On December 23, 1999, before the Christmas game, the Knicks had no games and could enjoy the holiday with peace of mind.
The loss to the Hornets the day before did not affect the good mood of New York fans, and everyone was looking forward to the 42nd Christmas game in the history of the Knicks.
As the team with the most Christmas games in the NBA, the Knicks' treatment is eye-catching.
Unlike the future broadcast conditions, in this era of relying on television broadcasts, the Christmas game is also a huge exposure.
Noke took the opportunity to release Lee's second-generation signature shoes.
Perhaps in order to reawaken fans' interest in "foam", the new sneakers have returned to the retro design.
It is very similar to the "Air Foamposite Pro" in 1997, but the shoes are "slimmed down", the shoelaces are cancelled, and the "inside and outside boots" integrated design is continued.
For Lee, this new shoe is no different from the previous generation.
Nike is addicted to selling color matching to make money.
When the configuration of the sneakers cannot be changed, it changes the color and style to continue to make money.
The huge poster outside Madison Square Garden has changed its style, and the poster of Clay Lee and the new sneakers that were prepared early have been hung up again.
Without new technology, knowing that it is just a skin change to make money, Nike held a small press conference, and most of the invited guests were recharged media.
After the designer Eric Avar came on stage to talk about the design concept, he didn't say anything more.
At the buffet dinner held at the hotel afterwards, Eric Avar was not in a good mood.
After greeting the media reporters, Lee, who was wearing a black suit, came to Eric Avar and joked:
"Design also has to give way to sales. Mark told me this news a long time ago. Making money is the most important thing."
As the chief designer of Hook, Eric Avar likes innovation very much, but in this year, most of the sneakers endorsed by stars have average sales.
The sales of signature shoes of Kidd and others were less than 10 million US dollars, and only Payton's new sneakers were selling well.
This situation shocked the Nike.
"I know the market problem, but in the face of competition, I still think innovation is the most important. Many of my designs have been rejected."
Eric Avar drank the champagne in his hand depressedly.
He was not interested in "spraying color".
In the finals, Lee's first generation of sneakers with a copper-colored metallic luster sold well, which made the Nike open up multiple colors design once.
After the market test, changing the color seems to work.
190 US dollars, the durability is average, and the retail sneakers are indeed a bit unworthy of the high price except for the increase of the air cushion configuration in the forefoot.
Looking at Eric Avar, who is completely bald, Lee can only pat him on the shoulder to comfort him.
He doesn't care about innovation.
As long as the sneakers sell well and can get extra incentives, changing the colour is also good.
In the future, Apple mobile phones will have unlimited nesting dolls, and Apple fans will still insist on buying them.
The same is true for sneakers.
Selling color matching is indeed safer.
On Christmas Eve, the streets of Manhattan were crowded with people.
At night, the brightly lit shops, restaurants, theaters and bars had staff in festive costumes greeting tourists.
Every year, Macy's holds events on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Perhaps to welcome the arrival of the new century, there are more tourists this year.
The threat of the "millennium bug" has become less and less influential, and the phenomenon of queuing to withdraw money is also decreasing.
Stocks are still soaring, and the madness of Internet companies is still continuing.
In the past, Lee would accompany the girls to Rockefeller Center to join in the fun on Christmas Eve, but this year there are too many people, so staying at home for the holiday has become a helpless choice.
The media in Los Angeles is also hyping up the Christmas battle.
On Christmas Eve, a very eye-catching news was made:
"Want to see Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan play together? Then pay attention to the Lakers!"
"."
As Kobe Bryant returned from injury and showed a good state, the Los Angeles media was in climax and directly put the hat of "Jordan's successor" on Kobe's head.
Previous Jordan successors have been silent, and the new successor Kobe has taken on this title again.
With the support of the Los Angeles media, he has received a lot of attention.
The New York media felt fed up when they saw this news.
He was going to heaven before he won the championship?
On Christmas Day, the editor of the New York Times also gave Clay Lee a title:
"Point God!"
The homophonic pun of point guard, the title of "Point God" was thrown on Lee's head.
This title is catchy, and New York fans bought newspapers and laughed after reading the news.
Before the Christmas game started that night, New York fans who like to have fun gathered outside the stadium regardless of the cold weather.
The young people faced the NBC camera and shouted at the top of their voices.
While shouting the new title, everyone did not forget to "fuck" the self-promoting Lakers.
