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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
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[ Please give power stones. It'll motivate me to translate further or else I'll have to drop it midway. Sometimes motivation is needed đ. ]
On May 5, 2002, at 9:30 AM, the Tarrytown Training Center was once again packed with sports media.
As the Draft Lottery approached, everyone gathered in Manhattan today not only to attend Lee's press conference but also to interview the Head Coach and General Manager.
General Manager Grunfeld is now a well-known figure in the industry.
If he ever leaves the New York Knicks, every team in the league would welcome him.
With a protruding belly, wearing a well-tailored gray suit, and a carefully trimmed beard, the curly-haired Grunfeld had gained some weight compared to previous years.
The New York Media titled him "Legendary Manager," and after the "Legendary Coach" left, Grunfeld's prominence had already overshadowed the current coaching staff.
Everyone knew that to deeply understand the New York Knicks' movements, interviewing Coach Tom Thibodeau was useless.
Draft matters were all under the General Manager.
Before the press conference began, a large number of reporters surrounded Grunfeld:
"Glen, can you reveal which players the New York Knicks plan to invite?"
"Will the New York Knicks continue to choose big men in this year's Draft?"
Hearing everyone's questions, Grunfeld smiled slightly and patiently answered:
"We still need to see the final draft pick. Our goal is to supplement Lee with suitable talent!"
"The New York Knicks have a long-term plan. We won't just look at the present. Lee is only 24 years old. He still has a long peak period, and what the team needs to do is protect his health."
An ESPN reporter seemed to have heard some rumors and suddenly asked about the coaching staff:
"The New York Knicks won 61 games this season. Will Tom Thibodeau continue to coach next season?"
Noticing that everyone was more concerned about this question, Grunfeld just tilted his head in jest, without giving a real answer:
"Tom is a good guy. Everyone likes him. Of course, he has a chance to continue coaching!"
"âŠ"
The press conference was about to begin.
Besides the New York Knicks team, Lee also invited several old friends who came to New York this year.
"Punching Bag" Walter McCarty had gotten some playing time with the Celtics in recent seasons.
When he received Lee's invitation, his eyes reddened with excitement.
McCarty thought that Lee, who had become a big star, had already forgotten him.
After receiving the invitation, even his Celtics teammates hadn't realized that this mood-setter was still the MVP's good friend.
Not only "Punching Bag," but Tony Delk and Antoine Walker also received invitations.
Both were rivals in college, and after entering the league, they were all "surface brothers."
Paul Pierce came along to join the fun.
Sitting below the stage, he noticed that the front rows were filled with New York socialites, felt a pang of envy, and then teased his teammate beside him:
"I almost forgot, your Rookie season was in New York, and Lee even played as a substitute back then."
"Punching Bag," dressed in a suit, thought of his suffering days in New York, felt aggrieved, but began to boast:
"You know, Lee was my good brother back then! We fought together on the bench. Those were the days I miss the most."
Antoine Walker quietly pouted, not exposing the truth.
He knew Lee could get along with the old guys on the New York Knicks.
"Punching Bag" was just a bag-carrier back then.
Players' families and friends sat below the stage.
To the far right of the podium, some Rookies who hadn't experienced such a scene curiously observed the venue.
At 10 o'clock, NBA Vice President Russ Granik appeared at the front, first placing the trophy on the podium, then smiling and simply saying:
"Please welcome the 2001-02 Season's Most Valuable Player, four-time NBA champion, league superstar, Clay Lee!"
When Lee appeared on the podium in a well-tailored dark gray suit and embraced the Vice President in greeting, the crowd erupted in applause.
The MVP trophy was indeed more exquisite and beautiful.
Clay Lee pretended to touch it, then quickly looked up and said:
"It seems everyone didn't like my offensive choices this year, so I'm really grateful to have received your votes!"
"Playing in New York feels great. Although Madison Square Garden was rated the most unpopular away court this season, I like this result."
"Thank you to the New York fans who have always supported me. Although you make me even more unpopular on the road, I think if I win a few more championships, this problem will be solved!"
The New York Media below laughed and cheered along.
Playing away games in the Western Conference this season was alright, but when playing at the home courts of several old rivals, Lee would be booed the entire game.
After the heckling stopped, Lee smiled and continued:
"Thank you, Jeff Van Gundy. Although he left, our season started rough, and I thank him for his efforts in helping the team through the difficult schedule!"
"61 wins, I also want to thank my teammates. Many new faces appeared on the team this year, and I like these guys who play hard."
"And thank you, Tamia. Every time you appear at Madison Square Garden, Grant's performance gets better!"
Seeing his singer wife proudly wave, Grant Hill could only clap and chuckle.
He had been too passive last year, which was truly embarrassing.
"A 50% field goal percentage is not an easy feat, and in the New York Knicks' starting lineup, four players maintained such efficiency."
"Hill, Kurt, Paulâthey all played an unparalleled performance this season. Of course, I won't forget Ron. He is the most hardworking player on Defense on the team. He will become a DPOY."
"Forget the doubts, stick to your playing style. Ron will become a big star. This is only his third season!"
"The award belongs to all of us. Our bench never caused worry throughout the season. We are the team with the best tactical execution in the league."
