Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 256 Our Advantage: The Whole Nation is a Soldier
So far this season, the Knicks have played 48 games, with a record of 23 wins and 25 losses, currently ranking eighth in the Eastern Conference.

A 13-game winning streak gave the Knicks a huge boost.

With the Knicks' current strength, a playoff berth is practically guaranteed.

Therefore, Carlisle focused his attention on how to break out of the East and how to compete for the championship.

In his mind, the biggest rival in the East is the Magic.

If they manage to break out of the Eastern Conference, their biggest rival will be the Lakers.

The Spurs are very strong this year, but Carlisle still believes the Lakers will make it out of the West.

The reason is simple: the Spurs had no one who could handle the formidable Kobe.

They couldn't handle him before, but after being brought to his feet by Tang Sen, Kobe became even stronger, making him even more unstoppable.

As for how to deal with these two teams, Carlisle had already figured it out over the All-Star weekend.

First and foremost, he needs a defensive stalwart who can stop McGrady.

So after his first practice session back in New York, Carlisle made a point of talking to Townsend.

"Don, you know Tracy. What do you think is his biggest weakness?"

Carlyle asked a question.

Tang Sen said, both amused and exasperated, "Rick, this question has really stumped me."

It's really hard for Townsend to point out any flaws in McGrady these days.

His talent is enough to make him one of the league's top offensive players.

With his own help, his technology has been fully developed.

Tangsen and Carlisle went over how they had improved McGrady's performance.

He started by adjusting his shooting form, then changed his approach to driving to the basket, reducing his reliance on first-step speed and explosiveness, and using rhythm to drive to the basket.

Then, after the breakthrough, slow down and increase your ability to handle the ball after the breakthrough.

At this stage, McGrady could freely break through opponents and then choose to shoot directly or pass the ball to a teammate before the opponent could double-team him.

Therefore, his assist numbers have always been quite high.

Finally, there's the ability to post up.

His fadeaway jumper, which connects with a post-up move, has become his biggest weapon, with power comparable to Jordan's.

“I even helped him adjust his free throws. Look at his free throw percentage now, it hasn’t dropped below 80% since.”

"And he started out as a defender, so if he wanted to, he could become an excellent defender too."

"So tell me, what are his weaknesses?"

Tang Sen asked back.

If Billups hadn't left this year, and the Magic hadn't acquired an inadequate point guard, forcing McGrady to take on some of the ball-handling and playmaking duties, Kobe might not have won the scoring title.

Aside from injuries, Tang Sen really felt that McGrady had no obvious weaknesses that could be exploited.

Carlisle understood, and looked at Tang Sen with a troubled expression, as if to say, "You've trained him too hard."

Tang Sen knew what Carlisle was worried about and said, "Rick, the Magic are a championship-caliber team, and McGrady and Kobe are the best players in the league. It's almost impossible to completely shut down players of that caliber."

Just like last year, the Magic trained Sasser, catching the Lakers off guard.

Even though Kobe played a few games back then, he quickly regained his scoring ability after adapting.

This season, Kobe faced Sather with even greater ease.

Therefore, it is extremely difficult to completely shut down a player of this caliber.

"Moreover, I have always believed that it is better to leverage one's own strengths than to limit the opponent's strengths."

During training, Tang Sen strives to maximize the strengths of each individual.

Carlisle crossed his arms thoughtfully, thought for a moment, and then said, "Don, your idea is brilliant. You're right, we should try to make the most of our strengths."

According to Carlisle, the Knicks' biggest advantage right now is having a bunch of available players.

What's even more frightening is that these players still have the potential to improve.

It can be described as a true nationwide mobilization of soldiers.

"Tang, technology!"

Carlisle tapped the table and said, "You've helped them train their physique and their defense. Everyone's defense is already excellent enough."

"What they lack most right now is offensive skills. With two months left in the second half of the season and before the playoffs, I hope that each of them can develop a decent offensive skill."

This is a high requirement.

But Tang Sen nodded in agreement.

Because in Tangsen's plan, the second half of the season is a time for intensive technical training.

“Tang.” Carlisle stood up, his expression excited, and said, “The training is all up to you, and I believe we will have a glorious season.”

Carlisle had a strong feeling that he was really not far from the championship and the title of championship coach that he had always dreamed of.

In their first game after the All-Star break, the Knicks easily defeated the Warriors at home, extending their winning streak to 14 games.

Next, the Knicks will embark on a six-game road trip in the Western Conference.

After defeating the Suns on the road, the Knicks lost their second game against the Lakers.

Kobe scored 41 points, and together with Shaq, they combined for 77 points, helping the Lakers successfully avenge their loss.

The Knicks' winning streak came to an end.

Carlisle didn't care.

Anyway, we're still a few games away from the Knicks' all-time winning streak, so there's no regret about losing.

They lost to the Trail Blazers again the following day, playing back-to-back games.

Ultimately, the Knicks returned to New York with a record of 3 wins and 3 losses.

The first training day back at home.

On the training field, Brittenham and Hall, along with Chandler, Gazuric, and Harvey, practiced low-post offense.

Practice hook shots.

As substitutes, it's enough for them to master the hook shot.

Bender and Swift, who prefer a more perimeter-oriented playing style, trained with the others under Townsend's guidance.

Tang Sen did not teach them fancy breakthrough techniques.

They don't need these things for the time being.

