On June 17, 1999, many sports media were shocked by the finals game 1 that just ended last night:
"The era of Clay-Lee is coming!"
"Jeff Van Gundy should win the best coach of the league again."
"Popovich is the last weakness of the team. Phil Jackson is interested in taking over the Spurs!"
"."
A lot of news appeared in the morning.
The New York print media was in climax.
Many people thought that the finals were over.
The post-match columns were even more bizarre.
Since most of the interviews with the Spurs were mediocre, many sports columnists once again used their expertise to create something out of nothing.
Phil Jackson seemed to be interested in returning to the league, but the Spurs were not his cup of tea.
Apart from other reasons, it is difficult for the Spurs themselves to meet the salary and privilege requirements of the championship coach.
The 17th happened to be a Thursday, and TNT's program specially invited Mike Fratello, who had served as an assistant coach for the Knicks, to serve as an analyst:
"Ben Wallace, a short center with no independent offensive ability, is the guarantee of the Knicks' backcourt rebounds."
"Pay attention to this round in the third quarter, Ben Wallace first assisted in defense and interfered with Mario Elie who broke through to the basket, and then participated in the counterattack."
"The quality of the screen at the top of the arc is good, and David Robinson quickly delayed in front of Lee. Pay attention to this pass!"
The director began to slow down the angle of Lee's pass and the timing of Ben Wallace's receiving the ball.
"If it were a normal big man, it would be difficult to bend down and lower his center of gravity to receive the ball, but Ben Wallace did it easily, catching the ball and dunking it. Duncan was slow to help defend in this round."
Mike Fratello was not particularly successful in his entire NBA coaching career, but analyzing videos is his forte:
"After watching the game, my biggest feeling is that Lee may not need to partner with a super center. Ben Wallace, who has strong running and jumping abilities, can already be a starter."
Mike Fratello said this with a look of yearning on his face. If he had met such a player back then, he might have become a championship coach.
Every head coach who becomes a championship coach will meet their own superstar.
Tactics are important, but players are more important.
Mike Fratello was a little distracted for a moment, and he didn't come back to his senses until Ernie Johnson spoke in the studio:
"The Knicks have indeed changed our previous perception of outside offense. Lee performed so well, it's hard to believe that this is only his third season in his career."
Kenny Smith did not show any surprise, but put on an expression that I had expected:
"Avery Johnson has a huge disadvantage in size, and Mario Elie moves too slowly laterally."
"I will choose to use Elliott to match up with Lee. Of course, this will give Alan Houston and Larry Johnson better offensive opportunities."
"To be honest, this is a better defensive option. If we make timely adjustments in the next game, the Spurs will have a chance to win."
85:105, the Knicks defeated the Spurs in G1.
Thinking of the huge difference of 20 points, Mike Fratello finally said conservatively:
"If Tim Duncan and David Robinson continue this efficient performance, then the Spurs do have a chance to win the championship."
Playing 31 minutes, 9 of 16 shots, 5 of 6 free throws, 23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers.
Although the team lost, Tim Duncan's data was impeccable.
Playing 29 minutes, 7 of 14 shots, 8 of 10 free throws, 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, David Robinson was very lethal and also played an efficient performance.
The two of them scored 45 points together, half of the team's points.
The Spurs' offense in G1 also played at a normal level.
The loss was mainly due to problems with the perimeter defense.
Game 2 of the Finals will officially start tomorrow night, and there is not much time for adjustment.
Ernie Johnson asked the two people beside him a simple question:
"If the Spurs want to win the game, what are the simplest and most effective adjustments?"
Kenny Smith shook his head and said directly that there was no time to adjust in one day.
Mike Fratello pondered for a while and finally said:
"Perhaps the Spurs coaching staff can tell Avery Johnson to improve the quality of passing to big men. Perhaps this is the biggest help to the Spurs at present!"
Feeding the ball has always been a technical job, and after Avery Johnson was defended by Lee throughout the game, the quality of his passing dropped a lot.
Kenny Smith continued to shake his head and put forward the most practical suggestion:
"The Spurs may have to consider the home games in advance. They have three consecutive home games and they have to seize the opportunity."
"."
Although Jeff Van Gundy was confident in the press conference, the bald young coach was very cautious in the video class.
