forward for a fist bump, then patted the shoulder of the defeated leader:
"This is a basketball mecca. If you can score 50 points here, all New York fans will cheer for you!"
"Trust me, everything I say is true!"
Andre Iguodala glanced at Ron Artest, who was enthusiastically interacting with fans, and felt that this goal would be difficult to achieve.
Perhaps before he could score highly, he would have to have a boxing match.
Without Allen Iverson, most of the 76ers players had given up and no longer viewed the Knicks with hostility.
Both sides parted amicably.
Lee and Hill attended the post-game press conference.
In the final stage of the All-Star voting, Hill successfully overtook Dwyane Wade after he dislocated his left shoulder and was sidelined due to injury.
Reddit specially opened a voting channel for Hill, and Lee also pushed on Facebook.
Online voting closed on the 21st, and Hill had a chance to get a starting spot.
The team won, and they would face the Bobcats, who were again plagued by injuries, the day after tomorrow.
With no pressure on the schedule, Hill was in a great mood, and when discussing his contract, he no longer held back:
"I haven't considered the future yet, but if I have to make a decision, I still want to get another multi-year contract!"
"Given my current physical condition, I will remain competitive for three years. Of course, I'm not talking about MVP. I know how to win games."
Age 34 is a turning point for a player's condition, as Chris Webber and Gary Payton have proven.
However, Hill shows no signs of decline in his statistics.
As the team's General Manager, Donnie Walsh would naturally not offer a large contract to a veteran.
The ideal scenario would be to sign another All-Star to replace Hill.
In the twilight of their careers, veterans who are not short on accolades pursue money.
Lee also agreed that his teammates should earn high salaries, but he would not pressure the General Manager.
This was an unspoken understanding between them.
"Lee, we've noticed that your assists have been declining since the road trip in the Western Conference. Is this Coach DAntoni's arrangement?"
"This is my 11th season. Although I feel very young, in fact, I have become a veteran in the league."
Clay Lee counted the older players with more seniority than him in front of the media, and only Shaquille O'Neal still had a tiny bit of competitiveness.
"The coach is right. I need to score more easily. This will reduce wear and tear, and I don't want to be mocked by young people in a few years!"
A group of sports reporters laughed.
If anyone had questioned Lee's physique in previous years, with several seasons of full attendance and an increasingly stronger build, no one mentioned it anymore.
In the NBA, durability is an extremely important talent.
A New York Post reporter even joked:
"Lee, we all think you'll retire later than Dwyane Wade!"
With a smile, Lee waved his hand amidst the laughter.
He really hadn't expected Dwyane Wade to be injured again this year, and the Heat had already fallen behind.
News of Chris Webber waiving $7 million to join a championship contender quickly swept across major sports media outlets.
Goodwin publicly stated that their options had narrowed down to Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, and Orlando.
As for why the San Antonio Spurs were not included, it was because San Antonio immediately rejected the trade information, as they were not interested in recruiting veterans.
As the February 22nd trade deadline approached, Phil Jackson had not explicitly stated that the Lakers would pursue Chris Webber.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man was currently busy clashing with Bynum, and the internal strife could no longer be contained.
On Thursday, November 11th, Bynum was interviewed at the El Segundo training center.
Since he had been coming off the bench recently, the Rookie couldn't help but complain again:
"At the beginning of the season, when I started, my game was at a higher level."
"However, coming off the bench, it's difficult for me to find my rhythm quickly. Fans have seen my talent. I can be a starting center."
TNT's program quickly reported on the relevant news, and the verbal exchanges between Mike D'Antoni and Phil Jackson were also included in the program.
Because the Knicks had few games recently and their opponents were weak, the trio didn't have a chance to create excitement.
They had been discussing the topic of the "second person" and also the MVP award.
In the studio, the director showed Little Beard's post-game interview.
Charles Barkley chuckled, teasing Lee about his recent performance:
"I think Lee is being lazy. I watched the Knicks game. He now passes the ball to Pau Gasol as soon as he crosses half-court."
"Then he uses a screen to run to the corner. Many teams that only want to lose often don't want to play Defense, just watching him catch and shoot in the corner."
