plumnovel Chapter 182 The storm is coming, the deal is concluded
Chapter 182 The storm is coming, the deal is concluded
Of course, not everyone gave face. Eddie Curry and Nate Robinson made excuses for not coming. One of these two was directly squeezed out of the starting lineup by Zuo Li, and the other was dissatisfied with D'Antoni's use of him. Te felt that he played too little time.
Zuo Li has nothing to say about this. He is not a dollar bill, and it is difficult to satisfy everyone. Moreover, these two were not originally in the Knicks' next plan.
After drinking and eating, D'Antoni stayed with Zuo Li until the end, and ventilated with him: "Zuo Li, we may have to trade after a while, what do you think?"
Obviously, the New York uniform team has seen the potential of New York this season. They have only lost one game in the first 3 games after winning 10 consecutive victories. With 9 wins and 1 loss, they rank second in the Eastern Conference, second only to the Cavaliers who started with 10 consecutive victories. The result is also the best record in New York since the new century.
So the uniform team naturally hopes to further strengthen the team through transactions. Eddie Curry, Nate and several water dispenser players are all the targets they want to trade, and they are now planning.
Asking Zuo Li naturally wants to hear what Zuo Li, who is considered the cornerstone of the New York team, has to say.
Um?cornerstone?
It sounds a bit unlucky.
"Well, I think trading is necessary, let's not talk about insiders, I think Randolph David Lee is still very useful."
"The top priority should be to strengthen the back line. Richardson is too slow on the back. Duhon is very solid, but his ability is average, and he is more suitable as a substitute. Nate will not mention it. We need a master, or a capable player. The defensive two is also good."
"Finally, it's the pitchers. It's not bad to have a few reliable pitchers. They will open up more space for me." Zuo Li thought for a while and said.
This is also the reinforcement direction that Zuo Li has thought about for a long time. Now New York's inside line is actually not bad at all. Of course, the defense is not good except for Zuo Li, but the offense is strong. Randolph and David Lee don't need much offense. Say it.
Before, it was an old infighting, so I didn't play well. Once I was serious, I was really no worse than others. Of course, it would not be bad to have a qualified substitute.
But now in the season, there is a shortage of good centers, and other teams basically don't suggest it, so let's not mention it for now.
Chandler defends well at the third position. Although the offense is mediocre, but he stands on the left and can overcome the six, so he doesn't need the third position to attack.
So the most troublesome thing for New York is the backcourt. The first and second positions need to be strengthened. The current backcourt is the best, but he can’t pass the ball, so it’s troublesome to put him in the starting lineup. Those who create threats on the outside, the two had a good understanding in college and high school before.
Zuo Li wants to choose Curry to New York, but he doesn't know if he will have this opportunity next year.
But now, although the Knicks have played well in the past few games, they are likely to be restrained when they encounter a team with a strong backcourt, so it is best to strengthen the backcourt.
"Well, I see, I will also suggest, I think you are very good, let's do it like this!" D'Antoni nodded, agreeing with Zuo Li's idea very much, he also thinks so, everyone knows that D'Antoni Anthony likes a guard who can handle the ball and pass the ball the most. It is difficult for him to be satisfied with the Knicks' configuration, so reinforcement is a must.
After talking about the business, D'Antoni chatted with Zuo Li after a long absence: "Zuo Li, where do you think we can go this season?"
Zuo Li touched his head, and he was not used to being able to touch anyone around him: "Well, well, although we have won many games, you also know, first of all, they are not familiar with us, and the other is the opponent's strength. Not too strong."
"I think we still have to be realistic. According to the current configuration, the first thing we need to do is to break into the playoffs, and it doesn't matter if we lose a few games later."
Zuo Li responded rationally. He didn't become blindly arrogant just because he won a lot of games recently. Although it's not the era of big groups, whether it's the Lakers in the West or the Green Cavaliers, Cavaliers, Magic, and Knicks in the East It's hard to fight against them directly, one game is okay, the series is difficult.
"Yeah, I know that too." D'Antoni sighed.
"Coach, don't worry, no matter what happens now, one day we will reach the final destination." Zuo Li patted D'Antoni on the shoulder. He knew that D'Antoni wanted to prove himself in New York, but he came under heavy pressure. Here, there is nothing wrong with such thoughts.
In other words, which coach does not desire to succeed? Zuo Li, who has experienced many failures in his previous life as a time traveler and has also embarked on the coaching path, understands D'Antoni's feelings very well.
"Haha, you kid..." After listening to Zuo Li's words, D'Antoni got rid of his low mood and returned to his old elegance: "What you said makes sense, do what you are doing right now."
"Since you performed well tonight, arrive at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning and practice for an extra hour." D'Antoni stood up, tidied his suit, and strode out.
Zuo Li: "???"
Or the one who repays kindness with revenge...
But Zuo Li also smiled when he looked at D'Antoni's back. This may be the reason for maintaining the majesty of the coach in the legend.
It would be even better if he remembered that he was going away at 7am tomorrow morning...
...
On November 11, the Knicks, who had won three consecutive victories, finally ushered in their second defeat. On the road, they simply lost to the defending champion Celtics.
There is nothing to say about this game. Garnett is not injured at this time, the Celtics lineup is neat, and it is still at home. The Knicks are indeed inferior to their opponents in terms of hard power.
Zuo Li also faced a test for the first time. The black and hard Perkins on the opposite side really deserved to be the defensive gate. As the most underrated player of the Celtics to win the championship, Perkins made a "cruel" mark on Zuo Li.
In fact, Zuo Li thinks Perkins alone is acceptable, but if Garnett is added to assist from the side, it is really unacceptable!
Garnett was really strong during this period. Gasol's performance in the 08 Finals was really not his fault alone. No one can do this to Garnett.
I didn’t think so when I watched the game, but you’ll know when you actually play against each other. The Green Army’s iron barrel formation is not an ordinary tactic. Their defense is solid and layered, which also caused the left-handed shooting rate to drop by 50% for the first time.
Zuo Li made 17 of 8 shots and 7 of 4 free throws. He scored 21 points and 10 rebounds. The data is not bad, although this is Zuo Li's lowest scoring game in the league.
However, standing left on the defensive end also made the opponent very uncomfortable. The most exciting part of this game was not the offense, but the defensive battle, especially at the critical moment of the third quarter. When they are playing against each other in the backcourt, it is really affectionate.
On the sidelines, D'Antoni thought that the grievances between Zuo Li and Garnett had not been resolved...
In the end, Garnett had 10 points, Perkins had 4 points, and Zuo Li blocked 6 shots. Garnett and Perkins were blocked twice, and the remaining two were given to Rondo. This buddy was blocked by Zuo Li twice. Pressing the ball on the backboard, the audience scored 2 points and 15 assists. After the game, Zuo Li almost cast a shadow.
"I have more assists because I can't get in." Rondo said after the game facing his amazing data.