As a traditional coach, Jeff Van Gundy still trusts big men and believes in the truth of basketball from the bottom of his heart:
"The closer you are to the basket, the higher your hit rate!"
The bald young coach is afraid that the outside shooting will fluctuate.
He can only pray to God for the shooting feel.
No one can predict the state of the players in the game:
"Under the premise of controlling the fouls, we must try our best to limit the performance of the opponent's big men."
"I know it's difficult, but we must work hard to do this. The speed of assisting defense must be fast and remember to echo each other."
Ben Wallace nodded constantly.
Although it is indeed difficult for him to defend Duncan alone, he readily agreed to the head coach's request.
Kurt Thomas is the same.
It's like a dream for him to be able to enter the finals and have a lot of playing time.
Naturally, he has to go all out in the game.
Oakley didn't say anything on the side.
The old guy actually didn't have a good way.
He could only make Duncan uncomfortable receiving the ball.
As for the opponent's offense, it depends on the state of the night.
Defense is still the guarantee for the Knicks to win.
Ewing is injured, and the inside players are actually under great pressure.
After the afternoon training session, Ewing continued to cheer everyone up:
"If we win three more games, we can win the championship. Hang in there and keep doing this!"
The gorilla gave out chicken soup while admonishing the inside players.
He really didn't want to see David Robinson wrecking the world in his home court.
Lee saw Jeff Van Gundy's lack of confidence, but a word of comfort was enough.
In the locker room, Larry Johnson smiled and made a boxing gesture, saying casually:
"The Spurs made 4 of 13 three-pointers, and in my impression, most of them were made in the fourth quarter."
"The game was much easier than I expected!"
Lee had already changed into a formal suit.
There was an event in the evening.
He followed the "grandmama" and gestured twice, smiling and joking:
"If we can fire from the three-point line in the next game, I guarantee we can easily win!"
Alan Houston on the side joked:
"Following the rules of the Eastern Conference Finals, if we want to wait for Larry to explode from outside the three-point line, we may get to Game 4."
Bill Bradley, the Knicks star, is preparing to participate in the 2000 primary election.
Although he has been looked down upon by many people after retiring and turning to politics, he has made many friends.
At least at this dinner, Lee met many former officials.
Lee, who majored in law in college, actually got along well with Bradley.
When he heard the other party's views on medical insurance and financial reform, he shook his head in his heart.
After living here for many years, the "three-no" American elite primary election process is often an organized "party".
This Knicks legend may be a good basketball player and a decent senator, but if he wants to go further, he will have no chance with this temporary program.
Lee, who follows the crowd, throws out polite words without paying any money, while Ivanka, who is wearing a white dress beside him, looks thoughtful.
As she is about to graduate from high school, the blonde has resumed her modeling career in the past six months, but Lee can clearly feel that she has gained weight again.
As the banquet is coming to an end, Lee hurriedly eats some food to relieve his empty stomach:
"Eat these at night, be careful not to gain weight the next day."
Ivanka quietly glared at Lee, ate the dessert in small bites, and whispered:
"Exercise to consume these calories!"
Thinking of the little follower getting slimmer and slimmer for the modeling career, and looking at the blonde who is developing in the direction of a tank, he can't help but sigh that it's good to have money.
It seems that she has entered the rebellious period, and overeating is Ivanka's routine operation.
Soon the two whispered again, and Lee knew that he would have to press F again tonight.
On the evening of June 18, the finals G2 officially started.
Although many media outlets had predicted that the Knicks would defend their home court again before the game, the Spurs played differently in the first half.
Popovich made adjustments.
In addition to insisting on fighting Duncan, the three outside players all increased their aggressiveness on the offensive end.
Compared to G1, the Spurs accelerated the offensive rhythm tonight.
At the end of the first half, the score was 48:46.
The Knicks fell behind, and the New York fans present at Madison Square Garden were in a bad mood, and the arena became more and more noisy.
During the halftime break, in the away team's locker room, Popovich was a little excited.
If they could win an away game, then they would have a chance to win the championship at home.
The offensive scenes from the outside were increased, and the offense was no longer driven by the inside.
Popovich pointed to the whiteboard and shouted:
"Sean, great performance, we need to respond from the outside."
"Mario, keep attacking in the low post, everyone, get moving!"
