NBA: The Basketball Miracle

On September 30, 1996, after the Knicks training session, young Jeff Van Gundy returned to the office and discussed lineup issues with the coaching staff.

In the 1995-1996 season, the Knicks had a record of 47 wins and 35 losses, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Although the ranking is good, the average of 97.2 points per game ranks 22nd in the league.

The last seven teams, except for the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons in the East, are mostly tanking teams.

If we look at the number of possessions, the Knicks average 77.8 possessions per game, ranking 25th in the league, fifth from the bottom.

The first-place Dallas Mavericks averaged 90.6 possessions per game, and the two teams were playing completely different basketball.

Looking at this team data list, an interesting phenomenon is that the Knicks and the Heat are very similar. After Pat Riley left New York, he moved the "iron-blooded" basketball to Miami.

The Chicago Bulls only had 84.0 possessions, but they averaged 105.2 points per game, ranking first in the league. On defense, they allowed their opponents to score only 92.9 points per game, ranking second in the league.

From the data point of view, the Bulls are truly an integrated offense and defense team, and their dominance is not exaggerated!

The reason why the Knicks can win is mainly due to their defense, allowing their opponents to score 94.9 points per game.

The Knicks' defense ranked fourth last season.

The 3rd and 5th places are the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat respectively.

The Pistons and the Heat can ignore the offense and continue to stick to their style of play, but the Knicks can't stand it. Without the blessing of the championship, the picky New York fans have begun to get impatient.

No one wants to watch a boring defensive battle in Madison Square Garden.

New York fans are more looking forward to the Knicks being able to play the same smooth triangle offense as the Bulls. Fans think this should not be difficult!

General Manager Grunfeld brought Larry Johnson to the Knicks without any prior notice. After more than half a month of training sessions, Jeff Van Gundy still failed to solve the offensive problem.

Although Van Gundy is only 34 years old, he has been worried about hair loss these days, and he is visibly bald.

"We can also try to reduce the use of Ewing. The team added Larry, who is a good offensive player!"

Veteran assistant coach Don Chaney saw that everyone was discussing the issue but were also avoiding it, so he decided to make the situation clear.

Last season, Patrick Ewing's usage rate was 31.5%, ranking fourth in the league.

The Bulls' Michael Jordan's usage rate was as high as 33.3%, ranking first in the league.

If you want to play a beautiful outside offense, you have to use more outside players. The reason is so simple. If you don't give the ball, no one can help.

Tom Thibodeau noticed that Van Gundy was silent again and tried to smooth things over:

"It will take more time. It takes time for the team to make changes!"

Don Chaney shook his head. He was an assistant coach and had a good relationship with Van Gundy, so he said this. If they continued to play "iron-blooded" basketball and still couldn't produce results, the coaching staff might have to be purged within two seasons.

In this era, except for Michael Jordan who was a special one, most teams started from the inside.

Shaquille O'Neal's usage rate was 32.8%, Hakeem Olajuwon's usage rate was 31.9%, and after Ewing, Karl Malone and David Robinson's usage rates were also close to 30%.

Jeff Van Gundy continued to struggle, listening to the assistant coaches' discussions, but still couldn't make up his mind to make changes.

The mark left by Pat Riley was still deeply engraved on the Knicks:

"We still have time to observe the players' condition through the preseason."

Hearing such a smooth talk, Brendan Malone, an assistant coach who has also worked for the Knicks for many years, couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Who will be the starting point guard? Lee is in the best condition and has the most stable shooting. Maybe we can trust him!"

Jeff Van Gundy shook his head again, and then everyone fell silent. There were three main scoring points in the starting lineup. It didn't matter who played the No. 1 position. They were all tools.

After more than half a month, Lee was finally able to go home early. Since the welcome ceremony for the rookies was held, the "good brothers" have been quite caring towards the newbie.

Every night everyone went to an authentic New York nightclub to have fun together. With his extraordinary drinking capacity, Lee won unanimous praise from the "good brothers".

But Lee really doesn't like black-style nightclubs, and has no interest in the "gangsta rap" that is already out of fashion.

Lee almost got a headache after listening to the nagging for more than half a month. He was able to rest tonight mainly because the families of the "good brothers" spoke up, otherwise, he would have to continue drinking happily.

Mark Bartelstein did not expect that Lee

managed his apartment in such a tidy manner, which did not look like what a single person should do.

Lee poured the agent a glass of iced cola, then drank it all up:

"This is what we should drink!"

After taking a sip, Lee felt completely refreshed.

"Some black players just like to go to some 'black' shops. This is also a kind of team culture, reminding players not to forget their roots."

"It seems that you have adapted to life here. This is good news!"

When Mark Bartelstein saw that Lee was living a good life in New York, he thought of the unlucky Ray Allen in Milwaukee. The lives of the two were very different.

"Team culture? That's black culture. The Knicks is Ewing's team, and everyone revolves around him."

Lee has a thorough understanding of the internal situation of the Knicks. The "Four Big Centers" are indeed very impressive.

Mark Bartelstein smiled and then gave a different opinion:

"Patrick Ewing's team? No, New York is still Pat Riley's team. Your young head coach won't make many changes!"

"The New York media loves Pat Riley, and the Los Angeles media still misses the Lakers he created."

"NBA broadcasting conditions are getting better and better. Pat Riley may be the first coach in the league to market himself. He pays attention to his image and he likes big scenes."

"The gorgeous slicked-back hair, fashionable sunglasses, and always straight suits are all to attract media attention. Of course, most importantly, he looks a bit like Al Pacino. The media likes such a head coach."

"Lee, the NBA is more than just basketball. Madison Square Garden is still the biggest stage in the league. You need to show yourself more!"

Lee stood up from the sofa, walked to the window, looked at the bustling night view of Manhattan, and thought of the two "good brothers" in the main lineup who were sticking their butts out to ask for the ball:

"Ewing is already 34 years old. No one can resist the invasion of time. This is a good thing for me."

After hearing what Lee said, Mark Bartelstein laughed again. The two of them thought of the same thing:

"If you want to make a name for yourself, the best choice is to send the King of New York away!"

...

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