After talking about tactics, Van Gundy's impression of Yang Rui has completely changed.

This kid is not here to study, but wants to get this job. He has the ability and dares to perform, so he rushes to speak out and suppress his competitors.

Van Gundy asked: "Can you refine the tactics of Ewing's cover after the air cut?"

Yang Rui re-draws a picture, marking the running position with an arrow, explaining: "Ewing cuts the ball from the side and catches the ball at the low post. If Longley switches defense, he will face the swinger or guard and has a physical advantage to hit the basket. Longley is slow and it will be difficult to return to defense in time when he goes out. If Rodman and Pippen make up for defense, Ewing passes the ball to the weak side, and the bottom corner player can take the ball. So I suggest that the small forwards practice bottom corner shooting, and Ewing practice high and mid-range shots on both sides."

Van Gundy doesn't like to listen to this, he has a traditional mind. "How can the inside line not enter the penalty area? He hits at the basket with a higher shooting percentage."

"Langli is 218cm tall and weighs 120 kilograms. He is one of the largest in Ewing. It is difficult to ensure efficiency when attacking directly to the low post. I think we should try to create space. Therefore, I suggest reducing Ewing's low post attacks, and it is best to reduce his playing time." Yang Rui did not follow Van Gundy and insisted on his own ideas.

In his previous life, Ewing dislocated his right wrist from 1997 to 1998, accompanied by a torn ligament, and played only twenty-six games in the regular season, which was the consequence of making the 36-year-old veteran fight too much. Ewing only played four games in the playoffs, and his performance was poor. The Knicks were eliminated 4-1 by the Pacers in the second round.

Not the NBA is stronger than anyone else. If you create a free shot, there will be many people who have a three-point shooting percentage of more than 40% in the future. Moreover, there is a fierce man named Alan Houston in the team, so there is no need to waste it.

"Ewing's defensive strength will decrease. How to solve this problem? You two can answer it." Van Gundy looked at Thibodeau and Boyd.

The two senior assistant coaches looked very good. Van Gundy asked this as if he was considering their emotions and giving them a chance to show off, but in fact he was responsible for "spending bricks and attracting jade".

Since Yang Rui dares to say that Ewing will reduce his playing time, there will definitely be a solution. From the moment he entered the door, Yang Rui has been confident.

Van Gundy had already begun to look down on the other two people. Before Yang Rui came, they introduced their past work achievements and did not mention a word about how to carry out work in the Knicks in the new season. If they were suppressed by young people, what about seniority?

The two have similar ideas and should be cautious when speaking. Now it doesn't work, so it's not difficult to produce some useful information, so there is no need to say.

Thibodeau reacted faster and spoke first.

"After Ewing left the court, the defender put pressure on the ball player in the half-time position. At the same time, the big man pressed against the ball, and briefly clamped one in the area to double-team the opponent's ball holder. At the same time, several other players collectively cut off the long pass line, leaving a forward with a fast speed and about two meters tall on the weak side, controlling the two people at the same time, and doing a rotation."

Van Gundy pondered for a moment, something was right.

Thibodeau has a deep study of defense. This routine requires tough single defense against the ball, plus flexibility, big men who can reach the three-point line, and perfect team rotation. As long as the opponent is not able to shoot at all, it is effective.

Van Gundy asked: "This is not good at protecting the backcourt rebounds. Oakley often has to defend himself, right?"

"Yes, defense cannot be fully equipped," replied Thibodeau.

"Ewing is out. If the opponent has strong offensive ability in the inside and plays low with strength, one-on-one can complete the hard work, attracting double-teams to pass the ball to the periphery. What should I do if Oakley and Buck Williams can't defend it?"

If it is a star with a tonnage like O'Neal, he will be fierce in the low position, not to mention Ewing's rest, he can't defend himself on the court. Fortunately, there are not many such people.

Boyd finally spoke, but his method was a bit irresponsible. "I think it's better to let Ewing fight more. He's a tough guy and will do his best to win. The Knicks tradition is iron-blooded."

Van Gundy was silent on his face and directly called the person an x ​​number in his heart.

Damn if I have someone to use, I will let Ewing play 37 minutes last season? If the Knicks players weren't too hard-working and could have played with the Heat last season and be reversed by the suspension?

Now it is like a sarcasm to say the word "iron blood" to him.

Yang Rui raised his hand and smiled: "I agree with Tom's opinion. Speed ​​up the rotation and the inside defense can be adjusted according to the opponent's lineup. For example, against Lakers O'Neal, use the Shark-cutting tactic to send him to the free throw. If it is Mooning, then send someone who is not very tall and has strong strength to compete with him for muscles, resist outside the penalty area, and reduce his efficiency. For big men with weight and poor shooting, we can still solve the problem in the small lineup. As long as we shrink and block the penalty area, it's enough."

