Check out my new fanfics.
Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
Please give it a go 😊
***
Monday, May 9, 2005, in the morning, Clay Lee 'loaned' the championship at the press conference, and in the afternoon, LeBron James also made a big splash.
Perhaps unwilling to become a nobody in Manhattan, LeBron James revealed to the media that his cooperation with the Goodwin Brothers, his agents, had ended.
This news instantly caused a stir.
It's worth noting that in just two years, Goodwin had helped LeBron James secure endorsement deals worth over $120 million.
In the sports world, only golfer Tiger Woods, F1 driver Michael Schumacher, soccer star David Beckham, and active NBA player Clay Lee currently earn more than this Rookie.
As the fifth-highest paid athlete in the world, LeBron James's commercial success is naturally inseparable from the help of the Goodwin Brothers.
Their cooperation could be said to have just begun, and LeBron James's decision shocked the Goodwin Brothers.
"Enter the playoffs, first cut the agent."
The The Chosen One's decision was beyond everyone's expectations.
As soon as the news broke, ESPN immediately interviewed Aaron Goodwin.
The famous agent was still in Cleveland and had calmed down when interviewed:
"I am shocked by everything that is happening!"
"We did everything for LeBron, helping him build his image off the court and making him the next icon in sports."
Seemingly not wanting to talk too much, Goodwin pondered for a moment before continuing:
"If what we've done over the past two years has made him believe he no longer needs an agent, then I think we actually did a pretty good job."
Until the game started in the evening, Goodwin, when interviewed, did not mention the reason for his dismissal, and LeBron James also remained silent about the matter.
The public was speculating, and the news's popularity soared.
At 7:30 PM that evening, half an hour before the game, at the ABC commentary booth, Michaels also began to gossip about the fresh news:
"Undoubtedly, after entering the league, with the help of his agent Goodwin, LeBron James has been successful!"
"High endorsement contracts, an excellent coaching staff, and a talented team roster."
"With the support of his hometown fans, LeBron James has once again reached the playoffs this season. Does he have a chance to replicate Clay Lee's experience and lead his team to a championship in his second professional season?"
In Clay Lee's second professional season, the New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls, ending Michael Jordan's second three-peat.
LeBron James seemed to have gotten the same script: explosive stats, excellent team performance, and also facing the defending champion.
As long as he could defeat the New York Knicks, there was a high probability that the The Chosen One's popularity would surpass Clay Lee's in one fell swoop.
These past few days, commentators have been discussing the Cavaliers' chances of upsetting the New York Knicks, but Hubie Brown is not a big mouth like Barkley.
The old coach still stated truthfully:
"It's hard for LeBron to replicate Clay Lee's experience. That New York Knicks team back then still had Ewing holding up the interior Defense. It was a balanced team in both offense and Defense."
"Clay Lee's shooting made up for the team's offensive shortcomings, but the current Cavaliers team has significant problems with offensive spacing."
"Their Defense is excellent, but during the regular season, their three-point attempts were less than 13 times."
"If I remember correctly, during the regular season, Clay Lee averaged 9.5 three-point attempts per game."
"Lee's three-point production alone exceeded that of the entire Cavaliers team. This statistic is terrifying!"
"With a difference of around 10 points, the New York Knicks can even rely on Clay Lee's individual ability to erase the deficit in a very short time. Modern basketball has changed, and it's difficult to contend with the defending champion relying solely on Defense."
Hubie Brown spoke slowly, giving his opinion with a serious expression.
Michaels nodded, changed the subject, and continued:
"His fifth MVP trophy in his professional career, Clay Lee has tied the record set by Michael Jordan at 27 years old."
"This is truly an incredible performance. I believe Clay Lee will surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He is too young. Conservatively, Clay Lee will still be a strong MVP contender for the next five years!"
Hubie Brown seemed to recall another of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's records and confidently added:
"If he stays healthy, Clay Lee should become the all-time leading scorer."
"In his professional career so far, he has already scored 19,908 points. Next season, Clay Lee will become the youngest 20,000-point scorer in NBA history."
