basketball pope

Chapter 173 [Two records, honorable harvest]

The team had the first record in the regular season, but it was questioned by countless people when it reached the second round of the playoffs. Van Gundy's hair fell out faster than Yang Rui's previous life, and wrinkles appeared earlier.

He seriously discussed the countermeasures with the assistant coach and decided to let Ewing and Johnson play separately. Johnson went to the second quarter to bring a substitute, and Oakley returned to the starting lineup to strengthen defense and rebound.

In addition, the frontcourt was pressed with double guards, and the second quarter also accelerated the offensive rhythm and counterattacked. Ben Wallace controlled the rebound, and the others quickly got down.

Only Chucky Atkins continued to sit on the bench and did not have a chance to play. It was only because of his bad name that the cups could be filled with "Chucky".

After setting up the tactics, Van Gundy didn't feel good about it. This is also the tactics that Yang Rui played in the Knicks before.He knew very well that if he didn't, the Knicks would have to go home.

In the second game, the players probably wanted to show their gorgeous style of play and let more businesses see their commercial value, so they played a little casually after the opening.

Carter had a difficult 360-degree turn in the opening game and missed a layup.It was a beautiful ball, but no matter how beautiful it was, it was only two points.As a coach, I don't want players to play like this in key games.

Billups also shot very resolutely. He made four shots against Ward and only hit one.

After Oakley started, the Knicks were stronger defensively, but weaker offensively.The score was close in the first quarter, 19-18.

In the second quarter, Yang Rui sent a backup to run and home again, and the Knicks changed.

After a 6-minute break, Ward and Childs played together again. Strikers Sprewell and Johnson ensured the attack, and center Ben Wallace.

The Knicks' small lineup prevented the Raptors' quick counterattacks, and the Knicks also seized on Miller's slow return defense and played two counterattacks.

Sprewell became arrogant, grabbed three 4-pointers, and passed McGrady for a layup. He scored 11 points in 19 minutes, led the team to a 4-[-] attack wave, and opened the score in one breath.

The Knicks have people who can run, and there are more than one. If Yang Rui is the coach of the Knicks, with a more terrifying lineup than last season and super defense, he will definitely easily win more than 40 games.

In the face of adversity, Van Gundy was cornered and forced to try things he didn't like, with astonishing results.The home fans never thought that the Knicks could also play a sharp fast break!

In the second half, the Raptors sent an offensive lineup, and they were not able to take advantage of the Knicks defense. Only when Ewing was on the court, the speed of switching defenses was a little slower.

In Yang Rui's previous life, the reason why the Knicks were able to create the miracle of the Black Eight was that the defense was stronger without Ewing.The backup insiders Camby and Kurt Thomas are both good at preventing pick-and-rolls.Now Ben Wallace and Oakley are paired together, and the defense is better.

At the end of the quarter, Van Gundy used the double guard to defend against the Raptors' running and bombing, withstood the counterattack, and when the starter came back, he maintained the advantage to the end.

97 to 108, the Raptors lost on the road, with a total score of 1 to 1.

Yang Rui is not depressed, saying that the advantage is already on the side of the Raptors, and the set task has been completed.That night, the group flew back to Toronto to prepare for the home game.

In the 1998-99 regular season, major awards were released one after another. Yang Rui successfully won the best coach, thereby creating a historical record and becoming the youngest NBA coach in history. He is only 25 years old.

Yang Rui accepted the award in Toronto and held a press conference.

He said in his speech: "I am the luckiest head coach. I joined the Knicks at the beginning, and then got the opportunity to coach the Raptors. The Raptors have many potential players. I believe that even if other coaches come to coach, as long as it is not If you deliberately make things difficult for them, you can play a good record."

The reporter asked: "But the team members feel that you have tapped their potential, and they are very grateful to you."

Yang Rui smiled and said: "That's because they have potential to be tapped, such as Carter and McGrady. Are their physical conditions inferior to Jordan's? I don't think they are bad. They used passion to improve the morale of the team. Billups also has a lot of Pros, good shooting, strong body, just work hard and I think he'll be one of the best defenders at the 1 someday."

The reporter asked: "You are a rare coach who will hang out with the players and eat together on the road. This has caused some controversy. What do you think?"

"Yes, we have a very good relationship and are friends. We can all be together except for nightclubs and eating junk food. I don't think there is anything wrong with this. With more communication, everyone can say anything, even if there are contradictions. It all worked out right away. It was good communication that made the Raptors a successful season."

The reporter asked: "McGrady won the Best Sixth Man and the Most Improved Player Award at the same time. Many people say that his strength is not inferior to Carter. What do you think?"

Just yesterday, McGrady won the best sixth man, the fastest improvement two awards.

The sixth man ranked second in point guard Darrell Armstrong. The data is beautiful enough, but the defensive end is a black hole. Unlike McGrady, both offense and defense have been affirmed.

O'Neal's progress is obviously from a low starting point, and McGrady has changed from a blue-collar team to the second team leader. The judges finally decided to give him both awards, which is the first time in history.

McGrady laughed all day after getting the news, and was asked to treat by his teammates. This may be the reason why he didn't play well at night. He was overly happy and overjoyed.

"They're all great, and having McGrady off the bench is for a better offense. Both of them can get more balls. They didn't let me down, they didn't let the fans down. They deserved the award."

In the regular season MVP rankings, Carter ranks fourth in the league, successfully won the Rookie of the Year, and was elected unanimously. The Raptors have a bumper harvest this season.

The MVP was Jazz veteran Karl Malone.

Although the Spurs and Trail Blazers have better records, the lineup is better than the Jazz.It is a miracle that Malone can lead this old Jazz to the third record in the Western Conference. The two are really old, and the data are all ordinary role players, and the defensive end is also at a disadvantage.

The best defensive player is the Heat's Alonzo Mourning. Since the Heat didn't meet the Knicks in the first round, he did not give the famous shocking speech like Yang Rui's previous life.

In the series against the Pacers, the Heat took a 2-0 lead, and Mourning was in a very happy mood and said good things.

In addition, Carter was named to the All-NBA First Team, knocking Jason Kidd out for a while.The other four are Iverson, Duncan, Malone, and Mourning.

Second team: Ewing, Webb, Grant Hill, Kidd, Payton.

Third Team: Tim Hardaway, Reggie Miller, Kobe Bryant, Garnett, O'Neal.

Carter achieved this feat in his rookie season, largely because of his high popularity and the league's strong support, such as Olajuwon, McDyess, and Barkley, who were not selected for the third team.

The All-Defensive Team has nothing to do with the Raptors. It's Yang Rui's previous life. Before Pippen and Payton are old, Christie's won't be around.The best defensive team also depends on reputation, and it is difficult for an offensive team like the Raptors to win awards.

(End of this chapter)