Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 485 The Knicks are still the same mountain
For New York fans over the past two years, there has always been a conflicted feeling.

Firstly, the Knicks achieved another glorious victory, winning their third consecutive championship and becoming a dynasty powerhouse team second only to the Celtics and the Lakers.

What used to be just a wealthy family can now be called a dynasty.

They're no longer nouveau riche; they have the background of a wealthy family.

But every year we lose players, we lose pieces of the championship puzzle.

They're exploiting Tang Sen's past.

Although they are still winning the championship, seeing the ebb and flow of the tide, I am always worried that the team will lose the championship.

As a result, a large number of fans criticized Dolan.

Where did your lavish spending and sucking up of money go?

They should spend money to upgrade their roster.

Dolan felt wronged by this argument.

They've spent money on the team; they have three max-contract players, and their salaries are still the highest in the league. What more do you want?

Moreover, the Knicks, despite their consecutive championships, remain the league's public enemy, and no one is willing to trade with them, allowing the Knicks to become stronger and stronger.

The draft lottery is one option, but I can't seem to get a high draft pick every year.

It's already quite good that they can maintain their current strength.

He now wants New York fans to face reality: the league is no longer the same, and the Knicks are no longer the dominant force.

They beat the Pacers 4-1 in the first round.

In the second round against the Bulls, it took them six games to win 4-2.

The Knicks' dominance is waning.

From top to bottom, everyone on the Knicks shares this consensus.

Especially Carlisle.

He observed Durant for a season and knew just how terrifying the weapon Townsend had forged was.

At the same time, he also spent a whole season thinking about how to deal with Durant.

After going through the Knicks' roster, I couldn't find a suitable option.

At this moment, Carlisle had already begun to miss Prince.

He felt that having Prince deal with Durant was the best option.

During the season, the Heat played four games against the Bobcats, and Prince was particularly effective at defending Durant.

They followed the defense throughout the entire game, relentlessly harassing the opponent regardless of their physical exertion.

Long arms, tall, can run and jump.

Durant is a model monster, and to completely defend against Durant, you also need a model monster.

Prince couldn't afford to hope, and after careful consideration, Carlisle took a risky step.

Bender should be moved down to the three position, and Gazuric should be moved up to the four position.

Increase the height of the forward line.

At the same time, during defense, Wade and Bender should switch on defense again.

In other words, Bender was tasked with guarding Durant.

At 2.13 meters tall, with athleticism, like Spider-Man, and excellent help defense, he might have a surprising effect.

Before the match, Carlisle specifically pulled Bender aside and gave him some serious instructions.

He believes there are two key factors for the Knicks to win this Eastern Conference Finals.

First, can their unconventional tactics stop Durant?

Secondly, in terms of offensive firepower, can they surpass the Heat?

Carlisle wanted to win the game through attack.

When Riley saw Bender standing in front of Durant, he was startled and turned to look at the other side, completely unexpected that Carlisle would resort to such a tactic.

I even felt a certain admiration for him.

He truly deserves the title of tactical mastermind; he dares to think big.

But is it useful?
Riley had a question mark in his mind.

After a season, Riley had a clearer understanding of Durant.

He felt that Durant was an anomaly.

He truly reached a level where those who were as fast as him but not as tall, and those who were as tall as him but not as fast.

You can create an advantage against anyone.

Bender is a good player with great athleticism.

But compared to Durant, there is still a gap.

As expected, Durant was somewhat surprised on the court, not expecting the Knicks to send Bender, a true power forward, to defend him.

But it was just an accident; the game will proceed as usual.

When playing against taller players, Durant still utilizes his agility advantage.

A crossover dribble that was completely disproportionate to his size created space for him to jump and shoot from a sudden stop.

Bender was fast, but he still couldn't keep up with Durant's pace.

The jump shot went in.

On the defensive end, Durant's goal was clear: to limit Wade.

Take a step, then follow up if you break through, and block if you shoot.

