I'm really strong in basketball

Chapter 114 2004-2005 season opener (stockings and high heels bet)
There are too many players on the free market this summer.

Big players like Okur who can shoot 3-pointers are Coach Nelson's favorite.

It's a pity that the Knicks don't have any salary space, so don't even think about it.

And not just this year, next summer, or even the summer after that, the Knicks don't have enough space to strengthen the team.

This is the mess Thomas left for West.

Thinking of this, Old Nelson almost vomited blood, and couldn't help scolding Isiah Thomas: I have seen stupid general managers, but never such a stupid one.

A few days later, West hosted the third guest of the Knicks Big Store, the 76ers.

Traded Tim Thomas for the 76ers' "big dog" Glenn Robinson, plus a future first-round pick.

This is an absolutely loss-making transaction. Big Dog is no longer the All-Star player he was back then. He has reached the end of his career and has no fighting ability at all.

But the good thing is that there is only one year left on the big dog's contract.Next summer, the Knicks can reduce their burden by more than $1000 million.

West then took the initiative and contacted the Grizzlies management.

After he was driven out of the Lakers management by Buss, the next team he served was the Grizzlies.

There is some affection between the two parties.

With this little bit of affection, West negotiated a deal.

Get the Grizzlies for Shandon Anderson and Mookie Norris, plus a first-round pick from the 76ers, a second-round pick from the Magic, and a second-round pick from the Knicks themselves... The starting point guard is "White Chocolate" Jason Williams.

This 5-for-1 deal made the Knicks bloody.

But there is no way. Before the double point guards Deron Williams and Chris Paul entered the league in 05, there were really few good point guards now.

White Chocolate averaged 10.9 points, 2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game this season. Because of his flashy style of play, he has not been highly evaluated among players and coaches.

But at this point, White Chocolate is already considered an above-average level among point guards.

At this point, West still got in touch with him and negotiated the deal.

If it were another general manager trading with the Grizzlies, the Grizzlies might not necessarily agree.

At this point, the Knicks’ lineup for next season has basically taken shape:
Centers: Anderson Varejao (22), Tyson Chandler (22), Zaza Pachulia (20)

Power forwards: Karl Malone (41), Kurt Thomas (32)

Small forwards: Liu He (20), Trevor Ariza (19), Grant Hill (32), Glenn Robinson (31)

Shooting guards: Anfernee Hardaway (33), Jamal Crawford (24)

Point guards: Gary Payton (36), Jason Williams (29)

From the perspective of a time traveler, this lineup is really good.

But if you don’t have your eyes open, you may feel desperate when you see this lineup.

Glassman Hill.

Hardaway and the Big Dog have almost no fighting ability.

Unreliable white chocolate.

The old Malone and Payton.Ma Long is still recovering from his injuries.

The top three young centers and Ariza.

Crawford without defense.

Liu He's only reliable assistant turned out to be the "low-end version of Duncan", a blue-collar player named Kurt Thomas.

"With a lineup like this, it's absolutely impossible to make it to the playoffs!"

"West's recent two transactions are typical examples of failure. The Knicks have suffered a huge loss."

"Liu He, I'm waiting for you to announce your retirement next summer!"

Isiah Thomas, who has been holding back all summer, finally fired.

In this regard, Liu He, who had just played in the Athens Olympics and won a bronze medal with Yao Ming for the Chinese men's basketball team, said he didn't care.

After returning to the United States, Liu He once again invited a team of trainers through his agent Tai Lun to practice ball control and breakthroughs.

For better training, Liu He also invited White Chocolate and Crawford, the Knicks' best ball-handlers, over.

Crawford was a training freak, so he naturally agreed happily.

What Liu He didn't expect was that White Chocolate, who had taken drugs, fought, and showed off when he was young, would agree without saying a word.

As expected, as he remembered, White Chocolate gradually became more reliable as he grew older and became a qualified champion puzzle piece.

Thinking of this, Liu He has greater ambitions for the new season.

Of course, White Chocolate and Crawford were also conquered by Liu He's strength.

In a one-on-one bullfight, the two found that they were no match for Liu He, and the gap was huge.

Time flies. At the end of September, the Knicks began training.

In early October, the Knicks took their final makeup photos for the new season.

In the promotional poster, Liu He is standing in the C position.On the left is White Chocolate and Crawford, on the right is Thomas and Hill.

This poster immediately triggered complaints from Isiah Thomas: "I really don't mean to target Grant maliciously, but the fact that he only played less than 4 games in the previous four seasons appears in this poster only shows that this team The Knicks really have no one to use!"

