Check out my new fanfics.
A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
Please give it a go đ
***
In early April 2001, the NBA received a proposal from the Board of Directors, with most teams wanting to implement new rules next season.
However, where there was a proposal, there was opposition.
Jerry Buss and James Dolan felt these rules were unreasonable and detrimental to team interests!
The two sides bickered from the beginning of the month until the end of the regular season in mid-April, failing to reach an agreement.
It wasn't until the end of the month, for the healthy development of the league, that the NBA Board of Directors finally approved four rule changes:
Eliminating illegal Defense, adding a defensive three-second violation rule, reducing the time to bring the ball across half-court from 10 seconds to 8 seconds, and loosening defensive contact rules.
The above four rules will be implemented starting from the 2001-2002 season.
Most teams readily accepted them, with only the Lakers and the New York Knicks being extremely displeased.
Although James Dolan didn't understand basketball very well, after being educated by the management, he understood the intention behind eliminating illegal Defense and loosening defensive contact rules.
With more people in the restricted area, the New York Knicks' previous borderline zone Defense could be used openly.
Loosening defensive contact allows perimeter defenders to use their hands more.
Without discussing the impact on big men, these rules are still unfavorable to the "Show time" plan.
And for Jerry Buss, these rules were tailor-made for the Lakers!
Shaquille O'Neal dominated the paint, and allowing zone Defense plus defensive three seconds meant teams could execute double-teams better, packing the paint and gambling on outside shots missing.
Eastern Conference teams only played the Lakers twice a season, so the impact was minimal.
But Western Conference teams wanting to reach the Finals always had to face Shaquille O'Neal, so these rules served the interests of most Western Conference teams.
On Thursday, May 3rd, major sports media officially informed fans about the rule changes, but the response was lukewarm, as people didn't care about these details.
ESPN invited several retired coaches to discuss the impact of the new rules on the league.
On TNT, Charles Barkley gloated, mockingly taunting Shaq with a wide grin:
"In '97, the restricted area was added, which benefited Shaq. Next season, with defensive three seconds, it will definitely have a huge impact on him!"
"Big men can't just squat under the basket all the time. I like rules like that."
Kenny Smith shook his head, unable to predict the impact of the rules, and could only cautiously say:
"This will affect all big men in the league. Theoretically, perimeter players get more opportunities, but loosening defensive contact reduces that advantage."
"Next season, teams will definitely use more zone Defense. You know, many old-school coaches actually really like that defensive strategy."
In the 90s, most teams would more or less use borderline zone Defense, using various tricks to limit superstars with zone Defense.
Ernie Johnson had naturally experienced that era, and thinking about the current situation of the various teams in the league, he only gave his neutral opinion:
"Loosening the defensive rules will depend on the referees' calls. I don't think this rule will have too much impact on perimeter stars."
"The simplest example is, if you look closely at Lee's play, his drives have evolved from relying on rhythm to now relying more on the explosiveness of his first step to complete an offense."
"Players gradually reaching their peak are getting physically better and better. Perhaps rookies still need to adapt, but for current All-Star players, the rules have little impact."
"Of course, I support the rule changes. This will increase competitiveness, which is definitely a good thing for fans!"
Charles Barkley heard his two partners' words, instinctively tugged at his tie, pondered briefly, and then nodded in agreement:
"Perhaps it will affect some smaller players. To limit Lee, it will mostly depend on the players' own defensive ability."
"However, with increased physicality, most teams' offenses will suffer, which is definitely not good news for offensive-minded teams."
"I'm somewhat looking forward to the changes in the league next season!"
On May 4th, the NBA announced this season's Most Valuable Player award:
The New York Knicks' Clay Lee won his second career MVP!
After the announcement, the New York Media rejoiced, and Mayor Giuliani immediately congratulated Clay Lee:
"Congratulations to Clay Lee on being elected MVP. This is a victory for New York!"
The Mayor was once a staunch fan of the Yankees, and after the team completed a three-peat during his tenure, he also became a staunch fan of the New York Knicks.
