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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
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***
On the morning of June 27, 2005, Manhattan was showered with confetti.
For New York sports fans, the New York Knicks achieved an incredible record.
They ended the Chicago Bulls' second three-peat in 1998, and now, years later, the New York Knicks have accomplished this feat.
No one could stop them.
It was a perfect script.
As for discussions about the 'value' of the championship, most fans didn't care.
They were the most dominant team since the Celtics!
Considering that the basketball environment back then was completely different from modern basketball, young fans automatically ignored the history of the Celtics and joined the New York Media in shouting:
"The New York Knicks are the greatest and most dominant team since the NBA was founded!"
"ā¦"
This year's championship parade held a completely different meaning: 7 is greater than 6.
Clay Lee officially surpassed the all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the greatest player in history.
As for the old-fashioned Bill Russell, he was also automatically ignored by young fans, quoting a New York Post reporter:
"If Clay Lee went back in time, the Celtics wouldn't have won so many championships."
Close to 10 AM, fans participating in the parade had already gathered on both sides of the street.
In the middle of the road, besides NYPD police officers, only fire trucks were standing by.
Manhattan is not ideal for parades.
The city is too crowded, and some old streets and buildings always give a sense of insecurity.
However, New York fans have probably gotten used to it, as this was already the seventh such celebration.
At the corner of Battery Park and Broadway, a group of fans woke up early to secure perfect spots along the parade route.
As the double-decker bus, manufactured by Bond Parade Floats Company in Clifton, New Jersey, slowly started moving, the screams became incessant.
Fans wearing new New York Knicks championship hats cheered enthusiastically on both sides.
Although the series didn't return to New York, it didn't affect the sales of team merchandise.
The hats had blue brims, white bodies, only English letters on the front, and nine O'Brien Cup patterns of increasing size on the back.
This hat, newly placed on shelves, retailed for $59.99, with special color schemes and patterns costing extra.
Considering this was a summer hat, once the weather turned cold, a wool hat could be released, allowing for another wave of sales!
Social media was just emerging, so most fans were still holding cameras and camcorders.
On the float, Lee, wearing a white oversized championship T-shirt, wore his hat backward and raised the trophy amidst the fans' cheers.
"Wow!"
The fans, restricted by fences, instantly raised their volume.
A CBS reporter in the middle of the road was startled by the shouting and instinctively tightened his grip on the microphone.
As a professional journalist, he still needed to interview fans during the parade.
Seeing a white young man wearing a Nets jersey and a New York Knicks hat, he immediately moved closer and asked loudly:
"Hey, buddy, are you from New Jersey?"
The young white man seemed even more excited when he saw the camera, and the surrounding crowd also shouted along:
"This is crazy, I feel like I'm losing my voice, I love the New York Knicks, Lee is my hero!"
Saying this while wearing a Nets jersey created a sense of incongruity for the CBS crew.
The young white man was quickly pushed aside, and several younger fans wearing New York Knicks home number 1 jerseys grabbed the microphone and shouted loudly:
"A true dynasty team, Lee's performance is incredible!"
"The greatest city in the world has the greatest fans in the world, New York is the true world champion!"
"ā¦"
Various shouts were endless, and the CBS staff soon discovered that there were many fans wearing Nets jerseys in the parade.
When they interviewed a slightly older fan, the group's confusion was resolved:
"We used to be Nets fans, but now everyone is a New York Knicks fan."
Some young fans, accompanied by their parents, also loudly expressed their wishes to the camera:
"When the Nets move back to Brooklyn, it will be easier to watch games, and we'll be able to buy cheaper front-row tickets."
"ā¦"
Most fans were reluctant to buy front-row tickets at Madison Square Garden.
Over the years, except for the last row of the "Screaming Zone," ticket prices for other seats have repeatedly hit new highs.
The CBS staff finally understood why the Dolan Family strongly opposed the West Side Stadium project.
The New York Knicks had formed a monopoly.
In Manhattan, no one could compete with them.
White, blue, and orange streamers floated in the air as the floats moved, and nearly a million fans participating in the parade celebrated to their heart's content.
