Chapter 504: Clearing the clouds and revealing the sun
The Knicks all went on a fast break, and Lian Dao, who came inside the three-point line, did not go for a layup, but suddenly smashed the ball onto the backboard.
Stoudemire, who followed up, rushed over and received Lian Dao's rebound pass in the air.
"Peng!"
Direct dunk with both hands to score!
Knicks, this is really exciting!
Madison Garden was instantly drowned in cheers.
The camera showed Stan Van Gundy on the Magic bench. At this time, Van Gundy no longer wanted to yell at the players. He now shook his head helplessly.
Sure enough, the defending champion is so powerful that the current Magic cannot compete with it!
…
.
With a 17-point lead, the Knicks defeated the Magic at home and won six consecutive games.
Not only did Howard fail to achieve his goal of boosting the defending champions, but their winning streak was also ended by the Knicks.
And most importantly, with Jeremy Lin's outstanding performance in several games, the Knicks have found the most suitable substitute for the No. 1 position.
Through these games, New York fans have remembered Jeremy Lin's name.
At the post-game press conference, Lian Dao and Jeremy Lin attended with D'Antoni.
"I know Jeremy can do it. I believe in him. He just lacked a chance before this. I believe he will get better and better!"
Lian Dao said with a smile at the press conference.
Jeremy Lin's outstanding performance can help him share the offensive pressure, which will also be more beneficial to the Knicks' title defense. Lian Dao has no reason to be unhappy.
And as a reborn person, Lian Dao knows the hardships of Jeremy Lin's growth path. He also knows that Jeremy Lin has the ability to play in the NBA. However, some people's prejudice against yellow people makes Jeremy Lin's path more difficult than anyone else's.
In the last life, it was the Knicks' extensive injuries that gave Jeremy Lin a chance to prove himself. In this life, he just proved himself earlier.
"Mike also praised Jeremy's strength very much. You can ask Mike about this!"
At this time, Lian Dao playfully pulled out D'Antoni to endorse him.
Lian Dao's words made the reporters laugh, and at the same time, they turned their attention to D'Antoni.
"Yes, Jeremy impressed me deeply during the trial. I don't know what happened in the last draft, but he is definitely worthy of a first-round pick."
"Besides, Jeremy works very hard, just as hard as sickle, hahaha, I have to explain this, I am not complimenting sickle!"
D'Antoni said jokingly, and the reporters below also laughed, and Lian Dao also smiled and shook his head.
"However, I always believe that those who work hard will go further!"
After D'Antoni finished speaking, there was a burst of applause.
Originally, Jeremy Lin was laughing with reporters.
But when the applause started, his nose felt sore, his eyes were red, and he almost burst into tears at the press conference.
After he entered the league, he received a lot of cold looks. He was too eager to be recognized by others, but at this moment, he felt that he was respected and he felt the warmth in the Knicks.
Jeremy Lin turned his back to the reporter and quickly wiped his wet eyes.
A man doesn’t shed tears easily because he hasn’t reached the sad point yet!
But in public, no matter how out of control your emotions are, as a man, you don't want to show your vulnerable side.
…
After the Knicks won six consecutive games this season, social media also reported a lot about it, and Knicks fans cheered even more.
"D'Antoni has Jeremy's instruction manual", "The defending champion is still unstoppable", "The Knicks have recovered from injuries"...
Compliments like this came pouring in during this time.
This is in sharp contrast to previous reports that the Knicks lost a game some time ago.
But that’s reality!
As Lian Dao said, in competitive sports, food is the original sin.
After defeating the Magic, the Knicks' winning streak continues.
After that, the team defeated the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.
The game against the Denver Nuggets happened to be China's biggest traditional festival, New Year's Eve.
That night, the entire Madison Square Garden was extremely festive. The arena decoration was very Chinese-style, with dragons and lions paper-cuts, and Chinese red everywhere.
When Lian Dao attended the press conference that night, he always wore a Tang suit.
And it was broadcast live on CCTV to send New Year greetings to domestic fans from a distance.
In this game, with the festive atmosphere, the Knicks easily defeated the Denver Nuggets.
Lian Dao was even more excited in this game and full of attacking desire. He had 6 rebounds and assists that night, helping the Knicks win their ninth consecutive victory.
…
In the East, with the exception of the Knicks, the Heat returned to their home court and restarted a new winning streak after ending their three-game losing streak in five consecutive away games, especially after Wade's knee injury was treated.
All performed extremely well.
Under the leadership of the Big Three, the Heat have achieved a record of 14 wins and 3 losses so far, which is only a little worse than the Knicks' start.
The Knicks' current record is 14 wins and 2 losses.
Although the Heat have not made much reinforcements this season, their offensive system has changed a lot. Compared with James and Wei's decentralization last season, this season they have formed an offensive system that is completely dominated by James.
The Heat's recent record also proves that the Heat's choice of this system is correct.
Compared with the Heat's 9-8 start last season, this year's 14-3 start is the best proof, and it is also a season with a significantly reduced schedule.
Especially last season's playoff defeat to the Knicks, which made the Heat's situation very serious.
The Big Three have been the public enemies of the league since their formation. Their failure to win the championship in the first year has become the object of ridicule among fans and teams. If they fail again this year, it will be a disaster.
Therefore, before the start of this season, there are several major issues facing the team that need to be resolved urgently.
First, James Wade's decentralization is not as good as James' centralization. Wade's knee reduces his ability to digest the ball. James' ability to hold the ball, attack the basket, threaten, organize and drive is more powerful.
Second, James needs to improve his post-up and shooting abilities to break the zone defense. In the off-season, he not only worked hard on shooting, but also learned from Olajuwon.
Third, there is not enough space on the offensive end, so you need a 3D who can play the third and fourth positions, and the Heat introduced the best puzzle player Battier in the off-season.
It is precisely because the Heat have solved these problems that they have shown a superior combat effectiveness that far exceeds last season.
James recently posted a message on social media.
"This season is mine!"
In just six words, James' intention has been shown. He regards this season as a season in which he must win the championship.
Against this background, the Heat's game against the Knicks is increasingly anticipated by fans.
If the Heat want to reach the top, the first mountain they have to climb in the East is the Knicks. After all, the Knicks are the defending champions.
The match between the two teams was on January 27, and in mid-January, the match had already begun to be continuously promoted.
And this game will also become the most watched game this season after the Christmas game.
…
Time came to the end of January in a blink of an eye.
Over the past few days, the Knicks' rotation has undergone some minor changes.
First of all, Jeremy Lin's performance was stable. Although Tony Douglas returned from injury, his position was completely replaced by Jeremy Lin.
Then there is Jimmy Butler. When Gallinari is injured, Butler will become Lian Dao's first substitute.
Finally, Chuck Hayes suffered an injury in the last game against the Cavaliers, and second-year rookie Hassan Whiteside got some opportunities.
This is already the third injured player for the Knicks this season. Under this schedule, it is a severe test for each team's healthy rotation.
Hassan's lazy temperament has changed a lot, especially during Lian Dao's patient "discussion", Hassan also has a clear understanding of his own strength.
Hassan: Being abused every day, it would be weird if I didn’t!
With a clear understanding, Hassan now joins the team's extra training frenzy.
This season, the Knicks' training atmosphere is even better than last season. Lian Dao, Holiday, Danny Green, Tony Allen and Millsap are all extra training madmen.
Coupled with the newly added Jeremy Lin and Jimmy Butler, the efforts of these two people are not inferior to Lian Dao and others. Recently, even Hassan has joined them.