NBA: This Center Is So Stable

The game was a big success, but the Knicks still managed to win.

Chapter 163 Paying Homage

This long-awaited game for the fans did not have the so-called stalemate. Instead, the Knicks were in a crushing position throughout the game. They still maintained their dominance after the All-Star Game.

Wang Song scored 35 points, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks in the whole game, and inadvertently broke the historical record of the youngest player with 35+15+5.

In addition to him, the Knicks were able to win this big victory without the outstanding performance of other players.

Nash played more of an auxiliary role in this game, contributing a double-double of 12 points and 15 assists, Alan Houston scored 15 points easily, and Kurt Thomas got 13 points thanks to Wang Song’s 8 offensive rebounds.

What is really worth mentioning in this game is the performance of new player Prince, who scored 18 points with 4 of 5 three-pointers from outside, the second highest score of the team.

D’Antoni was very satisfied with the adaptation of the new players, and after the game, he made an exception and agreed to take their new teammates to party for a night.

On the other side.

New Jersey Nets.

In a big defeat, it is difficult to find players with particularly outstanding performances, but if you compare the worst, it will take a while to decide the first.

Jason Kidd lived up to his reputation of “Kidd does not attack”, with a dismal data of 8 points and 8 assists in the whole game. Of course, the reason for 8 assists is that no one can finish after sending several good balls. Richard Jefferson relied on 6 of 18 shots to get the team’s highest score of 15 points. For this forward who relies on breakthroughs, the Knicks’ restricted area is like a towering wall.

As for Alonzo Mourning, the “remnant party” of the 90s who averaged nearly 3 blocks per game before this game, he barely got 7 points, 5 rebounds and 0 blocks and ended the game regretfully.

Judging from his painful expression, this guy does have some physical problems that have not been completely cured. Whether he can last until the end of the season with the Nets has become a suspense.

Post-match interview.

The media did not miss this opportunity and fired at D’Antoni.

“Hello, Coach D’Antoni. Are you satisfied with Prince’s performance tonight?”

“In the middle of the game, I saw you tried a 2-starter + 3-substitute lineup to fight against the Nets’ starting five, and it worked well. Is this a new attempt for the Knicks?”

Facing the media’s microphone, after the Knicks won a big victory, D’Antoni was very calm:

“I believe you have seen that the Knicks have maintained a high-spirited state during Tim’s absence for such a long time, which shows that the current Knicks are very competitive, and Prince’s joining us is like adding wings to a tiger. We must thank the Pistons for giving us this trading opportunity.”

At this point, D’Antoni paused and smiled:

“As for the 2+3 attempt, it was actually a temporary attempt. The coaching staff felt that this combination and effect could be tried. Facts have proved that Wang Song is very compatible. No matter who his teammates are, they can achieve very good results with him.”

After D’Antoni answered, the media at the scene heard the other party’s proud tone.

Even the New York media felt that D’Antoni was a bit greasy, and they seized the opportunity to end the post-match interview with him.

Then they turned their attention to the Knicks’ new player Prince.

Since entering the NBA, Prince has never been the focus except for his rookie period. He was a bit awkward in front of the camera: “Coach D’Antoni is very good. The tactics he arranged made our offense and defense on the court more smooth.”

He started with a bunch of flattery, and the basic social etiquette of this silly boy from Detroit was still trained by Larry Brown.

Then he changed the subject, hesitated and struggled a little, then took a deep breath: “But what I want to say more is that the Knicks team has brought me a brand new experience on the court.”

“Our leader, the All-Star vote winner and the dunk contest champion… Wang Song is really born with the charm of a leader. I’m exaggerating a little bit that I’ve never seen his dominance on the court in any player, including the Big Shark!”

This post-match speech directly detonated the media on the scene. They didn’t expect to hear such bold remarks from Prince, who didn’t get any explosive news from D’Antoni.

Still young people dare to say it!

The words revealed that even the Big Shark is not as good as Wang Song, let alone

Talking about former Pistons teammate Ben Wallace.

You know, this rookie has just transferred, and this is only his first game, but he has been praising the Knicks’ star player and coach one after another.

According to common sense, shouldn’t you first remember the previous team and teammates, and then sigh about your performance after the trade.

Prince’s amazing actions were superimposed, and for a while even the media couldn’t tell whether the Pistons wanted to trade this rookie or Prince voluntarily applied for the trade.

“Mr. Tayshaun, if you are threatened, just blink?”

The reporter of “New York Sports” teased Prince humorously, but the other party’s firm eyes revealed that these were all his heartfelt words.

Although the teammates returned to the locker room early, Prince’s remarks about the Knicks were still seen in the headlines of major newspapers the next day.

Training hall.

“This kid is good, Wang! He recognized the team leader as soon as he came in. I think he must have a place in the Knicks’ starting lineup for the playoffs.”

“You are very smart, young man. If you follow your brother Wang, you will eat nine meals in three days.”

The teasing of Nash and Houston made Prince blush slightly, and he lowered his head.

Kurt Thomas on the side had mixed feelings.

Seeing that the best dog-licking position was about to be taken away by a young man who had just arrived, Kurt was also ready to exert his strength on the court.

February 17!

Still Madison Garden.

The Knicks welcomed their second opponent, the Washington Wizards.

This was a game without suspense. The Wizards took a big defeat from Madison Garden. The North Shore Garden, known as the “devil’s home court”, now intends to give this title to the New York home court this season.

February 20!

All the Knicks flew to Cleveland and started a new journey.

After the first two games, Prince has gradually gotten into the groove, especially after his post-game speech against the Nets, which accelerated his integration into the Knicks.

This is the benefit of being on the right team.

If he had chosen the wrong team at the beginning, he might have needed to adapt for a while before he could have his current position in the Knicks, but when he chose the right leader, he is now the team’s third-in-command.

Out of protection for the players, D’Antoni made a major decision with the Knicks coaching staff on the flight to Cleveland, and he began to rest the two veterans Houston and Nash.

(End of this chapter)