On January 15, 1997, the Knicks challenged the Spurs back to back on the road.
Since David Robinson only played 6 games since the start of the season and was reimbursed for the season due to a back injury, the Spurs began to play crazy.
The head coach was changed midway. Currently, under the leadership of rookie Popovich, the Spurs have a record of 9 wins and 25 losses, slightly worse than the Celtics.
The intensity of displaying bad things needs to be further strengthened!
Fans in San Antonio also know the team's situation, so most of those who come to the Alamodome to watch the game only watch the opposing stars...
Ewing performed poorly in the last game. Jeff Van Gundy wanted the gorilla to feel bad, but the game almost overturned in the first quarter.
At 20:15, the Knicks only led by 5 points.
Ewing made 0 of 6, and Alan Houston made 2 of 7. Li You kept making shots for the two of them, but just couldn't make the shot...
Fortunately, the Spurs are destined to lose, and Jeff Van Gundy is not in a hurry and rotates step by step.
In the game against the Rockets, Li You scored a team-high 22 points. He was forced to change his style of play after starting, but the overall impact was not significant.
Physically 19 years old, but mentally twice as old, Li You is not a young boy after all. He plays steadily and shows off, has a strong ability to seize opportunities, and is also very patient.
In the second quarter of the game, the two sides rotated their lineups. At this time, Li You, who was sitting on the bench, was wearing a blue training jacket and holding a tactical board to explain the offensive routine to Alan Houston:
"Move laterally and quickly get to the flank. If Charles' cover is not in place, you can break through smoothly. It doesn't matter if you fail to make an offensive shot, but you must take action resolutely!"
The big man covers in the elbow area, and the No. 2 cuts laterally to the wing from near the baseline, and takes a quick shot after receiving the ball.
This tactic is very simple. In fact, it is the "Iverson Cut" that Larry Brown will often use in the future.
Li You drew several evolved routines on the tactical board. Alan Hughes nodded thoughtfully, but Charles Oakley was a little confused:
"What is this?"
The expression on the old guy's face has revealed some problems. It's okay to block it, but the subsequent operations will depend on the sky...
"When I successfully catch the ball on the wing, the opponent usually blocks my right hand. The moment I cut in with the ball in my left hand, pay attention to my movement. Once the opponent's defense shrinks, I will immediately distribute the ball."
“Be ready to catch the ball and there will definitely be an easy scoring opportunity.”
Li You re-explained the timing of the pass. This tactic is actually more suitable for him. This was specially prepared for the next game against the Suns.
The coaching staff did not customize tactics for him, so Li You had to add extra tricks for himself. If he wanted to score efficiently, he had to rely on the cooperation of his teammates.
As a loser, Li You has customized a development route for himself early on. In this era, it is a bit difficult to achieve "one star and four guarantees", but it is possible to achieve "one star and four guarantees".
The on-site director also discovered the interesting scene on the Knicks bench and frequently turned the camera to Li You. The home commentator also joked:
"It seems that the Knicks have a winning chance. Lee seems to have become the team's assistant coach. New York is really lucky to have drafted him with the 18th overall pick!"
"But San Antonio fans don't have to worry, the Spurs are also on the right path!"
In a game destined to be lost, the Spurs performed poorly and did not perform well throughout the game.
The fans who bought tickets at the scene didn't care, and even at the end of the game, there were a few cheers.
100:77, the main lineup clocked in for three quarters, and the Knicks easily defeated the Spurs.
Popovich took the initiative to chat with Jeff Van Gundy after the game, and the two rookie coaches exchanged experiences with each other...
Patrick Ewing was in a somewhat unhappy mood. He played back-to-back games and continued his performance from the previous game. He made 5 of 14 and scored 20 points on free throws.
Dressed in formal attire, David Robinson shook hands with every Knicks player with a polite smile, and finally gave Li You a few words of encouragement:
"Well done, Li, remember to allocate your physical energy appropriately!"
Li You smiled and nodded, and then he was pulled away by Charles Oakley. The old guy didn't like the general's behavior very much:
"The game must be played without any reservations. Don't be a weakling to get ahead in the league!"
...
On January 18, the Knicks flew to Phoenix to challenge the Suns away from home.
After two days of rest, everyone took this opportunity to briefly practice the new offensive routine.
The tactics are not difficult either, the core is to give the ball to Li You.
"Good big brother" is very particular. He pats his chest and promises to fully support his little brother. The price is to go to the Gold Club next time, and Li You will be responsible for paying the bill...
The Suns currently have a record of 13 wins and 25 losses this season.
