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***
As Christmas approached, players who had sustained injuries since the start of the new season gradually returned.
For Knicks fans, Pau Gasol's official return from injury was a cause for celebration.
The "twin towers" reunion had been anticipated by comntators for over a month.
MSG recently launched a new show, "Madison Square Garden's 50 Greatest Historical Monts," which reviews the team's history and has been well-received during this period.
Grant Hill even guest-hosted two episodes.
The veteran was already entering retirent mode early.
On Friday, December 15th, the Knicks had been on a continuous streak of dominating weaker teams.
The Grizzlies, soon to be sold, lost by 51 points, the Atlanta Hawks lost by 42 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks lost by 36 points.
The Washington Wizards and the Celtics were among the few teams that put up a fight, but they still succumbed by the third quarter, ultimately losing by 22 points.
With a 23-ga winning streak to start the season, the calls for the Knicks to win the championship grew louder!
Tomorrow, they would challenge the Pacers on the road.
The returning Pau Gasol also accepted an exclusive interview on an MSG Spanish-language program.
As the World Championship MVP, and with Shaquille O'Neal sidelined, Pau Gasol was referred to as the "league's best center" by many comntators.
His return from injury, however, ant he would play at the power forward position, leading many comntators to discuss whether the current lineup could adapt.
Mike D'Antoni had discussed lineup issues long ago.
He had recently been boasting, completely unconcerned that using two big n would alter the team's current offensive rhythm:
"Why worry about these things? What I care about more is that the two big n can provide higher quality screens for Lee."
"Pau only needs to handle those annoying double-team problems at the free-throw line. The rest can be left to Lee."
"Ensuring one big man is on the court during rotation stages will also better protect the rim. Tyson Chandler has excellent athleticism, and their combination will turn the team's restricted area into a no-fly zone."
After MSG adjusted its programming, the Knicks essentially beca a basketball reality show.
Last month, everyone was more restrained out of respect for Red Auerbach, but recently, they've beco increasingly boisterous.
Last Saturday, when Kidd played against the Celtics, he shot 1-for-11, tallying 5 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers.
Even with Carter shooting lights out, the Nets still regrettably lost.
MSG's program seized the opportunity to mock this "warm-up" ga for the Celtics:
"The Nets are moving to Brooklyn, which is indeed good for them, but New York fans won't go watch their gas!"
"We'd rather spend 100 dollars on a screaming seat at Madison Square Garden than 5 dollars to watch the Nets' pathetic performance."
"…"
The Nets' relocation and the new arena construction in Brooklyn, along with the developnt of Chelsea Piers, had been approved by the New York State governnt.
This was a major project that would boost employnt.
However, MSG was biased.
City rivals are usually mortal enemies.
Without waiting for the Nets to grab market share, the Dolan Family once again launched an attack, directly branding the Nets as a "third-rate team."
The two sides had been bickering since last week, and with fans joining in the uproar, Kidd lost his composure and cursed at the referees after losing to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, ultimately being fined 20,000 dollars.
Most players couldn't stand the passionate New York fans.
At the beginning of the month, the 2006 first overall pick was thoroughly outplayed and affectionately nicknad "Spaghetti."
The heavily mocked Rookie almost cried on the spot.
One fan can be worth ten haters.
Besides winning too much, Lee's sowhat negative public image also stemd from the efforts of the New York dia and fans.
At 7 PM that evening, Conseco Fieldhouse was not completely full, but as the ga progressed, over 14,000 Pacers fans erupted in huge cheers.
During the rotation phase of the second quarter, the fully healthy Knicks used the lineup of Rajon Rondo, Raja Bell, Ron Artest, Boris Diaw, and Pau Gasol for the first ti.
After leading by only 6 points in the first quarter, Danny Granger quickly narrowed the deficit with a three-pointer and a fast break after a steal.
30:29. Rajon Rondo, frustrated by a passing turnover, clapped his hands in annoyance and quickly signaled a play after receiving the ball on the baseline.
The veteran Darrell Armstrong had consistently perford poorly against Lee, but now, relying on a compacted Defense, he made Rajon Rondo's play difficult.
On the right wing, Jeff Foster chose to drop back on Defense, sticking tightly to the cutting Pau Gasol, while Armstrong went around the screen, cutting off Rajon Rondo's driving lane.
At the left block, Rajon Rondo reluctantly slowed down.
This ti, he didn't pass the ball back to the top of the key.
The Lithuanian talent Sarunas Jasikevicius had already cut off his passing lane.
When Armstrong actively stepped forward to interfere, Rajon Rondo, who had stopped, could only dribble and spin, then imdiately lob the ball to Pau Gasol under the left side of the basket.
With the offensive space compressed, as soon as Pau Gasol received the ball, Armstrong was already collapsing back to help defend.
As the ball was again swung out to the three-point line, the open Rajon Rondo hesitated again.
Amidst the jeers of the Pacers fans in attendance, Rajon Rondo's open jump shot clanked off the rim, and the long rebound was picked up by Al Harrington.