Although everyone knew that the New York Knicks' salary cap would begin to inflate next season, and as time passed, the championship roster would also age, a true dynasty was enough for everyone to brag about for 10 years!
While enjoying the victory, even rational fans were satisfied at this moment.
At 11 AM, a stage had been set up in front of City Hall.
As the New York Knicks team members took their seats in the back, the invited dance troupe began their performance.
Although the railings on the second-floor balcony were blackened and the building looked a bit old, the New York Knicks logo and seven glittering trophies hanging on the front gate concealed the somewhat humble celebration venue.
After the performance, the 258 loyal fans who had been arranged were all at the front of the stage.
85-year-old New York die-hard sports fan Alexandra Druniki was invited to the very front.
Facing the CBS reporter, the sturdy white old man excitedly praised:
"Being able to see the greatest guy in basketball history, of course, I wouldn't miss such a celebration."
"The New York Knicks deserve this. They won everything. It's been a fantastic nine years!"
Stephen A. Smith also appeared with his family near the stage.
Like ordinary fans, wearing hats and cheering loudly, Stephen A. Smith seemed to have forgotten his little brother Allen Iverson.
Now, he was a firm Clay Lee fan.
Spike Lee, who spent a lot of money watching games every year, received preferential treatment and sat with his family in the management section at the back.
As if holding a press conference, Bloomberg still wore a black suit, only changing his tie to orange.
When the mayor took the stage, cheers erupted again.
Although Bloomberg hadn't acknowledged James Dolan on the float, he wouldn't spoil the mood now.
He smiled at the fans and said:
"Do you all feel like this celebration is familiar again?"
"I'm sure most NBA fans are envious of this feeling."
"This similar feeling means championships, it means a dynasty, and it means the birth of the greatest player in history!"
The fans in the front applauded enthusiastically, making Bloomberg feel much better.
Seizing the opportunity, he said again:
"A few years ago, no one believed the New York Knicks would achieve such a feat."
"They all thought the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan were unbeatable, 72 wins, the best in history. They received countless praises."
"But Clay Lee's appearance changed everything."
"He led New York to revenge and then created an era belonging to the New York Knicks."
"The greatest city in the world has welcomed a champion, and Clay Lee has brought the O'Brien Cup back to New York."
"Now, we will also give him a special gift."
As a staff member handed over an exquisite gift box, Lee also came forward and embraced Bloomberg as a greeting.
Media reporters below the stage raised their cameras, aiming at the two.
After opening the gift box, a delicate key was revealed.
Bloomberg put his arm around Lee and smiled, saying:
"The material for this key comes from the Twin Towers. After that attack, this city fell into panic, and many people chose to leave."
"Sports united us. For years, Clay Lee has been serving the community. He is closely connected with this city."
"Now I present him with this special key, thanking him for his contributions to this city over the years!"
Clay Lee, who received the gift, didn't examine the long, shimmering key carefully.
He came to the podium, holding the gift, and smiled, saying:
"Thank you for this special gift, and of course, I also want to thank the New York fans who have always supported us and my teammates behind me."
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here today."
"This is our victory. Let go of your worries and let's celebrate to the fullest. The championship belongs to New York!"
The fans in the back could also see the live situation through three large screens.
Screams and cheers erupted again as they witnessed the birth of a true dynasty team.
Ron Artest, wearing a hat below the stage, also cheered along.
Previously, some fans thought he had ruined the New York Knicks' dynasty, but after defeating the San Antonio Spurs, such claims became increasingly rare.
Instead, more fans looked forward to his return, believing that the complete New York Knicks might create another miracle.
With the blessing of seven O'Brien Cups, James Dolan was also warmly welcomed by the fans when he came to the podium:
"A long time ago, I had an idea: I wanted fans worldwide to witness the greatest city become champions!"
"Now, the dream has come true. We have brought the O'Brien Cup to its rightful place, and the most loyal fans in the world deserve this honor."
"ā¦"
While the curly-haired owner was boasting on stage, Grant Hill looked around but still didn't see General Manager Grunfeld.
The hype squad cheered along. Grant nudged Lee and asked in a low voice:
"Has the matter from the beginning of the month still not been resolved? Are we going to have a new general manager in the offseason?"