Kevin Johnson, who had 20+10 for three consecutive seasons, teamed up with Barkley to fight the Bulls, and contributed to the famous dunk on Olajuwon, also began to be unable to support himself. After all, basketball belongs to five people.
Defenders with a strong playing style may be on the road to injury. Kevin Johnson has been injured for two consecutive seasons. He has returned from injury this season and is currently at the tail end of his peak.
The reporters in New York got angry before the game and brought up old things again, uncovering the Suns' double-standard trial training with Li You. Of course, Phoenix was at odds with this.
Thirty years in Hedong and thirty years in Hexi. No one expected that young Li You would adapt to the NBA so quickly.
During the pre-game locker room interview, faced with provocation from New York reporters, the fiery-tempered Kevin Johnson displayed the demeanor of the future mayor of Sacramento:
"I think it was a misunderstanding. The Suns staff have always been very dedicated and Phoenix welcomes everyone."
"I love this city, I love the fans in Phoenix, and I will always stay here!"
"..."
Danny Ainge became the Suns' head coach this season and didn't make many changes to the starting lineup that night.
Kevin Johnson and Wesley Person partnered in the backcourt, Cedric Ceballos and Lauren Mayer were on the front line, and Holt Rod Williams was at center.
After Barkley hugged his thigh, Cedric became the Suns' second scoring point this season.
Of course, Li You doesn't have to worry about the defensive front players. He only needs to pay attention to fouls in this game. Kevin Johnson on the opposite side has a strong impact.
After the home team's appearance ceremony, the atmosphere in America West Arena became more and more enthusiastic. Regardless of the result, the local fans continued to support the home team.
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"
The moment Ewing succeeded in jumping the ball, the defensive shouts echoed throughout the arena.
Li You controlled the ball and quickly moved across the half court to the left wing. The cautious Kevin Johnson immediately stepped forward to defend.
So far in the regular season, no opponent has allowed Li You to play anymore. The Suns also did video analysis before the game, so they were naturally well prepared.
Larry Johnson, who returned to the starting lineup, quickly moved to the left elbow of the free throw line.
Seeing his teammates complete their movement, Li You immediately passed the ball across to Alan Houston at the top of the arc, and then quickly cut in horizontally from left to right.
In the left elbow area, "Big Mom" first delayed Kevin Johnson. At the same time, Oakley's screen in the right elbow area of the free throw line delayed the opponent's pursuit.
When Li You bounced to the right wing beyond the three-point line, Alan Houston immediately sent a cross pass.
After catching the ball, Li You didn't make any adjustments and immediately threw the ball!
Kevin Johnson had just caught up to Li You and had no time to block the shot, showing a surprised look.
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
Hearing the boos from the fans at the scene, Li You, who retreated on defense, looked calm and just gave his teammates a thumbs up.
Al McCoy, the veteran commentator at the Suns' home court, saw Li You scoring in the opening game and whispered helplessly:
"Bad shot selection! But Lee was in good shape tonight and made the shots."
"Also a rookie in this class, Steve Nash seems to be still adapting to the NBA. Coach Ainge thinks he is not ready yet."
As an old-school point guard, Kevin Johnson has never relied on shooting from beyond the three-point line.
The Suns attacked, and center Holt immediately came to the right elbow of the free throw line to cover.
On the right wing, Kevin Johnson took the ball with his left hand. With the help of his teammates' cover, he quickly broke through to the free throw line. He briefly got rid of Li You's pursuit and immediately stopped for a jump shot!
Ewing stayed at the basket to prevent the opponent from hitting the basket. The ball hit the basket, and the gorilla easily grabbed the rebound, and then quickly gave the ball to Li You.
Unlike previous games, the Knicks' transition offense was faster.
Kevin Johnson once again chose to delay the defense immediately, but Li You quickly gave the ball to Alan Houston who crossed the center line.
The latter caught the ball and went to the top of the arc. The Knicks' Li You and Larry Johnson also ran to the wings, one on the left and one on the right.
Charles Oakley, who was lagging behind, was not in a hurry. When Alan Houston passed back to Li You and the opponent's defense was just in position, he came to the left wing and stood up to cover.
Li You, who maintained a triple-threat posture, swung right and left, lowered his center of gravity, released the ball with his left hand and quickly crossed over to break through.
The fans at the scene subconsciously exclaimed. There was no fancy shaking, but Kevin Johnson was still shaken. He made a wrong prediction and was passed by Li You.
Kevin Johnson immediately pursued the defense and moved to Li You's side again, constantly providing physical confrontation.