During the regular season, the Mayor was often seen watching games with his young son.
Victory brought more attention to the New York Knicks.
No one likes to lose, at least in New York, most fans like the feeling of winning big.
In the evening, Lee, dressed in a sharp black suit, attended the celebration party hosted by the Mayor at Gracie Mansion.
The Mayor's official residence is a Federal-style wooden house.
Its exterior looks unremarkable, but its location within Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side is excellent, close to the East River, and it is also an iconic New York landmark.
Old Charles, with his beaming son James Dolan, chatted with Lee before starting his own socializing.
Most of the attendees at this party were Republican Party members and City Hall officials.
Bloomberg, a Democratic Party member, was also present.
This billionaire was actively campaigning and had a high probability of becoming the next Mayor.
Kim, also in a black business suit, quietly introduced some City Hall officials to Lee.
Noticing a slightly bald white man next to Mayor Giuliani, she immediately whispered:
"Bernard Kerik, who just took over as the New York Police Department Commissioner from Safir last year."
Clay Lee still remembered the previous old Commissioner, but after he retired, he hadn't paid attention to the changes in the New York Police Department.
After recalling the news from the newspaper, Lee smiled and shook hands with the other party.
Although Mayor Giuliani had lost some weight due to illness, his mental state had improved significantly after his divorce.
He also smiled and introduced:
"Bernard is a loyal fan of the New York Knicks. If it weren't for his busy daily work, he wouldn't miss any game."
"Lee, you two will definitely have common topics. I remember there was a burglary at your house. Believe me, such a thing will not happen again!"
Hearing the Mayor's jest, Bernard Kerik also smiled and guaranteed:
"That's right, we will continue to maintain public order in New York. The Upper East Side is definitely the safest place in Manhattan!
"Lee, I'm very happy to see you achieve such accomplishments! At 23, you're still studying, that's truly remarkable!"
Thinking of the public's perception of this successor, Lee also complimented him:
"I've always believed in the New York Police Department's capabilities. Of course, I also understand the difficulties faced by grassroots police officers. If needed, my foundation will also contribute!"
"Growing together with the city, that is our common wish."
Bernard Kerik understood, and after reminiscing about past hardships and sweet memories, the two began to exchange compliments.
When the two left, Kim quietly reminded Lee again:
"His term should not be too long. Excessive enforcement and abuse of private power have led to many problems in less than a year. When the Mayor steps down, the New York Police Department will also see changes."
The surroundings were temporarily quiet, and Lee put his arm around Kim, whispering indifferently:
"The foundation will indeed donate, but I haven't guaranteed a time. We'll discuss these matters in detail after the billionaire takes office."
Different players have vastly different social circles.
For Lee, basketball was not purely about the sport.
He had no interest in experiencing "Manhattan at 4 AM."
As the Ewing era was drawing to a close, with Lee as the absolute core, the New York Knicks were about to enter an era of "keep the music playing, keep dancing."
A three-peat, there was nothing wrong with enjoying life.
On Saturday, May 5th, at 10 AM, the Tarrytown Training Center media room was packed with sports reporters.
Early in the morning, major New York newspapers had reported on last night's gathering.
Winning the MVP seemed to have turned into a city-wide party.
Jimmy Fallon, dressed in a blue suit, adjusted his tie as he sat in the front row, looking at Tina Fey, who was quietly chatting and laughing with her boyfriend beside him, and couldn't help but complain:
"We agreed to come alone. Maybe I should have invited Kirsten. As partners, we really should get to know each other beforehand."
In early June, Jimmy Fallon will co-host the MTV Movie Awards with Dunst.
This was also a recognition for Jimmy Fallon, who had been in the industry for several years.
Tina Fey, now the head writer for Saturday Night Live, rolled her eyes at her friend, who had turned into a scoundrel.
In front of them, Melinda turned her head and teased:
"She's a big beauty, maybe you two will spark something!"
Kirsten Dunst, soon to be the lead actress in Spider-Man, was considered a beautiful girl by everyone, and at 19, she was at the most beautiful time of her life.
