NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 143 You Hit You, I Hit Mine

On June 1999, 6, G16 of the Finals officially started. Before kick-off at 1:21, New York fans at the Madison Square Garden Arena were playing with orange handkerchiefs on their seats.

The fans who arrived early chatted non-stop, making the atmosphere even more noisy.

Spike Lee also started cheering with a large orange handkerchief wrapped around his head. Before the game even started, many young fans were already cheering for themselves.

As NBC is the broadcaster, most of the shots before the game start are interviews with players from both teams. After playing these, they will also show the style of New York.

Most of the shots are aerial shots of iconic New York buildings such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Twin Stars, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The night scene that followed also showed the style of Manhattan. Finally, the camera turned and the aerial shot came to Madison Square Garden again.

Although it is a shortened season, NBC's packaging this year is slightly more thoughtful than last year.

After all, Michael Jordan retires. At this time, the league needs to maintain its influence and increase the ratings of the finals, which is a win-win move.

It is a pity that when interviewing Tim Duncan before the game, the second-year rookie behaved very modestly and did not say anything to fight back when faced with the Knicks' disdain.

Before the game started, in the arena, NBC commentators Bob Costas, Doug Collins, and Isiah Thomas sat on the bench on the sidelines and talked to the camera:

"Mario Elie won two championships with the Rockets, and Steve Kerr even had a brilliant performance in the Finals."

"I believe the two will help the team in the locker room and the veteran will play a role at this time."

As soon as Doug Collins finished speaking, Isiah Thomas showed a confused expression of "are you serious":
"As I predicted before the game, if the Spurs choose to defend alone, then we can see Lee's offensive performance."

"In this year's playoffs, Lee has experienced different defenses, but he can always respond. Experience sometimes doesn't play much role."

Bob Costas sat in the middle of the two people, heard different opinions, and introduced the Spurs' starting lineup with a smile:
"Avery Johnson and Mario Elie team up in the backcourt, Sean Elliott and Tim Duncan are on the front line, and David Robinson is at center."

"I'm also a little worried about the Spurs' perimeter defense. Lee performed perfectly in this year's playoffs."

While the three were discussing the game, Li You had already moved behind the three commentators, pretending to be close and listening.

Several people were discussing the game intently. Li You nodded towards the camera and gave a thumbs up with a look of approval.

The photographer didn't hold back, and Bob Costas noticed Li You behind him.

Everyone smiled and said hello, briefly bumping fists in greeting. Seeing Li You leaving and slapping the ball around in the field, Doug Collins couldn't help but sigh again when he faced the camera again:
"Lee is much stronger than last season!"

Affected by the shortened season, this is the first time for everyone on the Spurs to come to New York this season.

The first time the two teams met this year was in the Finals. This situation also made the Spurs coaching staff feel unsure.

Watch the video, Li You killed all the defenders in the Eastern Conference.
Unlike Iverson's one-man attack, Li You can also organize the offense while scoring, making the Knicks' tactics more orderly.

After introducing the visiting team players, the director did not forget to focus the camera on the young coach who led the Spurs to the finals.

The young Popovich had a crew cut and was wearing a light gray formal suit. He stood on the sidelines with a serious expression.

When the home team players came on the stage, the lights in the arena dimmed and a Knicks animation played.

As the taxi passed through the city, passing a lot of iconic buildings, the Knicks team logo appeared on the big screen in the center of the venue.

Although in Li You's opinion, this animation was completely plagiarized from the Bulls, the New York fans at the scene took it seriously and the noise became louder and louder.

“Let’s welcome number one from the University of Connecticut—Clay-Lee!”

Li You, who was the last to appear, gave a simple high-five to his teammates. New York fans in Madison Square Garden waved orange handkerchiefs and cheered loudly.

Ewing was still wearing a black suit, sitting on the bench, also holding an orange handkerchief and waving it constantly.

With the blessing of props, the atmosphere was more lively than last year. Tim Duncan, who had completed the final warm-up, touched the basketball and stood expressionlessly in his own half.

