NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 52 Beautiful Muscles
The Jazz watched a lot of game video before the game, but after the match, they found that the Knicks' offense had changed a lot.

At 18:28, the first quarter ended and the Knicks led by 10 points.

Jerry Sloan seemed to feel that his players were too soft, and said sullenly in a low voice:
"No excuses, I just want to see your tough response in the next game!"

"John, I'll leave that rookie to you."

Stockton nodded calmly when he heard the coach's instructions.

Although he is 34 years old, Stockton still maintains a very good body. He was pushed on the thigh and recovered after half a quarter of the game.

The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden is getting hotter and hotter, and many fans are still reminiscing about Li You's extraordinary shaking.

"The 18th pick? I can now confirm that Lee must be underestimated!"

"How did we get him? With this kind of movement control and accurate shooting, he should definitely be selected in the top 10."

In the commentary seat of MSG on the scene, the commentator John Andaris couldn't stop playing.

5 of 3, 2 of 2 from beyond the three-point line, 1 of 1 free throw, 9 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists. After Li You came on the court, he completely dominated the Knicks' offense.

The commentator Marv Albert also felt that the Knicks were lucky. Compared with Charlie Ward, Li You had better talent and was younger:
"Maybe coach Van Gundy is right, we have a chance to reach the Finals again!"

Naturally, the commentator at the home court is blowing loudly. As long as the results are good, the rookie coach's boasting will become credible.
In the rotation stage of the second quarter of the game, the Jazz Stockton and Shandon Anderson partnered in the backcourt, Adam Keefe and Antoine Kyle on the front line, and Greg Foster at center.

The Knicks teamed up with Li You and Starks in the backcourt, John Wallace and Larry Johnson on the front line, and Buck Williams at the center.

Compared with the Jazz, the Knicks are a head shorter on the inside, and Foster on the opposite side is 2 meters tall. Obviously, Jerry Sloan intends to rely on height to win.

The New York fans at the scene originally expected Li You to continue to work hard, but when facing Stockton's defense, Li You became very cautious again.

There was no fancy dribbling, no exaggerated early change of direction, and for several rounds in a row, Li You honestly and his teammates on the field ran tactics.

Stockton didn't have a good idea about it, but he was more aggressive when he squeezed through the screen, using both hands and feet to prevent Li You from easily getting a shot.

This time the Knicks attacked, Larry Johnson saw the opportunity and suddenly cut in the middle.

Li You, who circled the inside line, came to the paint area, and sent a covert pass with his left hand while advancing. "Auntie" caught the ball and put it to the basket easily!
The cheers at the scene made Stockton's face even more gloomy. The old guy didn't talk trash, but strengthened his defense again.
On the left side of the offensive end, Stockton used Antoine Kyle's cover, near the bottom line, and hit a mid-range emergency stop jumper.

When the baseline ball was sent, Stockton suddenly got close to the defense, took advantage of Li You's turn, and slammed up fiercely.

Li You reacted quickly. The ball protector first blocked the concealed pull of the opponent's left hand, then immediately lowered his shoulders and accelerated, hitting the opponent.

The two had a body collision, and Stockton didn't take the opportunity to fall to the ground. In this era, all flops are pussies, and the referee also acquiesced in such actions.

Coming to the left flank beyond the three-point line, Li You used the cover of veteran Buck Williams to accelerate the breakthrough with the ball in his left hand.

Compared with the game in the first quarter, the Jazz did not choose to switch defenses. Stockton quickly squeezed through the screen, and when Li You made an emergency stop for a jump shot in the left block zone, he immediately pulled it covertly, and then raised his arms sideways to show that he had no action.

"state!"

The basketball came out of the basket, the rebound was accepted by Foster, Li You cursed secretly, this old guy has too many tricks, which can always affect his offensive rhythm.

"Shhh!!"

The boos of the fans at the scene seemed to have played a role. When the offense was switched, Shandon Anderson's layup was interfered by the returning Starks and also knocked out of the frame.

Protecting the rebound, Starks immediately launched a counterattack.

This time Li You no longer held the ball, but quickly slid to the bottom line from left to right, and with the help of veteran Buck Williams near the bottom line on the right, he briefly got rid of Stockton.

Coming to the right block, Li You received a pass from Starks and drifted to the right to shoot a jumper!

"Shua!" A steady hit in the middle distance!

At 24:34, the second quarter played for more than 3 minutes, and the scoring efficiency of both sides declined, but the Knicks still withstood the pressure.

Jeff Van Gundy is very satisfied with the team's performance. Although he is short of height, it is difficult for the Jazz's big men to finish at the basket by relying on the "iron and blood" defense:
"That's it! Protect the rebound!"

Jerry Sloan also discovered the problem. The Jazz can indeed rely on big men to score at the basket, but there is a problem with efficiency.

The Jazz hit the ball more inside. For the Knicks, Li You stopped holding the ball and started to run more without the ball.

This time, Li You caught the ball in the left block. Stockton's pursuit was delayed by Larry Johnson's back screen on the left side near the baseline. In the end, Li You could only watch Li You catch the ball and then make a mid-range drift jumper!

The old guy had sensed Li You's intentions, and immediately greeted his teammates:
"Kyle, remember to help defend next time!"

The big man Antoine Kyle, who came off the bench, nodded to indicate that he understood. Everyone in the Jazz echoed each other and quickly changed their defensive strategy.

After hitting two goals in a row, Li You began to applaud passionately when he retreated, and continued to pretend to be X.

The scores of the two sides began to rise slowly. Jerry Sloan reminded loudly that the Jazz's defensive intensity "rise" again, and when they switched offense, Li You was forced to wipe the floor.
On the sidelines, Jeff Van Gundy saw that Starks pulled Li You up, and his body seemed to be unharmed. He turned his head and complained to the referee:
"This is not the first time such a situation has occurred. Every time I layup, I was pulled by the opponent. This is definitely a malicious foul!"

The referee simply appeased the excited Van Gundy and did not change the sentence.

The fans at the scene were also very dissatisfied, they wanted to see more beautiful goals:

"Referee Sucks! Referee Sucks! Referee Sucks!"

The audience expressed their feelings directly, even if the team was ahead, they still scolded the referee to vent their dissatisfaction.

Both free throws were hit, halfway through the second quarter, Jeff Van Gundy hurriedly replaced Li You, and the two sides began to replace the main players.

Back on the bench, assistant coach Don Chaney cheerfully handed Li You a towel:

"Li, you did a good job! But sometimes there is no need to compete with each other, we don't want to see you get hurt!"

Li You moved his right arm, and his buttocks were aching. He understood why Iverson was always suffering from minor injuries:
"A defender without a breakthrough threat can't effectively organize an offense. If he falls a few times in a game, it's no big problem!"

Hearing Li You's words, Don Chaney patted his shoulder to show encouragement, and at the same time gestured to Jeff Van Gundy, indicating that there is no problem here.

Starks has been in the league for many years, and he also reminded Li You at this time:

"Li, you need to gain muscle! I can assure you that you will face more rough defenses in the next games, which is what I did back then."

"Muscle can better protect your joints, of course, it may also make your shooting feel worse."

Li You nodded, he really wanted to make his muscles bigger.

Seeing the muscular Karl Malone hit consecutive shots after he came on the stage, Li You couldn't help thinking:
"Is Karl Malone's muscle a talent?"

"."

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(End of this chapter)