NBA: The Basketball Miracle

Lee always felt that the Knicks' offense had problems. No matter how many moves they practiced in training, they all disappeared on the court.

After the game entered the second half, the Knicks' offense became more classic.

Starks dribbled across half court and asked for the ball with his back to the basket in the low post on the right side.

The aggressive positioning gave Ewing a chance, but he had just received the pass when Luke Longley was pressing from behind, and Harper also suddenly retreated to help defend.

With the two of them defending together, Ewing immediately passed the ball back to Starks on the right wing outside the three-point line.

Harper slid back to defense again, Starks quickly transferred the ball sideways, Alan Houston at the top of the arc received the pass, dribbled sideways, and gave the ball to Larry Johnson who was back-to-basket in the left low post.

After receiving the ball, he immediately released the ball with his right hand, and after continuous back-to-basket play, he approached the paint area, and then Larry Johnson used his left foot as the axis and quickly turned towards the baseline.

In the end, he barely completed a fadeaway jump shot despite being blocked by Pippen.

Larry Johnson knew the ball was gone as soon as he shot it, and he shouted a warning:

"Rebound!"

Charles Oakley was fighting with Rodman in the paint area at this time, and they were pulling each other. The referee did not blow the whistle.

Finally, Rodman, who was in an advantageous position, jumped high, grabbed the rebound, and then held the ball in his arms in a pretentious manner.

The fans at the scene exclaimed, and Rodman threw the ball to Michael Jordan.

After receiving the pass, the latter quickly rushed across the center line, came to the left wing of the three-point line, held the ball in his right hand and continued to lower his shoulders to accelerate.

Alan Houston, who was retreating quickly, could only slide to the left and back. As a result, when he reached the free throw line, Michael Jordan suddenly stopped, crossed his steps, quickly passed the ball, and then raised the ball for a fake shot.

The realistic fake move made Alan Houston jump up, and finally, Michael Jordan hung on the defense and calmly completed a mid-range jump shot!

"Squeak!"

The ball went in after the whistle blew. Madison Square Garden was filled with boos. The third quarter was like last season's playoffs. The Bulls easily scored points as they missed shots.

The only difference from last season's playoffs is that this time the Knicks have two players who like to attack with the ball in the low post, and they take turns to get into position.

The Bulls began to exert their strength, and Michael Jordan completely found his shooting touch. After a few rounds, the score difference had reached 8 points, and the free throw would make it 9 points.

Michael Jordan, who was chewing gum, ignored the noise at the scene and calmly made the free throw.

70:61, the score difference is already in double digits!

Jeff Van Gundy did not request a timeout, and Lee on the bench saw the Knicks' classic offense again.

After several passes, Ewing failed to make a low-post attack. With little time left for the attack, he was forced to go online and make a high-post pick-and-roll for Starks.

The latter took advantage of the screen, took a step to the right wing outside the three-point line, and made a long two-point jump shot.

"oh!!"

The shot missed and the fans at the scene sighed. Rodman grabbed the rebound and quickly passed the ball.

Harper received the ball and passed it immediately. Pippen received the pass and came to the right wing outside the three-point line. After a sudden stop, he cut in quickly and roughly.

Larry Johnson lost his defensive position and subconsciously pulled the ball, which sent Pippen to the free throw line again.

"Shhh!!"

No one knew who the boos were directed at. Commentator Marv Albert was completely out of emotion and said helplessly:

"Maybe this is the gap between us and the defending champions."

With the score difference reaching 11 points, Jeff Van Gundy finally requested a timeout.

Lee has completely experienced the tacit understanding among the Bulls players. The old guys know when to exert their strength and how to score points efficiently and labor-savingly.

The Knicks' offensive tactics had long been figured out by their opponents. Ewing's one-on-one environment was too poor, and his shooting accuracy from the outside was also problematic.

"When Pat catches the ball in the low post, everyone should move, don't just stand there waiting for the ball!"

Jeff Van Gundy squatted on the floor holding the tactical board and loudly reminded his players.

When Lee heard this, he knew that the offense should be passed to Ewing in the low post. After the timeout, players from both teams returned to the court.

On the bench, rookie John Wallace whispered beside Lee:

"We didn't use any of the things we learned in training. All we did during the game was try to please the veterans!"

The unlucky rookie Walter McCarty, who was playing at the 4th position, was suppressed by the veterans and had no playing time. He also complained in a low voice:

"If we're trailing by a large margin, I don't know if the coach will let me play."

Lee didn't say anything because he knew that as long as the Bulls played the entire third quarter, they would not have any playing time.

Just as Lee guessed, the Bulls, who had frequently rotated in the first half, exerted their full strength in the third quarter.

80:69, the game was completely reversed.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Lee came on the court again and played for only 3 minutes. As the Bulls' main lineup returned one after another, Jeff Van Gundy also replaced the main players.

The fans at the scene began to express their dissatisfaction by booing, and after 5 minutes, the game completely lost its suspense.

Scott Brooks and Walter McCarty at the end of the Knicks bench finally got their chance, and the atmosphere group completely used up the last three minutes or so.

104:91, although it was just a preseason game, the Knicks' offense was poor again and they lost the game easily.

Phil Jackson smiled and shook hands with Jeff Van Gundy, while Michael Jordan didn't even seem to break a sweat as he smiled and fist-bumped with the Knicks.

The vindictive Michael Jordan ignored Jeff Van Gundy and showed a disdainful attitude towards the young head coach.

The New York fans at the scene felt that this game was like eating a shitty chocolate!

The loss was so ugly that many people started to curse again.

In 13 minutes, Clay Lee made 4 of 7 shots, 2 of 4 from beyond the three-point line, and scored 10 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

He took a break in the middle of the quarter, and his touch was cold in the fourth quarter.

Losing a preseason game is really not a big deal, but losing to the Bulls still made the "good brothers" feel bad. After returning to the locker room after the game, they were in no mood to sum up.

Jeff Van Gundy and Patrick Ewing still had to deal with the New York media. After changing their clothes, Lee and Starks came to the parking lot early to prepare to go home.

After getting in the car, John Starks turned to Lee and said:

"Do you feel a little disappointed that New York fans like you so much, but you don't get much playing time?"

Lee, who fastened his seat belt, responded calmly:

"I'm just a rookie, I'm not qualified to judge the head coach's use of players, not to mention that I'm already satisfied with scoring in double digits tonight."

Starks chuckled softly, then said self-deprecatingly:

"There was a time when New York fans liked me very much, but this is Ewing's team!"

"The Knicks just signed him to a big contract, and superstars need numbers."

"Don't complain that Van Gundy doesn't change his tactics, because this is what Ewing deserves. He is irreplaceable in New York!"

Lee started the car and forced a smile without responding. The "Four Great Centers" are indeed impressive, but the old guys are becoming outdated.

This is not the broadcasting era of the 1980s, and better broadcasting conditions have also changed fans' preferences.

There is really nothing to brag about losing, but Lee left a deep impression on New York fans and media.

That night, Lee's beautiful goal swept the sports news in New York. The Big Apple, with its highly developed media, has a first-class ability to create stars!

In the post-match commentary of MSG TV, basketball analyst John Kenneth praised him:

"New York needs an excellent player like Lee. He is not even 19 years old yet and has already achieved success in the NCAA!"

"Look at these wonderful goals. If I were a fan, I would buy a ticket for him!"

"."

In this era of sticking out butts, who will be the protagonist of the Knicks? Perhaps the media and fans will soon give the answer.

...

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