Check out my new fanfic. A cote x hikigaya crossover.
Please give it a go 😊
***
On October 31, 2000, Halloween Eve, the New York fans, dressed in flashy costumes, once again experienced the New York Knicks' ability to dominate weaker opponents.
Jermaine O'Neal, who had just joined the Pacers, was still sitting on the bench at halftime, completely stunned.
He picked up 4 fouls in the first half, played only 11 minutes, was completely dazed throughout the game, and did little more than complain with his head in his hands.
After the first quarter ended 14:30, Madison Square Garden entered a state of frenzy.
At 41:58, after the first half ended, the fans in the arena were already humming and dancing along to the music.
At the MSG commentary table, Walt Frazier was still teasing Pacers Head Coach Isiah Thomas:
"I really want to see the replay. After the first quarter, Head Coach Thomas's smile had completely vanished."
"It's hard for top players to become excellent Head Coaches. It seems Head Coach Thomas hasn't broken that rule either."
Losing so badly in his first game taking over the team, Mike Breen also felt that this famous player was a bit unlucky.
The Pacers at this time were a mix of old and young players, and it would take at least two more years of training to fully realize their potential:
"Although they are trailing by a lot at halftime, I believe the Pacers will regain their game rhythm after halftime adjustments."
Seeing their old rival struggle, the two laughed and discussed at the commentary table, inadvertently ridiculing their opponent again.
Although the outcome of the game was no longer in much doubt, Isiah Thomas was determined to not lose his first game as a Head Coach so badly!
As the second half began, Isiah Thomas, standing on the sidelines, stared with wide eyes and loudly called for the smaller Best to step up and lead the Defense.
"Let's go Knicks!"
The cheers from the crowd were loud, but Best still heard his Head Coach's shouts.
Watching Lee receive the inbound pass, Best immediately stepped up to lead the Defense, but it had no effect.
Instead, due to too many hand movements, he was immediately called for a foul by the referee.
Isiah Thomas didn't mind the call and continued to signal Best to lead the Defense.
Allan Houston was about to inbound the ball, and Lee felt that the smaller player was already hanging on him, indicating Ewing who had moved to the top of the arc.
Quickly passing the ball to Gorilla, Allan Houston slowly walked to the left wing.
Ewing received the ball at the top of the arc.
Beyond the three-point line, Lee first faked left, then suddenly accelerated and ran back, moving horizontally to the right.
Ewing smoothly completed a hand-off pass.
Approaching the right wing, Lee, who received the ball, did not stop.
Facing Best, who had again closed in to defend, he accelerated with the ball in his right hand, drove past him, and with half a step ahead, drove straight to the basket.
Jermaine O'Neal was dazed again at this moment.
The screen was too high, his teammate was out of position, and Ewing was cutting down.
In his moment of hesitation, Lee had already driven past the Defense and into the restricted area.
Veteran Sam Perkins, near the right baseline, didn't even have time to help defend.
Lee suddenly took a quick step while in motion, leaned into the defender, and with two quick taps, jumped off his right foot and scooped the ball with his right hand, easily flipping it into the hoop!
"Wow!"
The moment the ball went in, Jermaine O'Neal, who had just retreated to the paint, heard the cheers and was stunned again.
Seemingly realizing there was an issue with his defensive positioning, Jermaine O'Neal instinctively looked at his Head Coach, and then felt the death stare.
The New York Knicks' strategy was not complicated: everyone spread out to create space, Ron Artest and Lewis stood at the left and right corners respectively, Ewing moved up, and Allan Houston provided support on the wing.
As long as the Pacers' Defense showed a weakness, everyone was ready for an easy score.
Reggie Miller had no solution to this situation.
On offense, he quickly called for his teammates to screen and move, swiftly cutting along the baseline from right to left, receiving the ball in the left block, and responding with a pull-up jumper!
Jermaine O'Neal's screen quality was excellent.
