NBA: Miracle Workers

On Thursday, February 26, 2015, after the All-Star Weekend, the sudden disbandment of the Brooklyn Nets became the focus of attention for onlookers.

First, Andrei Kirilenko was traded to Philadelphia in exchange for Brandon Davis, a member of the atmosphere team, and draft picks;
Then Kevin Garnett requested a trade, expressing his desire to return to Minnesota. After the trade failed, the former MVP publicly stated his position after the game:
“Living in New York is like a nightmare for me, and I just want to get out of here as soon as possible!”

Garnett's sudden breach of defense was indeed related to the daily antics of the New York fans, but the main reason was still the team's record. After a narrow loss to the Pelicans last night, Garnett spoke his mind at the press conference:

"The Nets are the worst team I've ever played against; we weren't fully committed to winning."

"What you see is just the surface. The truth is that some people are happier to score 30 points than to win. I'm fed up with boring games. Basketball shouldn't be like this."

"."

Although he didn't name names, anyone who follows the season's stats leaderboards knows that Garnett was referring to Carmelo Anthony, who's a great partner for the team!
In the Nets, not only did Anthony "pad his stats" to his heart's content, but Joe Johnson also "paddled his stats more and more." The two monopolized most of the ball possession, and with their constant one-on-one attacks, the team's record continued to decline.

After the locker room conflict was exposed, the Brooklyn stage became particularly exciting, with unnamed sources constantly leaking gossip.

This morning, a video of the Brooklyn Nets practicing suddenly appeared on the TMZ gossip website. The content was quite explosive. During an argument, Kevin Garnett suddenly made some outrageous remarks:
“.She tasted like Honey Nut Cheerios”

After shouting at the top of his lungs, "She tastes like honey nut cereal," Garnett fought back while retreating, and Anthony started chasing after him. The scene was chaotic, with assistant coaches and staff rushing in.

Related videos also appeared on YouTube, and the Nets' conflict went viral, quickly sparking discussions among netizens on Twitter and Reddit.

By noon, the events had become quite abstract, and many people stopped paying attention to the Nets' gossip and instead curiously inquired on social media:

How does Honey Nut Cheerios cereal taste?

"."

The Nets denied Garnett's trash talk in the afternoon and issued a statement saying they would investigate the video issue, arguing that private training sessions should not be exposed and that there was clearly a mole within the team!
Lala's social media accounts were flooded with gossip, with comments asking about her and Garnett's relationship. This sparked a chain reaction, with netizens digging deeper into the NBA's "wife-swapping scandal."

The recent rehashing of Tim Duncan's past issues has resurfaced, and Tony Parker's affection for his teammate's wife has once again sparked discussion.

During TNT's pre-game show that evening, the four-man group first chatted about the Warriors, who were leading the entire league, saying that the game was likely to be a foregone conclusion, and that the Cavaliers had already fallen behind.

After discussing the game, it's natural to jump on the bandwagon and talk about locker room gossip. Charles Barkley couldn't really comment on Garnett's trash talk, so he could only purse his lips and mutter:
"Perhaps Kevin Garnett is eager to leave the Nets as soon as possible, which is the only reason I can think of."

"It's common for conflicts to break out on the practice court. Everyone has a different understanding of basketball, but Anthony is indeed an inefficient scorer."

"The reason Garnett was unhappy was that the court cleared one side of the court to watch him miss his jump shot. The regular season is about to end, and I still haven't been able to see an effective tactical system from the Nets."

It's heartbreaking to see a veteran like Garnett become a laughing stock at the end of his career. Kenny Smith, who had previously spoken highly of Garnett, didn't side with him this time and offered a different perspective:

"This is not the best way to leave the team! Garnett wants to go back to Minnesota, but there is no place for him on the Timberwolves."

"Kevin Love has been in excellent form this season. After losing weight, he has improved his three-point shooting. Pekovic's injury has affected the team's record, but they still have a chance to return to the playoffs."

"Of course I would like to see Garnett finish his career with the Timberwolves. He was successful there, and star players like him deserve more respect."

Garnett's "superstar mode" not only yielded nothing, but he was also eventually traded by the Celtics. Despite being an MVP, Garnett's achievements lagged behind Duncan and Nowitzki in every aspect.

"There should be no shortcuts in basketball. Garnett has no right to complain; he made his own choice back then."

