NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 55 Farewell 1996

In Li You's opinion, the best player of the week is not a great honor. This award is usually awarded to young players with enthusiasm and statistics.

But Li You forgot one thing. In 96, the player of the week was only awarded to one player.

In the last game before Christmas, the Knicks continued to stick to the "iron and blood" defense, allowing the Eagles to only score 1 points in the first quarter.

At 42:51, at the end of the half, the Knicks had taken a 9-point lead.

The Hawks' twin towers, Kristen Laettner and Dikambe Mutombo, played particularly depressed in the first half.

After Patrick Ewing started 3-for-0, he no longer slammed his head and low post. Frequent pick-and-rolls forced the Eagles' twin towers to help defend.

Chris Childs played more restrained after the opening, but after Li You came on the court, he threw it when he had the opportunity.

Mutombo didn't care at first, and continued to squat and guard the paint area, but after Li You hit 3 consecutive three-pointers, the DPOY could only reluctantly leave his most familiar defensive position.

The New York fans at the scene felt that tonight's tickets were not a loss, and Li You lived up to everyone's expectations, and showed off his tricks from time to time.

Tonight, Madison Square Garden also has a strong Christmas atmosphere. The star audience in the front row may not care about these things, but the ordinary fans who bought the tickets in the back row are already excited to the music.

"If we win this game, our record will come to 20 wins and 6 losses, just surpassing the Heat and ranking third in the Eastern Conference."

"Although it is not as good as the record of the Bulls, I still want to praise Coach Van Gundy. After taking over the team, he handed over a satisfactory answer sheet."

In the commentary seat of MSG, commentator John Andaris commented on the Knicks' opening record during halftime. This professional ball critic also began to speak good things for Van Gundy.

"The performance before Christmas, the Knicks really surprised people. We continued our excellent defense in the past, and at the same time, we were able to play a smooth offense."

"Lee's joining played a key role. The team has more offensive options. At the end of the month, he is only 19 years old. I think many fans have already begun to look forward to the future of the team!"

The commentator, Groom Albert, was also polite and continued to tout.

When the two commented on the game, they both subconsciously avoided the question of the championship. The current dominance of the Bulls is too strong!

As veteran commentators at home, they don't want to draw big cakes for the fans.
Christmas was approaching, and Walter McCarty had been living a good two days since he returned to New York. Oakley no longer asked him to run errands, and the atmosphere in the locker room became more cheerful.

"The next time you go to Atlanta to play, I'll take you to a good place, Lee. If you make money, you have to enjoy life. You're 19 years old!"

"Di Kembe will not lie to me. It is said that the owner of the local club is still a fan of us!"

Patrick Ewing, who has not been criticized by the New York media recently, returned to the locker room and introduced the wonderful place he had just inquired from his friends.

Before Li You could speak, Larry Johnson asked with great interest:
"Pat, how about privacy, you know, I don't want to be in the papers the next day!"

When Ewing heard the inquiry, he immediately pulled out his friend to make a guarantee:
"Di Kembe is an honest man. Many celebrities have been to the Gold Club. It hasn't been long since they changed their business model. It's okay to wait and see for a few months!"

The LSPs all laughed. It was difficult to stimulate them with ordinary business. It is rare to have a club with a variety of tricks and constant praise. Everyone was itchy.

Li You noticed that Alan Houston didn't say a word, and immediately teased:

"Are you still planning to get married this year? Single life is actually very beautiful!"

Alan Houston has been in a bad mood recently, mainly because he was booed by fans when he returned to Detroit.

Coupled with the growing popularity of former cute new teammate Grant Hill, but he struggled with the Knicks, Alan Houston has been chasing lemons these days:

"I just want to stabilize my playing time, Lee, sometimes I envy your shooting talent, you can always adjust your state quickly."

Starks ate up a lot of Houston's playing time, and Li You could only pat him on the shoulder to express his comfort.

The Knicks' rotation has begun to stabilize, and the amount of playing time depends on the state of the players that night. Unlike "Auntie", the competition for backcourt players is more intense.

Although Van Gundy often hangs up, most of the games are still centered on the inside offense. Li You and the others can only roll in.
Christmas was approaching, and in the second half of the game, the Eagles didn't have much thought of chasing points. Jeff Van Gundy tried his best to make players appear on the court when the pressure of the game was not high.

Of course, this young marshal knows that many family members of the players are here tonight, and being able to play on the court can be regarded as selling the players face.

The two sides fought frequently in the second half, but no one cared at this time. Everyone wanted to end the game as soon as possible, and then go home safely for the holidays.

In the end, 86:98, the Knicks won the last game before Christmas at home, which was a Christmas gift for New York fans.

After the game, the two alumni Mutombo and Ewing were still talking and laughing in whispers.

Many players were greeting their family members present, and Li You sighed at this. He also missed his days in Albuquerque.

After returning to the locker room, Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff applauded the players together. The team's staff were also present, and everyone's faces showed joy:
"20 wins and 6 losses, I am proud of this result!"

"It doesn't matter if there is no Christmas game, we will prove ourselves again, and we will reach the finals again!"

"Now, enjoy the holidays with peace of mind and say hello to the family for me, Merry Christmas!"

After Jeff Van Gundy finished speaking, he smiled and hugged every player, and the staff also cheered, everyone loves a holiday!

"Good job, Li! The best player of the week expresses the league's recognition of you. Of course, remember to protect your body. Rookies will encounter some difficulties. Communicate with the coaching staff in time. It's dangerous and tiring!"

Hearing Van Gundy's serious advice, Li You immediately hugged the young marshal. This is indeed a good man:
"Don't worry about me, Coach! I'm ready, Merry Christmas!"

Every rookie will encounter difficulties, physical fitness, injuries, technical characteristics are found out, team tactics do not match, and so on.

Li You is not a body of steel, and there are bruises and bruises on his legs. Under the intensive schedule, these flaws continue to accumulate, which will definitely affect the state of the game.

Every time Ewing played, both knees would be tied with thick bandages, Alan Houston's fingers were also swollen, "Auntie" sometimes had a dull pain in his back, and Oakley also had bruises from collisions.

Without structural damage, everyone has to continue to play. There is no rotation. Fans buy tickets to watch the game, not to see players sitting on the bench in formal attire.

Everyone showed smiles. Everyone can enjoy the Christmas holiday tonight. The equipment manager Old Mike looked at the lively locker room and whispered to the staff beside him with a smile:

"I have a hunch we're going to make it!"

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