In the first half of the game, Duncan played a total of 22 minutes and 44 seconds, and only rested for more than 1 minute.
Seeing the emotional head coach constantly emphasizing the precautions for the second half, Duncan just nodded slightly, without much reaction.
6 of 13 shots, 2 of 2 free throws, 14 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block, Duncan played a mediocre half-time data.
Avery Johnson was not as relaxed as rookie Duncan.
He only rested for two minutes in the first half, and he was constantly leading the defense.
He also took a small breath when he returned to the locker room.
David Robinson saw that Popovich had almost finished talking, so he clapped his hands and reminded loudly with a serious look:
"Hold on, don't worry about missing shots, I will grab the rebounds, even if you shoot from the outside."
The "Admiral" who focused on frontcourt rebounds tonight has grabbed 4 frontcourt rebounds.
Although his role on the offensive end has decreased, David Robinson has no complaints.
Popovich is very satisfied with the current locker room atmosphere, and a smile appeared on his face:
"This is really tiring!"
The second half of the game was about to start.
The Knicks walked out of the locker room, and Larry Johnson was too depressed to talk.
He made 2 of 8 shots and scored 4 points in the first half.
After the Spurs added inside defense, his low-post singles were all missed, and he didn't make a three-pointer.
Before leaving the player tunnel, Lee patted Larry Johnson on the shoulder and gave him another simple reminder:
"Don't worry, Larry, keep shrinking your defense. Just like Coach Van Gundy said, they won't keep hitting the target!"
Elliott, who was left alone, shot 2 of 5 from beyond the three-point line in the first half.
Larry Johnson's defense was a little shaky, and he almost let the opponent score from both inside and outside.
Larry Johnson nodded depressedly, saying that he understood.
Oakley was in no mood to mock his opponent at this time.
The rookie on the opposite side was pushing towards the basket in the first half, and he really couldn't defend against him.
The players of both sides returned to the court.
On the NBC commentary seat, Bob Costas continued to introduce with a smile:
"Lee made 4 of 9 shots in the first half, 2 of 5 shots from beyond the three-point line, and scored 14 points in the first half."
"The core players of both teams performed very efficiently. We can pay attention to the adjustments made by coach Van Gundy in the first half!"
Doug Collins didn't say much.
"Grandmama" didn't feel good in the first half, and she would definitely concentrate the ball in the second half.
He had seen this situation too many times:
"Avery Johnson should be careful. As I said, the Spurs' outside line must maintain the defensive intensity of the first half."
In the first half of the game, except for the failure of "grandmama" to eat the cake, the Knicks' egalitarianism was still very successful.
"Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks! Let's go Knicks!"
Before the baseline ball was kicked out, the New York fans at the scene shouted loudly with DJ.
Ben Wallace quickly passed the ball to Lee, and Avery Johnson squeezed to the side.
The referee's whistle was very lenient tonight.
Avery Johnson started to interfere when Lee was advancing with the ball.
Oakley was already standing at the top of the arc.
The old man's role was to pull Duncan out and keep the rookie away from the basket.
Taking two steps up again, Oakley stopped and made a high pick-and-roll for Lee.
Avery Johnson failed to squeeze through again, but was knocked off balance by the cooperation of Lee and Oakley.
Holding the ball in his left hand, Lee noticed that Duncan had already reached the three-point line.
He paused for a moment, then lowered his center of gravity and turned his hips to accelerate his breakthrough.
With his right hand raised high, Duncan quickly slid to the right to delay.
The moment Lee rushed into the other's arms, he suddenly stopped and quickly crossed his steps back.
After shaking out a body position, Lee immediately gathered the ball and pretended to shoot.
Avery Johnson, who was chasing behind him, rushed over.
Duncan in front of him adjusted his steps and jumped up to block the shot.
Lee was sandwiched from front and back, but he made a ground pass.
Oakley, who was unguarded, just started and received the ball in the paint.
He rushed up and easily broke through to the basket and made a layup with his left hand!
48:48, in the first round, the Knicks easily tied the score.
Ben Wallace's positioning at the bottom right of the basket also played a huge role.
Oakley patted "Little Ben" and celebrated with Lee by fist bumping when retreating.
The dunk was successful, and cheers rang out in the arena again.
Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines also clapped his hands.
....
https://discord.gg/mjcCSyu7Yr
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)