Shaquille O'Neal shook his head and continued to attack Garnett. Back when the Big Three were formed, the old Shaq had already made sarcastic remarks, and now, seeing Garnett's failed career, he felt even more satisfied.

"As a veteran, I believe Garnett understands the bottom line in the locker room, and he crossed it this time."

"The Nets will most likely trade him. His knee injury prevents him from making any impact in the playoffs. The trade would be good for both sides, and Anthony could continue to compete for the scoring title."

With Garnett traded away again, the Nets will only be able to rely on championship center Gadzuric. It wouldn't be surprising if they fell behind in the final stages.

Considering that the Eastern Conference has completely lost its competitiveness this season, Ernie Johnson could only let out a helpless smile and sigh:
"Although the Knicks did not show dominance in the regular season, no one should be able to challenge them in the playoffs."

"The 37-year-old Lee is unbeatable in the seven-game series. Age may take away his physical strength, but it will not prevent him from dominating his opponents in a single game."

"."

The game between the Warriors and the Cavaliers was over in three quarters. Although Curry had a bad night, scoring only 18 points on 5-of-17 shooting, his opponents were in worse form.

Deron Williams, returning from injury, almost knocked his own rim off balance, and his five turnovers left Cavaliers fans feeling hopeless.

With a score of 110-96, the Warriors improved their record to 45 wins and 10 losses, continuing to lead the entire league.

-

On Sunday, March 1st, the NBA announced its Players of the Month for February:
Jimmy Butler of the Eastern Conference and Russell Westbrook of the Western Conference were elected.

Butler, beaming with joy upon receiving the trophy, was particularly happy during the interview, routinely thanking the young man while holding the crystal.
"Without the guidance and help of the Boss, there would be no trophy. I am very happy that we achieved an 11-0 record in February."

"We want to give Boss home-court advantage in the remaining games. Although he doesn't need these conditions to beat those opponents, the 60-win record is a gift to the greatest player in history."

Lee Yu is currently in his 19th season in the professional league. Apart from two shortened seasons, the Knicks have never had fewer than 60 wins, and have had four 70+ win seasons, including three 73-win seasons.

The phrase "winning until numb" perfectly describes the situation, and it's unlikely that anyone will break this winning record in the future.

Westbrook, the other winner, was equally delighted. Before the game against the Cavaliers that night, the young man raised the crystal trophy high in front of the home fans.

Yao Ming, who had just returned from injury, only played 26 minutes. Led by Westbrook, the Rockets launched a fierce attack and ultimately defeated their opponents easily.

The Toyota Center erupted in cheers as the Rockets completed their comeback, winning 92-108 and bringing their record to 39 wins and 20 losses, temporarily pulling away from the Thunder and moving into eighth place in the Western Conference.

Houston fans have gradually come to recognize the undeniable talent of this young man, and even sports media across the ocean have changed their views. Westbrook's explosive playing style has attracted a huge following.

When interviewed by Sina Sports reporters, Yao Ming was naturally mentioned. Westbrook, as always, respected his teammate and responded sincerely with a smile:

“We went through a period of injuries, and everyone was speaking out in the locker room.”

"There aren't many games left in the regular season. If we maintain this excellent form, I hope Yao can just be himself."

"Big men do face more challenges in modern basketball, but Yao can handle anything. As long as we can stick together, the Rockets can beat any team."

Although it was just polite talk, Westbrook's remarks were pleasant to hear. Compared to McCready, who often made sarcastic remarks about his teammates, the young man was more likely to gain the approval of fans across the ocean.

As he left the court, a happy Westbrook waved repeatedly, the young man successfully injecting energy into the Rockets!
-

On Thursday, March 12, the Lakers suffered another crushing defeat in a key game broadcast on TNT.

The Knicks finished the game 114-94 in three quarters. LeBron James, suffering from back strain, is out for the week. After the loss, Howard directly blamed the team at the press conference.
“Someone disrupted the coach’s game plan, which was terrible. I couldn’t get the ball in time in the low post every time.”

"I don't want to blame anyone, but the Lakers should have performed better."

Although "Happy Beast" didn't reveal his name, the reporters in the audience all knew that the one who disrupted the tactics was Kobe Bryant, who scored 30 points on 8-of-22 shooting, 2-of-7 from three-point range, and 12-of-16 from the free-throw line.
Mamba gave it his all and never gave up until the very last moment.

