NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 249 Li You’s Team

On Sunday, February 2002, 2, the melon-eating crowd also came to a conclusion after watching the game for two weeks:

'The Knicks don't seem to be affected too much'

There was no setback, no players crying and insisting on playing for the bald young coach, and no fans holding up whiteboards to persuade them to stay. Jeff Van Gundy left, and the Knicks were still the team that dominated the Eastern Conference.

In two weeks of competition, the Knicks achieved a record of 3 wins and 3 losses.

After a 25-point win over the Raptors, they lost back-to-back games to the Magic;
The old Jazz also won an upset and gave the Bulls another warmth. After three consecutive losses, the Pistons and Nets who wanted to take advantage were easily beaten again.

With 38 wins and 15 losses, the record is just better than the 36 wins and 18 losses of the Nets.

Whenever Nets fans feel like they can tie up the winning gap, the Knicks will suddenly hit hard.

The win gap between the two teams is very small. Nets fans always have expectations, and expectations are followed by disappointment.

Just like the direct dialogue between the two teams, whenever fans expect Kidd to stand up and score a response, the triple-double master will choose to pass the ball or hit a jump shot.

Like a cat catching a mouse, the Knicks just played step by step. After a losing streak, Li You would exert his strength, and then the record rebounded and he was first in the Eastern Conference again.

Even if they shoot harder and harder, in many games, the Knicks are still better at throwing three-pointers than their opponents. It is normal to take 25 shots from beyond the three-point line in a game.

After nearly two weeks of tossing, various sports commentators expressed their opinions. Looking back, the No. [-] ranking in the Eastern Conference has not moved at all, and is still two or three games ahead.
Everyone in the Knicks realizes that as long as the record can beat the Nets, the team will still be No. [-] in the Eastern Conference.

There is no need to pay attention to opponents in the Western Conference, playing step by step, and finishing the February schedule healthily has become the common pursuit of the current team.

The game on the night of the 24th has not started yet, and the sports media were excited again before the game.

After O'Neal returned, the Lakers went on a winning streak and are currently in good momentum!

Los Angeles fans have realized that Shark is irreplaceable. During the period of injury, O'Neal's reputation has skyrocketed.

Occasionally, he would make some sarcastic remarks, but Kobe could only listen to it. O'Neal felt pleased that no one would stop shouting about Kobe being the leader of the team.
Pau Gasol played against O'Neal for the first time in his career, and everyone wanted to see what kind of performance this newbie could perform.

Facing a rookie big man, O'Neal naturally has to punch hard and show off his leadership qualities!

After the game started at 20 o'clock, Los Angeles fans watched O'Neal wreak havoc in the paint at Staples Arena, and their happy shouts echoed throughout the arena.

The Lakers did not have complicated tactics. It was noted that the Knicks did not choose to double-team defense, and the outside players naturally passed the ball to the inside.

Although Gasol was well prepared before the game, facing O'Neal's fierce blocking, some semi-circling defenses were not effectively executed.

With 3 minutes and 4 seconds left in the third quarter, the Lakers attacked and used a cross screen on the bottom line. O'Neal ignored Gasol who was chasing behind him and moved to the left low post.

He passed the ball quickly on the line, and Kobe, who was stalked by Artest on the left wing, failed to pass the ball immediately.

In order to catch the ball better, O'Neal simply moved up to the blocking area with Gasol, relying on his size advantage to still keep Gasol stuck behind him.

When receiving Kobe's high-throwing pass, O'Neal, who received the ball with his back, released the ball with his right hand, and then hit it hard with two bangs.

Even though he tried his best to defend, Gasol was still pushed to the basket. The physically fit O'Neal was extremely fast. The moment he approached the basket, he leaned against his opponent and quickly turned toward the baseline.

Gasol was squeezed under the basket. O'Neal feinted the ball, and successfully deceived Gasol's defensive center of gravity. While flying his opponent, he suddenly jumped up, grabbed the ball with his left hand through the defense, and smashed it with one arm.

"Boom!" A dunk from behind!
From catching the ball and hitting it to turning toward the basket, O'Neal's movements are silky smooth and extremely fast.

The shark who completed the dunk screamed with excitement. Although he was facing a rookie big man, his opponent was the Knicks, and O'Neal felt extremely happy!
"Wow!"

In the live NBC commentary box, Mike Fratello looked at the embarrassed Gasol and commented again:

"The Knicks can consider adding some double teams. Gasol can't limit O'Neal. He allows opponents to score too easily."

"Defense starts with the ball, and Gasol obviously wasn't ready tonight."

The difference in weight and strength was visible to the naked eye. Groom Albert seemed to have remembered the gossip about the bald marshal, and added at this time:
"Head coach Van Gundy once suggested that Gasol gain weight. Maybe this is the right choice. If you want to fight against such an inside line, you must make some sacrifices."

