NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 505: A justified group (daily chapter)

Every year at the end of May, fans who follow the NBA will focus on the conference finals and the upcoming finals.

Local sports media will also put aside their prejudices and start analyzing the few remaining teams.

For the bottom-ranked teams that have gone fishing early, most of the stars have already started to enjoy life at this point in time. Those with aspirations will participate in the team draft, while more will just lie down and do nothing.

Regardless of the results, there are always players in a team who can get big contracts. As long as they play honestly, they can always survive for a few years.

It is not uncommon to see people being afraid of nothing as long as they have money. As long as they can beat those bottom players, most of the core players of the team will live a happy life.

In contrast, the situation of the Boston Celtics is different. As the team with the most championships in the NBA, they have established a deep fan base.

Be it inheritance or inertia, Celtics fans are very loyal and demanding.

Before the start of the regular season, Celtics legend Red Auerbach died of a heart attack. It was from that time that many loyal fans began to call for fighting for the Cardinal.

Unfortunately, under the leadership of head coach Doc Rivers, the team still did not show any improvement and the slogan became empty words.

After the All-Star Weekend, another Celtics legend, Dennis Johnson, also died of a heart attack at the age of 52.

At this time, the fans were powerless to shout slogans. The team suffered injuries and eventually they suffered 18 consecutive losses. Such a result broke the hearts of the old fans.

Seeing the Knicks next door winning one after another, many Celtics fans wrote letters of protest after the draw ceremony.

In a special section on Reddit, young people also began to discuss the feasibility of trading Paul Pierce. Although this tough guy who was stabbed 11 times was very loyal, his performance as a leader was really poor.

In recent seasons, he has not even made it to the All-Star Game, which is totally inconsistent with the team's status.

If you look through the newspapers in the three neighboring cities of New York, Boston and Philadelphia, it is not difficult to find that the vast majority of sports reporters have already expelled Pierce from the ranks of star players.

In the eyes of many fans, Pierce is not only out of date, but has also become one of those salary thieves in the bottom-ranked teams, and has become one of those players who just want to get by.

On Friday, May 2007, 5, Boston's Grill 25 & Bar restaurant welcomed the Celtics.

At dinner time, the reserved 10-person private suite was quickly half full. This historic restaurant is popular among sports people and is famous for its steaks and seafood.

Pierce, who was wearing a plaid casual suit, took off his sunglasses after sitting down. Noticing that Rivers and Danny Ainge were both quietly reading the newspaper, he said self-deprecatingly for a moment:
"Nothing interesting, it must be news about the Knicks again."

"48 points. These reporters are starting to speak well of Li again. Maybe they regretted it this year. They voted for the Germans and made these media a joke."

"I haven't read the Boston Globe lately. If you have any other news, please let me know."

Pierce was previously somewhat dissatisfied with Danny Ainge because he actively recruited Allen Iverson but was directly rejected by the other party. The general manager calmly refuted at the time:

"The Celtics need a championship piece."

Facts proved that Danny Ainge's decision was correct. Iverson once again proved that he was a rookie and teamed up with Carmelo Anthony to be eliminated in the first round again.

For Pierce, the first round is acceptable, he just doesn't want to lose again. Loyalty is good, but the fans' feelings cannot withstand consumption.

He is abused by fans every season. Although he deliberately played badly this year, after 18 consecutive losses, Pierce also followed the fans to break the defense. The rookie can't help the team at all.
Noticing that Pierce looked disheartened and slumped in his chair, Rivers, who was sitting across the table, had no choice but to put down the newspaper, stared at him and said in a deep voice:

"No one wants to see you like this. You know how important this recruitment is."

"."

The head coach gave him some chicken soup in a hoarse voice, interspersed with a few words of "MF", but Pierce still couldn't cheer up. He had been listening to it for several years and had long been accustomed to it. The conflict between the two could never be resolved.

There were five people sitting at the long dining table. Danny Ainge didn't even look at the two of them. After whispering to a team staff member nearby, he immediately checked the time.

A few minutes before 19 p.m., Kevin Garnett, a tall man in black casual suit, appeared in the box with two followers, and the small space quickly became lively.

Rivers immediately smiled, stood up to welcome him, took the initiative to hug him, patted the tough guy on the chest, and said with a smile:
"Kevin, how are you doing lately? You should really let those lazy bastards on our team see your physical condition. This is the real MVP."

Garnett took off his coat and didn't put on airs. Hearing Rivers' compliment, he showed his white teeth, bumped his fists and said happily:

"I came to Boston very early and I feel pretty good, at least better than New York. The fans here respect me a lot."

Garnett's words sounded nice, and in fact, New York fans were also very friendly. When they saw him, they would actively ask for his autographs and take photos with him.

