On February 12, 2000, the New York Times published a group photo of Clay Lee, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, Oakley, Ewing, and Starks, all dressed in black formal wear:
"Champions—the Knicks!"
Although Stackhouse is currently with the Golden State Warriors and tanking, the New York Media still considers this veteran, who served the Knicks for many years, one of their own.
At the All-Star Weekend in Oakland, it was "Good Brother" Stackhouse's home turf.
Although his salary had been surpassed by Clay Lee, he couldn't lose face.
The photo was taken at The Endup, an old-school nightclub in San Francisco, where Stackhouse spent lavishly to treat Clay Lee and the others after they had finished their All-Star photo shoot.
New York fans loved such reports, as everyone enjoys a good story.
The MSG documentary allowed fans to learn about the team's internal affairs, and it was predictable that the 1998 championship would be a topic of conversation among fans for a long time.
Most of the media had been flocking to Oakland these past few days, so Lee and the others moved to San Francisco, where there were fewer disturbances, allowing them to have a great time.
As the All-Star Game approached, team trades also piqued the interest of many sports commentators.
After indulging in a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, Rodman was finally waived.
It was thought that he would completely bid farewell to the NBA, but in early February, the Dallas Mavericks signed Rodman again.
The Denver Nuggets sent Chauncey Billups and two others to the Orlando Magic, and the "bust second overall pick" was traded again.
The Knicks gave up another interior atmosphere player.
As Ewing's form recovered, Jeff Van Gundy had completely accepted the current strength of the team.
During the photo shoot, Shaquille O'Neal, who was ranked 5th in fan votes, finally received some respect.
In the Western Conference, Shaquille O'Neal naturally stood in the center, and Phil Jackson also had to stand in the middle.
Although he didn't receive many votes, the Shark was still the top star in the West.
In the Eastern Conference, Clay Lee and Larry Bird naturally stood in the middle.
Compared to the Western Conference, this side was significantly shorter, but in terms of popularity, the East was certainly higher.
At this time, there was no talk of mutual integrity.
The petty Shaquille O'Neal was still planning to explode at the All-Star Game, as he hadn't forgotten the Player of the Month award he lost this year.
Saturday's Rookie Challenge and skills competitions on the 12th were broadcast by TNT, while Sunday's All-Star Game on the 13th was broadcast by NBC.
The reformed Rookie Challenge became a competition between first-year and second-year players.
Golden State Warriors legend Al Attles served as the Head Coach for the first-year team, while another Golden State Warriors legend, the NBA's first quadruple-double player—Nate Thurmond—served as the assistant coach.
Celtics legend Bill Russell became the Head Coach for the second-year team, with another legendary coach, K.C. Jones, serving as the assistant coach.
With four legends present, even if most players weren't interested in the Rookie Challenge, they still had to sit in the front row.
To show respect, Clay Lee, dressed in a light gray formal suit, arrived early at the Oakland Arena.
After exchanging pleasantries with the four legendary figures, he returned to the front row to sit down and prepare to be part of the atmosphere for the evening.
There were quite a few fans who bought tickets to watch the game tonight, as the Rookie Challenge featured second-year player Jason Williams.
This second-year Rookie from the Sacramento Kings was very popular.
Although he was far from a top point guard, his flashy style of play was deeply loved by fans.
In addition, with the host Antawn Jamison also present, many Golden State Warriors fans came to show support for their home team.
Most of the spectators who bought tickets on-site were there to watch Vince Carter's dunks.
This season, Vince Carter's popularity exploded, and he often delivered spectacular dunks during the regular season.
Shaquille O'Neal, wearing a beanie and casual attire, was currently holding a small camcorder and taking selfies.
When he moved over to Clay Lee, Allan Houston, and Ray Allen, he aimed the camera at himself and the three behind him, then pouted and loudly said:
"Look at these three guys, you'd think they're going to the Oscars!
"I don't want to see Lee win the Three-Point Contest again. Whoever can beat him, I'll treat him to a night out at the best nightclub in Oakland tonight!"
Clay Lee watched Shaquille O'Neal complain incessantly as if no one else was around, and couldn't help but lean over and jokingly say to the camera:
"That's a promise that's destined not to be fulfilled! No one can beat me!"
Shaquille O'Neal turned his head, first fist-bumped Clay Lee, then twisted his mouth at the camera and said:
"This guy stole my MVP! But this year I'll get my revenge!"