"How can a Knicks team like this make the playoffs?"

Coincidentally, in ESPN's latest team rankings for the new season, the Knicks are ranked No. 12 in the Eastern Conference.

No. 12 in the East!
This is completely treating the Knicks as a weakling!
Of course, anyone who has not opened their eyes will probably agree with this ranking.

After all, at first glance, the Knicks look like a concentration camp for the weak and disabled.

Subsequently, in the preseason that began in mid-October, the Knicks had 10 wins and 0 losses, verifying this ranking.

Of course, Liu He and Hill did not play.

Nelson felt that Liu He played in the Olympics in the summer and needed more rest.

As for Hill, it was the advice of the Knicks team doctor: If you want that guy to play for a few more years, don't let him average more than 30 minutes per game, and don't participate in unnecessary games.

……

On November 11, the NBA 2-2004 season officially started.

On the first day of the opening game, the Lakers raised a new championship banner at the Staples Center Arena.

Liu He, Ma Long, and Payton watched the live broadcast and were very emotional.

That flag also has their sweat in it.

It's just that if they showed up at Staples Center right now, Los Angeles fans probably wouldn't cheer for them anymore.

11 month 3 day.

The Knicks ushered in their first game of the new season.

Their opponent is...the Minnesota Timberwolves.

What can Liu He say?

Enemy Lu Zai!

Last season, there was too much love and hatred between Liu He and Garnett.

Liu He stole Garnett's All-Star start.

Garnett stole Liu He's MVP award.

Liu He completed the game in front of Garnett.

Garnett complained in front of the media about Liu He's petty actions and trash talk.

Liu He beat Garnett to 58 specials.

……

But now, the three-headed Timberwolves monster is still around.

Liu He ran away to New York, alone.

Now is the best time for Garnett to take revenge.

In the pre-game interview, Garnett looked at the camera fiercely and yelled: "I'm coming, are you ready?"

Garnett didn't name anyone, but everyone knew who he was referring to.

Soon, reporters surrounded Liu He.

"Facing Garnett's challenge, what do you want to say?"

Liu He said calmly: "Well, the Knicks have undergone a lot of changes in the summer, and the players have almost been re-adjusted. It can be said that the Knicks are currently a brand-new team, and it will take a long time. Time to adjust..."

The reporters slowly came to their senses. Is Liu He timid?Before the game even started, I started looking for excuses for failure!

The New York media at the scene were disappointed.

What about that New York boss who made arrogant remarks at the airport?
What about the super rookie who was fearless during the Lakers era?
At the critical moment, Liu He actually gave up.

Only Lucy, the beautiful reporter from FOX, looked at Liu He with expectation and obsession.

Sure enough, Liu He said: "So, the league arranged for the Timberwolves to be our opponent in the first game. It is still very friendly, thanks to David Stern. Our Knicks need a weak team like the Timberwolves to adapt to the game .”

A weak team like the Timberwolves?
The reporter was dumbfounded.

Last season, the Timberwolves were second in the Western Conference and reached the Western Conference Finals.

This summer, the Timberwolves have not made any major changes, retaining the original team, and Szczerbiak and Olowokandi are both healthy.

And after a season of running-in, the Timberwolves players will only have a better understanding.

The Timberwolves will only be stronger, how can they be a weak team?
Liu He couldn't be frightened, right?

Liu He ignored the reporters' questions and continued: "Last season, the Timberwolves, led by Sprewell and Cassell, did achieve good results. But this year, these two veterans are one year older. , who else can the Timberwolves rely on?"

Led by Sprewell and Cassell...

As we all know, the Timberwolves are Garnett's team.

Liu He did not mention Garnett.

Damn it, the reporters suddenly realized.

Liu He was mocking Garnett for his inability to lead a team. Last season's performance was all due to Sprewell and Cassell, and had nothing to do with Garnett.

Who else can the Timberwolves rely on?
Liu He is mocking Garnett for being unreliable!

In an instant, the New York media became excited again. They liked such an arrogant new boss.

Do you dare to diss me?
I'll just shoot you. No matter who you were last season's MVP, I'm not afraid.

This character is too appealing to New Yorkers.

Of course, whether he is the new king of New York or the new king of big talk in New York depends on his performance on the court.

Soon, Liu He's words reached Garnett's ears.

Garnett was furious: sharp-tongued!