The opponent scored strongly, and Thibodeau, who had seen this kind of scene too many times, was used to it. He subconsciously looked at the big man Wright on the bench, and after thinking about it, he didn't make a substitution.

In the twin-tower lineup, Gasol's jump shot is not as stable as Kurt Thomas's, and the big man is not as effective in defending Horry.

Thibodeau, who had his arms folded, did not call a timeout. In the end, he just clapped his hands on the sidelines to encourage Gasol and signaled that this was a good defense.

In the Knicks' offensive round, Li Youbi made a tactical gesture and used the same tactics as the Lakers. The difference was that after the bottom line crossed the screen, O'Neal was too lazy to chase and let Horry follow Gasol.

Having had a match experience, Horry knew that he could not let Gasol catch the ball close to the basket, otherwise it would be difficult to complete effective defense against the big man who raised his head high.

Under the tug, Gasol did not choose to get stuck in the low post, but simply accelerated and immediately moved to the left wing.

Kobe was still using his body to press Li You, who was protecting the ball from his side. He spotted the movement behind him and immediately called for Horry to double-team.

Gasol, who was on a fake screen, took advantage of Li You to pull the ball back, stood up and quickly moved to the free throw line. At the same time, Li You, who switched to his right hand and completed the turn, also immediately sent the pass.

As soon as Horry reached Li You's side, Gasol had already caught the ball at the free throw line and made a jumper.

Tonight, under a lot of physical confrontation, the jump shot was once again hit hard. O'Neal on the lower right side of the basket blocked Kurt Thomas and easily protected the backboard.

The Lakers did not waste any more opportunities. O'Neal played harder and harder, establishing an 3-point lead in the third quarter. In the last quarter, the Sharks did not show mercy.

At 90:102, the moment the game ended, the Staples Center was in a state of excitement. O'Neal was so excited that he pumped his fists continuously and screamed strangely while holding the basketball!

出场45分钟，24中16，罚球16中9，41分10篮板3助攻1抢断1盖帽2失误。

O'Neal played steadily and easily defeated the Knicks' inside line.

科比整场比赛都老老实实传球，13中5，14分6篮板5助攻2失误。

Although he won, Kobe felt that he was not as happy as he imagined. Of course, he knew who the Los Angeles fans in the arena were cheering for.

第一次和联盟最强中锋交手，加索尔13中5，罚球4中2，砍下12分8篮板3助攻4失误。

The defensive end was a bit embarrassing. At the end of the game, Pau Gasol was still gasping for air.

Most of the scoring was concentrated in the first half. As the game progressed, the shooting percentage began to decline. Like most rookies, Gasol also needs to increase confrontation.

Phil Jackson only felt that the championship was waving to him. At the end of the game, Jeff Van Gundy was no longer around, and he felt even better.Thibodeau came to the technical stage and shook hands with Phil Jackson. The two had no grudges and left after exchanging business blows.

NBC reporters immediately interviewed the happy O'Neal after the game:
"Shaq, you dominated the paint tonight. I noticed that after returning from injury, your condition seems to be getting better and better!"

The cheers at the scene grew louder and louder. O'Neal, who was being interviewed, did not wait for the other party to finish speaking, and immediately expressed his position happily:
"I'm ready. Compared to previous years, I'm more mature and know how to lead the team. This year I will lead the Lakers to win the championship!"

"."

Thibodeau didn't care if he lost this game. In his opinion, being able to maintain the first place in the Eastern Conference is the most important thing.

At the post-match press conference, Gasol was still a little frustrated. It was only after the match that he realized the gap. There was indeed no such opponent in the Eastern Conference.

李佑的数据依旧平平无奇，22中12，三分线外12中5，罚球6中6，35分5篮板8助攻2抢断3失误。

After the All-Star Weekend, Li You's number of shots did not increase, but it became easier to score 30 points.

The proportion of three-pointers has increased, and there are more catch-and-shoot shots. If the number of free throws hadn't dropped in away games, perhaps the data would have been better.

Judging from appearance alone, Li You has not shaved during recent away games and looks slightly more mature, but sitting next to Gasol, the two of them still look a little too young.

Most of the questions asked by the sports media were ordinary. The reporter from the Los Angeles Times did not forget to give Li You eye drops:

"Li, head coach Van Gundy seems to have suggested that Gasol gain weight, but you prefer to attack quickly. Does this defeat mean that your insistence is wrong?"

Many sports media are gossiping that Jeff Van Gundy's departure was mainly due to conflicts with Li You.