"Keep an eye on my ball protector."

Tangsen dribbles past Billups to defend.

As Tangsen broke through to the basket and jumped for a layup, he released the ball with his right hand in mid-air, while his left hand spread out in the air, blocking Billups's outstretched hand that was trying to block him.

"Remember you have two hands, and the other hand is not just for show; it has a great use."

Tang Sen then demonstrates.

He started, dribbled the ball to the right, and at the moment of starting, he used his left hand to tug at Billups' raised left hand.

Then they rushed in.

"When I was teaching you defense, I repeatedly told you the role of your arms, to keep them open, and to sense the opponent's movements." "But in offense, it's the other way around. You need to learn to use the swing of your ball-protecting hand to create space for offense."

Tang Sen demonstrated repeatedly.

Before teaching these players various guard skills, Tangsen wanted to spend some time training them on the most basic things.

They're all rookies; many skipped college and went straight to the NBA.

Even if some players have played in the NBA for two years, they are not noticed by their teams, and no one has made such detailed adjustments to their playing habits.

Tang Sen had already observed the ball-protecting hand's swing, and many people had used it in a negative way.

This is because the fundamentals of basketball are not good enough.

Sharpening your axe won't delay your woodcutting; spending ten days or half a month adjusting will make learning real skills much easier and more efficient.

With badges for comprehension skills like "preaching" and "brainpower," and then having them watch the video at home, they should be able to understand it quickly.

"There's a second detail: shift to offense."

Tang Sen continued the demonstration.

After breaking past Billups, as Billups chased after Townsend and tried to force him towards the perimeter, Townsend took the initiative to move closer to Billups.

Use your ball-protecting hand and your body to block his movement path.

"This way we can create space advantage and complete the attack."

“Your bodies are strong enough, but your grasp of the details is still lacking.”

Tang Sen doesn't care about rote learning.

Don't waste too much time on these basic things; the key is in the details.

"And gliding."

Townsend faces Billups with a dynamic slide to the left.

"This is actually a kind of triple threat technique. By sliding your feet to the left and right, you create hand space, and many of you don't realize this."

Tang Sen kept demonstrating, scrutinizing every detail.

Then they were directly divided into groups and put into practice combat to deepen their understanding.

I'll watch the video when I get back.

The video recording was already prepared, and like the previous recordings, we focused on refining the details.

Tang Sen has always believed that details are the core of technology.

Why was Jordan able to fool his defender with the same back-to-the-basket move?

Why are Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway more effective at the same crossover dribble?

You may not have their level of physical talent, but you can learn some of their details.

March arrived quickly.

Tang Sen drew the March badge.

It's still the same old badge.

[Smile] This badge has been upgraded from bronze to silver.

Tang Sen felt that he had almost used up all the badges.

Some regrets.

However, for now, the effect of so many badges is already quite amazing and more than enough.

The end of the season is drawing ever closer.

Everyone, from top to bottom, felt a sense of urgency.

The documentary allowed every New York fan to rediscover these players.

Their support has also spurred these young players to continue their efforts.

And the competition remains.

By training hard and performing well, you can get more playing time and gain more attention from fans and the media.

Attention translates into tangible commercial value.

In the Knicks, you can truly feel that hard work pays off.

In this way, everyone will have the motivation to continue to work hard.

The Knicks are steadily rising in the Eastern Conference standings.

At this point, the top teams in the East began to have a headache.

Nobody wants to touch a Knicks team like this.

With unlimited potential and a versatile playing style and tactics, players often emerge from the bench.

If we make it to the playoffs, such a versatile opponent will be very difficult to deal with in a series.

Even the Magic, who are ranked first in the East, don't want to face the Knicks early on.

Without a doubt, encountering them early on will definitely be a fierce battle.

Rivers is in a dilemma right now.

The Knicks are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and could rise to fifth at any time.

If they finish fifth, they won't face the Knicks in the first round, but they'll be up against them in the second round.

Rivers is trying to avoid the Knicks in the second round.

The Nets shared the same idea.

Both teams are now focused on winning each game and are secretly competing with each other.

The Pacers, who were third in the East, were on tenterhooks. Thomas didn't believe his weak interior defense could beat Yao Ming.

He suffered three consecutive losses, attempting to slip to fourth place.

The fourth-ranked prodigy is starting to get anxious.

Their interior defense is weaker, and they don't want to face the Knicks.

If you lose, then we'll rise.

While the Wizards climbed to third and the Pacers slipped to fourth, the Knicks had already climbed to fifth.

Thomas was dumbfounded and began desperately trying to rush upwards.

The Wizards are trying hard to hold onto their third-place position.

As the Knicks climbed to fifth place, Rivers began to have a dilemma. He didn't want to face the Knicks in the second round, and he suffered two consecutive losses, which allowed the Nets to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference.

As a result, by the end, the wins and losses for the three teams ranked third to fifth in the East were all within one or two games.

To make matters worse, the Knicks' last two games of the season were against the Wizards and the Pacers.

The outcome of this game could very well determine which team the Knicks will face in their first playoff game.

Considering the Pacers' strong frontcourt, Carlisle ultimately chose the Wizards after careful consideration.

After losing to the Pacers and winning against the Wizards, the Knicks remain fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers returned to third place in the Eastern Conference, while the Wizards sadly slipped to fourth and will face the Knicks in the first round.

(End of this chapter)