NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 781 Different Ways to "Win" (Daily Chapter)
On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, after the start of March Madness, ESPN's documentary "The Fab Five" made a big splash.

The Fab Five refers to the members of the University of Michigan men's basketball team in 1991. As the first team in NCAA history to participate in the championship game with all-new starting lineups, they are still talked about by many fans.

Ray Jackson, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, and Chris Webber were the five most prominent figures in the NCAA at the time, and they are still mentioned by many old-school players today.

However, the documentary was not very friendly, making sarcastic remarks about Duke and even using the fact that the opposing team only recruited Black players known as "Uncle Toms".
Some younger fans may still be confused, but Duke's Grant Hill couldn't accept it and angrily denounced the documentary's contents through The New York Times:
"The idea that people who grow up in families with parents are somehow less Black than those who don't have parents is utterly absurd!"

“I am proud of my family, I am proud of my Duke championship and all my Duke teammates!”

“I’m proud that I’ve never lost a game against Fab Five.”

"Finally, I want to say that the reason my NBA career has been so successful is thanks to Duke's training of me and the right basketball philosophy that allowed me to partner with Lee."

"I won't 'beg' for a championship at the end of my career like some special Black players do. That's why the Knicks rejected you. Stop spreading these absurd ideas!"

After the New York Times op-ed was published this morning, many veterans were furious with Hill's final remarks. It was a blatant slap in the face, given that everyone knows the Fab Five weren't very successful in the NBA.
Retired Jalen Rose also works as a commentator for ESPN, while Grant Hill hosts Sports Center after leaving the Knicks, showing a difference in their career paths.

Jalen Rose, clearly jealous, posted 10 tweets in a row, ending by speaking up for Juwan Howard and Chris Webber, which resulted in his comment section being bombarded by New York fans.

"Old dog! You have no right to point fingers at the champions. New York will never welcome you!"

Black fans in New York have been discriminating against Black fans from other states in recent years, and they have been particularly harsh on Indiana fans, with the comments section filled with general attacks, which has also dragged Michigan into the mess.

Look at the identities of the five members of Fab Five: Detroit, Chicago, and Plano and Austin from Texas.

The rural blacks are getting all superior. We need to show them what a true 21st-century black person is like!

With various accusations being leveled, the related events generated immense buzz in the afternoon, leaving Juwan Howard, who joined the Heat on a minimum contract, looking displeased. Before ESPN's nationwide broadcast, the veteran was forced to speak out:
"Perhaps the documentary did not express it clearly, but we were just expressing a tough stance."

“I’ve always had a good relationship with Grant, but he got one thing wrong: I never wanted to play in New York. I could have won a ring with the Heat just as well.”

This event had a significant impact on the Black player community, as many of them did not see their fathers when they were young, and many even wholeheartedly agreed with the views expressed in the documentary.

Many of the new generation of players are second-generation players, and like Grant Hill, who grew up in a privileged environment, they also dislike those old-fashioned arguments.

ESPN's documentary has indirectly fueled the conflict between the two sides, forcing some players to take sides. LeBron James and others almost cursed during their interviews. What does this have to do with them?
However, the chosen one also has extensive experience in "playing both sides," and his answers to related questions before the competition were watertight:

"Different growth environments do create different lives, but in my opinion, what is more important is oneself. God will guide lost children."

"We want to help Howard get the ring. You know, we were all so envious of the Fab Five when we were kids; they were idols for all kids."

Towards the end of the season, the MVP competition intensified. When ESPN asked about this prestigious honor, Dwyane Wade, who appeared on the list alongside LeBron James, shrugged and simply replied:

"They won't pick us. LeBron and I cancel each other out. In fact, we've been playing too well. Now everyone's just chasing the championship!"

"Whether it's Derrick Rose or Kevin Durant, I will support them; they deserve a trophy."

The Celtics have been hit by a sudden wave of injuries this month. Rajon Rondo injured his right hand fingers, Jermaine O'Neal suffered a recurrence of his knee injury, and Shaquille O'Neal also has an Achilles tendon problem.