David Robinson couldn't help but smile when he saw Ben Wallace jumping the ball in front of him. The height difference was bigger than he thought.
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The jump ball failed, and seeing Li You leading the defense to Avery Johnson for the first time, defensive cheers immediately sounded on the scene.

Jeff Van Gundy wore a crisp dark gray formal suit tonight. He was sitting on the bench drinking a drink and posing in front of the camera.
Avery Johnson didn't wait for half time before turning his back to protect the ball, appearing very cautious. Li You kept covering the opponent with his body and slid quickly.

In the first offensive round, the Spurs played simply and roughly. Duncan first set a screen for Mario Elie.

Then Duncan immediately made a cross screen from right to left with David Robinson under the basket.

Mario Elie bounced out to the left wing, Avery Johnson dribbled to the right wing, and Elliott sank to the left corner.

When David Robinson came to the low post on the right and started to post up for the ball, everyone on the Spurs had already spread out.

In the first attack, it was natural to be weak, but Ben Wallace was behind him and wanted to go around to defend from time to time, which made David Robinson feel a little uncomfortable.

The two got physically entangled, and Li You continued to fight Avery Johnson physically. For a while, the Spurs failed to get the ball to David Robinson in time.

It wasn't until Ben Wallace squeezed David Robinson to the right side close to the blocking area that Avery Johnson found the opportunity to complete a high throw pass.

Some were far away from the basket. David Robinson was not satisfied after receiving the ball. After a simple triple threat, he immediately released the ball with his left hand and played with his back, trying to get close to the basket.

After feeling the physical confrontation from Ben Wallace, David Robinson simply went to the line.

He twisted around and carried the defense and rushed into the paint. David Robinson used his height advantage to quickly complete the throw!
"state!"

The basketball knocked out of the frame and Duncan began to squeeze towards the basket, but Oakley got in early and protected the backboard immediately.Li You quickly responded in the backcourt, and everyone in the Spurs team began to respond to each other and retreat quickly.

With Avery Johnson leading the defense, Li You was not advancing quickly, but the Knicks had already passed the half court and opened up the offensive space.

Larry Johnson stopped on the left wing, and Alan Houston quickly ran to the right corner.

Ben Wallace was the last to arrive and was already standing near the baseline on the left side, waiting to eat the pie.
Oakley kept his eyes on Li You who was advancing behind him. After crossing the half court, he stopped at the top of the arc outside the three-point line.

The moment Li You circled the ball behind his back and switched to his left hand, Oakley quickly stood up and completed the screen. Avery Johnson failed to squeeze through in time.

When Duncan saw this situation, he quickly moved to defend himself.

Li You swayed to the left and then suddenly changed direction quickly and drastically, making Duncan slightly stunned.

Re-adjusting his body's center of gravity, Duncan tried to help defend again. Li You, who grabbed the ball with his right hand, quickly broke into the paint area, suddenly stopped, drifted slightly to the right, and made a quick mid-range jump shot!
"Shua!" The two-pointer went into the net hollowly.

Duncan, who was sliding to defend, failed to block the shot. After the defense was out of position, he watched the shot go.
Huge cheers erupted from the scene, and the New York fans in attendance began to wave their handkerchiefs wildly.

A high pick-and-roll outside the three-point line leaves room for acceleration. At this time, the big man who switches defense is tested. In the first round, Duncan, like the big men in the Eastern Conference, failed to keep up with Li You's rhythm.
Popovich hurriedly made tactical gestures on the sidelines. Avery Johnson had just received the ball in the backcourt and was defended by Li You.

The advance was not fast, and when Avery Johnson moved sideways to protect the ball and came to the left wing, the Spurs just changed the direction and played the same tactic again.

Continuing to pinch the soft persimmon, David Robinson wants to go deeper this time.

However, Avery Johnson's lob pass was delayed by half a beat due to Li You's interference, causing David Robinson to be squeezed out of the paint area after receiving the ball.

Fortunately, after releasing the ball with his right hand this time, David Robinson successfully squeezed into the paint area directly in front of the basket, shouldered Ben Wallace's defense, and succeeded in the throw!
"Shh!"

