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The return of Itachi
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***
On May 6, 2003, after the decisive Game 7, the Pacers flew to Manhattan to prepare for tomorrow's Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Eliminating the Hornets in the first round was supposed to be a good thing, but Reggie Miller, upon arriving in Manhattan, wasn't in a good mood.
Towards the end of his career, although he received the "End Clay Lee's Winning Streak Award," the Pacers always lost whenever they met the Knicks in the playoffs.
Initially, when they first faced each other, Reggie Miller would still enter a state of "pre-game grand pronouncements," but with increasing age and continuous losses, this veteran completely lost his desire to be a bigmouth.
Coach Isiah Thomas, however, was very magnanimous, immediately offering his congratulations upon arriving in Manhattan:
"Congratulations, Clay Lee! Winning MVP three years in a row is an achievement he truly deserves!"
"I'm delighted to see him win by a unanimous vote this year. 73 wins, what an incredible record. The Knicks have surpassed even the Chicago Bulls of old."
"I believe it won't be long before Lee becomes the greatest player in history. For him, it's just a matter of time!"
Adopting the demeanor of a renowned figure, Isiah Thomas smiled and answered during an interview.
No one asked about the outcome of the game, which secretly annoyed him, though he maintained a calm facade.
In contrast, Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose both refused interviews, citing "full preparation for the Semifinals" as their reason.
New York sports media didn't bother to trouble these two, as everyone had already 'loaned' themselves the championship title these past few days.
Their opponent in the Eastern Conference Semifinals?
They were just there to boost stats!
Every time they came to Manhattan during the playoffs, the Pacers felt bombarded by news about Clay Lee.
In the morning, checking the news, it was no surprise that NBC was once again extensively reporting.
Recent newspapers and magazines were also comprehensively hyping up Lee.
It was expected that Clay Lee would also appear in a sketch on NBC's Saturday Night Live this week.
It was predictable that the targets of the jokes would be the Pacers, who they were playing this week, and the Lakers, who had lost.
In last night's Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Nets successfully sealed a victory against the Detroit Pistons with Kidd's last-second mid-range jump shot!
76:74, the Nets ultimately emerged victorious in this defensive battle.
Although Kidd never had an easy time against Lee, when facing other guards, even if he shot poorly, he could still shut down his opponent.
Chauncey Billups shot 3-for-12, scoring only 11 points, and the Pistons' offense, apart from Hamilton, went completely cold.
In another Western Conference Semifinal, 82:87, also a defensive battle, the Spurs successfully protected their home court.
Kobe shot frantically, going 16-for-38 from the field, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, scoring 37 points.
O'Neal shot 10-for-20, putting up a massive double-double with 24 points and 21 rebounds.
The OK Combo performed as expected, but the Spurs won, with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench and performing excellently, contributing 15 points to the team!
After the win, Gregg Popovich's attitude also became tougher, and he proactively praised his star player:
"28 points don't fully reflect Duncan's impact. He dished out a game-high 7 assists and also completed 3 blocks!"
"On both ends of the court, Duncan completely dominated the game. Perhaps you all favor the Lakers, but we are the Western Conference's top team. We achieved 60 wins this season!"
The Lakers had the advantage in rebounds, 57:45, but in terms of turnovers, 19:11, the Spurs were superior.
San Antonio sports media finally stopped criticizing Gregg Popovich.
Winning at home and getting off to a good start was indeed a good omen!
On May 6, at Madison Square Garden, at 8 PM, the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Pacers and the Knicks officially began.
New York fans had been in a celebratory mood for the past two days, and they arrived early at the Madison Square Garden tonight, mainly to witness Clay Lee's MVP ceremony.
Tonight's arena DJ didn't make predictions when introducing the players.
He just raised his voice and loudly announced:
"Let's welcome the 4-time Champion, 4-time Finals MVP, 4-time MVP winner, from the University of Connecticut, New York's superstar, ClayâLee!!"
Hearing the string of honors, coupled with the cheers of the fans, Reggie Miller, who had already made his appearance on the other side, pulled a long face, feeling an indescribable gloom.
His achievements early in his career far surpassed his own.
If possible, Reggie Miller would have preferred to face other opponents in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
As the lights in the Madison Square Garden brightened, the cheers grew louder and louder.
