the rest, only noise

Chapter 1046 The Knicks' Dominance over the Trail Blazers Continues
Chapter 56 The Knicks' dominance over the Trail Blazers continues
In early December, the Knicks and Wilson's contract extension negotiations did not come to a conclusion.

"My employer is open to all options," Wilson's agent said.

Does this mean Benj is leaving New York?
Wilson answered the question in an interview: "That's your opinion, I never said that."

The negotiation with Rodman went bankrupt, and the contract extension with Wilson has not yet been finalized, and Ewing will delay the contract extension until the offseason.

Then, the New York Times reminded fans: "Leader will also expire next summer."

Louie, Ewing, Wilson.

The Knicks could theoretically lose all three at the same time.

The person who came out to stabilize the morale of the army was Ewing, who announced in a high profile that he had reached a one-year, $1 million extension with the team.

"I'm staying in New York. I plan to retire as a Knicks player. This is my home. I'm not leaving."

It's so weird, it was never Ewing's role.

But in the case of Wilson and Louie's delay in renewing their contracts, Ewing's statement gave fans a reassurance.

Ewing did this not purely out of a sense of responsibility.

Although 1 million a year is a huge amount of money, no one knows what the maximum salary at the highest level is until the next broadcast contract comes out.

Therefore, 1 million a year may not be able to satisfy Ewing.

But before 1999, there were many loopholes in the CBA (labor agreement).

For example, there is no cap on the salary of players, like Kyrie, a scholar of flat theory, a loyal citizen of Indiana, a good brother of Durant, a backstabbing king, a model worker, Irving, he can ask for a $15 billion contract in this era as he said.

Whether the team is willing to say otherwise, but he can really ask for this contract.

For another example, if a player likes a certain team, but the remaining space in the opponent's salary cap cannot free up enough money to sign him, they can first sign a one-year short contract that the salary cap can bear.Then, re-sign a long-term contract that meets the player's worth during the contract period.

In the 90s, you could just do that.

Therefore, Ewing's one-year contract renewal can not only show his sense of responsibility and demonstrate his leadership status, but it will not affect his future signing of a big contract.

"What is Benjamin hesitating about?"

Such questions soon appeared in major newspapers.

Compared with Ewing's straightforwardness, Wilson's hesitation is disturbing.

Oddly, no media other than The Times specifically mentions that Louie's contract also expires in 1994.

They seemed afraid to push Louie into a decision.

Either way, Wilson's popularity in New York is waning.

The zombies in the eyes of the fans, Ewing, who was generally indifferent or even disgusted by the reporters, became lovable instead.

Ewing finally understood that it wasn't that the fans and the media had to like Wilson and hate him, but that he himself rejected the love of others.

This season, Ewing has become the focus of the media.

He always shows a naive smile, signs autographs for fans, patiently answers reporters' questions, maintains the team's image, and does everything a leader should do.

When the reporter interviewed Ewing on the issue of Wilson's contract extension.

Ewing shrugged and said with a smile: "I don't know why you guys are worrying about this. Without Benj, the dynasty is gone. He will stay."

Wilson is bit by bit consuming fans' favor towards him.

Louis silently observed this phenomenon.

The more disgusted Wilson was, the more popular Ewing became.

He no longer steals the limelight.

Ewing also managed to pull back a large wave of impression points through the things he did.

Is this really not Benj's plan?

Make Ewing a leader on and off the court before he can leave New York.

Because he understands, and Ewing also understands, there can only be one leader in the team.

Since Ewing can be a good leader, there is no need for him to compete with him, because competition will lead to fragmentation of the team.He doesn't want to ruin the team's chemistry.

Because this is the team formed by Louis himself, and it is also his and Ewing's team.

Louie feels like the recent Wilson looks like he has changed back to the first six games of last season's finals.

But looking at his training and games, his relationship with his teammates has not been severed.

He remains reliable, unselfish, team, and passionate.

Alan Houston asked him how to maintain his shooting accuracy at a high level.