Without giving Clay Lee a chance to retort, Shaquille O'Neal hugged the camera, turned around, and ran off, going to film Kevin Garnett, who was currently bragging.
Compared to the All-Star Games of previous years, this year was completely the era of new-generation players.
Shaquille O'Neal scurried around the court with his camera, seemingly wanting to document his first All-Star appearance as the top star in the Western Conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks had already played against the Lakers.
Ray Allen looked at Shaquille O'Neal's figure and whispered:
"Adding the restricted area rule has given Shaquille O'Neal too much of an advantage."
His friend's point wasn't entirely accurate, but after the restricted area was added, Shaquille O'Neal was indeed unstoppable.
If he got too deep a post-up in the paint, a violent dunk awaited the defender.
Allan Houston didn't care about these things.
Ever since winning the championship, he had become particularly confident:
"His stamina will limit him. I don't believe he can play 48 minutes of high-intensity confrontation."
Lee didn't participate in their discussion.
These past two days, sports media had given the Western Conference All-Star frontcourt a big title:
"The Strongest Frontcourt Combination in History!"
A frontcourt composed of three big men over 7 feet tall was indeed terrifying.
Most importantly, Kevin Garnett and Duncan were also very agile and could run with them.
Although Shaquille O'Neal was a big man, his athleticism was also excellent.
The title given by the commentators indeed made some sense.
The Rookie players in the Rookie Challenge would all come over to greet Clay Lee before the game started.
In this year's All-Star Game, Clay Lee was the only participating player who had won a championship.
After being a junior for the past few years, he was now enjoying the treatment of a big shot.
Ray Allen and Allan Houston didn't mind being background figures, but other All-Star players wouldn't actively gravitate towards Clay Lee.
After all, sitting there would make them seem like followers, and having finally been selected for the All-Star Game, everyone wanted to be a protagonist.
At the TNT broadcast booth, Ernie Johnson had just educated the viewers at home about the glorious careers of the coaching staffs for both teams in the Rookie Challenge.
Noticing that all the Rookies were greeting Clay Lee, Ernie Johnson also sighed:
"At 22, Lee is too young. Many people believe he has a chance to surpass Michael Jordan's achievements, and I support that view!"
Kenny Smith, who had been following the Knicks' situation, smiled and added:
"Lee certainly has the age advantage, but the most important thing for the Knicks right now is to find the next Ewing."
"David Falk has revealed some news that Ewing plans to officially retire once his contract ends."
"Considering the current situation with the Knicks' frontcourt, perhaps next season will be the last dance for these veterans."
Ernie Johnson, however, was optimistic and immediately started teasing the Chicago Bulls:
"If the Chicago Bulls' record doesn't improve much in the next two years, then the Knicks will have a chance to get a top-five first-round pick."
"This is a great opportunity for them!"
Kenny Smith shook his head.
He had naturally been following the potential Rookies for the past two years:
"Even with a high pick, I don't think there will be another Ewing."
Sprewell seemed to have become a mole for the Knicks, leading the Chicago Bulls to a decisive dive for the top pick.
This made the Chicago Bulls' draft pick in the Knicks' hands become more delicate.
The 2000 draft might not offer an opportunity, but the Knicks could get a high first-round pick in 2001.
The timing was just right; by then, Ewing would retire, and if the Knicks drafted another big man, they could almost immediately complete their rebuild.
After gossiping about the Knicks for a bit, the two quickly immersed themselves in commentating on the Rookie Challenge.
The game was exciting; at least it wasn't hard to watch.
Steve Francis and Jason Williams both loved to show off, while Dirk Nowitzki methodically completed his offense.
After an overtime game, the Rookies won 92-83, with Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls earning the Rookie Challenge MVP.
With the atmosphere in the arena ignited, Clay Lee changed into his training uniform before the Three-Point Contest and sat on the bench, waiting to enter.
This year's Three-Point Contest still featured some familiar faces:
Jeff Hornacek of the Utah Jazz, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Mike Bibby of the Grizzlies;
Veteran Terry Porter of the San Antonio Spurs, Allen Iverson of the 76ers, Bob Sura of the Cavaliers, and Clay Lee of the Knicks.
The arena DJ introduced the participating players one by one.
Clay Lee, whose name was called last, didn't take off his training uniform and smiled, waving towards the audience.