When the initial pass found Danny Granger, just as he crossed half-court, the chasing Ron Artest delivered a brutal collision.
Granger stumbled out of bounds, stopping only after hitting the scorer's table.
"Oh!"
Amidst gasps, Danny Granger angrily approached Ron Artest, shouting in exasperation:
"WF! Do you want to fight?!"
Ron Artest raised his arms in a gesture of friendliness, but imdiately retorted, looking askance at the Rookie and yelling:
"Show so respect, man! Falling down with one bump, I'm teaching you how to play properly."
Rick Carlisle, worried that the in-form Granger might make a mistake in a fit of impulse, rushed to the scorer's table imdiately, helping his players separate the two.
Stephen Jackson, however, laughed and egged them on:
"Rookie! Show him what you've got!"
Ron Artest laughed and cursed in Stephen Jackson's direction, not caring that the referee called a technical foul.
As he retreated to half-court to await the free throw, he leaned on his knee and yelled to Rajon Rondo nearby:
"Pass the ball earlier! Or shoot it when you're open, you're disrupting the offensive rhythm!"
Having given up points as soon as he ca on, the recently returned Rajon Rondo had even lost so playing ti to Barea.
Hearing his teammate's words, he could only nod silently.
"Ron is just a bit impatient. Control the ga at your own pace."
The clean-shaven Pau Gasol looked very amiable, patting Rajon Rondo's shoulder and offering comfort.
Besides his struggles in half-court offense, Rajon Rondo was still more reliable than Barea on the defensive end.
Everyone on the Knicks knew that Mike D'Antoni wanted to develop Rajon Rondo into the engine of the second unit.
Currently, they were quite tolerant of the Rookie.
On the bench, Lee, wearing an away practice uniform, saw Rajon Rondo's dark expression and knew that the Rookie would likely be cold tonight again.
After a verbal sparring match with the referee in front of the scorer's table, Coach D'Antoni now sat back down with a cheerful smile, and casually asked Lee beside him:
"Lee, how do you think Rajon Rondo is performing?"
"He's too focused on tactical coordination. Armstrong is 38 years old. He can easily break through the opponent's Defense. There's no need to make it so complicated."
Lee raised an eyebrow towards the court, indicating that the Pacers' current Defense was a paper tiger, and the Lithuanian talent was the sa.
The opponent was still adapting to NBA physicality.
"He'll realize that. Being able to see that already puts him ahead of many point guards."
Mike D'Antoni folded his arms and praised, not caring as Granger hit another long two-pointer.
He then chatted with the coaching staff beside him for a couple of sentences, and casually glanced at the box score.
The Knicks, who had been ticulously managing their rotations, failed to show off this ti.
Granger completely exploded, scoring continuously, and Armstrong's sudden three-pointer put the Pacers ahead, with the duo igniting the atmosphere in the arena.
Ultimately, the ga beca a situation where the Knicks lost, but Lee did not.
108:112. Thanks to Jermaine O'Neal's steady free throws in the fourth quarter, the Pacers once again won the "End Clay Lee's Winning Streak Award."
Despite a diocre 12-13 record, Conseco Fieldhouse was completely abuzz, and at the end of the ga, all the Pacers fans in attendance rose to their feet and cheered loudly.
Chris Denard, who had just beco the ho announcer last year, now loosened his tie, wearing a headset and excitedly shouting:
"God, we defeated the defending champions! Danny Granger is our hero! He played so well off the bench tonight, maybe we can return to the playoffs this season."
Rising to fa in one battle, facing the Knicks' periter Defense, Danny Granger played 29 minutes, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 6-of-6 from the free throw line, scoring a team-high 25 points.
Coming to the scorer's table, Mike D'Antoni didn't dwell on the loss, maintaining the deanor of a Champion Coach, and smilingly praised Rick Carlisle:
"Well done! I didn't expect you to stick with Harrington."
"Actually, you inspired us. It's hard for us to deal with two big n. Thankfully, God was on our side tonight."
From starting with a twin towers lineup that quickly changed to one big and four small players, Rick Carlisle proactively increased the pace and secured the victory, his face now beaming with an exceptionally bright smile.
The dia reporters on site all aid their caras at Lee and Danny Granger, who were fist-bumping.
Noticing that the crowd of onlookers was growing, Lee simply patted the Rookie's shoulder and praised him to everyone:
"Believe , Granger will beco a big star, he has the ability!"
"Thanks, Bro! I'll work hard for that!"
Danny Granger, talking to Lee for the first ti, was visibly excited.
After receiving the "Clay Lee Recognition Award," his mouth almost stretched to the back of his head.
Reporters from Indiana, understanding Lee's style, always felt that the vengeful old rival couldn't be so kind.
The last person to receive the recognition award, Reggie Miller, lost badly in the playoffs.
Danny Granger happily returned to the locker room, where Stephen Jackson and Jermaine ONeal led the applause, then asked the Rookie:
"Winning feels really good, Rookie. What did Lee tell you?"
