NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 27 Welcome Ceremony

On September 1996, 9, the Madison Square Garden Arena became lively again.

As the Knicks players arrived one after another, the voices in the training ground became louder and louder.

The 34-year-old Jeff Van Gundy was not wearing a suit at this time, but like other assistant coaches, he was wearing the Knicks' white training uniform.

This young marshal is obviously not deterrent enough. Charles Oakley, who has slightly longer hair, dark skin and chest hair, is laughing loudly at Patrick Ewing:

"Dude, you gotta fight back, the media in New York is calling you a cancer, and I hear that idiot shit every day the fuck!"

Patrick Ewing looked bitter and bitter. During the offseason, he was shot while lying down. After so many years, he still doesn’t like the New York media belittling him:
"I can't control what those idiots say. If these guys continue to slander me in the new season, I will definitely show them some color!"

The two big brothers had a hot chat about blowing X. Alan Houston, who had just joined the team, couldn't get in the way, and guard Charlie Ward, who had been with the team for two seasons, flattered wildly on the side:
"Those idiots don't know how to play. They only want to win attention every day. We lost to the defending champion."

As soon as the words fell, Charles Oakley locked the cute newcomer and said harshly:

"Don't talk about the loss again! Damn Falk! I don't want to think about Michael's smug face at all!"

Charlie Ward, who was chained by the neck, did not dare to resist, flattered and slapped the horse's leg, and could only laugh along with him in a low voice
The newcomers Chris Childs, John Wallace, and Walter McCarty, who had just joined the team, were all afraid to make a sound. They stood still and looked at the coaching staff frequently.

Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley Fak kept talking. When they scolded the New York media, Li You and John Starks also changed into their training uniforms and came to the training ground.

"Look who this is! Our champion defender is here, John told me you are still in summer class, you are such a good boy who loves to study!"

Charles Oakley immediately came up, bumped fists with John Starks, and then teased Li You loudly.

Never expecting that the person next to him would make a small report, Li You looked at the laughing Starks, and said angrily:

"I'm not a millionaire like you, so naturally I can save as much as I can!"

Charles Oakley showed a malicious smile, put his arms around Li You's shoulders, turned his head and shouted to Mengxin on the other side:

"Today I prepared a lot of meeting gifts for you rookies!"

This is not the first time that Li You has been in contact with Knicks players. During the two years of studying in Connecticut, they would come to Madison Square Garden to play every year.

In the past, everyone was nodding acquaintances. Charles Oakley was friendly to Li You, but not so easy to talk to the other two rookies.
At this time, John Wallace and Walter McCarty were too nervous to speak, and Patrick Ewing didn't want to embarrass Mengxin too much, and immediately said:

"Don't scare them, don't worry, it's just something a rookie should do!"

"Connecticut played well this year, but Georgetown didn't make it to the semi-finals. The New York media didn't know anything about football, so they just praised that rookie!"

Ewing picked a lemon again while talking. He was also from Georgetown University, and the New York media liked Allen Iverson very much.

Although an NBA game has not yet been played, many media have helped Iverson loan the best rookie in advance in the past two months
Compared with Ewing, who looks like a gorilla, Iverson with thick eyebrows and big eyes is more in line with the tastes of New York fans.

Larry Johnson was the last one to arrive. He didn't speak when he entered the training hall, and put on a look of "you are all here to help me".

No one is late, all the players are here, Jeff Van Gundy, who has no sense of presence, clapped his hands, and then he said:

"This year can be regarded as my first season officially taking over the team. I don't want to lose any more, and I think you will too!"

"The truth is that the Knicks' championship window is getting smaller and smaller, Pat, and you should know what I'm saying is the truth."

Jeff Van Gundy, who has followed Pat Riley for many years, didn't make a fuss. He and the players in New York are too familiar, and both sides know each other very well.

Patrick Ewing fell silent again, nodded, and recognized the head coach's words.

"We have to improve our offense this season, and at the same time, we must not lose our defense. The team has enough talent to do both at the same time."

"Dangerous! I'm tired of logging! I will do my best to help the team, and you have to be prepared too!"

The young Jeff Van Gundy did not make tough demands like the old-school coaches, and communicated with everyone more in a negotiating tone.

Don Nelson failed to change New York's offense, and as a result, got out of class early. Even if Jeff Van Gundy has been with the team for many years, if there is no improvement in the new season, he will eventually have to pack up and leave
After a brief communication, the assistant coach began to arrange physical tests for the players. After a cool offseason, everyone was fairly self-disciplined, and no one had a sudden weight gain.

When the assistant coach led everyone to warm up, Tom Thibodeau noticed Larry Johnson, who had been silent all the time, and leaned over to Jeff Van Gundy and whispered:
"How should we arrange the offense? Larry also needs the ball. He is a core player in the Hornets!"

The assistant coach had been discussing for a few days before, but he still didn't know how to use the new aid. Thibodeau thought that Jeff Van Gundy had an idea, but he heard a response that made him stunned:

"I don't know, in fact, Grunfeld didn't even say hello to me when he made this deal!"

Ernie Glenfield, the current general manager of the Knicks, obviously doesn't think much of Jeff Van Gundy either. This is the result of the lack of prestige of the head coach.

Anyway, Larry Johnson is a star player, as long as the fans and management like it, if the head coach can't control the players, then change the coach!
Li You also noticed the situation of the Knicks. He likes a weak head coach, which allows him to play more freely.

"Okay, guys, let's get acquainted with each other first, and play in teams for a while!"

Assistant coach Don Charney, who has worked with the Knicks for many years and is also quite prestigious, began to group:
"Larry, you go to the bench first and help the new boys!"

Hearing what the assistant coach said, Larry Johnson immediately put on a black jersey, and still didn't say a word.

"Lee, you and Larry are on the same team, play the No. 1 position, let us see what you are capable of!"

Li You nodded, not paying attention to Larry Johnson, who was pretending to be a boss, and patted Walter McCarty, who was very nervous. This freshman from the University of Kentucky seemed not to adapt to the atmosphere in the team.

　Thank you book friends for your collection ￣﹣￣
　　
　
(End of this chapter)