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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go đ
***
On July 1, 2003, the NBA announced the salary cap for the 2003-04 season:
$43.84 million.
Compared to the previous season, the salary cap increased slightly, but compared to the $42.50 million in the 2001-02 season, the NBA seemed to have no changes.
The luxury tax line reached $54.55 million.
Because the Knicks' payroll was too low last year, the total player income in the league did not exceed the stipulated BRI, so the Portland Trail Blazers, with their sky-high salaries, did not pay taxes either.
Regarding this, Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen even self-deprecatingly said:
"Although I don't mind paying a large luxury tax for the team, the Knicks' championship experience tells me that the team should change its team-building strategy."
After this billionaire's words were exposed, many sports media believed that the Portland Trail Blazers would undergo a complete rebuild.
It was indeed too embarrassing to spend money only to get beaten.
The league entered a freeze period, and the free market would officially open in mid-July.
During this time, agents could work for players, and teams could also carefully consider their plans for next season.
After the Draft, the Detroit Free Press broke the news that Larry Brown, who had just become the Detroit Pistons' Head Coach, seemed dissatisfied with the choices of General Manager Joe Dumars and the management.
This season, the Detroit Pistons lost to the Nets again, losing to the same opponent for the second consecutive year, and Rick Carlisle naturally faced questioning.
However, the management initially did not intend to replace the Head Coach.
After the lottery ceremony, Joe Dumars and Rick Carlisle even celebrated together!
The Detroit Pistons' management deliberated until mid-June.
After the Knicks completed their championship parade, perhaps stimulated by "Not ten," they announced on the 19th that Rick Carlisle would no longer serve as the team's Head Coach.
On the 21st, five days before the Draft, the Detroit Pistons announced that Larry Brown had signed a five-year contract with the team, with an annual salary of $5 million.
Such confusing operations stunned Detroit Pistons fans.
Head Coach Rick Carlisle led the Detroit Pistons to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference in the regular season.
Although his playoff performance was poor, Larry Brown was equally bad!
The 76ers, in Allen Iverson's peak season when he won the scoring title, were still crushed by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Larry Brown, this famous coach, had his best playoff performance in the Eastern Conference Finals after coming to the Eastern Conference.
Essentially, there was no difference between him and Rick Carlisle.
The management's confusing operations in the Draft also baffled fans, but Joe Dumars, who won Best General Manager, is a Detroit Pistons legend with high prestige, so the matter was suppressed.
As an academic coach, Larry Brown seemed to feel disrespected, so he complained a couple of times after the Draft.
The Detroit Pistons' management did not give much response, but the Rookie, Darko MiliÄiÄ, felt a bad premonition.
He had just come of age, and there was a language barrier.
The Head Coach seemed not to like him.
All signs indicated that joining the Detroit Pistons had a "bleak future."
On the morning of July 1st, NBA sports media were all reporting on Larry Brown and Allen Iverson's breakup, and Larry Brown's suspected expression of dissatisfaction.
After the Draft, the news that delighted critics was still Cleveland's 56th Mayor and first female Mayor, Jane Campbell, welcoming Jeff Van Gundy's arrival!
Cavaliers fans even held a grand welcome ceremony to welcome the The Chosen One from Akron and the Champion Coach to join the team.
The Mayor and City Hall staff all participated in the event.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's sports section had front-page headlines for several consecutive days featuring photos of the Bald Young Coach raising his arms and making promises to the fans.
The title was also very simple:
"The Savior of Cleveland Sports!"
Compared to Larry Brown, the Bald Young Coach was on a completely different level.
Sports reporters originally thought the day would pass uneventfully, until a piece of news from the Denver media caused a stir among reporters in the NBA circle:
"A 19-year-old white female, Katelyn Faber, reported to the Eagle County Sheriff that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant had committed sexual assault against her."
After this news broke in the afternoon, everything elseâClay Lee being the GOAT, the Knicks' championship, the Champion Coach saving Cleveland sports, the The Chosen One believing the team would make the playoffsâall took a back seat.
Sports reporters across America went wild with gossip, and everyone made the same choice:
Fly to Eagle County immediately to confirm the details of the unlawful intrusion with the parties involved!
With the addition of two keywordsâwhite female and black starâthe NBA and its sponsors were also stunned.
The Eagle County incident escalated at an extremely terrifying speed.
The name of the scheming girl, Katelyn Faber, quickly became known across America!
That evening, ESPN claimed to have obtained first-hand information and had already updated relevant news on the internet early, which completely enraged the gossip-hungry public.
ESPN updated a photo of a crying girl with a red mark on her neck, and the content was Katelyn's own narration:
"I love basketball, and I've always been a fan of Clay Lee. At my home, I even have his autograph. I'm a blonde girl, and I always have some fantasies normally!"
