Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 307 What's wrong with giving them a championship?
Carlesimo and Budenholzer, who were present and preparing to meet to summarize the reasons for today's loss, were also completely dumbfounded.

"Joe, did Kwame and Tracy not fight?" Budenholzer asked immediately.

If the two key players didn't perform, then such a large point difference is understandable.

Prunty shook his head and said, "They scored, and then Tracy had 18 points and Kwame had 16."

"They didn't score many points, but that's not important. What's important is that the Knicks took only three quarters to build a 24-point lead and crush the Magic."

"Guys, this game is too bizarre. Yao scored 14 points, it's insane. The Knicks have a total of nine players scoring in double figures."

When Pranti learned of the result, he was shocked.

Budenholzer's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as he exclaimed, "Are you kidding me?"

Yao Ming, the absolute core player, only scored 14 points, while the Knicks scored more than 120 points.
They even said they crushed the Magic in three quarters; even the most shameless media outlets wouldn't fabricate such an outrageous story.

Popovich's heart pounded, and seeing that Pranty was about to explain, he waved his hand to stop him.

"The video, Joe, where's the video?"

Popovich wants to watch the video now to see what exactly happened.

Back in the summer, Popovich had already predicted that the Knicks would only be stronger in the new season.

To crush the Magic in three quarters is still a bit of an exaggeration.

He felt he might have trouble sleeping tonight.

At this moment, Popovich wasn't the only one experiencing insomnia.

Far away in Los Angeles.

There is a three-hour time difference between the East Coast and the West Coast.

The Knicks' game ended a little before 10 p.m.

So it's only 7 p.m. on the West Coast.

Phil Jackson didn't leave the training facility for the same reason: Janet Buss was asking for too much.

Moreover, when the game started, it was only four or five o'clock in Los Angeles, far from the end of the workday.

Jackson was very concerned about this game.

In his view, only the Knicks and Magic in the entire Eastern Conference have the strength to compete with the Lakers for the championship.

Last year, the Lakers had an advantage. The Magic and Knicks were exhausted in a Game 7, which allowed the Lakers to win the championship.

So this game might just determine who the Lakers' opponent will be in this year's NBA Finals.

He invited his entire coaching team to watch the game together.

After watching it, Jackson had only one feeling: he couldn't sleep.

I just can't fall asleep tonight, no matter what I do.

The atmosphere in the cramped meeting room was even more somber.

“They’re practically cheating,” Frank Humbert exclaimed indignantly.

The media are saying the Lakers cheated by assembling four All-Stars in one go, creating a galactic-like lineup.

But now all Hamberon wants to say is, if the Lakers are considered to have cheated, then what are the Knicks?
The Lakers are just a bunch of washed-up old guys, what about the Knicks?

Hamberlon felt the Knicks had assembled fifteen star players.

That might be an exaggeration, but Hamberon genuinely believes that the performances of some of these players were at a star level.

Wallace can defend McGrady one-on-one and still has a sufficiently stable output.

This is Pippen.

And Chandler.

Now he has a low-post hook shot, a jump shot, decent low-post footwork, plus consistent defense; he can both hold his own and help defend.

A player like that would be a pillar in the paint for any ordinary team.

That's a star athlete.

So the Lakers assembled four star players, while the Knicks had a starting lineup entirely composed of star players.

Even so, Hamberon didn't want to mention how amazing Wade's performance as the third overall pick was.

His ability to easily defeat Sasser is comparable to that of Kobe and McGrady.

On the other end, Kurt Rambis nodded in agreement, pointing at the screen and saying, "Honestly, I feel like they're a dream team."

Let's see how the Knicks win, what tactics they used throughout the game?

absolutely not.

It's just five people swinging around randomly, all kinds of one-on-one fights.

This is the style of play of the Dream Team stars.

He turned to look at Jackson and said, "Phil, just think about it, if we face the Knicks this year, we're doomed to lose."

Jackson didn't say anything, but his eyebrows were already furrowed into a deep frown.

He couldn't refute Lambis's words.

He also felt that facing a Knicks team like this in the Finals meant they were destined to lose.

Although this was just a regular season game, it can be explained that all the Knicks players were in exceptionally good form today, with great shooting touch, and they were making every shot.

It's not like such situations don't happen; everyone needs to eat dumplings sometimes.

But Jackson knew that wasn't the case.

As a championship-winning coach, I watched the entire game with the most professional eye and knew exactly where the Knicks' victory lay.

There is a difference in strength between the two teams.

And not a small one at that.

There's a gap in every aspect, from starting players to substitutes, and even benchwarmers.

As Rambis said, this is a dream team.

From the opponent's perspective, Jackson didn't know how to beat such a team.

Thinking about this, Jackson became even more disheartened.

Last season they had a triumphant moment, winning their third championship.

This season has attracted Malone and Payton, who are aiming to defend their title and achieve a back-to-back victory.

Then both the Lakers and I will become the most successful people in the NBA.

Now, Jackson has a feeling that his dream is about to be shattered.

"Tang Sen!"

Jackson pounded the table in frustration.

