NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 139 Upper Limit and Lower Limit (Daily Chapter)

On June 1999, 6, two days before the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs had won two games in a row, leading their opponents 2:2.

In the G2 game, 5 seconds before the end, David Robinson blocked Jim Jackson's pull-up jumper;

Afterwards, Walter Williams of the Trail Blazers grabbed an offensive rebound, controlled the ball, and hit another jumper. Only then did the Spurs defend their home court without any danger.

双方又是一场慢节奏的比赛，出战47分钟，邓肯11中8，罚球13中7，拿到23分10篮板2助攻5盖帽4失误的数据；
出场40分钟，大卫-罗宾逊10中6，贡献了14分7篮板2助攻3抢断3盖帽。

The Spurs' twin towers contributed 8 blocks, once again demonstrating their top-notch frame protection capabilities.

Popovich didn't have many special tactics and was still fighting against the main force. Duncan only rested for 1 minute.
The New York media was still discussing the strength of the Spurs' twin towers, but after the Knicks announced Ewing's injury in the morning, everyone felt a chill.

No one expected that Ewing, who was limping off the field at that time, would tear his Achilles tendon in his right foot.

"The good news is that Pat doesn't need surgery. The bad news is that he will need at least six months of recovery."

After Jeff Van Gundy announced the news at the Tarrytown Training Center, New York fans were a little confused.

Not to mention the opponents in the finals, just the Pacers they are currently facing. Without the gorilla, Rick Schmitz can gain a huge height advantage.

For a moment, all the swollen New York fans calmed down.
After finishing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks had three days of rest.

On the morning of the 3rd, when the New York media interviewed Ewing, the gorilla's lower right foot had been fixed.

Although he still appeared at the training center, Ewing seemed extremely depressed.

At the end of his career, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury, which was another huge blow to his athletic ability.
Of course Ewing understands what such an injury means, and it will be difficult to get decent data next season.

In the media center, watching Ewing limping onto the stage, many reporters who had followed the team for many years felt a little sad.

In the past, people often consumed Gorilla, but seeing the star who has been with him for many years in such a miserable state at the end of his career, many people didn’t want to ask any more questions.

"Pat, are we going to beat the Pacers?"

A reporter from the New York Times asked a simple question. Ewing on the stage smiled and answered seriously:

"Of course, the Knicks will not only win the Eastern Conference Finals, but they will also win the championship again!"

"."

During the training session, Jeff Van Gundy was a little worried. Without Ewing, the inside line lacks height, the quality of coverage will decrease, and there is no need to think about the center controlling the ball for the second time.

Oakley's jump shot this season is also unstable. Although the defense is still online, the Pacers chose to let this go in the first two games.

The pick-and-roll tactics are becoming more and more difficult, which has become the consensus of the coaching staff.

"It seems that we have to increase the playing time of the three-back lineup. This is really a helpless choice."

Assistant coach Thibodeau watched the Knicks training step by step and sighed in a low voice to Jeff Van Gundy next to him.

The bald young marshal shook his head. He was not sure how to match the inside line.

Even if Ewing's condition declines this season, his rebounding and excellent defensive awareness can still raise the team's defensive limit.

In the substitute lineup, Kurt Thomas and Ben Wallace have far different game experience, and Jeff Van Gundy trusts the veterans more.

The coaching staff did not make many adjustments. After the training session, back in the locker room, Oakley took the initiative and said:

"Our height does have some disadvantages, but defense and rebounding don't just rely on height. I will deal with the soft big man on the opposite side."

Larry Johnson can also defend the interior. He doesn't care too much about Ewing's absence:
"The offense needs to be more stable. I don't like going to Indiana to play, but we have to win at least one road game."

Sprewell noticed "Big Mom" ​​looking at him, curled his lips and said nothing. G2 suddenly misfired in the fourth quarter, hitting 6 of 1, and was taken away by the opponent.
Alan Houston's condition began to improve, and he gradually adapted to Reggie Miller's defensive skills.

"No one can remain stable all the time, just do your best. The series has just begun, so there is no need to be mentally burdened."

"Of course, we do have to strengthen our defense. After all, Pat is no longer there, and rebounding is not just one person's business. Everyone has to be prepared."

After hearing what Li You said, everyone in the atmosphere group also echoed loudly.Ben Wallace was also a little excited. Although G2's performance was average after coming on the scene, he was a little uncomfortable guarding Rick Schmitz.

