Chapter 70 Did you try it out? (Ten thousand words chapter)

On February 18, 1997, that night the Knicks would play their last home game in February.

Patrick Ewing returned from injury, but some New York media had a lackluster response.

After all, the Knicks' record was not affected after Gorilla was injured, and they also played a smooth offense, and several main players were in better and better condition.

During the locker room interview before the game, a large number of reporters surrounded Li You. Tonight's game was also the last live broadcast of the Knicks in the United States in February.

Although the pre-game promotion was for a duel between All-Star point guards, the questions asked by these young masters in front of Li You were completely wrong:

"Lee, do you usually like to listen to Donnie Braxton's songs? Many players in the league are fascinated by her!"

After the reporter from the New York Post asked the question, everyone at the scene burst into laughter and started teasing Jason Kidd.

Li You, who was wearing a white Knicks training uniform and was in a good mood, also laughed weirdly along with everyone:

"Tonnie is beautiful. She will definitely be a success at the Grammys in a few days, but I still prefer to listen to Mariah Carey's songs!"

Before Li You could finish speaking, the New York Times reporter on the other side immediately followed the gossip:

"Mariah Carey seems to have broken up with Motura. Lee, maybe you still have a chance!"

"Of course, remember to pay attention to your teammates around you, to be careful of being robbed of your date!"

Everyone laughed again, after half a year's work, this matter finally came to an end.

The "3J" duo of the Dallas Mavericks were jealous of Toni Braxton. Taking this incident as a trigger, the young trio eventually completely disintegrated before this year's All-Star Game.

Jason Kidd, Jimmy Jackson, and Jamal Mashburn were fighting each other, causing infighting in the locker room, which was considered a big mistake.

Kidd didn’t want to repair the relationship at all, and even publicly announced in the media:

"Either I leave, or Jackson leaves!"

The Mavericks' management did not act like a licking dog. After Kidd's words, they simply sent away three people, and the team underwent a major change!

After losing to the Timberwolves in their last game, the Suns' record reached 19 wins and 33 losses. It may only be theoretically possible to reach the playoffs with such a record.

Ewing found that Li You was chatting more and more with the media in front of him, and everyone was laughing constantly. He felt a little sad for a while. They used to interview him!

There were half as many reporters in front of him, and the questions they asked were still how many points the team would win tonight. In response, Ewing could only smile confidently:

"In the last home game in February, we will still beat our opponents. The team has successfully adjusted and we will maintain this momentum!"

"."

Madison Square Garden, less than half an hour before the game starts, is already packed.

New York fans naturally wanted to buy tickets to support the home team's last home game. As the DJ began to introduce the away team players, boos gradually started. When Kidd came on the stage, some fans were still shouting:

"Kidd! Donnie abandoned you!"

This old joke immediately made Kidd angry.

Before the game even started, the media in New York in the past two days dug up all the bad things that happened before. The newspapers added fuel to the fire and ridiculed him wantonly, which made Kidd lose face in front of his new teammates!

Some players are in great shape when they come to Madison Square Garden, and New York's young masters are definitely responsible for that.

It was the turn of the home team players to come on the stage, and the cheers became louder and louder. When Ewing came on the stage, the New York fans at the scene even applauded.

"Tonight, head coach Danny Ainge ruled out the dual point guard lineup, with Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd partnering in the backcourt. Maybe the Suns will also have to replace the old with the new."

“Cedric Ceballos and Mark Bryant are on the forward side, and Holt Rod Williams is at center.”

"Acquired Mark Bryant from the Rockets. This new player has been in good shape since joining the Suns!"

In the MSG commentary box, commentator Marv Albert briefly introduced the changes in the starting lineup after the Suns trade.

"With a dual point guard lineup, Kevin Johnson may have to make some sacrifices, and Jason Kidd also needs to have the ball in his hands."

Commentator John Andaris briefly evaluated the opponent's lineup. In his opinion, both point guards will be affected.

The game was about to start, and Jeff Van Gundy simply warned:

"Pay attention to the opponent's transition attack. Everyone must retreat quickly and counterattack in time!"

Jason Kidd can always find suitable teammates in fast breaks. After coming to the Suns, he also made some outstanding passes on the bench. When he entered the starting lineup, he naturally had to pay more attention.

Li You and Alan Houston nodded. If they could lock down the opponent's backcourt, the game would be much easier.

When the players from both sides came to the center of the court, Jason Kidd gave a friendly fist bump to everyone on the Knicks team.

"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"

Amid the cheers of the New York fans, Ewing succeeded in jumping the ball. After Li You took control of the ball, he noticed that it was still Kevin Johnson who was guarding him. He immediately lowered his center of gravity and quickly moved through the half court.

When they reached the top of the arc and protected the ball sideways, without Li You making any tactical gestures, Ewing and Oakley immediately set up a cross-cover in the paint area.

Li You, who was holding the ball in his left hand, also came to the left wing and accurately sent a lob pass.

After Ewing received the ball with his back in the low post on the left, everyone in the Knicks team pulled away and watched the gorilla play Mark Bryant in the low post.