After just a few goals, Carlisle decisively gave up and adjusted the lineup. He made another substitution, bringing on Demar Johnson.

Even now, Johnson is still labeled as a tall guard.

He and Durant are from the same hometown.

When he was a child, Durant heard a lot about Johnson's legend.

But times have changed, and the two are no longer players of the same caliber.

Johnson, who is 2 meters tall, is still the size of a guard and weighs less than 06 kilograms.

Durant, 107 kg.

When facing Johnson, Durant can use the same method he used against Kobe: physically overpowering him.

Johnson is nowhere near as good as Kobe.

So after a few more goals, Carlisle decisively gave up his hopes.

There's no one left.

Carlisle looked at Durant and could only think that he was a bug on the court.

Durant scored 22 points in the first half.

As a championship-winning coach, Carlisle adjusted his mindset quickly.

For Durant, he chose the most direct method: double-teaming.

The Heat lost Butler on the front line, which reduced their offensive firepower.

As for Percy, we can just let it go.

Then they had to go all out to score, especially Yao Ming, who had to bring out the invincible strength he displayed during his first championship run.

Yao Ming did not disappoint Carlisle.

Facing O'Neal, who was already able to pull out, he could pull even further out.

The match remained close until the very last moment.

Yao Ming's crucial three-pointer with less than a minute left secured the victory for the Knicks.

The Heat still have a chance.

Durant's difficult three-pointer missed under double-team pressure.

The Knicks narrowly won by 2 points, 108 to 110.

Yao Ming scored a game-high 42 points, while Wade added 26.

Durant also scored a team-high 38 points.

The relentless double-teaming in the second half still managed to limit Durant.

O'Neal scored 29 points, a respectable performance.

It can be said that victory or defeat hinges on the slightest difference.

So after the game, Riley was quite philosophical about it. When facing reporters, he praised Durant and admitted that the Heat just lacked some luck.

And to be honest, Riley's confidence actually increased after this game.

During the regular season, the Heat and Knicks faced off 4 times, with the Heat winning 1 and losing 3.

To be honest, Riley was still unsure about playing against the Knicks.

After all, the Knicks dominated the league for three whole years.

The fact that they can put up such a good fight against the Knicks in the playoffs shows that the two teams are on the same level.

If they can defeat the Knicks, the championship will be theirs.

Furthermore, the Knicks launched a series of attacks, and finally had no choice but to double-team Durant relentlessly, resorting to every possible tactic, which finally led to their victory.

This also shows that the Knicks have run out of options and can only hope for a player breakout performance.

Could Yao Ming really score nearly a triple-double of 40+ points every game against Shaquille O'Neal's defense?
In the second game, Riley made a decisive adjustment, providing Durant with more screens and pick-and-roll opportunities, and also improving Durant's support when he was double-teamed.

The interior players also demanded that O'Neal must defend Durant.

Jackson couldn't control O'Neal, but Riley wasn't afraid and dared to point his finger at O'Neal and call him inferior to Yao Ming.

Shaquille O'Neal has a sense of shame.

So in this game, O'Neal scored 33 points.

They were swapped with Yao Ming, who scored 35 points.

Despite being heavily double-teamed and contested, Durant still managed to score 32 points from free throws.

Posey scored 22 points.

On the bench, Mourning also contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds.

With a score of 113 to 106, the two teams are back to square one.

Riley's confidence grew, and he felt that the Knicks had run out of options.

Double-teaming Durant will definitely cost them.

But he never dreamed that in the next four games, the Knicks would have players step up one after another, dragging the series to a Game 7.

In Game 4, Billups dominated Harris, scoring a whopping 39 points.

In Game 6, with the same match point, Yao Ming, facing off against O'Neal, unleashed a series of unstoppable skyhook shots in the final moments. Wade also incredibly interfered with Durant's game-winning shot, managing to tie the score.

The score is now tied 3-3, and the Heat and Knicks will face off in Game 7.

Even Riley was helpless, thinking to himself that the Knicks were still an insurmountable mountain.

(End of this chapter)