NBA: The Basketball Miracle

On October 25, 1996, the Knicks played their last preseason game at Madison Square Garden.

The Nets held the No. 8 pick this year and selected Villanova University's tall guard Corey Kidders.

If nothing unexpected happens, the Nets will most likely continue to play badly this year.

They have already lost 5 of the 8 preseason games. The same was true tonight. The 6-foot-tall "big bamboo pole" Sean Bradley looked powerless against Ewing.

"Big Bamboo Pole" has only one offensive method, and his too thin body doesn't allow him to do much against the gorilla's strong attack under the basket.

Less than 7 minutes into the game, the Knicks took a 6-point lead through stable scoring in the paint and several defensive counterattacks.

There was no defensive three seconds in the 1996-1997 season, and Sean Bradley's role in protecting the rim gradually became apparent. Larry Johnson's two attempts to attack the inside were blocked.

The New York fans at the scene cheered loudly every time they saw Ewing catch the ball and attack Sean Bradley.

Receiving the ball with his back to the basket in the low post on the left side, Ewing released the ball with his right hand and shot twice to get close to the basket.

He then walked to the line and carried his opponent with a jump step to the paint area.

With a fake shot of the ball, Ewing easily deceived Sean Bradley's center of gravity. He used the time difference to shake off the defense and then lightly hooked the ball with his right hand!

"Swish!" Two points were scored steadily under the basket.

While shaking his head and retreating, Ewing once again demonstrated his dominance under the basket.

In the commentary booth, Marv Albert did not hesitate to praise him:

"The big guy on the other side was helpless. He shot 4 out of 4 and Patrick had already scored 8 points on him. He attacked from the low post, faked hook shots, and faced the basket. Patrick could do everything tonight!"

On the Knicks bench, Lee also cheered and applauded with the newbies. Although the gorilla is old, he can still easily control most of the centers in the league.

Rookie John Wallace has become very familiar with Lee through these preseason games:

"We were practicing outside tactics the past two days, and we agreed to let Houston attack first, but the result is like this again!"

John Wallace complained quietly, Ewing also asserted his sovereignty in the preseason, and Jeff Van Gundy's plans sometimes did not change as fast as the changes on the court.

Lee, who was wearing a white training suit, looked at the newbie who was eating a lemon beside him, and responded while covering his mouth:

"If we take the lead early, we can still play for a few more minutes. Don't worry about these details. Alan himself has never complained."

Alan Houston is indeed very professional. After coming to the Knicks, in order to adapt to Jeff Van Gundy's tactics, in addition to strengthening his defense, he also began to reduce his shooting rights.

Like Larry Johnson, both of their statistics will be reduced this season!

The Knicks' offense was still slow with the starting lineup, and Jeff Van Gundy and the coaching staff were unable to make any changes.

Starks and Charles Oakley are both veterans of the team, so they naturally support Ewing.

One of them had the ball in his hands, and the other helped Ewing in the fight. Alan Houston and Larry Johnson couldn't steal the ball.

Among the guards, Charlie Ward was also selected by the Knicks. He is in his third year as a rookie and a professional bootlicker. He passes the ball to his big brother as soon as he enters the court!

Jeff Van Gundy and the coach did practice some offensive routines, but as time went on, they always returned to the old ways of the Knicks.

Pat Riley has left a deep mark in New York, and until now, the team's offensive tactics are still the same as before.

With 3 minutes and 42 seconds left in the first quarter, Lee replaced Starks and Buck Williams replaced Charles Oakley.

Lee, who had just entered the court, received the baseline ball from Alan Houston, and the New York fans at the scene started to cheer.

In the 7 pre-season games, Lee contributed beautiful passes or wonderful goals in every game.

Not only New York local sports programs would edit these wonderful shots, but Lee also frequently appeared on ESPN's Sports Center program!

During the preseason, the most popular players were Allen Iverson and Lee. Unlike other small guards, they were more aggressive and their dribbling was more fancy.

Amid cheers, Lee dribbled the ball across half court with his left hand and came to the top of the arc, and immediately passed the ball to Alan Houston who bounced out to the left wing.

Although he broke away from the defense and had space to shoot after receiving the ball, Alan Houston did not complete the shot directly, but passed the ball back to Lee again.

Lee received the ball again at the top of the arc, and Ewing no longer fought with Sean Bradley in the interior, but quickly went to the top of the arc to perform a pick-and-roll.

Robert Pike is the starting No. 1 player for the Nets. He had learned about Lee's playing style before the game, so he was naturally ready to squeeze through the screen.

Just as the 6-foot-2 guard moved his feet and lowered his center of gravity to maintain a triple-threat posture, Lee suddenly used his right foot as the axis and turned around to release the ball.

Ewing's solid screen worked this time, and Lee broke free from the defense in an instant.

Facing the "big bamboo pole" Sean Bradley who was delayed, Lee scooped up the ball with his right hand and pulled it back under his crotch. While resetting his feet, he made a big in and out with his left hand.

Sean Bradley subconsciously took a step forward, and Lee, who was shaking his body, suddenly changed direction quickly. The moment he scooped up the ball with his right hand, he crossed over and passed the "big bamboo pole" in front of him in one step.

"oh!!"

Lee's continuous dribbling and clean passes made the New York fans at the scene scream excitedly.

At this moment, the Nets' defense instantly shrank, and Lee, who broke into the paint area, did not force an attack. He threw the ball to the upper left side of the basket with his right hand while moving.

Larry Johnson cut in from the left without the ball, jumped high, scooped the ball in the air, and slammed the ball with both hands!

"Boom!" The alley-oop dunk was successful!

The wonderful cooperation immediately ignited the Madison Square Garden.

Many New York fans who are easily bored with the old and love the new stood up and applauded and cheered, smiling and cheering the loudest in the game.

18:24, the Knicks continued to lead.

Including this ball just now, Larry Johnson only scored 4 points in the first quarter:

"Lee, great pass, do it a few more times!"

When Lee heard the request, he just raised his eyebrows in Ewing's direction. This kind of offense requires space.

Larry Johnson stopped talking, and the two of them high-fived to celebrate and quickly returned to defense.

The center plays a very important role on the court. On the defensive end, Ewing guarded the opponent's low-post attack under the basket, and then turned around and assisted Lee to complete a three-pointer from the top of the arc in the positional offense.

As long as Ewing is willing to assist, the quality of the coverage can be greatly improved.

Nets guard Kendall Gill just made a three-pointer at the buzzer, the Knicks quickly served the ball from the baseline, and Lee dribbled across half court with the ball in his right hand.

Slowing down at the top of the arc, Lee suddenly dribbled the ball between his legs, lowered his center of gravity, and immediately moved the ball behind his back in a big way.

While scooping up the ball with his right hand, Lee immediately broke through with his shoulder, gained half a body position, and rushed across the three-point line despite the defense.

After breaking through the middle and taking two steps, Lee immediately jumped up and threw the ball, which flew straight to the left wing. Alan Houston, who had just bounced out of the three-point line, caught the ball and quickly made a jump shot!

"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!

Responding to the ball! Smooth attack! The New York fans at the scene shouted happily again.

Alan Houston gave Lee a thumbs up, indicating that the pass was great. Lee smiled and bumped fists with Ewing who was returning to defense.

The high-quality screen provided by the big center can solve many problems. Lee looked at Ewing who was in excellent form and sighed in his heart:

"If the old guy could be willing to assist, the Knicks would definitely perform better!"

...

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