Chương 114: Paul Millsap
James was determined to come back stronger the following season, ready to fight for the championship. However, the Celtics delivered another blow with their formidable trio: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, known as "The Big Three." Their dominance in the Eastern Conference playoffs left James and the Cavaliers with a painful lesson in basketball prowess.
During the Eastern Conference semifinals, Garnett's roar echoed across the arena: "The old brothers haven't touched the championship trophy yet. You little guy who has just entered the league for a few years, why worry?" This taunt seemed to crystallize the gap between the experienced Celtics and the Cavaliers, as Cleveland fell short once more.
Feeling disheartened, James questioned the promise of the future being his. The harsh reality of being ousted by seasoned players stung deeply, and he began to doubt the assurances of his eventual success.
In an unexpected turn of events, Garnett's injury in the 2009 season briefly rekindled hope for James and the Cavaliers. Yet, their hopes were dashed when they faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. Dwight Howard, a force of nature on the court, overwhelmed the Cavaliers, leading to another disappointing 4-2 series loss.
James, frustrated and resolute, demanded that the Cavaliers management make significant improvements to the team. In response, the Cavaliers secured a trade for Shaquille O'Neal, who had shown an impressive performance last season with 75 games played, averaging 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The move was seen as a strategic effort to bolster the team's interior strength and provide the support James needed to contend for the championship.
O'Neal's resurgence was notable, as he had not played over 75 games in a season since his peak years with the Lakers. His performance in the 1999-2000 season, averaging 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds, had been instrumental in the Lakers' three consecutive championships. The 36-year-old Shaq's revival was a testament to the Suns' medical team's skills and the prospect of a second spring in his career.
As the Cavaliers prepared for the next season, James expressed his gratitude for the team's efforts and the addition of O'Neal. In a villa in Cleveland, an optimistic James declared, "Howard, get ready to meet the emperor's wrath!" His resolve was clear: he was ready to face the challenges ahead and fight for the title with renewed vigor.
The Orlando Magic were determined to make another strong push for the championship after falling short in the Finals against the Lakers last season. To bolster their chances, they made key signings in the free market, bringing in Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, and Jason Williams. These additions were aimed at strengthening their bench lineup, providing more depth and versatility to the team. With these reinforcements, the Magic were eyeing a comeback in the upcoming season.
In the Eastern Conference, besides the Magic and the Cavaliers, who were both considered favorites for the championship, another team that demanded attention was the Boston Celtics. The return of Kevin Garnett from injury reunited the formidable Big Three in Boston. Although it was uncertain how much the injury had affected Garnett, his reputation as a fierce and iron-willed competitor remained intact. Known as one of the toughest power forwards in the league, Garnett's presence alone was a significant boost for the Celtics, making them a formidable contender.
Rajon Rondo, the Celtics' young point guard, had matured significantly through recent playoff experiences, adding another layer of strength to the team. Moreover, Boston made a strategic move by signing Rasheed Wallace in the free market. Wallace, who had initially planned to retire, was persuaded by the Celtics' management to give it one last shot at winning another championship. Although Wallace was known for his fierce independence and disdain for the idea of "ring-chasing," the allure of adding another title to his legacy was too tempting to pass up.
With Wallace's addition, the Celtics' bench was further reinforced, making them one of the only teams that could realistically challenge the Lakers. The stage was set for another epic showdown between the historic rivals—the yellow and purple of the Lakers versus the green and white of the Celtics. The "yellow-green" battle was poised to capture the attention of basketball fans everywhere, evoking memories of classic Finals matchups from decades past.
In the Western Conference, the landscape was equally competitive, with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and the up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder all vying for supremacy. The Western Conference was packed with talent, and the battle for playoff spots was expected to be fiercely contested, making the season an exciting spectacle for fans.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks, aware of the formidable competition in both conferences, tempered their expectations for the upcoming season. With the addition of Lian Dao and the signing of Paul Millsap, the Knicks' management set more modest goals. Instead of chasing the championship amidst such fierce competition, the focus would be on developing team chemistry and building a solid foundation for the future.
The Knicks' strategy was pragmatic, recognizing that in a free market where top talent was being snapped up by title-contending teams, it was better to focus on growth and long-term success. Veterans and capable players were flocking to teams like the Lakers and Celtics, eager to grab one last shot at the Larry O'Brien Trophy before retiring. For a team like the Knicks, it was about laying the groundwork, running the lineup, and preparing for future seasons when they might be ready to challenge the NBA's elite.
After returning to New York, Lian Dao threw himself into a rigorous training regimen. With the Knicks' team training camp scheduled to start in mid-September, most of the players were still enjoying their vacations. This left Lian Dao with less than a month to continue improving his low-post skills, mid-range shooting, and overall strength and conditioning.
The task ahead was daunting, and the time was tight, but Lian Dao was determined to make the most of it. Training at the Madison Square Garden facilities, he quickly realized how much more advanced the NBA's resources were compared to those in the NCAA. The gym was fully equipped, with everything an athlete could need to take their game to the next level.
During this month, Lian Dao worked closely with Chris Brickley's renowned training team. Under their guidance, he could see tangible progress day by day, pushing himself harder with each session as the new season drew nearer.
As the first signs of the upcoming season approached, Paul Millsap was the first of the Knicks to report to the training arena. He was surprised to find Lian Dao already there, drenched in sweat from his intense workout. Millsap, who had heard of the Knicks' rookie No. 1 pick, was particularly struck by the sight. Lian Dao, who had recently signed a lucrative sneaker deal, was not out enjoying his newfound wealth but was instead grinding it out in the gym.
"Shouldn't you be on vacation right now?" Millsap's voice cut through the gym, interrupting Lian Dao's mid-range shooting drills.
Lian Dao turned to see Millsap for the first time. The veteran forward, not yet sporting his trademark beard, had a fierce presence, his muscles taut and ready for action.
Lian Dao knew a bit about Millsap's journey. Drafted 47th overall in the second round, Millsap had carved out a role for himself through sheer determination and hard work. Although not the tallest power forward at 6'7" (2.03 meters), Millsap's long wingspan, strength, excellent rebounding skills, and relentless work ethic made him a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Despite his physical gifts, Millsap had struggled for consistent playing time with the Utah Jazz, a team loaded with talent at the forward and center positions. Even though legendary coach Jerry Sloan saw potential in him, Millsap's second-round status meant that opportunities were scarce.
But Millsap's talent was undeniable, and the Knicks saw the chance to bring him on board as a valuable addition to their roster. Lian Dao respected Millsap's journey, knowing that in the years to come, Millsap would go on to become a four-time All-Star, a testament to his perseverance and skill.
Lian Dao remembered a historic moment from the future: On November 10, 2010, during a game against the Miami Heat's Big Three, Millsap had produced one of the most memorable performances of his career. With just 28 seconds left in the game and the Jazz trailing by 8 points, Millsap hit a three-pointer—only the third of his career at that time. He followed it up with two more, tying the game and pushing it into overtime, where the Jazz eventually triumphed.
That performance, known as the "Millsap moment," showed what Millsap was capable of when given the chance. But the Knicks, in a shrewd move, had snatched up Millsap before he could create those highlights for the Jazz. Reflecting on this, Lian Dao couldn't help but feel that the Knicks' management had made a smart decision in acquiring Millsap.
As Lian Dao and Millsap stood in the gym, ready to put in the work, they both knew that the season ahead would be challenging. But with their shared commitment to improvement and the drive to prove themselves, they were prepared to face whatever came their way.
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