David Stern, in a black suit, and Clay Lee, in a Knicks training uniform, stood at center court, waiting for the noise to quiet down again.
Three trophies were already placed in front.
As a staff member pushed up this year's small bronze statuette, David Stern picked up the microphone in his hand and said with a smile:
"2686 points, 876 assists, 233 stealsâleading the entire NBA in all three categories!"
"Leading his team to 73 wins, with a single-season efficiency rating reaching a historical high of 38.2, Clay Lee has once again set a new record!"
"Since 1996, we have witnessed Lee's growth and the changes he has brought to the NBA. Under his leadership, the Knicks have become a dynasty team after the Chicago Bulls."
"Winning four consecutive championships, this season, Clay Lee has also become the fourth player in the NBA to win MVP three years in a row!"
"The 2002-2003 season MVP winner is Clay Lee! Congratulations, Lee! It's a pleasure to witness such a historic moment with the fans here tonight!"
With a smile, Lee accepted the trophy, raised it to salute the fans around him, and then placed this small bronze statuette in front, allowing the four trophies to unite.
"Thank you to my family and friends, thank you to my teammates and coaching staff, thank you to the Knicks family!"
"Of course, what I want to thank most are the New York fans who have always supported me. These achievements also belong to you!"
"This season, let's continue to enjoy the joy that victory brings! Our work is far from over. It's time to once again create our best playoff record!"
"Wow!"
Some New York fans holding whiteboards marked "16-0" cheered excitedly.
Predicting victory had become second nature, and everyone believed Lee's promise.
The Pacers' expressions were grim.
This feeling of being completely ignored made their blood boil.
Even the somewhat calm Jalen Rose couldn't help but curse under his breath:
"Damn the best record!"
The Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Pacers and the Knicks were broadcast live by TNT, while the other matchup was broadcast by ESPN.
As the players from both teams warmed up for the last time, Marv Albert at the commentary desk seriously introduced tonight's starting lineups:
"After a Game 7 in the first round, the Pacers should currently be in excellent game shape."
"Coach Isiah Thomas has kept the same starting lineup from the previous round."
"Jamal Tinsley and Reggie Miller partner in the backcourt, with the three frontcourt players being Jalen Rose, Jermaine O'Neal, and Brad Miller."
His partner, Mike Fratello, looked at this starting lineup and said with a sigh:
"This series will be a huge test for Reggie Miller. Facing the Knicks' young wings, this veteran's performance might influence the outcome of the game!"
Looking at Reggie Miller, who was about to turn 38, the two commentators didn't discuss his statistics much.
Everyone knew he was old, and his championship window was almost closed.
For the Knicks, although their winning streak was broken twice by the Pacers this season, everyone was full of confidence when facing this team.
The defensive pressure on the wings was very small.
As he aged, Reggie Miller's physical condition also declined.
Compared to Tracy McGrady in the first round, his skills were relatively singular, making him indeed easier to defend.
Lee and the coaching staff didn't even need to motivate them.
Everyone had already been discussing how to split the stats for the past two days.
The Pacers were just a dish waiting to be served.
Coming to center court, Lee and the Pacers' starting five briefly bumped fists and greeted each other.
Noticing that his old rival, Reggie Miller, had a serious, perpetually grim expression, Clay Lee stretched his wrist, turned his head, and said with a smile:
"Cheer up, buddy! It's rare to appear on the Eastern Conference Semifinals stage. At this time, the most important thing is to enjoy the game!"
Most of the Knicks' starting players standing near center court looked relaxed.
Reggie Miller still didn't say a word after seeing them, clearly having entered a state of "silent contemplation."
"Let's go Knicks!"
Amidst the cheers, as the referee tossed the ball up, Pau Gasol tipped it to midcourt, and the New York Knicks gained possession, prompting the fans to cheer even louder.
Lee slowly dribbled past midcourt, holding the ball in his left hand, actively waiting for a double-team.
To his surprise, only Jamal Tinsley, a sophomore Rookie, was guarding him.
At the top of the arc, noticing that the big men behind him hadn't chosen to actively hedge, Pau Gasol and Kurt Thomas simply moved towards the basket.
Jamal Tinsley, after noticing the movement behind him, actively stepped up to defend tightly.