Thibodeau hurriedly added: "Ensure rotation, the opponent's outside shot cannot be opened, and only rely on strong attacks at low positions. The score is easy to control within a percentage, and we can also fight back."

Thibodeau and Yang Rui smiled at each other. Yang Rui did not completely refute his tactics, which was enough to beat Boyd. The Knicks don't need only one assistant coach now.

Boyd cursed in his heart, "You two agreed to come together, right?" What else can I say when you say anything?

Ernie and Van Gundy also suspected that Tom and Yang Rui knew each other because Yang Rui called "Tom", just like an old friend. When he entered the door, Van Gundy did not introduce two competitors to him. Thibodeau had no fame, who would pay attention to the 76ers, an insignificant assistant coach?

Yang Rui once again confused the public and successfully attracted an ally.

Van Gundy asked: "If you join the Knicks, what's the goal?"

The general manager was here and said that the goal was equal to the military order. Two calm people began to think about it, and Yang Rui immediately answered with a firm determination.

"My goal is to help the Knicks win the championship in the new season and have the confidence to do it. Our advantages include three-pointers, defense, lineup depth, and core age, which is not worse than the Bulls. I just discussed the tactics. Didn't we just make the Bulls into black pepper steak to kill Jordan?"

"Hahaha, it's okay, I'm ambitious." Ernie clapped.

Van Gundy also smiled. This is what he believes that the Knicks' iron blood is the confidence to pursue their dreams and the passion to move forward bravely towards their goals.

Looking at the other two, I didn't even dare to say anything, as if I was afraid that the team would be eliminated and I would be responsible.

Even if the Knicks were eliminated, the fans scolded the head coach. They didn't even have any responsibility as assistants, and they were instantly compared by Yang Rui, like the light of fireflies and the bright moon.

Van Gundy asked: "Do you really think we can win the championship in the new season?"

"Yes! Because I have confidence in you, confidence in Knicks players, and more confidence in myself. My expertise lies in offense. As long as the team is willing to use me, I will help you arrange the appropriate offensive tactics and do my best to help the team win."

Manager Ernie Grenfeld is not a dragging person. After the discussion, he called his assistant immediately, followed the process to formulate a contract, and prepared to sign a contract with the two.

The Knicks can't wait. The summer league will start in early July. If the team's head coach leads the team to inspect the marginal people and finds reserve talents for the team, it will become a laughing stock.

There is an unwritten rule that the team is always the team assistant coach, which is both the players and the assistant coach.

The Summer League is a place where "slings" are everywhere. Teams can sign contracts with anyone in the free market and invite foreign players to play. They only need to take care of food and accommodation, and do not have to bear other obligations. In the end, they do not sign a contract to compete in the NBA. The players have no right to question them, and they can only admit their bad luck if they are injured.

Some players will participate in the summer leagues in Las Vegas, Orlando and Long Beach at the same time, just to play more games, show their strength, and pursue a basic salary.

Thibodeau also signed a contract, and his defensive philosophy is very suitable for Van Gundy's appetite.

As for Boyd, he can only be ruthlessly passed. Such people who have a slow discussion tactic can't work together at all. Those who dare to help the head coach share the responsibility are good assistants. What else can they do if they don't dare to say anything?

Three days later, Yang Rui and Thibodeau went to the general manager's office to report and obtained the contract.

The content is not complicated. They need to participate in the team's daily training and tactical discussions, and go to the team to play away games. The contract period is one year.

Unless they are big-name assistants, they will get high salary and long-term contracts as soon as they start their jobs. These people are usually the team taking the initiative to poach them.

No matter how outstanding Yang Rui performed during the interview, he had to start with newcomers in the industry. His annual salary was only 150,000 before tax, and Thibodore was less than him, 120,000.

This offer is fair. Thibodeau won't even make it to the bad team's 76ers and was cut off. Yang Rui has no experience. Only when they proved themselves will the management consider renewing the contract, otherwise it will be just a transitional coach.

Thibodeau was very depressed. Yang Rui became the team's number one assistant coach with his interview performance. Seeing that he calmly signed when he got the contract, he began to wonder what family he came from.

An annual salary of $100,000 is absolutely high in the United States. Why does he seem to care about it?

This is of course because Yang Rui came from the era after the development of the NBA. Since 2015, many assistant coaches have annual salary of one million, and their player contracts are even more outrageous. Now he doesn’t care about money, he only works for one platform.

Yang Rui’s mood is just one word - cool!

