"Don’t say that, Andrae, you’re one of the few players who have suppressed for several years."
The Knicks players ward up on the court, and Roger’s attention was drawn to them.
He patted Patterson on the shoulder: "Sorry buddy, I need to entertain so other friends first, you don’t mind, do you?"
Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming, and Wade once again stood in front of Roger, for the third ti in five years.
The previous two tis they lost, but this ti, just in the first quarter, he’s going to start the legend.
After the first quarter of Finals Ga 1, the fans at Oracle Arena were as surprised as if they were seeing the Hillary Clinton scandal video on the big screen.
to 15, the New York Knicks led the Warriors by 20 points in the first quarter.
This tied the record for the largest point differential in the first quarter in NBA Finals history—the last ti was in Finals Ga 6 in 1970, where the Los Angeles Lakers led the New York Knicks by 20 points with a score of 36 to 16 in the first quarter.
years later, it’s the New York Knicks leading their opponent by 20 points in the first quarter.
The Golden State Warriors were almost destroyed by the Knicks in the first quarter, proving that the Knicks’ moves last sumr to bring in Rashard Lewis, and this season, acquiring Kirk Hinrich before the trade deadline, were very successful.
Because today, Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks completely shed their outdated style of play.
In the first quarter, Wade, Hinrich, Lewis, and Yao Ming frequently made three-point shots from beyond the arc.
When Yao Ming kept hitting shots and pulled Stoudemire out of the paint, Dwayne Wade got the opportunity to cut to the basket, making the New York Knicks’ offensive firepower simply unstoppable.
Apart from their offense, the Knicks also executed defense to perfection.
The Knicks’ current lineup allows defensive coach Tom Thibodeau to replicate the iron-willed defense of the 90s Knicks—incessantly double-teaming, fiercely pressuring, rotating and filling gaps.
This strategy is one that doesn’t treat players like humans. Back in the day, the Knicks used it because the coach was Pat Riley, who never saw players as human.
And Tom Thibodeau undoubtedly surpasses that Heat Godfather in the aspect of "not seeing players as human."
He not only pushes players relentlessly in training but also loves to do the sa during gas.
He doesn’t allow anyone to relax in any defensive possession.
Tired? Well, you can still breathe, can’t you?
Currently, due to Kirk Hinrich joining, the Knicks have an excellent defender at the one position to pressure Roger.
Once he clamps down on Roger, Wade or the long-ard Lewis will quickly double-team, forcing Roger to pass the ball.
Roger passed many tis in the first quarter, but the Knicks’ rapid rotation blocked nearly all the gaps.
Thus, the Knicks played an almost perfect first quarter.
Jeff Van Gundy applauded Tom Thibodeau: "Tom devised a perfect defense. Here’s sothing you might not believe: I originally hired Tom because he was attracted by innovative offensive compositions. I’m not joking, I initially intended him to be my offensive coach."
Mike Breen praised Mike D’Antoni’s offense: "Getting a towering center like Yao to develop a three-point shot is the greatest tactical revolution of the 21st century."
To Warriors fans, the ESPN comntary is boring because they are only concerned about one thing now—can the Golden State Warriors co back?
In the stands, Bill Simmons felt very uneasy: "Damn it, no! Don’t ruin Roger’s perfect season!"
In his view, if Roger lost even one ga in the playoffs, his perfection would cease to exist.
That would be as painful as a perfect TV show ending poorly.
Next to Bill Simmons, Andrae Patterson just shrugged casually: "It’s only the first quarter, man."
"But I’m not sure Erik can find a way to turn things around; the New Yorkers’ defense is flawless at the mont."
"Sotis, catching up requires courage. Hey, did I ever tell you when Roger and I beca friends? I think it was when I said a sentence to him: eliminate the opponent, survival of the fittest, it’s a do-or-die, that’s the essence of basketball."
"After that sentence, you guys beca friends? Wow, so you’re like Roger’s half-life ntor?"
"No, I was just flaunting the fact that I called the shots at Block High School; anyone can say pretty words. To tell you the truth, the first ti we faced the No.1 High School in the United States, Oak Hill Academy, I was scared stiff, bewildered, suffering from a condition similar to LeBron Jas’, I had no courage to face those top high school players in the nation.
Then, Roger yelled at : You’re either going to fight with or be trampled like a coward by others!
See, this was the reaction of that thin-as-a-stick figure when facing the top high school in the nation. He feared no one, and it was then I began to respect him and beca friends with him. So being 20 points behind is nothing? Roger will have the courage to overco the hurdle. Courage is the foundation of greatness."
Roger indeed wasn’t scared by the situation of trailing by 20 points at the start; he believed the Knicks’ shooting won’t be consistent.
Tom Thibodeau is a relentless taskmaster, and Mike D’Antoni is a lover of short rotations.
The two together are even more brutal than the black actors in San Fernando Valley tornting white actresses.
Therefore, the Knicks are prone to collapse in the third quarter due to stamina issues; it’s an ongoing problem for them.
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