Clay Lee quickly dribbled behind his back, switching to his left hand while leaning on his opponent to pull the ball back.
He swayed his shoulder backward, then Lee lowered his center of gravity and suddenly lunged forward to accelerate.
Jamal Tinsley made an incorrect defensive read, initially wanting to slide to the left, but then quickly adjusted his body's center of gravity, desperately shuffling to the back right.
After taking a large dribble, Lee performed a dribble-stop at the three-point line, creating space for his shot while quickly stepping back.
Jamal Tinsley had over-committed on Defense, and as he came down, he could only watch Lee lean back slightly and shoot a jump shot from beyond the three-point line!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly!
Amidst the fans' cheers, Lee, retreating on Defense, didn't even look at the opposing Rookie.
Instead, he took the opportunity to turn his head and remind Coach Isiah Thomas on the sidelines:
"You really should double-team me!"
During the regular season, when the two teams met, the Pacers constantly double-teamed him, but after Reggie Miller returned from injury, the double-teams became much less frequent.
Perhaps to accommodate their primary offensive players, Jalen Rose and Reggie Miller seemed to have no intention of participating much in Defense tonight.
Isiah Thomas just smiled and then signaled a tactical play to his players.
The Pacers' first offensive possession was still a zipper cut for Reggie Miller.
However, the veteran couldn't shake off Grant Hill, who was chasing him on Defense, despite using a big man's screen.
Popping out to the top of the arc, Jamal Tinsley on the left wing was still shielding the ball with his body and didn't choose to pass it across immediately.
Jalen Rose quickly slipped along the baseline on the left baseline, while on the right near the baseline, Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller set a cross screen under the basket.
Quickly arriving at the left low post, Jermaine O'Neal initially wanted to post up for the ball, but Pau Gasol, who switched onto him, suddenly half-fronted him on Defense.
In the ensuing struggle, Jermaine O'Neal had to move to the left restricted area.
Under Lee's interference, Jamal Tinsley had to arc his pass higher.
The ball was slow and high, and the moment Jermaine O'Neal caught it, Pau Gasol nearly poked it away.
Catching the ball and turning with the momentum, Jermaine O'Neal faked a triple threat, then quickly put the ball down with his right hand, dribbled one step along the top line, then quickly spun towards the baseline, completing the gather simultaneously.
Pau Gasol did not lose his defensive position and continued to raise his right arm high.
Jermaine O'Neal, now under the basket to the left, didn't choose to fake but instead forcefully threw the ball with his left hand.
"Bang!"
The motion was fluid, but it looked as if he had lost control of his body.
The basketball hit the rim and bounced out, and Kurt Thomas secured the rebound ahead of Brad Miller.
With the missed shot, the Pacers quickly retreated on Defense, showing no intention of crashing the offensive glass.
Reggie Miller, meanwhile, constantly called out to his teammates to get into defensive matchups.
The New York Knicks' transition offense was very fast.
Clay Lee received the ball, and everyone accelerated to rush past midcourt.
Grant Hill ran the fastest, leaving Reggie Miller behind.
Just as he expected, the basketball quickly flew ahead of him.
Lee made a long pass before crossing midcourt.
Grant Hill caught the ball, leaned on Reggie Miller who was chasing him, and scored a layup with his left hand!
Such an easy score prompted Grant Hill to give a thumbs-up as he retreated on Defense.
When the Pacers attacked again, Jamal Tinsley quickly signaled a play, then immediately switched tactics, attempting to create a mid-range jump shot opportunity for Jalen Rose.
Jermaine O'Neal, running towards the right near the baseline, set a down screen.
Kurt Thomas immediately switched defensively.
When Jalen Rose received the ball in the right elbow area, he immediately lobbed the ball to Jermaine O'Neal, who had sealed off under the basket to the right.
It was a huge mismatch.
Ron Artest was tightly defending from behind, while Pau Gasol immediately moved to the basket to help defend.
Although Brad Miller got an open look under the basket, Jermaine O'Neal, who was double-teamed, couldn't make the pass in time.
Pau Gasol raised both arms to interfere, and Ron Artest's hands were constantly active.
Under the double-team, Jermaine O'Neal, who was hesitant on offense, had the ball stripped before he could even raise it.
