On February 11, 2002, after the All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia, the sports media began to pay attention to the trading trends of various teams.
Before the All-Star Game, most teams only confirm the contracts of the atmosphere group. If you want to see major transactions, you have to wait until after the All-Star Game.
The Knicks would like to trade for a superstar and form a star lineup, but currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference and no one is interested in making a deal with New York.
The most important thing is that there are no big fish in the market, and there are too many "not for sale" items.
The Lakers also want to replenish their lineup. The substitutes are stretched inside, and their outside shooting does not have the desired effect. They need outside defenders and reliable backup centers.
It's just that every team has fun. The Lakers' draft pick may be slightly less valuable than the Knicks', but in general, you still have to scratch the lottery ticket.
After a "deliberate" round, general manager Kupchak finally signed veteran Brian Shaw back
After the All-Star Game, Li You didn't stay in Philadelphia. The city didn't welcome him, so he flew back to Manhattan overnight to prepare for Upper Deck activities.
The limited edition "Gold Card" released this year still needs a lot of publicity, Ray-Ban also has charity events, Sports Illustrated has an exclusive interview, and Li You's schedule is already full.
O'Neal, who is recuperating from injuries in Los Angeles, also frequently appears in sponsor events. Seeing his outstanding performance in the All-Star Game, Shark sent out his sincere blessings:
"I'm glad to see Kobe win an MVP-level award!"
"This represents everyone's recognition of him. Los Angeles fans don't have to worry, I will return to the team soon!"
There is only one letter difference between AMVP and MVP, but their value is absolutely different.
ESPN has recently begun to gossip about the internal conflicts of the Lakers. O'Neal has been teasing his younger brother. Every time the Lakers lose, this guy keeps making weird remarks.
The petty O'Neal is obviously worried about the MVP rankings. He doesn't like his position as the boss being challenged, and he doesn't like anyone on the team to go against him.
Although Phil Jackson lost his position as Western Conference All-Star head coach this year, as a championship coach, he wants to pursue a championship.
In order to balance the relationship within the team, the "Kentucky Fried Chicken" old man also worked hard. Fortunately, the Lakers did not win the championship and everyone could still cooperate. Otherwise, O'Neal would taunt Kobe in a weird way, and the two would have "fighted" long ago.
On the morning of the 11th, Jeff Van Gundy also started the third negotiation with general manager Glenn Field.
The Knicks have no plans to strengthen and have given up all the short-term contracts they signed. As long as they persist for another half season, the team will be able to harvest a number of new players in the draft!
In addition, the Suns' first-round pick is likely to be a high pick, so waiting patiently is the best option. When the rookie grows up, the Knicks can still sign him even if his salary exceeds the limit.
In the future, when the salary cap is full, the bench lineup will be supplemented with mid-level contracts, two-year exceptions, and veterans with minimum salaries. For a general manager who plans to stay with the team, Glenfield has already made plans for the future.
During the All-Star Weekend, Jeff Van Gundy didn't get a good rest. After arriving at the Tarrytown Training Center, he greeted the staff and then went to the general manager's office.
General manager Glenn Field is looking at the reports submitted by scouts. March Madness is coming soon. Before the draft, there is also a training camp in Chicago. If you want to inspect players, you must be prepared in advance.
The trophy for the best manager in the league is placed in the office, and the rest is a photo of the championship and the players.
"Jeff, we don't plan to sign any more players this season. If there are injuries in the second half of the season, we will increase some of Lee's playing time."
"According to the current trend, Li should be able to win a scoring champion, and it seems that he has a chance to win other honors."
"Being able to reach the Eastern Conference Finals means we have accomplished our mission, and even picky New York fans will be satisfied with this result."
General Manager Glenfield thought that the bald young coach wanted to sign his favorite Charlie Ward again. Of course, he knew that this signing was more because the head coach wanted to show his prestige, but he was not a soft persimmon, and he had no interest in letting him out of power.
Jeff Van Gundy didn't show much expression when he heard the other party consoling him. After sitting down, he looked at the photo of Li You and Grunfield holding the trophy on the desk, and suddenly whispered:
"Ernie, I plan to leave the team. I hope to spend more time with my family. I have been under tremendous pressure over the years and it is time to take a break."
After hearing these words, General Manager Grunfield was also stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of disbelief and asked in a low voice:
"Why? We are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference. In New York you can get the highest salary in the league. You have won a championship here. The team also has the best stars in the league."