Reggie Miller clapped his hands and loudly encouraged his younger teammate.
Just as he found some confidence, on Defense, seeing Ewing stop outside the three-point line, Jermaine O'Neal moved to the top of the arc.
Facing Lee, who was dribbling with his left hand and shaking off the Defense, he instinctively moved up.
On the three-point line, Lee, while in motion, just slightly looked up at the basket, feigned gathering the ball with his right hand, and taking advantage of the opponent's over-extension, suddenly lowered his center of gravity, leaned forward, leaned into the defender, and drove past him with a shoulder drop.
He instinctively wanted to pull, but remembering his foul count, Jermaine O'Neal quickly withdrew his hand and desperately slid backward to his right.
However, within 2 seconds, he realized that Lee's breakthrough strides were huge, and he had completely shaken off the Defense.
The New York fans instinctively gasped as they watched Lee drive to the basket, pushing past the backpedaling Jermaine O'Neal.
The seemingly dangerous drive was actually incredibly stable.
Lee had already gathered the ball as soon as he reached the paint, and before the opponent could jump to block, he grabbed the ball with his right hand, extended his body, and scooped it in!
His body contact had no effect, and Jermaine O'Neal didn't dare to easily commit a foul.
He instinctively jumped with him, but in the end, could only watch the ball bank off the backboard and into the hoop.
As he scored by driving past the opposing center, the cheers erupted again.
At the commentary table, Mike Breen could only exclaim:
"Clay Lee's timing on the drive is impeccable. Jermaine O'Neal, with four fouls, can no longer make significant defensive moves."
Walt Frazier, watching both sides start trading blows, chuckled and added:
"His driving rhythm in motion is also perfect. Opponents find it hard to predict when he will gather the ball. After these past few seasons of refinement, Lee's playstyle has become increasingly concise and efficient."
Jeff Van Gundy watched the New York Knicks launch a barrage of three-pointers after the Pacers started to help defend, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Although this was the anticipated strategy, it was nerve-wracking to watch.
High pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, Best was out of position, Reggie Miller collapsed to delay, and on the right wing, Allan Houston received a pass from Clay Lee and hit a wide-open three-pointer!
Returning to the Pacers' offense, Croshere's strong drive to the basket was interfered with by Ron Artest, and Ewing secured the rebound, allowing the Knicks to launch another transition offense.
Veteran Sam Perkins was too slow on Defense, and Lee, who received the ball, passed it to Lewis on the left wing before even dribbling past half-court.
The pass was perfectly timed.
Lewis, who had just adjusted his footwork, received the pass and immediately pulled up from the left wing to shoot!
"Swish!" Another transition three-pointer!
Offense always stirs the emotions of the New York fans, and the rapid scoring made the atmosphere in the Madison Square Garden increasingly heated.
After scoring, Lewis excitedly pumped his fist in celebration, just as he had imagined: if there was an open shot, he'd take it, and if he missed, it wasn't his fault.
The first half was a pick-and-roll show by Lee and Ewing, and in the third quarter, three-pointers rained down.
Even Ron Artest, who had been bricking shots in the first half, hit a corner three.
In the latter half of the third quarter, Jermaine O'Neal still couldn't hold back and sent Lee to the free-throw line again, picking up his fifth personal foul and heading to the bench.
Isiah Thomas, sitting courtside, felt utterly disgraced.
Last year, the Pacers had made it to the conference finals, but now they were being carved up like melons.
A single quarter score of 19:31, and after three quarters, it was 60:89, with the game officially entering garbage time.
David Stern and James Dolan, sitting in the front row, couldn't stop smiling.
This game was indeed entertaining.
There were breakthroughs with extreme visual impact, fast-paced transition offenses, and continuous three-pointers, which were truly a treat to watch!
Back on the bench, Clay Lee hadn't even broken a sweat. With the whistle further favoring him, the game became much easier.
"Nice job, Rashad, don't worry about missing. If it's an open shot, take it decisively!"
