NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 118 The Joy of Harvest (Daily Chapter)

On June 1998, 6, New York fans were still immersed in the joy of winning the championship.

It's been 10 days since the Finals, but the news of the Knicks is still the headline on the front page of the sports section of New York's paper media.

The third championship in team history. After the start of next season, New York fans will witness the raising of the third championship banner at Madison Square Garden.

Although there are rumors that the NBA will officially enter the shutdown state at the end of the month, fans in New York don't care about these.

Everyone knows that the Knicks make money. The lockout has nothing to do with the big ball market. Their lineup structure is perfect. Li You is still on a child labor contract, and the window to win the championship is still there!
Charles Sr. promised New York fans that the team would retain its championship roster and that the Knicks would not care about spending money.

On the 18th, at the Madison Square Garden Arena, James Dolan, the future team leader, passionately drew a big cake for New York fans:

"Our lineup structure is perfect, Pat is the best center in the league, and Lee is the best point guard in the league!"

"We will continue to attack the championship, the era of the Knicks has come!"

Different from the low-key promises of the old Charles, this one wants to let the world know that he is a rich man.
As the voice channel of the Knicks, MSG covers fans near New York State. The Dolan family made promises in the championship parade and their own programs, which completely reassured the fans.

Oakley's plan succeeded, the old guy entered the second team of the best defense this season, coupled with the blessing of the championship, the team will offer him a big contract!

Even if the general manager Grunfeld doesn't like this choice, but the big boss has made a promise, and the Knicks don't care about spending money, then he will naturally not be a villain.

Losing the finals again, Utah Shuangsha also created an embarrassing record. The two became the players with the most appearances in the playoffs but without a championship
Although Karl Malone played well in the finals overall, as long as ESPN is still broadcasting his two free throws and Li You's fatal block, Jazz fans can only follow the fire.

"The youngest FMVP in the NBA Finals!"

"The number one point guard in the league!"

"The rise of a superstar, the future Mr. Billion!"

"."

After winning the Most Valuable Player Award in the finals, Li You has become the object of consumption by major sports media these days.

The NBA is a big show. Li You showed his performance. After the curtain ended, the critics would naturally start their own performances.

On the second day after the finals, ESPN announced the playoff rankings for the 2-97 season. This was also one of the sources of joy for New York fans. Li You played an incredible performance.

In the 97-98 season, the Knicks played a total of 17 playoff games, and Li You started all of them.

场均出场36.2分钟，场均拿到24.9分3.8篮板9.2助攻1.6抢断2.0失误；

Averaged 17.5 shots per game, shooting 48.4% from the field, 7.4 shots from beyond the three-point line, and 49.4% from three-pointers;

He averaged 5.4 free throws per game and made 87.7% of his free throws.

In 17 playoff games, Li You scored a total of 424 points, ranking third in this year's playoff scoring list, and ranking sixth in points per game.

The top two are Michael Jordan with 530 points and Karl Malone with 501 points.

Although Maikou was eliminated this year, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the total scoring list of the playoffs and became No.1 in the NBA playoffs history scoring list.

In the playoff assist list, Li You ranked first with 157 assists, and ranked second in assists per game;
On the hit list in the playoffs, Li You averaged 8.4 goals per game, ranking 7th, with a total of 142 goals, ranking 4th;
On the three-point list in the playoffs, Li You hit 61 three-pointers and took the lead with a break;
Reggie Miller, who ranked second, hit 2 three-pointers;

With an average of 3.5 three-pointers per game, Li You also ranks first, and his 49.4% three-point shooting rate ranks fourth.

At the same time, Li You's 61 three-pointers in the playoffs also broke the record of 94 three-pointers by Denis Scott of the Magic in the 95-56 season.

Become the player with the most three-pointers in a single season in NBA playoff history!

In the playoffs, Li You made a total of 91 free throws, ranking third in the league, averaging 3 free throws per game, ranking 4.6th in the league, and ranking eighth in free throw percentage.

On the true shooting percentage list, Li You ranked 63.3th with a true shooting percentage of 7%;
In the high-end data PER efficiency value list, Li You ranked second with a value of 27.9, just surpassing Michael Jordan's 2;

The first place is Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers, with a PER of 1. The Sharks killed all quarters in the playoffs, but it is a pity that they fished in advance
Whether it is from the performance on the field or from Excel, Li You truly deserves this year's FMVP. He received all the votes, which truly reflects this situation.

