Basketball Dragon

Chapter 105 The New Season
Lebanon, which had played against each other before, defeated the host Qatar in the semi-finals, and joined the Chinese team again in the finals.

Lebanon was more daring than in the quarterfinals, and it also caused trouble for the Chinese team in a short period of time.

However, Li Hai's consecutive hits helped the team stabilize their position, and with Yao Ming on the inside, they still killed their opponents without bloodshed, allowing the Chinese team to win the title for the 14th time.

China, Lebanon and Qatar, which won the top three in the Asian Championships, advanced to the 2006 World Championships. At the same time, the host RB also won the tickets. After completing the task of the national team, Li Hai returned to New York directly without staying.

He brought some special products and went directly to Marbury's house to visit.

Marbury was a little surprised, "I didn't expect you to have such a heart, it seems that the Asian Championships played well."

"If I don't come here to curry favor with the boss of the team, how can I hang out in New York in the future."

After making a few jokes, Li Hai got down to business, "Stephen, introduce me to a good trainer. Next season, we will help the Knicks go further."

"That's no problem." Li Hai's attitude was very much to Marbury's liking.

Although there were rumors all the time, Li Hai knew that Marbury would not immediately go to the Knicks. If the Knicks wanted to achieve good results, his relationship with Marbury must not be bad.

Marbury is a family-oriented person, so Li Hai plans to establish a good relationship with the other family.

He is a little utilitarian, but after actual contact, he really developed friendship with Marbury's family, especially Marbury's father. The old man knew that Li Hai was alone in New York, so he called him more In the past, Li Hai and Marbury's tempers were actually quite compatible, but gradually the relationship is getting better and better.

Li Hai signed a new contract, added a few more commercials, and his life suddenly became richer. He was also willing to spend money on trainers. Only by becoming stronger can he help the Knicks make waves next season.

Before the start of the team's training camp, the Knicks finally threw a big deal.

Bulls trade Eddie Curry (sign-and-trade) and Antonio Davis to Knicks for Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney, Jermaine Jackson (sign-and-trade) and 2007 2009, two second-round picks and a conditional 2006 first-round pick.In addition, the Bulls can conditionally exchange a 2007 first-round rookie with the Knicks.

Although Eddie Curry is so-so on the defensive end, he has the reputation of "little shark" on the offensive end.

This transaction solved the problem of the Knicks center.

Next, the Knicks signed free agent Matt Barnes with a minimum salary.

Through the draft, trading and signing free agents, the Knicks can now be said to be strong and strong, at least there are many more people who can play than last season.

Regardless, Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas has big ambitions.

Through the tempering of the summer league, this year's four rookies, Nate - Robinson, Channing - Frye, David - Lee and Xin - Gortat have been recognized by the team, all signed.

With the addition of newly signed players and traded players, the Knicks' lineup has changed drastically.

But this summer, the relationship between Li Hai and Marbury has gone a step further. With the pressure of the two, even Eddie Curry, a well-known and irritable player, dare not mess around.

Head coach Larry Brown is also very strict, especially in terms of defense, which is very much to Li Hai's appetite.

The old man had great ambitions when he returned to his hometown team to coach. Li Hai specially communicated with him several times alone. Although Larry Brown had a bit of a temper, he saw many problems clearly.

He made it clear that the Knicks want to play the most offensive power, and Crawford will play the team's sixth man.

Li Hai was a little puzzled, with Larry Brown's business level, why did he have a big fall in the Knicks.

But now that the Knicks have him, they absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen.

The Knicks' record of 4 wins and 3 losses in the preseason is not good, but the core players of last season, such as Li Hai and Marbury, did not play for too long.

The media questioned the operation of the Knicks this summer. On the surface, they became stronger. In fact, the players they recruited did not match Larry Brown’s defensive philosophy. The more points are not enough.

"Coach Larry Brown has a way to improve our defense. The Knicks have undoubtedly become stronger. When the season goes on, you won't ask me such stupid questions."

"Long-term contract? I don't know what you guys want to say, all I want is victory."

"The tone is the same as Marbury? Please, we only have the same determination to lead the team to victory."

In the face of media reporters, Li Hai became even tougher.

The Knicks' training during this period was not very smooth. Larry Brown emphasized that not all players understand the tough discipline and attitude, and the team needs victory as a lubricant.

In November, the new NBA season began, and the Knicks' first game was an away game against the Celtics.

The Celtics performed well in the regular season last season, but they were weak in the playoffs.

This led to a major change in their lineup. They decisively gave up Anthony Walker and almost gave it to the Heat. Gary Payton also went to the Heat to hug his thigh.

They used last year's rookie Delonte West, helped Ricky Davis, and let him and Pierce build the Knicks' outside firepower.

The Knicks' main lineup has also changed a lot. Last year's starters only left Marbury and Leahy.

Their current starting five are: Marbury at No. 1, Quentin Richardson at No. 2, Li Hai at No. 3, Antonio Davis at No. 4, and Eddie Curry at No. 5. .

Quentin Richardson was also a strong player in the Suns last year, Antonio Davis is a blue-collar player that the head coach likes, and Eddie Curry is undoubtedly the insider that the Knicks are looking forward to.

As soon as the game started, Pierce showed a strong fighting spirit and hit Li Hai with his back when he caught the ball.

Li Hai secretly said that it was just in time. He has spent this summer in constant training, and he has improved compared to last season. It would be the best to let Pierce come and test him.

After sitting down for a while, Pierce turned around and made a shooting motion, trying to trick Li Hai into a foul, but Li Hai didn't fall for it, and just locked his position firmly.

Pierce had no choice but to turn around and force a shot, but it turned out to be a strike.

The Knicks counterattacked quickly, and Marbury still habitually sent to the side. Although Crawford was still off the court, Quentin Richardson also made a decisive three-pointer after receiving the ball, and the Knicks scored first.

(End of this chapter)