The two of them praised Lee excitedly at the commentary booth.
There were so many small records that the playoff fans watching on TV were thrilled.
Lee was a walking, human record.
At Madison Square Garden, New York fans were exceptionally excited tonight.
They had no objections to Lee's 'loan.'
The home team's entrance ceremony ignited the atmosphere.
As the Madison Square Garden lights dimmed, waves of cheers echoed throughout the Madison Square Garden.
On the visiting team's bench, Dwight Howard was still smiling and watching the excitement.
The Rookie was especially happy to have made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
LeBron James, who had already taken off his warm-up uniform and was adjusting the red headband on his head, didn't show much emotion.
Just looking at the two figures under the spotlight in the center of the court, LeBron James still showed an envious expression.
Unlike Cleveland, New York, with its championship glory, had very inflated fans.
While Cavaliers fans were still longing for a championship, New York had already won big.
LeBron James experienced the vastly different basketball atmospheres of the two cities and understood why so many teams disliked coming to New York to play in the playoffs.
This city ignored "small roles", "passerby."
After the Lakers disbanded, it even proclaimed that no one was a match for the New York Knicks until injuries and accidents occurred this season, which caused them to be more restrained.
In the noisy Madison Square Garden, David Stern stood in the center of the court, looking at Lee beside him, and said with a smile:
"Five consecutive seasons in the 180 Club, the first player in NBA history with 35+5+10!"
"He made 361 three-pointers in a single season and once again broke the efficiency rating record."
"Statistics can hardly fully describe Clay Lee's influence on the game. Fortunately, we still have this award."
Taking the trophy from a staff member, David Stern paused and continued:
"Congratulations, Clay Lee, the 2004-05 regular season Most Valuable Player, your fifth career trophy. Let's wish the youngest 20,000-point scorer in NBA history!"
Hearing David Stern's 'pre-loan,' Clay Lee also smiled.
After receiving the trophy, he embraced the commissioner beside him:
"Thank you for your blessings. I will achieve this record as soon as possible next season!"
As Lee lifted the trophy, a huge roar quickly erupted in the Madison Square Garden:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
On the Cavaliers' bench, Charlie Ward felt a pang of emotion as he heard Lee begin to thank the fans.
After following his mentor to Cleveland, with the arrival of Eric Snow, Charlie Ward's playing time was further compressed, and he had now become a morale booster.
While James Dolan and Lee were taking pictures, Head Coach Van Gundy once again reminded his players:
"Reduce those foolish turnovers. We can miss shots, but avoid low-level turnovers that give the opponent easy points."
"Believe in your talent, seize every fast break opportunity. Jeff McInnis, pay attention to the game's tempo and take care of the big men."
Tonight, Jeff McInnis and LeBron James were partnering in the backcourt.
Hearing the Head Coach's instructions, he quickly nodded seriously.
The starting frontcourt three were still Ira Newble, Dwight Howard, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Everyone gathered around Head Coach Van Gundy, listening intently to the Head Coach's arrangements and the assistant coaches' reminders.
LeBron James was full of motivation.
He firmly believed he was the protagonist.
Both teams' players did their final warm-ups, and soon the head referee signaled everyone to come to the center of the court, and the DJ began to shout loudly:
"Let's go Knicks!"
Amidst the cheers, Lee and the Cavaliers players briefly fist-bumped before returning to half-court to await the inbound pass.
Ilgauskas, perhaps a little nervous, jumped too early, and Pau Gasol took the opportunity to tip the ball to half-court.
On the first offensive possession, after Lee dribbled past half-court, the Knicks players had already taken their positions.
The Cavaliers were clearly prepared, with Jeff McInnis leading the Defense and Dwight Howard tangling with Kurt Thomas at the free-throw line.
At the same time, LeBron James and Ira Newble were positioned on the left and right wings, observing the top of the arc while cutting off passing lanes.
Below the right side of the rim, Zydrunas Ilgauskas was jostling next to Pau Gasol.
