Chapter 618 - 618: We Want to Improve Too Much (4236 words)

On tuesday, November 11, 2008, the AT&T Center Arena had fewer than 13,000 people, as the San Antonio Spurs faced significant difficulties with ticket sales for the new season.

Some die-hard fans might have bought season tickets but chose not to attend games in person, mainly because the team's record was abysmal after being hit by an injury wave.

With a 1-4 record under the leadership of Rookie coach Mike Budenholzer, the San Antonio Spurs showed signs of plummeting towards a top draft pick right from the start of the season.

This former Western powerhouse seemed to have completely fallen out of championship contention.

Tony Parker played only one game before going off to show affection with Eva, and besides actively taking care of Good Brother Brent Barry's family, he even started cutting corners on training.

Manu Ginobili was injured in the Olympic Games, and after surgery, he was confirmed to miss three months of games.

Fans had held a glimmer of hope before, but the Argentinian's importance exceeded their imagination.

If one were to disregard past achievements and only look at salaries, the San Antonio Spurs' poor performance was not surprising, as they had only filled the "poverty line," emphasizing "cost-effectiveness."

Andrew Bynum, who had high expectations, was sidelined again in the second game of the new season due to ankle bone spurs.

With their only "star player" gone, San Antonio fans were no longer buying into it.

Before the game, Mike Budenholzer, hailed as "Popovich's successor," became the San Antonio Spurs' "big star," but sports reporters, always eager to kick someone when they're down, once again gave the young head coach a hard time.

"Why did the San Antonio Spurs decline so rapidly?"

"Can you explain the team's tactics since the start of the new season?"

"Will Bynum be re-signed? Is he the core of the team's future?"

Some questions were simply unanswerable, and Mike Budenholzer's face turned red with frustration.

Everyone was dissatisfied with his performance, local fans started shouting "fire him," and the young head coach was on the verge of breaking down.

After the game started at 8 PM, Mike D'Antoni, sitting quietly on the New York Knicks bench, smiled slightly when he saw his old opponent's lineup.

Although their core players were absent, tonight was likely another victory!

Tonight, the San Antonio Spurs' starting lineup was George Hill and Anthony Mason in the backcourt, with Amy Udoka, Matt Bonner, and Fabricio Oberto in the frontcourt.

Mike Budenholzer insisted on using a "spatial lineup" this new season, hoping the team would respond more from beyond the three-point line, but both three-point shooting and rebounding became problematic.

From the perspective of New York Knicks fans, the San Antonio Spurs were completely finished.

They couldn't even name the starting players, let alone the atmosphere group on the bench—these were all pure "leftovers."

"Boo!"

Midway through the first quarter, boos once again erupted in the AT&T Center Arena.

Fabricio Oberto received a pass near the right baseline, but his mid-range jump shot clanked off the rim, and the New York Knicks launched another fast break.

Facing the Rookie, Rajon Rondo was full of confidence.

Not only did he dribble the ball behind his back with a wide motion while advancing, but he even sent a long-distance bounce pass with one hand just past mid-court.

The basketball went between the legs of the retreating Amy Udoka and landed perfectly in the hands of Prince, who was cutting in from the left wing.

Matt Bonner, retreating down the middle, couldn't get back to the basket in time to block, and could only watch as his opponent scored with a layup!

Rajon Rondo, wearing a dark blue headband, smiled confidently and clapped his hands repeatedly.

On the bench, Chalmers was also jumping up and down, knowing he would get more playing time tonight.

Bill Land, who had just become the full-time home television commentator for the San Antonio Spurs this year, had a head of white hair.

It was 12:4, and the game had been going on for almost 4 minutes, yet the San Antonio Spurs were once again in a scoring drought:

"I feel like we lack vitality tonight! We lack energy on both offense and Defense, it's unbelievable, this is not the San Antonio Spurs I expected!"

Bill Land's voice was filled with frustration.

As a home commentator, it was hard for him to get emotional about such a game.

The New York Knicks also had injuries, with Lee and Gasol both out, yet the home team was still "vulnerable."

His partner, Sean Elliott, was a San Antonio Spurs legend, but seeing George Hill charge into a crowd and get blocked by Chandler, he too couldn't hold back, and his face instantly darkened even more:

"Clearly, we lack preparation for difficulties! On offense, we must be more patient! I hope everyone can be as active as Amy Udoka."

"The team lacks star players, but they shouldn't be playing like this. Perhaps we should call a timeout."

No sooner had he spoken than Rajon Rondo's initiated fast break again crossed mid-court.

Although George Hill tried hard to chase back, the ball was faster than the man, and on the fast break, as Raja Bell approached the right wing, the basketball flew into his hands.