Jim Gray wanted to interview some normal fans, but after searching for a long time, the young people who were interviewed were like they were high and always greeted "Chamberlain" and "Jordan".
The staff carrying the camera was freezing cold.
Several interviews failed.
They could only complain helplessly:
"New York fans are so enthusiastic."
Jim Gray looked at the time and finally had to follow the staff to rush into the stadium.
The materials had to be used.
He just reminded the staff:
"Remember to mute the sound. The league doesn't want to see such a scene!"
"."
In the new season, David Stern not only promoted newcomers, but also cracked down on the drugs and uncivilized incidents on the court.
The shouting and cursing in the stadium is sometimes not very friendly to fans who bring their children to watch the game.
It is easy to learn bad habits.
Many parents have reported this to the league.
The 42nd Christmas game in the history of the Knicks team has caused ticket prices to rise again, but there are enough tourists in Manhattan, so price has never been a problem.
The stadium has become extremely noisy before the 21:00 game started.
In order to welcome his old opponent Reggie Miller, Spike Lee deliberately wore a printed T-shirt.
The pattern on his chest happened to be a picture of Miller walking towards the player tunnel in frustration during last year's Eastern Conference Finals:
"You will never win a championship unless you join the Knicks!"
Spike Lee walked back and forth on the sidelines, showing the phrases on his chest and back, waiting for Reggie Miller to appear.
In the commentary booth of NBC, Bob Costas felt the lively atmosphere and gossiped with a smile:
"Knicks general manager Grunfeld has been making a lot of moves recently, but the players he invited didn't get contracts in the end. Obviously, these big men don't meet the requirements of the coaching staff."
Doug Collins knows more about the inside story.
He is also in the coaching circle and couldn't help but say with gloating:
"No one will trade with the Knicks. Their draft picks are unattractive, and the excessive salaries of some players have become an obstacle to trading."
"The championship dilemma cannot be solved by trading. No one likes to see New York succeed."
Bob Costas always feels that his partner seems to prefer to have fun.
At present, no one in the coaching circle wants to see the young Jeff Van Gundy at the top.
The two gossiped about the recent operations of the Knicks in the commentary booth and finally concluded:
"No one will let the Knicks strengthen calmly!"
The general managers of each team are not fools.
With the decline of the team's strength, the Knicks are still leading the Eastern Conference.
If they really want to make up for their shortcomings, then don't play.
Grunfeld refused to hand over the Bulls' draft pick, and the team itself is likely to be a group of atmosphere.
Coupled with high-paid and low-skilled players, no one in the market wants to solve the problems for the Knicks.
Even with the bonus of the schedule, the record of 22 wins and 5 losses is still eye-catching.
The Knicks want to strengthen, but everyone disagrees.
Before the game started, Larry Bird was still telling Jalen Rose in the visiting team's locker room:
"Pay attention to defense, communicate in time when encountering pick-and-rolls, I don't want to see you frustrated on the court again."
After saying this, Larry Bird looked around the locker room again.
Tonight's game is the first time the two sides have played against each other this season.
Larry Bird doesn't care about the gimmick of the Christmas game.
He just wants to win.
He hasn't forgotten the Eastern Conference Finals he lost.
16 wins and 9 losses, the Pacers' current record is not bad, behind the Heat, ranked third in the Eastern Conference.
Everyone in the locker room responded loudly to the head coach's request, and the two big men Rik Smits and Dale Davis lacked confidence.
The two felt cold in their hearts after watching the pre-game video class.
Lee's performance against big men this season impressed them.
Since the visiting players came on the court, Larry Bird sat on the bench with this face.
After the game started, Madison Square Garden was boiling.
Every time Reggie Miller touched the ball, he would be booed.
Ewing's presence was very strong after the opening, and the Pacers still started from the inside.
The first three rounds of attack were all missed.
This time, Reggie Miller quickly slipped from the right to the left baseline, and with the help of Rik Smits' screen, he bounced out to the left wing.
Mark Jackson, who was sticking his butt to protect the ball, carefully sent a cross pass under the defense of Lee.
After receiving the ball, Reggie Miller did not stop the ball.
At the moment when Alan Houston was defending closely, he immediately passed the ball to Rik Smits, who was in the low post on the left side and asked for the ball with his back to the basket.
The whole process was very smooth. Rik Smits, who received the ball, also attacked quickly.