Wilson then offered his insights on his shooting form and preparation.

When Toni Kukoc got knocked around in a team match, Wilson told him he had to be tougher if he wanted to stay on the team.

Wilson hasn't changed, he's just not trying to lead the team anymore.

After Thanksgiving, Tomjanovich found his coaching style.

Although this is a team that has been coached by Louis for nearly ten years, the person responsible for training them these years is Tomjanovich.

Tomjanovich knew them well.

Instead of changing the N.UCLA system, he shifted the offensive focus from the perimeter to the interior.

Because Wilson's future is uncertain, and the Knicks' inside line is getting stronger.

Ewing is a top-five center in the league. Kemp is becoming a super power forward. After a season of training, backup center Yu Tiancan has gradually adapted to the Knicks' game rhythm. This season has ushered in great progress. He currently averages 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block per game.

In order to adapt to the evolution of Kemp and Yu Tianchan, the data of Ewing and Wilson has declined.

尤因的场均数据落到了18分9.6篮板，而威尔逊则是22分5篮板6助攻。

Both rebounding data are career lows.

Score data is the lowest in recent years.

Before the Christmas game, the Knicks had a record of 21 wins and 5 losses, ranking first in the Eastern Conference and third in the league.

In the West, the Golden State Warriors have risen strongly and currently rank first in the league with a record of 24 wins and 2 losses.

The Trail Blazers followed with a record of 22 wins and 4 losses.

These three teams are recognized as championship contenders.

Below them, the Heat are the vanguard of the second group.

In the East, in addition to the inherent strong teams, the Magic has also joined the list of strong teams this season.

Chris Webber and Tim Hardaway made an immediate impact on the team.

Especially Webb.

What he did at the high post was something no one in the history of basketball has done.

Phil Jackson's triangle offense unlocked a skill that Webber never really unlocked in Louie's previous life -- playmaking.

Webber opened up space for O'Neal with a steady high jumper, and then passed a comfortable lob.

When O'Neal can't catch the ball, Webber can also serve as the axis of the high position to drive the offense of the entire team.

Although Penny broke out brilliantly in Golden State, Webber also used the data of 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists per game to strongly prove that the scouts' touting him did not come from the fantasy of unknown things.

As the Pan-1984 generation enters the 30-year-old mark, the transition from old to new in the league is accelerating.

On Christmas Eve, the Knicks played against the Trail Blazers at home.

When two teams with blood feuds meet on a night like this, sparks are bound to fly.

Pat Riley didn't know the reason for Louie's dismissal, but he felt that if the opponent was a rookie like Tomjanovich, there was no reason for the Blazers to lose.

As a result, Tomjanovich went uncharacteristically tonight and said directly to the players: "Let the Portlanders recall Game [-] of the Finals!"

At that time, McHale also made a joke: "Do you want them to recall the first half (the Knicks trailed by 22 points) or the second half?"

Then Tomjanovich's benevolent stare silenced McHale.

Using Wilson, Reggie Williams, Stevens, Christie and Mahon as the new murder pressing team, Tomjanovich successfully established an advantage.

It was a rough game that cannot be described in words.

A total of four people were ejected from both the Knicks and the Trail Blazers.

In the last round of the game, the two sides were tied.

The game-killing final shot went to Reggie Miller.

The Blazers needed to take care of too many people. Miller got a chance by running. His lore drove the Garden into a frenzy and made the Portlanders return to Game [-] of last season's finals.

They certainly won't forget that night.

Miller used this kind of white-in-red-out three-pointer to steal a victory for the Knicks.

Without Miller, the Blazers would have won the title that night.

Jordan sullenly blew up in the visiting locker room at the Garden, cursing all his teammates and punching the closet, injuring his own hand.

He was angry because they missed the best opportunity.

What made him lose his mind was the cruel reality that even though Louie was no longer coaching, the Knicks' dominance over the Blazers continued.

(End of this chapter)