NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 197 The "Lonely" Superstar (Daily Chapter)
On August 2000, 8, something that Knicks fans loved to hear happened again. The Pacers disbanded!
The Raptors signed Mark Jackson, and with Rick Smits announcing his retirement, the Pacers basically bid farewell to the championship.

Before the trade was over, the Pacers subsequently sent Dale Davis to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Joe Klein and Jermaine O'Neal.

This transaction did not attract any attention. Jermaine O'Neal averaged 3.9 points per game in the regular season last season and was a back fouler.

The veteran Joe Klein is just a fill-in and is about to say goodbye to the NBA. Neither of them is ready to fight.

Considering that Reggie Miller is 35 years old and the Pacers have given up on their main player Dale Davis, there is a high probability that he will have to grow up with the rookie in the new season.

The old rival fell, and the New York media was happy. After the freeze period, it seems that only the Knicks have effectively strengthened!

After half a month of pulling, the Knicks sent away this year's draft picks (from the Raptors' first-round pick in 2000) Quentin Richardson and Chris Dudley;
Acquired Luke Longley and a 2001 second-round draft pick from the Suns.

Longley performed steadily for the Suns last season, averaging 6.3 points per game and getting 20 minutes of playing time in each game, while Dudley completely fell out of the rotation.

This deal is an overdraft for the Knicks' future, but if they want to compete for the championship, outside players are not in the team's plan.

The height that New York fans long for has been reinforced. Although Luke Longley is a blue-collar center, he can also be useful at the basket.

再加上今年28顺位选中的来自康涅狄格大学2米11的杰克-沃斯库尔，去年二轮选中的托德-马克洛奇，尼克斯队已经拥有了4个超过2米10的大个子。

All reinforcements are aimed at the championship. After all, the Knicks' outside core is too young. Instead of wasting time, it is better to continue to work hard.

Also charging towards the championship was the Trail Blazers, who dismantled the inside group and traded Sean Kemp from the Cavaliers through a three-party deal.

The situation is similar to the Knicks. Without discussing the effect of Sean Kemp + Dale Davis, the Blazers' management also tried its best.

The Knicks are making frequent moves, and as a competitor, the Lakers can't stand it any longer.

On August 8, the Lakers traded Travis Knight, Glen Rice, and a 20 first-round pick to the SuperSonics;

Finally got Greg Foster, Horace Grant, Chuck Person.

AC Green is no longer able to play in the high-intensity Finals. He was abandoned by the Lakers, and Glenn Rice, who has been working hard, has not won the trust of Phil Jackson.

As a veteran player of the Bulls, Horace Grant fully understands the triangle offense, but it is what the Lakers need.

After this transaction occurred, ball commentators also gave high praise. While tapping the team's potential, they continue to polish the triangle offense. We can look forward to the new season!

The Knicks' personnel underwent huge changes, and the knock-on effect was that Ewing suddenly felt unusually "lonely."

The old man is gone, and most of his familiar teammates are gone as well. Grant Hill who joined is incompatible with the team culture, and most of the newbies who join the team are trying to suck up to Li You.

In the last season of his career, Ewing suddenly felt a little boring.

Li You has never expressed his attitude about retirement tour, but it goes without saying that the "ruthless" reality has already given the answer:

"No chance of touring!"

There are no veteran players in the team who want to be flat and in declining condition. The newbies have to fight for contracts even if they are not fighting for the championship. Everything has been planned. The position left for the gorilla in the new era of the Knicks is:
"Defensive core!"

Li You, who won three consecutive championships, no longer mixes with the players. There is no old guy in the team and he has stopped pretending. He is busy with sponsor activities every day. For more than two months, Ewing has not received any text messages or messages. Telephone.
As the core center for three consecutive championships, Ewing also accepted many interviews during the offseason, but after August, as his teammates left the team, the Gorilla disappeared.

On Thursday, August 8, Ewing appeared in the TNT studio wearing a smart black formal suit and a reserved smile.

Charles Barkley, who retired from the Rockets in April, has officially joined TNT and has become a regular guest.

Facing the camera, Ewing, who was sitting on the sofa in the studio, waved first, and then quickly smiled and said hello to Barkley opposite:

"Chuck, I'm glad to see you didn't choose to leave basketball!"

Charles Barkley was wearing a light gray suit and sat next to Kenny Smith. When he heard the greetings, he immediately extended his hand and fist bumped:
"TNT gave me a big contract and I have to make money to support my family!"

The four people burst into laughter, and soon Ernie Johnson, who was sitting next to Ewing's right hand, smiled and raised the topic:

"Pat, we noticed that the Knicks sent away many old players during the offseason. What do you think about this?"

Hearing this question, Ewing was not polite and insisted on his point of view:
"Grant is indeed excellent, but with the original lineup, we can still remain competitive. The most important thing is that there is no need to adjust in the new season."

"I respect general manager Glenn Field's choice. You know, winning the championship for three consecutive years has definitely affected our momentum."

"But as long as we reach the playoffs, everyone will bounce back!"

"The current situation requires readjustment for the new season. I will go all out to cooperate with the coaching staff, but there is a high probability that our record will fluctuate."

"The good news is that we don't have many opponents in the Eastern Conference. As long as we can successfully run in, I believe the team can still reach the finals."

Kenny Smith quickly heard some questions and continued to ask with a smile:
"We all know the Knicks have a tough culture, do you think Grant will be successful in New York?"

