On September 30, 1996, young Jeff Van Gundy returned to the office after the Knicks training session to discuss lineup issues with the coaching staff.
In the 1995-96 season, the Knicks posted a record of 47 wins and 35 losses, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Although ranked well, they averaged 97.2 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league.
The next seven teams, except for the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons in the East, are mostly bad teams...
If we look at the number of possessions, the Knicks average 77.8 possessions per game, ranking 25th in the league and fifth from the bottom;
The first-place Dallas Mavericks averaged 90.6 possessions per game, and the two sides were not playing basketball at all.
Looking at this team data list, the interesting phenomenon is that the Knicks and Heat are very similar. After Pat Riley left New York, he moved the "iron-blooded" basketball to Miami.
The Chicago Bulls only played 84.0 possessions, but averaged 105.2 points per game, ranking first in the league. On the defensive end, their opponents only scored 92.9 points per game, ranking second in the league.
From a data perspective, the Bulls are truly a team of offense and defense, and their dominance is not just a boast!
The Knicks were able to win mainly because of their defense, allowing their opponents to score 94.9 points per game on average. The Knicks' defense ranked fourth last season.
The 3rd and 5th places are the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat respectively...
The Pistons and Heat can ignore offense and continue to stick to their style of play, but the Knicks can't stand it anymore. Without the blessing of a championship, picky New York fans have begun to become impatient.
No one wants to watch a boring defensive battle in Madison Square Garden. New York fans are looking forward to the Knicks playing a smooth triangle offense like the Bulls. Fans think this shouldn't be difficult!
General Manager Glenn Field brought Larry Johnson to the Knicks without any warning. After more than half a month of training sessions, Jeff Van Gundy still failed to solve the offensive problem.
Although Van Gundy is only 34 years old, he has lost his hair these days and is visibly bald...
"We can also try to reduce the use of some Ewing. The team added Larry, who is a good offensive player!"
Veteran assistant coach Don Chaney saw everyone evading questions during the discussion, so he simply pointed out the situation.
Last season, Patrick Ewing's usage rate reached 31.5%, ranking fourth in the league.
The Bulls' Michael Jordan's usage rate is as high as 33.3%, ranking first in the league.
If you want to play a beautiful outside attack, you have to use more outside players. The reason is that simple. If you don't give the ball, it will be useless to anyone...
Tom Thibodeau noticed that Van Gundy was silent again and tried to smooth things over:
"More time is needed. Making changes for the team does not happen overnight!"
Don Chaney shook his head. He was an assistant coach and only said this because he had a good relationship with Van Gundy. If he continued to play "iron-blooded" basketball and failed to produce results, the coaching staff might be purged in less than two seasons. .
In this era, except for Michael Jordan, who is special, most teams start from the inside.
Shaquille O'Neal's usage rate is 32.8%, Hakeem Olajuwon's usage rate is 31.9%, and after Ewing, Karl Malone and David Robinson's usage rate is also close to 30%.
Jeff Van Gundy continued to struggle. Listening to the discussions among the assistant coaches, he still could not make up his mind to make changes. The imprint left by Pat Riley was still deeply imprinted on the Knicks:
"We still have time to observe the status of the players through pre-season games."
Hearing these sweet words, Brendan Malone, an assistant coach who has also worked for the Knicks for many years, couldn't help but ask in a low voice:
"Who will be the starting point guard? Lee is in the best shape and has the most stable shooting. Maybe we can trust him!"
Jeff Van Gundy shook his head again, and then everyone fell silent. There were three main scoring points in the starting lineup. It didn't really matter who played the No. 1 position. They were all tool men.
...
After more than half a month, Li You was finally able to go home early. Since the welcome ceremony for the newbies, the "good brothers" have taken good care of the newbies.
Every night everyone goes to an authentic black nightclub to have fun together. With his extraordinary drinking capacity, Li You has won unanimous praise from the "good big brothers".
But Li You really doesn't like black-style nightclubs, and he has no interest in the outdated "gangsta rap".
Listening to the babble of sutras for more than half a month almost gave Li You a headache. He was able to rest tonight. It was mainly because the family members of the "good brothers" had spoken. Otherwise, he would have continued to drink happily...
Mark Bartelstein did not expect that Li You kept his apartment in order, not at all like what a single person should do.
Li You poured the agent a glass of iced Coke, and then drank from the bottle himself:
"This is what humans should drink!"
After one sip, his heart was chilled, and Li You felt completely comfortable.
"Some black players just like to go to some 'black' stores. This is also a kind of team culture, reminding players not to forget their roots."
"It seems that you have adapted to life here, which is good news!"
Mark Bartelstein saw that Li You was living a good life in New York, and then thought of the unlucky Ray Allen in Milwaukee. Their lives were very different.
"Team culture? That's black culture. The Knicks are Ewing's team and everyone revolves around him."
Regarding the internal situation of the Knicks, Li You has a thorough understanding of the situation. The "four major centers" are indeed very well-proportioned.
Mark Bartelstein smiled and then gave a different view:
"Patrick Ewing's team? No, New York is still Pat Riley's team, and your young head coach won't make many changes!"
"The New York media loves Pat Riley, and the Los Angeles media will still miss the man who created the Lakers."
"The broadcast conditions in the NBA are getting better and better. Pat Riley may be the first coach in the league to market himself. He pays attention to his own image. He likes big scenes."
"The gorgeous back hair, fashionable sunglasses, and always neat suits are all designed to attract the attention of the media. Of course, the most important thing is that he also looks a bit like Al Pacino. The media likes such a head coach."
"Lee, the NBA is not just about basketball. Madison Square Garden is still the biggest stage in the league. You need to express yourself more!"
Li You stood up from the sofa, walked to the window, looked at the bustling night view of Manhattan, and thought of the two "good brothers" in the main lineup who stuck their butts out and asked for the ball:
"Ewing is 34 years old. No one can resist the invasion of time. This is a good thing for me."
After hearing Li You's words, Mark Bartelstein laughed again, and the two of them thought of one thing:
"If you want to make a name for yourself, the best choice is to send away the King of New York!"