A losing streak perfectly highlighted the Bulls' winning streak, and with the Heat already resting their players and even slacking off in some games, the calls for Rose to be the MVP were actually getting louder and louder.

Bosh also showed little interest in trophies. When asked about future matches, the former "Dragon King" didn't offer any promises but spoke frankly:
“We’ve studied the Knicks’ game strategy during the regular season, and they usually slow down towards the end of the season.”

"This is something worth learning. Although we will still give our all in the competition, health is our top priority right now. We won't consider anything else."

Compared to the three, Durant is clearly more eager for a trophy, but the Thunder have also been a bit unlucky, experiencing a wave of injuries recently.

Durant himself had a lackluster performance in March. After injuring his left shoulder, his shooting percentage plummeted, which also led to the Thunder losing games.

Fortunately, they had a large enough lead in wins, and the poor performance of the Western Conference teams allowed them to retain their first place in the West.

After the game started at 20 p.m. that night, Wade led the way in missing shots, and Mike Bibby, who was recently signed by the Heat, also failed to perform as before, and his appearance off the bench did not redeem him.

On the final possession of the first quarter, James drove hard into the paint against Durant but was blocked, a moment that greatly boosted the morale of the Thunder's bench!

Jeff Green even bumped chests with his teammate in celebration, and veteran Fisher also applauded enthusiastically.

杜兰特首节6中3，三分线外2中1，贡献了7分2篮板3助攻1抢断1盖帽的全能数据。

Despite the Heat's slump at 26:18, the enthusiasm at the American Airlines Arena remained high, and the excellent record greatly satisfied the local Miami fans.

The two young teams did not clash. Led by McGrady, the Heat launched a counterattack in the second quarter, and Fisher, who had just returned from injury, quickly responded with a three-pointer.

Nazir Mohammed, the big man who joined the team before the trade deadline, is also in good form, and he and captain Nick Collison have repeatedly grabbed offensive rebounds.

James Harden, sporting a beard, also demonstrated his determination to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, repeatedly stepping to the free-throw line.

The Thunder, eager for victory, held on to their lead in the first half. However, in the third quarter, both Wade and James missed their shots, and after the quarter ended with Wade outscoring James 24-17, the game became garbage time.

Watching Mike Miller and Juwan Howard continue to miss shots, Coach Spoelstra on the sidelines crossed his arms and stopped shouting reminders, seemingly already prepared for a loss.

Ultimately, the nationally televised game, hailed as a "preview of the Finals," ended early, with the Thunder, in better form, winning easily 102-85.

"Oh!"

At the American Airlines Center, most fans still cheered for their home team players.

With a record of 51 wins and 15 losses, the Heat had already secured a playoff spot. Even after their loss, they still lead the Bulls by 3 games and remain firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference!

With a big smile after the victory, Durant has shaken off his lackluster performance in the previous few games;
仅出场33分钟，21中12，三分线外5中2，罚球4中3，贡献全场最高的29分7篮板6助攻1抢断1盖帽1失误的全能数据。

If Russell Westbrook hadn't gone 5-for-16, seemingly possessed by a blacksmith, the Thunder would have easily broken 110 points tonight.

With a record of 46 wins and 20 losses, leading the team to first place in the Western Conference, Durant tried his best to act like a superstar after the game, shaking hands and hugging the Heat players repeatedly, and finally comforting the veteran who was caught in a media storm.

When Durant approached the ESPN reporter, a smile broke out on his dark face, the corners of his mouth barely concealed. He clearly valued the MVP award more, and when discussing the trophy, he even made it clear:
"I don't want to lie, as a young player, I crave any honor!"

"This is the result of the whole team's hard work. We went through a wave of injuries. Jeff, Fisher, and Nenad all went through injuries. I am proud of everyone for being able to maintain this position."

"My shoulder feels much better. I was quite frustrated before. I always hold myself to the MVP standard and have a higher pursuit of efficiency. Fortunately, it's all over now."

When talking about his competitors, Durant also wished Rose well, but he wouldn't admit defeat verbally, insisting that he was the best.