"Thank you again to all my friends who have supported me. Your support is my greatest motivation, Coach Tom, don't worry, we will make it to the Finals again this year!"
"."
Thibodeau, sitting in front of the New York Knicks players, also smiled.
Although coaching a superstar is not an easy task, leading a team to the Finals is an achievement many coaches can never accomplish in their lifetime.
A Rookie Head Coach, reaching the Finals in his first season taking over the team, Thibodeau cast all his worries aside.
It was finally his turn to enjoy the treatment of a renowned Head Coach.
The atmosphere was lively, and Lee thanked everyone in a relaxed tone.
The "punching bag" sitting below applauded continuously, while Paul Pierce beside him felt a pang of bitterness, as the hype from reversing the Orlando Magic had dissipated:
"MVP? Next season, I should work harder too."
Lee winning MVP for two consecutive seasons naturally offended some envious individuals.
Tim Duncan never personally expressed his dissatisfaction to the sports media, but Gregg Popovich, always eager to curry favor, would always speak out for his beloved disciple.
After the morning press conference, Gregg Popovich, who was still preparing for the game against the Lakers in the afternoon, began to complain during an interview:
"The league always pays more attention to players from big markets, which is unfair to Tim!"
"We got 58 wins, Tim was omnipotent, and for the win, he sacrificed his stats for the team."
"Tim deserves an MVP because you can't ask him to do more. He is a true leader, and I hope commentators pay more attention to San Antonio!"
The Los Angeles media also disliked Lee, but this season Shaquille O'Neal was plagued by injuries, his attendance and stats declined, so Excel was indeed not good.
Everyone was unhappy, but fortunately, Shaquille O'Neal was also a bigmouth.
Under Phil Jackson's influence, the Shark regained his confidence.
Most of the Lakers players who had flown to San Antonio in advance were not in the mood for interviews, only Shaquille O'Neal confidently stated when he was stopped by sports reporters at the hotel:
"I don't care about MVP. For me, winning one trophy is enough!"
"I have proven myself in the regular season. Now I'm focused on the Finals. No matter who the opponent is, I will win the championship this year."
Hearing Shaquille O'Neal's "trophy overflow theory," some sports reporters subconsciously twitched their mouths.
Isn't it true that the more trophies, the better?
Kobe, who started to dramatize himself again in the playoffs, also wanted attention, but unfortunately, most reporters only interviewed the team's leader.
Kobe, who suddenly became invisible again, felt a pang of sadness watching Shaquille O'Neal accepting interviews with a wide grin.
Fortunately, Phil Jackson immediately offered some encouragement:
"Champions need to make sacrifices, Kobe, you are our perimeter core. As long as you win the championship, you will gain more!"
Perhaps thinking of something, Kobe nodded fiercely without a sound.
He disliked Shaquille O'Neal's attitude of taking minor injuries seriously this season.
On the evening of the 5th, Madison Square Garden became lively again.
For many New York fans, the awards night was a joyful party.
After the two teams appeared, Commissioner David Stern came to the center of the court, held up the microphone, patted Lee next to him, and then loudly said:
"First in scoring, first in steals, first in true shooting percentage, and setting a new record for three-pointers made!"
"Since entering the league, he has been accompanied by records: the youngest 10,000-point scorer, the youngest Finals FMVP, and regular season MVP! He has ushered in a new era!"
"Thank you to the fans present tonight, and thank you to New York City Hall for supporting the league. The winner of the 2001-2002 regular season MVP is Clay-Lee!"
Amidst the cheers, David Stern raised the small bronze trophy in front of him, handed it to Lee, and then hugged him again, congratulating him:
"Lee, I'm glad to see you achieve such accomplishments. The league needs players like you!"
Lee, who had taken off his training uniform and was wearing the New York Knicks' home white jersey, fully "armed," smiled in acknowledgment, then raised the trophy, accepting photos from the surrounding sports media.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
The fans cheered continuously. Behind the basketball hoop, there were also chinese reporters, their thoughts racing as they watched Lee lift the trophy again.
There's also the World Championship this year, and to achieve better results, adding a superstar is the best choice.
Unfortunately, the more one understands Lee, the more one realizes these are extravagant hopes.
They knew Clay Lee will never play for China.
The players from both sides are people from two different worlds.
At the NBC commentary table, Marv Albert, a die-hard New York Knicks fan, felt relieved watching Lee lift the trophy.
New York's competitiveness could be maintained for at least another 10 years:
"Tonight is another milestone night for Lee. During the regular season, the New York Knicks' record was dominant!"
"The Celtics continued their previous starting lineup. The backcourt combination is Kenny Anderson and Paul Pierce, and the three frontcourt players are Eric Williams, Antoine Walker, and Tony Battie."
Mike Fratello, his partner, rejected TNT's invitation just to commentate on this series.
In his opinion, the Celtics had a high probability of becoming a dark horse:
"The roster structures of the two teams are very similar. Both sides have accumulated many wing players, and the Celtics have better shooting ability!"
"After the baptism of the last round of games, Coach Jim O'Brien seems to have found the key to victory. Perhaps this year the Celtics will become the New York Knicks' strongest opponent in the Eastern Conference!"
"."
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