On October 31, 2000, Halloween, New York fans dressed in fancy clothes once again experienced the Knicks' ability to abuse food.
Jermaine O'Neal, who had just joined the Pacers, was still sitting on the bench at the end of the half game, and he was completely stunned.
He received 4 fouls in the half and only played 11 minutes. He was in a daze throughout the game and didn't do much other than holding his head and complaining.
After 14:30 of the first quarter, Madison Square Garden entered a frenzy.
At 41:58, after half-time, the fans at the scene had already started humming and dancing to the music.
In the MSG commentary box, Walter Frazier was still joking about Pacers head coach Isiah Thomas:
"I really want to see the replay. After the first quarter, the smile on Coach Thomas's face has completely disappeared."
"It is difficult for top players to become excellent head coaches, and it seems that Coach Thomas has not been able to break this rule."
The team was defeated in the first game after taking over. Mike Breen also felt that this famous player was a bit unlucky. The Pacers were now old and young. If they wanted to fully realize their talents, they would have to practice for at least two years. :
"Although they fell behind a lot at halftime, I believe the Pacers will regain the feeling of the game after midfield adjustments."
Seeing their old rival pulling his crotch, the two laughed and discussed it in the commentary box, and inadvertently made fun of their opponent.
Although there is not much suspense about the outcome of the game, Isiah Thomas will never allow himself to lose so miserably in the first game of his coaching career without making a fuss!
As soon as the second half started, Isiah Thomas, who was standing on the sidelines, stared and shouted for the little Best to step forward and lead the defense.
"Let's go Knicks!."
There was a lot of cheering at the scene, but Best still heard the head coach's shouts.
Watching Li You receive the baseline ball, Best immediately stepped forward to lead the defense, but it had no effect. Instead, because he made too many moves, the referee immediately called a foul.
Isiah Thomas didn't care about the whistle and continued to call Best to lead the defense.
Alan Houston was about to take a side kick, and Li You felt that the little man was already hanging on him, referring to Ewing who came to the top of the arc.
Quickly throwing the ball to the gorilla, Alan Houston slowly walked to the left wing.
Ewing caught the ball at the top of the arc. Outside the three-point line, Li You first swayed to the left, then suddenly accelerated and ran back, moving laterally to the right. Ewing took advantage of the situation to complete the hand-to-hand pass.
Approaching the right wing, Li You caught the ball without stopping. Faced with Best, who was once again on defense, he held the ball with his right hand and accelerated his breakthrough. After blocking half of his body, he went straight to the basket.
Jermaine O'Neal was confused again at this time. The pick-and-roll position was too high and his teammates were out of position. Ewing followed up. In the moment of hesitation, Li You had already broken through to the paint area against the defense.
Veteran Sam Perkins, who was near the baseline on the right, didn't even have time to help defend. Li You suddenly stole a step while walking, leaned on the defense, clicked twice, took off with his right foot, held the ball with one hand with his right hand, and easily picked the ball up. Get into the basket!
"Wow!"
The moment the ball went in, Jermaine O'Neal, who had just retreated to the inside, heard the cheers in his ears and was stunned again.
Seemingly realizing that there was a problem with his defensive positioning, Jermaine O'Neal subconsciously looked at the head coach, and then felt the death stare.
The Knicks' tactics are not complicated. Everyone opens up the space. Artest and Lewis stand in the left and right corners respectively. Ewing moves up and Alan Houston responds on the wing.
As long as there is a loophole in the Pacers' defense, everyone is waiting to eat the pie.
Seeing this situation, Reggie Miller had no choice. On the offensive end, he quickly called on his teammates to cover the running position, quickly slipped across the baseline from right to left, received the ball in the left block, and responded with a catch-and-shoot jumper!
Jermaine O'Neal's screen quality was very good, and Reggie Miller clapped his hands and loudly encouraged his little brother.
Just after finding some confidence, the defensive end saw Ewing stopped outside the three-point line. Jermaine O'Neal moved to the top of the arc. Facing Li You who was holding the ball with his left hand and breaking away from the defense, he subconsciously moved up.
At the three-point line, Li You only slightly raised his head to look at the basket while walking, pretending to hit the ball with his right hand. Taking advantage of the opponent's big delay, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity, leaned forward, leaned against his opponent, and broke through with his shoulders down.
Subconsciously, he wanted to pull. Thinking of the number of fouls he had committed, Jermaine O'Neal quickly stopped his hand and slid back to the right. In less than 2 seconds, he found that Li You had a huge breakthrough stride and had completely gotten rid of the defense. .
Fans at the scene screamed subconsciously when they saw Li You breaking through to the basket against the sliding Jermaine O'Neal.
What seemed like a dangerous breakthrough was actually quite reliable. Li You had already joined the ball as soon as he reached the paint area. Before the opponent jumped up to block the shot, he grabbed the ball with his right hand and leaned forward to pick the basket!
Physical confrontation has no effect. Jermaine O'Neal did not dare to take action easily. He subconsciously followed and took off. In the end, he could only watch the basketball hit the board and hit the frame.
The opponent's center broke through and scored, and the cheers started again. In the commentary box, Mike Breen could only sigh:
"Lee grasped the timing of the breakthrough too well. Jermaine O'Neal, who had committed four fouls, could no longer make much defensive action."
Walter Frazier watched the two sides start to poke each other again, and added with a smile:
"The rhythm of the breakthrough during the movement is also very perfect. It is difficult for the opponent to predict his timing. After several seasons of polishing, Li's playing style has become more concise and efficient."
Jeff Van Gundy watched the Knicks throw three-pointers wildly after the Pacers started to help defend. He didn't know what to say for a moment. Although this was an expected tactic, he was terrified.