After releasing the ball with his right hand, Ewing hit twice, approached the paint area, quickly squeezed in front of the basket, deflected the opponent, and succeeded in the throw.

After returning from injury, Gorilla was full of energy and easily completed the Knicks' first offense.

The cheers of the fans at the scene made Ewing feel comfortable. He is still the core!

The Suns' offense has also undergone a lot of changes. Kevin Johnson receives the ball in the backcourt, and Li You keeps a small step away, always paying attention to the opponent's movements.

Immediately after halftime, the ball was given to Jason Kidd at the top of the arc, and then Kevin Johnson stood on the left wing.

Li You moved accordingly and continued to defend in front of Kevin Johnson.

The ball was handed over in the first round, and Li You realized that this old-school point guard would be playing support tonight.

Kidd, who is 1.93 meters tall, has a strong body. Like most talented players, Kidd showed a mature style of play after entering the league, which can be said to be at the peak of his debut.

Alan Houston took a big step forward, and Kidd's shooting ability is not outstanding. According to the game plan formulated before the game, tonight is to prevent sudden shots. With Ewing back, the team's rebounding is not a problem.

Although there was a chance to shoot a jump shot directly, Kidd still chose to call a pick-and-roll. Center Holt moved to the top of the arc, and Ewing was also moved out of the basket.

At this time, Li You quickly turned around and reminded "Auntie" loudly:

"Larry, pay attention to defense!"

Hearing Li You's shouting, Larry Johnson in the right corner subconsciously stuck to Cedric on his side. The next second, Cedric first pretended to move up the line, and then suddenly ran back and quickly slipped to the baseline.

"Aunt" was prepared, but he didn't expect Kidd's pass to be bolder. After the pick-and-roll, Kidd, holding the ball in his right hand, came to the right elbow of the free throw line, and then he made a very penetrating shot.

Ground pass.

Given enough lead time, Cedric, who was still struggling with Larry Johnson, came to the basket and barely caught the ball.

Finally, Cedric moved to the lower left side of the basket, turned around and picked the basket, and the basketball stumbled into the basket.

"Shh!"

Kidd's pass was very beautiful, but the New York fans at the scene didn't buy it. After booing, they still shouted old jokes.

It was visible to the naked eye that Kidd was getting angry and his expression became more serious. As soon as the game started, he received a concentration buff.

When the defense failed, "Auntie" raised her hand to indicate that it was his problem and took a baseline kick. Li You did not wait for halftime before making tactical gestures.

Kevin Johnson led the defense. When Li You was close to the midline, he threw the ball to Oakley at the top of the arc. The latter caught the ball and immediately passed the ball across to Larry Johnson on the left wing.

Ewing was still stuck in the low post on the left, and the opposing center Holt was also pulling and pulling, making it difficult to pass the ball. "Auntie" quickly returned the ball to Alan Houston, who bounced to the top of the key.

Kidd pursued the defense in place, and Alan Houston, who received the ball, once again passed the ball to Li You on the right wing.

At this time, Ewing also moved to the low position on the right and continued to block the ball with his back, while Oakley dropped to the left near the baseline.

Kevin Johnson originally thought that this was another center single tactic, but he didn't expect that after receiving the ball, Li You swung right and left, and immediately crossed over to break through.

He released the ball with his left hand and took a big step forward. Li You suddenly hit the ball vigorously on the spot, paused slightly, and his dribbling rhythm immediately changed.

Kevin Johnson, who was sliding backwards, just came up to guard, but Li You accelerated again.

The breakthrough speed was not fast. Li You held the ball in his left hand and rushed into the paint area with the defense on his back. He noticed that the Suns' defense immediately shrank and quickly dribbled the ball behind his back.

Once again, the focus of defense was shifted. Kevin Johnson lost his defensive position. Li You, who was free of space, took advantage of the opportunity to combine the ball and made a steady jumper from the front of the free throw line!

"Whoa!" A steady hit from mid-range.

Madison Square Garden cheered again, but Kevin Johnson noticed that Li You seemed to be more accustomed to his defense, no longer blindly pursuing speed and the first step like in the first match.

The Knicks' star player scored after the opening kickoff, and the New York fans at the scene thought this was a good sign;

But as the game progressed, everyone realized that the game was not good to watch!

When the physically fit Ewing serves as the core of tactics, like other traditional centers, he always starts from the low post on the left and right sides to get the ball.

The Suns were also well prepared. Center Holt and new aid Mark Bryant were locked in a struggle to prevent Ewing from catching the ball easily.

Although there were no mistakes and the Knicks offense was well organized and scored, fans felt that the game was different.

The Suns are full of tools inside, and Cedric has become the team's main attacker. However, every time Kidd tries to drive him to score easily, Li You can always predict the opponent's operation in advance.

Although Larry Johnson is outdated, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. He also made several good defenses after being reminded.

"Defense!Defense!Defense!"

Amidst the defensive shouts of the New York fans, this time the Suns attacked, Kidd caught the ball at the top of the arc, and noticed that Alan Houston took another big step away from him, and threw it directly outside the three-point line!
To be continued...