With a 1-3-1 zone Defense protecting the paint, Lee stopped and, seeing the opponent's defensive alignment, knew that Van Gundy wanted to control the paint and test their outside shooting.
LeBron James's athleticism was unquestionable, so Lee didn't force a pass.
He first waved to Tayshaun Prince, signaling him to go to the right corner to create offensive space.
While protecting the ball with his side, Lee called Kurt Thomas to come to the three-point line for a hand-off.
While directing the positioning, the offense stagnated somewhat.
From the commentary booth, Hubie Brown, seeing the Cavaliers' Defense, chuckled and praised:
"In the first round, the Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls with their rebounding advantage. Their Defense in the paint is excellent."
Lee still protected the ball with his side at the top of the arc until Tayshaun Prince moved from right to left along the baseline, settling near the left baseline.
Only then did he call Raja Bell up for a hand-off.
As Lee made the pass and ran to the right corner, the Cavaliers' Defense immediately shifted to a 3-2 zone.
Dwight Howard moved up from near the free-throw line, Jeff McInnis ran to the corner to cover, Ira Newble followed Tayshaun Prince to the top of the arc, and at the same time called Dwight Howard to position himself on the other side.
Raja Bell received the pass and immediately gave the ball to Kurt Thomas at the top of the arc.
After completing an off-ball screen, Tayshaun Prince moved to the free-throw line.
Upon receiving the ball, he noticed that Dwight Howard hadn't positioned himself in time, so he immediately twisted his body and passed the ball to the left wing.
Clay Lee, also sensing a defensive lapse, used Pau Gasol's screen below the right side of the rim to accelerate outwards.
Tayshaun Prince made a cross-court pass.
As Lee arrived at the right wing and received the ball, Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the paint and Dwight Howard, who was shifting from the top of the arc, both realized their mistake and tried to close out, but it was too late.
Faking a shot, Lee received the ball facing the basket.
The out-of-position Dwight Howard did indeed close out from the side, but the Rookie only realized he had been faked out when he was in mid-air.
Clay Lee put the ball down with his left hand, shifted a step horizontally.
Dwight Howard had just landed, and Lee seized the timing difference, easily shooting a jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer swished through the net.
Hubie Brown had just been praising the opponent, but now he immediately changed his tune:
"A textbook breakdown of the strategy. It seems the Knicks were also well-prepared."
Michaels saw that the New York Knicks also positioned themselves around the paint after returning to Defense and added:
"It seems both teams intend to test each other's outside shooting tonight."
"Defense!"
Clay Lee's easy score in the first possession ignited the passion of the New York fans.
After sitting down, the chants for Defense grew louder and louder.
Jeff McInnis, seeing such a zone Defense, felt a headache but quickly passed the ball to LeBron James on the left wing.
As the latter received the ball, Jeff McInnis ran to the right wing with Lee, and Ira Newble had already stopped early in the right corner to create space.
Because Dwight Howard's shooting was so poor, the Cavaliers' pick-and-roll offense was mainly handled by Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Near the right baseline, Zydrunas Ilgauskas arrived early near the three-point line.
Lee waved to Tayshaun Prince in the right corner, who immediately moved closer to the paint, ready to help on Defense at any moment.
Pau Gasol, who was covering, accelerated his retreat Defense when the two initiated the pick-and-roll.
LeBron James, holding the ball in his left hand, observed Pau Gasol's movement, used the screen to shake off Raja Bell, and after fully drawing the Defense, drove to the left elbow and quickly passed the ball to his teammate.
The timing of the pass was perfect.
Raja Bell didn't have time to turn and help on Defense, while Tayshaun Prince watched the opponent's passing lane and closed out upwards.
Using his height advantage, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who received the ball in the left elbow, ignored the block and made a steady jump shot.
Head Coach Van Gundy on the sidelines was very satisfied with this possession, clapping his hands repeatedly and calling his players back on Defense.
Lee, receiving the ball on the baseline, accelerated his push.
After crossing half-court, he noticed that the Cavaliers continued their defensive strategy from the previous possession, maintaining their Defense near the free-throw line.