As long as he doesn't appear in Madison Square Garden, everyone likes the tough guy "Wolf King" who fights and retreats.
"Mr. McHale asked me to say hello for him. You know, he's in some trouble right now and it's not convenient for him to be here."

After hearing Garnett's words, Danny Ainge's usually serious face also showed a smile, and then he stepped forward to hug Garnett and greeted him. Seeing that he was in a good mood, he joked:
"I don't feel sorry for that guy. He shouldn't have let the MVP waste his time."

The criticism meeting of the Timberwolves has been going on for nearly a month and a half, and McHale, who fired head coach Casey, has taken the blame.

Minnesota fans are very worried about Garnett leaving. With the MVP around, people will buy the team even if they lose. But if the core players are gone, what will the fans see? Just watch role players miss shots?
Pierce, who cheered up, also smiled and bumped fists with Garnett to show his friendly attitude:

"Hey! Bro, have fun in Boston. I can be your guide if you don't mind."

“I still have plenty of time!”

Garnett sat next to Pierce with a smile on his face. The five people opposite him were all Celtics management. He did not bring his agent tonight, and both sides talked frankly about basketball.

The dishes were exquisite and delicious. During the meal, everyone had a happy chat, complaining about the NFL, talking about baseball gossip, and by the way, praising the black senator Barack Obama who is running for election.

After eating, Rivers put away the smile on his face and talked seriously about the most critical topic of the night:

"Kevin, what do you think of the league right now? I know you prefer Minnesota, and I have nothing but respect for that, but it's going to be hard for you to succeed."

The answer to this question is self-evident: "the only dominant team." What's more frightening is that the Knicks don't care about the luxury tax, and even the premium contract cannot restrict the other team.

Gartner saw Rivers calling for the staff to bring the folder, and did not refute for a moment, but responded calmly:

"I know, but I don't care. No one stipulates that championship means success. I just want the fans to remember me."

"Yes, the championship is not everything, but what I want to say is that the Timberwolves' team building ideas have always had huge problems. They have wasted your potential!"

Rivers looked like he was the only one who understood you, and when he saw Garnett trying to listen, he immediately added:
"When you get to the Western Conference Finals, you rely on defense, and Sprewell and Cassell have a huge impact."

"In today's league, you can't win a championship by relying on offense. Those commentators laughed at Van Gundy, but they didn't know that he made the right choice."

"I don't want to comment on the Timberwolves' subsequent team building operations, but in my opinion, you can perform better, so we designed a lot of tactics around you."

The Celtics did not explain, but Rivers handed a folder to Garnett, saying it was a special gift.

Pierce was feeling sour in his heart, but fortunately Danny Ainge took over the conversation with a smile: "The right tactics are only the first step. In my opinion, you fit the Celtics' team culture very well."

"I know the team is not doing well now, but when you come to the team, you will be the absolute core, and Paul will help you go further."

These words did not impress Garnett, because he looked down upon the outdated Pierce, but Rivers' next big offer made him feel moved:
"Sometimes we have to accept that we can't succeed with just one or two All-Stars."

"I will convince Ray Allen to join our cause. If you agree, we even want to recruit your old friend. The Celtics have enough chips."

Garnett was confused by his old friend, and Pierce interrupted in time:

"I had a good chat with Marbury. You know, that guy hates Lee's style the most. He even began to hate New York. In order to win, he is willing to make sacrifices."

Garnett was really surprised at this time. He almost forgot about this old friend and didn't expect that the other party would agree to such a plan.

"Kevin, it all depends on your decision. You are the MVP and have enough appeal in the league, so we hope you can come to Boston."

"We can end the Knicks era, and honestly, it just makes me sick to see these guys acting so arrogantly next door."

"Lee is very successful, but everyone seems to have forgotten that he cleaned up his teammates. This is not how pure basketball should be! Kevin, you have the opportunity to correct this mistake."

After Danny Ainge said this while staring at Garnett, Pierce on the opposite side became even more jealous. The MVP does have appeal, which he can't compare to at all.

"I know you probably got an offer from the Lakers, but trust me, they're a joke right now!"

"Don't forget that the other side has no chips at all. As long as we can enter the finals, the championship will belong to us."

"."

Rivers started to give Garnett some chicken soup again, and at the same time reminded Garnett that if he wanted to leave a "legacy" to his parent team, the Celtics, who had been playing badly for a long time, were the best choice.

Garnett was shocked when he heard the whole plan. He thought the other party just wanted to form a "dual core", but he didn't expect that they would directly form a team.

After tearing off the fig leaf, Danny Ainge acted confidently and did not stick to the conventional way of building a team. He planned to form a "four-core".

After learning the whole plan, Garnett finally did not agree to it right away. He felt that it was a bit unworthy to form a team like this. He was the MVP and still needed to save face.