"But these past few years, the Denver Nuggets haven't been doing well, and the Knicks only play one away game each season, so gradually I started to like the Lakers."
"Of course, I'm not a Kobe Bryant fan, but I'm very curious about him. Recently, there's been a lot of news about him and Shaq."
"When I was at the front desk, I chatted with him about some related news. Kobe Bryant was more humorous and witty than I imagined."
"I got permission from his bodyguard to go to his room to bring him some food and drinks, and also to get some autographs and photos. I remember clearly that Kobe Bryant was watching your show at the time."
"But he seemed very angry, constantly muttering curses about Clay Lee. I got a little angry, so I retorted a few times!"
"At first, we just had some pulling and tugging. He seemed to be teasing me. Then my waist tattoo was revealed, and he became especially angry."
"I was pushed to the ground, powerless to resist, and then it happened."
ESPN naturally also released a close-up photo of Katelyn's waist tattoo.
What made fans find it outrageous was that this white female had Lee's signature tattooed on her waist.
White skin, black cursive signature, plus the girl's slender waistâit did look somewhat alluring.
The Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence also intervened immediately.
Katelyn's mother tearfully complained to the organization:
"I am proud of my daughter's courage! She shouldn't have had to go through such an experience. I hope to get everyone's support, and I hope Clay Lee can also comfort my daughter."
"She has always been Clay Lee's fan. Her father and I supported her decision to tattoo his name on her body, but we never expected this to bring her such harm."
That evening, ESPN's news swept across America.
Troublemakers automatically concocted stories, adding fuel to the fire to defame Kobe.
The Cordillera SPA Resort in Edwards, Eagle County, also became famous.
The hotel owner, in an interview, also stated that he wanted to seek justice for his employee.
Kobe had just completed his knee surgery, but when he woke up the next day, he found that the world had changed.
Sports reporters seemed to be crazy, wanting to interview him.
His phone rang non-stop, and his bodyguard had no choice but to block reporters outside the room.
On July 2nd, the Eagle County Sheriff took Kobe to the hospital for a secret examination.
After collecting evidence, it was confirmed that the two had indeed engaged in a verbal altercation.
However, the information the police obtained from Kobe was completely different from Katelyn's account reported in the news.
Although he admitted to having played back-to-the-basket against the opponent, Kobe's explanation was:
"She actively invited me to look at the tattoo on her body!"
"At first, we just hugged and kissed. Later, she also voluntarily took off her clothes. I never forced her."
Kobe was incredibly frustrated as he recounted the details of the incident.
Exhibition games were common among NBA players, but this was the first time he had ever experienced such a disastrous outcome.
Without a lawyer present, Kobe thought that if he just met the girl's demands, the matter would blow over.
Feeling somewhat nervous, Kobe complained a few more times to the police:
"I know her intentions. I did make a mistake, just like Shaq said, I should have resolved the problem with money earlier."
"I swear she was willing. You can check the front desk footage. We had only just met less than half an hour ago."
Kobe thought the police wouldn't leak his information to the media, but he quickly realized he had made another mistake.
On July 3rd, Kobe, upon returning to Los Angeles, was almost swamped by media reporters, but he did not accept interviews and failed to reach a settlement with Katelyn Faber.
As the police confirmed that the two had indeed engaged in intimate interactions, the matter completely broke out, and ESPN's report was widely reposted.
On July 4th, Eagle County officially issued an arrest warrant for Kobe.
Kobe was forced to return to Eagle County from Los Angeles and was released on bail after paying the bail bond.
The incident further escalated, and the police began to reveal some of Kobe's self-statements.
Then ESPN reported another astonishing piece of news:
"According to Kobe Bryant's revelation, his teammate Shaquille O'Neal seems to have also experienced similar incidents and resolved the trouble with money!"
Kobe's self-statement was eventually spread as "Shaq did it too."
On the morning of the 4th, Shaquille O'Neal, who had been swimming daily and living a low-key life at his home in Los Angeles, found himself unexpectedly implicated!
Since losing the Western Conference Semifinals, O'Neal had planned to "play dead."
Last year, he relentlessly mocked the New York Knicks and Lee, even writing a song for it.
Now, he had become a "missing person."
In a few months, he would even be featured on nationally renowned shows like Saturday Night Live.
Shaquille O'Neal, unable to refute, naturally chose not to accept interviews or respond.
It was a turn-based game, and Shaquille O'Neal accepted the mockery.
He had initially thought the offseason would pass peacefully, but now he was hot again, becoming famous across the United States along with Kobe!
Kobe's pressure was eased because sports media began interviewing Shaquille O'Neal.
Everyone wanted to know exactly how he did it, when he did it, and how many times he did it.
The Los Angeles Lakers players also became famous.
Their boss did it, so did they also get a piece of the action?
