NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 33 The Rookie's First Show ([-])

On October 1996, 10, at Madison Square Garden that night, the Knicks ushered in their last preseason game.

The Nets hold the No. 8 pick this year and chose Villanova University's tall guard Corey Kiddles.

If nothing else, the Nets have a high probability of doing poorly this year. They have already lost 8 games in 5 preseason games, and it is the same tonight. Sean Bradley, who is 2 meters inside, is very weak against Ewing.

"Big Bamboo Pole" has a single offensive method, and its too thin body can't do much to face the gorilla's strong attack on the basket.

In less than 7 minutes after the opening, the Knicks achieved a 6-point lead through stable scoring inside and several defensive counterattacks.

In the 96-97 season, there was no defense for three seconds, and Sean Bradley's role in protecting the basket gradually became more prominent. Larry Johnson attacked the inside twice before being blocked by interference.

The New York fans at the scene cheered loudly every time they saw Ewing catch the ball and attack Sean Bradley.

After receiving the ball from the low post on the left, Ewing put the ball with his right hand and hit twice to get close to the basket, then walked up the line and carried his opponent to the paint area.

Feinting the ball, Ewing easily deceived Sean Bradley's body center of gravity, taking advantage of the time difference, after swaying the defense, he hooked with his right hand lightly!

"Shua!" The basket hit two points steadily.

While shaking his head while retreating, Ewing once again demonstrated his dominance at the basket. In the commentary on the spot, Groom Albert did not hesitate to praise him:

"The big man on the opposite side has nothing to do, 4 of 4, Patrick has scored 8 points on his head, low attack, fake hook shot, face-up breakthrough, Patrick can do anything tonight!"

On the Knicks bench, Li You also cheered and applauded with the newbies. Although the gorilla is old, he can still handle most of the league's centers with ease.

Mengxin John Wallace has been thoroughly familiar with Li You through these preseason games:

"We have been practicing outside tactics for the past two days. We agreed to let Houston attack first, and the result is like this again!"

John Wallace grumbled under his breath, Ewing swore his sovereignty in the preseason, and Jeff Van Gundy's plans sometimes didn't change as quickly as the court.

Li You, who was wearing a white training suit, looked at Mengxin Cha Lemon next to him, covered his mouth and responded:

"Lead early, we can play a few more minutes, don't care about these details, Alan himself has never complained."

Alan Houston is indeed very professional. After coming to the Knicks, in order to adapt to Jeff Van Gundy's tactics, in addition to strengthening the defense, his shot rights began to decrease.

Like Larry Johnson, both of their numbers have shrunk this season!

The Knicks' offensive tempo in the starting lineup was still slow, and Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff couldn't make any changes.

Starks and Charles Oakley are veterans of the team, so they naturally support Ewing.

One of the two had the ball in their hands, and the other helped Ewing fight hand-to-hand. Alan Houston and Larry Johnson couldn't steal the ball.

Among the guards, Charlie Ward was also selected by the Knicks. In his third year as a rookie, he is a professional sycophant and passes the ball to Big Brother after he plays!
Jeff Van Gundy and the coaches did rehearse some offensive routines, but they always fell back to the Knicks' old ways.

Pat Riley made his mark on New York, and the team's offense remains the same to this day.
With 3 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first quarter, Li You replaced Starks, and Buck Williams replaced Charles Oakley.

Li You, who had just appeared on the stage, received a baseline ball from Alan Houston, and the New York fans booed and cheered.

In the 7 preseason games, Li You can contribute beautiful passes or wonderful goals in each game.

Not only local sports programs in New York will edit these wonderful scenes, but Li You never misses a single episode of ESPN's Sports Center program, frequently appearing on TV!
During the preseason, it was Allen Iverson and Li You who stood out the most. Different from other small guards, the two were more aggressive and dribbled more fancy.

Amid the cheers, Li You dribbled the ball across the half court with his left hand, came to the top of the arc, and immediately bounced the ball to Alan Houston on the left flank.

Although he got rid of the defense and had room to shoot after receiving the ball, Alan Houston did not directly complete the shot, but returned the ball to Li You again.

Li You received the ball again at the top of the arc, and Ewing stopped fighting with Sean Bradley in the interior, and quickly walked to the top of the arc for a pick-and-roll.

Robert Pike is the starting No. 1 position of the Nets. He has learned about Li You's style of play before the game, so he is naturally going to squeeze through the screen at this time.

It's just that the 6-foot-2 guard just moved his feet, and Li You, who lowered his center of gravity and maintained a three-threat posture, suddenly used his right foot as the axis, turned around and released the ball.

Ewing's solid cover worked this time, and Li You got rid of the defense in an instant.

Facing the "big bamboo pole" Sean Bradley who came up late, Li You, who was catching the ball with his right hand, pulled back under his crotch. At the same time as his footsteps were reset, his left hand was greatly in and out.

Sean Bradley subconsciously took a step forward, and Li You, whose body was shaking, suddenly changed direction quickly. The moment he caught the ball with his right hand, he made a breakthrough with a cross step, and passed the "big bamboo pole" in front of him with one step.

"Oh!!"

Li You's continuous dribble shaking and his clean dribble made the New York fans shout excitedly.

At this time, the Nets' defense instantly shrank, and Li You, who had broken through the paint, did not forcefully attack, and threw the ball to the upper left of the basket with his right hand while advancing.

Larry Johnson, who cut in from the left without the ball, leaped high, caught the ball in the air, and dunked the basket vigorously with both hands!

"Boom!" The empty catch dunk was successful!
The wonderful cooperation ignited the Madison Square Garden arena at once.

Many New York fans who love the new and dislike the old stood up and applauded and cheered. While smiling, they also broke out the biggest cheers of the game.

At 18:24, the Knicks continued to lead.

Counting the ball just now, Larry Johnson only scored 4 points in the first quarter:
"Li, the biography is beautiful, please do it a few more times!"

When Li You heard the request, he just raised his eyebrows in Ewing's direction. This kind of attack needs space.
Larry Johnson stopped talking, and the two clapped their hands in celebration and quickly returned to defense.

The center plays a very important role on the court. On the defensive end, Ewing defended the opponent's low attack under the basket, turned around and assisted Li You to complete a three-pointer in the middle of the attack.

As long as Ewing is willing to assist, the quality of the cover can be greatly improved.

Nets guard Kendall Gill just scored a three-pointer at the buzzer, the Knicks quickly sent the baseline ball, and Li You dribbled the ball with his right hand across half court.

Slowing down at the top of the arc, Li You suddenly dribbled the ball under his crotch. While lowering his center of gravity, he immediately circled the ball behind his back.

While catching the ball with his right hand, Li You immediately broke through with his shoulders, grabbed half of his body, and rushed past the three-point line with the defense on his shoulders.

After breaking through the center and taking two big steps, Li You immediately jumped up and threw the ball. The ball flew straight to the left flank. Alan Houston, who had just bounced outside the three-point line, quickly took a jumper after receiving the ball!
"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

Respond to the ball!Smooth attack!The New York fans at the scene shouted happily again.

Alan Houston gave Li You a thumbs up, indicating that the pass was beautiful. Li You showed a smiling face and bumped fists with Ewing who was back on defense.

The high-quality screen of the big center can solve many problems. Li You looked at Ewing who was in excellent condition, and sighed secretly in his heart:
"If the old guy is willing to assist, the Knicks will definitely achieve better results!"

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