Returning to his seat, Lee bumped fists with Lewis.
Although his frame wasn't very sturdy on Defense, this Rookie's tactical execution was truly outstanding.
5-for-12 from the field, 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal.
Lewis scored in double digits in his first career start.
Seemingly very satisfied with his own performance, Lewis also smiled and readily agreed to Lee's request:
"I'll do my job!"
Grant Hill, dressed in a black suit, sat on the bench, staring wide-eyed.
In three quarters, the Knicks had attempted 22 three-pointers.
This situation seemed somewhat different from what the Head Coach demanded in daily practice.
Grant Hill subconsciously glanced at Jeff Van Gundy, only to find him smiling on the bench, seemingly having no objections.
Ewing was also very satisfied with tonight's game.
By completely focusing on easy scores, he could still get a double-double!
Seeing his old friends give him thumbs up, Gorilla couldn't stop smiling as he returned to the bench.
On the Knicks' bench, everyone was beaming, while on the other side, every Pacers player had a long face.
Isiah Thomas's trademark smile had completely vanished from his face, and he was still yelling at the players on the court during garbage time.
Everyone could see the emotion on the Smiling Assassin's face:
"It's painful to watch you play."
In the final quarter, the Knicks' scoring plummeted.
Chauncey Billups still couldn't adapt to the whirlwind fast break, leading the team in consistently bricking shots.
Ultimately, 89:109, the Knicks decisively defeated their opponent, successfully winning the opening game.
In 29 minutes of play, Clay Lee filled the stat sheet with 11-for-16 from the field, 2-for-4 from three, 7-for-7 from the free throw line, 31 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 2 turnovers.
Playing with extreme efficiency, Lee again pushed Ewing to the MSG commentary booth next to the two commentators after the game.
Lee also gave the Gorilla the opportunity for post-game interviews at home this season.
Winning brought smiles, and the New York fans cheered for the victory.
In 27 minutes of play, 6-for-9 from the field, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover.
Ewing, who got a double-double, started his commercial mutual-praise mode, waving to his teammates while loudly saying to the camera:
"No one is our opponent. The Knicks will keep winning!"
"..."
During halftime, Madison Square Garden held a Halloween event, and after the game, as New York fans left the stadium, they started chanting outside the venue in front of the cameras:
"F*** the Pacers! We are champions!"
In the first week of the new season, the Knicks had three games to play.
After decisively defeating the Pacers, they quickly faced back-to-back games.
On the evening of October 2nd, at Madison Square Garden, New York fans once again witnessed the team's ability to dominate weaker opponents.
73:108, the Knicks decisively defeated the Atlanta Hawks by 35 points.
On October 3rd, during the away back-to-back game at the MCI Center Arena, the live director again captured Michael Jordan's dejected expression.
In the first quarter, everyone focused on Ewing, and the Washington Wizards led by 3 points, 21:24.
As Clay Lee's playing time increased, the furious three-pointers once again swept the stadium, leaving Washington Wizards fans stunned.
The home team took 20 seconds for one possession, and then, in an instant, the Knicks hit three-pointers on two consecutive possessions to take the lead.
After a 32:13 quarter, Oakley on the bench furiously cursed the Washington Wizards' "softies."
Ultimately, 105:81, the Knicks once again decisively defeated their opponent, quietly securing a three-game winning streak in the first week.
Scoring a game-high 33 points, Lee stood courtside, smiling as he accepted the interview.
Michael Jordan had a lot of face.
Tonight's game was also a nationally televised Washington Wizards game, and TNT reporter Craig Sager smiled as he asked about a topic many basketball analysts were discussing:
"Clay, we've all noticed that since the start of this season, your free throw attempts seem to have increased significantly. What are your thoughts on this?"
With the support of sponsors and the league, Lee was very satisfied and answered frankly when asked this question:
"Basketball is actually very simple.
As long as they don't foul, my free throw attempts will naturally decrease!"
"..."
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