Jimmy Fallon just chuckled after being teased.
Like Clay Lee, everyone liked 18-year-olds.
The little assistant, Krysten Ritter, sat beside Melinda, sighing inwardly.
Her modeling career wasn't going well, and compared to child stars, it was hard for her to enter the film and television industry.
Seemingly sensing the girl's emotions beside her, Melinda put her arm around the little assistant's shoulder and said with a smile:
"Alyce is also beautiful. I just love dark-haired girls!"
Watching the little assistant's face flush slightly, Kim helplessly patted Melinda's thigh, reminding her that the press conference was about to begin.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik walked to the podium with a smile, looking at the packed crowd of reporters below.
He first touched the small bronze trophy, then immediately announced loudly:
"It is an honor to witness such a historic moment with all of you. Let us welcome the three-time Finals MVP winner, the youngest MVP in NBA history, and a superstar of the leagueâClay-Lee!"
To the right of the podium, Jeff Van Gundy and the New York Knicks all wore black formal attire and led the applause.
Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik was an old acquaintance of Lee.
They met at the NBA Finals awards ceremony every year.
Lee, dressed in a light blue suit, hugged the Deputy Commissioner in greeting.
He then walked to the podium and nodded to Old Charles and his son, and Mayor Giuliani, who were in the front row.
After scanning the room, Lee touched the trophy, adjusted the microphone, and said with a smile:
"I am very happy to receive everyone's recognition. I love this trophy, and I love the feeling of chasing history!"
"Basketball changed my life. For a child growing up in Albuquerque, achieving success in New York is unimaginable."
"Thank you, Uncle Varga, and my good brother Nacho. Thanks to their care, I was able to grow up healthy."
"."
Below the stage, Manuel Varga, who had spent most of his life in New Mexico, had red eyes when he heard Lee's words.
Having just moved to Tribeca this year, his current life was simply paradise.
Nacho, who had been active in Connecticut recently, merely smiled, while Mike, beside him, seemed to recall his son, who was the same age as Lee, and was completely lost in thought for a moment.
After a brief reflection on past hardships and present joys, and thanking the New York Knicks family, Lee also began to joke about the league's recently changed rules:
"I've noticed the league's recent announcements and the hot topics of discussion. Here, I assure New York fans that the New York Knicks will not be affected in any way."
"The new rules will make the games more exciting, and the MVP will not be restricted by rules. We will continue to win big, and victory will always accompany New York!"
The New York Media below erupted in another round of applause.
In the early 90s, the New York Knicks suffered greatly.
Now that the tables had turned, it was their turn to experience what their old rival, the Chicago Bulls, felt back then.
When the venue quieted down again, Lee finally said seriously:
"Thank you again to the New York Knicks' opponents. They are the ones who have shaped me into who I am today."
"My second MVP trophy of my career is a huge encouragement to me. I hope my opponents can put in more effort and not let me get too far ahead!"
Clay Lee raised the small bronze trophy beside him and smiled again, saluting everyone.
The New York Media below were beaming with joy, while some Los Angeles reporters felt uncomfortable.
After being mocked for a year, no one mentioned the "Wilt Chamberlain + Jordan" matter anymore.
Reporters from Titan Sports were very interested in Lee's "recollection of past hardships and present joys."
While they couldn't report on the luxurious lives of stars, readers would surely love to read about their struggles.
The young reporters were all excited, only Su Qun sighed inwardly, realizing that what he had envisioned seemed impossible:
"The national team won't be getting its core point guard."
After the MVP award was announced, all first-round NBA games had concluded.
Spend the most money, take the hardest beating!
The star-studded Portland Trail Blazers were ultimately swept by the Lakers.
With a dominant 3-1 lead, the Sacramento Kings also easily defeated the Phoenix Suns.
In the Western Conference semifinals, old rivals met again: the Lakers vs. the Sacramento Kings, attracting the attention of many fans.
The San Antonio Spurs also easily defeated the Timberwolves, with their twin towers once again showing their power, and Gregg Popovich seemed to have a breakthrough.
