There's one week left until the new season opener.
Without any prior warning, the NBA headquarters released two major announcements through official channels, announcements that were enough to shake the entire basketball world.
The first item concerns the change of ownership of the Boston Celtics. The league's Board of Governors officially approved Lin Qi's application to acquire 100% ownership of the Boston Celtics. In the statement, David Stern, in an extremely rare move, devoted a very long section to praising Lin Qi's exceptional vision in building a three-peat dynasty over the past two years, as well as his "immeasurable and enormous contribution" to the NBA's global business landscape.
Secondly, regarding the official launch of the " World Championship ": The NBA and EBA officially signed a strategic agreement. Starting with the 2001-2002 season, the NBA champion of the year will compete against the EBA's EuroLeague champion in a cross-continental series called " The Pinnacle Showdown " (best-of-three) at the end of June to determine the true and undisputed " World Champion " of the year. The inaugural event will be held in the United States and will be entirely based on NBA rules.
These two pieces of news caused an instant uproar in the basketball world.
Late October, Boston, training facility.
With the new season about to begin, the league's traditional "Media Day" has arrived as scheduled. As the defending champions with three consecutive championships and aiming for a fourth, coupled with Lin Qi's recent acquisition, the training facility's media room was packed with cameras and microphones from hundreds of media outlets across the United States.
However, the media's hostility towards this aggressive, physically strong team did not diminish despite their three championship rings. On the contrary, the hype surrounding the " World Championship " made the reporters' questions even more pointed.
Under the spotlight, head coach Rick Carlisle sat behind a long table with key players including Kevin Garnett, Ron Artest, and Ben Wallace.
The first person to stand up and ask a question was a reporter from the New York Daily News. He adjusted his glasses and posed a rather provocative question.
"Coach Rick Carlisle, Mr. Lin Qi has just officially become the team owner, congratulations. But the league has also announced plans for the ' World Championship.' Many fans and experts believe that Boston's defense has been too dirty in the past few years. When you played exhibition games in Europe, you even had a serious physical altercation with local players. Do you think that having a team with such 'street gang' characteristics represent the NBA in the World Series would damage the image of United States basketball?"
Rick Carlisle frowned slightly, leaning forward instinctively, preparing to respond in his usual calm manner. He began speaking into the microphone, "First of all, we're engaging in high-intensity physical combat, which is completely different from 'dirty'..."
"Alright."
A long arm reached out and pulled the microphone away from Rick Carlisle.
Kevin Garnett didn't remove his dark sunglasses. He leaned back casually in his chair, chin slightly raised, his voice low but carrying a sense of pressure.
I've had enough of this bullshit.
He stared at the New York reporter, pausing for a second.
"You bunch of guys who sit in offices all day typing on keyboards, you like to call us 'villains' and label us as a 'gang.' Fine, call us whatever you want. But you outsiders who've never even been on a football field, don't pretend you know more about how to win than us."
Garnett sat up slightly, his voice becoming lower.
"The glorious traditions hanging from the ceiling of the Garden are a legacy from the past. Our job is simple: beat our opponents and hang our new banner. To win, someone has to pay the price. Aggressive defense and physical play are how we win championships and build dynasties. If you prefer to watch those soft games where everyone complains at the slightest touch and hugs each other afterward, go watch FIBA. It doesn't work here."
He tapped the table with his knuckles, making a dull sound, and continued.
"As for 'representing United States '... stop flattering us. We only represent Boston, and the brothers in this locker room. You want us to give up our World Championship ticket? It's simple. Let those guys in the Western Conference, or your lousy New York team, come out on the court and beat us in a real battle. If you don't have the ability, shut up and stop talking about whether we deserve it or not. Who deserves to stand on that stage in June will earn it by winning game after game, not by talking big."
After saying that, he casually pushed the microphone back to Rick Carlisle, leaned back in his chair, and ignored the reporter with the ugly expression.
Ron Artest, on the other side of the long table, remained silent. His face was stern as he stared at the cameras below, nodding forcefully. His fierce, ready-to-fight stance was written all over his face.
Rick Carlisle glanced at the group of troublemakers beside him but didn't say anything to stop them. He simply straightened his suit, adjusted the microphone, and delivered his summary in a calm voice.
"I think Kevin has made our stance very clear. Boston won't change its playing style to please others. The goals for the new season are clear, and as for the other controversies, let the final score answer that. Next question."
The entire room fell silent for a moment.
The provocative New York reporter blushed, swallowed the rest of his words, and sat down sullenly.
For the next twenty minutes, the atmosphere in the media room was tense. The reporters exchanged uneasy glances; no one dared to provoke them further by asking those taunting, sarcastic questions. The questions were perfunctorily centered on the health and rotation plans for the new season. Everyone was acutely aware of one thing at that moment...
This dynasty team, which has just changed hands and holds three consecutive championships, doesn't care at all about the criticism from the outside world.
Half an hour later, this highly charged media day came to an early end.
Rick Carlisle stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. Garnett pushed back his chair, offering no further pleasantries, and headed straight for the players' tunnel, followed closely by Artest and Wallace.
The heavy double doors of the training hall slammed shut behind them, completely shutting out all the flashes and noise.
The opening match will kick off next week.