Allen Iverson pouted on the side.
He didn't really want to participate in the Three-Point Contest, but the league needed a gimmick, and fans were happy to see popular players in individual challenge events.
Sports media all knew about Clay Lee's pre-game remarks, and Kenny Smith excitedly said:
"Lee set the Three-Point Contest record last year, so to challenge him, you need at least 20 points!"
No sooner had he spoken than Jeff Hornacek, who was up first, had an average touch, only finding his rhythm in the latter half to score 17 points.
The veteran shook his head repeatedly as he walked towards the bench, seemingly very disappointed with his performance.
However, Jeff Hornacek overestimated his opponents.
Besides Dirk Nowitzki scoring 18 points and Ray Allen scoring 16 points, everyone else scored 15 points.
When Allen Iverson came out, there was a burst of cheers, and then the fans witnessed the birth of 10 points.
Allen Iverson, with his face dark, didn't bother to show off when he returned to the bench.
Fortunately, Bob Sura then scored 9 points, which somewhat salvaged Allen Iverson's poor performance.
As the camera focused on Lee slowly walking towards the left baseline, fans could see the clear smile on his face.
Wearing his training uniform, Clay Lee actively sped up his shooting rhythm, and amidst the cheers of the fans, he effortlessly shot in 22 points.
Ernie Johnson was speechless, exchanged glances with his partner, and could only sigh:
"It seems no one is Lee's opponent!"
In the finals, Lee almost burst out laughing.
Jeff Hornacek scored 13 points, and Dirk Nowitzki, who was second to go, seemed a bit nervous, scoring 11 points.
"Boo!"
With such a poor performance, the fans in the arena also joined in with boos.
The championship was practically given away!
Lee, who was last to go, just shot casually, and by the time he reached the top of the arc, there was basically no suspense.
As the last money ball from the right corner swished through the net, Lee smiled and shook his head, not even looking at the few people on the bench who were there to hype up the Three-Point Contest, and slowly walked to the center of the court.
Seeing Lee raise the golden spherical trophy, Allan Houston applauded and cheered from the front row.
Seemingly finding this victory too easy, Kenny Smith clapped along and could only say with a smile:
"It seems Lee was right; everyone else was indeed competing for second place."
Afterward, the highly anticipated Slam Dunk Contest did not disappoint the fans. Vince Carter's first dunk—a 360-degree windmill—immediately brought the arena to a climax:
"Wow!"
"10 points!"
Clay Lee on the sidelines also shouted loudly, indicating that such a dunk must be a perfect score!
Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Larry Hughes, Stackhouse, and Ricky Davis all had beautiful dunks, but ultimately they all became background figures.
By the third dunk, after Carter completed a between-the-legs, reverse windmill dunk with an assist from Tracy McGrady, he pointed two fingers to the sky and shouted.
"It's over!"
Everyone cheered loudly with him.
Holding up the Slam Dunk Contest trophy, Vince Carter became famous across America that night, even viewers who didn't watch the NBA would marvel at such a dunk.
Lee was still organizing fan gifts and the recorded Slam Dunk Contest footage back at the hotel when his phone rang.
He thought it was a call from his Good Brother Starks inviting him to go out and have fun, but General Manager Grunfeld's voice came through the phone:
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Lee, we'd like to hear your opinion soon!"
"The Golden State Warriors want to send John back to the team, and they are willing to give up this year's first-round draft pick."
"This is a three-team trade, and the 76ers hope to get Kukoc."
Lee was stunned when he heard this, and then thinking of his Good Brother's hospitality these past few days, he immediately knew that Starks wanted to return to New York.
Starks had suffered injuries this season, his performance was inconsistent, and his physical condition had further declined.
The Golden State Warriors' first-round pick would most likely be a top-10 pick, and it was clear that some within the Knicks were already considering an early rebuild.
"We will win the championship; draft picks are useless to the Knicks."
Without much hesitation, Lee gave his answer.
After a brief exchange on the phone, General Manager Grunfeld hung up.
Grunfeld called to consult as soon as he received the news, showing respect for Lee.
If the New York Media had leaked this trade early, old fans would most likely welcome Starks home with open arms.
Coincidentally, Starks's phone rang again at that moment.
Lee thought of his Good Brother's hospitality and could only sigh to himself:
"The Knicks won't become a retirement home team. All I need is a championship."
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