Howard, grinning widely, launched into a tirade, almost shifting the blame for Kobe's second-place finish in the MVP race onto him. He claimed that the team's record was inferior to the Warriors', blaming Kobe's "traffic control" defense.

Despite losing the game, the Lakers remain firmly in second place in the Western Conference. In the home team's locker room, Jack and Boozer chatted and laughed about where to have fun over the weekend. With only three games next week, they naturally need to relax.

Clarkson kept handing towels to his teammates and also helped the staff deliver supplements. When he came to Kobe, the Mamba pushed him away, and the rookie quickly turned away, secretly grimacing. Whenever the Lakers lost, Kobe would always say a few words with a sullen face, and no matter how Howard mocked him, the Mamba persisted in this habit.

James initially didn't take it seriously, recalling how Kobe had done the same thing with Team USA. But after listening to it for most of the season, the Chosen One realized it must be effective, so he clapped his hands to signal everyone to be quiet.

"I wasn't focused enough during the game. I don't want to blame anyone, but I didn't do my job well tonight either."

"The opponent's screens were aggressive, and we failed to meet the coaching staff's requirements every time we chased them down. It seems that we still don't have enough pick-and-rolls."

"When the game is deadlocked, it's a better option to start from the low post. I know you guys don't like back-to-the-basket moves, but they can help the team in the playoffs."

"."

As Kobe spoke, he scribbled on the whiteboard. In fact, the Mamba understood basketball very well, and his execution of the game's details was impeccable. As for why they lost, the Lakers players gradually came to understand:
"Kobe is just not strong enough; he has already reached the limit of his talent."

Young players can't understand that feeling of powerlessness. Players like Channing Frye have changed their opinion of Kobe. Kobe may not have been good enough, but he deserves respect.

James Jones clapped repeatedly after Mamba finished his summary. When Howard returned to the locker room, everyone gathered together and shouted "Family!"

Howard still didn't speak to Kobe, but James didn't seem to care about their conflict. When asked about the current MVP rankings in an interview, the "Chosen One" responded with a smile:
“I followed Curry before he entered the NBA, you know, he was outstanding in college.”

"This Warriors team reminds me of the Cavaliers of yesteryear. Their three-point shooting helped them get 60 wins, but they struggled to replicate their regular season performance in the playoffs."

"Curry deserves the MVP trophy, but for me, it would be more fulfilling to beat an MVP in the playoffs."

These words sounded familiar, and the Los Angeles reporter quickly recalled that Li You had said the same thing to O'Neal before.
Watching James, dressed in a suit and speaking eloquently, the old reporter had a strange look on his face. He felt that the chosen one was imitating the GOAT in every way!

-

On Wednesday the 18th, Rajon Rondo once again exploded in the game between the Celtics and the Thunder, scoring a triple-double and leading his team to victory.

At Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City fans are not in a good mood. With a record of 37 wins and 31 losses, the Thunder are still being dominated by the Rockets, and it is very likely that they will miss the playoffs this season.

Durant has recovered most of his injury, but after signing a big contract, the young man is prioritizing his health.

With Li You about to retire, Durant observed for a season and concluded that all the teams in the Eastern Conference were weak, and that as long as they could return to the Finals, the championship would be "in the bag."

The Celtics won a hard-fought 118-112, and with a record of 36 wins and 31 losses, they are likely to make the playoffs, and a 7th place finish would be a pretty good result.

At this moment, the big man Lopez sidled up behind Rondo and shouted excitedly. The championship guard, who had just won a triple-double, simply smiled and continued to reply:
"I don't care about triple-double stats. What makes me proud is that I've brought championship experience back to the Celtics!"

"Everyone can feel the team's progress. Learning from Li for many years has taught me how to become a qualified leader."

"Our goal is to get past the first round. Hawks? Sorry, I don't think the Celtics will lose to them. The playoffs are a stage for superstars."

Since being squeezed out of the All-Star game by Jeff Teague, Rondo has been looking for an opportunity to unleash his full potential. In a previous game against the Hawks, the championship guard almost punched his opponent.

Evan Turner has been doing well in Boston since leaving the Pacers, and the Celtics have a chance to return to the playoffs, which the young players are very happy about.