The moment he raised the ball, Anthony Mason flew out horizontally.

Raja Bell put the ball down with his left hand, dribbled one step sideways, and quickly shot a three-pointer from beyond the arc!

"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.

Successfully seizing this opportunity, after Raja Bell's shot, all 5 players on the court had scored.

Diaw, who had already rushed to the basket, was also giving his teammates a thumbs up, and the bench was even more jubilant.

If it were Popovich, the old guy would be furious and cursing the players by now, but Mike Budenholzer's face was flushed with anger.

The "baby-faced" coach showed great dissatisfaction, but still picked up the tactics board after the timeout.

"Boo!"

Amidst the boos, some San Antonio fans started yelling wildly.

Some were cursing Duncan, some were calling for Popovich, and others were cursing the Rookie coach.

The AT&T Center Arena was in chaos, and the camera frequently focused on Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, dressed in casual formal wear.

Both looked solemn, having little recourse for the team's predicament.

Ron Artest, who had returned to the New York Knicks, was not on the active roster for the previous game against the Utah Jazz and was still on the bench tonight.

The Rookie, Thaddeus Young, had been in excellent form recently, temporarily taking away playing time from his Good Brother.

Although he hadn't received instructions from the coach at this moment, he was still busy, handing out water while also standing up to listen to tactical adjustments.

Despite Rajon Rondo's agent being very active recently and Ron Artest being disengaged from basketball, the team atmosphere was not as reported by the outside world.

The New York Knicks were still winning.

"I hope everyone can cheer up and get through this difficult time! The San Antonio Spurs shouldn't be like this. We've reached the NBA Finals many times, and were only a step away from the championship."

"I believe as the season progresses, with Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Andrew Bynum returning, the team will get back on track."

Every time they lost, Sean Elliott would paint a rosy picture for the fans, but tonight, facing an old rival, he painted it a bit too quickly, seemingly already resigned to the team facing a losing streak.

As the timeout ended, Amy Udoka's strong drive to the basket from the right wing missed, and Bill Land on the commentary desk completely lost his composure.

Seeing Rajon Rondo grab the ball and charge again, he commented in frustration:

"We've even forgotten how to foul!"

"..."

The game lost its suspense by halftime, which led some fans to start leaving after the third quarter.

They had anticipated the season all year, only for it to start with a 1-5 record, and the losing streak was unacceptable to everyone.

San Antonio Spurs fans who were still watching the game soon "enjoyed" watching Chalmers blow past 33-year-old Jacque Vaughn, as the MOP's three-pointer helped the New York Knicks further extend their lead.

Blown away by a simple pick-and-roll, the game ended with the San Antonio Spurs' score fixed at 78.

Mike Budenholzer stood frozen on the sidelines, momentarily forgetting to shake hands at the scorer's table.

112:78, San Antonio Spurs fans were booing loudly.

The 34-point difference wasn't huge, but the game itself was simply too bad.

Sports media, eager for entertainment, interviewed Mike D'Antoni after the game, trying to get some "extraordinary" conclusions from the opponent's side.

Fortunately, Mike D'Antoni was very accommodating and chuckled as he also painted a rosy picture for San Antonio Spurs fans:

"Every team goes through a slump, and I believe the San Antonio Spurs will get out of this predicament very soon! Now, more than ever, the team needs the support of its fans. Everything will be fine!"

"..."

Rajon Rondo, who scored 15 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, and 4 turnovers on 5-of-10 shooting, 1-of-3 from three-point range, and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line, was also surrounded by sports reporters in the locker room.

Ever since he announced his departure, the Rookie had been under close scrutiny.

"Rajon, we've received some news that the Boston Celtics seem very interested in you? Have you considered playing in Boston?"

The ESPN reporter wasn't lying.

Although the Boston Celtics currently had an excellent 6-2 record, General Manager Danny Ainge seemed to no longer favor Marbury and had not yet offered him a contract.

Rajon Rondo, who had taken off his headband, smiled brightly when he heard the news.

He didn't have a choice, but no matter where he went, he was confident he could be a core player:

"The Boston Celtics? Perhaps I can teach them how to win a championship!"

"You know their last championship was in 1986. This team clearly has some problems, choosing me is the right choice."

Laughter erupted in the locker room, and some reporters also couldn't help but chuckle.

Rajon Rondo was even more confident than they had imagined, seemingly looking down on the "The Big Four."

"Garnett needs a championship point guard. Sprewell gave him tremendous help back then. That guy is actually a softie, but he always acts tough!"

Ron Artest was also talking loudly nearby, showing no respect for this opponent, which made many sports reporters even more excited.

The sports media got satisfactory answers, and the New York Knicks team took the bus back to the hotel.