"You are only 40 years old, and you can grow up with Lee and the team, just like Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan!"
Mentioning Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy immediately shook his head, said nothing more, and reiterated his choice:
"I love New York, I've achieved everything here."
"But I'm too tired. I need more time to spend with my family. Tom is a good coach. He is ready. The team's record will not decline. Lee can support the Knicks' lower limit."
"This is just my personal choice and has nothing to do with salary!"
He took a deep look at the bald young handsome man. He had no dark circles under his eyes and his figure was somewhat rounder. He was wearing a crisp black Armani suit. Grunfield did not feel that the man in front of him was tired:
"Jeff, I respect your choice. You can calm down a little longer. Mr. Dolan definitely doesn't want to lose an excellent coach like you."
After telling his decision, Jeff Van Gundy felt comfortable all over. Looking at the serious expression on the other side, he suddenly smiled:
"I've been thinking about it for a long time and I will always love New York thanks to this experience."
"."
After leaving the office, Jeff Van Gundy felt that he was in a particularly beautiful mood, and the stone that weighed on his heart seemed to disappear. At this moment, he only felt free.
With a warm smile on his face, Jeff Van Gundy said goodbye to the staff one by one. When the equipment manager Mike heard the decision of the bald young coach, his eyes widened subconsciously:
"Why, Jeff? Look at this training facility and look at the championship banner in the training facility. You've won everything here!"
Jeff Van Gundy's smile became brighter and brighter, he hugged old Mike and said with emotion:
"Yes, I have won everything here, and it is time to leave and enter the next stage of life!"
"."
On the afternoon of the 11th, while Li You was still participating in a sponsor event, he soon received a call from the general manager and the bald marshal.
The former consulted assistant coach Tom Thibodeau about the situation, and the latter said goodbye with a smile:
"Li, thank you for your support in the past few years. I want to spend more time with my family in the future. It's a pity that I can't accompany the team!"
"."
When Li You returned home at night, Jeff Van Gundy's cheerful tone seemed to be echoing in his ears.
Wearing glasses, reading a newspaper on the first floor, and listening to the radio, Mike noticed that Li You looked a little strange, and turned around and said:
"You're not a beautiful player, so you can't make everyone like you. I've worked in Philadelphia for many years, and I don't like the opponent's team either."
He almost forgot that the old Mike who was in charge of his security was also a Philadelphia fan. Li You shook his head, took off his coat and said simply:
"I didn't care about the All-Star Weekend. It was just that there were some minor situations within the team and the head coach suddenly resigned."
Holding the newspaper again, Mike smiled and nodded in affirmation, then curled his lips and joked:
"It seems that Van Gundy fired the Knicks! It was a man's decision!"
There were no major trades in the NBA on Tuesday, February 12, but as the Knicks announced the departure of head coach Jeff Van Gundy, the sports media went crazy.
In the morning, Jeff Van Gundy will hold a personal press conference, and several mainstream media in New York rushed to the Tarrytown Training Center immediately.
The bald young marshal still maintains his famous marshal style, and calmly expressed his position during the interview:
"This is an unforgettable experience. Although I have achieved a lot, the pressure in my life has also become more and more intense in the past few years."
"In the future I hope to spend more time with my family and I want to take a good rest."
Reporters in New York smelled the gossip, and everyone rushed to hand over the microphone. In the end, the New York Post got the opportunity to ask questions:
"Jeff, do you plan to continue coaching in the future? Does leaving the team have anything to do with the management?"
After hearing this question, Jeff Van Gundy thought for a while and then didn't finish his sentence:
"I don't know, I didn't think about it that much. I chose to leave more for the sake of life. I need to relax myself."
"I must stress again that I get along very well with the players, management, and all the staff of the team. We are like family!"
"I love New York, I've won everything here, there's no need to over-interpret it, it's just my personal choice."
The bald young coach answered a lot of questions, and general manager Glenfield also expressed regret on behalf of the management:
"Jeff's departure is a big loss for the team. Breaking up with the championship coach is something no one on the team wants to see."
"The Knicks will always open their doors to him, and New York fans will never forget Jeff's contribution. This will always be his home!"
"."
General manager Glenfield was naturally surrounded by the media, and kept talking about the situation. Just answering like this made some sports reporters scratch their heads, always feeling that the Knicks have a big team.
The video class in the morning has also been cancelled, and the sports media will not forget Li You at this time.
