NBA: The second generation of the strongest star

Chapter 161 The Biggest Dark Horse of This Season
Back in the locker room, the New York Knicks players were boiling.

"Two wins in a row, two wins in a row."

"Yo!! We won again."

"."

The players of the New York Knicks cheered one after another, and even Wilson Chandler took out his mobile phone to play music. Everyone danced to the music, even Andrew was no exception.

More than ten minutes later, coach Mike D'Antoni pushed the door and walked in.

Everyone stopped their movements for a moment, Wilson Chandler immediately turned off the music, and looked at coach Mike D'Antoni in unison.

Seeing this, head coach Mike D'Antoni raised his mouth slightly and said, "What are you doing? I didn't say you can't celebrate. You played very well in this game."

Hearing the words of head coach Mike D'Antoni, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, for fear that they would be scolded by the head coach for being too complacent.

Coach Mike D'Antoni continued: "But I still want to remind you, don't go to the bar tonight, because we have a game tomorrow, and it is also the first back-to-back game of the season."

Everyone in the New York Knicks nodded.

Tomorrow night, the New York Knicks will usher in their first back-to-back this season, and their opponents should not be underestimated. The Los Angeles Lakers, who made them suffer so much last season, especially Kobe Bryant's lore, are still being picked up by fans. Come out and discuss.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who failed to hit the three consecutive championships, originally wanted to make a difference in the offseason, but the result was empty and nothing was obtained.

This season, the Los Angeles Lakers still retain the previous championship lineup, the familiar Kobe Bryant, Paul Gasol, Bynum, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest; The problem of being swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs of the season has resulted in the exchange of many young outside players in the trading market.

After all, the outside lineup of the previous championship, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Ron Artest are not young anymore, and their pace is slow.

Facing the outside line of the Dallas Mavericks last season, this weakness was very obvious.

But can it really solve the problem?
At 7 pm the next day, Madison Square Garden in New York will host the New York Knicks back-to-back against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.

At this time, the Los Angeles Lakers have a total record of 1 win and 2 losses. This season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a terrible start, coming back to back from the beginning.

No. 26 VS Chicago Bulls, No. 27 VS Sacramento Kings, No. 28 VS Utah Jazz, followed by a day off before visiting Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks, so the New York Knicks have an advantage in terms of physical fitness.

Even if this is a back-to-back New York Knicks.

But facing the Golden State Warriors yesterday, the New York Knicks' starters clocked out after only three quarters. In addition, they are young, full of energy, and have no physical problems at all.

Before the game, Andrew and Kobe, the core of the two sides, had a friendly exchange.

"Is Kobe ready to lose?"

"Andrew, be my backdrop again."

The two spoke harsh words to each other.

After Andrew finished speaking, he turned around and returned to his court to warm up.

Kobe looked at Andrew's back, and the picture of watching the videotape yesterday appeared in his mind.

This season, the New York Knicks won two games against the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors with ease. The entire New York Knicks seemed to be upgraded several levels at once.

This reminds Kobe of the 08 season.

In 08, a move by the Los Angeles Lakers management made the team ranked seventh in the Western Conference and the first round of the playoffs the previous season, and became the first in the Western Conference and the third in the league, second only to Boston. Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

And this move is to trade Pau Gasol.

The arrival of Pau Gasol strengthened the weakest link of the Los Angeles Lakers; after O'Neal left and before the arrival of Pau Gasol, Kobe performed very well, but basketball is a team sport, and the barrel effect is very obvious , If the team wants to go further, it must strengthen the weakest link. The weakest link of the Los Angeles Lakers is the forward position.

In the season before Paul Gasol came, the Los Angeles Lakers' starting striker combination was Odom and Walton Jr. Odom was 208cm tall and weighed only 100KG. He did not have any advantage in the power forward position. He can win with skill and speed, but it is very difficult on the defensive end. Although Walton Jr.'s height and weight do not suffer much at the small forward position, his athletic ability is not outstanding, and his offensive and defensive abilities are average.

And Pau Gasol is 213cm tall and weighs 113kg. He can score, defend, and has first-hand support ability. After he became the starting power forward of the Lakers, Odom returned to the small forward position, which is his favorite position. With Bynum at center, these three players are not disadvantaged in their respective positions, and the weakest link of the Los Angeles Lakers has thus become stronger.

Therefore, the Los Angeles Lakers became a strong contender for the championship, won the first place in the Western Conference in the regular season, defeated many strong teams in the Western Conference, and entered the finals. Unfortunately, they lost to the Boston Celtics in the finals 2:4.

But the Los Angeles Lakers were indeed successful in the 08 season. At the beginning of the season, they did not expect that the Los Angeles Lakers could get the first record in the Western Conference and reach the finals at the same time.

At this moment, the New York Knicks gave Kobe the same feeling as the Los Angeles Lakers in 08. The New York Knicks introduced defensive gate Tyson Chandler to make up for the weakest link, and at the same time introduced the legendary Jason Kidd. Defender, his arrival relieved Andrew's burden to a certain extent.

Through the first two games, Kobe found that Andrew played very easily, even in the face of the Boston Celtics who brought him a lot of trouble last season, he played with ease.

Finally, Tyson Chandler and Jason Kidd have championship experience, and they can help young New York Knicks grow quickly.

Bryant has a hunch that the New York Knicks will become the biggest dark horse this season.

So what?
so what!

Kobe clenched his hands tightly, his eyes were full of vigor, he would win this game, if he loses this game again, the total record will go to 1 win and 3 losses, which is dangerous, especially the Los Angeles Lakers are located in a more competitive west.

After the warm-up was over, the starting players from both sides took off their jackets and walked onto the field.

New York Knicks starting lineup: Jason Kidd, Andrew, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Tyson Chandler.In this game, because the opposing point guard is Derek Fisher, head coach Mike D'Antoni decisively let Jason Kidd start. Jason Kidd is very satisfied with this. Originally, he didn't want to play too much in the regular season. own state, into the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Devin Ebanks, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum.The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers also made starting adjustments, replacing Ron Artest with a younger, faster-footed Devin Ebanks.

Tyson Chandler and Andrew Bynum walked to the center of the court and stood on both sides, ready to jump.

"Beep." With the whistle of the referee, the game officially started.

(End of this chapter)