Before the game started, Walt Frazier, who was in a good mood, returned to his seat in the MSG commentary booth and said inflatedly:
"The Bulls will not be our opponent. Elton Brand may disappoint the Chicago fans! He is more suitable for the Knicks!"
This No. 1 pick was also born in New York, and many New York fans did not like to see him play for the Bulls.
Commentator Mike Breen smiled and nodded, and then briefly commented on the Bulls' lineup:
"Three guards and two forwards, it can be seen that Sprewell may be able to play well in such a system!"
Randy Brown and veteran Hersey Hawkins partnered in the backcourt, and Sprewell played as a swingman on the forward line at the 3rd position.
The two inside players were Dickey Simpkins and Elton Brand.
On the other side of the court, Bulls coach Tim Floyd was in a bad mood after watching the award ceremony.
Chicago fans always miss Phil Jackson.
Last season, the team lost the game, and the head coach naturally became the scapegoat.
Sprewell was traded in the offseason, but the champion guard was even more arrogant than him, and Tim Floyd could not command the new player at all.
Considering Sprewell's past experience of strangling coach, the Bulls coaching staff simply implemented a casual tactic - leaving the game to the players.
After the game started, the Bulls playedvery unrestrainedly.
Sprewell, who had unlimited firing rights, took the ball and hit a pull-up jumper at the beginning.
Sprewell completely turned into and undercover agent and started to miss shots.
Oakley, who started tonight, followed the quick return for several rounds and almost couldn't keep up with the rhythm of the game.
Seeing the basketball bounce out of the basket, Oakley didn't have time to collect the rebound before Brand took the lead and stabbed the ball into the goal.
After more than 3 minutes of the game, the No. 1 pick Brand finally got the first point of his career.
At 4:10, the Bulls who broke the scoring drought did not attract the attention of the New York fans at the scene.
Everyone still cheered loudly for the Knicks' offense.
Randy Brown has often played against Lee in the past few seasons, but after the Bulls fell into decline, they also lay flat and stopped working hard on the defensive end.
A simple pick-and-roll on the left wing, Oakley easily delayed Randy Brown who was chasing him.
Brand had no choice but to move his feet and switch to Lee.
As a new player, he had to strictly follow the coach's tactical arrangements.
Facing the big man who switched defense, Lee, holding the ball in his left hand, quickly went in and out, slightly pulled the ball back, and took advantage of Brand's change of defensive center of gravity to suddenly sideways and lower his shoulders to accelerate.
In the blink of an eye, Brand found that Lee had squeezed half of his body, and hurriedly slid to the right back.
The two soon came to the left blocking area.
Lee did not pass the ball, but held the ball with his left hand, suddenly sneaked, and took two snaps.
After jumping up from the opponent's left foot, he shot the ball to the backboard with his left hand!
It seemed that he had not expected Lee to suddenly shoot.
Brand, who was still sliding, subconsciously jumped up to block the shot, but his reaction was a beat too slow and only hit Lee's left hand.
"Squeak!"
"Bang!"
The whistle sounded and the ball went in.
Brand clapped his hands in annoyance, feeling that he was fooled again.
On the commentary stand, seeing Lee scoring easily, Walt Frazier praised him again:
"Unpredictable offensive rhythm, coupled with excellent physical coordination, Lee's breakthroughs in the past two seasons are difficult to defend."
"Big defenders usually don't know when he will shoot, Brand should pay attention to the number of fouls."
The Bulls' backcourt was basically in a state of slacking off.
Everyone knew that to defend Lee, they had to squeeze through the screen, but this job was too tiring, so they simply gave up.
Lee made the free throw, and head coach Tim Floyd on the sidelines was furious.
The players basically listened to the precautions given before the game and didn't take them seriously.
There was no squeezing through the screen, no double-team defense, and the game soon entered the rhythm of the Knicks.
After playing for more than 6 minutes, after Kurt Thomas came on the court, the rhythm of the game became faster and faster.
Seeing Alan Houston hit a transition three-pointer, Lee stole the ball and crossed half court to assist Larry Johnson to score on a fast break, the Bulls coaching staff finally couldn't hold it anymore and took the initiative to request a timeout.
When the head coach cannot control the team, there will be a situation of random play.
Sprewell's intention is very obvious, just to get better data.
The job of organizing the offense was thrown to Randy Brown.
After some offensive routines with too obvious tactical intentions were discovered, most of the rounds became singles.
There is no difference from the Bulls who were in a bad situation last season.
Sprewell was also assimilated after joining the team.
Although the Bulls started to score after the suspension adjustment, the score difference was gradually widened.
Alan Houston was in good shape.
He shot the ball after receiving the screen, which made Brand more and more frustrated.
