The rest is just noise

"Bernard is the most unstoppable scorer in the league. As long as he gets to the free throw line, he can score at will."

On the eve of the media day, Louis called Zhao Yuanzheng to come to the office to report on his work.

Zhao Yuanzheng is still in the probation period. His thesis is very far-sighted, but being far-sighted does not mean that he is qualified to serve as an assistant coach.

There are many ordinary people in the world who understand a bunch of theories and have the same vision as billionaires. But after many years, ordinary people are still ordinary people, and rich people are still rich people.

Louis was not surprised to hear Bernard King's report.

As early as when he was with the Celtics, he knew that King was one of the most unstoppable attackers of this era. Although the relationship between the two was not good, it did not hurt to acknowledge each other's strengths.

"Pat Cummings, a vastly overrated player."

Zhao Yuanzheng pointed out a few points: He has never played an important role in a strong team; before joining the Knicks, he served in the Mavericks, which seriously lacked inside players, but his performance was mediocre, and he always performed best in garbage time; his talent is average, and he has already touched the ceiling.

;There is a problem with attitude.

Louis interrupted him: "You mean, we spent more than two million to sign a waste from Dallas?"

Zhao Yuanzheng said implicitly: "I wouldn't say that, but"

Not much different, right?

"Doesn't he have any merit?" Louis asked regretfully.

To say that a big man who averaged 12+8 per game and a 48% shooting percentage on a bad team has no merit is completely unreasonable.

Zhao Yuanzheng said: "He has good offensive skills near the basket and is very good at cooperating with the ball holder, that's all."

"continue."

"Bill Cartwright is the team's biggest intangible asset. He has a voice in the locker room, leadership, and is a reliable low-post attacker."

Louis interrupted him again.

"Reliable low post attacker?"

"Yes, we can definitely design some tactics for him in the low post." Zhao Yuanzheng predicted, "According to my statistics these days, his one-on-one shooting rate in the low post is over 50%."

Louis thought of Cartwright's doctor's advice. There is no guarantee if you rely too much on such a person.

Because I don't know when he will be injured.

Zhao Yuanzheng conducted a reconnaissance on everyone and learned about their technical characteristics and shooting hot spots, as well as what they were not good at doing and their character flaws.

He said Roy Sparrow is a leading ballhandler and Trent Tucker is a reliable outside threat.

His assessment of Stockton was what Louis valued most.

"The young general is the only person I can't figure out."

Zhao Yuanzheng said Stockton’s nickname in the team.

Although he was very humble when he was drafted, his demeanor changed as soon as he got the ball.

The way he gives orders is very majestic, like a general. Because he is very young, everyone calls him Little General.

After he has a few years of experience, the fine print can be removed.

"He doesn't do anything superfluous. Apart from the competition every day, he only practices three-pointers and goes in and out of the weight room. He is the only one in the team who is keen on strength training." Zhao Yuanzheng named one of the most popular players today.

The recognized misconception is, "Since he wants to practice three-point shooting, why should he practice strength? This will make him achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Louis refused to comment and then said: "How do you think our offensive system should be developed?"

Zhao Yuanzheng affirmed: "It is best to use Bernard as the core of positional warfare. His and Bill's low-post attack can solve 90% of the problems."

"I see."

Louis signaled Zhao Yuanzheng to leave.

After Zhao Yuanzheng left, Louis called Lorraine at home to ask about the current situation.

Training camp was largely monotonous as Louie got used to a mediocre team.

Tomorrow is media day. Many New York media will come to the site to inspect, and they will ask some questions that are difficult to answer.

The New York Times is the media Louis hates the most. From tomorrow on, they will start learning how to coexist peacefully.

Louis was the last one to leave the gym.

He bought some midnight snacks on the roadside and unexpectedly met Ken Bannister.

This big, sturdy man had never lived in Louis' memory. It wasn't until the start of the training camp that Louis had an impression of him.

Bannister was a seventh-round pick in 1984. Louis had no impression of him at all, which shows that he is just an ordinary player.

He greeted Louis enthusiastically and asked him what he needed to do to gain a higher tactical status in the team.

"Yes, I think about how to improve myself every day." Bannister nodded vigorously and said.

Bannister is about 208 centimeters tall, with a stout build, but rough skills. He is a person with not many shining points.