He quickly passed the ball to Tayshaun Prince on the right wing.
After receiving the ball, Tayshaun Prince passed it to Pau Gasol, who was posting up on the right low block.
The moment Pau Gasol received the ball, LeBron James immediately helped on Defense to the left near the baseline, cutting off the passing lane.
The Cavaliers changed their defensive formation, and Dwight Howard also started moving towards the paint, preventing Pau Gasol from throwing the ball to the wide-open Raja Bell on the right wing.
Lee accelerated his movement towards the left wing at the top of the arc.
Tayshaun Prince, after screening, ran to the top of the arc.
Taking advantage of the screen, Pau Gasol again passed the ball back to Lee on the right wing.
Upon receiving the ball, Lee immediately put it down with his right hand and drove forward.
As the switching Ira Newble slid backward to the left, he dribbled the ball behind his back while in motion.
Lee, with the ball now in his left hand, lowered his shoulder and accelerated.
The moment he approached the paint, several Cavaliers players immediately collapsed to the basket.
Dwight Howard and LeBron James tried to double-team in the paint, leaving Raja Bell wide open as he ran to the right corner.
Lee's pass in the paint accurately found his teammate.
Kurt Thomas then set an off-ball screen for Raja Bell.
LeBron James wanted to close out but was delayed, ultimately watching Raja Bell make an open jump shot from the right corner.
Having hit consecutive three-pointers to start the game, Head Coach Van Gundy on the sideline loudly reminded his players to stay composed.
After Jeff McInnis dribbled past half-court, facing the New York Knicks' collapsing Defense, he quickly passed the ball to Ira Newble, who was posting up in the right elbow.
After passing the ball, Jeff McInnis immediately ran to the right wing to create space, waiting to receive the ball, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas also moved to the free-throw line.
Utilizing his weight advantage, Ira Newble, after receiving the ball, put it down with his left hand and continuously backed down.
As Tayshaun Prince slid backward, he immediately turned towards the baseline.
Ignoring Tayshaun Prince's block, Ira Newble gathered the ball and faded away to his right for a jump shot, but it clanked off the rim.
Although Dwight Howard fought hard for position below the left side of the rim, the ball hit the front of the rim.
Tayshaun Prince twisted his body after landing and secured the rebound.
The Cavaliers players didn't delay but quickly retreated on Defense, calling out to each other.
Lee, who received the ball, chased the opponents' backs past half-court.
Before the Cavaliers could complete their matchups, he immediately initiated a pick-and-roll with Pau Gasol, who had stopped at the top of the arc.
Slowing down then suddenly stopping, Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, dribbled behind his back and shifted horizontally.
Jeff McInnis, after being delayed, squeezed through with effort.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas saw Clay Lee break free from the Defense and raised his center of gravity at the three-point line, instinctively moving to delay.
Just as these two were about to converge, Lee suddenly pushed the ball and changed direction.
Jeff McInnis had just caught up on Defense but again lost his defensive position.
Using the solid screen, Lee, who had re-collected the ball with his right hand, squeezed past Zydrunas Ilgauskas's side and drove straight to the basket through the middle.
Dwight Howard, below the left side of the rim, had just retreated on Defense and hadn't found his footing, so he couldn't help on Defense in time.
He watched as Lee took three big steps, jumped up, and cradled the ball with his right hand, throwing it towards the rim before the retreating Zydrunas Ilgauskas could react.
The high-arcing floater just cleared Zydrunas Ilgauskas's left arm and, to the cheers of the fans, accurately dropped into the basket.
2:8. The shouts echoed through the Madison Square Garden.
Head Coach Van Gundy again reminded his players to stay composed.
Suddenly switching to man-to-man Defense, Lee's lead Defense delayed Jeff McInnis's progress.
LeBron James, seeing the defensive formation change, called Ira Newble to move horizontally at the top of the arc, while he himself accelerated and ran to the right corner, moving from right to left along the baseline.
As Newble moved to the right wing, Dwight Howard's off-ball screen near the left baseline temporarily freed LeBron James from Raja Bell's pursuit.
