Van Gundy's rigidity in tactics can be reflected whether he was with the Knicks or later when he coached Yao Yao in the Rockets.
In his tactical system, a heavy center is essential.
When coaching the Knicks, Van Gundy liked to have Ewing dig deep inside to create damage.
Ewing is indeed one of the four major centers and is extremely dominant in the paint, but his technical style does not match his sturdy appearance. Compared with head-to-head with other muscular players at the basket, Ewing is limited by injuries.
The affected Ewing prefers to attack face-to-face.
Since Van Gundy took over the Knicks from Riley, Ewing's data has begun to decline year after year. Although this is directly related to Ewing's own injuries, Ewing's heavy pressure on the inside is also one of the causes of injuries.
Compared to Ewing, Yao's experience is more familiar to Chinese fans.
After Van Gundy came to coach the Rockets, he asked Yao to gain weight. The weight gain indeed enhanced Yao's dominance at the basket, and he once had the best season performance of his career, averaging 25+9 per game.
But what followed was the attack of injuries.
The excessive weight put a serious strain on Dayao's ankles, and he was frequently injured under the high-intensity competition in the NBA. In the end, his career only lasted eight seasons and came to an end.
Hindsight is of course meaningless, but Dayao's short career in the NBA still left many fans confused and began to imagine what would have happened if Dayao had not gained weight.
If he hadn't gained weight, Yao might not have been as dominant as he was in the early 2000s, but his career would have been prolonged as a result. And as time went on 10 years later, the small ball era began to have a faint rise.
The trend is that the tactical status of traditional centers is getting lower and lower. Instead, Nowitzki, Bosh and other internal players who can attack the frame and can stretch space and are flexible are becoming more and more popular.
Dayao is capable of mid-range or even long-range shooting. After all, his height alone determines that he will receive very little interference when shooting.
There should be no problem in theory for Dayao to play like Nowitzki, and this style of play will undoubtedly extend Dayao's career.
Of course, these are just guesses, and no one knows what the actual situation is.
All in all, Van Gundy didn't think of replacing Wang Feng on the court until Riley reminded him.
When he heard Van Gundy's words, Wang Feng's eyes immediately lit up.
Without saying anything, he immediately stood up and walked towards the arena.
Wang Feng's appearance attracted the attention of all players on the court.
"This rookie is here..."
Oakley stared at Wang Feng, but he didn't think so. "Even if he comes on stage now, what will it change?"
He doesn't like Wang Feng, and that's been true from the first moment he saw Wang Feng.
There is no need for any reason. If I had to say it, it would be because of my skin color.
In the United States in the 1990s, it was completely normal to discriminate against people of color. At a time when political correctness was not as popular as it would be in the future, there was a complete chain of contempt in the United States.
White people look down on all people of color, and black people look down on Asian and Latin American people.
Let alone the 1990s, similar situations still exist even ten years later.
Jeremy Lin said in an interview that year that he encountered serious racial discrimination when he was playing basketball as a student.
Oakley, who was already dissatisfied with Wang Feng, had been frustrated in front of Wang Feng earlier, which turned his dissatisfaction into hostility.
When Wang Feng came on stage, he came over and whispered, "Rookie, be careful, I'm going to beat the shit out of you soon!"
Wang Feng frowned, glanced sideways at Oakley, and said in a cold tone, "I will remember it."
I have to admit, this guy is indeed quite annoying, and his reputation as a villain in the alliance is well-deserved.
Compared with him, even Green can be considered an amiable type.
Wang Feng had successfully been aroused by him.
Just in time, let’s see the real results on the field!
…
After the break, the two teams returned to the field for the second half.
On the white team's side, Wang Feng came on the scene to replace a substitute forward and assume the position of small forward.
The white team had the ball. Hubert Davis dribbled the ball past half court, then immediately found Ewing's position, and directly transferred the ball to Ewing who had just stuck his position inside.
Ewing: "Thank you so much. Please let me take a break."
This is not a formal game, it's just a competition. It doesn't matter whether you win or lose. Is there any need to stare at him and fuck him to death?
