After two days of rest, the Knicks are about to face another regular season battle. Fortunately, their opponent is not strong, just the Clippers in the Western Conference lottery.
With Zach Randolph willing to cooperate, Lin Yu was under little pressure.
New coach Lionel Hollins also arrived in New York on the same day and appeared at the Knicks headquarters in Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks were also conducting game-day adaptability training on the same day.
In the general manager's office of Steve Mills, Lin Yu went one step ahead of his teammates and met Hollins and the two assistants he brought with him.
"Welcome to the Knicks, Mr. Hollins."
"Thank you, don't be so harsh, just call me Leon."
Lionel Hollins extended his right hand towards Lin Yu, shook hands and smiled: "Steve told me that the Knicks' coach selection listened to your opinion, and you gave him a list, and I was
The first one on that list, I am very happy that you can recognize me, although I am not sure why you recognize me."
This time it was Lin Yu's turn to say thank you, and after that, Hollins introduced Lin Yu to the two assistants he had brought.
"The head assistant coach, Dave Joerger, and the defensive coach, Jeff Bzdelik, just call them Dave and Jeff."
Lin Yu nodded. He was very familiar with these two men. Dave Joerger later succeeded Hollins and coached the Grizzlies successfully. After leaving the Grizzlies, he coached the Kings but was not successful.
Jeff Bzdelik later became Dave Joerger's defensive assistant, but he really became famous as Mike D'Antoni's defensive assistant with the Rockets.
Neither of these two were unknowns, and their styles focused on defense. This set the tone for the Knicks' tactics in the past two years.
In the office, in addition to new coach Hollins and the two assistants he brought, there is also Knicks acting coach Dav Hopla. After Hollins arrives, Hopla will return to the team's offense.
The position of teaching assistant is available.
There's also Patrick Ewing, the Knicks' player development coach, and video editor Tim Grgulic.
After introducing each other and saying hello, everyone sat down and the conversation began to turn to the team, tactics and the next game.
"Regarding reorganizing the team, Lin and I have the same idea. We need a new defensive center. Only when the new center is in place can my tactics be effective."
Steve Mills knew it was his turn to speak, and he immediately told Hollins: "There is a high probability that the new center will be Nazr Muhammad of the Pistons. In addition, we are negotiating with the Grizzlies and may intervene between them and the Lakers."
trade to get Kwame Brown."
Hollins nodded: "Two good candidates. If our goal is just the playoffs, they are enough."
Lin Yu also nodded, and Hollins had the same idea. Whether it was Nazr Mohammed or Kwame Brown, they were just enough, and they were still far away from being a graduate-level center.
"With the new center in place, we will build a complete defensive system around the current lineup."
When Hollins said this, Lin Yu intervened: "I hope our defensive system can quickly form a combat effectiveness, because this season, I want to try to hit the playoffs."
"A shot at the playoffs?"
Steve Mills' general manager's office was astonished. The Knicks were now second in the Eastern Conference, but Lin Yu said they wanted to make the playoffs. This was simply a fantasy.
The only one who is not surprised is Steve Mills. Lin Yu has emphasized countless times that his goal is the playoffs.
"It's just about hitting the playoffs. What I want is to be competitive in the remaining games of the season."
Lin Yu added a sentence, which made it sound less sensational.
Hollins also nodded: "The fastest defensive system to form combat effectiveness is actually not difficult. Tom Thibodeau has given us a lot of inspiration. The strong side is stacked and the weak side is rotated. As long as these two points are achieved,
No matter what team, the defense will not be bad."
After discussing tactics for a while, the assistant coaches left for the training ground. Only Lin Yu, Steve Mills, Lionel Hollins and his two assistants were left in the office.
"Tell me about the deal, Steve."
Steve Mills knew that Lin Yu was going to discuss transaction-related matters with Hollins. He nodded and first informed Lin Yu and Hollins: "The deal with Nazr Mohammed is almost done.
Joe Dumars has agreed to a one-way trade for Malik Rose."
"The starting center is here."
The completion of Nazr Muhammad's trade means that the Knicks got the starting center they wanted. It's a little bit worse, but it's enough.
Next, let’s talk about their deal with the Grizzlies.
"According to Lin's request, I directly quoted Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph, Garrett Robinson and draft picks, but Chris Wallace (Grizzlies general manager) told me that Zach
It’s a negative equity, we need to further increase the price.”
Chris Wallace's reply was as expected by Lin Yu. The current Zach Randolph is indeed a negative asset. No one is willing to take over this problem player who has a lot of troubles off the court and is restless on the court.
"What if we join the Lakers in a three-way trade?"
"With Nate plus the first round, we can get Kyle Lorre plus Kwame Brown."
Lin Yu thought about it and realized that Nate Robinson's value is still very high. This guy is a third-year student, young and impactful, averaging more than ten points per game. He is not close to being a starter, but he is enough as a substitute.
Coupled with the fact that the Knicks have a very valuable first round, and they also take over Kwame Brown's expiring contract, the value is quite worthy.
The deal was concluded, and Steve Mills' work was considered up to standard.
But Lin Yu had other ideas. Seeing that Lionel Hollins had not joined the discussion, he asked again: "What price did the Lakers pay?"
"Kwame Brown, rookie Gavaris Crittenton, veteran Aaron McGee, two first-rounders... By the way, there is also the right to sign Marc Gasol, and this guy is Paul -
Gasol’s younger brother currently plays in the Spanish League.”
Lin Yu's eyes lit up and he immediately told Steve Mills: "I know he is a good big man. If, I say if, the Grizzlies give us the signing rights of Marc Gasol, we will still
Do I need to increase the price?”
"The price will definitely have to be increased. As far as I know, Marc Gasol has performed well in the Spanish League and is very likely to be the MVP this season. His value is not low."
"Ask Chris Wallace and try it."
Lin Yu looked at Steve Mills and nodded, then turned around and asked Lionel Hollins, who was thinking about it: "Leon, which one do you think is better among the last two transactions?"
"Give me a choice?"
Hollins pointed at himself, and Lin Yu nodded to confirm. He immediately gave an accurate answer: "I choose the second one. Pau Gasol does not fit in with my tactical thinking. You know, I have led him for a while.
The Grizzlies, if he fits my tactics, I won’t miss the opportunity to become a regular player at that time.”
"Ok, I understand, Steve, first finalize the Nazr Muhammad deal, and then focus on negotiating the three-way deal with the Grizzlies. It's best to get Marc Gasol at the same time."
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Half an hour later, Lin Yu also returned to the training ground and continued his training.
Because of the victory the day before yesterday, the Knicks have been divided into three distinct groups. One group is the young players headed by Lin Yu. They train hard around Lin Yu.
The other group is Eddie Curry, Malik Rose and other old bastards who still don’t want to make progress and just want to finish the season.
The last group is brushes like Zach Randolph. In addition to him, there are Fred Jones and Nate Robinson. The training is not active, but at least they are willing to cooperate with Lin Yu, which makes them useful.
Not long after Lin Yu came back, Lionel Hollins also appeared at the training ground.
Duff Hopla summoned all the players and introduced Hollins. The coach, who had a somewhat unsuccessful coaching history, gave a speech in front of the audience.
"When I became the head coach of Madison Square Garden, my mission was to lead the team to win, and the way I led the team to win was to defend. I hope that everyone on my team can defend well.
If you can't do that, I will have to let you leave my team."
