On September 10, 1996, Madison Square Garden began to get busy again.
As Knicks players arrived one after another, the noise in the training ground became louder and louder.
The 34-year-old Jeff Van Gundy was not wearing a suit at this time. Instead, like other assistant coaches, he was wearing the Knicks' white training uniforms.
The young coach was obviously not intimidating enough. Charles Oakley, who had slightly longer hair, dark skin and exposed chest hair, was laughing loudly at Patrick Ewing:
"Man, you have to fight back. The New York media is describing you as a cancer. I hear shit from idiots every day!"
Patrick Ewing, on the other hand, looks like he is full of hatred. He was really shot during the offseason. After all these years, he still doesn’t like the New York media belittling and consuming him:
"I can't control what those idiots say. If these guys continue to slander me in the new season, I will definitely give them some color!"
The two eldest brothers chatted heatedly. Alan Houston, who had just joined the team, could not say anything. Defender Charlie Ward, who had been with the team for two seasons, was flattering him wildly:
"Those idiots don't know how to play. They just want to attract attention every day. But we lost to the defending champion..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Charles Oakley locked the newbie and said fiercely:
"Don't mention losing! Damn it! Fuck! I don't want to recall Michael's proud face at all!"
Charlie Ward, who was chained by the neck, did not dare to resist. He slapped the horse's leg with his flattery, and could only laugh in a low voice...
Newcomers Chris Childs, John Wallace, and Walter McCarty, who had just come to the team, did not dare to say anything. They stayed in place and looked at the coaching staff frequently.
When Patrick Ewing and Charles Oaklifak kept yelling at the New York media, Li You and John Starks also changed into their training clothes and came to the training ground.
"Look who this is! Our champion guard is here. John told me you are still taking summer classes. You are such a good kid who loves to learn!"
Charles Oakley immediately came up, first bumped fists with John Starks, and then made fun of Li You loudly.
He never expected that the man next to him would make a snitch. Li You looked at the laughing Starks and said angrily:
"I'm not a millionaire like you, so I naturally save as much as I can!"
Charles Oakley smiled maliciously, put his arm around Li You's shoulders, turned to Mengxin on the other side and shouted:
"I've prepared a lot of greeting gifts for you rookies today!"
This is not the first time Li You has been in contact with Knicks players. During the two years he was studying in Connecticut, they came to Madison Square Garden to play every year.
In the past, we were just acquaintances. Charles Oakley was quite friendly to Li You, but he was not so easy to talk to the other two rookies...
At this time, John Wallace and Walter McCarty were too nervous to speak. Patrick Ewing did not want to embarrass the newbie too much, so he immediately spoke up:
"Don't scare them. Don't worry, it's just something a rookie should do!"
"Connecticut played well this year, but Georgetown didn't even make it to the Final Four. The New York media doesn't understand football at all, so they only know how to praise that rookie!"
As Ewing said it, he hit the lemon again. 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 already loaned Iverson the best rookie award in advance in the past two months...
Compared to Ewing, who looks like a gorilla, Iverson, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, is more in line with the taste of New York fans.
Larry Johnson was the last one to arrive. He didn't say a word when he entered the training hall, acting like "you are all here to help me."
No one was late, all the players were here, Jeff Van Gundy, who had no presence, clapped his hands, and then said aloud:
"This year is my first season officially taking over the team. I don't want to lose anymore, and I think you guys do the same!"
"The fact is that the Knicks' window to win is getting smaller and smaller. Pat, you should know that what I said is the truth."
Jeff Van Gundy, who has followed Pat Riley for many years, did not draw any conclusions. He is too familiar with the New York players, and both sides understand each other very well.
Patrick Ewing fell silent again and nodded, acknowledging the coach's words.
"We have to improve our offense this season, and at the same time, we can't lose our defense. The team has enough talent to do both of those things at the same time."
"It's dangerous! I'm tired of logging! I will do my best to help the team, and you must also be prepared!"
The young Jeff Van Gundy did not make tough demands like the old-school coaches. He communicated with everyone in a more discussion tone.
Don Nelson failed to change New York's offense and was dismissed 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 for the players to undergo physical tests. After an offseason, everyone was relatively self-disciplined, and no one experienced a sudden increase in weight.
When the assistant coach led everyone to warm up, Tom Thibodeau noticed Larry Johnson, who had been silent, and leaned next to Jeff Van Gundy and whispered:
"How should we arrange our offense? Larry also needs the ball. He is a core player in the Hornets!"
The assistant coach had been discussing it for several days, but still didn't know how to use this new player. Thibodeau thought Jeff Van Gundy had an idea, but he heard a response that confused him:
"I don't know, Grenfield didn't even say hello to me when he made the deal!"
Ernie Glenfield, the current general manager of the Knicks, obviously doesn't think highly of Jeff Van Gundy either. This is the result of the head coach's lack of prestige.
Anyway, Larry Johnson is a star player. As long as the fans and management like him, if the head coach can't control the players, then change the coach!
Li You also noticed the Knicks' situation. He likes a weak head coach, which allows him to play more freely.
"Okay, guys, let's get familiar with each other first and play in groups for a while!"
Assistant coach Don Charney has worked for the Knicks for many years and is quite prestigious, so he started to divide the groups:
"Larry, go to the substitutes' side first and help the new boys!"
After hearing the assistant coach's words, Larry Johnson immediately put on a black jersey and still said nothing.
"Lee, you and Larry team up and 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. The freshman from the University of Kentucky seemed not to adapt to the atmosphere in the team.