The moment the ball was lost, Ron Artest poked it forward with the momentum, and Kurt Thomas twisted his body to gain possession.
Coach Isiah Thomas on the sidelines loudly called out to his players.
Lee, receiving the pass, also pushed the pace, chasing the opponents past midcourt.
The Pacers loudly reminded each other, and their diligent retreat Defense paid off, as Jamal Tinsley once again stepped up to defend tightly.
Lee, dribbling with his right hand, first performed a crossover dribble, switching to his left hand while his body swayed to the front left.
His body paused slightly, then his left hand smoothly executed an in-and-out dribble, and his body swayed again.
Faking right and driving left, feigning a breakthrough, Clay Lee took advantage of his opponent sliding to the left, then suddenly changed direction in front of his body, adjusting his steps while instantly switching to his right hand, accelerating past Jamal Tinsley with ease.
"Oh!"
The beautiful crossover made the New York fans cheer again.
Cutting through the middle, Lee drew Brad Miller's help Defense from under the basket.
After taking three large steps and feigning a layup, Lee held the ball in his right hand in the air, waiting for his opponent to block, then flicked his wrist, and the basketball flew directly to Pau Gasol under the basket to the left.
The latter received the ball completely unguarded, and Pau Gasol powerfully dunked the ball with both hands!
"Boom!" An easy dunk under the basket.
0:7. The continuous scoring at the start quickly ignited Madison Square Garden.
The fans were familiar with this rhythmâa rout.
At the commentary table, Marv Albert was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Although it was only a few possessions into the game, he felt that the Pacers were no match at all:
"Isiah Thomas's game strategy seems to have some issues, but they seem to have to score first!"
"Falling behind at the start is definitely not good news for them!"
Mike Fratello could also see that there was indeed some disparity in strength between the two teams, but he always spoke highly of veterans:
"The Pacers' game strategy is not a problem. They should indeed start by attacking inside!"
No sooner had he spoken than Brad Miller opened the scoring for the Pacers.
The big man, after a pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, received a pass from Jamal Tinsley.
One step inside the three-point line, he boldly shot a long two-pointer, left wide open!
"Swish!" The two-pointer went in cleanly.
With the score, Coach Isiah Thomas on the sidelines constantly clapped his hands in encouragement.
Lee quickly inbounded the ball and accelerated forward.
The New York Knicks quickly caught up to the Pacers' Defense.
Dribbling with his left hand, Lee arrived at the left wing.
The Pacers had just completed their defensive matchups, and Pau Gasol came up for a pick-and-roll.
Under the fake screen, Pau Gasol rolled early, and the big man Miller was troubled for a moment and quickly moved towards the basket again.
Clay Lee first quickly dribbled behind his back, switching to his right hand while observing the Defense.
With no double-team, he quickly performed a crossover dribble, swaying his body to the front left, and the moment he switched to his left hand, he immediately executed a large in-and-out dribble.
Jamal Tinsley reacted quickly, but the basketball seemed to stick to Lee's hand.
The extremely fast change of direction made him lose his defensive position in the blink of an eye.
Accelerating and cutting through the middle, Lee quickly caught up to Pau Gasol who was rolling down, using his teammate's body to screen off the defender.
After three large steps, he gracefully scooped the ball with his right hand for a layup!
His breakthrough speed was too fast, which prevented Jermaine O'Neal, who was helping defend from the other side, from reacting in time.
He moved to the basket and watched the basketball fall into the hoop.
"Wow!"
New York fans this season had constantly seen Clay Lee double-teamed, and flashy dribbling was rare.
It was a rare occasion to encounter a team that stubbornly played single Defense, and their enthusiasm soared, with shouts growing louder and louder.
2:9. Noticing that the game tempo tended to quicken, Coach Isiah Thomas again signaled a pressing Defense.
The Pacers began to patiently pass the ball around again, first setting a screen to create an opportunity for Old Miller, then a cross screen along the baseline attempting to get Jermaine O'Neal the ball in the left low post.
Kurt Thomas's fronting Defense disrupted the opponent's offensive rhythm.
On the left wing, Old Miller again passed the ball back to Jamal Tinsley.
At the top of the arc, Jamal Tinsley didn't call for a pick-and-roll but instead passed the ball to Jalen Rose, who popped out to the right wing to receive it.