When asked about the recent documentary controversy, Durant, who grew up with his mother, shrugged and, seemingly lost in thought, started boasting again:

"I don't like to label myself, but my past will make me a good father!"

"I'm willing to give everything for my child."

Doris Burke initially nodded, but the well-known female reporter soon seemed a bit confused as Durant started acting like a riddle-maker, reminiscent of his incomprehensible tweets.

Looking at his spirited partner from behind, Westbrook looked on with envy. The rookie never expected that the team would actually rise to the top of the Western Conference this season, and the trophy would suddenly appear in front of everyone.

Jeff Green, however, didn't think too much about it. As a restricted free agent, he was more interested in getting a big contract. At this moment, he put his arm around Harden and Westbrook's shoulders, shook his head, and joked:
"Don't envy Kevin. If he goes undrafted, I think those commentators will laugh at him. The league only respects winners now."

After seeing Kobe Bryant get kicked out of Los Angeles, James Harden also had a change of heart. However, the young man felt that Oklahoma City fans were different; at least for now, the entire city was very supportive of them, and they didn't act sarcasticly even when they were not playing well.

"The problems of a big market! This year's rookies got incredibly lucky!"

Harden shook his head and complained that the 64-to-32 round of the competition starts the day after tomorrow. In the past, when young players were interviewed, they would be more polite and talk about considering staying with the team.

This year, however, the situation is completely different. Led by Kyrie Irving of Duke, almost all well-known players have indicated that they will participate in the draft.
The reason is simple: the Knicks have a lot of draft picks, and not only the players are speaking out, but their family members are also clamoring for them to go play in New York.

Thinking about the recent NCAA frenzy, Westbrook felt a pang of sadness and began to console himself:
"Going to New York doesn't guarantee success; we have a chance to win the championship this year!"

-

On Thursday, March 17th, GQ's "Find the Worst Sports Fans" campaign released its results, with only one NBA team making the list—the Los Angeles Lakers. "Congratulations to the people of Los Angeles! You are the worst fans in America!"

"When Magic Johnson retired, you abandoned the team, and after Shaq left, local TV ratings plummeted by 30%."

"Without a championship, Staples Center is more like a bar. Fans are too lazy to clap or shout. Everyone is looking down at their phones or chatting with the people next to them."

"Sending Kobe away was definitely the right choice, but merging the eight private rooms into a branch of the Hyde Lounge nightclub was a terrible move!"

“VIP customers can eat $21 nachos in a bar wrapped in alligator skin and wait for the party to start again after the game ends. The Lakers’ championship culture has been destroyed.”

This comment was a blow to Los Angeles fans, while in a loyalty survey conducted by another sports media outlet, New York sports fans far surpassed other cities across the United States in terms of loyalty.
Despite its limited number of private boxes, the old Madison Square Garden is described as being closer to the fans, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the joy of basketball games!
As for the slight double standards and criticisms, that's not important; on the contrary, it precisely demonstrates the dedication of New York fans to sports.
Li You missed the game that night due to injury. A recent study led by Knicks medical director Dr. Lisa Callahan showed that the championship team members had reached their physical limits.

As a result, the Knicks even canceled their morning shooting practice, citing the players' need for more rest.

Other star players who have recently missed games due to injury include Duncan and Nowitzki.

After the former twisted his ankle, the Spurs announced an indefinite absence from the game. The latter injured his finger, and head coach Carlisle set April as the German's return date.

The Spurs are tanking, the Mavericks are no longer chasing a high ranking, and the Heat are starting to play out their seasons in three quarters. This year's playoff preparations are starting earlier than usual, and both teams aiming for the championship and those tanking are eager to make a big splash!
The Grizzlies narrowly defeated the Celtics last night. Although Gay has missed recent games due to a shoulder injury, the team's winning momentum remains undiminished.

At 20 PM, after the game started, the Grizzlies tried to open up the game through their inside game.

Facing Ibaka, Zach Randolph displayed extreme aggression from the start, aggressively positioning himself on the left side of the court and then forcefully pushing the ball into the paint after turning and placing it inside.

