Ewing only played 30 minutes, making 7 of 12 shots, 3 of 4 free throws, 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, with no mistakes.

In an interview after the game, Gorilla also seemed very excited. The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden was so good:

"I don't care about MVP, we will win 60+ games and eventually win the division championship. I hope New York fans will like this gift!"

"."

At the critical moment, the New York media did not hold back. If Karl Malone can be the MVP, then Patrick Ewing can also win the award!

After easily defeating the Raptors back to back, they took a day off and the Knicks defeated the crazy Celtics.

On the morning of the 8th, Li You returned to his Manhattan apartment and looked at the sports section of the newspaper advertising tomorrow night's game against the Bulls:

"MVP Proof Battle!"

Looking at the Sports Illustrated magazine in his hand, Li You felt the energy of the New York media for the first time.

This week's Sports Illustrated magazine cover shows Lee You catching the ball in the right corner and quickly shooting a jump shot, with Stockton raising his hands beside him.

The photographer captured the shot very well. It happened to be the moment when Li You jumped to the highest point and Stockton had no time to block the shot. The colorful cover was paired with a big slogan:

"The New Era"

As the first yellow person to appear in Sports Illustrated, the sales volume of this magazine exploded. Li You didn't know about other places, but here in New York, Chinese people who don't pay attention to sports will buy a copy.

Just looking at this cover, Li You always felt that this was another provocation.

After losing to the Jazz, they turned around and ridiculed the opponent for being outdated. This eccentric ability is really not matched by the media in other places.

The Bulls came to New York a day early, and Michael Jordan was obviously angry when he was ignored. He didn't even ask his "good brother" to play cards before the game.

On the morning of the 9th, it seemed that the New York media had become impatient with the New York media. After the training session, Michael Jordan showed a look of disdain and took the initiative to speak out:

"What do you want me to say? Support Pat getting the MVP?"

"53 wins and 7 losses! This is the Bulls' record. We are first in the league. Do you think anyone else is qualified to win this award?"

"."

Before the game started that night, Phil Jackson also satirized the Knicks in a pre-game interview:

"49 wins and 13 losses, look at the Knicks' record, simple math problem, they are second!"

"What does second place mean? You should be clear. When did the criteria for MVP selection become so low?"

With two games in hand, the Bulls still lead the league in record. Phil Jackson behaved very arrogantly, but the media in the audience found it difficult to refute.

The game hadn't even started yet, but the smell of gunpowder was getting stronger and stronger. The little masters succeeded in the attempt. They completely angered the Chicago media and also angered Michael Jordan.

Madison Square Garden was packed that night, and after days of publicity, New York fans couldn't wait to see Michael Jordan break the defense.

During the pre-match appearance ceremony, the home DJ introduced the visiting team players in a low voice:

"From the University of North Carolina, No. 23——"

"Maiko-Jiao Dan"

Huge boos immediately erupted in the arena. The Knicks had been defeated by the Bulls in the playoffs for three consecutive years. Old fans didn't like Michael Jordan.

Chewing gum and wearing a red Bulls training uniform, Michael Jordan expressionlessly high-fived his teammates on the court.

After the Knicks players finished their appearance, Madison Square Garden was completely boiling. Every time they met the Bulls, New York fans were particularly engaged.

"After Ron Harper and Dennis Rodman returned, the Bulls with a complete lineup performed really well!"

"Hopefully we can beat the Bulls tonight. I think head coach Jeff Van Gundy will make adjustments after the loss in the last game."

In the MSG commentary box, the commentator Marv Albert followed the usual practice and gave the home team a bad taste.

Commentator John Andaris saw Jeff Van Gundy holding the tactical board and looking calm, and he also sighed in a low voice:

"For the Knicks to have such a performance, the coaching staff has really done a lot of work. I support Jeff Van Gundy to be elected as this year's Coach of the Year."

At this time, the bald young marshal was not as wise and powerful as the two people at the commentary table thought, and he was just pretending to be holding the tactical board.

Before the game started, Jeff Van Gundy simply warned:

"Lee, you control the tempo of the game, while others defend and don't let Michael Jordan play comfortably. This is our home court."

The emphasis is still on defense. On the offensive end, Li You will take the lead according to the game strategy formulated before the game, and others will follow. It depends on what the outcome will be.

Li You nodded and didn't say much. As long as everyone is willing to be a tool, this game will definitely be a success.

At this time, Ewing no longer cared about the identity of the forward. If he wanted to win the MVP, he had to defeat McDunner at least once. Before the gorilla came on the stage, he also shouted:

"Leave the rebounds to me, Charles is responsible for taking care of Rodman, and the others just try their best to defend, and we will win the game."

As the players from both sides came to the center of the field, Madison Square Garden immediately sounded cheers:

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

Ewing beat Luke Longley and successfully jumped the ball. Li You controlled the ball and quickly dribbled across the half court.