Not only Grunfeld, but Ewing was also absent.
Lee hadn't received definite news yet, but given the current buzz surrounding the incident, it would likely end up in court:
"Don't worry, even if the worst outcome occurs, our boss is prepared. He might even take on the role of general manager."
"..."
Grant opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only touch his chin with his hand to hide his surprise.
The coaching staff didn't seem to realize something was amiss.
Mike D'Antoni was beaming when he came to the front, and listening to the fans' cheers, Mike D'Antoni proudly said:
"I am proud to coach the New York Knicks. Bringing the o'brien cup back to New York for three consecutive years is our gift to the most loyal fans in sports!"
"I want to retire here, I will always stay with the team!"
"Considering my age, when Lee retires, I will also step down from my position as a head coach."
"This is my ideal. We will continue to win in the future. Opponents can imitate us, but I assure everyone, they will never surpass the New York Knicks!"
This statement once again ignited the atmosphere.
New York fans were already annoyed with those "thieves," and many began to shout Mike D'Antoni's name loudly:
"Mike! Mike! Mike!"
The shouts made Mike D'Antoni overjoyed.
When he returned to his seat, he immediately leaned back strategically, thinking with an inflated ego:
"This is what a championship coach is!"
The hype squad also stepped forward to boast.
New York fans "forgave" Raja Bell for his mediocre performance in the Finals and loudly cheered for the low-key Tayshaun Prince.
Sitting in his seat, Amar'e Stoudemire, though smiling, felt a pang of jealousy.
From the fans' reaction, it was clear that this was Clay Lee's team.
No matter what news his agent released, New York fans didn't care.
The anticipated scene of them holding signs asking him to stay did not appear.
The previous smokescreens had no effect whatsoever.
Kurt Thomas was considered a meritorious player for the team.
This veteran boasted freely during his speech:
"Before the Finals, someone told me that Bruce Bowen was the league's scoring terminator."
"Someone else told me that Tim Duncan was a selfless leader who could tear apart the New York Knicks' interior."
"Now these clowns are silent. They never came close to the New York Knicks. They simply don't understand how terrifying Lee is in the Finals."
"The San Antonio Spurs lost again. Maybe I should get the title of 'Duncan Terminator'!"
Although Kurt Thomas might leave the team next season, he always considered himself a member of the New York Knicks, and New York fans enjoyed this kind of talk.
The more intense the bragging, the more excited everyone became.
Pau Gasol, on the other hand, was a bit reserved.
He had high expectations for himself, and his performance in the Finals was average.
Besides consistently making easy baskets, he failed to carry the main offense.
It wasn't until he faced Spanish reporters for an interview that Pau Gasol showed his confident side:
"I will bring the championship experience back to my home country. Without a doubt, I will compete in the Men's World Championship, and I will bring a championship to Spain in 2006!"
"..."
The biggest victory parade in recent years lasted for a long time.
The sanitation department stated in an interview that on that day, staff picked up 34.2 tons of paper, and street cleaning efforts went into full swing after the fans left.
Over 500 workers, 34 mechanical sweepers, 14 collection trucks, and 120 leaf blowers worked for a long time.
The next day, The New York Times also reported on the championship parade, with a photo of Lee and Bloomberg becoming the front-page headline:
"GOAT!"
On Saturday, June 25th, the New York Knicks' work was completely finished, and Lee returned to his home on 82nd Street to rest.
After a busy week, Lee, no longer accepting interviews, finally had time to check his backlog of emails.
Before dinner, Lee finally received the long awaited call.
Hearing Melinda's slightly excited voice, he stood up, went to the window, and happily asked:
"It seems the acquisition is completely done?"
"Progress is as expected. Red Football Capital's shares have reached 97.6%."
"After acquiring part of the Glazer Family's shares, we can now compulsorily acquire the remaining shares, my dear, you will own a football club!"
Hearing the thoughtful big-breasted girl's words, Lee breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it cost a bit more than expected, the outcome was good.
The two chatted sweetly on the phone for a while.
After Ivanka came to the study, she also squeezed to the window, came into Lee's arms, and whispered:
"My dear, are we going to England now?"