In his previous life, his parents were gone, he had almost no contact with his distant relatives, and he was alone. Back in this era, he was not at all entangled, and just wanted to let go of his courage and do something big.

After signing the contract, Yang Rui got a check, and the team paid a salary of US$10,000 in advance, which was the hard work of the summer league. He immediately quit his job at a snack bar and officially got out of poverty.

The Knicks later finalized an assistant coach Billy Schalman, plus Primrosity trainer Chris Joggel, to form a new coaching staff.

On July 1, the NBA free market opened and the Knicks management held a uniform group meeting.

Uniform, as the name suggests, means suits, the uniform group is the coaching team and management meeting. Manager Ernie first welcomed the new members and then arranged the work for July.

"Jerry Young, Tom Thibodeau, you go to the Long Beach Summer League together, a total of five games. Jerry, there is good news. We agreed to the request of the Chinese men's basketball team and play against them in the first game." Ernie looked at Yang Rui and smiled.

"Haha, that's so interesting." Yang Rui realized that his joining had a butterfly effect.

Last year, the Chinese men's basketball team came to the United States to train, and their opponent was the Lakers. Yang Rui's previous life, and this year the Chinese men's basketball team still played against the Lakers. In 1998, he played with the temporary "Magic Star Team".

The so-called star team is actually the legendary point guard "magic" Johnson and a group of retired old men. Johnson is 39 years old and has been diagnosed with AIDS for 7 years. Those who don't know about their body shape may think it is O'Neal.

Johnson is not the fattest one yet. His teammate has become fat as a ball, and he is just a black Michelin tire man. The game was broadcast on Chinese TV at that time, and Yang Rui was particularly impressed.

Faced with such a group of comrades who are elderly, weak, sick, disabled, and pregnant, and hold children, Chinese players have the advantage in athletic ability, without any suspense... they lost 88 to 112.

The men's basketball team has been speechless in the past two years. This time they are warming up for the upcoming Asian Championships. If history does not deviate, they will lose to South Korea in the semi-finals and end up only third place and miss the World Championships. This is the first time the team missed the World Championships since 1982. The strength can be imagined.

Yang Rui was very happy. He had never been a coach in his previous life, and only the memory of this life was used as a reference, which required some time to buffer. If he fought against a strong team in the first game, he would be under great pressure. Playing against the Chinese team would be like to sleep.

The atmosphere of the meeting was a bit weird. Except for Ernie and Van Gundy, everyone was curious about how Yang Rui became an assistant coach, or the nominal first assistant coach.

It is so easy to find a job in a wealthy family in NBA?

He is so young that he seems to be less than 23 years old, is he the boss and the Chinese illegitimate child?

White fat deputy manager Glenn Walsh asked: "Jerry, you look optimistic, but you have never played in the summer league. Do you know how to do it?"

"I know something, I'm sending an invitation to free agents and forming a team temporarily?" Yang Rui smiled slightly and looked at Ernie. "Manager, can I propose candidates for inviting players?"

"Of course, you can discuss with the two Mr. Maguire, they will contact the player or the player's agent and send an invitation, but there is no guarantee that they will come."

Dick Maguire is a famous Knicks scout. He is 72 years old and is still exploring talents for the Knicks. His assistant is his son Scott Maguire, who inherits his father's business.

"Is there a detailed list of liberos?" Yang Rui asked.

"There is a list, but it is not specific. There is only basic information such as player age, height, weight, etc. Many people have unknown technical characteristics because most of them have no experience in playing in the NBA." Scott replied.

"That's enough. I need a list after the meeting." Yang Rui said relaxedly.

Glenn had a bad first impression of Yang Rui. He always felt that the young man was too conceited and said in a cold tone: "Mr. Yang, what achievements do you think the summer league team can achieve? Do you have the confidence to choose potential players for the team?"

"I don't know." Yang Rui said something.

"What?" Glenn frowned.

"Of course I don't know. I haven't even seen a player's shadow yet. I don't know their quality, and I can't tell them tactics. So, I can only give a reply after selecting the players."

Glenn wanted to capture Yang Rui's flaws and lead him to speak loudly, and he would make a move in the future, but the other party was not fooled at all.

"Mr. Walsh, are there any questions?" Yang Rui paused for five seconds, and saw that no one was talking to him, and smiled slightly. "Leaders, please continue, I obey any arrangements."

Compared with Thibodeau's restrainedness, Yang Rui's every move seemed free and comfortable and confident. The elderly in the management saw it and muttered even more.

Are young people so powerful nowadays? He is not nervous or reckless.

This kid may be really capable of becoming an assistant coach.
Chapter completed!