However, as professional football critics, everyone is also aware of the flaws reflected in Li You's data.

TNT will have NBA Inside Stuff every Saturday at 11 am. This is a program jointly produced by NBC and TNT that introduces NBA insiders and tidbits.

After it was broadcast in 90, it became very popular, because the content of the program was not as professional as the previous TNT programs, but more about providing fans with NBA players' life, training and game anecdotes.

Of course, the most interesting part of this program is that after showing regular game clips of top stars, there will be some interactive sessions.

Audiences can ask the host questions or express their opinions by phone.

The effects of the last two episodes of the show have exploded, and the interactive session at noon today started with "Fake! Lee!" "Fake New York!" "Fake Ewing!" "Fake Jordan!"
Last week's show, the phone was blown up by fans in Salt Lake City and Chicago, and the fans in New York counterattacked. At the end of the question, it would end in curses.

At this time, it was not popular for vase hosts. Although Amanda Bell was a beautiful blond girl, she was a famous reporter for NBC.

"Wow! That's crazy, maybe we should have Lee on the show, I'm having a hard time answering some questions!"

Dressed in a blue suit, Amanda Bell showed a tangled expression in front of the camera.
The black partner beside him, Ahmed Rashad, didn't care about this, instead he said with a smile:
"It seems that Lee has been very popular recently. We have all heard the opinions of professional football commentators. Amanda, you often interview Lee. Do you think he will maintain this performance next season?"

"Of course, I don't know why everyone is talking about his finishing around the rim. In my opinion, getting the ball in the basket is fine."

"Also, Li is stronger than most fans think, and he has a good figure!"

"We've filmed a Knicks practice before, and I'm telling the truth."

Amanda Bell answered the question seriously, but Ahmed Sharad suddenly gossiped:
"It is said that you have had dinner together many times?"

"Hey! That's a private topic!"

"."

Li You also watched this episode in his apartment in Manhattan, and he didn't care about the problem of finishing at the basket that the critics repeatedly criticized him these days.

At this time, he is still immersed in the joy of harvest
During the playoffs, his two-point shooting percentage dropped to 46.9 percent in the Finals, from 43.7 percent.

Since entering the playoffs, the two-point shooting rate has gradually declined, and most of the finishes at the basket are dominated by touches
The body is too weak, the confrontation is insufficient, and it is difficult to hang the meat. It is Li You's flaw, but after winning the championship, this problem has been improved:

[Karl Malone's extraordinary physique]

Although Li You doesn't know whether this talent can make his muscles bigger a few times, but in terms of endurance, it should be guaranteed.

In this regard, Li You also set a small goal for himself:
"Strive to become the historical scoring champion in your career!"

On the TV, Amanda Bell was still introducing Li You's little gossip, while the agent Mark Bartelstein in the apartment kept walking back and forth.

Ray Allen on the side looked at Li You still lying on Ge You, and then at the frowning agent, and said helplessly:

"It won't be suspended for too long. Didn't the trade union go on strike before? Everyone will compromise in the end!"

Mark Bartelstein is not so optimistic. He doesn't like the suspension at this time. Without player transactions, it will affect his income:

"It's different, this time the alliance and the management will not compromise easily!"

"In BRI (basketball-related income), players' wages accounted for 57%, far exceeding the 48% in the agreement. Players will not compromise on salary cuts, and so will management."

"Hell, if the season is suspended early, free agency will be gone!"

Without a free market, it will have a great impact on brokers.

And if the suspension is too early, the team will not be able to hold training and team meetings, which will also affect the physical condition of many players!
It is doomed to be unreliable to expect players to train in self-discipline.

During an offseason, if you don't maintain your physical condition and eat and drink, you can become fat.
Without the free market, the income is reduced, but Mark Bartelstein is still helping Li You and Ray Allen to obtain income from the commercial contract, which can be regarded as making up for some losses.

"Li, no matter what program you participate in, you must answer carefully when it comes to salary!"

"You know, no matter how the collective bargaining agreement changes, it won't be affected too much for talented young players."

"Don't rush to express your opinion, you are destined to get a big contract!"

Of course Li You knew his situation. Kevin Garnett couldn't find anyone at this time. This guy made a fortune silently when he got a big contract.

The Knicks will also offer him a [-] million yuan contract. After the labor agreement, once compromised, there will be restrictions on the player's salary.

At this time, the [-] million yuan contract is enviable!