The dinner lasted for more than two hours, and in the end both the host and the guests had a great time. When Danny Ainge saw Garnett's look, he felt completely confident, after all, McHale was also his old friend.

After Rivers and the others said goodbye, Pierce stayed behind. He hadn't said anything before. He walked out of the restaurant. Under the dim light, he looked up at the green and white sign and said in a depressed tone:

"This is my first time here in a few years. Every time I see those diners pointing at me, I want to punch them!"

"New York is not far from here. Those arrogant guys have probably already started celebrating the championship in advance. I've seen enough of this scene."

"Bro, if you can come, I promise this is your team, I just don't want to lose anymore."

Thinking of how he was laughed at for fighting and retreating in Madison Square Garden, Garnett felt the same way for a moment, but he still didn't agree outright. He just pounded his chest and said with a smile:

"Give me some time, I don't want to rush into a decision!"

When we got back to the SUV, the fat black henchman sitting in the driver's seat glanced at the rearview mirror and gave some advice in a gruff voice:

"I don't like Boston, but they have a point. Jay-Z called on black players to boycott Lee, and I think this is an opportunity."

"Not only will there be honor, but maybe we can also make a lot of money here!"

The skinny black man with braided hair in the co-pilot seat took the opportunity to join in the fun. He likes singing and dancing rap, and Jay-Z is his idol:
"Yeah, Kevin! Maybe we can even release an album. I think you have the talent, and Jay-Z might be able to write a few songs for you!"

Kevin Garnett cursed when he heard these messed up suggestions. He was not a young Nico. After so many years, he could see some facts clearly:
"Drive, let's go to New Jersey this weekend! Shit! I still don't like that bastard Marbury"

On Saturday, the 26th, the Boston Globe suddenly broke the news that Ray Allen was about to join the Knicks. In the afternoon, TNT, which was warming up for tonight's Eastern Conference Finals, began to complain.

Ray Allen, who was still raising his children in Seattle, was very surprised when he saw the news. He planned to stay with the SuperSonics. The team had locked on Kevin Durant, and he admired this newcomer very much.

The management of the Supersonics had already painted a rosy picture for him, and Ray Allen gladly accepted it. After all, Li Youdu had praised Durant's talent, and he believed in his friend's vision.

When he returned home in the evening, Ray Allen deliberately turned the channel to TNT and began to frown as he looked at the TV.

出场37分钟，24中17，三分线外8中5，罚球10中9，48分6篮板10助攻3抢断1盖帽1失误，李佑再次重拳出击，交出两双数据。

出场45分钟，23中9，三分线外8中2，罚球12中8，28分8篮板6助攻1抢断1盖帽4失误，勒布朗-詹姆斯几乎打满全场。

The director gave the performance of the core players of both teams in Game 2. On TV, the smiling faces of James and Li You could be seen wearing the home team jerseys.

The scene changed. In the studio, Charles Barkley took the opportunity to review Li You's Game 2 data and started to complain about the uncertain news in the morning. He hated the act of mixing rings:

"There is no competitiveness! In the past we just wanted to beat our opponents, but now these stars want to take shortcuts. That's why the level of players is getting worse and worse."

"Lee not only made the game easier, he also changed the free market. From what I know, many veterans are willing to play in New York."

"But don't think too highly of this guy. When the veteran came to the Knicks, he could only hand over the towel. I can't accept this kind of championship!"

Kenny Smith didn't mind his partner changing the topic. After all, the Cavaliers lost again in Game 2, 81:127. In the eyes of most basketball commentators, the series was already a foregone conclusion:
"I think Finley made a contribution to the Knicks. In Game 2, he made 6 of 3 three-pointers and performed very well on the defensive end."

"Players have the right to make their own choices. What's wrong with pursuing championships?"

Ernie Johnson, who was sitting in the middle, couldn't get a word in. Barkley, who was on the far left, turned around and started to speak again, pointing the finger at Grant Hill:

"Look at how Hill has changed over the years. When he was with the Pistons, he was an all-around fighter in the league. After joining the Knicks, he became a role player who could only defend and fast break."

"Lee will change the teammates around him. He is so good that he will make the players on the team rely on him."

"I don't like the news that an All-Star player joins the Knicks. This is not a good thing for the league. I believe that most fans don't like to see Ray Allen become Raja Bell."

"I'm sorry, I respect Bale, but there's a big gap between him and Ray Allen."

In the living room, Shannon saw her husband frowning and immediately squeezed over to comfort him quietly:

"Maybe we can watch Sports Center after 23pm, TNT's shows are mostly bullshit."

Seeing his wife's concerned look, Ray Allen smiled and immediately spoke to comfort her:

"Don't worry about me, we agreed to stay in Seattle"

(End of this chapter)