On November 11, 1996, the NBA announced its first Player of the Week this season.
The Rockets had 4 wins and 0 losses in last week's game, and the Big Three were invincible!
Hakeem Olajuwon was successfully elected as the Player of the Week in the first week. This super center played 36 minutes per game, averaging 32.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.8 blocks and 2.8 turnovers per game;
Averaged 23.5 shots per game, shooting 47.9% from the field, averaging 13.3 free throws per game, shooting 77.4% from the field
After the Player of the Week was announced, Li You also saw this data that was very characteristic of the times.
Different from the future style of play that will mainly focus on outside players, it is still the era of "four major centers".
After Barkley hugged his thigh, Olajuwon did not reduce the number of his shots. This is the appearance of a super center!
On the night of the 12th, Olajuwon received the award at home in Houston, while Patrick Ewing in New York was not in a good mood anymore and did not say a word in the locker room before the game.
Tonight's game has attracted much attention. The Knicks have a total of 25 nationally broadcast games this season, tied for first place with the Chicago Bulls, and have the highest number of nationally broadcast games this season.
The reason why Patrick Ewing is depressed is also related to tonight's opponent.
Prior to this, the 76ers had a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. In the last game against the Suns, Iverson played 26 minutes, made 3 of 10 shots, scored 6 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 9 turnovers. data.
Not only was this hip-stretching performance not criticized, but Iverson was also praised for his comprehensiveness:
"Even if his shooting touch is not good, Iverson can still lead the team to victory!"
"..."
The New York media followed suit, and Patrick Ewing felt uncomfortable. He felt that he was being treated with a double standard.
The 76ers also hired a rookie head coach this season. If the results are not good, Johnny Davis will most likely be responsible for the failure.
In this focus battle, for New York fans, everyone wants to see Li You play.
Although he didn't have much playing time before, Li You always appeared on ESPN's Sports Center program.
The top ten goals every day have become the best promotion channel for Li You. Television is not easy these days. Even if the individual game statistics are too low, fans don't care. Instead, they look forward to Li You continuing to live a good life...
As a result, Jeff Van Gundy fed the New York fans again that night, and Charlie Ward continued to start.
Alan Houston sprained his ankle early in the game, and Starks came out immediately.
Such a substitution immediately made the New York fans at the scene furious, and boos broke out all over the place.
Ewing was very aggressive tonight. Facing the 76ers' inside combination of Derrick Coleman and Scott Williams, he frequently asked for the ball in the low post.
Whether it was Starks or Charlie Ward, they all passed the ball honestly and then watched Ewing hit the ball.
Fortunately, Charles Oakley's fierce scramble for offensive rebounds delayed the 76ers' transition attack and never allowed the opponent to widen the point difference.
Li You almost laughed out loud when he saw Larry Johnson take a jump shot after receiving the ball from outside the three-point line on the bench.
"Auntie" was forced to become a true small forward. This game's style of play changed dramatically and he began to shoot more from the outside.
After Alan Houston tied his foot again, he returned to the bench. After seeing "Auntie" hit a long two-pointer, he immediately sighed in a low voice:
"Larry felt good tonight. He should have played like this a long time ago. Like Oakley, he shot more mid-range shots. There is no need to insist on attacking in the low post."
Larry Johnson seems to have been affected by a back injury, and his current finishing efficiency at the basket is average.
In previous games, when Ewing was supporting in the low post, "Auntie" could only cut in without the ball and change his style of play, which was a last resort choice.
"Larry did make the right choice. If he had been more decisive, he would not have always taken less than 10 shots."
Hearing Li You making fun of "Auntie"'s treatment in the team, Alan Houston quickly grabbed a towel and covered his face with a low laugh. Larry Johnson was the most aggrieved starter on the team...
The first quarter lasted 10 minutes and 42 seconds. With Ewing hitting a jumper near the baseline on the right side, the 76ers finally launched a transition attack.
Scott Williams protected the backcourt rebound and threw the ball to Iverson immediately.
The latter caught the ball and rushed forward. Everyone in the Knicks team could only fight back to defend. Iverson was so fast that he took advantage of the defense's failure to complete the position and went straight to the basket.
In the paint area, after taking three long steps to rush forward, Iverson ignored Charlie Ward who jumped up beside him. Iverson tilted his body and shot with one hand with his right hand!
"Squeak! Swish..."
The buzzer sounded and the ball was scored. Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines noticed that Charlie Ward committed two fouls. Taking advantage of Iverson's free throw, he also started to greet Li You to come on.
As Iverson made an extra free throw, the score reached 26:22, and the Knicks fell behind by 4 points.
The two teams also began to rotate personnel. Iverson was replaced by Doug Overton, and Li You replaced Charlie Ward.
Starting from receiving the ball in the backcourt, facing Doug Overton's leading defense, Li You changed his hips several times to accelerate and quickly turned around and easily passed the half court.
Charles Oakley immediately came to the top of the arc to perform a pick-and-roll. According to the tactical requirements, Li You should move to the right wing and then give the ball to Ewing who was asking for the ball in the low post.
Doug Overton also thought that Li You would pass the ball to the inside. After all, Ewing had started to stick out and relaxed a little on the defensive end.
At the top of the arc, Li You, who was holding the ball in his left hand, didn't wait for Charles Oakley to stand still, and suddenly dribbled the ball behind his back twice very quickly.
Li You's body first swayed to the right with the rhythm of dribbling. The moment he caught the ball with his left hand, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity and moved sideways to the left to accelerate.
The sudden shaking caused Doug Overton to lose his defensive position in an instant.
As the defense changed, Coleman didn't have time to delay the defense. Li You, who got out of the defense, immediately joined the ball and made a quick jump shot from the top of the arc!
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
Ewing, who was still pouting in the paint, turned his head and saw the basketball entering the frame. He heard huge cheers ringing in his ears, and his face suddenly darkened.
Li You didn't care about the gorilla's gaze. Instead, he raised his left arm and raised three fingers to indicate that the noise at the scene should be louder.
In the next round, the 76ers used a simple pick-and-roll attack. Coleman, who had a great touch, easily hit two points from the right elbow area.
While the 76ers were still slowly retreating on defense, Li You continued to accelerate after receiving the baseline ball, chasing the opponent's butt through half the court.
At this time, Charles Oakley and Ewing have not yet passed the halfway line.
On the right wing outside the three-point line, Li You, who was holding the ball in his right hand, slowed down slightly, then suddenly lowered his center of gravity, dribbling extremely quickly under his hips and changing direction in front of his body. With two "bangs", Doug Overton was stunned. He watched Li You go to the basket.
Approaching the paint area, he noticed that Scott Williams had returned to defend the basket, but Li You still did not slow down.
After three big steps, the two faced off in the air. Li You ignored the opponent's block, grabbed the ball with one hand with his right hand, twisted his body and threw it casually!
"Squeak! Bang...swish!"
The buzzer sounded and the ball was scored. After landing, Li You didn't even look at the old guys who had just passed halftime. He faced the camera under the basket with an expressionless face and beat his chest!
Madison Square Garden once again burst into loud cheers. Jeff Van Gundy checked the time on the sidelines and finally turned around and sat back on the bench, completely entering a state of trusteeship...