The Dallas Mavericks, who were closely followed by chinese fans, completed a comeback!
No one expected that after returning home, the Dallas Mavericks would be on a roll, winning two consecutive games, with Game 4 being a dominant 30-point victory over the Utah Jazz.
In Game 5, thanks to Karl Malone's missed shot at the last moment, the Dallas Mavericks narrowly escaped with a 3-2 victory, successfully advancing to the semifinals.
The Mavericks vs. Spurs showdown was set for Saturday evening, and Chinese fans felt mixed emotions.
Many were following the NBA for the first time, and Wang Zhizhi hadn't received any opportunities in the series, which completely went against everyone's expectations:
"If Dirk Nowitzki were replaced by Wang Zhizhi, the Dallas Mavericks wouldn't have had to barely scrape by!"
In the decisive game, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash shot 3-for-11; the former scored 18 points from free throws, while the latter only had 9 points.
It's no wonder fans complained.
The Dallas Mavericks relied entirely on Michael Finley, so naturally, everyone didn't have a very good impression of Dirk Nowitzki.
After the morning press conference, besides socializing, Lee also received an invitation from the master of slacking off, Kukoc.
This season, Kukoc, off the bench, still averaged 10.1 points, with his mid-range game being inconsistent, but his three-point shooting was quite good.
Thanks to more blowout games, his three-point shooting percentage soared to 39.6%.
Statistics can sometimes be misleading.
Most of Kukoc's impressive performances came during garbage time.
Around 1 PM, Lee followed Kukoc to Jean Georges French Restaurant.
Seeing that the other party had chosen a restaurant he liked, Lee also joked with a smile:
"You put a lot of thought into this, so it seems this favor won't be easy to ask!"
Known as the best French restaurant in New York, dining there was naturally not cheap.
Kukoc shrugged and whispered:
"Anyway, I'm not paying. I'm just relaying the message. Everyone just wants to hear your opinion."
Interperformances, the agency founded by famous agent Herb Rudoy, signed Kukoc back then.
Most European players entering the NBA choose this agency, which has been in the business for over 23 years and is highly trusted by European players.
The current president flew to New York, along with several American representatives.
Everyone happily enjoyed a meal without mentioning any work-related matters.
After the meal, when only the two of them remained, Kukoc reintroduced the topic:
"Interperformances wants to send Pau Gasol to New York."
"Entering the NBA requires paying a buyout fee, and the New York Knicks are the best choice. You know, the team is very generous."
"Pau Gasol is a Spanish genius, with a technical style somewhat similar to mine, but his draft prospects are much better than mine."
"It seems Head Coach Van Gundy prefers Tyson Chandler, so we wanted to hear your opinion."
"You don't need to reply to them; as long as you don't refuse, they'll know the result. We're all from Europe, so I'm just helping out a little."
Lee was surprised when he heard the whole story.
The lottery wouldn't start until mid-month, and the Chicago Bulls' first-round pick's position was still unknown.
There were still nearly two months left.
This advance notice was indeed quite early.
Lee frowned inwardly and finally just responded simply:
"Let's discuss this after the lottery ceremony. We can't control the league's lottery ceremony."
Kukoc was in a great mood when he heard Lee didn't immediately refuse, and he also joked:
"I bet the Washington Wizards will definitely get the first pick!"
"The league will take care of Michael Jordan. If they keep losing, Michael's patience will run out."
Memories in Lee's mind told him that the Washington Wizards indeed got the first pick, but thinking of Michael Jordan's judgment, he also laughed and complained:
"Even the No. 1 pick can't save the Washington Wizards. I've told him before that he's not suitable to be an operations director. He even disliked Hamilton. He should change his standards, otherwise, he'll keep losing."
"."
Interperformances' strategy was successful.
Lee hadn't considered these matters before, but on the way home, thinking about the team's internal situation, he sighed inwardly:
"Do Europeans have to help Europeans?"
.....
https://discord.gg/mjcCSyu7Yr
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)