Although Ron Artest was a step slow in chasing on Defense, Jalen Rose also failed to receive the pass immediately.
The opportunity flashed by, and the Defense was back on his side, with only 10 seconds left on the shot clock.
Jalen Rose reluctantly dribbled with his right hand and broke through, driving straight into the paint against Ron Artest's Defense.
Under interference, Jalen Rose's right-handed layup, leaning on Ron Artest, went wildly off target.
The ball hit the backboard and bounced into Pau Gasol's hands under the basket.
After grabbing the rebound, he immediately tossed a powerful pass, and the ball flew to the frontcourt, with Lee and Jamal Tinsley chasing it simultaneously.
Clay Lee, who controlled the ball before his opponent and scooped it with his left hand, charged past the three-point line.
While in motion, he first leaned on Jamal Tinsley beside him, then smoothly brought the ball behind his back with his left hand, pulled it back, and quickly twisted his body.
Lee, charging with three big steps, shook off the Defense and scored a layup with his left hand!
The retreating Jamal Tinsley became part of the atmosphere group, transforming into a sparring partner this possession.
Clay Lee shook his head and retreated on Defense.
On the New York Knicks' bench, the atmosphere group waved towels, cheering loudly.
Everyone was already impatient.
They all wanted to strike with heavy punches!
Jamal Tinsley looked helplessly at Coach Thomas on the sidelines.
It was an offensive possession, and he followed instructions again, continuing to control the game's tempo.
This possession, Reggie Miller did not patiently pass the ball according to the strategy.
He popped out to the right wing, caught the ball, faked once, and then, against the Defense, forced a jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
5:11, the Pacers also responded.
The veteran's shot had just helped stabilize everyone's emotions.
Turning around, in a semi-transition offense, Reggie Miller was driven past to the basket by Grant Hill, who received the ball on the left wing, and Reggie Miller reluctantly committed a foul.
The breakthrough without any hesitation showed Grant Hill's extreme confidence.
He also began to strike with heavy punches against the veteran.
With two successful free throws, Grant Hill further extended the team's lead.
Although the Pacers tried their best to slow down the game, as several starters repeatedly missed shots, and after several transition offenses, the lead gradually reached double digits.
The New York Knicks naturally played faster and faster.
After a missed shot, they immediately fought for the offensive rebound, and after completing a Defense, they accelerated and charged.
There weren't even complex strategies; many times, opportunities were created purely by individual ability.
Jermaine O'Neal became the team's main scoring option during this period.
This time, he drew a shooting foul on Pau Gasol under the basket, making both free throws to score for the team.
Turning around, Pau Gasol received the ball in the right block, then smoothly faked a face-up, tricking the big man Miller off balance.
He held the ball with his right hand and accelerated his drive along the baseline.
He encountered Jermaine O'Neal's help Defense under the basket, squeezed to the lower left of the rim against the Defense, and as the referee blew the whistle, he scored with a right-handed turnaround layup!
Mike Fratello seemed surprised that the New York Knicks were scoring so easily:
"Besides tightening their Defense, the Pacers should also revert to their regular season play. Brad Miller should control the ball more. He has that ability!"
"Jamal Tinsley usually doesn't perform too well against Clay Lee's Defense. Their big men need to step up in time."
Marv Albert was still praising the New York Knicks' performance.
As Pau Gasol made the free throw, he couldn't help but exclaim again:
"In the first quarter, the New York Knicks fully displayed their talent. The players on the court were all very confident!"
To alleviate organizational pressure, the Pacers indeed started giving the ball to Brad Miller.
From the right block, he made a stylish behind-the-head pass to Jalen Rose, who was cutting from right to left.
The latter received the ball and drove straight to the basket but was rejected by a big block from the well-prepared Ron Artest.
The two fell to the floor with a thud. The referee did not blow the whistle.
In the lower left of the basket, Kurt Thomas regained possession and again made a powerful pass.
Near the right wing, Clay Lee received the ball and immediately dribbled with his right hand to accelerate his drive.
He quickly changed direction in front of his body at the three-point line, scooped the ball with his left hand, and drove with his shoulder down straight to the basket.
Just as he broke into the paint, attracting Reggie Miller's Defense, Lee smoothly tossed the ball up.