But with more playing time, Ben Wallace is confident that he can improve his performance.

Li You noticed that his teammates were still very confident and felt relieved.

Under the subtle changes, although everyone respects Ewing, on the whole, they still believe in his offense more. If it is really not working anymore and sharing the ball cannot be played, they can also activate "four guarantees and one".
After leaving the locker room, Li You was surrounded by a large number of media again. It was difficult to interview the depressed Ewing, so naturally he had to do more interviews:
"Lee, can you talk about the trend of the series? Will Pat's injury stop the team from the Eastern Conference Finals?"

"The playoffs start with an away win. The Pacers have the upper hand, but we will also take back the initiative."

"Of course we will not stop at the Eastern Conference Finals. I will fulfill my promise and the Knicks will still win the championship."

At this time, Li You began to brag confidently, and soon the New York media in front of him were elated. Everyone recovered from the depression of Ewing's injury.

On June 6th, the Knicks will fly to Indiana. Tomorrow night, G4 of the Eastern Conference Finals will officially begin.

Ewing chose to travel with the team to the away game. Gorilla was still very impressive. After the injury, the mayor of New York paid attention to it. The news in the past two days also reviewed his unfortunate career.
Many old New York fans even held white boards to see him off, and the slogan "Fight for Eew" began to spread in New York.

But the fans' actions made Ewing even more depressed, as if he was saying goodbye to the NBA.

That night, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, the Trail Blazers returned home and played the worst game in the series, which almost made Portland fans shut down.
After scoring 2 points in the second quarter, after the start of the second half, the Trail Blazers scored another 12 points in the third quarter!
24:8 in a single quarter, before the Spurs even exerted their strength, the Trail Blazers blew themselves up.

The substitute lineup performed well, and in the starting lineup, Damon Stoudemire, as the brains of the team, had a catastrophic performance.

At 85:63, the Spurs finally got the match point easily, and the series score reached 3:0. Second-year Tim Duncan has already stood on the floor of the Finals.

这场比赛受到犯规困扰的邓肯只出场了20分钟，7中2，拿到5分8篮板1助攻2盖帽3失误的数据。

But the opposite Trail Blazers were struggling under the Spurs' defense. Damon Stoudemire made 12 of 1 shots and scored 2 points, which stunned the fans in attendance.

Rookie coach Popovich was a little overwhelmed at this time.

Even though Mike Dunleavy on the opposite side didn't give him a good look, Popovich still showed a smile. At the post-game press conference, he even praised the Spurs' twin towers:

"We don't care what the outside world thinks, Tim and David are getting better and better!"

"Maybe Lee is a talented player, but Tim is not bad either. Think about it, this is only the second season of his career!"

"."

The Spurs reached the Finals, the New York media began to frown again, Ewing was injured, and everyone didn't like to encounter a twin-tower team.

The closer you are to the basket, the higher your shooting percentage. The big man has obvious advantages and can keep the lower limit very well.

Teams with perimeter as their core have a reputation for having a higher ceiling, but once their status fluctuates, they usually get stretched.

On the night of June 6th, in G5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks lost again.

The Pacers broke out again, Reggie Miller only scored 10 points on 3 of 12 shots.
On the bench, Jaylen Rose and Antonio Davis combined for 35 points.

Contrary to Jeff Van Gundy's expectation, Rick Schmitz did not play much time in tonight's game. The Pacers' forwards attacked the basket crazily.

There were sudden penalties and penalties, 85:90, and the series score came to 2:1. The Pacers had a chance to get the match point at home.

The game plan customization failed. Jeff Van Gundy looked ugly and felt that he was being played by the opponent.

The fans at the scene were even more mouth-watering and kept taunting loudly. Everyone in the Knicks team looked serious and walked quickly back to the tunnel.

At the post-game press conference, Reggie Miller, who was showing off his crotch, turned on his big mouth mode again.

He remained silent in New York and returned to his own territory. Reggie Miller taunted loudly:
"Yes, no one on the Pacers appears on the MVP rankings, and no one has ever won an MVP!"

"But we don't care about this, because in the next game, everyone will send the MVP home!"

The reporters accompanying the Pacers all started cheering loudly. As long as they get the match point at home, the series will most likely be over!
The New York media watched the business bragging between the two sides and could only curse inwardly in annoyance:
"Fuck! Miller!."

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(End of this chapter)