Without the restraints of Kobe and O'Neal, how dare you be so arrogant?
Very good, then I will take off your underwear and let everyone know what you are!

7 p.m., basketball mecca, Madison Square Garden Arena!
As game time approaches, the stadium is already packed.

This is New York, even if it can't produce results, there is still no shortage of fans.

Of course, if you don't play well, the fans in the audience will not cheer for you, but will boo you to death, regardless of whether you are their own star.

The fans here are some of the toughest in the world.

Today's game is also broadcast live across the United States.

The TNT trio is in charge, Cole, Barkley, and Smith.

On top of that, they brought in Isiah Thomas.

It can only be said that TNT knows how to capture traffic.

As we all know, Thomas has a grudge against the Knicks' owner, general manager, and core team members.

He couldn't pass up a good opportunity to lampoon the Knicks.

Sure enough, before the game even started, Thomas fired.

"Charles, did you bring any cards?"

asked Thomas.

"no!"

Buckley replied with a confused look on his face.We are commentators, not here to play cards.

Thomas immediately said with a painful look on his face: "Then how should we spend the long garbage time in this game?"

Barkley suddenly realized that Thomas was firing.

"So you think the Knicks will soon be beaten to collapse?" Barkley asked cooperatively.

"Of course!"

Thomas said firmly: "The Timberwolves were second in the Western Conference last season. What about the Knicks? They are No. 12 in the Eastern Conference! What suspense is there in a game like this? Besides, I think the ranking of No. 12 in the Eastern Conference is already a waste. Well, ESPN still shows some favor to the Knicks, after all, this is the number one city in the world!"

"But I don't think so! The Knicks may be weak, but they have hope of making the playoffs. No! They will definitely make the playoffs."

Cole suddenly retorted.

As we all know, Cole is the number one "Liu Chui".

Thomas smiled disdainfully: "Steve, look at the Knicks' lineup. Where did you get the confidence to say that? Who gave you the courage?"

Cole said firmly: "Because Liu He said that he will lead the Knicks to the playoffs!"

Thomas: "..."

Barkley, Smith: "..."

The three of them were waiting for Cole's follow-up words, but Cole said nothing.

The three of them understood at once.

Because Liu He said so, Cole believed it without any other reason.

Damn it, no!

Cole, do you regard Liu He as a god?Do you believe anything he says?

This is no longer an objective explanation, but a crazy superstition.

Facing Cole like this, Thomas didn't even know how to refute. He could only say angrily: "No wonder you are just a role player and have never seen the world."

Cole was not angry at all: "I have never seen the world. I have only been teammates with God. I have also beaten God and helped God with a decisive blow."

Isiah: "..."

Cole has moved out of "Braised Eggs", how should Isiah deal with it?

"Then just watch the game, the facts will prove everything!"

But at this moment, Buckley, who was not too concerned about watching the excitement, suggested: "Since you two have different opinions, why not bet on something!"

Cole nodded immediately: "Just bet!"

The three of them looked at Thomas together.

Thomas also wants to save face. In front of a national audience, how can he give in in front of a role player like Cole?
"Of course I'm fine!"

"What's the bet?"

Smith asked Barkley.

When it comes to bad ideas, Barkley never disappoints.

Sure enough, Barkley said: "Whoever loses will go to Madison Square Garden in stockings and high heels."

Playing so big?
Thomas was a little scared.

But before he could speak, Cole immediately agreed.

Damn it, Cole, are you crazy?

This kind of bet can be accepted.

There was no other way, so Thomas had no choice but to agree, otherwise it would mean that he had a guilty conscience, and he would be worse than Cole, a little Karami.

Thus, the bet of stockings and high heels was officially concluded.

The number of fans watching TNT's national live broadcast has increased dramatically.

You don’t have to watch the game, but you can’t miss this kind of bet.

It can only be said that Barkley knows how to capture the hearts of fans.

Can't TNT executives give Barkley more bonuses?Then issue certificates to outstanding employees.

……

On CCTV's side, the Shuangping combination connected Yang Yi and Su Qun.

These two reporters based in Los Angeles also moved to New York with Liu He.

Su Qun said on camera: "Currently, most of our colleagues in the United States are not optimistic about Liu He's performance this season, so we Chinese fans should not have too many expectations. Because Liu He is only 20 years old after all. He is very young and his career has just begun. . Just like tonight’s game, the Timberwolves are, after all, a strong team in the Western Conference and are much stronger than the Knicks, so don’t care too much about the outcome.”

(End of this chapter)