Having said that, after getting the ball, Ewing still struggled to squeeze out some space and shot a fadeaway jumper.
"box--!"
Ewing, whose physical fitness had declined, felt the impact on his hands. His shot missed the frame and the rebound was protected by Charles Smith.
The blue team attacked and the ball was given to Starks.
As the Knicks' outside core, Starks not only ranks second on the team in scoring, second only to Ewing, but also averages 5.1 assists per game.
His breakthrough speed with the ball is the fastest on the team and he is extremely lethal.
At this time, Starks directly held the ball and relied on his speed to forcefully break through the defensive players and go straight to the inside.
Faced with this situation, Ewing could only step forward to defend, and at the same time, there were ten thousand grass and mud horses running wildly in his heart. This was really the rhythm of being both a father and a mother, trying to exhaust him to death.
Facing Ewing's defense, Starks chose to pass the ball to Derek Harper, who ran out of space on the outside.
Harper's position was a standard long two-point distance. After receiving the ball, he did not take a step back from the three-point line. He just took off and shot directly from the spot. It was full of the playing style of the 1990s.
But just when he was about to take action, a figure appeared in front of him and raised his hand to interfere.
The person who came was none other than Wang Feng.
Seemingly affected by Wang Feng's interference, Harper's shot deviated from the basket and missed the frame.
Ewing immediately jumped up to protect the defensive rebound.
"The awareness of making up for defense is very good and very timely..."
On the sidelines, Van Gundy nodded slightly when he saw this scene.
Wang Feng's speed is very good when he is on the side, and he can reach the level of a first-line defender. It is this excellent speed and agility that allows him to have such high mobility and can make up for any leaks at any time for his teammates.
The ball was handed over to Hubert Davis. After he dribbled the ball across half court, he subconsciously looked for Ewing's position, but before he saw Ewing, Davis saw it first.
A person who takes the initiative to ask for something.
"That new Asian player?"
Looking at Wang Feng who asked for the ball unceremoniously, Davis couldn't help but be stunned.
He didn't expect that a newcomer who had just arrived with a ten-day short-term contract would raise his hand and ask for it so confidently. This was something he didn't expect.
After a slight hesitation, Davis still prioritized looking for Ewing.
But when he saw Ewing, he found that the big brother did not enter the inside this round, but stood on the outside with no intention of asking for the ball.
"What should I do? Should I fight it myself?"
Davis was a little confused.
As an outside shooter, Davis' ability to break through with the ball is not strong, especially when facing the team's main back line, it is difficult to make a difference.
During the process of hesitation, Wang Feng always raised his hand, signaling to pass the ball to him.
Although Wang Feng never made a sound, his raised hand was very resolute and decisive, and anyone could see his determination to get the ball.
After thinking about it, Davis passed the ball to Wang Feng because he was also curious about what kind of ability Wang Feng was so confident.
The moment he caught the ball, Wang Feng even had tears in his eyes.
It’s too difficult! It’s really too difficult!
Even though he has an overall rating of 99 and a dozen high-level badges, it is so difficult for him to get the ball in a match.
Touching the familiar feel of the basketball in his hand, Wang Feng swore in his heart that any ball that came into his hands would never be passed out easily.
As Wang Feng caught the ball, most people's attention on the field was focused on him.
Everyone is very interested in the strength of this arrogant newcomer Wang Feng.
At this moment, the defensive player Wang Feng faced was forward Anthony Bonner, a 2.03-meter-tall forward who averaged about 20 minutes per game and was a substitute rotation player.
As a substitute player, Bonner knows that intra-team competitions like this are the best occasion for him to show his abilities to the coaching staff.
And for a soft persimmon like Wang Feng who has just arrived and knows nothing, this is his best opportunity to perform.
Therefore, seeing Wang Feng holding the ball, Bonner immediately stepped forward to defend and did not give Wang Feng any chance to attack.
After all, he is a player who can get stable playing time in the NBA. Although he is only a substitute, Bonner's level is also very good, especially his defensive position is impeccable.
On the sidelines, Van Gundy, who is very good at arranging defensive tactics, saw Bonner's textbook defense and couldn't help but focus on Wang Feng.
