The perseverant Hardaway continued to take crazy shots in the third quarter. Li You always defended and shot. The Magic team's mentality exploded and began to shoot three-pointers continuously.

Having long predicted that the opponent would have this offensive option, the Knicks protected the rebounds, and Li You launched a transition attack. After a few rounds, the game completely collapsed.

At 24:18 in a single quarter, after three quarters, at 80:57, some Magic fans had already begun to leave.

There was no break for a minute in the first three quarters, and Hardaway stopped playing in the fourth quarter. Coach Adubatu took over the atmosphere team, declaring that the series was completely over.

On the bench, Ewing also changed into training clothes and made 8 of 12 shots, 17 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 2 turnovers. He only played 31 minutes and got a double-double. The gorilla was very satisfied with his performance:

"Li, how is PER calculated?"

Ewing pretended not to care and asked Li You in a low voice about the data.

"To put it simply, it is the offensive data minus the number of field goals, then subtract the number of free throws, and finally divided by the number of games played."

Li You explained briefly, and when Ewing shook his head silently, he knew that he was still thinking about MVP.

Everyone was chatting and laughing on the Knicks bench. Even though the boss didn't win the MVP, everyone really tried their best. This was a complete turn of events.

The game ended quickly, 104:88, and the Magic regained some face in the last quarter.

The series score reached 3:0, and the Knicks finally easily swept the Magic and entered the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Hardaway tried hard to maintain his demeanor, and everyone in the Knicks team shook hands with his expressionless face.

Just looking at the smiling faces of Alan Houston and Li You, Hardaway almost didn't hold back. After shaking hands and greetings, he quickly left the field.

After the game, Hardaway suffered a recurrence of an old injury and was unable to attend the press conference.

16 of 30, 42 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. The fake Jordan successor bid farewell to this season with a 40+ game. The fans are satisfied, at least they have enough excuses:

"The Magic lost, but Penny didn't!"

Li You only played 27 minutes in tonight's game, shooting 5 of 9, 2 of 5 from beyond the three-point line, and 2 of 3 free throws. He had 14 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers.

The double-double data once again refreshed Magic Johnson's record!

Sweeping their opponents also gave the Knicks nearly a week of rest, and major sports media began to promote the "battle of masters and apprentices" in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

On April 28, Starks, who had just returned to New York, also won the best sixth man award from the league.

In the press conference room at Madison Square Garden, Starks received the trophy with a smile on his face.

Although his average of 13.6 points per game was not dominant among the candidates, Starks' vote rate was as high as 73%.

The Knicks' record has brought huge bonuses, breaking the best record in team history, and someone should win the award.

Starks won the Sixth Man of the Year award, and Ewing's MVP dream was completely shattered.

Taking this opportunity, the coaching staff also announced a day off, and then everyone will be fully prepared for the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Winning an award is always a good thing, so Starks simply held a party here in the apartment. It was better to have fun alone than to have fun with everyone.

In addition to the Knicks, there were also a lot of people joining in the fun at the apartment.

Ewing also smiled. In a few days, Karl Malone will receive the award, and the gorilla can only drink lemons every day.

"When Pat called me, I was quite surprised, but I still chose to accept the invitation. Although my personal data this season is average, it is always a good thing to play in the playoffs more."

Alan Houston looked at the noisy crowd, clinking glasses with Li You while holding juices, and recalled his original choice.

Li You feels that this guy prefers big ball markets like New York. Ewing's recruitment plays a certain role, but geographical location is the key:

"The data will also increase. If the number of rounds is appropriately increased, coupled with the undigested ball rights, the number of shots will definitely increase."

After thinking about it, it seems that what Li You said makes sense, and Alan Houston doesn't mind the drop in data anymore. After all, this is only the first year.

New York fans don't like Alan Houston's style of play, and their doubts haven't stopped this season.

During his time at the University of Tennessee, Alan Houston played "father-son basketball." The head coach at the time was his father. It can be said that doubts have been raised since college.

No matter how he performs, Alan Houston appears to be very calm when facing the media. His college experience has given him great help.

"We should have more opportunities in the semifinals. Many times, the game is about talent, and our tactics are very flexible!"

Li You raised the juice and blinked. The Heat are not the Magic team. Although Mourning is the younger brother, he will not be polite to Ewing.

If you can't open up the situation, you have to give the ball to the outside!

Alan Houston understands this clearly. The regular season data has dropped, but the playoff data has increased. By next season, maybe the situation will change.

The two smiled and clinked glasses again, while Larry Johnson on the side was drinking to drown his sorrows. This year, with no data and no honors, "Auntie" has been reduced to an ordinary role player.

On April 30, the Bulls relied on Pippen's last-minute dunk to narrowly beat the Bullets by one point, 96:95, and successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Michael Joe, who was in declining form, played 43 minutes, made 14 of 24 shots, scored 28 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block and 2 turnovers.

With a shooting percentage of close to 60% and making many commentators dumbfounded, the Bulls are still unstoppable.