Grant Hill, following behind, leaped high, scooped the ball with both hands, and scored a reverse dunk!
13:29, with 2 minutes and 08 seconds left in the first quarter, Madison Square Garden was filled with cheers.
Coach Isiah Thomas on the sideline turned to look at the bench lineup, then stared intently at the court with a serious expression.
A timeout wouldn't work, and substitutions didn't offer much better options.
The Pacers' offense was defended down to nearly 24 seconds again.
Finally, Jalen Rose made a forced three-pointer from the right wing, a last-ditch shot.
On the retreat, the Pacers suddenly changed their defensive strategy.
Old Miller double-teamed early, and Lee immediately passed the ball as soon as he crossed mid-court.
When Grant Hill received the ball on the left wing, Jalen Rose rotated to defend, and then the ball flew directly to the left corner.
Ron Artest, left open, adjusted slightly, then calmly shot a jump shot!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
The Pacers also started to speed up the game, but the big man Miller's hand-off at the elbow didn't create opportunities for his teammates.
They intended to run a high-low post play, but Jermaine O'Neal was again tightly guarded by Kurt Thomas.
For a while, the three perimeter players continuously passed the ball.
Under the chase Defense, the shot clock was again close to 24 seconds.
Finally, Jamal Tinsley reluctantly took a desperation shot.
After a pick-and-roll, he made a leaning, fadeaway three-pointer that dropped into the basket.
"Boo!"
The lucky shot was met with a chorus of boos from New York fans.
On the Pacers' bench, the atmosphere group let out a sigh of relief.
The game almost collapsed.
Shouting to his teammates to complete their defensive matchups, Clay Lee called for Kurt Thomas to set a screen on the right wing.
Just as he was about to run in front, he gave his teammate a look.
Kurt Thomas faked a screen and then accelerated on a cut.
Jamal Tinsley couldn't keep up with Lee's offensive rhythm and was half a step behind.
Jermaine O'Neal, who was following up on Defense, was now in a dilemma, stuck in an awkward position.
While he was still hesitating, Lee, in motion, flicked his right wrist and delivered a bounce pass.
The basketball passed through Jermaine O'Neal's legs as he slid over for help Defense.
The fans in the front row saw it clearly, and cheers once again echoed throughout the Madison Square Garden.
Receiving the ball on the cut in the paint, Kurt Thomas took one step and immediately took off.
Although he was fouled in the air by the big man Miller, the ball, pulled loose, still stumbled into the basket.
"Squeak!"
The referee blew the whistle, and Kurt Thomas, after landing, pumped his fist and roared.
During the free throw, Coach D'Antoni also stood up, signaling for the rotation lineup to enter, and Clay Lee came off to rest.
19:35, with little time remaining in the first quarter, both teams missed two shots in the final few possessions, and the lead was set at 16 points.
During the quarter break, the Pacers' bench grew quieter.
Only Coach Isiah Thomas was holding a tactics board, loudly encouraging his players.
Reggie Miller was 1 for 3, scoring 3 points, all from beyond the three-point line.
He sat in his seat, lips pursed, not saying a word.
He knew he played poorly.
"Share the ball! Don't think you can be a hero. We need to get the ball moving!"
Noticing his Head Coach's gaze, Jalen Rose nodded.
He was 1 for 4, scoring 3 points, and his only made shot was a lucky one.
Among the Pacers, Jermaine O'Neal scored 6 points, and his low-post offense was still an advantage, but feeding him from the perimeter was difficult.
On one side, Coach Isiah Thomas kept instructing his players, while on the other, the rotations proceeded as planned.
At the commentary table, Marv Albert saw the New York Knicks players standing on the sidelines early and smiled, simply commenting:
"It seems Coach D'Antoni was fully prepared for tonight's game. With a double-digit lead, the young men on the bench are also getting more opportunities."
Mike Fratello clearly saw the talent suppression.
He just felt a bit of sympathy for Reggie Miller and sighed, saying:
"To win a championship at the end of his career, the Pacers would need to acquire a talented young player."
"Just like Clat Lee was drafted by the New York Knicks back then, the Pacers also need that kind of luck."
In the first quarter, Clay Lee played 11 minutes, shooting 4 for 5 from the field, 1 for 2 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line, totaling 11 points, 1 rebound, and 5 assists.
