The management of every team moved incredibly fast.
With decisive efficiency, one trade or contract extension after another was finalized.
Of course, compared with the deal made more than half a month ago, these were little more than minor moves.
Even now, people were still actively discussing the Knicks' madness, the Thunder's gains, and just how far Chen Xi could take New York next season.
Those discussions had been going on for a long time, and barring any surprises, they would continue until the new season began.
But, as you know, life was always full of surprises.
The date was July 31.
A giant had fallen.
One of the NBA's 75 greatest players, one of its 50 greatest, one of its Top Ten; a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee; one of the Boston Celtics' most enduring icons; an eleven-time champion; a five-time Regular season MVP; a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom—Bill Russell, the Lord of the Rings, had passed away today at the age of 88.
In an instant, a new media storm erupted, briefly eclipsing New York's headlines to become the biggest story in basketball.
He was a player, coach, and general manager of immense significance in League history.
When ranking the greatest superstars, people always placed him among the League's top ten, even its top five.
The Finals MVP trophy was named after him.
All of this was proof of the old man's unparalleled stature and esteem in the League.
So, as soon as the news broke, the entire League went into mourning.
A large number of teams' official media accounts posted tributes right away.
The two great rivals, the Celtics and the Lakers, each published lengthy tributes on their official social media accounts, one after the other.
Stars and big names across