If nothing else happens, the Bulls' opponent will be the Eagles in the next round.

Although the Hawks have DPOY Dikembe Mutombo this season, most people firmly believe that Michael Jordan will reach the Eastern Conference Finals again.

The Knicks have also begun to prepare for the game, and Jeff Van Gundy attaches great importance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

After all, he is about to receive the league's best coach award, and Jeff Van Gundy doesn't want to be slapped in the face at home.

The playoffs are still in progress, and the tenacious Pistons have evened the score to 2:2. The victory will be decided in one game, and the fans are happy to see this.

On May 3, the NBA officially announced that Karl Malone of the Jazz won this season's Most Valuable Player Award.

As soon as this news was announced, a large number of media for fun went to Chicago to interview Michael Jordan, and a small number came to New York to interview Ewing.

However, to everyone's disappointment, neither of them responded, and both declined interviews, citing the reason that they were fully preparing for the semi-finals.

Karl Malone, who is about to turn 34, has ushered in the highlight moment of his career, and Jazz fans are also excited.

On the night of the 4th, Li You went to Starks' house for dinner. After dinner, the two of them stood in front of the TV and saw David Stern awarding the bronze medal to Malone. Starks was still a little embarrassed.

Confidence:

"With 69 wins, this season's scoring champion, Michael Jordan didn't win the award? These media are really crazy!"

Li You felt in a good mood. Like Lezi fans, he preferred to see Michael Jordan break through the defense:

"Sometimes the MVP also has to consider other factors. Anyway, the recent news must have been contracted by this award."

“Does voting really have to look at data sheets?”

People are in high spirits when happy events happen. In the Western Conference semifinals that night, the Jazz defeated the Lakers 77:93!

Karl Malone made 9 of 21 shots and had a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. O'Neal, who was opposite him, made 6 of 16 shots and only scored 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Sharks were beaten into little Shaqs, and Kobe Bryant, who just broke the record and became the youngest player to score 20 points in the history of the playoffs, made 1 of 7, scoring 3 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

The veteran Jazz taught the Lakers another lesson, and Malone also proved that MVP is not a parallel import!

On May 5, the NBA announced the best coach of the season:

Jeff Van Gundy of the Knicks led the team to break the best record in team history, winning 64 games, and won this award without any suspense!

Wearing a crisp black suit, a white shirt and a dark blue tie, Jeff Van Gundy struggled to control his smile as he held the trophy in the press conference room of Madison Square Garden.

Everyone on the Heat team who has arrived in New York is very low-key, and Pat Riley didn't express much opinion on the matter.

"Jeff is an excellent coach. I believe he will become more and more successful. I am very happy to see him receive this award!"

That night, before the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Pat Riley, with his sleek slicked back hair, spoke to the New York media and simply sent his blessings.

Arriving at the familiar Madison Square Garden, Pat Riley still looked graceful, with his slicked back hair and a calm look, showing off the true look of a famous coach.

When the New York fans at the scene saw the bald young coach holding a tactical board and loudly explaining tactics, they suddenly felt that his temperament was a lot different.

After the home team's entrance ceremony, the noise in Madison Square Garden grew louder and louder.

“The Heat continued the starting lineup from the first round, with Tim Hardaway and Voshon Leonard partnering in the backcourt, Jamal Mashburn and Alonzo Mourning on the front line, and P.J.

Brown.”

"Both sides have almost no secrets, and each side knows the other's tactics very well. This is a challenge for the Knicks."

In the MSG commentary box, commentator Marv Albert briefly introduced the Heat's starting lineup, and commentator John Andaris also joked:

"I just won the best coach. I believe that coach Van Gundy will make targeted arrangements. This game can also be said to be a battle of proof."

Players from both sides were in the final warm-up. Ewing had been a bit silent since learning that Malone had won the award. Fortunately, he still warned everyone before going on the court:

"Defend well, don't let the opponent score easily, and protect our home court!"

Players from both sides came to the center circle, and Mourning took the initiative to comfort Ewing, but Tim Hardaway kept staring at Li You, the "number one point guard", which made this guy feel like a lemon.

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

Huge cheers resounded throughout the arena, and players from both sides exchanged pleasantries. As Ewing jumped up and successfully jumped to the ball, everyone in the Heat retreated quickly, and Tim Hardaway immediately rushed across the half court to lead the defense.

.

Pat Riley's tactics are very unique. Perhaps because of his failure with the Pistons, the championship coach absorbed a lot of tactics from Chuck Daly.

He likes to lead and expand defense, suppress the rhythm of the game, get stuck and compete for space, and likes frequent physical contact. Even when defending without the ball, he will cause his players to engage in a lot of physical confrontation.

Tim Hardaway did not skimp on his physical fitness, lowering his center of gravity, sliding quickly, and entangled himself from the backcourt to the frontcourt, never allowing Li You to control the ball comfortably.

Protecting the ball sideways, Li You came to the left wing. Soon, Ewing moved up from the inside.
To be continued...