"Uh, he said I'd beco a big star, and I know it's just polite talk."
Halfway through his sentence, a pleased Danny Granger, after taking off his jersey, was about to add more, but Stephen Jackson stood up and spread his hands towards him:
"Good luck, Rookie!"
"?"
With a puzzled expression, Danny Granger looked at the grinning Stephen Jackson, montarily at a loss.
On Saturday, the 16th, ESPN reported the Knicks' loss early in the morning.
In the morning program, they even invited the out-of-date Larry Brown.
After leaving the coaching bench due to health reasons, Larry Brown has been very low-key these past few years.
Although there were rumors that he was seeking a Head Coach position, no one in the league extended an olive branch.
As a professional, unlike those verbose sports comntators, Larry Brown answered the question of the Knicks' loss from another perspective:
"Clay Lee had 33 points, 4 rebounds, and 13 assists, but the Pacers shot 12-of-23 from beyond the arc. Their big n couldn't withstand the test."
"I understand the Knicks' acquisitions. Clay Lee is almost 29 years old, and this group of Champion players are no longer young. In the future, they must slow down."
"In fact, during the years the Knicks won championships, the league experienced aging, and as talented young players erged, they would face the sa predicant."
Stephen A. Smith heard such an explanation for the first ti.
Looking at Larry Brown's profound expression, he couldn't help but ask loudly with curiosity:
"Do you think the Knicks' dominance will decline after trading for Chandler?"
Displaying an air of having seen through his opponent's true nature, Larry Brown once again flaunted his theory:
"No, I would still give this trade an A. The problem is everyone is imitating the Knicks."
"I don't think the twin towers combination will succeed. Their offensive space has beco smaller. Grant is not good at three-pointers, and Prince's shooting is also unstable."
"If I were the Head Coach, I would stick to zone Defense and also assign soone to stick to Clay Lee all ga."
"Back then, the Detroit Pistons almost managed to build this exclusive defensive lineup. It's a sha they couldn't stick with it in the end. I regret Ben's departure."
After going in a circle, Stephen A. Smith finally understood.
The renowned coach beside him was promoting himself, seemingly targeting the Chicago Bulls.
As he spoke voluminously about his tactical system, Stephen A. Smith couldn't say much on the show, only muttering to himself:
"Is this old guy still not giving up?"
"..."
Michael Jordan, who ca to Manhattan with the Bobcats, also appeared at Madison Square Garden that night.
Recently, MSG's programs have also featured footage of Michael Jordan playing there, and the generous New York fans have forgiven the past beatings.
At 7 PM, Michael Jordan, wearing an AJ training suit, stood up and waved to the New York fans in the arena, quickly receiving applause.
With a 6-16 record, after the injury to the short Knight, the team's performance plumted.
Adam Morrison, after being deed a "bust," also failed to rebound strongly.
In this ga, which was destined to have little suspense, Michael Jordan was quite relaxed.
Before the ga, he proactively accepted an interview with a New York reporter and talked about the recent ESPN survey report:
"It really feels very different to co to Madison Square Garden in a different capacity."
"I am indeed old, and ESPN's survey is right. Young people born after '85 identify more with Clay Lee. He sets a good example for young people!"
In the survey initiated by ESPN, not only fans but also young players born after '85 preferred Clay Lee.
The situation in the anonymous survey was very interesting: role players generally had a very good impression of Lee, even if Lee had barely spoken to them.
However, his championship experience, spread throughout the league, still had an effect.
Among All-Star players, most of the young ones in the past two years recognized Lee, while older All-Stars had nothing good to say, with "roster bonus" being the most frequently ntioned phrase by the "old tirs."
Allen Iverson, who wished to remain anonymous, once again "IF"ed himself:
"If I were in New York, I could also succeed…"
Talking about the recent MSG program, Michael Jordan also expressed his gratitude.
New York rarely teased him, and this respect was unique.
When asked about the championship's whereabouts, Michael Jordan smiled with relief:
"I think Lee can still lead the team to a championship this year. The Knicks' operations in recent years are worth learning from."
"Many people forget that the players in this current lineup were all drafted by the team."
"The Bobcats will also focus on the draft in the future. We will unearth our own stars."
Hearing such an answer, the New York Tis reporter could only offer an awkward smile.
In fact, they had always mocked Michael Jordan's eye for talent.
New York was the first dia outlet to call Adam Morrison a bust.
After the interview, Michael Jordan proactively went up to greet Lee.
After a brief exchange, he made a phone gesture.
Grant Hill noticed that only Beyoncé was courtside, and combining this with the information he had received, he showed a concerned expression and stepped forward to whisper:
"Did Jay-Z ask Michael Jordan to get involved? Has your conflict still not been resolved?"
The cheers in the Madison Square Garden were continuous.
Lee casually dribbled the ball, knowing that Hill's singer wife had inside information, so he didn't explain much:
"Conflict? That's just a business matter, don't worry, Grant, we just need to focus on the ga!"
"..."
....
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