Bonner's defensive position was already perfect, and he was now very curious about how Wang Feng would respond.
However, the next moment, his eyes became stunned.
Facing Bonner's defense, Wang Feng looked calm and stood outside the three-point line in a triple-threat posture. Then he suddenly exerted force and rushed out like a cannonball.
Fast! Too fast!
Wang Feng's speed was beyond everyone's expectations, and Bonner in front of him couldn't react at all. His eyes only blurred, and Wang Feng disappeared from his sight!
Step One Master! Activate!
Wang Feng, who easily passed Bonner in one step, continued to rush towards the basket at an extremely fast speed. This sudden scene caught everyone by surprise, including Oakley, who was still standing under the basket.
By the time he reacted and wanted to step forward to defend, Wang Feng had already taken two hard steps and leaped high into the air.
"So high!"
At this moment, Oakley immediately judged that with Wang Feng's current speed, momentum and take-off height, if he continued to climb up without knowing his capabilities, the only thing waiting for him would be a dunk.
Almost out of instinct, Oakley immediately stopped and watched Wang Feng slam the basketball into the basket with a powerful tomahawk dunk.
"boom--!"
There was silence on the court.
Wang Feng's goal successfully made everyone speechless.
Van Gundy opened his mouth wide and looked at Wang Feng in disbelief, still recalling what just happened in his mind.
Riley's eyes narrowed slightly, but they kept shining.
Ewing, Oakley and others also had shocked expressions on their faces.
"This guy breaks through so fast with the ball!"
Starks looked at Wang Feng in shock.
As the team's outside core, although Starks' playing style is biased toward shooting, he often breaks through with the ball.
Therefore, no one knows better than him how terrifying Wang Feng's lightning breakthrough just now is.
Bonner's defensive position was already very good, but he was still passed over like a telegraph pole.
Starks can be sure that even if he defends Wang Feng, the result will not be any better than Bonner.
Regardless of anything else, just this breakthrough with the ball in hand is enough for Wang Feng to gain a foothold in the NBA and even occupy a place.
"I'm afraid this guy's speed is no less than Grant Hill, right?"
Hill, who joined the league in the summer of 1994, shocked the league with his super-fast first step.
Although his rookie season has not yet ended, many people have already called him Jordan's successor and believe that Hill's future achievements will not be lower than Jordan's.
Hill's first step is already famous in the league. Is there going to be another striker with amazing breakthrough speed in the league?
"Don't be stunned! Keep attacking!"
Oakley's shout brought everyone out of their daze.
The blue team's offense seemed to be surprised by Wang Feng's breakthrough. The blue team's outside players were obviously a little distracted in their offense.
After receiving the pass from his teammate, Harper habitually continues to pass the ball to the teammate on the other side who has less defensive pressure.
But the moment he took the basketball shot, a figure shot out of the air to intercept the pass.
It's Wang Feng who has been lurking for a long time.
Interceptor! Activate!
Wang Feng, who stole the ball, took direct steps and ran towards the backcourt of the blue team.
Wang Feng, who had 94 points in speed and agility, was at full power, leaving all the Knicks players far behind, including the team's two main guards who couldn't keep up with his speed.
Wang Feng rushed to the free throw line and jumped directly on the spot, finishing the offense with a dunk from the free throw line.
"boom--!"
Two attacks, two dunks, and the blue team was caught off guard.
Van Gundy on the sidelines was already shaking with excitement.
They found a treasure! They really found a treasure!
Wang Feng's strength is not only limited to the trial training process, he is a ready-to-combat player who truly has the ability to fight on the field.
Although the configuration of the blue team does not include Ewing, the core of the team, except for Ewing, the other players are all starting players. If the strength is considered comprehensively, it should be able to barely reach the 25th place in the league, although it is the bottom.
, but there is no doubt that he has reached the NBA level.
Since Wang Feng can score and defend calmly in front of them, he can also do the same against other teams in the NBA.
And Van Gundy saw more.
Although Wang Feng only showed his speed on the offensive end, on the defensive end in two rounds, he showed something that surprised Van Gundy.