NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 246 The failure of all efforts

On the night of January 2002, 1, after the Knicks defeated the Hornets at home, before Baron Davis could say "Bro" to Lee You, P.J. Brown pushed his teammates aside.
Every time they meet the Hornets backcourt pairing of David Wesley and Davis, the Knicks' numbers are always good.

PJ Brown felt the lively atmosphere of the arena and took the initiative to bump fists with Li You in greeting:
"Li, congratulations on winning the All-Star Game votes!"

Mark Bartelstein, who both belongs to the same agent, had already revealed to Li You that the other party wanted to play for the Knicks.

However, the Hornets are also very generous. P.J. Brown plans to bet on both sides and the one with the highest price will get it.

After staying in the league for several years, Li You also understands the thoughts of contract-year players, but he is not the one who pays the salary, so it is easy for him to help raise the price:

"Thanks! Bro, you taught our rookies another lesson tonight. I loved this game!"

Gasol, who was gradually figuring out his technical characteristics, had an average defensive performance against the two big men Eldon Campbell and PJ Brown.

In every game, there are a few fixed rounds where he attempts low-post plays, and Gasol was weak tonight.

Baron Davis waited until his teammates started flattering him, then he fist bumped with Li You depressedly, and then said self-deprecatingly:

"It seems that I have no chance to enter the All-Star Game this year!"

The two have similar body shapes, both weighing 95 kilograms, and their playing styles are somewhat similar. This season, the bearded man has also begun to throw three-pointers confidently.

It's reliable to imitate the MVP in playing basketball.

After Li You fist bumped with the opponent, he realized that the Celtics' record seemed to be better than that of the Hornets. In addition, Iverson was blessed by the host, and it was really possible for the substitute position to squeeze out the one in front of him.

"You are only 22 years old. If you keep up your form, you can always be selected as an All-Star."

After hearing Li You's comfort, Baron Davis was still in a low mood, and most players still yearned for All-Star status.

Especially thinking about Iverson's condition, losing to such an opponent is really depressing. Davis knew that the Knicks were about to play against the 76ers, and before leaving, he simply suggested with gloating:
"In the next game, give some color to the overrated one!"

"."

Pau Gasol still has some language problems, and he only gave simple answers during interviews. He sometimes needs Li You's help in video lessons and tactical training sessions.

After winning the Rookie of the Month award, his statistics dropped slightly, mainly because his opponents were more concerned about his playing style.

On the 22nd, at the Tarrytown Training Center, after the morning video session, Jeff Van Gundy no longer suggested that Gasol gain weight. Just like Grant Hill actively chose to lose weight, no one wanted to adapt to the head coach.
"Once you make an offensive choice, whether it's shooting or passing, you have to be faster."

"Many times opponents position themselves around the paint area. This kind of defense is similar to a zone defense, making it easier for big men to be double-teamed!"

Assistant coach Thibodeau spoke a little fast. Li You, who was sitting in the chair, looked at the tactical board and briefly translated for Gasol next to him.

Grant Hill, who was once again selected as an All-Star, has been very happy recently, but he was a little fishy during the game. He really doesn't want to miss this year's All-Star Game again due to injury.

The coaching staff has reminded me more than once to maintain shooting from beyond the three-point line, but when it comes to shooting, it is often a child's skill. I didn't practice much in the past. It is impossible to suddenly break out in one or two seasons.

Grant Hill's shooting percentage has been very stable since the start of the game, floating slightly around 50%. A large number of attacks on the frame and fast breaks, coupled with a small number of pull-up jumpers and misplaced singles, make Excel extremely beautiful.

"The coach is right, it seems that we should change some offensive options."

At the end of the video class, Grant Hill watched the coaching staff give him the tactical board and wanted to hear Li You's opinion.

"There's no reason to keep shooting if you can't make a shot. Basketball is not just about three-pointers."

"It is easier to do what you are good at and maintain your advantages than to make up for your shortcomings. Losing some games will not affect your ranking."

Nearly halfway through the schedule, Li You has accepted the reality. The Knicks are no longer a jump shooting team, but have transformed into fast break players.
Artest very much agrees with what Li You said. Even if TNT ridicules his jump shot, there is currently no solution to the matter. Many times he just can't make the shot:

"You can win by relying on defense. We are still No. [-] in the Eastern Conference anyway!"

Seeing his good brother secretly throwing the tactical board aside, Stephen Jackson did not say a word. Instead, he showed a thoughtful look. If he shot accurately, he seemed to be able to get more playing time.