The boos couldn't affect Popovich's good mood. The game strategy formulated before the game was correct. The Knicks' insiders were indeed weak.

David Robinson, who retreated from defense, also grinned and was in a very good mood.

The Knicks quickly sent a baseline kick. Li You accelerated across the half court along the left sideline, came to the left wing, and suddenly decelerated and stopped after crossing the three-point line.

Li You, who was holding the ball in his left hand, suddenly blasted the ball vigorously on the spot. Avery Johnson quickly adjusted his defensive focus. Seeing Li You retreat quickly, he immediately jumped to defend.

With room to shoot, Li You ignored the block in front of him and quickly shot a jump shot from outside the three-point line!
"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

"Wow!"

Avery Johnson was face-to-face defensively and was shot in the face, which immediately ignited the atmosphere at the scene.

Seeing Li You shaking his head and retreating quickly, everyone on the Spurs realized that Li You was completely different from the guards of the Western Conference team.

If it were another Eastern Conference team, they would usually be ruthless during delays and rely on hidden pulling movements to slow down Li You.

Jeff Van Gundy on the bench smiled and clapped his hands, looking very calm.

The game quickly turned into two rhythms. The Spurs' offense usually started with a screen in the paint, and then David Robinson started to post up for the ball.

If the blocking is unsuccessful, Avery Johnson will quickly move the ball up the line, switch to the other side, and Mario Elie will give the ball to Duncan who wants the ball from behind.

This kind of offensive method is basically the routine used by the Knicks during the Ewing era, relying on big men to attract defenses, and then scoring and scoring.

After just a few rounds, although Duncan caught a soft persimmon and scored under the basket, the ball went in and could not come out.
As for the Knicks, after falling into a positional attack, they immediately set up their routine and set up a simple screen. Alan Houston also followed up and scored easily.

This time the Spurs attacked, Duncan suddenly turned towards the baseline after receiving the ball in the left block.

Before he even got close to the paint area, he was blocked by Ben Wallace who came up to help defend him.

When the two were surrounded, there was no time to separate the ball. Oakley took advantage of Duncan to stop the ball and directly pulled the ball out of the opponent's arms.
Under the tug, Duncan was tripped to the floor. Popovich on the sidelines jumped to his feet and complained loudly:
"Hey! They tripped my player!"

But the referee didn't blow the whistle at all, and the Knicks counterattacked again.

David Robinson retreated quickly, and Avery Johnson continued to fight physically, accelerating along the right sideline, and came to the right wing. Li You directly sent a ground pass without stopping the ball.

He wanted to reach out and steal the ball, but David Robinson found that the basketball just passed in front of him, and he almost jumped into the street to steal the ball.
Given the lead time, Larry Johnson received the ball and faced Elliott who was retreating on defense. He pushed his opponent away in the air and made a hard layup!
At this time, as soon as Duncan got up from the floor and returned to the center line, he saw that the Knicks had retreated.

At 8:11, although the score difference was not big, the Knicks quickly completed the transition attack and Popovich requested a timeout immediately.

No one paid attention to the Spurs' twin towers, and the New York fans at the scene continued to wave handkerchiefs and shout happily.

At this time, Avery Johnson fully realized the feelings of the Eastern Conference defenders, and the defense was useless.
In the NBC commentary box, the three of them naturally saw that the Knicks were playing more smoothly, and the Spurs' defensive strength seemed not enough after the opening game.

Isiah Thomas pretended to be X with a smile. The game was exactly as he predicted:
"Like I said, once there is not much pressure, Lee shows aggression and attracts the defense, which will gradually activate his teammates."

"Allan Houston's opening two jumpers were too easy. The Spurs' perimeters are waiting for the pass, but they will not get those open opportunities easily again."

Doug Collins has watched too much of the Eastern Conference playoffs. When he saw the Spurs' opening defensive strategy, he shook his head:

"Lee, Houston, and Johnson took all the scoring for the Knicks, which is not a good sign."

"The Knicks have found a rhythm they like!"

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(End of this chapter)