Since they had to fly to Memphis overnight, they had to depart immediately after a short rest.

The Rookie, Thaddeus Young, had just achieved a career-high of 16 points recently.

To get more opportunities, he proactively requested to share a room with Chalmers.

Seeing his roommate put his luggage aside and carefully check the oranges, Thaddeus Young was speechless for a moment, never expecting the MOP to be so sycophantic:

"Bro, Lee won't be back until next week! We can relax for a few days…"

"Buddy, you just don't get it! These are oranges I bought in San Antonio, and after I go to Memphis, I'll buy some more, maybe I can mix different flavors!"

Chalmers put the oranges away, and seeing the Rookie's stunned expression, he showed off proudly:

"The staff traveling with the team all know about my efforts. When the time comes, if they mention it casually, Lee will remember it!"

"Next season I'll be in a stable rotation. If Lee and the coach say a few words, maybe I can get more playing time, and then my stats will surpass many players from the same draft class."

"I might even win a championship earlier than Derek Rose! Maybe that guy will never have a chance to wear a championship ring in his life."

"..."

Thaddeus Young was speechless for a long time.

He was truly shocked.

This was too much flattery.

Thinking about how he had been a benchwarmer last season, he couldn't help but reflect:

"No wonder I can only be the eleventh man."

"Bro, I also want to advance further in the team! Do you have any ideas? The coach still trusts veterans more!"

Seeing Thaddeus Young's expression of wanting to "improve", Chalmers nodded in satisfaction, then shared his experience:

"I've observed that after the new season starts, when Lee is at the Tarrytown Training Center, he always practices boxing to warm up about half an hour early. I think you could be his target!"

"..."

Thaddeus Young, once again speechless, heard the Rookie's sincere suggestion, hesitated for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth and nodded.

There was a generation gap between young players and veterans, and he indeed needed to communicate closely with the boss.

On tuesday, November 12, the New York Knicks welcomed their first back-to-back game of the new season.

That night, their opponent was the Grizzlies.

This was an ESPN national broadcast, and "Battle of the Brothers" was the game's gimmick.

The Grizzlies only used two second-round picks to acquire Marc Gasol from the San Antonio Spurs, which surprised all basketball commentators.

After the Olympic Games, Marc Gasol visibly lost a lot of weight and was in better physical condition.

The FedEx Forum Arena was surprisingly full.

After the new season began, some games had fewer than 10,000 spectators, and they had been at the bottom of attendance rates for several consecutive seasons.

Before the game, Gasol, dressed in a black casual suit, embraced his younger brother in the center of the court for photos and interviews.

Although he still wore a brace on his leg, Gasol didn't want to miss his first encounter with his brother and offered his blessings before the game:

"I personally hope Marc has a good performance. I'm really happy to see him adapt to the league's physicality!"

Marc Gasol, with a short haircut and shaved beard, was a bit nervous about the sudden attention.

Although he had played one year of high school in New York, he spent most of his time in Barcelona.

"I want to thank the fans who came tonight. I like playing in this kind of atmosphere…"

Marc Gasol spoke somewhat stiffly.

Even after his brother patted him twice, he still didn't relax.

He noticed his teammates' "jealous" gazes.

Rudy Gay preferred facing the camera.

With a record of 3 wins and 5 losses, the young Grizzlies had a decent start to the new season.

Marc Iavaroni admitted that the main focus this season was still on integrating the roster.

Mike Conley, who was caught in trade rumors, showed no emotional fluctuations, while O.J. Mayo secretly chuckled.

He was currently competing with Gay for the top spot, and both wanted more attention and recognition.

Mayo had been gloating for days after Marc Gasol stole the spotlight this time.

In the noisy American Airlines Arena, Kyle Lowry was still actively warming up.

Seeing Chalmers and his teammates chatting and laughing on the opposite side, he felt a deep sense of envy.

In the league, if you're not pursuing a starting position, playing point guard for the New York Knicks is the most comfortable.

You might not get a big contract, but as long as you establish yourself, the salary won't be low.

"Choice is greater than effort."

With limited exposure on the Grizzlies, Kyle Lowry's recognition was even less than that of the Rookie Chalmers, who had just entered the league.

In this highly hyped game, the protagonist wasn't Marc Gasol.

On the New York Knicks side, JR Smith, who had been quiet for two games, suddenly exploded off the bench.

After a dull first quarter, during the rotation, he suddenly hit four consecutive three-pointers from beyond the arc in a single quarter.

JR Smith received support from the entire team.

After scoring 12 consecutive points, he knelt at center court during a timeout, pointing to the sky with both hands, completely igniting the atmosphere.

