Chapter 79: Charging Ahead or Holding the Line
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Despite the Chicago Bulls' arrival, a team once boasting a so-called "undefeated" record against the Knicks last season, Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden barely spared them a glance.
Indeed, last season both teams struggled as Eastern Conference bottom-dwellers, seemingly competing for the last spot in the standings.
But times have changed.
Since the Knicks drafted the towering talent from China, Wang Song, the wheels of destiny have begun to turn. A new era is dawning in New York.
Like Knicks coach Don Chaney, Bulls head coach Bill Cartwright also faces job insecurity, with rumors of layoffs circulating. Both teams' coaches were under immense pressure, and Cartwright desperately sought a win to boost team morale and solidify his position within Chicago's management.
But when you push too hard, things often go awry.
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### **First Quarter Domination**
From the very start of the game, the Knicks' fast-paced offense, meticulously studied by the Bulls coaching staff pre-game, displayed its usual dominance.
With the Bulls lacking a robust interior defense, their porous paint was relentlessly exploited. By the end of the first quarter, the Knicks had notched 30 points, setting a new season-high for single-quarter scoring, while also holding a 10-point lead.
This explosive start left the Bulls' coaching staff stunned.
Cartwright soon realized that pre-game analysis and defensive plans were one thing, but execution on the court was an entirely different challenge.
The gap in player quality is not something mere tactics can overcome.
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### **One-Sided Matchup**
The Knicks' seamless coordination between their interior and perimeter players was remarkable, far beyond what one would expect from a newly assembled team.
In contrast, the Bulls struggled.
Jamal Crawford, their offensive spearhead, was inefficient when driving to the basket and began forcing three-point shots. By halftime, he had only hit 3 of 12 attempts, scoring a meager 7 points.
Meanwhile, Eddy Curry, the Bulls' main interior presence, was utterly silenced when facing Wang Song.
Surprisingly, it was Bulls rookie Kirk Hinrich, who had previously crossed paths with Wang Song in the NCAA Final Four, who stepped up, scoring a team-high 9 points from beyond the arc in the first half.
But even so, the Bulls' offensive efficiency paled in comparison to the Knicks'.
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### **Third Quarter Knockout**
By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks had established a commanding 25-point lead.
Coach Don Chaney maintained his composure, methodically rotating players and subbing out Wang Song for the Knicks' bench unit.
For Chaney, navigating his precarious job security, wins and losses held less personal significance.
But fortunately, this Knicks team seemed more than capable of handling matters on their own.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Knicks secured a resounding 117-92 victory, eliciting thunderous cheers from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
For the Knicks faithful, this season's team was nothing short of miraculous—consistent, thrilling, and utterly dominant.
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### **Player Performances**
Wang Song, clocking out after just three quarters, delivered another stellar performance with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks—a near triple-double.
Had he played the full game, Knicks fans had little doubt he would have become the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
But they weren't concerned. At this rate, it was only a matter of time.
Other Knicks players shone as well:
- **Steve Nash**, the team's backcourt maestro, logged 32 minutes and tallied 20 points and 11 assists, further cementing his legendary status as a playmaker.
- **Allan Houston**, finding his rhythm, shot 6 of 9 from the field to score 15 points.
- **Kurt Thomas**, the veteran forward paired with Wang Song in the frontcourt, seemed revitalized, recording 15 points and 9 rebounds—just one board shy of a double-double.
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### **Team Chemistry**
After the game, Kurt Thomas approached Wang Song, a mix of admiration and gratitude in his eyes.
"Wang, congrats on another double-double. I envy guys like you with so much talent—putting up numbers seems effortless."
Wang Song chuckled and responded with humility:
"You're no slouch yourself, Kurt. Just watch out for fouls. The refs are keeping a close eye on you, so you might want to tone it down a bit."
The camaraderie between Wang Song and Kurt Thomas had grown considerably since their game against the Nuggets. Wang Song knew the importance of building strong bonds with players like Thomas, who could handle the "dirty work" on the court.
In the NBA, every superstar needs enforcers—teammates who can protect them and take on the gritty, thankless tasks.
Kurt, however, admitted that he initially had reservations about Wang Song. Pre-draft hype surrounding the Chinese center had led him to expect another bust, like the Wizards' Kwame Brown. But Wang's humble demeanor and undeniable talent quickly won him over.
"I wouldn't have played as well tonight without you drawing defenders away from me in the paint," Kurt confessed.
Their conversation was interrupted by Allan Houston's playful interjection:
"Are you two getting sentimental over a win against the Bulls? Save it for something bigger. This is just the beginning of our new identity as a team."
Steve Nash chimed in with a grin, "Speaking of beginnings... At this rate, Wang might just sweep all the awards in the Eastern Conference."
Before the banter could continue, Wang stepped forward, raising a fist.
"Enough daydreaming, guys. Let's focus on the real goal—conquering the East!"
The players huddled together, fists piled atop one another, their collective determination evident to the crowd still lingering in the arena.
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### **A United Front**
For the Knicks' fans who stayed to watch this moment of solidarity, it was an emotional sight.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the team's coaching situation, many had feared that the Knicks would be plagued by internal turmoil. But tonight's game—and the team's evident unity—laid those worries to rest.
The Knicks' resurgence was real, and with Wang Song leading the charge, their future had never looked brighter.
*(End of Chapter)*