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12th man to Cricket legend. It's a cricket book for cricket lovers only.
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On Thursday, June 14, 2007, Steve Kerr, who had just become the General Manager of the Phoenix Suns, returned to the TNT studio after being active for over half a month.
As a strong helper by Michael Jordan's side, a "favored student" of Gregg Popovich, and a tactical master at the commentary desk, Steve Kerr received widespread attention after taking on this position.
Reputation was very important, and the Suns chose Kerr not only because he was good at making promises but, more importantly, because fans knew this championship guard.
His excellent performance at the commentary desk showed that Kerr not only knew how to play but was also a tactical master.
Coupled with the "failed experience" from the San Antonio Spurs, many fans hoped Kerr could change the Phoenix Suns.
Even if they didn't win a championship, at least making it to the Finals once would be great!
After Steve Kerr arrived, trade rumors involving Shawn Marion grew increasingly frequent.
During the Finals, a four-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, the Celtics, and the Timberwolves brought Kerr much attention.
This new General Manager seemed to bring a new approach to team building.
At 8 PM that day, after the four individuals appeared in the studio, they once again reviewed the San Antonio Spurs' disappointing performance in this year's Finals.
Without a game, the show's duration had to be shortened to 3 hours.
After playing highlights, everyone went straight to the main topic, with the three hosts congratulating their former colleague.
The General Manager is also the soul of a team.
Kenny Smith was somewhat envious of Kerr's experience.
He had sought a Head Coach position more than once but unfortunately hadn't succeeded.
Furthermore, with the increasing influence of superstar players in the league, the old days when the Head Coach controlled the team are long gone.
Not only Head Coach, but even team owners have to compromise when facing superstars.
Look at James Dolan, who almost became a "wine promoter" after the Finals.
Clay Lee is no longer a player.
The two are more like business partners, and a win-win situation is their common understanding.
"Steve, congratulations again! What insights did this year's Finals bring you? We are all very curious if you will trade for Kevin Garnett."
A smiling Kenny Smith quickly asked about the gossip that fans were interested in.
While ESPN was still speculating, they simply found the person who could make decisions.
The four-team trade was first proposed by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although Jerry Buss left Kobe hanging for a full month, Kupchak could not remain inactive.
The owner can be whimsical, but if the Los Angeles Lakers' ticket-selling tool really leaves, the General Manager will most likely be fired.
Related trade rumors began sweeping the league in early June, and with the San Antonio Spurs' poor performance, the gossip attracted even more attention.
Steve Kerr was also somewhat proud.
Although the Phoenix Suns were not yet at a championship-contending level, they were definitely a strong playoff team in the league.
Having secured his ideal position, he naturally wanted to boast:
"I cannot promise the fans now, but we are putting in all our efforts to acquire Kevin Garnett!"
"After watching the Finals, I am even more convinced that ordinary big men are not enough to take a team further."
"A generational defender like Kevin Garnett, who can guard from the point guard to the center position, is the team's goal. Modern basketball has changed, and in the future, more young players will play like Clay Lee."
The Phoenix Suns' bargaining chips were actually very limited, but Steve Kerr, speaking these words, showed a determined look.
A four-team trade was inherently difficult to pull off, and Charles Barkley, standing by, didn't expose him.
While agreeing, he didn't forget to continue disparaging the San Antonio Spurs:
"Many people used to think Tim Duncan was better than Kevin Garnett, but now it seems the Timberwolves' chaotic team-building approach has affected the player's achievements."
"If the Phoenix Suns complete the trade, will you change your current tactics to counter the New York Knicks?"
Alvin Gentry's tactics were based on complete imitation.
Steve Nash, as a core player who also entered the 180 Club, was a 'poor man's Lee' for the Phoenix Suns.
Steve Kerr would not be overly involved in tactical matters, but he also had his own ideas, and he took this opportunity to respond simply:
"Coach Alvin Gentry and I discussed this, and we finally reached a consensus: to pursue a championship, the team's Defense level must be improved."
"This is also why we are actively pursuing Kevin Garnett. With Steve Nash, he can score more easily, allowing him to perform better on the Defense end."
"No one in the league can keep up with Clay Lee's pace on offense. Perhaps you might think of Kobe Bryant, but in my opinion, the two have never been close."