When approaching the paint area, Li You took advantage of the situation and jumped, using his body to deflect the defense, ignoring the opponent's block, and picked the basket with one hand with his left hand!
“My bowl!!”
After landing, Li You shouted, signaling to the referee that the opponent was fighting. He didn't get the whistle, so he didn't care and immediately retreated quickly.
The big man Holt, who was stuck in the paint area, was still paying attention to Ewing's movements. Li You had already scored 2 points. Everyone in the Suns team looked at the boss for a while.
"Shhh!!"
Huge boos erupted at the scene. Kevin Johnson felt that he had lost face. After serving from the baseline, he made a face and took the blame:
"My problem is, please retreat!"
Kevin Johnson, who missed a shot in the first round and wanted to regain face, changed his offense this time.
Using Holt's cover on the left elbow of the free throw line, he quickly pushed the ball to change direction. Kevin Johnson lowered his center of gravity, switched to his right hand and accelerated the breakthrough!
Li You didn't have a good way to defend the small man's pick-and-roll attack. Kevin Johnson got past the defense, but he didn't fully charge. When he met Ewing who was squatting inside to protect the basket, he tilted his body, grabbed the ball with his right hand, and forced the basket. !
Dodging the defense and falling to the floor, Kevin Johnson didn't hear the expected whistle. The ball knocked out of the frame due to interference, and Ewing grabbed the rebound again.
Coach Danny Ainge on the sidelines kept shouting loudly, asking his players to retreat quickly.
During the transition attack, Li You was completely undisturbed for a moment after receiving the ball. The Suns' big man Hod heard the shouts and only focused on returning to defense, completely unaware of the situation beside him.
Kevin Johnson got up from the floor, quickly returned to defense, and loudly reminded his teammates:
"Follow and defend!"
By the time the Suns realized something was wrong, Li You, who was advancing quickly along the right sideline, had already reached the right wing.
When approaching the three-point line, he immediately slowed down and adjusted his pace. Li You quickly combined the ball and converted to a three-pointer to make a pull-up jump shot!
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
"Bad shot choice! Oh! There's something wrong with our retreat!"
Commentator Al McCoy was almost stunned. In his opinion, these attacks were unreasonable.
After the goal, the atmosphere team on the Knicks bench started shouting and everyone threw towels wildly. Li You remained expressionless, raised his right arm, held up three fingers, took small steps, and quickly retreated on defense.
8:0, in less than 2 minutes, Li You scored 8 points in a row, and the Suns fans at the scene helplessly booed.
Jeff Van Gundian, who was on the hook, sat safely on the bench, trying to look confident like Pat Riley.
"It is also a good choice to let Lee dominate the game occasionally. Jeff, we can design more tactics for him."
Assistant coach Don Chaney was in a good mood, holding a tactical board and whispering suggestions.
Jeff Van Gundy did not respond. Building core players is not an easy task. He also has to consider locker room issues:
"Top 50 superstars working for a 19-year-old rookie?"
Thinking of this, Jeff Van Gundy shook his head secretly in his heart, this matter is no good!
It was Wesley Person who first broke the deadlock for the Suns. Kevin Johnson broke through and found the opponent. He responded with a three-pointer in the right corner.
The Suns fans at the scene cheered. After the start, the Knicks' rhythm was too fast and they were a little stunned.
Li You could feel that Kevin Johnson had strengthened his defense. Therefore, for several consecutive rounds, he just observed the opponent's defensive position and clarified the tactical goals to make the team's offense more purposeful.
The score between the two sides began to rise, and Kevin Johnson felt like he had been punched in the cotton.
The defensive end had just relaxed, and Kevin Johnson thought Li You would sneak past the baseline and run back, but instead he bounced diagonally outward.
The moment it bounced to the left wing, Li You received a cross pass from "Auntie" and immediately raised the ball to feint. Taking advantage of Kevin Johnson's center of gravity moving forward, he released the ball with his right hand and broke through smoothly.
With a quick slide, Kevin Johnson did not lose his defensive position. Li You broke through to the paint area and rushed up with three long steps to pretend to pick the basket!
Following a quick takeoff, Kevin Johnson raised his left arm and wanted to complete the block. However, Li You paused in the air, then swung the ball behind his head, grabbed the ball with his right hand, and threw the ball directly to Ewing under the basket. in hand.
Hodder, the big man inside, realized that he was overly assisting in defense. He turned around and saw Ewing slam a one-handed dunk under the basket!
"ah!!"
The gorilla roared, and on the Knicks bench, the atmosphere team cheered again. Assistant coach Don Chaney also smiled and whispered:
"We should give Li more opportunities! Age is not a problem!"