In an interview in the visiting team's locker room, Evan Turner seemed to agree with Rondo's championship experience:
"Coach Stevens will hand the fight over to us in some rounds, which is a change that Rajon has brought."

“I had never experienced these things before. After a season of getting to know each other, we have become more in sync.”

"It's hard to describe Rajon's control over the pace of the game; I see Lee's shadow in him!"

"You know, I went through a lot with the Pacers in last year's playoffs. Only those who have faced off against Lee can understand that feeling of helplessness. Rajon's performance tonight left the opponent 'helpless'!"

"."

16分13篮板12助攻3抢断1盖帽4失误，朗多的三双确实给雷霆队制造了大麻烦，但詹姆斯-哈登也让凯尔特人队首发付出了代价。

With 22 free throws, Harden almost "sent off" his opponent early. At the press conference, when asked about free throws as usual, the Beard continued to shrug and scoff:
"I've said it before, I'm one of the most versatile players in the league. The only way to stop me is not to foul!"

"Free throws are an efficient way to score. You can check my stats; I'm consistently in the top 5 in true shooting percentage."

Despite his tough stance, Harden's playing style as the sole leader of the team this season has been somewhat ugly. Perhaps it's because he gets up at 4 a.m. to study the rules, but the young player's free throw power has increased dramatically.

Despite the Thunder's poor record, the reporters in the audience could only think, "The future looks promising," when they thought about the Thunder's double referee system after Durant's return.

-

On Wednesday, March 25th, the Target Center was packed to capacity. After many years, Garnett, wearing a Timberwolves jersey again, was already in tears.

"Oh!!"

Amidst the roaring cheers that echoed through the arena, Garnett, who had just recovered from his injury, came to the center of the court, faced the Minnesota fans, pounded his chest repeatedly, then knelt down and kissed the familiar yet unfamiliar home court floor.

The Nets eventually traded Garnett away, and the Timberwolves traded a second-round draft pick to bring back the former "Wolf King".

Many fans are looking forward to Garnett's return to the court. Although everyone knows that the veteran is past his prime, the fans are already very satisfied to see the former MVP on the court again.

As the opponent of his "debut" on the Lakers, Kobe witnessed this scene with a complicated expression. Perhaps it was because the Timberwolves had been "too bad" in recent years that the fans here had low expectations and instead seemed very "loyal".

The situation in Minnesota was completely different from that in Los Angeles, and Kobe's mood suddenly soured as he thought about the Lakers fans who were gradually being influenced by the New York trend.

Garnett came off the bench late in the first quarter, and after a pick-and-roll, he received an assist from Rubio and drove hard to the basket, drawing a foul and sending the Target Center into a frenzy.

Seeing the enthusiastic fans chanting his name, Garnett pounded his chest repeatedly near the baseline, threw his head back, yelled, and then burst into tears.
Compared to the basketball environment in New York, Minnesota is simply paradise. No one mocks him, no one humiliates him, and the fans here have only pure love!
Soon cheers erupted in the arena again. ESPN turned the camera to the stands, where John, who once danced for MVP, was no longer young, but his dance moves were still "seductive".

The scene on the big screen ignited the arena. Garnett waved and burst into tears again. This touching moment prompted commentator Mike Brin to remark:
"Minnesota fans still support their MVP, Kevin Garnett, welcome home!"

"."

The game continued, but Kobe, who had witnessed this touching scene, suddenly lost interest. As he returned to the bench, he couldn't help but think about what it would be like when he retired.

Led by Howard, the Lakers, with their star-studded lineup, successfully defeated their opponents. Although "Happy Beast" Garnett enthusiastically showed off his skills, the real protagonist tonight was Garnett.

Despite losing the game 109-99, the cheers continued. When Garnett came to the sidelines for an interview, the Timberwolves' young players came up to greet him.

When asked by an ESPN reporter how it felt to be home, an emotional Garnett looked up and shouted in front of the camera before responding excitedly:

"I don't know how to describe it, my very soul trembled!"

"I have let down the Minnesota fans in the past, but they still welcome me. This is my home forever!"

The fans behind him kept chanting "MVP," and an emotional Garnett immediately turned around, looked at the crowd, grabbed his jersey, and shouted:

"This is the basketball I've always wanted! This is real basketball!"

"Minnesota, I'm back!"

"." (End of this chapter)