The director timely played Lee's Finals highlights: frequent small-on-big matchups, continuous drive-and-kick plays, and unreasonable long-range three-pointers.
Steve Kerr continued to theorize while the footage played, praising the offense effusively:
"The combination of on-ball and off-ball play, the ability to shoot from anywhere on the half-court, coupled with excellent shot selection and passing visionâthis is what created the Lee we see."
"To defeat this team, Defense is the most important thing. No one can beat Clay Lee with a shooting percentage over 60%, but limiting his shooting percentage to 50% might lead to a completely different outcome."
In the footage, Clay Lee held two trophies, and with his Finals statistics for four games, many staff members in the studio spontaneously agreed with Steve Kerr's view:
He averaged 36.8 minutes per game, scoring 36.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers.
His field goal percentage was 63.1%, three-point percentage was 51.5%, and free throw percentage was 96.9%.
Considering these were achieved on 19.8 field goal attempts per game, everyone knew this was far from Lee's limit.
His apparent coasting in Game 4 was clear.
For the past two years, the Phoenix Suns, like the Cavaliers, had their General Manager duties handled entirely by the Head Coach.
Now, both teams have reclaimed those powers.
Ernie Johnson knew his former colleague would certainly not be sidelined.
Hearing his viewpoint of "building with Defense," he asked curiously again:
"Jeff Van Gundy's Head Coach also believes in winning with Defense. Their performance in the Eastern Conference Finals was no less than the San Antonio Spurs'. What was the biggest reason for the consecutive losses of the two best defensive teams?"
"The Cavaliers lacked experience. They failed to realize their players' talent."
After a brief comment, Steve Kerr paused, his emotions somewhat complex, but when talking about the San Antonio Spurs, he finally spoke truthfully:
"As for the San Antonio Spurs' loss, the main reason was that Tim Duncan failed to display his dominance. I know him. He could have done better."
"Poor three-point shooting was also a major reason. In four games, their three-point percentage did not exceed 30%. For this, I can only praise the New York Knicks' Defense."
"..."
Kobe Bryant, watching the program at home in Los Angeles, helplessly realized that the four commentators had stripped Tim Duncan of his MVP.
TNT, like the Los Angeles Times, was a "Lee worshipper."
It wasn't until his agent, Rob Pelinka, called with more bad news that Kobe, enraged, threw his phone into the sofa.
His attention to Steve Kerr was mainly due to the trade.
After determining that the Phoenix Suns would not give up Amare Stoudemire, the four-way trade essentially fell through.
When Kobe received the text message from Kevin Garnett, he didn't reply.
He didn't like teaming up with an MVP, but he didn't mind partnering with a Phoenix Suns player.
Kupchak also gave Kobe's team another option: bring the Pacers into the trade, targeting Jermaine ONeal.
Kobe remained on the sofa, motionless, staring intently at the TV, constantly thinking about how to change his predicament, until the program ended at 11 PM.
Year after year, receiving attention in the regular season only to fish early in the playoffs, this cycle bored Kobe, and Jerry Buss's attitude towards him made him even more displeased.
"Isn't it great if we just stay in Los Angeles? Rob Pelinka said you could still get a max contract and play here."
Vanessa quietly sat beside her husband.
Since the "trade" was announced, Kobe's mood had visibly worsened over the past month.
She had quietly consulted Rob Pelinka, who promised that this incident would definitely not affect Kobe's big contract.
Hearing this, Vanessa felt she should just lie flat.
"I need respect! I don't want to talk about this now. We're going to Chicago in a few days."
Without much explanation, Kobe was still seething with anger.
He couldn't understand why he always encountered such rotten things, while the New York Knicks grew stronger with each game.
Kobe, who almost suffered from insomnia, immediately tore the newspaper in half when he saw a column article in the Los Angeles Times first thing the next morning:
"Shit!"
Seemingly confirming Jerry Buss's attitude, the fair-weather fans in Los Angeles became emboldened again.
The article didn't mention Kobe, but its sarcastic criticisms were clearly aimed at him through veiled references:
"Even if Tim Duncan loses the Finals again, his loyalty is still commendable!"
On Saturday, June 16th, Lee arrived at Lenox Hill Hospital early in the morning.
