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Back at the hotel in the afternoon, Yang Rui considered whether to call Van Gundy and ask him to have a meal with Thibodeau. After thinking about it, he didn't fight. Now Van Gundy is having a hard time, and the atmosphere will definitely be very awkward after meeting.

They can't talk about basketball, they can't tell each other what tactics to play, right?

As for how the Knicks' offense can become stronger, Van Gundy will not ask, how can the defending champion coach ask his opponent for advice?

In the evening, in the locker room of the visiting team, Yang Rui began to use unusual ways to boost morale.

"Everyone, are you nervous about playing the defending champion today? Just tell me if you're nervous. I don't scold you, and I'm not afraid to tell you. I'm also nervous, because when I play, I don't know whether I will get boos or applause from the New York fans." Yang Rui smiled.

He doesn't feel that he is losing money to the New York fans. The last championship was won from the Bulls. People go to high places, and players will change jobs, not to mention that he is just an assistant coach with an annual salary of hundreds of thousands in New York?

The players knew that there was something to say, so they listened quietly without interrupting. Wanting to get applause in the away game, Yang Rui has a thick skin.

Yang Rui went on to say: "I think the fans may applaud me, because the Knicks' offense is not good this season. There are only stars playing singles and only positions. This kind of game lacks something to watch. In order to make the fans happy, you have to run. Run as fast as you can, as long as you do this, I believe I can win today."

Thibodeau took over the words: "Let me tell you a secret. Last season, Jerry often used substitute offenses to suppress the starters in the Knicks' training games. They have obvious weaknesses. As long as they target defensive stars in singles, they can control the rhythm."

Yang Rui smiled and said, "So, we have to change the starting lineup again today."

What he looked at was not the core, but the white big man Ryan Bowen. Today is the first time he has entered the 12-man roster.

"Ryan, I will let you start today, and you are responsible for defending Ewing."

The players were all taken aback. This adjustment is no longer "bold" to describe it, it's just a joke. One is last season's regular season MVP, one of the four major centers. The other is a few rookies after the second round, players with a basic salary.

Bowen didn't have the slightest worry when he heard the news, and his eyes showed excitement. As a defensive player, he must deal with the core attack points in order to prove his worth.

In team training, Bowen was assigned to defend Jermaine O'Neal and Detref, and he did very well. His speed can keep up with all the evacuation and shooting insiders in the league, keeping close to the body and disrupting the opponent's rhythm.

Of course, starting as soon as he entered the roster, he never dreamed of such a thing, and said loudly: "Coach, I will work hard."

"Don't be nervous. Ewing usually can't hit the basket. He mainly relies on jump shots. It's the type you are good at defending. On the offensive end, you stand in the right corner and wait for the pass. If you have an open opportunity, you can make a bold shot. If you can't make it, I won't." Blame you." Yang Rui smiled.

Considering that Bowen is a person who has neither the desire to attack nor the skills to attack, Yang Rui has only asked him to practice one point of shooting from the training camp until now—the three-pointer from the right corner!

He is not in the 12-man roster and usually has a lot of time to practice corner shots. Yang Rui was pleasantly surprised to find that Bowen can actually shoot. He just lacks confidence and is weak compared to the perimeter, but he is better than black players like John Thomas, John Wallace, and Willis in the team.

In short, his shooting level is similar to that of a general power forward with mid-range shooting ability, but his offensive ability at the basket may not be as good as a random power forward. Compared with most small forwards, he has no advantage in shooting, and his skills are even worse than that of a random pick.

This caused an embarrassment for Bowen's position. Unless there is a forward who plays outside, does not move fast, lacks power, or a center needs to defend, he has nothing to do.

Today, there is a place for him to come in.

home team locker room,

Jeff Van Gundy emphasized defense.

He thought he knew Yang Rui well, and arranged to say: "The Raptors' style of play is very simple. They grab rebounds and counterattack quickly, positional battles in the middle and side screens. They lack changes. What you have to do is to suppress those rookies one-on-one and protect them well." Rebounding. DeTref has to stay on the perimeter, he has the ability to shoot."

At this time, Ewing despised Van Gundy in his heart, and said that the Raptors' style of play is simple? Can it be simpler than the offensive tactics you have arranged? Now it's all singled out players.

Ewing talked to Van Gundy, hoping to continue the tactics of last season, let Sprewell run without the ball on the side, mainly catch and shoot, or play as a substitute like Starks, who is responsible for attacking with the ball and supporting passes , continue to play a central role in tactics.

Van Gundy declined, citing Sprewell's inability to play off the ball. He also praised "Madman" for always being 100% devoted to training and competitions, doing his best on both offense and defense, and never complaining.

This annoyed Ewing very much. Doesn't it mean that he resented him complaining? Why did the management trade for someone who doesn't fit the system? And he is still a problem player, isn't this looking for trouble?

Not only Ewing, many people miss Yang Rui and Starks. Although Starks' personal ability is not as good as Sprewell's, he is willing to accept the substitute position and can play off the ball, but occasionally gets hotheaded. "Madman" starts every game and needs to hold the ball to play, taking up a lot of ball possession.

If "Madman" is in the Raptors, Yang Rui will trade him out without hesitation.

His personal ability is indeed good, with a terrifying first step, amazing jumping and breakthrough dunks, and sometimes convulsive three-pointers, but none of them can make up for his personality flaws.

This guy has a fiery temper and a rotten off-court style. What's worse, his offensive options have always been poor and he likes to mess around, so much so that he has never shot 45% from the field except in his rookie season.

In terms of career record, except for the one year in the Timberwolves, "Madman"'s team has never been the top team in the league or even in the division. The Knicks black eight made it to the finals purely because the Eastern Conference as a whole was too weak.

In Yang Rui's previous life, the most suitable role for a "madman" was actually the sixth man, playing like Ginobili.

Unfortunately, "madman" himself does not think so. Therefore, after his contract renewal talks with the Timberwolves collapsed, no team was willing to take him, which is a direct denial of his strength.

Before the two players played, Knicks manager Ernie Grunfeld first presented Thibodeau and Yang Rui with championship rings. His speech was simple: "Thank you Tom and Jerry for everything they did for the Knicks last season."

The fans gave warm applause, and the Raptors players could clearly hear it in the aisle. This boosted the morale of the team and made them feel a little proud.

It's very rare for an away team coach to get applause from the home fans, and now, this very good coach is on their side.

After playing, captain Christie said loudly: "Remember what the coach said, run! We can win this game!"

The young people of the Raptors shouted in unison: "We must win!"