He knew perfectly well that the Knicks' current success wasn't due to his excellent player selection skills or Carlisle's brilliant tactics. It was simply because Townsend was exceptionally capable.

The true number one talent scout in the league.

If Jerry Buss had been willing to throw a check for tens of millions of dollars at Townsend back then, the Lakers might already be dominating the league.

Jackson felt that if he were to write an autobiography, he would definitely list not being able to bring Tang Sen to the Lakers as the biggest regret of his life.

Back then, I was the first to come into contact with Tang Sen, and Tang Sen's family was all in Los Angeles. I had all the advantages.

In the end, New York, that nouveau riche, snatched the girl away.

Seeing that the atmosphere was too heavy, Jim Clemons said, "Gentlemen, I don't think we need to be so pessimistic."

"Maybe the Knicks will have an amazing performance today, and we're not weak either."

"They have a bunch of excellent players, but in the end only five of them can play. I don't think our starting lineup is much worse than theirs."

The Lakers' F4, each one of them is a top-notch player.

"We'll know for sure once we have a real fight on the 19th of next month."

The Lakers will play the Knicks on the road on November 19th.

We'll know who's stronger and who's weaker once we fight.

Jackson remained silent, still suffering from a headache.

At this moment, the elderly Tex Winter said, "Phil, I don't think we need to react like the sky is falling."

Seeing the group looking at him, Winter pointed to Barkley and the others on the TV talking non-stop and said, "Actually, this Knicks team was exactly what we expected."

"They have Yao Ming, whose talent is unmatched."

"They made up their minds again and acquired a bunch of potential players. You can count for yourselves how many third and second overall picks they have, and how many lottery rookies they have."

"And they are all players with extremely strong physical talent."

The current Knicks, including McDyess, have 15 players, including one number one draft pick, three number two draft picks, and two number three draft picks.

This is more than enough to form a starting lineup.

There are 5 more in the lottery zone.

The last four, except for Gazuric, were all first-round picks.

"They have such talented players, and Tang's ability to develop players' potential is incredibly impressive."

"So after a full year and a half, isn't it normal for them to behave like this?"

"Or rather, if these talented players didn't perform at this level, that would be abnormal. I would even question whether Tang was slacking off."

Several people were silent.

But it must be admitted that Winter is right.

Each of them is top-notch, even possessing historically great talent like Yao Ming, and having encountered a top-tier trainer like Tang Sen, their current strength is simply beyond reproach.

Jackson looked up at the sky and exclaimed, "Scott is a genius."

Looking back now, even Jackson has to admit that Layden's move in the summer of 02 was a stroke of genius.

Winter continued, "As for your concerns that the Knicks will be too strong, I think it's alright."

Even if they win the championship this season, so what? Can they keep winning it forever?

"Once these players' rookie contracts expire, it will be difficult for them to retain this roster."

"And that was actually our opportunity."

Winter offered a reminder.

In his view, the Knicks will eventually be dismantled.

When the team was split up, these talented players went to other teams.

"And what Jim just said was very true."

Winter pointed to Clemons across the table and said, "He said that only five players can play in a game, and a game is only forty-eight minutes long."

"Just like in last season's Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks had a bunch of excellent role players, but they still had to rely on their starters just like the Magic."

"The number of possessions in a game is fixed. They have five star-level starters, but only one player can take a shot at a time."

"It's impossible for everyone to have a chance to shoot, and Yao still averaged 30 points per game."

Right now, the Lakers' four star players are already giving the coaching staff a headache, as they don't know how to distribute the ball.

Jackson had already spoken with Malone and Karl, hoping they would accept a reduction in ball possession.

"I know Yao has a good personality, and he might be able to accept a reduction in ball possession."

"Others may compromise temporarily for the sake of the championship, but what happens after they win?"

"Is Yao really that selfless, not caring about statistics or honors?"

"It's not like he's incapable of taking it."

Yao Ming averaged 40 points per game in the playoffs and 30 points per game in the regular season. Winning the scoring title and the regular season MVP would have been a piece of cake.

Why would you give up an honor that's within your grasp?

When the goal is to win the championship, one can compromise, but once the goal is achieved, can one really keep sacrificing?
Even after winning the championship, Kobe and Shaq still didn't get along.

"So Phil, you really don't need to worry about the Knicks dominating the league in the future."

"In my opinion, they will fall apart in one season at most."

"They don't even need a whole season; they need to think carefully about how to distribute the ball this season."

"Most importantly, Tang will be gone by this time next year."

The media hasn't reported it yet, but within the league, team owners and head coaches all know that Townsend will leave the Knicks next year to work in the league.

"So what's wrong with giving them a championship?"

Winter said in a very arrogant tone.

After a season of development, the Knicks should have been capable of winning the championship.

Or perhaps it was there last year, but we just lacked a bit of luck.

Jackson's brow did not relax.

He agreed with Winter's analysis.

But what does it matter if you win a championship?

That's the championship! You just gave it up like that?

What are all those teams and players compared to that? Are they just there to accompany the prince to school?

(End of this chapter)