Ivanka, who was still recovering, was doing well and could go home in another week.
The little one was very popular.
Donald would appear punctually every afternoon.
Although it sounded a bit awkward, having two little ones at home indeed made him feel better.
Ivanka, sitting up in bed, enjoyed Lee's feeding, a happy expression on her slightly plump face.
Then she quietly asked:
"Is there a problem with the White House Chief of Staff's invitation? Father has been complaining a bit lately."
David Addington changed his usual demeanor.
After Lee won the championship, he sent his blessings in front of the Washington media and also invited Lee to "give back to his hometown alma mater."
After the news broke, many reporters realized that both of them were graduates of Sandia High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Donald apparently received the news that several media outlets, including the New York Times, intended to sue David Addington, targeting the soon-to-be-outdated Dick Cheney behind him.
Lee naturally also received the news.
Not only print media, but a documentary about "Cheney's Law" had already been filmed.
The content involved David Addington's influence on government policy, as well as how the Republican Party used power for personal gain, touching upon the "Enron incident," and ultimately pointing the finger at the current White House.
If all the accusations were to be proven, it would undoubtedly affect Axe Capital, and Eliot Spitzer, who had just become governor, would most likely intervene again.
The new Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, might use this opportunity to become the next "Wall Street Sheriff," making Axe Capital his first achievement after taking office.
However, all of this depended on whether the Governor could hold on until 2008. Dick Cheney and David Addington hadn't left the White House yet, and they hadn't fallen, so this was just their preliminary move.
Lee rubbed Ivanka's slightly plump little hand, leaned down, and kissed it.
Seeing the big girl's concerned eyes, he comforted her with a relaxed expression:
"It's just a normal invitation. There's nothing wrong with donating to the high school. I'm also planning to donate a sum of money to the University of Connecticut. I should be graduating soon!"
Seeing Lee wink and tease her, Ivanka chuckled and leaned in to kiss him.
She then cast her worries aside and began to talk about her own little concern:
"Should I breastfeed?"
The big girl, now a mother, looked down at her swollen, pale breasts, which were two sizes larger, clearly causing her some distress.
Hearing the whispered words, Lee unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and began to lean in amidst her soft laughter.
Ivanka, her face flushed, had to whisper a reminder:
"Gently, my dear!"
On Monday, June 18th, as the NBA Draft approached, Manhattan became even livelier, signifying the imminent championship parade for the team.
Many Rookie players had already received invitations in advance.
As per custom, a press conference would be held for the lottery picks before the draft.
This year, the most anticipated players were naturally Greg Oden, the super center from Ohio State University, and Kevin Durant, the super scorer from the University of Texas.
Compared to Greg Oden, Kevin Durant received more attention because Clay Lee recommended this Rookie to participate in this year's United States Mens National Basketball Team tryouts.
After exaggerated publicity by sports media, Kevin Durant, who had only played one year of college basketball, suddenly received the "Clay Lee Recognition Award," which made many reporters curious about the Rookie's actual strength.
The Seattle SuperSonics' new general manager, Sam Presti, also quietly arrived in New York.
The team had the second overall pick and had already locked in Kevin Durant, but the Rookie didn't seem to like the Seattle SuperSonics much.
Before the press conference, Presti had to communicate with Kevin Durant again.
The two had a pleasant conversation on the phone, but they had disagreements when discussing the team's future.
"Trust me, Kevin, Ray can help you adjust to the league. You two will become the strongest scoring duo."
Presti had no intention of trading Ray Allen.
After all, his attitude towards playing was impeccable.
His personality was a bit eccentric, but he was definitely a good person and perfectly fit the team's plans.
"Sorry, Mr. Presti, I might have a different opinion on that."
"When I participated in Lee's training camp last year, I knew my shortcomings. I need more ball touches. I might not be able to fully realize my talent during my Rookie season."
"I respect Ray Allen very much, but I insist that a team should only have one core. I prefer working with younger players."
Kevin Durant, still in his hotel, unceremoniously stated his demands.
Seeing that Presti didn't object, a smug expression appeared on his face.
After the call, Kevin Durant felt a pang of sadness looking at the news in the New York Times.
Armand de brignac was selling well, and his goddess was getting further and further away from him:
"I will succeed!"
....
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