Li You cannot represent ordinary players, because no matter how the rules change, it will not prevent him from making big money:

"Don't worry, I understand the situation, maybe the president will announce the result of the negotiation in two days."

Li You sat up and saw that Ray Allen didn't take the matter of the labor agreement to heart at all, and immediately reminded him meaningfully:
"Ray, after attending my graduation ceremony, maybe you need to re-plan the offseason training schedule!"

Ray Allen, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, always likes to make plans step by step, and then execute them meticulously.

But at this time, Ray Allen could not have imagined that the lockout would last for more than half a year:

"Don't worry, I have already made plans for the next three months. At most, some pre-season games will be canceled, and next season will be held as usual."

Mark Bartelstein stopped pacing at this time, and reminded the two of them again:
"After the alliance announces the results, we must remain cautious. Believe me, the management is serious this time!"

"."

On June 1998, 6, when the major sports media were still discussing Li You's data, the NBA announced that the negotiations between labor and management had terminated, and the lockout had officially begun!
If the negotiations fail to make progress, after the free market opens, the team is prohibited from conducting player transactions, training, and team meetings.

After this news was announced in the morning, it immediately caused quite a shock. Ewing has been busy with this matter since he participated in the championship parade.

Soon, the gorilla also made a strong statement, expressing the position of the players union:

"We do not accept salary cuts, nor do we accept salary restrictions. The players union welcomes fair and equitable negotiations and cooperation between both parties."

Seeing that the 98 draft is coming, this year's freshmen are all stunned when they encounter this situation.
The official shutdown has also had a slight impact on the Knicks. The new training base that was originally planned to be officially opened in the offseason has also been postponed.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Li You, dressed in a black suit, drove to Tarrytown.

The new training center is located in West Chester County, New York, about a 40-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan to the training center.

In terms of distance, this is the same as the previous SUNY-Purchase training hall.

After the move, there is no need to cooperate with the State University of New York, and the Knicks' training hall will be completely independent.

This also makes the Knicks the first team in the league to have a completely independent training facility.

As one of the earliest planned communities in the United States, most of Tarrytown's buildings are European-style villas. There are not many people in the town, and the commercial area is also very complete.

Compared with the previous training hall, the Knicks' new training center covers an area of ​​16 acres and has more modern facilities.

Featuring two full size basketball courts, a strength gym, a physical therapy recovery room, a media hospitality room and a team meeting room.

Since the gorilla is still busy fighting with the league, after the announcement of the lockout in the morning, there is a tendency to intensify, so Li You became the first Knicks player to visit the new training facility.

The players are on vacation, and the team's staff is still busy with the draft.

General manager Grunfeld and equipment manager Old Mike introduced the jerseys hanging in the basketball hall to Li You with a smile:
"Li, your No. 1 jersey will also be hung in the new training hall, and everyone agrees with it!"

The equipment manager, Old Mike, had just finished speaking, and the general manager Grunfeld on the side also said cheerfully:
"Like Pat, you haven't retired yet, so you can only express the team's heart in this way!"

In addition to the championship banner and the division championship banner around the arena, the rest are the retired jerseys of several famous Knicks.

Li You is very satisfied with this. He also likes the new training hall very much. Although the distance is a bit far, as long as he buys a house here, the problem can be solved:
"Thank you for your recognition. To be honest, I'm a little excited. I'm just a second-year rookie player."

Grunfeld smiled and patted Li You on the shoulder, and then said with some regret:
"It's a pity. We planned to hold team activities in the new training hall during the offseason, but after the league was suspended, some plans had to be cancelled."

"Li, do you have any suggestions for the team's lineup?"

Hearing Grunfeld's casual question, Li You didn't show much emotion, but replied with a relaxed expression:

"I don't want to be involved in the running of the team"

Just halfway through the conversation, Grunfeld interrupted with a smile, as if he was satisfied with Li You's attitude, and suggested with a smile:
"Just tell us the type of player you like to partner with, Li. As the core of the team, we will respect your opinion!"

Always feeling that the other party is digging a hole for him, Li You pondered for a while and finally replied casually:

"A player like Charles is good!"

Grunfield immediately smiled and nodded. Li You's answer did not reveal much intention, and was even He Xini's answer:

"Is there a shooting inside big man? Very good, we will select such a player in this year's draft!"

Li You was speechless. This general manager was very controlling. Not only did he not refer to Jeff Van Gundy's opinions, he also didn't care what the core players thought:

"If you want to be Manager Li, it's a long way to go."

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(End of this chapter)