basketball pope

Chapter 131 [Applause from New York fans]

Back at the hotel in the afternoon, Yang Rui considered whether to call Van Gundy and ask him to have a meal with Thibodeau.After thinking about it, he didn't fight. Now Van Gundy is having a hard time, and the atmosphere after the meeting will definitely be very embarrassing.

They can't talk about basketball, they can't always be polite and then soldiers, and tell each other what tactics they want to play, right?

As for how the Knicks' offense can become stronger, Van Gundy will not ask, how can the defending champion coach ask the opponent such a question?
In the evening, in the visiting team's locker room, Yang Rui began to use unusual ways to boost morale.

"Everyone, are you nervous about playing the defending champion today? Just say it if you are nervous. I won't scold you, and I'm not afraid to tell you. I'm also nervous, because when I play, I don't know if I will get boos or applause from New York fans." Yang Rui smiled.

He doesn't feel that he is losing money to the New York fans. The last championship was won from the Bulls.People go to high places, and players will change jobs, not to mention that he is just an assistant coach with an annual salary of 10,000+ in New York?

The players knew there was something to follow, so they listened quietly without interrupting.Yang Rui is thick-skinned to get applause on the road.

Yang Rui continued: "I think the fans are likely to applaud me because the Knicks' offense is not good this season. There are only star singles and only positions. This kind of game lacks attention. In order to make the fans happy, you must run and be able to Run as fast as you can, as long as you do that, I believe you can win today."

Thibodeau took over the words: "Tell everyone a secret. Last season, Jerry used the offense on the bench to suppress the starters in Knicks training games. They have obvious weaknesses. As long as they target the singles of defending stars, they can control the rhythm."

Yang Rui smiled and said, "So, we have to change the starting lineup again today."

He is not looking at the core, but the white big man Ryan Bowen. Today is the first time he has entered the 12-man roster.

"Ryan, I'll start you today, and you're in charge of guarding Ewing."

The players were all taken lightly, this adjustment is no longer "bold" to describe, it is simply a joke.One is last season's regular season MVP, one of the four major centers.The other is a few rookies after the second round, minimum salary players.

Bowen didn't have the slightest worry when he heard the news, and his eyes showed excitement. As a defensive player, he had to deal with the core attack points in order to prove his worth.

In team training, Bowen was assigned to defend O'Neal Jr. and Detrev, and he did a very good job.His speed can keep up with all the empty-shooting insiders in the league, and he keeps getting close to the opponent's rhythm.

Of course, as soon as he entered the big roster, he would start. He never dreamed of such a thing. He said loudly: "Coach, I will work hard."

"Don't be nervous, Ewing usually can't hit the basket, he mainly relies on jump shots, which is the type of defense you are good at. On the offensive end, you stand in the bottom corner on the right side waiting for the pass, and there is an open opportunity to make a bold shot. If you can't shoot, I won't Blame you." Yang Rui smiled.

Considering that Bowen is a person who has neither the desire to attack nor the attacking skills, Yang Rui has only allowed him to practice one-point shooting from the training camp to the present - a three-pointer from the right corner!
He doesn't make the 12-man roster and usually has a lot of time to practice corner shots.Yang Rui was pleasantly surprised to find that Bowen can actually shoot. He just lacks confidence and is weaker than outsiders, but he is better than black players such as John Thomas, John Wallace and Willis in the team.

In short, his shooting level is similar to that of an average power forward with mid-range shooting ability, but his attacking ability at the basket may not be as good as a power forward who is casually picked up.Compared with most small forwards, he has no advantage in shooting, and his skills are not as good as someone who is just picked up.

This creates an embarrassment for Bowen's position. Unless there is a forward who plays outside the perimeter, is not moving fast, lacks strength, or needs to be defended by a center, he has nothing to do with him.

Today, he has his place.

In the home team's locker room, Jeff Van Gundy focused on defense.

He thought he knew Yang Rui, and arranged: "The Raptors' style of play is very simple. They grab rebounds and quickly counterattack. They lack changes in the middle and side screens. What you have to do is to suppress those rookies one-on-one and protect them well. Rebounding. Detrev pulls out the perimeter and has to keep up, he has the ability to shoot."

At this time, Ewing despised Van Gundy and said that the Raptors are simple?Could it be simpler than the attacking tactics you arranged?Now it's all players one-on-one.

Ewing talked to Van Gundy, hoping to continue the tactics of last season, let Sprewell run without the ball on the side, mainly catch the ball and shoot, or play as a substitute like Starks, he is responsible for holding the ball and assisting the passing. , to continue the tactical core position.

Van Gundy declined, citing Sprewell's inability to play off the ball.He also praised the "madman" for always being 100% devoted to training and competitions, doing his best on both offense and defense, and never complaining.

This made Ewing very annoyed, doesn't that mean that he is disgusted that he will complain?Why would management trade for someone who doesn't fit the system?And it's still a problem player, isn't this asking for trouble?
Not only Ewing, but many people miss Yang Rui and Starks.Although Starks' personal ability is not as good as Sprewell, he is willing to accept the bench position and can play without the ball, but only occasionally has a hot head. "Madman" starts every game, needs the ball to play, and takes up a lot of the ball.

If the "madman" is in the Raptors, Yang Rui will not hesitate to trade him out.

His personal ability is indeed good, with a terrifying first step, amazing jumping and driving dunks, and a three-pointer from time to time, but they can't make up for his character flaws.

This man has a fiery temper and a rotten off-court style. What's worse is that his offensive options have always been poor and he likes to mess around, so that except for his rookie season, his shooting percentage has never reached 45%.

In terms of career records, except for one year in the Timberwolves, the team that "Mad Men" is in has never been the top team in the league or even the division. The Knicks entered the finals purely because the East was too weak as a whole.

In Yang Rui's previous life, the most suitable role for "madman" was actually the sixth man, playing like Manu Ginobili.

Unfortunately, the "madman" himself does not think so.Therefore, after his contract renewal with the Timberwolves collapsed, no team wanted him, which is a direct denial of his strength.

Before the players from both sides played, Knicks manager Ernie Grunfeld presented Thibodeau and Yang Rui with championship rings.His message was simple: "Thank you Tom and Jerry for everything they did for the Knicks last season."

The fans gave warm applause, and the Raptors players could hear it clearly in the aisle, which boosted the morale of the whole team and made me a little proud.

It is very rare for the head coach of the away team to receive applause from the home fans. Now, this very powerful coach is on their side.

After the game, Captain Christie said loudly: "Remember what the coach said, run! We can win this game!"

The Raptors' youths shouted in unison: "Win!"

(End of this chapter)