He squeezed himself to the lower right of the basket, and after the contact, Zach Randolph put the ball in the basket. After a roar, the big black man turned around and quickly retreated on defense.

In the "battle of the brothers," Gasol lost the game on the road. Tonight, he didn't show any aggression against his brother. He faked a handoff at the top of the key and immediately passed the ball to Davis while Davis was setting a screen for JR Smith.

After a reverse run, he quickly moved to the right corner. JR Smith caught the ball before he was even steady on his feet and drifted towards the basket!

"Oh!"

Amid cheers, the basketball swished through the net, and OJ Mayo, who was guarding him, put his hands on his hips. Since James Harden joined the team, he has completely lost his position as the team's leader.

He wanted to perform well after being put in the starting lineup, but tonight's game seemed like the opponent was going to throw the ball around carelessly, and Mayo had a bad feeling.

On the left elbow, Randolph's handoff pass allowed Conley to easily get past the bearded man and make a mid-range jump shot from the free-throw line.
Sam Young quickly crossed half-court, but was left behind by Marion's back-cut, watching as the veteran cut along the baseline, received a pass from Gasol, and scored with an alley-oop layup.

As the game time went by, Marc Gasol started to fight his brother physically, but Pau Gasol remained the same, only taking pull-up jump shots in the two restricted areas and dealing cards.

The Knicks' perimeter players kept going around screens and making cuts, taking every opportunity to shoot. Marion, who was left wide open, also hit a three-pointer from the right corner, which made the cheers in the arena unstoppable.

After the official timeout, head coach D'Antoni substituted his bench players early on. Due to the lack of a point guard, Diaw temporarily filled in.
Some of the overweight Frenchmen did manage to play the role of playmakers, though their dribbling looked a bit clumsy, but the Grizzlies couldn't find a good solution.

Despite Randolph's ferocity and efficiency, the score at the end of the first quarter was 29-34, with the Knicks still leading thanks to three-pointers.

The camera focused on Lee Woo-shih, dressed casually, while the substitutes on the bench were all smiles, seemingly very satisfied with tonight's game.

With Duke vs. Hamptons scheduled for tomorrow, the MSG commentators also discussed Kyrie Irving, who is highly regarded by New York fans, and some young players:
“I agree with Downey’s point that this year’s draft is a great opportunity for us, given the prospect of facing a Tier 2 luxury tax.”

"At least for the next few years, we won't have to worry too much about salaries. Li can lead these young people to continue winning championships!"

"We can even solve the problems of the future. Kyrie Irving has the opportunity to become the next core player. Coach Krzyzewski is full of praise for the young man's talent."

Walter Frazier smiled and envisioned the future. March Madness wasn't even over yet, and many young players were already eager to come to New York for tryouts. That's the charm of championship culture!

"Not just the backcourt, if everything goes smoothly, we can even handle all positions!"

Unaffected by the team's record, Mike Breen was also all smiles. Although it wasn't a particularly strong draft class, the quality of this year's rookies has been quite good so far. Thinking about the draft picks, he subconsciously added:

"God bless New York for getting the first pick in the draft."

If there were still doubts before that the Knicks could get the number one draft pick, after the trade with the Clippers, everyone in the industry knows that it's a done deal!

Although it's unfair to some teams that are focused on tanking, everyone feels that the Knicks, who missed the playoffs, will definitely get some compensation.

David Stern's push for young players this season makes it reasonable to add a first overall pick to the draft in the largest market in the US, especially since Kyrie Irving is a "Bronx kid."
Even before Kyrie Irving officially announced his participation in the NBA draft, New York was already buzzing with excitement. Highlights of the "basketball succubus" have seen a surge in views on YouTube, with many people even taking out loans to celebrate 2017.

At the start of the second quarter, Stephenson, the "water boy" on the bench, looked resentful. He is also from New York, but the fans had completely forgotten about him.