Brevin Knight and Big Knight in the atmosphere team found that Jeff Van Gundy was talking less and less.

In the past, the head coach would also guide the rotation, but as the season progresses, this situation becomes less and less.

Before, when Wright was on the bench, he imagined that the head coach could continue to set up the twin towers and let him play the starting center. Now this idea has long been forgotten:
"Is there something wrong with Coach Van Gundy's family?"

Brevin Knight heard the big man's gossip, looked around again, and found that Longley was the only one, and immediately complained in a low voice:

"Maybe it has something to do with the management! Anyway, we just need to play ball."

"."

On the 23rd, the Knicks flew to Toronto. During the away game against the Raptors, Vince Carter was injured and left the field after playing less than one quarter.

O'Neal has been confirmed to miss the All-Star Game, and Carter's injury has also made many fans worried. No one wants to see the Dunk King miss the All-Star Game.

Without their star player, the Raptors also suffered a defeat, 96:81. Relying on defense, the Knicks continued their winning streak.

The old man Olajuwon was also in poor physical condition, and he did not take advantage of the new Gasol. He only played 14 minutes, made 7 of 0, and scored zero points.

Li You completed 4 steals in two consecutive games. Although the opponent's backcourt strength was average, the New York media still climaxed.

With more three-pointers and more counterattacks, Li You also began to adapt to the fast break team.

On January 1, the NBA announced the substitute lineup for the All-Star Game. After seeing the list, some people were happy and some were worried:

The seven Eastern Conference All-Star substitutes are:

Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Antoine Walker, Jermaine O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning;

The seven Western Conference All-Star substitutes are:

Steve Nash, Gary Payton, Wally Szczerbiak, Peja Stojakovic, Karl Malone, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Webber.

After the substitute list was announced, Paul Pierce thought someone had taken a back door!
Still preparing for the game against the 76ers, Pierce, who was not selected as an All-Star, said loudly in an interview in the afternoon:
"With 25 wins and 16 losses, the Celtics are the better team and I should be selected as an All-Star!"

"Everyone is looking after the 76ers just because they are the host city. It's not fair. Allen Iverson is overrated!"

It was actually Alonzo Mourning who was being taken care of, but the spirit of the kidney fighter really deserves encouragement, so Iverson took action again.
This is how the grievances between players appear. There are only so many All-Star positions. The 76ers' record and Iverson's statistics are not convincing, so everyone naturally feels soft.

The bearded Davis also did not forget to make some weird remarks, and the New York media who joined in the fun called for Pau Gasol to be selected. On January 1, in back-to-back games, the Knicks faced the Suns at home.

Marbury received a warm welcome from the New York fans, who cheered loudly whenever he made a shot.

In the third quarter of the game, Marbury, who stood on the free throw line, missed two free throws. The happy New York fans began to shout loudly:
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

Sprewell also enjoyed this treatment. Marbury's mentality exploded. With a 16-point lead at halftime, the point difference was continuously narrowed by the Knicks.

With 14.8 seconds left in the game, 91:90, the Suns still maintained the lead.

With little offensive time left, Marbury used the screen to force his way to the basket, causing Gasol's thug to foul.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Marbury missed two free throws again. For a moment, the cheers of the fans almost broke through the arena.

Pau Gasol protected the rebound, and Jeff Van Gundy did not ask for a timeout. In the last 11.2 seconds of the game, everyone stood up and watched Li You catch the ball and dribble it leisurely across the half court.

Time passed very quickly, and Marbury, who was in a frenzy of mentality, made moves from time to time. The two struggled through the half, with only the last 5.8 seconds left in the game.

Seeing his teammates waving their hands angrily, Anfen Nihadaway did not step forward to double-team.

On the right wing, Li You, who was protecting the ball with his back, switched to his right hand and suddenly accelerated. When Marbury slid to the left and back, he immediately dribbled the ball behind his back. He paused slightly when he switched to his left hand.

Marbury, who showed a ferocious expression, adjusted his center of gravity again to defend. Li You dribbled calmly, dodged the opponent's cutter, and while exerting force with his left foot, he instantly completed a jump dribble.

Li You, who was exerting force with his feet and holding the ball in his right hand, accelerated with his shoulders and instantly grabbed a position. Marbury, who was desperately trying to fight with his body, could only slide to the left and back, completely losing his center of gravity.
The moment Li You crossed the three-point line, he noticed the opponent's defensive movement and took advantage of the situation to cross-step and pull back to the outside of the three-point line.