In the left restricted area, LeBron James couldn't receive the pass immediately and was forced to move horizontally again.
McInnis, interfered with by Lee, couldn't make the pass, so he immediately protected the ball, turned, and switched to his right hand to deliver the ball to LeBron James near the free-throw line.
As LeBron James received the ball, Raja Bell had already caught up to defend him.
LeBron James smoothly put the ball down with his right hand and drove forcefully through the middle against the Defense.
The moment the New York Knicks' Defense collapsed, LeBron James, who had moved to directly in front of the basket, pushed past Raja Bell and scored with a one-handed floater with his right hand.
From the commentary booth, Michaels saw LeBron James push past Raja Bell and immediately said with a smile:
"Perhaps Coach D'Antoni is missing Ron Artest and Hill right now."
"The Cavaliers' wings are very strong, and it's clear that Head Coach Van Gundy intends to respond in the paint."
McInnis, retreating on Defense, called out loudly.
Clay Lee and Pau Gasol initiated a pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, then Lee moved horizontally with the ball in his left hand, quickly encountering LeBron James's help Defense.
Lee passed the ball early, and Raja Bell received it in the left corner.
Dwight Howard rotated in time, immediately closing out, and LeBron James also quickly retreated on Defense.
The ball returned to beyond the three-point line.
Clay Lee received the ball far from the basket, then passed it back to Pau Gasol near the free-throw line.
He feinted to the left, then cut back.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas's defensive attention was drawn to Lee, and in a moment of inattention, he could only watch Pau Gasol toss the ball towards the upper right of the basket.
The ball and man arrived simultaneously.
Lee leaped high into the air, extended his right arm, firmly caught the ball, briefly hovered, and then slammed it into the basket!
"Wow!"
Cheers erupted again.
McInnis, who had chased back to the basket, was somewhat helpless.
The opponent's offense was more patient than they had imagined.
The Cavaliers' offense was simple and direct, another pick-and-roll between LeBron James on the right wing and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Raja Bell went over the screen, Pau Gasol sagged in Defense, and LeBron James drove forcefully to the basket with the ball in his right hand, drawing a double-team before passing to a trailing teammate in the middle.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored with a layup, and the Cavaliers continued to respond.
As the game progressed, both teams displayed extremely high shooting percentages.
Relying on his physical advantage, LeBron James consistently managed to get into the paint, either driving forcefully to the basket or drawing the Defense and passing the ball to the interior.
This time, Dwight Howard successfully converted a lob pass under the basket, scoring his first field goal in the Semifinals in his professional career.
On the return possession, Dwight Howard and LeBron James failed to connect.
After a double screen at the top, Lee, with the ball in his right hand, drove forcefully to the basket from the right wing, shaking off his defender.
LeBron James failed to collapse in time, and Dwight Howard couldn't get under the basket, so he had no choice but to foul, sending Lee to the free-throw line.
On the Cavaliers' offense, a simple pick-and-roll on the left wing led to McInnis assisting Zydrunas Ilgauskas for a long two-point jump shot.
After a quick inbound from the baseline, another double screen at the top was set.
Lee, moving horizontally with the ball in his left hand, encountered Dwight Howard's deep drop coverage.
Before McInnis, who was chasing from behind, could complete the double-team, Lee accelerated forcefully while in motion, gaining half a step on Dwight Howard's side, then leaned in to accelerate and smoothly delivered a through pass.
Kurt Thomas's powerful two-handed dunk on the roll helped the New York Knicks continue to score.
The Cavaliers moved the ball continuously. LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas's pick-and-roll failed.
Raja Bell squeezed through and completed a trap with Pau Gasol.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, receiving the ball at the top of the arc, could only complete another hand-off with McInnis to reorganize the offense.
Just before the 24-second shot clock expired, McInnis's three-point jump shot missed, a poor offensive choice that allowed Lee to grab the long rebound, and Newble immediately committed a tactical foul.
In the half-court offense, Lee's drive on the right wing again drew a double-team, and Tayshaun Prince's jump shot from the right corner missed.