There was also a lot of infighting within the team. Even his job of carrying the leader's bag was taken away, and Stephenson could only serve as Harden's sparring partner every day, but his boxing skills improved significantly.
The close game ended with the score difference remaining at 4 points until the final quarter. The rookie, who didn't want to play garbage time, was desperate, and Stephenson was once again unable to "appear" at home.

Gasol led his team to a hard-fought victory thanks to his brother's missed free throw in the final moments.

101-106. As the buzzing sound rang out, OJ Mayo cursed in frustration. He went 1-for-8, scoring only 2 points, but his blacksmithing skills allowed the opponent to score 18 points.
JR Smith went 4-for-9 from three-point range, and although he missed several shots in the final quarter, he jumped for joy after the win. Seven Knicks players scored in double figures, with the championship guard leading the way.

During the interview, JR Smith's dark face turned serious again, and when asked about his outstanding performance, he immediately responded loudly:

"Li chose the ball for tonight's game, which inspired me. You know, Mr. Li can help the team in every way. The basketball was magical tonight!"

"My touch is completely different from the previous games! God answered my prayers."

Danny Green didn't bother the Spanish brothers. Instead, he squeezed near JR Smith with a learning attitude. After hearing the "sycophantic" reply, he was dumbfounded and had to admit that he lacked the talent in that area.

Davis, the bearded man, went even further, grinning widely and continuing to boast about the team's recent cancellation of shooting practice sessions:

"We trust Dr. Lisa Callahan, but more importantly, our shooting percentage will improve as long as we play alongside Lee!"

"The God of Basketball is omnipotent!"

Danny Green has to admire James Harden's blatant lies; training sessions were indeed canceled, but if the young players don't consciously increase their practice, their playing time will likely be a problem.

"What a pity! I even prepared an Americano iced orange, and Boris spent a long time searching for coffee beans for me."

Thaddeus Young grabbed Danny Green and pulled the rookie toward the team tunnel, showing off his honed skills!
Completely numb, Danny Green felt he couldn't defeat these "sycophants" no matter how hard he tried. Fortunately, the team was about to welcome a large number of rookies, so a smile appeared on his face, and he joined in the boasting:
"I've recently learned several effective ways to iron suits! Dude, do you think you can get ahead of those newbies in this area?"

-

On Thursday, March 24, the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, hosted the Round of 16 matches of the tournament.

Before the game between Duke and Arizona even started, the entire arena was in an uproar. Li You brought Kristen Ritter to the front row, and the shouts from the crowd were deafening.

Aside from the University of Connecticut's game, this was the first time in many years that Li You had watched another university's game live. Before the game, the two head coaches came up to greet him.

Head coach Sean Miller beamed, even waving to his players to remind them of Li You's arrival, while Krzyzewski jokingly remarked with a wry smile:
"I think you'll ignite the enemy's fighting spirit! Li, that's not good news for us!"

Li You simply chuckled and patted the Duke coach on the shoulder, saying in a lighthearted tone:
"This is definitely going to be a great match! The lads should really show off their talent."

The Curry family also came to watch their youngest son's game, but seeing Seth Curry's excited expression, they couldn't help but shake their heads helplessly.

Curry is still the same as when he was a kid, which is why commentators criticize him for lacking superstar charisma; the baby-faced guy looks more like a fanboy.
As a freshman, Kyrie Irving was still a substitute, just like Li You back then. His role was that of a starter, and under the care of the coaching staff, he even had some special privileges.

A beaming Kyrie Irving didn't forget to brag to his teammates about his "Uncle Lee," which made Kyle Singler and Plumlee feel a pang of sadness.

This guy in front of me has already been booked before even playing in the NBA. He's taking shortcuts into the league; he's definitely a winner in life!

Kyrie Irving, caught up in his boasting, failed to notice his opponents' emotions. The Arizona players were equally excited and looked quite invigorated, with Derrick Williams even jumping around, trying to attract attention.

Duke led by 6 points in the first half thanks to Irving's outstanding performance, but the second half saw a dramatic turn of events. Irving collapsed in pain after a drive to the basket, clutching his left foot and bursting into tears.

"God! This can't be!"

(End of this chapter)