A high pick-and-roll was launched at the top of the arc. Best was out of position. Reggie Miller shrank and delayed. On the right wing, Alan Houston received a pass from Li You and hit a wide-open three-pointer!
Looking back at the Pacers' attack, Crohill made a strong inside layup but was interfered by Artest. Ewing collected the rebound and the Knicks launched another transition attack.
Veteran Sam Perkins retreated too slowly. Li You, who received the ball, threw the ball to Lewis on the left wing before he could pass half the court.
The timing of the pass was perfect. Lewis, who had just adjusted his steps, picked up the pass from the left wing and threw it!
"Whoa!" Convert a three-pointer and score again!
The offense can always arouse the fans' emotions, score points quickly, and make the atmosphere in the stadium more and more heated.
After scoring the goal, Lewis excitedly celebrated with his fists. It was just like what he imagined. He would throw it when he got the chance. It was not his responsibility if he didn't throw it into the pot.
The first half of the game was a pick-and-roll show by Li You and Ewing. In the third quarter, three-pointers came like a rain. Even Artest, who was struggling in the first half, also hit a three-pointer from the corner.
In the second half of the third quarter, Jermaine O'Neal still didn't hold back and sent Li You to the free throw line. He also received his fifth foul and went off to rest.
Isiah Thomas on the sidelines felt humiliated. The Pacers reached the conference finals last year, but now they are being cut down.
At 19:31 in a single quarter, after three quarters, at 60:89, the game officially entered garbage time.
Sitting in the front row, David Stern and James Dolan were grinning from ear to ear. This game was really good to watch.
There are breakthroughs with strong visual impact, fast-paced transition attacks, and continuous three-pointers, which are even more enjoyable to watch!
Returning to the bench, Li You didn't break a sweat again. After the whistle was further enhanced, the game became much easier.
"Well done, Rashad, don't worry about missing the shot. As long as there is an open shot, just take it!"
Returning to their seats, Li You fist bumped with Lewis. Although the defensive end was not very strong, the rookie's tactical execution was indeed very good.
5 of 12, 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. In his first career start, Lewis scored in double figures.
It seemed that he was very satisfied with his performance. Lewis also smiled and agreed to Li You's request:
"I'll do my job!"
Grant Hill, wearing a black formal suit, sat on the bench with his eyes wide open. In the three quarters of the game, the Knicks took 22 shots from beyond the three-point line.
This situation seems to be different from the head coach's requirements in daily training.
Grant Hill subconsciously glanced at Jeff Van Gundy, only to find that he was sitting on the bench smiling and seemed to have no objection.
Ewing is also very satisfied with tonight's game. He is completely focused on eating cakes and can still get a double-double!
Seeing his old friends giving him thumbs up, Gorilla smiled from ear to ear when he returned to the bench.
Everyone on the Knicks team was smiling on the bench, while everyone on the Pacers team on the other side was looking grim.
The signature smile on Isiah Thomas' face has completely disappeared, and he is still yelling at the players on the court during garbage time.
Everyone can see that the emotion shown on the smiling assassin's face is:
"It's painful to watch you guys play."
In the last quarter of the game, the Knicks' score dropped sharply. Billups still failed to adapt to the whirlwind fast play and led everyone to play steadily.
In the end, the Knicks defeated their opponents 89:109 and successfully won the opening game.
Playing 29 minutes, 11 of 16, 2 of 4 from beyond the three-point line, 7 of 7 free throws, 31 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers, Li You filled up the data column.
Playing extremely efficiently, Li You pushed Ewing next to the two MSG commentators after the game.
This season, Li You also gave up the opportunity for post-match interviews at home to Gorilla.
He was smiling when he won, and the New York fans at the scene were cheering for the victory.
Played 27 minutes, made 6 of 9, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 turnover. Ewing, who got a double-double, started a commercial exchange mode. While waving to his brothers, he said loudly to the camera:
"No one is our opponent, the Knicks will keep winning!"
"."
During the halftime break, Madison Square Garden held a Halloween event. After the game, the fans left the arena, faced the camera and booed and shouted outside the court:
"Fakerex! We are the champions!"
In the first week of the new season, the Knicks have a total of three games to play.
After a big victory over the Pacers, back-to-back games soon came.
On the night of the 2nd, at Madison Square Garden, New York fans once again witnessed the team's ability to abuse food.
73:108, facing the Hawks, the Knicks beat their opponents by 35 points.
In the back-to-back away games on the 3rd, at the MCI Center Arena, the on-site director once again captured the depressed expression on Michael Jordan's face.
In the first quarter of the game, everyone took care of Ewing. At 21:24, the Wizards led by 3 points.
As Li You's playing time increased, the violent three-pointers once again swept the scene, and Wizards fans were dumbfounded.
The home team had an attack for 20 seconds, and when they looked back, they accidentally allowed the Knicks to hit three-pointers in two consecutive rounds to complete the lead.
After 32:13 in the single quarter, Oakley on the bench angrily complained about the Wizards' "softies."
In the end, 105:81, the Knicks once again defeated their opponents and quietly won three consecutive victories in the first week.
After scoring a game-high 33 points, Li You stood on the sidelines and accepted the interview with a smile.
McQueen is very proud. Tonight's game is a national live broadcast of the Wizards. TNT reporter Craig Sagel smiled and asked about a hot topic among many sports commentators:
"Li, we have all noticed that after the start of this season, your number of free throws seems to have increased a lot. What do you think about this?"
Sponsors and the league took care of it. Li You was very satisfied with this. When he heard this question, he simply answered frankly:
"The basketball game is actually very simple. As long as I don't foul, my number of free throws will naturally decrease!"
"."
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(End of chapter)