It is impossible for a championship coach to leave without reason. Therefore, Li You always encounters these problems recently:
"Basketball games are all about results in the end. Coach Van Gundy's advice is very good, but Gasol is only a human being. Gaining weight and increasing confrontation also require a process."

"If you want to succeed and polish your body, you need more time. If the first-year rookie can limit Shaq, then the Knicks' opponent in the Finals in the past few years will not be the Lakers."

"I think the pace of basketball games will become faster and faster in the future. Of course, this is just my personal opinion and there is no question of right or wrong."

"Gasol performed very well tonight. Although his data has dropped a bit in the past two months, he will rebound strongly."

Naturally, most sports media would not expect a rookie to be able to compete with O'Neal, and Li You's words made everyone nod secretly.

The New York Times reporter was quite satisfied with Gasol's performance, and his final question was also quite friendly:
"Pau, how would you rate yourself when you play against O'Neal for the first time?"

Gasol could hear simple questions clearly. Although he was a little disappointed with his performance, he was still quite confident when he answered:
"I will play 6 points, and I will use different ways to affect the game. Li has always supported me. I will perform better in the following schedule!"

On the 28th, after a few days of rest, the Knicks continued their road trip. After a 104:84 defeat by the Heat, their record came to 39 wins and 16 losses.

This record is second only to the Kings' 40-15. At the end of February, the Knicks ranked second in the league, while still firmly occupying the first position in the Eastern Conference.

Whenever the Nets narrow the winning gap, they suddenly pull their hips.

After unexpectedly losing to the Hornets by 20 points last night, Kidd was criticized again by football commentators.

Everyone likes to have fun and expect the Knicks to fall behind
After entering March, the Knicks also ushered in the most intensive schedule of the season, with a total of 3 games to be played in March.

The fun for the Knicks is gone, and everyone is starting to pay attention to the Wizards again.

Michael Jordan also suffered injuries, and the 38-year-old man's knees couldn't bear it.

Kwame Brown is still the same. Even though he has added some playing time, his statistics are always stretched, and he has zero points from time to time.
In order to maintain the first place in the Eastern Conference, Thibodeau wanted to increase the playing time of some main players. As a result, Grant Hill suffered ankle soreness in the first week.

Then, Brevin Knight also suffered a shoulder injury. After continuous injuries, Thibodeau finally chose to continue Van Gundy's previous rotation strategy.

Since most of their opponents were Eastern Conference teams, Li You did not hold on to the ball and the schedule was tight. The Knicks still played the game step by step.

On March 3, they challenged the 24ers in an away game. Amid the boos of Philadelphia fans, the Knicks defeated their opponents twice this month at 76:101.

Allen Iverson was sidelined due to injury and lost this game. The 76ers' record also reached 34 wins and 35 losses.

The attendance rate dropped, but Iverson still did not give up the scoring title and took crazy shots in many games.

The title of "inefficient brush" can no longer be removed, and the patience of Philadelphia fans is getting less and less.

3月31号，在客场战胜魔术队后，尼克斯队在3月份的战绩最终定格在13胜4负。

They lost all three back-to-back games, and by the end of the month, Grant Hill and Knight also returned to the team.

With 52 wins and 20 losses, New York fans were happy again and successfully secured a spot in the playoffs.

After the Nets lost to the Timberwolves that day, their record reached 47 wins and 27 losses. If nothing unexpected happens, they will most likely only be ranked second in the Eastern Conference.

There was no game on April 4st. On this rare rest day, the workaholic Thibodeau still chose to watch the game video at the Tarrytown Training Center.

After coaching the team for more than a month, Thibodeau has experienced Van Gundy's feelings:

"This is Li You's team."

The flaws in the lineup make it difficult for Thibodeau to do much on the defensive end, and on the offensive end, even he often doesn't know what tactics the Knicks will implement in the next round.
There is no system or fixed routines. Most of the offensive rounds are made by Li You on the spot. This makes Thibodeau unable to make chicken soup when many games are suspended.

He didn't get the sense of accomplishment he imagined. Thibodeau also understood the bald young coach that it's really not a good thing for players to be too smart.

Assistant coach Don Chaney noticed that Thibodeau was suddenly absent-minded while watching the video. He patted him and talked about gossip:

"Tom, did Grunfield talk to you about the draft?"

"No, I haven't received any news about this yet."

Thibodeau answered subconsciously, and then saw Don Chaney sigh.

After fully reacting, Thibodeau also understood what the management meant. He was not the final candidate for the head coach.

Originally, the two of them had some intention of competing, but at this time they could only look at each other and smile bitterly, and the same thought emerged in their minds:

"Maybe Van Gundy made the right choice to leave."

　Thank you book friends for your subscription support (﹃)
　　After changing for most of the day, we decided to end the regular season early QAQ
　　
　
(End of this chapter)