Basketball Dragon

Chapter 66
Ben Gordon's shooting was once again interfered by Li Hai. After picking up the rebound, Marbury quickly pushed forward, all the way to the Bulls' penalty area and successfully created a foul.

Two free throws were made, and in the last few tens of seconds, the Knicks led by 4 points.

Afterwards, the Knicks' defense was very successful. The Bulls only threw in a two-pointer that could not change the outcome at the last moment. Before that, Marbury made two free throws and made one free throw because of the opponent's foul tactics.

89:86, the Knicks' long-lost victory.

While ushering in the victory, Crawford and Tim Thomas recovered from their injuries and have decided to come back at home on the 17th. The Knicks' opponent is still the Bulls.

Lenny Wilkens is also looking forward to the team's performance. After all, before the injury, the Knicks performed very well during that time.

What I didn't expect was that the two of them went crazy when they played. Tim Thomas was only slightly injured and didn't leave the court for a few days. Time to adapt, gave him a long playing time, but the result still made him lose the game.

On January 1, when the Knicks went to Toronto, Li Hai became a substitute again.

Maybe it was because of poor performance during this period, the head coach felt that Li Hai was more suitable to play as a substitute, maybe it was based on other considerations, anyway, Li Hai changed from the starting No. 2 position to the team's sixth man.

Because of the Raptors' deal with the Nets, the starting players have changed, and I don't know what considerations are based on it, so that the team's most offensive player, Jaylen Rose, plays the sixth man.

However, this game was another feast for Crawford and Tim Thomas. The two shot only [-]%, but they tied for the first place in the team.

If you can still win the game like this, there is something wrong with it. For the first time, Li Hai felt that Wilkens had some problems with his command. Crawford could actually play a few games as a substitute if he is not in good shape. Tim Thomas’ fake starter actually hasn’t changed. Become a real substitute.

Li Hai's ability to distribute the ball has actually been shown in the previous games, and he feels that the team can trust him.

Losing to the Raptors at 81:98, the Knicks' record did not immediately improve because of the neatness of the personnel.

On January 1, the Knicks ushered in the Rockets as a guest at home.

Li Hai and Yao Ming had a good chat for a while. Since the last time they went to Houston, the two had often exchanged text messages. Under Li Hai's intentional guidance, they talked a lot about protecting themselves from injuries.

This time, Li Hai also told Yao Ming about his troubles. Yao Ming suggested that he communicate more, and then play well, telling him that it is useless to rush when encountering difficulties.

In fact, Li Hai was very clear about his current problems, saying that chatting with Yao Ming was also a way to relieve stress.

Both of them played on other countries' territory, and many problems resonated with each other. The problems Li Hai encountered and Yao Ming also encountered similar problems. The small managers around Hai are good, sometimes they can help communicate.

Compared with the last match, the Rockets' starting lineup has undergone major changes. After the trade, everyone has changed except for Yao Ming and McGrady.

At the beginning of the game, McGrady bullied the Knicks outside, and Yao Ming bullied the Knicks inside.

Wilkens saw something was wrong, and quickly replaced Li Hai. After Li Hai went, his defense was much better than that of Tim Thomas, but it was impossible for a player like McGrady to completely limit it. Yao Ming It doesn't matter if the Knicks are on anyone over there.

At the end of the halftime, relying on the perimeter attack of Crawford and Li Hai, who had recovered a little, the Knicks barely held on.

In the second half, Coach Wilkens still rigidly let Tim Thomas, who was completely out of shape, play first. To be honest, he wanted Li Hai to play as the sixth man. , he was on top, and McGrady played too easily.

As expected, McGrady scored 12 points in less than half a quarter, and the Rockets' lead reached double digits.

With Li Hai on the field, the fiery McGrady is just one step away from the three-point line, and there is no way to stop the three-pointer from entering the net.

In the fourth quarter, Li Hai and Marbury chased points desperately.

In the last 2 minutes, Li Haihai hit a three-pointer from the line, chasing the score to only one point.

But in the end Yao Ming made a quasi-lore shot, Marbury missed the buzzer, and the Knicks lost 91:92.

On the second day, Li Hai heard the news that Lenny Wilkens had resigned because of family reasons.

No one will believe this reason. There is no doubt that the continuous loss during this period is the real reason.

Although Wilkens had some disagreements with Li Hai, he gave Li Hai a second-round pick after all.

During this period of losing, Li Hai was very depressed, but he didn't have the idea of ​​letting Wilkens leave.

Before even half of the schedule was over, someone was about to leave, and Li Hai felt a little sad.

He made a phone call to Wilkens, and the old man's voice on the phone was very tired, "Li Hai, I'm really tired. I often feel powerless during this time, and I still have insomnia at night."

"Ten years ago, I wouldn't have been reconciled... I wouldn't be working as a coach anymore."

"Young man, you are a talented player. You have just started your career in the NBA. I'm sure you will make a name for yourself in the league."

The NBA's first coach to achieve a thousand wins left the Knicks sadly. The team's head coach was temporarily served by assistant coach Herb Williams.

During training, Li Hai sighed: "Not long ago, the coach was still high-spirited, thinking that the team's performance would get better and better, but unexpectedly..."

"It's like this in the NBA. Whether it's a coach or a player, if you don't do a good job, you will be kicked out. You won't have such a sigh after you stay for a few more years." Marbury said indifferently.

Li Hai's eyes were firm, "So we have to find a way to win. Only winning is the way to solve the problem."

Marbury laughed self-deprecatingly: "Everyone needs this method, including me."

Tim Thomas' injury has not healed, and he needs to rest for a while to recover, so Li Hai won the coveted No. 3 starting position.

The team's next challenge is the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, also a team dominated by young people.

The current boss of the Bucks, Michael Reid, was a second-round pick with Li Hai four years ago, and now he has become the core figure of the team. He is simply a role model for Li Hai.

After the head coach resigned, whether the Knicks completely sank or realized their shame, started from this game.

(End of this chapter)