He put the ball with his right hand, hit it, and immediately turned to the upper line when he approached the paint area.
Using the height advantage, he shot a one-handed shot with his right hand!
"Swish!" The two-point shot went into the net.
Compared with last season, the Pacers have significantly increased the speed of passing the ball from outside to inside.
Once they decide to play inside, the outside players will decisively pass the ball.
2:4, the Pacers finally scored.
Rik Smits quickly retreated and did not forget to applaud himself.
When serving the baseline ball, Alan Houston quietly waved to Lee.
He missed several shots at the beginning, indicating that his touch was average.
The Knicks scored from Ewing's layup and Larry Johnson's second tip-in.
The fixed tactics at the beginning did not work well.
"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"
Facing Mark Jackson's mismatched defense, Alan Houston failed to score.
Lee, who received the baseline ball, quickly made a tactical gesture.
Under the defense of Jalen Rose, Lee quickly dribbled across half court.
Ewing immediately moved from the left elbow and quickly came to the left wing.
While Lee initiated a pick-and-roll, Larry Johnson from the left corner quickly cut in.
When he saw no chance, he accelerated to the right corner.
At this time, Alan Houston had moved to the right wing, and Oakley was still standing at the right elbow.
The Knicks cleared one side and watched the two-on-two situation.
Rik Smits noticed that Ewing immediately followed the screen and could only retreat to defend.
Jalen Rose noticed this situation and quickly slid to give a physical confrontation to prevent Lee from completing the attack easily.
The left wing suddenly became a one-on-one situation.
Lee, who held the ball with his left hand, first took a step back following the confrontation given by the opponent.
While the opponent continued to defend, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity and leaned forward to accelerate.
Jalen Rose, who quickly slid, subconsciously rushed to Lee's left hand, but was suddenly shaken by the sudden stop and change of direction.
The moment he switched to his right hand, Lee pretended to break through again.
Jalen Rose, who had lost a position, tried to adjust his center of gravity and slid to the right and back instinctively.
Lee stopped suddenly, stepped back after the ball, and returned to the three-point line.
The defense in front of him was completely gone.
Seeing the embarrassed Jalen Rose standing there and watching Lee's jump shot, the fans cheered:
"Wow!"
The three-pointer went into the net, and the cheers in his ears made Jalen Rose look ugly.
The usual trick used by defenders is to disrupt the dribbling rhythm of the ball holder.
Physical confrontation is the most effective means, but it has no effect on Lee at the moment.
Larry Bird stood up and made gestures again.
Rik Smits was no longer the main attack point, and the Pacers' offense began to speed up.
Simple tactical coordination, Mark Jackson dribbled across half court and came to the top of the arc.
Dale Davis immediately screened Jalen Rose near the left baseline.
The latter used the screen to quickly bounce out to the left elbow area, got rid of Larry Johnson's defense, and immediately jumped after receiving the ball!
"Swish!" A steady mid-range shot.
Jeff Van Gundy was still hanging up on the bench.
Lee did not speed up the offensive rhythm after the opponent accelerated, but continued to play a "V"-shaped offense.
Ewing and Oakley were still standing in the elbow area, and Jalen Rose was still defending.
Lee passed the ball to Ewing after crossing half court.
First, he pretended to pass the ball to the front hand, and while the opponent moved back to defend, Lee suddenly moved sideways quickly, with the help of Oakley's cover in the right elbow area, and went straight to the basket.
Dale Davis realized that something was wrong and retreated to the basket at the first time, but Rik Smits did not react and watched Ewing passed the ball to the upper right of the basket.
The quality of the pass was average, which made Lee encounter Dale Davis's help defense after he scooped the ball in the air.
Unable to complete the attack in the first time, seeing Dale Davis jump up, Lee in the air immediately passed the ball to the paint area after receiving the ball.
In the second pass, Oakley, who was rushing for the rebound, was almost hit in the face by the ball.
After receiving the ball, he subconsciously completed the layup.
The smooth cooperation made the stadium cheer continuously, and Bob Costas in the commentary booth also exclaimed loudly:
"God! What a wonderful assist! The Pacers need to strengthen the continuity of defense!"
Lee, who completed the assist, smiled and nodded his head with his right index finger when he retreated.
Jalen Rose, who failed to complete the chase defense, was so angry that he smashed the ball.
....
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