Unable to execute a transition offense, LeBron James received a hand-off pass from Zydrunas Ilgauskas and missed a jump shot from the free-throw line.
In a semi-transition offense, Lee, being tightly guarded, moved to the left wing and immediately passed the ball to Pau Gasol, who was posting up in the restricted area.
As Lee cut off-ball towards the basket, again drawing the opponent's defensive attention, Pau Gasol, who had turned to face the basket, suddenly put the ball down with his right hand.
He drove two big steps up the court, quickly turned towards the baseline, and as he switched to his left hand, Pau Gasol scored with a bank shot from under the left side of the basket.
The game proceeded smoothly, with LeBron James again responding with a strong drive to the basket.
For a time, it was difficult for the New York Knicks to extend their lead.
Aside from the official timeouts, both coaching staffs allowed the game to flow, not calling any more timeouts.
The energized Cavaliers constantly delayed, not giving Lee easy offensive opportunities from beyond the three-point line.
The New York Knicks' Defense kept shrinking, forcing LeBron James to start taking jump shots to stabilize the team's situation.
With 1 minute and 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Zydrunas Ilgauskas fumbled the ball on a cut, marking the Cavaliers' first turnover.
Pau Gasol, who secured the steal, dribbled quickly across half-court with long strides.
"Oh!"
Amidst the fans' exclamations, Pau Gasol executed a behind-the-back dribble to evade McInnis, who was attempting a steal.
After crossing mid-court, Pau Gasol, with the ball in his left hand, smoothly passed it to Lee on the left wing.
McInnis was too late to close out, watching Clay Lee stop his feet and shoot a three-pointer from beyond the arc in transition!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
19:26, the difference was back to 7 points.
Both teams were in the bonus.
Dwight Howard, fighting for a rebound, fouled Kurt Thomas and went to the free-throw line.
He unexpectedly made both free throws.
Seeing the lead shrink again, Hubie Brown chuckled and commented:
"Head Coach Van Gundy should be the coach who understands Clay Lee the most in the league. Aside from a few defensive lapses, the Cavaliers played exceptionally well in the first quarter."
Michaels also expressed surprise, as LeBron and Zydrunas Ilgauskas were shooting incredibly well, which also exceeded his expectations:
"It seems this game will be a back-and-forth battle. If LeBron can maintain this offensive form, I believe the Cavaliers have a chance to secure an away victory."
The New York Knicks made substitutions, with Derek Fisher replacing Lee, while the Cavaliers replaced Dwight Howard, who had two fouls, with Drew Gooden.
Back on the bench, as soon as Lee sat down, he saw the Cavaliers change their defensive strategy to man-to-man, no longer delaying and double-teaming.
Van Gundy and Thibodeau had indeed coached the Cavaliers' Defense into a formidable unit.
Ewing, beside them, also murmured with emotion:
"It seems they've brought the New York Knicks' past defensive strategy to the Cavaliers."
"Before, we double-teamed Michael Jordan in the restricted area. Now they're double-teaming you on both wings beyond the three-point line."
Hearing Ewing's whisper, Lee merely raised an eyebrow and said nonchalantly:
"They will make the first mistake. All we need to do is wait patiently."
Newble and Tayshaun Prince shot free throws.
They watched LeBron James isolate at the top of the arc, suddenly stop one step past the three-point line, and hit another jump shot, immediately drawing boos.
In the final moments, Pau Gasol again drew a foul from Drew Gooden under the basket.
Head Coach Van Gundy on the sidelines clapped his hands in encouragement with some regret.
25:31, the first quarter ended.
The New York Knicks abandoned their usual fast-paced offense, leading by only 6 points.
Clay Lee shot 5 for 7 from the field, 2 for 3 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists.
LeBron James shot 5 for 7 from the field, scoring 10 points with a mix of drives and jump shots.
From the commentary booth, Hubie Brown, seeing the box score, couldn't help but exclaim again:
"As expected of a Champion Coach, Head Coach Van Gundy seems to have found the key to winning!"
"."
.....
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)