When Ewing heard this question, he immediately spoke:
"Grant is a good guy and everyone likes to watch him play. Times have changed and he will adapt to the Knicks."

"If winning the championship counts as success, I believe Grant will do it in the future."

Ernie Johnson could see that Ewing was emotional and changed the subject again:
"Chuck, why didn't you choose to join the Knicks? Then you could have won a championship!"

Charles Barkley became depressed when he heard this question. For the past month, Kenny Smith in the studio has always talked about the championship:
"Lee did invite me, you know, we played golf together in Chicago, a charity event hosted by McNuckle."

"But I refused at the time because I didn't like the Knicks. Yes, you heard me right, I hate them." "I also didn't like the media environment in New York, so I decisively refused. Of course, I thought Li was just To be polite, I can see that he is very confident in his own ability.”

"It's like playing blackjack. He beat all of us. At 21 years old, he is a real genius. Even if he doesn't play basketball, he will definitely become famous!"

The three people on the side started to boast again, and Ewing almost lost his temper. He could meet Li Youchui in a show.

Ewing felt lonely, and Li You had no one to practice with him this offseason.

Alan Houston and Ray Allen entered the national team training camp in early August, and most of the Knicks' new players also went on vacation mode during the offseason.

This year the Knicks training camp started very late and had to wait until the end of the Sydney Olympics.

Therefore, at the end of August, only trainer Tim Grover accompanied Li You to practice.

Without "brotherhood", Li You made no real friends after entering the alliance.

He became famous too early, and it is difficult for most players to have anything in common with him. Except for a few people in the team, most of them are colleagues.

After the simple restorative training, Li You returned to Hartford on the 28th, the first day of the fall semester of Connecticut College of Law, just in time to register.

On Friday, September 9th, Li You returned to Manhattan to prepare for the sponsor's second wave of marketing, and the Saturday night show was about to begin.

Taking advantage of the fans' relaxation for half a month, they bombarded it with advertisements again before the start of the new season to continue to keep the popularity going.

Tim Grover's training camp has become famous, and the high cost cannot stop some players from wanting to become stronger!

"White hot space" has become a hot topic in the offseason. Although it is metaphysical, many people still believe in this theory.

On Saturday morning, Li You came to the Tarrytown Training Center and only saw Rashad Lewis warming up, knowing that most of the newbies were still on vacation.

Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff are not here either. Only equipment manager Mike Sr. and the staff clock in to work every day.

As the Sydney Olympics begins, most sports media have turned their attention to the national team.

Tim Grover also noticed the somewhat empty training hall. When he saw Li You changing into training clothes, he also joked:
"It can be seen that most players no longer desire the championship. Lee, do you still want to continue winning?"

"Of course, at least I saw Rashad, which is a good thing. He has just signed the contract and does not have to train so hard. This is the desire for the championship!"

As soon as Li You finished speaking, Lewis collected the ball, scratched his head in embarrassment, and then told the truth:

"Well, actually I want to get the starting position. You know Li, I can get better data by playing with you. I hope to sign a bigger contract after two seasons!"

Tim Grover and several trainers behind him looked at each other first, and then laughed. Without media reporters, the players' communication was so simple and rough.

Li You didn't care. He was not a child. Players have their own thoughts. This was normal. Seeing Lewis who was a little embarrassed, he continued to comfort him:

"U.S. dollars and data are also motivations. It's a good thing to have pursuits. Believe me, Bro, players who mess around will not stay in the Knicks for long!"

Thinking that "Big Brother" had been sent away, Rashad Lewis suddenly lost his smile.
Looking at Li You's smile again, Lewis suddenly realized that the Knicks' locker room culture was about to change.

Different bosses will create different locker room cultures. Ewing, Oakley, Starks, and Anthony Mason can be regarded as promoting iron-blooded basketball;

As for what the future will look like, only Li You has the final say.
Tim Grover didn't gossip too much about the internal situation of the Knicks. He looked around the empty training hall again and asked with a smile:

"Li, what do you plan to focus on training? With your current physical condition, it is difficult to improve. Staying healthy is the most important thing!"

Li You patted his chest. Although he hadn't touched the ball for more than two months, he felt that his strength was improving.

"When you lie down at home, your skills improve every day!"

Although this statement is a bit exaggerated, the talent panel does not lie!

[Shaquille O'Neal's Extraordinary Power] is about to turn bronze.

Li You had a hunch that strength training would improve his attributes that had been stagnant for two seasons again.

"Priority is given to strength training. I feel that I have not reached my limit yet. In this month and a half, I will increase the amount of training and completely activate my body!"

Tim Grover shook his head helplessly, looked at the team of trainers behind him and said admonishingly:
"Li, you have to realize that everyone has limits. Our bodies are not machines and there is no way to replace parts."

"Many times, excessive training can cause some hidden dangers of injury. This is why I have been letting you relax this offseason."

"You have played many more games than many players in the past few years, and two months of rest is not enough."

Rashad Lewis on the other side also nodded subconsciously. If the boss is so troubled, it will not be easy for the role players.
"I understand my body, so don't worry. If any discomfort occurs, I promise to communicate in time."

“It’s fun to work on your body, and I’m ready for it!”

After deliberately cutting his hair again, Li You regained his clean and refreshing style, and he looked full of energy.

Rashad Lewis looked at Li You enjoying training, and a thought suddenly came to his mind:
"If you don't perform well, will you be traded?"

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(End of this chapter)