At the ESPN commentary booth, Mike Breen helped fans recall the statistics, while his partner Mark Jackson once again exclaimed:

"This is the strength of the defending champions! Tonight they're not in good form, but someone still stepped up!"

"What are your thoughts on the New York Knicks' tactical changes?"

Jeff Van Gundy, once again a "famous coach from the commentary booth," had completely regained his confident demeanor.

Hearing the question, he responded without hesitation:

"I think reducing post-up offense and increasing pick-and-rolls is the right choice! This will amplify the abilities of the core guards."

"In this system, Rajon Rondo's flaws are covered up. As for Clay Lee, he can adapt to any system. He is the most basketball-intelligent player I have ever witnessed!"

"Marc Gasol played well, but if Lee were on the court tonight, he wouldn't have had such an easy time. How to defend the pick-and-roll is a difficulty that all big men in the league currently face."

"Some basketball commentators believe the New York Knicks should reduce three-pointers, but this is the wrong view. Reducing inefficient mid-range shots is the correct approach."

"Lee has already shown us how to win a championship with his actual performance. I must admit, I made a mistake before, and now I hope to see more teams emulate the defending champions."

No longer mentioning the "Defense system," ever since being betrayed by James and Howard, Van Gundy's attitude had done a 180-degree flip, and in the new season, he had completely become a "Lee worshipper."

However, the rest of the game didn't go so smoothly.

JR Smith, after his outburst, slumped again and couldn't maintain his efficient performance.

As the New York Knicks' shooting percentage dropped, and the Grizzlies launched counterattacks, the game became a stalemate, lasting until the fourth quarter.

They finally managed to secure a victory by relying on crucial Defense in the final moments.

107:101, the New York Knicks secured their 8th consecutive win, scoring less than 110 points for the first time this season.

Mike Conley shot 2 for 7, contributing only 6 points.

Rajon Rondo shot 3 for 9, scoring 10 points.

Both players struggled in the second half and failed to be the key players.

Boris Diaw quietly contributed an all-around stat line of 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and 3 turnovers.

His several crucial defensive plays in the fourth quarter caused Darrell Arthur to clang shot after shot.

After the game, Grizzlies fans applauded Marc Gasol.

In the "Battle of the Brothers," he shot 7 for 13, scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, a performance that matched the team's core player.

As he entered the player tunnel, Boris Diaw, with his stomach protruding, high-fived staff members in celebration.

The Frenchman was in a good mood.

Back in the locker room, surrounded by reporters, he even joked proactively:

"I'm starting to miss Lee! I respect the Grizzlies, but against a big man like Marc, I believe Lee could easily score 40+!"

"The newspapers say LeBron James has a chance to win MVP this season!? I think that's impossible unless the selection criteria are changed."

"..."

The Cavaliers also started the new season strong.

Although Howard was out, James, who had completely transformed his game, led the team to a 7-1 record, surpassing the The Big Four.

Cleveland sports media began to build momentum for the The Chosen One.

The excuse "new generation players need MVP" was very effective, and some basketball commentators recently started fanning the flames.

However, James's opponents weren't just Clay Lee.

Kobe Bryant was also making a push for the trophy.

The Mamba had no strong individual honors in his career so far and was also in urgent need of this trophy.

When the topic of MVP came up, Chalmers, who had been performing well recently, also got a chance.

Upon hearing the names of James and Kobe, the Rookie immediately blurted out:

"Why can they compete with Lee?"

"Individual stats, team record, Lee will ultimately lead all opponents!"

"If they win, I think it will be a joke. The league shouldn't have instances of stolen trophies anymore."

"James and Kobe should proactively bow to Lee, admit their shortcomings, instead of choosing to deceive themselves, deceive fans, and become honor thieves!"

"..."

On the other side, Thaddeus Young, who had just taken off his jersey, gaped in surprise.

He also wanted to say a few words, but he really couldn't bring himself to say them, and in the end, he could only sigh inwardly:

"I really can't compare to Mario!"

On thursday, the 13th, early in the morning, many onlookers appeared near South Capitol Street in Washington D.C. A large number of reporters also gathered near Independence Avenue, the main entrance of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Some entertainment reporters seemed out of place on Capitol Hill.

Yesterday, someone had already spotted the "low-key" black Saleen S7 supercar.

Lee's "toy" gathering dust in his garage had attracted a lot of attention.

When reporters saw Lee emerge from the scissor doors, dressed in a "red scarf" outfit, and casually toss his keys to the police officer, they all started furiously pressing their shutters.

Adjusting his tie, Lee smiled, showing no discomfort under the flashing lights.

He even had the presence of mind to joke:

"I love Washington!"

...

By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)