Lee, who had hung up the phone, hugged the increasingly voluptuous big white rabbit in his arms, lowered his head and kissed her, then smiled and said:
"We still need to prepare for a while. Once Manchester United is completely delisted from the London Stock Exchange, we'll go to Manchester."
"We should show our strength to those fans who keep protesting us. The club's debt is for better development!"
Recently, Ivanka had specifically learned a lot about football, and she also realized Manchester United's position in European football.
In the American sports world, having a huge fan base also means a large sum of money.
Besides considerable revenue, this club can also increase its popularity.
Ivanka, wearing a black skirt suit, tiptoed and kissed Lee.
Noticing the large hand on her waist moving upwards, her face flushed, and she quickly turned to Georgina by the door and said:
"I have to stay here for a while recently. Our house is being renovated. Do you want to come and stay with me for a few days?"
Lee saw Georgina, wearing a floral camisole dress, sighing regretfully.
He forced a smile but secretly thought:
"Rich women walk silently."
Not having enjoyed the study room play, Georgina walked up to the two of them, patted Lee's chest, giggled, and, taking Ivanka's arm, teased them:
"That's a terrible excuse to change the subject. Is your father planning to film the next season of the reality show at home?"
Ivanka hugged Lee's arm tightly and, thinking of her home, helplessly complained:
"I attended a gathering of arms dealers a while ago, and when I got home, my father felt the house wasn't grand enough. He plans to change the decor style."
Lee knew that Georgina seemed to like athletic muscular men, but he still deliberately ignored her teasing gaze and joined the discussion:
"What style? The penthouse has already been designed perfectly."
Ivanka also liked the current decor style very much, but her opinion didn't affect the family, so she could only complain again:
"Neutral colors will most likely turn gold..."
On the evening of June 28th, the 2005 NBA Draft was held again at Madison Square Garden.
Kobe Bryant, who had followed the team staff to New York, had been in a bad mood these past few days.
He felt this city had gone crazy!
Michael Jordan was a failure here.
Only Clay Lee was the true GOAT.
Arrogant New York fans liked to count championships and talk about statistics.
If it weren't for Michael Jordan's Excel not losing to Clay Lee, this former GOAT would likely be completely trampled.
Kobe's mood was still not great as he followed the Los Angeles Lakers' staff to this familiar Madison Square Garden, forcing a smile the whole time.
Remembering the big promises Kupchak had made, Kobe felt a glimmer of anticipation:
"A very talented big man? Next season, I will return to the Finals."
Other teams also had players accompanying their management to the venue.
After Kobe greeted them, he soon heard exclamations from behind him.
James Dolan appeared in front of everyone wearing a black suit and a red tie.
Sports reporters all surrounded him, eager to interview this dynasty creator.
The Los Angeles Lakers had the 10th pick this year.
The management and Kobe had previously looked at Deron Williams, but before they could make a move, the Portland Trail Blazers made their move first.
"What are they interviewing? The New York Knicks only have the 30th and 60th picks."
"Dynasty team? Without the NBA's care, they would have lost long ago."
"..."
The sour remarks from the staff improved Kobe's mood somewhat.
As David Stern appeared smiling at the front, the draft officially began.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who had the first pick, selected Andrew Bogut.
The Atlanta Hawks, the tanking team led by Marbury, selected Marvin Williams with the second pick.
The Utah Jazz, who traded for the third pick, unhesitatingly selected Deron Williams.
The Hornets selected the small guard Chris Paul with the fourth pick.
The Bobcats selected Raymond Felton with the fifth pick.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Martell Webster with the sixth pick.
The Toronto Raptors selected Charlie Villanueva with the seventh pick.
The Orlando Magic selected Channing Frye with the eighth pick.
The Warriors selected Ike Diogu with the ninth pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Andrew Bynum with the tenth pick.
The New York Knicks selected David Lee with the 30th pick.
A burst of cheers erupted at Madison Square Garden.
Kobe didn't pay attention to the boisterous onlookers, but instead went up to the smiling Bynum and said earnestly:
"Next season, I will train you to be a first-class interior player in the league!"
"?"
...
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