One Thousand and Twenty-Six: The "Zen Master" Who Lets Himself Go

Before the game even started, the atmosphere between Link and the New York media had already begun to spread.

As a result, the showdown between the Grizzlies and the Knicks, two teams that had nothing to do with each other in the past few years, even attracted more attention than the other two opening games of the Warriors vs. the Spurs and the Cavaliers vs. the Raptors.

Of course, the New York media's confidence is not groundless. Because judging from the lineup on paper, the Knicks do have strong strength.

Let's not talk about Anthony. Although the gap with James has become wider and wider over the years, and he even failed to lead the team into the playoffs last season, he is still considered one of the best scorers in the league.

And Porzingis, a Latvian kid, was booed by Knicks fans at the draft, but he has proven that he is fully worthy of the fourth overall pick.

Last season, first-year Porzingis averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and also scored 24 points, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks in a single game and 16 points in a single quarter.

Now he is undoubtedly a treasure in the hearts of Knicks fans.

As for Rose, he played 66 times last season and averaged 16.4+4.7+3.4 per game. He is still very competitive. Although his state cannot be compared with that of the MVP period, everyone is always full of expectations for Rose.

If this "lottery" is really won, the Knicks can take off from the spot.

Although Noah suffered a serious injury last season, as a two-time All-Star and a former member of the first defense, everyone believes that Noah can at least do better than the Knicks' previous starting center Robin Lopez. .

Such a lineup is actually very dreamy. Moreover, the Knicks have made it clear this year that they will no longer be obsessed with the triangle offense.

This is even more great news!

In the previous two seasons, under the leadership of Fisher, the Knicks' record was so bad that there was no bottom line.

The reason why "Zen Master" Phil Jackson appointed Fisher, who had just retired, as the head coach was mainly because he believed that Fisher could restore the glory of the triangle offense in New York.

After all, Fisher was the Lakers' championship point guard when the Lakers won the championship. His understanding of the triangle offense is quite profound.

But contrary to expectations, the triangle offense did not work in New York. Fisher was finally fired by the "Zen Master" in February this year, at the end of last season.

However, because the Knicks' record last season was hopeless, after Fisher dismissed get out of class, the Knicks simply let Kurt Rambis, who had no achievements in the coaching position, as the interim head coach. Finished last season.

But this summer, while introducing powerful players, the Knicks also reached a cooperation with Jeff Hornacek.

It is believed that Hornacek will do a better job as head coach than both Fisher and Rambis. Moreover, "Zen Master" has stated more than once that he will give Hornacek sufficient autonomy and will not interfere too much in Hornacek's coaching.

Without the triangle offense, New York fans are even more confident. Because it turns out that the triangle offense is not a tactic suitable for all teams.

Over the past two years, Knicks fans have been driven crazy by the triangle offense.

Now, they have a bunch of great players and a solid coach.

Maybe he can really bounce back and have a great season!

And the beginning of this beautiful season may start with defeating the Grizzlies!

The confidence of the New York media and Knicks fans comes from these things.

The day before the game, the Grizzlies players officially landed in New York.

But here, it is naturally impossible for the Grizzlies to get any good results.

"Dwayne, do you really think joining the Grizzlies is the right choice? Do you think you can defeat Rose here?"

"Nikola, are you nervous about playing against Porzingis? After all, the gap between you is visible to the naked eye!"

"Link, are you worried that you will be fighting alone? If your teammates can't step up, will you persist until the end? After all, in the playoffs last season, you almost carried the team alone. Do you think the Grizzlies still have a chance to win against the Knicks with your own strength?"

As soon as they got off the plane, the Grizzlies players received a "warm welcome" from the New York media.

Along the route of the Grizzlies team bus, countless Knicks fans also raised some abusive signs on the street.

"It's too crazy, this world is too crazy." Link looked at the scene outside the window and shook his head.

"What? This shouldn't be the first time you've encountered something like this, right?" Wade, who was sitting next to Link, was a little curious, because this should be just a small scene for Link.

"No, I mean, it's only been a year since we established our dynasty, and the Knicks fans dare to challenge us like this. They are really crazy. Maybe they have forgotten how painful it was when they were beaten by the Grizzlies. .New Yorkers are such a forgetful bunch.”

Looking at the ugly signboards outside the window, Link smiled disdainfully.

The only 50-point triple-double record in Madison Square Garden is still his own name!

How long has it been since then, and they have grown so big?

That night, when the Grizzlies players were resting in the hotel. As one of the most dramatic team general managers in the league, "Zen Master" Phil Jackson also talked about tomorrow's game on a local show in New York.

"How to say? I am full of confidence in the team. After all, we have been working hard for this for a long time. And what about Link? Hahahahaha, during the critical period, he will only use his privileges to take his friends to Hawaii Enjoyment. I estimate that Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace and owner Robert Pera were angry to death at the time. Indeed, Link and the Grizzlies had their glory days. But with this attitude towards the new People who are in season will not be successful.”

"Zen Master" Jackson spoke out in the show. Despite the wisdom on "Zen Master's" face, he once led the Bulls and Lakers to create glory.

But from beginning to end, Phil Jackson was not a gentleman.

Especially after joining the Knicks management, Phil Jackson went further and further on the road to becoming an "Internet celebrity" and made various inexplicable remarks.

He once publicly stated that there is no problem with his triangle offense. The problem is with the current players. "The current players don't know how to play the triangle offense at all. They don't know what it means to execute tactics. They only know one-on-one without thinking."

He has publicly criticized Porzingis, saying that although he has improved, he is still far from good enough.

He once criticized Anthony openly and secretly, "We were the favorites to win the championship, but it's a pity that some people can't integrate well into the team system."

If it weren't for his success in the NBA, he would be no different from a professional troll.

His level of speaking is completely inversely proportional to his achievements in the NBA.

As the general manager of the Knicks, Jackson naturally contacts and chats with many players. Many players were full of expectations and respected Phil Jackson before talking to him.

But according to reporters, Jackson often failed to grasp the key points when negotiating with players, and asked completely irrelevant questions.

Most players will be disappointed after negotiating with Jackson and have a question, "Wait? This is Phil Jackson? It's really too bad!"

During Jackson's tenure in the Knicks management, he was a typical representative of late-season losses.

But Jackson himself never tired of it, always speaking out publicly over and over again.

Only this time, he was targeting Link.

After talking about Link, Jackson seemed not satisfied yet. As a result, the war was directed to Wade, the Grizzlies' second-best player.

"How do you evaluate Wade joining the Grizzlies this summer? There is nothing to comment on. I am not surprised at all. A few years ago, he would only hide behind LeBron. Without LeBron, it seems that he will not win. Now, He needs a new shelter. And Link is his best choice. To be honest, Dwayne is far from being as great as he seems on the surface."

From fans to reporters to general managers, Grizzlies players felt a deep sense of ill will in New York.

To be honest, Link's heart was calm. After all, he has been a villain in this league for many years. Being scolded and blackmailed is normal.

But the new guy who joined the Grizzlies is not as "generous" as Link...