If this kind of person wants to survive in today's NBA, he can only become a thug.

"Watch more of Maurice Lucas' games," Louis said.

"Okay, I'll take a look."

Isn't that weird? Louis bets a dozen Coca-Cola and he won't go and see it.

Back at the hotel, Louis finished his late night snack and went to bed.

Most people would let their bodies digest it before going to bed after eating late night snacks, but he was different.

He can sleep more soundly after brushing his teeth and going to bed after a midnight snack.

September 25th, media day.

New York is the media capital of the world, and as the NBA gradually enters every household, it is natural to come and take a look at the home team's media day.

Today, as many as 20 New York media outlets were invited to the training camp.

The Times, the Post, the New York Daily News, Newsday, the New York Observer, From East of Manhattan, the Long Island Advance, the American Courier, and the New York Plaza News

, all sent reporters.

Before media day began, Louie, Dave DeBusschere and all Knicks players and staff took a group photo.

Next, they were interviewed individually.

There were even more reporters in front of Louis than there were with Bernard King, making it seem like he was the Knicks' top player.

Under normal circumstances, coaches don't get that much attention.

The leading reporter seemed to be well respected by his peers, and everyone was willing to let him be the first to interview.

Louis read his sign, and unfortunately, this well-respected man was from The Times.

He looks like Coach Anzai from the "White Devil" period. Although his face is rich, there is nothing kind about it. Gold-rimmed glasses cover the deep thoughts in his eyes.

He introduced himself: "Coach Lu, I am Dave Andeon, a columnist and reporter from the New York Times. I would like to ask you a few questions."

Louis thought his name sounded familiar.

He nodded and said, "Please."

Then he remembered that Anderson was the 1981 Pulitzer Prize winner, a rarity among sports writers.

In 1978, when John Havlicek retired, Anderson published an article called "The End of the Long Road," which was prominently displayed in the Times. This newspaper was also the Times's top publication that year.

The largest-selling newspaper in the Boston area.

"What was the motivation for you to go from an 87-12 team to a 30-42 team?"

Unlike other media reporters, Anderson asked Louis if he would change his attitude towards the local media after coming to New York.

He was very sharp and immediately asked questions that puzzled Bostonians.

Many people don't understand why Louis did this.

"More money, this is the foundation. A bigger city and stage, this is the motivation." Louis also said, "The Knicks have given me something that I can't get in the Celtics for the time being. This is desire. This is

The reason I came here."

Anderson asked: "What is the Knicks giving?"

"Power." Louis answered directly, yet implicitly.

There are many kinds of power, but he did not elaborate on which one.

Anderson gave up that question and asked another: "The Knicks didn't make the playoffs last season. What is your goal for the new season?"

"If the goal is to reach the playoffs, I think the fans will not be satisfied, but if we want to pursue a championship, given our current strength, this is just an empty talk that cannot be achieved."

Louie shrewdly avoided some answers that might have struck a chord.

"I won't make any promises. I just signed a new contract. I have five years to change this team. The only thing I need is patience."

Louis uses four "I's" in one sentence, which is a defensive mentality.

Anderson's face, stinking worse than a stone, finally unfolded: "Coach Lu, you signed the largest coaching contract in the history of professional sports, but you can't even give us the promise of leading the team back to the playoffs?"

"I didn't officially take over until August and missed out on signings throughout the offseason. Our only reinforcement was Pat Cummings, but we lost Ray Williams and Sleep Floyd.

, the team that only won 30 games last season has lost two main players but has not received further reinforcements. How can you make me make a promise?"

Anderson smiled and said: "Okay, I'm done asking."

Louis' words will put a lot of pressure on DeBusschere. In the past few months, New York sports reporters have not questioned his offseason operations every day.

DeBusschere couldn't express his pain, and Louis was determined to make things worse, so he naturally had to find ways to weaken the team's competitiveness.

Even Louis' signing in August was planned by them.

As long as the Knicks' lineup has inherent flaws, even if the record is poor, it is the management that will bear the firepower of the media, and Louis can build the team according to his wishes.

DeBusschere is a true old Nick, he is dedicated to this team, and he is not willing to bear the notoriety.

For him, even if he is criticized to the point of taking the blame and resigning, it is still part of the Knicks' reconstruction, and he has already been prepared.