Marv Albert looked at the statistics and felt that his partner's idea would most likely never come true.
In recent years, it has been difficult to find a highly talented Rookie in the lower draft picks.
After the second quarter began, the Pacers substituted the big man Miller for Croshere.
The anticipated strong rebound did not materialize, and Croshere, who came in off the bench, also kept missing shots.
After more than two minutes of play, during a New York Knicks offensive possession, Jackson missed a three-pointer from the left wing.
The Pacers rarely seized a transition opportunity.
Jalen Rose, who grabbed the long rebound, quickly passed the ball up.
Reggie Miller scooped the ball in the frontcourt and accelerated, driving to the basket for a right-handed layup.
"Oh!"
A gasp erupted in the Madison Square Garden.
Tayshaun Prince silently chased back on Defense, and just as the ball left Reggie Miller's hand, Tayshaun Prince executed a perfect pin-down block.
Reggie Miller, who had fallen out of bounds, could only watch as Tayshaun Prince regained possession.
The New York Knicks had a numerical advantage.
Knight, received the ball, broke through from the right wing, and dished it to Amar'e Stoudemire, who followed up in the middle and slammed it home with one arm over Croshere's block!
With the substitute lineup in, the New York Knicks' score continued to rise steadily, while the Pacers, in contrast, began to misfire again.
Coach Isiah Thomas roared from the sidelines, and his players finally reacted, starting to attack the basket more frequently.
Several consecutive free throws at least prevented the point difference from exceeding 20 points.
The Pacers' performance made the New York fans in attendance even happier.
Their opponent was completely suppressed, and on a record-breaking night, the home team was highly likely to secure another big win!
Lee and the starting lineup returned to the court in the latter half of the second quarter.
The fans celebrated the victory in advance, many waving their orange handkerchiefs, and those holding whiteboards also began to stand up and twist around.
The completely suppressed Pacers could only watch as the New York Knicks scored easily, building a large lead, and Clay Lee also began to set up his teammates for easy baskets.
Neither side called a timeout, and the first half quickly ended with a score of 40:64, the game having lost its suspense.
In the third quarter, aside from Jermaine O'Neal consistently scoring in the paint, the other Pacers players still couldn't find their shooting touch.
Coach Isiah Thomas also returned to the bench early, and at 1 minute and 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter, he proactively took out the starting lineup.
Garbage time arrived earlier than the fans expected, and the atmosphere crew took over the game.
The live director frequently focused on the New York Knicks' bench, where Lee and his teammates were laughing softly, seemingly in high spirits.
In 27 minutes of play, Clay Lee shot 8 of 14 from the field, 3 of 7 from three-point range, and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line, accumulating 24 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, and no turnovers.
Lee delivered a double-double, prompting Mike Fratello in the commentary booth to exclaim:
"Clay Lee perfectly controlled the game. For Game 2, the Pacers should consider changing their Defense strategy."
"His excellent explosiveness allows Lee to easily shake off his Defense. Once a perimeter player loses his defensive position, the chain reaction is that the interior players must help defend."
"If the Pacers consistently fail to solve their Defense problems, then this series might end very quickly."
Marv Albert, however, felt there was nothing wrong with sweeping the opponent, and while commentating, he m also began to chat about gossip:
"The lottery ceremony will be held in the middle of the month. If the Pacers continue to lose this season, they can also consider trading for a talented Rookie."
"This year is a strong draft class, and Dwyane Wade is hailed as the next Clay Lee. He also plays as a combo guard!"
"In this year's Elite Eight game between Marquette and Kentucky, Dwyane Wade put up 29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 4 blocks!"
Mike Fratello also nodded in agreement, and the two veered off topic, soon discussing Dwyane Wade entering the NBA and facing Clay Lee.
The fourth quarter flew by, and amidst the cheers of the New York fans, the game quickly concluded.
With a score of 88:114, the New York Knicks decisively defeated the Pacers, securing a strong start to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Madison Square Garden remained boisterous.
Lee's playing time was too short tonight, and fans were still loudly chanting his name after the game.
When Craig Sager interviewed Lee on the sidelines, he didn't even mention the game itself; a 26-point difference indeed left little to discuss.
"Lee! Congratulations again on being the first unanimous MVP in NBA history!"