"A large number of possessions in the game are catch-and-shoot after a screen. Think about how we used to play. I agree with Phil Jackson's view that single tactical plays should not appear in the NBA."
In the past, muscle-bound players were piled up in the paint.
Kenny Smith, of course, knew what old-school basketball was like.
Hearing his partner tease him, he simply retorted:
"In my opinion, modern basketball isn't much different from the past. Back then, the Houston Rockets also shot three-pointers, and we won the championship."
"Clay Lee just has a longer range, which is his advantage. Look at Pau Gasol's stats. If he had enough playing time, I even think he could easily get a triple-double."
"Kobe lacks such a helper. I think Chris Webber is indeed a very good addition! He can free up Kobe's offense."
As one of the Sacramento Kings' tactical starting points back then, Chris Webber's playmaking ability was excellent.
However, Ernie Johnson heard the Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man's unspoken meaning and preemptively warned Los Angeles Lakers fans:
"The Lakers are currently still sticking to the Triangle Offense. If their goal is a dominant big man in the low post, then Chris Webber will find it difficult to adapt to such a role."
"In comparison, the Knicks' tactics are more suitable for him, but unfortunately, the defending champions have no place for Chris Webber."
"As for the Dallas Mavericks, I believe they won't easily change their lineup. With a 29-8 record, they are still second in the league, and Dirk Nowitzki has a chance to win his first career MVP trophy."
The MVP rankings haven't changed at all in the past half month.
The Knicks and Dallas Mavericks are terrifyingly stable.
"Why Dirk Nowitzki? Clay Lee's stats have been rising again recently. Without a doubt, he can win another trophy."
Kenny Smith asked knowingly, and Charles Barkley, sitting on the far left, naturally cooperated tacitly, saying with a chuckle:
"Because Lee no longer needs this trophy to prove himself. I'm very happy to see them meet again in the Finals after Dirk Nowitzki wins the award. This is a great opportunity for the German to prove himself!"
"…"
On November 12th, the Dallas Mavericks began their Eastern Conference road trip.
That night, they battled the Pacers into overtime.
115:113, thanks to Dirk Nowitzki's crucial free throws, the Dallas Mavericks continued their winning streak.
Playing 44 minutes, 13 of 24 from the field, 2 of 4 from beyond the arc, and 15 of 18 from the free-throw line, Dirk Nowitzki delivered a perfect stat line of 43 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 turnovers, scoring 8 points alone in overtime.
Last year, because of his 81-point game, Kobe was once crowned the "second person," but after the classic moment occurred in this year's Christmas War, this glorious title was stripped away by the media.
To create a "rivalry," the successful Dallas Mavericks became the recent darlings of basketball commentators, and Dirk Nowitzki was officially crowned the "second person" of the season.
After winning this tough game, Mark Cuban, who was with the team, watched Dirk Nowitzki from behind the basket, cheering him on continuously, and joined Jason Terry and others in shouting loudly:
"MVP!"
Upon hearing this title, Dirk Nowitzki also secretly rejoiced, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his sweat-soaked face.
He liked this honor!
Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan had both won awards.
As a top power forward in the league, Dirk Nowitzki felt he should also receive this award:
"This was a tough game, and I'm glad we could keep the winning streak going!"
"I want to thank my teammates. The victory wouldn't have been possible without everyone's excellent Defense. We will continue to win the upcoming road games."
The ESPN reporter saw Dirk Nowitzki's thoughts and took the opportunity to ask about a recently debated topic:
"Dirk, do you think you can win this season's MVP? Many commentators are calling you the 'second person.' What are your thoughts on this?"
"Of course, I am qualified to win this award. We are still first in the Western Conference, and both our record and individual statistics are excellent."
Dirk Nowitzki said this with his head down, then looked up, pondered for a moment, and then confidently declared into the microphone, actively boasting:
"I don't like second. This season, I am the best big man in the league. Last year, we lost the Finals, and this year I am ready. I will return to this stage again!"
It was rare for the German to boast.
The ESPN reporter was somewhat surprised to hear it.
After a simple blessing, he watched Dirk Nowitzki leave, muttering to himself:
"Perhaps there will be another good show to watch soon…"
.....
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