Phil Jackson was furious.
His daughter had also experienced sexual assault, and he hated such people the most.
However, the final outcome was still undecided.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken Old Man flew back to Montana, out of sight, out of mind, and refused to accept interviews.
Under intense media scrutiny at his doorstep, Shaquille O'Neal had no choice but to accept an interview.
When asked about his views on Kobe's alleged illegal intrusion, Shaq decisively deflected:
"I don't know, honestly. I don't know Kobe. We just play basketball together."
"He didn't invite me to his wedding, and I didn't invite him to mine. I don't know him. No one on the Los Angeles Lakers knows him. In daily life, Kobe also doesn't like to participate in our activities."
O'Neal, wearing beach shorts and an oversized T-shirt, said these words very naturally.
A New York Times reporter, who had flown specifically to Los Angeles, maliciously asked:
"Shaq, how much money did you use to settle a similar matter back then?"
At the mention of this, Shaquille O'Neal took several deep breaths to control his anger before shaking his head and saying resentfully:
"Kobe is lying. I have never forced anyone, and I don't need to force those girls to interact with me."
"Everyone likes me. Before I got married last year, I did have many girlfriends, but I have always been very respectful of women. In fact, even after breaking up, we are still friends."
"I must emphasize again, I have never forced anyone! Kobe doesn't understand me at all. Perhaps he just wants you all to shift your attention."
The Los Angeles Lakers players who were interviewed all expressed their stance, following Shaquille O'Neal's lead.
Not a single person expressed support for Kobe.
At most, they offered no comment.
Suddenly, Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers became the absolute focus of the entire United States.
This gossip would last at least a year!
At this moment, everyone who enjoyed a good show wanted to hear Lee's statement!
The 19-year-old white girl claiming to be a die-hard fan of Lee, coupled with that beautiful tattoo, instantly gave many blonde girls a way to promote themselves.
However, after the draft, sports media hadn't seen Clay Lee in Manhattan, which left many people empty-handed.
Those who enjoyed watching the commotion didn't mind the trouble.
The offseason was already a bit dull, but with this major event, everyone was thrilled.
In Palm Beach, Florida, near Miami, Lee had arrived at Ivanka's hometown early.
Unlike the previous reception for Georgina Bloomberg, Ivanka's family's luxurious private club was closer to Miami.
This was Lee's first time here after paying the membership fee.
This weekend, he also had to attend Ken Griffin's wedding here.
People from Wall Street had already started arriving at the estate.
On the evening of the 4th, Lee was holding a water gun and playing in the pool with three girls.
Melinda and Lee completely soaked Ivanka and Kim, leaving them drenched.
The surrounding service staff had long been sent away by Ivanka.
Seemingly finding the wet clothes too uncomfortable, Ivanka, who had become extraordinarily uninhibited at home, directly stripped off all her clothes.
Picking up the water gun again, the blonde with large breasts giggled:
"You've beaten me so badly, you two won't get away!"
Melinda didn't expect the other party to go in naked.
After a low cry, she was pressed down and attacked by the unrestrained blonde with large breasts, and soon her clothes were also soaked.
Lee had already tackled Kim into the pool, and soon Ivanka also hugged Melinda and fell in together.
Water splashed, and soon all four were without clothes.
The evening temperature had dropped a bit, and from the pool, one could still see the nearby coast.
Compared to New York, the environment here was more beautiful.
Kim was still a bit shy.
Without clothes, she leaned against Lee's embrace.
Ivanka was still playing with Melinda, and when they came closer, they started touching Lee and Kim's bodies.
Soon, the sound of laughter and playful splashing returned to the pool.
Melinda, whose stamina had decreased, finally hugged Kim and leaned against the poolside, saying softly:
"Clay! Do you also want to tattoo your name on us?"
Kim tied up her long hair.
Seeing Ivanka's large breasts deforming, she quickly averted her gaze and changed the subject, saying:
"Aren't you going to accept interviews? Tomorrow, there should be reporters from the Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair."
Embracing the naked blonde with large breasts, Lee leaned down and kissed the somewhat dazed Ivanka before softly saying:
"That girl just wants to be famous. I don't remember giving away a jersey in Denver."
"Instead of boringly discussing these trivial matters, why not think about how to acquire shares in Manchester United? Those two major individual shareholders have no intention of selling."
"I'll also encounter people from the Glazer Family at the ESPY Awards. These guys seem to want to persuade me to let go!"
Ivanka chuckled at this, then continued to caress Lee's muscles, saying sweetly:
"They seem to want to get a loan through JPMorgan Chase. Aunt told me this news. We can give them a little surprise."
Melinda then swam over to them with a smile, kissed Ivanka, and then reached out to rub the large breasts:
"Let's not talk about work. Do you want to tattoo your name here!"
"..."
.....
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