"Talk to the fans about the future. What are your expectations for the direction of this series?"
Lee, wearing his practice uniform, could only offer polite remarks when asked this question.
His old opponent, "silent before and after the game," didn't even trash talk during the game, and he didn't want to kick him while he was down:
"The Pacers are an excellent team, but we want to establish an advantage as quickly as possible to prepare for the Eastern Conference Finals later."
"To be honest, our regular season actually took a lot of energy, so we need more rest time during the playoffs."
"Fortunately, we have the best coaching staff in the NBA, and our game plan has been very successful!"
Craig Sager, wearing a white suit, smiled and nodded as he listened, then suddenly changed the topic and asked:
"Lee, have you been following Dwyane Wade, who is entering the draft this year? His draft comparison is you, and it's said he's also a huge fan of yours!"
"I believe Dwyane Wade will have an excellent professional career, and I look forward to playing against him next season. Welcome him to the NBA!"
Lee again chuckled and offered polite remarks.
On the other side, the Pacers' players had already walked towards the players' tunnel.
Reggie Miller turned his head to look at Clay Lee, who was still being interviewed, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"Is it another year of failure?"
On May 7th, the New York Knicks' win didn't attract much attention.
Most sportscasters were still discussing Lee's MVP.
As the lottery ceremony approached, mainstream sports programs also began to promote Rookie players, while also leveraging Clay Lee's popularity to discuss the annual fixed topic:
"Who will be the next Lee?"
This year's draft featured many incredibly talented players, and coupled with the buzz from Clay Lee's three consecutive MVPs, fans were even more interested in such topics.
That night's Eastern Conference Semifinals saw the Nets and the Detroit Pistons battle it out until the very end.
Thanks to Richard Jefferson's free throws, the Nets narrowly defeated their opponent again, 88:86.
Having won two consecutive road games, the series score stood at 2:0, and the Eastern Conference Finals were already beckoning the Nets!
Chauncey Billups was again possessed by the 'Iron Smith,' shooting 4 of 13 for 15 points, 1 rebound, 10 assists, and 4 turnovers.
Although Ben Wallace grabbed 19 rebounds, the Detroit Pistons as a team were outrebounded by their opponent by 15.
The situation in the Eastern Conference Finals was already clear: it was highly probable that the Nets and the New York Knicks would meet again.
This was good news for both sides.
The two teams were close, which would benefit the players' physical recovery.
In the other Western Conference Semifinals, with a score of 95:114, Bruce Bowen had a miraculous performance from beyond the arc, helping the Spurs win easily.
Shooting 7 of 8 from three-point range, Bruce Bowen, who transformed into a sharpshooter, scored a team-high 27 points!
For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant shot 9 of 24 for 27 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 5 turnovers.
Shaquille O'Neal had a steady performance, shooting 10 of 14, and 7 of 11 from the free-throw line, for a double-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers.
Completely suppressed by their opponent and trailing 0:2 in the series, Phil Jackson lost his Champion Coach demeanor during the interview, merely repeatedly emphasizing:
"Back in Los Angeles, we will protect our home court!"
On May 8th, the Lakers successfully reclaimed the spotlight, and sportscasters began discussing the possibility of the defending Champion being eliminated.
Gregg Popovich transformed into a renowned Head Coach in this series, and when heading to the road, he confidently declared to the San Antonio fans:
"Victory belongs to the Spurs! This year, we will make it to the Finals again!"
That evening, the New York Knicks also welcomed Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
At Madison Square Garden, when the first quarter ended, the New York fans erupted again.
A familiar opening score of 15:32 indicated that tonight would be another big win!
In the Pacers' starting lineup, Jermaine O'Neal shot 4 of 8, contributing 8 points, half of the team's total score.
Returning to the bench, seeing both of his elder teammates silent, Jermaine felt numb.
On the other side, on the New York Knicks' bench, several players in the rotation stood up, eager to strike with full force!
Lee hadn't expected this series to be so easy.
At this moment, he was draped in a towel, sipping water.
Ewing had just finished giving a pep talk to the atmosphere crew, and seeing Mike D'Antoni still leaning back in a tactical pose nearby, he said to Lee in a low voice, while feeling envious:
"Lee, it seems we can reconsider our Finals opponent!"
"..."
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By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)