Amid the screams of the New York fans, the right wing completely shook off the defense. Li You calmly adjusted and made a buzzer-beating jump shot!

"Buzz!"

When the basketball was flying in the air, the buzzer sounded, the timer light came on, and the game was over.

After finishing the shot, Li You raised his hands in the air, and as the basketball drew a wonderful arc and hit the net, Madison Square Garden instantly exploded.

"what!!"

Artest roared angrily, took off his jersey, rushed over from the left sideline, hugged Li You and screamed.

Soon, everyone in the atmosphere team rushed to the venue and did not give Li You too much time to pretend. Everyone hugged together and celebrated wildly with the fans.

In the MSG commentary box, Mike Breen was also very excited, but he had already started calling X when Li You finally caught the ball. At this time, he just laughed and added:

"I knew Lee was going to hit the shot! The Suns made a huge mistake!"

"This is New York superstardom and Lee never disappoints!"

After shouting twice, it seemed that it was still not enough. Mike Breen looked at Marbury, who was standing there stupidly, and suddenly joked:
"Thank you, son of New York! Marbury's free throw saved the Knicks."

At 58:42 in the first half, with 16 points behind, the Knicks completed a counterattack thanks to Li You's buzzer-beater. At the end of the game, many New York fans were shouting Li You's name.

出场42分钟，27中18，三分线外14中7，罚球10中8，51分5篮板6助攻3抢断1盖帽3失误。

In back-to-back games for the Knicks, Li You reached a season high.

Walter Frazier waited until everyone on the Knicks team finished celebrating, then grinned and hugged Li You in greeting:
"What a wonderful game! Li, how does it feel when you beat your opponent?"

This game was not broadcast live across the United States, and Li You did not speak seriously, but joked with a smile:
"I always have extra motivation against the Suns. It feels so good to beat my opponent!"

"The most important thing is that the Knicks got a double harvest! I'm glad I lived up to the fans' expectations!"

Holding the Suns' draft pick, New York fans also had extra motivation. When they saw Marbury walking towards the tunnel, the fans did not forget to cheer for the son of New York:
"MVP!"

全场比赛21中7，三分线外3中0，罚球10中5，砍下19分3篮板5助攻4失误的马布里听到叫喊声立刻冲着球迷竖起中指，破防地大骂：

"Fack! Fack squid!"

Although the game was not broadcast live across the United States, ESPN's Sports Center began to repeatedly broadcast Li You's wonderful game.

Watching Li You's clean swings, calm shots and just the right time control in the highlights, fans who didn't watch this game cried out that it was a pity.

After a day of rest, the Knicks flew to Philadelphia to challenge the 76ers away from home.

In the game against the Celtics, Iverson faced the big-mouthed Pierce, shooting 31 of 16 from the field, 8 of 4 from beyond the arc, 13 of 11 free throws, and scored 47 points!
106:90, after defeating his opponent, Iverson also angrily criticized his opponent after the game:

"Don't point fingers at me, little guy! Once you win the scoring title, come and question me again!"

"."

On the night of the 26th, at the First United Center Arena, Philadelphia fans had great expectations for this game. After all, Iverson's condition has improved!

Just after the game started, the expectations turned into disappointment, and at the end of the half game, the disappointment turned into despair.

16 of 5, facing the Knicks' zone defense, Iverson hit the ground running and scored 15 points in the half.

At 54:38, the Knicks entered the second half with a 16-point lead.

The angry Iverson stopped shooting jumpers, fell to the ground again and again, and kept getting to the free throw line, but he was still unable to narrow the point difference.

Matt Halprin lost all control due to Artest's entanglement, and the inside combination of Mutombo and Corey Blount also failed to take advantage.

Eric Snow, who dealt the cards at the top of the arc, was as stable as ever, and the 76ers' four guarantees and one was completely stretched.

At 104:86, when the game ended, boos began to appear in the First United Center.

出场44分钟，27中9，三分线外6中2，罚球17中14，34分4篮板6助攻1抢断5失误。

Iverson, who was trying his best, stood in the middle of the field. When he heard the boos, he felt a little aggrieved. His eyes turned red and he almost burst into tears.

Then looking at Li You and everyone on the Knicks talking and laughing, comforting Pau Gasol who left the game for six fouls, Iverson hugged Mutombo who was comforting him, and whispered with some choking. :
"I wanted to win and I really tried my best."

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(End of this chapter)