At 16:28, even if the Knicks made some rotations early, the Bulls were still 12 points behind at the end of the first quarter.
Back on the bench, Brand doubted his life:
"What about the promise of reviving the Bulls?"
General Manager Krause in the audience also looked ugly.
At this time, he felt extremely fortunate.
Fortunately, a protection clause was added to the transaction with the Knicks, otherwise, according to the attitude shown by the Bulls, the new season would probably be fishing again.
The game was over early, and the Bulls, who had no defensive discipline, finally suffered a big defeat in the new season.
78:106, the Knicks easily defeated their old rival!
General Manager Grunfeld, who was also watching the game, secretly said it was a pity.
If there was no protection clause, maybe the Knicks could get the No. 1 pick!
In the first game of the new season, Clay Lee only played for 26 minutes before clocking out.
10 of 15, 2 of 4 from beyond the three-point line, 5 of 5 free throws, 27 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover.
What impressed New York fans the most was that Lee chased Brand and the No. 1 pick received his fifth foul in the third quarter.
Jeff Van Gundy sat on the bench for most of the game.
After the game, he was very confident in an interview:
"Our rotation lineup is also strong. In the new season, our only goal is the championship!"
In the first week of the new season, the Knicks played two back-to-back games.
The Cavaliers, Pistons, and Cavaliers were not difficult.
Like the start of previous years, most teams were in a slow-heating state.
Shawn Kemp of the Cavaliers was also in a state of training through competition.
"Reign Man" gained weight and was considered to be lying flat after getting a big contract.
Compared with the Eastern teams, the Western teams all felt deep malice this season.
The Lakers, Spurs, Trail Blazers, Supersonics, and Suns entered the game state very quickly, and everyone was eager to hit the championship.
On the evening of the 6th, the Trail Blazers easily defeated the Lakers 82:97.
Like the Knicks, they won four consecutive games at the beginning of the new season.
Scottie Pippen has been in very good form in the past few games, but tonight O'Neal made 3 of 11 free throws.
After the game, the Shark was so depressed that he didn't want to talk.
The first week of the game is about to end, and many commentators have also seen some trends.
On the morning of the 7th, without talking about the bullying, the TNT program quickly gave a point of view:
"I think the pattern of the league has changed. At present, the situation is that the West is strong and the East is weak."
"Compared to the Lakers and Spurs, the Knicks seem to have more advantages."
"I don't mean to disrespect other teams in the East. I just think this is conducive to the Knicks reaching the finals."
After Hubie Brown, who was invited to the show, gave his opinion, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith both nodded in agreement.
"The external environment is indeed like this. Michael Jordan's departure still has a huge impact."
"Although he reappeared in the league this season, the Wizards currently seem to have no hope of winning the championship."
"Perhaps in the next few years, the champion will be born from the Western Conference!"
Even though the sample size of the game is small, Kenny Smith still arbitrarily gave his own opinion.
Ernie Johnson saw that the two people had exactly the same opinion, and did not sing a different tune.
He simply changed the subject:
"I noticed that in these few games, Lee's efficiency was very high. Putting aside the defensive intensity given by the opponent, do you think he has entered his peak?"
Kenny Smith shrugged his shoulders and quickly gave his answer:
"He is about to turn 22 years old. I don't think Lee has entered his peak."
"I think this is because of the increase in game experience. You know, he has played a lot of playoffs in these three seasons!"
"It is difficult to achieve three consecutive championships. Oakley's physical condition has declined. If the Knicks want to fight against the Western teams, perhaps they still need a round of targeted reinforcements."
Lee, who had just returned to New York with the team, naturally saw this program.
The commentators' perceptions are indeed very sharp.
Most Eastern teams are starting to go downhill.
After returning to the Tarrytown training center in the afternoon, Larry Johnson couldn't help but complain:
"These commentators always make excuses. Why didn't they talk about the West being strong and the East being weak in 1998? They just want to belittle the value of our championship."
The atmosphere group also complained loudly.
The words of the sports media were really annoying.
These people were just short of saying that the Knicks' championship was fake.
The first championship in a shortened season in NBA history has called the Knicks' strength into question.
The public opinion environment has been affected.
Lee feels that if the Knicks lose the championship this season, there is a high probability that they will be ridiculed endlessly.
The small market can't stand seeing the local rich team win the championship.
Just one week into the new season, many people have already started to stir up trouble.
Ewing, who is actively doing rehabilitation training, did not participate in these topics.
Instead, Alan Houston was a little unhappy:
"We can't decide the external environment. These comments are really boring!"
Lee noticed that Jeff Van Gundy had come to the multimedia room, and just smiled and comforted him:
"If they win the championship, they will know who is the stronger team."
....
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