Seeing the Knicks players, everyone immediately gathered around. A reporter from the New York Times was the first to ask a question:
"Lee, what do you think about coach Van Gundy leaving?"
Everyone handed the recording equipment and microphone to Li You who was wearing training clothes:
"I'm just sorry and surprised. It's so dangerous and so hard to cut down trees. Everyone supports coach Van Gundy."
"But everyone also respects the head coach's choice. Life is bigger than basketball. We all understand the head coach's choice to spend time with his family."
Seeing the regretful expression on Li You's face, the surrounding sports media also nodded slightly. After all, Van Gundy is the league's unique championship coach!
Grant Hill only got the news in the morning and was still confused at this time. For him, the choice of the bald young coach was too sudden:
"Family is the most important thing, but I still hope that coach Van Gundy can continue to choose to coach in the future. Losing him is a loss for the league!"
These words resonated with the sports media. Grant Hill was right. As the youngest championship coach in NBA history, Jeff Van Gundy's coaching career has clearly just begun.
If they quit like this, it would indeed be a loss for the alliance. Everyone is expecting the bald young coach to achieve a thousand wins.
Rookie Pau Gasol was also confused. Everything was going well with the team and the record was No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, but the head coach resigned?
This operation really confused the Knicks' rookies. In addition to being shocked, everyone was also curious about Van Gundy's next choice.
At noon on the 12th, the news that the championship coach left the Knicks swept the league!
The New York media regretfully announced that "Van Gundy's era as head coach is over."
The fans in Los Angeles are the happiest at this time. If I use one word to describe it, it would be "kneeling in the living room."
The opponent's head coach is gone, and the Lakers' probability of winning the championship has skyrocketed.
The Eastern Conference teams also seemed to see the hope of "overthrowing the rule". Everyone followed suit and expressed "regret" in interviews.
Naturally, TNT's program would not miss this hot spot. The trio kept up with current events. After the reporter sent back the news, they began to discuss the impact of head coach Van Gundy's departure in the studio:
"The head coach suddenly left the team halfway through the schedule. This situation is simply unbelievable!"
"I don't know why the Knicks are in this situation, but their record is bound to fluctuate."
Kenny Smith continued to express his shock, while Charles Barkley on the side grinned and said seriously:
"I understand Coach Van Gundy, coaching Lee is definitely not a pleasant thing!"
"I have long said this. On the basketball court, Lee is not an easy person to get along with. He likes to control the team, and the coach may compromise with him."
"All traces of the Ewing era have disappeared. I don't mean it in particular, but judging from the results, it took Lee a few years to completely clean up the team."
"When we think of Phil Jackson, we think of the triangle offense. This offensive concept helped McQueen and the Bulls win the championship."
"But when you think of coach Van Gundy, what do you think of? I only think of Lee. It was his appearance that changed the Knicks."
When Ernie Johnson heard this point of view, he subconsciously asked:
"Do you think it was Lee who caused coach Van Gundy to leave? They worked together to win four consecutive championships!"
Charles Barkley had no intention of letting Li You go, and continued to say seriously in front of the camera:
"Yes, I think Lee is the fundamental reason. He doesn't need those complicated tactical systems to win the championship. Do the Knicks have any special offensive tactics in recent years?"
"Give Lee the ball and he can solve the problem. That's why coach Van Gundy left. He didn't want to adapt to the players anymore."
"No famous coach likes to work with players who are controlling!"
Kenny Smith pretended to take out his mobile phone on the side, took a deep breath, and said with a smile:
"Good news, Chuck, I didn't get a text from Lee or his agent, you can continue the conversation!"
Everyone in the studio burst into laughter. There have been too many complaints recently.
On the night of the 12th, the Knicks will face the Raptors at home.
The bald young coach announced his departure in the morning, but there were no changes in the afternoon training session. After the tactical class, Li You led everyone to practice shooting.
At this time, the entire league went crazy and the sports media entered carnival mode.
Compared to the players, Tom Thibodeau, who became the interim head coach, was more nervous.
The afternoon training session was led by assistant coach Don Chaney and several other members of the coaching staff. Thibodeau was so nervous that he didn’t know how to get along with the players.
Arriving in Jeff Van Gundy's office, Tom Thibodeau suddenly felt a little excited. From now on, this place belongs to him!
After adjusting his suit in front of the mirror and brushing the sparse hair on his head, Thibodeau took deep breaths and encouraged himself:
"No problem! I am the head coach, and Li will lead the team to win the game!"
"."
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