Ron Harper did not choose to lead the defense, but when Li You was close to the three-point line, he chose to step forward to defend.

In terms of height, Ron Harper has a slight advantage. Coupled with his excellent defensive experience, he can form a certain suppression against most backcourts in the league.

Li You did not hold the ball too much as usual, but immediately gave the ball to Alan Houston who was at the top of the key.

When the latter caught the ball, Li You ran without the ball and quickly ran to the left corner. The Knicks also started running.

Oakley ran down the free throw line to the left side, and Ewing, who was in the three-second zone, came to the right elbow of the free throw line.

Li You greeted everyone and quickly slid down the baseline and ran back. Ron Harper could only follow suit.

Oakley made a timely off-ball screen, and Li You briefly got rid of Ron Harper's pursuit and quickly ran down the right corner.

At the same time, Larry Johnson on the right wing also moved down quickly, and when Ron Harper was chasing Li You who was circling, he also followed up with a screen.

Seeing Li You move to the top line, Alan Houston passed the ball to Ewing and quickly moved to the left wing. The gorilla who received the ball turned sideways and made a hand-to-hand pass to Li You. After a short delay, he chased Luo.

Well, Harper, then go down quickly.

Li You, who received the pass from hand to hand, came to the free throw line with the ball in his left hand. Before Ron Harper could catch up, he quickly in and out.

Swinging right and left, Li You suddenly accelerated. Luke Longley, who was assisting in the paint area, just moved to follow, but was staggered by Li You's rapid change of direction.

Ron Harper, who was quickly chasing after him, came to his side and found that the basketball in Li You's hand was missing.

Li You, who completed the change of direction in front of his body, sent a through ball. After receiving the ball, Ewing came to the basket and immediately made a one-handed dunk!

"Wow!!"

Huge cheers rang in the ears, Ron Harper made a face, and Li You changed his attitude and threw the ball with one hand, feeling that he was being shown off.

After completing the dunk, Ewing stood under the basket and roared, and the atmosphere at the scene was instantly ignited.

The Bulls sent a baseline ball, and Ron Harper's advancement speed was not fast. After passing the center line, his teammates had already completed their position.

Li You just glanced at the movement behind him and saw Michael Jordan running from the right to the left baseline and then quickly ran to the left elbow of the free throw line. He knew that this must be a singles tactic.

Ron Harper sent a semi-lob pass, and Michael Jordan easily caught the ball.

Facing the pursuing Alan Houston, he raised the ball and feinted, then released the ball with his left hand and took a step laterally. Then he rose up from the ground, drifted to the left and completed a fadeaway jumper!

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

Chewing gum, Michael Jordan retreated quickly with no expression on his face. With the help of Angry Buff, his attack speed was a few points faster.

Old-fashioned tactics. Teams across the league know that the Bulls will play like this, but they just can't limit it. They can shoot accurately, jump high, and have fast speed.

After the first round, the two teams quickly showed different game strategies.

The Knicks gave Li You more off-ball coverage and shared the ball more, while the Bulls gave the ball to Michael Jordan.

After Li You came to the line and ran back, he quickly cut in, received a ground pass from Ewing at the left elbow, and succeeded in stealing the chicken under the basket!

Looking back, Michael Jordan was on the right baseline, posting up to Alan Houston, turning around and hitting a fadeaway jumper.

There was a pick-and-roll at the elbow area on the left side of the free throw line. Li You, who was going around again, received the hand-to-hand pass and accelerated the breakthrough with the ball in his right hand. The moment Ron Harper came up to defend, he quickly sent a ground pass.

Ewing caught the ball near the baseline on the left and succeeded in a mid-range jump shot!

The New York fans at the scene had just cheered. The Bulls' offense was more simple and crude. Using the same tactics, sliding down the baseline and using Luke Longley's screen, Michael Jordan came to the right block, received a pass from Pippen, and turned around.

A quick test step with his right foot, taking advantage of Alan Houston's defensive focus to shift back, Michael Jordan succeeded in a pull-up jumper

Alan Houston reluctantly walked to the baseline to prepare to serve, and the atmosphere at the scene also cooled down.

6:6, Michael Jordan showed off his attitude of "I'm going to shoot you to death" right after the game started. The media hyped up the MVP, completely irritating Lu Dan.

Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines saw Jordan feeling so good in the opening game and immediately shouted:

"Defend! Don't let him take an easy shot!"

After receiving the instructions, the Knicks quickly entered an "iron-blooded" state.

Larry Johnson began to help defend and double-team Michael Jordan.

The Knicks' offensive tactics failed. Li You took over and hit the ball in the mid-range. Oakley and Rodman fought together under the basket.

With the ball stuck behind him, Rodman first grabbed the ball, then took off a second time and grabbed the rebound.

He can also pretend to be X when grabbing rebounds. Li You, who retreated quickly, looked at Rodman posing and was speechless.
To be continued...